Public Safety committee STIFFS Zimmerman (and Abbott) over Syrian "Refugees"

Council Members Don Zimmerman, Ora Houston, and Greg Casar

"Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel."
Proverbs 20:17



This afternoon, the Austin City Council's Public Safety Committee rejected Council member Don Zimmerman's (Far Northwest Austin) resolution to support Governor Abbott's refusal to participate in the Obama administrations Syrian 'refugee' resettlement program.  Council members Ora Houston (East Austin) and Greg Casar (Northeast Austin) voted against the resolution, Zimmerman voted for it.  Council Member Leslie Pool was not present.

Colonel Clarke Straughn testified first.  He fully supported the Governor and Council member Zimmerman.  Straughn pointed out that some of the Paris bombers entered Europe as 'refugees.'  He reminded the committee about the 2013 threat against Sixth Street.  Zimmerman asked him several questions.

Multiple representatives from the local refugee resettlement agency Caritas spoke against the resolution.  Their message was essentially: "trust the Feds."  They described how the alleged 'refugees' would be 'vetted' by the NSA, the CIA, and the State Department.  We find it difficult to think of three Federal agencies we trust less (though they could have thrown in the Federal Reserve and IRS for good measure).  Putting it mildly, the Federal Government does not deserve our trust.

To be fair, the Caritas representatives may have given a decent description of how the refugee program has functioned in the past.  But if anyone trusts the lawless Obama administration to maintain the program as it has existed historically, we have some mineral rights in South Texas we would LOVE to sell them.  Seriously, they cited the freakin' NSA favorably....

Two other people, including Williamson County Sheriff Candidate Bill Kelberlau, also testified in favor of Zimmerman's resolution.  They pointed out that Syria doesn't have the capability to share the information the United States would need to properly vet these folks.  Kelberlau also discussed the need for a "comprehensive risk analysis."

This author had also signed up to testify, but we were pushed back to citizens communication due to time constraints and decided not to wait until the end of the hearing.  Had we testified, we would have pointed out the similarities between the discussion Austin is having and the sanctuary city policies in San Francisco that led to the tragic murder of Kate Steinle this past summer.  Remember, the pro-Sanctuary City Sheriff of San Francisco county LOST his election earlier this month following Steinle's murder.

Bottom Line: Given how the votes on Council are structured (for now), the fix was in on this hearing before it began.  It still was a useful discussion to have and got several more Council members on the record.  If, God forbid, something happens a la Kate Stienle in San Francisco, the Council members who promoted this recklessly INSANE policy are going to OWN it.

Matt McCall discusses the Debt

"Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,
But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth."
Proverbs 29:3

Matt McCall discusses the national debt that has increased by a factor of 10 during his 30 year incumbent opponent's time in Congress:



Highlights:

• "We've been kicking the can down the road for a long time, and if we don't change our ways immediately, all our kids are going to have is an empty can."

• "We do not have to become Greece."

• We do not have to be Japan, "with 20 to 30 years of grinding deflation."

Greg Fenves' SIX-FIGURE Inauguration (U.T. said would cost 28k)

"envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Galatians 5:21

What's a 760% cost overrun between cronies?!?

AUSTIN — The University of Texas at Austin spent more than $200,000 to inaugurate President Greg Fenves two months ago — more than seven times what it initially said it cost.

The university released an updated program expense sheet to The Dallas Morning News late Tuesday showing the event cost $214,474.27. The funds were covered by donations and gifts to UT-Austin.

In September, when The News asked about the anticipated costs just 10 business days before the event with an open records request,  the university released invoices showing a total cost of $28,000. In a letter accompanying those figures then, Margo Iwanski, assistant to the university’s vice president, said those invoices were the “final response” to the request.

A UT spokesman said the university cannot account for expenses before an event takes place and released what was available in September. Because The News requested the costs 10 business days before the event happened, the university said, it released what was accounted for beforehand. The entire event’s expenses were not accounted for yet.

“This is one of our signature events on par with commencement, Gone to Texas and Explore UT,” said J.B. Bird, the UT spokesman. “It helps set the trajectory of the new president. These signature events have some of the qualities of major concerts and theatrical productions, so they are expensive to put on. We like to do things big and bold here at Texas, and that includes the inauguration of new president.”

Bird acknowledged that the university should not have said in September that the response was final.

In the updated program expense sheet provided Tuesday, some line items alone cost more than $28,000. UT paid one company $91,150 to set up and run audio for the event. Another $24,000 went towards producing a video laying out Fenves’ vision for the university.

