The Quorum Vote at the Texas Democratic Convention

June 10, 2024

And you wonder why we lose?

While the MAGAts of the Republican Party are working to give everyone easy access to guns, destroying our faith in our judicial system, and limiting the rights of women, the delegates of the Texas Democratic Convention was arguing about having a protest vote in our primaries. It was ugly, petty, and pathetic.

There were 4 resolutions/rule changes pulled from consent and were to be debated on the floor of the convention including paying the TDP chair, supporting rank choice voting, and a rule concerning precinct chairs. There was wide support for these. Then there was the rule to add an “Uncommitted” to our presidential primary ballot much like some other states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. That stemmed from the Palestinian wing of the party.

Prior to debate the Chair declared that we did not have quorum and all hell broke loose. Hinojosa, speaking to the delegates like they were 2nd graders (some deserved that), continued to say “I will continue when you are finished.”. Eventually they were finished and the process to overturn the chair’s decision was explained, over and over again as per Roberts Rules of Order, which the convention is conducted under. So someone finally motioned to challenge the Chair, it was seconded, and we had to have a roll call vote with each Congressional District reporting yay or nay per county. We have 254 counties in Texas with 38 CDs. Three hours later, we had the vote to overturn the Chair. YEAH!

But….the vote also showed we did not meet the rules of quorum so the 3 hour process was moot and the Convention was adjourned as per the rules. During the 3 hour bitch session many delegates had to leave due to airline and bus schedules thereby breaking quorum.

This is what we argued about. A protest vote. Even if this passed what would it do besides providing negative national attention to our nominee? Go ahead and google protest vote news. I’ll wait. Much like 2016 the whiny little bitches of the Democratic Party have to have a way to publicly whine about everything or anything. If you don’t like immigration policies, protest vote. How about consumer issues? Or woman’s rights? Gay rights? Veteran issues? Gun violence? Pick your damn bottle of whine and protest vote. Give the media a great sound bite which they will exploit. Help to weaken our candidates chances of winning like you did in 2016.

How in the fuck did that work out for you, for us? The three resolutions/rule changes were good for the party and I wish we had the opportunity to vote on these. The protest vote was an embarrassment.

Grow the fuck up people.

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Posted by johncoby

Texas Senate to address rising insurance costs. Sort of….

May 14, 2024

Better late than never.

After decades of the failure of insurance reform the Texas Business and Commerce Committee in the Senate will address the rising cost of home insurance. Sort of. Lt Gov Dan Patrick has issued what is called “Interim Charges” to the Senate. Specific committees are asked to research an issue prior to the upcoming legislation session. Here is what he issued concerning home insurance:

Addressing the Rising Cost of Insurance: Assess the impact of rising property and casualty insurance costs on Texas property owners, real estate lenders, and commercial and industrial development. Identify ways to increase consumer transparency to better inform coverage decisions and make recommendations to ensure a competitive and affordable insurance market for consumers.

The entire list of charges can be viewed here. In the past the staff will solicit input from the community. They will have hearings then issue a report later in the year. I intend to provide input as well as attend the hearings. I would be very cautious about this study. The issue is clear. Our premiums are through the roof as well as our deductibles. This isnt about “transparency” or about learning how to choose an insurance company. This is about the failure of insurance reform back in 2003 that was suppose to “ensure a competitive and affordable insurance market for consumers”.

This study will be heavily influenced by the insurance industry and supporting organizations like Texans for Lawsuit Reform, and Texans Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions. TCAIS was the main organization formed to influence the 2003 reforms. They were funded by the insurance industry and claims to be advocating for consumers.

We need to keep an eye on this study.

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A guide to the Texas Democratic Convention

March 16, 2024

My first convention was in El Paso!

I’ve been to every Texas Democratic Party Convention since 1992 (or 1994). They are fun, energizing, and informative. You can find all the information for the convention at the Texas Democratic Party website texasdemocraticconvention.com. You can also sign up to be a delegate. Here is a guide for those who have never attended before.

