Despite being based in Houston, Texas, some 4,900 miles from London, we here at Lone Star Times received the following comment today. It came from the totally legitimate UK-NATIONAL-LOTTO (aka EULOTTERY), which is completely on the up-and-up. Don’t worry about the facts that it awards prizes to people who never bought a ticket, denominates its prizes in the wrong currency, uses a Yahoo email address, employs terrible grammar and punctuation, and has a phone number with the wrong number of digits.

Forget all that, because we won a bunch of money!

We happily announce to you the draw of the Euro Millions Internet Sweepstakes Lottery International programs held on the 29th of June, 2005 In our Lotto Draw Headquarters London UK. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 00545 188 564756 with Serial number 5368/02 drew the lucky numbers:07-12-23-26-44 which subsequently won you the lottery in the 3RD category. You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of 950,000.00 euros (Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand euros) in cash credited to email file ktu/9023118308/03, please take note.

This is from a total cash prize of US 8Million GBP, shared amongst the first Ten (10) lucky winners in this category. All participants were selected randomly from World Wide Web site through computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 companies world wide. This promotion takes place in four phases annually. Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European booklet representative office in Europe as indicated in your play coupon. In view of this, your 950,000.00 euros (Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand euros) would be released to you via our payment office in europe. Our European agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact him.

For security reasons you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claims is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner You deem fit to claim your prize. This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements.

Please be warned. To file for your claim, please contact fiduciary agent designated to your file stating your winning details -

Mr George P. Carlton
Email: pierce_carlt@yahoo.com
Tel: (44) 703-190-3965

Sweet. They want me to go to London so they can steal my kidneys award my prize, but I’m a busy, on the go kind of guy. I can’t wait that long. I think I’ll just send them Benzion’s date of birth, social security number and bank account information so they can wire the money in.

We’re so lucky.

This is cool– LoneStarTimes.com has been cited (and its humble managing editor quoted) in a cover story about state-level political blogging in the July issue of "Governing" magazine– a nationally respected publication read widely by folks that work in government.

If you want to read the whole thing, click on the above pic, but I’ll just go ahead and excerpt the most interesting part right here:

One likely addition to the blogging mix in Texas is new voices from the political right. Most of the current blogs come at politics from the left. That’s probably to be expected — not because bloggers tend to be Democrats but because those first drawn to blogging tend to be dissenters. Nationally, conservatives first took up blogging because they believed a liberal media ignored their views. In Texas politics, the reverse has happened.

David Benzion, one of the few conservative bloggers in Texas, agrees with this theory. Benzion is managing editor of the “Lone Star Times,” a blog that he and Houston talk-radio host Dan Patrick started in January. “If you’re a ’progressive’ in Texas, you feel like you’re under siege,” Benzion says. “You’re living in George W. Bush’s conservative Texas. Some people on the liberal side picked up blogging in state politics as a way to vent. There are probably some on the conservative side who would be blogging about state politics, but don’t feel the need to because they’re basically content.”

That’s an accurate quote– but only about .5% of what I said over the course of an hour long interview.

Apologies to my fellow LST bloggers and folks behind other conservative Texas blogs– you were mentioned, praised, and promoted– but as you will see from the article as a whole, our side of the blogosphere was not the author’s primary focus.

Still, its nice to be noticed, so far as it goes.

Here’s another example of your tax dollars at "work," but hopefully not for long:

The Houston City Council postponed funding for a cable public-access channel Wednesday amid debate about whether it would be censorship for the city to limit programming that one councilwoman labeled "obscene."

The decision delays about $800,000 for the channel — a public forum allowing anyone to host a show — until a council committee holds a hearing within two weeks.

At issue, Councilwoman Addie Wiseman said, is what she described as a profanity-laced comedy routine that aired during a recent early-morning broadcast on the channel, called Houston MediaSource.

For the record, public-access television is bad. I mean really, really bad. How bad, you ask? So bad that even people who make their living on it refuse to watch it:

Shows aren’t viewed before they air, said Patti Garlinghouse, the channel’s executive director, because the purpose is to promote and encourage free speech.

Garlinghouse said she doesn’t know whether any programming includes nudity.

She said she doesn’t watch because it’s not her job to judge the content.

