tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-127304952024-03-13T10:25:43.873-05:00Texas VikingInsights on Texas issues by Michael Fjetland (a Viking name pronounced "Fetland"). Michael is an international attorney who has negotiated in over 50 countries. He was a terrorism expert in '91 Gulf War and again on 9 11. A Texas resident since 1965 he owns Armor Glass.
Michael's websites:
www.BetterTimesAheadAprilFool.com
Armor Glass International Inc.
www.ArmorGlass.com
Global American Values blog
http://globalamericanvalues.blogspot.com/
Comments are invited but are moderated
Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.comBlogger749125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-12882588492283557802018-10-18T12:05:00.001-05:002018-10-18T12:05:37.914-05:00Fwd: Very Urgent<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSnu55lhlcjUNxyjCZ3TrSME5B5FXO3AjG3BhI3pjJETQLvLB6vHU30PucGQHFdWU4dqKOiK-w03fmp4upTDIuuiWE3dpjAlhEnecy__iOBvZkeuLaf72wrAiP7PIQDL8Gpjs-A/s1600/Very+Urgent-737924.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSnu55lhlcjUNxyjCZ3TrSME5B5FXO3AjG3BhI3pjJETQLvLB6vHU30PucGQHFdWU4dqKOiK-w03fmp4upTDIuuiWE3dpjAlhEnecy__iOBvZkeuLaf72wrAiP7PIQDL8Gpjs-A/s320/Very+Urgent-737924.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6613744285003309794" /></a></p>The bank contact information is stated below:
<br>
<br>Name of Bank: UBA bank Plc
<br>Email address: <a href="mailto:ubatg9@gmail.com">ubatg9@gmail.com</a>Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-2712010335794422792018-06-21T15:19:00.001-05:002018-06-21T15:19:04.002-05:00Dear Friend, I recently wrote to you. Why are you silent? Should I resend the previous message to you again? Reply to me urgently.Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-78499485683418953962016-08-17T18:24:00.002-05:002016-08-17T18:27:31.360-05:00TIme for a Texas Viking Attack on Texas Leaders Killing of Our FutureI am resurrecting my "Texas Viking" blog because I have been watching "Heroes of Telemark" and thinking its time for the Vikings in Texas to kick ass for our future in Austin when we have legislators question the value of pre-K and a Governor claiming to be "Pro Life" who denies Medicaid coverage for millions of poor Texans while allowing a man be executed for a murder when he was the one who pulled the trigger...<br />
<br />
I hear that Rick Perry, our former Governor with the brain of a goldfish (oops) could beat Sen. ("Shut Down the Government over people getting healthcare" Ted Cruz in 2018. That is the choice between poison and being shot. Neither man has a clue what America and Texas needs to win the 21st century.<br />
<br />
I hope that one of the Castro brothers takes on this race in 2018 so I don't have to think like a VIKING and want to go bash the morons with a sword into embracing our future from providing pre-K education to ramping up our solar and wind energy resources. It's time we built an "IKE DIKE" to provide protection for our nation's major fuel processing source (or risk gas doubling to $7 overnight due to a hurricane wiping it out). It's time we engaged in major infrastructure upgrades long overdue because the same turd brains running our legislature in Austin is also busy doing nothing in Washington DC - even as ZIKA and other major issues face us. The GOP answer? Go on VACATION!<br />
<br />
Time to wipe out the dinosaur Neanderthals running today's Nazi Republican party in Texas and nationally. It's time to vote for Democrats on the ticket - from dog catcher to President, to get people who really DO CARE about LITTLE people, because that's who WE ARE.<br />
<br />
Pass it on my fellow citizens who really are pro life because we are the Americans who want all people treated with respect, equally, regardless of race or sex or orientation. We are the Democratic party and America's best bet for a bright future, versus global racist extremist with a bad temper on the nuke button.<br />
<br />
My story in<a href="http://www.bettertimesaheadaprilfool.com/"> "Better Times Ahead April Fool"</a><br />
<br />
Michael Fjetland, BBA/JD<br />
<br />Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-22990757599079303782016-08-17T18:24:00.001-05:002016-08-17T18:25:06.407-05:00TIme for a Texas Viking Attack on Texas Leaders Killing of Our FutureI am resurrecting my "Texas Viking" blog because I have been watching "Heroes of Telemark" and thinking its time for the Vikings in Texas to kick ass for our future in Austin when we have legislators question the value of pre-K and a Governor claiming to be "Pro Life" who denies Medicaid coverage for millions of poor Texans while allowing a man be executed for a murder when he was the one who pulled the trigger...<br />
<br />
I hear that Rick Perry, our former Governor with the brain of a goldfish (oops) could beat Sen. ("Shut Down the Government over people getting healthcare" Ted Cruz in 2018. That is the choice between poison and being shot. Neither man has a clue what America and Texas needs to win the 21st century.<br />
<br />
I hope that one of the Castro brothers takes on this race in 2018 so I don't have to think like a VIKING and want to go bash the morons with a sword into embracing our future from providing pre-K education to ramping up our solar and wind energy resources. It's time we built an "IKE DIKE" to provide protection for our nation's major fuel processing source (or risk gas doubling to $7 overnight due to a hurricane wiping it out). It's time we engaged in major infrastructure upgrades long overdue because the same turd brains running our legislature in Austin is also busy doing nothing in Washington DC - even as ZIKA and other major issues face us. The GOP answer? Go on VACATION!<br />
<br />
Time to wipe out the dinosaur Neanderthals running today's Nazi Republican party in Texas and nationally. It's time to vote for Democrats on the ticket - from dog catcher to President, to get people who really DO CARE about LITTLE people, because that's who WE ARE.<br />
<br />
Pass it on my fellow citizens who really are pro life because we are the Americans who want all people treated with respect, equally, regardless of race or sex or orientation. We are the Democratic party and America's best bet for a bright future, versus global racist extremist with a bad temper on the nuke button.<br />
<br />
My story in<a href="http://www.bettertimesaheadaprilfool.com/"> "Better Times Ahead April Fool"</a><br />
<br />
Michael Fjetland, BBA/JD<br />
<br />Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-35321424555104308592015-07-09T11:09:00.002-05:002015-07-10T08:28:48.921-05:00I have run in both GOP and DEM primaries - Came in LAST in Each - Which party is the FUTURE of America? This one...<span style="font-size: large;">I am probably one of the very few - less than those you can count on one hand - who has run in both Republican and Democratic primaries for Congress and can give a personal account of the differences. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I came in dead last in both and yet I can tell you which party is the party that reflects America. I make that judgment even though I got zero endorsements in my 2014 U.S. Senate run in the Democratic party in Texas, save for one visionary young UT student in Austin, Noah Horwitz, who based it on experience instead of passion and youth.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I have to say that Donald Trump has exposed an ugly secret in the GOP that I witnessed -- racism.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfrOLMBVSTqmedBbzeXlNuO8dqDlYWFCm3rmlG7RFcWNkYYZGT-gVoFEoG8gox5_ndSUrbI1zKmOHglSPNcN8xtwcG7-xYbQCv4qICOMSpTjNnDCrlmIguS0zTc2qltdmDdl1xA/s1600/MF2000_1.1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfrOLMBVSTqmedBbzeXlNuO8dqDlYWFCm3rmlG7RFcWNkYYZGT-gVoFEoG8gox5_ndSUrbI1zKmOHglSPNcN8xtwcG7-xYbQCv4qICOMSpTjNnDCrlmIguS0zTc2qltdmDdl1xA/s1600/MF2000_1.1.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In 2000 I ran in the GOP primary against then Congress rep Tom DeLay in CD 22. I lost and ran again in the 2002 and 2206 GOP primaries. (In 2004 I ran as an independent for the same seat). In 2014 I ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Texas, so I got to see what kind of people make up the primary electorate in each party.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The first thing I noticed in the GOP was it was primarily a one color party in a multi-colored world. Mostly older, white voters. They called themselves "pro life" yet seemed to be against anything that improved life such as healthcare for the poor and food assistance. Being called a "moderate" was the worst possible sin; every candidate swore to be the most "conservative." </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was rare to see anyone of color at a GOP event and it became evident why. Before 9/11 they were mostly vocal about blacks and hispanics in a negative way. After 9/11 Muslims were added to the list. I used to joke that they didn't even like people from different country clubs. Donald Trump has simply said out loud what most of the primary voters and candidates believe -- that minorities are "bad" people. I doubt they ever met any.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In the Democratic primary I saw America -- a multi-colored party that welcomed blacks, Hispanics, Muslims, women and even supported same sex marriage. it looked like the modern world, a mix of people that respect each other and work towards common goals such as advancing our education, cleaning our environment and creating jobs needed in a high tech global economy. I saw them representing a path for America to once again lead the world.