Texans First, but in what? [see UPDATE]
There seems to be a new organization that’s getting started. It’s called “Texans First.” Here’s what I think is going on. It’s a Rick Perry play all the way. That’s obvious from the signature on the letter, which is that of Bill Jones, formerly Perry’s general counsel and former chairman of the A&M Board of Regents. Perry is doing what he does every session: Ingratiate himself with the freshmen. This is straight from the Perry playbook. He’ll probably try to attend freshman orientation too. They are the only ones left who might be impressed by a governor who is desperately trying to extend his own relevance.
The letter says,
Congratulations on winning your race. You earned it. Now comes the hard part–delivering on the promises you made, so Texas avoids becoming a high-tax, over-regulated, lawsuit riddled disaster like California.
Benjamin Franklin cautioned, “We most all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately. That’s why those of us at Texas First, a group of liberty minded entrepreneurs who are dedicated to the same principles you are, want to invite you to an intimate gathering of legislative policy leaders, policy experts, and successful entrepreneurs. If you will come, we promise you a day of deep principled discussion and serious commitments you won’t soon forget.
The location is the Acton School, the private MBA program run by Jeff Sandefer, a longtime Perry ally.
The letter goes on to say that the goal will be to draft a serious plan for advancing the freedoms of all Texans, “before the destructive forces of lobbyists, special interests, and petty politics begin to tear at us all.”
As for avoiding the destructive forces of lobbyists, special interests, and petty politics, I wouldn’t count on it. The event (scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 19), is being hosted by Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
UPDATE:
This is an explanation of who and what Texans First is, from Amanda Venable:
1. The Bill Jones cited in the blog post and the Bill Jones that is president of Texans First are two different people. The Bill Jones that is president of Texans First is an entrepreneur from Odessa that now works and lives in Austin. He is also a teacher at the Acton School of Business, thus, our access to the Acton campus. No relation to Bill Jones, Perry’s former counsel.
2. Texans First is not that new of an organization. We’ve been around for two years. We were formed by a small group of entrepreneurs and community leaders. No politicians have been involved in the formation of our group or are active in the day-to-day operations.
Texans First is a collection of entrepreneurs, business leaders, teachers and community leaders that have come together to help advance entrepreneurial civic causes and initiatives. We provide a space for entrepreneurs to take the same skills that created successful ventures and apply them to the world of policy — be that in the realm of education and mentorship or economic vitality or government accountability.
Actually, this group sounds pretty interesting. The Bill Jones mentioned here is involved in Jeff Sandefer’s Acton School of Business. Thanks to Ms. Venable for the explanation.
dentext says:
Texas first, in this context, means ahead of Mississippi, in lowest spending per social unit, services, most economically near the 3rd world, etc.
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anon Reply:
August 18th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
We are clearly first in allowing a simplistic governor to replace leadership with partisan grudges, such that our state’s very important interests are placed solidly behind partisan purity. Look at our peer states — none allow themselves to be minimized to such an extent by their political leaders.
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WhiteRA says:
Why does Perry need anyone between him and freshman lawmakers? total misread. Those Tea Party backed freshman will already listen to Perry . . . weird letter. Slow news week, probably unworthy of a post Pablo.
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paulburka Reply:
August 18th, 2012 at 9:30 am
Why should tea party freshmen be for Perry? He endorsed the establishment candidate against their hero, Ted Cruz?
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Robert Morrow Reply:
August 18th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Agreed. Perry has burnt a lot of bridges or just blew up his own or drove his truck into the ravine… one of those metaphors.
Having said that – they should have invited Terri Hall of TURF to lecture on the dangers of toll roads.
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paulburka says:
I seem to have another volunteer editor. Perry trying to stay relevant is news.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
August 23rd, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Burka, Perry is badly trying to avoid being a lame duck governor because folks still haven’t forgotten how bad his presidential campaign went.
Whoever convinced him to run for Prez needs to be fired.
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Eyeswideopen says:
“…destructive forces of lobbyists, special interests and petty politics “???? Are these not all synonymous with Perry? We talking about a total makeover?
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Juice says:
Governor Revolving Door is worried about those bad lobbyists. As always, irony is elusive for many Texans.
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Big O says:
“before the destructive forces of lobbyists, special interests, and petty politics begin to tear at us all.”
You’ve got to be kidding or shi*ing me……
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Whoa, Nellie! says:
This press release could stand some copyediting. Texans First in sloppy grammar!
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The Mustache That Dare Not Speak Its Name says:
The last gasp of a dying empire.
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Stevie F. says:
I think it’s ironic that someone would quote Ben Franklin on unity as they formed another faction of the Republican party. Why aren’t these folks working through the GOP?
