"IN THE KNOW"

http://kickintheads.blogspot.com/

2011-12-28T02:27:00.002-06:00

The other day, me and Jaime were talking about Adsense and Blogger.com and how the stupid censored caller.com was crying to them about our corpuschristicallertimes.blogspot.com is all theirs and they can censor all my comments and remove or steal them and rework my ideas as their own, and i asked him when will adsense.......http://kickintheads.blogspot.com/?If only caller.com cared about their readers comments then themselves then they would actually be " In the Know" maybe they just need a kick in the Head?

Why did Nueces County Sheriff Jim Kaelin say the videotape footage is destroyed?

2011-01-31T14:48:00.000-06:00

YOU"RE FIRED! I understand you are now Twice as Nice? How bout a DOUBLE DOSE of Karma? Then, it can be twice as nice for your pleasure. How many times did Shelly Amaya and Jennifer Shearer "go at it" while at work or did she keep that strap on thing in her pants?How bout a sex offender sign in your front yard and in front of your establishment? Some say Karma is a bitch and a bitch you and your pleasured Nueces County Jailers deserve.

Jennifer Shearer is still employed as a Nueces County Deputy Officer. How can that be unless she falsified government records and failed to mention her participation / complicity in the sexual assault. Dont worry her picture is going out next. Pass the word to Shearer and then let her know that Dora et al is not like Nueces County Sheriff Jim Kaelin, Dora et al saves the video tapes. Those cost a lot more than fifty bucks and the Judge along with a "few good men" already have been furnished a copy. She said you that you could last forever with that huge phallic package. Unzip your pants and let us all have a look! After all no man could match you? Dont worry Dora said you "went at it" like the depraved warped man you are. Now lets compete man to man, I challenge You Jennifer Shearer to a PISSING contest and I will even allow you a head start pardon the pun. Can you piss on a fire. Like Nelly says in his song, "It's getting hot in here so take off all your clothes" and lets witness pathetic little you.

Jennifer Shearer then begins to follow us. We pull over and let her pass then behind her as she then turns so as to reposition herself behind us. We see a CCPD Car and approach to document the actions of Shelly Amaya's accomplice. Well, somehow the officer accuses us of following when in fact it was the other way around. My question is how can we be following Shearer when in fact Shearer is behind us and as the video demonstrates Shearer was the one stalking us. Me thinks the Female Officer and Jennifer Shearer are pals in an off duty capacity; they sure were buddied up during this event. The end result was the CCPD Officer impounded my car despite having insurance and we were not on a public thoroughfare. This is just the tip of the iceberg!

Hey Balderas, how do you like it when "she gets to stick her fingers in you"? Who made that policy was it you punk?? Everyone, now it is your turn to get gang raped, invaded in your own home because you are a UFO? That means you f'n owe. Thats what happens when a crooked judge makes a stroke of the pen because of a unpaid fine that was unpayable because he wanted to confine us for a class c misdemeanor punishable by fine only and NOT BY CONFINEMENT. But then again you already knew that You Cox sucker! So like my fair weather friend Johnny Canales always exclaimed on his show, "ESSO,...... TAKE IT AWAY". "YOU GOT IT"!

And what happens when a Nueces County Jailer violates an inmate while other jailers watch as if it were entertainment?

When a request for the videotape footage in writing; what answer did Jim Kaelin tender?

In the light most favorable to the innocence of the accused Jailers it seems video footage would solve the allegations?

That is of course assuming that these Nueces County Deputy Correction Officers did not violate any civil rights or any laws?

A Sexual Assault was committed by Shelly Amaya along with a still employed and sexually aroused (by the way) Officer Jennifer Shearer encouraging the act. Oh yeah and a bunch of male Nueces County Deputy Correction Officers watching Amaya as she tore the clothes off, slammed the inmate on the floor and proceeded to mount the inmate and insert her fingers into the inmates' vagina. Finally one officer removed the Jailer as she was bold enough to admit "she said, "that's right I did say I was going to get to stick my fingers in you" and Colonel Jessup would be proud of the spirit she said it in! You know how he was proud of admitting as if he were bragging?

Jessup: "What's going on? I did my job, I'd do it again!
[stands up defiantly]

Kaffie: we have to get Jessup to tell the court members that he ordered the code red.

I think he wants to say it. I think he's pissed off that he has to hide behind all this. I think he wants to say that he made a command decision and that should be then end of it.
[Starts imitating Jessup]
Kaffee: He eats breakfast 300 yards away from 4000 Cubans who are trained to kill him. And nobody's going to tell him how to run his unit least of all the Harvard mouth in his faggoty white uniform. I need to shake him, put him on the defensive and lead him right where he's dying to go.There is nothing on this earth sexier, believe me, gentlemen, than a woman you have to salute in the morning. Promote 'em all, I say, 'cause this is true: if you haven't gotten a blowjob from a superior officer, well, you're just letting the best in life pass you by.

Kaffee: *Colonel Jessep, did you order the Code Red?*
Judge Randolph: You *don't* have to answer that question!
Col. Jessep: I'll answer the question!
[to Kaffee]
Col. Jessep: You want answers?
Kaffee: I think I'm entitled.
Col. Jessep: *You want answers?*
Kaffee: *I want the truth!*
Col. Jessep: *You can't handle the truth!*
[pauses]
Col. Jessep: Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to.
Kaffee: Did you order the Code Red?
Col. Jessep: I did the job I...
Kaffee: *Did you order the Code Red?*
Col. Jessep: *You're Goddamn right I did!*

As the inmate repeatedly dared Shelly Amaya to admit that she had already said she was going to stick her fingers in the inmate.

She said it and the male member of the Nueces County Jailer Audience pulled Shelly Amaya from on top of the naked inmate.

Why do they answer and say the videotape footage is destroyed?

Surely they would use it to vindicate themselves?

Heck,..... wouldnt that put and end to these allegations?

Jay Worthington conducting an internal affairs investigation? Yep, he is definitely worthless and Mike Lowrance well lets just say since it is not his wife who endured the sexual acts and it is Nueces County Sheriff Jim Kaelin who is his "dom" and it is Nueces County Sheriff's department from who he receives his authority and paycheck; who knows karma is life giving you back what you give, dish out and / or deserve I just pray Karma gives it to him and not his spouse. Yeah they are all little bitches,.... where is Bubba when we need him?

Why Would The City Withhold a Police Report?: an incident involving Damon Bentley that occurred between January and May 2008 at Utopia Restaurant

2008-08-16T07:51:00.002-05:00

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF TEXAS
GREG ABBOTT

June 4, 2008

Mr. Joseph Harney

Assistant City Attorney

City of Corpus Christi

P. O. Box 9277

Corpus Christi, Texas 78469-9277

OR2008-07577

Re: Request for a report regarding an incident involving Damon Bentley that occurred between January and May 2008 at Utopia Restaurant, located at 5638 Saratoga

Dear Mr. Harney:

The Office of the Attorney General has received your request for a ruling and assigned your request ID# 317847.

After reviewing your arguments and the submitted information, we have determined that your request does not present a novel or complex issue. Thus, we are addressing your claims in a memorandum opinion. You claim that the submitted information may be withheld from the requestor pursuant to section 552.108(a)(2) of the Government Code. We have considered your arguments and the submitted information and have determined that in accordance with section 552.108(a)(2) you may withhold the submitted information. However, you must release the basic information pursuant to section 552.108(c) of the Government Code.

For more information on the cited exception, as well as information on the rights and obligations of governmental bodies and requestors, please refer to open government information contained on the Office of the Attorney General website at www.oag.state.tx.us. You may also contact our Open Government Hotline at 1-877-OPENTEX.

Enc: Submitted documents

cc: Mr. John Jackson

8100 SPID, #302

Corpus Christi, Texas 78412

(w/o enclosures)

POST OFFICE BOX 12548, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711-2548 TEL: (512) 463-2100 WEB: WWW.OAG.STATE.TX.US
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The State responded that it had no such evidence in its custody or control. ....yeah right, I guess the tape evidence is contrary to Huberts malicious

2008-05-05T03:05:00.000-05:00

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NUMBER 13-02-169-CR

COURT OF APPEALS

THIRTEENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS

CORPUS CHRISTI - EDINBURG

WILLIAM RAY GEARHART, Appellant,

v.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee.

On appeal from the 105th District Court

of Kleberg County, Texas.

O P I N I O N

Before Chief Justice Valdez and Justices Rodriguez and Castillo

Opinion by Justice Castillo

The State indicted William Ray Gearhart, appellant, as a repeat felony offender for assaulting a public servant. Footnote On March 5, 2002, a jury convicted Gearhart and sentenced him to ten years confinement in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. We conclude that Gearhart's appeal is frivolous and without merit. We affirm.

I. BACKGROUND

Gearhart filed a pro se notice of appeal on March 8, 2002. In the notice, Gearhart complained about his trial counsel's representation. He asked the trial court to appoint appellate counsel to represent him. The trial court appointed new counsel for him on appeal. Gearhart's appellate counsel filed a brief in which counsel concludes that the appeal is frivolous. See Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 744-45 (1967).

II. APPLICABLE APPELLATE RULES

The rules of appellate procedure governing how appeals proceed in criminal cases were amended effective January 1, 2003. Generally, rules altering procedure do not fall within the prohibition in the Texas Constitution against retroactive application of laws that disturb vested, substantive rights. See Tex. Const. art. I, § 16; see also Ibarra v. State, 11 S.W.3d 189, 192 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). Therefore, this Court applies the current rules of appellate procedure to this appeal. We may not affirm or reverse a judgment or dismiss an appeal for formal defects or irregularities in appellate procedure without allowing a reasonable time to correct or amend the defects or irregularities. Tex. R. App. P. 44.3. We also are prohibited from affirming or reversing a judgment or dismissing an appeal if the record prevents the proper presentation of an appeal and can be corrected by the trial court. Tex. R. App. P. 44.4(a). Accordingly, we abated the appeal on July 21, 2003 and ordered a supplemental record to include, in compliance with rule 25.2(a)(2), the trial court's certification of Gearhart's right of appeal. See Tex. R. App. P. 25.2(a)(2). We received a supplemental record on December 10, 2003 that includes the trial court's certification that Gearhart has the right of appeal. We now turn to the merits.

III. DISPOSITION

A. Anders Brief

Gearhart's original court-appointed appellate counsel filed a brief in which he concludes that this appeal is frivolous. See Anders, 386 U.S. at 744-45. Counsel certifies: (1) he diligently reviewed the record for reversible error; (2) he was unable to find any error that would arguably require reversal of the trial court's judgment; (3) in his opinion, the appeal is without merit; (4) he served a copy of the brief on Gearhart; and (5) he informed Gearhart of his right to review a complete copy of the appellate record and file a pro se brief on his own behalf. See Anders, 386 U.S. at 744-45; see also High v. State, 573 S.W.2d 807, 813 (Tex. Crim. App. [Panel Op.] 1978).

An Anders brief must provide references to both legal precedent and pages in the record to demonstrate why there are no arguable grounds to be advanced. High, 573 S.W.2d at 812. Counsel's brief does not advance any arguable grounds of error, but does contain a professional evaluation of the record demonstrating why there are no arguable grounds to be advanced. See Currie v. State, 516 S.W.2d 684, 684 (Tex. Crim. App. 1974). With relevant citation to legal precedent and the record, counsel professionally evaluates the indictment, pre-trial motions, voir dire, opening statements, sufficiency of the evidence, jury charge, closing argument, and punishment phase. Arguable grounds of error should be advanced by counsel as required by Anders, if there are any. See id. However, we do not interpret Anders as requiring appointed counsel to make arguments counsel would not consider worthy of inclusion in a brief for a paying client or to urge reversal if, in fact, counsel finds no arguable issue to appeal. See id. We hold that counsel's brief is not the “conclusory statement” decried by Anders. See id.

In response to counsel's brief, Gearhart filed a pro se brief. Gearhart's original appointed counsel withdrew while this appeal was pending. The trial court appointed substitute appellate counsel.

B. Pro Se Brief

Gearhart asserts he was falsely accused of assaulting a public servant, a police officer with the Kingsville Police Department. He maintains that after he filed an internal affairs complaint regarding the incident, he was retaliated against when the State arrested him again for filing a false report and charged him with aggravated perjury. Generally, Gearhart challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support his conviction. He claims he was attacked, without provocation, by two Kingsville police officers. He denies he attacked one of the officers first. He cites to purported inconsistencies in the testimony at trial in support of his position. Gearhart also claims that the State did not present evidence of his prior conviction for assault on a public servant to support his conviction and resulting enhanced punishment as a repeat felony offender.

Gearhart also complains his trial counsel was ineffective. He argues that his trial counsel did not subpoena the videotape from the arresting officer's squad car or the audiotapes of an emergency call made by a witness, a clerk at the convenience store where the altercation took place. The tapes, Gearhart asserts, would have substantiated his version of events. Gearhart also alleges his counsel was ineffective by not objecting to the jury. He claims that jurors who indicated in voir dire they knew the prosecutor or his family ended up on the jury and that his trial counsel permitted venire members to remain on the jury despite Gearhart's instructions to the contrary. Further, Gearhart alleges his trial counsel was ineffective by not delivering a closing argument that challenged the testimony of the officer about an injury that the officer had not included in his original report of the incident. Finally, Gearhart complains that his trial counsel made an inappropriate remark to the prosecutor, after the jury retired to deliberate, reflecting counsel's belief that the jury would find Gearhart guilty.

C. Independent Review of the Record

Since this is an Anders case, we independently review the record for error. See Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75, 80 (1988); see also Ybarra v. State, 93 S.W.3d 922, 926 (Tex. App.–Corpus Christ 2002, no pet.).

1. The Indictment

The indictment properly alleges the offense of assault of a public servant. See Tex. Pen. Code Ann. § 22.01(a)(1), (b), (d) (Vernon 2003). It also properly alleges three prior offenses as repeat felony offender enhancement. See Tex. Pen. Code Ann. § 12.42(a)(3) (Vernon 2003). Even if errors did exist in the indictment, the error could not be raised on appeal because Gearhart did not file a pre-trial motion alleging any error in the indictment. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 1.14(b) (Vernon 1977); Studer v. State, 799 S.W.2d 263, 268 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990). We find no arguable error in the indictment.

2. Pre-Trial Motions

The record reflects that the trial court heard Gearhart's discovery motion regarding production of the videotape from the arresting officer's squad car and any audiotape of the emergency call made by the convenience store clerk. The State responded that it had no such evidence in its custody or control. The trial court ruled it would permit Gearhart to subpoena any relevant videotapes or audiotapes for trial. Thus, the record reflects that the trial court did not make any ruling adverse to Gearhart. See Tex. R. App. P. 33.1. We find no arguable error in the trial court's pre-trial rulings.

3. Voir Dire

A review of the voir dire examination shows that sixteen venire members knew the prosecutor, a long-time resident of Kingsville, or his family. They all indicated they would consider the facts of the case and not base their decision on their knowledge of the prosecutor or his family. Neither the State nor Gearhart raised any challenge for cause. Thus, the trial court could not have erroneously ruled. See Johnson v. State, 43 S.W.3d 1, 5 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001); see also Allen v. State, 54 S.W.3d 427, 428 (Tex. App.–Waco 2001, pet. ref'd). Further, the trial court did not limit Gearhart's questioning of the jury. See Nunfio v. State, 808 S.W.2d 482, 485 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991). We find no arguable error in voir dire.

4. Opening Statements

As a general rule, to preserve error for appellate review, Gearhart must have made a timely, specific objection, at the earliest opportunity, and obtained an adverse ruling. Tex. R. App. P. 33.1; Turner v. State, 805 S.W.2d 423, 431 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991). Each side presented opening statements. Neither side objected to the other's. Gearhart thus waived any error in the prosecution's opening statement. See Limas v. State, 941 S.W.2d 198, 203 (Tex. App.–Corpus Christi 1996, pet. ref'd) (finding waiver for failure to object to prosecutor's closing argument). We find no arguable error in the prosecution's opening statement.

5. Sufficiency of the Evidence

a. Standards of Review

(1) Legal Sufficiency

A legal-sufficiency challenge calls for appellate review of the relevant evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979); Swearingen v. State, 101 S.W.3d 89, 95 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003); Johnson v. State, 23 S.W.3d 1, 7 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). We consider all the evidence that sustains the conviction, whether properly or improperly admitted or whether introduced by the prosecution or the defense, in determining the legal sufficiency of the evidence. Conner v. State, 67 S.W.3d 192, 197 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001). Similarly, in reviewing the legal sufficiency of the evidence, we look to all of the evidence introduced during either stage of the trial. De Garmo v. State, 691 S.W.2d 657, 661 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985).

In a jury trial, legal sufficiency is measured against the elements of the offense as defined by a hypothetically correct jury charge for the case. Malik v. State, 953 S.W.2d 234, 240 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). A hypothetically correct jury charge is one that "accurately sets out the law, is authorized by the indictment, does not unnecessarily increase the State's burden of proof or unnecessarily restrict the State's theories of liability, and adequately describes the particular offense for which the defendant was tried." Id. A hypothetically correct jury charge would not simply quote from the controlling statute. Gollihar v. State, 46 S.W.3d 243, 254 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001). Its scope is limited by "the statutory elements of the offense . . . as modified by the charging instrument." Fuller v. State, 73 S.W.3d 250, 254 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002) (Keller, J., concurring); Curry v. State, 30 S.W.3d 394, 404 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). When a statute lists more than one method of committing an offense, and the indictment alleges some, but not all, of the statutorily listed methods, the State is limited to the methods alleged. Fuller, 73 S.W.3d at 255; Curry, 30 S.W.3d at 404. This standard of legal sufficiency ensures that a judgment of acquittal is reserved for those situations in which there is an actual failure in the State's proof of the crime. Malik, 953 S.W.2d at 240. We then determine if any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson, 443 U.S. at 319; Johnson, 23 S.W.3d at 7.

If we reverse a criminal case for legal insufficiency following a jury trial, we reform the judgment to reflect conviction for a lesser offense only if: (1) we find that the evidence is sufficient to support conviction of the lesser offense; and (2) a jury charge on the lesser offense was either submitted or requested but denied. Collier v. State, 999 S.W.2d 779, 782 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999) (plurality op.) (discussing circumstances under which court of appeals may reform judgment following jury trial to reflect conviction for lesser offense); Bigley v. State, 865 S.W.2d 26, 27-28 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993) (clarifying same). Otherwise, we vacate the judgment of conviction for legal insufficiency and order a judgment of acquittal. Swearingen, 101 S.W.3d at 95.

(2) Factual Sufficiency

We also measure the factual sufficiency of the evidence against a hypothetically correct jury charge. Adi v. State, 94 S.W.3d 124, 131 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2002, pet. ref'd). We are constitutionally empowered to review the judgment of the trial court to determine the factual sufficiency of the evidence used to establish the elements of the charged offense. Johnson, 23 S.W.3d at 6. In determining the factual sufficiency of the elements of the offense, we view all the evidence neutrally, not through the prism of "the light most favorable to the prosecution." Id. at 6-7 (citing Clewis v. State, 922 S.W.2d 126, 129 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996)). We set aside a finding of guilt only if it is so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence as to be clearly wrong and unjust. Id. at 7. A clearly wrong and unjust finding of guilt is "manifestly unjust," "shocks the conscience," or "clearly demonstrates bias." Rojas v. State, 986 S.W.2d 241, 247 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998).

In conducting a factual-sufficiency review, we review the fact finder's weighing of the evidence. Johnson, 23 S.W.3d at 7 (citing Clewis, 922 S.W.2d at 133). We review the evidence that tends to prove a material disputed fact and compare it with evidence that tends to disprove it. Johnson, 23 S.W.3d at 7. We are authorized to disagree with the fact finder's determination. Id. However, we approach a factual-sufficiency review with appropriate deference to avoid substituting our judgment for that of the fact finder. Id. Our evaluation should not intrude substantially on the fact finder's role as the sole judge of the weight and credibility given to witness testimony. Id.

We always remain aware of the fact finder's role and unique position, a position we are unable to occupy. Id. at 9. Exercise of our authority to disagree with the fact finder's determination is appropriate only when the record clearly indicates our intervention is necessary to stop manifest injustice. Id. Otherwise, we accord due deference to the fact finder's determinations, particularly those concerning the weight and credibility of the evidence. Id.

Every fact need not point directly and independently to the accused's guilt. Vanderbilt v. State, 629 S.W.2d 709, 716 (Tex. Crim. App. 1981). A finding of guilt can rest on the combined and cumulative force of all the incriminating circumstances. Id. We reverse a judgment of conviction only if proof of guilt is so obviously weak as to undermine confidence in the fact finder's determination, or proof of guilt, although adequate if taken alone, is greatly outweighed by contrary proof. Swearingen, 101 S.W.3d at 97. Which standard applies generally depends on whether the complaining party had the burden of proof at trial. Zuliani v. State, 97 S.W.3d 589, 593 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003). If the accused did not have the burden of proof at trial, then the first or "manifestly unjust" standard applies. Id. If the accused had the burden of proof at trial, then the second or "against the great weight and preponderance" standard applies. Id.

In conducting a factual-sufficiency review in an opinion, we "show our work" when we consider and address the appellant's main argument for urging insufficiency of the evidence. Sims v. State, 99 S.W.3d 600, 603 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003); Johnson, 23 S.W.3d at 9; Manning v. State, 112 S.W.3d 740, 747 (Tex. App.–Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, no pet. h.); see Tex. R. App. P. 47.1. This practice benefits the parties, maintains the integrity of the justice system, and improves appellate practice. Sims, 99 S.W.3d at 603; Manning, 112 S.W.3d at 747. If we reverse a criminal case for factual insufficiency, we vacate the judgment of conviction. Clewis, 922 S.W.2d at 133-34. We remand for a new trial a criminal case reversed for factual insufficiency, so a second fact finder has the chance to evaluate the evidence. Swearingen, 101 S.W.3d at 97.

b. Sufficiency Analysis

(1) Legal Sufficiency

Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution and measuring it against a hypothetically correct jury charge, we find that the arresting officer testified to each of the elements of the offense of assault of a public servant. Gearhart struck the uniformed officer while the officer was in the process of detaining him in response to a public-disturbance complaint. Gearhart's assault bruised the officer and chipped his tooth. The convenience store clerk corroborated the officer's testimony. Gearhart stipulated in open court, in the presence of counsel, to the prior felony conviction, also for assault on a public servant. Viewing the relevant evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, we conclude that any rational trier of fact could have found beyond a reasonable doubt the essential elements of the crime, including the repeat felony offender allegation. See Jackson, 443 U.S. at 319; see also Johnson, 23 S.W.3d at 7.

(2) Factual Sufficiency

We view all the evidence neutrally, favoring neither the State nor Gearhart, and measure it against a hypothetically correct jury charge. Johnson, 23 S.W.3d at 6-7; Adi, 94 S.W.3d at 131. In addition to the arresting officer and convenience store clerk's testimony, Gearhart testified in his own defense. He admitted he had been drinking and had gotten into a disagreement with the clerk about getting free matches from the store. He admitted he had marijuana in his pocket. He denied assaulting the officer, however. Rather, he said the officer who testified and a second officer assaulted him without provocation. Finally, Gearhart admitted he had been convicted before for assaulting a public servant, although he stressed that the public servant he assaulted that time was a corrections officer, not a police officer. Viewing the relevant evidence in a neutral light, favoring neither the prosecution nor Gearhart, and with appropriate deference to the jury's credibility determinations, we conclude that the jury's verdict is not so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence as to be clearly wrong and unjust. Id. at 6-7.

Accordingly, we find no arguable legal or factual insufficiency of the evidence. 6. The Charge

Gearhart did not object to the charge. Thus, to be reversible, any error would have to constitute egregious harm. Almanza v. State, 686 S.W.2d 157,171 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985) (op. on reh'g). We find no arguable egregious error in the charge. 7. Closing Argument

Neither party objected to the other's closing argument. Thus, Gearhart waived any error. See Cockrell v. State, 933 S.W.2d 73, 89 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996); see also Limas, 941 S.W.2d at 203. We find no arguable error in the prosecutor's jury argument.

8. Punishment Phase

The record shows that Gearhart stipulated to the prior felony assault of a public servant in the culpability phase of the trial, which evidence supported his enhanced punishment as a repeat felony offender. To preserve any error in the punishment phase, Gearhart must have made a timely, specific objection, at the earliest opportunity, and obtained an adverse ruling. Tex. R. App. P. 33.1; Turner v. State, 805 S.W.2d 423, 431 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991). Gearhart did not object at sentencing on any basis. We find that he waived any challenge to the sentence imposed by the jury. See Rhoades v. State, 934 S.W.2d 113, 120 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996). Moreover, the sentence assessed was within the statutorily permissible range and was based on admissible evidence introduced during the trial. See Jordan v. State, 495 S.W.2d 949, 952 (Tex. Crim. App. 1973). We find no arguable error in the sentencing proceedings.

9. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

The record contains no evidentiary support for Gearhart's claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. When the alleged ineffectiveness asserted by a defendant occurs outside of the record, the proper vehicle for a complaint is a collateral attack that permits the development of facts concerning the alleged errors of counsel. Jackson v. State, 877 S.W.2d 768, 773 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994).

Accordingly, our independent review of the record finds that Gearhart's appeal is frivolous. We conclude that this appeal is without merit. See Penson, 488 U.S. at 80; see also Martin v. State, No. 13-02-118-CR, 2003 Tex. App. LEXIS 10181, at *3 (Tex. App.–Corpus Christi Dec. 4, 2003, no pet. h.). We affirm the judgment and sentence of the trial court.

D. Motion to Withdraw

An appellate court may grant counsel's motion to withdraw filed in connection with an Anders brief. Moore v. State, 466 S.W.2d 289, 291 n.1 (Tex. Crim. App. 1971); see Stafford v. State, 813 S.W.2d 503, 511 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991) (noting that Anders brief should be filed with request for withdrawal from case). Substitute appellate counsel in this case has not requested to withdraw from further representation of Gearhart on appeal. We hereby order counsel to advise Gearhart promptly of the disposition of this case and the availability of discretionary review. See Ex parte Wilson, 956 S.W.2d 25, 27 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). We further order counsel to file any motion to withdraw as court-appointed counsel with this Court within ten days of the date of this opinion. See Martin, 2003 Tex. App. LEXIS 10181, at *4.

ERRLINDA CASTILLO

Justice

Publish.

Tex. R. App. P. 47.2(b).

Opinion delivered and filed

this 11th day of December 2003.

Kenedeno's Texas Monthly: Karl Rove, Never Dreams of Being The President; Working "Under The Radar" Is Much More Satisfying.

2008-04-17T13:59:00.000-05:00

Kenedeno's Texas Monthly: Karl Rove, Never Dreams of Being The President; Working "Under The Radar" Is Much More Satisfying.

Karl Rove Likes What He Sees

With his new gig at Fox and a seven-figure political memoir in the works, Karl Rove has officially crossed over from shadowy 'Wizard of Oz' territory to somewhat approachable public personality. But as Lisa DePaulo finds out, that doesn't mean he's any less…pointed with his opinions

Photograph by Gillian Laub

i can see karl rove standing outside the restaurant, on the phone, yakking, pacing, occasionally peering at me through the etched-glass window and sticking a stubby finger in the air to indicate that he'll just be just one more minute. Eighteen minutes pass. He enters brusquely, with apologies and a crack about my "bright red purse" but also with the clear message that he is in control. Uncomfortable in this position, somewhat wary, constantly checking his watch ("Gotta go soon… Gotta go… Couple more minutes…"), not diggin' it, but always in control. Karl Rove is not a guy who kicks back with a drink—even coffee's a stretch ("I'm a decaf guy," he says)—and shoots the shit for a few hours. This isn't about a charm offensive—he gives the impression that he's not even sure why he's doing this. But: To be with Rove is to listen to a man who is utterly articulate and insightful and at the same time utterly…what's the word? Plain? Normal? Caucasian? If you didn't know he used to be Bush's Brain, if you didn't know he is widely credited/blamed with leading the Republican Party to an era of total world domination, if you didn't recognize him (as numerous gawkers inside the Muse hotel restaurant do) as the man W. famously dubbed "Turd Blossom," you'd think he was a middle-management sales lackey in town to sell Ginsu knives or something. The nondescript gray suit and overcoat, the geeky glasses and bald-on-the-top-with-peach-fuzz do, the briefcase (in middle school, he was the only kid with a briefcase, which pretty much sums it up). In what ways is he cool? We can't help but ask. "None," he says. "I am the antithesis of cool." We should also point out that Rove is exceedingly polite and well-mannered and, at moments, as prickly as the little cactuses on his tie. He has the demeanor of a man who had more power than he'll ever admit but is never really far from the 9-year-old who once got into a schoolyard fight over Richard Nixon, and lost. To a girl.

karl rove: Sorry to be late. I have a lunch with the Big Boss shortly.

gq: The Big Boss?
Mr. Murdoch.

Ah, that big boss. Does that mean you'll be getting more money out of Fox?
No, it doesn't.

Do you like being a TV analyst?
Uh, it's odd. You know, it's weird for me. But it's interesting.

Do you think Fox News is fair and balanced?
I do. I think they go out of their way to be fair and tough in questioning. I'm really impressed with the people I've gotten to know. Brit Hume is a very bright person; Chris Wallace has got a lot of integrity.

You also sold a book recently.
I did.

What'd ya get?
A lot.

And you're doing speeches, too, right? I read that you just gave one at Penn—
I like speaking to the college campuses.

And the first question, someone called you a cancer.
Right. Oh, sure.

You must get that all the time.
Uh, I get it some. When I go to campuses. But did you hear what I did? I just let him rant. And when he was finished, he had no question, he just wanted to accuse me of undermining the Constitution and blah-blah-blah-blah-blah. And I said, "Thanks for your thoughtful rant." And he sat down. And I said, "Now do you feel better about yourself?" And he said, "Yeah." And I said, "Well, I want you to feel better about yourself." And everybody laughed, and we went on.

But is it hard when people—
No. No. Look, everywhere I go, people say nice things to me. I don't live for that. I appreciate it, and I'm grateful for their kind words, but I don't live for it. And similarly, when people say ugly things? It doesn't affect me. They want their words to affect me. And as a result, I'm not gonna let 'em.

But when people say, "You've created this climate of fear—"
I laugh.

You laugh?
Yeah. I laugh. Sure. How? What, exactly? I'm not apologetic about what this administration has done. It's protecting America. It has won important battles in a war that we as a nation better win or we will leave the future to our kids, a much darker and dangerous future.

What's the biggest misconception about your role in the Bush White House?
That it was all about politics.

If that's the misconception, what's the overlooked truth?
Look, I'm a policy geek. What I've most enjoyed about my job was the substantive policy discussions. Being able to dig in deeply and, you know, learn about something, ask questions, listen to smart people, and form a judgment about something that was from a policy perspective.

When you look back at your career, especially in the Bush administration, what's the worst thing you did?
I'm not gonna be good at answering that.

But is there anything you feel guilty about? Or wish you did differently?
[exasperated laugh] Off the record?

No! Don't go off the record.
Off the record.

Okay, let's look back, to the very beginning of the Karl Rove story, when you got handed the keys [from Bush the father, to deliver to Bush the son] until now. And you look at where the president's approval ratings are today—
Yeah.

What did you do wrong?
Oh, look, I did a lot of things wrong. But the main thing is, we're fighting an important but unpopular war.

You still think it was the right thing to do?
Absolutely. Absolutely. And you know, one of our biggest mistakes was, the first time Harry Reid got up and said, "You lied and you deliberately misled the country," we should have gone back immediately and hit back hard, and we didn't. We let that story line develop. In reality, you go back and look at what Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Al Gore—I'd be happy to supply you the quotes—what they said about Saddam Hussein possessing weapons of mass destruction.

What are you most proud of?
Being part of a group of people I have a great deal of respect and admiration for in service of the country.

If you had to make a bet, can Hillary pull it off?
The odds are long, but improbable things have happened almost every month in this race. She wasn't supposed to win New Hampshire, and she did. So we'll see. You know, she's got a lot of strengths, and he does, too. We got two wellmatched opponents going at each other hammer and tongs. It's fun to watch.

If it's mathematically impossible for either of them to get enough delegates, how will this get resolved?
Somebody can get to a majority, but they're gonna have to get to a majority with superdelegates. Neither of them can win enough delegates to win it on just simply the elected delegates.

So if it comes down to superdelegates, doesn't that become a question of who can be more ruthless?
Well, you know, people will have to decide whether they're going to act as reflectors of the popular vote in their districts or states, or whether they're going to exercise independent judgment. I think this is the big dilemma the Democrats face: Are they going to choose a nominee who essentially is chosen, validated, by a minor aristocracy, by essentially an undemocratic group? Because, look. Does anybody think that Patrick Deval [sic], governor of Massachusetts, and Senator Ted Kennedy are gonna respect the wishes of their home-state crowd and go for Hillary Clinton, who won their state? No.

So how ugly is it gonna get?
Well, I—we don't know. We have geological ages that are gonna pass. It's not that ugly today. The wounds are fresh, but there's plenty of time for them to heal. The question is, will the wounds get deeper and more difficult to heal? We don't know. My gut tells me it happens, but I don't know.

If you could run one of their campaigns, which one would be the dream campaign to run?
Neither one.

Why?
Because I don't believe in what they say.

But just as a strategist, just to get in there and—
Yeah, well, see, for me it's not divorced from who they are and what they're all about and what they would do.

What did you think of the red-phone 3 a.m. ad?
It was a gutsy, dangerous move. She figured out that she had to do something to raise the issue of: Is he fit to be president? And this was a way to do it. I happened to be in Texas a week before the ad popped, and all of her surrogates were hitting him pretty hard on the thinness of his experience. They were pretty brutal. And this ad sort of fed into that.

Isn't that the kind of ad you would have done?
Uh, look, that's the problem. She can't run an ad—you know, the more powerful ads she can't run against him, because she's afraid of looking too moderate. He's got essentially… His argument is twofold. "Vote for me because I'll bring Republicans and Democrats together; we're not red states, blue states, we're the United States." And second of all—and he said this most passionately in the Wisconsin victory speech: "There are big issues facing the country, and it requires leadership and energy to solve them." Well, the two best counters to those are Hillary saying, "I've actually worked with Republicans and Democrats to get things done." Or McCain saying, even more pointedly, "On all the big issues where Republicans and Democrats have come together, I've been in the middle of bringing them together, and you've been way out there on the fringe. When we pulled together the Gang of Fourteen, you were out on the fringe. When we pulled together a bipartisan answer on the terrorist-surveillance program, you were way out there on the fringe. When Democrats and Republicans, regardless of where they were on the war, came together to give our troops everything they needed while they were in combat, you were way out there on the fringe." Now, she can do some of that, because she's actually tried to work with Republicans over the years. He has not since he got there. He's been coolly detached and sitting on the side. His fingerprints are on, at most, a couple of small items. And then, on the leadership issue, she can say, "Look, I've been in the middle of these big battles. I've been providing the leadership. Sometimes we won, sometimes we lost. But at least I've been involved." And McCain will be able to sharpen that even more.

It seems like you're talking about authenticity here. Are you saying Obama is inauthentic?
I'm saying that he has adopted two themes for his campaign that are not supported by his actions.

Do you think Obama would be easier to beat?
I try not to think about those things. Because that inevitably leads you to believe, I would like to have A or I would like to have B. You need to keep your mind open about both of them.

You've said—what was the phrase you used about Hillary? "Fatally flawed"?
Fatally flawed. I just thought her flaws would show up in the general election. I didn't know they'd show up as early and as strong as they have.

Which flaws?
Uh, calculating. You know, she went through the period where she had the calculated laugh, she went through the period where she had the calculated accents, and you build that on top of a person who already has the reputation that anything she says is calculating, you know…

Is calculating a terrible thing?
It is if people think it's phony. And that's what her problem is. That and the sense of entitlement. You know, the sense of "This is mine, I deserve it; we're the Clintons, this is ours." And I think that really caused a lot of people to say, "You know what? It's not yours." And do we really want to go back? The '90s were nice in a lot of respects, but do we really want to go back to all that drama?

There is something ironic about Karl Rove criticizing someone for being calculating.
Right. Look, it's one thing to calculate and say, "What's the best way for me to do this?" It's another thing to say, "What's the best way to do this, even if it means the sacrifice of my fundamental principles?" When she stood up there and said, "I'm in front of an African-American group in Alabama, so let me adopt a phony southern accent!" And when she sat there and said, "You know what? I need to warm myself up, so for the next weeklong period I'm gonna sit there and laugh and cackle at anything that is even remotely funny." You know, when both she and he, who are free traders by instinct, went to Ohio and said, "We're gonna renegotiate NAFTA," when they know that (a) there's no provision to renegotiate NAFTA, and (b) the Canadians and the Mexicans are not gonna want to renegotiate NAFTA, and (c) when both of them understand that trade liberalization, particularly with our neighbors, has been to our economic advantage, who are they kidding?

But when people call you calculating, do you take that as a compliment?
Look, what I'm charged with is, in politics, taking the material that I have to work with—which are the views and values, convictions and principles, of my candidate or client—and charting the best path to victory. That's different than saying, "How am I gonna take a fundamental belief or a reality of me as an individual and discard it?"

So there's good calculating and bad calculating?
Absolutely.

If Hillary pulls it out, will Mark Penn [her chief strategist] be considered a genius?
Mark Penn is a very smart guy regardless of whether or not she pulls it out. He's a very smart guy.

But don't you think there've been a lot of mistakes?
Sure. But if you have to lay them at the feet of one person, you lay them at the feet of the candidate. The candidate sets the tone.

Are you surprised at how Obama exploded?
You know, I want to be careful—I think we need to be careful about not getting carried away with a narrative that doesn't truly exist. Like the story this morning in The New York Times about "the Obamacans"—the Republicans who support Obama.

You don't buy that?
No. Do I buy that there are Republicans who support Obama? Sure, I do. But take a look at the last four polls on which there are cross tabs available. There are twice as many Democrats defecting to McCain as there are Republicans defecting to Obama. In the Fox poll, Obama takes 74 percent of Democrats and loses 18 to McCain. And McCain keeps 80 percent of Republicans and loses 10 to Obama. And in every one of the polls, it's nearly twice as many Democrats defect to McCain as Republicans defect to Obama. And against Clinton, it's three times as many. Know why? Well, there are a lot of different reasons why. There are Democrats, particularly blue-collar Democrats, who defect to McCain because they see McCain as a patriotic figure and they see Obama as an elitist who's looking down his nose at 'em. Which he is. That comment where he said, you know, "After 9/11, I didn't wear a flag lapel pin because true patriotism consists of speaking out on the issues, not wearing a flag lapel pin"? Well, to a lot of ordinary people, putting that flag lapel pin on is true patriotism. It's a statement of their patriotic love of the country. And for him to sit there and dismiss it as he did—

You're not wearing a flag pin, Karl.
Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. But I respect those who consciously get up in the morning and put a flag lapel pin on.

Do you see the elitist thing in other ways?
Obama is coolly detached and very arrogant. I think he's very smart and knows he's smart, but as a result doesn't do his homework.

So the Dems have two rattled candidates?
Right. Now, you got one candidate who's got an appeal to the blue-collar Democrats: Clinton. I call them the beer drinkers. And then you got the white-wine crowd, which Obama appeals to. There's a brilliant article by Ron Brownstein in the latest issue of National Journal in which he charts the change in the nature of the Democrat-primary vote, and it's becoming younger, more affluent, and more liberal. And that means that blue-collar Democrats, whatever's left of them, are on their way out of the Democratic Party.

What do you make of this whole thing where Hillary was talking him up as a vice president and he came back saying, "Wait a minute, I'm winning—why are you asking me to be your number two?"
Very calculating on the part of the Clintons, and a mistake for him on his part.

Why?
Because they wanted him to get down to their level. They want him to look like, you know, not the golden inspiring figure but instead, you know, like an average ordinary pol who's got three years in the United States Senate. So they lay it out there. And rather than having it be dismissed by a surrogate, instead he goes out there! And rather than having an inspiring, forward-looking message, instead he's out there as an ordinary pol saying, "Hey, I'm number one, I'm in first place! I won more states than she did. I won more delegates than she did. What the hell's she doing offering it to me? That's insulting." And he did it in an arrogant way that I don't think made him look that good.

So you don't think his response played well?
No. Take a look at the footage. Turn the sound off and look at it. You can tell that he is arrogant, and you can tell that he's a little bit angry, and you can tell he's very dismissive. He takes his hands and he sort of, you know, waves his hand like, "I'm dismissing something." That was the moment to say, you know, "Look, I know what my opponents are saying, but you know what? I'm focused on one thing and one thing only, which is to help bring Republicans and Democrats and independents together to move America forward." Instead of "Hey, lemme just remind you, I'm winning! I'm beatin' her!"

So he took the bait?
He took the bait.

Have you gotten to know Hillary or Barack to any degree?
Yes, I have.

What have been your dealings with them?
Well, you know, I used to have her office at the White House. And I got to know [Obama] because we have a mutual friend, Ken Mehlman, who was his law-school classmate at Harvard. And so as a result, whenever in the last three years he's been around at the White House, I've gotten to see him, and we sort of would hang around and chitchat about things. I'm actually in his book. He wrote that "people like Newt Gingrich, Tom Delay, Ralph Reed, and Karl Rove say we are a Christian nation." And I did not say that. I confronted him about it. At the White House.

And what did he say?
Well, first he denied that I was in the book! And then he denied that it said that I said that it was a Christian nation. And then when I pulled out the thing [he had a copy of the offensive page with him] and showed it to him, he sort of blah-blah-blah-blah-blah- blah-blah. And I thought, That's who he is. I mean, look, he may claim that he's for a different kind of politics, but that was a cheap shot. And I'm not certain if any of the four said it either. But it was like, you know, Let's just strap it in there and see if it goes someplace. Another example: Him saying, "We honor John McCain for his fifty years of service" was a cheap shot. He was going out of his way to say John McCain's old.

Is John McCain too old?
No.

Do you think Obama's gotten a free ride from the press?
Yes.

How so?
I don't think they hold him to the same standards. You know, look, his Web site is full of all kinds of proposals written by academics galore. But he's not required to defend them. He's not required to explain what it is he wants to do. Now I think that's changing. I think, when you have an editorial in USA Today that says, in essence, Where's the beef, what's the substance? When reporters start asking him tough questions about his relationship with Tony Rezko—you know, what was the value of the lot? What was the price that you paid? How many fund-raisers did he do for you? How much money did he raise at those fund-raisers? When they start asking him those questions, then it starts to change. I mean, the kind of questions that have been routinely asked of other candidates—about their background and associations and involvements—have only recently begun to be asked of him.

I get the sense you respect Hillary more than you respect Obama.
Off the record?

Please don't go off the record.
Off the record… [Yeah, it's good. Sorry.]

Damn! Now say that on the record.
No. Nope. Nope. Nope.

Let's try again, then: on the record. I get the sense you respect her more than him.
Uh, I know her better than I know him. And I just, uh—she has been around public life a lot longer and has demonstrated, you know, more involvement than he has.

Let's talk about Bill. You've gotten to know him better, right?
Yeah.

What do you think of him now?
He's a very entertaining rogue. He's a larger-than-life character. You can't help but sort of like him. But boy, he has made some missteps in this campaign.

Yeah, what's up with that? He's supposed to be this political genius. What's going on?
He's all wrapped up in it. He's lost his detachment. Sometimes you can be more detached about yourself than you can be about members of your family. He's all revved up about her and making mistakes.

Do you buy any of the pop psychology that there's a part of him that's sabotaging her?
I—I—that is way beyond. I have never… I don't have a couch that anybody could sit down on, and… I don't know, I don't know.

But you were surprised to see how he handled the South Carolina thing?
Well, it may have been calculated, I don't know. Maybe they made a calculated decision that, Hey, we need to send a message that all he can do is win states with African-American voters. But I don't think it played—even among Democrats.

Recently, in a meeting with some people from the Republican National Committee, you said, "Do not use 'Barack Hussein Obama.' "
Right, right. Um, in politics—

Is that because it's not right?
It's wrong. But not only that, it's counterproductive. In politics, there are arguments that are seen as not factual and not fair, or trivial, and they blow up in your face. And this is one that people look at and say, "You're trying to imply something about him that's not true. I think you're going a bridge too far, and I'm reacting negatively." I mean, he didn't pick his middle name, somebody else did. And he doesn't go out of his way, like Hillary Rodham Clinton to, you know, emphasize it.

You probably never thought, eight years ago, that John McCain would be the nominee.
You know what? In politics, second acts are either really bad or really good. And so the question was gonna be, Who might want to succeed Bush? McCain was always a possibility. He's always harbored a desire.

What do you think of him now?
I like him. We bonded in the '04 campaign.

Do you have to hold your nose to vote for him?
No, no, not at all. I enthusiastically voted for him. I just sent in my absentee ballot [in Texas], and I gave him $2,300.

So what's your life like now, Karl? Are you based in Washington still?
We're splitting our time between Washington and a place we have in the panhandle in Florida. And a little place in Texas. We're looking to be in Texas more permanently starting this fall. We've enjoyed Washington, but look, I don't wanna be like… I got a guy, lives around the corner from us in Washington, who had a prominent role for six months in the Reagan administration, and he's still living off of it twenty-some-odd years later. I don't intend to do that.

What do you intend to do?
I'm trying to figure that out. I've got a couple years between the book and the speeches and Fox and my Newsweek column and my writing for the Wall Street Journal and some things I'm doing in politics under the radar.

What do you do for kicks?
I read and go hunting. And travel with my wife.

Tell us about your wife.
She's a terrific, courageous person.

Is it hard being married to you?
Uh, I don't think it's hard being married to me. I think it's hard being married in public with me.

Let's talk about the last couple of scandals you've been involved in. Don Siegelman in Alabama [the Democratic governor whom Rove was recently accused of trying to sabotage by forcing U.S. attorneys to bring corruption charges against him prior to an election]. What happened?
[rolls his eyes] Will you do me a favor and go on Power Line and Google "Dana Jill Simpson" [the Republican lawyer who told 60 Minutes that Rove asked her to take a picture of Governor Siegelman cheating on his wife]? She's a complete lunatic. I've never met this woman. This woman was not involved in any campaign in which I was involved. I have yet to find anybody who knows her. And what the media has done on this… No one has read the 143-page deposition that she gave congressional investigators—143 pages. When she shows up to give her explanation of all this, do you know how many times my name appears? Zero times. Nobody checked!

Then how did this happen?
Because CBS is a shoddy operation. They said, "Hey, if we can say 'Karl Rove,' 'Siegelman,' that'll be good for ratings. Let's hype it. We'll put out a news release on Thursday and then promo the hell out of it on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday." And Scott Pelley—the question is, Did [60 Minutes correspondent] Scott Pelley say to this woman, "You say you met with him. Where? And you say that he gave you other assignments earlier. When did he begin giving you assignments, and what campaigns did you work with him in? What evidence? I mean, this woman, she said she met with him: Okay, you met with him—where? Did you fly to Washington?" Now she says that she talked to me on the phone and she's got phone records. Of calls to Washington and Virginia. But what's Virginia? I don't live in Virginia. And it's 2001. What is in Virginia? It's not the Bush headquarters; that was in Austin, Texas. What is in Virginia? So—but look, she's a loon.

What about the U.S. attorneys? Should you have had a role in hiring and firing?
[a little peeved now] What was my role in firing those U.S. attorneys?

Your position has been—and tell me if I have this wrong—that you basically relayed complaints?
To the counsel's office. Correct.

And that was an appropriate thing to do?
Oh sure. Sure it is. Sure it is.

What's your relationship with the president now?
Good. Really good.

Do you talk a lot?
Yeah.

Did you know that Laura called you Pigpen?
Yeah. [laughs] Laura Bush intimidates me. All the Bushes—well, most of the Bush men marry incredibly strong women, and they all intimidate me. Barbara Bush I've lived in fear of for thirty-seven years.

What's your goal with this book? You intend to set the record straight, as you see it?
Absolutely, absolutely. Sure. You bet. I intend to set the record straight.

I imagine you're going to have a lot to say.
Yeah, exactly. Available soon for $29.95…. I gotta go! I gotta go!

Wait, quickly: Do you believe Roger Clemens?
Um, yes, I do.

If he gets nailed on perjury charges, is that the kind of guy Bush might pardon?
I'm sorry?

Do you think if he got nailed, that would be the type of person Bush would pardon?
I'm not gonna answer that. I mean, he's done nothing wrong.

Should Scooter Libby be pardoned?
I'm not gonna answer that. Just not. Just not. But thanks for asking.

lisa depaulo is a GQ correspondent.

April 02, 2008

HEB is part of out community. We Know, We're from Here

2008-04-01T02:11:00.005-05:00

"Good evening Mr. and Mrs. North and South America and all the ships at sea. Let's go to press."