Read the expense report and full article here.

Beyond the obscene cost of the event, the other outrage is that U.T. lied in response to the September open records request.

Bottom Line: We wonder what the Lt. Governor thinks about U.T. throwing lavish parties at a time when they're raising tuition....

Revelation 1:1 -- The REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,"
Revelation 1:1

Pastor Danny Forshee, Great Hills Baptist Church, January, 19 2014:



Outline:

1. Who, When, and Where?!?
   - "The Beloved Apostle John"
        - The only Apostle who didn't die a martyrs death.
        - Pastor for 30 years in Ephesus.
   - Written around A.D. 95
   - Written from PATMOS.
        - Rock quarry prison.
        - Where Rome sent Rapists and Murderers.
2. What are the interpretative methods of the Book of Revelation?!?
   - Prederest - About past events that have already happened.
   - Historical - Jesus will return after 1000 years of peace on Earth
        - VERY popular pre-WWI
   - Idealist - Book of symbols and metaphors.
   - Futuristic - Events HAVEN'T HAPPENED YET!!!
        - Pastor Danny's (and our own) personal view.
3. Why study prophecy?!?
   - It is Biblical.
   - It increases our knowledge of (and devotion to) Jesus Christ.
   - It is beneficial.

Highlights:

• Revelation will draw you to Christ and deepen your relationship.

• If there is one message the Devil does NOT want to get out; it's this one.

• Revelation is the only book God promises you He will bless you if you study.
• "Prepare yourself to be blessed."

• Satan tries to keep God's people away from Revelation.

• "My primary goal is not knowledge but life transformation."

• "In the midst of such agonies, the Lord uniquely revealed to John in a vision."

• The Church does not appear between Chapters 4 & 19.

• Martin Luther didn't like Revelation.

• John assumes you know your Old Testament.

• You can quit or you can persevere.

• "In Genesis, you have the dawn of Satan and his activities; in Revelation, you have the doom of Satan and his activities."

• "If you know Christ, you have nothing to fear; if you don't know Christ you have EVERYTHING to FEAR!!!

Three Popular MISCONCEPTIONS regarding JESUS and Money....

"and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
Revelation 22:19

We understand that people will take scripture out of context to suit their agenda, but that doesn't lead to a productive discussion.  Nowhere is this more true than with Jesus' discussion of money in the Gospels.  Consider the following:

• People LOVE to talk about how, at times, Jesus didn't have a lot of money (Matthew 8:20), but they neglect to mention that He had A LOT of rich friends:
  
  Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.  And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him,[a] and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”
  
  Luke 19:1-5
• Speaking of tax collectors, it's certainly true that Jesus teaches us to pay LEGITIMATELY OWED taxes (Mark 12:17), but Jesus ALSO teaches government officials and tax collectors NOT to abuse citizens or collect more than they are owed:
  
  
  Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”
  And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.”
  
  Luke 3:12-13
• Finally, while Jesus condemns wealth gained through cronyism and political connections (John 2:13-21), He COMMANDS His followers to engage in productive economic activity:
  
  
  “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, whocalled his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.  Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.  And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.  But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.  After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
  “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’  His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’  He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’  His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
  “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.  And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
  “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.  So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
  ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
  
  Matthew 25:14-31

Bottom Line: While Jesus ABSOLUTELY condemns wealth gained through cronyism, deceit, and force, He doesn't just PRAISE honest economic activity, He COMMANDS His followers to engage in it to the best of their abilities.

-----

Author's Note: Elsewhere in the Gospels, there's discussion of those who attempt to use money as a substitute for a personal relationship with the Lord (Matthew 6:19-21, Matthew 19:16-24), but that's a separate discussion for another day.

Ted Cruz, Dan Patrick, and Recycled Myths

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Proverbs 29:2

Stop us if you've heard this one before: "Conservative candidate X can't govern."  "Conservative candidate X has alienated his colleagues."  "Conservative candidate X will lose in November."

Were not talking about Ted Cruz's 2016 Presidential run, we're talking about Dan Patrick's 2014 campaign for Lt. Governor.

Throughout the 2014 election, Texans were warned about the alleged DISASTERS that would befall Texas if Dan Patrick garnered the Lite Guv nomination or was subsequently elected.  Dan Patrick was hated by his colleagues!!!  Dan Patrick would lose to van de Putz in November!!!

So what happened?!?

