Category Archives: Politics

Events of a political nature.

The 2012 Primary and Election in Texas

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Remember the old saying “Truth is stranger than fiction?” Why should this election-year be any different. In a strange twist of fate the congressional district maps were argued over and redrawn and fussed-with until we past our traditional Primary date in March. So, they set the new Primary date to May 29! Most of the other “winner takes all” (electorate) states had their primaries already so ours doesn’t mean much. That being said, I think there is still plenty to vote for.

U.S. President

2012 Candidates

* It’s 99% certain that Mitt Romney will be the Republican nominee for President.

U.S. Senate (Texas)

* Hutchison is retiring at the end of this term. As of May 1, the biggest candidates to replace her are former Texas Solicitor General, Ted Cruz (R) or Lt. Governor David Dewhurst (R).

2012 Candidates

  • Ted Cruz (R)
  • David Dewhurst (R)
  • Grady Yarbrough (D)
  • Sean Hubbard (D)
  • Addie Dainell Allen (D)
  • Paul Sadler (D)

U.S. House of Representatives (District 17)

I find it interesting that Chet Edwards (D) lost to Flores in 2010 and now there is no Democrats opposing Flores, but there is one Republican from Austin opposing him – maybe.

2012 Candidates

Texas Senate (District 5)

2012 Candidates

* Ogden is retiring at the end of this term. He has already endorsed Dr. Schwertner, a current State Representative. Here is another race without a Democratic opponent. Maybe without an incumbent Bius has a chance.

Texas House of Representatives (District 14)

  • John Raney (R) Next Election: 2012

2012 Candidates

Democratic Referenda

Ref. 1: Any graduate of a Texas high school, who has lived in the state for at least three years and lived here continuously for the last year, should be eligible for in-state tuition at state supported colleges and universities and given the opportunity to earn legal status through a higher education or military service.

Ref. 2: Because a college education is increasingly necessary for jobs that allow our citizens to achieve middle class lifestyles and become the entrepreneurs who create the jobs that our economy relies on, we call on the Texas Legislature to fund colleges and universities such that tuition and fees can be affordable to all Texans.

Ref. 3: Should the Texas Legislature allow the people of Texas to vote to legalize casino gambling with all funds generated being used only for education

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CISPA is the latest threat to internet free speech [UPDATE]

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Keep your eyes & ears open for CISPA. Beware of any bill that has “Protection” in the title, and is “for other purposes.”

Just because SOPA and PIPA, the infamous internet “kill switch” bills, are largely dead does not mean the threat to internet free speech has become any less serious. The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act CISPA, also known as H.R. 3523, is the latest mutation of these internet censorship and spying bills to hit the U.S. Congress — and unless the American people speak up now to stop it, CISPA could lead to far worse repercussions for online free speech than SOPA or PIPA ever would have. Source: SOPA mutates into much worse CISPA, the latest threat to internet free speech.

UPDATE:
The House of Representatives passed the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) (H.R. 3523) with a 248-168 vote on April 26. The silver lining is that the Obama administration issued a veto threat against CISPA if kept in its current form. Now, there are two bills before the Senate that deal with cyber security, ”SECURE IT” (S. 2151) and “Cybersecurity Act of 2012″ (S. 2105). Source: CISPA passes the House, privacy battle moves to Senate, The Washington Post.

The Day the Internet Went Dark

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — In a move that heightens the growing tension between Silicon Valley and Hollywood, Wikipedia and other websites went dark Wednesday in protest of two congressional proposals intended to thwart the online piracy of copyrighted movies and TV programs. Source: Protest exposes Silicon Valley-Hollywood rivalry – Yahoo! News.

SOPA Getting Makeover But Still Alive #stopSOPA

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I wrote the following on the PopVOX website.

I oppose H.R. 3261: Stop Online Piracy Act because…it will punish every Internet consumer. First, everyone should know that the Internet removed barriers to both legitimate and illegitimate business around the globe. Second, America is a large part of the global economy and the Internet. If Hollywood or US pharmacies want to fight piracy and fraud they need to do that on their own terms and not punish the global economy. I can sympathize that they loose billions, but every industry looses to global competition – that is a consequence of globalization. America can no longer put up barriers to global commerce.

There is a link at the bottom of the Huffington Post article, “SOPA, PIPA Headed For Major Makeover“, that goes to PopVOX.

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – S.1867

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Like SOPA, people are going nuts over what they think this bill means to their freedoms – or loss of freedoms. I had to react. They think S.1867 (PDF) will give the government the power to lock you away forever, without trial. I beg to differ. Read it for yourself then you can complain to your congressman. I’ve re-printed the most controversial section below, Sec. 1031, for your perusal:

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (S.1867)

Title X, Subtitle D, SEC 1031

Subtitle D – Detainee Matters

SEC. 1031. AFFIRMATION OF AUTHORITY OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES TO DETAIN COVERED PERSONS PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE.

  (a) IN GENERAL. – Congress affirms that the authority of the President to use all necessary and appropriate force pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107–40) includes the authority for the Armed Forces of the United States to detain covered persons (as defined in subsection (b)) pending disposition under the law of war.

  (b) COVERED PERSONS. – A covered person under this section is any person as follows:
    (1) A person who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored those responsible for those attacks.
    (2) A person who was a part of or substantially supported al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces that are engaged in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners, including any person who has committed a belligerent act or has directly supported such hostilities in aid of such enemy forces.

