“It’s like a nightmare, isn’t it? It just keeps getting worse and worse.” –The Color of Money
FFS! Just when you think it can’t get any worse, it does. Yesterday I posted about the relationship between CCISD Trustee Scott Bowen, Defend Texas Liberty, Chris Russo and Cary Cheshire. I said:
Russo, Cheshire, and Bowen graduated from Texas A&M. All three were on the Student Senate together. Russo was the President of the Senate the year right after Bowen. Cheshire co-authored a bill concerning the Gay Community at Texas A&M on religious freedom grounds. Russo and Cheshire are directors for Texans for Strong Borders, an anti-immigrant PAC primarily funded by Defend Texas Liberty. Russo is listed as the Treasurer with an address in El Lago.
And it gets worse. The Texas Tribune has dug deeper into Chris Russo and the known white supremacist, Nick Fuentes. It’s not pretty. From The Texas Tribune: Since at least 2019, Texans For Strong Borders founder and president Chris Russo has operated in Fuentes’ racist movement on various social media platforms under the username “Optics Respecter.” Without sharing his real identity, Russo used the accounts to rail against immigration, feminists, the LGBTQ+ community and Black people, as well as share posts by other Fuentes followers that contain racial and homophobic slurs.
Bowen needs to publicly distance himself from these individuals and Defend Texas Liberty. He needs to return their donations. He needs to come clean with the community.
Unlike Texas Republicans, Maine Republicans are offering thoughts after 15+ were killed at a bowling alley in Lewiston Maine.
Texas Republicans stopped offering thoughts and prayers after the Santa Fe High School shooting which took the lives of 8 students and 2 teachers. You didn’t hear that phrase being used after Uvalde which took the lives of 19 3rd graders and 2 teachers. They stopped not because the offering is worthless, but because they were being ridiculed for doing it. People don’t want your fuckin thoughts and prayers. They want action.
But….Some Republicans didn’t get the memo and offered thoughts AND prayers including Lauren “Hand Job” Boebert, Chris Sununu, the Republican governor of New Hampshire, and Congressional Candidate Leon Benjamin. From Newsweek:
Leon Benjamin, who is running for Congress in Virginia, focused on policy and wrote: “Active Shooter in Maine! 22 Dead, 50+ injured! Pray and know how 5GW is very active right now. Our Nation is not being protected because of bad policies like: Defunding the Police!”
Don’t worry. After a week or so and after the funerals are over everyone will have forgotten the fallen and with Thanksgiving just around the corner they will be able to offer turkey, thoughts, and prayers.
Many years ago I was a fight fanatic. I attended many fights in Las Vegas and my game room was decorated with Boxing memorabilia and posters from fights.
It’s been awhile since I’ve been to a live fight but will be attending this one right here in Houston on December 2 in the Toyota Center.
Oscar De La Hoya looks great!
Tickets are on sale at ToyotaCenter.com. This isn’t going to be an easy fight for Garcia. Duarte is a tough banger. He has a number of knockouts and if he could get on the inside, he has knocked out opponents with body shots.
If you remember, Garcia had his last opponent, Anton Davis, at bay with long jabs and hooks. He kept Davis at the end of his punches. He reminded me a little bit of Thomas Hearns when Hearns was young, but he let Davis get on the inside, banged his body and was knocked out in later rounds. This could happen with Oscar Duarte. He’s a hard puncher. He has a lot of knockouts, it’s gonna be a good fight.
I don’t have any predictions on this one but watch it.
This is truly troubling. Seriously screwed up and it implicates one of our own CCISD Trustees. Bear with me.
Quick Background. I’ve written about the extreme right wing PAC, Defend Texas Liberty (DTL) meddling in CCISD’s local election before. (they failed) DTL is funded by 2 billionaires featured by CNN. They financed the campaign for a CCISD candidate for Trustee. They donated $2000 to Scott Bowen in his re-election bid. They donated $5000 to a CCISD candidate who refused the donation. They made donations to only 1 out of over 1000 school districts for Trustee races, that being CCISD and Scott is responsible for that.
It gets worse. The Texas Tribune had a breakthrough investigation concerning the leader of DTL, former State Representative Jonathan Stickland, meeting with a known white supremacist, Nick Fuentes……for 7 hours. Fuentes is documented by the ADL including “On a livestream episode, Fuentes “jokingly” denied the Holocaust and compared Jews burnt in concentration camps to cookies in an oven.” Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan has since called on republicans to return their donations from DTL and Johnathon Stickland has been removed as the leader of DTL.
