Showing newest 32 of 43 posts from January 2010. Show older posts
Showing newest 32 of 43 posts from January 2010. Show older posts
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tonight on Biased Transmission
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Dr. Rola el-Husseini, Assistant Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the Bush School of Government, Texas A&M University. We will review last year's developments in the Palestine-Israel situation, political events in Iran, and Dr. el-Husseini's own work with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Video Lunch: President Clinton on Why Natural Disasters Hurt Haiti More
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President Clinton explains how poverty induced deforestation makes Haiti more susceptible to damage from natural disasters. This is an excerpt from his speech at the 2009 Campus Progress National Conference.
President Clinton explains how poverty induced deforestation makes Haiti more susceptible to damage from natural disasters. This is an excerpt from his speech at the 2009 Campus Progress National Conference.
Local News: Texas House District 14 Candidates Focus on Budget Issues
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House GOP Candidates Focused on the Budget
By Matthew Watkins
From the Bryan-College Station Eagle
Taking a cue from the cordial tone of last week's Republican U.S. House candidate forum, the four GOP candidates vying to represent Brazos County in the Texas House of Representatives expressed few differences on the issues Monday night during a forum at the College Station Hilton.
The three challengers to incumbent Fred Brown -- Blanche Brick, Gerald "Buddy" Winn and Rick Davis -- didn't quarrel with any decisions Brown made during his six previous terms in the Legislature.
Instead, the candidates introduced themselves to primary voters and described how they believe their experience would aide them as legislators.
The dominant topic was the state budget and possible difficulties the Legislature will face balancing it in its 2011 session.
They all agreed on some general principles to keep the budget balanced, such as combing the financial sheets of state agencies to eliminate waste. But each also suggested unique proposals to raise funds or trim costs.
Brown focused on reducing the money spent on education administration salaries. He proposed realigning school districts by county to cut down on the number of administrators. For example, Brazos County would no longer have school districts in Bryan and College Station under the plan, and instead would have a single county district with one superintendent and fewer administrators overall.
Cuts could also be made to public university administrations, he said.
Winn, who served for years as Brazos County's tax assessor-collector, suggested legalizing gambling in Texas. He said Texas residents currently visit casinos in surrounding states. If they stayed in Texas, he said, the state could tax them and have enough revenue to cover budget shortfalls and secure the southern border.
His three opponents expressed opposition to that idea.
Davis, a former district judge who currently has a private legal practice, said he supported the government living within its means and not paying for things that it can't afford. Law enforcement and education should be priorities, he said.
He also advocated an overhaul of how Texans pay taxes and repeatedly said he dislikes property taxes.
"If I could eliminate all property taxes in exchange for a comparable increase in sales tax, I would support that," he said.
Brick, a lifelong educator who currently teaches history at Blinn College, noted that more than half of state funds go toward education. She said making education more efficient by using teacher aides and increasing educators' use of technology could reduce costs. She said those measures -- along with the 5 percent cuts across state agencies that state leaders have requested -- will help shore up the budget.
"There are ways we can make better use of the resources we have," she said. "I believe money is very important, but I don't believe the lack of money is the number one problem we face in education today."
The winner of the March 2 Republican primary will be uncontested in the general election. Brown has held the seat since 1999.
All four said they supported increased border security. All four said they believe the state should support new career development options for people who choose not to attend college. All four said the cost of attending public universities needs to be reined in. And all four said they oppose abortion.
They all also said they support term limits. However, none of the challengers took Brown to task when he said a good limit would be five terms -- although he has already served six terms and is seeking his seventh.
Brick portrayed herself as a calm, cooperative leader who would focus more on achieving goals than political bickering.
"I am not a career politician and I believe that I can bring some fresh ideas and talk about issues that we believe," she said. "Elected officials need to find common ground and work together to find common solutions to common problems."
Winn touted his 40 years of experience as a tax collector and work he did with the Legislature that required his expertise on tax issues.
"The Legislature is a place where you have got to be able to go and be a diplomat," he said.
Davis said he has dreamed of becoming a legislator since he was in college. His knowledge of the law and his conservative beliefs make him an ideal representative of Brazos County, he said.
"I bring to the table a zeal for my country, a zeal for my state and a love of God and country," he said. "I will work hard for you and will stand up for fiscal and social conservatism."
Brown, meanwhile, stressed that only he had the knowledge necessary for next year's legislative session.
"This next session is not for the faint of heart," he said. "It is going to be very difficult for our state. I have the experience and I hope that you will vote for me again to look out for your best interests."
The forum was sponsored by WTAW Newsradio and The Eagle.
Published on Tuesday, January 26, 2010
By Matthew Watkins
From the Bryan-College Station Eagle
Taking a cue from the cordial tone of last week's Republican U.S. House candidate forum, the four GOP candidates vying to represent Brazos County in the Texas House of Representatives expressed few differences on the issues Monday night during a forum at the College Station Hilton.
The three challengers to incumbent Fred Brown -- Blanche Brick, Gerald "Buddy" Winn and Rick Davis -- didn't quarrel with any decisions Brown made during his six previous terms in the Legislature.
Instead, the candidates introduced themselves to primary voters and described how they believe their experience would aide them as legislators.
The dominant topic was the state budget and possible difficulties the Legislature will face balancing it in its 2011 session.
They all agreed on some general principles to keep the budget balanced, such as combing the financial sheets of state agencies to eliminate waste. But each also suggested unique proposals to raise funds or trim costs.
Brown focused on reducing the money spent on education administration salaries. He proposed realigning school districts by county to cut down on the number of administrators. For example, Brazos County would no longer have school districts in Bryan and College Station under the plan, and instead would have a single county district with one superintendent and fewer administrators overall.
Cuts could also be made to public university administrations, he said.
Winn, who served for years as Brazos County's tax assessor-collector, suggested legalizing gambling in Texas. He said Texas residents currently visit casinos in surrounding states. If they stayed in Texas, he said, the state could tax them and have enough revenue to cover budget shortfalls and secure the southern border.
His three opponents expressed opposition to that idea.
Davis, a former district judge who currently has a private legal practice, said he supported the government living within its means and not paying for things that it can't afford. Law enforcement and education should be priorities, he said.
He also advocated an overhaul of how Texans pay taxes and repeatedly said he dislikes property taxes.
"If I could eliminate all property taxes in exchange for a comparable increase in sales tax, I would support that," he said.
Brick, a lifelong educator who currently teaches history at Blinn College, noted that more than half of state funds go toward education. She said making education more efficient by using teacher aides and increasing educators' use of technology could reduce costs. She said those measures -- along with the 5 percent cuts across state agencies that state leaders have requested -- will help shore up the budget.
"There are ways we can make better use of the resources we have," she said. "I believe money is very important, but I don't believe the lack of money is the number one problem we face in education today."
The winner of the March 2 Republican primary will be uncontested in the general election. Brown has held the seat since 1999.
All four said they supported increased border security. All four said they believe the state should support new career development options for people who choose not to attend college. All four said the cost of attending public universities needs to be reined in. And all four said they oppose abortion.
They all also said they support term limits. However, none of the challengers took Brown to task when he said a good limit would be five terms -- although he has already served six terms and is seeking his seventh.
Brick portrayed herself as a calm, cooperative leader who would focus more on achieving goals than political bickering.
"I am not a career politician and I believe that I can bring some fresh ideas and talk about issues that we believe," she said. "Elected officials need to find common ground and work together to find common solutions to common problems."
Winn touted his 40 years of experience as a tax collector and work he did with the Legislature that required his expertise on tax issues.
"The Legislature is a place where you have got to be able to go and be a diplomat," he said.
Davis said he has dreamed of becoming a legislator since he was in college. His knowledge of the law and his conservative beliefs make him an ideal representative of Brazos County, he said.
"I bring to the table a zeal for my country, a zeal for my state and a love of God and country," he said. "I will work hard for you and will stand up for fiscal and social conservatism."
Brown, meanwhile, stressed that only he had the knowledge necessary for next year's legislative session.
"This next session is not for the faint of heart," he said. "It is going to be very difficult for our state. I have the experience and I hope that you will vote for me again to look out for your best interests."
The forum was sponsored by WTAW Newsradio and The Eagle.
Published on Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Texas Progressive Alliance Roundup - January 25, 2010
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The Texas Progressive Alliance congratulates the city of New Orleans for its first Super Bowl as it provides an instant replay of its blog highlights for the week.
Something stinks about the recent TCEQ Barnett Shale air quality testing in Fort Worth and in Flower Mound. Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.
Off the Kuff looked at a report on the economic impact of dropouts.
CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme sympathizes with Lamar Smith's constituents who were told they must contact Smith's office if they want him to stop illegally calling their cellphones. Smith's breaking the law and his solution is to make his constituents ask him to stop.
At Texas Vox we're pleased as punch to see that Austin isn't alone in preparing for a clean energy future; Portland General Electric plans to shut down its coal plant by 2020!
WhosPlayin reposted a article from 2007 about the corporation: Don't hate the player, change the game, which is especially apropos this week.
A Republican in Democrats clothing tries to ride into office in Dallas County. SDEC members and precinct chairs say no way to this Eagle Forum darling at The Texas Cloverleaf.
Citizens of Texas say &^%$ Governor Perry! for screwing up the state after 10 years. Add your own!
WCNews at Eye On Williamson takes a glass half-full approach in analyzing the muffed election last week Let's HOPE it's seen as a wake up call.
Right-wing bloggers gathered in Austin to worship Rick Perry's pistol. Seriously. Read the entire revolting display of sycophancy at Brains and Eggs.
BossKitty at TruthHugger is continually amazed at general ignorance concerning the actual words in the US Constitution. Interpretations abound from the mouths of people who have never read the document, or do not comprehend the words in context. Embellishments and fantasy surrounding this document are spoken every day. What is especially disturbing is how these fantasies infiltrate America's politics. To be elected in some regions, a politician must fertilize the fantasy. Perspective must return to how Americans regard the Law of the Land. American Theocracy divorces US Constitution, promotes terrorism.
Over at TexasKaos, Boadicea offers a little not so subtle advise to Democrats who find themselves unmanned by the events of last week. She calls it .Dear Democrats: Balls.. Trust me, you will like the video she found to illustrate her point!
Neil at Texas Liberal made note of the fact that just two months remain before his tenth wedding anniversary. Neil is damned glad about his marriage. Neil is not certain he could advocate for liberal causes if he did not have such a solid personal relationship in his life to help him manage his frequent anger at the world. The personal and the private are often connected in many ways that we may not often consider.
The Texas Progressive Alliance congratulates the city of New Orleans for its first Super Bowl as it provides an instant replay of its blog highlights for the week.
Something stinks about the recent TCEQ Barnett Shale air quality testing in Fort Worth and in Flower Mound. Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.
Off the Kuff looked at a report on the economic impact of dropouts.
CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme sympathizes with Lamar Smith's constituents who were told they must contact Smith's office if they want him to stop illegally calling their cellphones. Smith's breaking the law and his solution is to make his constituents ask him to stop.
At Texas Vox we're pleased as punch to see that Austin isn't alone in preparing for a clean energy future; Portland General Electric plans to shut down its coal plant by 2020!
WhosPlayin reposted a article from 2007 about the corporation: Don't hate the player, change the game, which is especially apropos this week.
A Republican in Democrats clothing tries to ride into office in Dallas County. SDEC members and precinct chairs say no way to this Eagle Forum darling at The Texas Cloverleaf.
Citizens of Texas say &^%$ Governor Perry! for screwing up the state after 10 years. Add your own!
WCNews at Eye On Williamson takes a glass half-full approach in analyzing the muffed election last week Let's HOPE it's seen as a wake up call.
Right-wing bloggers gathered in Austin to worship Rick Perry's pistol. Seriously. Read the entire revolting display of sycophancy at Brains and Eggs.
BossKitty at TruthHugger is continually amazed at general ignorance concerning the actual words in the US Constitution. Interpretations abound from the mouths of people who have never read the document, or do not comprehend the words in context. Embellishments and fantasy surrounding this document are spoken every day. What is especially disturbing is how these fantasies infiltrate America's politics. To be elected in some regions, a politician must fertilize the fantasy. Perspective must return to how Americans regard the Law of the Land. American Theocracy divorces US Constitution, promotes terrorism.
Over at TexasKaos, Boadicea offers a little not so subtle advise to Democrats who find themselves unmanned by the events of last week. She calls it .Dear Democrats: Balls.. Trust me, you will like the video she found to illustrate her point!
Neil at Texas Liberal made note of the fact that just two months remain before his tenth wedding anniversary. Neil is damned glad about his marriage. Neil is not certain he could advocate for liberal causes if he did not have such a solid personal relationship in his life to help him manage his frequent anger at the world. The personal and the private are often connected in many ways that we may not often consider.
Local News: Program Supports Homeless Veterans
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Program Helps Families of Homeless Veterans
By Regina Dennis (Tribune-Herald staff writer)
From the Waco Tribune-Herald
For the men and women who fight to protect their country, it can sometimes be difficult to admit when you need help.
“Being a soldier, the core, basic thing you are taught is that when you have a problem, you suck it up and keep going because you have to keep fighting for your life and for your fellow soldiers’ lives,” said Timothy Pridey, 30, an Army veteran who served in Iraq. “It’s hard to show weakness and break down to say you need help.”
But Pridey found himself at that breaking point last year when he, his wife and their three children suddenly found themselves homeless. With no family help and little cash, Pridey turned to social workers at the Waco Veterans Affairs Medical Center for help and quickly received a housing voucher through the VA’s Veterans Assistance Supportive Housing Program to move his family into an apartment.
“Within about four days we were moving into our apartment,” Pridey said, shaking his head in wonderment. “It was just crazy. I didn’t expect things to happen like that.”
Pridey’s story is not unique. VA officials say a growing number of Central Texas veterans with families are turning to the VA for help after becoming homeless.
Paula Wood, homeless veterans health care coordinator for the Central Texas VA system, said that of the 145 veterans currently using housing vouchers in the Waco, Temple and Austin areas, about 32 cases — or 22 percent — include families.
“It’s a grave concern to me,” Wood said. “I’ve been the coordinator, it’ll be three years next month, and in the first year and a half I was here, we saw one family the whole year that was homeless, and that was it. . . . It is terribly unusual, and I think it’s very frightening.”
Vouchers Help Pay Rent
The Waco VA reserves 35 housing vouchers for homeless veterans that require the veteran to pay 30 percent of his or her income toward rent. Mike Ormsby, a social worker for homeless veterans at the Waco VA, said of the 30 veterans currently using vouchers, three are families, three are returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, two are single female veterans, and the rest are single males mostly from the Vietnam era.
“We don’t really see a lot of veterans with families who are homeless here in Waco, especially with the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans because often they are young and come back home to their families and some type of support system of friends,” Ormsby said. “But when we do see these cases where there is a family in need of shelter or even women veterans, we of course try to get them some help with shelter very quickly.”
A native of Louisville, Ky., Pridey joined the Army at age 21, following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps to serve his country. He was nearing the end of his enlistment term and beginning the discharge process when he learned that his enlistment would be involuntarily extended for another year and that he would be among the 17,000 soldiers from Fort Hood’s 1st Cavalry Division deployed to Iraq that March.
“My daughter was just three months old at the time, and then this happened,” Pridey said.
Pridey’s wife, Deneva, a Waco resident who he met online while he was stationed at Fort Hood, moved the family into her grandparents’ house when he was deployed, an arrangement that allowed her to help care for a her partially paralyzed grandfather and have a stable home for the children.
“I worked a part-time job but ended up quitting that after two months because I was worried about missing his phone calls or any time they let him on the Internet because there were only certain times when he could contact home,” said Deneva Pridey, 27. “It was hard.”
In Iraq, combat took a toll on Pridey’s health. He was diagnosed with asthma from inhaling the toxic fumes from burn pits for waste around Iraq. After an improvised explosive device struck the tanker in which he was riding in August 2004, he suffered nerve damage in his right foot and two dislocated disks in his neck.
But the mental trauma from the war was most severe. Pridey recalls one instance of being hit in the face with a brick dropped from a roof.
“The worse thing was when I looked up, I saw this kid looking down and laughing at me,” Pridey said. Parents would give their children rocks and bricks to throw at soldiers, he said, and as a result, he began to dislike children.
After Pridey returned home in 2005, the couple remained at Deneva’s grandparents’ house. Timothy Pridey enlisted in the National Guard and started looking for jobs, working brief stints at the Texas Youth Commission and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.
But tensions grew in the crowded home, with Timothy struggling with his health issues and transitioning back to civilian life. He had difficulty in the workforce, eventually becoming diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and clashed with his in-laws. The problems came to a head last July, when Deneva’s grandparents told the couple they could no longer stay in the home.
“They said it would be best if we were to leave, but we didn’t have no money or savings to just up and move, so that put us in a really hard spot,” Deneva Pridey said.
Timothy Pridey started calling for help and reached out to Everlyn Trate, his transition patient advocate at the VA, and told her that he and his family were without shelter.
“It was like Friday at 5 o’clock and I had to put things into motion really quickly,” Trate said. “I just started calling around, and we were able to get them some aid really quickly.”
Trate called on local veterans’ organizations and activists to find some aid for the family. She was able to get food assistance and cash from local Veterans of Foreign Wars posts to put the family into a hotel for the weekend. The Prideys moved into an apartment complex in West Waco that Monday.
“She took care of us and put us in a hotel while they tried to get everything set up,” Timothy Pridey said. “I got to know so many different people in the VA and in the area really fast through that who have helped me tremendously.”
Challenges Ahead
Steve Hernandez, veterans’ services coordinator for McLennan County, said the need for more local housing and shelter for veteran families is likely going to increase when troops eventually return home from Iraq and Afghanistan. The Waco VA’s mental-health focused Center for Excellence on Research for Returning War Veterans, combined with the city’s proximity to the Temple VA hospital and Fort Hood, will likely draw many new veterans to Central Texas, he said.
“There’s going to be an influx, and we are not prepared for it,” Hernandez said. “A lot of times, I think we focus so much on the veteran that we forget about the family. The family unit is part of his support component of transitioning back, and the family is going to help him mentally and physically begin to recover, so we can’t forget that.”
More Vouchers Possible
Wood said she recently submitted a request for the VA to award an additional 140 housing vouchers to the Central Texas region — 35 for Waco, 35 for Temple and 70 for Austin. If awarded, the new vouchers would be available for disbursement around June.
“Some of the veterans that don’t have strong family connections will stay around this area,” Wood said. “I know all the (veterans’) families I’ve dealt with I’ve asked them ‘Do you have family somewhere?’ . . . and they say, ‘No, I don’t really have any family,’ or ‘I don’t want to go back to them,’ or sometimes ‘Well the economy is much worse where my family is so it won’t do me any good to go back.’ ”
For the Prideys, having their own place has brought some stability. Deneva Pridey said even the relationship with her grandparents has improved since the move.
Still, Timothy Pridey is still facing issues with his mental and physical health that make things rough for the family. He avoids watching TV news so that he doesn’t hear about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that can cause flashbacks.
Timothy Pridey was rated 80 percent disabled through the Veterans Benefits Administration, a designation that qualifies him for some disability aid but excludes him from certain jobs, such as anything with heavy lifting.
“I’d rather not be 80 percent disabled,” Timothy Pridey said. “I’m 30 years old, and there’s so much stuff wrong with me that shouldn’t be happening to me right now. I want to be active and be able to do more.”
Timothy Pridey said he and his family are truly grateful for the help that the VA has given him. He continues to use other VA programs, including services like the Serious Mental Illness Life Enhancement (SMILE) program to treat his PTSD and therapy for traumatic brain injury to improve his memory.
“Anytime I meet a veteran who was recently discharged or even an active-duty soldier who’s getting out soon, I tell them to go get registered with the VA as soon as they can,” Pridey said. “A lot of times people may go off of things they have heard about the VA, the horror stories, but once you’re in you realize that there are people to help and it somewhat becomes like a military family all over again.”
Published on Sunday, January 24, 2010
By Regina Dennis (Tribune-Herald staff writer)
From the Waco Tribune-Herald
For the men and women who fight to protect their country, it can sometimes be difficult to admit when you need help.
“Being a soldier, the core, basic thing you are taught is that when you have a problem, you suck it up and keep going because you have to keep fighting for your life and for your fellow soldiers’ lives,” said Timothy Pridey, 30, an Army veteran who served in Iraq. “It’s hard to show weakness and break down to say you need help.”
But Pridey found himself at that breaking point last year when he, his wife and their three children suddenly found themselves homeless. With no family help and little cash, Pridey turned to social workers at the Waco Veterans Affairs Medical Center for help and quickly received a housing voucher through the VA’s Veterans Assistance Supportive Housing Program to move his family into an apartment.
“Within about four days we were moving into our apartment,” Pridey said, shaking his head in wonderment. “It was just crazy. I didn’t expect things to happen like that.”
Pridey’s story is not unique. VA officials say a growing number of Central Texas veterans with families are turning to the VA for help after becoming homeless.
Paula Wood, homeless veterans health care coordinator for the Central Texas VA system, said that of the 145 veterans currently using housing vouchers in the Waco, Temple and Austin areas, about 32 cases — or 22 percent — include families.
“It’s a grave concern to me,” Wood said. “I’ve been the coordinator, it’ll be three years next month, and in the first year and a half I was here, we saw one family the whole year that was homeless, and that was it. . . . It is terribly unusual, and I think it’s very frightening.”
Vouchers Help Pay Rent
The Waco VA reserves 35 housing vouchers for homeless veterans that require the veteran to pay 30 percent of his or her income toward rent. Mike Ormsby, a social worker for homeless veterans at the Waco VA, said of the 30 veterans currently using vouchers, three are families, three are returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, two are single female veterans, and the rest are single males mostly from the Vietnam era.
“We don’t really see a lot of veterans with families who are homeless here in Waco, especially with the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans because often they are young and come back home to their families and some type of support system of friends,” Ormsby said. “But when we do see these cases where there is a family in need of shelter or even women veterans, we of course try to get them some help with shelter very quickly.”
A native of Louisville, Ky., Pridey joined the Army at age 21, following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps to serve his country. He was nearing the end of his enlistment term and beginning the discharge process when he learned that his enlistment would be involuntarily extended for another year and that he would be among the 17,000 soldiers from Fort Hood’s 1st Cavalry Division deployed to Iraq that March.
“My daughter was just three months old at the time, and then this happened,” Pridey said.
Pridey’s wife, Deneva, a Waco resident who he met online while he was stationed at Fort Hood, moved the family into her grandparents’ house when he was deployed, an arrangement that allowed her to help care for a her partially paralyzed grandfather and have a stable home for the children.
“I worked a part-time job but ended up quitting that after two months because I was worried about missing his phone calls or any time they let him on the Internet because there were only certain times when he could contact home,” said Deneva Pridey, 27. “It was hard.”
In Iraq, combat took a toll on Pridey’s health. He was diagnosed with asthma from inhaling the toxic fumes from burn pits for waste around Iraq. After an improvised explosive device struck the tanker in which he was riding in August 2004, he suffered nerve damage in his right foot and two dislocated disks in his neck.
But the mental trauma from the war was most severe. Pridey recalls one instance of being hit in the face with a brick dropped from a roof.
“The worse thing was when I looked up, I saw this kid looking down and laughing at me,” Pridey said. Parents would give their children rocks and bricks to throw at soldiers, he said, and as a result, he began to dislike children.
After Pridey returned home in 2005, the couple remained at Deneva’s grandparents’ house. Timothy Pridey enlisted in the National Guard and started looking for jobs, working brief stints at the Texas Youth Commission and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.
But tensions grew in the crowded home, with Timothy struggling with his health issues and transitioning back to civilian life. He had difficulty in the workforce, eventually becoming diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and clashed with his in-laws. The problems came to a head last July, when Deneva’s grandparents told the couple they could no longer stay in the home.
“They said it would be best if we were to leave, but we didn’t have no money or savings to just up and move, so that put us in a really hard spot,” Deneva Pridey said.
Timothy Pridey started calling for help and reached out to Everlyn Trate, his transition patient advocate at the VA, and told her that he and his family were without shelter.
“It was like Friday at 5 o’clock and I had to put things into motion really quickly,” Trate said. “I just started calling around, and we were able to get them some aid really quickly.”
Trate called on local veterans’ organizations and activists to find some aid for the family. She was able to get food assistance and cash from local Veterans of Foreign Wars posts to put the family into a hotel for the weekend. The Prideys moved into an apartment complex in West Waco that Monday.
“She took care of us and put us in a hotel while they tried to get everything set up,” Timothy Pridey said. “I got to know so many different people in the VA and in the area really fast through that who have helped me tremendously.”
Challenges Ahead
Steve Hernandez, veterans’ services coordinator for McLennan County, said the need for more local housing and shelter for veteran families is likely going to increase when troops eventually return home from Iraq and Afghanistan. The Waco VA’s mental-health focused Center for Excellence on Research for Returning War Veterans, combined with the city’s proximity to the Temple VA hospital and Fort Hood, will likely draw many new veterans to Central Texas, he said.
“There’s going to be an influx, and we are not prepared for it,” Hernandez said. “A lot of times, I think we focus so much on the veteran that we forget about the family. The family unit is part of his support component of transitioning back, and the family is going to help him mentally and physically begin to recover, so we can’t forget that.”
More Vouchers Possible
Wood said she recently submitted a request for the VA to award an additional 140 housing vouchers to the Central Texas region — 35 for Waco, 35 for Temple and 70 for Austin. If awarded, the new vouchers would be available for disbursement around June.
“Some of the veterans that don’t have strong family connections will stay around this area,” Wood said. “I know all the (veterans’) families I’ve dealt with I’ve asked them ‘Do you have family somewhere?’ . . . and they say, ‘No, I don’t really have any family,’ or ‘I don’t want to go back to them,’ or sometimes ‘Well the economy is much worse where my family is so it won’t do me any good to go back.’ ”
For the Prideys, having their own place has brought some stability. Deneva Pridey said even the relationship with her grandparents has improved since the move.
Still, Timothy Pridey is still facing issues with his mental and physical health that make things rough for the family. He avoids watching TV news so that he doesn’t hear about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that can cause flashbacks.
Timothy Pridey was rated 80 percent disabled through the Veterans Benefits Administration, a designation that qualifies him for some disability aid but excludes him from certain jobs, such as anything with heavy lifting.
“I’d rather not be 80 percent disabled,” Timothy Pridey said. “I’m 30 years old, and there’s so much stuff wrong with me that shouldn’t be happening to me right now. I want to be active and be able to do more.”
Timothy Pridey said he and his family are truly grateful for the help that the VA has given him. He continues to use other VA programs, including services like the Serious Mental Illness Life Enhancement (SMILE) program to treat his PTSD and therapy for traumatic brain injury to improve his memory.
“Anytime I meet a veteran who was recently discharged or even an active-duty soldier who’s getting out soon, I tell them to go get registered with the VA as soon as they can,” Pridey said. “A lot of times people may go off of things they have heard about the VA, the horror stories, but once you’re in you realize that there are people to help and it somewhat becomes like a military family all over again.”
Published on Sunday, January 24, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Week in Headlines
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Texas Politics
Texas Green Party Aims for Revival in 2010
National Politics
Mr. President, You're Right on Schedule
Foreign Policy
US Finally Admits Blackwater Operating in Pakistan
Environment
EPA Indicates Chevron Was Aware it Violated Clean Air Act
Human Rights
Camp Delta Sergeant Blows the Whistle on The Guantánamo “Suicides”
Reproductive Rights
University of Wisconsin Medical Center Targeted by Anti-Choice Protestors
Women’s Issues
Female Religious Guides Are on the Rise
GLBT Issues
Pastor Leads Boycott Against Houston
Race and Racism
Fort Hood Report Calls for Change in Pentagon Hate Group Policy
Texas Politics
Texas Green Party Aims for Revival in 2010
National Politics
Mr. President, You're Right on Schedule
Foreign Policy
US Finally Admits Blackwater Operating in Pakistan
Environment
EPA Indicates Chevron Was Aware it Violated Clean Air Act
Human Rights
Camp Delta Sergeant Blows the Whistle on The Guantánamo “Suicides”
Reproductive Rights
University of Wisconsin Medical Center Targeted by Anti-Choice Protestors
Women’s Issues
Female Religious Guides Are on the Rise
GLBT Issues
Pastor Leads Boycott Against Houston
Race and Racism
Fort Hood Report Calls for Change in Pentagon Hate Group Policy
Video Lunch: The Truth of War, Racism, and Profits
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Our real enemies are not those living in a distant land whose names or policies we don't understand; The real enemy is a system that wages war when it's profitable, the CEOs who lay us off our jobs when it's profitable, the Insurance Companies who deny us Health care when it's profitable, the Banks who take away our homes when it's profitable. Our enemies are not several hundred thousand miles away. They are right here in front of us.
- Mike Prysner
Our real enemies are not those living in a distant land whose names or policies we don't understand; The real enemy is a system that wages war when it's profitable, the CEOs who lay us off our jobs when it's profitable, the Insurance Companies who deny us Health care when it's profitable, the Banks who take away our homes when it's profitable. Our enemies are not several hundred thousand miles away. They are right here in front of us.
- Mike Prysner
Local News: R. Bowen Loftin Named Texas A&M University President
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Loftin Picked to Lead A&M
By Vimal Patel
From the Bryan-College Station Eagle
Shortly before 5:30 p.m. at Texas A&M, Regent Richard Box proposed a motion to the Board of Regents to name R. Bowen Loftin the sole finalist for the presidency.
The nine-member body, without discussion, unanimously approved the decision.
