Kay Bailey- the Paranoia Czar...er Senator

You know things are getting bad for Kay Bailey when she starts spouting the kind of paranoid conspiracy theory style rants heard on the Glenn Beck show. In a recent op-ed in the Washington Post she falsely claimed that the Obama Administration had appointed 32 'czars' who don't have formal titles and whose power is unknown. In fact,their official titles usually involve the world 'advisor' because...thats their job. They advise the president. Every president has advisors and the word 'czar' is usually applied only to the drug control policy advisor. People have been referring to that position as the 'drug czar' since the Reagan Administration. I know that Kay Bailey has been struggling to keep up in the polls with Governor Perry. His musings about secession have apparently been paying dividends, but Texans need a senator who looks out for our interests instead of engaging in the tactic of stoking paranoia for political gain.

Kevin Brady, the king of hypocrisy

The closer we get to the 2010 primary, the more embarrassing Kevin Brady (R- The Woodlands) becomes. As many of you know, a bunch of "tea baggers" descended on the nation's capital on Saturday to protest the Obama Administration. Kevin Brady carried their banner and was right in the middle of it, according to his tweets.

Apparantly, these anti-government zealots don't have a problem using public, government-funded transportation. They went further in complaining that the DC Metro didn't meet their high standards for public transportation. Brady, missing no opportunity to beat the drum of idiocy, wrote a letter to Metro, demanding answers. However, in the last year, he twice failed to vote for federal funds that would have been used to enhance the service that Metro provides. Surely, he read the bill, so how can be explain this glaring hypocrisy?

The story was picked up by a number of national news sources today, some of which are linked to below. Now everyone in Texas and across the nation will know the quality of representation that we endure here in the 8th Congressional District. Thanks, Mr. Brady.

• Washington Post: Metro Was Ill-Prepared for March, Texas Congressman Says
• WSJ: Tea Party Protesters Protest D.C. Metro Service
• Texas Monthly: Throw Grandma from the Train
• Air America: GOP Rep Complains About DC Public Transportation, Irony Ensues
• The Plum Line: GOP Rep Who Suggested D.C. Metro Hurt 9/12 Turnout Voted Against Metro Funding

The Ed Show, MSNBC

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Countdown with Keith Olbermann, MSNBC

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

On a personal note, I attended the Inauguration earlier this year and made use of the DC Metro to get there from my hotel in northern Virginia. It is estimated that 1.8 million people attended the main event and while Metro service was busy and often delayed, it was sufficient. The Americans that I met were just delighted to be able to witness history. By most accounts, around 75,000 people attended this "tea party" on 9/12/09 and I can't imagine that the conditions could have been that unbearable.

The Comedian from the 8th District of Texas

I've got to hand it to Kevin Brady. He's quite a comedian. It takes A LOT of chutzpah to refuse to pay your bill, demand more from those to whom you're refusing payment, AND THEN complain about the subsequent substandard quality in the service that you didn't pay for. It looks like our distinguished jester has managed to just that. It seems that some of the teabaggers who protested last weekend in DC didn't feel that the Metro rail service was adequate and felt forced to depend upon a free market solution: some of them decided instead to take a cab ride. Its perfectly understandable that people would complain when underfunded public services don't function well, but when you've been a large part of the reason that such services have been underfunded for the past decade there's more than a hint of irony. Twice this year Congressman Brady has voted against bills that would provide the money for the service upgrades in Metro: in the stimulus bill last winter and in a spending bill this summer. So Mr. Brady wrote a letter to Metro complaining about the quality of the service...brilliant act Mr. Brady, but I'd prefer that casting hadn't chosen you play the part of a congressman: its just NOT believable.

Willis City Council Meeting - Sept. 15, 2009

Why can’t all government be like this? The Council and Mayor are unpaid elected public servants meeting on their own time to take care of city business. They are businesslike, friendly, and treat each other, the public, and city staff with respect and courtesy. There is no grandstanding and disagreements are handled with diplomacy and compromise.

Therefore the council meetings are dull models of efficiency and decorum. If we could clone this local process at the county, state, and federal levels we’d have the most efficient government in the world!

Mayor Leonard Reed and council members Josey Billnoske, John Lovelady, Anna Ross, Bill Van Alstyne, and Tamara Young and City Manager Hector Forester considered the following items:

1. Heard a citizen’s inquiry relating to traffic problems with a school on County Line Road. The Willis Police Chief, school personnel, and the local constable’s office are working together to solve the problem.
2. Approved the minutes of the preceding meeting.
3. Declared an structure within the city unsafe and referred it to the Building Commission.
4. Designated John Lovelady as the Willis representative to the Houston-Galveston Area General Council with Anna Ross as the alternate. Appointed Ethan Lang, Don Ryan, Taylor Robinson, and Thomas Billnoski to the Building Standards Commission.
5. Had the first reading of an ordinance to regulate animal control with 5 pets allowed per residence. Breeders would be required to sign paperwork and pay an annual fee. A councilman expressed concern about hamsters and gerbils being included in the count and the council asked city staff to consider that in its second reading.
6. Had the second reading of an ordinance to regulate solicitation in the city. The ordinance was passed unanimously.
7. Voted for Ron Crabtree, City Manager of Deer Park, as its representative to the Texas Municipal League pool.
8. Approved a city auditor for a fee of $10,500.
9. Changed the date of the October meeting to October 13 at 6:30 pm because of a conflict with the Texas Municipal League Convention.
10. Approved the closure of a section of Thomason street on Oct. 17th from 9am-4pm for the First United Methodist Church.
11. Discussed council inputs to city public business. Mention was made of the Willis Homecoming Parade on October 21, coordination with the county through County Commission Meador of use of a new landfill, the movement of $30,000 in unused public works funds to buy a new backhoe, and concern about solicitation at the intersection of I-45 and SH-1097. City Manager Forester promised to attempt to get an article in the local papers about bulk trash pickup being provided every Friday for items placed near the curb. Most important, the City Manager provided a map of Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction showing that Conroe was annexing areas south of Conroe. He said that Willis needed to consider annexing areas along the I-45 corridor. The obvious implication is that Willis needs to protect its future tax base from City of Conroe encroachment.

Compared to the dog and pony “town halls” put on by our federal representative earlier this month, this meeting was a welcome breath of fresh air.

Barbara Cargill goes national, embarrasses the 8th District

Right-wing zealot and State Board of Education District 8 Member Barbara Cargill (R-The Woodlands) took to the national stage this week in an interview with NPR. Unsurprisingly, she effectively made Texas and the people who voted for her look stupid. How can someone who embodies the politicization of the classroom have such a problem with it? Someone abolish the SBOE already.

NPR lets Texas education official throw stones at Obama, doesn't mention her glass house

Montgomery County school districts should listen to students

The recent flap over the President's address on education has been especially apparent here in Montgomery County where 4/6 school districts chose to completely censor it. The other two only showed it to those who had parental permission.

A small but loud minority of parents combined with reactionary school administrators caused these school districts to take these unprecedented steps. At no other time in history, have they taken this sort of action in preparation of an elected official speaking to children. While the school administrators were obviously feeling some pressure from some parents, this sort of mob rule cannot drive all decisions. At some point, common sense and dedication to the mission must weigh into the decision-making process.

While some districts may have seen offering an opt-out option as a compromise, it only compromised their credibility with more sensible parents, students, and the greater community. It encouraged too many parents to treat this opt out form as another opportunity to vote in the 2008 election, rather than an opportunity to make a good education decision. That's why school districts must lead, rather than be led around at knife point. These districts could have easily cited precedent, stating that their longstanding policy has been to allow community leaders into the classroom without permission due to the benign nature of their message. After all, they are charged with advancing the education of their students and cannot be expected to have parents weigh in on every decision. It is their duty to stand up for these principles and provide educational leadership. Yet, they took the easy and less courageous route in this case.

We can learn a lot from the high school students who are sadly, more mature than the parents and school administrators who sought to censor the message.

Magnolia High School Junior Matt Korman:

“I am just one of the many who feel like this is not right and unfair to the student body of not only MHS, but to all kids of MISD,” Korman said. “I do not understand why we are not allowed to watch a presidential address to the students of America, that is, after all, about us and how to set educational goals and to take action in our learning.” Korman read the advance script of the president’s remarks released Monday and said it was not “overreaching in trying to indoctrinate young, impressionable minds.” “We have brains of our own,” Korman said. “We form our own opinions. … I believe your actions were premature and more politically driven and I am extremely disappointed as a student.”

Oak Ridge High School Senior Dani Myers:

“President Obama delivered an important message,” “We need to listen to what the president says. He cares about our future.”

Montgomery, Willis, New Caney, and Splendora ISD should do the right thing and show the President's address in the classroom to all students, without restriction. Otherwise, their credibility as a objective, fact-based, education-oriented institution is greatly at risk.

Source: The Courier 9/9/09

Congressman Brady, where are you now?

In recent article of The Courier, Congressman Kevin Brady said this of the President's Address on Education that airs tomorrow:

"U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, agrees with schools not airing the speech. He said he and his wife are opting their fifth-grader out of viewing the broadcast “unless we can preview it ahead of time and determine if it’s appropriate.”

Now the text of that speech has been released by the White House. Congressman Brady is a leader of this community and his statement has undoubtedly influenced many parents in their decision whether or not to expose their children to the President of the United States. Now that the speech can be previewed, we call on Congressman Brady to announce whether or not he feels the president's message is something he considers "appropriate."

Read the text of the speech.

UPDATE:
In an interview with CNN, Former First Lady Laura Bush has become the first major Republican to take a stand on the side of common sense, rather than fear-mongering lunacy. Said Laura, "I think it's also really important for everyone to respect the President of the United States." Hats off to Laura Bush having the courage to say what is right. Hopefully, Congressman Kevin Brady can summon similar courage.