musings

Al Gore surprise speaker at netroots nation

2008-07-19T10:10:00.000-05:00

Nancy Pelosi in the house!

2008-07-19T09:25:00.000-05:00

We ate all the shrimp corndogs at the moonshine party

2008-07-17T18:48:00.000-05:00

OMG it's Matt! It's Vince! It's Kuff!

2008-07-17T17:34:00.002-05:00

OK. All the Texas boy bloggers have been interviewed by the mainstram
media at netroots nation.

These boys are so cute. You should read their blogs where they quote
their own MSM quotes.

Guys, I love you!! Kiss. Kiss.

Sent from my iPhone

UPDATE: Interesting Texas Observer piece on the blogosphere as a boy's club: here.

A clandestine meeting and a netroots martini

2008-07-17T16:15:00.000-05:00

Hey, I Was There!

2008-07-16T21:57:00.002-05:00

Pizza night in Chicago at Yearly Kos last year. Where we talked about, "wouldn't it be great if Netroots Nation was in Austin next year. Yeah, let's get them to come to a 'red state' and show them we are bluer than they think."

And, here we are. Netroots Nation in Austin this week!

This Makes Bush Look Articulate

2008-07-11T08:05:00.003-05:00

You really would think this guy would be more experienced in answering tough questions. Instead he comes off looking like kid trying to come up with some excuse for mom for why he was doing something he shouldn't be doing. The weird facial expressions are uncomfortable to watch. This is the best the Rs could come up with?

I Ran Over A Big Metal Ladder

2008-07-07T22:33:00.003-05:00

Not a good couple of days for the Prius. Yesterday, I ran over something (not sure what) that flattened a tire within seconds. Called AAA and a nice guy in a big giant truck put on the, what I shall kindly call, bicycle spare tire. I sat in the driver's seat of the big giant truck with the AC going full blast while he lug nutted that thing on the Prius.

Then, on the treacherous way back to Fort Bend County on three grown up tires and one tricycle tire, I ran right over some darting, stupid raccoon/armadillo sized varmit in the dark near my house. The noise was gross, much less the thought of the blood and guts all over the stroller tire.

This morning I visited the Toyota dealer for a new (free) tire. Waited a little long, but the service guy sure was courteous.

Yay! All ready to "hit" the road.

What would your reaction be if you were traveling inbound on the SW Freeway (with your new tire). Say, 65 mph. Traffic on all sides. And, right in front of you is a very large metal ladder (same size as in photo but folded up). Right in your lane. And you know you are going to run right over it because you have no where to go. And then, yes, indeed it is under your Prius clanging violently.

Well, it's 1) scary. People can die from large metal ladders flying around on the highway. And, 2) you immediately freak out your car is severely damaged and 3) much, much cursing ensues.

I mean A LOT OF CUSS WORDS.

A trip back to the friendly Toyota folks revealed a clean bill of health for the poor 47.5 mpg Prius.

Back onto the highways and byways of Houston where a large metal thing flew right over the Prius on the South 610 Loop.

Hell of a day.

Viewing Campaign Cash: The City of Houston

2008-07-03T01:13:00.001-05:00

Well, this is a good thing. The City of Houston has new features for its online campaign finance reports, including the ability to download them in excel format. Hello, TEC, that would be helpful on your website!

Other improvements are search categories such as contributor and payee. I'm not sure I like the change where duplicate reports are eliminated when reports are corrected. I always like to see the original reports and then the corrected reports to follow the trail.

Obama's Running Mate Should Be . . . .

2008-07-02T23:40:00.000-05:00

Hillary! I played the game and that's the one name I came up with.

Not even another person on the list.

So, we've decided and we can move on now. Obama-Clinton.

Now, how can we refer to the union of these two? Obama and Clinton. Clinton and Obama. The Hope+Experience ticket.

ExHope? That amuses me.
Hoperience? Can't pronouce it.
ExHo? No, that doesn't work at all.

The O.C. I sorta like that.

O'Clinton is probably my favorite. :)

Let's Make More Fun Of Cornyn

2008-07-01T00:30:00.000-05:00

He is so deserving. Here's the Rick Noriega campaign pointing out how Cornyn pretends to be a Senator AND a cowboy:

And, oh, by the way, Rick Noriega sure has a lot of online contributors. 10,494. Nearly a million bucks. The Cornyn camp would call them "online" contributors.

You Say Buck Smith, I Say Beckwith

2008-07-01T00:06:00.000-05:00

Geez, Cornyn is not having such a good run lately. First it was the Big Bad Idiotic Palest Man In The World John In a Fringe Jacket Pretending To Be A Cowboy video, then it was the "online" fundraising ask.

Now, his staffer - both in his Congressional and campaign office - has been outed as a troll on Burnt Orange Report. Buck Smith=Beckwith.

