From Consumerist:

Consumerist's ongoing lead recall tally has reached 14,431,550 products recalled just for lead in the first 10 months of 2007.

No toys, no problem! I prefer to spend the holidays reading back issues of The Texas Observer on my seaside patio anyway.

From KHOU

An average of over 30 percent of the children tested every year have lead poisoning. Galveston’s poisoning cases are six times higher than the state average.

Aw, man.

Max Blumenthal, forever on the front lines of the battle to discredit and embarrass the politically active Christian right, pulls no punches despite talk that the movement is crumbling under fractious leadership in the church, and the state.

That Blumenthal is something else!

For the scariest sight you'll see all day, click the permalink.

KUHF Houston (which has asked us to please start calling it "Houston Public Radio" because, um, it's just a personal decision that I want you all to respect alright?) reported a snag in plans to turn the Eighth Wonder of the World into a ginormous hotel and convention center. Because Jehova knows how bad H-town needs another one of those.

Leroy Shafer, of the Livestock Show and Rodeo, explained their opposition to HPR, in a quote featuring the reason, featuring examples, featuring a vision of a future that frightens Mr. Shafer something awful:

"This is a major entertainment complex featuring food, featuring amusements, featuring merchandise shops...The plan for this thing is for thousands of our spectators to go in there and eat and shop and spend money. If they're eating in the food shops inside there or they're buying from the shops inside there, then they're not buying on our grounds."

Here that? THEY'RE NOT BUYING ON OUR GROUNDS!

That's the rodeo's grounds in the back there, dwarfing the dome.

I can't believe I'm so bored with presidential debates that I've stopped watching or caring about them at all. Even Ron Paul on the Jay Leno Show made me turn off the TV. Ugh.

Apparently last night's debate was "Attack Hillary" night. I'm kind of sorry I missed that.

Argentina's First Lady Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner was elected Argentina's president on Sunday. That makes her Argentina's first elected woman president. BBC

As her husband, the outgoing president, stood at her side, she said she would build on his work.

Of course a few articles are comparing her to Hillary but Fernandez de Kirchner said...

"Hillary and I have few things in common: We've both been senators, lawyers and wives of presidents, but not much else.

"I don't want to be compared with Hillary Clinton, nor with Evita Peron, nor with anybody," Fernandez added in the interview with a pro-government journalist on radio La Red. "There's nothing better than being yourself." CNN

One big difference to me is that Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner is kinda hot for a president lady and an older lady. You make up your mind if shes hot.

Photo of Hillary Clinton with Cristina Fenandez de Kirchner.

We totally forgot to say Happy Birthday! to State Representative Borris Miles. So, consider this our belated condolences. Aging is not pretty.

Oil prices shot up to a record high yesterday. The jump in prices was blamed on tension in the Middle East, Mexico cutting production due to bad weather and the ever-weakening U.S. Dollar. It's really the last one that sticks out, doesn't it? I know the dollar is weak, but I've just been counting on a rebound. Where's the bottom?

When do all those Adjustable Rate Mortgages change their rates? How many people will be in foreclosure before Christmas? I''m thinking about starting to stuff cash in a mattress over here!

The dude that coordinated a fake press conference was fired. Officials were so disappointed that maybe they were finally handling an emergency right and some guy f'ed it up for them. In the laundry list of things bungled during this administration I would put this pretty low on the list.

Tony Romo, quarterback for the Cowboys, signed on for six more years worth $67.5 million.

The deal includes $30 million in guaranteed money in the first three years. He will receive an $11.5 million signing bonus and $4.5 million will be added to his 2007 deal to give him a $6 million base salary this season.

On a sports note, A-Rod is opting out of his contract with the New York Yankees. The opting out means that Texas Ranger's owner Tom Hicks won't have to pay about $21 million for A-Rod's contract.

I love sports, but throwing all these millions of dollars around while we have kids without health insurance and other problems in the state just seems kind of wrong. Either way Go Cowboys!

Speaker Pelosi was in Austin yesterday. Not only that, she was talking about environmental policy. The Speaker was in town with Lloyd Doggett and they talked about Congress' plans for environmental policy.