Chris Russo. (More on Chris below) Director of Texans for Strong Borders. Was seen chauffeuring Fuentes to and from the meeting at Pale Horse Strategies this month. Multiple people, who asked not to be named to avoid drawing the attention of white nationalists, told the Tribune that Russo has ties to Fuentes’ so-called “groyper” movement.
Cary Cheshire. (More on Cary below) The executive director of Texans For Strong Borders and a longtime employee of Defend Texas Liberty-linked groups, was also at the Pale Horse offices while Fuentes was on-site.
Kyle Rittenhouse. The kid that crossed state lines and shot and killed two protestors. Was on site during the meeting with Fuentes.
Julie McCarty. Founder of True Texas Project an organization identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an anti-government “extremist” group. The local chapter was banned from holding meetings at the Webster Presbyterian Church after the elders learned of their background.
There are many more individuals with ties to Fuentes as documented by the Tribune. Visit the story and view the graphic identifying these individuals and their associations with Qanon, white supremacists, white genocide, antisemitism, European American Community, and more.
Back to Chris Russo, Cary Cheshire, and CCISD Trustee Scott Bowen This is truly strange coincidence. Russo, Cheshire, and Bowen graduated from Texas A&M. All three were on the Student Senate together. Russo was the President of the Senate the year right after Bowen. Cheshire co-authored a bill concerning the Gay Community at Texas A&M on religious freedom grounds. Russo and Cheshire are directors for Texans for Strong Borders, an anti-immigrant PAC primarily funded by Defend Texas Liberty. Russo is listed as the Treasurer with an address in El Lago.
This is the company Scott Bowen is keeping. It’s clear Defend Texas Liberty was invited by Bowen to meddle in our local elections. And now it is clear exactly who they are. If you have read this far, take a few minutes to read The Texas Tribune article.
I don’t like Captain Snowflake, League City Council Member Justin Hicks for many reasons. I know veterans who had bullets shot at them who don’t walk around with a military chip on their soldier. They don’t consider themselves special even though they are. Hicks is an extremist MAGAt Republican. Like most MAGAts he probably can’t even spell Constitution much less truly understand it. He championed the unnecessary book ban in League City targeting the Gay community. He has been involved in racial controversies concerning the Police Chief and threats to city employees. He invited an anti-gay writer to read to children at the Public Library. He butted into the CCISD lawsuit brought about by a losing candidate. He ran for City Council as a “Conservative” but he isn’t conservative. He is a republican. In today’s day you can’t be both.
Well last night Captain Snowflake was on video whining about an ethics complaint filed against him. You can watch the entire meeting here. It’s only 15 minutes long. Start at 1:18 to watch Hicks whine to the committee followed by Council Member Tom Crews to address the same issue. The Committee then discussed the ethics complaint and votes to dismiss it. Committee Member Rachel McAdams at 15:09 ends the meeting with a comment. She addresses the issue eloquently.
Hicks stated he takes criticism “like a champ” yet attempts to interrupt McAdams comments from the audience. A champ doesn’t do that. I’m not quite sure what the complaint was about but there were comments made by Hicks about someone digging up his personal information. He might have been talking about the website JustinHicksTx.com which was reporting on Hicks’ time on Council. That website has since been taken down. I reviewed that site and thought it was just full of public information including his house being up for sale by Zillow. Not sure why the owners would take the site down but I would bet Hicks had something to do with it.
On Facebook Hicks says he will be announcing a life changing personal victory. Maybe his house has finally sold, he has accepted a job in New Jersey, and will be resigning from City Council. It would be a win-win for everyone.
I wish him luck. League City voters, do better next time.
Prop 2 = YES Allows municipalities to cancel property tax on day care facilities. from Mothers against greg abbott:
The Texas childcare shortage is having devastating effects on early childhood education, economic growth and employment opportunities for parents.
The Texas economy loses more than 9 Million every year due to inadequate childcare.
This bill helps exempt child-care facilities for property taxation.