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Wise Guy says:
Bill Jones 4 guv
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Jeff Crosby says:
Perry First would be a more accurate name.
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John Johnson says:
I would suggest that Perry seek advisors who will level with him and tell him that it is not in his best interests to run again…that chances are he is going to be terribly embarrassed. Obviously, he has been listening to people who tell him what he wants to hear for sometime now.
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Patriotone says:
Texans for Lawsuit Reform is the most pernicious lobbying group in Austin. It has one purpose and that is to help its benefactors (the owners box) avoid responsibility when the kill or maim someone. They have virtually closed the Courthouse door to ordinary Texans and they have deserted their friends who were there in 2003 for them so they can do more damage with a new crop. Perry and TLR aren’t conservative, they are grasping corporatists out to skew the system for their own enrichment.
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Anonymous Reply:
August 18th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Life aint nothin’ but Dicks and money!
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John Johnson Reply:
August 18th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
As a TLR charter member, I cannot agree with you more. The plan to end frivolous lawsuits, outrageous monetary awards and the large number of filings in state by out of state attorneys was a good one, but TLR has morphed into nothing more than a front for getting the Big’s everything the want at the expense of the average Texan. I helped them push for award limits because Richard Weekley and Trabulsi told me it would lower insurance costs for all Texans. Our premium rates have doubled the last ten years while physicians, hospitals, device manufacturers, drug companies and the insurance companies themselves have all saved a bundle. I have asked both Dick W. and Trabulsi to address this on numerous occasions. I have been promised an answer but have yet to get one.
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John Johnson says:
Maybe Texans First should research fraudulent activities down in the Valley schools. I was told today that in one school system literally no one buys school supplies or buys breakfast or lunch. Even school teachers kids are on the dole. My friend was told by an administrator that it was cheaper to giveaway to all than to mess with volume of paperwork.
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Blue Reply:
August 18th, 2012 at 8:28 pm
John, its allowed under Federal regs to just have all kids on free lunch if there is a large enough percentage of free lunch kids in the school. They aren’t doing anything wrong.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cga/pressreleases/2011/FNS-0001.htm
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 6:50 am
It’s also allowed under federal regs to not have to be a citizen to get WIC, tax credits and a whole bunch of tax dollars in a myriad of ways.
Should the government be doing this? No, but dems need votes anyway they can pay for them.
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John Johnson Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 6:11 pm
Angela Olige is in charge school feeding. She is in our Dept. of Agriculture. Talked with her today and she is going to research it.
The program you mention, Blue, was a pilot program back in 2011. Texas was not one of the participants. Maybe they now are involved, but the friend who mentioned what was going on in a specific Valley town as far as 100% participation goes hasn’t taught down there in two years.
Ms. Olige will get back in touch with me with the real scoop. I will let you know what she says.
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anita says:
It is true that some school districts in South Texas do have 100% eligibility in the reduced cost/ free lunch program. It is my understanding that, if a certain overwhelming percentage threshold is met, all receive it.
And what’s wrong with this? Seems to me it’s a more efficient use of resources, a “common sense” approach — as opposed to forcing everyone to prove eligibility on an opt-in basis. How exactly is a low cost meal for the poor putting someone on the “dole”?
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Blue Reply:
August 18th, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Yep, Feds allow it. Universal brekkie, too.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 6:51 am
now if we can just do free dinner meals too, our schools can be a full service free cafeteria.
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ole says:
Is it the fact that the children are overwhelming Hispanic in South Texas that you consider them to be less “Texan” then others? Please explain.
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John Johnson Reply:
August 18th, 2012 at 6:14 pm
It is totally ridiculous to feed and provide school supplies to students who don’t qualify. What percentage are we talking about before everyone gets freebies? The definition of dole is to distribute money, food or clothing to the needy. Does it not fit here?
Where did you come up with the idea that I think south Texas Hispanics are not texans? I think that many of them are Texan and many of them are Mexican. Have no problem with feeding needy Texans. I do have a problem with feeding mexican students and students of whatever ethnic makeup that don’t meet the “needy” parameters.
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Blue Reply:
August 18th, 2012 at 8:30 pm
If I’m running a school district with 500 kids and 490 of the qualify for free lunch, how does it make any sense to do all the paperwork for 490 to keep 10 kids out?
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anita Reply:
August 18th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
JJ, send me your address. Since you are such a tight ass, concerned about poor kids scamming free lunches, I’ll send you a check for the .000001 cent of your tax dollars that go to this.
John Johnson Reply:
August 18th, 2012 at 10:55 pm
Don’t generalize. Show me the percentages. What number pushes you to the “Oh, heck, let’s just feed ‘um all” point?
John Johnson Reply:
August 18th, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Typical b.s. from you, Anita. I never mentioned poor people scamming…I mentioned us getting scammed by people who decide that kids who don’t qualify for free lunches or school supplies get them anyway. What are the guidelines, or does some principle just decide that his kids and all the teachers kids and the insurance guys kids and the pharmacists kids and, and, and……
JK Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:23 am
You could give the ten sets of parents the option of paying the equivalent cost per meal on a monthly or semester basis, and then their kids could eat “free” like the other 490. Problem solved.
anita says:
Paul,
Any info on the form or formation of the group? Is it a general or specific purpose PAC? Are they on file at the Ethics Commission — and if so, under whose name?
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WUSRPH says:
Sounds to me like this group, like Gov. Oops himself, intends to ask the legislators to disregard their official oaths. You cannot put “Texas first” when you have sworn “to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution and laws of the United States…” before that of the state of Texas. However, maybe they are planning to secede again.
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Reagan Republican says:
I supported and attended an event to provide school supplies to “underprivileged” kids. I was flabbergasted how many of the parents smoked and had tatoos, cell phones, and bling.
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BCinBCS Reply:
August 18th, 2012 at 9:58 pm
Yea, RR, I agree with you.
The sure-fire way to discipline the adults for this outrageous behavior is by punishing the kids. That way they can go to school hungry and without supplies (and not learn and then be another generation of irresponsible adults).
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Anonymous Reply:
August 18th, 2012 at 11:07 pm
What a crock. What they’re learning now is how to scam the system. There’s no stigma attached to receiving freebies any longer because it is so commonplace. Now they brag about how they “scam” the system and are happy to share with others how much they’re racking in and how to do it. It is totally out of control.
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BCinBCS Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 1:57 am
Oh absolutely!
All of those rich families are actually grifters whose hundreds of thousands of dollars are made by “scamming” the system out of baloney sandwiches and milk.
I agree with Anita (above). If you’ll send me your address, I refund the 0.000001 cent of your tax dollar that goes to this. (I can’t help your stone heart, though.)
anita Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 9:24 am
“What a crock. What they’re learning now is how to scam the system. There’s no stigma attached to receiving freebies any longer because it is so commonplace. Now they brag about how they “scam” the system and are happy to share with others how much they’re racking in and how to do it. It is totally out of control.”
Sounds like a conference call among Mitt Romney’s tax lawyers …
John Johnson Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 6:20 am
There is no accountability. There is no policing. Fraud is rampant in every giveaway program the Feds create and run. Whatever this particular program costs individual Texans is not the point, yet you want to defend it. The issue is that the laws are manipulated, ignored, and numbers are fudged. Your defense is “it’s only a baloney sandwich”. I would not want you managing my money or heading up my area police department.
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anita Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 9:16 am
Fascinating — as of your last post, you had zero info on the program. Yet now you have apparently learned everything there is to know to pass final judgment on this and every other “giveaway” program.
Slow down, learn the facts, then pass judgment.
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John Johnson Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 11:06 am
I don’t know everything about anything. I do know that waste and fraud are prevalent in most if not all government run departments and programs. The feeding and school supply giveaway was not set up to every student free meals, pencils and paper. This is the bottom line. Who decides what percentage of qualified students makes it OK to just give all of them freebies? I ask this question so I will know.
BCinBCS Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 12:24 pm
JJ, you and I frequently see eye-to-eye but on this one we must disagree.
You state that “fraud is rampant in every giveaway program the Feds create and run” yet you cite no proof. And to say that “fraud is RAMPANT” (my emphasis) is cynicism at its highest. This is the usual clap-trap from bitter conservatives who believe that “now that I’ve got mine, to hell with yours”.
Let me explain my philosophy using that parable about giving a man a fish:
Liberals are of the opinion that one should give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Unfortunately for liberals and everyone else, the next day you must give him another fish. And, like feeding a cat for three or four days, he becomes your responsibility.
Conservatives, on the other hand, are of the opinion that if you do not feed him anything, he will get so hungry that he will get his own fish. Well, what really happens is that he will not starve, instead, he will steal your fish. You will arrest him and throw him in jail and feed him a fish every day to the tune of about $50,000 per year.
My philosophy, JJ, is to feed him a fish but require that he learn to fish. That way, he will provide for himself and his family and any additional catch can be sold.
Most conservatives believe that success comes from initiative and hard work. I contend that, while success requires initiative and hard work, it ALSO requires opportunity. Opportunity comes in many forms among them being a good education.
