Nick Lampson has my vote - Update

He doesn't have anything else.

I refuse to donate or work for a candidate who sells the Constitution for a few thousand dollars from the telecom industry.

Like on supporting the middle class, Rep. Lampson is only two-thirds of a real friend. That is still better than the typical moderate Republican who supports the middle class one third of the time, but not enough better for him to earn more than my vote. About half the Democrats voted for this FISA "compromise" and all the Republicans.

Here is Lampson's typical wafling stance on most issues. It is amazing they rank him a moderate who is almost liberal.

Glenn Greenwald has a number of recent articles about the Democratic compromise that isn't. Congress is going to decree that the president has the power to order private citizens to break the law, as well as to spy on our telephone calls and e-mails with no warrants. The compromise is that the administration gets to tell some members of Congress what they are doing. The progressive grassroots are running ads against the Democratic sellout responsible.

One of the good guys:

"Trust me” government is government that asks that we concentrate our hopes and dreams on one man; that we trust him to do what’s best for us. My view of government places trust not in one person or one party, but in those values that transcend persons and parties.

Those words were not spoken by someone who took our nation’s security lightly, Mr. President. They were spoken by Ronald Reagan -- in 1980.

ADDED, another great guy:



Update from The American Prospect:

Surveying all the important "concessions" House Democrats claim to have won, conservative writer Ramesh Ponnuru of National Review concluded: "It sure looks like they got rolled." But it may not be simple naiveté: The watchdog group MAPLight notes that House Democrats who changed their votes to support the new FISA bill received almost twice as much money from the telecom industry over the past three years as those who remained opposed. Either way, though, it sure looks like they're hoping you will get rolled.

Big John

Trying to counter his coward of the state image.

Mommy, she's making eyes at me

One qualification to work in the Department of Justice and keep out "liberals and anarchists" is to know what "making eye babies" means and to have avoided it in college.

Light Posting

I have been very busy with relatives and birthdays and PC problems etc. I expect to remain busy until after the fourth of July. I will be at ApolloCon and may take my PC and do some live journal blogging and posts for my non-political blog.

Meanwhile, you know how I love polls and intelligent commentary about polls and Texas politics. Check this out.

I might add to this later today.

John McCain flip-flops in Houston on his Energy Policy - and CNN notices

See also McCain vs. McCain.

For something completely different - Hillary Man and the Incredible McCain Girl - Hulk Spoof.

Tags: McCain, energy, flip-flops, Houston, Texas, CNN

The Great Debates of the Moment

For whom does the Constitution apply? Did the Supreme Court make “one of the worst decisions in the history of this country” as McCain says, or did it simply reaffirm one of our oldest traditions? McCain is a scary marker for the future of our democracy. Were the four dissenters faces of fascism and confirmation that Chief Justice Roberts was simply its most attractive face for Bush to nominate? Debate on the right between "kill them all" or we are "supposed to be the good guys."

How liberal is Obama? His economic advisor is center left and not progressive. Is it a mistake to call Obama neo-liberal, i.e. - militarism, mostly laissez faire and supply side economics, with social liberalism? How much would an Obama election shift the debate left, or are liberals reaching for the moon? Should we beware of the Chicago boys, as Naomi Klein warns?

Marriage for whom? Is gay marriage a glorious recognition of love or a Godless perversion that should be stomped out? Is this the right approach for those supporting gay rights?

Will America elect a black man as president? Democrats are nervous, should they be?

Can someone who supported Hillary Clinton actually vote for the misogynist and anti-women's issues McCain? Half Empty has the latest incident as does Susan, with video.

Tags: questions, debates, politics

Texas Roundup For June 16, 2008

It's Monday, and that means it is time for another edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance's weekly blog round-up. The round-up is compiled based on submissions made by member blogs. This week's compiler is Vince from Capitol Annex.

CoulldBeTrue hears Rick Perry's rally call against Mexican drug cartels hooking up with local gangs and fears coded words meaning 'Lets profile Latinos' yee haw.

Off the Kuff spent his time in Austin interviewing candidates for office. The first group of interviewees published are State Rep. Dan Barrett, HD97; Wendy Davis, SD10; Robert Miklos, HD101; and Chris Turner, HD96.

refinish69 of Doing My Part For The Left gives a review of his experience herding cats at the Texas Democratic Convemtion and a podcast version as well.