Sources close to the recent property acquisition (by HEB) at the corner of Timbergate and South Staples where Wal-Mart had planned to build a Supercenter have revealed their plan . After, assessing the situation and careful consideration of the Community's concerns and input HEB has opted to turn the land into a park. It was indeed the original intentions (of HEB) to negate the Corporate Bully Attitude of WAL MART as a Southside competitor; however, HEB is performing an intangible unendeavored by WAL MART (here in South Texas). Although the move is out of expediency it is fair to classify the building of a Public Park as Community Goodwill and is in example an act of good faith of giving back into our community. It still goes to question exactly what the community reaction will entail. It will be interesting to watch the process and the community engagement in the upcoming rounds. HEB is part of out community,

Corpus Christi Watchdog Authority: A total of $507,500! Lawsuits against DMC by two former College employees and a student were settled out of court

2008-03-28T04:58:00.000-05:00

Corpus Christi Watchdog Authority: Friday, March 28, 2008
A total of $507,500! Lawsuits against DMC by two former College employees and a student were settled out of court

Lawsuits against DMC by two former College employees and a student were settled out of court, for a total of $507,500.

Theresa Cox, former dean of Equal Opportunity/Affirmitive Action, Equity, Access and Compliance was awarded $450,000 after suing the college for wrongful termination, demotion, retaliation, and change in work assignments, according to the suit.

In another settlement stemming from a joint lawsuit against the college, citing civil rights violations, former student Melody Lopez received $7,500 and Alberto Benitez, former criminal justice instructor, received $50,000.

"Upon the advice and recommendation of the College's outside litigation counsel and its risk pool carrier, the lawsuits filed by former student Melody Lopez and former employee Theresa Cox were settled out of court to avoid additional expense and disruption of College business," Auggie Rivera, Counsel to the BOR, said.:

Los Mamons Terry Shamsie, Joseph Ramirez, Mike Rendon and Bra Lencho Rendon

2008-03-03T21:53:00.004-06:00

CONSULTING FIRM DISCOVERS THAT PEGGY BANALES OWN CAMPS POLL INDICATES BENAVIDES WINS

IN an unprecedented scramble for cover, Peggy Banales camp including Terry Shamsie, Joseph Ramirez, Mike Rendon and Lencho Rendon's own polls indicate Joe Benavides is in the lead. Insiders in their camp reveal they are running for cover and El Defenzor Live has just revealed some very very bad associations between Rendons and Peggy Banales where she breached her duty to her own constituents by diverted funds and votes to Robstown. Calallen voters are outraged!! Curtains for Paycheck Peggy!!! Go Joe Go!!!

BLASTING PEGGY BANALES.

Insiders inside the Peggy Banales camp indicate that they are howling with rage at the freedome of speech exerted by El Defenzor Live. Can't take the heat Peggy and company???

Update: After this release we at Los Kenedenos recieved information contrary to information released by themericanprince on the linked website realsouthtexaspolitics.blogspot.com. We have confirmed this information and have spoken with players and witnesses. We can confirm the protesting and financial strong arming tactics of the incumbents camp and this same camp's monopolizing take over agenda of Robstown and greater Nueces county. We have learned of a very serious and concerning matter involving the manipulation of KTMV time slots and the refusal to run ads (already paid for) by the challenger Joe Benavides. This is due to the station KTMV knuckling under to pressure from BND Yanqui Lencho (via his mouthpiece) & DOS LOGISTICS self dealer Terry Shamsie.

that's nothing. Rendon is trying to cover it up and trying to threaten Homero and the owners of KTMV!! These dirt bags need to go!
Jaime Kenedeño said...
Great Work Homero

No Cajones KTMV? or Sell Outs?

Dont worry these crooks wont be around till election time again.

But we will be here to remind KTMV of their invertebrate existence.
Los Kenedenos & El Defenzor will keep pounding & discovering.
All threats are taken seriously and are reported to law enforcement immediately; all phone conversations are recorded.

Nueces Democrats: Hegemony: Power, Culture & Ideology: Lencho Rendon: The Pimping Out Of The President & Hillary:

"Now back to the “Shamsie Cronies” it is rumored and warnings have been issued! The media is being “Strong Armed” financially! Elite and Power Brokers (Powercrats) within the Democratic Party are frowning on the media who promote any other option for the Democratic primary and certainly to support an independent will bring the wrath of both Parties! They are in essence saying, “we are going to use our Incumbent resources to discourage (SQUEEZE) clients from working with your business’ if you (the Media) speak negatively of Shamsie! Even if it is true."

Nueces Democrats: Hegemony: Power, Culture & Ideology: Lencho Rendon: The Pimping Out Of The President & Hillary

2008-03-03T12:37:00.000-06:00

Nueces Democrats: Hegemony: Power, Culture & Ideology: Lencho Rendon: The Pimping Out Of The President & Hillary:

"It is a simple choice, vote for Joe or vote for the Solomonista."

Hegemony: Power, Culture & Ideology: Danny Guerra is Congressman Solomon Ortiz's Second Staff Resignation in Two Months. Why Did Danny Resign?.

2008-01-17T03:12:00.000-06:00

Hegemony: Power, Culture & Ideology: Danny Guerra is Congressman Solomon Ortiz's Second Staff Resignation in Two Months. Why Did Danny Resign?.

Danny Guerra is Congressman Solomon Ortiz's Second Staff Resignation in Two Months. Why Did Danny Resign?.

Congressman Ortiz Selects Denise Blanchard as Chief of Staff

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Congressman Solomon Ortiz has selected Denise Blanchard as his chief of staff.

Blanchard was formerly deputy chief of staff and district director. She was promoted to replace Fernando Gomez who resigned.

Blanchard, a Brownsville native and Ortiz' long-time Director of District Operations, has worked for Ortiz for more than 16 years. Her experience includes constituent services, district office operations, and a political understanding of South Texas. She began service with Ortiz in 1991, becoming District Director in 1995. Previously, she worked with the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, the Brownsville Economic Development Council and the Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport.

This is Ortiz's second staff resignation in two months.

Ortiz’s long-time communications director, Cathy Travis, resigned Dec. 31 to continue her writing career. Ortiz hired Dallas-native Danny Guerra, 25, to replace Travis. Guerra wrote previously for political news magazine Congressional Quarterly. According to The Brownsville Herald, he also worked previously with several Texas legislators.

And Let us Not Forget

Representative Ortiz to replace his long-time chief of staff, 'Lencho' Rendon with 'Nando' Gomez.

Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi, also announced the promotion of Denise Blanchard, director of district operations to deputy chief of staff, the post Gomez held.

Ortiz said that Gomez, “is very level-headed. He is not the type that gets angry. He always looks at the issue before he makes a decision and he always counsels with the staff.”

Ortiz said Gomez of Gregory worked in Washington, D.C., for eight years as legislative director for former U.S. Rep. Martin Frost, as Ortiz’s legislative director in 2005, followed by promotion to deputy chief of staff. Ortiz said Gomez handles military matters. Gomez also worked in Austin for the state Legislature.

and more

"These guys will be the bridge between legislation on Capitol Hill and my constituents in South Texas," Ortiz said. "They work well together and are universally respected on Capitol Hill and in South Texas. Both deeply understand and are committed to the needs of people in my congressional district."Did somebody say bridge?

Ortiz said both Gomez and Blanchard are also likely to follow in Rendon's footsteps, playing an active role in local politics.

South Texas Chisme: Nueces County Sheriff proves he is a Republican

2008-01-14T01:20:00.000-06:00

South Texas Chisme: Nueces County Sheriff proves he is a Republican

"People have a perception of who you are based on how you look," Kaelin said. "It is time to let the public know that there has been a change."

We at Los Kenedenos have received information (unconfirmed) that one of the new patrol vehicles has been totaled.

Why didnt anyone let the public know that one of these brand new cruisers has already been totaled.

If this is true (and it is believed to be true), why has the Good Sheriff not let us know of the bad news.

We need to hear the bad news immediately.

Watts said, Noriega should debate McMurrey. McMurrey has challenged Noriega to debates, but Noriega's camp has declined so far

2008-01-09T08:21:00.000-06:00

Jan. 9, 2008, 6:37AM
Win by Clinton could affect Senate race here
Ex-candidate Watts says Dems may be less likely to spend in Texas

By R.G. RATCLIFFE
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

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AUSTIN — The ability of the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee to raise national party money for the general election campaign in Texas may be hindered if Hillary Rodham Clinton is the party's presidential nominee, one-time senatorial candidate Mikal Watts said Tuesday.

"If Hillary is the nominee, that will have an effect on whether the national Democrats will play in Texas," Watts said.

"The prevailing thought is the Republicans don't have anybody who will motivate their base to get out. There are some who think Hillary will do that," he said.

Watts said he has seen Texas polling that shows "right-wing Republicans" react more negatively to Clinton than they do to Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama or John Edwards.

"I think whoever is the Democratic nominee will be the president, but it's a different story cobbling together 270 electoral votes and doing well in Texas," Watts said in an interview with the Houston Chronicle.

Watts, a millionaire trial lawyer, dropped out of the race in October, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family than he could if he continued to run statewide. He left state Rep. Rick Noriega of Houston as the presumptive Democratic nominee to take on Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

But since that time, Noriega has picked up three opponents: Corpus Christi school teacher Ray McMurrey and perennial candidates Gene Kelly of Universal City and Rhett Smith of San Antonio. Because voters apparently confused him with the late actor, Kelly won the Democratic Senate nomination in 2000.

"I don't see either McMurrey or Gene Kelly getting any traction," Watts said of the current primary. "It's pretty clear he (Noriega) will be the nominee, and he's the person best equipped to take on John Cornyn."

Watts said he does not think it will hurt Noriega in the eyes of national donors and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee if Noriega has to win the nomination in a runoff.

"It slows him down for a month. Obviously, he'd rather be the nominee earlier rather than later. But my advice to him would be to save his resources for Cornyn," Watts said.

Watts said he donated $100,000 to the DSCC in late December. He said the committee chairman, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, will decide on whether to help fund Noriega's campaign based on polling done in the summer.

"They are fiduciaries of money and they're trying to pick up Senate seats. So they'll spend the money where it will be most effective," Watts said. "Rick will be in a good position to make his case for that money, but there are a lot of pick-up opportunities across the country."

At present, Noriega has raised about $1 million. Cornyn in October had $6.6 million in the bank.

As preparation for the general election, Watts said, Noriega should debate McMurrey. McMurrey has challenged Noriega to debates, but Noriega's camp has declined so far.

"I don't think debating hurts anybody. Rick and I were prepared to have a series of debates," Watts said. "You're going to want to have debates with Cornyn, and you're going to want to be able to say you took on all comers in the primary and Cornyn ought to in the general."

Noriega campaign manager Sue Schechter said the debate argument with McMurrey is a matter of "semantics." She said Noriega and McMurrey have had repeated joint appearances at local Democratic forums, but that McMurrey has not shown up for all of them.

"Our challenge would be for him to start showing up at these events where we are both invited," Schechter said.

r.g.ratcliffe@chron.com

Nueces Democrats: Robert Zamora:A Man of Strength & Stability ; Winning Back The Nueces County Democratic Party For All South Texas Democrats

2008-01-01T05:26:00.000-06:00

Nueces Democrats: Robert Zamora:A Man of Strength & Stability ; Winning Back The Nueces County Democratic Party For All South Texas Democrats

Zamora Announces for Party Chair

Updated: Jan 1, 2008 12:31 AM

A local attorney has announced he is running for chairman of the Nueces County Democratic Party.

There has been talk that several people might run. On Monday, attorney Robert Zamora officially announced that he has filed for the position, which is now held by Alex Garcia Jr.

"I have not only experience as a lawyer operating my own business for close to 30 years," Zamora said. "What I would like to do is lend the energy and the experience that I have to the operation of the Democratic Party here in Nueces County.

The race will be decided in the state presidential primary in March.

Nueces Democrats: We dont know that Joe Benavides will make a better Commissioner than the incumbent

2007-12-28T04:59:00.000-06:00

Nueces Democrats: We dont know that Joe Benavides will make a better Commissioner than the incumbent

With this precinct I have not a vote however, the County Commissioners are engaged towards progress for our community as a whole.

Dannoynted1:

"Our Large Family attended the "Annual Feast of Sharing" event held at the Bayfront Plaza.

Joe Benavides was one of our servers (i believe he was a soft drink server), and Mrs.Banales also was there with her husband.

I will not talk about the burnt tamale(only I got) but lets just say the mashed potatoes were the best my man says the rolls were the best.

Considering it is election time, I am surprised most politicians were absent. But with the way they rushed you out after you ate, You certainly did not have any time to "network".

The candidates that did attend, I apologize for not mentioning you as I was there only a small window of time..."

It was so different from the last time I went, which with regret, was not last year.

I must say the food was better at the events that cost money."

JK:

We dont know that Joe Benavides will make a better Commissioner than the incumbent but I do know Joe was working and he volunteered out of his commitment to the community. Joe has over the years volunteered and donated his services diligently. One might argue he is only volunteering his time and services because he wants to "get elected".

I dont believe this is the case. I have known Joe for a little over two years and I know his father. In the past, Joe Benavides has run a couple of times for office but, he volunteers regardless of whether he is running or not.

Will Joe Benavides continue to volunteer if he wins?

We can only know after we vote for him.

We do know his incumbent opponent was not volunteering at the Feast of Sharing.

We do know Joe Benavides' incumbent opponent was parading around with her hubby in tow. Was she making a statement? The message IMO was she is not worried about her challenger, she does not take him serious and she is not going to change her routine ways for her constituents. We do not know how she represents her constituency but we do know she is not going to change it.

All we can do is allow Joe Benavides to tell us how is going to represent his constituents.

We can ask him questions and hear his answers.

With Joe Benavides' incumbent opponent we dont have to ask her anything because we have her record to refer to.

The only thing I remember is that, "She could work harder" if she gave herself a pay raise.

I also know she was walking around when she should have been working.

As far as the Family name and integrity, we might should ask the ME about the trangressions.

Ask her about the real reason she decided to run.

Parkdale Bank: Ray Mc Murrey Is From Here, He Still Believes Like It Says In The Intro, "I'll be a straight-shooter & a square-dealer "& He Does "Reme

2007-12-28T03:06:00.000-06:00

Parkdale Bank: Ray Mc Murrey Is From Here, He Still Believes Like It Says In The Intro, "I'll be a straight-shooter & a square-dealer "& He Does "Remember The Alamo"

"I'll be as hardy of mind as I am of body. I'll be a straight-shooter and a square-dealer. My family name will be sacred My word will be as good as any contract. I'll remember the Alamo. I'll stick by my friends. And I'll eat more chicken-fried steak."

"We do not win by replacing a corporate Republican with a corporate Democrat," said Mr. McMurrey, speaking to about a dozen supporters at an East Austin residence.

Ray told me this before he spoke at his Official Announcement to run against the Corporate Democratic Military Industrial Complex Candidate for Texas US Senator.

A very passionate candidate who is anything other than a fake or what some like to call a politician.

Ray is not a Politician and this is a very very positive attribute.

Dont get me wrong he is very well suited for the Senate and the diplomacy is there but there is a sternness that demands his respect kind of like the respect and command he possesses in the classroom. I think we can all agree, if he can handle our youth in the classroom he will do well for us in Washington.

Two more things

Remember the Alamo

and

Stay tuned for Jan 2 next year.

"We do not win by replacing a corporate Republican with a corporate Democrat," said Mr. McMurrey, speaking to about a dozen supporters at an East Austin residence.

Ray Mc Murrey is from Corpus Christi.

He tells us upfront of his progressive leanings and his disappointment in both of the Hegemonic Parties.

Hegemony,.... Watch the Movie "Hot Fuzz".

Dancing Politicos: Texas Monthly Web Press: Fil & Junior John ( the Two Juniors) dont give a hoot about a VA Hospital or Children’s Healthcare, they d

2007-12-23T13:19:00.000-06:00

Dancing Politicos: Texas Monthly Web Press: Fil & Junior John ( the Two Juniors) dont give a hoot about a VA Hospital or Children’s Healthcare, they dont care about S TX

On the lamb........
Posted on December 23, 2007 at 07:27:59 AM by Borrego/Laurels Acres sold ....?title

Post 1 December 23, 2007 at 6:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What a superficial column! This is never about anything substantive- never discusses any real political issues. This lady is just a groupie at council and commissioner's meetings, reporting the stupid things they do or say.

The last week of the year is when people are making their final decisions to run for office. Something could have been written about attorneys thinking of challenging the rude Judge Longoria or what happened about possible opponents to Juan Garcia but no she'd rather talk about nonsense. If she wants to learn more about what commissioners are thinking when they dress the same perhaps she can do a series hiding out in each politician's closet and watching and listening to them dress- and the Caller - Times can get someone to deal with the more serious issues.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yes post 1 , it may be superficial , but is that earning the money we paid for them to "work harder"?

How much does faux "cleric" Tyne r Little earn? Enough for him to be elevated by the County Judge to "Reverend, are you all set?"

When did this happen? Dress rehearsal for another Loyd (Insurance) deal perhaps, but it was whatever "Kneel" wanted it to be.

What is 9/10th's of the law? Abandonment?
WACO?!?

This is criminal why does Jaime Powell not report "eminent domain" this crime fraud? Paul Jones & Ennis Joslin land giveaway?

Or the Pat rick Birmingham CCCC discrimination?

"A-B-C.....easy as 1-2-3.....it-is -free, it is wise to remember, no one rides for free.

We can always tell when you lie, your lips move.

Paid to fluff, all that is tough....

I'll take......
Posted on December 23, 2007 at 12:27:41 PM by Jaime Kenedeno

prime rib for 1000 Alex.

I mean, really..... we need to give Alex Garcia the boot and find somebody who will not only unite but to invigorate the State of the County Politics and engage the Citizenry of Nueces County Voters Voting.

We need to realize the one's who profit from division and it is not the average Nueces County Citizen.

We have State of the County events held with the publics money; yet the public was never invited.

We have the hyenas circling and making advances (but we do not see them). They are dressed in Lambs Clothing.

Texas Monthly Web Press: Fil & Junior John ( the Two Juniors) dont give a hoot about a VA Hospital or Children’s Healthcare

Fil Junior only seeks a Federal Bench for Rose

South Texas Chisme: Could it be true, Is Fil Vela involved with Connie Scott?

Treasurer?

TLR hates South Texas, does that include Connie and her Hubby?

WATTS his name? Mike Scott?

The Two Juniors represent not a mainstream Texas but they represent the Transplanted Texans (like Bush) and the Elite Texans (like K.C.Rove).

Junior John will say WATT ever it takes to get re elected.

>Why hasn't anyone gone after Filemon personally as a way to derail Rose?
>If you go to www.fec.gov and follow the instructions on finding out who
>gave to whom, how much, and when, then load up Filemon Vela as an
>Individual Search you'll see he's made significant contributions to two
>notorious politicians. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and Senator Robert
>Menendez (D-NJ). Hunter is an undicted coconspirator in the very same mess
>that sent ex-rep "Duke" Cunningham's ass to prison recently, and Menendez
>is currently under federal investigation for shady real estate dealings by
>renting a building he owns to a non-profit and pocketing $300, 000.00 in
>taxpayer subsidies.

Junior John is working with Fil Vela Jr. & Federal Prosecutors (in the Valley, CC, SA & Houston) to Manufacture White Collar Crime and use it as a Political Strongarm when the Political Strongarm should be accomplishments and the actual construction of a VA Hospital in the Valley.

Junior John has got to figure in this mix and Fil is the inroads (for Cornyn) into South Texas. We need to put a Big Stop Sign up in Robstown and inform them about Connie Scott as I understand Fil Vela is her campaign manager or treasurer and Mike Scott is a TLR guy with a title

We dont need to speculate or debate how Junior John will vote

, who he will benefit and who he represents. No if ands or buts about it Junior John’s Record is who he is, how he votes, who he represents and it is not the average Texan

Texas Monthly Web Press

2007-12-14T00:27:00.000-06:00

Texas Monthly Web Press: Search page for "lab"

If Houston, Texas weren't, thanks to the power of oil and the military industrialist complex that defends it, the shadow capital of the world, I'd say Mr. Treece was right. Instead he's wrong.
The Houston Crime Lab is the printing press for Mob and CIA get-out-of-jail-free-cards and licenses-to-kill.
This is the biggest local, state, national AND international news story to come down the Pike in the history of the Republic. Period. NO national scandal compares...not Tammany Hall, not the Texas Veterans Land Board Scandal, not Watergate, not Iran-Contra nor the S&L Scandal..though the Iran-Contra and S&L Scandal are part of this story.
Iran-Contra was operating out of Texas and Louisiana and thanks to a qui tam law suit involving former Under-Secretary at HUD, Catherine Austin Fitts, we learned that Houston was also ground-zero of the S&L slime pit.Drug money was being funneled through HUD loans to fund the Contras.
KBR, Halliburton, Temple-Inland (on whose board sits the CEO of the Carlyle Group), Air Products and Chemicals (on whose board sits L Paul Bremer), etc. all have a substantial presence in Houston and Ellington Field, Houston, was not only home to Claire Chennault's Flying Tigers during WWII, whose mercenary efforts were funded by Indo-China's drug money, but also home to key Iran-Contra personalities in the 1980's including James R Bath

B.A.C.A.L.A.: Velacrat is making friends with the Federal Entrapment gang and sycophants up to the ones he believes will elevate his Rose

2007-12-09T05:52:00.000-06:00

B.A.C.A.L.A.: Abel Hererro has proven himself and his record is there for all to see; he is a fine representative

Abel Hererro has proven himself and his record is there for all to see. I am proud of Abel, he is a fine representative.

There is a natural law I always like to follow, "If it isnt broke , then it don't need fixin".

On the other hand,

Velacrat is making friends with the Federal Entrapment gang and sycophants up to the ones he believes will elevate his Rose to a Federal Judicial Bench.

Is Fil Vela going into the fraud abuse prosecution racket & the manufacturing of fraud abuse prosecutions?

Inroads (for GOP) into South Texas?

Hurt? Injured? Need a Lawyer? Too Bad!

TLR?? ..................................three little bitty letters;

nah, I wouldnt worry bout em.

When did Rick James get so much Appointment Power?.......What is required for those who want it bad enough?

2007-12-05T03:00:00.000-06:00

Appointment Opportunities
This list reflects the opportunities for board and commission appointments with positions expiring in the next 12 to 18 months.

Last updated November 15, 2007.

It is subject to change on a daily basis as appointments are made and as resignations are received. If you have questions regarding the continued availability of a position or the qualifications for a particular board or commission, please call our office.

Opportunities in Chronological Order
NOTE:
# indicates number of positions available for appointment
Date indicates the day on which the appointments become available

BOARD # Date
Agricultural Finance Authority Board of Directors, Texas 3 1/1/07
Securities Board, State 2 1/20/07
Acupuncture Examiners, Texas State Board of 3 1/31/07
Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board, Texas 2 1/31/07
Architectural Examiners, Texas Board of 3 1/31/07
Blind & Visually Impaired, Governing Board of the Texas School for the 2 1/31/07
Building & Procurement Commission, Texas 1 1/31/07
Crime Victims' Institute Advisory Council 8 1/31/07
Deaf, Governing Board of the Texas School for the 3 1/31/07
Facilities Commission, Texas 1 1/31/07
Housing and Community Affairs, Texas Department of 2 1/31/07
Jail Standards, Commission on 2 1/31/07
Land Surveying, Texas Board of Professional 2 1/31/07
Manufactured Housing Board 2 1/31/07
Nurse Examiners, Board of 4 1/31/07
Optometry Board, Texas 3 1/31/07
Pension Review Board, State 1 1/31/07
Physical Therapy Examiners, Texas Board of 3 1/31/07
Private Security Board, Texas 2 1/31/07
Real Estate Commission, Texas 1 1/31/07
Real Estate Research Advisory Committee 3 1/31/07
Aging and Disability Services Council 3 2/1/07
Automobile Theft Prevention Authority 2 2/1/07
Brazos River Authority Board of Directors 7 2/1/07
Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke, Council on 1 2/1/07
Chiropractic Examiners, Texas Board of 3 2/1/07
Colorado River Authority, Lower 1 2/1/07
Colorado River Authority, Upper 3 2/1/07
Correctional Managed Health Care Committee 1 2/1/07
Counselors, Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional 3 2/1/07
Criminal Justice, Texas Board of 3 2/1/07
Dental Examiners, State Board of 5 2/1/07
Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee 1 2/1/07
Developmental Disabilities, Executive Committee of the Texas Office for the Prevention of 1 2/1/07
Developmental Disabilities, Texas Council for 7 2/1/07
Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee 1 2/1/07
Educator Certification, State Board for 2 2/1/07
Environmental Education Partnership Fund Board, Texas 2 2/1/07
Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Council, Texas 1 2/1/07
Fire Protection, Texas Commission on 3 2/1/07
Funeral Service Commission, Texas 3 2/1/07
Guadalupe River Authority, Upper 3 2/1/07
Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, Board of Directors 3 2/1/07
Health and Human Services Council 3 2/1/07
Health Disparities Task Force 1 2/1/07
Human Rights, Commission on 2 2/1/07
Indigent Defense, Task Force on 2 2/1/07
Interstate Adult Offender Supervision, Texas State Council for 1 2/1/07
Juneteenth Cultural and Historical Commission, Texas Emancipation 2 2/1/07
Marriage and Family Therapists, Texas State Board Examiners of 3 2/1/07
Medical & Mental Impairments, TDCJ Advisory Committee on Offenders with 4 2/1/07
Medical Physicists, Texas Board of Licensure for Professional 3 2/1/07
Municipal Retirement System Board of Trustees, Texas 2 2/1/07
Neches River Municipal Water Auth. Bd. of Directors, Upper 1 2/1/07
Nueces River Authority Board of Directors 7 2/1/07
Nursing Facility Administrators Advisory Committee 3 2/1/07
Occupational Therapy Examiners, Texas Board of 2 2/1/07
Pardons & Paroles, Board of 1` 2/1/07
Parks & Wildlife Commission 1 2/1/07
Pest Control Board, Texas Structural 2 2/1/07
Physical Therapy & Occupation Therapy Examiners, Executive Council of 1 2/1/07
Preservation Board, State 1 2/1/07
Prison Industries Oversight Authority, Private Sector 3 2/1/07
Product Development & Small Business Incubator Board 3 2/1/07
Public Finance Authority, Texas 3 2/1/07
Review Committee, State Community Development 9 2/1/07
Rio Grande Regional Water Authority 4 2/1/07
Risk Management, State Office of 2 2/1/07
School Safety Center Board, Texas 4 2/1/07
Sex Offender Treatment, Council on 2 2/1/07
Social Worker Examiners, Texas State Board of 2 2/1/07
Texas Southern University Board of Regents (Student Regent) 1 2/1/07
Transportation Commission, Texas 2 2/1/07
Workforce Commission, Texas 1 2/1/07
Tax Professional Examiners, Board of 2 3/1/07
OneStar National Service Commission 1 3/15/07
Trinity River Authority Board of Directors 8 3/15/07
Radiation Advisory Board 5 4/16/07
Military Facilities Commission, Texas 2 4/30/07
Lavaca-Navidad River Authority 3 5/1/07
Historian, Texas State 1 5/29/07
Coastal Coordination Council 2 5/31/07
Rio Grande Compact Commission 1 6/9/07
Polygraph Examiners Board 2 6/18/07
Judicial Council, Texas 2 6/30/07
Mutual Insurance Company Board of Directors, Texas 1 7/1/07
Sabine River Authority of Texas 3 7/6/07
Podiatric Medical Examiners, Texas State Board of 3 7/10/07
Health Coordinating Council, Statewide 4 8/1/07
Veterinary Medical Examiners, State Board of 3 8/26/07
School Land Board 1 8/29/07
Alzheimer's Disease & Related Disorders, Texas Council on 2 8/31/07
Juvenile Probation Commission, Texas 3 8/31/07
One Call Board 4 8/31/07
Pharmacy, Texas State Board of 3 8/31/07
Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, State Board of Examiners for 3 8/31/07
Teacher Retirement System of Texas Board of Trustees 3 8/31/07
Texas State Technical College System Board of Regents 3 8/31/07
University of Houston System Board of Regents 3 8/31/07
Water Advisory Council, Texas 1 8/31/07
Youth Commission, Texas 2 8/31/07
Dietitians, Texas State Board of Examiners of 3 9/1/07
Economic Development Stakeholders, Advisory Board of 2 9/1/07
Emergency Communications, Commission on State 2 9/1/07
Emergency Services Personnel Retirement Fund, State Board of Trustees of the TX Statewide 3 9/1/07
Forensic Science Commission, Texas 4 9/1/07
Genetic Services, Interagency Council for 2 9/1/07
On-Site Wastewater Treatment Research Council 6 9/1/07
Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee 11 9/1/07
Workforce Investment Council, Texas 1 9/1/07
Angelina and Neches River Authority Board of Directors 3 9/5/07
Plumbing Examiners, Texas State Board of 3 9/5/07
Animal Health Commission, Texas 5 9/6/07
Engineers, Texas Board of Professional 3 9/26/07
Library and Archives Commission, Texas State 2 9/28/07
Seed and Plant Board, State 3 10/6/07
Independent Living Council, State 5 10/24/07
Rehabilitation Council of Texas 7 10/29/07
Psychologists, Texas State Board of Examiners of 3 10/31/07
Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Texas 1 11/15/07
Judicial Conduct, State Commission on 1 11/19/07
Hearing Instruments, St. Comm. of Examiners in the Fitting and Dispensing of 3 12/31/07
Humanities Texas 3 12/31/07
Public Safety Commission 1 12/31/07
Retirement System, Texas County and District 3 12/31/07
Veterans Commission, Texas 2 12/31/07
Water Development Board, Texas 2 12/31/07
Women, Governor's Commission for 13 12/31/07
Agricultural Finance Authority Board of Directors, Texas 2 1/01/07
Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council 5 1/01/08
Medical Board District Four Review Committee, Texas 2 1/15/08
Medical Board District One Review Committee, Texas 2 1/15/08
Medical Board District Three Review Committee, Texas 2 1/15/08
Medical Board District Two Review Committee, Texas 2 1/15/08
Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board, Texas 1 1/31/08
Crime Victims’ Institute Advisory Council 6 1/31/08
A&M University System Board of Regents, Texas 1 2/01/08
Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Texas Council on 3 2/01/08
Cancer Council, Texas 1 2/01/08
Disabilities, Governor’s Committee on People with 6 2/01/08
Finance Commission of Texas 3 2/01/08
Historical Records Advisory Board 1 2/01/08
Industrialized Building Code Council, Texas 1 2/01/08
Inspector General for Health & Human Services, Office of 1 2/01/08
Midwestern State University Board of Regents (Student Regent) 1 2/01/08
School Safety Center Board, Texas 5 2/01/08
Soil and Water Conservation Board 1 2/01/08
Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents (Student Regent) 1 2/01/08
Texas Southern University Board of Regents (Student Regent) 1 2/01/08
Texas State University System Board of Regents (Student Regent) 1 2/01/08
Texas Tech University System Board of Regents (Student Regent) 1 2/01/08
Texas Women’s University Board of Regents (Student Regent) 1 2/01/08
University of Houston Board of Regents (Student Regent) 1 2/01/08
University of North Texas Board of Regents (Student Regent) 1 2/01/08
University of Texas System Board of Regents (Student Regent) 1 2/01/08
Midwestern State University Board of Regents 3 2/25/08
One Star Foundation 1 3/15/08
One Star National Foundation 4 3/15/08
Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission 1 3/17/08
Gulf Coast and Atlantic States Regional Task Force 2 4/20/08
Outer Continental Shelf Policy Advisory Committee 1 5/18/08

South Texas Judicial Watch Dog Authority: A Bill for the Creation of a Robstown Nueces County Constitutional Judge?

2007-11-15T02:13:00.000-06:00

Now, Dick Cheney can shoot who he pleases and whenever he chooses to; after all was not Bo Hubert (John John's Consanguinity) one of the ones who covered the incident up for the inebriated Dick ?

South Texas Judicial Watch Dog Authority: I submit the legislation to be illegal, unconstitutional and in violation of election codes, government codes and a circumvention of trickery to spite the failed legislation that attempted (and failed) to create a new Judicial district in Kleberg & Kenedy Counties.

Sen Bill 1951 of the 80th Leg: 1 District Court with 2 District Attorneys no where else but the 105
Posted on November 14, 2007 at 11:52:34 PM by Jaime Kenedeno

Isn't that like having 2 Attorney Generals for the same state.

Can a County elect 2 County Attorneys

Can a County have 2 County Attorneys for the same county.

ADA's & ACA's are not elected nor are they appointed to serve by the Governor.

I submit the legislation to be illegal, unconstitutional and in violation of election codes, government codes and a circumvention of trickery to spite the failed legislation that attempted to create a new district in Kleberg & Kenedy Counties.

The legislation that created the New District Attorney Position in Kleberg & Kenedy County must be challenged.

There is only one district.

There can only exist 1 District Attorney per District.

"Anything else, would be uncivilized"

Senate Bill 1951 of the 80th Legislature

Political Bigomy After All Karl Rove is From Utah
Posted on November 15, 2007 at 00:41:33 AM by Jaime Kenedeno

Is it not illegal for two to be espoused to one?

Think we can legislate another Congressional Rep for the 27th Cong Dist to help Solomon with the "backlog" of legislation in the applicable counties.

The precedent has been created get busy and start exploiting it.

A Robstown Nueces County Constitutional Judge?

Create a County Constitutional Judge's office for both Robstown & Calallen/Annavile, and get Gov. Rick Perry to give the nod to Patti or Randolph Boothe or Sam Keech as first County Constitutional Judge of Robstown & Calallen/Annaville.

Political Bigomy After All Karl Rove is From Utah
Posted on November 15, 2007 at 00:41:33 AM by Jaime Kenedeno

Is it not illegal for two to be espoused to one?

Think we can legislate another Congressional Rep for the 27th Cong Dist to help Solomon with the "backlog" of legislation in the applicable counties.

The precedent has been created get busy and start exploiting it.

A Robstown Nueces County Constitutional Judge?

Create a County Constitutional Judge's office for both Robstown & Calallen/Annavile, and get Gov. Rick Perry to give the nod to Patti or Randolph Boothe or Sam Keech as first County Constitutional Judge of Robstown & Calallen/Annaville.

Potential Juror 26........
Posted on November 15, 2007 at 00:59:29 AM by d1

was told "Just trying to stay out of trouble"....LIAR...because If you were "you lied"!

Go back to Iraq where they need your kind of prosecution......I forgot your Farsi/Arabic sucks.

"Your Honor, I'm gonna have to spend the rest of the summer in the library"

More like the rest of your life......Your hate is well documented as you can READ English, do you understand/comprehend English?

TLR/Totally Live Recognition........Now, Dick Cheney can shoot who he pleases and whenever he choices to.

With you in his pocket....no need to utilize Jaime Powell.

WATT is the Number of the Judicial District for this so called District Attorney
Posted on November 15, 2007 at 01:21:39 AM by Jaime Kenedeno

Sec. 43.182. DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR KLEBERG AND KENEDY
COUNTIES. (a) The voters of Kleberg and Kenedy Counties elect a
district attorney. The district attorney has the same powers and
duties as other district attorneys and serves the district courts
of Kleberg and Kenedy Counties.
(b) The district attorney shall attend each term and session
of the district courts of Kleberg and Kenedy Counties and shall
represent the state in criminal cases pending in those courts. The
district attorney has control of any case heard on petition of writ
of habeas corpus before any district or inferior court in the
district.
(c) The commissioners courts of the counties comprising the
district may supplement the state salary of the district attorney.
The amount of the supplement may not exceed $12,000 a year. The
supplemental salary must be paid proportionately by the
commissioners court of each county according to the population of
the county. The supplemental salary may be paid from the officers'
salary fund of a county. If that fund is inadequate, the
commissioners court may transfer the necessary funds from the
general fund of the county.

The Legislation Failed but if you notice the language is the same
Posted on November 15, 2007 at 01:26:39 AM by Jaime Kenedeno

Sec.i24.567.ii423RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (KENEDY AND KLEBERG COUNTIES). (a) The 423rd Judicial District is composed of Kenedy and Kleberg Counties.

(b)iiThe 423rd District Court shall give preference to criminal cases.

(c)iiIn addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the 423rd District Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the county courts in Kenedy and Kleberg Counties and the statutory county court in Kleberg County over all matters of civil and criminal

3832 79th Legislature — Regular Session 79th Day

jurisdiction, original and appellate, in cases over which a county court has jurisdiction under the constitution and laws of this state. Matters and proceedings in the concurrent jurisdiction of the 423rd District Court and the county court or county court at law may be filed in either court and all cases of concurrent jurisdiction may be transferred between the 423rd District Court, the county court, and the county court at law. However, a case may not be transferred from one court to another without the consent of the judge of the court to which it is transferred, and a case may not be transferred unless it is within the jurisdiction of the court to which it is transferred.

(b)iiSection 24.207, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec.i24.207.ii105TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT ([KENEDY, KLEBERG, AND] NUECES COUNTY [COUNTIES]). (a) The 105th Judicial District is composed of [Kenedy, Kleberg, and] Nueces County [counties]. The court shall give preference to criminal cases.

(b)iiThe terms of the 105th District Court begin[:

[(1)iiin Kenedy County on the first Mondays in June and December;

[(2)iiin Kleberg County on the first Mondays in April and October; and

[(3)iiin Nueces County] on the first Mondays in February and August.

(c)iiThe judge, with the approval of the commissioners court, may appoint an official interpreter of the court [in Nueces County] who serves at the will of the judge. The official interpreter shall take both the constitutional oath of office and an oath that he will faithfully interpret all testimony in the district court as official interpreter. The oath is sufficient for his service as official interpreter in all cases in the court [in Nueces County] during the interpreter's term of office. The judge may also assign the official interpreter to assist the court's probation officer in the discharge of the probation officer's duties.

(c)iiThe heading to Section 43.148, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec.i43.148.iiKENEDY, KLEBERG, AND NUECES COUNTIES [105TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT].

(d)iiSubsections (a) and (c), Section 43.148, Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a)iiThe voters of Kenedy, Kleberg, and Nueces counties [the 105th Judicial District] elect a district attorney. The district attorney has the same powers and duties as other district attorneys and serves all the district, county, and justice courts of Nueces County and the district courts of Kleberg and Kenedy counties.

(c)iiThe commissioners courts of Kenedy, Kleberg, and Nueces [the] counties [comprising the district] may supplement the state salary of the district attorney. The amount of the supplement may not exceed $12,000 a year. The supplemental salary must be paid proportionately by the commissioners court of each county according to the population of the county. The supplemental salary may be paid from the officers' salary fund of a county. If that fund is inadequate, the commissioners court may transfer the necessary funds from the general fund of the county.

(e)iiThe local administrative district judge shall transfer all cases from Kenedy and Kleberg Counties that are pending in the 105th District Court on September 1, 2005, to the 423rd District Court.

Thursday, May 26, 2005 SENATE JOURNAL 3833

(f)iiWhen a case is transferred as provided by Subsection (e) of this section, all processes, writs, bonds, recognizances, or other obligations issued from the 105th District Court are returnable to the 423rd District Court as if originally issued by that court. The obligees on all bonds and recognizances taken in and for the 105th District Court and all witnesses summoned to appear in the 105th District Court are required to appear before the 423rd District Court as if originally required to appear before that court.

(g)iiThe 423rd Judicial District is created September 1, 2005.

SECTIONi7.ii(a)iiEffective January 1, 2007, Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.569 to read as follows:

Failed Creation of the 423rd District

Why did they try to create the 423rd Judcial District?
Posted on November 15, 2007 at 01:36:58 AM by Jaime Kenedeno

Sounds like how Hitler thought

Did they think they needed a new Judicial District to create the new District Attorney position?

We have here in this situation a District Attorney without a Judicial District.

Tell me I am wrong and back it up, any takers?

South Texas Verdad: Just remember that last step is a doozie.

2007-10-28T23:35:00.000-05:00

Randolph (Randy) Delay

South Texas Verdad: Power we giveth and power we can taketh away. Ask CCREDC's Joe Elizondo, Juan G and yes ask even Mikal Watts.

Power is a united people.

Dont piss us off. TLR Connie Scott, BACALA, Fil Vela (FED sycophant & Johnny come lately white collar crime manufacturer for WATT???? BUT of COURSE! Nothing less than a Federal Judgeship Appointment for his "Tyler Rhodes" wife and sitting 13th COA Justice).

Corpus Christi Caller Times
Google Yourself Corpus Christi: Is Fil Vela going into the fraud abuse prosecution racket & the manufacturing of fraud abuse prosecutions?

Rendon, longtime Ortiz aide, will retire : Corpus Christi Local ...
Rendon served as an adviser to numerous successful political campaigns including those of Fil Vela's wife, District Judge Rose Vela; former Nueces County ...

In a 1996 case, the 14th Court of Appeals ruled that the Klein Independent School District must release information to the parents of a student in the

2007-10-15T02:57:00.000-05:00

The Texas Public Information Act
A User's Guide to Major Changes Made by the 76th Legislature

* Executive Summary

* New Procedures For Billing May Create Delays
(side bar)

* New Procedures for Records Access
(side bar)

Effective September 1, 1999, changes to the Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552) will improve access to records for most people seeking information from state or local government. As a follow-up to our report "Break the Dam: Access to Public Information in Texas," Consumers Union publishes this short guide to the reforms enacted by the 76th Legislature. We also identify some new concerns, and hope that well informed requestors can avoid the potential pitfalls in the revised Act. This guide should not be construed as legal advice, and we recommend that anyone attempting to use the Public Information Act refer directly to the statute or consult a qualified attorney.

New Pitfalls:
"Repetitious or redundant" requests (SB 1851)

Despite opposition from public interest and media organizations, the legislature enacted a new provision in the statute that could delay or limit access to public information, unless requestors know about it and plan ahead. Under new Texas Government Code Chapter 552.232, a governmental body does not have to provide copies of the exact same information more than once.

Under the new provision, if you have asked for and been given access to copies-and you ask for it again-the governmental body may respond with a letter "certifying" that you have already been given access to this information. The governmental body can respond in this way even if you never actually saw the information. This could happen if you request copies, never pick them up, and request them again later. This new provision, purportedly drafted to prevent "harassment" of officials, could be used to limit or deny access to public records.

The "certification" procedure only applies when the same person asks for the information more than once. The government's right to "certify" does not apply to information for which the governmental body has not previously furnished copies. It is unclear what governmental bodies will do with requests where a portion of the information was previously made available but much of the request is new.

To avoid this problem altogether, it is more important than ever to collect the copies you request.

Application of the Public Information Act

You may now review records of certain quasi-governmental entities that were not clearly covered by the Act in the past.

· Certain Houston-Area Property Owners Associations (new 552.0035, HB 3407): A property owners association is subject to the Public Information Act if it is in Harris or an adjacent county, membership is mandatory for certain categories of residents, the association has the power to assess a fee on residents, and the fee is (or has ever been) based on property value.

· Open-enrollment charter schools (amendment to Education Code 12.105(b), HB 211): The education code now specifies that any requirement of the Public Information Act that applies to school districts, school boards, or school children now applies to open-enrollment charter schools.

New Exceptions

Unfortunately, the legislature elected to close access to several types of information formerly available to the public.

· Economic development information (new 552.131, SB 1851): A new exception will allow governmental bodies to keep information confidential if it relates to "a financial or other incentive being offered" to a business prospect or if it relates to a trade secret or commercial or financial information of the business prospect. After an agreement (for tax incentives, utility discounts, land development, etc) is actually made between a governmental body and a company, the details of the financial incentives are public. It is not clear from the statutory language whether information about financial incentives offered but not taken will become public. We believe it will.

· Public Utility Information (new 552.131, SB 7): The electricity deregulation bill created a broad new exception for information that the governing body of a public electric or gas utility "in good faith determines" is related to the utility's competitive activity. This exception applies even if the public utility opts out of competition. The new provision also excepts the text of any resolution of the utility governing body that outlines which issues, activities or matters constitute competitive matters. The attorney general's determination will be limited to (1) whether the governing body acted in good faith, and (2) whether the information sought is reasonably related to a competitive matter. This exception is extremely broad, but the statute also contains a list of items still available to the public and anyone researching a public utility should review this list.

· Information relating to Inmates (new 552.131, HB 1379): This new exception generally closes information related to inmates of the Department of Criminal Justice. However, the breadth of the exception was mitigated by a new provision at 552.029 that lists specific information about inmates that must be released, including inmates names, unit, offense, dates of parole or release, basic information about the death of an inmate in custody, incidents involving the use of force, crimes involving inmates and more.

· Informers against school districts (new 552.131, HB 211): Although the statute previously exempted information that would reveal the identity of an informer, its application outside the criminal investigation context has been unclear. This new exception specifically closes the names of people who inform against a school district for either criminal, civil or regulatory enforcement, unless the person was involved in the illegal activity.

· Officers killed in the line of duty (amended 552.117, SB 1846): Certain personal information about officers killed in the line of duty will no longer be disclosed.

· Crime Victim's Compensation Fund (new 552.132, SB 1851): Crime victims who seek assistance from the Attorney General's crime victim compensation fund will be given the opportunity to elect to keep their name and other identifying information confidential. If a crime victim is actually awarded compensation, the name of the crime victim and the amount of compensation awarded are public.

Improvements to the Act: Narrower Exceptions

The changes to existing exceptions narrow them and fix problems long identified by advocates and citizens trying to get information.

· Audit working papers (552.116, SB 1851): "Draft" audit reports have been confidential under this exception, even if a "final" audit report was never released. Amendments to the audit working papers exception made "draft" audits open.

· Litigation (552.103, SB 1851): The attorney general and members of the public have consistently argued that the litigation exception is not designed to protect from the public anything that a governmental body believes might one day become a subject of litigation. Governmental bodies, however, have used this exception to keep information confidential for months or even years, waiting for some party to file a suit. The statute has now been amended to state clearly that the litigation exception only applies to information related to litigation that is "pending or reasonably anticipated on the date that the requestor applies" for the information.

· Trade secret (552.110, SB 1851): Regulated businesses and the agencies that supervise them have used the trade secret exception to protect a broad range of "commercial or financial" information filed with government. The legislature amended the Act to specify that "commercial or financial" information is only excepted if it is "demonstrated based on specific factual evidence that disclosure would cause substantial competitive harm."

Certain Information

Clearly Public (552.022, SB 1851)
Many have argued over the years that information falling into one of the "Categories of Public Information" (Sec. 552.022) is clearly public. These categories include completed government reports, names of officials, information used to estimate public expenditures, agency procedures, rules, policies, etc. However, the courts allowed governmental bodies to protect even this information if it also appeared to fall under one of the Act's exceptions.

The statute now states that the information listed in the "Categories of Public Information" is public, and not subject to the exceptions in the Public Information Act itself, unless the information is explicitly excepted under another provision of law. For example, a completed report by or for a governmental body is now clearly public, but a "market conduct" report issued by the Texas Department of Insurance remains confidential because a provision of the insurance code explicitly closes this report. The amendments to this section further clarify that a court may not order a governmental body to withhold any of the information in the "Categories of Public Information" unless the information is expressly made confidential under other law.

Some of the key items on this list include:

· administrative staff manuals and instructions to staff that affect members of the public,
· a completed audit, evaluation or investigation made of, for or by a governmental body (except criminal investigation files closed under the law enforcement exception),
· most information relating to accounts, vouchers or contracts for the expenditure of public funds, and
· information used to estimate the need for public funds upon completion of the estimate.

Enforcement

· Mandamus - If a governmental body refuses to provide public information, you may file a writ of mandamus as before. However, the mandamus suit is facilitated in two ways:

1. As noted above, the governmental body may not argue exceptions that it did not first bring to the AG; and

2. Attorney fee provisions are somewhat more friendly to requestors. Under the new statute, a requestor will receive attorney fees unless the governmental body reasonably relied on a decision of the court or an AG opinion when it withheld the information.

· New Complaint Procedure - If you believe a governmental body has violated any provision of the Act you can file a compliant with your local district or county attorney. The district or county attorney must respond to your complaint within 31 days, and tell you whether a violation was committed and an action will be brought. If the local attorney elects not to bring an action, you may take your complaint to the AG.

Costs
For information the governmental body intends to provide you, it may charge for copies as before, but it may also charge for inspection of records where you take no copies if:

1. The governmental body has 16 or more full-time employees; and

2. The information requested is either older than five years or completely fills six or more archival boxes; and

3. The information will take more than five hours to make available for inspection;
Or

1. The governmental body has fewer than 16 full-time employees; and

2. The information requested is either older than three years or completely fills three or more archival boxes; and

3. The information will take more than two hours to make available for inspection.

If only some of the information is older than five years (or older than three years for smaller entities), we believe agencies cannot charge for inspection. The intent of this section was to provide some cost reimbursement for the time governmental bodies spend compiling records that are truly voluminous or in storage due to age. This issue may be clarified when the General Services Commission produces new rules governing charges under this section.

More Information

Consumers Union wants to know how governmental bodies use these new provisions. If you are unable to get information because an official "certifies" that it has already been given to you, or the new requirement that you accept an estimate of charges results in unnecessary delays, or any other provision becomes a problem for you, please give us a call at 512-477-4431, or email us at mitcka@consumer.org.

If you have specific questions related to a request for information, you may call the Open Records Hotline at the Office of the Attorney General at 512-478-6736.

If you wish to speak with an attorney related to an open records request, you may also contact the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Legal Hotline at 1-800-580-6651. While these attorneys cannot provide legal advice, they can help you with general information about your rights under the Act based on the facts you present.

Consumers Union Southwest Regional Office, June 1999

Please contact us at: http://www.consumersunion.org/contact.htm
All information ©1998 Consumers Union

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dselliff@ccisd.us; "king high"

Back to Law & the Media home page
Back to FOI home page
Freedom of Information
Texas Public Information Act

The Texas Open Records Act was revised in the 1995 session of the legislature to include for the first time information stored electronically in computers. At the same time the name of the law was changed to the Texas Public Information Act.

Texas has had an open or public records law since 1973. The law grants access by the public to information held by governmental agencies. Before 1973, such records were not necessarily available.

The issue involving public records is an age-old one. Those who have control over the records want to limit access to them for all kinds of reasons. Citizenry, represented by the news media, believe that government and government records should be open.

It’s a traditional clash with the media taking the lead in reminding government officials that they are in fact public servants and that records do belong to the public. A study by The Dallas Morning News in 1993 revealed that many governmental agencies in the state routinely ignored requests for information covered under the Open Records Act.

The revised Texas Public Information Act begins with this pronouncement:

Under the fundamental philosophy of the American constitutional form of representative government that adheres to the principle that government is the servant and not the master of the people, it is the policy of this state that each person is entitled, unless otherwise expressly provided by law, at all times to complete information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created. The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed to implement this policy.

This chapter shall be liberally construed in favor of granting a request for information.

—Government Code Chapter 552.

The revised act establishes a fee schedule for state and local governments to use in providing requested public records and a way to request records that are not created or stored by the government agency in the exact format the person requesting the information needs. Features of the new public information law apply to all levels of government in Texas, even local cities and police departments.

As an example, records stored in a typical fashion by an agency may be requested in a more usable format. A procedure for doing that is established in the new law. The agency may charge for providing the information as requested.

A government agency that receives an open records request must provide the information within 10 days unless the agency believes the requested information falls under one of the 26 exemptions to the law. If the agency believes the request falls in that category it must request an attorney general’s opinion.

The attorney general’s office must respond to this request for an opinion within 60 days or the information request will be automatically granted.

The attorney general’s office maintains an Open Government Hotline at 512 478 6736 or toll free at 877 673 6839.

If a person needs help getting information from any governmental agency, including local agencies, a compliance officer is available in the Open Records Division of the General Services Commission in Austin. The telephone number is 512 475 2497. Most recently the person in charge has been Hadassah Schloss. The office e-mail address is public.info@gsc.state.tx.us. Ms. Schloss’ e-mail address is hadassah.schloss@gsc.state.tx.us.

The Texas Public Information Act does not require the release of information contained in records of an educational agency or institution. In a 1996 case, the 14th Court of Appeals ruled that the Klein Independent School District must release information to the parents of a student in the district.
Law Enforcement Information

One of the ongoing controversies has to do with information compiled by law enforcement agencies. Once upon a time, such reports were normally available to the press, although the access was not required by law.

A section in the Public Information Act exempts information held by law enforcement agencies or prosecutors that deals with “the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.”

The attorney general’s office has tried to clarify what that means in a series of rulings.

One of the rulings said that law enforcement agencies that followed the practice of providing records before the Open Records Act was passed were not prohibited by the act from continuing that practice. The intention of the legislature was not, the ruling said, “to close to the press sources of information to which it had access under prior agency policies.”

In 1976, the Supreme Court of Texas in an appeal brought by the Houston Chronicle ruled that the front pages of offense reports and administrative reports must be made available.

A ruling by the Supreme Court in Holmes v. Morales in 1996 said that only the most basic facts of closed criminal cases must be divulged. The case was brought by John B. Holmes Jr., the district attorney of Harris County. The ruling permits district attorneys to withhold closed case files from the public.
The Attorney General’s Opinion

In 1999 the attorney general issued an opinion about basic information that must be released by law enforcement agencies.

The information that must be released is:

The name, age, address, race, sex, occupation, alias and physical condition of an arrested person;

The date and time of the arrest;

The offense charged and the court in which it is filed;

The details of an arrest;

Booking information;

The notation of any release or transfer;

Bonding information;

The location of the crime;

The identification and description of the complainant;

The premises involved;

The time of the occurrence of the crime;

The property involved;

The vehicles involved, if any.

A description of the weather;

A detailed description of the offense; and

The names of the arresting and investigating officers.

(OR99-0436)
Texas Public Information Handbook

An excellent book about the Public Information Act is available from the attorney general’s office. It is the Public Information Handbook and it may be obtained by writing the attorney general’s office at Post Office Box 12548, Austin 78711-2548 or by telephone at 512 463 2100.

The attorney general’s web site is www.oag.state.tx.us.
Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas

Since 1978, the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas has been a force for open government in the state.

The foundation was begun with a grant from the Belo Foundation, and it has been supported through the years by a host of media companies, law firms and individuals.

The foundation operates with a board of directors and an advisory council.

The foundation publishes a Texas Freedom of Information Handbook. It publishes a quarterly newsletter. It has an annual meeting and sponsors ongoing educational programs.

The foundation’s web site is www.foift.org. Inquiries may be made by e-mail at foift@airmail.net. The telephone number is 214 977 6658.

The foundation operates an FOI hotline 24 hours a day at 1 800 580 6651.

Texas Public Education Watchdog Authority: Why would Texas re elect a loser who ALWAYS votes against education and Texas children?

2007-09-11T22:33:00.000-05:00

Texas Public Education Watchdog Authority: Why would Texas re elect a loser who ALWAYS votes against education and Texas children?

Why would Texas re elect a loser who ALWAYS votes against education and Texas children?

Cornyn poised in re-election fight to stick by Bush on taxes, Iraq
Republican seeking second U.S. Senate term next year is banking that voters will back him on stands he's taken.
Listen to this article or download audio file.Click-2-Listen

By W. Gardner Selby
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, September 11, 2007

For someone who proclaims his independence from the White House, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas can still sound like a cheerleader for President Bush.

Speaking to fellow Republicans in Fort Worth at a presidential straw poll recently, Cornyn staked a claim to re-election next year as a pro-war, anti-tax candidate who expects to match up with voter sentiments in his home state.

Ralph Barrera
AMERICAN-STATESMAN
(enlarge photo)

John Cornyn says he has differed with Bush some.

MORE W. GARDNER SELBY
W. GARDNER SELBY

He stressed his support for the course Bush has set in Iraq and suggested that voters can rely only on Republicans to extend the tax cuts Bush made in his first term.

Two Democratic Senate hopefuls, San Antonio lawyer Mikal Watts and state Rep. Rick Noriega of Houston, are counting on voters to hold Cornyn accountable for Republican stewardship of Congress in the first four years of his six-year term.

"People will not rehire someone who has had bad plans replaced by more bad plans," Noriega said.

Watts called Cornyn a senator "who parrots exactly what he's told to say by this administration and Karl Rove," the former White House counselor.

Cornyn, who ran in 2002 as part of "Team Bush," said in an August interview that he has been a Bush ally on judicial appointments and the war on terrorism but that he has also parted with his friend on a few issues.

A Cornyn proposal to allow greater access to federal records has cleared the Senate without White House backing. Cornyn also is among senators at odds with the president by proposing to give states alternative ways of complying with the federal education accountability system that Bush started.

Also, he and Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., are seeking to grant the Food and Drug Administration regulatory authority over tobacco and ingredients including nicotine, a step yet to be endorsed by Bush.

This summer, Cornyn opposed the Bush-favored compromise on changes to immigration policy. The senator unsuccessfully offered an amendment barring felons and other offenders from legal residency.

He later called Bush tone-deaf on the issue. "I don't think he had any real concept of the public engagement on that issue," he said.

In Fort Worth, though, Cornyn said Bush was absolutely right to raise the specter of Vietnam when discussing Democrats' calls for a timed withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

If American forces leave prematurely, Cornyn said, the region will plunge into a humanitarian crisis, and unwatched terrorists will plot attacks. "Unless we get the job done, they will follow us here," he said. "And we've got to make sure that never ever happens again. Not another 9/11, not ever."

His Democratic opponents each noted that as young men, Cornyn and Bush didn't serve in Vietnam.

Noriega, a lieutenant colonel in the Texas National Guard, said, "Comparing Vietnam to the Middle East is like comparing apples to wheat; they are not in the same food group. Differences include geography, terrain, cultures, religion, technology, history of region, just to name a few. This is just another example of the unfortunate circumstance we face when we have leaders who have not walked the walk."

Watts said, "I don't think there is a plan for victory in Iraq. ... We have to stay in the region, but I don't think we should be standing around on street corners getting shot at while we observe someone else's civil war."

On the domestic front, Cornyn charged Democrats with planning not to extend tax cuts enacted at Bush's request starting in 2001. Barring congressional action, cuts of income, capital gains, dividends and other taxes will expire in 2011.

On Capitol Hill, the cuts are rated either Bush's keystone domestic achievement or a gift to the nation's wealthiest residents.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that extending the tax cuts would cost the government more than $1.8 trillion through 2017.

Tax-cut advocates say such money rightly belongs to taxpayers.

Cornyn's take: Democrats will let into law the biggest tax increase in history.

"They're going to do it without a single vote unless we get the majority back," he said. "They're going to do it because the tax relief that we passed under President Bush back in 2003 will expire unless we make it permanent. And we have to get the majority back and keep taxes low and keep America growing."

Watts said he would review each tax cut one by one but opposes extending cuts for the wealthy as long as government runs a deficit.

Noriega called it "blatantly false" to forecast all the cuts vanishing.

Nationally, 52 percent of voters favored making the tax cuts permanent in a poll conducted this year by Moore Information, an Oregon-based research firm. Thirty-eight percent preferred to let the cuts expire, and 10 percent had no opinion.

Republicans and a plurality of independents supported making the cuts permanent. A majority of Democrats wished to see them expire.

About half of respondents agreed that the cuts should be extended only for households with annual incomes of less than $150,000. About a third of voters favored making the cuts permanent for everyone.

Jason Furman, an economist and senior fellow with the Brookings Institution, an independent research outfit, testified before the House Ways and Means Committee last week that extending the cuts would widen after-tax income gaps between Americans.

Furman said a best-case U.S. Treasury projection suggests an extremely slight impact on the economy, with extended cuts more likely increasing the national debt and reducing government savings.

An eventual need to repay the cuts, he said, would drive down disposable income as taxpayers see cuts in government programs or bumps in taxes to bankroll the cuts, leaving at least three in four households with lower after-tax incomes.

"There is no free lunch because, ultimately, the government faces a budget constraint," Furman said.

wgselby@statesman.com, 445-3644

Telemundo South Texas: Senatorial Prevarication: Will Texas Allow Junior John to Poke Our Eyes?,.... He hope so!

2007-08-12T05:26:00.000-05:00

However, we do diverge slightly. A few intangibles most of you guys probably don't know. I support the candidate whose Law Firm employs Attorneys who passionately fight for and support marriage equality. I support the candidate whose Law Firm employs Attorneys whose ideology does not align with his ideology. I support the candidate whose Law Firm employs some Attorneys with very strong progressive ideologies. I support the candidate whose Law Firm employs Attorneys of various ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. I dont think you can say this of Junior John?

"Mr. and Mrs. North and South America and all ships at sea," "Let’s go to press!

2007-08-06T03:53:00.000-05:00

Just got back from hooking some Big Reds at the Mother Lagoon. Now, that's WATT I'm talkin bout invoking a FIGHT. I had not had an opportunity to read the Caller Times and Jamie Powell's Political Pulse and one of the guys came up and starting telling us how Junior John attacked the internet community and Mikal WATTSFORSENATE Campaign amateur. He said, "They are talking about you all over the Newspaper today". I asked him, "What do you mean? Who is "they"?

He said that Senator guy Cornyn, he is saying that the blogs and the internet message are an amateur way for WATTS to Campaign. He is saying Mikal Watts but he is talking about you.

Well, I am not with the WATTSFORSENATE Campaign but I am going against Junior John.

The said to me, you must be starting to irritate them, getting to them with things they cannot defend or else he wouldn't say anything.

I told him, "I am a fly, and I am going a Junior John, I am now in his ear, He will scratch and scratch at his ear trying to get me out, he will scratch until he is bleeding, he will himself to death trying to get me out of his ear."

Rothenberg Report, calling Watts' campaign Web site video, "the silliest, most transparent attempt to deliver a message I have ever seen."

Who is Rothenberg and why should we care WATT he says? It is enough to know he is trying to get Junior John re-elected. His writing is meaningless rhetoric. Transparent? Transparency is a good thing, but obviously transparency is a negative attribute of Government according to the GOP?

"If this is Mikal Watts' first attempt to draw attention to his campaign via the Internet he may ought to use another medium," said Texas GOP spokesman Hans Klingler. "Watts invoking the word 'fight' without the slightest idea or experience in any elected or leadership arena is comical."

We (Los Kenedenos) were going after Junior John prior to any Watts intentions to challenge the Junior Senator. Besides, why would a GOP Spokesman advise us? We are definitely in a good medium current or else ole Hans would not be advising us to "use another medium". We are definitely connecting with the "sweet spot" and they keep on changing pitchers. As far as fight, come and get it BOYS. Amateur, we take that as a compliment and it is a true statement, in our case.

WATT are you scared of Junior John?

Bring it now and may we dance everyday until the day when Texas will make their choice.

Invoking the word Fight?
"without the slightest idea or experience in any elected or leadership arena"

We know WATT Junior John's idea of leadership is, it is a sycophantic relationship with the GOP.

Junior John's Experience is his record and there is nothing there for the average Texan, there is nothing in his record for the South Texan or for the hispanic.

We got him building a border fence that was appropriated for, as a Concrete WAll.

Invoke the word FIGHT Mr Hans exclaims?

We will take our chances.

We stand waiting in the ring or in the alley whichever you choose Mr Hans Klingler.

As far as leadership and elected arenas, we got Junior John's record vs the hope that somebody has the balls to run his A$$ out of office.

We are here and the hope begins to grow.

The snowball now, only needs a little downward slope and then we just jump on for the ride.
We wont need to support it anymore and you guys cant stop it, it will just keep rolling and rolling and rolling.

You GOP guys, doncha you got a little better punch than that to throw? Where is all that salty dog experience of the "Professional Politician / Carpet Bagger"?

You know WATT I mean by Professional Carpetbagger?

come around only at election time
say and do WATT ever it takes to get re elected.
Quiet up about the Craddick transgressions even though you should denounce him,
mums the word on building a wall but let the racist haters know you still support it
and charm the Humanities and let them know you are for them and have always supported them
like you tried to you act like you are for the American GI Forum and have always supported the Hispanic culture in that plagiarized article in some East Texas Publication; where you were trying to use the image and spirit of DR Hector P Garcia.

Junior John is now officially a comedian.

Well he must be?
Isn't he trying to make us laugh?

Surely Junior John does not think we are stupid enough to believe his Cotton Eyed Joe song and Dance?

WATTS that word?

B U L L S H / T ! ! !

GOP suggests Watts' campaign is amateur

The Texas Republican Party went on the offensive Friday against lawyer Mikal Watts, who is making a run at Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

The state GOP cited a recent article by Stuart Rothenberg, author of the national political publication Rothenberg Report, calling Watts' campaign Web site video, "the silliest, most transparent attempt to deliver a message I have ever seen."

"If this is Mikal Watts' first attempt to draw attention to his campaign via the Internet he may ought to use another medium," said Texas GOP spokesman Hans Klingler. "Watts invoking the word 'fight' without the slightest idea or experience in any elected or leadership arena is comical."

Anybody need 5 Brand New Faulty Firestone Tires for their Family Vehicle? Hurry while vacation season is still here!

2007-08-05T03:30:00.000-05:00

Google Yourself Corpus Christi: setexasrec: If you disagree, I got 4 brand spankin new ones to put on your family vehicle; oh yeah & one spare just in case you survive the blow out.

So WATT does this mean for Texas?

Who is the author?

After reading this article i got to believe the author is not familiar with the adversarial process or the article is pure prevarication. Who wants to buy a vehicle without laminated windows. I don't, but in Mikal's argument it was just mental re-enforcement for the jury and he is representing his client with zeal. .In layman terms Laminated glass, which is two layers of plate glass with plastic laminate in between, is used on automotive windshields. It has been used for decades to keep objects from easily getting through the windshield and entering the vehicle. The negative is it prevent easy exit should one need to break the glass in order to escape in a submerged situation or something of that nature.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

KENEDENO: "I say hot damn we got ourselves a fighter, and advocate. Now there's an attribute money cant buy, a game mentality moving unencumbered through legal birds nests and over hurdles to accomplish results.

"Like a Pitbull in the Middle of a Bunch of Poodles upon Capitol Hill.

The bottom line is the tire is faulty but it is cheaper to pay the injured and dead than it is to replace all of the tires on all of the brand new vehicles. Well, at least that was the word according bean counters (Actuarial Analysts). I bet they dont work there anymore, eh? When an automaker knows there is a faulty product that will "cause a death or two" and they acquiesce, or continue to produce the vehicle with the defective product and they dont recall the defective product for WATT ever reason they need to pay.

Watt if you or your family member purchased a brand new Explorer or Expedition or Excursion. You plan a vacation and plot out your trip planning to stop for the young ones at the rest areas and to stretch the legs and maybe even swap drivers. Everybody has their pillow and their reading material or headphones and music, for the kids you had the video screen and dvd systenm installed and you even went the extra mile and installed a Playstation III for the kids and the kids at heart.

So we are cruising and everyone is commenting on the comfort, the neat features, the enhanced entertainment, and the overall "On The Road" experience the new vehicle provides.

The last thing on their mind is breaking down, needing to check the fluids every few miles, or rolling down the window because the air conditioning dont work. The passengers and the driver feel secure and safe; maybe they dont even buckle up.

The next thing we know the vehicle has become impaired and unstable. The resulting tumbling, sliding, shattering of glass, screaming, and bending of metal that happens in less than a minute (but feels like a lifetime) comes to a rest and there is a eerie silence for a moment. Then the lucky ones can moan in their pain and the silent ones Vaya Con DIOS. How long before the Halo FLight? How long before rescue?

And you come to find out you have lost 1 or 2 or 5 of your loved ones because of something that makes no sense at all.

I am not talking about the Blowout people, I am talking about the decision made by the automaker that your loved ones were just another number, a casualty in the name of profits.

Would you want an advocate fighting for your interests like Mikal Watts fights the giant automakers?

If you disagree, I got 4 brand spankin new ones to put on your family vehicle; oh yeah and one spare just in case you survive the blow out.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Mikal Watts' arguments
http://www.setexasrecord.com/arguments/198814-mikal-watts-arguments

8/4/2007 10:58 AM

Three college girls are driving cross-country pulling a U-Haul trailer while simultaneously sharing a bag of marijuana. About 20 hours into the voyage, the driver brakes hard on a hill and loses control, sending the car off the side of the road.

They weren't wearing seat belts.

Was she high? Fatigued? Did she forget that breaking hard on a downslope while pulling a fully-stuffed U-Haul is a big no-no?

Whatever. Represented by Corpus Christi plaintiff's lawyer Mikal Watts in a suburban Houston courtroom, she demanded millions in damages over the accident-- from a tire maker.

No matter that Texas state investigators blamed the wreck on driver error and speeding, concluding the tires remained intact after the crash and worked just fine. Still, Watts argued they were wrong, that it wasn't her fault. He even demanded the judge declare a mistrial when the defense had the nerve to raise the girl's driving-while-pot smoking in court.

Is this the kind of guy-- one who would make such a specious, if self-serving, argument with a straight face-- that we want representing Texas in the U.S. Senate?

Mr. Watts, a 39-year-old mega-millionaire and judge's son who flies private, is traveling the state this summer, raising money and straining to re-define himself as a populist "everyman" in preparation for the Spring 2008 Democrat primary election.

He made his bones making arguments like the aforementioned, suing automakers and other businesses. But suffice to say, he won't be bragging on the campaign trail about the "marijuana mistrial" or his lawsuit blaming Ford for an accident in which the driver was speeding, had been drinking and wasn't wearing a seat belt.

The automaker was at fault because, according to Watts, it didn't laminate its side windows.

Watts will also remain mum about the embarrassing hiccup in that Ford case-- when it was revealed mid-trial that one of his associate lawyers was dating one of the jurors. She had even helped him "recruit" two of the plaintiffs for Watts, evidence showed.

Apparently under no ethical obligation to tell the court about this, Watts remained quiet and steadfast. It paid off-- he won a $31 million verdict.

"Mikal Watts has spent his entire career fighting on behalf of average, working Texans," promised his spokesman in a recent interview.

Don't believe it just because he says so.

Why did the Corpus Christi Caller Times Censor This Comment? No Vulgarities, Nothing Obscene so WATT is the Reason?

2007-08-03T04:24:00.000-05:00

Why not let your wife or your daughter work for DMC in house counsel?

Would you?

http://ccwatchdog.blogspot.com/2007/07/f...

Enrollment is down and they wonder why?

http://delmarhousekeeping.blogspot.com/2...

Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi Daily Digital: Linda was the first person in a Corpus Christi Public Housing Dev. to successfully run 4 pu

2007-08-03T02:03:00.000-05:00

Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi Daily Digital: Linda was the first person in a Corpus Christi Public Housing Dev. to successfully run 4 pub office: a person who picked

Corpus Christi Daily Digital: Linda was the first person in a Corpus Christi Public Housing Dev. to successfully run 4 pub office: a person who picked herself up by her bootstraps

by hkarsh

August 2, 2007

I was a candidate for the Del Mar Board of Regents. I picked up the package to run for office. I am College Educated. I have several degrees. I'm pretty good at reading and writing contracts and such. I'm not a lawyer and believe me I could have used a lawyer to explain all the stuff I was responsible for and had to do. Del Mar wasn't going to explain it to me and the local party bosses wouldn’t have anything to do with me. Del Mar certainly wasn't going to help Linda whose brother they had railroaded out of a job. Now Linda was the first person in a Corpus Christi Public Housing development to successfully run for a public office and her neighbors were very proud of her. So here we have a person who picked herself up by her bootstraps with out the aid of the local democratic or republican bosses and won her election. So what do the local politicos do and that includes our slimy DA

there's more at the link above

Hector P Garcia Institute of Education, Integrity, Culture and Public Policy: Corpus Christi Watchdog Authority: Fwd: [Bay of Pigs] Judge Westergren h

2007-08-01T03:01:00.000-05:00

Actionable?

Well dont just stand there!!

Get To Work!!!

Hector P Garcia Institute of Education, Integrity, Culture and Public Policy: Corpus Christi Watchdog Authority: Judge Westergren has been given the opportunity to produce the ...

§ 236. Visa issuance

2007-07-29T05:51:00.000-05:00

TITLE 6 > CHAPTER 1 > SUBCHAPTER IV > Part C > § 236 Prev | Next

§ 236. Visa issuance
How Current is This?