Study after study has proven that children learn best when they are not malnourished and when they are not hungry, so it follows that free lunch programs enhance learning which enhances opportunity which can lead to success.
Because you disagree with the actions of the parents, you want to eliminate one of the three legs of the stool of success, condemning their children to a similar lifestyle, thus perpetuating the cycle.
You wrote “I would not want you managing my money or heading up my area police department”. I suppose you now know how I would feel about you managing my social programs or my educational system.
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John Johnson Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
BCisBCS, your points are well taken.
I will, however, stick to my statement that fraud and corruption are rampant in government run programs, because everyone that is actually audited shows this to be true…billions is cash disappear in Iraq and Afghanistan, fraud in Medicare/Medicade, the foodstamp program, IRS refunds, the GSA, the Defense Department. Need I go on? Our government sets these programs up and then no one polices them. We only know half the story…no one really knows just how bad it actually is.
Obama’s plan to show that his Medicare/Medicade plan will actually work after cutting $700B out of it is based partially on curbing the current waste and fraud in the program. My stupid question is, “If they know how to do it, why aren’t we doing it now”? Make sense to you?
I am not unsympathetic to the down and out. I have had government assistance before in the form of an SBA loan after 9/11 to keep my business afloat. All my airline contracts cancelled within 48 of the tragedy. I have not fully recovered yet.
I understand the concept of lending a hand until you get on your feet. What I have never liked is people taking advantage of the situation and learning to like it in lieu of actually going to work. That is where we are now in the U.S. Women have babies because they increase the size of the montly check. Jobs are out there, but they are too much work…not really what they want to do. It’s easier to just walk out to the mailbox and get a check. We’ve made it that easy; we’ve given them a choice. Now they don’t have to work if they don’t want to. That’s where we are today. I don’t like it.
Furthermore, this topic did not start with me condeming children who qualify from being fed, but you guys have morphed it into that.
buy a clue Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
We aren’t doing it now because for the bulk of the last 30 years republicans have been in charge. Their goal is to show govt doesn’t work and they’ve been wildly successful at it. Just ask the people affected by andrew and Katrina how well FEMA works under republicans
Would you take your child to a pediatrician who says he hates kids and wishes they were all dead?? Hell no. But gramps votes for republicans that say the same thing and then is shocked when government programs don’t work.
Karen Reply:
August 24th, 2012 at 3:54 am
Wow. Good job and you are spot on BC in BCS. Our welfare program just sets people up to fail. Perhaps if we had more programs like this? http://www.texasjailproject.org/tag/inmate-programs/
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 6:55 am
feds even troll for illegals on State run web sites
“WIC clients usually receive services in the county where they live. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for eligibility.”
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/wichd/gi/eligible.shtm
democrats buying votes with tax dollars.
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buyacluesmother Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 9:33 am
My son is just repeating the dem mantra and doesn’t stay on top of current events here in Texas. It’s been all over the news that Texas leads the nation by far and away when it comes to fraudulent activities by dental labs.
They have placed people by schools who solicit and pay the students to go to the dental labs for often unneeded work which is then charged to the feds. We’re talking billions. Where was the oversight?
My boy is just another ignorant mouthpiece for the “give us more free stuff” crowd. Just ignore him. That’s what I do.
buy a clue Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 10:02 am
Come now gramps, surely you can come up with a better sock puppet than that
John Johnson Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 11:10 am
Your mother is an intelligent woman. She is wondering, like the rest of the objective group, why, if curbing fraud and corruption is part of his plan to make his meidicare and medicade numbers work, it is not currently being implemented. More empty rhetoric. It happens everytime his mouth moves. You poor chump…that hook is in you way, way too deep.
buy a clue Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Obama’s not fixing our fuck ups fast enough. The never ending whine of republicans everywhere
John Johnson Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 12:53 pm
How long can you stand facing and pointing backwards? Obviously, for a long time. You and your slick talking president have been doing it for almost 4 years now.
buy a clue Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
As long as it’s true gramps, as long as it’s true.
Anonymous says:
Greg Abbott for Guv
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buy a clue says:
Oh gramps, just because you don’t agree with something doesn’t mean there is rampant fraud involved. You know where there is rampant fraud? Our execution of the Iraq war under shrub. You bitch about that much? I only see you complain about programs that help people.
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Anonymous Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 9:28 am
Were we debating the Iraq War dumbass? Are we talking about Bush? Is this 2004? Shut the fuck up you Jim Hightower wannabe.
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FLPD Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 10:24 am
Seems as though the posters on this blog reach back to LBJ and Bill Clinton all the time to make their points. But Anon at 9:28 goes ballistic and spews profanity when someone makes a valid point about the billions in fraud under George W. Bush. The debate, anon, is about what people view as fraud and waste.
