If they move too quick, they're falling down like a domino

Sorry.  My twisted sense of humor has brought the Bangles' "Walk Like an Egyptian" to mind all week.  It doesn't help that my iPod coughed it up on random play this afternoon.

On a serious note for a moment, regarding Egypt. It would scare the living daylights out of me to be in a nation where the leader has been effectively forced out (a "military coup" was the headline on Drudge earlier today), where elections for a new leader were months away at best, and where the military is currently in charge.

I have never really been of the neo-conservative persuasion toward "democracy everywhere, just because."  If the people of a nation want it, in all the contradictory, partisan glory it can bring, fine.  It is hard to say that democracy for democracy's sake is the way to go in Egypt, but if that is what they people there want, regardless of what the outcome might be, I believe it is our place to accept it, insofar that it is not a threatening result.  We are not all Egyptians, after all.

There are a lot of pundits making the case right now for democracy in Egypt.  Some have called for American involvement (because hey, it's always a really awesome idea for the United States to get involved! /sarcasm).  I saw earlier that German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that today was one of "joy" for Egyptians.  I don't know about that.  I think joy is still in the future.  Once Egypt has free elections, once its 82 million people can choose their leader and go forward, maybe then there can be joy.

In the meantime, one of the few formally stable nations in the most unstable regions in the world is now being led by its military, without an elected leader, with many different special interests (some violent) anxious for control.

Food for thought.

Since all the cool kids are doing it.....

The committee chairmen list.  A lot of "wow" and "oh crap" and "uh, really?" and "OF COURSE" in this list.  I leave it to you, dearest readers, to make those noises without my prompting you.

1. Agriculture & Livestock: Representative Rick Hardcastle (R-Vernon)
2. Appropriations: Representative Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie)
3. Border & Intergovernmental Affairs: Representative Veronica Gonzales (D-McAllen)
4. Business & Industry: Representative Joe Deshotel (D-Beaumont)
5. Calendars: Representative Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi)
6. Corrections: Representative Jerry Madden (R-Richardson)
7. County Affairs: Representative Garnet Coleman (D-Houston)
8. Criminal Jurisprudence: Pete Gallego (D-Alpine)
9. Culture, Recreation, & Tourism: Representative Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City)
10. Defense & Veterans’ Affairs: Representative Joe Pickett (D-El Paso)
11. Economic & Small Business Development: Representative John Davis (R-Houston)
12. Elections: Representative Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood)
13. Energy Resources: Representative Jim Keffer (R-Eastland)
14. Environmental Regulation: Representative Wayne Smith (R-Baytown)
15. General Investigating & Ethics: Representative Chuck Hopson (R-Jacksonville)
16. Government Efficiency & Reform: Representative William “Bill” Callegari (R-Katy)
17. Higher Education: Representative Dan Branch (R-Dallas)
18. Homeland Security & Public Safety: Representative Sid Miller (R-Stephenville)
19. House Administration: Representative Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth)
20. Human Services: Representative Richard Peña Raymond (D-Laredo)
21. Insurance: Representative John Smithee (R-Amarillo)
22. Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence: Representative Jim Jackson (R-Carrollton)
23. Land & Resource Management: Representative Rene Oliveira (D-Brownsville)
24. Licensing & Administrative Procedures: Representative Mike Hamilton (R-Mauriceville)
25. Local & Consent Calendars: Representative Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston)
26. Natural Resources: Representative Allan Ritter (R-Nederland)
27. Pensions, Investments & Financial Services: Representative Vicki Truitt (R-Keller)
28. Public Education: Representative Rob Eissler (R-The Woodlands)
29. Public Health: Representative Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham)
30. Redistricting: Representative Burt Solomons (R-Carrollton)
31. Rules & Resolutions: Representative Ruth Jones McClendon (D-San Antonio)
32. State Affairs: Representative Byron Cook (R-Corsicana)
33. Technology: Representative Aaron Peña (R-Edinburg)
34. Transportation: Representative Larry Phillips (R-Sherman)
35. Urban Affairs: Representative Harold Dutton Jr. (D-Houston)
36. Ways & Means: Representative Harvey Hilderbran (R-Kerrville)
37. Select Committee on State Sovereignty: Representative Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe)
38. Select Committee on Voter Identification and Voter Fraud: Representative Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton)

Election Contest, Select (Previously announced): Representative Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi)
Joint Committee on Oversight and HHS Eligibility System: Representative Fred Brown (R-College Station)

View the whole kit and kaboodle online at the House website - find out just what happens when 101 Republicans, including a near-record number of freshmen, get thrown into the mix!

