A huge cocaine bust in McCallen seized 2,200 pounds of cocaine. You could hear the 'aww, fuck' from Dallas all the way in Waco. (Chron)
Unlike two years ago when the Republicans controlled Congress, the funding for public broadcasting was saved. The move to kill subsidies for the CPB, which make up about 15 percent of its budget, was launched by Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado. (CNN)
I just don't know what to say anymore.
Happy weekend!
Austin has had more murders in one month this July than in the last 5 years. When mobs aren't attacking passengers in cars, they're jumping homeless people for more one-on-one killings. Looks like all that urban growth the city is craving is on its way!! (AAS)
Or...a college Republican. Watch as some dude infiltrates a College Republican Convention.
Generation Chickenhawk: The Unauthorized College Republican Convention Tour from huffpost and Vimeo.
I thought this was hilarious right up until the end when the dude gets busted and starts causing a scene. Just once I'd like to see someone go, "Oh well..you finally caught on. I'll leave."
In his first book, We're All Journalists Now, a law partner in Washington, D.C., and former counsel for the New Republic, attempts to update our slim definition of "journalist" for the Internet age. In this narrow volume, he casts a wide net. Adamant that journalism is an activity undertaken, and not a profession practiced, Gant invites us all to join the ranks of the press.I tend to disagree. I think a journalist is something entirely different. Journalists search for facts, present them regardless of what corporate empire doesn't want them to do so and is trustworty. Very few of those exists today.
Mitt Romney's campaign commerical uses a metaphor about cleaning up the water in which our kids are swimming. It's too bad that that he doesn't give three shits about actually cleaning up the water, but instead he wants to take us back to the 1950's.
This is yet another thing that irks me about Republicans. Yesterday wasn't so great. The Good Ol' Days weren't all rainbows and butterflies. We need a candidate for president that's excited about moving us forward, not reminiscing about fake good times we need to go back to because America is f'ed up. Ugh. Could we have a rule that you can't be this dumb and pandering to run for office? It's insulting.
This isn't about politics, either but I need a break so deal. A businessman in California is being sued by contractors and former employees for creating a hostile work environment. In the complaint, it's been revealed that he build a network of secret tunnels and rooms under his estate in Laguna Hills to be used for his sexcapades with prostitutes and to indulge in illegal drugs. Ah, the good life...right? Ew. That's just creepy. An underground sex lair?
I've always heard that the beaches in Texas were nasty, now here's your proof. A man vacationing at the beach was infected with flesh eating bacteria and is in critical condition as doctors try to save his leg. He's also suffering from multiple organ failure. The CDC says the bacteria thrives down there in the summer and last year there were 22 cases reported.
That's just nasty. If you've got a summer vacation left, I suggest this gorgeous beach area.
When I think of Sheila Jackson-Lee's district...Republican-leaning is not what comes to mind. That isn't stopping Tj Baker from trying. Even the reporter starts right out asking the question we know is on your mind. "Are you crazy?"
A journalist goes on a cruise for readers of the National Review. You've got to read the article, but I warn you that you may have an aneurysm. An excerpt:
He goes on to insist that "nobody was tortured in Abu Ghraib or Guantanamo" and that Bush is "a hero". He is, like most people on this cruise, certain the administration will attack Iran.Read it and weep for America and wonder where all the suicide bombers were when this cruise was underway. All of us progressives that are supposedly pro-suicide bomber can't catch a break. We could have had literally a boatload of 'em!
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, wants to know why border patrol agents can't just shoot people in the back if they are running away after being asked to stop. Kudos to Johnny Sutton, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas for his eye roll and answer. He said the Supreme Court has ruled that using deadly force in that way is illegal.
You know Republicans, no regard for the rule of law.
Environmentalists unveiled a $20,000 campaign to oust the state's top environmental official. One problem...she had already announced her resignation. The real question is where in the hell did the Sierra Club get $20,000? (AAS)
You get the death penalty? In Texas you do. Someone emailed me about Kenneth Foster's case. Kenneth is on death row because he was driving a car when one of his passengers got into an arguement and then got out of the car and shot and killed someone. He was sentenced to death under Texas' unique law of parties statute, which allows the crimes of one member of a group, or "party" (hence the name), to be imputed to all the other members of the group.