Prop 3= NO Preemptively banning any “wealth tax”. Why: we don’t currently have a wealth tax, nor is anyone actively fighting for it in texas as far as i can see… but we should! and the fact that they are banning it before anyone even tries is notable….maybe they think it would pass because a wealth tax is one of the few things with bi-partisan appeal? https://2020.elizabethwarren.com/toolkit/umt
Prop 5= YES Creating a “Texas University Fund” Why: so texas can have better state schools
Prop 6= YES Creating a “Texas Water Fund Why = because water main breaks are more frequent with global warming/shifting of the ground and more problematic during a drought.
Prop 7 = NO Creating an “Energy Fund” specifically for fossil fuel energy.
This amendment will provide billions of dollars in low-interest loans to support the development of new methane gas power plants.
It is subsidizing new gas power plants
Why should Texans subsidize the building of gas power plants that could cost up tot $18 Billion in taxpayer funds.
Will this ensure that gas power plants don’t hike rates for Texans?
Prop 8 = YES Creating a “broadband infrastructure fund”
We need to expand broadband internet across Texas.
Internet access is a must have utility in this day and age and we need all Texans to have access.
This bill compliments Federal funds from the Biden administration toward the expansion of broadband
Prop 9 = YES Cost of Living increase for retired teachers. Why: what are you, a monster? they haven’t had a raise in 25 yrs and some of them live on less than $1000 per month!
Prop 10 = NO Cancel sales tax on biomedical equipment
Medical manufacturers will get property tax relief and cost school districts $43 Million in 2024 and 60 Million in 2028 in funds. These lost funds will not be recouped and more Texas families will have to cover the gap.
So medical manufacturers will get a tax break, public schools won’t get funded and you will have to pay the difference as taxpayers.
Prop 11 = YES* Allowing El Paso to raise funds for Parks and Rec. Why: because parks and rec help the environment, mental health and they want it. for these local bills it has to pass 50% in the whole state AND 50% in the effected county.
Prop 12 = NEUTRAL* Allowing Galveston to abolish the role of Treasurer. (note: Representive Rosenthal thinks this should be a NO). the current treasurer in galveston who was voted in is actively trying to abolish the role and isn’t taking a salary. like el paso, it needs to get 50% in the whole state and 50% in the affected county
Prop 13 = NEUTRAL Increasing the mandatory retirement age for judges. my personal instinct is YES to term limits, but I haven’t looked through the roster of judges and their leanings. I know that there was a joke during the trump administration that they were apppointing judges straight off the harvard conservative relay race team. so if all the liberal judges are older, and all the conservative judges are like 30… maybe we should raise the age?
Prop 14 = YES Creation of “Centenial Parks Restoration Fund” why: i bet we have more parking than parks in texas.
School funding in Texas is complicated, very complicated. Voting to support our schools, students, and teachers is easy.
This is a no brainer. You can get a substantial tax cut AND help our school district! Let me explain as if I am an idiot when it comes to Texas school funding, and I am. (I tried to take the online class provided by CCISD. I failed.)
Texans are going to vote in favor of the Texas Constitutional Amendment 4 which will lower their taxes by a substantial amount. This is going to pass even though it is actually a bad idea, but that doesn’t matter. The CCISD Propositions include a VATRE (Voter Approved Tax Rate Election) and two bond elections. Voting for the VATRE will take a small portion of the large tax cut and put it back into CCISD schools. The proposed upgrades to CCISD are detailed extensively here. (Go ahead and read it. I’ll wait.)
In the end it is a win-win situation. We get a tax cut and CCISD gets needed improvements to campuses across CCISD. Remember these improvements were studied by a group of individuals from the community, provided to the CCISD Board and were recommended to the voters for approval. That approval begins tomorrow.
The propositions are supported by the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership. It’s a good deal. Let’s take it.
In a nutshell. I’m working on why I would vote this way for each listed below. I have posted my reasoning for City Races.
Houston City Council Mayor: John Whitmire Controller: Dave Martin District E: Martina Lemond Dixon At Large 1: Conchita Reyes At Large 2: Nick Hellyar At Large 3: Richard Cantu At Large 4: Leticia Plummer At Large 5: Sallie Alcorn
Let’s just jump in. Early voting starts tomorrow, Oct 23.