Hotel
Book early. If you can try reserving in the host hotel, the Marriott. It’s were all the action is at. Check this website for the hotels the TDP has reserved.

Become a Delegate to the State Convention
Attend the county convention if you can. It is on March 23, Saturday. You can find information about the Harris County Convention here. Sign up to be a delegate to the State Convention. If you cannot attend the County Convention you can still be a delegate to the State. Contact your county chair.

General Schedule.
Thursday is the kickoff party.
Friday is the State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC) meeting in the morning. Various Caucus and training meetings will take place. Speeches by elected officials will take place at night.
Saturday the Congressional District Delegates will convene and elected delegates to the National Convention. There will be more speeches Saturday night. The convention ends on Saturday evening but the parties will continue.

Kick Off Party
Thursday evening is the kickoff party of the convention. I always find it to be fun. It is a fundraiser so they will have a little food and a cash bar. Usually there is a speaker or more. It’s a good way to mingle with other like minded people. Plan for dinner before or after. Lots of elected officials usually attend this party.

Check in
You will find the check in desk at the convention center. I believe we will be checking in by congressional district this year. Find your district, and check in. You will receive a ballot for electing delegates to the National Convention. You will also receive a delegate badge, then find an organization that sells a lanyard and plastic holder. They usually sell them for a few dollars. You will also receive a tote bag with a program for the weekend.

Party Business
The State Democratic Executive Committee meets on Friday. The meeting is open if you care to attend. You will get an idea of what the party does at the SDEC meetings. (hint: It’s boring)

Lady Bird Breakfast
Early in the morning on Saturday is another fundraiser. Personally I would skip it especially if you had a late night on Friday.

Petitions
Do yourself and everyone else a favor. Don’t sign any petitions to get a resolution on the floor of the convention. If a resolution is important it will go through the proper channels for resolution. Fringe groups use this tactic to get controversial subjects brought to the floor for debate and voting. It’s usually a long, drawn out process, which results in a hill of beans. I am sure there will be something concerning the Israeli/Gaza situation.

Parties and hospitality suites
Many organizations will hold parties or hospitality suites with food and drinks. Find one that interests you and go meet like minded people. The Young Democrats usually put on a good event as well as the LGBTQ organization. Elected officials, counties, cities, and others will host at a suite in a hotel or at a local bar. Look for invitations in your convention bag or advertisements.

Caucuses and training
On Friday and Saturday there will be a number of organizations that will meet up. In the past I have been disappointed because the entire 2 hours are almost taken over by candidates wanting to talk. Some orgs put the candidates at the end of business. Some are very informal and others actually conduct business of electing leadership etc. Find one and attend. I personally like the Hispanic Caucuses (yes there are multiple) and the Gun Safety Caucus. There will also be training for VAN, how to run a campaign, etc. Again find one and attend.

Exhibits
Bring some money! There will be an Exhibit Hall area selling t-shirts, lanyards, etc as well as informational booths. Many years ago I had a booth concerning consumer issues. It was a very fun way to talk with people about issues concerning new home constructions, electricity, and home insurance.

Mexico
Mexico is a short walk across the bridge. You can enjoy great food, drinks and shopping. Bring your passport, stay with a group, and verify with the State Department on travel recommendations.

Enjoy the convention! Look for me at the bar!

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Who is funding the Mexican MAGAt in Deer Park?

March 4, 2024

That’s Bianca Gracia meeting with Enrique Tarrio, head of the Proud Boys and Stewart Rhodes head of the Oath Keepers the day before the Jan 6 riot. Tarrio and Rhodes were convicted of seditious conspiracy against the United States by a unanimous vote by a jury. They are each serving over 20 years in prison.

Gracia is running for the Texas House against State Representative “Little Baby” Briscoe Cain, of Deer Park, pictured below with his mom and younger siblings. Cain was one of those republicans who voted to impeach Ken Paxton and has little if any accomplishments to brag about but as the Houston Chronicle has said:

We’re no fans of state Rep. Briscoe Cain and his botched attempt to lead the passage of a voter suppression bill, but we’ll take his buffoonery and occasional principled stand over the far edges of extremism. 

