Early Voting, Las Vegas Style

The ballot box and the nickel slot.

Ted Stevens Must Resign

So is the opinion of The New York Times.

In this case, I must agree.

My City Councilman

The first time I met Ron Natinsky I thought he came off as arrogant. But I've met him enough now that, though he may not remember my name, he claims he recognizes my mug. At least he answers my email.

Natinsky has a jones for recycling, as do I. The first neighborhood meeting I attended after he was elected I walked away with a cute little replica of a recycling bin just like the ones you put in the alley. I use it for a pencil cup. The last meeting I went home with a pizza cutter and a dish scrubber, both with his name on them and neither one recycable.

But, hey, they were free! Except that I had to help pay for them.

Libertarian Party

National party platform.

Texas party platform.

Web site.

Texas State Board Of Education

District boundaries.

Districts 11 and 12 are divided by the Dallas/Tarrant County line.

District 13 endorsement.

District 11 member Patricia Hardy and district 12 member Geraldine Miller (see paragraph 5) appointed SMU anthropology professor Ronald L. Wetherington to a committee on how science will be taught in the classroom. Miller seems sensible.

Hardy somewhat scares me. See paragraph 18 of this article where she says she is open to the idea of putting intelligent design into the curriculum. (The paragraph starts out, Republican Pat Hardy of Weatherford...)

In district 14, vote for the Democrat. Current member Gail Lowe (R) is on the Intelligent Design/Creationist team.
See paragraphs 5 and 9 (next to last).

Nancy Kruh Quote

"In politics, perception trumps reality."

Who is Nance Kruh? She pours over numerous op-ed pieces, generally both liberal and conservative and almost always political, takes excerpts from many on the same topic and ties them together in a balanced opinion piece. Her column, which not surprisingly is called Balance Of Opinions, is also the name of her blog. Her writings are not plagiarized static as she attributes (blames) those whose words she uses. She appears to be a hottie in the thumbnail photo below her column.

Presidential Election Headlines

This may be the most interesting presidential nominating and election season in our lifetime. And the final say-so on who will become the next leader of the free world is just 44 days away. Its significance is such that today's Dallas Morning News' first headline about it appeared on page 12A.

Sheriff's Sexam

Most know that Sheriff Lupe Valdez is lesbian. Many, me included, don't care. During a recent, periodically required diversity training class, a voluntary and anonymous questionnaire was made available. Listed below and without comment some of the statements to which attendees were asked to agree with or disagree with:

•Homosexuality is a choice.

•Bisexuals are more gay than straight.

•It is irrelevant if my child's teacher is openly gay.

•The Bible states that homosexuality is immoral.

•I would lose respect for my favorite sports figure if he/she came out of the closet.

•Children should not be raised by gay parents.

Anti-Abortion Billboards

Roving the streets of downtown Austin.

Tzipi Livni

Israeli Foreign Minister widely considered to become the next leader of the Kadima party.

Comics Quote

The cat with the 'tude, from today's Get Fuzzy cartoon:

"The Winter Olympics are like a liberal with a baseball bat: You may not like him, but you have to respect him."

Georgia In NATO?

Dick Cheney wants it. But if Georgia becomes a NATO country, and Russia were to attack it again, the other NATO countries per their own charter would be obligated to use military means to defend one of their own. Failure to do so would pretty much make NATO impotent. And doing so would mean (horrors) war with Russia. The pragmatic thing to do would be to 86 the idea.

Texas Political Shake-up 2010

Gov. Rick Perry has already announced plans to run for another term. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, considered the state's most popular politician, has all but thrown her hat in the ring. She'll win.

That would open up a coveted seat in Washington. State Sen. Florence Shapiro of Plano has formed an exploratory committee for the job but she's little known outside of North Texas. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst wants a higher profile position, has high name recognition and more money than God. Attorney General Greg Abbott and Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams, the state's highest elected African-American, are possibilities. My educated guess is that Greg would probably not run for the Senate. Dewhurst's bachelorhood will be questioned. A black Republican who commands respect would be a formidable opponent. That would be a highly interesting primary.

If, as expected, Dewhurst were to run for the Senate, he could not also run for his current job. In steps Abbott who once ran for that office before changing wheelchairs when Cornyn left the AG office to run for the Senate seat he now holds. Would Shapiro come to her senses, forgo her bid for the Washington limelight and take a stab at Lieutenantship? I would guess so. She'd lose against Abbott.

And what about Republican sweetheart Susan Combs? She's currently Texas Comptroller but has been steadily ascending the party's stairway to heaven. She has a law degree but hasn't practiced lately. Look for her on the ballot for the Persian-carpeted Railroad office.

If Abbott runs for LG, that leaves an opening at the AG desk. No clear front runner. Unless it's Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, another black Republican. The pay is about the same but the gilded throne has more polish.

Sixth Street has nothing on the north end of downtown Austin.

What The GOP Convention Taught Us

With the threat of Gustav and the media frenzy it provided, the Republicans basically blew off Monday's schedule. So the traditional four day event became three. It was still considered a successful convention. That should shelve any plans for future extended showcases and save some shekels.
The host cities would be none too thrilled.

Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme

Tried to off Gerald Ford on this day, 1975.

Cindy McCain's Half Sister

She says she's an only child.

Sarah Palin Photo?

To quote Paris Hilton, That's Hot!

Cindy McCain Is Right

As in, she is correct. She told CBS News that she does not believe the 1973 Roe vs Wade decision should be reversed.

Her story per Time magazine.

Wasilla, Alaska

Sarah Palin's roots,

and the "first dude" of Alaska.

Campbell Brown Photo

CNN liberal