Reps Robert Talton (R-Pasedena) and Warren Chisum (R-Pampa) must have reached that stage in their relationship that they finish each other's sentences. How else can we account for the fact that they have both introduced legislation banning same-sex unions.
You can visit the HRC Action Center to let them know that it's great they are on the same wavelength. We just wish it wasn't the wavelength of stupidity.
Edited to add: So we got a name wrong. Facts right, name wrong, photo flattering. Sorry about that, we'd like to make sure we humiliate the right people. Y'all tell us when we're too drunk to notice, ok?
On Sunday two newspapers from large U.S. cities commented editorially on Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's recent remarks on finding common ground in the abortion debate. One, the New York Times [sub requ'd](saw the Senator's true message through all the media hype about her lone phrase describing abortion as a sometimes "tragic choice" and wrote supporting the ideas of sex and health educational information to prevent pregnancy, availability of emergency contraception and insurance coverage for contraception. The other large city newspaper, the Dallas Morning News,[sub. requ'd] not so much.
Instead of looking at Sen. Clinton's larger message, can't we all just get along to stop unwanted pregnancies, the DMN took the Democratic party to task for not supporting parental-notification and consent laws. They expose their ignorance of the nature of the work done in family planning clinics by saying "Let's see them promote legitimate crisis pregnancy centers, which provide material and emotional comfort to needy women who choose birth control over abortion." Do they really believe that Planned Parenthood or other family planning clinics, supported by most Democrats march pregnant
women who choose parenthood to the door when they decide against abortion?
Not only does the DMN show their ignorance about the work of family planning clinics, they missed the whole point of the Senator's speech. LET'S WORK TO AVOID UNWANTED PREGNANCY. IS THAT SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND??
Have we found a Republican in Texas that introduces controversial legislation that makes sense? Senator Jon Lindsay (R-Houston) has introduced SB 127, which provides for anonymous needle exchange programs in Texas.
Although we're pretty sure that Texas legislators will kill any Bill that makes as much sense as this one does, we're still gonna look around for any needles we may have tossed around here. Maybe they'll give cash back and we could score.
Seriously, we think needle exchange programs are a good thing. It's a proven fact that these programs do not promote drug use but help addicts and prevent the spread of diseases like HIV. We can endorse this kind of thinking. Currently, over 80 cities in 38 states have needle exchange programs.
Consumer Union, the non-profit that publishes Consumer Reports is pulling out of Texas lobbying efforts. For over twenty-five years the Austin Office has championed the consumer, but is redeploying the Austin staff to cover a select few issues nationwide.[Dallas News, sub. requ'd] Part of the reason for the pullout?
The group's leaders say they want to have a larger, national impact. They also say that they have lost far too many battles against well-armed business lobbyists, who appear to have gained an unprecedented level of influence in Austin.
Nice to know that our State Legislators are tongue kissing with lobbyists while the poor constituents are left to suck on a pickle.
Good luck to Consumers Union. Help them out on their Internet campaign by visiting their site.
Rep. Dianne White Delisi, R-Temple appears to have smeared some vaseline on the lense of her official photo. (Don't get us wrong, we know the business end of Photoshop ourselves) We wouldn't have said anything, but to quote her:
"And when legislators get their backs against the wall, all is fair and love and war," she said.
This 'compassionate conservative' is referring to a proposal that would take money from the hospital's trauma fund and scoot it over to general revenue to make up the enormous shortfall there. [San Antonio Express News, sub requ'd]
While hospitals are outraged, she glibly replies:
"The bill made real sense," Stewart said. "If you look at trauma injuries, most are related to motor vehicle accidents and risky driving behavior."
Here's hoping you don't cut someone off on the MOPAC, Representative Delisi. The trauma center doctors may request payment up front from you.
There are two Bills proposed this year to enact a back door prohibition in the state. One of the Bills would require you to 'register' to obtain a keg of beer. [Austin American-Statesman, sub required] You know, so the State could put you in some violent offender database or something. The other Bill is called the 'Cinderella Bill' and would mandate that on your 21st birthday you couldn't purchase alcohol until 7 a.m. on your birthday. [San Antonio Express News, sub required]
When we turned 21 we remember we had been buying beer for several years already, so this would have just pissed us off on the actual night of our anti-climatic 21st birthday.