"I know there was a lot of speculation before Christmas that he was going to be a final pick," said Angie Hill Price, a former Faculty Senate speaker. "So there wasn't a lot of shock. He was believed to be the probable prospect.
"He's been good at making peace on campus and quieting things down. He makes people feel he has the best interests of the university at heart."
The measured and analytical interim president of the 49,000-student university calmed the academic community that was enraged following the events surrounding the June resignation of former Texas A&M President Elsa Murano.
Meanwhile, he executed the wishes of the Board of Regents on everything from belt-tightening to publicly supporting changes announced last week that more closely align administrative functions of Texas A&M and the 11-university A&M System that governs it.
"I love Texas A&M, what can I say," the Aggie Class of 1971 graduate said, smiling sheepishly in front of a crowd of reporters minutes after the decision. "Our priorities for the last seven months have been to make certain we have a clear message both internally and externally that Texas A&M is strong, resilient and moving ahead on its Vision 2020 plan."
A 21-day waiting period is required before the appointment is official.
"What we needed to do is steer the ship in the right direction," said Board of Regents Chairman Morris Foster. Loftin did that, he said.
The new president, known for wearing a bow tie, has a tough road ahead. State-mandated budget cuts loom. And the departure of Murano is not yet forgotten.
Loftin had served as the chief of Texas A&M's Galveston branch campus until June, when he was selected to serve as the flagship College Station campus' chief the day Murano resigned.
Third search in seven years
The search began in July, when Board of Regents Chairman Morris Foster convened a 15-person advisory committee -- one member would later be added -- to hunt for the leader.
Richard Box, an Austin dentist who also is a regent, was selected to chair the committee. Though he was a former treasurer to the campaign fund of Gov. Rick Perry -- whose ties and influence to the alma mater he graduated from in 1972 are lamented by the academic community -- Box's leadership during the search was widely praised by fellow committee members.
Box said they whittled down the search from a pool of more than 300 to two names forwarded to the board.
"Dr. Loftin was able to prove his leadership," Box said after the vote, saying that Loftin's job as interim president factored into the regents' decision "quite a bit."
Officials did not release details about the second candidate. A third candidate dropped out last week. That applicant was an executive vice president and provost of a prestigious Eastern university, Box said.
All members of the search committee signed confidentiality agreements not to reveal candidate names or identifying information. The move, Box said, helps attract higher quality applicants since they wouldn't worry about their current jobs being damaged.
The search was the third for a Texas A&M president in the past seven years. The 2002 search led to the hiring of former Central Intelligence Agency director Robert Gates, who is now secretary of defense. The 2007 search resulted in the selection of Murano, a former vice chancellor and dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Both searches raised concerns from faculty members about the process. In both cases, regents considered candidates that were not the choices of the respective search committees. Foster gave assurances that the new A&M president would have to go through the search committee.
Coming off a controversy
Murano resigned a day before regents were expected to take action on her employment status. It came less than three weeks after Texas A&M System Chancellor Mike McKinney told The Eagle in May that combining his position with the A&M presidency was one of several cost-cutting measures under consideration. He later said the idea was never seriously considered.
Days later, a largely negative performance review of Murano by McKinney was released in response to an open-records request. It showed tension between the two leaders in various areas, including research.
Murano went forward with a national search headed by a search committee for vice president for research that resulted in the hiring of Jeffrey Seemann. McKinney wanted her to instead hire Brett Giroir. The chancellor created a new position for him in the A&M System called vice chancellor for research.
On Thursday, McKinney said in a statement that he was pleased with the board's decision, noting Loftin's response in Galveston when Hurricane Ike hit.
"His outstanding leadership at the Galveston campus during a period of tremendous growth and major challenges was highly impressive," McKinney said.
A new president
Loftin was well-regarded by every major group that a university president has to deal with -- regents, students, former students, administrators, faculty and staff.
Following his selection as interim president, his first actions included meeting with various groups to alleviate concerns surrounding the departure of Murano. The meetings didn't stop.
He has said his primary goal during his interim presidency was to alleviate the acrimony, which included hundreds of concerned e-mails sent by faculty members to Robert Bednarz, speaker of the Faculty Senate, and a resolution of "no confidence" in McKinney.
Loftin was born near Hearne and grew up in Navasota, about 20 miles from the Texas A&M campus. He also holds a master's and doctorate from Rice University.
He has two grown children, three grandchildren and a wife, Karin, who works as an associate biosafety officer at Texas A&M University, the same role she had at the Galveston branch campus, Loftin said.
Loftin often touts his time leading a faculty senate. He noted that when he was selected on June 15 to become interim president, his first action after meeting with McKinney and Foster was to have dinner with faculty leadership.
"I wanted to reassure them that the university was not going to fall apart," he said, "that we were a strong, resilient institution. ... And that kind of persistent focus on listening [and offering] reassurance paid off very quickly."
Published Friday, January 22, 2010
By Vimal Patel
From the Bryan-College Station Eagle
Shortly before 5:30 p.m. at Texas A&M, Regent Richard Box proposed a motion to the Board of Regents to name R. Bowen Loftin the sole finalist for the presidency.
The nine-member body, without discussion, unanimously approved the decision.
"I know there was a lot of speculation before Christmas that he was going to be a final pick," said Angie Hill Price, a former Faculty Senate speaker. "So there wasn't a lot of shock. He was believed to be the probable prospect.
"He's been good at making peace on campus and quieting things down. He makes people feel he has the best interests of the university at heart."
The measured and analytical interim president of the 49,000-student university calmed the academic community that was enraged following the events surrounding the June resignation of former Texas A&M President Elsa Murano.
Meanwhile, he executed the wishes of the Board of Regents on everything from belt-tightening to publicly supporting changes announced last week that more closely align administrative functions of Texas A&M and the 11-university A&M System that governs it.
"I love Texas A&M, what can I say," the Aggie Class of 1971 graduate said, smiling sheepishly in front of a crowd of reporters minutes after the decision. "Our priorities for the last seven months have been to make certain we have a clear message both internally and externally that Texas A&M is strong, resilient and moving ahead on its Vision 2020 plan."
A 21-day waiting period is required before the appointment is official.
"What we needed to do is steer the ship in the right direction," said Board of Regents Chairman Morris Foster. Loftin did that, he said.
The new president, known for wearing a bow tie, has a tough road ahead. State-mandated budget cuts loom. And the departure of Murano is not yet forgotten.
Loftin had served as the chief of Texas A&M's Galveston branch campus until June, when he was selected to serve as the flagship College Station campus' chief the day Murano resigned.
Third search in seven years
The search began in July, when Board of Regents Chairman Morris Foster convened a 15-person advisory committee -- one member would later be added -- to hunt for the leader.
Richard Box, an Austin dentist who also is a regent, was selected to chair the committee. Though he was a former treasurer to the campaign fund of Gov. Rick Perry -- whose ties and influence to the alma mater he graduated from in 1972 are lamented by the academic community -- Box's leadership during the search was widely praised by fellow committee members.
Box said they whittled down the search from a pool of more than 300 to two names forwarded to the board.
"Dr. Loftin was able to prove his leadership," Box said after the vote, saying that Loftin's job as interim president factored into the regents' decision "quite a bit."
Officials did not release details about the second candidate. A third candidate dropped out last week. That applicant was an executive vice president and provost of a prestigious Eastern university, Box said.
All members of the search committee signed confidentiality agreements not to reveal candidate names or identifying information. The move, Box said, helps attract higher quality applicants since they wouldn't worry about their current jobs being damaged.
The search was the third for a Texas A&M president in the past seven years. The 2002 search led to the hiring of former Central Intelligence Agency director Robert Gates, who is now secretary of defense. The 2007 search resulted in the selection of Murano, a former vice chancellor and dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Both searches raised concerns from faculty members about the process. In both cases, regents considered candidates that were not the choices of the respective search committees. Foster gave assurances that the new A&M president would have to go through the search committee.
Coming off a controversy
Murano resigned a day before regents were expected to take action on her employment status. It came less than three weeks after Texas A&M System Chancellor Mike McKinney told The Eagle in May that combining his position with the A&M presidency was one of several cost-cutting measures under consideration. He later said the idea was never seriously considered.
Days later, a largely negative performance review of Murano by McKinney was released in response to an open-records request. It showed tension between the two leaders in various areas, including research.
Murano went forward with a national search headed by a search committee for vice president for research that resulted in the hiring of Jeffrey Seemann. McKinney wanted her to instead hire Brett Giroir. The chancellor created a new position for him in the A&M System called vice chancellor for research.
On Thursday, McKinney said in a statement that he was pleased with the board's decision, noting Loftin's response in Galveston when Hurricane Ike hit.
"His outstanding leadership at the Galveston campus during a period of tremendous growth and major challenges was highly impressive," McKinney said.
A new president
Loftin was well-regarded by every major group that a university president has to deal with -- regents, students, former students, administrators, faculty and staff.
Following his selection as interim president, his first actions included meeting with various groups to alleviate concerns surrounding the departure of Murano. The meetings didn't stop.
He has said his primary goal during his interim presidency was to alleviate the acrimony, which included hundreds of concerned e-mails sent by faculty members to Robert Bednarz, speaker of the Faculty Senate, and a resolution of "no confidence" in McKinney.
Loftin was born near Hearne and grew up in Navasota, about 20 miles from the Texas A&M campus. He also holds a master's and doctorate from Rice University.
He has two grown children, three grandchildren and a wife, Karin, who works as an associate biosafety officer at Texas A&M University, the same role she had at the Galveston branch campus, Loftin said.
Loftin often touts his time leading a faculty senate. He noted that when he was selected on June 15 to become interim president, his first action after meeting with McKinney and Foster was to have dinner with faculty leadership.
"I wanted to reassure them that the university was not going to fall apart," he said, "that we were a strong, resilient institution. ... And that kind of persistent focus on listening [and offering] reassurance paid off very quickly."
Published Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Where’s the Change: Postmortem
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We gathered on the corner of Texas Avenue and University Drive near the campus of Texas A&M, and held signs protesting the wars that the Obama Administration has continued in Iraq and Afghanistan. Throughout the protest we receive a surprising amount of support from those driving by, and received several dozen approving honks followed by hands holding up two fingers for peace.
There were those that showed their disapproval, but they were the minority by far. They also would shout that we should “get a job” or that we were “hippies,” and one told us to get out of their city and “go back to Austin.” Despite the rumors of a possible counter protest and military recruiters none appeared.
There was a mixture of people who joined the protest from several racial, ethnic, and age groups. Of the fifteen people who participated several of them where students, and a few where faculty members, and some where just community members.
This was the first step towards the reforming of the previously known Brazos Valley Coalition Against the War into the newly formed Brazos Valley Peace Watch. The new organization will be meeting again soon to plan another protest that may take place in March on the anniversary of the Iraq War.
We gathered on the corner of Texas Avenue and University Drive near the campus of Texas A&M, and held signs protesting the wars that the Obama Administration has continued in Iraq and Afghanistan. Throughout the protest we receive a surprising amount of support from those driving by, and received several dozen approving honks followed by hands holding up two fingers for peace.There were those that showed their disapproval, but they were the minority by far. They also would shout that we should “get a job” or that we were “hippies,” and one told us to get out of their city and “go back to Austin.” Despite the rumors of a possible counter protest and military recruiters none appeared.
There was a mixture of people who joined the protest from several racial, ethnic, and age groups. Of the fifteen people who participated several of them where students, and a few where faculty members, and some where just community members.This was the first step towards the reforming of the previously known Brazos Valley Coalition Against the War into the newly formed Brazos Valley Peace Watch. The new organization will be meeting again soon to plan another protest that may take place in March on the anniversary of the Iraq War.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Where’s the Change?
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The Brazos Coalition Against War is sponsoring a protest against the Obama Administration’s escalation of the War in Afghanistan and the continued War in Iraq.
The Brazos Coalition Against War is sponsoring a major protest on January 20, 2010, which marks a year since Barack Obama’s inauguration as a President who campaigned on ending the foreign policy of President George W. Bush. However, the Obama Administration has continued the foreign policy of the Bush Administration, continuing the occupation of Iraq and escalating the war in Afghanistan.
The purpose of the protest is and to demand that our leaders end the United States occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq, and that all military service members and civilian contractors are brought home. The protest will be held from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the corner of University Drive and Texas Avenue in College Station, Texas. Members of both community chapter of Brazos Coalition Against War and the Texas A&M student chapter will be in.
The Brazos Coalition Against War, active for over three years in the Bryan-College Station area, includes individuals, students, and community groups opposed to the War in Iraq. The Brazos Coalition Against War can be found on Facebook.
Partners in Peace:
Iraq Veterans Against the War
Veterans for Peace
Courage to Resist
Under the Hood Café
Waco Friends of Peace
The Brazos Coalition Against War is sponsoring a major protest on January 20, 2010, which marks a year since Barack Obama’s inauguration as a President who campaigned on ending the foreign policy of President George W. Bush. However, the Obama Administration has continued the foreign policy of the Bush Administration, continuing the occupation of Iraq and escalating the war in Afghanistan.
The purpose of the protest is and to demand that our leaders end the United States occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq, and that all military service members and civilian contractors are brought home. The protest will be held from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the corner of University Drive and Texas Avenue in College Station, Texas. Members of both community chapter of Brazos Coalition Against War and the Texas A&M student chapter will be in.
The Brazos Coalition Against War, active for over three years in the Bryan-College Station area, includes individuals, students, and community groups opposed to the War in Iraq. The Brazos Coalition Against War can be found on Facebook.
Partners in Peace:
Iraq Veterans Against the War
Veterans for Peace
Courage to Resist
Under the Hood Café
Waco Friends of Peace
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Video Lunch: Afghanistan and Global Dominance
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From the Real News Network:
F William Engdahl is an economist and author and the writer of the best selling book "A Century of War: Anglo-American Oil Politics and the New World Order." Mr Engdhahl has written on issues of energy, politics and economics for more than 30 years, beginning with the first oil shock in the early 1970s. Mr. Engdahl contributes regularly to a number of publications including Asia Times Online, Asia, Inc, Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Foresight magazine; Freitag and ZeitFragen newspapers in Germany and Switzerland respectively. He is based in Germany.
From the Real News Network:
F William Engdahl is an economist and author and the writer of the best selling book "A Century of War: Anglo-American Oil Politics and the New World Order." Mr Engdhahl has written on issues of energy, politics and economics for more than 30 years, beginning with the first oil shock in the early 1970s. Mr. Engdahl contributes regularly to a number of publications including Asia Times Online, Asia, Inc, Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Foresight magazine; Freitag and ZeitFragen newspapers in Germany and Switzerland respectively. He is based in Germany.
Local News: Search for Texas A&M President Continues
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Closer to New A&M President
Presidential Search Committee May Have Answers by February
By: Robert Carpenter
From the Texas A&M University Battalion
After months of searching, reviewing and eliminating, the Presidential Search Committee has whittled down the pool of candidates for the position of president of Texas A&M University. Cadet Col. Brent Lanier, one of three students on the committee, said the process has been successful.
