Posts with the tag Texas

Obama: Trade deals must protect workers, environment

Mike W, Tulsa+ — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:26:09 EST

Trade deals must protect workers, environment: Obama
By Doug Palmer
Fri Dec 19, 5:10 pm ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081219/pl_nm/us_usa_obama_trade

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States will insist on strong protections for workers and the environment in future trade deals, President-elect Barack Obama said on Friday as he introduced his nominee to be chief U.S. trade negotiator.

Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk "will help make sure that any agreement I sign as president protects the rights of all workers, promotes the interests of all Americans, strengthens American businesses, and preserves the planet we all share," Obama said at a news conference in Chicago.

The focus on what Kirk described as a "values-driven" trade agenda is a nod to labor groups who helped elect Obama and have fought many losing battles against trade deals that they believe encourage U.S. companies to move jobs overseas.

Obama has promised one of his first acts as president would be to call the president of Mexico and prime minister of Canada to begin negotiations to "fix NAFTA" by adding stronger labor and environmental provisions.

But Obama's stance could complicate efforts to complete the seven-year-old Doha round of world trade talks if it means the United States will be adding new demands to those already difficult negotiations. ...

Although Kirk is little known in global trade circles, Obama said the 54-year-old lawyer's experience as a big city mayor from 1994 to 2001 prepared him to be U.S. trade representative.

"Ron helped steer one of the largest economies. He's seen the promise of trade, but also its pitfalls, and he knows there is nothing inconsistent about standing up for free trade and standing up for American workers," Obama said. ...

*NPR: Could Texas Lose Its Solidly Republican Identity?

Mike W, Tulsa+ — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:03:29 EST

Could Texas Lose Its Solidly Republican Identity?
by Wade Goodwyn
Politics
Day to Day, December 19, 2008
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98388035

Listen Now
5:58
http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=98388035

Graphic: GOP Losing Hold on Texas Politics?
http://media.npr.org/design/comps/voters.gif

Day to Day, December 19, 2008 · The Republican Party in Texas holds every statewide elected office, including both U.S. Senate seats, the governor's mansion and majorities in the Texas House and Senate. There's no reason to be worried, right?

Except that Indiana used to be considered safely Republican — as did Iowa, Nevada, Virginia, Colorado and North Carolina, all states won by President-elect Barack Obama last month.

Although Arizona Sen. John McCain carried Texas by a double-digit margin, some Democratic organizers believe that, with enough money and staff, the Lone Star State could be flipped. This imagined realignment would not happen immediately; it would take between two and four election cycles.

But if Democrats could flip Texas, the ramifications for the Republican Party could be traumatic, making GOP politicians vulnerable to a decades-long exile from power at the national level. ..

AP: John Sharp [D-Tx] to seek US Senate seat

Mike W, Tulsa+ — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:37:04 EST

John Sharp to seek US Senate seat
12/08/2008
By APRIL CASTRO / Associated Press
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D94UO7O00.html

Democratic former Comptroller John Sharp said Monday he'll run for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison the next time the seat goes before the voters.

Sharp, 58, said he will file the required paperwork to begin raising money and campaigning on Jan. 1. Hutchison said last week she is forming an exploratory committee to run for governor in 2010, two years before her term ends.

"I will be a candidate whether the election is in 2012 or any time before then," said Sharp, who made two unsuccessful runs for lieutenant governor. "Texans face tough challenges that call for innovative solutions, and that's what our campaign is all about."

Hutchison, whose Senate term expires in 2012, has said she may leave the Senate as early as next year to campaign. If that happens, Republican Gov. Rick Perry would appoint a replacement to the seat until a special election is held.

Other possible Democratic contenders for the seat are Houston Mayor Bill White; former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, who lost a 2002 Senate bid to John Cornyn; state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio; state Rep. Richard Pena Raymond; and Dallas state Rep. Rafael Anchia.

On the GOP side, state Sen. Florence Shapiro is raising money for a possible run while former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Michael Williams, the chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission are thought to be contenders.

Sharp, who was close friends with Perry when they were students at Texas A&M, was widely expected to oppose Perry in the 2006 gubernatorial election. But Perry appointed Sharp to lead the Texas Tax Reform Commission that ultimately wrote the state's new business tax.

As chair of the commission, Sharp was instrumental in crafting the new tax code that had befuddled state officials for decades. While the tax helped get the state out of court trouble that threatened to shut down public schools and cut property taxes by a third, the tax has been a disappointment to small business owners and has not generated the amount of revenue expected. The business tax is expected to be revised during the upcoming legislative session.

