Steve Toth: THE CLOSING ARGUMENT!!!

Then the Lord said to Gideon, “By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the other people go, every man to his place.”
Judges 7:7

D.C. is freaking out over this race:

Thank You For All Your Help and Supoort
Posted by Steve Toth on Monday, February 29, 2016

Highlights:

• "We have sent a tremor through Washington and the K Street lobbyists."
• "One of their best, one of their most loyal subjects, is in trouble."

• "Kevin Brady's in trouble and he's fighting like mad to try and keep his spot."

• "Don't worry about the negative things that are being said, I've got big shoulders."

• "This is the way...the liberal establishment rolls when they're in trouble."

• "They want to protect the status quo; you and I want to wreck the status quo and bring constitutional governance back to Washington."

Who ACTUALLY VOTED EARLY in Texas' Republican Primary: Final Report

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

Derek Ryan released his final report on Saturday, the biggest conclusion:

So, how many people are going to end up voting? That's been the million dollar question lately. Well, if early voting ends up being 50% of the total votes cast, turnout will likely be around 2.7 million. While it isn't likely, if early voting ends up being 60% of the total turnout, the number ends up being around 2.2 million. I'm going to go with 2.5 million as my final guess. (I'm sure I'll hear from many of you if I end up being way off.)

Read the full report below:

Early Voting Analysis Report Day 11

Revelation 2:22-29 -- The CORRUPT Church (Part 2)

"Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

“Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—

‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels—
as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’
Revelation 2:22-29

Pastor Danny Forshee.  Great Hills Baptist Church.  May 25, 2014:



Outline:

1. Retribution (vv. 22-23) - Morally correct, fully deserved, punishment
   - Galatians 6:7
   
2. Command (v. 25)
   - Hold onto what you have until He comes
   - Stay focused on Jesus
   - Sometimes God uses tough times to build up our spiritual reserves so we can live for Him.
   
3. Promises (vv. 24, 26-28)
   A. No other burden
   B. Power over the nations
        - Psalm 2:8-9
   C. The Morning Star

Highlights:

• Jesus warns that He will go so far as to take the lives of those who commit sexual immorality within the Church.

• "Live like you wanna live" is a popular type of 'Christianity,' but it ain't the Biblical kind.

• Jesus calls this Jezebelian heresy "the depths of Satan."

• "You can't practice Christianity without...being in a local Church.

• There's been corruption and immorality in the Church since the beginning of the Church.
• God takes it PERSONALLY.

• Those who persevere with reign with Christ in the Millennial kingdom.

• "Eager anticipation of future glory with the Lord of Glory will help you through some inglorious times here on Earth."

• God says, if you stay faithful with Him, that in the end you will win.

Scoundrels Protecting Scoundrels....

"I have hated the assembly of evildoers,
And will not sit with the wicked."
Psalm 26:5

You'll never guess who gave a last minute donation to Dan Flynn:

Bottom Line: There's a certain satisfaction watching the former state representative who abused his office to get his son Ryan got into UT Law despite an LSAT score of 155 attempt to prop up the career of the state representative who led the cover-up into that abuse of office and knowing it's going to fail.

UT Politburo manipulating news cycle to bury TUITION HIKE Vote

“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Luke 12:21

Press release from U.T. system this morning:

UT System Regents to meet Monday

Print Friendly PageSend Page

AUSTIN—The University of Texas System Board of Regents will hold a special called meeting at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 29 in Austin. The meeting will be held via telephone conference call on the ninth floor of Ashbel Smith Hall, 201 W. 7^th St.

Links to the agenda book and live webcast are posted online.

The Board will consider tuition and fee rates for academic and health institutions for fiscal years 2017 and 2018. The Board also will consider the appointment of Dr. Richard C. Benson, the sole finalist for the UT Dallas presidency.

If needed, the Board will recess into executive session to discuss agenda items and will reconvene in open session to consider action, if any.

The meeting is expected to adjourn at about 5:30 p.m.

Bottom Line: Having run away to Galveston for the meeting on the tuition hike, the Board of Regents is moving ahead with the final vote the day before election day.   Obviously, they want this story to get lost amidst Super Tuesday hype.  We do not expect the Texas Senate to be this easily distracted.

Molly White's Opponent ATTACKS HER CAMPAIGN STAFFER!!!