Kenneth's family is working furiously against an August date of execution. Should you have any insight, click here.
Otherwise, fill us on in on this law of parties statute. It totally means I have to stop hanging out with some of you staffers, y'all gonna get me in trouble!
The mad dash for cash after the legislative session ended is in full swing. Governor Perry has raised up some cash, Dewhurst has been on the circuit and, of course, KBH is raising money for her run for governor. Interestingly, Craddick hasn't reported a dime for this period.
Oh, and a note about KBH. I saw her on one of those boring ass Sunday news programs and she looked like she was wearing a wig. It was hideous I tell you.
Some nutjob walked up towards the governor's office in Colorado declaring he was the emperor. He was promptly shot.
Elizabeth Edwards has been given a gift with her cancer diagnosis. It's the gift of speaking out truthfully about her opinions and beliefs. It's something that very few people ever get the chance to do, and I commend her for it.
Mrs. Edwards is campaigning for her husband and is busy winning over audiences. (SJMN)
"This president talks a lot about good and evil and the need to seek out evil doers," she told a packed auditorium. "But he doesn't seem to recognize the evil in hate crimes. The right to live without the fear of being murdered for whom we love is not a special right."
Toby Futrell has announced her intention to retire in early 2008. Ms. Futrell started working for the city in 1976 as a clerk. Reports say that a national search will be on for her replacement. No offense to Futrell, who has done a fair job, but I hope a city the size of Austin can find someone that's qualified and can usher in a period of smart growth. (AAS)
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I watched the memorial for Lady Bird Johnson this weekend. Along with those in attendance, I laughed and cried along with them as they shared their memories. I'm not from Texas, but even as a young child I'd heard about Lady Bird.
This year has seen the loss of some strong Texas women. It pains me to see people that we could all genuinely love and admire pass without anyone to pick up their torch. As I watched the former first ladies at the memorial I wondered if they all were thinking of what legacy they would leave.
There's more, click to continue reading...
Remember last week when I got so angry that the Pope said if you aren't a Catholic you aren't going to have salvation? This week the Catholics are in the news again for settling more child rape and molestation cases against them to the tune of $660 million dollars. I wonder, will that $660 million get them into Heaven? Will the decades long cover-up of child rape and molestation get them to Heaven?
I hate to pick on the Catholic Church, but they brought on themselves. I will include asking for forgiveness for my righteous indignation and moral superiority of the Catholic Church tonight when I pray to my Protestant God.
Shockingly, not issued by Tom Craddick. The SAXN acknowledges that one of their reporters in Laredo has been put on a hit list by Mexican drug dealers. The paper has moved the reporter to an "Undisclosed Location" (first made popular by Dick Cheney). Reading the article, it appears that the DMN isn't pulling their reporters out of the area. Proving, yet again, that the DMN will do anything to reduce staff. (CPJ)
There. Did I get your attention? President Bush threatens a veto on increased funding for children's health care. There are currently about 6 million children covered under the plan. The increase would allow an additional 4 million children to be covered.
If your child doesn't have health insurance and you voted for George Bush and continue to support the Republican Party, I would like you to email me because I want to know why you're so stupid. Thanks.
Did you even know that congress passed a law that meat and fish was supposed to be labelled with its country of origin? If I didn't know that, I surely wasn't aware that the Republicans were delaying it year after year from going into effect. Who cares? For Chrissakes, just because my beef was from Mexico doesn't mean I wouldn't buy it! (Although, I admit...I might not buy meat that came from Hong Kong or some other place I've seen dogs hanging in a butcher shop) In other news...China banned 7 U.S. meat importers over the weekend. Uhm, if the United States can accept poisoned dog food from China why won't they accept our hormone infused meat?
Call your Senators today! Even if this did mean people would seek out American beef and other meats, bully for the American rancher! God, this is dumb. (AAS)
There are so many. Foster children sleeping in an office ranks right up there. How many years in a row are we going to read that the Texas foster care system is broken and not do anything to fix it? As if getting pulled out of an abusive home wasn't going to scar a child enough, the State of Texas has to do something to ensure that the cycle of abuse and neglect continue.
You're doing a heckuva job, Brownie. (AAS)
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