HD 4, HD 20 primaries start getting interesting

The Ellis County Observer is reporting that Melissa Pehle-Hill will formally announce her Republican primary candidacy for state rep. in HD 4 (currently held by Republican Rep. Betty Brown) next week. No official word yet if former primary challenger Wade Gent plans to get in the fray.

Quorum Report has the press release confirming that Dr. Charles Schwertner will enter the HD 20 Republican primary to replace Rep. Dan Gattis. (In case you were wondering, Schwertner's family goes back far enough in Williamson County to have a town named for them). I believe this brings the HD 20 race to two candidates (Milton Rister is the other formally announced candidate). Almost-former Cedar Park city councilman Stephen Thomas is also rumored to have an interest in running for HD 20 (he announced his resignation from the council this week, official Oct. 1).

And in case you missed it yesterday, Travis County entered the fray with Republican Glenn Bass announcing candidacy in HD 48, against incumbent Rep. Donna Howard (I don't have to say the "D" part, do I, loyal reader?).

And, this isn't primary news, but the House Redistricting Committee held the first hearing on upcoming redistricting today, and Will Lutz at Lone Star Report has an update here.

Perhaps state house races and interim redistricting committee meetings don't meet the standards of the mainstream press, which is more interested in the if-it-bleeds-it-leads nature of the gubernatorial primary, but hey, someone has to watch what's happening down ballot.

Glenn Bass announces HD 48 candidacy

ETA:  Bass did not end up filing for state representative, and is instead running for Travis County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2.

From the press release:

Travis County Republican and local business owner Glenn Bass filed documents today with the Texas Ethics Commission to allow him to start his campaign for Texas House of Representatives, District 48. A fiscal and economic conservative, Bass seeks to reduce the role of government. “I believe in smaller government, less government intervention and personal freedom. Further, it is not the role of government to create jobs, but rather to see where it can get out of the way and let our small business owners do what they do best. While I’ll certainly be providing more specifics soon, those are the basics of who I am and that will be reflected in this campaign,” Bass said.

Bass is the first Republican candidate for the state legislature to announce in Travis County.

Updated: Memorials for Brianna Becker

ETA: VIGIL TONIGHT: From Elizabeth McClung: Today from 6-7 pm would have been Brianna’s first weekly hour to stand and pray during this fall 40 Days for Life. To honor Brianna, they are holding a candle-lit prayer vigil in the very place she has spent much of her time. You are welcome to join them today from 6:00pm-6:30 pm for a prayer service at the south Austin prayer site (1902 S. IH 35) for all our pro-life prayer intentions as they honor Brianna and her steadfast dedication to the defense of the dignity of human life.

From Down Ballot Radio, broadcast memorial planned:

The Down Ballot Radio broadcast tonight will be a tribute to Brianna Becker, an outspoken activist not just for conservatism but also for student involvement in the political process, women’s empowerment, and her faith. We hope that we can come close to doing Brianna’s memory justice.

Down Ballot Radio will air at 8:30pm, Monday, on KVRX.org or 91.7 FM

Tuesday evening at 7:30pm, there will be a prayer vigil for Brianna at the University Lutheran Center at 21st and San Antonio. All are welcome. More info about that is here on Facebook.

The first memorial service will take place in Houston at the Beckers' home church, Our Savior Lutheran Church, this Wednesday at 11am. All those who knew Brianna are welcome to attend, if you're willing to make the trip.

The church's website is here, and the address is 5000 W. Tidwell Rd. Houston, Texas 77091.

Briann's Austin memorial service has been confirmed. It will take place this Saturday, 10-03-09, at 11:00 AM at Brianna's “home away from home church,” St. Paul Lutheran Church, 3501 Red River Street (near IH-35 on Red River, between 32nd & 38 ½ streets) Austin, Tx, 512-472-8301.

For those wishing to send flowers to either event, they can be delivered to St. Paul around 09:00 AM Saturday. If anyone wishes to send flowers for Wednesday, they can be delivered to Our Savior Lutheran Church 5000 W Tidwell, Houston, TX 77091.

Information via Tony McDonald about donations in honor and memory of Brianna:

Many people have asked about making donations in memory of Brianna and have asked about various scholarships. Her parents asked in her obituary that people donate to the scholarship fund at Our Savior's Lutheran School. She was able to attend school there because of these scholarships, so it seems a very fitting charity. She had expressed to Tony several times that she intended to donate generously to the scholarship fund there. It would be a great honor to help her fulfill that desire, even in her passing. I also must add that she really believed in and supported the work that OSL School did. She wished that every child could have the same great Christian education that she had.

You can mail your donation to Our Savior Lutheran School @ 5000 W. Tidwell, Houston, Tx, 77091, and put it to the attention of Brianna Becker Scholarship Fund.

Texas GOP chairman to join Perry campaign

Texas GOP state chairman Tina Benkiser announced at Saturday's meeting of the State Republican Executive Committee that she will resign her post, effective October 5. She is taking on the role of senior advisor to the Rick Perry for Governor reelection campaign.

The word spread quickly via Facebook and Twitter feeds, as SREC members and attendees updated from the meeting.

Chairman Benkiser's Twitter update on the matter is here. The Republican Party of Texas posted a press statement here. The Rick Perry campaign posted a press release.

