The Courage to Restore Faith

What happened to the other PAC? (0.00 / 0)

Isn't this the second PAC Chris Bell has formed?  What happened to the first one? 

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by: Baby Snooks @ Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 23:45:31 PM UTC

Proud of both men (4.33 / 3)

Each is doing what they can to keep working for the public good in their own way.  I am especially proud of John Courage since I also worked with him during his campaign.  I am so glad that his talent and passion for good government is being put to good use.  Full disclosure here too, I'm helping with TCAN as well. 

I think what both of these new projects prove is that there is a great need in Texas to clean up our government and make it work for the average Texan. Our Texas Legislature is controlled by special interests who fund the campaigns of our elected representatives.  As long as those elected officials are beholden to those special interests for their positions, our government will always respond to their needs first.  That's bad public policy.

It's time to push back on all levels, at the Lege, through civic education, through citizen action and at the polls. It's your democracy, use it or lose it!

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by: sonia @ Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 00:44:42 AM UTC

Agreed (4.00 / 2)

And I have no qualms with Chris Bell at all.  I do not think it is a sad story, either.  While he is a politician; he is a regular human being who may or may not see politics in his immediate future.  His family comes first, and it is anything but sad that he is doing a little bit for the state while he is at it.

"Let us tenderly and kindly cherish therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write."  -  John Adams

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by: Michael Hurta @ Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 01:59:47 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Give the man a break (4.00 / 2)

I am tougher on Chris Bell than 99% of the folks here, but I think you are being unfair.  Bell has been running for office like forever, occasionally serving, and any sane person -- or at least anyone who wants to remain sane -- would take a breather.  The guy has a young family, and in ten years his kids will be heading for college, a major financial burden.  He needs to earn a living and take care of his own before he worries about taking care of everyone else.

What he is doing is banal but not bad.  What are you doing that is any better?  Why not do that and quit your carping at others who do you no harm?

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by: Wanderer @ Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 02:01:39 AM UTC

There's lots to celebrate here. (5.00 / 5)

Thanks, Matt, for the good words about the True Courage Action Network, where John and the rest of us have been working extremely hard on a commonsense reform agenda since before the Lege session began.

But I do take exception to your perspective on Chris Bell's new venture, as we couldn't ask for a better ally in our efforts to bring real ethics and campaign finance reforms to Texas. We will never forget the COURAGE he displayed in filing the ethics complaint against Tom DeLay in the U.S. House, which, in retrospect, I think was the tipping point for so many other positive changes that have taken place since then.

As TCAN's executive director, I eagerly look forward to exploring ways we can work with Chris and FIT on our common goals of making a  cleaner, more open, and more accountable Texas government.

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by: Teri Sperry, TCAN @ Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 03:12:01 AM UTC

Bravo Teri!! (3.00 / 1)

I agree with you also.  I think both  men can do great things for Texas!!!

Doing My Part For The Left,Left Of The Rainbow

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by: refinish69 @ Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 03:38:41 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Chris' Courage (5.00 / 3)

Matt thanks for acknowledging the work we have undertaken at TCAN but also recognize that we are not out there on our own.

I have talked to Chris Bell and told him of our plans a couple of months ago and Chris spoke of his own plans. I am glad to see FIT being launched, ther can never be too many players involved in cleaning up Texas politics and opening our government to the light of day.

Chris Bell is a role model for all of us and I expect we will see and hear a lot more from him in the near feture. Texas needs more Chris Bells and more John Courages and more Barbara Radnofskys and more David Van Os' and more Hank Gilberts and more progressives and populists standing up against the forces of greed and corruption in Texas government.
I'm just trying to do my part as everyone at the True Courage Action Network is.

This is a very short legislative session and if we are going to make any changes be they in election reform, campaign finance reform, ethics reform, lobbying reform or redistricting then we all need to join together and let our voices be heard and our actions be seen.

I encourage eveyone to do what they can to effect positive changes in this Texas legislature. If your not sur what you can do contact TCAN and well help you make a difference.