"The candidates are of high caliber and any of them will propel the University where it needs to go," the senior political science major said.
The committee, which was formed by the Board of Regents in July 2009 following Elsa Murano's resignation, wasted no time in seeking direction from the Aggie family. Feedback was solicited online through the presidential search Web site, and the committee sought out direction in three open forums last fall - one in Dallas, Houston and College Station.
As for how much input has come from current students, Student Body President Kolin Loveless said it was "a lot."
"We had a survey which was open all summer, and we received about 8,000 to 9,000 responses," he said. "Something like a quarter of that was from current students. There was a lot of student response and we received a lot of feedback."
But the input that current students have contributed throughout the process began before the surveys. In fact, Lanier said the Board of Regents gave students an uncommon power when the search committee was formed.
"Having three students on a university presidential search is unheard of," Lanier said. "Students representing major groups from all corners of the University have also provided great input into the search."
Lanier and Loveless are joined on the committee by Meredith Maloney, president of the A&M chapter of the American Veterinary Medicine Association. Maloney was included to represent graduate and professional students in the search.
At this point, a strict confidentiality policy prohibits committee members from specifying the exact number of remaining candidates. However, the timeline established by the Board of Regents indicates that eight to 10 candidates should have advanced to the interviews the search committee conducted two weeks ago. Shortly thereafter, the candidates were assessed and more eliminated.
Remaining candidates then entered a second round of interviews with an independent "stakeholder constituent committee." Once more, three current students were included on the committee: Resident Hall Association President Jeff Gregory; Memorial Student Center officer Sarah Russel; and Graduate Student Council President Hasan Alahmadi.
With these interviews complete, the search committee's duties near conclusion. Loveless summarized the committee's remaining responsibilities.
"We will meet on the 20th to … consolidate everything, bring everything together, gather information and really talk to the [constituent group] that met last Thursday and get their take on things," Loveless said. "Then we'll hand it over to the Board of Regents."
The three names and the information gathered by both groups who interviewed the candidates will be given to the Board of Regents. From there, Dr. Richard Box, who is both a regent and president of the search committee, explained the Board's next steps.
"They will be evaluating the names and the information that [search committee] received from the stakeholder group, and will be at a point of … making a selection of the next president of Texas A&M."
The decision and announcement may be expected from the Board in late January or early February. A 21 day waiting period must then pass before the Board may vote to confirm the candidate. However, Box acknowledged the chance that the final candidates will not be well-received.
"There is also the possibility that they will come back to us and say, 'We want you to start all over and bring us some new names,'" Box said.
Even with this prospect, both Lanier and Loveless said they were confident in the remaining candidates. Each indicated the committee has identified individuals whose qualifications and personalities make them a good match for the University.
"The candidates that we have on this final list are all people who understand the uniqueness of A&M," Loveless said. "They've seen the culture and what it's like, and they are willing to embrace it. They are the type of people - you can just pick it up sometimes - the type of people who would do well in Aggieland."
Students are encouraged to send their opinions to the search committee through Wednesday, after which time students should contact the Board of Regents. The search committee may be reached by phone at (979) 845-9600 or e-mail at TAMU-Search@tamu.edu. Kolin Loveless may be contacted at sbp@tamu.edu, and Hunter Bollman, student regent, may be contacted at studentregent@tamus.edu.
Published on Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Presidential Search Committee May Have Answers by February
By: Robert Carpenter
From the Texas A&M University Battalion
After months of searching, reviewing and eliminating, the Presidential Search Committee has whittled down the pool of candidates for the position of president of Texas A&M University. Cadet Col. Brent Lanier, one of three students on the committee, said the process has been successful.
"The candidates are of high caliber and any of them will propel the University where it needs to go," the senior political science major said.
The committee, which was formed by the Board of Regents in July 2009 following Elsa Murano's resignation, wasted no time in seeking direction from the Aggie family. Feedback was solicited online through the presidential search Web site, and the committee sought out direction in three open forums last fall - one in Dallas, Houston and College Station.
As for how much input has come from current students, Student Body President Kolin Loveless said it was "a lot."
"We had a survey which was open all summer, and we received about 8,000 to 9,000 responses," he said. "Something like a quarter of that was from current students. There was a lot of student response and we received a lot of feedback."
But the input that current students have contributed throughout the process began before the surveys. In fact, Lanier said the Board of Regents gave students an uncommon power when the search committee was formed.
"Having three students on a university presidential search is unheard of," Lanier said. "Students representing major groups from all corners of the University have also provided great input into the search."
Lanier and Loveless are joined on the committee by Meredith Maloney, president of the A&M chapter of the American Veterinary Medicine Association. Maloney was included to represent graduate and professional students in the search.
At this point, a strict confidentiality policy prohibits committee members from specifying the exact number of remaining candidates. However, the timeline established by the Board of Regents indicates that eight to 10 candidates should have advanced to the interviews the search committee conducted two weeks ago. Shortly thereafter, the candidates were assessed and more eliminated.
Remaining candidates then entered a second round of interviews with an independent "stakeholder constituent committee." Once more, three current students were included on the committee: Resident Hall Association President Jeff Gregory; Memorial Student Center officer Sarah Russel; and Graduate Student Council President Hasan Alahmadi.
With these interviews complete, the search committee's duties near conclusion. Loveless summarized the committee's remaining responsibilities.
"We will meet on the 20th to … consolidate everything, bring everything together, gather information and really talk to the [constituent group] that met last Thursday and get their take on things," Loveless said. "Then we'll hand it over to the Board of Regents."
The three names and the information gathered by both groups who interviewed the candidates will be given to the Board of Regents. From there, Dr. Richard Box, who is both a regent and president of the search committee, explained the Board's next steps.
"They will be evaluating the names and the information that [search committee] received from the stakeholder group, and will be at a point of … making a selection of the next president of Texas A&M."
The decision and announcement may be expected from the Board in late January or early February. A 21 day waiting period must then pass before the Board may vote to confirm the candidate. However, Box acknowledged the chance that the final candidates will not be well-received.
"There is also the possibility that they will come back to us and say, 'We want you to start all over and bring us some new names,'" Box said.
Even with this prospect, both Lanier and Loveless said they were confident in the remaining candidates. Each indicated the committee has identified individuals whose qualifications and personalities make them a good match for the University.
"The candidates that we have on this final list are all people who understand the uniqueness of A&M," Loveless said. "They've seen the culture and what it's like, and they are willing to embrace it. They are the type of people - you can just pick it up sometimes - the type of people who would do well in Aggieland."
Students are encouraged to send their opinions to the search committee through Wednesday, after which time students should contact the Board of Regents. The search committee may be reached by phone at (979) 845-9600 or e-mail at TAMU-Search@tamu.edu. Kolin Loveless may be contacted at sbp@tamu.edu, and Hunter Bollman, student regent, may be contacted at studentregent@tamus.edu.
Published on Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Texas Progressive Alliance Roundup - January 18, 2010
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The Texas Progressive Alliance wishes you a happy MLK Day as it brings you this week's blog highlights.
Off the Kuff takes a look at some demographic trends in the Houston area.
Something STINKS about TCEQ's recent Fort Worth air study. Considering that the Barnett Shale has a staggering asthma rate of 25% compared to 7.1% statewide, TXsharon thinks it's time for an intervention in Texas. Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.
CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme, along with every other progressive, knows why Democrats are having a hard time. Even the Tea Party activists know that our country should not be run by corporate lobbyists.
WCNews at Eye On Williamson discusses the importance of the election this year, 2010 races loom large for 2011 legislative redistricting.
Mary Peters loves her some private toll roads which is understandable since her income depends on stupid people at TXDOT selling off our roads. McBlogger, understandably, has a problem with the fact that taxpayers have to get screwed for Mary and her masters to make money.
A few of PDiddie's friends around the state are taking a crack at public office this year. See who they are at Brains and Eggs.
Bay Area Houston notices What they didnt talk about at the Republican debates.
Neil at Texas Liberal updated his Martin Luther King Reading & Reference List for 2010. This list is the best such resource on the web.
MUD? FWSD? WTF? Developer welfare comes back into the light in Denton County, at the Texas Cloverleaf.
The Texas Progressive Alliance wishes you a happy MLK Day as it brings you this week's blog highlights.
Off the Kuff takes a look at some demographic trends in the Houston area.
Something STINKS about TCEQ's recent Fort Worth air study. Considering that the Barnett Shale has a staggering asthma rate of 25% compared to 7.1% statewide, TXsharon thinks it's time for an intervention in Texas. Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.
CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme, along with every other progressive, knows why Democrats are having a hard time. Even the Tea Party activists know that our country should not be run by corporate lobbyists.
WCNews at Eye On Williamson discusses the importance of the election this year, 2010 races loom large for 2011 legislative redistricting.
Mary Peters loves her some private toll roads which is understandable since her income depends on stupid people at TXDOT selling off our roads. McBlogger, understandably, has a problem with the fact that taxpayers have to get screwed for Mary and her masters to make money.
A few of PDiddie's friends around the state are taking a crack at public office this year. See who they are at Brains and Eggs.
Bay Area Houston notices What they didnt talk about at the Republican debates.
Neil at Texas Liberal updated his Martin Luther King Reading & Reference List for 2010. This list is the best such resource on the web.
MUD? FWSD? WTF? Developer welfare comes back into the light in Denton County, at the Texas Cloverleaf.
Local News: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebrated in Bryan
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On MLK Holiday, Bryan Community Looks to the Past and the Future
By Maggie Kiely
From the Bryan-College Station Eagle
Linda Asberry is the principal of an elementary school on a street where she said Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream is carried out each day.
The street -- which is less than 3 miles long and crosses over two main roads in Bryan, Texas Avenue and Texas 21 -- is like those in many neighborhoods across town, regardless of whether it's considered impoverished or wealthy.
One of its unique features, though, is that the street bears King's name.
The school overseen by Asberry, Neal Elementary, is not alone in being home to those dreams verbalized by the slain civil rights leader whose famous speech called for an end to discrimination and equality for all, regardless of color.
Today -- 46 years later -- that dream still lives in the hearts of business owners and the souls of those residing and attending church along Martin Luther King Jr. Street. It's in the eyes of parents watching their children at nearby playgrounds and the hands of those who built the Brazos Valley African-American Museum several blocks away.
Even so, some who live in this area say there's little evidence of King's aspirations taking root in the northern neighborhood; they blame crime and pockets of blight as the culprits.
Originally referred to as "Freedmanstown," the north side of the city became the cultural center for newly freed slaves who chose to settle in the area in the late 1800s. Back then, the road that later would become known as Martin Luther King Jr. Street was a main thoroughfare for the community where local businesses thrived.
Today, members of the community -- blacks, Hispanics and whites alike -- said they believe King would be proud of what has been accomplished since his death.
About three months ago, Otis Johnson relocated his barber shop business to MLK Street after being open for business on N. Bryan Avenue since 1958.
He said business has been good since the move, but that doesn't mean he isn't missing his original shop.
"I know everything has to change," he said.
Johnson said he can remember what it was like when segregation still was fastened to the Brazos Valley.
"My mom told me not to worry, that everything was going to get better," he said. "I didn't know what to think, but sure enough, it did."
Before the civil rights movement, white people wouldn't stop in Johnson's Barber Shop, he said.
"We always accepted them, but they didn't accept us," he said, noting people of all races visit him now. "We've come a long way, but we still have a long way to go."
Faye Ola Jones, 56, has lived near MLK Street her entire life and speaks fondly of her memories in the years following the civil rights movement.
She can remember her brothers and older members of her generation pushing hard for equal rights, she said. During that time, Jones said, she remembers neighbors banding together and improving the community.
"People stuck together, people looked out for each others' children. Children were more disciplined," she said. "The community was close knit. We're still like that to a degree, but things have changed a lot.
"When crack came on the scene in the '80s and '90s, the neighborhood lost that closeness," Jones said. "I think so many of us as parents have lost our place. Drugs took over parental guidance."
Asberry -- Neal's principal who is a 1966 graduate of Kemp High School, which then was an all African-American school -- said she agreed with Jones to an extent.
"Drugs really make us all stop and think," she said. "I think there are pockets where that community closeness still exists, but we are more cautious and careful."
Still, Asberry said, she believes MLK would be impressed by the accomplishments that have been made.
"We still have needs, but we've made major strides and improvements," she said. "I think he would be proud of the schools, of the educational focus and the investment of citizens in the community."
LaVerne Hawkins, a member of the Brazos Valley African-American Museum board of directors, said she believes many have lost sight of what's been gained through efforts on the part of MLK and other activists.
"Today's youth don't even know or realize the struggles," she said. "I think a lot of it has been forgotten and not passed on like it should be."
Keeping MLK's dream alive has to be a priority for all members of the community, Hawkins said, including parents and teachers.
"It's still important for us as a people and a generation to pass on these achievements," she said. "The youth needs to know where they came from before they can know where they're going."
Published on Monday, January 18, 2010
By Maggie Kiely
From the Bryan-College Station Eagle
Linda Asberry is the principal of an elementary school on a street where she said Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream is carried out each day.
The street -- which is less than 3 miles long and crosses over two main roads in Bryan, Texas Avenue and Texas 21 -- is like those in many neighborhoods across town, regardless of whether it's considered impoverished or wealthy.
One of its unique features, though, is that the street bears King's name.
The school overseen by Asberry, Neal Elementary, is not alone in being home to those dreams verbalized by the slain civil rights leader whose famous speech called for an end to discrimination and equality for all, regardless of color.
Today -- 46 years later -- that dream still lives in the hearts of business owners and the souls of those residing and attending church along Martin Luther King Jr. Street. It's in the eyes of parents watching their children at nearby playgrounds and the hands of those who built the Brazos Valley African-American Museum several blocks away.
Even so, some who live in this area say there's little evidence of King's aspirations taking root in the northern neighborhood; they blame crime and pockets of blight as the culprits.
Originally referred to as "Freedmanstown," the north side of the city became the cultural center for newly freed slaves who chose to settle in the area in the late 1800s. Back then, the road that later would become known as Martin Luther King Jr. Street was a main thoroughfare for the community where local businesses thrived.
Today, members of the community -- blacks, Hispanics and whites alike -- said they believe King would be proud of what has been accomplished since his death.
About three months ago, Otis Johnson relocated his barber shop business to MLK Street after being open for business on N. Bryan Avenue since 1958.
He said business has been good since the move, but that doesn't mean he isn't missing his original shop.
"I know everything has to change," he said.
Johnson said he can remember what it was like when segregation still was fastened to the Brazos Valley.
"My mom told me not to worry, that everything was going to get better," he said. "I didn't know what to think, but sure enough, it did."
Before the civil rights movement, white people wouldn't stop in Johnson's Barber Shop, he said.
"We always accepted them, but they didn't accept us," he said, noting people of all races visit him now. "We've come a long way, but we still have a long way to go."