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anita Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 9:34 am
Good point — I’m sure everyone outraged by a poor child getting a free or reduced price meal so their young minds and bodies can absorb some knowledge were proportionately outraged by Haliburton’s habitual bilking of billions from us as private contractors in overseas conflicts. I’m sure you all were vocal about that — millions for executives, pennies for kids.
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John Johnson Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 11:27 am
I always like debating a specific issue and having the “yeah but’s” thrown back. I don’t think we like waste and fraud in any shape, form or fashion. You guys keep wanting to throw Bush /Halliburton and the like back as a retort. I don’t like that either…and I don’t like the fact that all the waste and fraud associated with Iraq and Afghanistan continues under Obama.
Please try and stay on topic like I have on this thread. Sorry, Paul.
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buy a clue Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
Come on gramps. If you found out there was a school district where 480 out of 500 qualified for free lunch and the school had to spend hours on paperwork to exempt the other 20 you’d be bitching about one size fits all federal regulations instead of phantom fraud. In your mind the Feds can do no right, there is no debating that with you.
buy a clue says:
Reading comprehension. Try it sometime
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buy a clue Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 10:04 am
That last comment was meant for anny at 9:28
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Cow Droppings says:
Typical Burka: shoot first, ask questions later. 40+
comments follow a totally flawed premise.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 6:57 am
but it excited the uninformed who don’t let facts get in the way of their flawed thinking.
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anita says:
For what it’s worth, the “group” was formed a couple of years ago, according to Ethics Commission filings. It has an Austin P.O. Box, but it is formed as a General Purpose PAC, headed by a guy named Colt Ables, who lived in an apartment in Arlington, but has since relocated to Gladewater. It reports no contributions or expenditures, but for 13.00 to buy a domain name. It’s website is simple and bland, fails to identify a single person under a generic “who we are” portal.
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anita says:
Someone needs to tip off Louie Gohmert or Debbie Riddle to all this “free lunch” business. Because this is probably part of Obama’s strategy to pump young girls full of uterus-enhancing nutrients, so that they can be impregnated by terrorists with their evil seed. The fetus will develop with a coded brain stem and 18 years later will deliver the dirty bomb to downtown Houston. Obama was the 1.0 version of this, this is the path to creating the foot soldiers to destroy faith, family and freedom once and for all. Some ex-FBI person told me about this while we were on a flight, but I can’t tell you his name. It must be stopped immediately. A free lunch today emboldens those who hate our way of life, and those who hate Jesus.
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Anonymous Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 11:33 am
Are you OK, Anita? You seem close to a meltdown. He’s just asking you to stay on topic and tell us who determines opening the giveaways to all is kosher.
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FLPD Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
I believe the topic was Texans First.
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BCinBCS Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
O.K. Anita, sometimes sarcasm can be overdone. (But it did elicit a chuckle).
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anita Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
It’s not much overdone — see L. Gohmert, Interview with Anderson Cooper, CNN.
And the Anonymous @ 11:33 — it’s not my burden to help JJ see the error of his ways. He’s arguing that free and reduced price meals at schools is a program “rampant with fraud and waste”. He needs to prove this up himself. Next he’ll tell us that the sun comes out at night — are we expected then to go pull scientific journals to confirm to all that it is the moon that we see at night? From my scan of other comments, he seems to be falling short in making his case, and resorts to demanding everyone else to disprove the corollary. I’ll pass.
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anita says:
No meltdown. Just satire.
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Anonymous says:
Texas well on its way to be the “no star state.”
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anita says:
Except if you’re a Perry crony — stars are pretty bright for the time being. Still plenty of graft to be had.
It would be interesting for an investigative journalist to take a hard look at the revolving door of Perry staffers, and their rise in the lobby.
Do we have any investigative journalists left in Austin?
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BCinBCS Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 6:21 pm
Good one Anita!!
Investigative journalists in Austin.
(BTW, when WAS the last time that there was an investigation of government in Texas?)
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Reagan Republican says:
I didn’t say anything about punishing anyone. Where did you get that? I merely said I was flabbergasted. I will support the effort next year regardless. As Will Rogers once said, “I would rather be the person who bought the Brooklyn Bridge than the one who sold it.”
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JohnBernardBooks says:
I sometimes sit back and do not not on a thread just to watch the dems churn a post with hate.
This general election their hate will be on full display.
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Jerry Only Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
actually it would seem to be the GOP’ers who are full of hate. hate for the poor, hate for women, etc.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
August 24th, 2012 at 6:22 am
ahh yes the dems fictional war on wimmen. Who is gullible enough to fall for that lunacy….but dems?
