I mentioned this a couple of days ago - beginning December 1, I will be blogging at Texas Magazine as well as here at Blue Dot Blues. I've posted my introduction - please take a moment to check it out: http://www.mytexasmag.com/blog/news/politics/drawing-line-new-politics-blog-texas-magazine-mj-samuelson
This just showed up on the RedState Twitter:
Terrorists Target Mumbai Hotels
Unknown terrorists have conducted a coordinated attack across Mumbai's
major tourist hubs, with over a dozen deaths and many injuries reported.
Gunmen have targeted luxury hotels, a popular tourist attraction and a
crowded train station in at least seven attacks across India's financial
capital.
Terrorists are reportedly still holed up at in three places, including
Oberoi and Taj hotels.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) are advising all
Britons in Mumbai to stay indoors.
The FCO also report a further explosion near Mumbai airport.
The death toll is unknown. Officials have said at least 25 people have
been wounded.
Reuters are reporting at least 18 fatalities.
The Times of India are reporting as many as 80 people killed and 250
injured in the attacks.
Barry Ritholtz gives us an idea of the big picture here.
• Marshall Plan: Cost: $12.7 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $115.3 billion
• Louisiana Purchase: Cost: $15 million, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $217 billion
• Race to the Moon: Cost: $36.4 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $237 billion
• S&L Crisis: Cost: $153 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $256 billion
• Korean War: Cost: $54 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $454 billion
• The New Deal: Cost: $32 billion (Est), Inflation Adjusted Cost: $500 billion (Est)
• Invasion of Iraq: Cost: $551b, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $597 billion
• Vietnam War: Cost: $111 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $698 billion
• NASA: Cost: $416.7 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $851.2 billionTOTAL: $3.92 trillion
I don't know about you, but I find this whole thing rather nauseating.
This story hit the AP wire and spread across the web and blogosphere over the last few days, but I haven't bothered blogging about it until now because it's just so....ho-hum.
Why blog now? Simply to expose the idiocy behind this latest malady to befall the Young Conservatives of Texas at Texas A&M. The professor in question, John Fike, quit after the group released put fliers up on campus condemning members of the Texas A&M faculty for signing a petition supporting domestic terrorist William Ayers.
Seriously?
Clearly Fike missed the point of the organization he was advising, and has no clear idea of what it means to stand up to liberal establishment - Ayers is indicative of everything conservatives, and most Americans really, are against. For YCT to ignore the fact that several professors were publicly supporting Ayers would have been ludicrous. Fike's decision to step down after this doesn't reveal anything about YCT - it indicates that Fike, who claims to stand for academic freedom and the need for a variety of viewpoints to be represented on campus, really stands for neither.
Now, I could go into a long rant about why it's ludicrous for student organizations to be required to have faculty advisors in order to function, the current TAMU policy, but that's for another day. For now, I'd really like to know - why is Fike's resignation news at all? Why is it in the Houston Chronicle and all over the blogosphere? Why not bring up the Ayers petition and why not talk about why it's important that his supporters be exposed for their allegiance to an avowed terrorist? Fike isn't news, but his fellow professors who signed the petition sure are.
But that's not the way the media wants the story to go, so instead we get stories about the horrible, awful, terrible things the YCT-TAMU chapter does (sarcasm intended). Ain't it grand?
I've heard a lot of crackpot things from the PC Police, but this hits a new low.
Parents clash over Thanksgiving tradition at two California elementary schools.
This was discussed this morning on the Mark, Ed, Sgt. Sam show on KLBJ, and it had me scratching my head during my commute (I must have looked funny to other drivers). One parent, who happens to be an English professor (figures), complained about the Pilgrims and Indians Native Americans costumes local kindergarteners, including hers, would be dressing up in for their 40-year Thanksgiving tradition. The result was, of course, that the schools cancelled the celebration despite the many 5-year-old participants who were already preparing for it.
The parent in question thinks the whole thing is perpetuating "racist stereotypes." She's part Seneca and is offended by the theme.
(I just have to put this out there - I'm 3/4 Irish, and you don't see me getting my panties in a twist over green beer and St. Patrick's Day shenanigans)
Of all the things to get upset about in this world, this mother in California had to go and pick on what is probably the most innocuous thing these children will ever participate in. And I have to wonder if she takes her objections all the way - are her kids not allowed to be Washington Redskins fans? Do the "chop" at Atlanta Braves games? Watch old Western films featuring good ol' cowboys-and-Indians fights?
