Peterson, who also holds an appointment at the University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law, said he believes part of the explanation for their findings lies in politics. "When the Christian Right allied itself with conservative Wall Street business interests in the 1980s and early '90s, consumer protection law was placed to the side as an inconvenient sticking point. The laws allowing an astonishing number of triple-digit-interest-rate lenders throughout most of the Christian South and Mormon West are a legacy of that political alliance.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Christians Now Support Usury
A study of payday lenders who offer up to triple digit loans find they are strongly corelated with areas of Christian political power. A map of pay day lenders superimposed over states with a Christian power index greater than average is informative. The authors of the study speculate that this may be the effect of a political deal-with-the-devil a couple of decades ago; after all, Christianity has historically been against usury:
Texas Dildo Ban Overturned
Free at last, free at last. I have many women friends who can bring their pals out of the closet now.
It was a delayed recognition - there are already Christian Sex Toy Retailers.
"Just as in Lawrence, the state here wants to use its law to enforce a public moral code by restricting private intimate conduct," the judges wrote in the 2-1 ruling. "This case is not about public sex. It is not about controlling commerce in sex. It is about controlling what people do in the privacy of their own homes because the state is morally opposed to a certain type of of consensual private intimate conduct."We can't get rid of the dildoes in public office but the dildoes can come out at home.
The judges alluded to Lawrence v. Texas, a Houston case that resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the state's sodomy law in 2003.
"I've been anticipating this for some time," said Ray Hill, consultant for a number of local adult bookstores. "The same justification has been used to reverse similar laws in other jurisdictions. As recently as last week a store was busted on Telephone Road. They confiscated dozens of items and carried the clerk off to jail."
Hill charged that the law has resulted in few local convictions, but has been used to "bully and intimidate minimum wage employees" who typically are arrested in police raids.
"This is a happy day for us," said Gino Barone, who owns Carmens Boutique and Videos, which has four Houston locations. "We found our customers want these items. Ladies, couples come to buy. The demand is so great. This law was so ridiculous. ... It's time we got the government out of their lives."
It was a delayed recognition - there are already Christian Sex Toy Retailers.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The real race - Updated
How will Obama or Clinton
pick off Ohio, Iowa, New Mexico and Nevada from McCain while keeping Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oregon and New Hampshire? Another article has a similar picture.
Keep an eye on this site.
UPDATE - Until enough states vote to bypass the electoral college the electoral college will remain the real race and Texas and 30 other stateswon't count will be ignored by the candidates. Support democracy and direct popular election of the President, urge your state legislators to support the National Popular Vote bills.
pick off Ohio, Iowa, New Mexico and Nevada from McCain while keeping Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oregon and New Hampshire? Another article has a similar picture.
Keep an eye on this site.
UPDATE - Until enough states vote to bypass the electoral college the electoral college will remain the real race and Texas and 30 other states
Barack Obama in Houston
Tuesday, February 19
Join Barack Obama for a special 'Stand for Change' Rally in Houston on Tuesday, February 19th.
Stand for Change Rally with Barack Obama
Toyota Center
1510 Polk Street
Houston, TX
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Doors Open: 6:00 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public. However, tickets are required and admission is on a first come, first-served basis.
For security reasons, do not bring bags. No signs or banners permitted.
Join Barack Obama for a special 'Stand for Change' Rally in Houston on Tuesday, February 19th.
Stand for Change Rally with Barack Obama
Toyota Center
1510 Polk Street
Houston, TX
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Doors Open: 6:00 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public. However, tickets are required and admission is on a first come, first-served basis.
For security reasons, do not bring bags. No signs or banners permitted.
It was the drugs, drugs I tell you
You knew that was coming. Our Harris County DA resigns blaming drugs for his errors in judgement.
Will Texas House Speaker Craddick use that as his excuse for illegally trying to buy his speakership?
Maybe I should start a contest, which drugs will Republicans claim made them lose their judgement?
Will Texas House Speaker Craddick use that as his excuse for illegally trying to buy his speakership?
Maybe I should start a contest, which drugs will Republicans claim made them lose their judgement?
Friday, February 15, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
My New Democratic Campaign Slogans
Elect Democrats in 2008: If you elect enough of us, we can’t use the excuse that there are too many Republicans.
How about: Vote DEMOCRATIC: Some of us will do the right thing, which is more than the other guys.
Liberals and those who value the Constitution and civil liberties are pretty ticked off right now.
Vote Democrat: ’cause its just too damn cold in Canada.
Vote Democratic: Because after 8 years of torture, lies, shredding of the constitution and illegal wars, your standards can’t be all that high can it?
Vote Democratic! 100% less likely to nominate a supreme court judge who believes torture is constitutional, might value workers, and will balance a women's right to control her body with the protection of unwanted zygotes.
