Judge Lina Hidalgo endorses in DAs race. Why?

November 14, 2023

Why now?

Newsflash! Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo does not like Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg! I don’t know who is advising the Judge but she might want to consider a shake up in staff. This endorsement of Kim Ogg’s primary opponent, at this time, looks petty. It is appreciated, but it looks petty and in this day and age of politics looks, unfortunately, rules.

Why now? We are over 3 months away from the primary. Ogg and Hidalgo are coming off yet another round of fighting after the Texas Rangers continued their investigation of the failed COVID contract and with the Harris County Democratic Party moving to admonish Ogg. (Adding to the unnecessary drama) Endorsing Ogg’s opponent is ill timed. It doesn’t help anyone at this time. There is only one person who has entered the primary against Ogg at this time. What if another enters the race? Maybe one that Hidalgo would rather endorse?

If you have been paying attention, or reading the Houston Chronicle, there is a major disconnect between Hidalgo and Ogg. Both have attacked each other at Commissioners meetings, in public, and in print. The Chronicle is loving the infighting, so are the republican MAGAts. Throwing support to Ogg’s opponent at this time is really uncalled for. Why poke the bear? Why throw gas on the fire? Why now?

Ogg isn’t without blame. She has created a very bad look for the office. Many of her issues with Hidalgo, whether valid or not, could have been handled more discreetly, more professionally. Her role in the primary against well qualified attorneys was disturbing. Her reported use of her office against her opponents is also disturbing. It all looks petty.

And we all know looks rule.


CliffsNotes: 2022 Election Fraud Judgement

November 13, 2023

Bottom line? You lost. Get over it.

I took one for the team again and read the Final Judgement Denying Election Contest. This was concerning the lawsuit filed by 21 losers candidates for Harris County judicial positions in 2022. You can read the entire judgement here if interested. My notes are below.

  • Lawsuits were filed in 21 races
  • This was a “test” case between Tamika Craft and Erin Lunceford and resulted in dismissing the others
  • Lunceford lost by 2743 votes
  • The Judge concluded “For the reasons stated below, the court has found many mistakes and violations of the Election Code by the Harris County Elections Administration Office (“EAO”) and other election officials. But the court holds that not enough votes were put in doubt to justify voiding the election for the 189th District Court and ordering new one.”
  • After investigating mail in ballots, Statements of Residence, shortage of ballots, etc, the Judge determined 2779 were affected but did not result in overturning any election.
  • The Harris County Elections Administration Office (EAO) did not provide enough ballots for some voting locations. The Judge was highly critical of this error and said the estimation process was in violation of the law.
  • HE DID NOT ADDRESS the republican judges at the voting locations waiting till the last hour (literally) to ask for more ballots. The entire issue would have been averted if the EAO had estimated better and the judges had done their damn job.
  • Because of the lack of ballots the Judge found that 2600 voters left the polling location due to a shortage of ballots. The judge estimates that between 250-850 voters who left the polling location had failed to vote.
  • One election worked claims that a voter spit on her when the voter learned of the shortage. (I’m calling bullshit)
  • 966 Statement of Residence were illegal votes and should not have been counted
  • 36 Mail in ballots lacked a required signature and 9 were mailed in too late. (How did the Board who screen these ballots with a republican and democrat team miss this?)
  • 380 out of 532 challenged Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID), meaning they had no valid photo ID, should not have been counted. (Again WTF? The election judges should have caught these)
  • 7 Ballot By Mail (BBM) should not have been counted due to signature problems
  • Evidence that 2000 votes by voters whose registration was cancelled was submitted but 1995 of these were cancelled AFTER the election. 5 votes should not have been counted.

In conclusion. You lost. Get over it.


Mattress Mac’s frivolous election fraud lawsuits dismissed!

November 10, 2023

Womp. Womp.

The multiple frivolous lawsuits filed by Harris County Republicans and MAGAt Mattress Mac claiming election fraud that led to Democratic wins have been dismissed. Here is what the Houston Chronicle said this morning:

However, after an eight-day trial in which Lunceford’s legal team did not provide testimony from any disenfranchised voters, Judge David Peeples, a visiting judge from Bexar County, ruled the results of the race were legitimate. 

In a 36-page ruling, Peeples said he found Harris County had made “many mistakes and violations of the Election Code.” “But the court holds that not enough votes were put in doubt to justify voiding the election for the 189th District Court and ordering a new one,” Peeples concluded.

The lawsuits included Alexandra Mealer against Lina Hidalgo who dropped her suit a few weeks ago as did republican judicial candidates Dan Spjut, and Sartaj Bal. Only 1 of the multiple lawsuits are still pending that being the race between Republican Tami Pierce and Democrat DaSean Jones. That race was very close. DaSean is a self proclaimed “democratic socialist”. It might be better for him to lose and be back on the ballot in 2024.

But….the suits are over. The election deniers will appeal. They will continue being election deniers. They will still file frivolous lawsuits. Hopefully the plaintiffs will demand lawyer fees. All the judges who were sued had to pay their own legal fees. Lawyers were banned from providing free legal aid to the defendants. The Harris County Attorney was not allowed to represent them. So they had to raise money or pay for their fees from their own pockets. It was a brilliant and frivolous lawsuit by the Republican Party and they should be sanctioned.

You lost. Get over it.


When right wing bloggers attack. Literally

November 4, 2023
Democrats, steer clear of Taylor!

What is with all the violence in the Republican Party?

A right wing blogger, Aubrey Taylor, who publishes an online publication called Houston Business Connections, (It’s a blog) was indicted yesterday for assaulting the chair of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee campaign. He has ties to Steven Hotze an extreme far right influencer of the Harris County Republican Party who also has been charged with a felony, although much more serious. From The Texas Tribune:

Conservative activist Steven Hotze on Wednesday was indicted on two felony charges related to his alleged involvement in an air conditioning repairman being held at gunpoint in 2020 during a bizarre search for fraudulent mail ballots that did not exist, according to his attorney, Gary Polland.

A former Houston Policeman held an AC repairman at gun point because he thought the truck had thousands of illegal mail in ballots. He was also indicted. The AC repairman has filed a civil suit. This is some strange shit involving the US Marshalls, Texas Lt Governor Dan Patricks brother, and a recorded phone call. Do yourself a favor and read The Washington Post article.

Back to Aubrey Taylor. Taylor is accused of harassing and assaulting a 66 year old volunteer with the Lee campaign at the campaign office. Taylor is a relatively young buck. He has been charged with a felony assault of an elderly person. Taylor has retained Jared Woodfill as his attorney for a civil suit claiming he knocked the shit out of the old man in self defense. Jared is also representing Hotze. Jared was once the Chair of the Harris County Republican Party. Jared himself has had a run in with the law resulting in a raid by the FBI.

How fucked up is this? I mean seriously. As a blogger I’ve been known to be a bit extreme. I might have cussed the living shit out of State Representative Dennis Paul in the greenbelt behind my house after the Uvalde shooting but I would never resort to knocking the shit out of him. I mean, come on! Who does that?

This ought to be interesting. In the meantime Democrats should steer clear of this dude.


The Battle of Bay Oaks. Part II

October 30, 2023

So how does Bay Oaks fit into Exploration Green?

The Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) is proposing to widen the waterway of Horsepen Bayou running through the west end of Bay Oaks. Much like Exploration Green it will provide flood control as well as a beautiful area for hikers, bikers, and families. HCFCD has a great record of achievement thoughout the area with new trails, trees, and flood mitigation. It’s a win-win for everyone, but there are those who are against progress and improvements.

Unfortunately in this day and age misrepresenting the facts has become a very powerful tool much like the Big Lie about the 2020 elections. Much like those who opposed Exploration Green the Bay Oaks a group within the Community Association has sounded the alarm about the development. Whether they are misrepresenting the facts or not will be determined later but it’s clear they do not want this development to happen. According to their latest newsletter it’s gloom and doom for the area including displacing wildlife and “bald eagles” and ignoring an alternative design much like the Friends of the Old Golf Course proposed when opposing Exploration Green.