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In 2000, Tom DeLay was cutting off funding for Houston's rail system, putting it a decade behind its sister cities like Dallas and Atlanta. He was responsible for passing unpaid for tax cuts and two unpaid for wars that drove our deficits into the trillions while costing us our creditor national status. No bid contracts of $39 billion were given to the Vice Presidents former company, Halliburton in Iraq. Our education system went from No. 1 to being <a href="http://www.cnycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=978874#.VZ6Tg_k-ZG0">No. 36</a> - far behind China, Europe, etc. Texas Republicans have cut education funding by billions, failing our children's future.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In 2015, I see the same GOP still fighting on the wrong side - fighting to keep a confederate flag waving, fighting education funding, fighting against infrastructure funding when we have tens of thousands of bridges about to collapse from old age. I see a party that has demonized minorities quietly, but openly support Mr. Trump who is a billionaire and not afraid to speak the way they think. That is why he leads in GOP polls.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I can't imagine a candidate in the Democratic party speaking so disrespectful of any group - be they Hispanics, blacks, gays, whatever. We aren't bigots. We are progressives who want to make our Constitution's promise of "equality" a real achievement as we educate our kids to the level needed for America to succeed in a space age economy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My own experience in running for Congress is documented in "<a href="http://bettertimesaheadaprilfool.com/">Better Times Ahead April Fool</a>" and what i experienced in the GOP primaries (I was kicked off the GOP ballot in 2002 so Mr. DeLay would not have an opponent. I had to file suit to get back on).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In 2016, we need Presidential candidates who respect ALL races, women and religions - not just the ones of one race backed by primary voters who tend to be the most extreme. In this regard, I believe the Republican party has lost its way. Its fights against people having basic healthcare is so anti-life it is amazing they can claim to be 'pro life' with a straight face. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The GOP obsession with Christianity is blind to the first Amendments guarantee that our government should not pick a favorite religion over another. We have a freedom from religion and freedom of religion at the same time. Few of them realize that to pray "in Jesus name" is an affront to those of the Jewish faith. Few of them realize that Muslims honor Jesus in their religion and that no one is demanding to live under Sharia Law in the U.S. The reaction to the police shootings of unarmed black men has shown that the GOP doesn't honor innocent life as much as it claims. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am a personal witness to the workings of both parties primary system. In one, I see the clinging to the past - the GOP in Texas is rewriting history textbooks to eliminate any mention of Jim Crow laws or slavery as the root cause of the Civil War. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In the other party, the Democrats, I see the future of America, a diverse group that works together and respects a rainbow of colors and people and their religious beliefs. I can say that even though, despite my being in favor of same sex marriage, i was not endorsed by any Democratic Stonewall group. I lost in both parties but the experience was telling.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The only question I have is how long before the GOP either changes its focus on Grumpy Old (White) People making up the 1% or becomes extinct as it honors Mr. Trump's bigotry and bullying ways. He is merely stating what their primary voters want to hear. It's a party still stuck in the 50's and 60's when America was white, rural and isolationist. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And that's the problem. America is now diverse, urban and increasingly progressive.Democrats welcome gay and straight, transgender or not, any religion or none, heck, I bet we would accept a Martian if we knew one. lol. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I outlined a roadmap to America's future in Agenda for American Greatness at the book link. Please read and let's move America into a more just and equal society that treats people with respect instead of hate and arrogant bullying.</span>Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-69703440395936376002015-07-08T15:00:00.001-05:002015-07-08T15:02:21.499-05:00Donald Trump's Rant of Racism -- Nasty Things to Say About EVERYONE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7qyMoJLrQvXu9EgGu6IDf9VT3FIDCRGqijBmimK9YlhG6DCXczInJAxWBTzuzOH7BqBoieE3ivPm1YqA0AiJZBhZ_OaLw7fxnf99lBqWDsgqRYdsJx40t0BCTuTK9TdRP0hZfw/s1600/Donald+trump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7qyMoJLrQvXu9EgGu6IDf9VT3FIDCRGqijBmimK9YlhG6DCXczInJAxWBTzuzOH7BqBoieE3ivPm1YqA0AiJZBhZ_OaLw7fxnf99lBqWDsgqRYdsJx40t0BCTuTK9TdRP0hZfw/s320/Donald+trump.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was in the car listening on satellite radio and heard the whole 10 minute interview between Donald trump and a female reporter, who he chided more than once ("you aren't very experienced" he said at one point). <br /><br />He reminds me of Barnum and Bailey show on speed - he never stopped talking and jumping from one thing to another, then repeating himself. He knows the old white base of the GOP likes insults towards illegals, etc. He hurled them at everyone.<br /><br />Trump will win close to zero Hispanic votes, even less than Romney's poor showing. He is the Democrats new best friend since he is branding the GOP as the harsh bully anti-minority party. He used false facts since the border is not at net zero because Mexico's economy has picked up and fewer people need to look for work in the U.S. Trump claimed Ford is opening a billion dollar auto plant there - so why would immigrants come here when they can work there? His own arguments are illogical.<br /><br />I detected a bully. He had nothing good to say about ANYONE, not even conservative writers, etc. Only the Donald can save us from the world - even if he has to bomb every oil field in Iraq. That was the message i heard in a bombastic tone.<br /><br />One minute he says Mexico is dumping their crooks on us, then saying how smart their gov't is compared to ours, etc. Very bombastic, a bully. <br /><br />Trump is scratching the bigotry wound by bringing it into the open instead of using 'dog whistles' like real politicians do. He is the Bernie Sanders on the right - willing to say what it takes to snag the votes and burn the general election barn down while doing it...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />America is a diverse nation. Racism and intolerance has no place in 21st century life.<br />http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/trump-ill-win-the-latino-vote</span>Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-27988937768588290652015-07-01T11:51:00.002-05:002015-07-01T12:00:14.610-05:00How GOP Turned TEXAS into GREECE - Beware Politicians Bearing IOU's<span style="font-size: large;">The big news is that GREECE, a member of the EU with heavy debts, is in default and the financial ripples hit Wall Street with a 350 point drop. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What is less known is that Texas Republican leadership has done to Texas what Greece's leaders have done -- cut taxes and then borrowed BILLIONS to make up for the short-fall.They are punishing future generations and sticking them with the bill. After awhile that house of cards comes tumbling down. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBb1NNxu2V4ZQjl-alhDpovjWyZiWJA40Tyv0qkwj48X7wZCC1ivDVOuehL98camAuNT0_lPsIv_2lILSAMY2mcq7NQ1MlvXbOfubJaKlsT6vcqzNsswexRcLiBmuTX14Qv4sOMA/s1600/Greece+debt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBb1NNxu2V4ZQjl-alhDpovjWyZiWJA40Tyv0qkwj48X7wZCC1ivDVOuehL98camAuNT0_lPsIv_2lILSAMY2mcq7NQ1MlvXbOfubJaKlsT6vcqzNsswexRcLiBmuTX14Qv4sOMA/s320/Greece+debt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7FiZsh-2vlZP091ti99RGSLqfzD8mN36sFo1Ycc0P8suwVCZtrNsbyXAiL30KhHzY0YPam8N1WO-etmGZWkJyORBsYvhvAfTy_M8gkcLxEkgAL2bU7-07v2UAuftsIgw798D8g/s1600/TexasFinance_typesofdebt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7FiZsh-2vlZP091ti99RGSLqfzD8mN36sFo1Ycc0P8suwVCZtrNsbyXAiL30KhHzY0YPam8N1WO-etmGZWkJyORBsYvhvAfTy_M8gkcLxEkgAL2bU7-07v2UAuftsIgw798D8g/s320/TexasFinance_typesofdebt.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Above: Greek debt and Texas debt: same problem<br /><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">According to this article in the <a href="http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/05/rising-local-debt-draws-attention-legislature/">Texas Tribune</a> Texas statewide debt is now $205 BILLION. "Of the 10 most populous states, <b>Texas has the second-highest amount of
local debt per resident,</b> at $8,627, according to the Bond Review Board.
<b>Only New York has a higher local debt per capita.</b>"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Instead of paying cash for its roads, the GOP borrows the money. As Gov. Mark White once said to me "When we built roads they were paid for when the cement dried." Not so under the GOP, which has pushed those expenses off to counties and cities --and the next generation. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Tribune article explains: "</span><span style="font-size: large;">Cities are expected to be doing more of the state’s old jobs like
building roads and reservoirs,” said Bennett Sandlin, executive director
of the Texas Municipal League. “It is a bit hypocritical in that
regard.” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> If Tex</span><span style="font-size: large;">as were a country its GDP would rank it about 12th - about $1.6 Trillion, the same size as Canada. Greece would rank 26th with a GDP of $355 billion (about the same size as Dallas-Ft. Worth). So basically, Texas has the means to be debt free that smaller Greece does not. The problem is that our leadership is doing just what Greece's leaders did - drop tax collections and roll up debt. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is an example of the problem if we just talk about roads, from a <a href="http://tti.tamu.edu/2014/06/03/transportation-infrastructure-in-texas-the-needs-and-the-numbers/">Texas A&M report</a>: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"</span><span style="font-size: large;">Over the past 40 years, our population has more than doubled – up by 125
percent. The number of cars and trucks on the road has almost tripled.
And the number of miles those cars and trucks travel has more than
tripled. Over the same time, our roadway capacity has grown only
modestly—by 19 percent. We have too much demand for roadway space and
not enough supply. It’s that simple."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Texas current population of 26 million is expect to top 40 million by 2040! How will we be prepared when our legislature pretends we can grow using a budget that cuts funding for education, transportation, etc?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Then there is the education issue mentioned in the <a href="http://Texas is “on the brink of squandering” its demographic edge of having a youthful and growing population by not investing enough in education, especially for its large Hispanic population, Tienda said. That in turn, could put at risk the quality of the state’s workforce in the future, she said.">Dallas Morning News</a>: "</span><span style="font-size: large;">Texas is “on the brink of squandering” its demographic edge of having a
youthful and growing population by not investing enough in education,
especially for its large Hispanic population, Tienda said. That in turn,
could put at risk the quality of the state’s workforce in the future,
she said."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Is Texas the next Greece? If it weren't for federal funds, Texas would be in a crisis like Greece today. yet it continues to squander money, such as spending $800 million to send our national guard to the border to sit and watch the border patrol, which is having its slowest year of crossings in history. That's nearly a $1 billion dollars wasted that could have beefed up our underfunded schools and pot holed roads.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">By refusing to expand Medicaid, Texas is costing its taxpayers $100 BILLION that would have been paid by the feds. Instead, people are not getting care and local counties are stuck with the costs. In the old days, wasting $100 billion would have been a hanging offense. Either voters don't "get" the irony here, or they just haven't paid attention to the "borrow and spend" economics masquerading as fiscal sanity in Austin.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Let's face it: Texas couldn't afford to secede if it really wanted to. Voodoo economics has run up the state credit cards. Sooner or later Greece and Texas will have to collect enough taxes to pay for the roads and schools we need to compete in this high tech global economy. Unlike Greece, Texas will double in size - standing still in building infrastructure is not an option, unless you like 24/7 traffic delays. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Running up our debts to pay for necessities like highway construction and maintenance is not sustainable. Nor is it smart. At least under Gov. White, we paid our bills as we went. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you see a Trojan Horse sitting outside the capitol in Austin, beware of Greeks and the GOP bearing IOU's. It could produce a nasty surprise.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-33295016814377273342015-06-15T18:18:00.000-05:002015-06-15T18:21:24.279-05:00T.S. "BILL" is Coming - Don't DROWN in HIGH Water - "Float" Around! (No Turn Around!)<span style="font-size: large;">Wouldn't you know it. Tomorrow -- when the forecast is for "submarine cars" in Houston -- I need to make a run for the crew who need supplies for jobs going on this week. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That means dealing with I - 45, probably the worst of America's highways for congestion. Today, news said that I - 10 our primary east-west American trade corridor, had been shut down both directions due to an overturned 18 -wheeler. Imagine what it will be like when we DOUBLE in size next few years?<br /> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZ0yeWwUevBi3nXzgdpFJdKdHBUVtswrO4Ew26oW-5MAvmenerfgN9_Xr2QYOuKG-la8jDJLRovlaj4e3JpjmeGxk1Qinn7zQgQu3vKZKUOk3uHM6IBVavRtnHzsOW0l6KTAhrg/s1600/P2150337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZ0yeWwUevBi3nXzgdpFJdKdHBUVtswrO4Ew26oW-5MAvmenerfgN9_Xr2QYOuKG-la8jDJLRovlaj4e3JpjmeGxk1Qinn7zQgQu3vKZKUOk3uHM6IBVavRtnHzsOW0l6KTAhrg/s320/P2150337.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9NtlYKM-m2u9NI8JCCl7mLp2IROY5uo5x3vYXUwzUNJiUQIJm1vzaKPFwRBPYY4lrhvF7uKR6KCoAXfo5uAgeMTKGoRwx49Pp5rQ_Zsxe22KgXgplEjtCaM-VWJbnEWDaRHejA/s1600/water-car-python-amphibious-vehicle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9NtlYKM-m2u9NI8JCCl7mLp2IROY5uo5x3vYXUwzUNJiUQIJm1vzaKPFwRBPYY4lrhvF7uKR6KCoAXfo5uAgeMTKGoRwx49Pp5rQ_Zsxe22KgXgplEjtCaM-VWJbnEWDaRHejA/s320/water-car-python-amphibious-vehicle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PnmlZGN65IYfe-pxfaMEQIrhFSwhPDwrfLDR6nsuBtAmORgvoUXQ5nYM0S5V7ZAGaDfZpt8uysdQAhEaG0y801Sdm1si9k8ksvLePWu6QdMT8lQ_FxpjbuQM1_3zJI8v14yD-w/s1600/mail-attachment-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PnmlZGN65IYfe-pxfaMEQIrhFSwhPDwrfLDR6nsuBtAmORgvoUXQ5nYM0S5V7ZAGaDfZpt8uysdQAhEaG0y801Sdm1si9k8ksvLePWu6QdMT8lQ_FxpjbuQM1_3zJI8v14yD-w/s320/mail-attachment-24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHWgTd1Ez-e7FNnutLBFVD0CX3f-GSb1b3SSnwHmX0nG5JXmYZM8o7xY55mGFymu-ahAiAcLJBQAZl-Q9bzMp7onk-pHlOF6UQVrp_p-EZEwOZVzAzHOHJ3q67ZRJ_7ZJQ9Q-VA/s1600/Best-Amphibious-Cars-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHWgTd1Ez-e7FNnutLBFVD0CX3f-GSb1b3SSnwHmX0nG5JXmYZM8o7xY55mGFymu-ahAiAcLJBQAZl-Q9bzMp7onk-pHlOF6UQVrp_p-EZEwOZVzAzHOHJ3q67ZRJ_7ZJQ9Q-VA/s320/Best-Amphibious-Cars-03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This morning a waitress at I- Hop and I talked about the weather and she reminded me of the AMPHIBIOUS CAR that they made back in the 50's. It must be a one-of-a-kind, like the Bond cars. However, getting it or one like it sounded VERY TEMPTING. We may have to start mass producing them as the rain extremes overwhelm our flat-as-a-dinner-dish Houston gulf coast! I am still tempted to open a side business that bolts pontoons to cars, to keep people from drowning in high water as their car sinks.<br /><br />In the meantime: "Stay OUT of high water!" (Why? Because it might get the munchies and eat you). k, not my best pun, but we aren't done yet. If you didn't catch that then obviously you must have just arrived from planet clueless. lol. <br /><br />P.S. Ok, I am DONE looking at political memes on Facebook. It's the same-ole same-ole "I think your opinion sucks" and that is not something I will waste time doing all day. I'd rather drink wine and fly airplanes while my guys armor peoples houses of straw that they live in - as the winds howl and the bad guys prowl....<br /><br />Folks, it is WAY too early for me to get into ANY debate over ANY candidate for 2016. Surviving '15's raging weather is quite enough for me at the moment...Now, about that FLYING CAR this Viking needs to get around Houston. Let's work on that!</span>Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-13927983747365523602015-06-02T18:44:00.002-05:002015-06-02T18:49:20.675-05:00You Can Let Your Children Out Now - the Texas Legislature Had Gone HomeThe Texas legislature has wrapped up its session. Your children are now safe for two more years. I used to think how backwards Texas was from the U.S. Congress because they met only once every two years, and for only 140 days. <br />
<br />
I was quickly persuaded of the folly of my thoughts and the wisdom of not having the legislature in session too much. Watching it in action did that. If we could keep them from meeting once every four years would be even better. They keep electing more people who are "right of right" in gerrymandered districts, so common sense is no longer common.<br />
<br />
Look at this session: Open carry and guns on campus were more of a priority than fixing our broken transportation and education systems. You know all about the roads and how they are packed. Texas funding of our education system has failed the fairness test in court multiple times. No one addressed it.<br />
<br />
Giving tiny tax cuts of $127 per household were more important than fixing the roads that will cause damages to your car far greater than $127. It turns out that billions of our surpluses were held in non-interest bearing accounts, for years (which bank did that benefit?). Paying down the $20 billion debt borrowed to build roads was not a priority -- roads that were paid for when the cement had dried when democrats controlled Austin.<br />
<br />
One bright spot: The new Governor says he will sign a bill allowing cannabis oil for epilepsy and other medical issues. We'll see if the bill allows for an oil that would be strong enough to work. <br />
AND "pick-a-pal" grand juries finally died a long overdue death (again, Texas being one of the last states to resist changing a biased, flawed system for rendering justice).<br />
<br />
Personally, nine (9) days after undergoing prostate surgery, I was well enough to be standing in the Galveston convention center at a hurricane event last Saturday. Fortunately, I had staff on hand. I had the honor of meeting a couple of our weather experts from KPRC, Frank Billingsley and retired NOAA hurricane expert, Bill Read. Its amazing what can be done these days. I did not have cancer but they had to make the prostate smaller so it would not block the bladder, which can lead to infection and loss of organs. they did it on a Thursday and I was out of there on Saturday. I am good for another 50 years!<br />
<br />
Time Warp. Yesterday, I went to a small café called the Texas Grill in Sugar land (for lunch) after picking up a check at the office. The lady said: "I just voted for you recently." I said: "What? I haven't run for anything!" <br />
<br />
Then we figured out that it was last March 2014 when I ran for US Senate in the Democratic primary. It seemed like a century ago (to me). It may indicate how rarely I have been in town. <br />
<br />
She said that her partner had a deal: they both voted at the same time to cancel out each others vote! He votes in the Republican party primary and she in the Democratic primary. That's where she had seen my name. I told her that after I signed up and had gone on a cruise in the Mediterranean a guy signed up who spent $5 million to win the nomination --and less than that to lose the general election. Even if I had $5 million I would rather have it in my retirement account than blow it on a sure loser election deal. My ego isn't that out of control. LOL. <br />
<br />
That much I have learned, much of it the hard way. Anyway, we are safe again from the lawmakers, until the next session. <br />
<br />
By the way, after picking up that check (from a place where I know you have eaten since it is a Texas institution), I discovered that there was an error -- an overcharge on one store of about $1,300. <br />
<br />
Rather than let it slide and hope no one noticed, I sent them an email and said "We made an error in your favor. Either I send you a check our give you a credit." Is being honest that hard? <br />
<br />
I never assume that someone wouldn't find out. It's just the way I was raised. Honesty is the best policy. It's the way I choose to live my life. No regrets.<br />
<br />
<br />Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-63158267518456627712015-05-29T17:25:00.002-05:002015-05-29T17:27:57.341-05:00Send Your Legislator This Link - WHY Texas Needs a CLIMATE CHANGE DEFENSE PLAN. <span style="font-size: large;">The weather is no longer 'normal' - we swing from one extreme to another. <br /><br />It is the classic definition of what scientists say happens with climate CHANGE.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">HOTTER air holds more moisture, so it can release more rain at faster rates - at one point during Memorial weekend we got 1 inch of rain in a mere 5 MINUTES! Unheard of. During Allison it took a day to get 12 inches. We are now getting that in 6 hours! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hence we will be getting more 100 year and 500 year events, annually!<br /><br />We are now <i>FEELING</i> the effects. This past few years in Texas we have seen both extremes - Extreme DROUGHT (covering 95% of the state at one point) then extreme FLOODING. No in-between. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tornadoes have now hit such rare places such as Mexico and Maine. The Pacific has had a record number of monster CAT 5 hurricane/typhoon storms in the last two years. 120 degree temperatures in India is melting asphalt into black pools of molten rock. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The planet is sending us a message. But you can't see it if you never leave Austin, TX or pay attention.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDxWqRq2JktbzaY3n2-Q0mcRwANs6rsSv6TbteI-i3sRQHuRC59xQZO1F4mmTCebSv1Qw2NG7rDaeKL0Qxc-SEtEl7BC9I4OV7gQINoPLbqBC7INLIS59o5m7UZ2U6BauvyCSkA/s1600/Texas_Flooding_Satt4_t607-555x370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDxWqRq2JktbzaY3n2-Q0mcRwANs6rsSv6TbteI-i3sRQHuRC59xQZO1F4mmTCebSv1Qw2NG7rDaeKL0Qxc-SEtEl7BC9I4OV7gQINoPLbqBC7INLIS59o5m7UZ2U6BauvyCSkA/s320/Texas_Flooding_Satt4_t607-555x370.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Victims of Houston's Flooding, hometown of Author</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Ignoring it will not improve our situation.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"> WHERE is our Texas PLAN to DEAL with it?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We need a crash program to attack climate change before we commit species suicide with our only living planet in this galaxy</span>. <span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Turning Earth into hot-house Venus by continuing our relentless release of billions of carbon and methane emissions will make your heirs future a dark one. I don't have any kids; my motivation for yelling is to avoid humans looking stupid by extincting themselves. We humans are the proverbial frogs in water who doesn't notice it is getting hotter and hotter, until he's a goner. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The good news is that if ever decide to use them, humans have these marvelous BRAINS that are quite good at finding solutions IF they are put to use. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Methane leaks must be stopped. We need a crash conversion to solar and wind from our dirtiest sources first - zero coal use to start. I have witnessed how many JOBS are CREATED by addressing these issues with technology. (I went to China as a young attorney in the early 80's to sell them pollution control technology for coal plants).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We will also need to start converting to PERMEABLE PAVEMENT - so that the rain will soak through our cement surfaces inside of becoming more run-off as it happening. As we have grown and laid more cement, we cut off a chance for the moisture to go underground instead of building up to a Tsunami of water seeking an avenue of escape on our flat dinner-dish terrain. Permeable pavement looks like pavement, but lets the water soak to the ground below, <i>reducing</i> runoff. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The other great threat is wind-borne debris thrown </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">our windows</span> by more frequent hurricane-force winds. Glass is the weakest link of our biggest asset. When winds break it the internal pressure causes uplift on the roof, and that leads to structural failure and damage. Not to mention mold, water damage, etc. We humans are relying on a technology that hasn't changed in 5,000 years. It is time to upgrade that too. We need to do multiple things AT ONCE. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We CAN fix this, but it will take committing to using NEW technology along with our human brains, which are remarkable when we use them to solve issues instead of creating problems.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Contact your legislator and send this link with a request Texas establish a CLIMATE CHANGE DEFENSE <i>PLAN. </i></b> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Your kids lives and our future depends on it.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">More than you think.</span>Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-61174217627195780552015-05-28T20:24:00.000-05:002015-05-28T20:25:33.460-05:00Texas Historic Floods Prove: NO LONGER is the question "Is Climate Change REAL OR NOT?" <span style="font-size: large;">Tonight Texas is under, once again, a TORNADO ALERT. So its a good time to discuss this issue</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVccIpx7zQhn0572p7nsgxlb9t8YTL-Rqk9YQPrW7lYgtrAd32DRAUErcuXtnyOd1OJxftKmkh8l6-R24aogcRXDOTptRZlVL-m03U53W2V5gQr72RaZ76eGlN3ZPeUJ0t6DFE2Q/s1600/EF5+Tornado.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVccIpx7zQhn0572p7nsgxlb9t8YTL-Rqk9YQPrW7lYgtrAd32DRAUErcuXtnyOd1OJxftKmkh8l6-R24aogcRXDOTptRZlVL-m03U53W2V5gQr72RaZ76eGlN3ZPeUJ0t6DFE2Q/s320/EF5+Tornado.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">NO LONGER is the question "Is Climate Change REAL OR NOT?" When 97% of the experts agree, deal with it. We elect presidents with only 51% (or less). I don't care what 97% of the plumbers think since they don't do climate studies (I will ask them about those damn wipes plugging my system.) Nor do I plan to ask my surgeon about that monster typhoon hitting Australia. I have traveled globally but that doesn't make me a climate expert either. So I listen to the experts who DO study this unique area. They aren't split 50-50. It's 97-3. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The only argument left (at best) is whether its "natural" or "human-caused" but even that debate doesn't matter either. Why?