2008 Texan Of The Year

TEXAS PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE NAMES 2008 ‘TEXAN OF THE YEAR’

Harris County Coordinated Campaign Takes Top Honors; TexBlog PAC, Texans For Obama, Late Jim Mattox Named “Gold Stars” For Year

AUSTIN, TEXAS—The Texas Progressive Alliance Tuesday announced that the Harris County Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign had been named its “Texan of the Year” for 2008.

Also earning honors from the Alliance were Texans for Obama, TexBlog PAC, and the late Jim Mattox, who were each named “Gold Star Texans” for 2008.

Winning 27 of 34 countywide races in Texas’ most populous county didn’t happen overnight, and the Harris County Democratic Party’s Coordinated Campaign managed not only to win seats with quality candidates, but to increase Democratic voter turnout and revive the Democratic Party in Harris County.

“The Harris County Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign is a shining example of what is possible with the help and support of thousands of grassroots Democrats and a well-run party infrastructure,” said Texas Progressive Alliance Chair Vince Leibowitz. “Every person who knocked on doors, made phone calls, and volunteered in Harris County should be very proud of what they accomplished in 2008,” he continued.

The Harris County Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign is the Alliance’s fourth recipient of its “Texan of the Year Award.” The campaign joins former State Rep. Carter Casteel of New Braunfels, who won the award in 2005; Carolyn Boyle of Texas Parent PAC, who took home the honor in 2006; and the trio of State Reps. Garnet Coleman, Jim Dunnam, and Pete Gallego who shared the honor in 2007.

Also honored this year were the organizations Texans for Obama and TexBlog PAC along with the late Jim Mattox, the former Texas Attorney General who passed away on November 20.

The Texan of the Year Award is voted on annually by the members of the Texas Progressive Alliance, the largest state-level organization of bloggers, blogs, and Netroots activists in the United States.

ABOUT THE HONOREES

TEXAN OF THE YEAR: Harris County Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign

The Harris County Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign faced a daunting task in 2008: Take Texas' largest county, which hadn't elected a Democrat to any countywide office in over a decade and which went for George Bush by ten points in 2004, and turn it blue. And they had to do it amid the high expectations that followed Dallas' fabled blue sweep in 2006, with the Harris County GOP knowing they were being targeted. And they had to start from scratch, since there hadn't been any kind of effort like it in anyone's memory. Oh, and in the middle of it all they had to abandon their headquarters and move to a new location thanks to the damage that Hurricane Ike wrought.

But they had a plan. And a budget. And buy-in from all the candidates. And strong leadership, starting with the vision of people like Dave Mathieeson and Gerry Birnberg, the operational know-how of Bill Kelly and Jamaal Smith, and the dedication and hard work of many, many people. They opened branch offices all around the county and drew on the energy of Democrats new and old. They knocked on doors, made calls, sent mail, and spread the message of Democratic change everywhere.

And in the end, they succeeded, with Democrats winning 27 of 34 countywide races. They boosted turnout in the traditional Democratic areas, and improved performance all across the county. They relentlessly pushed an early-vote message, which translated into leads of 50,000 votes or more for most candidates going into Election Day. They stressed the importance of voting Democratic all the way down the ballot, which minimized undervoting in the lower-profile races. They brought in new voters and brought back those who had given up hope, and got them all on the same page.

Add it all up, and the new year will bring new Democratic judges, a new Sheriff, a new County Attorney, a new District Clerk, and two new County Department of Education trustees. For that, and for the promise that 2010 will bring even more success and help pave the way towards turning all of Texas blue, the Texas Progressive Alliance is proud to name the Harris County Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign its Texan of the Year for 2008.

GOLD STAR TEXAN: Texans For Obama

Texans for Obama highlights what a group of activists and politicos can do when they work together. Texans for Obama never was formally part of the Obama campaign, but its size and influence made it a force in Texas politics. In 2007, before Senator Barack Obama had even announced he was running for office, Texans for Obama organized the largest rally in Texas political history with over 20,000 in attendance. Its leadership and numbers grew from Auditorium Shores. Once Senator Obama announced his candidacy, Texans for Obama became the Texas campaign. In a bizarre twist, they become the most interesting campaign in the nation after Super Tuesday and leading into the March 5 Democratic primary. With little early help from a national infrastructure, Texans for Obama talked to hundreds of thousands of Democrats in Texas and beyond. It educated Texas primary voters about the “Texas Two Step” or primacaucus system and even sparked a debate on the future of how the Democratic primary system will proceed. Novice political activists turned into seasoned political consultants overnight and a new generation of Democrats were born. This grassroots campaign’s impact is still its infancy, but its potential is limited only by the imagination of everyday Texans.

GOLD STAR TEXAN: TexBlog PAC

TexBlog PAC is a group of seven members of the Texas Progressive Alliance that worked to help Democrats win back the Texas House in 2008. TexBlog PAC raised over $65,000 this year for Texas Democrats. Four of five endorsed PAC candidates went on to win their election, with each candidate receiving support in the online community as well as at least $6,000 each in contributions. The PAC also worked on a GOTV program in Travis County. Run entirely through volunteer efforts, TexBlog PAC made a simple yet strong contribution to Texas politics in 2008, and will only grow as the power of the netroots is realized across the state of Texas.

GOLD STAR TEXAN: Jim Mattox

Jim Mattox rose from a working class neighborhood in Dallas to the top of Texas politics, leaving an indelible mark on an entire era in state government and creating a legacy that continues to touch the lives of ordinary Texans every day. A luminary and a fighter, Jim Mattox was hailed in death as a man who, as “The People’s Lawyer,” helped shape Texas Government in the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries. The son of a sheetmetal worker and waitress, Mattox rose through the electoral ranks from the state legislature to Congress to the Attorney General’s office, a post from which Mattox doggedly fought for the little guy. From taking on the airlines to the insurance industry on behalf of Texas consumers, his heart, always, was with the people. After unsuccessful runs for Texas Governor in 1990 and an attempt to regain the AG’s post in the late 1990s, Mattox retired to a more private life, but continued to work for his party. Most recently, Mattox fought to change the complex and time consuming “primacaucus” system that plagued the 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary in Texas, calling the system an embarrassment to the party. He spoke out on the issue about a week before his death in what would be his last public appearance. From taking on insurance companies to bringing a truckload of furniture to the Travis County Democratic Party Headquarters this summer after hearing the office was in need, Mattox was always helping the underdog.

