Sure, it's tiring to have to deal with Terry Keel in any sense of the word. Even more so when he makes a point. The filing of a criminal case with the Travis County D.A.'s office is nothing but a political ploy to get the story in the paper. When a press release or leaked information to the press would have been just as explosive. But, that's not how Terry works. Now, instead of focusing on the issue at hand, everyone can jump on the "This is just politics and Terry Keel's well known for filing frivolous complaints to get his name in the paper."

But, the issue isn't really about Terry Keel at all. It's about an anonymous blog. I know a thing or two about being an anonymous blogger. When I first started blogging the people up in the pinkdome and in the traditional media were fit to be tied trying to figure out who I was and what "agenda" I had to destroy people's political career. They were all sorely disappointed when it was finally discovered that I was a not a political insider, I wasn't even from the State of Texas and I didn't give three shits about destroying (or helping, for that matter) anybody's political career. (Full disclosure: I readily admit to my admiration and almost unhealthy devotion to Carter Casteel.) They hated that more than they hated not knowing who I was!

Political consultants use a variety of methods to boost a campaign and undermine an opponent. I receive emails by the hundreds during campaign season with fantastic claims and anonymous tips about candidates. I'm sure more than half of them all come from campaign staff. Sometimes I will look into a rumor and see if it's got legs and if so I'll post about it. I've even been known to post "blind items" because I didn't want to come right out and say what legislator was diddling his assistant. But, there is a big difference between my anonymous blogging and the anonymous blog created by a political consultant as a platform to anonymously further the campaign of the candidates he/she represents. HOOGE difference.

Here's what I can tell you about trying to be an anonymous blogger: Don't bother. Someone will always find out. Then they will blab it to everybody. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule. Ask me about the death threats I've received sometime and how someone wrote me a nice letter to tell me how they knew where I lived and exactly what they were going to do to my dog sometime...it's a great story.

Not to mention the traditional media writing bad things about this blog and me personally, or elected officials trying to pass legislation to allow bloggers to be sued. All of that was to go after people that were just ordinary citizens with opinions and a platform to share those. It was because people think these anonymous bloggers have an "agenda" and are "out to get someone" and now maybe it turns out they were right all along. Maybe there was an anonymous blogger posting negative stories about politicians and policy with an agenda other than an opinion.

I'm no longer anonymous. But I am embarrassed that what all those people feared when I started blogging is exactly what has apparently happened. Someone with an agenda did exactly what I swore I would never do.

I'm also embarrassed that it was Terry Keel who figured it out for real. I mean, one thing we know about political consultants, conspiracy theorists, party activists and rabid policy people is that they can't write or tell a story worth shit. We should have all been able to figure it out.

I consistently read just a few political blogs. I read In The Pink Texas because we're basically the same person. She started a blog for the same reason I did, she's smart and funny and has a lot to say about the absurdity of politics. I read BOR because they have a lot of time on their hands to write about what's going on in Texas politics. They actually care about activism and consider themselves to the liberal blog of record. I like Grits For Breakfast because there is nobody that knows more about the criminal justice stuff than he does.

The Texas Youth Commission is spending $110k per kid under the current system. You know, the one that does not work, is in corruption overload and still living with the shame of abuse. Senator Whitmire has a different idea. He said it would cost about half of what the state is paying now.

Half-off! I love the sound of that! I love me a bargain. (source)

When I heard the news on Sunday I did not believe it. Rest In Peace, friend.

Remember the headline a couple of weeks ago that Austin's economy would be spared from this economic downturn that dare not speak its name? Here are the headlines from today's news in Austin:
Dell to lay off 900 people
Motion lays off 18% of workforce in Austin
New home starts at 5 year low
Food prices on the rise
Oil down, gas prices hit record

Nope...nothing but rosy economic news all around. Someone pass the champagne!