Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief FINALLY Breaks Silence Over Rainbow Lounge Raid

by: Todd Hill

Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 02:36 PM CDT

We all join in wishing Mr. Gibson a speedy and full recovery.

Currently, two investigations are underway to review the circumstances and events that took place at the Rainbow Lounge early Sunday morning. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) is conducting an investigation and the Fort Worth Police Department's Internal Affairs Division is conducting its own investigation.

I join Police Chief Jeff Halstead in encouraging any eye-witnesses to the events under review to come forward and share their observations.

Members of the City Council and I have confidence that Chief Halstead is leading a thorough and professional investigation. Once the Fort Worth Police Department's examination is complete, I have asked the acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, James T. Jacks, to independently review the findings of the Fort Worth Police Department's investigation to ensure the department has thoroughly and impartially carried out its obligation to all the citizens of Fort Worth. I encourage the TABC to follow the same course.

Fort Worth has a history of inclusiveness, and the Fort Worth Police Department has a history of responsible and professional service to our citizens. The police department's internal investigation and the outside review is meant to ensure all citizens are professionally and responsibly represented by our police department. I am most appreciative to the U.S. Attorney's Office for assisting us in this effort.

I want to know why it took Moncrief six days to break his silence.  I want to know why it took him as many days to "wish" Chad Gibson a "speedy recovery."  That is entirely too long for a sitting mayor whose city is ground zero in a huge, national conversation regarding LGBT equality and human rights.  Disappointed doesn't even begin to describe my emotion at this time.    

Ronnie Earle Files Papers to Run Statewide

by: David Mauro

Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 07:50 AM CDT

The Austin American-Statesman has reported that former Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle has filed paperwork with the Texas Ethics Commission to run for statewide office in 2010.

Earle, who has been the subject of a recently launched Draft campaign for Governor and is also seen as a potential Attorney General candidate, did not specify which office he will run for.

Earle designated himself as campaign treasurer and will now be allowed to begin fundraising. With Texas Sen. Kirk Watson not planning to announce his statewide intentions until the end of the summer, the move may be designed for Earle to begin to build a campaign warchest while waiting for others like Watson to decide before he makes a final decision.

Against the current Democratic gubernatorial field of Tom Schieffer and Kinky Friedman, Earle would have a good chance to win. Although he is not very well known outside of Travis County, his name ID is certainly higher than that of Schieffer and Democratic activists like him for filing charges against Tom DeLay. Neither Schieffer or Friedman have anywhere close to the Democratic credentials that Earle has.

Prior to his 32 years as District Attorney, Earle was a State Representative from Austin. Ironically, Earle and Schieffer, who could be on the verge of running against each other for Governor, were in the same freshman class in the Texas House almost 37 years ago.

Earle's prosecutor past could hurt him in a possible match up against Kay Bailey Hutchison. In 1993, Hutchison was indicted by a grand jury but was eventually acquitted because Earle did not have sufficient evidence. 

FW Police Chief Lays Blame at Feet of TABC; Applauds 'Restraint' of Officers

by: Todd Hill

Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 04:03 PM CDT

Halstead officially suspended joint operations with the TABC pending the results of the internal investigation.

But Halstead on Thursday suspended joint operations between the two agencies "until we gain a better understanding of the events that occurred at the Rainbow Lounge," according to a news release from Sgt. Pedro Criado, police spokesman.

We are starting to see some movement but I don't think it is going to be the movement we in the LGBT community will want or be satisfied with.  Halstead is saying all the right things at the moment about "diversity training," and establishing "clear guidelines" for future joint operations, but there is still the refusal on his part to take any responsibility for a raid that happened in his departments jurisdiction.  Plus, continuing to insist on perpetrating these stereotypes such as "patrons grabbed our crotch" so that is why we acted the way we did is counterproductive and harmful.  The evil gays prayed on our crotches so the excessive force the officers used was really an exercise in "restraint."  Pathetic and disgusting on the part of a chief of police.  