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Because the answer is the same regardless of which of those two are correct. It's REAL. Stop wasting time. DO SOMETHING. PLAN for it. Have a STRATEGY to deal with it, because it is kicking our butts. It's messing up the only world we have and we are passing to our kids a deteriorating mess.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Weather Extremes are the new norm. Call it "Weather Whipsaw.' All Drought to all Flood. From too little to too much. Texas zips from years of Droughts straight into 500 year floods. Except they start happening annually. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It's not just here. India is being parboiled at 120 degrees melting asphalt streets and killing thousands. Below the equator the biggest typhoon in history is raging across the southern hemisphere.<br /><br />Since its real and the hotter air is adding speed to the winds, we should first ask ourselves a fundamental question:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Are the buildings we live and work in able to handle these more ruthless storms? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Shocking, but most people don't know that they live in literal <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/michael-fjetland/houses-of-straw-houses-of-wood/ebook/product-21908339.html">houses of straw</a>...only a huff and a puff from blowing away (or floating away as we tragically saw on the Blanco River, this past Memorial Day).<br /><br /> But it need not be...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There are things you need to know<a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/michael-fjetland/houses-of-straw-houses-of-wood/ebook/product-21908339.html"> to protect your most valuable asset and family.</a></span> <span style="font-size: large;">The alternative of doing nothing is foolish at best, deadly at worst.</span>Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-10896144591155224672015-05-03T10:48:00.001-05:002015-05-03T10:49:05.901-05:00Gov. Abbott Just Created a Potential Oklahoma City Act of Terrorism<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="AmorGlass">
<span style="font-size: large;">3 May 215</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="AmorGlass" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Governor Abbott’s Jade
Helm Statement </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="AmorGlass" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Just Created a Potential
Oklahoma City Act of Terrorism</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="AmorGlass">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="AmorGlass">
<span style="font-size: large;">Governor Greg Abbott just did the equivalent of falsely
shouting “Fire!” in a crowded theater, creating mass panic that can get people trampled
to death. He lit the fuse to potential violence that could result in Texas
experiencing what happened to Oklahoma City in 1995 by legitimizing the crazy
idea that our own military is coming to Texas to fight Texans. Texas is a
military state. Troops have been coming here for decades to train and never
before has anything this absurd been claimed – or believed -- by those who apparently
don’t get out of town often. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="AmorGlass">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="AmorGlass">
<span style="font-size: large;">As one of the few who is a documented terrorism analyst (who
predicted 911 on TV), it is clear to me that
Governor Abbott has created a dangerous situation that could drive the most
extreme people over the edge when he gave lunatic thinking his stamp of
authority. This encouragement could lead to our own domestic misfits into
acting out terrorist acts. What if someone starts shooting at our troops? What
if one of the unhinged takes the Governor at his word and decides to copy Tim
McVeigh’s Oklahoma “protest” act of blowing up a building? The ingredients are
readily available. Instead of tamping on the fuse, the Governor tossed some
gasoline on it.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="AmorGlass">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="AmorGlass">
<span style="font-size: large;">Despite what people think, today’s biggest threat to
Americans comes from potential <i>domestic </i>terrorists,
not foreign ones. Why? Because the domestic ones already live here! Unlike an
isolated ISIS member attempting to cross the border, the domestic ideologues
are far more numerous and armed to the teeth including military grade weapons. We saw this play before when a disgruntled
Tim McVeigh loaded a Ryder truck with explosives and blew up the Murrah federal
building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 including children in a day care center. We have seen this play as people have jumped
the White House fence and made an historic number of threats against America’s
first black president. A Governor’s words carry weight; they can make a bad
situation worse.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="AmorGlass">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywDcdP8jOZfczx7afMjhSC1zq_TQzNkk6grdWb7rXCYLy9dy3pnWxZvH1nBktoWQNnt0s2rw3mMLHXvMcz-4Dr70XBZa_wJc4GDCpaDzncOjNI3jXHmss21PocQmr24EGfMeBtQ/s1600/Texas+Militia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywDcdP8jOZfczx7afMjhSC1zq_TQzNkk6grdWb7rXCYLy9dy3pnWxZvH1nBktoWQNnt0s2rw3mMLHXvMcz-4Dr70XBZa_wJc4GDCpaDzncOjNI3jXHmss21PocQmr24EGfMeBtQ/s1600/Texas+Militia.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="AmorGlass">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Texas Militia on the border with military weapons</span></div>
<div class="AmorGlass">
</div>
<div class="AmorGlass">
<span style="font-size: large;">Despite what the unproven claims, ISIS is nowhere near Texas
(or Mexico) but is focused on building a caliphate halfway across the planet in
places called Syria and Iraq. Governor
Abbott’s statement on Jade Helm 15 encouraged those who get their exclusive news
from people like alarmist Alex Jones and Rush Limbaugh to take action against
our own troops who have been in places like Iraq and Afghanistan but come from
places like Lubbock and Kansas City.
This is not an American civil war. No one is taking away guns. Walmarts
are still safe outlets for cheap Chinese goods and low wages.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="AmorGlass">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="AmorGlass">
<span style="font-size: large;">It’s one thing for a Governor not to be able to remember the
three things he wants to abolish as president and talk about secession. It’s
totally another for a sitting Governor to allow our most extreme people to
think their paranoia is valid and that they should <i>act</i> as if invaded. It invites another Oklahoma City incident. It
invites someone shooting at our own troops on a training mission. It invites
disaster.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="AmorGlass">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="AmorGlass">
<span style="font-size: large;">It creates fear instead of understanding and facts. What Gov.
Abbott did violates his oath to protect the Constitution and the public. The
Governor should immediately retract his remarks and be more like a common sense
leader we need instead of giving the stamp of approval to wingnut theories.</span></div>
<div class="AmorGlass">
<br /></div>
<div class="AmorGlass">
<span style="font-size: large;">Michael Fjetland</span></div>
<div class="AmorGlass">
<span style="font-size: large;">Author "Better Times Ahead April Fool"</span></div>
<div class="AmorGlass">
<span style="font-size: large;">www.BetterTimesAheadAprilFool.com</span></div>
<div class="AmorGlass">
<span style="font-size: large;">President, Armor Glass Int'l Inc.</span></div>
<div class="AmorGlass">
<span style="font-size: large;">www.ArmorGlass.com </span></div>
Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-91303866753396019282015-04-25T12:46:00.001-05:002015-04-25T13:16:13.339-05:00Is Texas REALLY following its own Constitution? Not Really. Christian Sharia?Is Texas REALLY following its own <a href="http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CN/htm/CN.1.htm">Constitution?</a> Are Texans really treated equally? It has elements of Christian Sharia Law, which is no better than Islamic Sharia Law.<br />
<br />
Click the link above to read the TEXAS CONSTITUTION provides:<br />
<br />
"Sec. 1. FREEDOM AND SOVEREIGNTY OF STATE. Texas is a free and independent State, <b><i>subject only to the Constitution of the United States</i></b>, and the maintenance of our free institutions and the perpetuity of the Union depend upon the preservation of the <i><b>right of local self-government, </b></i>unimpaired to all the States." (my emphasis and italics)<br />
<br />
Therefore, by Texas' own adopted Constitution it is subject to the very federal laws and U.S. Constitution that our officials are spending millions of taxpayer dollars trying to avoid! They do it by filing a blizzard of lawsuits to avoid the federal authority granted by the U.S. Constitution, using your Joe Blow taxpayer funds. A total waste of precious money. They even dole it out to private law firms and attorneys with political connections.<br />
<br />
Today our legislature in 2015, sitting on a slush fund, is CUTTING Veterans education funding --funding they swore to provide on their "Support the Troops" bumper stickers and prior laws. Of course they claim they can't pay for it because they are giving a tiny tax cut of $179 to everyone instead of paying the vets or fixing roads or paying down debt. It shows how little our current majority leaders really value vets and education because they aren't honoring their commitments.<br />
<br />
Next, Texas Constitution speaks to EQUALITY:<br />
<br />
"Sec. 3a.