First, Dan Patrick won his general election BY ALMOST TWENTY POINTS (and, while we're on the subject, came close to breaking records with Hispanics).  Dan Patrick then had a legislative session where, considering the distribution of votes he consistently punched above his weight against the pro-status quo legacy Republicans who have historically dominated the #TXLEGE.  Ultimately, Dan Patrick was so successful in his maiden session as Lt. Governor that veteran Democrat Senator Eddie Lucio said, "“This session was incredibly good for me. If I had to choose one of the 15 sessions I have served in the state legislature, I would rate this session as No. 1 and would I rate it No. 1 because of the leadership of Dan Patrick."

As Ted Cruz's viability is questioned today using arguments that were recently used to question Dan Patrick, it's worth reviewing the relevant recent history.  Bold conservatism wins.  The concern trolls were wrong in 2014 and they're wrong again today.

Bottom Line: Heard this before....

For which Texas Conservatives should be THANKFUL....

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!"
1 Chronicles 16:8

While Texas Conservatives are justifiably livid with the lousy legislative results we've seen at both the state and federal level in 2015, it's worth taking today to consider how far we've come since 2010.  Five years ago, we had nothing; today, we've got footholds across all levels of government that we can reasonably expect to grow over the next few cycles.  Consider the following:

• Ted Cruz:
  
  
  
  We'll leave it to others to debate if he's the front-runner.  The fact remains, one of the strongest contenders for the Presidential nomination (who, if he were to secure the nod, would be the instant general election favorite as the Republican nominee) is someone grassroots Texans elevated to his current position against the wishes of both the Austin establishment AND the D.C. establishment.  By itself, that's something worth celebrating.
• Dan Patrick:
  
  
  
  Historically, the office of Texas Lt. Governor has been the most powerful position in state government.  Today, we have not only the most conservative Lt. Governor Texas has ever seen, we have someone who consistently punches above his weight in political negotiations.  Even better, he's someone who understands how to use the power his office grants him to advance conservative policy objectives.

• Ken Paxton:
  
  
  
  Over the past year, no one has done more to protect Texans from Washington D.C's ravenous appetite.  Closer to home, Ken has rebuked governmental lawlessness whether it comes from Travis County probate courts or the University of Texas.  No one has done more to protect our religious liberty.

• Wallace Hall:
  
  
  
  Over the past five years, no one has been subjected to more personal abuse for doing his job than University of Texas Regent Wallace Hall.  In doing that job, Wallace has turned up evidence that some of the most notorious RINO's in Texas have abused their offices to assist their cronies.  While the current days at the University of Texas are dark, patriots like by Wallace Hall make the long term future bright...#HookEmWallace!!!

• Louie Gohmert:
  
  
  
  While the rest of Texas' congressional delegation is mediocre at best, Louie Gohmert remains a consistent conservative superstar.  Most recently, Louie voted against Paul Ryan for Speaker; similarly he voted against the TARP bailout and every screwy fiscal "deal" we've seen since Obama was inaugurated.  If the other Republicans acted more like Louie Gohmert, the other Republicans would be in a lot less trouble.

• More Conservative U.S. House Challenger than we can count:
  
  
  
  Speaking of Congress, there are currently 25 Republicans in Texas' U.S. House delegation.  Of those 25, at least 9 have credible primary challengers.  Several of them will win in 2016 and those that fall short will set Texas conservatives up for another fantastic cycle in 2018.
  
  
  
  
  
• Konni Burton, Bob Hall, and Don Huffines:
  
  
  
   While the Texas Senate has been slowly trending conservative for a decade, last cycle these three kicked that transition into high gear.  All three knocked off notorious liberals, one of whom was a Democrat (honorable mention also goes to Donna Campbell, who accomplished something similar in 2012).  While other members of the Texas Senate are also more conservative than the person they replaced, none of these three had the luxury of running in a special election.
• David Simpson:
  
  
  
  While there are a couple dozen solid conservatives in the Texas Legislature, no one understands Christian grace quite like David Simpson.  David Simpson brings a level of humility about the effectiveness of government others would be well served to match.  As Simpson explains: "Even when we make a wrong choice, it's usually self-correcting if it's not subsidized by the government."
• Jonathan Stickland:
  
  
  
  "Mr. Speaker, does the gentleman yield for a question?!?"  Nothing strikes terror in the hearts of the criminals and reprobates that populate the Texas House of Representatives quite like that one.  For more reasons than we can count, Jonathan Stickland is a courageous voice for righteousness in a wicked legislative body.
• Matt Rinaldi:
  