Mayor: Senator John Whitmire. I’m not happy that Whitmire received support from MAGAt Mattress Mac but we are at a time where the constant bickering needs to stop between various parts of the city. I believe Whitmire can make progress on that issue. He has the experience to do the job. He has a record of successfully reaching across the aisle to make progress, something many “Progressives” forget to do. Whitmire has championed progressive causes and has delivered throughout his career again something “Progressives” seem to have forgotten. I’m hoping his experience will result in a stronger police force while providing protection for all the citizens of Houston. I’m hoping for fair pay for our Firefighters. I’m also hoping that my recycling bin is picked up on time!
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has the experience to run the city. Unfortunately, like it or not, deserving or not, the Congresswoman is a lightning rod for the right much like Ted Cruz is for the left. But unlike Ted Cruz I doubt she would get boo-ed at a parade. Lee comes from a Congressional district that she can and has won by simply putting her name on the ballot. Houston is different, diverse, and unfortunately she will drive out the crazies to vote against her and will work against her if elected. If she doesn’t win I have to wonder if she would put her name on the ballot for re-election in her Congressional district. She would win.
Controller. Council Member Dave Martin. I’ve said my peace about the candidates. I initially thought the Deputy Controller, Shannon Nobles, was the best candidate and on paper she still is but she had an opportunity to screen with the Houston Chronicle but declined. It’s bothering enough for me to tip to Dave Martin. Martin has what it takes to be Controller. He has the formal education in accounting, the accounting background in the corporate world, and 8 years serving as Chair of the Budget Committee for the city of Houston. As I have said before, if you need someone to represent you in court hire a lawyer. If you need someone to manage your $6 Billion budget hire an accountant. Martin is an accountant. Chris Hollins is a lawyer. QED
District E (Clear Lake): Martina Lemond Dixon. She has the experience. She is well qualified to be a Council Member. She is a Republican but one that I believe everyone could work with in a non partisan way. She is by far the most qualified of the two running. Endorsed by the Houston Chronicle.
At Large 1: Conchita Shelly Reyes. An excellent candidate. Endorsed by the Houston Chronicle. Young, energetic, experienced. She is a great candidate running against other great candidates like Leah Wolfthal.
At Large 2: Nick Hellyar. There are some great candidates in this race including Holly Vilaseca, Marina Coryat and Danielle Bass but Nick, not only has a slew of endorsements, he has the applicable experience to be productive on day one. He is endorsed by the Chronicle.
At Large 3: Richard Cantu. Cantu has an excellent list of endorsements including Sheriff Gonzalez, Commissioners Garcia and Briones, Congresswoman Garcia, and many, many more. He has excellent experience with the City of Houston and is currently an elected official with the Harris County Department of Education. Endorsed by the Houston Chronicle.
At Large 4: Council Member Letitia Plummer. She is the incumbent. The Houston Chronicle has recommended another term. As do I.
At Large 5: Council Member Sallie Alcorn. The best candidate of the entire bunch of candidates running for At Large Positions. Endorsed by the Houston Chronicle because she is just an awesome City Council Member. By far one of the best!
Texas Secretary of State, Jane Nelson, a Republican issued a 147 page report on the audit of the 2022 election in Harris County. In short the Republican said “The allegations of election fraud in the 2022 Harris County election are total bullshit.”.
I suggest reading the Conclusion and Finding of the audit which can be read here. There is no mention of fraud or anything that could support the allegations and multiple lawsuits made by MAGAt Mattress Mac and Alexandra del Moral Mealer. (BTW Mealer dropped her suit just prior to this audit being released.) There is nothing. At all. It just didn’t happen.
It really is strange that Mealer dropped her suit. Why didn’t she wait for the audit to be released so she could use the results in her suit claiming election fraud? Instead she drops her lawsuit. Why? Probably because she got a preliminary preliminary report. She probably was given early access to the results and did what any idiot would do, drop the suit. According to the Houston Chronicle MAGAt Mac had been vocal about the timing of the release. From the Chronicle: Nelson has been under pressure to complete the Harris County audit after receiving public criticism on social media from prominent Republicans, including former Harris County judge candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer and donor Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale.
Well, Nelson has released the report and there is no mention of fraud. Nothing. At all. The word “fraud” isn’t even in the audit. As I have said before Mealer should be sanctioned for filing a frivolous suit concerning the 2022 election and she and MAGAt Mac should just shut the living hell up and quit whining about losing the election.
Posted by johncoby 
Bay Area Houston 