Faye Ola Jones, 56, has lived near MLK Street her entire life and speaks fondly of her memories in the years following the civil rights movement.
She can remember her brothers and older members of her generation pushing hard for equal rights, she said. During that time, Jones said, she remembers neighbors banding together and improving the community.
"People stuck together, people looked out for each others' children. Children were more disciplined," she said. "The community was close knit. We're still like that to a degree, but things have changed a lot.
"When crack came on the scene in the '80s and '90s, the neighborhood lost that closeness," Jones said. "I think so many of us as parents have lost our place. Drugs took over parental guidance."
Asberry -- Neal's principal who is a 1966 graduate of Kemp High School, which then was an all African-American school -- said she agreed with Jones to an extent.
"Drugs really make us all stop and think," she said. "I think there are pockets where that community closeness still exists, but we are more cautious and careful."
Still, Asberry said, she believes MLK would be impressed by the accomplishments that have been made.
"We still have needs, but we've made major strides and improvements," she said. "I think he would be proud of the schools, of the educational focus and the investment of citizens in the community."
LaVerne Hawkins, a member of the Brazos Valley African-American Museum board of directors, said she believes many have lost sight of what's been gained through efforts on the part of MLK and other activists.
"Today's youth don't even know or realize the struggles," she said. "I think a lot of it has been forgotten and not passed on like it should be."
Keeping MLK's dream alive has to be a priority for all members of the community, Hawkins said, including parents and teachers.
"It's still important for us as a people and a generation to pass on these achievements," she said. "The youth needs to know where they came from before they can know where they're going."
Published on Monday, January 18, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Video Lunch: Secretary Clinton On Why Reproductive Health Care is Critical to Global Prosperity and Progress
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From RH Reality Check:
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton commemorates the 15th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development.
From RH Reality Check:
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton commemorates the 15th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development.
Local News: Waco State Senator Averitt Ends Re-Election Campaign
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Waco State Senator Averitt Ends Re-Election Campaign, Citing Health Reasons
By Michael W. Shapiro (Tribune-Herald staff writer)
From the Waco-Tribune Herald
State Sen. Kip Averitt, R-Waco, said Wednesday afternoon that he has ended his re-election campaign, citing health problems.
The decision comes a week and a half after the closing of the filing period to run for state elected office as a Democrat or Republican and leaves Burleson insurance agent Darren Yancy as the sole candidate left to campaign in the GOP primary.
No Democrats have filed to run for Averitt’s seat, which covers McLennan, Coryell, Falls, Bosque, Hill, Navarro, Somervell, Hood, Johnson and Ellis counties.
Averitt, 55, a certified public accountant, has represented Waco since 1992, when he was elected to the state House. He issued a statement to the Tribune-Herald that said in recent years he has struggled to balance health and the interests of his family with his role as a public servant.
“I have been advised that I must now put my health above all else — for me and my family — and it is with deep regret that I announce today the cessation of my Senate campaign,” the release states.
“While I will not serve another term, serving my friends and neighbors has been my highest honor and greatest privilege, and I am proud of all that we’ve accomplished together.”
Staffers in Averitt’s office declined to answer questions Wednesday night, and the statement doesn’t make clear when the senator was advised to stop campaigning, what specific health problems he’s suffering from or whether he intends to carry out the remainder of his term.
Averitt has been popular throughout the years, winning each of the 14 elections he’s run in since 1992 and never garnering less than 57 percent of the vote.
Averitt was active in campus Republican groups while at Baylor, where he was also the trainer for the school’s bear mascot.
He befriended former state Sen. David Sibley before Sibley won election to the Senate. Averitt became his chief of staff in Austin.
In 1992 when a state House seat came open, Averitt won, taking nearly 60 percent of the vote.
He would go on to take Sibley’s Senate seat in 2002, quickly becoming a mover and shaker in that chamber.
In 2005, Averitt pushed to restore funding and loosen eligibility rules for Texas’s Children’s Health Insurance Program, which had been cut in the previous legislative session. He’s also been involved in crafting the state’s budget.
And as chairman of the influential Natural Resources Committee, he has been a strong voice for the creation of local groundwater-conservation districts and long-term planning of the state’s water.
On Dec. 10, Averitt and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst attended a Tribune-Herald editorial board meeting together. Dewhurst, who presides over the Senate, said at the time that Averitt’s name was in the mix to head the powerful Senate Finance Committee in the upcoming legislative session. On Dec. 23, Averitt filed for re-election.
Averitt has at times faced criticism from Republican opponents for being too moderate. Most recently Yancy said he would try and run to the right of Averitt when Yancy announced in October he would challenge Averitt.
“Kip’s definition of conservatism and my definition of conservatism are probably miles apart,” Yancy said.
But chairmen of McLennan County’s Republican and Democratic parties both had kind words for Averitt.
“The things he’s done are like a laundry list for Central Texas and Waco,” GOP Chairman Joe Hinton said.
“He’s probably doing the smart thing, but I really hate to see him go,” Hinton said.
Democratic Chairman John Cullar said, “Despite the fact that we’re from different parties, I’ve respected his leadership and representation and appreciate his service in the Senate and the House before that.”
Though someone could still emerge as an independent candidate in the race or run a write-in campaign, Cullar said Yancy will have a distinct advantage because he’ll be able to get on the ballot as his party’s nominee.
“The biggest regret I have is we’ll go from having a McLennan County senator to a guy from Johnson County,” Cullar said.
Libertarian Party members will determine at their March 13 convention whether Tim Ballard of Cleburne or Ben Faulkner of Red Oak will be the party’s nominee for the seat.
Published on Thursday, January 14, 2010
By Michael W. Shapiro (Tribune-Herald staff writer)
From the Waco-Tribune Herald
State Sen. Kip Averitt, R-Waco, said Wednesday afternoon that he has ended his re-election campaign, citing health problems.
The decision comes a week and a half after the closing of the filing period to run for state elected office as a Democrat or Republican and leaves Burleson insurance agent Darren Yancy as the sole candidate left to campaign in the GOP primary.
No Democrats have filed to run for Averitt’s seat, which covers McLennan, Coryell, Falls, Bosque, Hill, Navarro, Somervell, Hood, Johnson and Ellis counties.
Averitt, 55, a certified public accountant, has represented Waco since 1992, when he was elected to the state House. He issued a statement to the Tribune-Herald that said in recent years he has struggled to balance health and the interests of his family with his role as a public servant.
“I have been advised that I must now put my health above all else — for me and my family — and it is with deep regret that I announce today the cessation of my Senate campaign,” the release states.
“While I will not serve another term, serving my friends and neighbors has been my highest honor and greatest privilege, and I am proud of all that we’ve accomplished together.”
Staffers in Averitt’s office declined to answer questions Wednesday night, and the statement doesn’t make clear when the senator was advised to stop campaigning, what specific health problems he’s suffering from or whether he intends to carry out the remainder of his term.
Averitt has been popular throughout the years, winning each of the 14 elections he’s run in since 1992 and never garnering less than 57 percent of the vote.
Averitt was active in campus Republican groups while at Baylor, where he was also the trainer for the school’s bear mascot.
He befriended former state Sen. David Sibley before Sibley won election to the Senate. Averitt became his chief of staff in Austin.
In 1992 when a state House seat came open, Averitt won, taking nearly 60 percent of the vote.
He would go on to take Sibley’s Senate seat in 2002, quickly becoming a mover and shaker in that chamber.
In 2005, Averitt pushed to restore funding and loosen eligibility rules for Texas’s Children’s Health Insurance Program, which had been cut in the previous legislative session. He’s also been involved in crafting the state’s budget.
And as chairman of the influential Natural Resources Committee, he has been a strong voice for the creation of local groundwater-conservation districts and long-term planning of the state’s water.
On Dec. 10, Averitt and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst attended a Tribune-Herald editorial board meeting together. Dewhurst, who presides over the Senate, said at the time that Averitt’s name was in the mix to head the powerful Senate Finance Committee in the upcoming legislative session. On Dec. 23, Averitt filed for re-election.
Averitt has at times faced criticism from Republican opponents for being too moderate. Most recently Yancy said he would try and run to the right of Averitt when Yancy announced in October he would challenge Averitt.
“Kip’s definition of conservatism and my definition of conservatism are probably miles apart,” Yancy said.
But chairmen of McLennan County’s Republican and Democratic parties both had kind words for Averitt.
“The things he’s done are like a laundry list for Central Texas and Waco,” GOP Chairman Joe Hinton said.
“He’s probably doing the smart thing, but I really hate to see him go,” Hinton said.
Democratic Chairman John Cullar said, “Despite the fact that we’re from different parties, I’ve respected his leadership and representation and appreciate his service in the Senate and the House before that.”
Though someone could still emerge as an independent candidate in the race or run a write-in campaign, Cullar said Yancy will have a distinct advantage because he’ll be able to get on the ballot as his party’s nominee.
“The biggest regret I have is we’ll go from having a McLennan County senator to a guy from Johnson County,” Cullar said.
Libertarian Party members will determine at their March 13 convention whether Tim Ballard of Cleburne or Ben Faulkner of Red Oak will be the party’s nominee for the seat.
Published on Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
First Look: District 14 Republican Primary
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State Representative Fred Brown is facing his first primary opponents since 2002, and is facing a challenge in the Republican primary for only the third time since being elected to the Texas State House of Representatives in 1998. This year Representative Brown is facing three primary opponents, and at least two of the candidates, if not all three, pose a serious challenge. Brown faces Rick Davis, a former district judge; Buddy Winn, a former tax assessor-collector; and Blanche Brick, the social sciences division chair and a professor at Blinn College. This year the Republican primary will decide who will be the District 14th representative, since no candidates from the Democrat or Libertarian parties have filed.
Gerald “Buddy” Winn was the Brazos County tax assessor-collector for nearly thirty years. According to an article in the Bryan-College Station Eagle, Winn said in the press release that he not running on a “personal agenda other than being able to serve the citizens of Brazos County.” Representative Brown said in the same article that Winn was not so much running against the incumbent, but rather running for the position. Winn was recently vindicated after being forced to pay more than $10,000 to cover money reported missing from his office's accounts in 1992, county officials admitted that Winn’s account was correct and returned $10,035 to the former tax assessor-collector. Winn’s campaign appears to be centered around his extensive experience in public office, and around a central issue of taxes. According to Winn’s campaign site, he will “fight for tax reform in the Texas Legislature and will file legislation to help reduce tax rates if appraisals go up.”
Former District Judge Rick Davis served on the 272nd District Court for seven years, but was reprimanded by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct twice for actions related to a dispute with the district attorney’s office. In 2003 Judge Davis was reprimanded by the State Judicial Oversight Agency after filing a court of inquiry in 2003 that accused fellow candidate Buddy Winn of being involved in a time-card scam, which was later dismissed. Davis was a candidate against the incumbent District Attorney, Democrat Bill Tuner, during the 2008 election, and lost after a bitter campaign filled with accusations. Davis’s campaign appears to be centered his experience as a judge, and his connections to the local community through Texas A&M and Blinn College. According to Davis’s campaign site, he is campaigning as a fiscally conservative, pro-life, pro-gun rights “committed Republican.”
Blanche Brick is the social sciences division chair and a professor at Blinn College. According to an article in The Ealge, Brick is campaigning in part because she “can ask many of the questions we all have as these policies are addressed at the state level.” Brick has never served in public office. According to Brick’s campaign site, her priorities are fiscal responsibility, education, community protection and development, and transportation.
It remains to be seen what kind of campaign this will be, but Davis has already stirred up some allegations against Brown. According to an article in The Eagle, Davis suggested that Brown may not be fully committed to being a State Representative because of an online resume in which Brown was seeking a “senior executive position in the auto industry.” The resume noted that Brown “carried legislation for car dealers and blocked proposed legislation that would hurt the Texas body of car dealers," and that he would be willing to relocated. Davis characterized it as a “lack of genuineness and a motivation by self-interest,” while Brown said that Davis should be more “concerned about being admonished by the State Judicial Conduct Commission.”
While Winn and Davis have never lost a Republican primary, history and statistics are on the side of Brown. During the last three election cycles in Texas, fifty Republican incumbents from the Texas House of Representatives have been challenged in primaries. Only ten challengers have defeated incumbent Republicans, although this number is trending in the challengers’ favor. In the 2004 Republican primary 12 incumbents where challenged and none were defeated, while in the 2006 primary 21 were challenged and five where defeated, and in the 2008 primary 17 where challenged and five were defeated. It appears that the challengers have about a 20% chance of defeating the incumbent. However, Brown should feel lucky that he is not the Representative of either House District 73 or 101; in the last two election cycles not only has the incumbent Republican faced a primary challenge but they have also lost to the challenger.
State Representative Fred Brown is facing his first primary opponents since 2002, and is facing a challenge in the Republican primary for only the third time since being elected to the Texas State House of Representatives in 1998. This year Representative Brown is facing three primary opponents, and at least two of the candidates, if not all three, pose a serious challenge. Brown faces Rick Davis, a former district judge; Buddy Winn, a former tax assessor-collector; and Blanche Brick, the social sciences division chair and a professor at Blinn College. This year the Republican primary will decide who will be the District 14th representative, since no candidates from the Democrat or Libertarian parties have filed.Gerald “Buddy” Winn was the Brazos County tax assessor-collector for nearly thirty years. According to an article in the Bryan-College Station Eagle, Winn said in the press release that he not running on a “personal agenda other than being able to serve the citizens of Brazos County.” Representative Brown said in the same article that Winn was not so much running against the incumbent, but rather running for the position. Winn was recently vindicated after being forced to pay more than $10,000 to cover money reported missing from his office's accounts in 1992, county officials admitted that Winn’s account was correct and returned $10,035 to the former tax assessor-collector. Winn’s campaign appears to be centered around his extensive experience in public office, and around a central issue of taxes. According to Winn’s campaign site, he will “fight for tax reform in the Texas Legislature and will file legislation to help reduce tax rates if appraisals go up.”
Former District Judge Rick Davis served on the 272nd District Court for seven years, but was reprimanded by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct twice for actions related to a dispute with the district attorney’s office. In 2003 Judge Davis was reprimanded by the State Judicial Oversight Agency after filing a court of inquiry in 2003 that accused fellow candidate Buddy Winn of being involved in a time-card scam, which was later dismissed. Davis was a candidate against the incumbent District Attorney, Democrat Bill Tuner, during the 2008 election, and lost after a bitter campaign filled with accusations. Davis’s campaign appears to be centered his experience as a judge, and his connections to the local community through Texas A&M and Blinn College. According to Davis’s campaign site, he is campaigning as a fiscally conservative, pro-life, pro-gun rights “committed Republican.”
Blanche Brick is the social sciences division chair and a professor at Blinn College. According to an article in The Ealge, Brick is campaigning in part because she “can ask many of the questions we all have as these policies are addressed at the state level.” Brick has never served in public office. According to Brick’s campaign site, her priorities are fiscal responsibility, education, community protection and development, and transportation.