  
  
  See everything we just said about Jonathan Stickland and add a more conservative voting record.  Prior to being sworn in, Matt Rinaldi danced circles around of the most intellectually feeble RINO's in the Texas House of Representatives.  Matt Rinaldi is on our short lists of legislators we'd like to see run statewide the next time we play musical chairs in 2022.
• The rest of the Scott Turner 19:
  
  
  
  It would take too long to personally thank each member of the Texas House who voted for Scott Turner for Speaker.  Suffice to say, this election season wouldn't look as promising as it does if we hadn't gotten that recorded vote on the first day of this past legislative session.  Kudos also to Scott personally for seeing that race through to the end.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• More Conservative #TXLEGE challengers than we can count:
  
  
  
  We're not sure how many dozens of Texas Legislative primaries have solid conservatives running either against incumbents or for open seats, but it's A LOT of them.  March 1st is GOING TO BE a good night.  The inevitable long-term trend will continue.
• Austin killing THREE BONDS IN THREE YEARS: 
  
  
  
  First the 2013 Austin ISD bond.  Then the 2014 rail bond.  Most recently, the 2015 Courthouse bond.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Don Zimmerman and Ellen Troxclair:
  
  
  
  Finally, we would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge our two spectacular conservatives on the Austin City Council.  Don and Ellen have stopped bad things, promoted good things where they could, and (even when unsuccessful in the final vote) forced the Council to discuss our agenda.  Don and Ellen are an example Republican elected officials across all levels of government would be well served to emulate.

Bottom Line: It's easy to become frustrated with the day to day nonsense, but that's a mistake.  Over the past five years, grassroots conservatives across the state of Texas have made head-spinning progress against a corrupt political class that has had decades to entrench itself.  While plenty of work remains, take today to appreciate how far we've already come.

Doug Miller and Austin LOBBYISTS: Just how close ARE they?!?

"But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Matthew 5:28

Interesting nugget from the American Phoenix investigation:



Highlights:

• Miller chairs the special purpose districts committee.

• ONCOR has numerous bills before Miller's committee that would grant de facto monopoly over Texas' electric grid.

• Mindy Carr is ONCOR's chief lobbyist.

#HookEmCommonSense: U.T. Administration ACTUALLY Gets One RIGHT!!!

"Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor."
Romans 13:7

[Author's Note: Not to let him off the hook too easily, Randy Diehl's fingerprints are all over this tuition increase.]

Last week, we reported on the anti-Semitic lynch mob that wreaked havoc in a class at U.T. ten days ago.  Considering the history, we didn't think anything good would come from the administration's response.  We stand corrected:

Amidst the current controversy concerning the disruption of an academic lecture sponsored by the Institute for Israel Studies, I want to reiterate my deep admiration for the work of Professor Ami Pedahzur and the Institute for Israel Studies in conducting courses and public programming that represent the highest standard of academic discourse and dispassionate reasoning and research on a controversial subject of enormous importance. Students and faculty of every background, including Palestinians and Israelis alike, have enthusiastically received Prof. Pedahzur’s courses and his supervision of undergraduate and graduate research.

Although reviews are still ongoing, I wish to emphasize that there are places on campus for responsibly discussing disagreements. Disruption of a visiting scholar’s invited academic lecture violates principles of academic freedom and free speech that are crucial to our mission as a great university.

Randy L. Diehl
Dean

(h/t LegalInsurrection via Pushjunction)

Well...we certainly weren't expecting THAT response!!!

Bottom Line: We still think the students should be expelled, but this statement in support of the Israeli professor is a VERY good start; in words we never thought we would publish on this website, kudos to Greg Fenves and Randy Diehl....

Texas Right to Life ENDORSES Jonathan Stickland!!!

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5

Considering the history this isn't a surprise, but it's a good summary of what makes Jonathan Stickland a pro-life champion:

Texas Right to Life considers Representative Stickland a tried and true friend for the preborn, the disabled, and the elderly. Here are just a few examples of Jonathan Stickland’s unapologetic defense of Life:

• When House Leadership refused to allow Pro-Life policies to be heard on the floor of the Texas House, Representative Stickland filed amendments forcing the liberal Speaker Straus/Byron Cook gang to the negotiating table. (Why should Pro-Life policies go to a negotiations table when 103 out of 150 House members vote Pro-Life?) 