"A fool vents all his feelings,
But a wise man holds them back."
Proverbs 29:11

That's not good:

Hugh Shine Attacks Campaign Manager
Video: Hugh Shine Attacks Molly White’s Campaign Manager(Belton, TX) This morning, Friday, February 26, Molly White campaign manager David Huber arrived early to set up Molly White’s tent at the Temple early voting location. After setting up, Huber ran for coffee. As he was leaving, he noticed that opponent Hugh Shine was physically moving White’s tent far from the voting location and was setting up his own in the spot. As Huber approached in his vehicle and commented on Shine’s actions, Shine screamed, “you get out of here, you get out of here real quick”, plunged a metal pole into the window and attempted to strike Huber. Concerned for his safety, Huber pulled away as Shine violently struck his car with the metal pole. David Huber will be filing aggravated assault charges against Hugh Shine later today with the Temple Police Department.Asked to comment on the assault by her opponent, Molly White said, “Thank God that David wasn’t hurt worse in this unprovoked and shocking act of violence by Hugh Shine.”“I call on Hugh Shine to immediately apologize to David Huber and explain himself for this childish and dangerous behavior.”, White concluded.
Posted by Molly White on Friday, February 26, 2016

Highlights:

• Shine tried to move his campaign tent.

• Staffer asked him not to move their tent.

• Shine loses his mind and attacks staffer's car.

The White Campaign press release explains the incident in detail:

Video: Hugh Shine Attacks Molly White’s Campaign Manager

(Belton, TX) This morning, Friday, February 26, Molly White campaign manager David Huber arrived early to set up Molly White’s tent at the Temple early voting location. After setting up, Huber ran for coffee. As he was leaving, he noticed that opponent Hugh Shine was physically moving White’s tent far from the voting location and was setting up his own in the spot. 

As Huber approached in his vehicle and commented on Shine’s actions, Shine screamed, “you get out of here, you get out of here real quick”, plunged a metal pole into the window and attempted to strike Huber. Concerned for his safety, Huber pulled away as Shine violently struck his car with the metal pole.

David Huber will be filing aggravated assault charges against Hugh Shine later today with the Temple Police Department.Please see the attached video of the incident.

Video: https://www.facebook.com/TexansforMolly/videos/1766567660240174/

Asked to comment on the assault by her opponent, Molly White said, “Thank God that David wasn’t hurt worse in this unprovoked and shocking act of violence by Hugh Shine.”

“I call on Hugh Shine to immediately apologize to David Huber and explain himself for this childish and dangerous behavior.”, White concluded.

Straus, again, telegraphs lack of interest in PROPERTY TAX Reform....

"But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God."
Nehemiah 5:15

This picture merits some unpacking:

EARLY VOTER ALERT!!!Speaker Joe Straus is now campaigning with Texas House Speaker Pro-Tem Representative Dennis...
Posted by Jeff Judson for Texas House District 121 on Wednesday, February 24, 2016

So Dennis Bonnen is campaigning for Straus...which begs the next question: who is Dennis Bonnen?!?

Last session, Dennis Bonnen was the chairman of the Texas House's Ways and Means committee; that's the committee that handles major tax legislation:

As the chair of Ways and Means, Dennis Bonnen was Straus' designated hatchet man on property tax reform.  Bonnen ran point on the House's screwy sales tax plan that attempted to kill property tax relief.  When Dan Patrick stood his ground, last session's modest property tax relief was the result.

But where the story of Joe Straus, Dennis Bonnen, and Property Taxes gets really interesting concerns HB 365 (Elkins).  HB 365, captioned "Relating to the calculation of the ad valorem rollback tax rates of certain taxing units", was the primary vehicle for structural property tax relief.  On February 12, 2015 Joe Straus referred HB 365 to Dennis Bonnen's Ways and Means committee, where it died without a hearing.

Bottom Line: If you needed any more proof that Joe Straus has zero interest in structurally reforming the property tax system as long as he remains speaker, bringing Dennis Bonnen in to campaign with him during the closing days ought to be good.

Detailing the ANN KITCHEN RECALL!!!

"It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,
For a throne is established by righteousness."
Proverbs 16:12

Austin4ALL discussed the origins of the Ann Kitchen recall last night on Fox 7:



Highlights:

• "Austinites are of this special interest, backwards thinking, elitist kind of council members."