So who is funding Gracia? Since filing Gracia has raised over $173,000 which is nothing to sneeze at. $105,000 came from those giving $5,000 or more. Patrick Byrne of Utah and former CEO of Overstock, gave her $25,000. Over $100,000 came from out of state. Only $11,000 came from within Deer Park.

You can see her top donor below.

Contributor NameAmountCityState
Byrne ,Patrick25,000.00Park CityUT
Ebarb ,Travis12,000.00las vegasNV
Fromme ,Kellye10,000.00HudsonWI
The Trafalgar Group LLC8,500.00WilmingtonDE
Defiant Projects5,000.00ConroeTX
Moore ,Danny5,000.00Cripple CreekCO
Jackson ,Larry5,000.00CrosbyTX
Paolini ,Vivian5,000.00Deer ParkTX
Garza ,Lazaro5,000.00HebbronvilleTX
Pinedo ,Socorro5,000.00HesperiaCA
Elswick ,Roger5,000.00HoustonTX
Ebarb ,Travis5,000.00las vegasNV
Integrated Digital Strategies 5,000.00OrlandoFL
Integrated Digital Strategies 5,000.00OrlandoFL

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Update on the white supremacist PAC spending

February 27, 2024

They are still around.

I recently wrote about the two Texas billionaires, Timothy Dunn and Farris Wilks, who funded Defend Texas Liberty. DFT leadership was caught having a long meeting with Nick Fuentes, a known white supremacist. The backlash was brutal with calls for elected officials and candidates, including CCISD Trustee Scott Bowen, to return their contributions. The leader of DTL was fired and he changed his company’s name. DTL’s donations have dried up.

Dunn and Farris worked quickly to defund DTL and start up a new PAC called Texans United for a Conservative Majority PAC. It was formed in late 2023 and has raised, sort of, a couple of million. So far they have raised $3,928,000 with $3,740,000 coming from Wilks and Dunn and $188,000 coming from a few wannabes.

They have spent $3,300,162 trying to influence the republican primary. Here are the candidates they are supporting and the amounts they are contributing. This list includes Katrina Pierson the Trump kiss ass and Shelley Luther who lost in 2020 and 2022. She was the hairdresser, who violated the COVID restrictions, turned politician. David Covey is challenging Speaker of the House Dade Phelan. Brent Money has already lost a special election.

CandidateAmountChallenging
Andy Hopper$230,000 Lynn Stucky
David Covey$225,000 Dade Phelan
Kyle Biedermann$150,000 Dwain Handley
Mitch Little$145,000 Kronda Thimesch
David Lowe$125,000 Stephanie Klick
Katrina Pierson$115,000 Dennis London
Shelley Luther$110,000 Reggie Smith
Brent Money$85,000 Open Seat (Lost)
Marc LaHood$85,000 Shekhar sinha
Matt Morgan$50,000 Jacey Jetton
John T Perez$50,000 Mano Deayala
Wes Virdell$50,000 Open Seat
Wernick$25,000 Morgan Meyer
Helen Kerwin$15,000
Cheryl Bean$10,000 Open Seat
Joe McDaniel$10,000 
Tom Glass$10,000 
Hillary Hickland$5,000 
Janis Holt$5,000 
Stormy Bradley$5,000 
Liz Case$2,500 

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Posted by johncoby

School Board Trustee resigns. (and for good reasons)

February 20, 2024

Relax. It’s not CCISD.

But it is a warning to all school districts. Keller Independent School District Trustee Sandi Walker resigned after serving just under two years. KISD is located just west of Fort Worth. What happened at an elementary school in KISD could happen elsewhere if the parents in the situation do not take strong, decisive action. BTW CCISD School Board and parents are more concerned about educating our kids than getting involved in this kind of crap.