EQUALITY UNDER THE LAW. <b><i>Equality under the law shall not be denied or
abridged because of sex, race, color, creed, or national origin. </i></b> This
amendment is self-operative. " (my empahasis and italics)<br />
<br />
Then how can they pay women LESS?
How can they draw districts that deny minorities there share of the
vote? (aka Gerrymandering). How does treating women like 2nd class citizens who have no medical choices of their own make them equal? Local government like Denton are told that they can't prevent fracking next to their BBQ pits in the backyard. How "equal" in rights is that when the state is the bully instead of the feds?<br />
<br />
How is equal justice found when a one-party red state picks a lawyer to be the appellate judge to hear the case of Gov. Perry when they previously worked together? How is that "equal justice" under the law? It's more crony favoritism when one party has monopoly power and ethics reform can't even get out of committee.<br />
<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
Is Texas really following its own Constitution? <br />
<br />
It doesn't look that way. Section 4 of the Texas Constitution provides this statement on religion in Texas.<br />
<br />
"Sec. 4. RELIGIOUS TESTS. <b><i>No religious test shall ever be required </i></b>as
a qualification to any office, or public trust, in this State; <i><b>nor
shall any one be excluded from holding office</b></i> on account of his
<b style="font-style: italic;">religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a </b><i>Supreme
Being</i><b style="font-style: italic;">." </b> (my emphasis)<br />
<br />
Well...?<br />
<br />
That section imposes a religious test while banning the practice! LOL. The test? You have to believe in one Supreme Being in order to hold office.<br />
<br />
An <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism">Atheist</a> would be barred from holding public office in Texas since they naturally don't believe in a any Supreme Being. Texas definitely has atheist citizens as well as citizens from dozens of religions.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu">Hindus</a> are numerous in Texas, especially Houston, Dallas, etc. (it is the third largest religion in the world, after Christianity and Islam). Hindus don't acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being either. They don't have one God; they have many. Quoting from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu">wikipedia:</a><br />
<br />
"<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">the Hindu religion, unlike other religions in the world, the Hindu religion does not claim any one prophet; it does not worship any one god; it does not subscribe to any one dogma; it does not believe in any one philosophic concept; it does not follow any one set of religious rites or performances..."</span><br />
<br />
<i> </i>What about people who have no view? What about <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism">Buddhists</a> who also are Texas citizens? They don't have one God. Or Texas <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim">Muslims?</a> They believe in one God but some religions insist that it is not the "same" God (even though there is only one). What about Texas <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews">Jews</a>, who don't recognize Jesus but have one God. Would they be barred from Texas office under our Section 4?<br />
<i><br /></i>
When one religion's views are forced on other Texas citizens isn't that a violation of our own Constitution? Isn't that also a violation of Section 3 that declares all men equal? That is what Sharia Law is - forcing one set of religious views on people in a state. Is Christian Sharia any different than Islamic Sharia when both force their religious views on people of other religions who have a different beliefs.<br />
<br />
An example comes from Lt. Governor Dan Patrick's group of advisers who uniformly denounced pre-K education as "socialist and dangerous." It was a unanimous and bizarre statement.<br />
<br />
If you think education is a bad thing, then you don't trust people to use knowledge in an intelligent manner. You are favoring ignorance, the exact same ignorance that fuels Al Qaida and ISIS who refuse to tolerate any views different from theirs--and refuse to teach girls and the young anything except religion instead of math and science.<br />
<br />
If those Mr. Patrick's best advisers (they are certainly his strongest supporters,) then Texas is in serious trouble -- far beyond the failure to follow our own Texas Constitution.<br />
<br />
If you agree, pass it on~!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbsr_gWtKeynETn_jiT0zaU01n3uUNWPlIpp2rpFp284Tlxsx8-rTsp_-E0t39EoTKVZnXfWLkwTf8Zd3D9Xce6I7rkCiom80WVwmhAa0LZdNy8vb3eCabv2VDtyvHyr9YX0U-A/s1600/Texas+Viking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbsr_gWtKeynETn_jiT0zaU01n3uUNWPlIpp2rpFp284Tlxsx8-rTsp_-E0t39EoTKVZnXfWLkwTf8Zd3D9Xce6I7rkCiom80WVwmhAa0LZdNy8vb3eCabv2VDtyvHyr9YX0U-A/s1600/Texas+Viking.jpg" height="307" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-19754348257552765062015-04-23T10:51:00.003-05:002015-04-23T10:51:59.200-05:00Throwback Thursday - My Mom is Awesome, Especially How She Treated Her Stepkids<span style="font-size: large;">For this "Throwback Thursday" I want to recognize my unique mother, who is now 86 and closing in on 87 years young.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsL8Q3kSvYlZzKTu79-pxDBxBtP8CsccjdnAeZL36FoCzUC8WodxNDx8dUeg3xBxaD96pm065JNkEPaF-c8MLaSGcAeWEQlUxsvHBsPSJp33hrS-gRuE0_x4fT1iJoP9Pht-WBQ/s1600/Ardeen+Schneider+Fjetland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsL8Q3kSvYlZzKTu79-pxDBxBtP8CsccjdnAeZL36FoCzUC8WodxNDx8dUeg3xBxaD96pm065JNkEPaF-c8MLaSGcAeWEQlUxsvHBsPSJp33hrS-gRuE0_x4fT1iJoP9Pht-WBQ/s1600/Ardeen+Schneider+Fjetland.jpg" height="235" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday on the phone she was saying how good she felt now that she was exercising, but went on to talk about outreach to her numerous stepchildren, who live as far away as Amarillo, a thousand miles.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">She said "I hope (Diane, etc.) they come up each year to see me. I really want to know what is happening to them."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I think that makes her special. I remember both parents encouraging me to do whatever I wanted - but I had to earn it. It was a tremendous lesson in independence and the critical thinking needed to figure out exactly how I was going to pay for those flying lessons I wanted!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But it worked. I screwed up the courage to go out to the little airport in Plainview where we lived and ask for a job in exchange for flying time. To my amazement they gave me the job! What a confidence builder that was. As a result I got my private and then commercial pilot's license - while my siblings whose flying lessons were paid for by my parents (dad as doing really well at sales at the time) did NOT finish getting their license.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Dad died on Earth Day 1971 in a car wreck. So mom has been both parents since then. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When she remarried after dad's death she inherited four stepkids to go with her four who were still home (I was gone by then). She remains a great example of what a parent in a blended family should be. She is also a great example of a positive attitude, even when her eyes no longer let her see due to macular degeneration.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Throwback Thursday.</span><br />
<br />
<br />Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-64042063413052363512015-04-19T09:42:00.000-05:002015-04-19T10:00:39.187-05:00Dear Texas Legislature - How About Some Real Priorities?<span style="font-size: large;">Note: After a long hiatus, I am resurrecting Texas Viking blog to address Texas-only issues (the Global American Values blog will continue to address national/international issues and my Armor Glass blog will address business only issues.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">April 2015</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Dear Texas Legislature:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Please address some real priorities while you are in session. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now that districts are gerrymandered to provide a one-party controlled state, not unlike Russia and China, we are seeing a disturbing trend that is ideological instead of focused on the citizens of this state.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(1) I have heard more about getting guns in schools then about investing in full day pre-K and funding schools properly. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Texas business already has a hard time finding qualified people because of poor skills and education training. Having textbooks painting Moses as one of our founding fathers is hysterical and guaranteed to produce some of the dumbest students on earth.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(2) I am a small business owner and discovered that I pay more in taxes than our Governor for the same income! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Last year Gov. Abbott made about $134,000 (not including tax free money in the millions for an injury), yet he paid only a little over $100 in taxes. Last year, my CPA said that I owe about $4,000 for making about the same net as the Governor. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My company generates six figure revenue which is not enough to incur the Texas franchise tax; yet you want to refund part of that tax instead of paying down the $40 Billion in road debt accumulated by you and Gov. Perry during the past decade. How does giving us of us $179 a year while I sit in traffic and dodge potholes make sense? It's penny wise and pound foolish.