• Kitchen's role in passing the anti-Uber regs was the final straw.

• Petition signatures currently being verified.

Babies for STICKLAND!!!

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea."
Mark 9:42

This is GREAT:

Jonathan Stickland is an unwavering, outspoken Pro-Life champion! Texas babies need him back in the Texas House of Representatives!
Posted by Texas Right to Life on Thursday, February 25, 2016

Highlights:

• Unlike certain other "pro-life" organizations that shall remain nameless, Texas Right to Life helped flip Konni Burton's district in 2014.

• "Jonathan Stickland never backs away from a chance to protect life."

• "All of us pro-lifers need Jonathan back in Austin."

Has Greg Casar ever Rented his home out on AirBnB?!?

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

Dan Driscoll is the CEO of Austin Startup ReQwip and a buddy of ours from college; following council's anti-AirBnB vote yesterday, he posted something interesting to his twitter page:

Shame on you @GregorioCasar - you've rented your home on @Airbnb and yet you copped to Tovo's bogus #STR phase-out efforts. #LostMySupport.

— Dan Driscoll (@dbdriscoll) February 24, 2016

@dbdriscoll I hear you, & I understand why and where our opinions diverge. However, I've never rented out my house; that was previous owner.

— Gregorio Casar (@GregorioCasar) February 24, 2016

So @GregorioCasar for the record, you have never EVER rented out a home in which you lived, past or present, for a short-term such as SXSW?

— Dan Driscoll (@dbdriscoll) February 24, 2016

Including @GregorioCasar perhaps your housemate listing your shared home under their name not yours ...?

— Dan Driscoll (@dbdriscoll) February 24, 2016

Deafening silence from @GregorioCasar

— Dan Driscoll (@dbdriscoll) February 24, 2016

Still no word from @GregorioCasar; odd because he is usually so quick to reply. Last year he told me that he had rented his home on @Airbnb.

— Dan Driscoll (@dbdriscoll) February 24, 2016

How many lawyers, PR consultants must @GregorioCasar consult before answering simple question: has he or housemate been #STR host? @Airbnb

— Dan Driscoll (@dbdriscoll) February 24, 2016

Who's ACTUALLY Voting in Texas' Republican Primary?!?

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

Derek Ryan of Ryan Data and Research has collected some fascinating data about who's actually turned out thus far through early voting, some highlights:

• In past Republican Primaries, through seven days of early voting, 22.5% of the total votes have typically been cast. Based on that percentage, that would mean total turnout this year would surpass 2.3 million (turnout was 1.4M in 2012 and 2008).

• 22.6% of the votes cast during early voting are from voters who have not voted in a Republican Primary between 2008 and 2014. This voting block is almost the same size as voters who have voted in all four of the last four Republican Primaries (24.3%)

Read the full report (through yesterday) below:

FEB 2k16 Early Voting Analysis Day 7

Matt McCall: Restore Economic Growth!!!

"Consider the work of God;
For who can make straight what He has made crooked?"
Ecclesiastes 7:13

Matt McCall discusses the difference between free enterprise and fascism/socialism:



Highlights:

• "We did not become the greatest country in the world, the greatest economy in the world, by being fascist or socialist."

• Fascism = Government control of the means of production
• Author's Note: Cronyism, or Big Business/Big Government collusion are also commonly used term to describe a fascist economic system.

• Socialism = Government ownership of them means of production.

• Capitalist economy is based on freedom.

• "Envy has never gotten us anywhere except 20 trillion dollars in debt and $200 trillion worth of unfunded mandates."

Bo French discusses state of his race

"Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,"
Acts 4:29

Bo French did an interview with the local NBC affiliate this past weekend:

Watch My interview on The Lonestar Report!
Posted by Bo French on Monday, February 22, 2016

Highlights:

• NW Tarrant County

• Charlie outspending Bo 4 or 5 to 1.

• Charlie doesn't want to talk about his record.

• Taya Kyle stuff: "Attempt by a desperate politician."

• High Turnout = Good.

How will Austin assess the City Manager?!?