The Democratic leadership, I'm looking at you Nancy Pelosi and Rahm Emanuel, was backing the sucky representative in a 99% safe district. He lost. Now we have a good gal in who was backed by the progressives. Once we get enough Democrats in office we can do the same thing for more of them.
I've made up my mind for Obama. He inspires more people to vote for the progressives. And his supporters don't get freaked out about a Che Guevara flag. I originally supported John Edwards but like Edward's former staffer, I believe Obama shares Edward's passion for making the country better for the average person.
I found my resolutions site.
RESOLUTION FOR IMPEACHMENT“Vote Democratic! We’ll probably kill fewer brown people than the other guys. Maybe.”
WHEREAS, George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney have:
Knowingly used fraudulent information to persuade Congress and the American people to support the war in Iraq;
WHEREAS, They repeatedly violated people's civil liberties and due process - including the use of torture on captives;
WHEREAS, They illegally spied on U.S. citizens without a warrant;
WHEREAS, They violated their oaths of office to "preserve, protect and defend the United States Constitution";
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Texas Democratic Party urges the Democratic Congressional delegation from Texas to draft and support legislation demanding the U.S. House of Representatives to begin impeachment proceedings against George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney.
Submitted to and Adopted by Precinct __ in ______________ County, Texas, Senatorial District ___, on March 4, 2008.
_________________
Convention Secretary
New Democratic slogans contest on Sadly, No!
"This is the new American majority...
This is what change looks like."
Wow - even more amazing than expected.
Can the Texas Democratic establishment, conservative Democrats, Latinos, and white women voters stop the Obama wave on March 4?
"Cynics can no longer say our hope is false," Obama said in Madison. "We have won east and west, north and south, and across the great heartland of this country we love."
Clinton worked very hard to hold the line in Virginia, but Obama won 64 percent to 35 percent and nearly all demographics including white males and women as a whole.
Clinton supporters will have to work hard to explain why Texas will not be Virginia. They have to hurry, the fat lady is warming up and the train is about to pull out.
Wow - even more amazing than expected.
Can the Texas Democratic establishment, conservative Democrats, Latinos, and white women voters stop the Obama wave on March 4?
"Cynics can no longer say our hope is false," Obama said in Madison. "We have won east and west, north and south, and across the great heartland of this country we love."
Clinton worked very hard to hold the line in Virginia, but Obama won 64 percent to 35 percent and nearly all demographics including white males and women as a whole.
Clinton supporters will have to work hard to explain why Texas will not be Virginia. They have to hurry, the fat lady is warming up and the train is about to pull out.
94,000 Majority Obama ballots in Los Angeles still uncounted
Screwed up ballot design will likely lead to court case(s).
It is not only affecting the presidential nominees but some local races. Not only Independents but students were particularly affected.
It is not only affecting the presidential nominees but some local races. Not only Independents but students were particularly affected.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The Right Christian War Against Truth and Tolerance.
Recently there was a lecture at the Air Force Academy. Three former Muslim terrorists spoke about how they and other Muslims tried to kill Americans and other Western influences. Until they were saved and turned their life around through Jesus. They say that Muslims must be killed or converted away from their hate-filled false religion.
At no time was it disclosed the men were frauds. They were actually Christian evangelists on a mission against Islam.
Chris Hedges:
I almost entered the Air Force. I actually took the first semester of Air Force ROTC at Michigan State University. One of my best friends in college, Tom Hurley, did enter through AFROTC.
At no time was it disclosed the men were frauds. They were actually Christian evangelists on a mission against Islam.
Chris Hedges:
Walid Shoebat, Kamal Saleem and Zachariah Anani are the three stooges of the Christian right. These self-described former Muslim terrorists are regularly trotted out at Christian colleges—a few days ago they were at the Air Force Academy—to spew racist filth about Islam on behalf of groups such as Focus on the Family. It is a clever tactic. Curly, Larry and Mo, who all say they are born-again Christians, engage in hate speech and assure us it comes from personal experience. They tell their audiences that the only way to deal with one-fifth of the world’s population is by converting or eradicating all Muslims. Their cant is broadcast regularly on Fox News, including the Bill O’Reilly and Neil Cavuto shows, as well as on numerous Christian radio and television programs. Shoebat, who has written a book called “Why We Want to Kill You,” promises in his lectures to explain the numerous similarities between radical Muslims and the Nazis, how “Muslim terrorists” invaded America 30 years ago and how “perseverance, recruitment and hate” have fueled attacks by Muslims.I first saw this in an article in the New York Times:
The three will be paid a total of $13,000 for their appearance, some of it from private donors, said Maj. Brett Ashworth, a spokesman for the academy.From a real citizen journalist on the Middle East:
The three were invited because “they offered a unique perspective from inside terrorism,” Major Ashworth said. The conference is to result in a report on methods to combat terrorism that will be sent to the Pentagon, members of Congress and other influential officials, he added.