Test your knowledge of porn and Fox News Anchors in this handy quiz. (Loved it!)

The U.N. is clearly trying to warn America that the second time around the world will be paying much closer attention to the lies coming from the White House. The question is, are we? The U.N. says there is no evidence that Iran is building a nuclear weapon, but that doesn't stop Dick Cheney from issuing dire warnings about it.

Vice President Dick Cheney has raised the prospect of "serious consequences" if Iran were found to be working toward developing a nuclear weapon. Last week, the Bush administration announced harsh penalties against the Iranian military and state-owned banking systems in hopes of raising pressure on the world financial system to cut ties with Tehran

Seriously? Are we going to fall for this all over again?

MySpace will host a 'dialogue' with presidential contender Barack Obama today at 12:30 central time. OMG, like he's totally in touch with young people. He understands the importance of social media. He's the candidate that's so...tomorrow.

My eyes just rolled out of my socket.

Rev. Donnie McCurkin's proclamation that "God has delivered me from homosexuality" is a crock of S*hit! God has a lot on his plate today, does he really have time to 'deliver' anything to Donnie McCurkin? Anyone want to take bets on how long before we find out Donnie's been visiting rest stops for anonymous gay sex?

These self-loathing gay men are the new humiliation of uptight America.

The Arlington League of Women Voters will hold a forum on November 5 to discuss immigration policies and hopes to come to a consensus on a position to share with the public and lawmakers. There are high hopes that the forum will provide a calm environment to discuss the issue, but members are prepared to cut the event short if a bunch of dumbass rednecks show up.

President Bush is the spendiest president since LBJ. I guess everything is bigger in Texas...including the voracious spending habits of presidents.

Like how I totally made up that word? Spendiest. I'm diggin' it.

What's next from the The Department of the Obvious?
Texas Legislature Ineffectual
It's Politics over Policy in Texas
Texas Legislature Has The Combined I.Q. of a Bowling Ball

Freakgirl tries to analyze Bill O'Reilly's righteous indignation on the 'outing' of Dumbledore. I thought she nailed the absurdity.

Bill O'Reilly [a man who has bizarre sexual fantasies and loofah fetishes] is troubled that the outing of Dumbledore [a FICTIONAL character] will teach kids to be tolerant [children are apparently homophobic from birth and need to be taught tolerance] of homosexuals [who, contrary to popular belief, are just like you and me].

6 years ago today, President Bush signed into law the Patriot Act.

They are watching.

Comment at your own risk.

6 drunk elephants electrocute themselves.

I dare you to beat that headline today.

Hillary Clinton is turning 60 soon. Wish her a happy birthday and sign her card. A birthday wish from the Associated Press says the race is hers to lose.

Wonkette has a first-hand graphic story of a man that, as a young graduate, had furtive gay sex in the Senator's D.C. home guest bedroom.

So, still not gay?

Fort Worth City Councilman Chuck Silcox [old man] urged a group of Republicans on Wednesday to vote for Chris Turner in the nonpartisan District 9 city council race because Turner is Republican and straight.

Fort Worth must be proud to have someone like this in the council. I say we stop electing incoherent [power-hungry] old people to be councilmen and speakers of the house.

So, instead of electing an out gay man we should elect closeted gay Republicans that resort to furtive bathroom encounters? Really? Seriously.

Speaker Craddick, playing the role of crotchety old man, spoke at the Midland Lions Club and complained that the lawyers were after him. He also complained that there were some Republicans that "don’t vote with the rest of us." Just who that "us" is remains to be seen.

He's blaming the fact that people are after him on his tort reform legislation. He failed to mention that he's a tyrant, loathed by members on both sides of the aisle. Oh, and that he violated the rules of the House to hold on to his power and insulted the rule of law and the legislative process. OR that he did all this so blatantly that Denise had to get up and walk out.

But, you know, those are just details.

Nice to see Craddick is so nervous he's talking about this dirty laundry to the Lions Club. Everybody knows those gossipy queens have been clucking all over Midland about it.