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Jerry Only Reply:
August 24th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
referring to women as “wimmen”, youre just proving my point.
John Johnson says:
I not a Repub. I love women, children and have compassion for the downtrodden. I hate waste, corruption, fraud and the failure of the Fed’s to enforce the law…both parties.
The repubs want to cut help a little thin; the dems want to give them so much that they want to stay on the tit and never leave. The recent drop in work requirements is a prime example.
We keep hovering on the brink. Obama and his v.p. with the speak before you think disconnect do nothing but campaign and ask Romney for his taxes. Chicago politics at its finest.
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FLPD Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
In the second paragraph, you accuse Democrats of wanting to give those in need so much that they want to stay on the “tit” and never leave. I’m already braced for your “politically correct” charge, but you proclaim your love for women and then you continue using a reference to breastfeeding synonymously with negative terms such as the”public dole,” etc.
Also, we keep hovering on the brink because of greed, and yes, fraud, at Lehman Brothers, Worldcom, Tyco, Nationwide, Enron, Washington Mutual, Countrywide, Peregrine Financial, Bernie Madoff….These selfish, greedy, indefensible people almost brought this country down.
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John Johnson Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 6:22 pm
First of all, FLPD, I don’t believe in political correctness. I used “tit” in the proper context. There will be no apology from me. It described perfectly what I intented to say. They woman I like might like would not pertent to be offended by it.
If you look up “dole” in the dictionary, it says nothing about “negative conotation”.
I’ll say it again…I don’t like greed, fraud, and manipulation anywhere. I love Elizabeth Warren…obviously more than Obama since he chose to drop her in the grease and not bow his next against Wall Street regarding her confirmation as WS’s oversee’er.
Quit trying to lump me in there with the far right. That’s not me.
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FLPD Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 6:45 pm
No one asked you for an apology. No one suggested that “dole” has the same negative connotation as “public dole.” No one suggested you were far right. And no one was feigning offense. I’ll take whatever you dish out as long as it is factual.
I, too, like Elizabeth Warren very much and wish there had been enough courageous Republicans in the Senate to confirm her. Some people were hoping President Obama would go ahead and nomintate her in spite of the Republicans warning him they would torpedo her nomination and use her as fundraiser fodder. I’m glad she was not destroyed in that process and is now running a competitive race.
buy a clue Reply:
August 21st, 2012 at 10:56 am
So republicans keep warren from getting an “up or down vote”, (remember when that was all the rage among republicans?) and in your world it was Obama bowing to wall street pressure. Gramps, you lie so constantly and easily you must be a republican office holder.
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John Johnson Reply:
August 21st, 2012 at 12:08 pm
Oh, you lightweight. O could have confirmed her while congress was recessed if he really wanted to. Don’t forget that up until just recently more Lehman Bros. money went to Obama than anyone else. He and his predessor both kowtowed to WS. O still does. Banks are now bigger than they were before the last meltdown.
Don’t bother responding because I already know your retort…”It’s those big, bad republican’s fault.”
buy a clue Reply:
August 21st, 2012 at 6:11 pm
Where’s all the wall street money going now gramps?? Omg, if warren had been a recess appointment republicans would have squealed like stuck pigs and you would have heard about the unconstitutional power grab by Obama from the wingnut media for months. You know this gramps I can’t believe you brought up something as weak as a recess appt. tell the home to up your nap time, you’re slipping
John Johnson Reply:
August 21st, 2012 at 8:28 pm
It’s going to Repubs. Your point? Both parties do special interests’ bidding….and thank you….you make my point for me. Either Obama caved into pressure from his WS contributors to dump Warren, or he didn’t have the cojones to stand up to the Repubs if he stood behind her. Whatever his reasoning, he showed his true colors. Another thing….an independent investigator appointed to study Lehmann Bros. scandal said on 60 Minutes that illegal activities and cover up took place causing meltdown. Obama’s SEC has yet to indict and prosecute anyone. I know…I know…it’s Bush’s fault.
buy a clue Reply:
August 21st, 2012 at 11:10 pm
Your absolutely right. I can’t wait for the mitt administration. He’ll root out corruption in wall street and protect consumers.
Robert Morrow Reply:
August 21st, 2012 at 12:33 am
That is correct. and you voted for that squishy “moderate” Dewhurst.
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John Johnson Reply:
August 21st, 2012 at 10:49 am
And you voted for the guy who sets his morals aside for a dollar …the guy you hope turns into Ron Paul.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
August 23rd, 2012 at 12:13 pm
Morrow, Romney will be the 45th President of the US on Nov. 6th if the bad economic numbers keep getting worse and Obama will choke: just watch dude.