"Do they not go astray who devise evil?
But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good."
Proverbs 14:22

City Manager Marc Ott's performance review begins soon.  The City Manager manages the city bureaucracy in the absence of leadership from council.  Former council candidate Ed English raises some very important questions about Ott's review process:

Austin Deserves an Open Review of the City Manager 

1. Hold the Council discussion with the City Manager on his evaluation in public. There is no legal reason Council cannot do that. At a minimum, if there are some truly confidential issues that need to be discussed, the Council can retire to executive session just for that, and return to the public session.

2. Require the City Manager to complete a written performance evaluation and have Council put it's individual and collective evaluation of his performance in writing. Make it available to the public for comment.

3. The citizens of Austin deserve a chance to review the manager of the city, a city in an affordability crisis. A time certain is guaranteed by a public hearing.

4. Performance metrics should be tied to the outcomes laid out in Imagine Austin.

5. A major responsibility of the City Manager is to inform the council on major projects. Have the City Manager explain his performance on projects that have affected Austin's affordability like How has he had the City Council's back on protecting Austin's affordability related to major expenditures on projects like Biomass ($2.3B), Water Treatment Plant #4 ($1B), Waller Creek, Seaholm, and just recently, Pilot Knob $100M and and a host of high tech company recruitment incentives whose high paid employees have driven up housing costs dramatically.

6. The city is a $3B per-year corporation. Most corporations in America, this size or larger, routinely evaluate their chief executive officer with a 360-review. The same can be said for many public institutions including our own UT-Austin and Huston-Tillotson University. The City Manager should be reviewed by those who work under him - anonymously. Allows them to comment on his performance, just like HT and UT students do of their faculty.

7. What does the City Manager do to enhance the city's relationship with other government entities and other civic organizations?

8. Is the City Manager providing information to the council requested of him in a timely manner for making decisions?

McRaven to Whitmire: Drop Dead!!!

"He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
Proverbs 29:1

We reported back in December on Senator Whitmire's reaction to the U.T system's Houston expansion plans, we recently obtained McRaven's response to Whitmire via open records request:

[Author's Note: And, of course, he plays the 9/11 card.]

12-15-15 Senator John Whitmire Letter From WHM

Jeff Judson...Parrot?!?

"A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his own heart."
Proverbs 18:2

A strange new ad from Joe Straus:



The best part, however, from Straus' YouTube page:

Revelation 2:18-21 -- The CORRUPT Church (Part 1)

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,

‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent."
Revelation 2:18-21

Pastor Danny Forshee.  Great Hills Baptist Church.  May, 18 2014:



Outline:

1. Identification (v. 18):
   A. The City
        - Trade Unions/Purple Dye
        - Acts 16:14
   B. Jesus
        - The Son of God.
             - The ONLY time in the Book of Revelation Jesus refers to Himself this way.
        - Eyes like a flame of fire (Purging)
        - His feet like fine brass.
             - Many times in the Bible, brass is associated with Judgement.
2. Commendation (v. 19):
        - Works
        - Agape
        - Faith
        - Service
        - Endurance
3. Exhortation (vv. 20-21):
        - John 3:19-20

Highlights:

• Throughout chs. 2&3 of Revelation, there is a progressive worsening of the spiritual condition of the seven Churches.

• Longest letter is to the smallest city.
• God doesn't worry about size the way we do.

• God wants us in fellowship in a local Church.

• If we name the name of Christ, God holds us to a higher standard.

• "Christ is extremely honest, straight-forward, bold, offensive, and intolerant."

Our FINAL Round of 2016 Primary Endorsements

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

[Author's Note: You can see our first round of endorsements here and our second round here.]

With election day 11 days away, we make the following endorsements:

STATEWIDE (Judicial)

Ray Wheless, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 2:

We've previously discussed this race. In Texas, there is a separate judicial track for civil and criminal cases.  The Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest criminal court in Texas and is the equivalent of the Texas Supreme Court.

We first became interested in this race when we realized that the corrupt judge whose unethical activities led to his recusal in the Ken Paxton case was one of the three candidates.  That candidate is a disgrace to the legal profession against whom we've filed a complaint with the state commission on judicial conduct.  We've heard conflicting reports about the second candidate, but at best nothing excites us.

Ray Wheless spoke at the Central Texas Republican Assembly's November meeting.  We were impressed by his knowledge and legal acumen.  Judge Wheless is from Collin County, where he has held a variety of judicial positions.