At the time the proposal was unveiled, Sharp called it the "the best, fairest, most broad-based, comprehensive system to reduce property taxes that I have ever seen in 20 years that I've been around this process."

Sharp started his political career as a state representative from Victoria. Four years later he became a state senator, serving on the Senate Finance Committee. He was elected to the Texas Railroad Commission in 1986. He was elected state comptroller in 1990 and was re-elected in 1994.

Former Texas AG Jim Mattox dies

Mike W, Tulsa+ — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:49:50 EST

Former Texas AG Jim Mattox dies
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Posted on Thu, Nov. 20, 2008
http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1050057.html

Former Texas congressman and Attorney General Jim Mattox, a powerhouse in Democratic politics through the 1980s, has died, state Democratic Party officials said Thursday. He was 65.

The Associated Press reported that Mattox died at his Dripping Springs home. His sister, Janice, said her brother died in his sleep but had not been ill "any more than common" and didn't know whether he had heart problems.

They talked on the phone almost every day and talked about "business, kids, the holidays, the dog, politics."

"I think they [Texans] lost an advocate for their interests in the state of Texas," she said.

In a statement, U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Waco) said: "Jim Mattox was a tireless fighter for average working families in Texas. His was a voice that will be missed but not forgotten."

Mattox, a longtime Democrat, worked his way up the party ladder. He got involved in hometown Dallas precinct politics, won a seat in the Texas House and then served three terms in the U.S. House.

A former Dallas County prosecutor, Mattox served as attorney general from 1983 to 1990 and developed a reputation as a feisty partisan in his many conflicts with then-Gov. Bill Clements, a Republican.

Voting Information For Hurricane Ike Evacuees [Texas]

Mike W, Tulsa+ — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:56:27 EDT

Voting Information For Hurricane Ike Evacuees [Texas]

----- Original Message -----
From: Sondra Haltom, TDP Political Director
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008

Subject: Voting Information For Hurricane Ike Evacuees

Attention All Democrats:

Many voters have been affected by Hurricane Ike. Some may not be able to return to their homes before Election Day and others may find that their local polling location has been damaged and they will need to vote elsewhere. There are options available to these voters which vary depending on the circumstance. Whether you are in an affected county or your county is sheltering Hurricane Ike evacuees, please be aware of the voting options available to you and help facilitate that information to others.

If you wait long enough, Hell actually does freeze.

Liz — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:37:01 EDT

Queen’s Comments
I moved to Texas four years ago from California. Imagine my dismay when I have no one but conservative Republicans representing me in Congress. At least in California I had Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein as my Senators, even if I did have the awful Republican conservative, Dana Rohrabacher, who was my representative. Sam Johnson has been my US Representative in the House. Until yesterday, I honestly don’t think there was one single piece of legislation on which we were in agreement. Yesterday, however, Sam voted against the financial bailout so I called him today to thank him. I just tried to send him an email, but because of the number of people writing to the House of Representatives, I got a busy message. Here is the letter that I will eventually send to Sam:

Bill Clinton and George HW Bush partner for Hurricane Ike relief

Mike W, Tulsa+ — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:05:59 EDT

Bill Clinton and George HW Bush just announced in New York City that they will again partner together, this time for Hurricane Ike relief.

More later today at
http://www.BushClintonCoastalFund.com

Second Warning to Democrats in Ohio

Liz — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:43:13 EDT

IT IS NOT A QUESTION OF "IF" OHIO REPUBLICANS ARE GUILTY OF ILLEGAL MANIPULATION OF THE VOTING PROCESS IN 2004--they did! On March 13, 2007, 2 election workers got 18 months for rigging presidential recount. The question remains: Will they do it again in 2008?

HOW IMPORTANT WAS OHIO IN 2004?

Ohio gave Bush the electoral votes he needed to defeat Democratic Sen. John Kerry in the election and hold on to the White House in 2004. Kerry beat Bush in Democratic Cuyahoga County 448,486 to 221,606.

___________________________________________________________

OHIO DEMOCRATS! DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CLEVELAND (AP) — A judge suspicious of more corruption pressed two former election board workers to tell what they know and then sentenced them today to the maximum 18 months in prison for rigging the 2004 presidential election recount to make their job easier.