I am really upset that Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief continues to remain silent, as do a few other city councilmembers, on this whole terrible incident.  Their silence speaks volumes.  No amount of diversity training will be enough to break there apparent dislike of the LGBT community.  It also tells me that when this investigation is over we're likely to see little or no change, and probably the same "grabbed my crotch so we took action" outcome is to be expected.  

Going a bit farther though I will say an extraordinary amount of responsibility now rests on the LGBT community too.  For meaningful change to be enacted we must continue to stand up and hold our elected officials accountable.  That doesn't mean stand up and act a fool.  That doesn't mean get radical with it as that will only serve to be counter-productive.  Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi enacted the change they wished to see by peaceful demonstrations and accountability of elected officials.  We can do the same thing and achieve many of our goals toward equality and protection under the law.        

Joe Barton and Pete Sessions Cap and Trade Scare Tactics

by: TexasCowboy

Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 09:14 PM CDT

Texas U.S. Representatives Joe Barton and Pete Sessions continue their lying campaign about the "Cap and Trade" legislation by claiming that President Obama's proposal to curb greenhouse gas emissions would cost households as much as $3,100 per year. Their 'Party of No' says it is a "massive national energy tax." However Texans and Americans need to know the $3,100 figure they keep lying about is a complete misrepresentation of both President Obama's proposal and the studies from which the number is derived.

An EPA analysis (Environmental Protection Agency) of the draft version found that the 'cap & trade' policy has a relatively modest impact on U.S. consumers assuming the bulk of revenues from the plan are returned to American households. "The EPA estimates the average cost per household to only be between $98 and $140 per year.  

LCRA Responds to "A Central Texas Water War"

by: Matt Glazer

Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 09:20 AM CDT

I told Robert I would be happy to post any response he had to the post and clarify anything I needed to. Robert, sent me a response Tuesday evening.

Robert and LCRA points our clarifies a lot of misconceptions.  First of which being the public process.

Thanks for writing about the water-sharing effort made by the Lower Colorado River Authority and the San Antonio Water System. From a public policy viewpoint, however, it would be a shame if your readers surmised that this major water-planning effort was a backroom deal gone bad, as one reader put, another "Chinatown."

Nothing could be further from the truth.  It was good science accomplished with a transparent and inclusive public process. The project will not provide the water originally estimated nearly a decade ago, but it was an honest process.

LCRA then discusses the science, the facts and the timeline of these complicated negotiations.

He then states, the project is not dead and the contemplates the future of these debates and discussions.

Despite the negative findings, the project is not dead. SAWS, which has our report, has not cancelled it. LCRA would like to continue talking with San Antonio about options. LCRA did not pull the plug, it simply followed contract terms. Certainly, we have not breached the contract.

The audience of the Burnt Orange Report is probably used to seeing chemical companies, utilities and cities seek state permits despite evidence from consumer and environmental groups that the projects were worthless or even dangerous. This is different. In this case, one of the sponsors of the project - LCRA -- comes in before a nickel of implementation money has been spent with evidence that the project in its current form does not work. For doing this, LCRA is threatened with legal action by its partner, SAWS. But this is how the process is supposed to work. If good public input and good science cannot justify a project, should it be forced to go to the permitting phase? No, what we should do is keep talking about what is next. It is hot, there's a drought out there and people are still moving to Texas.

The letter is three pages long, that's the only reason it's not on the front page in whole.  It is a good response, and I encourage you all to read the full letter below the fold.

Senator Davis and Rep. Burnam Take Action on Fort Worth Raid

by: Todd Hill

Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 06:04 PM CDT

We want to provide you with an update of our response to concerns raised about the actions taken by City of Fort Worth Police officers and Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission agents on the early morning of June 28, 2009 at the Rainbow Lounge, which is located in the Fort Worth portion of the districts that we represent.  We are deeply concerned about eye witness accounts of the events that occurred that morning and intend to activate all possible investigatory methods to learn the truth about those events.