For those wondering how Benkiser's successor will be chosen: The SREC will vote on a replacement, although vice chairman Dr. Robin Armstrong may be a candidate for that (at this point, candidacies are unknown). According to the Texas Election Code:

Sec. 171.003. FILLING VACANCY. (a) The state executive committee shall fill by appointment any vacancy on the committee, including a vacancy in the office of chair or vice chair.

Brianna Becker, 1987-2009: We lost a star, and Heaven gained a saint

The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death. - Isaiah 57:1-2

Much love, Brianna.

Brianna Becker was a friend of mine. She was a vice chairman in Young Conservatives of Texas, working for the Susan Combs campaign. She spent time interning at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, and a summer at the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute. She was getting ready to take the LSAT today, because she was going to be a lawyer, and she was going to be such a good one.

But that was just her earthly vocation. Brianna was an outspoken Christian, secure in her faith. She took comfort and guidance from the Word, and was never shy about telling people everything they wanted to know about what she believed.

Brianna was a role model for all of us. She was the kind of person who lit up a room. A natural leader, Brianna was also constantly seeking to serve others.

She was jogging last night when an SUV pulled out of a driveway and struck her. She was pronounced dead at the hospital. (Statesman story) (ETA: Statesman article from Sunday paper)

I ask that, if you are a praying person, you pray for her family, and for her friends. It's bewildering - we lost a star last night.

Brianna's very last message on Twitter was about her ambition for today. "I never wanted something as much as I want tomorrow to be the real deal, the one and only time I need to take that test."

In an odd way, her wish was granted. We know where she is - dancing in heaven, with her Savior. That really is the real deal.

We love you, Brianna. May you shine on.

(Brianna, me, and Liz Young, at YCT's state convention earlier this year)

(Robbie Cooper at UrbanGrounds has a tribute to Brianna Becker posted here)

And speaking of racism.....

Mark Lloyd, Obama's "diversity czar" over at the Federal Communications Commission, has been speaking out publicly about wanting to get rid of white media executives, and replacing them with minorities. It's just part of his overall rhetoric (which includes promoting liberal talk radio, and heralding Hugo Chavez, the Communist dictator in Venezuela).

Tom McGregor at DallasBlog has more here. (ETA: NetRightNation also has a fabulous expose of Lloyd here)

Just another example of how enforced or manufactured diversity is the true goal of "diversity" czars - and I daresay, diversity officials at other institutions. Lloyd is in the same mold as Greg Vincent at the University of Texas (though certainly more radical and outspoken), and the idea of a diversity czar at the FCC is similar to diversity centers at universities. The goal with these things is not to promote diversity of anything other than race and ethnicity - at the expense of some races and ethnicities and in favor of others.

Lloyd's idea of getting white media execs to leave in favor of "minority" replacements is racism - it's extreme prejudice that has an outcome of forcing out one race above all others.

I think it's time for another czar to fall - Mark Lloyd needs to go the way of Van Jones.

Commissioner Williams: Let's Talk About Race

"Let's Talk About Race"
by Michael Williams
September 22, 2009

Let’s talk about race. As an African-American son of the south, I grew up in a time and place where you didn’t have to divine intent or deconstruct code words to find racism. When it raised its ugly head it was like a blunt instrument waved in your face to keep you in your place. It was as unmistakable as it was demeaning.

Unfortunately, with political waters getting rough for the first time for our president, his supporters are quick to latch on to the actions of a fringe element, and ignore the racial transformation this country has made to take us back to a past era where opposition to a black man was about the color of his skin and not the content of his ideas.

Recently former president Jimmy Carter asserted there is a “belief among many white people, not just in the south but around the country, that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country.” Absurd on its face – after all, Mr. Obama wouldn’t have been elected without tremendous support from white voters. This statement is not damaging because it is a false observation, but it stigmatizes the discussion about race relations.

When someone of public prominence carelessly and callously demeans the motives of millions of honest Americans as racists when they are simply concerned about policy ramifications of the President’s agenda, we stop hearing each other. How can the President win over critics when critics are so unfairly stigmatized by such a personal attack on their character? You can hear the conversation around dinner tables and social gatherings: ”If we disagree with Obama, the liberals think we are a bunch of racists.” This truly hampers the effort to find common ground.

Furthermore, stigmatizing honest opposition as “racist” appears to be a way of not answering legitimate questions about policy reform. I, for one, oppose the President’s healthcare plan because it will explode the deficit, allow further government intrusion into the doctor-patient relationship, and continue to insulate healthcare consumers from the true cost of their care. The President and his allies should explain why my concerns are misplaced. But by attacking the character of their critics, they don’t have to answer their charges or win the debate over policy differences, because the charge of “racist” is the nuclear option. Once it is launched there is no need for conventional warfare in the political sense: winning and losing on the merit of policy.

What grieves me most, however, is not that false cries of racism shortcircuit our debate, but that it makes legitimate concern about pockets of racism impossible to hear among the majority of Americans where it truly exists. Racism does still exist in America today – on both sides of the political spectrum. Now it will be that much harder to expose because the real cry will be impossible to distinguish from the false one, much like the boy who cried, “wolf.” Racism exists, but so does opportunity, and I can personally attest to the fact that there is far more opportunity than racism.