Yep. Public-access television sucks.

Except for this show.

If Rick Perry’s recent outbreak of potty-mouth gave you the vapors, be sure to skip this profile by the Dallas Observer of humorist turned independent candidate for Governor Kinky Friedman.

Hey Man– you earned it!

City of Friendswood Press Release

Friendswood City Manager

Wins Lifetime Achievement Award

At their annual conference held in June in Galveston, the Texas City Management Association honored Friendswood City Manager Ron Cox with the Lifetime Achievement Award. [LST Editor’s Note: TCMA is a sub-affiliate of the Texas Municipal League]. This award recognizes the city management professional who has made significant contributions to the field of local government management for more than 10 years.

Each of the ten TCMA regions was invited to submit one nomination for the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented by TCMA for the first time in 2002.  The Texas City Management Association is an organization of local government professionals dedicated to promoting the highest standards of governance, service leadership, ethics and education, while embracing individual and regional diversity for the benefit of Texas cities.

In distinguishing Cox with this award, his career achievements were noted at the Opening Session of the Conference.  In his 27 years as a City Manager, Cox has served four Texas communities, and accomplished important “firsts” in each.  He was Rusk’s first City Manager and helped create Center’s home rule charter, thereby reshaping the future governance of both communities.  Cox implemented Kilgore’s first economic development program creating over $20 million in growth.  Under his direction, Friendswood completed its first comprehensive plan, originated their economic development program, and initiated a redevelopment project for the city’s main street area.

Cox’s leadership is evident in his support of city staff and his ethical, value-centered influence throughout the city organization.  This management philosophy promotes an open, supportive organization culture.

“Ron leads by example.  When he tells you something, you believe it because you know he speaks the truth”, says Friendswood Community Services Director Jon Branson, who has worked with Cox since 1990.  “It is a pleasure to work and learn from a man who has the utmost integrity and honesty.”

For more information, contact the City Manager’s Office at 281-996-3250.

Just for fun.

From LST reader "Carl":

Commenting on Troops have support of LST

Title: Defending Freedom?

It’s totally laughable, if not down right pathetic, to hold the delusional view that we are defending freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq. This is especially true in light of the Bush regime’s trampling of the Constitution with the loathsome (anti)Patriot Acts and their utterly maniacal attempts to hide nearly everything they do - apparently out of fear that exposure of their foul deeds would earn them censure, and rightly so.

As far as Dubya’s address last night, it was nothing more than a continuation of the lies this regime has been spouting all along.

And "Stacy":

Commenting on Troops have support of LST

Title: Wear Shoes on Friday

If you support the troops but are tired of baby-Bush’s linkage of Iraq and 9/11 (5x last night), I urge everyone to cover their toes on Friday. This silent statement will demonstrate your disgust with our political and military “leadership.” Do a mental tally of everyone who stands with us.

Enjoy.

For those of you unfamiliar with the term, Wikipedia’s definition of …

"[a] Bleg is a colloquial term for a blog entry consisting of a request to the readers, such as for information or contributions. The name is derived from the words ‘Blog’ and ‘Beg’."

Yesterday I unexpectedly discovered that in an America where seemingly every family has one or more cell phones (including the Benzion household), pagers are almost extinct.

True, you can hardly enter a restaurant these days without being handed one– no doubt in the hope that its blinking red lights and the imminent expectation of vibration will provide sufficient mental distraction for you and your party while waiting to be seated.

And both doctors and EMS personnel still use pagers, since they spend significant time inside buildings with lots of equipment where cell phone usage is either prohibited or signals are too weak to penetrate.

But apparently that pretty much leaves drug dealers trying to avoid police wire-taps and illegal immigrants fearful of a sudden INS job-site raid to fill out the remaining potential market for pagers.

Which must explain why the only two locations for paging services I have been able to track down have been:

1. A seedy used electronics outlet in a chaotic industrial park; AND
2. The "Little Mexico" front kiosk section of my local Fiesta.

I wasn’t too pleased with my choices at either outlet.