Texas Blog Roundup 2008 End Of Year

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind...and, if you remember the rest of the song, you're doing one better than we are. At any rate, it is the last Monday of the year and that means it is time for the Texas Progressive Alliance's End-Of-Year Round-Up For 2008.

2008 was a heck of a year for Texas Progressives. The Presidential Primary came to Texas (for real), we caucused, conventioned, challenged, credentialed, voted, elected, counted, re-counted, brought Netroots Nation to Texas, watched Tom Craddick fight for his life, said farewell to legends, got a head start to on the race to replace Kay Bailey Hutchison and more. A lot more.

It is in that spirit that we bring you the final round-up of 2008. Enjoy.

jobsanger has posted on a variety of subjects, including the popularity of George Bush in 11% Of Americans Are IDIOTS, the Ku Klux Klan in The Klan Is Still Stupid, a plan to steal water from the Panhandle in The Coming Rape Of The Ogallala Aquifer, the fall of a county sheriff in Potter County Sheriff Indicted On Felony Charges and Potter County Sheriff Convicted, and the 2010 governor's race in Who's The Dem In 2010 Governor Race?

John Coby at Bay Area Houston has blogged on a number of issues concerning Bob Perry's home building industry, the Texas Ethics Commission, insurance deregulation, electricity deregulation, and including some humorous posts. One of his favorites series is Spending Campaign Cash which has resulted in a number of stories in the news and contributed to a bill to be filed by State Representative Senfronia Thompson.

South Texas Chisme covered such entertaining South Texas stories from the original
DA Hissy Fit to his poor imitation, various ethics problems including a
few felonies to helping Republicans recover and Democrats to prosper. And, we
never forget about that Republican monument to racism and fear otherwise known as that d*mn fence!

As he approaches his seventh anniversary as a blogger, Off the Kuff decided to look forward rather than back on the year. My thanks to my TPA colleagues for all they do, and my best wishes to all for a great 2009.

The Texas Cloverleaf looks back on 2008, as it's first full year on the blog scene comes to a close. The DNC kicked off the year by picking the Jewish named donkey over the black one for it's mascot, in what would become the ultimate irony of the political season. Adding to ironies, cash strapped TxDOT gave away $20 million for a Dallas park. We were introduced to GOP family values: 16 US Senators, including our own from Texas, voted against funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, leading to more deaths, and the Palin clan popped out more replacements as part of God's will. Don't forget to carve the backwards B on your face for posterity. 2008 was a whirlwind and couldn't have been more dramatic. Here is to a 2009 with the same kind of flair!

Neil at Texas Liberal wishes everyone good luck in the New Year. Here is my post on controversy regarding what may or may not be the world's largest potato. Please visit Texas Liberal in 2009. I work hard to make the blog worth reading.

As 2008 comes to a close, circumstances have limited Refinish69's access to his own blog, Doing My Part For the Left. He's nonetheless written a compelling series hosted on various national and local blogs that shares what it is to be homeless in Austin. Homeless in Austin-An Insider's View is a four part series so far and Refinish69 wants to thank all those who've helped him get this story more attention. Part 1 at Momocrats. Parts 2, 3, and 4 at Texas Kaos.

Texas Kaos frontpagers have covered a wide variety of issues both national and Texan. Krazypuppy wrote a cautionary tale of how far Republican hubris can go inAll Southerner's Should Know Don Siegalman's False Imprisonment Story" Refinish69 shared one man's story of unexpected impact of the historic Democratic extended primary in A Trip to the Gas Station: No it's not a Curious George book Lightseeker reported on the convention for SD 15 and the contrast between previous years. He also gave great pointers on political discourse with the neighbors. SCCS did a series on the congressional races all over Texas, and was our correspondent in the Big Tent at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Txsharon's contributions keeping us abreast of what Big Dirty Oil and Gas are up to are so valuable it's hard to pick only a few, but proving that a picture is worth a thousand words, Barnett Shale Sludge Pond Pictures is a must see (and read).

BossKitty at TruthHugger sees no other options ... Retirement or Exile, Show Bush The Exit.

At Eye On Williamson this year the election took up much of our time on the blog. From candidate filings, to the massive turnout for the Williamson County Democratic Party primary and convention, all the way through to electing the first Democratic state representative in Williamson County since 1992 - Diana Maldonado. There were still the same local issues popping up like road projects that are bad deals for the taxpayers, the county landfill, and the T. Don Hutto family prison in Taylor.

It's been a year of excitement at McBlogger. We've looked deeply at medical tourism and James Dobson's fear of homos. We've also, occasionally, talked about the meltdown in the financial sector. And Mr. The Plumber.

WhosPlayin shared his experience working the Democratic Primary and then the Denton County Democratic Convention back in March. In May, the Earth
opened up and swallowed part of Daisetta, TX. In September, WhosPlayin suggested how a financial industry bailout could work and be transparent. Over the Christmas holiday, WhosPlayin rolled out a new Congressional Campaign Finance research website.

Over at Capitol Annex, Vince Leibowitz had a difficult time trying to select his favorites out of 2,470 posts published (so far) during 2008, but finally settled on a few. After a long PrimaCaucus season and hair-raising state convention, he posted some Random Thoughts on the 2008 TDP Convention. As the election cycle went on, he pondered why anyone would want to re-elect State Rep. John Davis (R-Clear Lake), and told the world about a racist mailer that had been sent out against State Rep. Allen Vaught. After the election season, he memorialized "The People's Lawyer," Jim Mattox, and noted that Tom DeLay's wife was trying to quash a subpoena in a civil lawsuit related to the now-defunct Americans for a Republican Majority.

Mean Rachel started off 2008 with An Open Letter to Whom She Was in 2007, and proceeded to write open letters to just about everyone, including Mark Strama and Elliot Elliott Naishtat. She met Barack Obama, got Obama license plates, and subsequently had her tires slashed because of them. She also wrote for the Texas Observer in Denver and daydreamed about Republican pornography. Finally, in June, Mean Rachel asked for serenity now, and wondered if Americans would ever have the wisdom to change. By November, she had her answer.

Merry Christmas. Or Is It Merry Nasrayamas?

If you're a Christian, or just someone who likes bastardizing a pagan holiday and turning it into the observance of Jesus's birth, half a year too late, then Merry Christmas! Or is it Nasrayamas?

Thanks to a couple scholars we know that Jesus Christ was not Jesus Christ's name. Sorry to ruin your day and religion. His name was Yeshua Bar Yehosef or Yeshua Nasraya ("Jesus, son of Joseph", or "Jesus of Nazareth"). The words Jesus and Christ come from translation from three or four languages. From the looks if it, we could have easily been worshiping a Joshua. Or even a "Jesus, son of Joe" ("son of God" wouldn't have been approved on ye olden Roman driver's license).

This is just a quick lesson on not taking the Bible so literally. If you must learn from it, use it as a gesture of peace and good will unto your own interpretations. Ask yourself, what would Yeshua do?

Add One More To The Circle Of Vultures Around KBH

Former Highland Village Mayor Bill Lawrence is forming an exploratory committee to either run for Governor or US Senate as a Republican. The Vietnam veteran would add to an already crowded field. On top of that, he is African American. And Democrats wonder why we are losing the minority vote.

Texas Blog Roundup

It's Sunday night , and that means it is time for another edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance's Weekly Blog Round-Up. This week's round up--the last weekly round-up of 2008--is compiled by Vince from Capitol Annex.

Next week, the Texas Progressive Alliance will bring you its Best of 2008--a compilation of the best posts from member blogs and bloggers from the historic year past.

Happy Holidays, and enjoy the last regular round-up of 2008.

At TruthHugger The crystal ball in BossKitty's head has instructed me to share its opinion on how the final month of a pretentious Bush Administration contributes to the destruction of the America we knew. And, Bush wondered aloud, “How did we get here?”

The Texas Cloverleaf looks, ever so briefly, at Governor 39%'s longevity record.

This week CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme offers unsolicited advice to Democrats: Texas may follow the rest of the country and turn blue, but only if we truly are inclusive and offer value for taxpayer dollars.

Donna at Happinessanyway talks about defending her uber-liberal job to putative uber-liberals.

John Coby at Bay Area Houston details how much money Bob Perry has donated to the members of the Sunset Commission that shockingly spared his home builder commission from being abolished.

Vince at Capitol Annex notes that the United Auto Workers are going to be chasing some jobs to Texas--which were lured from another state by Texas Governor Rick Perry and millions from his personal slush fund, the Texas Enterprise Fund.

jobsanger looks to the future and wonders Who's The Dem In 2010 Governor Race? There is a dearth of well-known candidates with both White and Sharp opting to run for the senate, but he has a suggestion -- although that suggestion may not be well-received by some TPA members.

Neil at Texas Liberal says there is no such thing as a bridge to nowhere. Everything in life connects. Neil also says have a happy holiday.

Off the Kuff considers the possibilities for 2010 if neither Bill White nor John Sharp runs for Governor.

Devon Energy says they are "passionate" about clean air. TXsharon says: Okay, Devon: Here is your opportunity to prove it. Spend that $60 million—2 percent of your last quarter's profits—and help Wise County stay off non-attainment list.

This week, McBlogger's kinda irritated at the President-elect over his decision to have Rick Warren lead the invocation at the Inauguration.

WhosPlayin published what may be the first quantitative statistical analysis of pipeline incidents - by Jerry J. Lobdill. Hey Fort Worth, are you ready for a significant "incident" with gas pipelines every 6 months?

Dallas-area auto dealers who took out credit life insurance policies with Texas Congressional Republicans have suddenly figured out that they wasted their money.
PDiddie at Brains and Eggs has it.

All they want for Christmas is to keep jailing innocent children. The Williamson county commissioner's court is set to vote Tuesday, just in time for Christmas, on two more years of jail time for immigrant families awaiting hearings. Wcnews at Eye On Williamson reports that the court has rescheduled a vote to renew its contract with Corrections Corporation of America to operate the T. Don Hutto immigrant detention center for Tuesday, December 23, in order to avoid publicity. In addition to the distractions of the holidays, commissioners are counting that voters will have forgotten about it at the next election 22 months away.

Homeless In Austin An Insider's View Part 3

This is the 3rd in a series from blogger Steve of Doing My Part For The Left

The Homeless Shuffle

Voices call out:
Hey, you got a smoke
Some weed
A dollar
A blanket

The crowd shuffles as lines form for
Food, beds, blankets, showers, toilets
Feet stomping, shuffling, slipping and sliding
While more lines form and hoops appear to jump through

Voices call out:
Food Truck coming
There's the law
Someone died last night
Who lost their bunk

New lines form
Same old faces
Strange ones mixed in
As the Homeless Shuffle continues
Find a bed
A job
A fix
Themselves

Voices call out:

F YOU!!!
Baby, you okay
Get Lost!!!
You can do it

The crowd shuffles
As some escape
Some Out
Some Down
Some just gone
Replaced by new faces & New Stories
As the Homeless Shuffle moves on

by S. Whichard





This is my story of being homeless in Austin, TX. It is not an easy story to share but I am hoping that by doing so I can express and share some of the reality of my situation and help others understand what is going on in the world today. Each story is different and there are a million stories to tell. The first and second installment can be read <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/12/11/15455/642/294/671945">here</a>.



This past week has been a busy week for me. Being homeless and trying to get off the streets is more than a full time job. There are many appointments, interviews, classes and different departments you have to speak to or see. This past Friday I was at a Health and Human Services office by 7:15am to wait to see if I could get a stand-by appointment to get a MAP card. When I arrived, 6 people were already in line ahead of me and some had been there since 5 am. Luckily for me, some of those ahead of me grew frustrated and left. I was called back into an office at 11:35 and left shortly afterwards with my MAP card. MAP is a health insurance card for low income or homeless people so they can receive treatment for illness and emergencies. I used my card on Monday morning at the Emergency room and was diagnosed with Acute Bronchitis. I am now on antibiotics and have codeine cough syrup so I can sleep at night. Of course, anyone knows that with bronchitis you are also supposed to get plenty of rest. This has not been an option for me. I still had appointments and classes I needed to attend to guarantee I qualified for programs I need and to keep my bed at Sally(Salvation Army). Monday I went to the emergency room at 8am and was finally back at Sally by 2:30pm after seeing a doctor, getting x-rays, and going to a pharmacy to get my medications filled. I ate dinner at 5:30 and finally checked in upstairs and went to be at 6:30.