UNITED STATES HOUSE

Anyone but Pete, CD-32:

We've documented our differences with Pete Sessions over the years.  As a member of House leadership, Pete Sessions has been a key player in every Republican betrayal we've seen out of D.C. in the Obama era.  As recently as December, Pete Sessions voted for a grotesque spending bill.

In addition to his awful actions on policy related matters, Pete Sessions is also a RAGING jerk; in many ways, Pete Session is the Byron Cook of the United States House of Representatives.

We've heard good things about all of the challengers.  We haven't had an opportunity to differentiate them in an detail, but against Pete Session it doesn't matter.  #NoRePete.

TEXAS HOUSE

Jess Fields, HD-14:

We've known Jess Fields for several years due to his work with the Texas Public Policy Foundation.  We've been impressed with his sharp wit and incisive sense of humor.  We expect Jess Fields to give Jonathan Stickland a run for his money on the back mic.

Jess Fields is a prominent supporter of the liberty cities movement.  Liberty cities are a creative solution that undermines big city governments.  We like creative solutions that undermine big government.

Unfortunately, he's a dirty stinking Aggie, but that's probably an advantage in a district that includes College Station.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY

Shawn Dick, District Attorney:

Shawn Dick is challenging a DISGRACEFUL incumbent with whom we've had issues for many years.  This is the DA that tried to lock up some kid for life over a couple pot brownies and suppressed evidence in a capital murder case.  We've also heard from folks in the WillCo legal community that lower profile abuses happen every day in that office.

In addition to his time as a prosecutor, Shawn Dick has also worked as a defense attorney.  When someone is making decisions that could take away someone else's freedom, we think it's a good thing for that person to have been on the other side of the courtroom.  Speaking of the disgraceful incumbent, she actually had the nerve to attack him over this.

A vote for Shawn Dick is a vote for basic ethics and integrity in a critically important office.

Bill Kelberlau, Sheriff:

Bill Kelberlau is running to be a constitutional sheriff.  For those unaware, local sheriffs have a TREMENDOUS amount of authority to stop the Federal government from enforcing unconstitutional laws.  Milwaukee County (Wisconsin) Sheriff David Clarke is probably the highest profile constitutional sheriff today.

Bill grew up in South Texas and spent 30 years in the Navy in a variety of sensitive position.  That background leaves him well-prepared for the challenges he will face in law enforcement.  Bill Kelberlau also testified at Don Zimmerman's Austin City Council hearing on Syrian 'refugees' and, considering that a sliver of Austin extends into Willco, having Bill Kelberlau around to drive the Austin City Council NUTS is worth the price of admission all by itself.

When Donald Trump comes for our guns, Williamson County is going to want Bill Kelberlau as Sheriff.

TRAVIS COUNTY

Jason Nassour, Commissioner's Court (Precinct 3):

We started noticing problems with the incumbent last year when he was a loud and prominent supporter of the Courthouse bond on the Commissioner's Court.  That right there should tell you something.  Why was the lone REPUBLICAN on the commissioner's court loudly supporting a $300 million boondoggle that would only benefit rich downtown lawyers?!?  But it gets worse.  He's recently taken a number of other screwy votes.  We've also discovered recently that he's given money to Kirk Watson.  The incumbent is a good guy, but he's clearly been working in government for too long.

Jason Nassour, by contrast, is an entrepreneur who owns several well known local radio stations.  A newcomer to politics, Nassour was motivated to run for office by the incumbent's support for the Courthouse bond.  Jason Nassour wants to sell all county property within the city limits and use the proceeds to build a new multi-use county facility FOR CASH in an unincorporated area.  Have we mentioned we like creative solutions?!?

The debate last month between Jason Nassour and the incumbent speaks for itself, you can view it for yourself here.

James Dickey, Travis County Republican Party Chairman:

Since James Dickey became county chairman two years ago, the Travis County Republican party helped put the first two conservatives EVER on the Austin City Council.  The Travis County Republican party has a DA candidate on the ballot for the first time since we've lived here.  Finally, we learned last week that the Travis County Republican Party actually has more precinct chairs at the moment than the D's.

With a property tax revolt and an affordability crisis at hand, the issue environment favors conservative solutions in an obvious way.  We've had discussions with James Dickey about specific ways to address these issues, and we intend to ramp up those discussions after March 1st.  Why mess with a good thing?!?