Does she even bother to know or explain to her children the history behind the first Thanksgiving, which was in no way a part of the later strife and devastation between Anglo whites and Native Americans?
I think Thanksgiving is a great time to explain and demonstrate the harmony that should exist between our cultures. That despite our differences, we can all bring something worthwhile to the table to share with everyone else. The kids' costumes and traditions at Condit and Mountain View Elementary Schools in Claremont, California demonstrate in a visceral way what it means to share, despite differences.
This mother who complained really wrecks the entire idea, and clearly needs to understand how reaching 5-year-old minds is a completely different task than reaching university students' minds. She is failing to comprehend the meaning behind Thanksgiving - that we might repair the damage of the past and celebrate our cultures while creating a better future for us all.
Beginning December 1, I will be expanding my horizons a bit as a political blogger for Texas Magazine, in addition to what I do here at Blue Dot Blues.
I hope you'll take the time to check out the magazine, which is a great alternative to the blatantly liberal Texas Monthly. And as soon as the blog goes live, I hope you'll come read me over there, too!
It's not like we didn't already know the Washington Post is run by echo-chamber liberal elitists who, judging by this editorial, all ride bicycles to work and eat tofu for lunch. But it seems they've chosen this time to come out of their oxygen-deprived corner offices with views and just admit that yeah, they're liberal and not only that, they want to impose those beliefs on the masses. It must be the euphoria from Obama's election that made them lose their senses temporarily - but clearly, they've got it in for the "gas-guzzling" Americans who are more likely to use their newspaper for fish wrap than a Guide to Good Government.
The suggestion from the WaPo editorial board to President-elect Obama is to do the following:
In a perfect world, we'd like to see a gas tax that was the equivalent of oil at
$100 per barrel. This would send a loud-and-clear signal to drivers to continue
eschewing gas guzzlers for fuel sippers and mass transit. Automakers would get
the message to speed up production of motor vehicles that meet or exceed the 35
miles per gallon by 2020 mandated by Congress last year. Instead of the money
going to countries that have U.S. interests at heart in the same way a dealer
cares about a junkie, the revenue would stay here -- and it could all be
returned to the American people in the form of tax rebates.
Drivers' license checkpoints and required blood tests in suspected DWI - that's legislation coming from the likes of Senator Bob Deuell, Senator John Carona, State Rep. Todd Smith, and State Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock.
Now, conservatives in the blogosphere have been real watchful since November 4. We fully expect a kind of police state to develop under our new President, so we've been talking about the Fairness Doctrine, the proposed civilian ground force, the Freedom of Choice Act, etc. Apparently we didn't need to go so far, since Republicans at the state level were already planning to enact a police state of their own, at least in Texas.
But, MJ, you say, isn't "police state" a harsh term?
Possibly. I'm sure my libertarian friends would make an argument about how we're already there. I disagree with them, but if the checkpoint or blood test bills pass the legislature and make it into law, I'll be much more inclined to agree with them.
I heard about the blood test bill on KLBJ's Mark/Ed/Sgt. Sam show this morning, and it really gets under my skin to hear Sgt. Sam defend this kind of thing and then listen to Ed blow him off as a "conservative." Because there is nothing conservative about wanting to grow government's reach, even if it is through the supposedly benign functions of law enforcement.
We have to consider the long-term ramifications of such laws sitting on the books, what kind of nefarious purpose they could be used for. Right now it's blood tests without a warrant (oh, I can hear the 4th Amendment supporters turning over in their graves now) for suspected DWI. This is a person's body being used; how long before that becomes private property? The assumption of guilt is as anti-American as you can get, and I think it's worth invoking the "Founders" here and saying that searches without warrants was part of what sparked our Revolution. And I don't think the ideas are outdated (no real conservative would); on the contrary, I believe those ideas have never been more relevant.
For reference: SB 298 (Carona) and HB 169 (Smith) are the checkpoint bills; SB 261 (Deuell) and HB 170 (Aycock) are the blood test bills.
See, this is the problem with the majority of the Republican establishment as we know it.
Cong. Joe Knollenberg, a Republican from Michigan, lost his re-election bid (thank goodness). Now he's telling Neil Cavuto, and by extension taxpaying Americans everywhere, that the money Congress could use to bailout the auto industry isn't really theirs, anyway.
My dear Congressman, I must digress. It is in fact our money. It's yours, your children's, your neighbor's, your postal worker's, your grocery clerk's, your librarian's, the teachers in schools, your pastor's. It belongs to the guy in the Toyota Corolla next to you on the freeway. It belongs to the working mother of three who only sees her working husband for an hour or so in the evening before bed.
Now, I will say, given the growing percentage of Americans whose tax money is actually returned every year because they make under a certain amount, the tax money spent by Congress is actually coming from fewer and fewer people. But that doesn't change the premise of my argument. It's just a reminder that in the United States, we are becoming a country where the few pay for the folly of the many.
It IS my money, Congressman Knollenberg. As a professed Republican, you should understand this. But clearly your constituents realized it before the rest of us, that you're just another Beltway-poisoned elected official who needed to go home.
The Dallas Morning News today has a great piece on how much college presidents in Texas make. Tuition at public universities in Texas has climbed more than 53% since deregulation in 2003, and while the universities are screaming for more money and are in need of more professors, facilities, and updated equipment, university administrators are raking in top dollar, making more than even the President and Vice President of the United States make in many cases.
They also bring up coaches' salaries, which is fair, though one could make an argument that football (and sports in general) are the only things that actually make universities competitive in a free market sense, and that the salaries are justified because of actual return revenue. That being said, Mack Brown is currently the highest paid state employee in Texas.
It should bother you that the UT system president makes more than the governor of the state of Texas. It should bother you that it is your tax dollars paying him, and that you can't hold him accountable by election. It should bother you that the value of a bachelors' degree is lessened every day, but that these university presidents continue to bring home huge paychecks just because they "raised the profile" of the university. About 90% of the people who get these salaries are not in any way accountable to you. They cannot be voted out of office, impeached, or held to account by anyone other than the select few who choose to hire them - but it is YOUR money used to pay them.
I will refrain from critiquing the Ohio State University president's $1.8 million salary package - I am not a resident of Ohio and don't pay taxes there. It's definitely exorbitant and it made me choke on my glass of water, but it's up to the taxpayers in Ohio to determine whether that's appropriate or not.
It needs to be said, because it is not clear in the DMN article, that SMU and other private schools can't fall under this same kind of critique, primarily because their primary source of funding is not tax money. State universities, however, are state agencies. They are accountable to the state regardless of what tuition deregulation did; they can fall under sunset review and they do receive a substantial portion of their funding from tax dollars. If this legislative session goes the way it looks like it might, tuition prices at public universities will be regulated by the state once again - and university trustees will need to think twice before giving a university president a $98,000 bonus just because they feel like they "got a bargain" when the president was hired (ala my grand alma mater, the University of North Texas).
The article quotes the UNT student body president, Jeff Kline, as "having no problem" with UNT president Gretchen Bataille's salary and compensation (clearly Jeff wasn't at UNT before tuition dereg - had he experienced the more than 50% hike in tuition over the last five years, he'd probably be a bit more incensed). This is a useless piece of information, since as student body president, Kline receives compensation of his own and his role is very much to be an apologist for the administration (despite appearances, few student body presidents, once elected, buck the system or speak strictly for the students). It would have served the article better if another student, not part of the student government, had been asked the same question. It is not in the university's public image interest to have the student body president speak out against anything the regents or trustees do - something I'm sure the savvy journalists at the DMN are aware of.
The DMN article would lead one to believe that no one is critical of university presidents' salaries and compensation, and it's possible they just didn't think to look beyond state legislators who are pressured by university lobbyists or university employees like the student body presidents. But that would mean the DMN was either purposefully ignorant in their reporting on this topic, or they have an agenda. And no one would believe either of those charges about big media, would they?
Would they???
Rep. Burt Solomons (R-Carrollton) filed for Texas House speaker today, according to the Statesman. He says he "doubts" the Republicans have 85 votes at this point, and that he hopes to put together a majority before Jan. 13.
I would like to point out for anyone who hasn't been playing along at home that Solomons is the first conservative whose name isn't Tom to file in this race.
Also, that brings us to 10 candidates. We only need 140 more for TOTAL chaos!
Let's see. Where should I start? Bill filing started in the Texas Legislature this week, and there are some great bills and some real stinkers. Mark Davis on WBAP in Dallas had a great Kay Bailey Hutchison vs Rick Perry segment this morning that bears discussion and thought. We've got an interesting choice coming up for RNC chairman, and Michael Steele and Newt Gingrich are leading the race. The conservative movement is all a-flutter over rebranding and where should the change start and should there be change, etc.