  (c) DISPOSITION UNDER LAW OF WAR. – The disposition of a person under the law of war as described in subsection (a) may include the following:
    (1) Detention under the law of war without trial until the end of the hostilities authorized by the Authorization for Use of Military Force.     (2) Trial under chapter 47A of title 10, United States Code (as amended by the Military Commissions Act of 2009 (title XVIII of Public Law 111–84)).
    (3) Transfer for trial by an alternative court or competent tribunal having lawful jurisdiction.
    (4) Transfer to the custody or control of the person's country of origin, any other foreign country, or any other foreign entity.

  (d) CONSTRUCTION. – Nothing in this section is intended to limit or expand the authority of the President or the scope of the Authorization for Use of Military Force.

  (e) AUTHORITIES. – Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect existing law or authorities, relating to the detention of United States citizens, lawful resident aliens of the United States or any other persons who are captured or arrested in the United States.

  (f) REQUIREMENT FOR BRIEFINGS OF CONGRESS. – The Secretary of Defense shall regularly brief Congress regarding the application of the authority described in this section, including the organizations, entities, and individuals considered to be ''covered persons'' for purposes of subsection (b)(2).

One section in particular, 1031(e), has people running for the hills. To me that paragraph means this bill does not preclude other laws.

Stop SOPA and the PROTECT IP Act

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Here’s a copy of the letter I sent from http://fightforthefuture.org/pipa/

To Bill Flores, Kay Hutchison, John Cornyn
NOTE: Each recipient will only see his/her own email address.
Subject Please stop S. 968 and the PROTECT IP Act!
Message Dear [Recipient],

I am writing to you as a voter in your district. I urge you to oppose the House version of S. 968, the PROTECT IP Act. The PROTECT IP Act is dangerous, ineffective, and short-sighted. The House version — introduced by Rep. Goodlatte — is far worse. Over the coming days you’ll be hearing from the many businesses, advocacy organizations, and ordinary Americans who oppose this legislation because of the myriad ways in which it will stifle free speech and innovation. We hope you’ll take our concerns to heart and oppose this legislation.

Sincerely,

This is to stop H.R.3261 – Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and S.968 – PROTECT IP Act of 2011.

The Texas Senators are Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn.

The District 17 representative is Bill Flores.

I urge you to contact your congressmen and tell them these bills are bad. They are the first step toward eliminating online freedom of speech and innovation.

Aging Air Traffic Control UPDATED

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Thirty years ago today air traffic control was changed forever.

On August 3, 1981 nearly 13,000 of the 17,500 members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) walked off the job, hoping to disrupt the nation’s transportation system to the extent that the federal government would accede to its demands for higher wages, a shorter work week, and better retirement benefits.  At a press conference in the White House Rose Garden that same day, President Reagan responded with a stern ultimatum: The strikers were to return to work within 48 hours or face termination.  As federal employees the controllers were violating the no-strike clause of their employment contracts. Source: http://eightiesclub.tripod.com/id296.htm

Fast forward to 2011 and we face a crisis. More than half of the replacement controllers are due to retire because of mandatory retirement rules. There is a mandatory retirement age of 56 for controllers who manage air traffic. And the minimum age (now) is 30. Do the math and all of the controllers they hired in 1981 were forced to retire by 2007. They made some exceptions and they replaced several controllers early, but the fact is we’re in desperate need of more air traffic controllers.

UPDATE
I find it a little ironic that this year the FAA ran out of money and furloughed 4,000 workers. Today the FAA got funding to re-open. They were loosing an estimated $30 million per day of airline ticket taxes.

Since authorization for FAA funding expired in late July, the agency has also been unable to collect federal taxes on airline tickets — leading to a revenue loss of approximately $30 million a day. If the dispute had continued until Congress returned in September, the federal government would have lost over $1 billion in revenue. Source: Senate passes bill ending partial FAA shutdown – CNN.com.

Sad days for Texas education, public services

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This practice is reverberating around the country. As good as  Texas is, as well as it weathered the recession, public services are not immune to budget cuts.

The Texas Education Agency is laying off 178 employees this week as part of budget cuts ordered by the state Legislature. via KBTX  Texas Education Agency to Lay Off 178 Employees.

The Texas Legislature had to cut something, unfortunately education was a big looser when the budget was finalized.

Media is reporting many local job cuts. College Station is cutting 27 positions. Bryan is cutting 20 jobs. Texas A&M already cut more than 150 jobs and more may be on the way.

“This Legislature will go down in the history books as the worst for public education in a generation,” said Rep. Mike Villarreal, D-San Antonio. “Now it’s time for legislators to go home and explain to their communities why they voted for or against these historic education cuts. via The Three Way Attack on Texas Public Education; Part One: Fiscal Responsibility « Education in Texas.

Extra $1.2B found for Texas budget

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No surprises – yet – but hearing that education is the highest expense is not good news for a college town.

Lawmakers battling the multibillion-dollar shortfall have agreed on all major parts of the budget except education. House and Senate negotiators are working to craft a compromise version of each chamber’s proposal. So far, they’ve agreed to all parts of the budget except the portion that funds public and higher education, Texas’ biggest expense. Source: Extra $1.2B found for Texas budget | Bryan/College Station, Texas – The Eagle.

That extra money comes from increases in sales tax collections, oil production tax, and motor vehicle sales tax. I also think property taxes are helping. The city pushed mine up 20%! I plan to protest, but I need to do it soon. The deadline to protest is June 1.

Most of the higher revenue estimate comes from a dramatic rise in sales tax receipts over the last year. The high price of oil also has helped fill the state coffers. Source: Extra $1.2B found for Texas budget | Bryan/College Station, Texas – The Eagle.