So what happened? Sandi Walker invited a foreign film crew into an elementary school to film kids without the parents permission. From NBC:

After researching, Laney Hawes discovered the crew was with EO, a Dutch evangelical television network that has produced prior documentaries on US politics, one titled God Jesus, Trump!

Teachers who are keeping their job told NBCDFW they concerned about the safety protocols that these board members may have breached. 

“We’re waiting for the second trustee who was involved to resign,” Hawes said. “And we really are trying to get to the bottom of whether or not the other trustees are involved.”

Not only was this a HUGE breach in security, and illegal filming of children without parents permission, it was for religious purposes. Parents have rightfully called for the resignation of all who were involved. Walker is the first to resign. More should be coming. The parents need to demand to know who gave the crew badges, who at the school had prior knowledge of the event, and who on the Board was responsible. They all should resign. Every single one of them.

And the film crew should be sued.

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After meeting with a white supremacist, billionaires create a new PAC

February 5, 2024

Busted. Again.

After The Texas Tribune exposed the white wing PAC, Defend Texas Liberty, of having a day long meeting with a known white supremacist, Nick Fuentes (go ahead, look him up), the billionaires who created the fund have created a new PAC, Texans United for a Conservative Majority.

I wrote a few days ago about the funding and expenditures from DTL was drying up. Well that’s because it’s hard to do business, even in the Republican Party, after being associated with a Hitler lover and other white supremacist organizations. So they just created a new one. As with DTL, Texans United for a Conservative Majority raised about $2 Million from two donors, Timothy Dunn and Farris Wilks. These are the same guys who created and funded DTL.

DLT Lead and Bryan Slaton

They have spent almost $700,000 in support of extreme white wing candidates challenging those who voted to impeach Ken Paxton or who are against school vouchers including Brent Money who was running for the special election to replace Bryan Slaton. Slaton was expelled the House after providing alcohol to an underaged intern and porking her all night. Slaton was funded by the two billionaires. They also funded Money who lost even after donating $85,000.

Here is who these white wingers are donating to:

CandidateAmountChallenging
Andy Hopper$100,000Lynn Stucky
David Covey$100,000Dade Phelan
Brent Money$85,000Open Seat
David Lowe$50,000Stephanie Klick
Matt Morgan$50,000Jacey Jetton
Mitch Little$50,000Kronda Thimesch
Shelley Luther$50,000Reggie Smith
Wernick$25,000Morgan Meyer
Cheryl Bean$10,000Open Seat

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You can’t make this up. Why does the Harris County Republicans want a joint primary?

January 31, 2024

Seriously. I am NOT making this up.

First, what is a joint primary. Here is the Chair of the Harris County Republican Party, Cindy Siegel, explaining it in her OP-ED in the Houston Chronicle:

Essentially, under a split primary, each party runs its own primary, sharing the location but having separate lines with separate machines and election workers — one for Republicans and one for Democrats.  In contrast, under a joint primary, both Republicans and Democrats line up together in the same location and share voting machines.

This isn’t a new concept. About 8 years ago the Harris County Elections Administrator proposed a joint primary. They setup a demonstration room and invited the parties and media to test it out. I did. It was simple. Instead of having two sets of voting machines, two separate areas for Republican and Democratic primary voters, and two groups of volunteers, there are only one of each. A voter signs in, selects which primary they want to vote in, receives a code, then votes.

The fiscally conservative republicans didn’t want to participate even though it would save the County millions. The plan was scrapped. So why have they agreed to participate now? Glad you asked! In the 2023 legislation session the Republican controlled Legislature passed a number of bills that makes the job of Elections Administrator much harder especially in the 3rd largest county in the country. The bills were designed to make the county fail so the state could take over.

So why now? Again lets let the Chair of the Harris County Republican Party, Cindy Siegel, explain it:

This past December, the Republican Party requested Harris County run a split primary. Two weeks ago, however, the Texas Secretary of State’s Office issued an advisory regarding Senate Bill 924, explaining that holding a split primary in a county the size of Harris County is impossible due to the constraints of the new law. 