We have rid our institutions of government of the practice of discrimination; if only we could rid our political discourse of the ugliness that ensues when we ascribe discriminatory motive to statements with no obvious discriminatory aspect. New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd couldn’t help hearing a missing word in Congressman Joe Wilson’s outburst during President Obama’s speech to Congress. The Congressman yelled, “You lie.” Ms. Dowd couldn’t help hearing, “you lie, boy.”

While Congressman Wilson started a fire, Ms. Dowd poured fuel on it. The greater ugliness is not the inappropriate outburst, but Ms. Dowd intentionally injecting a word loaded with a history of racial condescension to label a whole movement of opposition.

I have a suggestion for future discourse. Let’s leave race out of the debate unless someone clearly raises it as the rationale for their position on an issue. Instead, let’s stick to the substance of the argument for the good of the American people.

The fact is I can disagree with my president based on the politics of ideas instead of the politics of identity, and so can millions of Americans. When liberals seek to change the debate from the content of reforms to the character of their opposition, it smacks of desperation. And it makes me wonder if they have forgotten what real racism is like. While I appreciate President Obama’s response to this controversy in real days, he has missed an opportunity to disavow his supporters. They are taking this country back to an uglier time and place, when so many of us want to move forward.

#####

Michael Williams, 56, has been elected three times statewide in Texas as a Texas Railroad Commissioner, and is a candidate for the United States Senate. As a federal prosecutor he successfully fought against the klan and other white supremacists groups. As high-level aide in the U.S. Department of Education under President George H. W. Bush, he made a controversial stand against the use of race in college admissions.

This op-ed also appeared in today's Austin American-Statesman.

Reposted here by permission from the Williams for Senate campaign.

Found: Republican health care solutions!

In response to a comment on my previous post, I figured I'd provide some links and information concerning the Republican/conservative solutions to the health care problem in the United States. I mean, it's not as if any of this is available to public or anything. After all, if Charlie Gibson ain't spouting off about it, it never actually happened.

Sorry. I guess my bitterness at having to post this at all is showing. Get a clue, folks. There are indeed Republican, conservative, even moderate solutions to the health care problem - but Madame Speaker and her cabal would rather you not know about them. Being the defiant blogger that I am, here's what I dug up (be defiant - spread the word):

Courtesy of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, you should check out Prescription for a Cure A Patient-Centered Approach to Fixing America's Health Care System. This is a series of proposals that are patient-centered - meaning, the government is taken out of the equation. It includes things like "Reduce the number of mandated benefits insurers are required to cover, giving the consumer a better opportunity to afford quality health care plans" and "Use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) so individuals can see how much their health care costs and have an incentive to use only those services that are necessary." Shocking, I know.

I highly recommend reading the Laffer report on the Texas perspective of the national health care initiative.

Then, in actual legislation (a fact blatantly and repeatedly ignored by leftist bloggers and the MSM), there is H.R. 3218, the Improving Health Care for All Americans Act, which has been offered up as an alternative to the Dems' H.R. 3200. Also, there is H.R. 3400, the Empowering Patients First Act. Or how about H.R. 2520, the Patients' Choice Act? Or even the "centrist" solution called the Medical Rights and Reform Act?

In July, Republican leaders in Congress offered 31 "common-sense changes" to the Democrat proposal. Included here were such radical proposals as "Prevent bureaucrats from making personal medical decisions for patients," "Protect employers who offer health care coverage to their workers," and "Prevent health care providers from being forced into a government-run plan" among other things.

Multiple solutions, none of which have been debated, all of which have been shot down by a president and speaker unwilling to let the conversation happen. My way or the highway, they shout defiantly. Well, dig a little bit, and you'll find out their way has very little to do with health care reform and everything to do with a massive power grab for the federal government. No thanks.

(And now we have the news that Humana Insurance is being investigated by the feds for opposing the Democrat plan. Wonderful time to be an American, ain't it.)

Paxton to Pelosi: Welcome to Texas, Madame Speaker

An Open Letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, from Texas State Rep. Ken Paxton.

Dear Madame Speaker,

I want to be one of the first to welcome you to Texas for your fundraising visit on Saturday in Austin. You should feel at home as you drive from the airport to your event, passing by businesses that were once located in your home state of California and being greeted by the smiles of friendly Californians who now call Texas home.

I understand that you will be here to accept donations for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Texas is an excellent venue for such an event, as workers in our state still have jobs and discretionary income. In addition to taking Texas money back with you to Washington, I would like to respectfully request that you also carry back some insight for your colleagues that you may personally witness during your visit to our state.
Since your party gained control of Congress and the White House, you and your colleagues have proposed federal policies that look like the policies that have recently been used to govern California. I understand you spend most of your time in the Beltway, so let me help you become reacquainted with your home state.

California's unemployment rate is teetering on 12%, which is more than two points higher than the national average. California is currently struggling to close a $24.3 billion budget gap, partly caused by a decrease in revenue from the personal income tax. California lawmakers are looking to further increase income taxes on the middle class to make up the difference, just as you and your colleagues are proposing to fund your health care proposal. Rather than taking more money out of the pockets of taxpayers, may I suggest another solution?