A message from Dan Neil about HD 48 election contest

Dan Neil sent the following to supporters this afternoon:

"Dear Friends,

Today, we heard testimony from Mr. Bill Aleshire, who conducted the recount for House District 48. The testimony about the conduct of the recount has raised several questions about the accuracy of it. We heard testimony that there was no paper trail to verify the changing of votes and vote counts in the various precincts. Based on this testimony, the Master of Discovery has requested that we reopen some of the ballot boxes. In order to get to the truth, we have agreed with this request.

We are still waiting to hear testimony from a few voters to clarify the margin, which will hopefully take place tomorrow. We are confident that we will pick up more votes once we hear their testimony.

One thing is absolutely clear: there is no way to completely know what votes were and were not counted in this election.

It is important that we shine a light on the errors that have occurred, so that they can be corrected and all legal voters will have an opportunity to have their ballot counted.

Thank you for all your prayers and support.

God bless,

Dan Neil"

Upcoming community forums for Pflugerville ISD

Continuing on the same theme as early posts - Pflugerville ISD issued a notice today to citizens about three upcoming community forums, containing a message from superintendent Charles Dupre.

While PISD is quick to lay funding issues at the state's feet, there is a calmer tone throughout Dupre's message than what we're seeing elsewhere, and there is this:

"During the coming months you will hear many rumors and news reports about the PISD budget and legislative action. When you hear such things, remember the following:

• Pflugerville ISD will consider every option needed to reduce expenditures or increase revenues. We value our outstanding staff, but 83% of our budget is payroll. It is not possible to address the state’s budget shortfall without considering staffing at all levels.

• You will hear many rumors about budget reductions in other districts. Each public school district is independent, and each district is in a very different financial position and manages decision-making differently. Do not assume what you hear about other districts is relevant to Pflugerville ISD.

• You will hear about proposed reductions at the state level and proposed legislative action that would impact schools. At the state level nothing is final until it has been through several rounds of sub-committee and committee hearings, and considered by the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Governor."

The Pflugerville ISD community forums will take place later in the semester.  The schedule is below:

March 8, 7-8:30 p.m. Westview Middle School Cafeteria
April 14, 7-8:30 p.m. Pflugerville Middle School Cafeteria
May 12, 7-8:30 p.m. Kelly Lane Middle School Cafeteria

RRISD moves Thursday public meeting

The following was sent to all Round Rock ISD PTAs this morning, regarding the scheduled meeting with RRISD superintendent Dr. Jesús H. Chávez.  Incidentally, I decided to leave it unedited, so all grammar and spelling issues are not mine.

"February 1, 2011 - Due to the large number of reservations for the Thursday, Feb. 3 Community Meeting with Superintendent Dr. Jess H. Chvez, the location of the meeting has moved from Waterloo Icehouse to the Sommer Elementary Library, 16200 Avery Ranch Blvd. in Austin. The meeting will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Residents are invited to attend the meeting to ask questions about the 2006 and 2008 Bond Programs and learn more about parent involvement opportunities, the upcoming budget reduction, state of the district and district goals.

The upcoming budget reduction will be one of the topics covered in the Feb. 3 meeting; however, residents strictly interested in learning more about budget reductions are invited to the districts Budget Reduction Forum on Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Round Rock High School cafeteria, 300 Lake Creek Drive in Round Rock.

The district will continue to watch weather conditions with regard to the Community Meeting scheduled for Feb. 3. If inclement weather causes the meeting to be rescheduled the district will release the news to the media, post it on the districts Web site and send out an E-news to all subscribers. Please continue to watch the districts Web site for up-to-date information."