It remains to be seen what kind of campaign this will be, but Davis has already stirred up some allegations against Brown. According to an article in The Eagle, Davis suggested that Brown may not be fully committed to being a State Representative because of an online resume in which Brown was seeking a “senior executive position in the auto industry.” The resume noted that Brown “carried legislation for car dealers and blocked proposed legislation that would hurt the Texas body of car dealers," and that he would be willing to relocated. Davis characterized it as a “lack of genuineness and a motivation by self-interest,” while Brown said that Davis should be more “concerned about being admonished by the State Judicial Conduct Commission.”
While Winn and Davis have never lost a Republican primary, history and statistics are on the side of Brown. During the last three election cycles in Texas, fifty Republican incumbents from the Texas House of Representatives have been challenged in primaries. Only ten challengers have defeated incumbent Republicans, although this number is trending in the challengers’ favor. In the 2004 Republican primary 12 incumbents where challenged and none were defeated, while in the 2006 primary 21 were challenged and five where defeated, and in the 2008 primary 17 where challenged and five were defeated. It appears that the challengers have about a 20% chance of defeating the incumbent. However, Brown should feel lucky that he is not the Representative of either House District 73 or 101; in the last two election cycles not only has the incumbent Republican faced a primary challenge but they have also lost to the challenger.
Tonight on Biased Transmission
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Tonight on Biased Transmission our studio guest is Jeff Garrison-Tate founder of Community Now! and producer for the film "Forgotten Lives." Community Now! is a statewide non-profit volunteer organization passionately committed to promoting inclusive communities for all Texans often marginalized because of disability. The film "Forgotten Lives" was shown at the last Red Wasp film festival. It's is a 44-minute film that chronicles the horror and abuse perpetrated against Texas’ most vulnerable citizens inside state institutions and offers hope for a future of freedom and dignity in the community.
Listen to Biased Transmission tonight on 89.1FM KEOS College Station-Bryan from 6-7pm, to hear Teddy Wilson, Danny Yeager, Michael Alvard, and Ann Preston. If you have a question or comment you can post it here, or call the KEOS Bell Studios: 979-779-5367.
Biased Transmission on Facebook
Biased Transmission Online Archive of Shows
Tonight on Biased Transmission our studio guest is Jeff Garrison-Tate founder of Community Now! and producer for the film "Forgotten Lives." Community Now! is a statewide non-profit volunteer organization passionately committed to promoting inclusive communities for all Texans often marginalized because of disability. The film "Forgotten Lives" was shown at the last Red Wasp film festival. It's is a 44-minute film that chronicles the horror and abuse perpetrated against Texas’ most vulnerable citizens inside state institutions and offers hope for a future of freedom and dignity in the community.
Listen to Biased Transmission tonight on 89.1FM KEOS College Station-Bryan from 6-7pm, to hear Teddy Wilson, Danny Yeager, Michael Alvard, and Ann Preston. If you have a question or comment you can post it here, or call the KEOS Bell Studios: 979-779-5367.
Biased Transmission on Facebook
Biased Transmission Online Archive of Shows
Video Lunch: Texas Governor's Race Ad War
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From the Texas Tribune:
From January through March 2010, expect a steady stream of ads from the Kay Bailey Hutchison and RIck Perry camps, trying to convince you to vote for one or the other in the GOP primary race for governor.
From the Texas Tribune:
From January through March 2010, expect a steady stream of ads from the Kay Bailey Hutchison and RIck Perry camps, trying to convince you to vote for one or the other in the GOP primary race for governor.
Local News: Bryan Animal Shelter in Violation of State Law
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Shelter's Board Lacks City's OK
By Cassie Smith
From the Bryan-College Station Eagle
Bryan appears to be in violation of a state law that requires the city to appoint an advisory committee for the Brazos Animal Shelter, officials indicated Tuesday.
The City Council postponed a vote on a proposal to create such an advisory committee during its regular meeting Tuesday after a variety of opinions were offered on the subject. In the end, council members said, more information was needed before a decision could be made.
The Texas Health and Safety Code requires an advisory committee of at least one licensed veterinarian, one county or municipal official, one person whose duties include the daily operation of an animal shelter and one representative from an animal welfare organization. The committee must meet at least three times a year.
There is a shelter-appointed advisory committee that meets those requirements, said Judy LeUnes, vice president of the Brazos Animal Shelter's board of directors.
But, Deputy City Manager Hugh Walker pointed out, the Texas Health and Safety Code requires the committee to be appointed by "the governing body of a county or municipality in which an animal shelter is located."
Walker said city officials just became aware of the requirement recently after discussion about renewing the city's annual contract with the Brazos Animal Shelter.
Councilman Mike Southerland proposed the creation of a new advisory committee and opposed the vote to postpone a decision.
Southerland said he thought one of the committee's responsibilities should be reducing the shelter's euthanasia rate to 30 percent or less, and he suggested the panel include a representative from an animal shelter from out of the area.
"We need to be progressive in making sure the people understand we care about other people's animals," Southerland said.
LeUnes said she supported the goal of reducing the shelter's euthanasia rate, but because the shelter is a private entity, the city can't regulate it's policies.
The city pays the shelter $37 per day per animal, while costs average more than $100 per animal, Walker said. The city's contract with the shelter requires the shelter to house animals delivered from the city for 72 hours. After that, the animals become property of the shelter.
Once the 72-hour period expires, LeUnes said, the shelter can begin advertising the pets for adoption and try to find them homes.
LeUnes said the key to lowering the facility's euthanasia rate is public education and funding, not stricter regulations.
"We don't have a facility right now that could deal with a 30 percent euthanasia rate," she said, adding that would mean they would have to turn away people who were trying to surrender animals. "So many people don't realize we don't put them down after the 72 hours."
Also at Tuesday's meeting, the City Council:
* Approved a contract worth more $2.8 million with Knife River Corp. for street maintenance. The project will include about 24 miles of new asphalt surface on about 35 streets. And the intersection of Finfeather Road, Carson Street and Turkey Creek Road will be rebuilt with concrete pavement.
* Approved a one-year extension of an agreement with Brazos County to house Bryan inmates at the Brazos County Jail at $40 per inmate per day. On average, there are 100 city inmates incarcerated in the county jail per month, with each person averaging a stay of one day. Once a city inmate receives a magistrate's warning, that individual is turned over to state custody and the fees associated with his incarceration are transferred to the county. City officials said they expect the annual cost of the agreement to be less than $76,000.
* Renamed the Bryan Public Library the Clara B. Mounce Public Library. Mounce retired last month after 31 years of service to the Bryan-College Station Library System.
* Condemned four lots for the installation of a five million-gallon water storage facility. The lots are on North Tabor Avenue and North Washington Avenue. In October, the City Council authorized the acquisition of nine lots for the construction of the ground storage tank. Five lots were purchased without condemnation.
The ground storage facility will replace a small one constructed in 1939. Property owners will be compensated for the lots' value as determined by an independent appraiser.
Published on Wednesday, January 13, 2010
By Cassie Smith
From the Bryan-College Station Eagle
Bryan appears to be in violation of a state law that requires the city to appoint an advisory committee for the Brazos Animal Shelter, officials indicated Tuesday.
The City Council postponed a vote on a proposal to create such an advisory committee during its regular meeting Tuesday after a variety of opinions were offered on the subject. In the end, council members said, more information was needed before a decision could be made.
The Texas Health and Safety Code requires an advisory committee of at least one licensed veterinarian, one county or municipal official, one person whose duties include the daily operation of an animal shelter and one representative from an animal welfare organization. The committee must meet at least three times a year.
There is a shelter-appointed advisory committee that meets those requirements, said Judy LeUnes, vice president of the Brazos Animal Shelter's board of directors.
But, Deputy City Manager Hugh Walker pointed out, the Texas Health and Safety Code requires the committee to be appointed by "the governing body of a county or municipality in which an animal shelter is located."
Walker said city officials just became aware of the requirement recently after discussion about renewing the city's annual contract with the Brazos Animal Shelter.
Councilman Mike Southerland proposed the creation of a new advisory committee and opposed the vote to postpone a decision.
Southerland said he thought one of the committee's responsibilities should be reducing the shelter's euthanasia rate to 30 percent or less, and he suggested the panel include a representative from an animal shelter from out of the area.
"We need to be progressive in making sure the people understand we care about other people's animals," Southerland said.
LeUnes said she supported the goal of reducing the shelter's euthanasia rate, but because the shelter is a private entity, the city can't regulate it's policies.
The city pays the shelter $37 per day per animal, while costs average more than $100 per animal, Walker said. The city's contract with the shelter requires the shelter to house animals delivered from the city for 72 hours. After that, the animals become property of the shelter.
Once the 72-hour period expires, LeUnes said, the shelter can begin advertising the pets for adoption and try to find them homes.
LeUnes said the key to lowering the facility's euthanasia rate is public education and funding, not stricter regulations.
"We don't have a facility right now that could deal with a 30 percent euthanasia rate," she said, adding that would mean they would have to turn away people who were trying to surrender animals. "So many people don't realize we don't put them down after the 72 hours."
Also at Tuesday's meeting, the City Council:
* Approved a contract worth more $2.8 million with Knife River Corp. for street maintenance. The project will include about 24 miles of new asphalt surface on about 35 streets. And the intersection of Finfeather Road, Carson Street and Turkey Creek Road will be rebuilt with concrete pavement.
* Approved a one-year extension of an agreement with Brazos County to house Bryan inmates at the Brazos County Jail at $40 per inmate per day. On average, there are 100 city inmates incarcerated in the county jail per month, with each person averaging a stay of one day. Once a city inmate receives a magistrate's warning, that individual is turned over to state custody and the fees associated with his incarceration are transferred to the county. City officials said they expect the annual cost of the agreement to be less than $76,000.
* Renamed the Bryan Public Library the Clara B. Mounce Public Library. Mounce retired last month after 31 years of service to the Bryan-College Station Library System.
* Condemned four lots for the installation of a five million-gallon water storage facility. The lots are on North Tabor Avenue and North Washington Avenue. In October, the City Council authorized the acquisition of nine lots for the construction of the ground storage tank. Five lots were purchased without condemnation.
The ground storage facility will replace a small one constructed in 1939. Property owners will be compensated for the lots' value as determined by an independent appraiser.
Published on Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
The Conversation We're Not Having About Race
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The focus of the current conversation about the statements made by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) suggesting that then Senator Obama could become the first black President because he was “light-skinned” and because he did not speak with a “Negro dialect” has been entirely on whether or not that statement was racist or just insensitive. Of course the focus of the conversation in the politic discourse is preventing us from having a meaningful conversation about the actual content of the statement. That is because if you want to have a meaningful conversation about this statement and race and racism in American then we have to talk about it in the context of white racism.
First let’s take a look at the context statement. This statement is insensitive and it is racists, actually not necessarily because of the content but because of the context. Senator Reid made this statement from the white racial frame. The first problem is that Reid is saying that then Senator Obama could become President because of his blackness, when in fact President Obama was elected despite of his blackness. Then there is the idea that President Obama is “light-skinned” and therefore more appealing that a black person that is dark-skinned. In this frame white skin is the standard of aesthetic appeal, and the less white a person is the less appealing they are. There is also the notion that President Obama does not speak with a “Negro dialect.” Put aside the debate about the word Negro, this suggest the notion that the vernacular that some blacks use is not as intelligent sounding as the vernacular that some whites use. Once again this reinforces the idea that the way some whites speak is the norm in society.
What about the content of the statement that then Senator Obama could become President because he was “light-skinned”? In reality it is true. Sociological research shows that people of color with light skin are overrepresented in public office, that it is more likely that light-skinned people of color are more likely to receive votes from whites. So, why is this particular content not the subject of the discussion? Because it shows the deep racism that still exist in the white electorate. In fact this racism manifests itself in how an individual views people of color. Another study found that when shown photos of President Obama that had been altered to be either darker, lighter, or unaltered those you did not support Obama identified the darker image as the correct image of the President, while those that did support Obama identified the lighter image as the correct image. As much as commentators like to quote Martin Luther King, in America that color of your skin still matters, not just the content of your character.
What about the content of the statement about then Senator Obama not speaking with a “Negro dialect”? Once again, putting aside the debate about the word Negro, it reality this is also true. Sociological research also shows that when lease applicants where perceived as speaking with a black vernacular they were less likely to secure an appointment than those who were perceived as speaking with a white vernacular. This again is not the content that is the subject of the discussion because it also shows the racism that exists in the white electorate. In fact it is not only evident in how whites perceive the speech of people of color, but even in how whites perceive the names of people of color. Another study found that job applicants that had names that where perceived as being black where 50% less likely to receive a call for an interview than applicants whose names where perceived as being white.
So, let’s look at the part of Senator Reid’s statements that has really made the most amount of people uncomfortable; the Senator’s use of the word Negro. Why is it that words like this made so many people uncomfortable? Mainly because whites are uncomfortable discussing the different words that people of color use to self-identify with, in fact many whites are uncomfortable with the term “people of color” because they identify too closely with the term “colored people.” Why are white so uncomfortable with these term? Why do people like Glenn Beck ask why someone would identify as black or think that African-American is a “bogus term”? Because whites don’t have to come to terms with what to self-identify as racial, in the white racial frame white is neutral.
Republicans have called for Senator Reid to resign and have claimed a double standard, although neither political party has dealt with race and racism in a real way. The reason that Democrats do not have to deal with race and racism in an effective way is because the Republicans are so far behind in dealing with race and racism. When Republicans actually progress in dealing with race and racism then the Democrats might be forced to actually deal with it as an issue. However, for now the Republican Party will continue to use race, gender, and sexual identity as a way to divide Americans and attempt to win elections. In fact the Republicans brought up disgraced former Senator Trent Lott as a comparison to Senator Reid’s remarks, as if saying that then Senator Obama could be elected because of his blackness and not in spite of it was at all similar to Senator Lott saying that American would be better off if a segregationists had been elected President. Several prominent black leaders have accepted Senator Reid’s apology, including the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA). Republicans would suggest that if a Republican Senator would have said similar remarks that not only would the media be critical but that Democratic lawmakers would be asking for their resignation. So why the double standard? Reid has actually worked to improve the lives of the working class and people of color. When you have positive effects on peoples’ lives they can be much more forgiving.
What this incident illustrates is much less about Senator Reid, or President Obama, or the Democratic Party, or the Republican Party, and much more about America’s inability to engage in a meaningful dialog about race and racism. It is going to take more than forty years to repair four hundred years or racial oppression.
First let’s take a look at the context statement. This statement is insensitive and it is racists, actually not necessarily because of the content but because of the context. Senator Reid made this statement from the white racial frame. The first problem is that Reid is saying that then Senator Obama could become President because of his blackness, when in fact President Obama was elected despite of his blackness. Then there is the idea that President Obama is “light-skinned” and therefore more appealing that a black person that is dark-skinned. In this frame white skin is the standard of aesthetic appeal, and the less white a person is the less appealing they are. There is also the notion that President Obama does not speak with a “Negro dialect.” Put aside the debate about the word Negro, this suggest the notion that the vernacular that some blacks use is not as intelligent sounding as the vernacular that some whites use. Once again this reinforces the idea that the way some whites speak is the norm in society.