Texas, which has a 7.5% unemployment rate (two points BELOW the national average), was affected by a slowing economy after 9/11. During the 78th Legislative Session, Texas faced a $10 billion shortfall. By cutting expenditures and passing a responsible budget, the Legislature managed to cover our state's expenditures for the biennium without raising taxes and without dipping into our "Rainy Day Fund." Furthermore, because of our business-friendly policies, our economy recovered, and we ended our next Legislative session with a $14 billion surplus. Last year, more jobs were created in Texas than in the other 49 states COMBINED. Did I mention that we don't even have a state income tax?

With all due respect, Madame Speaker, the harsh regulations on businesses, as found in your Cap and Trade bill, and increased taxes on individuals and businesses, as found in your Health Care proposal, will not help our country recover from this economic downturn. Additionally, a vibrant economy lies not in handouts or bailouts, but in sound and responsible fiscal policies that encourage growth and opportunity. Rather than relying on the power of government, I believe we should rely on the power and creativity of the American people. Please take a close look while you are in Texas and suggest to your colleagues that Congress should re-focus its priorities by promoting policies that allow businesses, families and individuals to thrive without additional financial burdens and bureaucratic restrictions that lead to job loss and increased prices.

Regards,
Ken Paxton

Texas State Representative, District 70

The Nut Cracks: ACORN to Halt Services

ACORN has taken a lot of heat in the last few days, thanks to the efforts of a couple of daring conservative activists and the multiplying power of Beck, Hannity, Rush, et. al. And it looks like they've managed to crack the nut, so to speak. ACORN CEO Bertha Lewis is "immediately ordering a halt to any new intakes into ACORN’s service programs until completion of an independent review," according to a press release sent this afternoon. It looks like the bell is tolling on ACORN, and all thanks to a couple of young, motivated conservative activists.

You have to love what the left does when confronted by controversy. Let's have a training! I'd say ACORN's staff needs more than just training to get past accepting the idea of child abuse and child prostitution, as the fourth video shows. Lewis has dictated the following actions:

* No new intakes will be accepted into ACORN’s offices for service programs, effective immediately;

* An immediate in-service training for all frontline staff has been ordered within 48 hours;

* ACORN’s independent Advisory Council will help select an independent auditor/reviewer no later than September 18th to review all of the systems and processes called into question by the videos.

It will be interesting to see how and even if this step is covered by the MSM. I mean, the story was totally ignored on some major outlets, like MSNBC. Jon Stewart had some fun with the story - and who can't see the hilarity in an organization with a serious government (read: taxpayer-funded) contract hiring hookers and encouraging prostitution? I certainly can, when you consider just how seriously we're supposed to regard ACORN and their "services."

So now we have word that ACORN is going to conduct an investigation and halt services, perhaps Congress can get down to the business of firing them for good. Unless they're still preoccupied with dictating the language used to criticize the president.

Priorities of the left never cease to baffle me.

(crossposted from Red County)

Hands Off Texas rally: the other side of the story

I found this kind of amusing. I mean, the constant ad hominem attacks from the boys over at BOR are usually inane, but this takes the spin rhetoric to a new low. If you can't see through them by now, I think you need to get new glasses.

Like Phillip, I was at the Hands Off Texas rally at the State Capitol on Saturday. Of course, I was doing it in a Reagan/Bush t-shirt and nearly lost my voice cheering for 9/11 Pentagon survivor Brian Birdwell, but hey, who's keeping score?

Phillip is cheerfully mocking the Texas Republican House Committee for the event, which was meant as a visual send-off for the Democratic National Committee (they held their fall meeting in Austin last week). The rain was no deterrant for the scrappy and determined crowd. BOR likes to mock the grassroots when they turn out - and in this case, they came from all over the state to cheer on the message Republicans are sending to Democrats: Hands OFF Texas.

(If you aren't keeping up with the game: the DNC was meeting, over 9/11 no less, to plot their "takeover" of the Texas Legislature, with an eye toward controlling redistricting)

The rally was wet, it was loud (heavy rain beating on umbrellas), and it was invigorating. We heard from party leaders, and from Lathan Watts (Lewisville city councilmember), Brian Birdwell (9/11 survivor), and former state rep. and sometime radio host Suzanna Hupp. All told, there were probably 100 people there. Given the rain, and the fact that the UT football game started at 2:30 and the rally at 2:00, it's hard to think meanly of a crowd like that. The point was made, the rally attendees revved up. You have to think, though, of all the other rallies that were happening on Saturday, in San Marcos, El Paso, Fort Worth, and of course, Washington D.C. We had a scrappy crowd at the State Capitol, but the overall momentum to defeat the failed Democrat agenda was huge.

There are some flaws in the BOR send-up of the rally. First, there's a supposedly disparaging remark that the rally had no Republican candidates or current elected officials present, while the Democrat rally at the Capitol on Thursday had several. I don't know that I'd go bragging that your candidates had nothing better to do than gather in Austin for a partisan pep rally, to be honest. Ours were home in their districts, attending local tea parties or doing what elected officials and candidates SHOULD be doing - hearing from their constituents. Second, BOR mocks the crowd for standing out in the rain, and for the rally not attracting more people because of the rain. Well, parts of I-35 weren't even moving on Saturday - the story that got out around the state about the rain and flooding in central Texas by Saturday morning likely encouraged folks to stay away and not drive in on Saturday. The Dems' rally on Thursday was rainy, yes, but the situation was considerably different and saying "haha, our people can take the rain and yours can't" is disingenuous and frankly stupid.

