So now what are the girls and I supposed to do for fun on Saturday nights? Airport security was really our only chance for some action.
Texas close to banning TSA searches, TSA invents desperate new constitutional interpretations
On the other hand, I’ll bet my back can set off the security bells with all the new metal parts in my back.
A boy in prison can go far with gams like those.Infamous dance enthusiast and notorious money launderer, Tom Delay has been found guilty of, well, money laundering:
A jury in Texas has convicted former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay on charges he illegally funneled corporate money to Texas candidates in 2002.
Delay was once one of the most powerful Republicans in Congress. He now faces up to life in prison.
So… what should his prison bitch name be? In the comments, please.
(MSNBC)
5 years later, Tom Delay’s trial moves ahead… in Texas where he will not only be acquitted, they will probably name a school after him. Anyway…
The Republican was indicted in 2005 on charges he illegally sent $190,000 in corporate money through the Republican National Committee to help elect GOP Texas legislative candidates in 2002.
DeLay, who resigned in 2006, has pleaded not guilty to money laundering and conspiracy. He has said the trial will clear him.
Of course now you can launder as much money as you want for candidates and in the open. Delay was ahead of his time.
You thought Texas education was bad, eh?
Well, at least we’re not Australia!
Australian Public Schools Teaching Humans and Dinosaurs Co-Existed
Australia is facing a controversy that is all too familiar to Americans. Fundamentalists in state schools are teaching children that humans and dinosaurs lived together and Noah brought dinosaur eggs on to the Ark.
Children are also taught that Adam and Eve were not eaten by dinosaurs “because they were under a protective spell.”This is consistent with Palintology — the new science advanced by Sarah Palin — which insists that man and dinosaur must have co-existed despite carbon dating and simple logic.
Source: News
via Jonathan Turley
Is it only Texas or do dental offices everywhere have bibles in the waiting room? Do they think this is a motel 6?
After all the angst over how will the kiddies ever learn about Phyllus Schlafly and the Moral Majority (and her predecessor, Joe McCarthy) in the Texas school books, it turns out that no one can afford them.
Now it appears that Texas kids will have to glean those points from supplementary materials rather than new textbooks that were supposed to arrive in the fall. The state normally replaces textbooks on a rotating basis every 10 years. With Texas facing a budget shortfall of at least $11 billion in 2011, the money isn’t going to be there. Textbooks covering the new science standards would have cost $400 million, and the Legislature is already expecting a bill of $888 million for textbooks already ordered.
Yes, the native sons and daughters of the Lone Star State will have to learn about the significant contributions of the confederate soldiers elsewhere, because the state is broke, and will not be replenishing their old textbooks this year.
But not to fear, y’all: they found enough money stashed away somewhere so that they hope to produce a Science supplement about Evolution’s failabilities. And there will be a test: they upgraded the exit exam to match the new standards before they rolled out the new text books. Lots’a luck with that!
Ha ha ha! The EPA is threatening Texas with taking over regulating air quality in Texas because they are doing such a crap job of it.
In 3… 2… 1…
The Obama administration has taken yet another step in its campaign to harm our economy and impose federal control over Texas. On behalf of those Texans whose jobs are threatened by this latest overreach and in defense of not only our clean air program but also our rights under the 10th Amendment, I am calling upon President Obama to rein in the EPA.
– Governor Goodhair Rick Perry
And so there you have it. Citizen of Kenya, Language-of-the-Koran-speaking, Closet-Muslim, socialist, magic-negro overlord, re-education camp counselor, and Nobel laureate President Carebear is trying to conquer Texas, and it is only Rick Perry that is standing between yellow-aired freedom and Worker Paradise #2 of our Maoist dictator.
(Loved the veiled threat of the 10th Amendment, too.)
(Hat tip: Scissorhead Skinny-D)
Rick Perry, governor of Texas (National Laboratory of Bad Politics – according to Molly Ivins) goes jogging with sidearms, we learn today. And he is a-feared o’ snakes.
Anyway, Governor Goodhair was out jogging and shot a coyote using a laser-sighted .380 Ruger — loaded with hollow-point bullets.
Dude really is a-feared of snakes. That’s some serious firepower. Lesson here: don’t go jogging with Governor Goodhair if you look like a snake or a coyote. Giuliani, you’ve been warned.
Remember the other day when Georgia wrestled the Crazeee away from Texas when they passed a law that outlaws the government putting beepers in your vaginal-anus area? Me neither! So today, sensing that they were not crazee enough, Georgia decided to propose some birther legislation to make sure that noted Lawyer-Dentist-Realtor Orly Taitz always feels welcome. Or something.
Republican legislators in Georgia are following their counterparts’ lead in Arizona and proposing a law that would force President Obama and all other future presidential candidates to prove their citizenship before being registered to run in the state.
The move comes days after Arizona’s House passed a similar amendment which, according to the Arizona Republic, was inspired by the “birther” movement that believes President Obama is not entitled to hold the office of president because he wasn’t born in the United States.
But of course, no Birther story would be complete without a quote from some nut, so here we go:
But when asked by channel 11 if [state Rep. Mark Hatfield, the lead sponsor of the bill] considered himself a birther, Hatfield said, “No, I wouldn’t say that at all. I’m simply a citizen who is concerned, to make sure that the Constitution is upheld and enforced.”
“So you don’t know one way or the other whether he is a citizen of the United States?” reporter John Shirek asked.
“Well, of course not,” Hatfield replied. “I have not been given any sort of proof, one way or the other.”
In the history of dog-whistle politics no one gets close to Texas. Until today. The nuts who are agitating to get an election bounce using Obamacare to ratchet up the crazy in Georgia have sunk to a whole new level: they introduced a law to prevent that Kenyan usurper to the White House from micro-chipping citizens:
Last Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee entertained SB 235, the bill sponsored by Sen. Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville) to prohibit the involuntary implantation of microchips in human beings.
OK, strange, but fair enough. But then, the ironically named Chip had to have a hearing on it, and Georgia decided to give Texas a crazy run for the money:
…a hefty woman who described herself as a resident of DeKalb County. “I’m also one of the people in Georgia who has a microchip,” the woman said. Slowly, she began to lead the assembled lawmakers down a path they didn’t want to take.
Microchips, the woman began, “infringe on issues that are fundamental to our very existence. Our rights to privacy, our rights to bodily integrity, the right to say no to foreign objects being put in our body.”
She spoke of the “right to work without being tortured by co-workers who are activating these microchips by using their cell phones and other electronic devices.”
She continued. “Microchips are like little beepers. Just imagine, if you will, having a beeper in your rectum or genital area, the most sensitive area of your body. And your beeper numbers displayed on billboards throughout the city. All done without your permission,” she said.
It was not funny, and no one laughed.
“Ma’am, did you say you have a microchip?” asked state Rep. Tom Weldon (R-Ringgold).
“Yes, I do. This microchip was put in my vaginal-rectum area,” she replied. Setzler, the sponsoring lawmaker, sat next to the witness – his head bowed.
I think right about then is when you withdraw the motion, you apologize to your constituents, and you quietly retire from being a public servant, and you spend the rest of your days cursing the memory of Ronald Reagan for closing all the mental hospitals so that gazillionaires can have a few more bucks.
But instead, the Georgia legislature passed the measure. And that, Scissorheads is how Georgia just took the crazee away from Texas.
OK, so maybe the state education agency is here. And the Governor Good Hair. But we also have South by Southwest. And, of equal importance, I saw these posters up in the hallway leading to the school nurse’s office. How many other places in Texas would hang them?
—-Proud to be An Austinite
We’re celebrating 1836 Texas and not Governor Perry’s hairbrained idea about seceding now, right? Right?