One note about James' challenger: Robert Morrow is a friend and patriot.  He does valuable work in the areas to which his talents are suited.  The job of county chairman, however, is a poor match for Robert's strong suits.

Wiley needs volunteers to work polling locations!!!

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

Truthfully, there are probably a lot of campaigns that need this, but we just got the following e-mail from Jay Wiley's campaign coordinator:

If anyone can hand out pushcards and/or wave a sign for any amount of time on Saturday or Sunday it would be a huge help.

Please let me know if you are able and willing to help with this! Here is the link to the map of the polls again: 

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewerhl=en_US&mid=zH8VFmh97Uhc.k07ACprt4zSY

And here is the link to sign up for a time slot, or if you'd like, simply reply to this email with what you are able to do and I'll plug you in. I will get pushcards and signs to anyone who needs them!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DGkx4PRmIzjAH34FeXj95FQdteWF5gIWpZn49E8nF0I/edit?usp=sharing

Let me know if you have any questions/comments/concerns. We do still need people to stand at the polls during the week days till the 26th, and we very much need people standing out here on Election Day, but right now this weekend is the priority.

Thank you all so much! Election Day is so close, we can taste it! This is an exciting time, what we've all been preparing for, and every little bit of help goes a long way. We appreciate you all so much.

Texas Racing Commission FINALLY Caves!!!

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

The cronyism in their day to day business model is bad enough.  Their assault on the rule of law was even worse.  Finally, the Texas Racing Commission steps back from the brink:

The Texas Racing Commission has voted to repeal its endorsement of historical racing terminals, the controversial machines that led to a fierce political fight with prominent state legislators.

This ends a more than yearlong fight over the authority to add new gaming machines at horse and dog tracks.

....

The horse racing industry and some commissioners have clashed with the Legislative Budget Board over historical racing, also known as Instant Racing, in which machines show video replays of old races with identifying information removed. The board, which includes influential legislators, said the machines would be an illegal expansion of gambling. The commission and the industry disagreed.

....

The standoff led to a temporary cutoff of an important portion of the agency’s funding last year. The commission and all Texas tracks closed for a day before a temporary compromise was reached. The budget board continues to control a piece of the commission’s budget.

But there have been concerns that another shutdown would be imminent if historical racing weren’t repealed. Commission officials had already warned tracks that its full funding ends in February and to prepare for closure March 1.

The commission was scheduled to vote on historical racing Feb. 9, but a Texas Greyhound Association lawsuit and its temporary restraining order blocked that action.

A hearing on the restraining order was scheduled for Thursday morning in Brownsville, but the plaintiffs withdrew it.

That gave the commission an opportunity to vote for a third time on repealing historical racing. Two previous votes failed.

....

Commissioners approved historical racing last year but no machines were installed. At least two lawsuits challenged the machines, and one judge ruled that commissioners didn’t have the authority to approve historical racing.

A coalition of horse racing interests is trying to intervene and appeal that judge’s decision. Horse racing backers were concerned that repealing historical racing would undercut the appeal effort.

Lt. Governor Patrick released the following statement:

AUSTIN – I support today's action by the Texas Racing Commission to repeal its rules for historical racing in Texas.

As a state district court has ruled, only the Texas legislature can approve any expansion of gambling.

With this issue now behind us, I look forward to sitting down with responsible members of the horse racing industry to discuss the future of horse racing in Texas.

Highlighting Joe Straus' Tragic SANCTUARY CITIES Failure

"Do not remove the ancient landmark,
Nor enter the fields of the fatherless;"
Proverbs 23:10

OUCH:



Highlights:

• "My son Spencer was murdered by an illegal alien hiding in a sanctuary city."

• The illegal alien's: "name was Victor Reyes and he was associated with the cartels."

• "I have just one question for Joe Straus: Isn't the government supposed to protect innocent people?!?"

• "When Joe Straus killed the bill to ban sanctuary cities, he put the life of an illegal alien ahead of my murdered son."

• "Joe Straus has got to go because he's failed to do his most important job."

Texas Public Employees Association encourages DEMOCRAT voting in REPUBLICAN Primaries

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."
Ephesians 5:11

This is why the Texas Legislature routinely kills (or waters down) conservative legislation:

[Sidenote: Which makes this a good time to remind readers that Joe Straus and Charlie Geren both get MAJOR cash from public employee unions.]