This day is for Dad, the Cold War veteran who tells stories about Russian submarines in the Mediterranean. For Mom, the Vietnam and Cold War veteran, who got to work in the Pentagon.
My Uncle Tim, a Cold War, Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and all the conflicts in between veteran; he's still serving today.
For Grandpa Jim, who served in the Navy in WWII, and in the Marines in Korea; make no mistake, he's a Semper Fi kinda guy. For Uncle Pat, a Cold War Marine, who still oo-rahs with the best of them. For Uncle Jim, a Vietnam veteran. For Aunt Edith, a Vietnam vet.
For Grandpa Brice, who stood guarding the wreck of the USS Arizona on December 8, 1941, and who participated in many battles in the Pacific in World War II. He was awarded the Navy Cross, and none of us knew it until he passed away in 1993. He always told my mother that he was just a merchant sailor in the northern Pacific during the war.
For Great-Uncle Pat, who stormed the beach at Normandy.
For my father-in-law Warren, a Vietnam veteran.
For the gentleman who stopped us while we were campaigning two years ago, who invited us in to see his Purple Heart and his Navy Cross, who wanted someone to hear his stories about the Pacific. He was alone, and missed his wife. I hope they find each other.
For the family members whose names I'm still getting to know, who served in World War I, in the Spanish-American War, and in Indian conflicts on the plains.
For the not-so-removed cousin who served in the Massachusetts cavalry during the Civil War, his brother who served in the infantry, and the cousins from the other side of the family who served the Bonnie Blue Flag despite just having come off the boat from Ireland.
For the family members from Massachusetts who fought a war for freedom from England.
For Mark, a Marine who served in Iraq. Mark, "thank you" will never be enough. http://www.sharp-design.us/bandofmothers/poetry_18.html
For Chris, who served in Afghanistan. For Joe, who served two tours in Iraq. For Kevin and for Grant, who were also in Iraq. For James, just back from Iraq and the Navy. For Colby, who served in the Air Force, and Tristen, who was in the Coast Guard. For Jason, who served in the Air Force.
For Josh, Julian, Tom, Robert, Jeremy, Eric, Kevin, Bobby, Colin, John, and all the people I'm forgetting, who served or are serving in the Marine Corps, the Navy, the Army, and the Air Force.
Last but by no means least - for Commander David Connole, who served in the United States Navy during WWII. His submarine, the USS Trigger, was attacked and sunk in April 1945, and later a USN frigate was christened after him. Cmdr. Connole was awarded the Silver Star posthumuously. http://www.destroyersonline.com/usndd/ff1056/
Leo Berman (R-Tyler), Warren Chisum (R-Pampa), Linda Harper-Brown(R-Irving), Carl Isett (R-Lubbock), Phil King (R-Weatherford), Jodie Laubenberg (R-Parker), Ken Paxton (R-McKinney), Dan Flynn (R-Van), Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria), Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), Bill Callegari (R-Katy), Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) and Wayne Christian (R-Center).
Read more...Provisional vote counting is over in HD 105, and State Rep. Linda Harper-Brown will be returning to the House - by a mere 20 votes.
Congressman Michael Burgess would be wise to take a cue from his predecessor, Dick Armey, rather than spout such lily-livered tripe as this:
“What we need to do in the minority is to develop policy with the membership and
offer an alternative that is nonthreatening and nonconfrontational,” said
Burgess, citing healthcare as a prime example. He clarified that the minority
may have to be confrontational at times “but it doesn’t have to be 24 hours a
day, seven days a week.” (From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
The candidates so far are incumbent speaker Tom Craddick, Republican(-ish) Jim Keffer, and Democrat Sylvester Turner.
A mere 25 votes stands between Republicans and a Democrat takeover of the Texas House as Rep. Linda Harper-Brown squeaks by in a victory. Provisional ballots are still being counted, so that may change.
Republican-to-Democrat:
-- HD 52 (Williamson County; open seat, Mike Krusee retired): Diana Maldonado defeats Bryan Daniel, 48.6 percent to 47.4 percent.
-- HD 78 (El Paso County; open seat, Pat Haggerty defeated in primary): Joe Moody defeats Dee Margo, 51.5 percent to 45.1 percent.