Oh, forget it and just celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday instead.
image by Chelsea Anderson via KXAN website
I drove within half a mile the scene of the attack an hour after it happened this morning and had no idea that it was a plane crash. I knew there was smoke and that the state highway was closed / diverted to the access road. I figured fire.
I didn’t realize what happened or where until this afternoon, and the stench of airplane fuel filled the air both at my workplace and near my chiropractor’s office. Texteen had an outdoor PE class and says he smelled nothing. On the other hand, he lives in the same room with his sneakers so I am not entirely sure that his nose works properly.
I’ve been paying attention to news reports and my Austin Twitter friends all afternoon. Still don’t know if it’s terrorism or not, but this tweet by Buzzflash has me erring on the side of saying yes.
@buzzflash:
Okay Islamic fanatics fly planes into buildings and are terrorists; white guys flies plane into federal offices and is troubled?
David Neiwert says yes.
Spencer Ackerman says yes.
Chuck Frank says yes:
The FBI has defined terrorism as, “The unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.” The Rand Corporation’s Brian Jenkins has defined terrorism as, “The use or threatened use of force designed to bring about political change.”
By definition, Stack is a domestic terrorist.
What do you think? Terrorism? Crazy guy? Tea bagger? Right wing idjit?
Gotta love these family values states, eh?
Though the State of Texas does not officially recognize same-sex marriages, a Travis County judge has approved a same-sex divorce.
Maybe ’cause it’s Austin?
The latest news from someplace called “Laredo” which is in the legendary state of Texastan is that they will soon be the largest US city without any bookstore.
The B. Dalton store is pullin’ outta town next month, and while some might say that it means that they never had a bookstore, well, yeah.
Golden opportunity for an entrepreneur to bring readin’ to a large metropolitan area — wonder who will fill the void?
So while women can get mammograms at NFL games …. the men and women of Central Texas can get health care at their local Harley dealership. But, in perfect parallel to NFL fans being told to encourage their wives, sisters and mothers to get mammograms, this ad tells women to send the men in their lives to the Harley dealership.
Any chance we might all be able to get our health care at, ya know, a doctor’s office?!?
h/t Gnome de Plume
Yes, they are prepared for bloody war, Governor Perry, all 20 of ‘em. You better get right on that.
What do you think it would take for the corporate, for-profit media to report on the aftermath of hurricanes? To follow any non-birth-certificate, non-beer summit, non-sexual story?
How many newspapers outside of Texas carried this story at all? What else are they missing? New Orleans and the LA & Mississippi gulf coast are completely recovered from Hurricane Katrina, right? RIGHT???
Nearly a year after Ike, ER returns at UTMB
from HoustonChronicleThe reopening of Galveston’s full-service emergency center today takes the burden off other area hospitals inundated with extra patients.Before Ike, UTMB had one of the area’s three Level 1 trauma centers, which have the facilities and doctors to treat the sickest patients at any hour. The 10½-month hiatus means the center, which treated 64,000 patients a year, lost its top rating from the American College of Surgeons.
But officials said the facility can provide the same emergency and trauma care offered prior to the storm.
“We’re still seeing Level 1 trauma patients,” said Michael Hill, associate chief operating officer of UTMB hospitals.
…
He estimates that with the area’s reduced population, the emergency center could treat 44,000 to 50,000 patients in the next year.
Wait? You mean they’re not all back? Where did they go? How many died? Are they going back?
On occasion, when Americans talk about freedom, we talk about how students in other cultures are taught a very whitewashed view of history. It’s no big secret that some of what’s taught at younger grades about the greatness and honesty of the founding fathers is simplified, and that some of their deeds are glorified and others ignored. But Texas seems to be taking it a step further.
From yesterday’s Houston Chronicle:
Social studies books turning a controversial new page
Some proposed curriculum changes, which will be discussed by a state board this week, are sure to inflame Texans.