What about the content of the statement that then Senator Obama could become President because he was “light-skinned”? In reality it is true. Sociological research shows that people of color with light skin are overrepresented in public office, that it is more likely that light-skinned people of color are more likely to receive votes from whites. So, why is this particular content not the subject of the discussion? Because it shows the deep racism that still exist in the white electorate. In fact this racism manifests itself in how an individual views people of color. Another study found that when shown photos of President Obama that had been altered to be either darker, lighter, or unaltered those you did not support Obama identified the darker image as the correct image of the President, while those that did support Obama identified the lighter image as the correct image. As much as commentators like to quote Martin Luther King, in America that color of your skin still matters, not just the content of your character.
What about the content of the statement about then Senator Obama not speaking with a “Negro dialect”? Once again, putting aside the debate about the word Negro, it reality this is also true. Sociological research also shows that when lease applicants where perceived as speaking with a black vernacular they were less likely to secure an appointment than those who were perceived as speaking with a white vernacular. This again is not the content that is the subject of the discussion because it also shows the racism that exists in the white electorate. In fact it is not only evident in how whites perceive the speech of people of color, but even in how whites perceive the names of people of color. Another study found that job applicants that had names that where perceived as being black where 50% less likely to receive a call for an interview than applicants whose names where perceived as being white.
So, let’s look at the part of Senator Reid’s statements that has really made the most amount of people uncomfortable; the Senator’s use of the word Negro. Why is it that words like this made so many people uncomfortable? Mainly because whites are uncomfortable discussing the different words that people of color use to self-identify with, in fact many whites are uncomfortable with the term “people of color” because they identify too closely with the term “colored people.” Why are white so uncomfortable with these term? Why do people like Glenn Beck ask why someone would identify as black or think that African-American is a “bogus term”? Because whites don’t have to come to terms with what to self-identify as racial, in the white racial frame white is neutral.
Republicans have called for Senator Reid to resign and have claimed a double standard, although neither political party has dealt with race and racism in a real way. The reason that Democrats do not have to deal with race and racism in an effective way is because the Republicans are so far behind in dealing with race and racism. When Republicans actually progress in dealing with race and racism then the Democrats might be forced to actually deal with it as an issue. However, for now the Republican Party will continue to use race, gender, and sexual identity as a way to divide Americans and attempt to win elections. In fact the Republicans brought up disgraced former Senator Trent Lott as a comparison to Senator Reid’s remarks, as if saying that then Senator Obama could be elected because of his blackness and not in spite of it was at all similar to Senator Lott saying that American would be better off if a segregationists had been elected President. Several prominent black leaders have accepted Senator Reid’s apology, including the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA). Republicans would suggest that if a Republican Senator would have said similar remarks that not only would the media be critical but that Democratic lawmakers would be asking for their resignation. So why the double standard? Reid has actually worked to improve the lives of the working class and people of color. When you have positive effects on peoples’ lives they can be much more forgiving.
What this incident illustrates is much less about Senator Reid, or President Obama, or the Democratic Party, or the Republican Party, and much more about America’s inability to engage in a meaningful dialog about race and racism. It is going to take more than forty years to repair four hundred years or racial oppression.
Texas Progressive Alliance - Roundup January 11, 2010
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With blue lips and chattering teeth, the Texas Progressive Alliance brings you a hot steaming mug of blog highlights for the week.
This week on Left of College Station: the filling deadline has ended and the primaries in the Brazos Valley are crowded with candidates. Also, a look at who tweets among the primary candidates for Texas Congressional District 17 and which does not want Left of College Station to follow their tweets. Teddy also takes a look at the modern day slavery of human trafficking, and how Houston has become one of the biggest hubs for the modern day slave trade. Left of College Station also covers the week in headlines.
WCNews at Eye On Williamson posts on the Texas GOP's inability to govern and the opportunities that provides for Democrats, GOP divisions can bring Democratic gains in Texas.
The Denton County candidates are ready to go at the Texas Cloverleaf.
How does Texas compare with other states? A statistical analysis with graphs reveals the truth at Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.
Off the Kuff has a modest suggestion for how to handle Harris County's current budget shortfall.
CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme agrees it's time to put our money in community banks.
Thinking and acting both locally and globally, Neil at Texas Liberal sent membership donations to both Greenpeace and the Democratic Women of Denton County.
After a noted anti-gay and Republican activist filed to run as a Democrat against an unchallenged incumbent GOP county commissioner, investigation determined that the man used the wrong address and was disqualified from the ballot. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs has more on the story.
Bay Area Houston nominates Dave Wilson for the "Dripping with Hypocrisy" award with One Man. No Woman.
WhosPlayin has the story of a public servant who manages a $13 million facility, where he works for the taxpayer by day, and for the private club that rents the facility at night.
McBlogger sees some problems with Sen. Hutchison's ad taking on 39% and some of the people making excuses for 39%.
With blue lips and chattering teeth, the Texas Progressive Alliance brings you a hot steaming mug of blog highlights for the week.
This week on Left of College Station: the filling deadline has ended and the primaries in the Brazos Valley are crowded with candidates. Also, a look at who tweets among the primary candidates for Texas Congressional District 17 and which does not want Left of College Station to follow their tweets. Teddy also takes a look at the modern day slavery of human trafficking, and how Houston has become one of the biggest hubs for the modern day slave trade. Left of College Station also covers the week in headlines.
WCNews at Eye On Williamson posts on the Texas GOP's inability to govern and the opportunities that provides for Democrats, GOP divisions can bring Democratic gains in Texas.
The Denton County candidates are ready to go at the Texas Cloverleaf.
How does Texas compare with other states? A statistical analysis with graphs reveals the truth at Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.
Off the Kuff has a modest suggestion for how to handle Harris County's current budget shortfall.
CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme agrees it's time to put our money in community banks.
Thinking and acting both locally and globally, Neil at Texas Liberal sent membership donations to both Greenpeace and the Democratic Women of Denton County.
After a noted anti-gay and Republican activist filed to run as a Democrat against an unchallenged incumbent GOP county commissioner, investigation determined that the man used the wrong address and was disqualified from the ballot. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs has more on the story.
Bay Area Houston nominates Dave Wilson for the "Dripping with Hypocrisy" award with One Man. No Woman.
WhosPlayin has the story of a public servant who manages a $13 million facility, where he works for the taxpayer by day, and for the private club that rents the facility at night.
McBlogger sees some problems with Sen. Hutchison's ad taking on 39% and some of the people making excuses for 39%.
Video Lunch: Barney Frank on Why Consumer Reforms at Risk in Senate
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From the Huffington Post Investigative Fund:
Financial reform legislation faces an uncertain future in the Senate where Republicans stand opposed to creating a new consumer protection agency. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who ushered a financial overhaul through the House last month, explains how the agency was tempered in his bill and may not survive the Senate. President Obama has said creating the agency is a must.
From the Huffington Post Investigative Fund:
Financial reform legislation faces an uncertain future in the Senate where Republicans stand opposed to creating a new consumer protection agency. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who ushered a financial overhaul through the House last month, explains how the agency was tempered in his bill and may not survive the Senate. President Obama has said creating the agency is a must.
Local News: Three Candidates Campaign for Waco Democratic Chair
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Three Candidates Campaign for Waco Democratic Chair
By Michael W. Shapiro Tribune-Herald staff writer
From the Waco Tribune-Herald
A series of last-minute switches last week shook up the primary for McLennan County Democratic chair.
On the last day of the filing period, three candidates filed to become the organizational chief of the local party. They are Karen Petree, 25, a Baylor University graduate who works at L-3; Roy Walthall, 58, a McLennan Community College instructor; and Kelvin Williams, 47, who runs a local insurance company.
Williams, who filed several weeks earlier and was preparing to take on Ralph Cooper, a local lawyer, got two surprises last week.
Not only did Cooper drop out of the party-chair race so he could take on McLennan County Judge Jim Lewis in November, but Williams learned that his application had been rejected by the county party because he also had filed for a precinct-chair position. Williams said he was not notified formally but that he managed to get word that his paperwork had been rejected, and he refiled in time to beat the deadline.
Williams said he shouldn’t have had to deal with the frustration of a last-second refiling and wouldn’t have if the party’s rules were more straightforward and transparent.
Williams said a big part of his campaign’s platform would be pushing for a clear set of party rules.
Walthall filed after hearing Cooper left the race.
Walthall has been involved in local Democratic politics for the past 25 years. He was a candidate for the state House of Representatives in 1992 and 1994 and for the Waco City Council in 1987 and 2006.
He agreed with Williams that the party needs more structure and said he wants to see more candidates competing for party and county positions.
“My goal is to better organize and communicate our message and stand up for the principles that made our party the oldest and greatest political institution ever in the history of the world,” he wrote in an e-mail.
Petree said she’s been interested in politics since high school.
“I’ve been planning to run for office since I was 17,” she said.
That was the year Petree, a Waco High School student, was selected to participate in Texas Bluebonnet Girls State.
Girls in the competitive program serve in mock city, county and state governments and put on a gubernatorial campaign. Past participants include former Gov. Ann Richards and former Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn.
“My passion’s always been the process and not one particular issue,” said Petree, who has worked for U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards’ campaigns starting in 2002.
“My primary goal is going to be helping candidates reach voters by organizing events and using current technology like Facebook and Voter Activation Network,” Petree said, referring to an online list of registered voters in an area that is used by the Texas Democratic Party.
Published on Monday, January 11, 2010
By Michael W. Shapiro Tribune-Herald staff writer
From the Waco Tribune-Herald
A series of last-minute switches last week shook up the primary for McLennan County Democratic chair.
On the last day of the filing period, three candidates filed to become the organizational chief of the local party. They are Karen Petree, 25, a Baylor University graduate who works at L-3; Roy Walthall, 58, a McLennan Community College instructor; and Kelvin Williams, 47, who runs a local insurance company.
Williams, who filed several weeks earlier and was preparing to take on Ralph Cooper, a local lawyer, got two surprises last week.
Not only did Cooper drop out of the party-chair race so he could take on McLennan County Judge Jim Lewis in November, but Williams learned that his application had been rejected by the county party because he also had filed for a precinct-chair position. Williams said he was not notified formally but that he managed to get word that his paperwork had been rejected, and he refiled in time to beat the deadline.
Williams said he shouldn’t have had to deal with the frustration of a last-second refiling and wouldn’t have if the party’s rules were more straightforward and transparent.
Williams said a big part of his campaign’s platform would be pushing for a clear set of party rules.
Walthall filed after hearing Cooper left the race.
Walthall has been involved in local Democratic politics for the past 25 years. He was a candidate for the state House of Representatives in 1992 and 1994 and for the Waco City Council in 1987 and 2006.
He agreed with Williams that the party needs more structure and said he wants to see more candidates competing for party and county positions.
“My goal is to better organize and communicate our message and stand up for the principles that made our party the oldest and greatest political institution ever in the history of the world,” he wrote in an e-mail.
Petree said she’s been interested in politics since high school.
“I’ve been planning to run for office since I was 17,” she said.
That was the year Petree, a Waco High School student, was selected to participate in Texas Bluebonnet Girls State.
Girls in the competitive program serve in mock city, county and state governments and put on a gubernatorial campaign. Past participants include former Gov. Ann Richards and former Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn.
“My passion’s always been the process and not one particular issue,” said Petree, who has worked for U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards’ campaigns starting in 2002.
“My primary goal is going to be helping candidates reach voters by organizing events and using current technology like Facebook and Voter Activation Network,” Petree said, referring to an online list of registered voters in an area that is used by the Texas Democratic Party.
Published on Monday, January 11, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Week in Headlines
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Texas News
A Federal Case?
Media
Consumer Groups Call on Antitrust Authorities to Investigate
Veterans Issues
Heartbreak on America’s Frontlines
War and Peace
Pakistan and the Afghan Insurgency
Environment
Invasive Species Multiply in Waterways
Human Rights
China’s Drug ‘Rehabilitation’ Centers Deny Treatment, Allow Forced Labor
Reproductive Rights
Terror in Charlotte
Women’s Issues
Federal Funding for Safe Havens Not Tracked
GLBT Issues
Marriage Fails in New Jersey
Race and Racism
Transportation Security Agency is Racial Profiling
From the Blogs
Texas Kaos:
Texas in Perspective: Poverty
Dos Centavos:
Democrats Have a Reason to Be Excited in 2010
Humble Vegan:
2010 Brand New Year, Brand New Decade
Texas News
A Federal Case?
Media
Consumer Groups Call on Antitrust Authorities to Investigate
Veterans Issues
Heartbreak on America’s Frontlines
War and Peace
Pakistan and the Afghan Insurgency
Environment
Invasive Species Multiply in Waterways
Human Rights
China’s Drug ‘Rehabilitation’ Centers Deny Treatment, Allow Forced Labor
Reproductive Rights
Terror in Charlotte
Women’s Issues
Federal Funding for Safe Havens Not Tracked
GLBT Issues
Marriage Fails in New Jersey
Race and Racism
Transportation Security Agency is Racial Profiling
From the Blogs
Texas Kaos:
Texas in Perspective: Poverty
Dos Centavos:
Democrats Have a Reason to Be Excited in 2010
Humble Vegan:
2010 Brand New Year, Brand New Decade
Video Lunch: Trade as One - Just One
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Just One Fair Trade purchase from all of us would lift One Million families out of poverty for one whole year.
Products from Trade as One are made by women rescued from human trafficking, people with HIV/AIDS, and those living on less than a dollar a day. Purchases from people in America allow them to lift themselves out of poverty and support their families.
Just One Fair Trade purchase from all of us would lift One Million families out of poverty for one whole year.
Products from Trade as One are made by women rescued from human trafficking, people with HIV/AIDS, and those living on less than a dollar a day. Purchases from people in America allow them to lift themselves out of poverty and support their families.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Twitter Politics
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Congressman Chet Edwards, incumbent Democrat, does not advertise a Twitter account on his campaign web site, although Edwards does maintain a Facebook page that is regularly updated. However, Edwards has tended to be a low profile Congressman, and rarely appears in interviews on cable news and has focused most of his campaign on tradition means such as radio advertising and yard signs. While Edwards might be able to provide some interesting tweets it is doubtful that he would say anything overly partisan or controversial in 140 characters.
Republican primary candidate Rob Curnock, who tweets under the name rob4congress, has focused less on specific campaign issues and more on promoting partisan attacks from Congressman Mike Pence to political commentator Dick Morris. Recently Curnock did promote a list to his 229 followers of “10 reasons why 2010 will be a year to celebrate for Central Texans” that his campaign web site published. Curnock’s number one reason was a “Consistent, common-sense conservative message of less government, lower taxes and more personal freedom,” and that “this campaign is about ideas and message.” Which is interesting because that means that the Curnock campaign in 2010 should be completely different that the Curnock campaign in 2008 when its focus was not on ideas but on negative campaigning and saying the words “liberal” and “Edwards” in the same sentence over and over again.
