Shawn Terry. Why are you running in Texas HD 108?

July 2, 2019

In 2018 Joanna Cattanach ran in Texas House District 108, in the Dallas area. She lost by only 200 votes. She immediately declared she intended to run again. And she should.  

So why in the world would someone roll out of bed and decide to challenge her in the Democratic Primary? That is a question that voters in HD108 should be asking Shawn Terry. According to the Dallas Morning News Terry has entered the race and claims to have a great start to fundraising:

AUSTIN — A new Democratic challenger to Dallas Rep. Morgan Meyer says he’s raised $235,000 in the past five months, setting up a potentially well-funded effort against the three-term GOP incumbent.

On Monday, Shawn Terry, an investment banker from Uptown, announced his campaign for House District 108, which is anchored in the Park Cities and also includes downtown, the Arts District and East Dallas.

Terry would be only the 2nd openly gay legislator if elected. His voting record will be looked at closely as well as his campaign finance reports due July 15. It just bothers the shit out of me that someone would jump into a race when we had a very successful and promising campaign in 2018 with a promising candidate. Why pick this race? Why make the candidate raise and spend money in a primary instead of supporting the Democrat in the general?

Ego and possibly republican backing might be the reason.

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Posted by johncoby

Houston Firefighters Union might want a mulligan on Boykins

July 1, 2019
From CigarSnobMag.com

Oh. My. Gawd. This isn’t going to end well.

Just 2 days after entering the race for Mayor the Houston Fire Fighters Union endorsed City Councilman Dwight Boykins over Tony Buzbee. They might want to take a mulligan after Boykins performance at a Youth Advocacy Summit organized by OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates and Mi Familia Vota. As reported by ABC 13:

“He was telling us we should keep our legs closed, that we shouldn’t taint ourselves,” said 16-year-old Khloe. “In a way, saying that we should stay pure because otherwise, in the future, other men won’t want us.”

And it got worse. And there is a video. I’m not a fan of Boykins for Mayor. I feel he tried to jump on the Pay Parity issue for the Fire Fighters for political gain. The Union prematurely endorsed him because of their disdain for Mayor Turner. This was a real bad performance by Boykins. He did issue an apology:

Over the course of my career, I have always been plain-spoken and have always spoke from my heart, especially where it involves laying a positive path forward for our youth. That was my sole objective recently when I was asked to speak to a group of students about their future hopes and dreams. During the discussion, I shared my perspective on life and the importance of staying focused while avoiding some of the pitfalls that far too often plague many of our youth, a message I have delivered to groups around the city. My words were met to inspire and I deeply regret the extent to which they caused anyone hurt or discomfort. That was never my intention, and to anyone who may have taken offense by what I said, I apologize.

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Boo Birds for Buzbee

July 1, 2019

That didn’t end well. Let’s give the Democrats a thumbs up for a job well done!

Tony Buzbee is just like Donald Trump. He is a politically ignorant candidate running for political office. He isn’t doing very well so far. He courted the Houston Fire Fighters Union for months only to be passed over for City Councilman Dwight Boykins just 2 days after he entered the race. On Saturday Buzbee should have known that his appearance at the Harris County Democratic Party Executive Committee meeting would not end well. It didn’t and he got his feelings hurt. Hundreds of Democrats representing the party gave Buzbee the respect he deserves.

Buzbee has been a major contributor to Trump and republicans. From a previous post:

In 2016 Buzbee gave the Trump Victory Fund $250,000. He held a fundraiser for Trump at his home in River Oaks. He donated $35,000 to Trump’s PAC and $165,000 to the RNC. He then donated $500,000 to Trump’s inauguration. 

But that is not all. Since 2015 Buzbee has become the sugar daddy of a number of state parties donating $110,000 to the Republican Party in 11 different states. He has donated over $1,000,000 to various candidates including $308,000 to Greg Abbott and $80,000 to Rick Perry.He is clearly running a loud mouth, in your face, type of campaign, again just like Trump.