AUSTIN — Biographies of Washington, Lincoln, Stephen F. Austin? Not fit reading material for children in the early grades.
Cesar Chavez? Not worthy of his role-model status.
Christianity? Emphasize its importance.
Such suggestions are part of efforts to rewrite history books for the state’s schoolchildren, producing some expert recommendations that are sure to inflame Texans, no matter their political leanings.
The State Board of Education expects to start discussing new social studies curriculum standards this week, with members of the public getting their first opportunity to speak this fall and a final board vote next spring.
The process is a long one with lasting impact: reshaping the social studies curriculum, including history, for 4.7 million Texas public school children.
But of course Washington and Lincoln are to be left in, right? Especially as we celebrate Presidents’ Day in February, right??
Wangdangdoodle (of Relaxed Politics) and I are planning to get to the Texas capitol building about an hour before this protest rally officially begins at 5:30 Central Time. I’m bringing the laptop (of course!) but no clear sense of whether I’ll be able access wireless. So, for now, plan on following my twitter page for updates. You do not need your own twitter account to follow mine — just refresh every five minutes or so as you would with a post here, and leave any comments you have on here (or on my Twitter page).
And in an effort to bring all of my online political work together in one place and drive my self technologically nuts, I plan to call in to the H.O.R.N. with a live report as time allows, but will give you a few minutes’ notice both here and on my twitter page so you can tune in at home. (This is a web-only radio network and requires internet access and speakers, but no actual radio waves.) If the rally is too loud, I’ll call in after the rally.
More on the rally:
Iranian Community of Austin to Protest on Wednesday, June 17, Against Election Fraud in Iran
In light of the tragic and blatantly fraudulent presidential election in Iran, a group of both Iranian and non-Iranian students and concerned citizens of Austin and San Antonio are coming together to hold a demonstration and march at the Texas Capitol on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 5:30pm in solidarity with the people of Iran and to show our disappointment with and disapproval of the election results.
There has been an outpouring of protest over the past two days from the Islamic Republic of Iran and from Iranians and other outraged citizens around the world over the June 12th presidential election in Iran which may not have been fair and truly democratic. The Iranian government is using brutal tactics to crack down on protesters, shutting down their means of communicating with each other, and arresting leaders of the opposition. The universities have been closed down, party leaders have been detained or are under house arrest. Cell phones have been cut off and the internet has been slowed down enough so as to become useless. There is fighting in the streets and scenes that are reminiscent of the 1979 revolution. The event is being called the coup d’etat of 22 Khordad (June 12th).
What: Rally and March to protest the Re-Election of President Ahmadinejad and the Iranian government’s crackdown on opposition groups
Where: In front of the Texas Capitol at 11th and Congress
When: 5:30 PM on Wednesday, June 17
Tonight was the Molly Dinner for the Texas Observer. I got all decked out, including pink finger and toenails to match my pink canes, and my pink blouse, and went down to the Four Seasons in Austin. Had wonderful conversations, heard horrible tales of unemployed journalists, barely tolerated Ellen Goodman’s screed against new media, and had a ball! Food was so-so, but when we had tornado watches and warnings at the end, I wound up in the lobby talking with the state senators on the education committees, and the highlight of the evening was chatting with Lou Dubose and his wife. Wow!
Mine was the only laptop in sight, and I think am the one attendee there who live-blogged the event. I sat next to much of the Observer staff, and none of them were taking notes of any kind. Lots of journalists, but I didn’t even see note-pads. Very odd, considering how Netroots Nation last year and SxSW this year were wall-to-wall laptops.
OK Tengrain, what’s your excuse for not posting this evening???
Haven’t seen this story anywhere else. Marriage equality NOW please!
Gay Texas mayor runs for border to be with illegal immigrant partner; many face similar choice
SAN ANGELO, Texas (AP) — The mayor of this West Texas sheep ranching town offered a stunning explanation when he suddenly resigned: He was in love with a man who was an illegal immigrant and had gone to Mexico.