• Representative Stickland and his staff study and employ needed procedural rules to bring Life issues on to the House floor and to protect Texas Right to Life’s freedom of speech. 

• On Planned Parenthood’s lobby day at the Capitol, Representative Stickland took the opportunity to showcase the humanity of the preborn by hanging a sign outside his office that proclaimed Representative Stickland as a “former fetus.” (Anti-Life members were filing bills to dehumanize the preborn in our state’s laws.) That same day, Stickland refused to be silent when some of his colleagues used obscure House administration rules to bully his staff into removing the harmless sign. 

• Representative Stickland filed legislation aimed at eliminating the monopoly held by the Texas Medical Association (TMA) over Pro-Life physicians. The TMA has achieved a 12-year documented history of opposing all Pro-Life measures in the legislature.

Read the whole thing here.

Bottom Line: #StickinWithStickland

Matt McCall discusses the Border

“You shall not remove your neighbor’s landmark, which the men of old have set, in your inheritance which you will inherit in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess."
Deuteronomy 19:14

Matt McCall discusses the failure of Washington D.C., led by 30 year incumbent Lamar Smith, to secure U.S. Borders:



Highlights:

• No more explosive issue today.

• "There was a time when you came to this country you had to prove you would not be a burden."

• "I believe you can get back to the place...where the border actually means something."

Bottom Line: As Matt McCall explains on his website, "When Lamar Smith went to D.C. 30 years ago, we had 3 million illegal aliens in our country. We now have 13 million. It’s time for results on the border."

Economic Protectionism: Food Trucks in San Antonio and El Paso

"Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a just weight is His delight."
Proverbs 11:1

Spider House Cafe -- Last night, in an event sponsored by the Institute for Justice's Texas Office and the Texas Millennial Institute, Arif Panju spoke about economic protectionism and how those laws have been used to restrict the growth of the food truck industry in El Paso and San Antonio:



Highlights:

• Economic liberty is the right to earn an honest living.

• That right pre-exists government.

• A lot of economic protectionist laws have their roots in Jim Crow.

• El Paso: City Council passed anti-Food Truck laws in 2010.
• Had to stay at least 1000 feet from brick and mortar establishments
• Made almost the entire city a no-vending zone.
• Couldn't stop unless a customer flagged you down.
• Maria Robleto, IJ's client in the case, had build a business from scratch selling candies into an "old school, traditional, taco truck."
• "We sued the city of El Paso in Federal Court" and the city caved and repealed the ordinance.

• Economic protectionism has been around for a long time, but "picked up steam" during the New Deal.
• "The only way that the government could grow was to change the way the courts reviewed economic legislation."

• Saying no to the government is not activism, it's judging.

• San Antonio: City Council passed laws saying you have to stay at least 300 feet away from brick and mortar establishments unless they give you a notarized note with permission.
• San Antonio Food Truck association had no interest in challenging unconstitutional laws.
• They were politically connected insiders.
• IJ sued on behalf of their client Rafael Lopez and the city caved and repealed the ordinance this past week.

Roger Stone discusses "The Clinton's War on Women" in Austin

"Though his hatred is covered by deceit,
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly."
Proverbs 26:26

Brave New Books -- Two weeks ago, Roger Stone came through Austin on the book-tour for his and Robert Morrow's recent release The Clinton's War on Women; Stone's remarks below:



Highlights:

• The Clintons are: "career criminals in a dysfunctional marriage that is really an unending quest for money and power."

• "I spent 40 years in the corroded rectum of the two party system."

• In D.C. "everything is for sale."

• "Both parties have morphed into one party; it's the part of endless war, it's the party of the erosion of our civil liberties...it's the party of massive debt and borrowing, its the party that puts higher and more oppressive taxes on working people while hedge fund managers on Wall St. pay almost nothing, it is the party of massive spending, it is the party run by the special interests for the special interests at the behest of the special interests."

• "Bill Clinton is a Bill Cosby style sexual predator."

• Bill Clinton has raped or sexually assaulted "at least 27 women.

• Clinton "shouldn't have been impeached for the Monica Lewinsky affair, he should have been impeached for selling military secrets to the Chinese."

• We know Juanita Broaddrick and Kathleen Willey, we don't know Christie Zercher, Carolyn Moffett, Becky Brown, Eileen Wellstone, Liz Ward Grayson, Dorthy Kyle Browning....

• Bill's 'signature move' -- Biting the upper lip of his victim.

• "Hillary's running the cover up."
• Nuts and sluts campaign.