Bottom Line: The good news is that with a competitive presidential race on the D side, there will be less of this nonsense this cycle than usual, but this statement nonetheless illustrates why RINO's have historically dominated the legislature.

#StickWithStickland: Have YOU had enough?!?

"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;"
Romans 5:3

Jonathan Stickland's closing argument aptly summarizes the stakes across Texas:

Have you had enough yet? Are you as sick of gutter politics as my family is? Four years ago, you granted me the honor of a lifetime -- to serve you in the Texas Legislature. I made promises to every single one of you, and I delivered.

It is easy to campaign as a conservative because insiders and political consultants know grassroots voters are looking for it. Their lackeys will do or say anything to get elected so they can keep business as usual.

I say ENOUGH! Enough back room deals-- enough politicians who come with strings attached-- and enough with the good ole boys club telling us what is good for us while raiding our wallets. I went to Austin on a mission-- a mission to change the culture, to expose the hypocrisy, to restore our constitution, and to get government out of our way as much as possible.

Much to the Austin establishment’s dismay, I did exactly what I said I would do. I struck a nerve and helped light a grassroots fire that is spreading statewide. Dozens of patriots are rising up to challenge incumbent Republicans who vote with liberals. This race in House District 92 is the establishment's last hope. They are doing everything to take us out by running a campaign full of lies and deception hoping to cripple the conservative movement and set a new standard.

I am unapologetic about fighting for our Christian conservative values. I will not apologize for being the most conservative member of the legislature. I will promise you one thing -- I will never let you down. Austin has tried to break me and it didn’t happen. Now with the nastiest political consultant in the state, unlimited campaign dollars from the lobbyists, lies, deception, and the liberal media playing along, they are trying to destroy us. Together, we can repel their attacks and defend Texas liberty.

My pledge to you remains the same -- more freedom and less government. I ask for your prayers and your vote.

The most important line from TED CRUZ's NATIONAL SECURITY Speech!!!

"The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender."
Proverbs 22:7

Amen, well said:

Controlling government spending and unleashing economic growth will address the costs and are desirable in themselves. My detailed spending plan reduces federal spending by at least a half trillion dollars over ten years. These reductions are just a start. The resulting savings would be in addition to my plan to Audit the Pentagon to identify and eliminate unnecessary programs. We will seize the opportunity to sell federal assets and properties that would be better used in the private sector, thus generating additional revenues.

EXACTLY.  America cannot begin to meet it's national security challenges without a robust, growing economy.  Economic growth was a key component of Reagan's national security strategy and, at least to our knowledge, Ted Cruz is the only candidate running this cycle who has made the connection between economic growth and national security.

Larry Smith delivers closing argument!!!

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
Galatians 6:9

Very well said:

My name is Larry Smith and I am asking to be your next State Representative for District 54.When I was overseas, I saw...
Posted by Larry Smith for Texas House 54 on Thursday, February 11, 2016

And his top issues:

Early Voting starts February 16th and runs to the 26th with Election Day on March 1st. Just to recap my primary...
Posted by Larry Smith for Texas House 54 on Saturday, February 13, 2016

The other candidates in this race are special interest hacks recruited by the Austin lobby; if you live in  Lampassas or Western Bell county (Kileen area), vote Larry Smith!!!

Book Review: JESUS ON TRIAL, by David Limbaugh

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;"
1 Peter 3:15

The truth of the Gospel is central to it's appeal.  To provide Eternal Life, the Bible must be grounded in reality and truth.  In Jesus on Trial, David Limbaugh uses his personal testimony as the backdrop for a survey course in Christian apologetics.

Limbaugh is an adult convert to Christianity whose salvation journey was a very intellectual path.  A skeptic for many years, his personal testimony by his exploration of the most difficult issues surrounding the veracity of scripture.  An online review will never do a book like this justice, but we'll hit some points that stood out to us.