(a) Definition
In this subsection,[1] the term “consular office” [2] has the meaning given that term under section 101(a)(9) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 (a)(9)).
(b) In general
Notwithstanding section 104(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1104 (a)) or any other provision of law, and except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary—
(1) shall be vested exclusively with all authorities to issue regulations with respect to, administer, and enforce the provisions of such Act [8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.], and of all other immigration and nationality laws, relating to the functions of consular officers of the United States in connection with the granting or refusal of visas, and shall have the authority to refuse visas in accordance with law and to develop programs of homeland security training for consular officers (in addition to consular training provided by the Secretary of State), which authorities shall be exercised through the Secretary of State, except that the Secretary shall not have authority to alter or reverse the decision of a consular officer to refuse a visa to an alien; and
(2) shall have authority to confer or impose upon any officer or employee of the United States, with the consent of the head of the executive agency under whose jurisdiction such officer or employee is serving, any of the functions specified in paragraph (1).
(c) Authority of the Secretary of State
(1) In general
Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary of State may direct a consular officer to refuse a visa to an alien if the Secretary of State deems such refusal necessary or advisable in the foreign policy or security interests of the United States.
(2) Construction regarding authority
Nothing in this section, consistent with the Secretary of Homeland Security’s authority to refuse visas in accordance with law, shall be construed as affecting the authorities of the Secretary of State under the following provisions of law:
(A) Section 101(a)(15)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 (a)(15)(A)).
(B) Section 204(d)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1154) (as it will take effect upon the entry into force of the Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect to Inter-Country adoption).
(C) Section 212(a)(3)(B)(i)(IV)(bb) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182 (a)(3)(B)(i)(IV)(bb)).
(D) Section 212(a)(3)(B)(i)(VI) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182 (a)(3)(B)(i)(VI)).
(E) Section 212(a)(3)(B)(vi)(II) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182 (a)(3)(B)(vi)(II)).
(F) Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182 (a)(3)(C)).
(G) Section 212(a)(10)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182 (a)(10)(C)).
(H) Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182 (f)).
(I) Section 219(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189 (a)).
(J) Section 237(a)(4)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1227 (a)(4)(C)).
(K) Section 401 of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 [22 U.S.C. 6091].
(L) Section 613 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 [3] (as contained in section 101(b) of division A of Public Law 105–277) (Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999); 112 Stat. 2681; H.R. 4328 (originally H.R. 4276) as amended by section 617 of Public Law 106–553.
(M) Section 103(f) of the Chemical Weapon Convention Implementation Act of 1998 [22 U.S.C. 6713 (f)] (112 Stat. 2681–865).
(N) 801 of H.R. 3427, the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 [8 U.S.C. 1182e], as enacted by reference in Public Law 106–113.
(O) Section 568 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2002 (Public Law 107–115).
(P) Section 51 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2723).
(d) Consular officers and chiefs of missions
(1) In general
Nothing in this section may be construed to alter or affect—
(A) the employment status of consular officers as employees of the Department of State; or
(B) the authority of a chief of mission under section 207 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3927).
(2) Construction regarding delegation of authority
Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any delegation of authority to the Secretary of State by the President pursuant to any proclamation issued under section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182 (f)), consistent with the Secretary of Homeland Security’s authority to refuse visas in accordance with law.
(e) Assignment of Homeland Security employees to diplomatic and consular posts
(1) In general
The Secretary is authorized to assign employees of the Department to each diplomatic and consular post at which visas are issued, unless the Secretary determines that such an assignment at a particular post would not promote homeland security.
(2) Functions
Employees assigned under paragraph (1) shall perform the following functions:
(A) Provide expert advice and training to consular officers regarding specific security threats relating to the adjudication of individual visa applications or classes of applications.
(B) Review any such applications, either on the initiative of the employee of the Department or upon request by a consular officer or other person charged with adjudicating such applications.
(C) Conduct investigations with respect to consular matters under the jurisdiction of the Secretary.
(3) Evaluation of consular officers
The Secretary of State shall evaluate, in consultation with the Secretary, as deemed appropriate by the Secretary, the performance of consular officers with respect to the processing and adjudication of applications for visas in accordance with performance standards developed by the Secretary for these procedures.
(4) Report
The Secretary shall, on an annual basis, submit a report to Congress that describes the basis for each determination under paragraph (1) that the assignment of an employee of the Department at a particular diplomatic post would not promote homeland security.
(5) Permanent assignment; participation in terrorist lookout committee
When appropriate, employees of the Department assigned to perform functions described in paragraph (2) may be assigned permanently to overseas diplomatic or consular posts with country-specific or regional responsibility. If the Secretary so directs, any such employee, when present at an overseas post, shall participate in the terrorist lookout committee established under section 304 of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 (8 U.S.C. 1733).
(6) Training and hiring
(A) In general
The Secretary shall ensure, to the extent possible, that any employees of the Department assigned to perform functions under paragraph (2) and, as appropriate, consular officers, shall be provided the necessary training to enable them to carry out such functions, including training in foreign languages, interview techniques, and fraud detection techniques, in conditions in the particular country where each employee is assigned, and in other appropriate areas of study.
(B) Use of Center
The Secretary is authorized to use the National Foreign Affairs Training Center, on a reimbursable basis, to obtain the training described in subparagraph (A).
(7) Report
Not later than 1 year after November 25, 2002, the Secretary and the Secretary of State shall submit to Congress—
(A) a report on the implementation of this subsection; and
(B) any legislative proposals necessary to further the objectives of this subsection.
(8) Effective date
This subsection shall take effect on the earlier of—
(A) the date on which the President publishes notice in the Federal Register that the President has submitted a report to Congress setting forth a memorandum of understanding between the Secretary and the Secretary of State governing the implementation of this section; or
(B) the date occurring 1 year after November 25, 2002.
(f) No creation of private right of action
Nothing in this section shall be construed to create or authorize a private right of action to challenge a decision of a consular officer or other United States official or employee to grant or deny a visa.
(g) Study regarding use of foreign nationals
(1) In general
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall conduct a study of the role of foreign nationals in the granting or refusal of visas and other documents authorizing entry of aliens into the United States. The study shall address the following:
(A) The proper role, if any, of foreign nationals in the process of rendering decisions on such grants and refusals.
(B) Any security concerns involving the employment of foreign nationals.
(C) Whether there are cost-effective alternatives to the use of foreign nationals.
(2) Report
Not later than 1 year after November 25, 2002, the Secretary shall submit a report containing the findings of the study conducted under paragraph (1) to the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on International Relations, and the Committee on Government Reform of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Government [4] Affairs of the Senate.
(h) Report
Not later than 120 days after November 25, 2002, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall submit to Congress a report on how the provisions of this section will affect procedures for the issuance of student visas.
(i) Visa issuance program for Saudi Arabia
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, after November 25, 2002, all third party screening programs in Saudi Arabia shall be terminated. On-site personnel of the Department of Homeland Security shall review all visa applications prior to adjudication.

[1] So in original. Probably should be “section”.

[2] So in original. Probably should be “ ‘consular officer’ ”.

[3] See References in Text note below.

[4] So in original. Probably should be “Governmental”.
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The Serpent IN the Garden January 14, 1996 Houston: Inaction Allowed Abuser To Roam For 10 Years.

2007-07-18T04:41:00.000-05:00

If this was leaked to the media did the Corpus Christi Caller Times tell us about this pedophile?

Did the Caller publish any stories on this matter?

And the CCISD Board did they inform the community?

The Serpent IN the Garden January 14, 1996 Houston: CCISD board President Henry Nuss AQUIESCED. CCISD eagerly supplied pedophile with young patients - even after he had been publicly charged.

CORPUS CHRISTI - James Plaisted was a respected child psychologist, a deacon in one of the city's largest Baptist congregations and the father of four.

He also was a child molester so brazen he escorted little girls into church and fondled them under his coat while listening to the sermon.

Parents knew. So did church pastors, school officials and state regulators. But few did anything to stop him, and those who tried were remarkably unsuccessful.

It took 10 years to get Plaisted behind bars. Only he knows how many children he molested during that time.

Last month, Plaisted - already serving a two-year federal prison term for luring a Texas patient to Boston to continue molesting her -was brought back to Corpus Christi in chains.

He pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting four girls and was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

State regulators have yet to revoke his license to practice psychology.

""I think the Plaisted case is the model of what happens when the system fights with itself," said Susan Snyder, a Kingsville attorney and former prosecutor who tried to lock up Plaisted in 1992.

""Obviously, there have been safeguards in place to prevent this man all along, but either (state officials) were too lazy or too busy, or too scared of the politics of going and yanking this man's license," Snyder said. ""It's not the legal system failing. It's the people within the legal system that refuse to let the legal system work."

It's not as if no one tried.

Carmen Alvarado, the mother of the first child to accuse Plaisted more than 10 years ago, sought criminal charges against the therapist and filed an ethics complaint with the Texas Board of Examiners of Psychologists. She alleged that Plaisted had fondled her son's penis during a late-night counseling session.

Alvarado called the Parkdale Baptist Church, where Plaisted, 46, was a deacon.

""They said they were leaving it in God's hands," she recalled.

""I don't think they were thinking straight at the time."

She went to other parents. She got no help.

In the end, it was just her son's word against Plaisted, who told a Corpus Christi jury in 1986 that the 6-year-old child was a habitual liar and a pyromaniac who derived sexual excitement from setting fires. It didn't help that a new prosecutor was assigned to the case just before trial.

The jury acquitted Plaisted; his practice continued.

""It made me mad because when I went for help, all I asked was for them to testify," Alvarado recalled. ""We lost because my son was the only witness we had."

""It was a very tough call to make," said another victim's mother. ""And looking back, I really should have crucified him, but I didn't. I chose not to after talking to my attorney. He told me it would just really traumatize my daughter."

The Corpus Christi woman, who asked not to be identified, said she did confront Plaisted and his wife, who were neighbors in 1984, when her daughter was allegedly molested while spending the night with one of Plaisted's daughters.

""He did not deny it," she said. ""He said he could have done it

in his sleep."

Plaisted's wife laughingly added that she and her husband often made love at night, and he would not remember the next morning, the woman said.

The woman, who was also a member of the Parkdale Baptist Church, recalled telling church officials later about Plaisted's molestations.

""But it didn't seem to make any difference," she said. ""The church really backed him up, and a lot of people left the church after that."

Plaisted's attorney, Doug Tinker, refused to allow the Chronicle to interview his client. The criminal defense lawyer, who earlier this year represented Yolanda Saldivar, who was convicted of murdering Tejano star Selena, declined to discuss the Plaisted case.

The victims' families have since sued the church for negligence, but Parkdale's lawyer argues the congregation should not be held responsible for Plaisted's actions.

""It would be the church's wish to get this thing resolved without causing any additional hurt to anyone," said attorney Van Huseman. But he added, ""If a child gets molested in the middle of the service, how does that get to be the pastor's fault?"

Plaisted - a Nebraska native who served in the Army in Vietnam -came to Corpus Christi in 1982 with impeccable credentials, having earned his doctorate in clinical and child psychology from Auburn University in Alabama in 1981.

He quickly built a private practice, and over the years, developed a good reputation as an expert on brain dysfunction.

The Corpus Christi school district, along with local pediatricians, eagerly supplied him with young patients - even after he had been publicly charged. Members of the church also sought his help, and he had hospital privileges at the prestigious Driscoll Children's Hospital, a South Texas institution known both for quality care and charity.

Neighbors described Plaisted as pleasant, reserved, well-spoken. He was methodical, they said, and liked to work on projects around the house.

Plaisted recruited some of his victims from broken homes, showering the children with gifts, inviting them and their parents to Thanksgiving dinners. One 9-year-old girl who spent the night with Plaisted's daughter told prosecutors the psychologist molested her on the sofa in his living room while he and the children watched the movie "Home Alone"

on video.

He curried favor with his victims' parents by lending them money and refusing repayment, or by buying them air conditioners and other gifts. One mother even acted as a character witness for the therapist during the Alvarado trial, unaware that her own child was being molested.

""The bottom line is this guy had complaints filed against him at the psychology board - and they are serious - and the board doesn't notify the school about the complaints," said Jerry Boswell, director of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, a group funded by the Church of Scientology (SEE CORRECTION) that documents cases such as Plaisted's. ""And the school is still referring children to this guy."

Corpus Christi school administrators said they used Plaisted infrequently for psychological testing of students, although school records and correspondence indicate he was a consultant from 1983 until he was indicted for child sexual assault in late 1992.

School administrators have identified records of five students referred to him for psychological testing between 1985 and 1992. There are no records prior to 1985.

School board President Henry Nuss, who has served on the board for seven years, said he first heard of the Plaisted case when he was contacted by the Houston Chronicle last week.

""We certainly should be more selective in who we're using," he said.

After Plaisted was charged in the Alvarado case in April 1986, Robert J. Garcia, the school district's special education director, wrote to the state psychology board to ask about the psychologist's record. The agency's executive director replied that Plaisted's license had been suspended, but because the psychologist was in the process of suing to get it back, he remained licensed to practice. The letter gave no details about the nature of the complaints.

""He was given a clean bill of health by the only agency that had anything to say about it," said Dr. Adrian Haston, a psychologist who coordinates the school district's psychological services, and who, years ago, shared an office with Plaisted.

Haston emphasized that none of the schoolchildren referred to Plaisted were molested. ""And we never had anything untoward, any problems of that sort," he said.

Asked why the district would risk using a psychologist once accused of being a child molester, Haston replied, ""This is something the district did, and you can ask the director of special education why."

Garcia said in a recent telephone interview that he could not remember whether he knew about the child molestation charges at the time he wrote to the psychology board.

""All I know is we asked for what his status was and they said he could still practice," he said. ""We knew he was under review, but we didn't know what for.

""Look, the state board of psychologists, they're the ones that allowed him to continue to practice," Garcia added angrily.

""If anyone should be asked as to why this guy was allowed to continue, it should be the state board of psychology."

Pressed for further details, Garcia abruptly ended the interview and hung up the phone.

Although Plaisted was acquitted in August 1986 in the Alvarado case, the psychology board continued its investigation and ruled in November of that year that Plaisted had violated professional standards.

The board officially suspended his license for two years, but said he would be allowed to resume his practice in three months.

Meanwhile, Plaisted challenged the suspension in state district court in Austin, arguing the psychology board had unfairly considered allegations that had not been introduced during his hearing, denying him the opportunity to defend himself against them. The judge agreed, and in January 1987 reversed Plaisted's suspension.

While the board was investigating Plaisted's case, they were contacted by Corpus Christi psychologist George Kramer.

Kramer, who had hired Plaisted in 1982 before Plaisted was licensed, told the board to subpoena records of the state Department of Human Resources. It did, and found other instances of alleged molestation by Plaisted.

In April 1989, the board reached an agreement with the psychologist that allowed him to keep his license if he agreed to be supervised for 11/2years. Plaisted was to treat children only in the presence of an associate or in a location where he could be observed by a television monitor. He also was to pay to have Corpus Christi psychologist Joseph Horvat supervise his casework.

Horvat met with Plaisted weekly, but after a year - convinced that Plaisted was doing nothing wrong - he recommended the supervision be terminated six months early. The board decided to continue the supervision.

""I have found no evidence in any way, shape or form of any behavior on his part which could be in any way construed as unprofessional or unethical," Horvat wrote to the board.

Included in one of his reports to the board was a review of Plaisted's treatment of an 8-year-old girl - a child Plaisted was later charged with molesting.

The board's general counsel, Barbara Holthaus, acknowledged past actions taken by the agency were inadequate.

""With hindsight, of course it wasn't appropriate, because look at what happened," Holthaus said. But she said the board has since added lay people to its ranks and has a new, tougher state law giving it better enforcement powers.

""Now, if we get a report that a psychologist is molesting a client, we can go before a judge and say we want to temporarily suspend the license," she said.

Holthaus said the board has filed a motion to revoke Plaisted's license, but Plaisted is fighting it.

""It's all kind of moot, because he's incarcerated," she said.

Soon after Plaisted completed his board-ordered supervision, Corpus Christi police received new information from state child welfare workers that Plaisted had been molesting girls at his office, in church and at home in his hot tub.

Former detective Eric Michalak, who now works in Colorado, remembered taking the Plaisted case to a Nueces County assistant district attorney for prosecution.

""He wanted to get a warrant for the doctor and arrest him, because we had very strong evidence against him," Michalak said. ""We had multiple victims and you had a guy in the position he was in, where he had access to all these victims.

You would want to take quick action rather than let it go on for so long."

The prosecutor was overruled by then-District Attorney Grant Jones, Michalak said. ""(Jones) just said, `We're not getting a warrant. We're taking our time.' He wanted the kids reinterviewed by one of the prosecutors.

""Any time you go after someone like that, there's a lot of politics that come into play," Michalak added. ""Instead of stepping in right then, and bringing it out in the open and taking it to a grand jury (for indictment), they delayed."

Jones contends that any delay in prosecution was an effort ""to tie the case down tight. We didn't want to lose him twice,"

said Jones, on whose watch Plaisted was acquitted in the Alvarado case.

Jones called it ""outrageous" the psychology board still hasn't revoked Plaisted's license.

""They should have done it in 1986," he said. ""What they want to do is wait around until you go to trial and you convict him, and then they come in behind your conviction and revoke his license. Well, what's he doing in the meantime? He could be out in the community molesting kids for two years."

Michalak said the case was finally taken to the grand jury several months later after he leaked the information about Plaisted's investigation to the local media.

""It was taking too long, and it wasn't being handled like another case," he said. ""And it was because he was so prominent in the community."

Plaisted was finally indicted in Corpus Christi in October 1992. He posted bond, closed his practice in Corpus Christi, and negotiated an agreement with the psychology board to place his license on inactive status until he could prove his innocence.

He then moved to Boston, where he enrolled in Boston University Law School and successfully completed his first year of studies by May 1994.

While in law school, Plaisted began calling a former patient - the girl whose treatment Horvat had reviewed in Corpus Christi. Plaisted convinced the girl's mother - who was also a patient of his - to bring the girl to Boston for additional therapy.

Plaisted's plans were foiled when a policeman setting up a speed trap in his neighborhood accidentally intercepted on his police radio a sexually explicit telephone call between the girl and Plaisted, who was using a cordless phone.

FBI agents were called in, six other calls were taped, and Plaisted was arrested on June 3, 1994, after he met the girl, then 13, and her mother at the train station and took them to a budget motel.

""The mother wasn't aware" of the molestations, said Adolfo Aguilo, an assistant Nueces County district attorney. ""The mother had a borderline personality disorder - she developed dependency on people -and unfortunately for her the person she developed a dependency on was Dr. Plaisted."

Sgt. Michael Harpster, a police detective from suburban Boston who helped arrest Plaisted, described him as ""very congenial, almost shy."

""He'd answer questions very courteously, but he didn't show any outward signs of knowing the seriousness of the situation," Harpster said.

Last January, Plaisted was sentenced by a federal judge in Boston to a two-year prison term after he pleaded guilty to transporting a minor across state lines to engage in illegal sexual activity.

The Corpus Christi conviction and sentence came almost a year later.

In the end, Plaisted admitted molesting four victims. But prosecutors say no one will ever know how many others failed to come forward.

""I imagine there could be several other victims. Through his practice and the church he probably had access over the years to thousands of children," said Aguilo, the Corpus Christi prosecutor who eventually secured Plaisted's guilty plea.

""To me, any kid that came in contact with this guy was a victim in some way or another," added Michalak.

When Plaisted was sentenced last month, it was a bitter emotional meeting for many of his young victims and their parents, who had been called as witnesses in case Plaisted decided against the plea bargain.

Parents said Plaisted stood up straight, held his head high and looked the judge in the eye. And when he saw the relatives of his former victims, he acted as if he were attending a reunion of old friends, they said. One parent said Plaisted looked as if he thought they were there as supporters or character witnesses.

""He turned around and gave the families a big smile," Alvarado said. ""I couldn't believe it."

Alvarado, who sued Plaisted in civil court, has received a settlement for an undisclosed amount. Her son, now a teen-ager, is still struggling with his past abuse, she said, and she continues to feel betrayed by those who would not join her in speaking out years ago.

""I told them if they had helped me in the beginning, none of this would have happened," she said.

Plaisted timeline

Key dates in the career of Dr. James R. Plaisted:

January 1983: Licensed to practice psychology in Texas.

October 1984: Investigated by Texas Department of Human Resources for allegedly molesting a neighbor's child.

April 1986: Charged in criminal case for allegedly fondling a boy during therapy.

August 1986: Acquitted by jury in Corpus Christi.

October 1992: Indicted for sexual abuse of three Corpus Christi girls.

December 1992: Closed Corpus Christi office; moved to Boston to begin law school.

June 1994: Arrested by FBI agents for luring a 13-year-old former Corpus Christi patient to Boston.

January 1995: Indicted by Corpus Christi grand jury on three counts of aggravated sexual assault for incidents years earlier involving the same girl.

January 1995: Sentenced to two years in federal prison in Boston case.

Dec. 7, 1995: Sentenced to 40 years in state prison by a Corpus Christi judge after pleading guilty to five counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

essenceofpinocchio: Sonias makes PRO CHOICE Statement to Censor instead of Admitting her wrong and Apologizing

2007-07-14T21:27:00.000-05:00

Why was the sub-thread deleted?

Sonias: You have earned the Pinocchio Award for your prevarication and cheating!

This sub thread was deleted at the Democratic Underground because SONIAS found herself in checkmate. In poor taste she chose to flip the board over in the interest of Censoring her defeat.

23. I would normally say welcome to DU dannoynted1

But seeing that you have disabled your profile, i.e. hiding like a coward, combined with your support of republicans on a Democratic board makes you stick out like the troll you probably are. Go back to freeperville dannoynted1!

Sonia

36. How is it.......

you call my Lioness names from behind a keyboard and of all things; because her profile is disabled?

We are here with our real identities acknowledged, our good name precedes us. Support of republicans? Maybe you mistake us for our elected Democrats who support the Delay Brothers and are frequently absent when it is time to vote on bartered legislation trade outs. Now back to the ad hominem attack, your reasoning is fallacial as it implies we are hiding our identities as if we have something to fear. Ridicule and attempts to discredit are only last resort attempts of futility. Sonia, you are wrong and you should apologize.
"For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it."

For those of you who are "In the Know"

2007-07-02T06:31:00.000-05:00

Quantum meruit: Ask no more and give no less than honesty, courage, loyalty, generosity, and fairness

Corpus Christi Watchdog Authority: "nobody knows Mikal Watts better than Corpus Christi." But does Mikal Watts know us (the people of Corpus Christi)?

The Kenedy Pasture Company: A Civil Action in the Making?

2007-07-02

A Civil Action in the Making?

Why must we flex our muscles?

Nueces County, CCISD, 105th Judicial District Attorney; how many kids were locked up without an attorney?

There is no excuse for violating the basic human rights afforded under the United States Constitution.
How many kids were locked up by a court of nonrecord?
Not even with a parent's consent unless the parent has been given the opportunity to consult with counsel.
How many children taken into custody were advised of their Miranda Rights?
Oh yeah, Plaisted and every CCISD kid for whom, he provided service

.

What do we want?

Go do some homework, we want responsive representation with transparent operation.

We want to not be railroaded for tardies or for absences when the District does not practice due diligence in interdicting but is very diligent in recording the events and adamantly prosecutes and collects half of the fine. When the people cant pay the kids are picked up from class and taken in handcuffs to the court of nonrecord. The Parent is contacted and ordered to appear immediately. When the Parent arrives he or she is told to pay or your kid goes to jail and sometimes the parent is threatened and / or locked up as well. I have never seen a kid who has been provided counsel but I have witnessed many a kid go to jail.

And this from non responsive legislators who have enabled the School Administration to blame the parent when they allow children in their custody to roam at large unaccounted for and the District in coordination with the Courts of non record get paid (profit) from it.

2007-07-01

"Court Appointed Rolodex's". Nanotechnology and "Confessing Error" in a dog and pony show who operate like they are in a Kangaroo Court.

Nanotechnology at work right before our eyes finally an acknowledgment of what has been going on for quite a while now. The information in those "Court Appointed Rolodex's", there is gold in them hills. And this is going to start becoming available when? and for who? We have came to a narrowing of the road here in this alligning of energy fields. I can see it now we got Mikal who who is the adversary of my adversary John Cornyn. We also have the Honorable Judge Manuel Banales who needs to align with Mr Watts and vice versa. Does he want to run for mayor unopposed? I would rather see him correct the errors and run for Governor or Ascend to the Texas Supreme Court. Now, John Cornyn has "Confessed Error" and I assure you it wasn't out of fairness but in the essence of knocking the checkers off of the Table because he was going to lose. And Carlos Valdez & John Hubert "Confess Error" on appeal from the 105th. Hubert & Valdez "confess error" so they can conceal Mary Cano. And that is as painless as it gets.
Anton

CCCT Political Pulse
Mikal Watts seeks to round up list of Democrats for self, others
By Jaime Powell
A Monday noontime fundraiser at Vietnam restaurant for U.S. Senate hopeful Mikal Watts was a who's who of the local bar association and judiciary, including five district judges. Watts, who is living in San Antonio, told the crowd that "nobody knows Mikal Watts better than Corpus Christi."

Watts, a Democrat, who is seeking the seat held by Republican Sen. John Cornyn, asked the gathering to dig through their Rolodexes and e-mail address lists because he hopes to compile a statewide database to reach Democratic voters that can be used by all Texas Democrats.

"That way, when Judge (J. Manuel) Bañales runs for mayor he can use it," Watts joked, to uproarious laughter from the crowd and a big grin from Bañales, who was sitting on the front row.

2007-06-30

If you need an attorney.....if he is any good he will tell you watt an "Ander's Appeal" is? If he tells you not to worry about it.........FIRE HIM !!!

Watt do you know?

2007-06-27T04:06:00.000-05:00

Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputations... can never effect a reform.
Susan B. Anthony

Failure is impossible.
Susan B. Anthony

I always distrust people who know so much about what God wants them to do to their fellows.
Susan B. Anthony

I beg you to speak of Woman as you do of the Negro, speak of her as a human being, as a citizen of the United States, as a half of the people in whose hands lies the destiny of this Nation.
Susan B. Anthony

I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand.
Susan B. Anthony

I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice it always coincides with their own desires.
Susan B. Anthony

I do not consider divorce an evil by any means. It is just as much a refuge for women married to brutal men as Canada was to the slaves of brutal masters.
Susan B. Anthony

I don't want to die as long as I can work; the minute I can not, I want to go.
Susan B. Anthony

I have encountered riotous mobs and have been hung in effigy, but my motto is: Men's rights are nothing more. Women's rights are nothing less.
Susan B. Anthony

I shall earnestly and persistently continue to urge all women to the practical recognition of the old Revolutionary maxim. Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God.
Susan B. Anthony

I think the girl who is able to earn her own living and pay her own way should be as happy as anybody on earth. The sense of independence and security is very sweet.
Susan B. Anthony

If all the rich and all of the church people should send their children to the public schools they would feel bound to concentrate their money on improving these schools until they met the highest ideals.
Susan B. Anthony

Independence is happiness.
Susan B. Anthony

EL Defenzor.net:Does Ray need to improve his work attendance

2007-06-24T06:32:00.000-05:00

EL Defenzor.net: Watt is the "common denominator?" pos Quayate......Shoewe ME D QUAN>>>>>

CORPUS CHRISTI — The Nueces County Medical Examiner's Office may lose certification and be forced to delay critical reports without more workspace and a larger staff in the next two years, officials said.