I found this to be very interesting for a number of reasons. It’s like Exploration Green all over again only with an anti-government twist. The very existence of the HCFCD is to control flooding as their name says. This project is to do just that and more. It’s good to have a healthy mistrust of government but it has to be fair and truthful. Yes, just like Exploration Green the development of the area will be uncomfortable but the result will be worth it. With all the great work the HCFCD has done in the last 10 years it is hard to think they are purposing destroying the natural habitat of the endangered Country Clubber.

This should be interesting to watch. From the Bay Oaks Community Newsletter:


Secretary of State makes it official: No fraud in 2022 Harris County election

October 20, 2023

Whomp. Whomp.

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.

You lost. Get over it.


Harris County Dept of Education Trustee fined $40,000 by Ethics Commission

October 4, 2023

What the hell is happening at the Dept of Education?

I filed two ethics complaints against former candidate for City Council Eric Dick. I truly expected a slap on the wrist, a small fine, and a promise from Dick to not do it again. Instead he received a record fine of $30,000, which he has not paid since 2021 and another $10,000 just last week.

The Ethics Commission rarely fines anyone $10,000 much less $30,000. The largest fine ever imposed was against former Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole for $75,000. Eversole is now (or was) a paid lobbyist for the Harris County Department of Education. WTF?

Yesterday the Houston Chronicle wrote about Dick’s latest fine. The first line took me by surprise:

Attorney and Harris County Department of Education Trustee Eric Dick faces $40,000 in fines for campaign finance violations after the Texas Ethics Commission recently tacked on another $10,000 penalty.

Dick is a Trustee with HCDE? Turns out Dick was going to run for one of the HCDE positions after he lost his race for Harris County Treasurer. He filed an assignment of treasurer in May of 2022 then pulled out in July. But….the Trustees appointed Dick to an empty seat in January of 2023! So the two elected officials with the two top fines by the Texas Ethics Commission now works, or worked, for the Harris County Department of Education.

Wow. In the words of George W. Bush: Rarely do we ask, is our children learning?


On her first day back Judge Lina Hidalgo should resign

October 1, 2023

I hate to write this.

I’ve been a Democrat ever since 1992. I’ve been involved with the party for over 30 years so it deeply pains me to call for the resignation of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.

Hidalgo entered politics in 2018 with an upset victory over Judge Ed Emmett by the sim margin of only 1000 votes. I was skeptical of her lack of political or elected experience especially when running against Emmett, who was very experienced, knowledgeable, and performed honorably. It was his race to lose, and he did. He took the 29-year-old, inexperienced candidate too lightly and lost.

Hidalgo, within months of her inauguration was faced with significant challenges including the freeze of 2021, the chemical tank fires near Deer Park, and especially the COVID pandemic. In every instance she handled the challenges with leadership and poise. During the pandemic Hidalgo provided what was sorely missing from elected officials at the state and federal level, she acted like an adult. She took action to protect Houstonians by shutting down the rodeo to prevent the spread of the virus. She took tremendous criticism from the public for it especially those who make a living at the rodeo. It was a difficult, but right decision. When our county desperately needed leadership, she stood up and led.

In those few months she proved to those who doubted her, including me, that she was up to the job of running the 3rd largest county in the entire United States. In 2022 she won re-election even though being challenged with legal issues concerning COVID funding. District Attorney Kim Ogg’s, political sniping didn’t help. Ogg on several occasions has made headlines on issues that should have been handled behind the scenes and like adults. She contributed to the sometimes-bumpy road by her baseless investigation concerning voting fraud in the 2022 election. Hidalgo has had other minor issues concerning her relationships with her peers which she tends to express publicly in a not so helpful manner.

Hidalgo has since been out of the office to address a mental health issue. As anyone who has experienced depression, including me, it can slowly creep up on you and can have horrible consequences if left untreated. Hidalgo should be commended for taking that step to address the issue and seek the help she needed. She is now expected to return to the office on October 2.

On October 2 her first agenda item should be to stand up and step down as County Judge. I ask that she consider this for the sake of all her constituents in Harris County. Over the last few months we have suffered enough especially after the 2022 elections. Hidalgo beat her opponent, Alexandra Mealer by over 18,000 votes even after being out spent 5 to 1. Mealer’s donors spent nearly $10 Million dollars trying to oust her and failed. Mealer eventually conceded but on the last day to file a challenge to the election, the election denier came through with a frivolous lawsuit whining about losing the election. She has since dropped her suit.