As part of learning as much information as possible about the incident at issue, we requested a meeting with Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission.  As a consequence of that request, today we met with TABC representatives  Joel Moreno, Chief of Field Operations, and Carolyn Beck, Public Information Officer.  In that meeting, we made a very detailed request for information regarding the factual events that occurred at the Rainbow Lounge on both June 25, 2009, when TABC agents first conducted investigation activity at that location, and on June 28, 2009, when TABC agents returned to that location.  Additionally, we requested detailed information with regard to the TABC agents' compliance or non-compliance with procedures and policies of TABC as those are expressed in the TABC Enforcement Division Policy, Procedures & Forms manual.

It is our hope that through a thorough investigation and analysis of the events that occurred at the Rainbow Lounge, particularly in the early morning hours of June 28, our community and those outside our community who have raised concerns, will be able to get the answers they need to their valid questions.  Most importantly, Chad Gibson and his family, for whom we are deeply concerned, deserve answers.

To that end, we intend to make a written request to TABC for answers to the questions raised in the meeting that we held today.  Tomorrow, we will issue a joint letter detailing that request.

Additionally, in order to assure that we and the community at large receive the answers deserved regarding the events of that morning, it is our hope that an objective, outside investigation be made which would examine internal investigation reports of both the Fort Worth Police Department and the TABC, as well as eye witness accounts.  Through such an independent review, truth will be best assured.  Our community deserves to know whether unacceptable actions were taken at the Rainbow Lounge, and, to the extent they did, that the persons responsible for those actions will be held accountable.

I want to publicly thank Senator Wendy Davis and State Representative Lon Burnam for being on top of this incident and answering not only the call of their constituents to get answers to important questions, but the state and nation in whole.  Coupled with Councilmember's Joel Burns, Sal Espino, and Kathleen Hicks, elected officials that care have been at the forefront of getting answers to this incident versus remaining silent like Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief.    

Blame Game Begins Between FWPD and TABC Over Fort Worth Raid

by: Todd Hill

Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 11:07 AM CDT

"They were not my employees," Halstead said during a meeting at an east Fort Worth church.

Oh yes, when all else fails and the pressure is on simply blame someone else, right?  No need to take responsibility for the actions of a few officers under your supervision raiding an LGBT bar within your police departments jurisdiction, right?  The fact is that someone is going to have to own up to this very big mistake.  Pointing fingers and deflecting responsibility doesn't bring forward necessary answers.    

As of yesterday, Chad Gibson, the young man injured during the reckless Rainbow Lounge raid on the eve of the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Inn riots, is improving.  But questions are beginning to arise as reports of Gibson drinking water versus alcohol when he was roughed up begin to surface.  That's why a complete and thorough investigation into this matter, as first called for by Councilman Joel Burns, and echoed by fellow members Hicks and Espino, must be pursued.  

What is disappointing is that Fort Worth Councilmembers Burdette, Moss, Zimmerman, Jordan, and Scarth remain silent.  Why?  Maybe you should call and ask them.  I see no harm in joining with colleagues in calling for a complete and thorough investigation into this appalling incident.  This raid is a black eye on all of Tarrant County, but certainly Fort Worth, and the Fort Worth Police Department.  That's unfair to the vast majority of the police force that is in good standing with the community, does great service in protecting Fort Worth residents from crime, and are otherwise tolerant of all individuals regardless of sex, race, religion, and certainly sexual orientation.  Those councilmembers who remain silent not only owe it to their constituents to demand a thorough investigation, they also owe it to the Fort Worth Police Department.

A Candlelight Vigil for Gibson will be held tonight at 8PM at the Rainbow Lounge, 651 Jennings Street in Fort Worth.  Even if you are not able to attend, but wish to show your solidarity and support with Gibson, and the push for equal rights and protections for the LGBT community under the law, light a candle at your home.  Then call your friends and family across Texas, or the United States, and have them do the same thing.  It is in larger numbers that our voices for equality ring loud, and hopefully are heard.

Update:  I received a copy of a joint statement by Councilman Sal Espino and FWISD Trustee Dr. Carlos Vasquez that was issued on June 29th.  Thanks to Councilman Espino for forwarding a copy of this statement to me.

"We have confidence in the professionalism of our Police, nevertheless, I must insist upon a full investigation.  Fort Worth residents must be confident that we remain an open and inclusive City and that all questions about this unfortunate incident will be answered," he [Espino] said.    