Yep. The Republicans want a split primary because they fucked it up. It was their doing. In the past, because of low turnout, the County would combine precincts so instead of having over 1000 voting locations there would be about 300. The bill now eliminates combining precincts so there is a need for voting machines and associated equipment for over 1000 locations. And guess what? The County doesn’t have that many machines, or volunteers to man those machines.

So now the Republican Party is riding in on a white wing horse to save the day from a problem they created and is expecting to take credit for it. It’s like a kid trashing his room then getting paid to clean it.

You should read the OP-ED. Stupid republicans.

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Texas AG admits guilt on bribery suit. New impeachment is requested.

January 30, 2024

Cocked eyed bastard was trying to be sneaky. The judge wouldn’t allow it.

So the ethically challenged, indicted, adulterer, Ken Paxton, was acquitted by some Texas Senators who lost the balls to do what most real conservatives wanted. They all whined about the impeachment from the House lacked evidence (it didn’t) and wasn’t enough to remove him from office (it was). So he got off.

But….the impeachment proceedings was created by the civil suit Paxton had settled with a number of staff members who sued under the Whistleblower Act for wrongful termination. Paxton settled for $3 Million and wanted the tax payers to pay it. The House investigated and based upon the evidence, impeached him. The settlement was not paid and the civil suit continues.

So now Paxton has to give a deposition, under oath, in the civil case. Instead he gives up. He surrenders. Instead he admits guilt. NBC Ft Worth sums it up perfectly: “He wrote [to the Judge] he no longer will contest accusations he illegally fired the whistleblowers after they reported him to the FBI for bribery and corruption.” To get out of being deposed he gives up. He will not contest the fact he took bribes.

Unfortunately for Kenny, the Judge will have nothing to do with this. Paxton is going to have to give a deposition. He will spend 4+ hours taking the fifth when asked “Did you order the firing of the staff members?” which in a civil suit is just as good as saying “You’re goddamn right I did it”. This is so bad some Senators are calling for a new impeachment trial. From NBC Ft Worth:

Springer was one of those who lost his balls in the trial but he isn’t running for reelection so he doesn’t need his balls anymore. At least he has a pair to realize what Paxton is doing.

The Texas GOP. The Group Of Pussies.

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Who is funding Sean Teare for Harris County DA

January 29, 2024

Sean Teare is challenging incumbent DA Kim Ogg.

In January Teare filed a 183 page report with a fundraising total for the period of $278,817. DA Ogg raised $282,274 in the same time period.

In his report Teare raised $104,127 from 14 individuals and one PAC, the Texas Justice and Public Safety PAC. This PAC is solely funded by….wait for it….George Soros. They are based in Washington DC and have donated over $20,000 in an in-kind contribution for “research”. This isn’t his first time meddling in Texas politics. His organization and other far left groups focus on deep blue areas such as Travis County. With his donation challenger Jose Garza was able to outraise the DA 6-1. Harris County is blue but not as deep blue as Travis County.

Back in 2016 Soros backed Kim Ogg for DA by buying a $500,000 ad buy after donating $100,000 to her primary challenger Morris Overstreet who was woefully unqualified for the position. Now he has shifted away from Ogg, probably looking for a more “progressive” DA.

I think he is wasting his money. Sean isn’t that far lefty that Soros likes to fund. Personally I would rather Soros and all the far left organizations stay out of our local politics. Here are Teare’s biggest donors:

DonorAmountLocation
Texas Justice and Public Safety PAC$20,890Washington DC
Edward Allen$10,000Houston
Sara Hoyle$10,000Houston
Wade Stockstill$10,000Houston
Stephen boutros$7,500houston
Gary Reed$5,737Houston
Brandon Barchus$5,000Houston
Jason Dunahoe$5,000Houston
Richard Epley$5,000Houston
Travis Graham$5,000Houston
Tracy Hewat$5,000Providence, RI
Vi Kinh Lau$5,000Richmond
James Shaddix$5,000Houston
John Stanton$5,000Houston
$104,127

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