Remember, the Democrats had campaign staffers, political activists, politicians, and other liberal groups already in town from all over the state/country for the DNC meeting. What I'm hearing is that with all those prominent activists, political operatives, democrat staffers, and the like in town, with 3 months notice, they could only get 200 people to a rally. Even with their top statewide candidates speaking, only 200 democrats, who were already in town from all over the country to plan redistricting, wanted to attend.

On less than 2 weeks notice on a UT football game day Saturday, at least 100 Republicans around Austin (and from the far reaches of the state!) were able to come down to the Capitol in the rain.

I've got one more thing. The right is not made up of professional protesters. We're not usually up for spending a Saturday at the Capitol for a rally, when we could be at home with our families, or in our hometowns. The rally was not the be-all or end-all of the THRC effort. Phillip ended his post with a drumbeat of desperation - the Democrats will succeed, by gum! - but it rings false and hollow. As the mood in the country plummets in the wake of Democratic leadership, I find it really difficult to think that 2010 is going to be a banner year for them.

We're working hard right now, and we will not go quietly, no matter how much the BOR boys and their merry band of "volunteer" bloggers whine and kvetch and spin.

Two Texas House Dems announce retirement

Rep. Kino Flores and Rep. David Farabee have announced, one right one top of the other, that they are both retiring from the Texas House and not running for reelection. I'm looking forward to the announcements from Republicans who are planning to run in these now-open seats.

Of course, over at BOR, there's the gleeful spin one would expect. By no means, they declare, is this the end for Democrat chances in 2010! And then there's Burka, moaning that there's no shot in Hades for Democrats now. I prefer a middle-of-the-road perspective, because Dems retiring is not the only story in Texas House news right now. There is a lot that can still happen, that will happen, in the weeks to come as more legislators make decisions about staying put, and more candidates begin to emerge.

Flores' district is probably not in play - HD 36 encompasses part of Hidalgo County, along the Texas border. The district probably will not flip, though getting a conservative Hispanic Democrat isn't out of the question. Farabee's district, HD 69 in Wichita Falls, probably is in play. Farabee was considered a target by Republican operatives long before this announcement, and there were times when Farabee's name came up in discussions about legislators who might switch parties. I think it's cheerful spin on his behalf to say his retirement had been long planned and is about spending time with his family - those things are undoubtedly true, but at the same time, Farabee is seeing the writing on the wall. The Democrat Party is not precisely in tune with Farabee's district, and a Republican with some backbone and cash could make real trouble for him. After twelve years, one gets exhausted. One has to decide if one wants to keep up in the rat race.

So what other news is out there about the Texas House?

1 - You've seen the HD 52 news, I'm sure. There are now 5 Republican candidates in the mix. James Bernsen, Stephen Casey, Larry Gonzalez (according to Capitol Inside), John Gordon, and Ralph Pina. The Dems don't think this seat is in play for real, because who would dare challenge the "accomplished" Diana Maldonado (sorry, that sporfle you heard was my Dr. Pepper spewing on the keyboard). But trust me, this seat is in play. It was by the skin of her teeth and the grace of Organizing for America and Planned Parenthood, and a Libertarian, that Maldonado pulled it off last year. It ain't over yet.

2 - Jim Murphy is coming back to haunt Kristi Thibaut's dreams in HD 133, in Houston. The Murph has one huge thing that Thibaut is lacking even after serving a term in the House - experience.

3 - Thomas Latham isn't letting Robert Miklos rest quietly in HD 101 in Dallas. Given that this is the district that was once home to conservative firecracker Elvira Reyna, don't count Latham out.

4 - There are some seats that are in question, but not necessarily for a party flip, at least at first glance. A few Democrats are drawing primary challengers, and that should make for some interesting political hay as time goes on.

And there is more. I'm working on a round-up post to get more in depth on some of these races.

Rest assured, Republicans are gearing up to fight, and the Democrats don't have a cakewalk ahead of them, regardless of what might have been the impression during the DNC fall meeting. There's a serious battle ahead for the Texas House, and it will determine a lot about the politics in this state (and beyond) for several years to come.

Dan Gattis officially running for State Senate 5

It's official.

We suspected, because his website was "down for maintenance" on Friday afternoon.

And sure enough, it's now all decorated for his Senate run. And, there's this little YouTube video:

Hands Off Texas

Today at 2pm, at the State Capitol, rain or shine. Come help us tell the DNC, "HANDS OFF TEXAS!"

Can't make it? Sign the petition: http://www.handsofftexas.com

Also, CSPAN is broadcasting from the 9/12 taxpayer rally in Washington, D.C. right now. Travis Monitor has some of the coverage available here (including PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE that the 9/12 rally is MUCH bigger than the left or the state-run media will let you know about)

UT students, Austin firefighters remember 9/11

Tribute to Luis Jimenez

Luis Jimenez worked for Marsh & McLellan in the World Trade Center. He was 25 on Sept. 11, 2001, and his life was cut short by the terrorist attacks on that horrible day.