So his attendance at the CEC meeting was appropriately welcomed with loud boos and was heckled on his way out.
Buzbee tucked tail and ran to his Facebook page to whine about the event. It was almost like he didn’t understand why he wouldn’t be welcomed. Maybe he ought to try attending the Republican Party CEC meeting after bankrolling the Democrats successful effort to wipe out their judges.

On the Democratic side Buzbee helped the party wipe out the Republican judges in Harris County with his $90,000 donation to the Harris County Democratic Party not including the $20,000 to their Federal PAC in 2018. He also donated $176,178 to Democratic Judicial Candidates. Every one of them won.

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Why do you have to be a dick about everything: Galveston County Young Republicans

June 26, 2019

Every now and then you have to ask the question “Why do you have to be a dick about everything?”.

The Republican Party is raising a new crop of dicks in Galveston County. Joining the bag of dicks which include Trump, Louie Gohmert, Sid Miller, and the Harris County Republican Party, the Galveston County Young Republicans reached down into their pants and whip out the following:

Children are dying, locked up in filthy cages not fit for a dog, and they think this is funny, cute. Congratulations to the GCYR for joining the bag of dicks.

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Movie Review: Ma and The Dead Don't Die

June 25, 2019

Do yourself a favor.

If you intend to go see either one of these movies do yourself a favor. Buy a bucket of popcorn. Watch the movie. Put the bucket on your head. Then walk out of the theatre. The bucket will hide your identity and protect you from ridicule.

Ma was just plain awful. Why Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer, would stoop to this level of movie is beyond me. Think back to when you were a senior in high school and your friend that is 3 years older keeps coming back to your school and your parties. Now add 30 years to that age difference. Not only is Octavia stuck in the past but most of her high school buddies are too. It is just an incredibly brain dead movie.

Then there was The Dead Don’t Die. Watch the trailer. Add a flying saucer beaming up a ninja warrior in the middle of a field of zombies. And top it off with a predictable ending. It doesn’t end well. The movie has a boatload of stars including Adam Driver, Bill Murray, Selena Gomez, and more. They all suck in this movie. You will have to force a loud laugh to convince you that the $10 you paid wasn’t wasted. It was. It will be if you see it. The trailer is all you need to watch.

So far the summer has sucked for movies.

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Don't cry for me Jonathon Stickland.

June 24, 2019

Texas State Representative Johnathon Stickland has read the writing on the wall. He can see the Blue Tsunami coming for him in November and has the dogs nipping at his heals. So like the coward he is he has decided to run. Away. He will not seek another term for the Texas State House.

But, don’t cry for Stickland. For his 8 years of doing the “Lord’s work”, part-time at that, he will receive a hefty $23,000 pension per year starting at the age of 60. A Texas teacher making $50,000/year must work 20 full time years to receive the exact same amount.

For his 8 years of accomplishing very little, sitting on his fat ass, passing a bill allowing gun nuts to carry loaded assault weapons in the street, and killing a bill that would ban chaining of dogs in the hot sun, Stickland will be receiving almost $2000/month for the rest of his fat life.

May the dogs hound you for the rest of your fat fucking life.

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Tuesday June 25: Local Pollution and Your Health Forum

June 24, 2019

Attend the “Local Pollution and Your Health” Forum this Tuesday June 25 at Bay Area Community Center at 6:30 pm to find out critical information for you and your family.

Find out more about forum at Eventbrite https://tinyurl.com/y6h9v89p

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It you can't follow the law: Bill King

June 24, 2019

This isn’t Bill King’s first rodeo.

Bill King ran for Mayor of Houston 4 years ago. You would think his campaign would know that the “Political Advertisement Paid for by” requirement applies to all candidates. King’s campaign was in the neighborhood putting out door hangers without the necessary disclosure requirement. King might want to review the following section of Title 15 Election Code:

Sec. 255.001. Required Disclosure on Political Advertising
(a) A person may not knowingly cause to be published, distributed, or broadcast political advertising containing express advocacy that does not indicate in the advertising:
    (1) that it is political advertising; and
    (2) the full name of: 
      (A) the person who paid for the political advertising;
      (B) the political committee authorizing the political advertising; or
      (C) the candidate or specific-purpose committee supporting the candidate, if the political advertising is authorized by the candidate.