John Courage

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by: JCourage @ Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 04:44:11 AM UTC

Give Matt a break... (0.00 / 0)

Matt was probably merely pointing out that you in fact are the role model. For Chris Bell. And lots of others.  Not enough to talk. You have to walk the talk.  And obviously you are walking yours. 

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by: Baby Snooks @ Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 12:04:37 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

TDP? (0.00 / 0)

For the life of me I can't figure out how, or even if, our state party functions.  Isn't this the sort of issue that our state party should create collaboration on? Yet they aren't even a topic in this discussion. 

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by: Hugh Stearns @ Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 16:28:04 PM UTC

This is unbelievable.... (0.00 / 0)

You're really criticizing Chris Bell for starting a PAC to help others who share his positive views?  And suggesting he hasn't done anything?  He's been writing weekly columns for the Houston Examiner newspapers and they're outstanding.  He has stayed in touch with his supporters and he's helping other candidates as he promised to do. You're full of it.

Matt, congrats on getting a screwball like Baby Snooks, avid Bell hater, to agree with you. Thank goodness John Courage is a good enough guy to step up and call you out on just how off base you are.

I hope we see a lot more of Chris Bell and am excited he has chosen to stay in the game to help others.  Lay off.

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by: politicsforjim @ Sun Mar 11, 2007 at 05:49:02 AM UTC

When you can't stand the message, kill the messenger. (0.00 / 0)

You know I asked what happened to the other PAC he founded. A reasonable question.

I have asked some very reasonable questions in the past two years on BOR about Chris Bell. None of which was answered anywhere, let alone on BOR, by Chris Bell or by his staff or by his supporters.  Said a lot. Says a lot. So what did happen to the PAC? The Texas Future Fund.  It was to fund candidates for statewide office in upcoming elections.  So who did he fund?

Not everyone thinks I'm a screwball. Just the avid Bell lovers.

As for Matt, he compared what John Courage has done and is doing and what Chris Bell has done and might do.  I pointed out that John Courage was the example. Not Bell.

And off the boys went. Again. Here, there, and everywhere.

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by: Baby Snooks @ Sun Mar 11, 2007 at 09:25:02 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

My Point is... (0.00 / 0)

... less about Bell and more about the fallacy of online organizing.

Unlike some things, online organizing is not an "if you build it, they will come" situation.

As a person who both helped the Bell campaign and worked tirelessly for John Courage I admit some bias, but there is a difference in strategy that needs to be pointed out.

Courage announced his organization after creating a clear mission and purpose, putting a staff together, and having both a website and donation page.

As far as I can tell Bell doesn't have anything but an e-mail client and a strong writing style. That means people are less inclined to visit his site later, donate to his project, or know what niche they are carving out for themselves.

My critique is less about Bell and more of a general critique to those who start PAC's, non-profits, or campaigns online and don't take all of the necessary steps for whatever reason.

Imagine a business that simply says they are selling stuff, but they don't tell you what specifically they are going to sell, where they will sell it, and who is working at their store to help.

Now imagine a place with a business plan, investors, and a store for you to go to.

That's the point.

Help build a progressive movement in Texas. Join Progress Texas.

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by: Matt Glazer @ Sun Mar 11, 2007 at 15:03:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Critque (5.00 / 1)

"My critique is less about Bell and more of a general critique to those who start PAC's, non-profits, or campaigns online and don't take all of the necessary steps for whatever reason."

It seems that your critique should be of the TDP.  In order for all of the necessary steps to be taken there needs to be a democratic structure in place to accomplish it.  This would include not just clear legislative planning but also the grassroots fortitude to back it up.

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by: Hugh Stearns @ Sun Mar 11, 2007 at 17:48:49 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

And my point is... (0.00 / 0)

How many times has John Courage come online himself and how many times has Chris Bell?

Chris Bell apparently likes to mingle only when he can control the mingling.
Which is why he is usually mingling with himself, while everyone wants to mingle with John Courage.