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Robert Morrow Reply:
August 25th, 2012 at 1:19 am
It’s gonna be close; but Obongo should beat Mittens.
JohnBernardBooks says:
Ok dems we won’t try to take your hate away from you, we just won’t elect you to office.
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John Johnson says:
OK, buy a clue, here’s some Obama current events stuff for you that Bush, I don’t think, had anything to do with. Couple this with all of our money Obama has flushed down black holes like Solyndra, our money he sent to Brazil to develop their oil fields, and to Findland to build electric cars and I think he is showing that he and his slimy Chicago advisors are totally inept and make GWB look like Warren Buffett.
http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/aug/21/stimulus-funds-spent-obama-ads-olbermann-maddow/
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buy a clue Reply:
August 23rd, 2012 at 8:46 am
stop listening to fox and rush gramps. Maybe one of the orderlies can change the channel for you.
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John Johnson Reply:
August 23rd, 2012 at 9:47 am
Just the type of response I thought I would get from you, kid. No substance…just more wiseass remarks.
This info on the Washington Times piece was acquired by watching that bastion of conservatism, the MSNBC Morning Joe show this morning. The comments about Solyndra, Brazil and Findland giveaways were uttered by T. Boone Pickens on the same show.
Suggest you tune in sometime to catch up with what’s going on this day and time instead of facing backwards pointing at GWB.
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buy a clue Reply:
August 23rd, 2012 at 10:32 am
Come on gramps. Former Republican congressman Joe Scarborough is now a lib? And why should I believe everything T. Boone Pickens says?? Surely he doesn’t have ulterior motives.
You’ve proven yourself to be as big a wingnut blockhead as jbb. No amount of facts or data can make it through. When shown by multiple sources your lie about the $700 billion medicare cut you said you knew the “real” truth. The same with your Obama gutted welfare work rules lie. Every fact checker has said this is false but you won’t be fooled by reality. When asked to provide any facts or data to prove your point you just shout a bunch of wingnut talking points, “Solyandra!, Chicago politics!” that you’ve heard from rush.
You are what you claim to hate, a true believer impervious to reality. Go play with your best friend, jbb. As far as I’m concerned your posts are no different from his and like his, will be ignored.
John Johnson Reply:
August 23rd, 2012 at 12:10 pm
OK…you score a few style points on this post, kid. You didn’t blame Bush for anything this post.
You still don’t get it though. Someone who thinks the Iraq and Afghanistan moves were/are foolish; that Cheney has it all wrong all along; that WS woes were precipitated by both parties turning their backs on banks and investment houses; that Romney’s plan for WS is going to be more of the same; that our state is producing embarrassing Repub political leaders like our gov, Louie G, DeLay and Dewhurst and a barn full of other ill equipped reps in Austin; and thinks one of the brightest political stars in Texas is a female Democratic senator cannot be lumped in with far right wing nuts like you want to do. You are so very far left of center, Kid, conservative moderates seem like TP’ers to you. You can’t tell the difference.
Wise up. I’ll pulling for you.
FLPD Reply:
August 23rd, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Boone also says we’re blessed with enough natural gas to get this country off of oil. Yet, the “free market” price of natural gas is so low that even Boone is running away from it. Published: August 16, 2012
“T. Boone Pickens’ BP Capital sold all of its shares in Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy Corp. and most of its holdings in SandRidge Energy Inc…The portfolio changes reflect commodity prices more than his opinion on the various companies, Pickens told The Oklahoman on Wednesday.’The reason for the reduced position on those was the price of natural gas,” he said. “Those positions moved over more to companies that have more oil instead of natural gas.’
John Johnson Reply:
August 23rd, 2012 at 1:36 pm
You should have heard him this morning. It was the best segment I have seen on Morning Joe and he made believers out of all of them. He said that NG burns 30% cleaner than diesel, that we could totally do away with OPEC oil if we just switched all 18 Wheelers over to NG, even if we left other vehicles running on gasoline, that if we don’t use the NG we produce it is going to end up in China, and that switching would drive price up enough as marginal fuel to make wind power work. He’s got a workable plan but neither the Dem’s or Repub’s will listen to him. The man might have ulterior motives for push this agenda, but so what. It is the only way to go. No one else has an alternative plan.
Anonymous Reply:
August 23rd, 2012 at 1:54 pm
To buy a clue – Doesn’t look like you are ignoring them to me.
FLPD Reply:
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Mr. Johnson, Mr. Pickens said the exact same thing to Evan Smith on the Texas Tribune interview. I happen to think he’s right. However, natural gas prices apparently are too low for him to keep his money in it. My question is what exactly does he want a U.S. President to do about it? Insert the government into the free market? Pass regulations requiring 18-wheelers to convert? Pay for the conversion. I’m at a loss. It’s “Let the free market work” on the one hand, and “Government has got to do something” on the other hand.