The California wildfires have forced border control agents to evacuate, leaving the border wide open to Mexico. Mexicans are pouring across the border in huge numbers. The steady stream of illegals entering this country through the open gate at the Tecate Port of Entry has been spotted by NASA's satellites. It is estimated that over 100,000 people a day are making their way through the charred landscape. Border control agents cannot confirm how many of those making their way across the compromised border area criminals or drug dealers. They have advised Southern California residents evacuated from the fire ravaged area to consider relocating because upon their return the area will most certainly be majority Hispanic.

The spokesperson for God released the following statement, "The Lord Almighty has considered all positions on the immigration debate and strongly believes in an open society for all of His children. California was the first place to receive his political message through a smiting." The smiting of California by fire is the latest blow in a decades long dispute between the Almighty and the people of California. Jesus was heard off microphone to say, "Dad's pissed." The Lord had no comment on his son's outburst. The Holy Spirit would also not address questions insinuating any animosity towards California or its people.

With wildfires, mudslides and earthquakes the evidence is mounting that God does have an agenda with California. The addition of Mexicans crossing an open border is an interesting addition. Stay tuned, we will keep you up to date with the latest developments in this story.

White-tailed deer are the No. 1 hunting sport in Texas with an estimated $2.5 billion impact across the state.

For example, Llano County, in the Texas Hill Country, hosts 15,000 hunters who pump $3.5 million into the local economy.

As opposed to Farmer's Branch and Arlington whose "illegal alien" hunting season is year-round.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will cost Americans a crapload of money. That's a far cry from the original estimate of $50 billion.

For 2.4 trillion dollars what sort of things could we have done in America?

I heard on the news a report the Ronnie Earle may not run for D.A. again? Where's the statement? I guess it makes sense. After Tom DeLay, what else is there?

Have you seen this thing? It is ginormous. Just what I want, to be crammed on a plane with 500 people. I barely can stand to have someone sitting next to me in my car.

Campaign launched to show dangers of carrying guns to schools

That's from the Houston Chronicle. So this is what is has come to...we have to launch a marketing campaign to let Texans know that guns are dangerous. Brilliant.

After it was reported that Obama had invited a homophobe to join him in South Carolina, he's invited a gay minister to join him.

No word yet if there will be a lion, a scarecrow or tin man at any of the events.

In a rare mea culpa moment, Governor Perry restored the vetoed funds to state community colleges. But, he didn't really offer up a mea culpa. You know, can't ever admit you're a dipshit. I mean, we all know it, but to admit it would be a different thing altogether.

If you don't admit it was a bad decision do we still have to give you credit for doing the right thing? Because we really don't want to.

Push polls are back! The Trailblazers blog had a great post we missed on the 11th about a bizarre push poll that was clearly focused on a finding a GOP primary opponent to run against anti-Craddick Brian McCall.

Then the caller asked if she’d ever heard of “Brian McCall” and what was her impression of him?

The plot thickens.

A little bit later, the caller asked the volunteer if she would still be favorable if she knew that Brian McCall had voted against property-tax reductions - or something like that - and McCall says he voted for them.

Mikal Watts pulls out early.

It's Opening Night! I love a world premier and tonight we'll get just that right here in little ol' Austin. Joe Sears and Jaston Williams are back with a brand new show! The hilarity of the Greater Tuna, a play about Texas'™ third smallest town takes Vera Carp and Aunt Pearl to Vegas! Tonight, October 23, is opening night

You can buy tickets online here. The show runs through November 11 at the Paramount.

President Bush is coming to San Antonio for a Cornyn fundraiser. Really? People would actually pay money to spend time with President Bush? I was sure it would be the opposite. Maybe that's just me. (SAEN)

I have no idea why I wound up looking at 1960's YouTube political videos, but I did.
President Kennedy speaks to the nation about sending troops to ensure a peaceful admission of black students at the University of Alabama.
Racist governor George Wallace's presidential campaign ad in 1968.

Interesting how the George Wallace ad really didn't seem that far off base from some political rhetoric I've heard lately.