All I am trying to accomplish is to be alerted, via pager, whenever a voice mail has been left on my pager’s account. General Houston-metro coverage is desired, but North side (including The Woodlands and Kingwood) are critical. Ideally the pager wouldn’t be butt-ugly, but looks are far, far down the list of priorities. It just needs to be cheap, reliable, and ideally run by a company that more frequently supplies the doctors and EMS staff rather than the drug dealers and illegals.

Did I mention that cheap is good?

Please send all tips/suggestions to my attention at lsteditors@gmail.com. Owners of paging outlets are invited to tempt LST’s unimpeachable reputation for journalistic integrity by offering a deal in exchange for a mention and link in this post.

UPDATED 10:11 PM– Thanks to all who’ve written in. For what it is worth, the most common suggestions I’m getting are Arch, SkyTel, and MetroCall. If anyone has a different thought, feel free to share it; otherwise, I think I pretty much know that I need to choose from among these.

Meanwhile, the ever helpful Kevin Taylor adds:

The vagueness of your description of the need for a pager only arouses greater suspicion that your purpose is to either promote illegal entry into the country or facilitate the sale of illegal substances. You’ve got to be more specific about your “needs". Otherwise, consider a wireless PDA……but the appearance of legitimacy will cost you. Or, you could make the case to Dapper Dan that all LST staffers need a business pager.

Keep in mind, Kevin, that "Dapper Dan" is so cheap admirably cost-conscious that the image on KSEV’s call-screening monitor still reflects that of a … how shall we say it …. "station down the dial".

And no, I will not be more specific about my "needs", other than to say that it does not involve drugs or the illegal entry of people across our borders.

President George W. Bush, 6/28/05:

In this time of testing, our troops can know: The American people are behind you.

Next week, our nation has an opportunity to make sure that support is felt by every soldier, sailor, airman, Coast Guardsman, and Marine at every outpost across the world.

This Fourth of July, I ask you to find a way to thank the men and women defending our freedom — by flying the flag, sending a letter to our troops in the field, or helping the military family down the street.

The Department of Defense has set up a website — AmericaSupportsYou.mil. You can go there to learn about private efforts in your own community. At this time when we celebrate our freedom, let us stand with the men and women who defend us all.

To the soldiers in this hall, and our servicemen and women across the globe: I thank you for your courage under fire and your service to our nation.

I thank our military families — the burden of war falls especially hard on you.

In this war, we have lost good men and women who left our shores to defend freedom and did not live to make the journey home. I’ve met with families grieving the loss of loved ones who were taken from us too soon. I’ve been inspired by their strength in the face of such great loss. We pray for the families. And the best way to honor the lives that have been given in this struggle is to complete the mission.

I thank those of you who have re-enlisted in an hour when your country needs you. And to those watching tonight who are considering a military career, there is no higher calling than service in our Armed Forces. We live in freedom because every generation has produced patriots willing to serve a cause greater than themselves. Those who serve today are taking their rightful place among the greatest generations that have worn our nation’s uniform.

When the history of this period is written, the liberation of Afghanistan and the liberation of Iraq will be remembered as great turning points in the story of freedom. After September the 11th, 2001, I told the American people that the road ahead would be difficult, and that we would prevail.

Well, it has been difficult — and we are prevailing.

Our enemies are brutal, but they are no match for the United States of America, and they are no match for the men and women of the United States military.

May God bless you all.

Courtesy today’s Wall Street Journal (subscription required):

If a conservative is a liberal who’s been mugged, what do you call a Swede who’s been kidnapped? Somebody you wouldn’t want to cross, that’s for sure.

Ulf Hjertstrom has redefined the term Stockholm Syndrome, the bizarre attachment some hostages develop for their captors, first observed during a bank robbery in the Swedish capital more than 30 years ago. No such bonds were forged between Mr. Hjertstrom, a Swedish oil engineer, and the Shura Council of the Mujahedeen of Iraq, which held him captive for 67 days. "I have now put some people to work to find these bastards," Mr. Hjertstrom told reporters after his release. "I invested about $50,000 so far. And we will get them one by one. These scum should be out of business."

I’ve looked around the blogosphere, and so far haven’t found an obvious way for folks to donate to Mr. Hjertstrom’s effort.

But I’ll keep my eye’s open… and if any of you find one, please let me know.