Members of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, a group suing the federal government to combat what it calls creeping evangelism in the armed forces, said it was typical of the Air Force Academy to invite born-again Christians to address cadets on terrorism rather than experts who could teach students about the Middle East.
Walid Shoebat, author of Why We Want to Kill You has built a lucrative speaking career by manipulating the fears and whipping up hatred between Jews and Muslims and he claims to be a former Islamic terrorist who has converted to Christianity.These men were frauds and high ranking members of the Air Force Academy were taken in or didn't care. The Air Force Academy has become the center of the evangelistic takeover of our military as I have mentioned recently before, like here, where I mainly urged people to read this.
"Walid's entire biography is a manufactured fabrication. His handlers have taken one point and have twisted it and built up a fictional story."
Walid's relatives aren’t the only one's doubting his integrity, Rev. Alex Awad, president of the Council of Evangelical Churches in Palestine, has denied large portions of Walid's spin also.
In a letter answering allegations made by Shoebat, Awad shows problems with his timeline and his poor knowledge of the Christian leaders in Palestine. “We urge God’s people everywhere not to jump on this sensational bandwagon,” said Awad. “Christians are called by God to prayerfully use the gift of discernment.”
I almost entered the Air Force. I actually took the first semester of Air Force ROTC at Michigan State University. One of my best friends in college, Tom Hurley, did enter through AFROTC.
Is Hillary Out if she fails to win Texas?
Patrick Healy in the New York Times has an article that suggests that if Hillary doesn't win Texas and Ohio she may be out.
Texas rewards Democratic delegates in a several step process. This mechanism only seems complicated the first couple times through it.
126 Senatorial District Level Delegates allocated by primary results.
These are done by district so most split evenly except for urban areas that will give extras to Obama. In some rural and Southern areas with odd amounts of delegates Clinton may pick up the extra one but I think that doesn't balance out Houston, Galveston, Austin, Dallas, and East Texas. The actual delegates are chosen at the state convention but must reflect the primary vote.
42 At-Large Delegates allocated by the presidential preference of delegates attending the State convention (with a 15 percent threshold).
25 Pledged Party Leaders, Democratic Mayors and Legislators allocated by the presidential preference of delegates attending the State convention (with a 15 percent threshold).
Democrats have to be somewhat motivated to go out and vote in the primary. They have to be very motivated to stand up and be counted in front of their neighbors for a candidate and even more to go on to the next level and do it again and then go to Austin and do it. Their is a motivation and enthusiasm gap that exists among the candidates supporters in favor of Obama. Obama supporters have the fire and enthusiasm. Will the more experienced Clinton supporting politicians be able to stop it? Personally, I would be very surprised if Obama doesn't get a majority in these two categories.
32 Super Delegates made up of Members of Congress, Members of the DNC, past House Speakers and former DNC Chairs.
Nearly all right now for Hillary but rumors of switches. On reflection, Texas Democratic politicians are considering how they will fair with Hillary or Obama leading the ticket, and reaching for another drink.
3 Unpledged Delegates (Add-Ons) elected through a three-tier, post-primary convention process.
Often used for the last demographic balance nudge. Who goes to the next level conventions must be close demographically to those who attended the lower level.
By my calculations the Texas primary is a toss-up (63-63) and there is an Obama advantage in the caucus and conventions (40-27). Obama wins except for the super delegates. The too many super delegates (4-28, some that had declared for Clinton appear to be wavering) which are Hillary's and the unpledged (3). Hillary will only win counting super-delegates. Final 107-118-3. In reality, the party leaders pretty much pick the unpledged and it will be either 2-1 or all Hillary. At this point, counting the super-delegates to win a state is still a victory for Clinton.
To support your candidate so he or she gets the most delegates you have to vote in the primary plus then you have to attend the caucuses starting March 4th at 7:15 PM near where you live and then go to the local convention. If possible go to the state convention. If you are out of town on the 4th give the election judge or someone attending the caucus in your precinct a letter stating you want to support your candidate and want to be a delegate or alternate to the senate district/county convention.
UPDATE - based on tonight's results, BBC, I think I may have been a tad optimistic about Hillary's likely scorecard of delegates coming out of Texas but this has been an unpredictable political season. I urge all Democrats and progressives not to be bent out of shape about your candidate and the other Democrats. As Rob Kall writes - We need to stay TOGETHER. Even my sister, who says she will never vote for Obama for president, concedes he would be OK as VP and she would hate voting for McCain. We have seen what seven years of Republican failures are like, let's not make it twelve.
Will the winner be the candidate that conservative Texas Democrats dislike the least?