“I can’t help but feel there’s more to this story,” said Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Peter Corrigan, who allowed the women to remain free on bond pending appeal. Some of their friends and relatives sobbed as the judge imposed the sentence.

SOURCE:

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070313/NEWS24/70313029

More Insanity--Barr is only Presidential Candidate on Texas GE Ballot

Liz — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:09:54 EDT

I don't know if this has been resolved or not, but perhaps another Texan like Jim Hart might know.

In the state of Texas, the cut off date for registering to be on the ballot of our General Election this fall was July 26.

William Barr is the only Presidential candidate who was registered on or before that date.

Reuters is Wrong! Katrina was not the most costly hurricane in US History.

Liz — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:06:16 EDT

And any Texan can likely straighten them out on that.

From Reuters (now Thomson Reuters as the UK Company and Thomson, a large Canadian media conglomerate joined forces this year) had this to say about Gustav.

“Gustav's approach had stirred uneasy comparisons to Katrina, the most costly hurricane in U.S. history, which killed some 1,500 people and caused over $80 billion in damage almost exactly three years ago.”

Interesting, since I don’t know if they are ignorant of US history or if they don’t figure the value of a human life into “costly”, but according to my values they are wrong. Not too surprising, however, since neocon Rupert Murdoch at one time had at least 15% stock of Reuters. It should come as no surprise that they don't count human life.

Katrina was not the most costly hurricane in U.S. History. The hurricane that hit Galveston, Texas September 8, 1900 was the most costly. More than 6,000 men, women and children lost their lives in that hurricane. Go here for details:

http://www.1900storm.com/

Honorable Democrats and Texans

Liz — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:41:37 EDT

"A JACKASS CAN KICK A BARN DOWN, BUT IT TAKES A CARPENTER TO BUILD ONE." Sam Rayburn [so stop kicking our party, it's the best!]

I realize that after 8 years of George Bush there may be some of you who think that "honorable Democrat from Texas" is an oxymoron, but really it isn't. And please remember. George Bush is a Connecticut Yankee, born in New Haven, Connecticut.

Here is a photo of one of the most honorable Democrats from Texas, if not THE most honorable of all Democrats Sam Rayburn, Speaker of the House:

Get out there and get going. Let's take over the world.

Liz — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:05:54 EDT

One of our bloggers, Michael DeCoria inspired me by reminding me to remember our local Democrats. It's easy to forget that many of them don't have a lot of money and a few extra hands can literally mean the difference between a win and a loss.

THANK YOU AGAIN MICHAEL FOR SPARKING MY AWARENESS OF WHAT ELSE I NEED TO DO. I went straight to Tom Daley's site, the Democrat who is running against Sam Johnson in my 3rd US Congressional District. I signed up for about everything offered to help Tom.

FOLLOWING MICHAELS GOOD INSPIRATION, I ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO DO THE SAME.

Tell a Friend

Thank you for volunteering. Together, we can create a stonger America with broader prosperity and hope for a better tomorrow!

Sincerely,

Rick Noriega soon to be US Senator from Texas!

Liz — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:18:46 EDT

A poll released by Texas Lyceum, a statewide, non-partisan leadership group, showing Rick Noriega in a deadheat race for the U.S. Senate with incumbent John Cornyn, tells the same story that Rick Noriega's hearing from Texans every day: they're ready for a change.

The live interview poll has Noriega with 36 points and John Cornyn at 38 with still 24 percent undecided voters and a margin of error of 4.5 percent. And here is even better news. McCain is at 43 and Obama is 38. If you know how deeply red Texas has been, then you know the significance of this.

Rick and Obama have similar paths (Rick was born in 1958, three years before Obama): In 1984, Rick completed his undergraduate education with the help of an ROTC scholarship at the University of Houston, receiving his commission in the United States Army. He went on to earn a Master's Degree in Public Administration in 1990 at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he was an editor of the Harvard Journal of Hispanic Policy.

I Like the Pickens Plan

Armen — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:02:30 EDT

I know that he doesn't have good politics (he was a donor to the Swift Boat Veterans) but I can't help but love the simple logic and go-get-them attitude of the 300 Million Wind Farm T. Boone Pickens Plan. It is a plan that realizes the power of wind, not as the only source of power for the US but as a good subsidy for it. It has beautiful logic to it, but more importantly it clearly points out that there is real money in clean technology. Once other investors see this, I promise you it will be a land rush and this country will turn on it's head faster than you can think. It won't be as soon as most of us want, but I assure you it will happen with the zeal that is capitalistic America. Hopefully our government can take Pickens' example and come together on this to make sure that we pass legislation that both improves clean techonology but also makes sure that Big business is well regulated in doing it.

