Some days the news can just set you right off. It started for me this weekend when I read about the woman that took a pair of scissors and cut her baby boy's genitals off and put them in the garbage disposal. Then I read about the dude that put his baby in the microwave. Today I read about the woman that coached her children to act mentally retarded so she could collect disability checks from the government. When caught she said, "I'm sorry for what I did," Costello told the court. "I had a very hard life. I have grandchildren out there who need me. If I could, I would take it all back."

A very hard life? That's an excuse to be a waste of human flesh? Listen you slime...life is hard. Just because it is does not mean you are entitled to be a disgusting cheat and horrible parent. Life is hard for everyone and people that do these awful things and then blame their lot in life make me sick. Maybe we should go back to public hangings to straighten some people out.

Meanwhile, the Alabama Legislature has approved a bill to pardon those convicted under Jim Crow laws. Those arrested for (my favorite charge) failure to move, can now be pardoned retroactively and have their records expunged. I'm not sure the phrase "better late than never" really applies, but at least the legislature in Alabama is actually doing something. (HouChron)

Yesterday the Senate just shut down. We do that in my family, too. Whenever we feel a big arguement coming on we all just sort of retreat to different parts of the house and shut down. We don't discuss or God forbid argue. We seethe with resentment. If you guessed that we're all Southern and WASPs you'd be right!!

The senate yesterday had their blowup and then wandered off for secret discussions behind closed doors about why and how this happened without addressing what is surely the real issue...Dan Patrick is destroying the family.

Dewhurst has disavowed the letter the came from his office regarding the voter ID bill. I read the letter. He should disavow the letter for the right reason, though. If you want the bill pushed through, fine...that's your stupid political opinion. If you are pissed off at the people preventing the bill from coming to the floor...fine, that's your perogative. But...this letter? It's written by a fucking idiot. That's why you should disavow the letter.

Excerpts:
Friends, you and I know that freedom is not free. (Thank you Lee Greenwood)
I believe protecting the sanctity of American elections is critical to the future of our nation. (Does this contradict the sanctity of marriage? That's really all anyone in the legislature has ever talked about sanctifying.)
Seriously, how can any American argue that this requirement is too onerous? Seriously? You're being sassy now? OMG! WTF?
How many legitimate American votes were canceled out by illegal voters? Gee, we don't know but since you are so alarmist about it like it's the new plague we'll guess fifteen million! OMG! Democracy is doomed! Someone help us!!! The only thing protecting us from this new plague and the fall of civilization is the.....Voter ID Bill!!!

Fucking morons. The whole lot of ya.

Mark your calender:

There will be a ceremonial unveiling of a plaque on the Congress Avenue Bridge at 11 AM on May 25 (one hour later than previously announced) as part of the dedication of the bridge as the Ann Richards Memorial Bridge.

The marriage tax bill was passed. The one requiring couples to take a class or pay double for their marriage license. The House did not want that in the bill but when it came back from the senate with that provision back in they all voted for it in a flurry of trying to get through this session without Florence Shapiro showing up in that white denim outfit.

The Republican from Houston flip-flopped on the issue and is now of the opinion that the State of Texas should not only protect the institution of marriage from gays and lesbians, but from a far worse threat as well--poor people.

Rep. Gary Elkins, R-Houston, "Honestly, if a couple can't afford $60 for a marriage license, they probably shouldn't get married."

What else shouldn't citizens be allowed to do if they can't afford it? Any ideas?

So there will be a Speaker's race...eventually. Keffer has decided to run for Speaker after the session. That's good because a motion to vacate the chair now would bring drama and payback and cowardice. But, waiting until after the session sure gives Craddick plenty of time to think up some new tricks. Either way, good luck!

We'll leave you with some famous quotes from Falwell:
"Christians, like slaves and soldiers, ask no questions"
"If you're not a born-again Christian, you're a failure as a human being"
and, so many to choose from but this one fits:
"[homosexuals are] brute beasts...part of a vile and satanic system [that] will be utterly annihilated, and there will be a celebration in heaven."

A tipster tells us that the Senate is currently discussing the Voter ID bill - the joke that is being taken way too seriously. What the hell?

Love the funky music in the background, but will this really change anyone's mind? This ad will be showing in Austin this week (oh, joy). Good on these guys for trying, but I think all this ad will do is get the group's name out there.

[from Grist]

From the Statesman's email bag:

Do not call -- that means you, governor

Imagine, sitting at home, watching a little TV with the family, and a phone starts ringing. I pause the movie and look for the phone. I don't find it in time, so the machine gets it. I was appalled to hear a recording from Gov. Rick Perry. How could that be? We signed up for the "do not call list" he endorsed.

Round Rock

During the first Republican presidential debate, Mr. No Chance Tommy Thompson said that private employers should be allowed to fire a gay employee simply because, well, they're gay. Granted, this is the Republican primary, so that sort of thing might actually have some play amongst the base. But Thompson chose to revisit the issue over the weekend. Bad choice.

"I've been very sick. ... I was very sick the day of the debate. I had all of the problems with the flu and bronchitis that you have, including running to the bathroom. I was just hanging on. I could not wait until the debate got off so I could go to the bathroom."

I think his chances for election went the same place as his shit quite a while ago.

Fox News does an awesome job reminding us the true scourge requiring voter ID legislation: voting while black.

[via TPM]

The email making the rounds that is allegedly (Did I spell that right?) from Craddick's camp to ask for help in rooting out the 'enemies list' and sounding all desperate to find out who is daring to challenge the almighty power of the Speaker is a fun read. Burka's posts that follow are surely sending a panic through the House just as much as the original email did. Whether it is from the Speaker's office or cronies or not, it's a great reminder of petty politics and how it's like Jr. High School.

Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, thinks we ought to be slaughtering and eating horses in Texas. I don't know what kind of food shortage or how poor I would have to be before I would eat horse meat. WTF?

Sadly, the Senate is outdoing the House this year in crazy. Between Dan Patrick and his obsession with abortion and fake tax cuts and horsemeat franchising the senators have overtaken the representatives in successfully illustrating why the Texas Legislature embarrasses us year after year.

A group of teachers thought it would be a good idea to fake a gunman attack on students during a class trip for a bunch of sixth graders. The "teaching experience" went so far as to have the kids hide under tables in the dark while someone in a hooded sweatshirt tried to come in their locked room. Kids were crying and begging for their lives. Outraged parents were heard as far away as Arkansas.

Here's a tip from me: The world is cruel soon enough without forcing sixth graders to face their own mortality on a field trip to a state park. Someone should beat these people down with an iron skillet.

Speaker Pelosi visited Houston this weekend for the communion on her grandson and to celebrate Mother's Day with her daughter. While here she also attended a fundraiser, raising $150,000 at a luncheon at The Coronado Club. Scattered looting and mayhem followed her visit. Apparently the number of abortions rose this weekend in close proximity to her location. Clearly, a plague will soon befall the City That Air Conditioning Built.