Tuesday applied for jobs on line and set an appointment with <a href="http://www.atcmhmr.com/need_help/index.html">MHMR</a> for an intake interview so I can get treatment and meds for depression. I also went to the library to check emails and apply for jobs. Wednesday I had 3 appointments to attend. One with a case manager at Sally, another with a case manager at ARCH(Austin Resource Center for the Homeless), and one with a case manager at Caritas. I dressed warm, drank my fluids, and kept every appointment. Thursday I attended 3 different classes at ARCH as well as taking time to talk with different staff members at Sally and ARCH to ask questions about things I still need to get done. Today I will see my doctor for a follow up appointment about the bronchitis and try and get a referral for an eye exam. Not an incredibly busy day or week except being sick and still showing up for everything when all I wanted to do was find a soft bed and sleep. I am feeling much better and still taking care of myself but have to realize that rest is from after supper till the early am.



People asked what the diet consisted of for the homeless. For those who are in programs, there is a decent diet available if not a tasty one. LOL Breakfast usually consist of a cup of oatmeal, grits or cream of wheat, an orange, grapefruit, or banana, a biscuit, bagel, or toast, coffee, powdered milk and doughnuts. On Tuesdays and Thursday, most of the Austin homeless go to the United Methodist at 13th and Lavaca and have a breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy and pastries and fruit. They serve coffee, orange juice and real milk. You can get refills on the coffee, orange juice and milk which is a real treat.



Lunch can be obtained in a couple of different locations. Caritas and Angel House serve lunch everyday. Lunch is soup, a sandwich or hotdog, a dessert and some fruit. Nothing exciting except once in awhile a deli or bakery will donate different items that spice it up a little. Don't get me wrong. The soup is homemade and taste great but when you eat soup 7 days a week for lunch it gets old after awhile no matter how good it is. Once in awhile I use my food stamps card to buy juice and a sandwich at HEB just to change things up a little.



Dinner is always a mystery until you get there and sometimes one even after you are there. At Sally, the men's and women's dorms eat at 5pm. They serve this god awful premixed green tea that has 20 pounds of fake sweetener in it. I have started drinking only water at dinner. Dinner consists of whatever they can find to serve us. It can be chicken, fish, brisket, mystery meat casserole or any combination of the above, beans, a really nasty goulash dish-I refuse to eat, some type of bread and a dessert. Some nights dinner is great and sometimes only so-so. It is hot and filling and free so you make do. Many of the folks drown their dinner in Louisiana Hot Sauce to kill the flavor. I have not gotten to that point yet. LOL You can always supplement the daily routine with food from the food trucks that stop by. They always have sandwiches, chips, cookies and that type of thing but as I am trying to eat healthy I avoid these. Many of these food trucks also show up with things for people such as shoes, socks, gloves, knit hats, and many other items. These help but only go so far as there are way more people in need than there are items being handed out.



Anyone who wants to help the homeless in their area can contact the Salvation Army and other homeless shelters and ask what items are needed. I know in Austin the ARCH, Salvation Army are still looking for donations of winter clothing for men especially but also for women and children, blankets, sleeping bags, wash cloths, toiletries, as well as food and that type of thing. No gift is too large or too small. If anyone knows a plumber or plumbing business in Austin that would like to some to the Salvation Army and repair the many broken toilets and urinals, I am sure Sally and the residents would appreciate it.





Living in a shelter or on the streets is not an easy thing for anyone. There are programs to help but a person has to be willing to do the work needed to help themselves to get anywhere. The case managers are there to point you in a direction and to guide you but cannot do the work for you. It is all about finding your own way with help to the goals that you have set for yourself. I am busy setting limited goals that will eventually get me to my ultimate goal of being back on my feet, in my own home, having the Diva Dogs back with me and being in a position to help others again. Right now I have to concentrate on helping myself and doing what needs to be done to achieve my goals.





Part of the test for me as well as anyone else in this situation is learning to live in the homeless environment. There are so many people who are homeless and all the stories are different. They could be from an abusive home, just out of jail or prison, strung out on dope or alcohol, or any of a million reasons I haven't heard yet. Mine is depression and not doing what I needed to do and there are many others who are also there because of mental illness. You learn very quickly that there are some you can trust and some you cannot trust. There is always some kind of scam running in the streets. People are selling drugs, booze, clothes, phones, radios, or anything else you can imagine- including their own bodies for a drink, a drug or whatever. I have seen people so desperate for attention that they will start screaming or fighting even though they know it will get them arrested or thrown out. I keep my ears and eyes open and avoid all the DRAMA on the sidewalk and alley by Sally and the ARCH. I have even learned to keep my big mouth shut and ignore the opportunity to tell it like it is. LOL Sometimes I am scared, sometimes I am lonely but mainly I am being wise. I have enough Drama in life that is my own creation that I am dealing with as I rebuild my world. I cannot afford to be swept into the alley or sidewalk mentality and be drug down further by others. It does not mean I have lost compassion or caring. I am learning that there is a time and a place for everything. Only moments ago someone asked for a smoke and I said 25 cents. I have learned not to give out cigarettes as I would have none left in 10 minutes. As they guy is reading me the riot act about being selfish, he is pulling out a pack of cigarettes from his own pocket and lighting up. I calmly called him a hypocritical asshole and walked off. You never know what type of person is behind you in line. I have felt people reach for my wallet or my netroots bag I carry. I always have my bag zipped up and either my shirttail or coat covering my back pocket so it would be more difficult to rob me. The early check in at Sally makes things easier as far as not being out late when the real crimes starts on the streets. The criminals are usually not the ones at the shelters but the ones who are on the streets due to drugs or alcohol. They need that next fix and some will do anything to get it.



I have met many great people in the shelter as well. People who are fighting to get their lives back on an even keel. They are the ones willing to share information and help someone out who seems lost or off track. I even find myself giving pointers to people who are truly trying to work on getting off the streets. I am learning lessons about myself and the world I never thought I would. It is not easy but once I am done, I will be a much stronger person. The strength and determination I am have to find in myself will be something no one can ever take from me. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger and by god I will be stronger.



As per the other diaries in this series, I will not be able to respond much but will when I can. Many thanks to everyone for their warm wishes and good thoughts as I find my way.

Governor 39%'s Longevity Record

Governor 39%, Rick Perry, will break the record for number of days in office by a Texas Governor tomorrow. He was sworn into office on December 21, 2000, taking over for George W. Bush, and will be around until at least through 2010, at which time he has made clear he is seeking a 3rd term.

Perry embodies the GOP stronghold that has lasted over Texas for the better part of a decade. Although his last election in 2006 only earned him 39% of the vote (hence his nickname among the blogs) in a 4 person race, a sign of Texan dissatisfaction. He will face a tough battle in his own primary in 2010, as Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison is already gearing up to take him on.

We've already gotten to deal with the question of his sexuality. His insistence that girls take a vaccine, that he made money on. And someone recently even accused him of eating Swedish cheese. Having him around through 2010 gives us plenty of more laughs to come. But please. Someone get rid of this guy when we have the chance.

RIP Jennifer Gale

Perennial political candidate, Jennifer Gale, was found dead this morning in Austin. Jennifer provided Austin, and even Dallas, with the chance to hear different views... and different everything for that matter.

Gale was a transsexual homeless former Marine. She presented views from the heart, though be it some were a bit wacky. She had most recently run for Austin City Council, and was gearing up for a run for Mayor of Austin. Those of us in the DFW will remember her among the 11 candidate field for Mayor of Dallas in 2007, finishing 9th (sorry Okpa and Cappello).

Jennifer represented democracy in its purest form, proving that anyone can and will run for office. She tried to do what she thought was right for the community she lived in. She will be missed.

Oak Point Rescinds English-Only Law

Oak Point, in Denton County, rescinded its English-only law passed in 2007, by a vote of 3-2 by the City Council. The 3 members voting to rescind contend the law did not serve any purpose. They also contended they did not want to be viewed with the likes of Farmers Branch.

We can't say that we blame Oak Point. Illegal immigrants are not running amok in the town. It is a rural community, and fairly well off. They even have a polo grounds. How many towns can say that? We don't think there needs to be any Spanish signs available while watching polo, so it's all good. We're glad the City Council made the right decision, but there is no guarantee it won't be reimplemented. It seems it is only a political issue, rather than real policy.

T’was The Night Before Inauguration

This is a poem from our friend Coby over at BayAreaHouston.

 

T'was the Night Before Inauguration
By John Cobarruvias
BayAreaHouston.blogspot.com

 

T'was the night before inauguration and what to my dismay
The market was tanking, I lost my 401K!
The stocks were hung, in downfall they stuck
While Bush did nothing, a truly lame duck

 

The republicans were nestled, their heads in the sand
With visions of defeat of the republican brand.
And Cheney with his gun, his heart a pace
Looking for someone, to shoot in the face.

 

When out on the house floor, there came such a clatter
I sprang to the internets to find what's the matter.
Away to my screen I ran with a flash
Hoping the market, didn't crash.

 

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
Showed me someone I needed to know.
When what to my eyes, I paused, with a comma
But a vision of hope, It was Barack Obama!

 

With excitement and conviction in each of his steps
I wondered what he and his elves, would do next.
More rapid than eagles his appointments they came
And he whistled and shouted, and called them by name.

 

Now Emanuel! Now, Dashle! Now Richardson and Biden!
On, Clinton, On Napolitano, and Gates, no sense in hidin'!
To fix the economy, our reputation and more.
And to stop the killing of this unnecessary war.

 

As Obama stood still, the republicans they trembled
Remembering 8 years of a disaster they had assembled.
They've broken our banks, and doubled our debt.
They scared us to death with weapons of threats.

 

They squandered a surplus, They started a war.
They shredded our constitution, littered on the floor.
They attack our unions, our immigrants and those who are gay.
They claim to be Christians, yet on the sick they prey.

 

We may never recover from this hole they dug.
But we will climb to the top with a American tug.
The republican party have destroyed all that matters
They deserve nothing more but to hold the damn ladder.

 

But his voice did change, along with a smile.
Thinking of the bills that soon would be filed.
Protect those who are old and young alike
Restore our honor and our military might.

 

Protect our planet, and clean our air.
While creating a surplus we can leave to our heirs
Fix our economy, and health care for all.
And honor those who fought, and those who fall.

 

Obama sprang to his feet, to his team he gave a shout.
The challenges seem impossible, hard work needed no doubt
But I heard him exclaim ere he talked and ran.
Hey! It's not just a slogan, YES WE CAN!

 

Texas Blog Roundup

It's Sunday night, and that means it is time for another edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance's weekly Round-Up.

BossKitty at TruthHugger is amazed that today's America is repeating the 1930s era of Economic Depression and Prohibition. America’s Second Biggest Waste, War on Drugs Prohibition of Medical Marijuana keeps profiteering Big Pharma and the greedy Military Industrial Complex in the money, while hurting legitimate patients. Keeping Medical Cannabis illegal hurts everyone.

Joan Huffman's campaign for Texas Senate reached new lows during early voting last week, notes PDiddie at Brains and Eggs. First she violated election law by holding a campaign rally down the hall from an EV polling location, and then her campaign made smear robocalls to Democrats in the middle of the night. Let's put an end to this kind of politics and elect Chris Bell.

John Coby at Bay Area Houston has the top 10 reasons Paul Bettencourt quit.

jobsanger discusses America's Broken And Bloated Healthcare System, and decides the best solution offered to date is Rep. John Conyers' National Health Insurance Act (HR 676).

Some unsolicited advice for Republicans from CouldBeTrue of South Texas
Chisme.

WCNews at Eye On Williamson discusses the likely federal stimulus and it's implications on infrastructure in Texas, Possible stimulus money for infrastructure creates debate on spending priorities.

This week, Mayor McSleaze at McBlogger takes on Kay Bailey and speculates on who is best positioned to take her on in 2010.

Off the Kuff finishes up his series of precinct analysis posts with a look at CD10.

The Texas Cloverleaf looks at what could have been contained in Rick Perry's suspicious envelope.