I'm going to run around all over Republican blogs and act all trollish and call myself mews. It would be so sneaky and undercover and no one would suspect it was me.

I "Almost" Feel Sorry For Cornyn

2008-06-30T23:56:00.000-05:00

It's hard to "read" this fundraising plea without getting "distracted" by the quotation marks. I am very "confused" about the online ad/newspaper ad thing. "Which" is it? If I was so inclined, I would click on the "link" and figure it out. But, I am "not" so inclined. Can you find the one time where they didn't put "online" in quotation marks?

Dear Friend,

I'll get right to the point. I'm asking if you'll become an "online" donor to Senator Cornyn's reelection campaign before midnight tonight, June 30, for two important reasons.

First, I need your help to pay for a new online ad campaign.
These bold newspaper ads help people understand the importance of electing a common-sense leader who understands the critical decisions and how they impact each of us personally.

To run the ads in newspapers, we need $25,000 by midnight tonight. So, your $5, $15 or $25 donation right now will make a big difference. This is our first newspaper ad campaign and I hope you can help out.

The other really important reason we're asking for your help now is that today at midnight we close the books on the 2nd Quarter. It's the last real "financial" report the outsiders – like Chuck Schumer, Act Blue, Code Pink and MoveOn.org -- will look at before cementing their national plans.

If you say "yes" now to becoming an "online" donor, you'll help us send an unmistakably clear message we're running a confident, positive campaign and outsiders have no place dumping truckloads of special interest money into Texas.

Will you click here before midnight tonight to help Senator Cornyn online now?

Help us pay for these ads and post an awesome 2nd Quarter report and give Senator Cornyn the digital momentum only you can provide. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Dolly Gonzales
Finance Director

P.S. On his own, the Senator's opponent can't win without the outsiders' aid. That's not a boast. Just a fact given his position on energy "dependence" and critical issues that are decidedly at odds with Texas and our future. Please help us run this very important first newspaper ad campaign with your online gift. $5, $15 or even $25 will be a big help to reach our goal of $25,000 by midnight tonight. Thanks!

TexBlog PAC Endorses Chris Turner!

2008-06-26T10:07:00.000-05:00

(Folks, this is a little late due to some technical difficulties. I'm proud to announce that TexBlog PAC endorsed Chris Turner. The PAC is endorsing, and contributing, to five House challengers this cycle. I've met Chris several times and he is very sharp and is running a terrific campaign. This is one of our pick-up opportunities, so please consider contributing to Chris. ---muse)

Donate to Chris Turner Today! Help Us Take Back the House!

TexBlog PAC formally endorsed Democrat Chris Turner for State Representative today. Turner is running in House District 96, in southern Tarrant County, against Republican incumbent Bill Zedler.

Winning House District 96

Donate to Chris Turner Today! Help Us Take Back the House!

House District 96 contains most of the southern areas of Arlington and Fort Worth, along with the communities of Crowley, Kennedale and Rendon and parts of Mansfield and Burleson.

In 2006, Republican Bill Zedler narrowly avoided a loss, managing only 52.46% of the vote:

Additionally, as Turner’s website shows, Democrats turned out in the March primary at a rate almost 2.5 times higher than Republicans – a larger ratio than the statewide average. More Democrats voted in the HD 96 House District in Tarrant County than in any other House District in the County.

About Chris Turner – A Committed, Hard-Working Candidate

Donate to Chris Turner Today! Help Us Take Back the House!

Born in Sherman and raised in Dallas, Chris went to Dallas’ Skyline High School and is a UT-Austin graduate with a degree in Government. Before launching his campaign, Chris Turner worked as District Director for Texas Congressman Chet Edwards (D – Waco). During his time with Congressman Edwards, Chris gained experience working across party lines to meet the needs of Texans from all walks of life.

Chris’ experience with the highly successful Congressman Edwards campaign will come in handy as he runs for office in HD 96. From his website:

Chris has also managed Edwards’ last four highly competitive and successful re-election campaigns, during which he was recognized for his leadership ability and organizational skills in the midst of challenging circumstances.

Donate to Chris Turner Today and Help Us Take Back the House!

We will be writing more about Chris in the coming days, weeks, and months. In the meantime, please join our efforts and donate anything you can – $10, $25, or $50 – to help us take back the House as we do our part to turn Texas blue!

John Edwads at Johnson Rayburn Richards Dinner

2008-06-25T20:47:00.000-05:00

This just in from my friend, Allan Jamail:

Texas Democrats mark your calendar right now so you won't miss this great opportunity to hear Senator John Edwards when he comes to Houston to help Harris County Democrats TURN HARRIS COUNTY BLUE and to help elected Senator Barack Obama as our nest President of the United States.