A Taste of what REAL Texans think of Bush

Liz — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:40:59 EDT

Don't stereotype Texans. First of all, George Bush is a fake Texan. He is a carpetbagger. We Texans have been trying to impeach him for years now and here is proof of it. Be sure and watch it all. You can hear us whooping it up near the end of the video. We brought up impeachment at the 2006 State Democratic Convention.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-933021030567247976&hl=en

Friends of mine at the Houston Montrose Bridge with Peace flag and impeach Bush

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti3FlKvpwHU&feature=related

There is tons of other evidence of how badly many of us want Bush impeached.

Impeach Bush in Ft Worth July 8, 2008

Liz — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:29:00 EDT

Impeachment Day in Fort Worth- Rally in the streets.

From Nel LaBar

THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE - Come and join a citizens group in Ft. Worth on July 8th at 6:00P.M., as they gather for ruckus making prior to going before the City Council with a request for the adoption of a Resolution of Impeachment. The address is 1000 Throckmorton. All people of conscience, who believe in the Constitution and the rule of law, come! Bring together right/left, Republicans/Democrats, Libertarians and Greens, Independents and Partisans.

There will be music and the "Chain Gang" bobble heads, impersonating the criminal element in Washington. Bring your own ruckus making sound, guitar, drum or simply your own voice. Bring signs, the material is plentiful. When Rep. Kucinich presented his Bill of Impeachment against Bush, he read a list of over 35 offenses. We will have extra signs available. Also, you can sign up to speak, just call the Council secretary. Should you have any questions the contact number :( 817)913-1944.

Come and meet Grayson Harper, local artist/activist who will make his 20th appeal to the Fort Worth City Council, asking them to adopt a resolution to Impeach George Bush and Richard Cheney. Grayson has persisted through the Mayor's disparaging remarks, "You can see, no one is interested." and his authoritarian stance, "You will not do this ""Do you understand?" "I will not tolerate attacks on this council - I don't want to hear how we're not following our oath of office."

If the Mayor's plan was to intimidate Grayson it didn't work. Grayson presented time after time. Each presentation was fresh material, as nearly weekly, another impeachable offense was uncovered or new evidence added on to those offenses already established.

If you believe these offenses are criminal and those in Washington need to be held accountable, meet at 1000 Throckmorton on July 8th at 6:00 P.M. Then, at 7:00 P.M., join the true patriot Grayson Harper, as he, along with other citizens of conscience, again, address the Council with a request that they take their oath of office to uphold the Constitution seriously, by adopting a Resolution to Impeach George Bush and Dick Cheney.

Again--here are the essentials: July 8th 6:00 pm
Ft. Worth City Hall 1000 Throckmorton Street

Free parking in the parking lot immediately south of City Hall.

Contact: Grayson Harper, artfulrebel@yahoo.com 817-913-1944

Diane Wood dianewoodtarrantgrens@yahoo.com 817-800-4249

Democrats in Texas Need a Lot of Help in November

Liz — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:20:31 EDT

I want to get my requests in early. First, of course, Rick Noriega as our new US Senator and last I heard, he is leading John Cornyn his Republican opponent.
http://www.ricknoriega.com/

My second request is to PLEASE contribute to Tom Daley for the third Congressional District. Go here to read about him and to contribute:
http://www.tomdaleyforcongress.com/

and this is why, even if Tom Daley were an armadillo you should still vote for him.
SAM JOHNSON the current Republican Congressman for District Three. Take notice: he is another Vietnam POW War Hero. In fact, Sam has the distinction of being even more inept than McCain at carrying out his mission. Sam was shot down on his first mission and holds the record for being the longest held American prisoner of war in Vietnam.

Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas) thinks the weapons of mass destruction are buried: in Syria, which he said "I'd like to nuke to smithereens. "

Speaking at a veterans' celebration at Suncreek United Methodist Church in Allen, Texas, on Feb. 19,2005 Johnson told the crowd that he explained his theory to President Bush and Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) on the porch of the White House one night.

Johnson said he told the president that night, "Syria is the problem. Syria is where those weapons of mass destruction are, in my view. You know, I can fly an F-15, put two nukes on 'em and I'll make one pass. We won't have to worry about Syria anymore."

