NY Times: Hatin’ on Cindy, Luvin’ on Michelle.

State Sen. Mike Jackson (R), District 11, will host a post-Ike neighborhood party this afternoon in the City of Shoreacres. Like a lot of folks that live in Shoreacres, Mike’s home was devastated by the storm. And like most of us, he hasn’t whined or moaned about it. In fact, he’s spent most of his time helping his constituents, with Vickie and the kids shouldering the load at home. Remember when politicians put service to their community first? Ah, the good old days.

The party will be held today between 4 pm and 6 pm at Circle Park. If you don’t live in Shoreacres but want to shake Mike’s hand and thank him for his service, come on down! Click here for a map.

Life is starting to return to normal for about half of us in the city. I’ve got the WSM fired up today with a hickory/mesquite blend smoking a nice sized Texas brisket. The pool is clear and blue, no more minnows and shrimp swimming around. As for the yard, hey, it looks better than it did when all 37 trees were still on the ground so don’t say a word! Besides, I can see the sun now!

See ya this afternoon!

UPDATE: It was a great time at Circle Park. I’d estimate between 80-100 people attended. State Rep. John Davis (R), District 129 also attended. Both Mike and John spent a lot of time talking to their constituents and listening to their concerns. These are two politicians that we need to put back into office if we want Texas to continue to lead the country economically.

More photos below the fold.

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Anyone who knows me knows I’ve been a huge John Prine fan for a very long time.  His songs are simple yet strangely complex at the same time.  His lyrical construction has always intrigued me.  I hear a song and wonder how in the world he came up with the lyrics.  I came across this video for the first time today.  It contains an intro explaining just that:

Enjoy, Smacktle!

Just a quick reminder: Galveston County Tax Assessor-Collector Cheryl Johnson (hubba hubba) will host a Tax Freedom Day celebration tonight.

Here are the details:

WHEN
This Thursday, May 8th
Beginning at 5:30 pm (program begins at 6 pm)

WHERE
Gulf Greyhound Park
(1 block west of I-45 South at Exit 15 in La Marque)

COST
Tickets $10 at the door
Proceeds support Cheryl Johnson’s re-election campaign

GRUB
Hot dogs, hot pretzels
Tea, coke, and $.50 beer
Apple cobbler with ice cream

The guest list is pretty impressive, too, at least until the end:

• Galveston Co. Tax Assessor Collector Cheryl E. Johnson (hubba hubba)
• Harris Co. Tax Assessor Collector Paul Bettencourt (shudda shudda)
• Americans for Prosperity-Texas’ Peggy Venable (thugga thugga)
• GOP Nominee for State House District 130 Allen Fletcher
• Bruce Slover, Founder of Cy Fair Citizens
• Michael Kubosh, “The Voice” of the Protest Class TV Commercials
• With a special-guest appearance by LoneStarTimes.com’s very own Matt Bramanti! (glugga glugga)

And we’ll be auctioning off the notorious framed RINO picture.

It’ll be a good time. You’d better get there early, before Bettencourt and I eat all the hot dogs.

A reprint of an oldie but goodie from 2005:

In honor of Earth Day, I’d like to introduce some of the measures we’ve put in place to ensure the protection of our fragile blue marble. Specifically, let’s look at how LoneStarTimes.com stacks up against the Houston Chronicle in the environmental arena:

Environmental Issue:	LST	Chron
Printed on murdered trees		Yes
Occupies a massive soulless building that could be used for an urban garden		Yes
Smells bad when wet		Yes
Packaged in dolphin-smothering plastic bags		Yes
Ingredients contain dangerous levels of benzene		Yes
Ingredients contain dangerous levels of Benzion	Yes
Headquarters building contains asbestos		Yes
Delivered by loud, fume-belching pickup trucks		Yes
Highly flammable		Yes
Used as disposable bedding by its exploited homeless marketing staff		Yes

LoneStarTimes.com: Protecting the planet, so you don’t have to. ™

I know, the video quality isn’t the best, but here’s 1LT Tommy Bramanti’s arrival at Cooper Field, Fort Hood.

The troopers arrived via air at 1:00 a.m., and took buses to Cooper Field, where they were welcomed by a short speech from a III Corps general. After that, well…watch for yourself:

It’s been more than a year, and our Blackhawk troopers are finally heading home. Over the next few days, the “Ironhorse” flights will shuttle the men of B Troop, 1-7 Cavalry back to Fort Hood.

My brother Tommy’s flight gets in at 1:45 a.m. tomorrow morning, and the whole family will be there to greet him. I’ll post pictures and video tomorrow.

I’d like to thank everyone who sent letters, phone cards, homemade cookies, books and everything else that went into those great care packages. You all did a great job helping our troopers stay connected with home.

So smile, say your thank-you prayers, and sing along to Garryowen — Blackhawk is coming home!

UPDATE: Check out the new LST poll.

First up, Fred Thompson lays the wood to the Huckster:

Next, Brit Hume asks Ron Paul what the hell he’s prattling on about, McCain’s WTF look draws laughter and Mitt drops the hammer:

Rudy beefs up his Reaganomics credentials and defends allowing illegal immigrants to report crimes: