Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Los Tres Malditos De Tejas!
Rick Perry will be challenged by Kay Bailey Hutchison for the Republican nomination for Governor of Texas in the primary of 2010. John Cornyn may be looking ahead to the 2012 Presidential race. Imagine a Palin-Cornyn ticket! Guvmint Lite!
Perry and Hutchison are engaged in a race to the right in order to appeal to the Republicans of the state, which, they believe, will ensure a victory in the general election to follow.
Cornyn continues to be the classic example of the "empty suit" as he continues his vacuous rhetoric and self aggrandizement. Cornyn's explanation of why he opposed President Barack Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor, was a perfect example of his demagoguery. Hutchison, too, opposed Sotomayor in a hypocritical attempt to cozy up to the Texas far right and demonstrates she is not worried about the Latino vote in the state. Maybe she should be.
Rick Perry will be challenged by Kay Bailey Hutchison for the Republican nomination for Governor of Texas in the primary of 2010. John Cornyn may be looking ahead to the 2012 Presidential race. Imagine a Palin-Cornyn ticket! Guvmint Lite!
Perry and Hutchison are engaged in a race to the right in order to appeal to the Republicans of the state, which, they believe, will ensure a victory in the general election to follow.
Cornyn continues to be the classic example of the "empty suit" as he continues his vacuous rhetoric and self aggrandizement. Cornyn's explanation of why he opposed President Barack Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor, was a perfect example of his demagoguery. Hutchison, too, opposed Sotomayor in a hypocritical attempt to cozy up to the Texas far right and demonstrates she is not worried about the Latino vote in the state. Maybe she should be.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Rick Perry's Border Boondoggle
Yessir, ole Governor Rick Perry is a real "conservative" all right! This staunch right wing conservative spent $2 million dollars of federal money installing 17 cameras along the border to help prevent the entry of illegal aliens. The program planned to have 200 cameras along the border.
The cameras helped to generate 8 drug busts and 11 arrests. 300 illegal aliens were reported.
It's hard to see how the program, in effect for over a year now, could spend so much and accomplish so little.
Perry's office has claimed the program a great success and wants to spend yet another $2 million!
This from the governor who turned down millions of federal dollars for unemployed Texans!
Yessir, ole Governor Rick Perry is a real "conservative" all right! This staunch right wing conservative spent $2 million dollars of federal money installing 17 cameras along the border to help prevent the entry of illegal aliens. The program planned to have 200 cameras along the border.
The cameras helped to generate 8 drug busts and 11 arrests. 300 illegal aliens were reported.
It's hard to see how the program, in effect for over a year now, could spend so much and accomplish so little.
Perry's office has claimed the program a great success and wants to spend yet another $2 million!
This from the governor who turned down millions of federal dollars for unemployed Texans!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sherriff Jim Hickey: A Blast From The Past...
Click on pics for larger image
Today's Caller/Times(Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012) featured a story concerning abuse of the drug forfeiture program by an area sheriff.
Sadly, this is not a new thing in south Texas. Back in 1993( I think, close anyway) the Sheriff of Nueces County was involved in a scheme misusing drug forfeiture money.
Sheriff Hickey used large sums of this money to pay his personal attorney, Brad Condit, who was not a county employee, for legal services that had not been rendered but as a contingency fund for future litigation the Sheriff thought he might be the subject of. Sheriff Hickey also gave himself a substantial raise and he did so without any word or consultation with the county commissioners.
Hickey purchased two Heckler-Koch 9mm machine guns with some of this money. He then gave these weapons to the King Ranch security force.
There was much more to this story; Hickey paid himself a large sum from this fund, which received matching funds from a Federal program, saying his pay was too low compared to other sheriffs in large counties, he bought worn out, used vehicles from a relative and many other abuses.
Click on pics for larger image
Today's Caller/Times(Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012) featured a story concerning abuse of the drug forfeiture program by an area sheriff.
Sadly, this is not a new thing in south Texas. Back in 1993( I think, close anyway) the Sheriff of Nueces County was involved in a scheme misusing drug forfeiture money.
Sheriff Hickey used large sums of this money to pay his personal attorney, Brad Condit, who was not a county employee, for legal services that had not been rendered but as a contingency fund for future litigation the Sheriff thought he might be the subject of. Sheriff Hickey also gave himself a substantial raise and he did so without any word or consultation with the county commissioners.