Luis graduated from Queens College University in 1998. He was an accountant for MMC for 2 years. His family and close friends called him by his nickname, Luigi. He was a baseball fan (loved the Mets). In September of 2001, he was planning to be married. By all accounts, he had a bright and successful future ahead of him. It was stolen on 9/11.

There is a wonderful tribute page on the MMC site for Luis here. Luis was remembered in 2006 by Chickpilot here. You can read the tribute to Luis in the book Portraits 9/11/01 here.

Luis, I didn't have a chance to know you at all, but I do know you're missed here. May God watch over your family and I hope you are safe in His arms now.

Project 2,996

Allahpundit remembers 9/11

Republican primary field grows in HD 52

There are now four announced candidates for the Republican primary in HD 52, the Williamson County seat held by Democrat Diana Maldanado.

Stephen Casey, John Gordon, and Ralph Pina are being joined by James Bernsen, Iraq War veteran and U.S. Navy officer. H/T to LSR for the update.

This is already a hopping primary race, assuming everyone who has announced files in December and so forth. Casey's Facebook group has sent out numerous messages about blockwalking and fundraising efforts. Gordon has signs up on FM 1325 and McNeil Road, among other places. Pina has held at least one major fundraiser, and both he and Casey have been seen at Republican club meetings lately.

Gordon is the only current candidate to have emerged from the 4-way 2008 primary for the same seat. He was edged out of the run-off by Bryan Daniel and Dee Hobbs - Daniel emerged as the candidate for the general.

Rumors are also abounding that Capitol staffer and long-time political activist Larry Gonzales may jump in (he was also rumored for the 2008 primary but ultimately didn't jump in).

Abbott video: You ain't seen nothin' yet

I'd call this a rousing campaign video - in the "Re-Elect Attorney General Greg Abbott" category. Then again, one could view it in the vein of "you ain't seen nothin' yet - if you liked me as AG, wait until I'm your _____!"

We report, you decide, etc.

Texans for Abbott: You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet from Texans for Greg Abbott on Vimeo.

Presidential Address Liveblog

Dewhurst for Lt Gov - but what does it all MEAN?!

David Dewhurst has announced that he's running for re-election for lieutenant governor. Marc Katz, who owns Katz's Deli, has announced that he's challenging the Dew (as a Democrat, of course). These things aren't news today, of course, since both announcements happened on Tuesday, but they do make for some good political hay. And this is a political hay kind of blog.

The big question on the lips of politicos in Texas for months has been "Will Kay Bailey Hutchison resign?" followed by "What will David Dewhurst do?" and seasoned with "And what about Greg Abbott?" The questions have led to an early start on campaigns, from Ted Cruz' AG bid to the everyone-and-their-dog U.S. Senate bid. And it seems that all was for naught, in the wake of the Dew's announcement on Tuesday. Some people (::coughkronbergcough::) are speculating that the announcement could be a "stalking horse" move on Dewhurst's part. Here's why I don't think so.

In terms of the election code, KBH would need to resign her seat sometime this week or next to spark an appointment to replace her and put a U.S. Senate special election on the November ballot. If she waits much longer, the earliest the election could be, unless Perry were to call replacing her an emergency, is May. That's the best that I can decipher from the election code. So all of the people who are waiting on her to make a decision need to make decisions themselves very quickly. Dewhurst's announcement tells me that he has some insight as to if KBH is planning to resign at all, and he's running for lieutenant governor again to ensure that no matter what happens, there isn't a gap in his elected status.

But, you protest, KBH is resigning! She said she would this fall! Etc blah blah whinycakes. What we've actually heard from her and her campaign is a big vat of conflicting gobbledygook. And why? Because very smart people are saying that it would be a mistake for her to resign before the primary election. It would force a lame-duck appointment on Perry's behalf - it would be the only thing he would have left to do as governor that could make any kind of impact. But then again, why would she want to put so much power in Perry's hands? If she waits, runs a successful primary campaign, and pulls it off next November, she'll be in a position to name her own successor. The political wind is beginning to whisper that Kay ain't resigning this fall, or even before the primary.

If it's true and she's not resigning, well, Dewhurst's announcement suddenly makes heaps of sense. Even if he is angling for the appointment, there is no guarantee of when it will happen, and he wants to keep making his mark in Texas politics. Best thing for him to do is file and run in the primary, in order that he has a shot at remaining lieutenant governor - and hopefully scaring off primary challengers in the meantime.

What does that mean for the rest of the ballot? Here we enter into the exciting and exhausting realm of political speculation.

1 - Greg Abbott. He never has said, publicly, what he plans to do. The rumor mill in Austin has him challenging Dewhurst in the primary - but that doesn't seem like a very smart thing to do. Money notwithstanding, challenging the sitting lt. governor, who by all accounts is popular with the voting Republican base, might be a fool's endeavor.

2 - Ted Cruz. Running hard for attorney general and repeating publicly that Abbott isn't running for reelection. There's a palace built on shifting sand if there ever was one - whatever Abbott may have stated privately, he's not bound by a public statement, and it looks like a fierce primary for AG could be shaping up. Or not. Will Ted stay in the game if Abbott doesn't abdicate? That's a huge question that A LOT of Republicans are asking right now, especially with so many of them having endorsed Cruz for AG with the reasoning that they were trying to discourage others (Dan Branch, Dale Wainwright) from running.