For Limbaugh, the Unity of Scripture was a major breakthrough proving the divine origins of the Bible.  As Limbaugh explains: "the Bible maintains a unified, continuous, message across it's sixty-six books, which were written over some 1,500 years by about forty authors.  If you read it enough, you can't help but notice it has the same voice of authority throughout" (150).  We'd always give that point intellectual lip services, but until Limbaugh's book we'd never appreciated it's magnitude.  As just one example, Leviticus and the Gospel of John we're written on opposite ends of that 1500 year timeline, yet they reveal the same attributes of God.  It would be difficult, to put it mildly, for humans to write something like that on their own.  It's nothing, however, for an Omnipotent God.

Another point Limbaugh makes, which resonates with our own testimony, is that the number of prophecies fulfilled in Jesus cannot plausibly be explained any other way.  For example, Micah predicted the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, which happened in Matthew.  Also in Matthew, the Genealogies show how Jesus was a decedent of both Abraham and David, so He fulfills both covenants.  The list of prophecies and their fulfillment related to Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection needs to be seen to be appreciated (197/8).  And keep in mind, the prophecies related to Jesus' death were delivered hundreds of years before crucifixion was invented.

Another proof we're blessed with today that wasn't always available is modern archaeology.  This proves as a fact certain Biblical claims which had previously been statements that had to be taken on Faith.  For example, the location of Sodom and Gomorrah was only discovered in 1973 (252).  In 1990, the bones of Caiphas were found (247).  Over the past couple hundred years, archaeology has proven the historical accuracy of hundreds of old and dozens of new testament events.

The chapter on science's compatibility with scripture was especially illuminating.  The second law of thermodynamics, entropy, proves the universe isn't eternal, which means there had to be a specific moment of creation.  Furthermore, "irreducibly complex machines cannot be produced by the slight incremental changes postulated by Darwin's theory of evolution.  Any protosystem that lacks even one of the parts that contributes to 'basic function' would be nonfunctional, thus preventing natural selection from operating on it to produce an improved form.  In other words, irreducibly complex systems, and thus biochemical systems, must be produced all at once" (301).  GAME, SET, MATCH: GENESIS!!!

Jesus on Trial, by David Limbaugh, is a comprehensive survey course in why the Bible is true.  It doesn't go into tremendous detail, but it covers a lot of ground and hits all the basics.  If you're skeptical but open to discussion or a Christian looking to dive deeper into your Faith, Limbaugh's book is well worth your time.

FARNEY accuses her own constituents of anti-Semitism then compares Joe Straus to Jesus!!!

"For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,"
2 Timothy 3:6

This is HILARIOUS:



Highlights:

• "When I came for the first session, I voted for Joe Straus.  When I came for the second session, I voted for Joe Straus.  And this third session, I'm going to vote for Joe Straus."

• "I think it's unbelievable how maligned people want to address Joe Straus."

• "People have been to my office saying: Are you going to support that Jew?!?"
• Author's Note: Bullshit

• "Do you mean Jesus Christ when you say Jew?!?"

• "When you talk about a Jew, though, there's another Jew that means a lot to me and that's Jesus Christ; so I will support Joe Straus."

• Wasn't in the lege when Straus first became speaker.

• Straus "has not impeded conservative legislation."

Revelation 2:12-17 -- THE COMPROMISING CHURCH (Part 2)

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,

‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’
Revelation 2:12-17

Pastor Danny Forshee.  Great Hills Baptist Church. April 27, 2014:



Outline:

1. Exhortation (v. 14-15)
   A. The Doctrine of Balaam (Sexual immorality and food sacrificed to idols).
        Numbers 25:1-3
   B. The Doctrine of the Nicolaitians
        2 Corinthians 6:14-18
2. Command (v. 16): REPENT!!!
3. Promise (v. 17)
   A. The Hidden Manna
   B. A White Stone (Innocent verdict)
   C. A new name.

Highlights:

• This was the day Ken Paxton visited Great Hills.

• We're supposed to worship God with our mind.

• The church at Pergamum was birthed by Paul.

• Satan knows the weakness of any Church.

• Bad compromise - Knowing something is wrong and doing it anyway.

• The Doctrine of Balaam.
• Alcohol and loose women will wear them down until they start worshiping false gods
• God killed 24,000 Israelites when it happened in Numbers.

• The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans.
• You are free to live as you jolly-well please.

• Today's non-confrontational Church is repeating the mistakes of Pergamum.

• If you do what's right, Jesus is gonna take care of you.
• Don't waste time eating food sacrificed to idols.

• Jesus can give us far more than whatever we think we can gain from compromise.