• Ken Starr: "Frankly, he was in the tank."

• Hillary has never paid women as much as men.

• Janet Reno was Hillary's personal hire.

• Clinton Foundation tax documents: "Permeated with fraud."

• Clinton Foundation: "A slush fund for grifters."
• Vehicle for the facilitation of bribes.

• "Their partners in this endeavor are the Bushes."

• Jeb was supposed to be "designated loser" to Hillary this cycle.

• Haiti earthquake relief fraud.

• Danney Williams -- Bill's son via Arkansas prostitute.
• Bill Clinton is a deadbeat dad and grandfather.

• Clinton aided massive drug smuggling through Arkansas in the 1980's and gave pardons to drug traffickers after they hired Hillary as their attorney.

• Chelsea "is not the biological daughter of Bill Clinton."
• "Bill learned Hillary was pregnant by reading it in the newspaper."
• Webb Hubbell is Chelsea's real father.

SD-24 headed towards a Mayes/Buckingham runoff

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
Romans 8:28

A couple months ago, Erick Erickson made waves when he predicted the Presidential race would come down to Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio.  Thursday's Central Texas Republican Assembly meeting made it clear a similar dynamic has emerged in the SD-24 race.  Unless one of them commits a game changing mistake, we anticipate a runoff between Brent Mayes and Dawn Buckingham.

The similarities between Marco Rubio and Dawn Buckingham are uncanny.  Both are young, attractive, articulate candidates who are reasonably conservative most of the time.  Both are light years better than the genuine RINO's they've already boxed out of their respective races.  But both raise red flags.  In Rubio's case, it's amnesty; with Buckingham, it's the Texas Medical Association.

One of the first rules we learned following Texas politics is never to trust the Texas Medical Association.  They support Obamacare.  They're pro-Abortion.  They've spread lies about conservative Texas Senators.  Less than a year ago, while she was working with TMA, Buckingham gave a $500 donation to Joe Straus.  When we asked her about it on Thursday, she she she was doing her job for her trade association.  That's hardly a response that inspires confidence.

We could do worse, but we can also do better.

Brent Mayes speaks his mind.  He is, easily, the strongest candidate on Tenth Amendment issues.  Brent Mayes understands Texas can't look to D.C. for help; Texas has to help itself.  If necessary, Bernt Mayes would resist a Republican President.  With C.J. Grisham out of the race, Brent Mayes is the clear conservative choice.

This race reflects the success of Texas' conservative grassroots over the past three cycles.  The genuine RINO's haven't gained traction.  While we have reservations about one of the viable candidates, that candidate is still someone we could support in a general election.  But an 'A+' candidate beats a 'B' candidate every single time.  And remember, Ted Cruz is going to be at the top of this ticket.

Bottom Line: There are only two viable candidates in this race; check back with us on March 2nd if you believe otherwise.

Unethical Paxton Judge attempting to run STATEWIDE

"Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor
Who seek after my life;
Let those be turned back and brought to confusion
Who plot my hurt."
Psalm 35:4

Remember the Judge from the Ken Paxton case whose UNETHICAL conduct in the case got his clerk suspended; looks like he's attempting a STATEWIDE run:

COLLIN COUNTY -- The ground is shaking under Republican Party circles in Collin County.

First, Republican District Clerk Andrea Stroh Thompson announced on Facebook that she had resigned and plans to run in the March Republican primary for the seat currently held by Republican State District Judge Chris Oldner.

Oldner is the judge who oversaw the grand jury that indicted Attorney General Ken Paxton over allegations that he violated the state's securities laws.

....

Earlier this month, in a 22-page court filing, Paxton's legal team accused Oldner of judicial misconduct. They asked a Tarrant County judge to throw out the case over Oldner's alleged misconduct.

The motion alleges — among other things — that Oldner violated the rules for how grand juries are to be selected, improperly entered the grand jury room while the grand jury was in session and violated grand jury secrecy when he told his wife that Paxton had been indicted while the indictments were sealed and not yet public.

Republican Collin County Commissioner Susan Fletcher provided Paxton's team with an affidavit outlining her conversations with Oldner's wife, Cissy. She also provided text messages from Cissy Oldner that indicated she was gleeful about Paxton's legal troubles.

In her affidavit, Fletcher says Oldner's wife called on July 28 and said Paxton had been indicted and that the case had been assigned to her husband's court. She says she soon received another call from Oldner's wife, asking that she not tell anybody because the indictments were sealed.