JOHNSON, RAYBURN & RICHARDS DINNER
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: SENATOR JOHN EDWARDS
DATE: Saturday September 20, 2008
EVENT: HARRIS COUNTY DEMOCRAT PARTY ANNUAL FUND RAISER

Where All the Cool Kids Will Be

2008-06-20T12:48:00.001-05:00

And grown-ups. The sponsorship list is growing and you don't want to be left out! You can become a sponsor by contributing to TexBlog PAC on ActBlue.

Exciting update!: a special endorsement of a House challenger will be announced at Thursday's event! Find out more about TexBlog PAC here.

Please join host Mustafa Tameez

and sponsors:
State Representatives Ellen Cohen, Jessica Farrar, and Ana Hernandez
Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia
Houston Controller Annise Parker
Democratic Candidate for U.S. Congress Michael Skelly
Democratic Candidate for State Senate Joe Jaworski
Democratic Candidates for State Representative Carol Alvarado, Sherrie Matula, Joel Redmond, John McClelland, Kristi Thibaut and Armando Walle
Houston area bloggers Martha Griffin and Charles Kuffner
and James Hernandez, Casey Jones, Jay Aiyer

as we come together to take back the Texas House
and announce another TexBlog PAC endorsement

Join the

with special guest
State Representative Garnet Coleman

Thursday, June 26, 2008
5:30 to 7:30 pm
Rice Lofts, Room 203
909 Texas Avenue

$25 Contribution Suggested

Sponsorships available at the following levels:
$500 $250 $125 $50
Please make all checks payable to:
TexBlog PAC
501 E. Stassney Lane, Ste 1010, Austin TX, 78745

or contribute online by visiting:
http://actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/18185

for more information, or to RSVP, call Charles Kuffner at
713-825-0013 or email: kuff@offthekuff.com

Political ad paid for by TexBlog PAC, Matt Glazer, Treasurer
501 E. Stassney Ln Ste 1010, Austin TX, 78745

Stop Kinky

2008-06-20T10:48:00.000-05:00

Kinky, you already screwed up our delegate apportionments to Senate District Conventions and the State Convention, by taking away votes from Chris Bell. We are not happy with you over that.

So, what is this about?

Musician and author Kinky Friedman still wants to be governor of Texas and says he'll run in 2010 as a Democrat -- if he can raise enough money.
Friedman, in a phone interview with WOAI Radio of San Antonio, said he'll run again if he's "got a war chest that is sizable enough."

Friedman today told KRLD Radio of Dallas-Fort Worth that he'd probably need three-to-five million dollars.

Republican Rick Perry won re-election in 2006, over Democrat Chris Bell. Independent Carole Keeton Strahorn and Friedman finished third and fourth, respectively.

Perry has said he'll seek another term in 2010.

Not a good idea. You weren't a Democrat in 2006. In fact, you intentionally hurt Democrats. Go away. Stay away.

Texas Ethics Commission Is All About Delay

2008-06-19T00:47:00.000-05:00

In a long list of things that are outrageous about the Texas Ethics Commission, this just about tops my list. There is an article in the Statesman about how the TEC has a confusing website, with hard to find disclosures about who was fined, when and how much. That's because the settlement is posted in the year in which the complaint was filed. And, these folks at the TEC aren't quick, folks. It can take WAY over a year for resolution of a complaint. Here's an example that chaps me (emphasis mine):

The site is not always user-friendly. The order is listed on the site under the year the complaint was filed, not the year it's resolved.

Most of the 2008 sanctions can be found listed under 2006 or 2007, for example. In one instance, Rep. Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands, told reporters that he had settled a case months ago (for paying his wife with more than $50,000 in campaign money) that won't appear on the commission's Web site until after the November election.

The delayed disclosure of the sanction was part of the confidential settlement.

I think it is outrageous that an officeholder who is breaking campaign finance laws can get the TEC to agree to keep the information away from the public until after the election. This sounds like influencing the election to me. This sounds immoral, illegal and irresponsible to me.

Folks, the TEC spends two million dollars of your tax money every year. They've fined 43 people this year and only one of those settlements is on the website for 2008. They are supposedly going to redesign their website "today" to reflect current fines. I'll be watching for that, but not holding my breath.

This seems overly whiny:

The complainants "usually run to the press," said Natalia Luna Ashley, the commission's general counsel.

Well, duh. If the TEC is making deals with officeholders to delay revealing the sanction until after the election, then thank goodness for folks who are willing to stick their neck out and "run to the press." And, a big huge thank you to the press for reporting these stories. Seriously.

I'm annoyed.

UPDATE: Well, color me surprised. The Ethics Commission already has a new link on their website with the sworn complaint orders by date issues. It's a running list from 1992 to the present. Way to go AAS for holding their feet to the fire on this one.