Hickey purchased two Heckler-Koch 9mm machine guns with some of this money. He then gave these weapons to the King Ranch security force.
There was much more to this story; Hickey paid himself a large sum from this fund, which received matching funds from a Federal program, saying his pay was too low compared to other sheriffs in large counties, he bought worn out, used vehicles from a relative and many other abuses.
Monday, June 22, 2009
City Favors 'Go Green' Plan...
The mayor of Corpus Christi, Joe Adame, has endorsed a plan for the city to go greener in some of it's operations. This plan includes wind power, solar power, more recycling and hybrid city vehicles. All a good idea. There is a shadow on the horizon however...the proposed coke fired power plant with the rather deceptive name, Las Brisas!
Click on pics for a larger image...
The mayor of Corpus Christi, Joe Adame, has endorsed a plan for the city to go greener in some of it's operations. This plan includes wind power, solar power, more recycling and hybrid city vehicles. All a good idea. There is a shadow on the horizon however...the proposed coke fired power plant with the rather deceptive name, Las Brisas!
Click on pics for a larger image...
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Solomon In A Snit! His Brother Is Not Placed On LRA Board!
U.S. Representative Solomon Ortiz is in a snit and says he may "take back" $3 million earmarked for the Ingleside Local Redevelopment Authority which is trying to develop plans to make up for jobs lost with the closing of Naval Station Ingleside.
Ortiz is angry because his brother, Nueces County Commissioner Oscar Ortiz was not named to the board. Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal, who heads the Commisioners' Court, was. There is no love lost between Neal and the Ortiz brothers.
Representative Ortiz was quoted in the Caller/Times as saying "If they think they love Loyd Neal more than they love $3 million then I can't change their minds. If they love Loyd Neal more than the $3 million then go with Loyd Neal!"
This is a form of extortion, perpetrated by an elected offical, against a local governmental entity with public monies made availible by a President which Rep. Ortiz did not support, and done for the advancement of a family member.
U.S. Representative Solomon Ortiz is in a snit and says he may "take back" $3 million earmarked for the Ingleside Local Redevelopment Authority which is trying to develop plans to make up for jobs lost with the closing of Naval Station Ingleside.
Ortiz is angry because his brother, Nueces County Commissioner Oscar Ortiz was not named to the board. Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal, who heads the Commisioners' Court, was. There is no love lost between Neal and the Ortiz brothers.
Representative Ortiz was quoted in the Caller/Times as saying "If they think they love Loyd Neal more than they love $3 million then I can't change their minds. If they love Loyd Neal more than the $3 million then go with Loyd Neal!"
This is a form of extortion, perpetrated by an elected offical, against a local governmental entity with public monies made availible by a President which Rep. Ortiz did not support, and done for the advancement of a family member.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tow Truck Rip Off On Padre Island
Please check out the banner on the bottom of the page. This worthwhile group is seeking counselors and other positions for their summer programs. Here is a link for more information.
http://freshairfundcounselors.smnr.us/
The Fresh Air Fund is also in need of hosts for this summer. Host families are volunteers who open their hearts and home to a child from the city to give a fresh air experience that disadvantaged children never forget. Below is a link which explains everything.
http://freshair.smnr.us/
Here are some links to a nice Polish lady's blogs with pictures from Poland, her dogs and other things.
http://foto-donata.blogspot.com/
http://foto-dona.blogspot.com/
Here's a link to my old friend Dave Terry's photo blog:
http://daveterryphotography.com
port a cam link
http://www.corpusbeach.com/portacam2.htm
This link is for the We The People newspaper.
http://www.wethepeoplenews.net/
Please check out the banner on the bottom of the page. This worthwhile group is seeking counselors and other positions for their summer programs. Here is a link for more information.
http://freshairfundcounselors.smnr.us/
The Fresh Air Fund is also in need of hosts for this summer. Host families are volunteers who open their hearts and home to a child from the city to give a fresh air experience that disadvantaged children never forget. Below is a link which explains everything.
http://freshair.smnr.us/
Here are some links to a nice Polish lady's blogs with pictures from Poland, her dogs and other things.
http://foto-donata.blogspot.com/
http://foto-dona.blogspot.com/
Here's a link to my old friend Dave Terry's photo blog:
http://daveterryphotography.com
port a cam link
http://www.corpusbeach.com/portacam2.htm
This link is for the We The People newspaper.
http://www.wethepeoplenews.net/
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Today They Laid Old Rocky Down
Today they laid old Rocky down
They put a good man in the ground.