I usually laugh whenever I see a copy of Weekly World News. It’s full of ridiculous stories — the 100-pound baby, UFO abductions of Elvis, and of course, Bat Boy. But this isn’t funny at all:

It was an ugly story, purportedly about the 10 ugliest people in the world.

One of the listings was Phoenix police Officer Jason Schechterle, who was tragically burned and disfigured four years ago when a taxicab rammed into his police cruiser.

On Monday, at a Phoenix City Hall news conference, the parent company of the supermarket tabloid that ran the story offered up an apology and a "significant" donation to the charity of Schechterle’s choice to avoid a lawsuit.

Let’s hear from the paper’s spokesman, who apparently said the following with a straight face:

"American Media stands for quality journalism," Zakim said.

Uh-huh.

Valued LST reader Kristi left a comment yesterday that bears examination:

You guys are ridiculous. Howard Dean does not hate Republicans. He said this himself - he hates the things that Republicans are doing in our country, he hates some of the things that Republicans stand for. He does NOT hate REPUBLICANS. If he did, I doubt he would spend so much time and money traveling to Red states and trying to unify our country. Howard Dean loves the United States and he wants us all to work together to make it the country its capable of being. He knows, as well as the rest of us, that our country can not be its best if Democrats and Republicans hate each other. Howard Dean wants nothing more than for all of us to work together and make this country, our country, the very best it can be!!

Sorry if you’ve been misled, Kristi, but Howard Dean does hate Republicans. He said so himself. Here are the specifics. On Saturday, January 29, 2005, Dean spoke to the DNC faithful at the Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan. He was rallying support for his candidacy to head up the DNC. Here’s part of what he said:

I hate the Republicans and everything they stand for

That’s not too ambiguous. Notice that he didn’t claim to hate "some of the things the Republicans stand for." He said everything. EVERYTHING.

Here’s a quick recap. Kristi says:

He does NOT hate REPUBLICANS

he hates some of the things that Republicans stand for

Dean says:

I hate the Republicans and everything they stand for

This will be on the test.

What goes around comes around:

Could a hotel be built on the land owned by Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter? A new ruling by the Supreme Court which was supported by Justice Souter himself itself might allow it. A private developer is seeking to use this very law to build a hotel on Souter’s land.

Justice Souter’s vote in the "Kelo vs. City of New London" decision allows city governments to take land from one private owner and give it to another if the government will generate greater tax revenue or other economic benefits when the land is developed by the new owner.

On Monday June 27, Logan Darrow Clements, faxed a request to Chip Meany the code enforcement officer of the Towne of Weare, New Hampshire seeking to start the application process to build a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road. This is the present location of Mr. Souter’s home.

Clements, CEO of Freestar Media, LLC, points out that the City of Weare will certainly gain greater tax revenue and economic benefits with a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road than allowing Mr. Souter to own the land.

The proposed development, called "The Lost Liberty Hotel" will feature the "Just Desserts Café" and include a museum, open to the public, featuring a permanent exhibit on the loss of freedom in America. Instead of a Gideon’s Bible each guest will receive a free copy of Ayn Rand’s novel "Atlas Shrugged."

Heh. Also, take a look at the fax Mr. Clements sent to the City of Weare.

First shot across the bow– movement leading light National Review has issued an editorial why President Bush shouldn’t nominate Alberto Gonzales to the United States Supreme Court.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Forge Toon Archives

I’ve gotten a response from my post on Megan Abadie’s letter to the Rice Thresher:

Hi there, editors!

I just read your June 24 commentary on my Rice Thresher article in defense of our little buddy the cockroach. Yeah, god forbid anyone should LAUGH at it! Anyone who likes roaches must take themselves pretty seriously, right?

However, while I wrote that letter primarily to amuse, I challenge you to find anything in it that is objectively untrue. My letter does not refute itself. In fact, the ONLY way you can possibly refute it is the following:

“EWWWWW! Cockroaches are gross!”

Sounds like you ain’t got the balls to admit you’re afraid of the critters! Yeah, you can’t even squash ‘em fair & square, man-to-roach, no, you gotta spray from a distance while squealing like a little girl! Refute that, bug-hater!

