February 14, 2005
Weekend Texas News Roundup
By Byron LaMasters
Yeah, I went on a mini-hiatus for the past four days or so. I occasionally get burnt out / writer's (bloggers?) block, and I find that the best way to deal with it is to just ignore blogs and blogging for a few days, refresh my mind, and let my co-bloggers fill in a little bit.
Anyway, here's a quick round-up of some things (in no particular order) that I've missed over the past few days, so I'll be back up to speed:
- The Daily Delay has an interview with former Rep. Chris Bell (D-Houston). Chris Bell is currently exploring a run for Governor of Texas.
- Speaking of the governor's race, the folks on the other side are gearing up for a fight as well. Both Rick Perry and KBH have made some significant hires for their campaign staff in the past week. Kuff and Rick Perry vs. the World report.
- The incumbent mayor of Waco, Mae Jackson - the first African-American to hold the job died on Friday. Mayor Jackson had a remarkable career of public service and activism (PDF file). U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Waco) has a statement, as does Texas Democratic Party Chair Charles Soechting, here.
- The Texas Civil Rights Review has filed an Open Records Request in order to review the documents in the Talmadge Heflin contest of Hubert Vo's election. While Heflin finally conceded, there are still many unresolved issues that TCRR wants to investigate. More information when we hear it.
- Forty-two gay and lesbian couples in Houston celebrated Freedom to Marry Week with a ceremony on Saturday (to which our Republican friends equate to "playing house"). It was hosted at a predominantly GLBT Metropolitan Community Church, but Unitarian Universalist, Disciples of Christ, Presbyterian, American Baptist and Pentecostal ministers also participated in the ceremony. The marriages are not recognized by the state of Texas.
- A few months ago we posted on the College Republicans fundraising scam (here and here - a December Washington Post story has more background details as well). Now, copies of some of the actual fundraising letters sent by the College Republicans are available online. The firestorm of negative publicity has caused one Texas College Republicans chapter to take action. The UT-Arlington College Republican chapter amended its by-laws requiring all members to take an oath of financial integrity.
Posted by Byron LaMasters at February 14, 2005 12:47 AM
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The "ceremony" was prefaced by a politically-charged speech by a lawyer. Now, while I've never attended a gay rights political rally/ceremony, I would imagine that its not exactly a wedding day tear-jerker (and a total mood-killer) when a lawyer stands up to attack the government before the minister even begins to recite any vows.
This event was just another feeble attempt to pass these rallies off as legitimate ceremonies and to get some press time.
A longer post on this at my website.
I'm so sad to hear that Mae Jackson died. I remember her from the Conventions last year and she was one of the most friendly people. Rest in Peace Mae.
Mayor Jackson was a very friendly lady. I'm going to miss her.
Two items: 1.) I am very saddened by the death of Mayor Mae Jackson -- she was a friend and someone I admired very much. 2.) Just a point of clarification -- Dr. Jackson was not the first African American to hold the position of mayor in Waco (she was the first African American woman and the first who held the position by popular election). The first African American mayor in Waco was a man named Oscar DuConge, but obtained the position via appointment.