John Cornyn Is Ridiculous

2008-06-16T13:59:00.001-05:00

As is evidenced by this goofy video introduction of him at the Republican Party of Texas Convention in Houston. It would have been a lot more accurate, though just as ridiculous to have him portrayed as a puppy, jumping up on Bush's lap to represent his lapdog purpose in life. Maybe to the tune of "How Much is that Doggie in the Window". Woof!

UPDATE: The reviews are in and they are universally bad. BOR has them.

Austin Convention Center

2008-06-10T14:38:00.000-05:00

I love Austin. The Austin Convention Center, not so much. Here is the official description of it:

The Austin Convention Center, a premier facility located in the heart of the capital city’s downtown business district, has emerged as a leader in the convention and meeting industry. It is one of the most practical, flexible, planner-friendly and technologically advanced meeting facilities in the country. We invite you to explore our facility and experience the unique ambiance of a city that celebrates its music, cultural treasures, the outdoors and cutting-edge technology with a sophisticated, yet laid-back approach.

Muse's description:

The Austin Convention Center, a maze-like contraption suited for mensas and sudoko champs, has a unique approach to floor planning. Want to go to the fourth floor? Well, good luck. Our escalators are designed to trick even those with the highest spacial IQ. We dare you to find an escalator that will whisk you to the fourth floor. Roam around on the third floor in wonderment. Need an elevator? Haha! Fooled you there, also. Yeah, there's an elevator that goes to the fourth floor. And, an outside stairway. But, shhh, we aren't telling you where those are. We beg you to bring your cell phone with you so you can discover for yourself that cell phones barely work in our huge, state of the art facility! Play "get lost" with your convention friends, as you try to call and text them all day long. Need extra meeting rooms? No problem! We can divide up our huge exhibit halls with flimsy red, white and blue cloths - and provide you with high powered microphones, so that multiple meetings can happen at the same time - and so that convention attendees flee your meetings due to migraines from the noise. Want a laid back convention experience? Better bring a flask, is all I can tell you, because we've got a floor plan like no other. And no, you cannot make a square or a circle to get from point A to point Z. It's a 6-block walk for you, my friend! Bring bandaids for your feet. Seriously, we do everything we can to keep you from attending your meetings. Plan on lots of hotel time sleeping off the head pain, foot pain and mental anguish.

Tasty Spam Blog!

2008-06-09T23:33:00.003-05:00

In case blogger actually visits me here in person to see if I am a spam blog (since I am still flagged as such), I thought I'd leave them a tasty sushi spam treat.

Looks like the Spam has been cooked the right way - grilled in a pan so that it is slightly browned.

Ummm. Eat it up, blogger!

12-pack of beer; tank of gas

2008-06-09T23:22:00.000-05:00

Well, even the Prius requires more than $10 to fill up, but I get where she is going with this. For only $10/month, you can be like muse and be a Texas Majority Member! Hey, my name was in even in the convention program and you know you want yours to be in there next time.

You'll get a cool little kick-ass pin to wear.

It's only 33 cents per day.

I think that much dropped out of my wallet and onto the floor today at the gelato place.

The Convention Kick-Off Video

2008-06-08T11:24:00.000-05:00

This was a high point of the convention. Watch it and get fired up to win in November!

Low point was all the lecturing by Obama delegates about Unity and Hillary's "faults" (you know, how she stayed married - major sin). Favorite low point moments were the call for Unity from the podium on Friday night right before our House incumbents took the stage and then while they walked on, the Obama Unity Person (OUP) at the mic chanting, "Obama! Obama!". As if that had anything to do with the Legislature. And then there was the Royce West (Obama guy) moment of making everyone hold hands. That would have gone over a lot better if a Hillary person had called for that.

On the day Hillary conceded there was a lot of ungracious winning going on.

Give us a minute and we'll unite. We aren't going to let McCain win. But, give us just a few moments, OK?

It seemed like there were a lot fewer Hillary delegates present on Saturday vs. Friday. Anyone else notice that?

Watching Hillary

2008-06-07T12:03:00.000-05:00

I am crazy about Hillary Clinton. Obviously.

I like the way she is listing all the things that we have to do as Democrats to make our country great again. Then, she says, "and that is why we have to help make Barrack Obama President."

Good stuff. She is hitting all the right notes.

The TDP State Convention has been confusing. I've seen moments of unity - real and forced - but, I've had a few too many people lecture me about "Hillary's faults". For one person, the fact she stayed in her marriage is the huge sin (oh, please). For another, I got the lecture that Hillary is too much about "I", while Obama is about "we". I had to throw in a reminder that 18 million Americans responded to Hillary's message of competency, hard work and experience.

Anyway, onward to straight D in November.

Chelsea Clinton!

2008-06-06T19:45:00.000-05:00

She is all about letting us know that her mom sends messages of unity - that we all need to get behind Barrack Obama and beat McCain. Very gracious. Seems really amazed at the welcome she is getting. She said she usually speaks to smaller crowds, giving new meaning to everything is bigger in Texas!