They had to move, he said, because there was no legal way for them to remain together in the United States.
“It wasn’t a decision that any U.S. citizen should have to make,” former Mayor J.W. Lown said in an interview from Mexico. “I left a home. I left a ranch. I left a promising political career.”
His local prominence and his run for the border on the day he was supposed to be sworn in for a fourth term caused jaws to drop, but it also became a high-profile example of the thousands of Americans who face a similar choice – separate or move abroad – because they can’t secure green cards for their partners like heterosexual spouses can.
An estimated 36,000 Americans are in this situation, said U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-NY, citing information from the advocacy group Immigration Equality.
Bills have been introduced in Congress to treat same-sex partners like heterosexual spouses for the purposes of immigration but are likely to face a strong fight, both from gay marriage opponents and anti-immigration groups. The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act prevents immigration officials from recognizing gay marriages, even from states where they are now legal.
Proponents see the issue as a basic rights question, and Steve Ralls, a spokesman for Immigration Equality, said he believes the best chance for the legislation is as part of a larger immigration bill.
But other immigration advocates want to keep the issues separate, fearful of bogging down an already tough fight. Kevin Appleby, migration policy director for U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the push for same-sex partners in immigration is about getting recognition in federal law for gay marriage – which he opposes.
“It’s an unholy marriage of the immigration debate and the same-sex marriage debate,” he said. “It’s very combustible.”
More at the link.
A Death Dive? A DEATH dive? Given how many Texas children die each year from untreated illnesses, is this the best phrase that the Houston Chronicle could come up with?? Oy!
p.s. Thanks scissorheads for all the “get well soon” wishes. Doing much better now after spending a few hours on the porch.
Mr. Governor Good Hair of Flip Flop can’t seem to decide.
Rick Perry Flip-Flops on Secession
Or should we tell them to only respond to calls of help from Dems.
GOPers shoot down emergency services tax election
Republicans blocked a plan Monday that would have allowed Texans to amend the Constitution so that local communities could vote on a tax increase to support emergency services. State photoRep. Valinda Bolton, D-Austin It takes at least 100 House votes…
No, I didn’t mean this to be a Diss Texas day, and yet it is.
Nice welcome sign, eh??
Under what circumstances would you shoot a five year old? A seven year old? A family walking down the street? Yeah, me either. Here in Texas however …. via Raw Story.
And the award for Craziest Neighbor goes to…Gale and Sheila Muhs, of Liberty County, Texas.
Except the couple’s cringe-inducing yard sign and Confederate flag aren’t actually funny, given what happened Thursday evening to 7-year-old Donald Coffey Jr.
The Muhses followed through on their sign’s promise – although, it’s not at all clear yet that Coffey, his father and friends were actually trespassing when they stopped their vehicles near the Muhses’ house. Not that trespassing would make shooting a shotgun at total strangers in pitch blackness even remotely sane, necessary or legal.
Donald Coffey Jr., his father and friends were on their way back from joy riding near a levee and swimming in the Trinity River around 9 p.m. Thursday when homeowners Gale and Sheila Muhs fired at them with a 12-gauge shotgun, police say.
The Muhses, both 45, are charged with aggravated assault and are being held in the Liberty County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail each. The couple is expected to appear in state district court in the coming week.
Authorities are considering upgrading the charge to murder or capital murder, Bishop said.
The boy, struck in the face, was among eight people, including four children, who had been on the river outing. Four people, including another child, were shot.
The boy’s 5-year-old sister, Destiny, and their father, Donald Coffey Sr., 36, were hit but have been treated by doctors and released.
The fourth shooting victim is family friend Patrick Cammack, 30, whose condition has improved since surgery. Doctors had to leave a bullet in his head, said his wife, Cindy Nelton, who was also there that night.
Nelton said the ordeal happened over two or three minutes in “pitch darkness.”