Read the whole thing here.

Bottom Line:

Houston Mayoral Runoff: Harris County Democrats IMPLODING!!!

"There are many plans in a man’s heart,
Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand."
Proverbs 19:21

Last week, we discussed how big cities across Texas are provoking conservative backlashes across Texas in ways no one has fully considered.  Obviously, Annise Parker's bathroom ordinance was a major component of that equation.  Now there's fallout in the mayoral runoff:

To many it seemed like bigotry and betrayal. That is how many described what occurred at the last Meyerland Area Democrats Club (MADC) meeting on Monday November 16th, 2015.

According to MADC, “Our meeting was electric and very emotional!,” said Art Pronin, MADC President. “100 members showed. Most of the membership attended.”  Pronin likely knew there would be some friction in the meeting. “I spoke to her [Sharon Moses] again in private prior to the meeting and asked her about gay marriage.” Pronin said. “She said gays shouldn’t be allowed to be married and it was a sin for who those who are.” He said that while she said she would support some sort of non-discrimination ordinance, she would not include the transgender community.

An attendee who preferred to be anonymous said that when pressed on LGBT issues, Sharon Moses said some “ugly things.” Jolanda Jones, a lawyer, Houston activist, and recently elected HISD District 4  trustee, was in attendance. It was said that she pressed Sharon Moses on LGBT issues from a legal point of view. Jones pressed her on the HERO bathroom misinformation. According to the attendee, Sharon Moses falsely said HERO left women vulnerable to men entering the bathroom. When Jolanda Jones asked her views on gay marriage, Moses invoked the Bible. Jolanda Jones walked out of the meeting in frustration with Moses’ answers.

Gay marriage is the law of the land. Period. Above and beyond that, one can have whatever insane prejudices they decide not to extricate from their being. That is their right. No Democrat running for office should be elected if said prejudices are externalized. Would we support someone who articulated prejudice over blacks, Latinos, Asians, women, and all the permutations thereof?

In what must have been another dagger in the back of MADC, as Sylvester Turner was being endorsed by the club, Bill King tweeted Chris Bell’s act of betrayal, Bell came out in support of Tea Party favorite Bill King. The Tea Party in Kingwood worked ferociously and efficiently to over perform in Kingwood for Bill King. I was told by one of the Tea Party leaders that the goal was to ensure a second place finish for King. He knew they were unlikely to come in first but knew they could win the runoff. He said the goal was to use the low voter turnout in December to ensure Bill King became mayor. Chris Bell is assisting the election of a man beholding to the Kingwood Tea Party.

Houston is a Democratic City. However it has allowed the Right Wing Religious Complex and the Tea Party to strategically dismember just enough of it to win. From a sect of Black ministers who preyed on their own communities to vote against their own interest based on a lie, to ‘come lately’ Democrats garnering support. Does anyone believe the Right Wing Religious Complex will partner with the black preachers to get support for programs that enhance their communities? Of course not. I covered this on my KPFT 90.1 FM Politics Done Right show a couple of weeks ago 

....

To my Democratic brothers and sisters that have chosen not to live up to the letter and spirit of our platform, you are in fact responsible for our constant disappointment in outcomes. To my Democratic brothers and sisters that are a constant in pushing real liberal and progressive values and outcomes, it is time we all step up and force the hands of the posers.  As well, it is time to get into the electoral game and take the party.

Read the whole thing here.

Bottom Line: Ouch.

Conservative North Texas Senators ENDORSE Stickland's re-election!!!

"As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."
Proverbs 27:17

Ho hum, another day, another round conservatives endorsing Jonathan Stickland:

STICKLAND ANNOUNCES STATE SENATE ENDORSEMENTS FOR REELECTION CAMPAIGN

(Bedford, TX) – Wednesday, Jonathan Stickland announced his fourth round of public endorsements for his re-election campaign to the Texas House. The list includes four of the most conservative State Senators in Texas.

Senator Konni Burton

Senator Bob Hall

Senator Don Huffines

Senator Van Taylor

“Rarely do politicians do what they say they will do once elected. Jonathan Stickland has done just that. As an early supporter of his first campaign, I could not be happier to stand with him once again. Hurst, Euless, and Bedford can be proud of the fact that they have sent a true leader to represent them in the Texas legislature.” -Senator Burton

“Representative Stickland is a true defender of liberty. When something needs to get done in the House or a bad bill needs to be killed, he is the go to guy. I am proud to endorse his reelection campaign.” -Senator Huffines

“Representative Jonathan Stickland is a one of a kind leader in the Texas House. Jonathan’s
command of the rules and dedication to his home district makes him a tremendous asset for the conservative movement in Texas. I am proud to endorse him for reelection.” -Senator Taylor

Bottom Line: It's not surprising that conservative Texas Senators would endorse a conservative State Rep.  Still, questions remain.  For a Tarrant County based district...where are Kelly Hancock and Jane Nelson?!?