If you can’t follow the laws yourself, how can we trust you to make the laws for us?

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Breaking: Trump calls for draft for war in Iran

June 24, 2019

President Donald J. Trump calls for a draft to prepare for war with Iran

 Foreign Policy Issued on: 
On June 24, 2019, by Executive Order 13466, the President declared a national emergency, with respect to a potential war with Iran, and pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act has called for a draft to replenish and maintain the strength of our military forces.

The President has called upon the Director of the Selective Service System, Donald Benton, to develop the rules for a draft including guidelines for deferments, medical situations, and exemptions for family care givers. The President has provided the following comments:

“Because of the endless wars by the Obama Administration our military service men are spread too thin. They have fought courageously through multiple tours. It is time to replenish their ranks especially with an inevitable war with Iran. The Director should set guidelines for the draft to include men and women, no deferments of any kind, and a tax for families who cannot participate in war time activities. The only exception should be for family care givers.”

The President’s guideline also include a tax on families that do not send their family members into battle in order to help pay for the war. Students drafted while in college would finish their semester and return after their tour of duty. High school graduates would begin immediately if selected. Everyone will participate in some fashion.

“Under my plan every single family in America would be able to perform their patriotic duty in the war in Iran by fighting or paying for the war. The 2nd Amendment Patriots of America who enjoy walking the streets dressed as a soldier and carrying an assault rifle can now walk in the streets of Iran serving their country with a taxpayer provided weapon. Even those with bone spurs can now participate and serve their country.” 
DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,
June 21, 2019.

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Combined Primary Voting Locations

June 22, 2019

I had the opportunity to meet with the Harris County Clerk, Diana Trautman, and her staff to discuss combined primary voting locations. Her staff provided a demonstration of the proposed process which included a complete voting location setup with voting machines, check in tables, and the staff needed to conduct the demonstration. The demo was conducted very professionally. Great job to the entire office!

Current process
A voter enters a voting location, selects the line for their party, declares their intentions to vote in that primary, checks in, and votes. Each different process is operated by the members of that particular party.

Combined Primary Locations
The new process is operated by both parties, sitting side by side. There are no different lines for different parties. Everyone, just like in general voting, stands in the same line. Once they check in they will be asked to select which party they intend to vote in. (see pic below) This choice is presented to the voter on the iPad. The ballot is presented to the voter at the voting booth based upon the party choice.

Advantages of the new process

  1. It saves the county an estimated $285,000. Who can possibly be against that?
  2. The Voter’s party preference is protected from disclosure to others in line. 
  3. Voters of the minority party in the voting location would not be intimidated by the longer lines of the majority party.
  4. In the current process the dominant party of a voting location may use the entire voting location sending the minority party somewhere else. Case in point here in Clear Lake a minority party location was established 5 miles away from their usual voting location. 
  5. It makes it easier to vote and to participate in the process

Disadvantages of the new process?
I asked this question of the Clerk and staff. They could not identify any disadvantages. I have heard the Republican Party is concerned about solving a problem that doesn’t exist. This coming from the party that gave us Voter ID laws to address a problem that doesn’t existed. The Chair of the Republican Party had to dig deep to find something to complain about and it was based on incorrect information:

“The Democrat County Clerk’s proposed joint primary elections would empower the bureaucrats and, worse, let one party’s workers run the other party’s primary election that to selects its candidates, running the risk of disenfranchising, inconveniencing, and confusing voters.”

Whats next?
The primaries are the responsibility of each party. The Clerk’s office provides the equipment and support for the voting process. This new process must be approved by each party. Currently one party, the Democratic Party, is on board. The Republican Party is not. Hopefully that will change.

The bottom line
This process saves tax payers money. It’s more secure. It makes it easier for people to participate in the process. Who can possibly against that?

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