3 - All those Senate candidates, Republican and Democrat. Well, frankly, they have the most unsteadily built effort of all, since there is not a Senate race until 2012 unless Kay resigns or is elected. Contrary to popular belief, her term isn't up until 2012 and she is under no legal obligation to resign her seat (unless she wins next November, and even then, the earliest the race would be is after inauguration in 2011). With no race to run, what will they do?

Michael Williams - Sitting on the Railroad Commission
Roger Williams - Running his business
Florence Shapiro - Still a sitting state senator, who is rumored to be retiring either way
Elizabeth Ames Jones - Sitting on the Railroad Commission
John Sharp - Might he run for Lt. Gov? Governor? Certainly more of a "name" than even Kinky Friedman.
Bill White - Was rumored for Gov. long before making a Senate announcement. Maybe? Maybe not?

Lots of questions, and still no answers. Until we have an announcement of some kind from KBH, Abbott, and/or Cruz that gives us all a clearer picture of what the 2010 Republican primary actually looks like, I plan to sit back, focus on the down ballot races shaping up, and try not to make assumptions or speculate on what is happening at the top of the ballot. Too many "what ifs" for my blood.

KTBC Fox 7: Dr. Edwards Chimes in post-Obama School Speech

Big update on Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

From NRO: Today, in a rare summer session, the Supreme Court heard arguments as to whether it should overrule its previous decisions in Austin v. Michigan State Chamber of Commerce (1990) and McConnell v. FEC (2003) — specifically, in the latter case, the part that addresses the facial validity of section 203 of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, more commonly known as McCain-Feingold.

Let's stress that last part, shall we? The "facial validity" of McCain-Feingold. This is the big campaign finance/First Amendment case that you might have heard about, since it spun out around a film called Hillary: The Movie that was produced while Clinton was still running for president. The government claimed that under McCain-Feingold, it could suppress the release of not just video-on-demand distribution of the film, but also it's release over the Internet or on video in public libraries. They went so far as to say to SCOTUS that they had the authority to stop the publication of political books if they could be considered political speech. Essentially, this is the case that might determine the fate of McCain-Feingold, and there's no doubt that this could be one of the Roberts' court's landmark decisions.

Incidentally, this is an interesting test for brand-new Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Here are some links that will give you a good background on what this case is about, what it could mean, and why it is so important.

Court transcript of reargument in Citizens United v Federal Election Commission

Audio of today's proceeding, courtesy of PBS' The NewsHour

National Review Blog - David Bossie and Michael Boos on why McCain-Feingold must be struck down

SCOTUSBlog's analysis

NYTimes story on the current status of the case

WSJ: The Chance for a Free Speech Do-Over

KXAN video: Dr. Edwards chimes in on Obama speech

**head -> desk**

My evening ended with an email from some random dude telling me I'm "raciest."

First - If you want to call me names, please spell them correctly. Thank you. (no, I am still NOT OVER the MORONS who spell "fascist" as "facist," and this new spelling of "racist" is quite aggravating)

Second - Huh? Left field much?

Third - Not really directed at me, since he also sent this to my boss and a colleague.

Fourth - And incidentally, just because we criticize something the president is doing, it doesn't make us racist. GET A CLUE.

Fifth - Still. What a way to end the day.

What's so offensive about Little Women?

I read yesterday that Louisa May Alcott's classic, Little Women, is on the list of challenged/banned books that are celebrated by libraries and schools during Banned Books Week (coming Sept. 26-Oct. 3).

Um. Really? Was it too dark for some small child, with all that talk of....pickled limes, Pilgrim's Progress, a Union chaplain? Oh, I know, it had to be the scarlet fever, and the death of a beloved character.

No.

Apparently, the reasoning was that Jo March, the celebrated independent young woman at the heart of the story, is "punished" at the end of the novel for her feminist ways by being "forced" to marry stodgy, craggy old Professor Friedrich Bhaer.

I'm sorry, I guess I was reading a different novel. One where, instead of being trapped at a young age in a marriage to a fly-by-night rebel with whom she knows she will fight and rage and end miserably, Jo gets to explore the world and ends up with a learned, gentle man who believes in her talent and shares in the duties of home life and childraising.

God forbid we should end up with men like Professor Bhaer.

(also, can I just get a loud HAHAHAHA over feminists engaging in BOOK BANNING?!)

Marvin Olasky chimes in on demise of Western Civ at UT

UT professor Marvin Olasky is continuing the discussion about Rob Koons' firing and the demise of the western civilization program at the University of Texas. He's got more of the full story, too, including the genesis of the Western Civilization and American Institutions (WCAI) at the university and more about the courses, reading, etc.

I can hear you talking about what a terrible shame it is that UT has lost this program, but think on it a bit more, and realize that UT is not the first school to lose this kind of program (which, according to Barbara Moeller, was the only place students would learn some of these things, since the core curriculum at UT has disintegrated). Great Books and western civ have been disappearing from core curricula at several major universities; many schools do not boast "centers," much less "departments," dedicated to a course of study on western civilization or American tradition. This is not merely shameful - it is flatly outrageous.