Now Rocky was a wonderful soul
Playing his blues just never got old.
Rocky would pick up his harp and wail
And sing the blues as if he were in jail.
And you knew he was the real thing,
He was blind, black and how he could sing.
Rocky played ‘bout everywhere around.
Folks would come to see him from out of town.
He sang about women, drinkin’ and automobiles
And most anything else that had that blues feel.
Now Rocky wasn’t that old, he was only 57
But if there is such a place he’s in blues heaven.
I bet that the blues angels are havin’ a hell of a jam
And Rocky is out front and really layin it down.
Everybody loved Rocky, he was a great blues man.
He’s left it for us to carry on as well as we can.
But I know some night I will hear a cryin’ blues harp
And it will be Rocky Benton playin’ out in the dark.
He will be singing the blues cause they can’t go away
And I’ll have the blues then like I have ‘em today.
I’ll think about Rocky and the good times we had
And those harmonica blues never made me feel bad!
Today they laid old Rocky down
They put a good man in the ground.
Now Rocky was a wonderful soul
Playing his blues just never got old.
Rocky would pick up his harp and wail
And sing the blues as if he were in jail.
And you knew he was the real thing,
He was blind, black and how he could sing.
Rocky played ‘bout everywhere around.
Folks would come to see him from out of town.
He sang about women, drinkin’ and automobiles
And most anything else that had that blues feel.
Now Rocky wasn’t that old, he was only 57
But if there is such a place he’s in blues heaven.
I bet that the blues angels are havin’ a hell of a jam
And Rocky is out front and really layin it down.
Everybody loved Rocky, he was a great blues man.
He’s left it for us to carry on as well as we can.
But I know some night I will hear a cryin’ blues harp
And it will be Rocky Benton playin’ out in the dark.
He will be singing the blues cause they can’t go away
And I’ll have the blues then like I have ‘em today.
I’ll think about Rocky and the good times we had
And those harmonica blues never made me feel bad!
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Rocky Benton, Corpus Christi's "Main Man," Passes Away
Rocky Benton was Corpus Christi's "main man!" No local musician was more admired and loved by so many. His passing leaves a huge hole in the local music scene.
Rocky's road to the blues began in Silsbee, Tx. about 20 miles south of Beaumont where he was born to hard working parents of moderate means. He was second to the youngest of 6 children, and was no stranger to trouble and pain. As a young child he began to lose his vision and was blind at the age of 4. At the age of 6 he attended the Texas School for the Blind in Austin where he learned to read Braille, started his education and got his nickname "Rocky".
He said one of his teachers called him 'Rocky'. His teacher would tell him that he knew someday he would drive by a billboard somewhere and would see "Rocky Benton" up in lights. The name stuck with him and since then he has had his name in lights on many a marquee.
Music came to play a role in Rocky's life at an early age. He said he grew up listening to old gospel tunes that his mother played on their record player and sang for him.
Rocky was introduced to the harmonica by his uncle Bill who could play only one song. He was fascinated with it and wanted to be able to play. Rocky got his first harmonica at the age of 6 and later learned to play drums and keyboards. At the age of 10, Rocky was performing professionally as a drummer and singer in an Austin Jazz band led by James Polk.
"I came up in a day when a kid playing a bar was kind of like an act", Benton said. "Even if I was not the headliner, it seemed I was always somehow the center of attention."
Rocky first played Corpus Christi at the Downbeat Club, while attending high school at the Texas School for the Blind.He moved to Corpus Christi in the early 80's and hooked up with Mike Cross, another excellent musician, and they made a team!
Rocky's stage prescence was powerful. He wore a leather belt that resembled a western holster belt which held twelve harmonicas in different keys. The letters "R O C K Y" were emblazoned on the back.