Peace & Roaches,

Megan

Again, a very amusing (clearly only half-serious) letter. But let’s put this matter to rest — roaches are definitely a health hazard. Even though they haven’t been proven to carry disease, they have been long known to spread it. They contaminate food and leave their waste everywhere. And since they multiply so rapidly, it’s darn near impossible to control their populations with your shoe. Some pesticide use is necessary, particularly if you have any kind of infestation, and it’s unlikely to make you ill. Living in unsanitary conditions, surrounded by roaches, is far more threatening to your health.

And for the record, I usually use my shoe. Roaches don’t scare me none.

My, my, this was certainly an arrogant, culturally elitist thing to say:

Obama, a Chicago Democrat who is just the fifth black senator in U.S. history, also raised questions about Lincoln’s role in ending slavery.

“I cannot swallow whole the view of Lincoln as the Great Emancipator,” Obama said. “As a law professor and civil rights lawyer and as an African-American, I am fully aware of his limited views on race. Anyone who actually reads the Emancipation Proclamation knows it was more a military document than a clarion call for justice.”

This is true to some degree; Lincoln was a very practical man, and the Emancipation Proclamation was very strategic.

On the other hand, there is no historical doubt that Lincoln was a staunch abolitionist despite his “limited views on race” (which were quite advanced for the time). The fact is that he thought slavery was a great evil, and fought against it, eventually destroying the institution forever. He sent one of his sons, Robert Todd, to fight in the Civil War he waged even after seeing two of his sons die as children. To try and brush off his conviction in this way is nothing short of revolting.

This is the Democrats’ shining star; a historical revisionist seeking to demean one of our finest, most animating figures. It’s small wonder they can’t lead.

Quick opposition to eminent domain has formed in Texas following the decision in Kelo (thank goodness for Texas political culture!):

Texas’ cultural commitment to private property rights surfaced quickly Thursday as a state legislator moved to blunt the impact of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that local governments may seize land for private development.

Hours after the court’s 5-4 ruling came down, Rep. Frank Corte Jr., R-San Antonio, said he would seek "to defend the rights of property owners in Texas" by proposing a state constitutional amendment limiting local powers of eminent domain, or condemnation.

Houston Mayor Bill White and Harris County Judge Robert Eckels offered assurances that the city and county do not intend to condemn land for private development projects.

But officials in the beachfront town of Freeport, south of Houston, said they would move aggressively to condemn property owned by two seafood companies to clear the way for an $8 million private marina.

It’s a mix of good news and bad news; Texas may restrict this use of eminent domain, but greedy bureaucrats in Freeport have already been emboldened by the Kelo decision.

Oh, and I can’t be the only one who wasn’t reassurred by this statement from Metro:

The Metropolitan Transit Authority, empowered by the law that created it to condemn property within 1,500 feet of transit stations, is not "currently planning" to use that authority for projects along the Main Street light rail line or elsewhere, spokesman Ken Connaughton said.

Asked if the agency might exercise the authority in the future, Connaughton said, "Who knows what happens tomorrow? But there are no plans to do it."

This reminds me of a Saturday Night Live skit that ran shortly after then Senator Jesse Helms commented that President should watch himself when visiting North Carolina. Helms (played by Mike Myers) was giving a press conference when a reporter asked if Helms had delivered a veiled threat against Clinton. Helms responded "no," but went on to say that "crazy things" happen in North Carolina, like one day you might be driving down the road when a black car speeds out of nowhere and pushes you off of a cliff.

This is kind of like that. Metro is saying "we’re not planning on stealing your homes now, but rest assurred, that’s one cluster bomb we’re keeping in the arsenal." Consider me unnerved.

He hates me too.

Are you a Republican? If so, Howard Dean hates you. Now your chest can proclaim that message! A website called HowardDeanHatesMe.com is selling t-shirts and bumper stickers emblazoned with the message. Why? I’ll let the proprietor explain:

If you’re a Republican, that means Howard hates you. If you’re a Democrat, it means you have a party leader who is alienating people right and left, and flushing political discourse right down the toilet.

Hutus HATE Tutsis. Nazis HATE Jews. Sunnis HATE Shiites. If Democrats now hate Republicans, we’re in big trouble.

If you’re offended that Howard hates you, you should buy some of this stuff and let the world know how you feel. If you’re offended that your party’s leadership has sunk to this level, you should call Howard and give him a piece of your mind (he could use it).