Neil at Texas Liberal posted about Houston Mayor Bill White and Harris County Judge Executive Ed Emmett writing in the Houston Chronicle about cuts in emergency care and job reductions at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. These cuts, impacting the uninsured and a small city reeling after a hurricane, are a classic Texas story of kicking the little guy while he is down.

Vince at Capitol Annex notes that sources are denying that State Sen. Leticia Van De Putte (D-San Antonio) will be leaving the Texas Senate for a position in the Obama administration.

Eight Years Of Bush Summed Up By Two Shoes

Fearless leader, George W Bush, made a farewall trip to Iraq this weekend. A journalist from Al-Bagdhadia TV, Muntadr al-Zeidi, had a farewell message of his own.



The two shoes thrown at Bush sums up his 8 years in office. Thank you, Muntadr, for making such a brilliant point.

Double Your Money For Chris Bell

Two donors have agreed to match funds for Chris Bell in his runoff for Texas Senate District 17. Today is the last day of early voting, and Tuesday is election day! Bell can use all the help he can get at this point, to ensure Texas Democrats pick up one more seat in the Texas Senate!

 

Donate anything you can today!

Dallas Passes Smoking Ban (Again)

The Dallas City Council voted 10-5 in favor of extending its smoking ban to all indoor public places, with the exception of smoke shops, cigar bars, or hookah lounges. Smoking will also be banned within 15 feet of a business entrance. The ban will be effective April 10, 2009.

The city joins Houston, Austin, Plano, and El Paso among the Texas cities that banned smoking. We here at the Leaf have always been torn over the issue. We've been to places that have banned smoking. It is nice not having smoke in your eyes if you're eating. although, if you go to a bar, you sort of expect the smokey atmosphere. We believe the expectation comes from "well, that's the way it's always been" and "smokers have rights too" attitudes. Dallas bar owners have been leery of the ban, due to expected loss of business to surrounding suburbs who let you smoke freely, such as Addison. We were in some bars in Houston this month, and there seems to be no lack of business there. People are still drinking without their cigarettes.

But we are coming around on it. It truly is a health issue, as well as an economic issue. The point made in the DMN article being that many Americans have no health insurance, or pay too much money for the coverage they have, it would make sense not to expose them to second hand smoke. Yes, non smokers can patronize non smoking businesses. However, the employees of bars do not have that option. They need a job in this economy, whether the bar has smoking or not. So it is not fair to the non smoking employees, the vast majority of whom are uninsured in the service industry. In theory, health insurance rates should decline with less sick people filing claims. That would be a cost savings to everyone.

Maybe we should support the statewide ban that will be introduced by State Rep Myra Crownover (R-Denton) in the 2009 legislative session. Or maybe not, since we do not like her. We will cross that bridge when we come to it.

Homeless In Austin An Insider's View Part 2

Second in a series of posts from homeless blogger Steve of Doing My Part For The Left...

This series of diaries is a way to explain what is going on in my life and what I am learning as I worked through the different programs available for the homeless in Austin, Texas. I am not seeking donations of any kind but warm thoughts as I do what I have to do to get back on my feet. Of course, if someone has an old laptop with a wireless card they would like to donate, I would gladly accept. LOL This will happen and I have started the process even if it does seem daunting at time.

I now have a bed at Sally (The Salvation Army) in Austin. I no longer have to go through a lottery at night to see if I have a bed or a pallet on the floor to sleep on. I have even started the full time work of getting into and satisfying all the requirements for the different assistance programs available. There are many programs available if someone will just take the time to ask questions and then follow through on all the requirements. It doesn't matter if you are Staying at Sally or Arch (Austin Resource Center for the Homeless) you have to have a current TB test read or an x-ray. There are several ways to fulfill this requirement. You can wait in line at ARCH to see if they have time to administer the test or you can go to several clinics around town that offer the service and wave the fee for the homeless. On of the easiest programs to use is the RBJ Clinic at 5 Waller St. On Friday afternoon, you can receive the skin test from 1pm till 3pm and return Monday between 10 am and 11 am to have the test read. If you are taking a bus which most homeless people are, this has basically taken all of Friday afternoon and all of Monday morning. This is only 1 step in may steps or hoops you must jump through to receive assistance but it is a vital one for the health of the community.

Here are just a few of the other steps I am working through now to keep my bed and also be approved for other programs as well as fight my way back from being homeless. I have been fast tracked into the Job Search Program at Sally. With this program, I meet with my case worker once a week to make sure I am making headway and following program guidelines to find employment. On Wednesday of each week, I must turn in a sheet where I have made at least 5 contacts per day about jobs or services. I can count any meeting I have had with a case manager as part of the 5 as well as any email, call or appointment about a job. This makes hitting the magic 5 much easier.

I have also started the Re-Entry Program at <a href=http://caritasofaustin.org/index.php>Caritas of Austin</a>. There was a one hour orientation meeting on Tuesday. The orientation only occurs once a month. This program is for single homeless adults with no dependents. They also have a program called passages for families and those who have dependent children. I will attend a group meeting next week with my case manager and then go from there. The program will help me face obstacles, meet goals and eventually find work and a home. There will be meetings I must attend and I have no clue what other requirements but I know I am up to the challenge.

I am also trying to get my MAP card which is an insurance card for homeless people. This is yet another lottery system. I have to line up at 8:45 am at Sally to see if I win the lottery to get my card. So far, I have not won but then I can not always be there as I have other meetings I can not miss. When I finally win the lottery, I will place my name on a list and then go to ARCH between 1pm and 3pm to get my card. As you can tell this limits what you can do in the am of any day and also restricts the entire day once you win the lottery for a card. Traveling by bus in Austin is easy but it is never fast and if you miss the appointment you have to start all over.

I am not complaining as I know they have many people they need to help and only limited resources and time but I have come to realize that being homeless and working to get off the streets and out of the shelters is a full time job. You also have to figure in time to eat, where to eat and be back at Sally in time to sign in for your bed each evening. The lights are cut on in the dorm around 6am and reveille is played over the loud speaker shortly afterwards. I am usually awake long before all this and have already taken my shower and gone outside to smoke a morning cigarette. Breakfast is served to residents at 7:30. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, most residents leave Sally and Arch to head over to a church at 13th and Lavaca for a hot breakfast. They start handing out tickets at 5:30am and serve at 6am. The people of this church are fabulous and offer many smiles, warm food, books, shoes, other items of clothing as well as haircuts on Tuesdays and a seamstress on Thursday. I wish I could remember the name of the church but … I will add it in another diary later. For lunch, you have a choice of eating at Sally if you are a resident, Caritas or <a href=" http://angelhouse-abc.com/ ">Angel House</a>. You can get a hot lunch, a salad, a dessert and something to drink. Angel House always has great soup and during the cold weather it has been great. I will say that after a few days of eating almost the same thing every meal it gets harder to eat or at least it has for me. I make sure I eat fruit and at least try a little of everything on my plate. I am staring to say no to most desserts as too much sugar just wears me out. Lunch starts at 11 at Angel House and every place has a different time. You have to try and fit it in between meetings and applying for jobs or just skip it.

Once lunch is done, you try and make it to appointments or out to workforce, the computer lab, or to the library to send resumes unless you have a job interview. While doing all this you have to keep in the back of your mind that you have to sign into the men's dorm at Sally by 7pm to keep your bed unless you have a late pass because of work. You can pick up your bed slip as early as 4pm and sign in as early as 5 upstairs. You are given a towel and two sheets if you need them. Dinner for male residents is at 5pm and last till 5:30pm. We are allowed in the dorm and back outside till 7pm. After 7pm you are not allowed back outside if you are in the regular men's dorm. After 9pm, we are not allowed out of the dorm itself. Needless to say there is no smoking allowed inside so once 7pm rolls around I am done smoking for the night until around 5am the following day. LOL Lights out is around 10pm but it is never completely dark as they leave some lights so security and staff can walk through the dorm if needed.

Having lived on my own for the majority of the last 10 years, I miss my privacy more than anything. I sleep in a dorm with 150 or so other men. The mix is quite a strange and sometimes wonderful one. The homeless are all ages, races, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Sometimes this can lead to wonderful discussions or to high DRAMA. I have learned very quickly to avoid DRAMA at all cost. I have almost become use to showing in a large communal shower as I did back in high school. I will never get use to toilet stalls that do not have doors. I might do #1 at Sally but #2 is reserved for other places such as the library or workforce where I can have just a little bit more privacy.

Sleeping at night is something that is becoming easier. It is strange to hear some many people snoring, talking to each other, on cell phones, or even in their sleep. There is also the sound of coughing as some are sick with colds and with any such environment the colds seem to make there way through the crowd. I guess the worst is when you hear someone crying out in their sleep as they relive a bad experience or have a nightmare. You feel for them but don't dare wake them as you don't know them well enough to help and are having problems and ghost of your own to deal with as you try and sleep.

Yes, I miss my privacy most but I am doing what I need to do to get my life back on tract. This is a tough journey I have begun but one that will allow me to reach certain goals. One of my dreams is to get back on my feet where I can help others once again. I am not in a position where I can help others at this time but I can be a friend to those I meet who are dealing with some of the same struggles and demons as I.

Look for the next installment as I keep sharing my experiences and thoughts as I make a journey in self discovery. Keep the good thoughts coming and I will keep you informed as I make my way back. Due to computer limitations, I will not be able to respond but know that I am reading comments and emails that I get when I can.

Steve

Joe Barton's "Number 1" Priority

Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX CD6) has had a lot of priorities in his 23 year tenure on Capitol Hill. He doesn't believe in global warming. He told the Governor of Mississippi that he would help after Katrina, and then voted against the relief act. He also plays a pretty mean Civilization IV.

The latest in promises that Joe Barton wants to make to the nation is not fiscal conservatism or helping the economy. He wants to end the BCS!

Really? A law to abolish the BCS? Give us an f'n break. While we here at the Leaf are big college football fans, and think the Bowl Championship Series is a crock of shit, but we aren't proposing legislation on how a sports king is crowned. Telling the NCAA how to give a crystal football and a few million bucks to any one team is not an important issue, especially not one that needs to be addressed on the floor of the House of Representatives. The same goes for any other sport.

Sorry Longhorn fans. We know you should probably be playing for the title, but we have an economy to worry about.

Rick Perry Receives Suspicious Envelope

Governor 39% Rick Perry is the latest governor nationwide to receive an envelope deemed "suspicious". The governor's office did not report what was in the envelope. Other offices received envelopes with powder that turned out to be harmless.

We decided to speculate what could possibly make this envelope suspicious and what it may contain. Possible scenarios are listed below:

The envelope originated from Dallas, bearing a return address in Preston Hollow, but hand delivered by a black man.

The envelope originated from the office of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. It contained an invite to a wine and cheese party. Late at night. In an alley. No guests.

The envelope smelled like burnt vodka.

The envelope was pink and hand written...in turkey blood... with "Merry Christmas, from Sarah Palin, Leader of the GOP, dontcha know. Wink wink."

The envelope was pink and hand written...in unidentifiable blood... with "Merry Christmas, from "

The envelope was pink and hand written...in incredibly neat handwriting... with "Merry Christmas, love the former Secretary of State Geoffrey S. Connor".

The envelope contained a job application from Tom Craddick.

The envelope had a distinct smell of Swedish cheese.

The recycled paper envelope was brown and hand written...in ink made from compressed natural gas... with "Merry Christmas from T. Boone Pickens, ya'll." The envelope only contained hot air.

The envelope was empty. Normally the Governor expects money.

Homeless In Austin - An Insider's View

We're posting this for one of our fellow Texas Progressive Alliance members, Steve from Doing My Part For The Left. Steve lost his job, and subsequently a home. If anyone is interested in hiring him in Austin, or donating some cash this holiday season, email him at refinish69@gmail.com or send him some shekels through PayPal.

Steve is not the only person in this situation, and the way our economy is going, won't be the last. There are even just as many people out there that do have jobs, but are facing mounds of debt and are on the brink of total collapse. Ever hear "if one more bad thing happens, that could be it for me"? More and more people are in this situation in 2008. These are not lazy people. These are not alcoholics and drug addicts. These are not the mentally ill. You know, all the people we normally toss away and chalk up to society's ills. They're people just like you, reading this blog.

Read about Steve's first night living on the streets...