Mrs. Clinton held a buck-up-the-troops conference call on Monday with donors, super-delegates and other supporters; several of them said afterward that she sounded tired and a little down, but determined about Ohio and Texas. And these donors and super-delegates said that they were not especially soothed, saying they believed she could be on a losing streak that could jeopardize her competitiveness in Ohio and Texas.Texas was a favored state for Hillary. But it looks very close or even a slight lean to Obama now. Here is my count:
“She has to win both Ohio and Texas comfortably, or she’s out,” said one Democratic super-delegate who has endorsed Mrs. Clinton, and who spoke on condition of anonymity to share a candid assessment. “The campaign is starting to come to terms with that.” Campaign advisers, also speaking privately in order to speak plainly, confirmed this view.
Texas rewards Democratic delegates in a several step process. This mechanism only seems complicated the first couple times through it.
126 Senatorial District Level Delegates allocated by primary results.
These are done by district so most split evenly except for urban areas that will give extras to Obama. In some rural and Southern areas with odd amounts of delegates Clinton may pick up the extra one but I think that doesn't balance out Houston, Galveston, Austin, Dallas, and East Texas. The actual delegates are chosen at the state convention but must reflect the primary vote.
42 At-Large Delegates allocated by the presidential preference of delegates attending the State convention (with a 15 percent threshold).
25 Pledged Party Leaders, Democratic Mayors and Legislators allocated by the presidential preference of delegates attending the State convention (with a 15 percent threshold).
Democrats have to be somewhat motivated to go out and vote in the primary. They have to be very motivated to stand up and be counted in front of their neighbors for a candidate and even more to go on to the next level and do it again and then go to Austin and do it. Their is a motivation and enthusiasm gap that exists among the candidates supporters in favor of Obama. Obama supporters have the fire and enthusiasm. Will the more experienced Clinton supporting politicians be able to stop it? Personally, I would be very surprised if Obama doesn't get a majority in these two categories.
32 Super Delegates made up of Members of Congress, Members of the DNC, past House Speakers and former DNC Chairs.
Nearly all right now for Hillary but rumors of switches. On reflection, Texas Democratic politicians are considering how they will fair with Hillary or Obama leading the ticket, and reaching for another drink.
3 Unpledged Delegates (Add-Ons) elected through a three-tier, post-primary convention process.
Often used for the last demographic balance nudge. Who goes to the next level conventions must be close demographically to those who attended the lower level.
By my calculations the Texas primary is a toss-up (63-63) and there is an Obama advantage in the caucus and conventions (40-27). Obama wins except for the super delegates. The too many super delegates (4-28, some that had declared for Clinton appear to be wavering) which are Hillary's and the unpledged (3). Hillary will only win counting super-delegates. Final 107-118-3. In reality, the party leaders pretty much pick the unpledged and it will be either 2-1 or all Hillary. At this point, counting the super-delegates to win a state is still a victory for Clinton.
To support your candidate so he or she gets the most delegates you have to vote in the primary plus then you have to attend the caucuses starting March 4th at 7:15 PM near where you live and then go to the local convention. If possible go to the state convention. If you are out of town on the 4th give the election judge or someone attending the caucus in your precinct a letter stating you want to support your candidate and want to be a delegate or alternate to the senate district/county convention.
UPDATE - based on tonight's results, BBC, I think I may have been a tad optimistic about Hillary's likely scorecard of delegates coming out of Texas but this has been an unpredictable political season. I urge all Democrats and progressives not to be bent out of shape about your candidate and the other Democrats. As Rob Kall writes - We need to stay TOGETHER. Even my sister, who says she will never vote for Obama for president, concedes he would be OK as VP and she would hate voting for McCain. We have seen what seven years of Republican failures are like, let's not make it twelve.
Will the winner be the candidate that conservative Texas Democrats dislike the least?
Are we ending the counter-reformation?
In 1971, Lewis Powell wrote a memo that urged millionaires and business's to fund media and think tanks to develop institutions to break government and liberal power. It worked. This started the counter-reformation to FDR's and the Democrat's New Deal policies. This counter reformation started bearing fruit in 1975 and has lasted until the present day. For the last thirty years the Republicans have run with one idea, supported by their media and think tanks, government doesn't work. As a result, we get President's like Bush or Governor's like Perry who do not know how to govern except to reward contracts to their business friends.
Based on the Clinton and Obama campaigns and all the polls of what the American people want out of government, that period has ended. There are still very loud-mouthed people out there who don't believe it but looking at the Republican primaries even their base don't believe them. The righty bloggers are the new part of this Republican Noise Machine support system and they are also routinely ignored. I also consider the defection of people like John Dean, John Cole and Charles Aulds another sign of the end.
Jon Taplin has a very good article on this that my brother Jim recommended.
Based on the Clinton and Obama campaigns and all the polls of what the American people want out of government, that period has ended. There are still very loud-mouthed people out there who don't believe it but looking at the Republican primaries even their base don't believe them. The righty bloggers are the new part of this Republican Noise Machine support system and they are also routinely ignored. I also consider the defection of people like John Dean, John Cole and Charles Aulds another sign of the end.