The full story is here.
I am strongly considering removing the “Tex” part of my name. We do grow ‘em strange around here!
From Discover Magazine:
During the Texas State Board of Education hearings on science standards for Texas schoolchildren, BoE member and staunch creationist Barbara Cargill decided that the age of the Universe was up for vote. Oddly enough, I had some issue with that. You may vote on issues all you want, and you can even vote on morality if you’d like, but scientific reality is not a matter of opinion and cares not for the majority vote.
The National Center for Science Education has video of the moment where it becomes clear that Ms. Cargill, not happy enough to destroy biology for students, proposes an amendment to creationize astronomy as well.
During the Texas State Board of Education hearings on science standards for Texas schoolchildren, BoE member and staunch creationist Barbara Cargill decided that the age of the Universe was up for vote. Oddly enough, I had some issue with that. You may vote on issues all you want, and you can even vote on morality if you’d like, but scientific reality is not a matter of opinion and cares not for the majority vote.
The National Center for Science Education has video of the moment where it becomes clear that Ms. Cargill, not happy enough to destroy biology for students, proposes an amendment to creationize astronomy as well:
….
Listening to her gives me the heebie-jeebies. About the astronomy standards, she says “…there are different estimates [of the age of the Universe]… they will be taught about 12 – 14 billion years ago, but this leaves it open a little bit to discuss how many billions.”It is absolutely clear from what she is saying that she is deliberately trying to weaken the teaching of the old age of the Universe. Another member queries her specifically, asking if this will open up astronomy to the teaching of literal Biblical creationism. Cargill then completely dodges the question, saying she is simply taking the language of the recommendations. But that language is clearly saying the Universe is old, and there is a small amount of uncertainty (actually, only about 120 million years) in the age estimate of the Universe.
What she did, to put it simply, is a crock. It is perfectly transparent what she wanted: to wedge open the door to allow the teaching of young-Earth creationism in the classroom, using the standard “strengths and weaknesses” creationist propaganda tactic.
Need I say it? Her amendment passed, 11 to 3.
One question Ms Cargill, if the world is so young, then what the hell is a light-year and how can we see the lights of far-away stars?
We Americans have SUCH a short attention span. Do hope things are improving on the FEMA front with the Obama admin, but what if Rick Perry got his way and Texas were to secede?
Homeless vets await reopening of Ike-damaged housing
Homeless veterans participating in a residential rehabilitation program at the Veterans Affairs domiciliary on Fannin were uprooted when Hurricane Ike damaged the facility.
Records show appointees gave Texas governor $5 million
Gov. Rick Perry has accepted nearly $5 million in political campaign donations from people he appointed to state boards and commissions, including some in plum jobs that set policy for state universities, parks and roads, records show.
The real question is why it’s ONLY 25%, but clearly we are. Maybe we need history lessons.
Every morning our students are required to pledge to the state flag.
Pledge of allegiance to the state flag
The pledge of allegiance to the Texas state flag is
“Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.”According to The Handbook of Texas Online, “In 1933 the legislature passed a law establishing rules for the proper display of the flag and providing for a pledge to the flag: “Honor the Texas Flag of 1836; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one and indivisible.” The pledge erroneously referred to the 1836 national flag, known as David G. Burnet’s flag, instead of the Lone Star Flag. Senator Searcy Bracewell introduced a bill to correct this error in 1951, but the legislature did not delete the words “of 1836″ until 1965.”
The pledge was again amended by House Bill 1034 during the 80th Legislature with the addition of “one state under God.” The revised wording became effective on June 15, 2007.
The text of the current law, Chapter 3100, Sections 3100.101 – 3100.104 of the Texas Government Code, is available to be viewed online.
We’ve been waiting for?
Palin endorses Perry for governor
Sarah Palin is urging Texas Republican women to support Gov. Rick Perry over U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in the 2010 GOP governor’s primary.
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