The bakers who are claiming “Religious freedom” to deny building a cake for a gay couple are hypocrites. They have no problem building a cake for those who are repeat wedding planners. The issue has nothing to do with religion. Nothing. It has everything to do about being a dick.
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Posted by johncoby
It’s getting hard to make this stuff up.
Donald Trump, the President of the United States of America, said that tens of thousands of hurricane Harvey victims took their boats out into the Gulf of Mexico to watch the hurricane requiring the Coast Guard to rescue them. Really. He said that. I am not making this stuff up! In fact here is the Houston Chronicle:
“Sixteen thousand people, many of them in Texas, for whatever reason that is. People went out in their boats to watch the hurricane,” Trump said. “That didn’t work out too well.”
Look, if you have ever read my blog you know I like satire. Like the press release that named a sewer facility after Congressman Louie Gohmert:
We searched far and wide looking for an individual who was capable of representing the essence of this facility. Gohmert has the necessary skills to sit down and make shit up. His has what it takes for many of his constituents to refer to him as simply as an asshole.
In the future I will work to uphold the laws of the State, the word of the Lord, and the wisdom of family values and will use other words like bitch or whore.
But this is NOT satire! Trump actually said that! He also claimed the Prime Minister of Canada burnt down the White House! Again, I am not kidding! From The New York Times:
But on Wednesday, CNN reported that the 206-year-old war figured prominently in a discussion between President Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada on May 25. According to CNN’s unnamed sources, Mr. Trump asked Mr. Trudeau, “Didn’t you guys burn down the White House?”
Even Texas Governor Greg Abbott didn’t hold back on Trumps ignorant Coast Guard comments stating “What a f*ckin moron”.
Ok. Abbott didn’t really say that, but when asked for comment, he just sat there.
Now that is satire!
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Posted by johncoby
It’s hard to make this stuff up.
For immediate release
June 6, 2018
From the desk of Sid Miller, Texas Agriculture Commissioner
As an elected official of the great State of Texas, I have a responsibility to uphold the Constitution of the United States and Texas as well as represent the Office of the Agriculture Commission. Recently I have failed in one aspect of my duties.
In the past I have used a very derogatory comment towards female political opponents. Although I cannot defend my actions I would like to provide background for consideration.
I was raised on a rural farm. We were simple people, waking at the crack of dawn, working in the hot sun, and enjoying a cold glass of lemonade at the end of a very long day. We would go to church to praise our Lord Jesus Christ our Savior on Sundays as God wanted us to. We didn’t have internet, social media, or twitter. Instead we relied on talking with our friends face to face including those we disagree with.
I went on to raise horses and ride in the rodeo. I was considered just an ole, simple minded, Christian, country bumpkin with a hat bigger than my head. Unfortunately this continues to this day resulting in my unfortunate use of the word C*** when referring to a female politician. For this I apologize.
In the future I will work to uphold the laws of the State, the word of the Lord, and the wisdom of family values and will use other words like bitch or whore.
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Posted by johncoby
My suggestion is to find a new electricity reseller immediately. From KPRC:
HOUSTON – After nearly 20 years in business in the state of Texas, it’s lights out for Breeze Energy.The Electric Reliability Council of Texas pulled the plug on the power provider Wednesday after it learned the company was not meeting mandated financial requirements to remain feasible.But that also meant the process to immediately shift nearly 10,000 customers to other providers was initiated without the rates those customers had negotiated with Breeze. Those new providers are referred to as “providers of last resort” or “POLR.”
The Commission has designated Providers of Last Resort (POLR) as a back-up electric service provider in each area of Texas open to competition. POLR service is relatively high-priced, due to the costs associated with planning and the risk of serving an uncertain number of customers with uncertain electricity loads. POLR service is a safety net for customers whose chosen REP is unable to continue service. This service is intended to be temporary and used only under rare circumstances when a REP is unable to provide service, or when a customer requests POLR service.
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Posted by johncoby
It is amazing who we have teaching kids in Texas. And quite sad.
A teacher has passed along this latest made up conspiracy without checking google or Snopes. Snopes has already debunked this incredible stupidity. It is sad that we actually have teachers in our state that adore this politically ignorant, racist, lying, assh*le of a human being and yet they are teaching our kids! One of these days this teacher will understand that the Republican Party does not like teachers. Or Muslims. Latinos. Workers. Police. FBI. CIA. African Americans.