Again, John Courage is an example for everyone.

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by: Baby Snooks @ Sun Mar 11, 2007 at 20:21:53 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

One more thought.... (5.00 / 1)

...Have you happened to notice Matt that it really hasn't been necessary for Chris Bell to "file legislation" (which he can't do anyway) since his platform seems to be moving forward every day?  Perry adopted his stand on immigration and the HPV vaccine and Dewhurst and Shapiro have taken his position against the TAKS test.  And ethics seems to have finally found a major place in the debate thanks in large part to leaders like Bell.

He did his part with his idea based campaign.  Isn't it interesting that idiots like Baby Snooks don't ever happen to mention that not one "idea" of Kinky Friedman or Carole Strayhorn seems get any play whatsoever and neither has done a thing since the campaign?

Your position just really maddens me and I hope you'll rethink it. 

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by: politicsforjim @ Sun Mar 11, 2007 at 06:17:55 AM UTC

OMG (0.00 / 0)

"Perry adopted his stand on immigration and the HPV vaccine and Dewhurst and Shapiro have taken his position against the TAKS test."

I guess everyone in Austin now consults with Chris Bell. If I were him I wouldn't be so fast to claim credit for Perry's "immigration reform" until it is "fast-tracked" through the legislature which will probably coincide with Nancy Pelosi "fast-tracking" hers, and Bush's, through Congress. More than likely any legislation he seeks will just ensure continued illegal immigration with absolutely no state provisions for services for them.  Welcome to the plantation.

His position on the HPV vaccine produced an outcry over constitutional issues and parental concerns. But who is anyone to criticize Rick Perry? Particularly after Chris Bell has asked everyone to support him. Like the newspaper editors said, Chris Bell would have worked well with the Republican legislature.

People in Austin and Washington were talking about ethics long before Chris Bell filed the complaint against Tom De Lay.  If anything led to his ruination, it was the association with Jack Abramoff which grew out of the K Street matter which occurred lond before Chris Bell arrived in Washington. The Republicans got rid of Tom De Lay. While waving their flags of course.  You obviously have a lot to learn about Republicans. They always have a scapegoat somewhere. When they can't find a Democrat, they offer one of their own for sacrifice.  Wonder who will be sacrificed over the TYC matter?

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by: Baby Snooks @ Sun Mar 11, 2007 at 10:01:13 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Ethics (0.00 / 0)

Baby Snooks, your hatred for Bell just becomes so incredibly apparent, it's comical.  When he filed the ethics complaint against DeLay, no such complaint had been filed in like 7 or  8 years.  How can you suggest with a straight face that Bell didn't have an impact on raising the ethics issue to a new level?  That just takes away any degree of credibility you could possibly have.

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by: politicsforjim @ Sun Mar 11, 2007 at 14:46:20 PM UTC

Things incredibly apparent (0.00 / 0)

What becomes so incredibly apparent is the focus of three of your four posts on BOR.

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by: Baby Snooks @ Sun Mar 11, 2007 at 20:16:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Well, I think it's retarded... (5.00 / 2)

I don't hate Bell. I just think he's lame. I didn't support him during this primary once a better alternative emerged. However, once he won the primary I did everything I could for him and was disappointed by that pathetic campaign.

I think he's a decent, honorable person. I also think he's exactly what's wrong with too many Democratic candidates. I'd hire him to represent me in court, but never in office.

Quit making it all about hate and understand that some of us just don't like Chris as a candidate.

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by: McBlogger @ Sun Mar 11, 2007 at 21:59:24 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Faith (0.00 / 0)

I canceled my e-mail notification with Chris Bell when I received his Faith in Texas message:

...how best we can apply the common tenets of our varying faiths into leadership...

We need campaign and ethics reform, compassion for the poor and more support for the children of Texas, but religion has nothing to do with it.  Keep religion out of my government.

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by: rabel @ Mon Mar 12, 2007 at 12:30:22 PM UTC