Timothy Delasandro, a Republican primary candidate from College Station, tweets under the name TimothyCongress, and has focused on a combination of campaign reports from the field and criticisms of opponents. Usually Delasandro’s tweets to his 207 followers consist of a word or two about the campaign trail, but lately Delasandro has been focusing his criticisms on not only Congressman Edwards but on fellow Republican primary candidate Bill Flores who he describes as “D.C.'s Hand-picked man.” While Delasandro may be competitive in the Republican primary, there is the possibility that much of how he campaigns will shape the debate.
Bill Flores, who tweets under the name Flores4Congress, has only focused on campaign updates and the occasional congratulations to Texas A&M students to his 195 followers. Flores has not made a significant impact on the campaign, but he has the money to make a large impact. He is going to the most political attacks of all the Republican primary candidates. However, Flores has the money, fundraising ability, and connection to Texas A&M to possibly make a serious challenge at Edwards in the general election.
Dave McIntyre does not advertise a Twitter account on his campaign web site (although McIntyre does advertise a Facebook page), however there is the unconfirmed Twitter account under the name mcintyredh which has never produced a tweet. McIntyre may be the strongest Republican candidate in the primary, and it is likely that he and Curnock will receive the most votes in the primary election. I might actually be interesting to see how McIntyre could condense his thoughts on national security and terrorism into 140 characters.
The finally candidate in the Republican primary is Chuck Wilson, who tweets under the name TX17Republican, who has tweeted on an irregular basis about several different things. From tweeting about local sports results to meeting with “the next Speaker of the House” Congressman John Boehner, Wilson has supplied his 87 followers with random information. However, the most interesting thing about Wilson’s Twitter page is what happened when I clicked on the button to follow the Republican candidate:
This means that Chuck Wilson, or more than likely a member of his campaign staff, specifically blocked the leftofaggieland Twitter page from following TX17Republican. Why would a candidate for the United States Congress block not just a blogger, but a constituent? Perhaps Wilson does not want to engage in any real debate, even if it is just over Twitter. Or perhaps Wilson does not realize that since his Tweets are not private I can simply bookmark his Twitter page. Either way, anyone can follow leftofaggieland, even people with whom I disagree.
Twitter has become an indispensible part of politics and political campaigning; it is a simple yet effective way to convey an idea to many people at no cost. It has become one of the tools that many upstart and candidates are using during the primaries. Many established politicians use Twitter as a way to convey quick messages without sending or press release. How are candidates in the Brazos Valley using Twitter? I took a look at some of the candidates for Texas Congressional District 17 and found out who tweets, who doesn’t, and who doesn’t want me to follow them.
Congressman Chet Edwards, incumbent Democrat, does not advertise a Twitter account on his campaign web site, although Edwards does maintain a Facebook page that is regularly updated. However, Edwards has tended to be a low profile Congressman, and rarely appears in interviews on cable news and has focused most of his campaign on tradition means such as radio advertising and yard signs. While Edwards might be able to provide some interesting tweets it is doubtful that he would say anything overly partisan or controversial in 140 characters.
Republican primary candidate Rob Curnock, who tweets under the name rob4congress, has focused less on specific campaign issues and more on promoting partisan attacks from Congressman Mike Pence to political commentator Dick Morris. Recently Curnock did promote a list to his 229 followers of “10 reasons why 2010 will be a year to celebrate for Central Texans” that his campaign web site published. Curnock’s number one reason was a “Consistent, common-sense conservative message of less government, lower taxes and more personal freedom,” and that “this campaign is about ideas and message.” Which is interesting because that means that the Curnock campaign in 2010 should be completely different that the Curnock campaign in 2008 when its focus was not on ideas but on negative campaigning and saying the words “liberal” and “Edwards” in the same sentence over and over again.
Timothy Delasandro, a Republican primary candidate from College Station, tweets under the name TimothyCongress, and has focused on a combination of campaign reports from the field and criticisms of opponents. Usually Delasandro’s tweets to his 207 followers consist of a word or two about the campaign trail, but lately Delasandro has been focusing his criticisms on not only Congressman Edwards but on fellow Republican primary candidate Bill Flores who he describes as “D.C.'s Hand-picked man.” While Delasandro may be competitive in the Republican primary, there is the possibility that much of how he campaigns will shape the debate.
Bill Flores, who tweets under the name Flores4Congress, has only focused on campaign updates and the occasional congratulations to Texas A&M students to his 195 followers. Flores has not made a significant impact on the campaign, but he has the money to make a large impact. He is going to the most political attacks of all the Republican primary candidates. However, Flores has the money, fundraising ability, and connection to Texas A&M to possibly make a serious challenge at Edwards in the general election.
Dave McIntyre does not advertise a Twitter account on his campaign web site (although McIntyre does advertise a Facebook page), however there is the unconfirmed Twitter account under the name mcintyredh which has never produced a tweet. McIntyre may be the strongest Republican candidate in the primary, and it is likely that he and Curnock will receive the most votes in the primary election. I might actually be interesting to see how McIntyre could condense his thoughts on national security and terrorism into 140 characters.
The finally candidate in the Republican primary is Chuck Wilson, who tweets under the name TX17Republican, who has tweeted on an irregular basis about several different things. From tweeting about local sports results to meeting with “the next Speaker of the House” Congressman John Boehner, Wilson has supplied his 87 followers with random information. However, the most interesting thing about Wilson’s Twitter page is what happened when I clicked on the button to follow the Republican candidate:
This means that Chuck Wilson, or more than likely a member of his campaign staff, specifically blocked the leftofaggieland Twitter page from following TX17Republican. Why would a candidate for the United States Congress block not just a blogger, but a constituent? Perhaps Wilson does not want to engage in any real debate, even if it is just over Twitter. Or perhaps Wilson does not realize that since his Tweets are not private I can simply bookmark his Twitter page. Either way, anyone can follow leftofaggieland, even people with whom I disagree.
Video Lunch: The Challenges of Being a Rural Doctor
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From the Texas Tribune:
Rural health care providers in West Texas talk about the unique challenges they face in treating their patients.
From the Texas Tribune:
Rural health care providers in West Texas talk about the unique challenges they face in treating their patients.
Local News: Senator Ogden Debates Primary Opponent Bius
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Senator Ogden Takes Stage at Forum in Anderson
By Scott McDonald (Examiner Publisher)
From the Navasota Examiner
Make no mistake about it, they’re friends. But that’s not stopping Ben Bius from running against incumbent State Senator Steve Ogden in 2010. The two squared off in a forum hosted by the Grimes County Republican Party, at the courthouse in Anderson, on Monday night.
The Republican Party zipped through its normal business and got right to the forum. Ogden and Bius each gave opening comments, took questions from the 75 or so people in attendance and then gave closing remarks.
About 20 Republicans in attendance have filed to run for office from County Commissioner to the U. S. House of Representatives.
Ogden started off by stating he was “proud to be your State Senator and I’m asking for your vote to continue serving you.” Ogden, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee since 2004, said the state is in good fiscal shape and has an improved credit rating.
“Look at California,” Oden said. “They’re basically broke. And New York isn’t far behind. Last session we passed a $182 billion budget. We cut taxes and balanced the budget and we even have enough for a rainy day.”
Bius said he got into the race last summer after Ogden announced he would not seek reelection.
“Senator Ogden asked me to run for his seat,” Bius said. “I told him it was probably the worst possible time. My wife had left me after 27 years and my son had been murdered in Houston.”
Bius said he began traveling District 5 and talking to the citizens to get a better idea on whether or not he wanted to run.
“I formed a committee and found out I would probably beat [Dan] Gattis,” Bius said. Gattis is a state representative serving Williamson and Milam counties who entered the race after Ogden announced he would not run.
Then Ogden entered the picture again, announcing he would seek reelection to his seat. Gattis immediately dropped out of the race and announced he wouldn’t seek reelection to his state representative seat.
This left Bius with a decision on whether or not to run against the man who talked him into running in the first place.
“I was very unhappy and a little angry,” Bius said. “Although we didn’t agree on a lot of things, [Ogden] was a man of his word and he had never before broken his word.”
Bius in his opening comments said he was a small business owner and would continue to heavily support small business owners. Bius said he is “a Republican, but I’m a conservative first.”
“I’ve found that people, Republicans, Conservatives and Texans want conservative values,” Bius said.
Bius hit on a few topics, especially the welfare system.
“I want to end generational welfare,” Bius said. “We have a class of people trapped in a system that is wrong.”
He said welfare recipients should pass drug testing, be legal citizens and have basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills.
“I want to be one who’ll fight for conservative values,” Bius said.
Ogden and Bius then stood before the audience and fielded questions that ranged from the Trans Texas Corridor to school financing.
Bius said the Corridor was something that the Texas Department of Transportation “went outside the normal process” to do. Ogden said that the Corridor was a project that would coincide with existing highways that were to be widened and that “I thought we could be bold. And I always made sure the people in my district were never hurt by it.
Bius said the plans for an Interstate 14 from Fort Polk, La., to Fort Hood and on out to Pecos was a better plan.
As for the Texas Department of Transportation, Bius said the department “has left the reservation.” And that, “Legislature has to hold TxDOT responsible in a firm manner.”
Ogden said, “The last four years I’ve tried to fix TxDOT. I think TxDOT is back under control.”
Ogden said the state needs to help pay more for local schools and decrease the burden of local taxpayers and their property taxes.
“Six years ago, 63 percent of funding for schools came from local taxes and 37 percent came from the state,” Ogden said. “Now about 44 percent comes from the state. We want to get it close to 50 percent from the state and rely less on property taxes.”
Bius said that as the state budget has grown, the need for Health and Human Services has grown
“If it continues to grow, it will crowd out funding for our schools, police, roads and essential functions of government,” Bius said. “We cannot allow this to continue.”
In closing, Bius said, “To Steve Ogden, I hold you in the highest regard. It’s an honor to be associated with you.”
Bius said Ogden has served his state respectfully, “but these are different times.”
“We need to get back to bedrock conservative principles,” Bius said. “The best way to help the future of our small children is to lower taxes.”
Bius spoke of restoring Texan and American pride with a “new brand of conservative leadership.”
“I’ve got a conservative bias. So vote for me, Ben Bius.”
Ogden closed by saying why he got back into the race.
“I looked at the different possibilities in serving,” Ogden said. “The state will not be as good next session. There’s no district in the state with as great an interest in state government than ours. I can help protect and defend our home. If you send me back to Austin I will fight for you.”
Published on Wednesday, January 6, 2010
By Scott McDonald (Examiner Publisher)
From the Navasota Examiner
Make no mistake about it, they’re friends. But that’s not stopping Ben Bius from running against incumbent State Senator Steve Ogden in 2010. The two squared off in a forum hosted by the Grimes County Republican Party, at the courthouse in Anderson, on Monday night.
The Republican Party zipped through its normal business and got right to the forum. Ogden and Bius each gave opening comments, took questions from the 75 or so people in attendance and then gave closing remarks.
About 20 Republicans in attendance have filed to run for office from County Commissioner to the U. S. House of Representatives.
Ogden started off by stating he was “proud to be your State Senator and I’m asking for your vote to continue serving you.” Ogden, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee since 2004, said the state is in good fiscal shape and has an improved credit rating.
“Look at California,” Oden said. “They’re basically broke. And New York isn’t far behind. Last session we passed a $182 billion budget. We cut taxes and balanced the budget and we even have enough for a rainy day.”
Bius said he got into the race last summer after Ogden announced he would not seek reelection.
“Senator Ogden asked me to run for his seat,” Bius said. “I told him it was probably the worst possible time. My wife had left me after 27 years and my son had been murdered in Houston.”
Bius said he began traveling District 5 and talking to the citizens to get a better idea on whether or not he wanted to run.
“I formed a committee and found out I would probably beat [Dan] Gattis,” Bius said. Gattis is a state representative serving Williamson and Milam counties who entered the race after Ogden announced he would not run.
Then Ogden entered the picture again, announcing he would seek reelection to his seat. Gattis immediately dropped out of the race and announced he wouldn’t seek reelection to his state representative seat.
This left Bius with a decision on whether or not to run against the man who talked him into running in the first place.
“I was very unhappy and a little angry,” Bius said. “Although we didn’t agree on a lot of things, [Ogden] was a man of his word and he had never before broken his word.”
Bius in his opening comments said he was a small business owner and would continue to heavily support small business owners. Bius said he is “a Republican, but I’m a conservative first.”
“I’ve found that people, Republicans, Conservatives and Texans want conservative values,” Bius said.
Bius hit on a few topics, especially the welfare system.
“I want to end generational welfare,” Bius said. “We have a class of people trapped in a system that is wrong.”
He said welfare recipients should pass drug testing, be legal citizens and have basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills.
“I want to be one who’ll fight for conservative values,” Bius said.
Ogden and Bius then stood before the audience and fielded questions that ranged from the Trans Texas Corridor to school financing.
Bius said the Corridor was something that the Texas Department of Transportation “went outside the normal process” to do. Ogden said that the Corridor was a project that would coincide with existing highways that were to be widened and that “I thought we could be bold. And I always made sure the people in my district were never hurt by it.
Bius said the plans for an Interstate 14 from Fort Polk, La., to Fort Hood and on out to Pecos was a better plan.
As for the Texas Department of Transportation, Bius said the department “has left the reservation.” And that, “Legislature has to hold TxDOT responsible in a firm manner.”
Ogden said, “The last four years I’ve tried to fix TxDOT. I think TxDOT is back under control.”
Ogden said the state needs to help pay more for local schools and decrease the burden of local taxpayers and their property taxes.
“Six years ago, 63 percent of funding for schools came from local taxes and 37 percent came from the state,” Ogden said. “Now about 44 percent comes from the state. We want to get it close to 50 percent from the state and rely less on property taxes.”
Bius said that as the state budget has grown, the need for Health and Human Services has grown
“If it continues to grow, it will crowd out funding for our schools, police, roads and essential functions of government,” Bius said. “We cannot allow this to continue.”
In closing, Bius said, “To Steve Ogden, I hold you in the highest regard. It’s an honor to be associated with you.”
Bius said Ogden has served his state respectfully, “but these are different times.”
“We need to get back to bedrock conservative principles,” Bius said. “The best way to help the future of our small children is to lower taxes.”
Bius spoke of restoring Texan and American pride with a “new brand of conservative leadership.”
“I’ve got a conservative bias. So vote for me, Ben Bius.”
Ogden closed by saying why he got back into the race.
“I looked at the different possibilities in serving,” Ogden said. “The state will not be as good next session. There’s no district in the state with as great an interest in state government than ours. I can help protect and defend our home. If you send me back to Austin I will fight for you.”
Published on Wednesday, January 6, 2010
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