Trustee Vasquez expressed his hope that an investigation will uncover the facts to the satisfaction of the public.  "We must have answers and will not accept any form of discrimination against the GLBT community.  I know that our Fort Worth Police Department and City leaders understand that gay people are taxpayers and deserve the full protection of the police department," said Vasquez.  "Now we must await a full disclosure of the facts," he said.

TX-Gov: Mark Thompson Announces Communications Director: Twitter

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 08:14 PM CDT

In campaigns, the Internet and new technology is a compliment, not a replacement to the traditional operation. It should enhance your ability to communicate with voters but it alone cannot (yet) be the sole pillar of your campaign.  

Final Republican in Travis County has Potential Heavy Weight Challenger

by: Matt Glazer

Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:56 PM CDT

There is only one Republican elected official left in Austin/Travis County and that's only because the Republican Justice of the Peace Barbara Bembry wasn't on the ballot in 2008.

In 2010, Bembry will be on the ballot, and the question hasn't been if a Democrat would run, but which one would defeat Bembry and make Austin 100% blue.

According to Jason Embry of the Austin American Statesman, there is now a strong Democrat and local attorney looking at the race.

Barbara Bembry (no relation) is the last remaining Republican justice of the peace in Travis County. She holds the Precinct 2 seat in the western part of the county. But chatter has emerged that Democrat Amy Clark Meachum, a partner at McGinnis Lochridge and Kilgore, may run against her in 2010.

Clark Meachum isn't ready to say she's running yet, but told me, "I appreciate the encouragement I have received from party leaders, elected officials and donors who have asked me to run for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, and I am very interested in the prospect of running. I have always wanted to be a judge and believe there is a lot of honor in the profession, especially for JPs, who handle a very tough docket and oversee very personal cases for people who are most often not represented by attorneys."

For the record, TexBlog PAC had our first fundraiser at Amy Clark Meachum and her husband's house in 2007.  

Condemnations of Rainbow Lounge Raid Pour In

by: Todd Hill

Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 10:07 PM CDT

The Texas Stonewall Democrats, speaking on behalf of all chapters across the state, issued a more forceful condemnation complete with a request for resignations:

The Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus (TSDC) and local Stonewall Democrats chapters in Texas strongly condemn the police raid that was carried out in a gay bar, the Rainbow Lounge, in Forth Worth early Sunday morning, June 28.  The TSDC calls for a prompt investigation of this incident and the immediate resignation of the Chief of the Fort Worth Police Department and the Administrator of the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission (TABC).

You'll recall that Fort Worth Councilman Joel Burns was the first to demand a full investigation into the matter.  Fort Worth Mayor Pro-Tem, Kathleen Hicks, joined her colleague in forcefully demanding such an investigation as well:

I join with Councilman Joel Burns in wanting all citizens of Texas and Fort Worth to know and be assured that the laws and ordinances of our City will be applied fairly, equally and without selective enforcement or targeting. As an African American I understand the distrust and fear that grows throughout a community when the belief that there is no recourse or protection is allowed to grow and fester.

I want every resident of Fort Worth to have the confidence of knowing that when tough issues such as this arise, we will require a full accounting of actions and demand honest
and complete answers. Rest assured that neither the people of Fort Worth, nor the city government of Fort Worth, will tolerate discrimination against any of its citizens.

Equality Texas has begun a grassroots push to encourage supporters of LGBT rights to contact Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief and demand a full investigation into this matter.  I've also been placing these call to actions on Facebook and Twitter, to which many of you have taken very quick action.  I took action today and received an auto-response from City Manager Dale Fisseler stating:

Thank you for your e-mail. This investigation began earlier this morning and will address the issues you have included in your request.

I also called and sent a letter.  Won't you do your part?  

Everybody knows somebody who is part of the LGBTQ community.  We need your help in standing up for our rights and our equal protections under the law.  As we did 40 years ago we once again stand united against brutal action targeted at our community.  We stand for equal justice and protection under the law.  The voices of many are far more powerful than the voice of one.  Stand with us today.