Gary at Easter Lemming Liberal News observes that a recent report has that only cooler heads at the Pentagon prevented a Cheney attack on Iran last year but the administration appears to be trying again for later this year.

The Texas Cloverleaf wonders why we are getting yet another TX Secretary of State, as Phil Wilson is set to resign after only one year on the job.

PDiddie had some scenes from the Texas GOP convention posted at Brains and Eggs.

With four electric companies folding up shop over the last several weeks, it is going to be a difficult summer for Texas consumers. The failures underscore just how screwed up the retail utility business is in Texas. One commentator has called it a game of Russian Roulette, and so it is....

In a much-anticipated mega-post on transportation issues, McBlogger tells us that lawmakers are "doing it wrong" when it comes to transportation funding.

Vince at Capitol Annex tears apart the Republican argument for getting rid of property taxes and replacing them with a sales tax for funding public schools, which this week was promoted by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility.

Tags: liberal news, Texas, progressive, blogs, bloggers

We Are The Ones

We have been waiting for.

I was shocked this was sent from my sister, who seems to be getting over Hillary losing to Obama. There is a pause and you will think it is over, but it's not, so be sure to watch it to the end. .

Fox News will keep finding ways to remind its viewers that the Obamas are black

What John Scalzi says.

John Scalzi is a great SF writer who more often blogs about bad classic SF movies.

Let's continue with national political news. - It's shocking how many people still think Senator John McCain's positions are "moderate" when it comes to reproductive health care and rights, when the opposite is true - educational video from Planned Parenthood

When it comes to war... America means business. War, Inc. The first brilliant Iraq film.

Sigh, Tim Russert unexpectedly dies at 58. Years ago, I would have said this was a great loss to journalism. Sometime over the last two decades all the mainstream media shifted right and even attack dogs like the early Russert became tame around Republicans. Condolences to his family. The Daily Howler is giving a planned rake of Russert a rest. John Cole - Let's Get Something Straight about Tim.

McCain lies about his support for Social Security privatization - with video.

"I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. I'm proud to hold the knife, that cuts you where you pee..." It looks like they need to update those lyrics. USA Today - photographic evidence of US torture.

Krugman - Bad Cow Disease- lets go back eighty years for the FDA.

McCain on Gitmo Ruling: “One of the Worst Decisions in the History of This Country.” LATimes Gitmo an epic failure. Froomkin - President Bush's slow and painful schooling in constitutional law continues.

Elsewhere in the WashPo -

Some Republican lawmakers contend that the Bush administration also has itself to blame. Sen. Arlen Specter (Pa.), the ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, said the limited information made public so far about the detainees' cases has been unconvincing.

"I think that while there are still tremendous concerns about a terrorist threat, the administration has not made its case that the people in Guantanamo really are threats," he said in an interview.

Oil, it's what for Grand Oil Party government. Less than five hours after stepping down as Texas Secretary of State Phil Wilson has re-emerged as a senior vice president for Luminant, the wholesale subsidiary of Energy Future Holdings.

Latest Houston conspiracy theory - Mossad planning attack on Galveston Bay port to trigger Iran attack.

Tags: liberal news, national, Texas, Scalzi, Tim Russert, McCain, torture, Supremes, Fox News, SCLM

People explain why they are voting Republican

Tags: Republican, voting, video, satire

Republican Scandal Plagues Harris County Government

Today, a group of Harris County Democratic candidates held a
press conference to call for new leadership and an end to the scandal and
corruption that has plagued county government under Republican control.

"Our county government is in crisis due to the unethical actions of several public officials. These Republican officeholders have cost Harris County taxpayers millions of dollars in law suits and legal fees and eroded the public's confidence in our county government," said David Mincberg, Democratic candidate for Harris County Judge. "The only way to clean up Harris County government is to bring in new leadership that will be accountable to the public."

Over the past several months, a number of Harris County Republican officials have been mired in scandal:

* District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal recently resigned amid ethics allegations that include using official resources for campaign activity, the exchange of racist and sexually explicit emails on his government computer, as well as amorous emails to his administrative assistant, who had use of county car and received $11,000 a year raise.

* County Commissioner Jerry Eversole is under investigation by the District Attorney and FBI over whether he used political contributions for personal benefit, including a golf trip to Florida, clothes and gym membership, as well as the use of office resources for campaign activity.