Paxton and TPPF launch COUNTEROFFENSIVE against Obama's Texas Land Grab

“If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed, and lets loose his animal, and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard."
Exodus 22:5

We discussed Obama's attempted land grab in North Texas a year and a half ago; yesterday, TPPF filed a lawsuit against the Obama administration to push the BLM back across the Red River:



Highlights:

• BLM seizing 90,000+ acres.

• "If they're gonna do this to us, what are they gonna do to y'all?!?"

• "This is private property; deed and title."

TPPF President Brooke Rollins explains things further:

Right now, D.C. bureaucrats at the federal Bureau of Land Management are seeking to seize up to 90,000 acres of private property along over one hundred miles of the Red River inside of Texas. They are trying to appropriate homes, businesses, farms, and ranchland that have been occupied by American citizens for generations.

The Bureau of Land Management has no purpose that it will share in seizing this land — but it will ruin lives, homes, businesses, and communities if it succeeds.

Together with home and property owners all along the Red River, the Foundation's Center for the American Future today filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas to defend American homes and livelihoods from the depredations of Washington, D.C. The case ofAderholt et al. v. Bureau of Land Management et al. is now on the books. We will pursue it, we will fight it, and in the end, we will win it.

• We will do it for people like Kenneth Aderholt, whose house, inherited from his grandfather, the federal government is attempting to seize. 
• We will do it for people like Patrick Canan, whose ranch and farm of over fifty years will fail if the federal government is allowed to grab his land. 
• We will do it for people like Kevin and Elizabeth Hunter, who want only to build the modest home of their dreams – if only Washington, D.C., won't take their land. 
• We will do it for Kenneth and Barbara Patton, who want only to pass on their land to their children, if only Washington, D.C., will acknowledge that it is in fact theirs.

We will do it for them. And we will also do it for you, and all of us who expect — because we are Americans with rights — that we will be allowed to own property, dispose of it freely, and not have an out-of-control federal government come seize it from beneath us.

The importance of this case goes well beyond the banks of the Red River.It is a compelling cause for each of us who has a home, who has a child, who has a family, or who has a legacy that he wishes to pass on.

 Thankfully, Attorney General Paxton is getting involved:

Texas Attorney General’s Office Intervenes over Federal Red River Land Grab

Wednesday, November 18, 2015 – Austin, Texas 

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today intervened in Aderholt, et. al. v. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), challenging the federal encroachment on Texas land near the Red River and seeking to establish recognition of our state’s rightful boundary.

“The borders of any state are a fundamental expression of its sovereignty, and are established through extensive surveys and legal precedent,” said Attorney General Paxton. “We will not allow the federal government to arbitrarily infringe upon Texas land and undermine the private property rights of our citizens. The federal government must follow the law and recognize our correct borders, consistent with decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court defining the boundary formed by the Red River.”

Pursuant to various U.S. Supreme Court cases in the 1920’s, the federal government only has rights to a narrow part of the Red River up to its southern bank. The federal government, however, claims that it owns up to 90,000 acres of Texas property along 117 miles of the Red River, much of it miles from the banks of the Red River.

The BLM’s failure and refusal to conduct a proper and complete boundary survey along the Red River directly injures the state’s ability to demand recognition of its boundary. The federal government’s inaccurate and arbitrary claim to land located in Texas conflicts with the requirements of the U.S. Supreme Court.

TPPF's statement in response to Paxton sums things up well:

“On behalf of our Clients – the Texas private property owners and counties impacted locally by this BLM encroachment – the Center for the American Future welcomes the State of Texas as an intervening party versus the federal government. As recognized by the Attorney General’s office in its Motion, BLM’s seizure of territory outside the south-cut bank of the Red River not only harms our Clients, but affects all Texans due to the intrusion upon the State’s sovereignty. We commend the Governor for his support of this effort and the Attorney General for his advocacy on behalf of Texas.”

Bottom Line: Thank goodness we have dedicated public servants like Ken Paxton and institutions like TPPF.