'Rocky' was the real thing, a consummate blues singer and a great harp player. His audiences loved him and there was no one who enjoyed rocking the house more.
Rocky Benton was Corpus Christi's "main man!" No local musician was more admired and loved by so many. His passing leaves a huge hole in the local music scene.
Rocky's road to the blues began in Silsbee, Tx. about 20 miles south of Beaumont where he was born to hard working parents of moderate means. He was second to the youngest of 6 children, and was no stranger to trouble and pain. As a young child he began to lose his vision and was blind at the age of 4. At the age of 6 he attended the Texas School for the Blind in Austin where he learned to read Braille, started his education and got his nickname "Rocky".
He said one of his teachers called him 'Rocky'. His teacher would tell him that he knew someday he would drive by a billboard somewhere and would see "Rocky Benton" up in lights. The name stuck with him and since then he has had his name in lights on many a marquee.
Music came to play a role in Rocky's life at an early age. He said he grew up listening to old gospel tunes that his mother played on their record player and sang for him.
Rocky was introduced to the harmonica by his uncle Bill who could play only one song. He was fascinated with it and wanted to be able to play. Rocky got his first harmonica at the age of 6 and later learned to play drums and keyboards. At the age of 10, Rocky was performing professionally as a drummer and singer in an Austin Jazz band led by James Polk.
"I came up in a day when a kid playing a bar was kind of like an act", Benton said. "Even if I was not the headliner, it seemed I was always somehow the center of attention."
Rocky first played Corpus Christi at the Downbeat Club, while attending high school at the Texas School for the Blind.He moved to Corpus Christi in the early 80's and hooked up with Mike Cross, another excellent musician, and they made a team!
Rocky's stage prescence was powerful. He wore a leather belt that resembled a western holster belt which held twelve harmonicas in different keys. The letters "R O C K Y" were emblazoned on the back.
'Rocky' was the real thing, a consummate blues singer and a great harp player. His audiences loved him and there was no one who enjoyed rocking the house more.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Governor Rick Perry Takes Leave Of His Senses!
Hints Texas May Have To Secede From Union!
Texas Governor Rick Perry is obviously running scared lately. He has been doing a lot of public appearances and kissing up to the right wing but he has really gone over the top hinting that Texas may need to secede from the union at some future date.
This is nuts! And Perry said that Texas had reserved the right to secede when it joined the union. That is not true. And even if it were the War Between The States settled such ideas. Texas did reserve the right to split into five states when it joined the United States in 1845. This was all part of the free state, slave state debate of the day. This proposal was never seriously considered.
I was born in Texas in 1947. I am a history buff and have read Texas and American history. For years I have heard folks mistakenly claim the notion of possible Texas secession. Frankly, I think that is an outrageous idea and I don't think most who said such a thing have ever seriously considered the ramifications of such a hare brained idea.
Rick Perry is not an honorable man. He has shown he will kiss ass and drop to the lowest common denominators in society to gain some political support.
I am not a Republican and I am not very fond of Kay Bailey Hutchison but I hope she kicks his ass! It is enough to make me think of registering as a Republican just so I can vote against Perry in the primary!
Hints Texas May Have To Secede From Union!
Texas Governor Rick Perry is obviously running scared lately. He has been doing a lot of public appearances and kissing up to the right wing but he has really gone over the top hinting that Texas may need to secede from the union at some future date.
This is nuts! And Perry said that Texas had reserved the right to secede when it joined the union. That is not true. And even if it were the War Between The States settled such ideas. Texas did reserve the right to split into five states when it joined the United States in 1845. This was all part of the free state, slave state debate of the day. This proposal was never seriously considered.
I was born in Texas in 1947. I am a history buff and have read Texas and American history. For years I have heard folks mistakenly claim the notion of possible Texas secession. Frankly, I think that is an outrageous idea and I don't think most who said such a thing have ever seriously considered the ramifications of such a hare brained idea.
Rick Perry is not an honorable man. He has shown he will kiss ass and drop to the lowest common denominators in society to gain some political support.
I am not a Republican and I am not very fond of Kay Bailey Hutchison but I hope she kicks his ass! It is enough to make me think of registering as a Republican just so I can vote against Perry in the primary!
Monday, April 13, 2009
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