* Sheriff Tommy Thomas has cost the county millions in legal fees for his department's numerous violations of Harris County residents' civil liberties. And his office his poised to cost taxpayers millions more in a new law suit over improper surveillance on the Ibarra brothers who had filed a complaint against the department -- even though they were not suspects in any crime.

* County Judge Ed Emmett has failed to take any steps to reign in the rampant corruption and unethical activity within county government. In the wake of all of this scandal, Emmett commissioned an ethics task force to report back 90 days from February 13th. As the 90 day deadline passed, Ed Emmett told the Houston Chronicle he had forgotten about the ethics report. [5/14/08]

"Those who enforce the law must first obey the law, and we have seen clear examples of current office holders not following the law," said District Attorney candidate and former Police Chief C.O. "Brad" Bradford. "It's time for a change from business as usual in Harris County. Time to take sexism, racism, religious persecution and willful violations of court orders out of our county government. We need change you can trust to obey the law, respect the principle of justice and pursue the truth."

Mincberg and Bradford were joined by Adrian Garcia, candidate for County Sheriff; Diane Trautman, candidate for Tax Assessor-Collector; Vince Ryan, candidate for County Attorney and Loren Jackson, candidate for District Clerk.

For more information on the Harris County Republican scandal, visit: www.texasrepublicanrapsheet.com.


Press release by Amber Moon.

Tags: HCDP, Harris County, Democratic Party, GOP, scandals, local

SD-11 News from Brazoria County

Pearland's Elizabeth McLane is featured in a Journal article about Democrats in Austin and my selection for Obama delegate Dr. Melanie Lawson has a photo. Pearland Journal - Natalie Toretinos:

As an instructor of government at Wharton County Junior College and teacher of political science at several other colleges, McLane was well prepared to take on the issues affecting the county. She also worked as precinct judge and precinct chair in the primaries, later sitting on senate district nominations and credentials committees.

“There hasn’t been a race for since 1968 with Robert Kennedy that I was interested in,” she said, crediting her newfound interest to Obama’s campaign. “I started out as an Edwards person but switched to Obama in January. But when you’re over 50 and a white female, everyone and anyone expects you to be for Hillary. If anything kept me from endorsing her, it was the Iraq War.”

If McLane learned anything from this year’s primary and the throngs of new voters who came out to participate in the political process, it was to “put her ego at the door” and work with both factions of the party, and to always have a backup plan.

“I was precinct chair and election judge for Precinct 36. We had 600 people in the parking lot. There were kids, students of mine, people in the military, any demographic you could think of.”

While McLane’s efforts in the resolutions committee involved several issues, Pearland resident and Clinton delegate Jackie Acquistapace focused on one resolution that passed unanimously when presented to the rules committee.

Acquistapace, who has been mobility impaired for 33 years, and other disabled delegates advocated for two State Democratic Executive Committee seats that will address the needs of people with disabilities.

Elizabeth McLane should be joining this blog shortly along with others. I am working on getting one or more of our delegates to the National Convention in Denver to start blogging here. Alexander Karjacker may not realize it yet but it was my switching to his candidacy that prevented a tie in the male Obama delegate race. (They were both very good candidates. I switched my vote to Alex on the second round instead of staying with the other runoff candidate.)

- - - -

A speaker at the convention, former Senate candidate Barbara Ann Radnofsky: In 2008, a Democratic straight ticket vote, more so than any other year, will restore the rule of law of Texas.

I should make note of another blogger from SD-11, Justin at AAA-Fund, who I saw blogging the convention. John Coby had some convention posts and has invited Muse to his blog.

Perry had a working PC at the convention and posted some nice pictures. Another working PC was at jobsanger - which I have on my blogroll but hadn't realized should be called Job's Anger. Also saw another new blog - Mean Rachel.

Tags: Texas, SD-11, local, politics, Democrats

Pentagon blocked Cheney attack on Iran last summer

Pentagon officials firmly opposed a proposal by Vice President Dick Cheney last summer for airstrikes against the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) bases by insisting that the administration would have to make clear decisions about how far the United States would go in escalating the conflict with Iran, according to a former George W Bush administration official.

J Scott Carpenter, who was then deputy assistant secretary of state in the State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, recalled in an interview that senior Defense Department (DoD) officials and the Joint Chiefs used the escalation issue as the main argument against the Cheney proposal.

Given that Iran, unlike Iraq, would have struck back, the Department of Defense may have prevented WW3 or at least another major war. Some of the pentagon officials who opposed the attacks last year are no longer there. Note how Bush the figurehead was not mentioned in these discussions.