This constant whining by Mealer, her supporters, and every election denier that yells “RIGGED!” needs to stop and the only way that can happen is for Lina Hidalgo to resign. The citizens of Harris County can then crown Mealer as the new Judge. We can put a pretty tiara on her head, present her a beautiful golden scepter, and give her a much-deserved participation trophy. We can have a parade for her with honorees like Ted Cruz, Mattress Mac, and the entire Republican Party. And the whining would stop.

For the love of all that is holy, Judge Hidalgo, please do us a huge favor and resign so we don’t have to hear Mealer and her whiny little bitches whine anymore.

Welcome to Satire Sunday.


Who filed the frivolous lawsuit against Judge Lina Hidalgo this time?

September 30, 2023

There is a League City connection.

Well leave it to the Republican Party to continue running to the court house filing more lawsuits because they lost an election. Recently Alexandra Mealer dropped her frivolous suit against Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. Even her attorneys were not happy with her. Now three plaintiffs are suing to remove Hidalgo from office even though she is scheduled to return on Monday. So who are these folks? Glad you asked.

Dave Wilson. Dave is one of those “Run for something” guys. Once he won running as a Black man. Literally. KHOU has that story. “The mailers featured “smiling African-American faces — which he readily admits he just lifted off websites — and captioned with the words, ‘Please vote for our friend and neighbor Dave Wilson'” over 24-year incumbent Bruce Austin. He won in the heavily black district by just 26 votes.”

Thomas Thrash. I can’t find anything about him on the world wide inter webs besides his property in Katy.

Thomas A. Bazan. He is listed as a Lead Testing & Removal Specialist living in Jersey Village. He is also a republican precinct chair.

Milinda M. Morris. Oh this is a doozy. Milinda was a failed candidate for Texas Senate losing by 60 points. (not a typo). She is also a member of the State Republican Executive Committee.

Tom Slocum Jr. Another doozy. Ran for Railroad Commissioner and won 14% of the vote. Graduated from Texas A&M. I wonder if he is related to Coach Slouch of A&M Football?

Keith A. Gross. The League City connection is the attorney who filed the misspelled suit, Keith A. Gross Texas Bar No. 24027357. He is a former City Council Member. You might want to check out his Yelp reviews.

The suit itself, which can be found here, is in dire need of a spell check. Hidalgo is not HILDAGO. Katy Texas is not KATEY. The suit references Texas Penal Code 22.041. What is Texas Penal Code 22.041? Glad you asked:

Texas Penal Code 22.041 Abandoning or Endangering Child. An offense under Texas Penal Code § 22.041(b) is a felony of the second degree if the alleged offender abandons the child under circumstances that a reasonable person would believe would place the child in imminent danger of death, or bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment.

Local Facebook Attorney stated “What a frivolous load of crap. These whiny little bitches just need to shut the fuck up and move on.”


It’s time to sanction Alexandra del Moral Mealer and her attorneys

September 25, 2023

As with the other lawsuits it was frivolous.

Alexandra Mealer finally dropped her lawsuit against Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo after realizing it was a baseless, frivolous case. According to the Houston Chronicle:
“The lawsuit was frivolous when she filed it, and she has wasted a tremendous amount of the County’s and the Court’s time before finally acknowledging tonight that there is no evidence to support her outlandish claims,” Manne said in a statement. 

It was frivolous just like the other 22 cases against Democratic judges who won their elections. Mealer could not identify one single voter that could not vote in the 2022 election as she alleged. She then wanted to amend her suit to claim thousands of votes were illegally counted, a claim even her own attorneys did not support.

Hidalgo was represented by an attorney who donated his services. Unfortunately by law the Democratic Judges could not receive pro bono work. They had to fundraise to pay attorney fees, funds that could not be used for re-election. It was a brilliant plan by the Harris County Republican Party and now they need to pay for it.

Mealer and her attorneys need to be sanctioned and all legal fees should be paid not only for Hidalgo’s attorneys but for all of the attorneys representation the 22 Democratic Judges. Frivolous lawsuits cannot go unpunished.

Now quit fucking whining Mealer.