In a move that no doubt sends Harris County Democrats into paroxysms of joy, exiting Harris County Judge Robert Eckels appointed Ed Emmett to replace him today.

Ed Emmett, a political insider who has worked mostly behind the scenes since leaving elective office in the 1980s, gained a higher profile this morning with his appointment as Harris County judge.

From all accounts, Mr. Emmett is a fine fellow and an accomplished consultant. But he has not been able to win high-profile elections and the Dems are doing cartwheels in anticipation of taking over Harris County in 2008, as they did in Dallas County in 2006.

Why would Mr. Eckels do this to voters that elected him just a short time ago, especially after a distinguished career in politics? Money? Perhaps. Notoriety? Perhaps. To gear up for a run at higher office? Perhaps. Fact is, no one really knows.

What we do know is that his move will be remembered in 2008. And that does not bode well for Harris County Republicans. I wonder which one will be the first to switch to the Dems? I wonder if voters even care anymore.

Once again, the Minuteman Project is in turmoil. The original founders of the group, Jim Gilchrist and Chris Simcox split in December 2005, with Mr. Gilchrist retaining control of the Minuteman Project and Mr. Simcox forming a competitor, the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps.

In the current dispute, the board of directors (sort of) fired Mr. Gilchrist:

We then had to make the painful decision to take away Gilchrist’s responsibilities as President for gross mismanagement, and terminate him from The Minuteman Project, Inc., Board of Directors. We had already taken away Gilchrist,s check writing abilities in late December.

For his part, Mr. Gilchrist is on the offensive and has filed suit in Orange County, CA to stop the board’s takeover.

He asked a California court this week for a restraining order to halt the takeover, which he called illegal, but acknowledged the bitter internal battle could lead to the organization’s demise.

The board is claiming that $400,000 is unaccounted for, there are problems with the IRS and the USPS. Mr. Gilchrist is claiming that there is no board, that he is in sole control. It was apparent that something was amiss when the project turned its focus away from the border and tried clumsily to tackle the broader issue of illegal immigration.

As for Mr. Gilchrist, I think his ego is perhaps a bit over-inflated:

Gilchrist knows that “whoever controls the Minuteman Project can sway the [2008 presidential] election,” thus, he questions the motivations of Stewart, Coe and Courtney.

Yeah, right. Look, you did a good job at raising the issue of border control and getting citizens involved and I applaud you for that. But swaying a presidential election? That’s a bit much, don’t you think?

And, just to be clear, you would rather have the group fail than give up control? I thought it was all about the border and what is good for the country. Hmm. $400,000 is a lot of money. I understand.

Jeff Jacoby:

Once Americans may have agreed on what children should be taught, but that day is long gone. On any number of fundamental issues, parents today are sharply divided, and there is no way a government-run, one-curriculum-fits-all education system can satisfy all sides. The only way to end the political battles over schooling is to depoliticize the schools. And the only way to do that is to separate school and state.

Parents should have the same freedom in educating their kids that they have in clothing, housing, and feeding them. You wouldn’t let the government decide what time your kids should go to bed, or which doctor should treat their chicken pox, or how they should spend their summer vacation, or which religion they should be instructed in. On matters serious and not so serious, parents are entrusted with their children’s well-being. Why should schooling be an exception?

Get government out of the business of running schools, and a range of alternatives will emerge. Freedom, innovation, and competition will do for education what they do for so much else in American life: increase choices, lower costs, improve performance — and eliminate conflict. So long as education is controlled by the state, the battles and bad blood will continue. With more liberty will come more tolerance — and more resources spent on learning than on litigation.

Here comes the cliche–read the whole thing.

When it comes persuading out-of-towners that Houston is truly a World-Class City Just Like New York, squirting water into the air while a Choo-Choo train whizzes by is worth its weight in gold.

Sadly, our community has had to go six weeks without any. Our thirst has been almost unbearable.

Now, $75,000 later, the water is flowing once again.

And that just feels so good.

Mrs. Bill Clinton was the first of the ‘08 presidential candidates to address the board of the Human Rights Campaign, the largest gay and lesbian activist group in the country. In her speech last Friday, she takes credit, along with her gay partners, for killing the Family Marriage Act, which would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman. Very little media coverage of her speech thus far.

Fred and his partner Tom have opened up their home to me.

We don’t have to worry about the Family Marriage Act.

When the HRC stood up (I love the fact that’s my initials, have you ever noticed that?)

In the end, we stopped the Federal Marriage Amendment

And I want you to know that this is exactly the kind of partnership we will have when I am President

All Americans in committed relationships have equal benefits

Nothing stands in the way of loving couples, gay or straight, in adopting children

We’re going to finally expand our Federal Hate Crimes Legislation

We are going to end the failed policy of don’t ask, don’t tell

You will always have an open door to the White House

Deeply held values we share.

She will say anything to any group in an attempt to get their vote, as she did in her speech in Selma, AL. No transcript of the speech to the gays has been made available but you can watch the entire speech here. BTW, wasn’t that don’t ask, don’t tell thing her husband’s policy?

Texas man gets 95 years in child sex case - actually, he’s lucky he’s not this guy - Child rapist contests death penalty

On the one hand, he shouldn’t be called a fa**ot. On the other hand, he shouldn’t be saying that Jesus would be appalled at anything, given he made his fortune channeling fetuses while supporting abortion, with a 100% rating by NARAL.

Pizza Patron to continue accepting pesos at the same time their potential customers are being held in conditions reminicient of slavery. BTW, where is the NAACP on this? Nevermind, infighting.

Obesity surgery triples among U.S. teens while 841-pound woman dies after massive heart attack. See Wino’s diet for help.

Someone pretending to be someone sets all time Houston Fatstock Show and Rodeo attendance record.

Scientists say brain scans used to predict intentions. Tom Cruise was way ahead of the curve.

To cut or not? Circumcision controversy flares while research says Newly infected may be likelier to transmit HIV and Male Circumcision as HIV Prevention Method Growing.

As proof that Native Americans are as stupid as Congress when it comes to focusing on irrelevant issues we have:

Tribe slave descendants face uncertainty while Health problems pose challenge for Wampanoag

vs.

Congress takes up minority coaches issue while U.S. economy leaving record numbers in severe poverty.

Yeah, I’m bored. Anyone that actually reads all those links, as I did, gets a free week at Smacktle’s rehab institute for bloggers. Just tell him I told you so.

Click pic for story.

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