See also how Cheney and General Petraeus are ginning up a case for war with Iran with disputed explosively formed projectiles as the cause. Like last year, another war is being pursued by our current leaders. A war with Iran would be an even bigger foreign policy disaster than our Iraq occupation.

McClatchy Newspaper Group: Strike on Iran nuclear sites under discussion again.

Tags: Iran, attack, nukes, Cheney, war, pentagon, DoD

Protect our beer - Vote Obama

McCain, on the other hand..."I will veto every single beer, um, bill with earmarks."

Link and image from Daily Kos.

Tags: Obama, McCain, beer, veto, beermarks, Daily Kos

Melissa's Battle with Cushing's Disease

For those of us with the Dean campaign, or with the Morrison campaign, and with the Houston Democratic Party, a sad word of why we haven't heard much from Melissa Taylor. After moving with her fiance to San Antonio, she realized there was something wrong with her body. She was sick and she finally figured out she had Cushing's disease. She now has a blog about her struggle with the disease.

In looking at the list of symptoms, it seems obvious that for her last few years my mother had undiagnosed Cushing's disease.

Best wishes for the warm-hearted bundle of energy Melissa Taylor Slovacek. She is now expecting and will have an operation next year for the tumor or tumors causing the Cushing's disease.

Tags: Cushing's disease, Melissa Taylor Slovacek, family, Harris County

Ann Richards Tribute

-Texas Democratic Party Convention 2008




There are more videos of the convention by Texas Democrats.

Tags: Texas, Democrats, Ann Richards

Texas Roundup For June 10, 2008

Woozy from the Bloggers Caucus and Democratic Convention parties, some of the Texas bloggers have stumbled in to do their duty. Just a little hair of the blog to cure what ails you. Read on for the Texas Progressive Alliance roundup for the week.

BossKitty at BlueBloggin tell us about the Government Accountability Office's (GOA) revealing report to Congress on how tax preparers work in cooperation with banks to advance refunds which can greatly reduce your tax refund check in Refund Anticipation Loans, Rapid Refunds, Sleazy Tax Preparers

The live-blog of the contest for the state chair of the Texas Democratic Party was done by PDiddie at Brains and Eggs.

Off the Kuff conducted an interview with the Communications Director of the American Wind Energy Association on the state of wind energy in Texas and America today.

Kit of WhosPlayin thinks much of mainstream media coverage of late - especially with regard to the Democratic nomination is meant to distract us from the more important issues like Iraq, health care costs, and the mortgage market melt down.

Texas Kaos has extensive liveblogging and video from the Texas State Democratic Convention this weekend. Highlights include Chelsea Clinton's Two Messages for Texas Democrats, Sam Houston Makes The Case for Caring About the Judicial Races, and Senator Mario Gallegos Addressing the State Convention a little more than a year after he and the Texas Senate Dem Caucus held off David Dewhirst's grab for your voting rights.

McBlogger's Lovelie99 takes a look at a culinary craze that is sweeping the nation. And finds it, frankly, pretty gross.

Tags: Texas, liberal news, bloggers, blogs, progressive

Very busy - just a note

I love Austin. I had lived in Texas for years without ever going to Austin, unlike my vacations to San Antonio as well as New Orleans many times. For some reason I had managed to miss Austin as a tourist destination. The closest I came was camping nearby and later looking for dinosaur tracks in stream beds. After spending several days in Austin I realize it is my favorite city.

A public transportation system that works - very big plus.

Every neighborhood seems to have its own set of bookstores and coffee shops and funky creative businesses and a wide variety of food places - double plus good.

It is a place that appreciates music and musicians of every kind. The college NPR station actually plays interesting music. Driving around I discovered a low power FM Free Speech Radio 91.1, radical but mainly from the right. Carries anti-globalist Alex Jones and lots of gold and alternate medicine advertisements. Media offers a wide variety of opinions - triple plus good.

I picked up Geek Confidential: Echoes from the 21st Century at Half-Price Books and discovered it is by Austin native Rick Klaw. Essays and other stuff on books, book selling, science fiction, censorship and pop culture. First few essays are extremely good. I tried to find one essay online to send to a few people but no luck. A very Austin book. More on the book and a sample essay. He is creative, intellectual, geeky and freedom loving.

What has this got to do with politics, you might be asking? How communities are run and their priorities, how you live your life, what kinds of people you attract is the ultimate politics. I prefer the politics of Austin.