This teacher has asked for this to be shared. I will.
From: XXXXXXXXXXXX
Date: May 30, 2018 at 8:06:21 PM CDT
To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Subject: Unbelievable the nerve of the Obamas
UNBELIEVABLE WHAT A CROOK.
I love our President!
Trump Just Ended Obama’s Vacation Scam.
He was going to stick us for 2.1 billion or so. Before Obama left office, he arranged with the State Department for a series of “official visits” to foreign countries, spanning the next 20 years.
[FACT CHECK FROM SNOPES: Not true. ]
Using discretionary funds from the Office of Presidential Visits and Vacations, Obama was able to weasel what would have been another $2.1 billion in free vacations for him and up to 24 members of his family plus staff and a dog sitter until the year 2036.
He would have, that is, had he not lost his office to Donald Trump. Trump, who is always looking for ways to save money, was having the office used for vacations repainted when he was presented with a ledger that contained all of the Obama travel plans and expenses.
[ FACT CHECK: Trump has spent more time playing golf in his first year than Obama has in 8 years for a total of over $68 million]
The ledger was found by one of the workers Trump hired from outside the typical White House staff to make alterations.
Trump immediately canceled the plans and recalled all Secret Service agents scheduled to protect the Obamas anywhere outside of the United States The Obamas are also facing another new challenge at the hands of Trump. They’re going to have to repay the government for all of those vacations that weren’t official state business. The bill, after some small allowances, for days that were possibly work related, is for $214 million. Of the 692 days the Obamas spent on vacation, almost none included any work at all. They ate, slept and golfed and Michelle was given shopping allowances from the Office of Discretionary Gifting Funds, which is supposed to be used to buy presents for visiting dignitaries. It’s just one scandal after another with these people.
Share this. Keep draining the swamp, most Americans do appreciate it.
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Posted by johncoby
Nothing like treating the symptoms instead of addressing the cause.
After a couple of round table meetings Greg Abbott has come up with some ideas for protecting kids at school from gun violence.
“I believe the only way to stop gun violence in our schools is to arm all of our teachers and high school seniors. If they are old enough to vote, they are old enough to carry.”
If you have read my blog in the past you can probably guess, Abbott didn’t say exactly that, but please do not give him any ideas! Abbott is a white wing NRA gun nut and will do whatever will promote more guns in society no matter who gets killed, including our children and friends.
This entire “school safety” misses the point of the gun violence epidemic. Gun violence is not restricted to only one location. It’s in churches (Sutherland), Movie Theaters (Aurora), night clubs (Orlando), concerts (Las Vegas), restaurants (Luby’s), military bases (Ft Hood), baseball fields (Congressional baseball game), Universities (UT Austin, Virginia Tech), public streets( Dallas police shootings) and public schools (Columbine, Sandy Hook, Parkland, and now Santa Fe). His solutions will not stop the violence. From the Houston Chronicle:
Beefing up armed security, fortifying school entrances and enhancing mental health services are among the options Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to unveil Wednesday in his effort to make Texas schools safer amid a rash of mass shootings.
How will arming teachers protect everyone else from gun violence? And who is going to pay for metal detectors, mental health services, and armed guards? We can’t even pay our teachers fairly. If Abbott was serious about his wide eyed ignorant gun nut ideas he would be calling for arming teachers, altar boys, waitresses, umpires, professors, and high schools seniors. And even if you can put aside my snide comments and satire, how will arming teachers and installing metal detectors stop someone from driving up and shooting the high school band as they practice? Or the football team? How will that stop someone from ripping up a School bus filled with students?
Abbott and his gun nut buddies once again has used the deaths of 10 students and teachers as a way to distract from the real cause of gun violence. Guns.
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Posted by johncoby
This is hard to make up.
From the Washington Post:
AUSTIN, Texas — Sen. Ted Cruz’s re-election campaign is sending fundraising letters in envelopes marked “Summons Enclosed — Open Immediately,” suggesting they could contain court appearance orders.