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(3) You talk about being "pro life" yet you refuse to expand Medicaid even though it would cost the state nothing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In fact, by not expanding it you are costing Texas taxpayers hundreds of billions in costs as well as the loss of our tax dollars paid to Washington. Meanwhile, millions of poor Texans go without healthcare. This too makes no sense. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">How does denying medical care to the poor equate to being "pro life" or doing what Jesus would do? I recall he healed the sick rather than ignoring them as you have.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(4) According to Texas A&M University 44% of people live within 100 miles of the coast. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yet you pretend that climate change doesn't exist and are failing to plan for its impact on droughts and rising sea levels. We expect our leaders to live in the real world, not like ostriches with their heads in the sand. A good start would be reading "<a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/michael-fjetland/houses-of-straw-houses-of-wood/ebook/product-21908339.html">Houses of Straw</a>."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">(5) A healthy democracy requires at least a two-party state instead of leaders hellbent to act as dictators of the agenda. You complain of the president's executive actions yet you are doing the same thing with one-party rule.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">To be continued...in the meantime I point you towards REAL solutions in the second half of "<a href="http://bettertimesaheadaprilfool.com/Agenda_for_USA_Greatness.html">Agenda for American Greatness"</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-56962850913038866242013-07-28T18:03:00.001-05:002013-07-28T18:07:20.154-05:00Fjetland Beats "Weiner" for a Name Suitable for OfficeWhen i ran for Congress someone commented how terrible my name was for a politician. I admit "Fjetland" is no "Smith" or "Jones" but it would be a dull world if we all had the same name.<br />
<br />
I will tell you that "Fjetland" is way BETTER name for any public office than the name "WIENER" --literally or figuratively. For Congress, Mayor whater. WHo the hell spends ALL DAY sending sex texts? Have they no LIFE? I didn't even THINK of doing that when running for office - never have. I have better things to do.<br />
<br />
My experience running for office showed me something else -- why our politics today is in stalemate - our system of gerrymandered districts where white Republicans can ignore the majority minority who live in Texas, for example, produces the extremist rather than the Centrists and Moderates that get things done without Drama and Trauma...<br />
<br />
I ran against the most feared Congress reps at the time - majority leader Tom DeLay. And lived to Tell. That story is Chapter "Predicting 9/11 and Running Against the Hammer"<br />
<br />
How we FIX OUR BROKEN POLITICAL SYSTEM --and avoiding American versions of the Taliban -- is in the final chapter of "Better Times Ahead April Fool." It's called "Agenda of American Greatness"....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I included photos I personally took from China to India 30 years ago - and again last year.See for yourself the difference versus where WE are today...<br />
<br />
We DON'T need more WEINERS in Congress. We need more WINNERS in Congress! LOL. <br />
<br />
http://bettertimesaheadaprilfool.com/<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpngcGHeYKbewatQSwNk1m_4c4wmjq7F7TUUy_9keVgtdkSQ1AAqVYGsYRlDmFbsWDcgQjaLRBRAUqMmflkUutjFuGmuQxp6juVpUvDM7kDBn-CIKnKWdD4969dRO7S4j9AZ0mhg/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpngcGHeYKbewatQSwNk1m_4c4wmjq7F7TUUy_9keVgtdkSQ1AAqVYGsYRlDmFbsWDcgQjaLRBRAUqMmflkUutjFuGmuQxp6juVpUvDM7kDBn-CIKnKWdD4969dRO7S4j9AZ0mhg/s320/1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-48279166543918251622013-07-17T20:09:00.002-05:002013-07-17T20:22:26.451-05:00From Football Legend Permian -- to Starting Over in Plainview. American Re-invention I am pleased to say that my partner's son-in-law has accepted a job as coach at Plainview High School after coaching at Odessa Permian. How ironic since i went to Plainview High for a year in 1967 - the year I also started pilot training at their little airport.<br />
<br />
Once again it shows how re-invention is an inescapable element of life that keeps us from being defeated when a door closes. Another one opens. Odessa had a huge upheaval - they got rid of most of the coaches. Then the new guys showed up and treated the kids like dirt - yelling at them and telling them they "aren't any good." Definitely "Theory X" coaching that Captain Blight would approve of and will probably result in the team having a losing season.<br />
<br />
My partner's son-in-law lost his job but didn't miss a beat. He got a great offer in the oilfield but snapped a ligament (I think) while trying to lift a heavy barrel. They really liked him but I think that the dullness of going into the oilfields and doing the same thing every day wasn't his cup of tea. His wife said that "he just stopped talking." hey, there's more to life than a paycheck.<br />
<br />
Then Plainview came along and made a great offer -- and he took it on Sunday. So in his 40's they are moving three kids to start a new career in a town of 22,000. It was the same size when i lived there in the 60's!<br />
<br />
I wonder if it still has the "McDonald's Trading Post" my friends dad owned when I lived there? It was a treasure trove for boys like us. Pete had a three wheel scooter and freaked me out once when he drove it on the runway in the dark. But back then, the chances of a plane landing at night were pretty slim. We actually became licensed pilots soon after I left. It's a great skill to have.<br />
<br />
ALL of us have to reinvent ourselves, like David has - and I have. I had to do it often - as recently as starting a brand new business when I was 57 - which has grown 500% during the worst economy in 70 years. I founded it in 2007 just before the 2008 collapse. It was the right thing at the right time.<br />
<br />
If you want to see how life can spin you into a black hole and still come out of it to grow and thrive, check out "<a href="http://bettertimesaheadaprilfool.com/">Better Times Ahead April Fool.</a>" I can't tell David's story, but I can share mine.<br />
<br />
The best days are ahead of us even when we don't know it....It's all about re-invention and never giving up. I know David will do GREAT at the new job. You have to love what you do or it won't work...Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-31774044441130217712013-06-30T15:31:00.001-05:002013-06-30T15:40:23.774-05:00Climate Change Just Hit Our FOOD BasketI just talked to my mother who is in her 80's and just had a back operation-- she makes more sense than members in our Congress.<br />
<br />
She lives in Iowa - the incessant rains kept the farmers from planting this year - so expect a BIG FOOD PRICE Spike coming up. Farmers who invested in new land will have a hard time paying for it. Not all had crop insurance and even those with it won't have the cash for next year's seed and planting expenses.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile it is triple digit madness in the Southwest - 128 degrees~! And people don't "get it" that something is terribly WRONG with OUR WEATHER?<br />
<br />
Mom said it: "They just aren't thinking of their kids. They are the ones who will pay the price" for not acting to cut our emissions that are overheating our crops and reducing food yields, to mention only two significant problems global warming is causing TODAY.<br />
<br />
It's not tomorrow's problem any more..If an 80 year old can see it and I can see it then why can't our elected officials see it - if they followed the advice of 97% of scientists who say its real and we are the cause.<br />
<br />
Did you have another planet to move to if your theory about it being a "hoax" is wrong? Blowing off 97% of the scientists who specialize in climate science versus the average dude with zero science skills is not the actions of intelligent beings.<br />
<br />
It's pretty stupid to condemn the future of your own kids because you are too fucking stupid to listen to experts who are in agreement! Rising waters, bigger storms, more droughts and less food security is their future unless our Congress - and the world - ACTS.<br />
<br />
That includes China and India, the other two key emitters. It's their planet too, and their childrens' future that is in the same small planet surrounded by light years of empty space. We have no where else to go to if we destroy our blue planet. Humans do have the ability to make the changes needed to avoid human planetary suicide!<br />
<br />
I describe the status of the USA, China and India --along with Solutions -- in the final chapter of <a href="http://bettertimesaheadaprilfool.com/">"Better Times Ahead April Fool"</a> in the Chapter entitled "Agenda for American Greatness."<br />
<br />
Independence Day week is a good time to read it. It includes over 100 photos I took showing China 30 years ago versus today - and India. And South Africa and Mr. Mandela. And Syria. And Egypt --all in the news today. How do Americans win the 21st Century which is posed to be an Asian century lead by China?<br />
<a href="http://bettertimesaheadaprilfool.com/">It's in "Better Times Ahead April Fool"</a> ...Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-17833687358636030542013-06-26T17:57:00.000-05:002013-06-26T17:57:05.482-05:00POWER of the People in the Gallery made the difference <h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Just
saw the NBC news on Wendy Davis filibustering the GOP attempt to put the State Boot on the necks of Women, especially POOR Women in Texas - AWESOME Performance. </span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"> What an event!