This should not be confused with ex-XFL player Rod "He Hate Me" Smart. That guy’s a Renaissance genius compared to Howard Dean.

Yet again, the Chronicle’s fetish for light rail colors its news reporting. Here’s the headline:

Houston rides high in rail, bus contest

Here’s the story:

Light rail train operators and maintenance crews from the Metropolitan Transit Authority took sixth place in a June 7 competition in Pittsburgh with those from 13 other cities.

Not bad, considering Metro has had less than two years experience with rail transit.

Forgive me if I don’t consider a 6th place finish to be "riding high." I would characterize that result as "middling," "mediocre," or "about average." And what’s with that "not bad" line, rationalizing Metro’s middling performance? Could we leave editorial judgements on the editorial page?

It sounds like the contest — at least the bus portion — was interesting:

In the agency’s bus "Roadeo," which includes fine maneuvering, parking and an obstacle course, plus diagnosing and repairing mechanical problems, Metro’s Charlie Kennedy again topped the bus operator competition. Kennedy, who drives the 137 Northshore Express, won the Best Operator in North America title in Las Vegas in 2002.

Congratulations to Mr. Kennedy. Hopefully Metro won’t cut your route.

Our beloved hometown rag today has a story on PhotoBlocker, a spray that supposedly renders license plates invisible to red light cameras:

But before Phantom Plate Inc. can start counting its money in Houston, it may face a battle in the City Council or the Legislature.

Houston Police Department Lt. Robert Manzo said the city may want to consider an ordinance or a state law against PhotoBlocker.

"So people are already gearing up to defeat the system, huh?" Manzo asked. "We’re not happy to hear this product is available and already being marketed to Houston before the cameras are even installed. This is obviously going to be a concern, and it may be something we have to address with the Legislature."

The gloss, which is unnoticeable to the naked eye, renders photographs useless in identifying plate numbers.

The product, offered only on the Internet, is legal here and sells for $29.99 for a can containing enough spray to cover four license plates for life.

As we’ve seen many times — like this, this, this and this – the Chron often fails to get a story’s basic facts right. The Photoblocker story is just another example. (more…)

Thanks to LST reader Karl Brauer for forwarding to us the following email response he received from Councilmember Addie Wiseman, which we republish below and in full:

From: Addie Wiseman [Personal email address redacted by LST editors]
Sent: Saturday, June 25, 2005 12:05 AM
To: Karl Brauer [Personal email address redacted by LST editors]
Subject: TML

Dear Mr. Brauer:

Thank you for your e-mail expressing your concerns. I appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns directly.

It is unfortunate that inaccurate and misleading information regarding the City Council Budget process has circulated and thus confused many of my constituents such as yourself. First, I DID NOT vote to fund TML membership. The City of Houston is currently a member of TML and the membership expires and is up for renewal in September. At that time, a Request For Council Action must be presented by the Administration for consideration and vote. The City of Houston Approved FY06 Budget, which I voted against due to many fiscally irresponsible items, does not give approval for any spending on items greater than $25,000, which includes TML membership. Therefore, the mayor must bring this request to renew the membership to City Council in September for a vote.

I am opposed to the legislative positions that TML has taken, much of which mirrors those of the City of Houston, which I equally oppose. However, I am of the belief that if we want change, we can best accomplish change from within. The Republican Party would have never taken over the State of Texas had we stayed home. Kingwood has affected city government through active participation and representation. I believed that the threat of pulling out would have a greater effect on TML than serving notice of future termination of association. With the threat comes the opportunity for immediate reaction, with the other scenario, there is no opportunity at redemption. The budget amendment presented during deliberations was to prohibit renewal of membership in September, it was not a vote to fund or not fund TML at this time. As your representative, I take very seriously my duty to represent the will of the people of my district. I share your frustrations over the many difficulties we have faced in trying to bring down our ever-increasing tax burdens. Last year, I stood alone as the sole city council member bringing forth an effort to reduce the City’s tax rate by one cent. One cent reduction, and I was all alone in this effort to bring you some relief. AS a preferred approach, I will vote against renewal of our TML membership in September on behalf of my constituency.