UPDATE - I totally agree with Muse, the convention center seemed designed to torture people with the slightest handicap in walking. The Texas Democratic Party added two disabled positions to the state executive committee which may help in future convention location decisions.

Tags: Rick Klaw, Texas, Austin, Books, SF, politics

Important Moyer's Speech to Tied You Over Until I'm Home

Hillary's Concession and Obama Endorsement Speech

What we were not able to see at the Texas Democratic convention due to computer glitches.



Or watch the complete speech.

I am still not back home.

I discovered it was a $50 card that wasn't working but Fry's had a wireless LAN card on sale for $7 that would have worked.... If I ever had time to leave the convention when Fry's was open.

Best Laid Plans

I get to Austin and check into my suite and purchase the wireless access for $4.99. I try to sign on the Extended Stay hotel's network and I get green lights on my external LAN card but the PC is not recognizing there is anything there. I take out the LAN card and it falls apart exposing the circuitry. It has actually done that before. When I plug it back in no green lights. The LAN card is finally completely dead.

A nice friendly attractive fellow blogger in the media room is allowing me to post this.

In other news at the convention, Populist Democrat and former candidate for Supreme Court and Attorney General David Van Os was drafted in the last few days as candidate for Democratic State Party Chair.

Boyd Richie, current state chair and candidate for reelection, in a recent interview with Burnt Orange Report had stated that he did not plan for the state party to devote any resources to the national ticket but concentrate on taking the Texas House back for the Democrats. This is strongly opposed by Van Os and the Texas Progressive Populists who believe in full strong support for all candidates. Richie also implies that the state wide candidates, including U.S. Senate candidate Rick Noriega, are on their own.

I will post more if I am able but plan on doing a long wrap up at the end of the convention.

One last thing, for national or even local political news you have access to much more information than I do in the belly of the beast

Fired Up, Off to Austin

I am about ready to leave for the Texas Democratic State Convention. This should be the last victory of Obama over Hillary in the hunt for delegates after the Democratic primary war is over.

Word is that Sen. Hillary Clinton will speak in Washington on Saturday. Also late word that Sen. Obama will not be in Austin but instead Tim Kaine, Governor of Virginia and Obama National Campaign Co-chair will speak.

My official blogging credentials came through. I have been this morning cleaning software junk off of a notebook PC I never use to try to get it ready for work. See who else is blogging.

I see my brother Jim has taking to replying to Nigerian spammers with even weirder responses:

I would be happy to provide you information however as I am an eccentric I have no phone except for the special one that allows me to talk with God and as he sends me faxes via telepathy I also have no fax. My full name is James Lord High Protecter of the Realm and Prostate Manipulator III. I am one hundred and seventeen earth years but look marvelous for my age. I originated in the country of Nita's womb where I grew until being cast out into a cruel harsh world full of masked agents who slapped me upon making my aquantence. I reside in a palatial estate call West University Place. It is obviously west of a university and it is a wonderful place. Please forward me a cashiers check for $100 US dollars to verify your bonafide nature....
Sincerely
JaJa

My first order of business in Austin is checking in to my hotel and arriving early to the Great Blogger Bash. The blogger bash now has free drinks until the money runs out.

Friday I will attend the Progressive Populist Caucus, the Democratic wing of the Texas Democratic Party.

Let's see what else is going on as I close down here in La Porte. The GOP is fearing the Internet hordes donating money to Obama. No financial good news for the old former maverick. Didn't McCain look sick in his speech Tuesday? They are so out of money and ideas they are just copying Obama graphics and slogans.

Something to ponder - possible Obama VP picks.