The crowd roared with applause. (Which doesn't say too much for the Methodists in Allen, Texas.)

Help Rick Noriega and Stamp out Fox Smears on Democrats

Liz — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:21:34 EDT

YEA THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT RICK NORIEGA IS AHEAD OF JOHN CORNYN!!!!!

YOU CAN HELP!

One way to get yourself a Democratic senator from Texas!With a couple of clicks of your mouse, help Rick Noriega gain essential campaign funds. He is currently ahead, but needs to stay ahead to win.Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) is launching her PAC for a Change's 2008 "Choose a Challenger" contest. It's a great opportunity for us to help decide which Democratic Senate challenger the PAC for a Change online community will support next. The winner of our online contest will be featured in a fundraising email to PAC for a Change's entire online community, potentially adding tens of thousands of dollars to his or her campaign war chest this fall -- going a long way towards helping us build a stronger progressive Senate majority in 2009 and beyond.I hope you'll join me and vote in the "Choose a Challenger" contest before the June 25th deadline. Click on the link below to cast your ballot!http://ga4.org/pacforachange/challenger_open_vote.html

Also please do this now for ALL Democratic candidates everywhere:

PUT FOX NEWS ON NOTICE NOW!

Right now, Fox News is trying to paint Barack Obama as foreign, un-American, suspicious, and scary. They're trying to send Americans the message that our country's first viable Black candidate for President is not "one of us."

We've seen this before from Fox. They won't stop until it becomes too painful to continue--until the public calls them out and advertisers start getting worried.

Now is the time to draw a line in the sand by putting Fox on notice that their behavior won't be tolerated. In less than a minute, you can help us do that. Then invite your friends and family to do the same. Just click here:

http://colorofchange.org/foxobama/?id=1804-202757

Redemption for Some: Chet Edwards

Liz — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:29:17 EDT

Over the next few days I am posting an item on each of the members of the House who voted for FISA. I am taking each of these Democrats one by one who voted for FISA and seeing if there is anything that they have done to neutralize the heinous act of voting for FISA today. I'll start with a Democratic Congressman from Texas, Chet Edwards.

CHET EDWARDS 17TH CONGRESSIONAL DIST TX

CHET! What H fire were you thinking today? It is only because I know you are such a champion of our vets and because I know that you have enough honor in the past to do the right thing. Perhaps I'm wrong in thinking that you all could have done better today. I do know that you have a history of making right and yet unpopular decisions before so maybe this is one of those rare times when I am wrong and you have done the best you could. For the moment, however, I'm not very happy with you over this vote.

Look what Rick Noriega is up against and then help us out!

Liz — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:02:33 EDT

Following is the link to an ad that Rick Noriega's opponent is running. Rick is our Democratic choice as replacement for US Senator John Cornyn here in Texas. Cornyn is a staight voting, Bush Clone who supports the Iraq war (although he has never served). Cornyn is also for anything that Bush or the oil interests want. I consider Cornyn as the #2 worst person in the Senate (Mitch McConnell is #1).

Rick, unlike Cornyn, does know what war is all about. He has served in the U.S. Army in the wake of the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. He became a Lieutenant Colonel in the Texas Army National Guard, and served as deputy garrison commander of the KMTC training facility in Kabul, Afghanistan after 9/11. Rick was deployed for 14 months and spent a year in Afghanistan until August 2005. He knows what war is about and he opposes the war in Iraq.

Rick is no intellectual slouch either. He earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration in 1990 at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he was an editor of the Harvard Journal of Hispanic Policy.

Here is the GOOFY ad that John Cornyn is running and you can see the striking resemblance that it has to a satiric commercial produced by Saturday Night Live in which Will Ferrell portrays a giant lumberjack who makes feminine hygine products out of woodchips. Comare the two videos.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/17/inspiration-for-much-mock_n_107672.html

AFTER YOUR CHUCKLE, PLEASE GO TO RICKS SITE AND DONATE MONEY TO REMOVE "BIG BAD JOHN" FROM THE SADDLE. WE NEED A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN. If you don't believe me, look up John Cornyn's voting record in the Senate. Big bad John is especially unfriendly to gays. If Cornyn tried to fit into Noreiga's boots, he would be lost for weeks, if not years. Help us to get a real hero for the people elected as US Senator from Texas. We Texans appreciate any contribution in any amount.

http://www.ricknoriega.com/