Hard times have hit us all at one time or another. We have seen the high unemployment numbers and the dismal forecast for economy in America. I never thought as a college graduate I would have an inside view of the day to day struggles of the homeless but I am there and will share my experiences so that people might gain a better insight and understanding of the plight we are facing in America.

I have been unemployed since March of 2008. Without unemployment benefits, I took to couch surfing and doing odd jobs for cash. Once the 2008 general elections were over and a new era in American History began, I started a new journey of my own. I spent a few weeks in a weekly motel that cost enough per week that I could have rented an apartment if I had not been evicted back in June. I realized that not only had I run out of money but I had also run out of options. I finally had to admit I needed more help than was available and I would have to take drastic steps.I moved my computer and many possessions that would not fit in a rolling suitcase and left them with a friend. I spent one last night on another friend's sofa and then I was truly on the streets and homeless.

I arrived at Sally (The Salvation Army) and found out they do a raffle every morning for beds that become available in the men's dorm. I was there at 8:45 am and waited as I watched more and more men file in hoping to get a bed for Wednesday night. The counselor came out and asked how many men were there for a bed. 15 men ranging in age from 18 to 70 raised their hands. The counselor said they only had two beds. As he walked around the room with a hat with 15 slips of paper, he informed us if we got a number we had a bed but if not we would have to try again the next day. I was not one of the lucky ones.

Realizing I had to do something I started asking questions and was told that I could try the lottery at ARCH (Austin Resource Center for the Homeless) at 6pm. I took my rolling suitcase and Netroots Nation bag and headed over to ARCH to ask questions. I had to wait in line to get in and then have my bags go through an x-ray security machine like the ones they sue at the airport and then file through a metal detector. I went to the desk and asked what I need to do and to verify times for the lottery. I was also informed that if the temperature was below 40 degrees, they would allow more people to stay. The first night I was lucky enough to draw a number which meant I could sleep on a mat on the floor in the lobby of ARCH. One the lottery was over I was led into the building and told I would have to take a shower. The ARCH does not provide towels and since I had not thought to back one, I had to dry off with paper towels. I was then given a thin pallet to sleep on. Well, I would not exactly call it sleeping. I lay on the pallet with a coat and a sweatshirt rolled up as a pillow.I had another coat that I used as a blanket. I was close to the stairs that led upstairs to the bathrooms and people were walking by my head all night. There was snoring, coughing, people crying out in their sleep and even a few arguments. Lights out was at 9:30 but if you have ever been by ARCH you know they have security lights that are on 24/7. Reading was not a problem since I could not really sleep. At 4:30 am the people on the first floor were awakened so they could start setting up the lobby for the day. They served us coffee and granola bars.I had survived my first night as a homeless person.

The next two nights I was lucky enough to win cold weather lotteries and spend the night at two different churches who fed us dinner and breakfast before sending us back to ARCH. On Saturday morning, I was finally able to get assigned a bed at Sally. I no longer have to fear not having a bed as long as I follow all the rules. There are many rules and hoops you must jump through to qualify for the different programs and I will be discussing those and my life as a homeless person in future installments. Being limited to an hour on a computer at the library and having to have others post for me, restricts what I can do as a blogger. Look for future installments soon.

The Threat Of Illegal Mexican Crabs

Mexican stopped at the border with crabs! Oh the horror!

 

Actually it wasn't the crabs that first came to our mind, and we were wondering why lice would cause a border issue. A McKinney resident was stopped at the border trying to smuggle hermit crabs into the US. Please note the CBS 11 stock photo is also *not* a hermit crab.

 

A $1910 fine was assessed to the gentleman for not declaring he had crabs.

Terminator For Energy?

We often wonder if the speculators about Obama's Cabinet ever stop to think about the Constitution? We know there are some silly Republicans running around trying to keep Hill Dog Clinton from becoming Secretary of State based off a technicality in some high up section or so forth.

We ask again, because Arnold Schwarzenegger has been mentioned as a possible Secretary of Energy. Small problem with that. The Secretary of Energy is in line to succeed the President should multiple people die ahead of that cabinet post. The Governator was born in Austria, thus rendering him ineligible to serve as President. So that creates a problem if they unlikely scenario did happen, and a bomb wipes out the President and 14 others in the line of succession. There have already been cabinet members who can not become President, some currently serving under Dubya. But let's not take the chance of having to skip over him to get to the Secretary of Education to run the nation. It makes our skin crawl with the thought.

Texas Blog Roundup

It's Sunday night, and that means it is time for another edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance's Weekly Round-Up. This week's round-up is compiled by Vince from Capitol Annex.

The long held assumption that Texas was safely red seems to be taking a few hits, notes Lightseeker at Texas Kaos, in Trouble in Red Paradise?

DosCentavos expands on comments from LatinaListaon the one tool that Latinos have failed to use to get ahead in politics, business, etc.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme warns us that Republican agitators are on the loose making stuff up for their wedge'em and hate'em crusades. Are there enough Hispanics in top roles? What will happen for Rick Noriega and Juan Garcia?

According to jobsanger, the War on Christmas is alive and well. Another Volley In "War On Christmas has been fired, this time from the heartland of America, as an Iowa publisher is selling christmas cards for atheists.

Off the Kuff takes a look that Hill Research Consultants poll that says the Republican brand is eroding in Texas.

John Coby at Bay Area Houston says Speaker Tom Craddick Can't have his cake and health care too concerning how Craddick fought for health care for his adult well to do daughter while fighting to deny health care to poor kids.

McBlogger's latest rant on the state of traffic in Texas prompted this little bit of comeuppance from Mayor McSleaze.

Vince at Capitol Annex notes that Houston Mayor Bill White is expected to announce his plans in regard to 2010 this week.

BossKitty at TruthHugger is angry that the Texas Republican Party, in general, has favored BIG Business, including Medical Corporations who see the sick as dollar signs. Texas looks like it leads the pack in putting dollars above life quality. Texas needs to reinstate the Hippocratic oath and throw out the Hypocritical oath it has been following. US Health Care Plunges, Texas Drops 9 Points

Dembones at Eye On Williamson analyzes the recent poll that's causing a stir Texas GOP In Panic Over Recent Poll.

The kinder, gentler Kay Bailey Hutchison -- with a little help from her pal Karl Rove -- is trotting out for display. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs has the revoltin' development.