The office is forced to ask the Commissioners Court for extra resources estimated at $640,000 for the next fiscal year to manage a rapidly increasing workload and national recertification in 2009 that mandates a maximum ratio of autopsies performed for each forensic pathologist, said Nueces County Medical Examiner Dr. Ray Fernandez. That estimate includes a one-time cost of $500,000 for a 2,000-square-foot addition to the office and hiring another pathologist with a $140,000 annual salary.

As medical examiner, Fernandez is responsible for investigating the deaths of all people who die violently, suddenly or unexpectedly. Since 1996, the number of cases reported to the office increased by 54 percent to 1,528 deaths in 2006 from 990 cases in 1996, according to county medical examiner data. The escalating number of cases results from increasing population, more immigrant traffic in the area and a higher frequency of death reports from surrounding counties, Fernandez said.

"The volume of work has grown tremendously," Fernandez said. "Right now I'm the chief examiner, the associate and the one who locks up the place."

While the office isn't backlogged, it is getting close and may start seeing delays in autopsy reports, death certificates and other documents if something isn't done, Fernandez said. These documents directly impact residents in the ability to execute an estate and file insurance claims, he said.

A delay in autopsy reports -- or if the office isn't recertified during its next review scheduled for fall 2009 -- could jeopardize the prosecution of homicides and police investigations, said District Attorney Carlos Valdez. Prosecutors are unable to prove a homicide case without the testimony and findings of the medical examiner, Valdez said.

"We're talking about the criminal justice system -- ultimately protection of the public," he said. "If something breaks down in the criminal justice system, it affects everything and in the end it may cause guilty people to walk free."

The Nueces County office is one of five statewide that are certified by the National Association of Medical Examiners out of 13 offices statewide, according to the association. According to Valdez, that certification adds a degree of credibility during criminal trials.

certified office

Medical examiner's offices, along with all statewide crime labs, were required to be certified under a 2005 state law, Fernandez said. However, the state granted a temporary exemption to medical examiners before the law took effect.

The Nueces County Office received certification by the National Association of Medical Examiners in November 2004 to gear up for what is expected to be a requirement in coming years. The exemption still is in effect but may be dropped during the 2009 legislative session, Fernandez said.

One of the certification provisions bars having more than 325 autopsies for each forensic pathologist, and the recommended maximum is no more than 250 autopsies each.

In 2006, the Nueces County office performed 328 autopsies stemming from Nueces County, which does not include autopsies of bodies from the 16 surrounding counties the office serves.

Data for autopsies from surrounding counties in the past few years was not immediately available, but likely add 100 to 150 autopsies per year, Fernandez said.

"We are at a crossroads here -- we're either going to move resources, maintain accreditation and be in compliance or expect to see delays," Fernandez said. "If nothing's done (the delays) probably would come sooner rather than later. It would probably be in the coming year or the following year after that."

considering request

Fernandez presented to commissioners requests for a facility upgrade, an extra forensic pathologist and an assistant last month during the court's budget workshops. County Judge Loyd Neal said last week that the court understands the request and will come to a decision before the 2007-2008 budget is finalized in September.

"We don't want this office not to be certified," Neal said. "With that said, there's a price tag attached to that of several hundred thousand dollars. ... One of the issues we will look at is the importance of doing this in a timely basis, and how do we pay for it."

The 2,000-square-foot expansion of the office would include an office for the extra forensic pathologist, additional workspace and a family grieving room, Fernandez said.

The request also includes hiring a permanent autopsy assistant.

"We certainly are going to work with (Dr. Fernandez) in every way we can to make sure we've looked at all alternatives and make sure we are properly equipped and funded for when inspection comes," Neal said. "But there's no guarantees. We have several million dollars' worth of requests before us and this is one of them."

Contact David Kassabian at 886-3778 or kassabiand@caller.com

The number of cases reported to the office increased by 54% to 1,528 deaths in 2006 from 990 cases in 1996.

Responsibilities

Investigate the deaths of people who die violently, suddenly or unexpectedly.

POS CCPD ANTHE 11 surround sound sAY naig....

Google Yourself Corpus Christi: When Carlos Valdez Confesses Error Does Not The Same Rule Apply?

2007-06-08T07:20:00.000-05:00

Google Yourself Corpus Christi: When Carlos Valdez Confesses Error Does Not The Same Rule Apply?

First, in seeking the death penalty, prosecutors sometimes overlook glaring illegalities.

"courts, especially state courts, are too often willing to overlook even obvious constitutional flaws when reviewing death penalty cases."

And if they are "willing to overlook even obvious constitutional flaws and glaring illegalities when Prosecuting & reviewing death penalty cases."

WATT about all of the other cases?

How many "overlooks" of "constitutional flaws" or "glaring illegalities" have become tools of Cheating Prosecutors who have forgotten "Prosecutors, despite striking hard blows, must never lose sight of their ultimate obligation to do justice in every case.

How many Prosecutors deliberately commit the error of failing to file a reply brief in an Appeal Process because it deprives the appellant of exculpatory testimony, evidence, and confessions of error or witness tampering by the State Prosecuting Attorney?

----
CONFESSING ERROR
By EDWARD LAZARUS
----

Friday, Jun. 16, 2000

Earlier this month, Vincent Saldano, one of the 468 inmates on Texas' death row, had his death sentence vacated. This development was duly reported in the press. But accounts of Saldano's good fortune uniformly failed to appreciate what makes his reprieve truly newsworthy and potentially a landmark.

Saving Saldano: Texas Confesses Error

Saldano was not freed from the prospect of execution by the actions of a court or even, as occasionally happens, by the clemency of a governor. His death sentence was erased because Texas, through its newly created office of the solicitor general, "confessed error" in his case -- that is, it admitted, despite defeating Saldano's initial appeals in court, that his death sentence was illegally obtained. Quite simply, this never happens, either in Texas or in the dozens of other states with active death penalty laws. It is thus worth pausing to consider the value and potential implications of Saldano's case as well as the notion of confessing error.

Saldano had received a death sentence in part due to profoundly troubling testimony by a state expert witness at the sentencing phase of his trial. The expert, a clinical psychologist named Walter Quijano, suggested that Saldano should be executed because, as an Hispanic, he posed a special risk of future dangerousness to society. To support this astonishing conclusion, the expert pointed out that Hispanics make up a disproportionately large amount of Texas' prison population.

It does not take a tenured professor of constitutional law to realize that linking racial identity with a propensity for violence was not only bizarre but also a violation of the equal protection clause. Indeed, that it should take a confession of error by the state to correct this problem highlights at least two problems in the current administration of the death penalty. First, in seeking the death penalty, prosecutors sometimes overlook glaring illegalities. The same flaw identified in Saldano's case infects at least seven other Texas capital cases. Second (and perhaps even more distressing), courts, especially state courts, are too often willing to overlook even obvious constitutional flaws when reviewing death penalty cases. After all, before the state's confession of error, Saldano had lost all of his appeals.

Under these circumstances, one might think that confessions of error would be, if not commonplace, at least occasional. On average, the Solicitor General of the United States confesses error in two or three criminal cases every year -- even though it is a safe bet that federal prosecutions, conducted by better trained lawyers with greater supervision, are less likely to contain obvious legal errors than their state counterparts. As the Supreme Court recognized when endorsing the practice in 1942, "the public trust reposed in the law enforcement officers of the Government requires that they be quick to confess error, when, in their opinion, a miscarriage of justice may result from their remaining silent." But as a practical matter, states never confess error in death penalty cases (even though courts overturn roughly two-thirds of all death sentences as legally infirm) -- and some states candidly admit that their policy is never to confess error.

Mutual Distrust

Why? One crucial and usually overlooked factor is the deep antagonism that has grown up over time between state death penalty prosecutors and the death penalty abolitionist lawyers who seek to foil them in every case. The abolitionists, prosecutors know all too well, never concede that their clients deserve the death penalty or that the death penalty was legally imposed -- no matter how flimsy their arguments in a given case. Rather, they use every procedural and substantive trick in the book to delay executions.

There can be no denying that such abolitionist tactics have angered and frustrated state prosecutors. And one response to these understandable emotions has been for prosecutors to mirror the fight-to-the-bitter-end approach of their opponents.

The problem with this reciprocation, however, is simply that the ethical duties of prosecutors and defense attorneys are vastly different. Defense attorneys are duty-bound to scratch and claw to win for their clients. Prosecutors, by contrast, despite striking hard blows, must never lose sight of their ultimate obligation to do justice in every case.

That may sound trite and perhaps overly idealistic, but it has a practical side as well. Prosecutorial confessions of error -- knowing when to fold them, as it is known -- establish credibility. They create trust in the system, a sense that someone is being careful and exercising sound judgment, that extends far beyond any single case. And that can make a world of difference for someone like me, who is not morally opposed to the death penalty but skeptical of how it is imposed.

Death Penalty Politics

In addition, the reluctance of state prosecutors to confess error is a clear reflection of how politics affects the death penalty. Up until now, anyway, undoing a death sentence was akin to political suicide for an elected district attorney or state attorney general, or for any state official with ambitions for re-election or higher office. And yet the willingness of Texas' new solicitor general to confess error in the Saldano case suggests a possible turning point. With the current groundswell of death penalty opposition based on the possibility of executing an innocent person, elected officials may now find some advantage in approaching capital cases (even those where innocence is not an issue) with a greater degree of care and honesty.

case will start a broad trend. But there is reason to believe that the tide is indeed turning. On June 9, Texas Attorney General John Cornyn announced the results of an investigation into other death penalty cases involving testimony by state expert Walter Quijano. Cornyn acknowledged that Dr. Quijano had provided testimony in six other death penalty cases similar to his improper testimony in the Saldano case. Cornyn's staff has advised defense lawyers for the six inmates now on death row that his office will not oppose efforts to overturn their sentences based on Quijano's testimony. In response, a pessimist might note that Texas is appealing a ruling in another capital case that the defendant received inadequate counsel -- when, indisputably, his lawyer slept through much of the trial. But doing the right thing has a contagious quality to it. Or at least so we can hope.

Edward Lazarus, a former federal prosecutor, is the legal correspondent for Talk Magazine and the author of Closed Chambers: The Rise, Fall, and Future of the Modern Supreme Court.

CCISD: Dear CCISD Trustees, Without Due Process & Community Input; No Choice Will Be Bona-Fide

2007-06-03T23:24:00.000-05:00

"That Just the Way It Is. I Gotta Get Paid"

I must say the tactics being carried out right now are transferring from a division between majority & minority groups to a division of within the minority groups. This concept is how CCISD manipulates. Think about it? Investigations, Colloquial Intelligence, Manipulation of one’s JOB opportunities, personal & political missions and nanotechnology to forecast, design and carry out plans ranging from 0 to at least a good 20 years. WIA slush fund is all about the final data in each category. There are many exemptive solutions & creative methods that are encouraged. The WIA allows the creation of multiple programs and agencies to create JOBS or JOB training. WIA is the DARE program, COPS program, Communities in Schools, and anything they can draw up a quick blueprint of. Innovation and Malleability produce stellar new programs from dedicated grant writers given the concepts and goals of a brainstorm. This is a brilliant concept for our youth. The problem is the adults take candy from the babies. CCISD is way to big for their britches. A board much too elevated to consider input from the community. Such audacity to condescend to engagement of the community they fleece in the justification “they know WATT is best for us”. Furthermore, contrary to their schmoozing persona-ism they do not know it all “we wouldn’t understand the process so why do we need to know how they conduct the business of running our school district?”. We would never understand anyway? The concern is to make the numbers JIVE with each other and the terminology is dynamic so are the variables applicable for each method of calculation.

“I guess it just depends on WATT your definition of is………..

IS?”

"I see no changes all I see is racist faces
misplaced hate makes disgrace to races
We under I wonder what it takes to make this
one better place, let's erase the haters
Take the evil out the people they'll be acting right
'cause both black and white is talkin smack tonight
and only time we heal is when we love each other
it takes skill to be real, time to heal each other
And although it seems heaven sent
We ain't ready, to see a black President, uhh
It ain't a secret don't conceal the fact
the penitentiary's packed"
tupac

South Texas Chisme: Too many minority students dropping out of high school

2007-05-27T07:25:00.000-05:00

South Texas Chisme: Too many minority students dropping out of high school

Too many minority students dropping out of high school

Hispanic youths who lack English skills are three times as likely to drop out as other Hispanic students, according to census data. Almost 40 percent of Hispanic dropouts do not speak English well.

The implications for Texas are especially troubling, given that one-fifth of the nation's Hispanic children live in the state, according to the Civil Rights Project.

It isn't just a problem for minority kids.

One in 10 Texas students vanishes from high school each year to an uncertain future, according to the state.

As bad as that number seems, the reality is probably worse. Many experts say the state undercounts dropouts. Three in 10 students who enter ninth grade don't graduate, according to an index developed by Johns Hopkins University researchers that compares the number of 12th-graders with the number of ninth-graders four years earlier.

Texas Education Agency spokeswoman Debbie Graves Ratcliffe said the agency counts dropouts using a variety of methods [depending upon the result they want for their PR], including an attrition rate similar to the index. But independent studies and attrition rates don't take into account students who move, she said.

We all know Republicans don't care much for that accountability.

posted by CouldBeTrue

Texas Public Education Watchdog Authority: Dear Chuy Hinojosa, Florence Shapiro and distinguished Education Committee Members

2007-05-27T04:27:00.000-05:00

Texas Public Education Watchdog Authority: Dear Chuy Hinojosa, Florence Shapiro and distinguished Education Committee Members

Just give us (Education) the Lottery Proceeds as per original bill of sale. The Lottery was sold to us (the voters of the great State of Texas) as 100% of the proceeds were for Educating our youth.

What percentage of the Lottery proceeds (currently) are dedicated to the education of our youth?

Why is it, the wealth always steals from our children after acting like they were creating, “doing it for th kids” huge reservoirs of Avarice to siphon off.

Like the Lottery originally was ratified by the people of the Great State of Texas with the belief ot was a moneymaker for our Children’s Education. And now how much of the Lottery revenue makes it to Public Education?

Perry Craddick & Corporate Welfare in the name of WIA, ED Byrne Grant, and under the guise of helping the poor.

With the Education funding we should demand that the dedication of lottery money to the Education of our Children be adhered to as it was sold to Texas. The Lottery when legislated was for the Education of Texas Students. Finally, the Private Sector is funded under the WIA slush fund for Corporate Welfare Recipients under the Guise of a Welfare Reform or Welfare to Work / JOB generating program to help the poor. The rich are getting richer in the name of helping the poor. And one needs to always remember it is both parties dippin into the creative crony contractualism. Give it a title, write a grant and set up a front office with a computer and a sign; then get some brochures and a few token clients and funnel the Avarice in a shell game like manner and voila a new ranch or a new house maybe an agency hummer or King Ranch Pickup Truck with a magnetic sign. Give a few JOBS to your network affiliates and send the clients to perform community based work and get rich and richer doing it. Ask Mary Cano or Oscar Martinez to explain it in detail. Charmed I'm sure.

TFT LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE--FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2007
>(copyright 2007 Texas Federation of Teachers)
>
>Proposed State Budget Shortchanges Schools and Educators; Keep Up the Fight
>For House TRS Plan; House at a Standstill as Speaker Clings to Power
>
>Proposed Budget Shortchanges Public Schools, Education Employees: TFT
>President Linda Bridges put out a press statement today deploring the
>results of the House-Senate conference committee on the 2008-2009 budget.
>The state budget plan in House Bill 1 still must win the approval of
>majorities in both the House and Senate. As President Bridges' statement
>below explains, HB 1 in its current form does not deserve that approval:
>
>"Education and educators would be shortchanged badly in the budget proposed
>by House-Senate conferees this afternoon. Based on the information
>currently
>available, school funding would remain static, not even getting back to the
>level of state and local funding school districts had in 2002 in real
>terms, after you take inflation into account. The $850-a-year
>cost-of-living pay raise for teachers passed by the House last month would
>shrivel to about $425, according to the legislative budget staff. If paid
>out to all teachers across the board, this would amount to less than $25 a
>month after taxes and deductions--not even enough to cover the cost of
>rising average health-care premiums. And the conferees took pains today to
>say the money would not even have to be paid out across the board to all
>teachers.
>
>"Worst of all is what this budget proposal would do regarding TRS pension
>benefits. The bill would withhold an eminently affordable and exceedingly
>modest pension boost--a 13th check for TRS retirees--unless other
>legislation passes
>to impose new levies on all current school employees. The only way retirees
>would get a 13th check, under this scheme devised by Sen. Robert Duncan,
>would be if active school employees pay a higher contribution rate, taking
>roughly $50 million a year out of their pockets. This plan totally
>contradicts the House legislation passed unanimously on Wednesday that
>would provide a 13th check for retirees fully funded by the state, without
>imposing any new levies on active employees.
>
>"In short, school districts under this budget would regain none of the
>ground they have lost financially, teachers would get at best a measly pay
>raise of less than $25 a month that wouldn't even keep up with inflation,
>and 300,000 school support personnel would suffer an actual pay cut, as a
>result of the higher levies imposed on them for TRS with no compensating
>increase in pay. You have to give the
>conferees credit--it takes a certain ingenuity to come up with a plan this
>bad at a time when the state is sitting on a record-high budget surplus."
>
>Keep Up the Fight for House TRS Plan! At this writing members of the Texas
>House are standing firm in support of their unanimously approved plan for a
>13th check for TRS retirees, funded by an increase in the state
>contribution rate to 6.7 percent, with no new costs imposed on active
>school employees. Several Senate offices reported to us today that they are
>receiving a high volume of calls in support of this House version of SB
>1846--as well they should be. The Senate alternative proposed by Sen.
>Robert Duncan, Republican of Lubbock, is a thinly veiled attempt to shift
>state costs for TRS pensions onto active employees and their school
>districts.
>
>Duncan let slip the real agenda during floor debate on his plan,
>noting that increasing the TRS levy on active employees and requiring a
>contribution from school districts could "free up general revenue for other
>purposes." In other words, this scheme would allow the state to save money
>by shifting costs onto education employees and local taxpayers.
>
>Duncan's staff in response to callers today reportedly was claiming that
>the freshly hatched budget deal (see above) means that there's no money and
>no time left to provide this session for the 6.7-percent state contribution
>rate that the House proposes. But that's not so. The legislature has
>billions of dollars left to allocate right now, and it would take only a
>tiny fraction of that treasure--less than 1 percent of it, in fact--for the
>state to get to the 6.7-percent TRS contribution rate from the 6.58 percent
>already built into the budget. Even if the budget bill passes in its
>current form, the
>House plan for a fully state-paid 13th check with no new costs imposed on
>active employees could also still pass and become law with full force and
>effect, delivering a 13th check in September.
>
>The upshot is that you have an opportunity right now to shape the outcome
>of this TRS benefit fight in the critical remaining days before adjournment
>of the legislative session on Monday. Just send the letter on this issue to
>your state senator from the TFT Web site. If you don't know your state
>senator, you can find out quickly when you go to that Web letter.
>
>Speaker's Grip on Gavel Threatened: The Texas House came to a standstill at
>8 PM this evening, as Speaker of the House Tom Craddick shut off House
>members' microphones and called a three-hour recess to head off a
>rank-and-file revolt
>threatening to oust him from the speaker's chair. The Midland Republican is
>under heavy fire from both fellow Republicans and Democrats for what many
>consider his tyrannical rule of the House. Tonight he gave them new grist
>for their argument, by ruling that there is no appeal to the membership as
>a whole if he blocks the parliamentary procedure needed to oust him. His
>ruling, epitomizing the arbitrary, one-man rule of which Speaker Craddick
>stands accused, apparently has led to the resignation of the House
>parliamentarian in protest this evening. Like everyone else at the capitol,
>we are now waiting to see if the House will actually reconvene tonight.
>Keep an eye out for news of the latest developments in the daily TFT
>hotlines that will be published each of the next three days as the
>legislative session hurtles toward final adjournment.

Senate Committee on Education

Committee Information

Chair

.Florence Shapiro

Vice-Chair

.Kyle Janek

Members:

.Kip Averitt
.Steve Ogden
.Dan Patrick
.Leticia Van de Putte

.Royce West
.Tommy Williams
.Judith Zaffirini

Texas State Representative House District 33: Keep Your Promises Solly. Remember Miller? Why are CCISD Students still running at large during school d

2007-05-25T04:15:00.000-05:00

Texas State Representative House District 33: Keep Your Promises Solly. Remember Miller? Why are CCISD Students still running at large during school day hours?

Friday, May 25, 2007

Keep Your Promises Solly. Remember Miller? Why are CCISD Students still running at large during school day hours?

CCISD: Why are CCISD Students allowed to run at large during school day hours?

Education is for our Children, our Youth, our Future. Children and Youth need constant redirection and set boundaries at home and at school as well. When a minor is allowed to run at large during the school day hours whether it is in the halls, leaving or returning a closed campus or simply unaccounted for is irresponsible of the caretaker whose custody in which he / she is placed.
Kenedeno

An absent student is one who does not arrive at school in the morning and is absent for the WHOLE Day. The student was never on campus. The Parent is responsible for the student getting to school (requiring the student to attend school). If the student does not get to school it is the Parent’s responsibility not necessarily the Parent’s fault. There are circumstances where the student will walk in the front door and out the back door without attending a single class. This is where the attendance officers need to improve their due diligence like the old days.
Once the student is counted present in the morning; the Parent has required the student (child) to attend school. Once the student is verified in attendance at the beginning of the school day the student is in the custody of the School.
If the student is tardy or skips class (on campus or off campus) this happens on the watch of the school. The Parent if informed should cooperate and communicate with the School Counselors Administrators and the Attendance Officer to correct the behavior. The Security and Attendance officer should take notice and tighten the belt. This is a security issue as well; there is no excuse for students coming and going outside of the lunch period and it is imperative that attendance irregularities be dealt with within 24 hours. This is easily done with our modern technology.
Instead, what we are seeing is the Attendance Officers documenting the absences as they accumulate and filing on the Parent and student when the number of absences are achieved.

Solly, did you forget about the issues and the kids at Miller and CCISD as a whole?

South Texas Chisme: Chisme roundup

Posted on May 15, 2006 at 06:55:18 PM by Jaime Kenedeno ... sources at ccisd downtown have said that a miller hs asst. principal has become a whistleblower. ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/05/chisme-roundup.html - 48k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: Solomon Ortiz Jr. on the ballot for State Rep D33!

I am Jaime Kenedeno of South Texas. A simple Google search will inform you more of WHO I Am. ... The credentials of Noyola and the CCISD / Miller fiasco was ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/08/solomon-ortiz-jr-on-ballot-for-state.html - 31k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: Truth? you cant handle the truth!

That hadn't happened in years, that is why Miller was facing sanctions from the feds (before noyola's time). And Kenedeno is right, we can't support the ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/07/truth-you-cant-handle-truth.html - 35k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: New block walking program in Corpu$

Posted on May 29, 2006 at 01:28:04 AM by Jaime Kenedeno ... Roy Miller’s political skills, vision brought Corpus Christi into the modern era ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/05/new-block-walking-program-in-corpu.html - 42k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: Lets see how you dance to this tune

All the Talk Radio stations will be talking about the Miller HS issue as well as ... From: Jaime Kenedeno [mailto:kingalonzoalvarezdepinedaxiii@gmail.com] ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/07/lets-see-how-you-dance-to-this-tune.html - 46k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: Race for State Rep. District 33 gets HOT

It said that the whistleblowers name at Miller was former assistant ... Jamie Kenedeno, no I just thought it would be fun to do something like that poem. ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/07/race-for-state-rep-district-33-gets.html - 43k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: Who's the REAL enemy?