Who knew Air America was even still on the radio at all? I don't listen to talk radio. You know why? Because I have a job, that's why. I'm fascinated by the cult of talk radio on both the conservative and liberal idealogical ends of the spectrum. Air America wasn't quite the booming business someone in NYC thought it would be, I guess. (AAS)

Otherwise known as MRSA, and also widely known as a staff infection. It's also a bitch. Dripping Springs ISD sent the student athletes home with a letter as the school started the arduous process of disinfecting the school. Last week, a new study was released that suggested MRSA could be more deadly than the AIDS epidemic.

There is a high percentage of health care workers that have MRSA. I know, I was one. During the second week as an executive director for a health care organization, one of our nurses tested positive for MRSA. This particular strain of the staph infection was causing open, weeping sores on her arm and legs. She was immediately quarantined and put on a strong antibiotic that she claimed made her violently ill.

Early Voting starts today. Go get you some.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is seeking proposals for a new program called, "Twogether in Texas” Healthy Marriage Program. Seriously. The State of Texas thinks they can decide on someone to counsel people on a happy marriage when they legislature and the governor can't get along, the House can't get along with anyone, and their children (state agencies) are hiring pedophiles.

Sometimes it's mind-boggling to me what the state decides to spend money on. To view the RFP go here. For PinkDome's Guide to a Healthy Marriage click the permalink.

The deputy mayor of the Indian capital Delhi died on Sunday after being attacked by a horde of wild monkeys. Seriously! And you thought the dirty hippies in Austin were dangerous!

On the list of humiliating ways to die, this one is right up there. I'm not sure if it beats my cousin that was killed by a Coke machine, though. That shit was hilarious.

Clearly KBH is running for governor. She's two-stepping to the middle with her vote on the children's health insurance proposal. Well, that and the fact that she's basically screaming "I AM RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR IN 2010" at every opportunity.

Ok, what has KBH got to do for social moderates and fiscal conservatives to line up behind her?

Ok, here's the deal. No, we didn't make it up. Man decides to have a birthday party for his 1 year old child. Adorable, right? Decides to include "free beer" at party. Randoms show up to party. Four men stab each other in a fight at your one year old's birthday party.

Seriously? First of all, the above broken syntax text was the best I could do in telling you this story. They should take this baby away from this man immediately. It is not ok to have "free beer" at your one year old's birthday party.

I would love to be able to make big funny jokes about this, but really I want to go beat the shit out of the father. This is the kind of poor people trash behavior that makes me a Republican. I hear this crap and I'm like, "Ugh. Can't we just put all the poor people in jail? They are so inappropriate. I appreciate the hard work they have to do and their hardscrabble little lives, but still....it's just too much!"

Rumor has it that for weeks, the House, Senate, Lt. Gov. Dewhurst and even Speaker Craddick have all agreed on a solution to the $154 Million Veto of community college health benefits. What's the hold up? The Governor's staff, who are holding out for accountability measures to bypass the Lege and who can't stand the idea of colleges being made whole, have created the impasse. Wonder if we could get the CAPITOL WALKERS to pick up some antibiotic spray and swing by the Gov's office as they make their rounds?

Bill Maher's show was interrupted by some whack jobs that believe President Bush blew up the World Trade Centers. Maher stopped the show long enough to run into the audience and kick them out. He later complained that security was being to gentle with the protesters. He said, "Don't be gentle. Ass kicking is called for." (Watch it here)

I feel the same way about protesters.

On a side note, does anybody else watch Chris Mathews speak and wonder if the people he is talking to are just covered in flying spit from his weird lispy thing? I do, and I can't watch him because I'm constantly thinking about flying saliva.

For all of you aspiring professionals, here is a wonderful opportunity. The Mayor of Crazytown, Sen. Dan Patrick has offered FREE lessons on how to conduct an interview on talk radio. Maybe Rick Perry will be the first to sign up, after comparing Rudy Giuliani to a pick up truck. What Patrick lacks in intelligence is certainly compensated by ego. Patrick doesn't want talk show hosts to be called "pigs." How about "Idiots" ??

That's right. Texas ranks 2nd in the nation for inappropriate sexual contact with a minor by teachers. What a distinction! We should do a whole campaign around this. Move to Texas. We'll take real good care of your kids. They're yummy sexy!