-- HD 96 (Tarrant County): Chris Turner defeats incumbent Bill Zedler, 51.3 percent to 46.6 percent.
-- HD 101 (Dallas County; open seat, Thomas Latham defeated in primary): Robert Miklos defeats Mike Anderson, 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent.
-- HD 102 (Dallas County): Carol Kent defeats incumbent Tony Goolsby, 53 percent to 47 percent.
-- HD 133 (Harris County): Kristi Thibaut defeats incumbent Jim Murphy, 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent.
Democrat-to-Republican:
-- HD 17 (Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, Colorado, Burleson, Brazos Counties; open seat, Robby Cook retired): Tim Kleinschmidt defeats Donnie Dippel, 54 percent to 42.9 percent.
-- HD 32 (Nueces, San Patricio, Aransas, Calhoun Counties): Todd Hunter defeats incumbent Juan Garcia, 50.1 percent to 46.8 percent.
-- HD 97 (Tarrant County): Mark Shelton defeats incumbent Dan Barrett, 55.4 percent to 42.7 percent.
Exit polls in Indiana, Ohio and Virginia are up - Allahpundit is doing coverage here if you're among those that just can't help peaking. Remember, though, that exit polls are not results. Don't have a Josh Lyman moment!!
Michael Steele is participating in the Fox News coverage and analysis.
Polls in Texas close in just over an hour. If you haven't voted, well, you better go now.
I'm heading out shortly to an election watch party with some politico friends in Cedar Park. We're going to be eating, drinking, and watching local results. If I have a chance, I'll be liveblogging or Twittering as results come in. Again, I recommend Burnt Orange Report's Texas elections Twitter feed (yes, liberal; but comprehensive): http://twitter.com/texaselections
Edited to add: Vandalized signs in Missouri City, Lone Star Times reports. Keep it classy, Obamatrons:
Burnt Orange Report is, of course, predicting a 76-74 Democrat House in Texas after tonight. Check it out here.
Texas Right to Life emailed this handy list for anyone interested in who is receiving money from Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion groups this election. What is fascinating to me is the number of candidates receiving this money who are seeking offices that will never bring them in contact with abortion legislation or decisions. The Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector need not concern him/herself with this issue. So why give them money? The answer is, they support an overall leftist agenda and have ambitions for higher office where they can be effective on this issue.
Received Money From Planned Parenthood in 2008
Mario Gallegos
State Senate District 6
$250.00
Wendy Davis
State Senate District 10
$5,000.00
Joe Jaworski
State Senate District 11
$4,000.00
Chris Bell
State Senate District 17
$1,000.00
Jeff Wentworth
State Senate District 25
$1,000.00
Leticia Van de Putte
State Senate District 26
$1,000.00
Juan Garcia
State House District 32
$3,000.00
Valinda Bolton
State House District 47
$1,000.00
Diana Maldonado
State House District 52
$1,000.00
Joe Straus
State House District 121
$1,000.00
Mike Villarreal
State House District 123
$1,000.00
Joaquin Castro
State House District 125
$1,000.00
Sherri Matula
State House District 129
$1,000.00
Kristi Thibaut
State House District 133
$5,000.00
Virginia McDavid
State House District 138
$2,500.00
Ana Hernandez
State House District 143
$100.00
Carol Alvarado
State House District 145
$250.00
Garnet Coleman
State House District 147
$250.00
Jessica Farrar
State House District 148
$500.00
Hubert Vo
State House District 149
$2,000.00
David Mincberg
Harris County Judge
$2,000.00
Diane Trautman
Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector
$600.00
Adrian Garcia
Harris County Sheriff
$500.00
Vince Ryan
Harris County Attorney
$500.00
Received Money From Other Pro-Abortion Groups in 2008
Wendy Davis
State Senate District 10
$100,000.00
Veronica Gonzales
State House District 41
$20,000.00
Valinda Bolton
State House District 47
$40,200.00
Donna Howard
State House District 48
$15,000.00
Diana Maldonado
State House District 52
$50,100.00
Paula Pierson
State House District 93
$27,670.00
Carol Kent
State House District 102
$20,000.00
Sherrie Matula
State House District 129
$20,000.00
Kristi Thibaut
State House District 133
$30,000.00
Carol Alvarado
State House District 145
$2,500.00
Diane Trautman
Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector
$45,000.00
Obama supporters start tattooing numbers on their arms.
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