Instead the Cruz campaign is asking for donations to his campaign. You have to wonder why Ted Cruz would target only those in San Antonio. He didn’t send the notice to potential donors in Houston or Dallas. Instead he only focused on San Antonio. Maybe it has to do with his latest appearance and selfie taken from game 7 of the Rockets, Warriors game. Cruz attended. We lost. He left early. The “Summons” letter was considered a threat to Spurs fans, and San Antonio loves their 5 time world champions.
“Spurs fans should seriously consider giving to Ted Cruz for Senate or risk the possibility of Cruz buying Spurs season tickets and attending every game.”
Fundraising from the summons letter has been brisk. “No one likes Ted. Stay in Houston.”
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Posted by johncoby
I bought a new home back in 1989. It was pretty exciting until the Tropical Storm Chantell hit just 4 months later. Water poured through the windows causing considerable damage to my home and about 400 others in the neighborhood. This event and the lack of consumer protection in the State drove me to my first meeting of the Bay Area New Democrats (BAND).
Over the next few years I became involved with an organization called Homeowners for Better Building (HOBB) and Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings (HADD). Both were volunteer organizations. Over a period of about 10 years I became a self proclaimed consumer activist. On my own time and money I attended many hearings in Austin and took time to meet with elected officials and their staff concerning consumers rights and defects in new homes. Later we expanded into home insurance, the abuse of arbitration, and electricity deregulation. Over the years I have written many Op-Eds for papers across the state on consumer issues.
In the late 90’s I attended by first BAND meeting and became a Democratic activist. I later became Vice President then President of the organization. In 2008 I worked extensively on a local State Representative race. I have been active in the Democratic Party since.
I began blogging over 10 years ago. Since I have recently retired I intend to pick up the pace of my posts and restart my “Raising/Spending Campaign Cash” series. In the past I had filed about 50 ethics complaints which eventually resulted in changes to the Texas Ethics Commission’s handling of reporting expenses on charge cards. I have many interesting stories to tell about elected officials spending habits. Ask if interested,
I will continue to blog on politics, consumer issues, ethics, and since I am retired, NASA issues also. Enjoy the reading and thanks for following!
John R. Cobarruvias
johncoby@sbcglobal.net
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Posted by johncoby
Now that the primaries are over….
For the first time in 10 years we have candidates for Senate, Congress, State House, and Commissioner and they all have some great experience. Here are our candidates for the Bay Area:
Dayna Steele for Congress. Dayna is running against the ghost Congressman, Brian Babin. Dayna is a different candidate. She is fun, full of excitement, and dedicated to her campaign and those she is talking to. Unlike her opponent, Dayna is reaching out to voters in the district to understand their issues that are important to them. You can find more information about Dayna at https://daynasteele36.com
Alex Karjeker for State Representative. Alex is running against NRA endorsed Dennis Paul. Like Babin, Dennis is a ghost representative, refusing to meet with his constituents unless it is in a very controlled environment. Alex is a young candidate but has
excellent experience in Austin with legislation and in Washington DC. You can find more information about Alex at https://www.alexkforthebay.com/about-alex/
Adrian Garcia for Harris County Commissioner Precinct 2. Adrian served the city as a member of the Police Force, then as a City Council Member, and then as the Sheriff of Harris County. Adrian has plenty of experience and could begin serving the community quickly if elected. You can find more information about Adrian at https://adriangarcia.com
Along with our local candidates, we have a great slate of candidates for positions within Harris County. More on that later.
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Posted by johncoby
After Trump cancels the North Korea Summit, Texas Congressman Pete Olson and Brian Babin speaks to the media concerning the fate of their nomination of Donald Trump to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Congressman Babin and I had worked very hard to draft a letter of recommendation to the Nobel Peace Prize committee nominating President Trump for his leadership in denuclearization of North Korea. Because of his leadership the regime was to sit at the table with the great negotiator in Chief and agree to stop his nuclear program, something no President has ever done. Unfortunately the President cancelled the Summit.
Because of this we ask the Committee to please disregard the letter and immediately destroy it before anyone identifies the idiots who signed it, including Babin and I. It is clear the President is a political dolt and can’t negotiate his way out of a paper bag. He has made us look like fools. Again. What idiot will ever trust this president again, besides Brian Babin?
Babin and I both feel as lonely as a boner in a strip joint.
Pete Olson and Brian Babin are being challenged in the 2018 election.
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Posted by johncoby
Bay Area Houston 