Speaking of inappropriate sexual contact with a minor, a police officer in Hutto is fired and I can't remember if he's going to jail or not for taking topless photos of a 16 year old girl in his office! Best part? His mother said she was "proud of him" because he admitted it and surrendered his peace officers license. Man, when

Senator Obama is hooking up with gay basher Donnie McClurkin to tour South Carolina. McClurkin was associated with the Bush campaign. Gospel Singer, gay basher. Wow. I'm fascinated by a minority person spewing out the same exact rhetoric used against them 40 years ago on the gays today. I'd love a sit down with these retards.

I am seriously concerned about the state of America when these issues enter the top 5 issues people are most concerned about: Abortion, gay marriage and school prayer. I haven't really thought about my top 5, but I'm going to give it a shot. In no particular order, they are:
Iraq/Middle East policy f'ups from the Bush administration
Health care/Medicare
Public Education
Deficits
Social Security

Let's keep going:
Veterans Benefits
Prescription Drugs Direct to consumer advertising (ban it)
Business monopolies
Environmental (Clean energy/penalties)
Taxes

Man, look at that! I came up with ten things in four minutes of thinking about it. Notice what is not on the list: Immigration, Gay Rights, Gay Marriage, Abortion or School prayer. I say fix those things and then I'll come up with fifty more things before I give a shit about immigration, gay marriage or abortion. But, since whack jobs keep putting them at the top of the list they force me in a defensive position on those topics when I should be focusing on offensive action for the top 5 or 10 things I really do care about. That's why I hate these people. It's clearly lowest common denominator politics in America and it pisses me off.

Oh, is it obvious I'm drunk right now?

What's Getting In Your Way?
Reverend Mark Craig's October 17 message was titled, "What's Getting In Your Way?" and what an amazingly positive message. We all make excuses for what's getting in our way on our path to success. There are a lot of reasons I could personally give you for "what's getting in my way" but putting excuses down and picking up personal accountability the truth can probably be found in three things: Arrogance, Pride and Evil. I would sometimes add fear into that mix as well.

My grandmother never suffered from arrogance, pride, fear or evil. Her serenity in life was based on her Faith and it is always my own personal goal to obtain that serenity in life that she showed to me through love.

Take some time out of your busy life today. Put the Blackberry down, silence the every day noise around us and truly consider..."What is getting in my way?" It is only when we acknowledge the truth that we can ever fix the problem.

Happy Sunday everybody!

Well, really it's the Capitol standers in this picture. But, I love it! Love the sign! Love the sneakers!

If you're in this photo, shoot me an email and I'll send you some Tiff's Treats!

What would you rather do than sit in a 'policy' luncheon in Houston called: TPPF Policy Primer: Energy and the Environment-Economic Growth in the Face of the Challenges of Clean Air and Global Warming.

Me first. "I would rather go to dinner with Warren Chisum, than attend a Texas Public Policy Foundation Policy discussion."

"I would rather be completely sober for three straight days, than attend a...."
"I would rather act like Linda Harper Brown fascinated me for a full hour, than attend a..."

The streaming video of Austin City Council proceedings caught the first ever glimpse of Mayor Wynn's long-thought imaginary advisor, the Mangia Pizza dinosaur. In this screen grab (click to enlarge) we see the mayor listening intently to the Mangia Pizza icon pontificate on important policy issues.

We're all relieved down here in Austin because for a while we thought the mayor was taking his policy advice from Leslie!

Somebody write something for us explaining all this Blackwater crap. You know why I haven't read any of it? I don't like the name, Blackwater. I think they should fire their Marketing Director that came up with that. It's horrible. What kind of brochure would you do for a company called Blackwater? Sounds like it would be full of bacteria.

City Councilwoman Diane Cibrian has held three press conferences in one week opposing a strip club in her district. WTF? Seriously, what else is there do to in San Antonio? Walk along the riverwalk, drink overpriced margaritas, take a disappointing tour of the Alamo (there's no basement), visit a flea market and go to a strip club. That's it. And, I think I'm being generous.