What I did vote against, as stated above, was a bloated budget, which included $1 million to consult on red light cameras, $71 million in Pension Obligation Bonds which will only push our burden out in the future, creating a great financial crisis, millions of taxpayer money to fund the questionable tow program while communities in our district go unprotected and underserved with respect to police and fire services.

I thank you for the opportunity to share with you my actions on your behalf and my effort to represent you as you wish to be represented. I continue to stand on principle, even if I must stand alone, to uphold our conservative values, which I hold dear.

Best regards,

Addie Wiseman
Council Member, District E

Perhaps you find Councilmember Wiseman’s explanation persuasive, perhaps not– feel free to share your thoughts with her at the number/email at the end of this post.

A few questions, however, immediately come to my mind:

1. Is Ms. Wiseman committing to vote against TML membership for the City of Houston come September?
2. What exactly is Ms. Wiseman doing / willing to do in the interim to "work from within" to end TML’s practice of using taxpayer’s dollars to lobby against taxpayer’s interests?

For what it is worth, no reader has yet told us that they were able to speak with Councilmember Khan or get any sort of official response from his office– so Wiseman certainly deserves credit for her willingness to address this issue with her constituents.

Just in case you think Ward Churchill is alone in his "kill your officers" sentiments, two photos from two separate "peace" marches in San Francisco:

And is it just me, or does that last lady look like the witch from Army of Darkness? We report, you decide…

As an addendum, it is worth noting that the Court only slapped down the Kentucky display (contrary to my original headline), while ruling that the Texas Ten Commandments monument is constitutional:

[A] 6-foot-granite monument on the grounds of the Texas Capitol — one of 17 historical displays on the 22-acre lot — was determined to be a legitimate tribute to the nation’s legal and religious history.

“Of course, the Ten Commandments are religious — they were so viewed at their inception and so remain. The monument therefore has religious significance,” Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist wrote for the majority in the case involving the display outside the state capitol of Texas.

Again, this reeks of inane hair-splitting to me, but I’m glad to see that the Texas display was spared.

The Supreme Court has spoken again. They’ve stated that courthouse displays of the Ten Commandments are impermissible under the First Amendment if they rise to some arbitrarily-decided threshold of religiosity, to be determined by judges ad-hoc:

A sharply divided Supreme Court on Monday upheld the constitutionality of displaying the Ten Commandments on government land, but drew the line on displays inside courthouses, saying they violated the doctrine of separation of church and state.

Sending dual signals in ruling on this issue for the first time in a quarter-century, the high court said that displays of the Ten Commandments _ like their own courtroom frieze _ are not inherently unconstitutional. But each exhibit demands scrutiny to determine whether it goes too far in amounting to a governmental promotion of religion, the court said in a case involving Kentucky courthouse exhibits.

In effect, the court said it was taking the position that issues of Ten Commandments displays in courthouses should be resolved on a case-by-case basis.

In that 5-4 ruling and another decision involving the positioning of a 6-foot granite monument of the Ten Commandments on the grounds of the Texas capitol, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was the swing vote. The second ruling, likewise, was by a 5-4 margin.

Justice Antonin Scalia released a stinging dissent in the courthouse case, declaring, "What distinguishes the rule of law from the dictatorship of a shifting Supreme Court majority is the absolutely indispensable requirement that judicial opinions be grounded in consistently applied principle."

The justices voting on the prevailing side in the Kentucky case left themselves legal wiggle room, saying that some displays inside courthouses _ like their own courtroom frieze _ would be permissible if they’re portrayed neutrally in order to honor the nation’s legal history.

But framed copies in two Kentucky courthouses went too far in endorsing religion, the court held. Those courthouse displays are unconstitutional, the justices said, because their religious content is overemphasized.

This is truely moronic. The decision doesn’t give any useful guide; it just slaps down these momuments because they happen to give five justices the willies (which says more about their consciences than it does about the monuments themselves). And I’ll say it again — "separation of chruch and state" is not a constitutional doctrine; it was invented by the Court based on a quote by Thomas Jefferson, a man who thought that the Supreme Court was a tyranical, unaccountable branch. He was also in France at the time the First Amendment was written and passed. It’s intellectually crass to base our understanding of "establishment of religion" based on such a simplistic soundbite.

And in any