... Sr. attempts to manipulate the vote and his performance at Miller HS last year. ... Jaime Kenedeno/Haley, Who Knows why he writes anything that he does. ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/09/whos-real-enemy.html - 53k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: PULP FICTION & The Award Winning Caller-Times

... an article on July 23rd entitled PAPER WON’T REPORT RUMORS AT MILLER HIGH, ... Thanks for watching my back, Kenedeno. At 4:19 AM, Jaime KenedeÃ±o said. ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/07/pulp-fiction-award-winning-caller.html - 22k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: Dangerous chisme?

When we write something us here at Kenedeno & Associates believe it to be true. ... in example will be the one that Danny Noyola was removed from Miller. ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/06/dangerous-chisme.html - 27k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: HD 33 shuffle

Danny Noyola, Sr., recently reassigned from Miller HS principal to Moody assistant principal, ... Posted on July 3, 2006 at 09:51:17 PM by Jaime Kenedeno ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/07/hd-33-shuffle.html - 37k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

South Texas Chisme: Once again the Caller times tells only half truth

-Jane Wall – Current teacher and former Miller HS journalism instructor “As a Precinct chair, ... Political Pulse: Kenedeno’s Political Pulse ...
stxc.blogspot.com/2006/08/once-again-caller-times-tells-only.html - 32k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

Kenedeno's Texas Monthly: What did Randy tell his Insurance Agent? "If he turned up dead, his @(@*& did it."

2007-05-24T04:28:00.000-05:00

Kenedeno's Texas Monthly: What did Randy tell his Insurance Agent? "If he turned up dead, his @(@*& did it."

Was Ramsey a threat to Sissy?

dont ever forget who put you on the map.

2007-05-24T03:51:00.000-05:00

Dear Rev. Jones,

Tuesday Morning on El Defenzor Live you posed a question (In our eyes) did the past city council do anything positive?

The answer is simple

It takes many good deeds to build a reputation, and only one bad one to lose it. - Ben Frankiln.

Leadership or associates that have been shown to have lied, deliberately misled or fabricated information or have hidden their beliefs or behaviors to gain an audience, money, friendship, even upon a declared repentance, could never be fully trusted again in many people's minds. Not because they cannot be forgiven, but because, by their very own deceptive words they have deliberately misled people for gain in some way, while being in a place of influence or control and trust in another person's life. The lies have fully broken their trustworthiness, and saying they can now be trusted is not the same as being able to trust them. True Biblical repentance would likely have those in leadership remove themselves from any position of authority, because of the very necessary Biblical qualifications for being placed in leadership in the first place. Leadership must prove they are indeed trustworthy, honest and sound in the faith, which would of necessity take more than a little time to prove, especially for those who have betrayed trust through lies and deception.

Be fair, lose that big head (humble yourself) and let Homer speak. You have 4 other days to talk, talk, talk and now people actually listen but dont ever forget who put you on the map.

Your's Truly,

J. Kenedeno

South Texas Judicial Watch Dog Authority: Dear Officers of the Court, submitted for further investigation

2007-05-22T02:24:00.000-05:00

South Texas Judicial Watch Dog Authority: Dear Officers of the Court, submitted for further investigation

In Re: State v Villa

Do a little research on Del Mar College's in house counsel, Sean Meredeth, DMC Auditorium, Ballet Nacional, little girls, Joe Alaniz, and the relationship with our DA

Why is this evidence not included in the current prosecution of Villa?

Why not drag the whole bunch down to the Courthouse?

Friends of the Prosecution or not, enough of the selective prosecutions. Plaisted, Applebee, and the one's who covered it up at Parkdale Baptist & St Joseph's here in the Jurisdiction of the Nueces County / 105th District Attorney. Zealously

Possible Brady Material?

Does this material not merit a Grand Jury Investigation?

Pervert in Auditorium

CCISD: Freedom of Information Request: The process the CCISD Board used is unethical and unfair.

2007-05-20T06:39:00.000-05:00

CCISD: Freedom of Information Request: The process the CCISD Board used is unethical and unfair.

CCISD: Freedom of Information Request: The process the CCISD Board used is unethical and unfair.

Freedom of Information Request

This Publication request any and all communications including email and written correspondence from one week before Trustee Harry Williams resigned.

Must I formalize it on Monday?

Think I am bluffing?

You gotta ask yourself

Do you feel lucky?

Well Do ya?

Go ahead.........

You guys get the idea?

Now, don't go and seek the OAG's opinion as it will delay our children.

Just fess up and conduct business with honor and integrity and at least give us an appearance of due process. Not one black appointment. You guys are definitely walking on thin ice or maybe already fallen through but just don't know it. Such inadequacy is unacceptable.

CORPUS CHRISTI - CCISD school board members interviewed five candidates Friday to fill the board position vacated by Reverend Harry Williams.

The school board said it will set another meeting to discuss the finalists, and will possibly make a decision then, but still no word on when that would be.

Williams served the school board for more than seven years before resigning last month.

Nick Adame

"Do not be a disservice to our community and choose because this guy is my friend or this guy is my business associate," Dr. Nick Adame said. "I don't want to hear that. I want to hear that we're going to choose somebody because they're going to do right for the community."

Last week, the board narrowed the list of 20 candidates to five

Kenedeno:

Where is the criteria the process for "narrowing the list"?

The process the CCISD Board used is unethical and unfair. Every single applicant took the time to fill out an application, and the thought process for the letter of interest and update of their resume and references. For all intensive purposes this CCISD Board just threw that work product into the trash can while opting for business partners, friends cronies and industry allies.

It is not about the 5 selected it is about how the 5 were selected. It is not about Barrera or Prezas or Bill Clark or Lucy Rubio.

It is about a change of policy where policy is defined by processes of the past. Lucy is the only one with the guts to make the motion, "for the board to scrap the current process and start over. There was no second to the motion." Are there others in that room who agree with her, but politically, they are bound & gagged. The current process is in conflict with current policy. The current process is now a civil rights issue. Is that what CCISD wanted, another Cisneros v CCISD?

We have 19 Candidates who deserve Equal Opportunity and fair consideration. It is called due process.

1. Herbert Cromwell Arbuckle, III Retired Teacher
2. Rolando G. Barrera Insurance Agent
3. Tony C. Diaz, Ed.D. Retired CCISD Administrator
4. Victor Frazier, Ed.D. Minister and University Instructor
5. Cezar Galindo Business Owner and College Instructor
6. Marsha Lynn Grace Professor of Education
7. Coretta Graham Lawyer
8. Helen Gurley, Ph.D. Educator, Director of Academics
9. Patricia Harris Educator
10. Robert Elliott Jones Pastor and Business Manager
11. Deborah W. Johnson Retired Firefighter
12. Bradford Lee Kisner Director of Music and Fine Arts
13. Verna Faye Portis Retired CCISD Administrator
14. Raul R. Prezas, Ed.D. College Professor
15. Norman Haden Ransleben Certified Public Accountant
16. Woodrow Mac Sanders Medical Social Worker
17. Ronald G. Sepulveda Athletic Aquatic Superintendent
18. George Wetzel Retired Public School Administrator/Consultant
19. Goldie Lamarr Wooten Retired Educator

Rubio has said she disagrees with the selection process and would have preferred to use a scoring system instead.

Trustees selected the five candidates to be interviewed by each nominating one from a pool of 20 applicants.

We elect you guys to represent the district with honor & integrity

But before trustees interviewed the first candidate, trustee Lucy Rubio motioned for the board to scrap the current process and start over. There was no second to the motion.

Rubio has said she disagrees with the selection process and would have preferred to use a scoring system instead.

CCCT Editorial

The trustees' refusal to lay out the cards is beyond irritating; it borders on the outrageous.

Particularly disturbing is the fact that three new trustees elected last year - Carol Scott, John Longoria and Dwayne Hargis, all of whom emphasized their intent to bring new openness to the board - appear to have bought into the mum's-the-word ethos that has dominated this exercise.

To be sure, they (and their colleagues) could, and should, reverse their field.

CCISD Trustees: Pick and choose Policy Making with malice. Shame on YOU.

CORPUS CHRISTI - CCISD school board members have decided not to change their policy which forbids seniors who fail the TAKS from graduating.

One parent we spoke with Thursday said the policy didn't make sense, because while students who fail the TAKS test during the school year aren't allowed to take part in graduation ceremonies. The same doesn't hold true for summer school grads. They're allowed to participate in summer graduation ceremonies without knowing whether they passed the test.

The decision didn't sit well with some parents and students.

School board member Lucy Rubio had hoped to amend the policy, and allow seniors who failed the TAKS to at least walk in with their class during may commencement. But other school board members didn't agree.

Parkdale Bank: According to Gambi Gamboa, "John Longoria, Carol Scott and Dwayne Hargis already have chosen and will officially choose Roland Barrera

2007-05-16T03:31:00.000-05:00

Parkdale Bank: According to Gambi Gamboa, "John Longoria, Carol Scott and Dwayne Hargis already have chosen and will officially choose Roland Barrera as soon as Fri

After analyzing the recent events surrounding the resignation of CCISD Board Trustee Harry Williams (1 of 3 at large district positions); one thing IS clear. That one thing is Due Process (or lack of it). Immediately one's memory of search firm fiascos and the CCISD Board tool of choice, the Interim Superintendent buffer / scapegoat. The process was elaborate and ethical reasons or rule were claimed as the reason for the process.

Well, why such a rush fellas?

Why is the CCISD board in such a hurry to fill this position?

A Superintendent position and a Trustee position; one we wine, dine and lodge and the other we announce for applications for a month or so and "narrow the list down" from 20 to 5 in most expedient fashion. Now, making a long story short we have 20 candidates who invested their creative, intellectual and professional abilities into a work product they hope will be scrutinized by the Board and be successfully competitive. A good letter of interest comes only from the heart. The application is at times tedious but at least it is more objective than the TAKS. Updating one's resume and with a list of references most meaningful to the position and all of this for 15 to get thrown in the trash can and the 5 resumes remaining are to place on public display

full story here

"I'll be as hardy of mind as I am of body. I'll be a straight-shooter and a square-dealer. My family name will be sacred My word will be as good as any contract. I'll remember the Alamo. I'll stick by my friends. And I'll eat more chicken-fried steak."

Carlos Truan | Hugo Berlanga & The Primrose Path & Rangel Law School @ Texas A&I University.

2007-05-07T04:51:00.000-05:00

http://www.ibcmemorial.org/irma.html

Monday, May 7, 2007
Carlos Truan | Hugo Berlanga | Henry Cuellar | Edwards, Al | Todd Hunter | Luci0 : The Primrose Path & Rangel Law School @ Texas A&I University.

Or posture for another agenda?

Who at that time wanted a Pharmacy College?

Celanese, King Ranch, URI?

Now we have this unorthodox legislation for an Engineering School @ TAMUCC?

This is a Developing Medical Community with the ability to become the finest in the world. Medical Nanotechnology is already here, $ are already here.

The Political Faction at TAMUCC will find their equilibrium eventually. An engineering school @ CCSU / TAMUCC is obtuse to the medical assets we have accumulated and the Philanthropy already well rooted in South Texas.

Irma Rangel Legislation was for the establishment of a law school at Texas A & I

The Age of Winchell: Irma Rangel Legacy : Relating to the establishment of a law school at Texas A&I University.

Hugo Berlanga | Henry Cuellar | Edwards, Al | Todd Hunter | Eddie Lucio

Bill:

SB 646

Legislative Session: 71(R)

Council Document: 71R 1835 MHT-D

Add to Bill List

Last Action:	02/28/1989 S Reported favorably w/o amendments

Caption Version:	Introduced
Caption Text:	Relating to the establishment of a law school at Texas A&I University.

Author:	Truan

Subjects:	Education--Higher-- General (I0231) TEXAS A&I UNIVERSITY (U2467)

Companion:	HB 1630 by Rangel, Identical

Senate Committee:	Education
Status:	Out of committee
Vote:	Ayes=9 Nays=1 Present Not Voting=0 Absent=1

--
Posted By The Advocate to Google Yourself Corpus Christi at 5/07/2007 02:46:00 AM

Nueces De La Parra: Corpus Christi Watchdog Authority: When the District Attorney has questions and the SOS has cleared the Candidate to run, how can

2007-05-03T16:46:00.000-05:00

Corpus Christi Watchdog Authority: When the District Attorney has questions and the SOS has cleared the Candidate to run, how can there be criminal proceedings?

Whichever suits the interest of the "Pick and Choose" self dealers of Del Mar College. The voters made their choice; but it is not the choice of the "Pick and Choose" self dealers, so they whine. Always changing the rules in the middle of the process and calling it due process and they actually believe their own prevarication. It is requested that the AG attend the board meetings and closed sessions in the interest of Del Mar Taxpayers, Faculty and Student body as the AG did in the Kenedy Foundation debacle with Rene Gracida.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!

Nueces De La Parra: Nobody kicked Joe Elizondo off of the CCREDC Board. He was inebriated and "with" females not his wife. Ask Denise about the "Bache

2007-05-03T06:25:00.000-05:00

Nueces De La Parra: Nobody kicked Joe Elizondo off of the CCREDC Board. He was inebriated and "with" females not his wife. Ask Denise about the "Bachelorettes' dancing w/ her hubby?

If the situation was reversed I would definitely be the bad guy. Maybe I should go yell at Juan's next event "WHO GIVES A F//K" and chant the CCREDC mantra Chorus. "JUAN MORE" "JUAN MORE" and ask him if he remembers? Juan must be held to a higher standard. Keep the reigns tight on him and everytime he starts to veer byte his a$$.

LOL

Joe Elizondo, surely he is a gentle man and a member of our leadership INFRASTRUCTURE? However, there must be HOUSECLEANING and the "Pulling of Weeds" that poisons us from the Top Down.

Elizondo began chanting JUAN MORE, JUAN MORE over and over (increasing in menacing heckle tone). Everyone ignored him so he continued with the JUAN MORE, JUAN MORE escalation. Then the Guitar Guy with the HAt "straight off of the sunset strip" was suggesting songs (lead ins). Elizondo yelled, "WHO GIVES A FUCK" and some other MINUTIA (uncalled for). He was directing his disrespect at the stage. My wife & I at the same time said, "HEY" and we turned to him with a meeting of the eyes. His group separated and Elizondo departed in a new truck. The others with him were friendly & charming before and after.

Remember The Crime Stoppers "Vandalism" of the Corpus Christi Country Club Golf Coursehigh powered members who control our nation’s economy & industry

2007-04-20T04:26:00.000-05:00

No Good Deed

Hal Bray

The Book

A Story of greed, power, love and lust set in the beautiful Gulf of Mexico during the final hey days of the oil industry.

The Story

Brockland Joshua, Brock to his friends, was a retired Infantry Lieutenant Colonel of the United States Army who, through a series of turns, became the manager of a golf and country club in Corpus Christi, Texas, on the last developed barrier reef island in the United States.

In doing his job Brock has become involved with some high powered members of his club who want him to do a little intelligence gathering for them. It seems the OPEC countries and our nation’s oil producing capabilities are on a collision course. He does not realize that this good deed will draw him into a web of intrigue and danger that will involve organized crime on both sides of the Texas border and leave him marked as the killer of these same friends.

As Brock scrambles to prove his innocence, people begin dying around him, including his beautiful blonde lover, wife of the corrupt oil baron he has exposed. He cannot do it alone. So he contacts two old Army buddies and they weigh in. As they plan to clear his name, he is confident that he can do it. While no good deed may go unpunished, Brock intends to hand out a little punishment of his own.

An Exciting Exerpt From No Good Deed

The blossom of flame and the wave of concussion singed Brock’s eyebrows and lashes and threw him bodily back through the door into the entryway of his home. He was slammed into the far wall. He slid to a sitting position all sound suddenly coming to him through the cotton wads in his ears. He struggled to comprehend what had happened. Then reality broke over him like a crashing wave.

Wobbling to his feet he tried to run back to the door but only succeeded in toppling to the floor again, his equilibrium shot. On hands and knees he continued toward the door. Pulling himself upright he saw a pall of smoke obscuring his drive. He stumbled down the stairs to the edge of the drive peering through the smoke. He pulled up short almost falling into the crater that was once his driveway.

Reason would not come. Where was Jessie? Had she managed to get away? The breeze picked up, moving the smoke in swirls. As in a scene from a bad sci-fi movie he saw the wreckage among the palm trees at the entry to the drive some 100 feet away.

The military part of his mind registered the significance of the amount of explosives required to lift an automobile and throw it 100 feet in the air. But on a different plane he was unable to cope with the destruction that had been wrought on his lover’s car.

Regaining his senses he ran towards the ruined car. It was not a fiery ball of flame but lay upside down smoldering. He rounded the car and in a low crawl moved to the driver’s window. The top of the car had been squashed but he could see Jessie through the opening. Reaching he tried to pull her through. The metal of the car was still searing hot. He ignored the pain. Slowly he scuttled away from the car on his stomach like a crawdad pulling Jessie with him. He knew he might hurt her further but if he left her there she would surely die. Finally, after what seemed to be hours but were only minutes, she was a comparatively safe distance from the car.

Brock knelt at her side placing his fingers on the carotid artery, praying for a sign that she was still alive. Faintly he felt an irregular pressure against the tips of his fingers. Leaping to his feet Brock ran back across the lawn slipping and falling in his haste. Bolting through the door he picked up the phone and dialed 911. As the operator answered and he began his request he heard sirens whining to silence in the front of the house. Dropping the phone in mid sentence he raced back outside to see police, firemen and paramedics already on the scene. He returned to where Jessie lay.

Two men were working frantically on her. One medic knelt beside her, a bottle of glucose in one hand stretched above him like the statue of liberty while he spoke into a hand held radio in the other. The other held an ambu-bag over her mouth and nose trying to give Jessie the oxygen her battered body would not.

Brock stood frozen in place while he watched. The hand held radio rasped back at the medic and he responded. The medic with the oxygen bag ceased his efforts and rocked back on his heels. Looking at his partner he shook his head even as he used his stethoscope to confirm what his years of experience had taught him to recognize. This lady was dead.

If You Enjoyed This Book, Watch For the Sequel "What Goes Around" Coming Soon!

No Good Deed

Hal Bray

About the Author:

Hal Bray is a new author who writes what he knows. As a retired Infantry Lieutenant Colonel, he shares with us the mind set of men formed by their combat experiences. As one who has managed prestigious private country clubs and dealt with their high powered members who control our nation’s economy and industry, he provides keen insight on the inner workings of politics and money in the oil industry against a backdrop of greed and corruption.

From an idyllic setting to one of chaos and panic he leads us on a rapidly accelerating chase to foil a plan that would ruin the oil industry within the United States and place our fuel destiny in the hands of the OPEC nations.

Hal Bray lives in beautiful Northern California with his wife. His retirement from the United States Army brought him into the sphere of influence of many important people in the oil industry during the 1980's. Their lives and suggestions, along with a vivid imagination inspired this book.

After serving 22 years in the United States Infantry, with multiple tours in Vietnam, Hal used the business degree he earned while on active duty to manage golf and country clubs. From California to Texas he came to the Gulf Coast during the final hey days of oil in the1980's. When the bubble burst there was a lot of recriminations and wondering why and how.

Parkdale Baptist Church

An article titled, ""Serpent in the Garden"" by James Pinkerton in the Houston Chronicle (not locally covered) January 14, 1996.

Deacon James Plaisted did some very bad things and was protected by some very powerful people. He even was rewarded with Law School in Boston then busted again bringing another little girl from the Body of Christ to his Boston Motel. He worked with CCISD and Horvat.

Texas Monthly Web Press: "CHIP is good medicine for Texas children and good for Texas

2007-04-05T06:09:00.000-05:00

Texas Monthly Web Press: "CHIP is good medicine for Texas children and good for Texas

BND: In the Beginning

2007-04-02T03:02:00.000-05:00

By Kevin Garcia
The Brownsville Herald

Union Pacific Engine 5047 received a roar of applause as it broke the ribbon at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, officially dedicating the new track running beneath Expressway 77/83 near Olmito.

The track is part of the Brownsville-Matamoros Railroad Relocation Demonstration Project. By June 15, trains running to and from the Port of Brownsville will use the new track to bypass the city. That means no more trains blocking traffic in front of the Cameron County Courthouse in downtown Brownsville.

Many officials, including Texas Gov. Rick Perry, U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz of Corpus Christi, U.S. Rep. Don Young of Alaska and Brownsville Mayor Blanca Vela, attended the event.

State Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, said the $50 million project – paid for by federal, state and local funds – represents a historic step that improves transportation in Brownsville.

“Moving the tracks from within the community out to the northern part of the community means there will be fewer vehicle accidents,” Lucio said.

Young, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, said the port-sponsored project was included in the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1973, a bill that Congress passed, in part, to help fund relocation projects.

“In 1973, there were 10 (American cities) designated (for relocation) and this is the first one that has been finished,” Young said. “This is a gateway for both the north and the south, so this is very important in that respect.”

Perry said Brownsville would be an example for the rest of the nation.

“It (Brownsville) is the front door of America,” Perry said. “This is the kind of innovative transportation system that the citizens of this area have been waiting for.”

The dedication ceremony was hosted by Raul A. Besteiro Jr., a driving force behind the relocation project. In honor of his service to the port and the city, the Brownsville Navigation District christened the new rail line the Raul A. Besteiro Jr. North Railroad Loop, and Vela proclaimed the day Raul A. Besteiro Day.

Union Pacific representative Joseph Adams said such praise for Besteiro is deserved, given the huge difference the new track will make to the city.

“It will mean good service to the port and not having to go through downtown,” Adams said.

Before the 1990s, trains passing through Brownsville had to cross 87 roads, blocking traffic and often slowing to 10 mph to reduce the chance of accidents. With the completion of the rail relocation, trains will now cross just eight roads.

Posted on Jun 08, 03 | 12:10 am

Brother Leo: where your voters are illiterate or they cannot speak, read, and write the English or Spanish languages you have to haul them like cattle

2007-04-01T05:15:00.000-05:00

Brother Leo: where your voters are illiterate or they cannot speak, read, and write the English or Spanish languages you have to haul them like cattle to the polls

Kenedeno Hardcopy: A long line of Kenedeños who have worked for generations as coastal cowboys in S. TX, & the history of the legendary side-by-side K

2007-04-01T05:02:00.000-05:00

Kenedeno Hardcopy: A long line of Kenedeños who have worked for generations as coastal cowboys in S. TX, & the history of the legendary side-by-side Kenedy & King ranch

CCREDC Players but who calls the plays?

2007-03-25T06:43:00.000-05:00

Jim Barnette: nominated by membership. Immediate past chairman. Partner in Fulton/Coastcon Construction.

Irma Caballero: director of the city's economic development department.

Mike Carrell: nominated by Port Authority. President of Frost Bank.

Joe Elizondo: treasurer of the EDC. Nominated by city. President of the Greenwood Door Company.

David Engel: nominated by membership. President of Engel Investments.

Henry Garrett: mayor of Corpus Christi.

Gene Guernsey: nominated by city. President/CEO GGR Inc.

Judy Hawley: secretary of the EDC. Nominated by Port Authority. Texas business development manager, Advanced Acoustic Concepts.

Al Jones: former member of the board. President of American Bank.

Tony LaMantia: nominated by membership. President L & F Distributors.

John LaRue: Executive director of Port Authority.

Ed Martin: nominated by the city. Now serves as chairman. President of Berry Contractors/Bay Ltd.

Colleen McHugh: nominated by membership. Attorney. Former partner in Bracewell and Giuliani.

Roland Mower: CEO/President. Former president of the Bryan-College Station Economic Development Corp.

Charles Patton: nominated by membership. President and COO AEP Texas.

Dennis Payne: nominated by membership. Vice president of Valero Refining.

Gloria Perez: nominated by city. President Asiel Enterprises. Former member of the Corpus Christi Business and Job Creation board, a city authority.

Paul Trevino: nominated by membership to replace Jones. COO Christus Spohn Hospital Shoreline.

Nueces County Watchdog Authority: Dear State Representative Solomon P Ortiz, What happened to "a reasonable good faith effort" ?

2007-03-19T02:45:00.000-05:00

Nueces County Watchdog Authority: Dear State Representative Solomon P Ortiz, What happened to "a reasonable good faith effort" ?

Nueces County Watchdog Authority: Nueces County Constitutional Court Judge holds "State of the County Address" without the Nueces County Public?

2007-03-03T16:03:00.000-06:00

Nueces County Watchdog Authority: Why did our Nueces County Constitutional Court Judge Lloyd Neal hold a "State of the County Address" without inviting the Nueces County Public?

It is the same "dont care what the people want they are going to do it anyway regardless of the public's opinion" .

The same "It's about time" Cavalier Attitude of our All American City Counsel and the Beach Thieves

Del Mar Electronic Anonymous Input Forum: Dr. Carlos Garcia Bows out Gracefully

2007-02-21T21:03:00.000-06:00

Del Mar Electronic Anonymous Input Forum: Dr. Carlos Garcia Bows out Gracefully