It is sickening to think that the cornerstones of our civilization, of our very way of life, are now only accessible to students who can afford private post-secondary education. Once again, philosophy is a study available only to the wealthy and privileged. When people (usually leftists upset with Christian intellectuals in the private and public sphere) talk ominously about the rise of a second Dark Age, they are perhaps more right than they know.

This really should outrage you, if you care about the university education of our students in any way. And if it does, there's an outlet available. Sign up today to join CATE - the Coalition for American Traditions and Ethics. Also, you can find out more about the history of UT's WCAI program by reading Rob Koons' story, and Barbara Moeller's take on what happened. Olasky's piece is featured on the front page of World Magazine and can be found online here. A great wealth of information on traditional western civ programs and more can be found here.

At UT, student aid percentage rises

Don't go blaming this one on the economy. As tuition and fees rise at the University of Texas and other universities, financial aid output also rises. The terrible catch-22 of the university funding system - you're bringing in more money thanks to tuition hikes and fee increases, but you're spending more in financial aid that doesn't get recouped. Wonderful.

Preliminary stats show that financial aid need at the University of Texas is up 23% from just two years ago. Want to take some bets on how much it's gone up since 2002?

To top it off, UT is also pulling out of giving National Merit Scholarships, in favor of (you guessed it), need-based financial aid.

Well, that's peachy.

As stated elsewhere, it's not as though there aren't eleventy-billion OTHER programs the university could cut. Oh, no. Gotta keep up appearances. Couldn't be seen as fiscally responsible - why, that would wreck UT's reputation in the university community!

Seriously, though. This needs to be added to the pile of reasons why tuition deregulation was a BAD move for Texas, and why the universities need to be subject to independent audits and subject to sunset review like other state agencies.

Activist Aggies

This post over at Left of College Station provides some interesting food for thought, concerning the fact that there are far fewer student activist organizations on the Texas A&M campus than there are at the University of Texas at Austin.

The author theorizes that because TAMU is traditionally isolated, that the students there have a "purposefully limited worldview." That's a simplified version - I do recommend reading the post.

I'm not an Aggie, but I play one on television know several and have participated in activist organizations alongside Aggies, and other students from many of the major universities in the state. I don't think I'd call it having a "purposefully limited worldview" when college students don't get involved or form activist organizations on political issues. I'd call it apathy.

The University of Texas is the odd bird in terms of political activism, from the left AND the right. While most of Texas' other major universities boast a long list of organizations for students to join, few of those are effective, active, or even very interesting. One thing you'll notice right off at any school is that there is a veritable laundry list of organizations for every single left-wing cause imaginable, and several groups overlap in purpose, membership, and activity. Right-wing activism is much more limited - you usually get College Republicans, maybe Young Conservatives of Texas, and a pro-life student group or two.

For the purposes of this discussion, Greek organizations, student government, religious organizations, school spirit and service groups do not count. Those groups serve a completely different purpose than "activist" organizations, are common on every campus (especially, I daresay, Texas A&M, where school spirit is imbibed as readily and thoroughly as College Station water). They also attract a wider audience, and sustain membership much better than politically active groups on both sides of the political spectrum. Frankly, it's because most students don't come to college with an idea of getting involved in politics. They're there to study (haha), party, hook up, and think only as much as it takes to pass their finals. If this sounds like a harsh indictment, look at the ratio of consistently politically active students to the total number of enrolled undergraduates in a given year. Or the attendance at a fraternity gathering versus a typical campus protest. Even UT, that bastion of political opinion shouted from every inch of the West Mall, doesn't inspire the fervor for political activism that it does for football tailgating.

I'd like to blow a hole in the theory that TAMU attracts right-wing political activists, too. The YCT chapter there has been anything but consistent over the years (a fun historical aside - the only campus in Texas with a consistently recognized and active Young Conservatives of Texas chapter is the University of Texas). The College Republicans there follow a similar trajectory, not unlike a roller coaster. The pro-life groups may have more historical momentum, but I would never say that all pro-life groups are political in nature. TAMU just isn't an activist school - that's not why students choose to go there and it's not what interests them while they stay.

In the Left of College Station post, the author wonders whether the political activism that came alive on the campus in 2008 is sustainable in a non-presidential election year. As a veteran campus activist at an apathetic school, before and after a presidential election year, I'd say this year will probably be fairly active there. My prediction: the sophomores and juniors who got a good taste of activism last year will want to experience that again. But next year, there will be a drop-off. And the following year. And if in 2012, there's not a really interesting presidential race, you won't compare to 2008. The kids who experienced last year's crazy ride will graduate - they won't necessarily be followed by motivated students, at least not immediately. The collegiate political scene is cyclical. You can have a politically charged issue sweep the campus for a month; the next, it falls back to pep rallies, mid-terms, and homecoming queens.

It isn't totally fair to say Aggies are simply apathetic (it WOULD be fair to say that about other schools, especially smaller ones). An argument could be made that the worldview of most students there is similar to what you might find at a comparably sized private school. Also, TAMU hasn't been much more than a military-and-ag school for nearly as long as UT has been a liberal arts haven, and it takes time to change the general culture of university.

Then again, do Aggies really want to be like Longhorns? Isn't that the whole point of escaping to College Station? And why would we want the exact same university experience to dominate every campus statewide anyway - what would be the point of having different schools, with different focuses, different student populations, etc.?