Sen. Evan Bayh (IN)
Sen. Joe Biden (DE)
Sen. Jeff Bingaman (NM)
Sen. Barbara Boxer (CA)
Sen. Sherrod Brown (OH)
Sen. Hillary Clinton (NY)
Former Sen. Tom Daschle (SD)
Sen. Chris Dodd (CT)
Former Sen. John Edwards (NC)
Sen. Russ Feingold (WI)
Sen. Chuck Hagel (NE)
Former Sen. Gary Hart (CO)
Sen. John Kerry (MA)
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (MN)
Sen. Blanche Lincoln (AR)
Sen. Claire McCaskill (MO)
Former Sen. George Mitchell (ME)
Sen. Patty Murray (WA)
Former Sen. Sam Nunn (GA)
Sen. Mark Pryor (AR)
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (WV)
Sen. Ken Salazar (CO)
Sen. Jon Tester (MT)
Sen. Jim Webb (VA)
Sen. Ron Wyden (OR)
Gov. Mike Beebe (AR)
Gov. Phil Bredesen (TN)
Gov. Chet Culver (IA)
Former Gov. Howard Dean (VT)
Gov. Mike Easley (NC)
Gov. Brad Henry (OK)
Gov. Tim Kaine (VA)
Former Gov. John Kitzhaber (OR)
Gov. Ted Kulongoski (OR)
Gov. Joe Manchin (WV)
Gov. Janet Napolitano (AZ)
Gov. Martin O'Malley (MD)
Gov. Ed Rendell (PA)
Gov. Bill Richardson (NM)
Gov. Bill Ritter (CO)
Gov. Brian Schweitzer (MT)
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (KS)
Gov. Ted Strickland (OH)
Former Gov. Mark Warner (VA)
Mayor Michael Bloomberg (NY, NY)
Tom Brokaw
General Wes Clark (AR)
Vice President Al Gore
Rep. Patrick Murphy (PA)
Former Mayor Federico Pena (Denver, CO)
from Blue Oregon.

Tags: Texas, Austin, Democratic Party, liberal news

Behind the falsification of US economic data

Kevin Phillips summarizes some of his main conclusions in an article in the current issue of Harper’s Magazine.

The article focuses primarily on three measures: the monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI), the quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the monthly figure for the unemployment rate. Phillips convincingly demonstrates that the real unemployment rate in the United States is between 9 and 12 percent, not the 5 percent or less that is officially claimed. The real rate of inflation is not 2 or 3 percent, but instead, between 7 and 10 percent. And real economic growth has been about 1 percent, not the 3-4 percent officially claimed during the most recent Wall Street and housing bubble that has burst.

Phillips’s background makes his statements all the more significant. He was a prime strategist for Nixon’s 1968 presidential campaign and one of the main architects of the notorious “Southern strategy,” through which the old Republican Party of Wall Street and Main Street refashioned itself with a right-wing populist appeal, stoking racial antagonisms while above all capitalizing on the bankruptcy of American liberalism to shift the political spectrum sharply to the right.

The corruption of official statistics is not the work of one administration, and Phillips traces it back nearly 50 years.

Tags: economy,, shadowstats,, Kevin Phillips

Questions still linger over RFK shooting

Nice summary in the San Francisco Chronicle. Two CIA operatives linked to the JFK assassination were checked into the same hotel the night when and where RFK was shot.

Is Drudge leaning toward Obama?

Politico and other right wingers are worried.

The long hard slog is over

The presidential war begins.

Hillary open to VP slot.

Rumors of Obama speaking in Austin sweep Democratic circles.

Watch the Obama speech tonight as the last two primaries and endorsements put the Democratic nomination away.

Greg wonders if in Texas Obama is the new Hillary.

On the general campaign, McCain's latest flip-flop. Now McCain claims the president has near-dictatorial powers to quell the latest uprising on the right. This is a direct contrast to his statements months ago which brought on the hard right uneasiness.

Tags: Texas, Obama, McCain, Hillary Clinton, VP, 2008, election, primary

Getting Ready For the Texas Democratic Convention

1. Rechecked the location of my hotel which is just over five miles away from the Convention.

2. Looked at bus schedules. It appears the best plan to avoid the parking mess is for me to park at Highland Mall and take Bus routes 7 and 27 to and from the convention and nearby parties. It is only $0.50, is environmentally friendly and runs till past 10 PM. That is a little early to be leaving some parties but I could also get a ride or a taxi. I could walk to my hotel from Highland Mall but am not sure from Google Maps of a way to safely cross the freeway.

3. This Wednesday is another Senate District 11 meeting in South Pasadena, conflicting with the Alex Jones Endgame movie showing in Clear Lake. Check for any final gossip. Find out if anyone else is thinking of busing from Highland Mall or is available to share a ride if something runs late.

4. Leave Thursday and check into hotel. Park at Highland Mall and go to Blogger's bash early and leave by 10 PM unless I get a ride back to Highland Mall. There are also competing Hillary and Obama parties as well as some candidate parties. There are more parties, like one from Time Warner Cable trying to pry me and others with booze and music to agree to their plan for world conquest. Sorry, it takes dames, I have my standards.