Jon Taplin has a very good article on this that my brother Jim recommended.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Off to try to get more election workers
Remember, if you are truly committed to your candidate you have to vote twice. Once on the ballot, which decides the majority of delegates, and then during the caucus Tuesday March 4 at 7:15 PM. You can also leave a note with someone who attends if you can't make it but would like to be chosen as a delegate or alternate to the next level convention at the county or senate district.
For the first time in years this is a hotly contested Democratic presidential candidate race in Texas with Barack Obama surging and most of the Democratic political establishment trying to hold the line for Hillary. Scott Henson, my Texas blog expert on the law, suggests that Obama and Huckabee would be best for our broken justice system and I agree with him. Of course, you may think that may make their opponents more electable. When you go to the voting booth do you consider the candidates positions or their electability?
Received this false email again - Barack Obama is a Muslim. This is a hoax and doesn't make sense. It is more than a hoax, it is a deliberate false smear of the type that the Republican party specializes in. What is more I get this smear from active church going Christians. They are either ignorant or don't mind violating the Ninth Commandment about bearing false witness.
Final word - it is very possible that Hillary Clinton will take the primary and lose the Texas caucus and convention delegates to Obama. Obama has a higher percentage of devoted, enthusiastic supporters than Clinton does and that disparity is much more of a factor in caucuses than in primaries. It takes some enthusiasm to go out and vote. It takes more to go out and stand with your neighbors and be counted and then go to the next levels in the caucus process.
ADDED - Where Obama is winning and losing - Brendan does some quick graphs of conventional wisdom.
Technorati Tags: Clinton, Obama, Texas, primary, electability, Republican smears
For the first time in years this is a hotly contested Democratic presidential candidate race in Texas with Barack Obama surging and most of the Democratic political establishment trying to hold the line for Hillary. Scott Henson, my Texas blog expert on the law, suggests that Obama and Huckabee would be best for our broken justice system and I agree with him. Of course, you may think that may make their opponents more electable. When you go to the voting booth do you consider the candidates positions or their electability?
Received this false email again - Barack Obama is a Muslim. This is a hoax and doesn't make sense. It is more than a hoax, it is a deliberate false smear of the type that the Republican party specializes in. What is more I get this smear from active church going Christians. They are either ignorant or don't mind violating the Ninth Commandment about bearing false witness.
Final word - it is very possible that Hillary Clinton will take the primary and lose the Texas caucus and convention delegates to Obama. Obama has a higher percentage of devoted, enthusiastic supporters than Clinton does and that disparity is much more of a factor in caucuses than in primaries. It takes some enthusiasm to go out and vote. It takes more to go out and stand with your neighbors and be counted and then go to the next levels in the caucus process.
ADDED - Where Obama is winning and losing - Brendan does some quick graphs of conventional wisdom.
Technorati Tags: Clinton, Obama, Texas, primary, electability, Republican smears
Texas 200 Billion Dollar Boondoggle makes the NYT
Everyone opposes this but $200 billion in contracts generates a lot of bribes for support in Austin. The proposed toll road is a bigger land and money give-away to foreign companies than the subsidies and land given to railroaders which financed the growth of the Republican party 150 years ago.
Bloomberg still considering getting in
The strongest evidence, a pollster working for Bloomberg calling Burka. Interesting questions and from the response I can see why I have my disagreements with Burka.
Tags: Texas, Burka, Bloomberg, 2008
Tags: Texas, Burka, Bloomberg, 2008
McCain - Like Hope, Only Different
This is a follow-up to Obama's Video.
NYT - The state of the race, Clinton firing staff, Obama surging.
Texas 2008 Round-Up #6
It's Monday, and that means it is time once again for the Texas Progressive Alliance Weekly Blog Round-Up. This week's round-up, compiled by TXsharon from Bluedaze.
Gary at Easter Lemming Liberal News urges Texans to NOT give to veterans by mail. At least not without some investigation. Read about the fake veteran's charities scam supported by Republicans in Cheating Charitable Givers and Veterans.
What is Congress to do?! The Texas Cloverleaf looks at how the Bush administration continues to ignore the US House and hurt Texas, in it's blatant disregard of the Congressional order to end the DOT's plan for Mexican trucks in America.
Plastic bags are now extinct in Ireland. TXsharon at Bluedaze wants to know why the U.S. can't do the same.
How much was the Katy Freeway expansion in Houston supposed to cost? Off the Kuff digs through some story archives to show that what TxDOT is saying now about initial cost estimates is not what it was saying then.
Open Source Dem at Brains and Eggs comments on the possibility of brokered conventions in both Austin and Denver this summer, and how the March 4 primary in Texas will clarify -- or muddy -- the outlook.
CouldBeTrue at South Texas Chisme cautions reasonable people to be wary about arguing over that d*mn fence! Republicans are building a monument to racism and fear not trying to solve any problems with a coherent policy.
Hal has a a couple of postings this week at Half Empty, this one is the main event, a new theory on whether there is a new canary about to sing to the Feds about Tom DeLay's past indiscretions, and this one is about some motivation for that.
WCNews at Eye On Williamson has this wrap up from last week's hearings on TxDOT at the capitol, Without Williamson, TxDOT Becomes Scapegoat.
Phillip Martin at Burnt Orange Report has done an exhaustively comprehensive analysis of how Texas hybrid primary/caucus system works, as well as looked at some of the politics of each of Texas' 31 Senate Districts that will award delegates on March 4. Read the two-part series here: Part 1 (caucus explanation) and Part 2 (delegate analysis).
BossKitty at BlueBloggin looks into Customs:
“Hand Over That Cell Phone, iPod & Laptop” and just how intrusive the government has become putting travelers and their company's private information at risk.
As we get ever nearer to the most important Texas primary in recent memory, The Texas Blue thinks potential prognosticators should keep five things in mind when it comes to making predictions.
In addition to a ton of Texas presidential race coverage, Vince at Capitol Annex reveals that State Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford) has taken an illegal contribution from an energy lobbyist.
Gary at Easter Lemming Liberal News urges Texans to NOT give to veterans by mail. At least not without some investigation. Read about the fake veteran's charities scam supported by Republicans in Cheating Charitable Givers and Veterans.
What is Congress to do?! The Texas Cloverleaf looks at how the Bush administration continues to ignore the US House and hurt Texas, in it's blatant disregard of the Congressional order to end the DOT's plan for Mexican trucks in America.
Plastic bags are now extinct in Ireland. TXsharon at Bluedaze wants to know why the U.S. can't do the same.
How much was the Katy Freeway expansion in Houston supposed to cost? Off the Kuff digs through some story archives to show that what TxDOT is saying now about initial cost estimates is not what it was saying then.
Open Source Dem at Brains and Eggs comments on the possibility of brokered conventions in both Austin and Denver this summer, and how the March 4 primary in Texas will clarify -- or muddy -- the outlook.
CouldBeTrue at South Texas Chisme cautions reasonable people to be wary about arguing over that d*mn fence! Republicans are building a monument to racism and fear not trying to solve any problems with a coherent policy.
Hal has a a couple of postings this week at Half Empty, this one is the main event, a new theory on whether there is a new canary about to sing to the Feds about Tom DeLay's past indiscretions, and this one is about some motivation for that.
WCNews at Eye On Williamson has this wrap up from last week's hearings on TxDOT at the capitol, Without Williamson, TxDOT Becomes Scapegoat.
Phillip Martin at Burnt Orange Report has done an exhaustively comprehensive analysis of how Texas hybrid primary/caucus system works, as well as looked at some of the politics of each of Texas' 31 Senate Districts that will award delegates on March 4. Read the two-part series here: Part 1 (caucus explanation) and Part 2 (delegate analysis).
BossKitty at BlueBloggin looks into Customs:
“Hand Over That Cell Phone, iPod & Laptop” and just how intrusive the government has become putting travelers and their company's private information at risk.
As we get ever nearer to the most important Texas primary in recent memory, The Texas Blue thinks potential prognosticators should keep five things in mind when it comes to making predictions.
In addition to a ton of Texas presidential race coverage, Vince at Capitol Annex reveals that State Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford) has taken an illegal contribution from an energy lobbyist.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Cheating charitable givers and veterans
Texans, stop and look before you give the veterans any money by mail.
Rep. Waxman is on a roll taking off after crooked charities - video, article in the Washington Post. Most of the donations to Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, founded by Roger Chapin, seemed to go to supporting his opulent lifestyle. The NYT editorial board is also scolding and outraged over veteran charity fraud. Roger Chapin has a long history of running barely charities for veterans that rewards himself more than vets.
Another of Chapin's so-called charities is called Help Hospitalized Veterans. He has founded twenty of these types of charities, switching states, causes and rerouting money as they are investigated. The Washington Moonie Times, itself a questionable charity undertaking by a so-called Messiah eager to gain influence, defended Roger Chapin. It helped Chapin has ties to conservative fundraisers like Viguerie.
Forbes documented the morphing of one of Chapin's charities from supposedly conservative fund-raising to fighting drugs to helping kids to aiding veterans but giving little each time. It also recently morphed from a tax-free veteran's charity to a non-tax-free veteran's advocacy group, probably feeling the heat on the charity front. That group can still funnel money to other Chapin tax-free entities. Currently Chapin groups raise $75 million a year.
Chapin managed to take in the easily fooled Thomas Friedman with a claim of 97% efficiency in fund-raising for one charity.
New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman - "Your money won't be wasted if you sent it to this charity." Statement on Chapin charitable website.
What Chapin had done to fool Friedman was with his many groups palm expenses off on others and funnel more donations in. Forbes calculated it was actually a better Chapin group with 50% of its money going to recipients but with some strange giving.