The POWER of the People in the Gallery made the difference those last
critical minutes! 2 Minutes to spare...WOW.<br /> <br /> To me it is a SIGN. We have started on a NEW Journey in Texas my friends. The intolerant one color party will not win. </span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Diversity and the people WILL..</span></span></h5>
Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-22390946418570179332013-06-26T17:36:00.003-05:002013-06-26T17:36:35.949-05:00BIPOLAR Supreme Court<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Between
busy business and the NEWS I feel like I am in a giant spinning
wheel....</span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Beginning to think we have a BIPOLAR Supreme Court - Voter
suppression is OK and so is Gay Marriage. Go Figure...</span></span></span></h5>
Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-58562654014576888712013-06-25T21:41:00.004-05:002013-06-25T21:41:56.143-05:00 want to know why our government is dysfunctional ?<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Just got back from South Padre Island after a day that started at 5 a.m. - and just ended. <br /> Highlight: Ate at "DOC'S" place - on edge of the water. Nice. Great Sunset view. I was with a rep on Armor Glass business so no photos. lol<br />
I am TIRED. Calling it a day. As we drove I kept thinking how my radio
program was so much better than the Glenn Beck's, etc. LOL. SO, I wrote a
book instead!<br /> <br /> If you want to know why our government is
dysfunctional and how we "Fix" it, its in "Better Times Ahead April
Fool" ..Chapter titled "Predicting 9/11 and Running Against the Hammer"</span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">.And you get a true adventure story with it as a bonus! LOL<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.bettertimesaheadaprilfool.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span>www.BetterTimesAheadAprilFool.</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>com</a></span></span></span></h5>
Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-44973973304291721052013-06-24T06:22:00.001-05:002013-06-24T06:22:43.698-05:00Report: Texas One of 10 Worst States to Be a KidA new report has come out - and Texas ranks as one of the 10 worst for kids.<br />
<br />
"The report also found that 59 percent of young Texans don't have
access to preschool, though that was an improvement from 61 percent
previously. Some 60 percent of eighth graders weren't proficient in math
in 2011, a nine percentage-point improvement from 2005 tallies.<br />
The
state also saw 21 percent of its high school students fail to graduate
on-time in 2009-10, down from 28 percent in the 2005-2006 academic year,
the report found.<br />
Texas' results were hurt by $5.4 billion in
cuts to public education approved by lawmakers scrambling to plug budget
shortfalls in 2011. The Legislature in May approved a new state budget
that restores about $3.4 billion of that — but Deviney said that won't
be enough.<br />
"The question for me is, 'Do the people have the will to demand that we prioritize children in the coming years?,'" she said.<br />
<br />
Full report and Details at: <br />
<br />
http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/education/report-texas-among-10-worst-states-to-be-a-kid/nYP7c/Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-40313925469512744472013-06-23T19:58:00.003-05:002013-06-23T20:14:01.586-05:00Can Democrats Win Back the Deep South? YES...<div class="userContentWrapper aboveUnitContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
<div class="_wk mbm">
<span class="userContent"></span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_51c7996c85a9e2012567175">
<span class="userContent">The Answer is YES. The question is WHEN.</span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br /></span>
Our Texas districts have been Gerrymandered until 2020 so we elect the most extreme candidates in the primaries - and the winner of the primary always wins the General - so the November voters might as well not show up because the game was decided in the March primary, not November as most people assume.<br /><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> <br />
Who will be Texas Governor in 2014? Most likely whoever wins the GOP
Primary race in MARCH 2014 - yes March, NOT November. However, the
Democrats could run a good horse race - and might even have a dark horse
chance as demographics shift the political sands. They really need a
SLATE - including a Lt. Gov candidate since that's who really runs
Texas, not the Governor.<br /> <br /> I use my own experience with this
system (when I ran in 3 primaries for Congress in TX22 in Texas) to
illustrate my chapter on reforming our election system in "Better Times
Ahead April Fool" in the Chapter "Predicting 9/11 and Running Against
the Hammer"...at.<br /> <a href="http://www.bettertimesaheadaprilfool.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">www.BetterTimesAheadAprilFool.com</a></span></span></div>
<span class="userContent">
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_51c7996c85a9e2012567175">
</div>
</span></div>
</div>
<a class="_1xw shareLink _1y0" href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/06/can-democrats-win-back-the-deep-south/277123/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><br />
<div class="_1xy _1xx">
<a class="_1xw shareLink _1y0" href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/06/can-democrats-win-back-the-deep-south/277123/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="_42xb img" height="116" src="https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url(https://fbexternal-a.akamaihd.net/safe_image.php?d=AQAyc3gNi1FE9JeM&w=116&h=116&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.theatlantic.com%2Fstatic%2Fmt%2Fassets%2Fpolitics%2Fsouthernvote.thumb.getty.jpg&cfs=1);" width="116" /></a></div>
<a class="_1xw shareLink _1y0" href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/06/can-democrats-win-back-the-deep-south/277123/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">
<div class="_1xx _1xz">
<div class="_1x-">
<div class="_1x_ fwb" dir="ltr">
Can Democrats Win Back the Deep South?</div>
<div class="fsm fwn fcg">
www.theatlantic.com</div>
</div>
</div>
</a>Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-5086077782180481182011-09-16T17:52:00.002-05:002011-09-16T17:57:55.835-05:00How the GOP Would Fix It<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:enableopentypekerning/> <w:dontflipmirrorindents/> <w:overridetablestylehps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" name="Body Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">Problem:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">20% of Americans are now in Poverty<span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:5"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span>GOP Solution: Cut Taxes </p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">144,000 U.S. bridges are classified as “derelict”<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:5"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span>GOP Solution: Cut Taxes</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">U.S. borrows $2 Trillion to pay for Iraq/Afghanistan wars<span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:5"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span>GOP Solution: <span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span> Cut Taxes</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">U.S. Falls from No. 1 in 2000 to No. 9 in Education</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:5"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span>GOP Solution: <span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Cut Taxes</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">3 Million U.S. Jobs Unfilled Because Americans Lack Skills<br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:5"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span>GOP Solution: <span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Cut Taxes</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">Top U.S. 1% Control 33% Wealth--Top10% Control 56%!<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span> <span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:5"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span>GOP Solution: Cut Taxes</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">14 Million Unemployed - Corporations have $1.5 Trillion</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:5"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span>GOP Solution: <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span>Cut Taxes</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">Top Corporations Pay Executives More Than They Pay in Taxes<span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:5"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span>GOP Solution: <span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span> Cut Taxes</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">50 year old pipelines are Exploding Under Peoples’ Homes<span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:5"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span>GOP Solution: Cut Taxes</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">U.S. Destroyed by Massive Floods and Fires<span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:5"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span>GOP Solution: Cut Taxes</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">World Destroyed by Climate Change – Must Evacuate Planet<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:5"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span>GOP Solution: Cut Taxes</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"> Question: Did America Become Great by NOT building an Interstate Highway system, a Space program, an Internet, or by educating all regardless of income?<span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Did we become great by doing nothing and not investing in our future and future technologies?</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">Then HOW do we succeed in the 21st Century by just cutting taxes?<br /></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p>Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12730495.post-10960843417984436872011-07-10T17:27:00.004-05:002011-07-10T17:34:38.476-05:00Pelicans and Their "Wingmen"...<p>Until I lived on water I had no idea. But after three or so years of watching the wildlife on Clear Lake, I have seen some fascinating features about the birds and fish on the lake that are fascinating.</p><p>Did you know that Pelicans often have a Seagull "wingman" fly with them? When the Pelican dives, the gull lands either next to it on the water - or even on its head! Sometimes the gull gets a bite before the fish goes down the Pelicans big gulp. It's nature's "trickle down."</p><p>When the Pelican takes off for another run, the gull flies along behind and to the side, just like the "wingman" on WWII fighter movies - tailing the leader. Then there are times when just a gull alone will hit the water, getting something.</p><p>Amazing, how nature works together - something humans could learn from.</p>Global Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09402854360957989139noreply@blogger.com0