5. Looking at Convention caucus and training schedule. Not sure what ones to attend yet. All are likely to be packed as there are too few for the number of attendees. In any case, arrive early and get credentials. Revised, arrive very early - there will be horrendous lines. As boadicea says Bring you patience, your common sense, and all your mad organizing skilz.

6 Attend caucuses and training, check out blogger's room. Tentatively - blog about what is going on.

7. Our SD-11 caucus is at 3:00 PM. There was some discussion for an earlier meeting at 2 or 2:30 but no firm plans yet but before 3 PM I'll be at Level 4, 12 A-B.

8. At 6 PM the floor of the Convention inaction begins. You can tell I've been to these things before. I may be in the credentials committee immediately after the district election and for the rest of the day. The permanent credentials committee debates and ratifies the actions of the temporary credentials committee and and hears any new problems.

9. Saturday June 7 - wake up early, catch bus to check in. There are committee meetings until 11 AM. At 11 more floor action starts if all credentials have been approved or will start anyway and do other things while more challenges are heard. To kill time between elections and speeches some resolutions are voted on. Prediction, this floor meeting will run late. It is past time for the State Meeting to have a Sunday session.

The only flaw in this plan is the bus schedule. It may make sense just to arrive hours early and park to have my own vehicle in the evening. Another possibility is just plan on taking a taxi to the hotel or Highland Mall. The distance is short.

Tags: Texas, Texas Democratic Convention

Harris County Grand Juries - Too White, Too Right, Too Old

Interesting article by a conservative recently asked to serve on the Harris County Grand Jury system. Even he was disturbed about how non-representative it was. There are no attempts at randomness or representation of the county population, as is done for federal grand juries. Instead it is usually friends of the Republican judges.

If they think that is a biased system the Houston Chronicle should check into the Harris County Appraisal District Juries Review Boards. They are almost entirely old Republican builders, businessmen and developers. They have a vested interest in making sure that average property owners continue to pay the highest share of local property taxes. And they get paid $75 a day to do it. There are some local anti-tax groups protesting this.

Texas Round-Up for June 2, 2008

It's Monday, and that means it is time for another edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance's weekly blog round-up--the pre-Convention edition. Don't forget about the Third Biennial Texas Blogger's Caucus set for this Thursday at 8:30 p.m. at the Cedar Door in Austin. Joe Jaworski, Sherrie Matula, Melissa Noriega, and more will be joining us!

WCNews at Eye On Williamson posts on A Texas Myth: The Citizen Legislator.

BossKitty at BlueBloggin points out that Bush has been successful in preventing accountability and that Bush is at Center of an Intelligence Leak in The Leaky Bush - Probable Cause For Treason.

Captain Kroc declares that McBlogger now has a patron saint. That means we're protected so don't mess with us or we'll have our BFF, God, gut punch you.

PDiddie at Brains and Eggs had some questions for Boyd Richie.

Vince from Capitol Annex reviews the Texas Legislative Study Group's excellent recommendations concerning what the Texas Legislature needs to do to improve higher education.

North Texas Liberal thanks Michelle Malkin for letting us know why we should boycott Rachael Ray, the terrorist scarf-wearing daytime chef.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme crowns Victoria DA Steve Tyler the new DA Hissy Fit after the grand jury indicts the Victoria Police Chief and former City Attorney. Both may have used the Victoria Advocate newspaper to prod the child rape investigation of Tyler's chief of staff.

WhosPlayin? takes a humorous look at how Rep Michael Burgess (R, TX-26) missed the mark again with recent comments, showing how out of touch he is with his middle-class constituents.

The burning question at Doing My Part For The Left is will Republicans return Rev, Hagee's hate money.

Off the Kuff completes his early tour of the Harris County races with a peek at the race for Harris County Department of Education Trustee, which in a normal year would be a pretty low-profile affair. Of course, as we know, this is anything but a normal year.

The Texas Cloverleaf tells us how Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples wants to support the communist Cuban regime.

Texas Kaos gets into the nuts and bolts of coming events. If you're headed to Austin for the Texas Democratic State Convention this week, check out this Important Information to make the trek a little easier. Also, in anticipation of the Netroots Nation convention in Austin we're preparing for a great service event, Netroots for the Troops to prepare care packages for those who are putting themselves into harms way as our nation has asked them to do.

Tags: Texas, liberal news, progressive, blogs, TPA