The election challenge brought by Talmidge Heflin (R) against Hubert Vo is now in full swing. Heflin's early bravado is such a tired trick, but of course the Houston Chronicle eats it up like it was covered in cream gravy. A Republican committee and a Republican House of Representatives are expected to fairly and expiditously determine how Hubert Vo, Texas' first ever elected Vietnamese Representative, managed to wrangle so much voter fraud to beat Tally. We are loathe to say this, but we agree with the Daily Texan on this matter. (Ew, I think I just threw up a little.)
Do we really expect a fair outcome? I mean, c'mon, even the Supreme Court f'ed this up back in 2000. How can we expect a bunch of partisan Texans to do anything better.
Worst thing about this whole election contest? Talmidge Heflin's attorney is named Andy Taylor. The Mayberry jokes are flying now, but I have too much respect for that little piece of Americana to destroy it with a reference to this boondoggle.
Hubert Vo, Talmidge Heflin, Andy Taylor..are you friggin' kidding me with these names?
State Rep. Martha Wong represents one of the most highly educated districts in the state. Dist 134 also includes the Texas Medical Center, Texas' most presitgious medical institution which also houses world renowed medical research facilities. Rep. Wong is the one that's introduced the bill to rename the circular drive around the Capitol, Ronald Reagan Drive. (Sounding like an brainiac so far, huh?)
Now, while she may not vote for teacher pay raises or to maintain the authority of the State Comptroller's Texas School Performance Review program which saved the state millions. While she votes for every
anti-choice, medically unnecessary restriction on abortion, she sure knows how to DECORATE YOUR LIVING ROOM! (Houston Chronicle 1/23/05.
Texas Legislature is just a part-time gig outside Austin, many lawmakers get by in jobs that some fear create conflict of interest...
Harris County's delegation has a mix of professionals, most of whom are self-employed. Rep. Joe Crabb is a minister, lawyer and rooster rancher. Sen. Kyle Janek is an anesthesiologist. Rep. Deborah Riddle is a horse breeder. And Rep. Martha Wong helps people find balance in their lives based on the arrangement of their belongings through the ancient, and now trendy, art of feng shui.
When we think of Texas, we think feng shui!
The special election for House District 121 (San Antonio) is coming up fast (thanks Governor Perry for waiting until the last possible minute to announce the
election...you know so we can have enough time to figure out the candidates and vote and all that kind of stuff). Joe Straus III, the son of the well-connected philanthropic couple Joci and Joe Straus Jr. is the Republican candidate. I like how his public name is 'Joe' instead of Joseph. You know, so it's Joe Six-Pack, champion of the common man. Instead of Joseph Straus, III, son of well-connected (read: really rich white people) Joseph Straus, Jr. A quick Google search only tells us that Joseph Straus III is a partner in an insurance investment firm and member of Texpool's advisory board.
The Democrat vying for the seat is Judge Rose Spector. That's right, former Texas Supreme Court Justice Spector. A quick Google search for Rose Spector turns up her full on resume!
Admittedly, I don't know San Antonio politics. But, former Texas Supreme Court Justice versus 'son of well-connected' seems like an easy decision to me. Let's see how this race shapes up. Oh, I don't know San Antonio politics...but I have been there...how in the heck is that place got a Republican anything?
Welcome to pinkdome.com. Bookmark us quick before everybody else does and you look stupid. Just what Texas needs most is another blog about its spectacularly amusing political scene. Well, we thought so. We're going to fill you in on what's going down over there at the end of Congress Ave under the pink granite dome of the Capitol building. (Get it now, pinkdome.com? We're clever, in case we didn't tell you that earlier)
We'll also talk about other political things we hear about or read about across the state. We're not Austin-centric snobs like some people are. We'll also talk about politics and not just political news. If you work for the Texas Legislature, email me every single day at tips! and tell me what legislator has on the ugliest tie or who's using that secret apartment!
So, for now, don't worry about who we are. (We're nobody, trust us!) But link to us, email the link to all your political friends and tell them we exist. So, the question everybody wants to know..."Are you, uhm, you know...a bunch of ...liberals?" Well, yes we are. We've already told you we're clever and we read...that should have tipped you off a bit earlier.