Gen. Tommy Franks got caught up in this scandal. He said he was unaware how bad a "charity" it was when he was paid $100,000 for his endorsement. Another Air Force general has been collecting $5,000 a month. One prime recipient of charitable money has been GOP fundraiser extraordinaire Richard Viguerie who handles much of the charities direct mail. In addition, a Chapin charitable expense last year was a million dollar loan to Viguerie. You may remember Viguerie as the defender of Chapin up above in the Washington (Moonie) Times.
My mother always sent money to Disabled Veterans Association, which also spends more than 75 percent of the donations they receive on something other than helping vets, largely on fundraising. She thought they did help vets, if only a little, and liked the little calendars and stickers and small gifts she received. My sister stopped sending money when I told her how little money went to vets.
As long as you are aware that most direct mail charities spend incredibly small amounts on their supposed beneficiaries and they fully disclose that and fully disclose the executive share of expenses on all solicitations I don't have a problem with them. Of course, this disclosure is what they refuse to do. As Chapin said in the Waxman hearings, ""If we disclose... we'd all be out of business. Nobody would donate."
The last Republican word - "I'm deeply concerned that we're whacking on groups that are supporting the military," said Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah.
My last word. I'm deeply concerned about those supporting themselves at the expense of our military veterans. Of course, the Republican war machine is following this same policy in Iraq, supporting themselves while claiming they are helping others.
Rep. Waxman is on a roll taking off after crooked charities - video, article in the Washington Post. Most of the donations to Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, founded by Roger Chapin, seemed to go to supporting his opulent lifestyle. The NYT editorial board is also scolding and outraged over veteran charity fraud. Roger Chapin has a long history of running barely charities for veterans that rewards himself more than vets.Another of Chapin's so-called charities is called Help Hospitalized Veterans. He has founded twenty of these types of charities, switching states, causes and rerouting money as they are investigated. The Washington Moonie Times, itself a questionable charity undertaking by a so-called Messiah eager to gain influence, defended Roger Chapin. It helped Chapin has ties to conservative fundraisers like Viguerie.
Forbes documented the morphing of one of Chapin's charities from supposedly conservative fund-raising to fighting drugs to helping kids to aiding veterans but giving little each time. It also recently morphed from a tax-free veteran's charity to a non-tax-free veteran's advocacy group, probably feeling the heat on the charity front. That group can still funnel money to other Chapin tax-free entities. Currently Chapin groups raise $75 million a year.
Chapin managed to take in the easily fooled Thomas Friedman with a claim of 97% efficiency in fund-raising for one charity.
New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman - "Your money won't be wasted if you sent it to this charity." Statement on Chapin charitable website.
What Chapin had done to fool Friedman was with his many groups palm expenses off on others and funnel more donations in. Forbes calculated it was actually a better Chapin group with 50% of its money going to recipients but with some strange giving.
The draft 2006 financial statement (it hasn't been finalized or released) disclosed that just $1 million of the $26 million spent last year by the Coalition was direct cash aid to injured vets, with maybe $5 million more spent on things like job-hunting seminars and public awareness. Nearly all the other $20 million spent represented the purported value of 1.5 million calling cards given to uninjured soldiers serving in the Middle East. These cards allowed the soldiers to check sports scores back home but couldn't be used to call, say, family. The cards were donated by ez Scores, of Silver Spring, Md.My own investigation shows that EZ Scores were giving away thousands of these cards to anyone to drum up business and spread the concept. So $20 million really equals about zero dollars, or in any case much, much less.
Gen. Tommy Franks got caught up in this scandal. He said he was unaware how bad a "charity" it was when he was paid $100,000 for his endorsement. Another Air Force general has been collecting $5,000 a month. One prime recipient of charitable money has been GOP fundraiser extraordinaire Richard Viguerie who handles much of the charities direct mail. In addition, a Chapin charitable expense last year was a million dollar loan to Viguerie. You may remember Viguerie as the defender of Chapin up above in the Washington (Moonie) Times.
My mother always sent money to Disabled Veterans Association, which also spends more than 75 percent of the donations they receive on something other than helping vets, largely on fundraising. She thought they did help vets, if only a little, and liked the little calendars and stickers and small gifts she received. My sister stopped sending money when I told her how little money went to vets.
As long as you are aware that most direct mail charities spend incredibly small amounts on their supposed beneficiaries and they fully disclose that and fully disclose the executive share of expenses on all solicitations I don't have a problem with them. Of course, this disclosure is what they refuse to do. As Chapin said in the Waxman hearings, ""If we disclose... we'd all be out of business. Nobody would donate."
The last Republican word - "I'm deeply concerned that we're whacking on groups that are supporting the military," said Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah.
My last word. I'm deeply concerned about those supporting themselves at the expense of our military veterans. Of course, the Republican war machine is following this same policy in Iraq, supporting themselves while claiming they are helping others.
The Democrats Class War
Why is the candidate of Wall Street the candidate that lower income Democrats vote for? David Sirota believes Obama can't adopt Edward's themes of working for working Americans without losing wealthy supporters and sounding too black. This leads to Obama's generalities and his offering hope and dialogue instead. Meanwhile:
Hillary does likely have the leadership of the credentials committee pulling for her about seating the Michigan and Florida delegations. That could pull her over the top. That conversation also gets heated as passions run high over the punishment. Really, Michigan and Florida should have a convention or caucus and get legal.
Is Texas really going to go for Hillary when Democrats are likely to pass impeachment resolutions for it's least favorite son? See you at the election and the conventions.
Obama, the person who fought blue-collar joblessness in the shadows of shuttered factories, is winning wealthy enclaves. But Clinton, the person whose globalization policies helped shutter those factories, is winning blue-collar strongholds.I also find it interesting that now Clinton is more beatable than Obama by McCain: TIME Poll. Independents, a big part of McCain's support, like Obama better than McCain. Too many people don't like Hillary making their race close.
Obama, who was schooled by the same organizing networks as Cesar Chavez, is being endorsed by hedge fund managers. But Clinton, business’s favorite, is being endorsed by the United Farm Workers—the union that Chavez created.
Obama, the candidate from Chicago’s impoverished South Side, is finding support on Connecticut’s gilded south coast. But Hillary Clinton, the candidate representing Big Money, is finding support from those with relatively little money.
Hillary does likely have the leadership of the credentials committee pulling for her about seating the Michigan and Florida delegations. That could pull her over the top. That conversation also gets heated as passions run high over the punishment. Really, Michigan and Florida should have a convention or caucus and get legal.
Is Texas really going to go for Hillary when Democrats are likely to pass impeachment resolutions for it's least favorite son? See you at the election and the conventions.
RESOLUTION FOR IMPEACHMENT
WHEREAS, George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney have:
(1) Knowingly used fraudulent information to persuade Congress and the American people to support the war in Iraq; and
(2) Repeatedly violated people’s civil liberties and due process – including the use of torture on captives; and
(3) Illegally spied on U.S. citizens without a warrant; and
(4) Violated their oaths of office to “preserve, protect and defend the United States Constitution”;
THEREFORE, we the people and citizens and residents of the _______________ Precinct of __________ County in Texas do hereby call for the U.S. House of Representatives to begin impeachment proceedings against George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney.
Tags: Democrats, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, poll, class war, workers, corporations, election, impeach, 2008,
Obama agrees to debate Clinton in Houston - Updated
Feb 28 at George R. Brown Convention Center. Wow, turnout for the Democratic primary in Houston will be huge.
Conservative voters are unhappy with McCain, many do not like Huckabee as well. How many will vote in the Democratic primary as a mess with the Democrats vote? What prevents this will be the local contested GOP primaries like the ten vying for Rep. Lampson's seat.
Some local reaction. This Houston conservative is really unhappy, as someone whose favorite candidate was extremist California Rep. Hunter must be. Ree-C also thinks there are no conservative alternatives.
Our So-Called-Liberal mainstream media really didn't report it, but McCain was booed while trying to make peace at the Conservative Political Action Committee gathering, despite delegates being told repeatedly not to do so. Conservatives are so unhappy I wonder if a third party conservative candidate will emerge? In that case it looks a bit like 1968 but McCain doesn't have the support Nixon did among Republicans, although Hillary Clinton does seem a bit like Hubert Humphrey to current Democrats.
UPDATE - See more on how to vote and caucus in Texas from anna here. The Houston area will award 30 delegates directly to the Democratic Convention and influences more with delegates assigned at the Texas Democratic State Convention.
Conservative voters are unhappy with McCain, many do not like Huckabee as well. How many will vote in the Democratic primary as a mess with the Democrats vote? What prevents this will be the local contested GOP primaries like the ten vying for Rep. Lampson's seat.
Some local reaction. This Houston conservative is really unhappy, as someone whose favorite candidate was extremist California Rep. Hunter must be. Ree-C also thinks there are no conservative alternatives.
Our So-Called-Liberal mainstream media really didn't report it, but McCain was booed while trying to make peace at the Conservative Political Action Committee gathering, despite delegates being told repeatedly not to do so. Conservatives are so unhappy I wonder if a third party conservative candidate will emerge? In that case it looks a bit like 1968 but McCain doesn't have the support Nixon did among Republicans, although Hillary Clinton does seem a bit like Hubert Humphrey to current Democrats.
UPDATE - See more on how to vote and caucus in Texas from anna here. The Houston area will award 30 delegates directly to the Democratic Convention and influences more with delegates assigned at the Texas Democratic State Convention.
Tags: Texas, primary, debate, Houston, conservatives, 1968, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, McCain, Huckabee
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