Vernon Reply:
August 24th, 2012 at 8:55 am
JJ, I also appreciate your comments. I think FLPD brushed past the truth of the matter earlier.
Capitalism doesn’t equal patriotism. Some would have you believe otherwise.
Capitalism’s ultimate goal serves the individual. Patriotism’s ultimate goal serves the nation.
The question is which ideology will prevail? Are the two mutually exclusive?
John Johnson Reply:
August 24th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
Vernon, I think that the Feds have to place restrictions on the private sector businesses that play important roles in every citizens life…namely oil/gas, electricity, water, public transportation, healthcare, investing, etc. Without restrictions or oversight, we see what happens. It was happening back in Teddy Roosevelt’s time and he took the monopolies to task for it and re-regulated them with his Square Deal plan. It is time for another President to run on that platform, but we won’t see it bacause of our supreme court’s allowing corporations to invest unlimited amounts into campaigns and buying votes. This is my take.
John Johnson Reply:
August 23rd, 2012 at 5:27 pm
I am with you, FLPD. The Prez, whoever it might be, will have to take up the banner and proclaim it a national priority and use the bully pulpit to force congress into viewing it the same way. If they balk, if the prez is projecting properly, the constituent base will force them to follow his lead.
The only thing holding back this scenario right now is Wall Street and the oil cartel. If you get rid of the volatility in the crude market the speculators and oil companies will be looking at much smaller profit margins.
Did you hear Pickens state that only a small fraction of the oil coming through the Straits of Hormuz is destined for the U.S. (I think something like 11%), yet we are spending how many billions supporting our Navy’s deployment there?
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FLPD Reply:
August 23rd, 2012 at 6:38 pm
Yes, I heard him say that. I think most of that oil is headed for Asian markets. The public, and I include myself, certainly could use a good dose of factual information. I’ve read that most of the heavy oil from Canada headed to our gulf refineries via the Keystone Pipeline will be shipped out to other countries–not to help reduce our dependency on foreign oil. Maybe you can straighten me out on this, but I also read that we export more oil than we import.
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John Johnson Reply:
August 23rd, 2012 at 8:32 pm
Several years back, I was involved with trying to get a group of large oil companies who joined together under the name Golden Pass to use a patented, fluid heater my partners and I had to heat up liquid natural gas that they were going to import from the middle east and sell in the U.S. Golden Pass’s plans went south when new fracing techniques started producing massive amounts of natural gas here in the U.S. and the price per mcf plummeted. They are now planning to finish out the plant as as exporting terminal instead of an importing one. There is at least one more in Louisiana (I think its operating under the name Chenerie?) that is doing the same thing. When these are completed, our natural gas is going to start flowing to China and other spots around the world and the prices are going to start going up.
The U.S., has indeed, become a net exporter of refined fuels for the first time in our history, and the dirty Canadian oil has always been destined for refining in, and exporting out of Texas, even though no one wants to admit it.
FLPD Reply:
August 23rd, 2012 at 8:53 pm
That is really, really interesting. I’m at a loss for words. I guess we are going to export to China the natural gas that we said was our answer to becoming energy independent because we produced too much too quickly and can’t get enough money for it here so we sell it to China for more money. Forgive me, but that doesn’t sound all that patriotic to me. I know, I know. It’s capitalism. The free market. So, now I have to ask again. What can/should our government do?
John Johnson Reply:
August 23rd, 2012 at 9:26 pm
I don’t have an answer. The oil companies get a lease signed with the landowner and pay them a royalty. From there they can do what they want with it. Hypothetically, every bbl of crude and cubic foot of natural gas recovered in the U.S. could be exported to the highest bidder. Being energy independent is one thing; lower prices at the pump and for kwh’s of electricity are another. Worldwide demand will still determine prices we pay for anything and everything running on, or produced from, crude oil and natural gas.
FLPD Reply:
August 23rd, 2012 at 10:45 pm
I appreciate your knowledge of this subject and your straightforward answers. I feel like I understand things at least a little better. Thanks. Sincerely.
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Blue Dogs says:
Burka, Perry is the Brett Favre of Texas politics: he just can’t let it go because his ego is too big.
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Vernon says:
PAUL,
Please delete blatant subversive advertisements like the comment “financial planner in chicago,” because I don’t think any “one want more knowledge about the financial plans.”
PS – Who would want financial advice from someone who can’t get pronouns right or grasp subject/verb agreement?
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