|
Elsewhere in Texas 
Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 09:00 PM CDT
|
|
After a four week hiatus from blogging I am returning to the blogosphere; as the newest member of the Texas Progressive Alliance and with a refocus onto the local political landscape Left of College Station is back on the air.
Tomorrow night I will be attending a meet and greet with Amy Goodman, the host of Pacifica Radio's Democracy Now!, before she gives a town hall lecture in Bryan-College Station. Democracy Now! has become the leading voice of the progressive alternative media, and most recently Goodman was arrested outside the Republican National Convention while reporting on anti-war protest. Her newest book, Standing up to the Madness: Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Times, was released this month.
Goodman will be at Square One Bistro from 6:00pm - 7:00pm tomorrow night, for a meet and greet that will include light refreshments and an autographed copy of her book. The at the Neal Recreation Center from 7:30pm - 8:30pm Goodman will be appearing at a town hall lecture, and signing copies of her book afterwards. Left of College Station will be reporting on the meet and greet and the town hall lecture tomorrow night after the event; stay tuned to Left of College Station throughout the night for live mobile updates!
Political and Social Thought...
to the Left of College Station
|
|
Discuss
:: (0
Comments)
|
|
Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 07:00 AM CDT
|
It is Monday, and that means it is time for another edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance's weekly blog round up.
The Senate this past week passed a bill to reform the state's unemployment insurance laws in a way that would allow us to accept up to $600 million in stimulus funds, despite Governor Perry's resistance. Off the Kuff has the details.
YaGottaLoveIt of South Texas Chisme says Voter ID is needed to eliminate ghost voting in the Texas House of Representatives. Why don't the Republicans try it out there first?
Neil at Texas Liberal offers up information on Swine Flu and provides tips on proper handwashing.
AAA-Fund Blog has audio from the recent national call with Ramey Ko and Hubert Vo about voting rights in Texas and around the nation.
WCNews at Eye On Williamson has the latest on transportation issues in the lege, This week's transportation action in the legislature.
This week, McBlogger took some time out his busy schedule to do something unusual, criticize someone. Specifically, Karl Rove who thinks teabaggin' is just awesome and the beginning of the Republican Party's return to electoral relevance. McBlogger, as you can imagine, has a different opinion.
John Culberson nosed out Joe Barton for the first "Douchebag of the Week" award presented by Brains and Eggs. It was a close contest with Newt Gingrich, Dick Cheney, and the Texas House Republicans all competing fiercely for the coveted prize. Better luck next week, jerks.
BossKitty at TruthHugger sees big problems addressing the pandemic hysteria because workers cannot tolerate risk staying home sick. Because Health Insurance has become such an exclusive club any medical emergency, like a contagious outbreak, can become a pandemic crisis. FLU PANDEMIC - Stay Home or Go To Work Sick?
Todd Hill at Burnt Orange Report writes about how TX Senator John Cornyn admits that the KBH seat is winnable for Democrats. This revelation from Big Bad John comes after we learn that Bill White and John Sharp had the largest 1Q fundraising totals for any non-incumbent Senate candidate in the country.
Over at TexasKaos, Libby Shaw gathers the shameful record of Republican buffoonery into a sad and funny report he calls " Texas Republican Jackasses Continue to Bring Shame to Texas ". You don't want to miss this one. With videos!
Vince at Capitol Annex notes that Congressman Joe Barton (R-Ennis) got dissed by Al Gore on global warming.
|
|
Discuss
:: (0
Comments)
|
|
Wed Mar 18, 2009 at 06:40 PM CDT
|
(This is a really interesting piece, worth reading the full extended entry. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
"This is not Jasper, Texas."
I have heard that phrased used more than once, in conversations referring to how Bryan and College Station are not as racist as other places. That phrase is actually ridiculous when you think about it because it is comparison based on what is well known as the location of one of the most racist events in recent history. What that phrase is really saying is that there are racist here but we have not yet dragged anyone behind a truck.
When you listen to conversations or read the comment sections on the local newspaper you will see code words. These are words that are used in place of the racial epitaphs and the racist language, and give people of privilege the plausibility deniability of saying that they are not racist. Even the names of the cities, Bryan and College Station, have themselves been turned into code words.
More Below the Fold...
|
|
There's More...
:: (0
Comments, 616 words in story)
|
|
Sat Jan 31, 2009 at 07:20 PM CST
|
|
More than 22,000 people were purged from the Hidalgo County voter roll within the last year after the county was unable to verify their addresses. The Hidalgo County Elections Department maintains that nearly all of the 22,634, who make up about nine percent of the county's electorate, did not try to vote in last November's general election. From The Monitor, via South Texas Chisme: Most of those purged from the list are people who didn't vote in November. But people who did vote - and failed to complete a statement of residence after changing homes - could also be affected. As many as 21 Hidalgo County municipalities - including cities, school districts and irrigation districts - have elections scheduled for May 9. Early voting begins April 27. In McAllen, Mayor Richard Cortez, as well as City Commissioners Scott Crane, Marcus Barrera and Hilda Salinas are up for re-election. "Here comes some major elections in May," Ramón said. "I guarantee you ... they'll say, ‘I was registered. You didn't notify me.' But how can we?" Many voters don't include their phone numbers on their registration cards, and mail from the county wouldn't work since the voters never received their registration cards in the first place. "If you have not received your card and you registered, call us," Ramón said. "It's the only way we know."
|
|
Discuss
:: (3
Comments)
|
|
Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 06:28 PM CST
|
|
Tonight the College Station City Council will vote on an amendment to a city ordinance that would ban smoking in bars and restaurants; however the amended ordinance will not affect smoking on bar patios.
Left of College Station will be live blogging during the College Station City Council meeting, and if you are unable to attend the meeting you can watch it online at the College Station Television Station, Channel 19 online.
|
|
There's More...
:: (1
Comments, 597 words in story)
|
|
Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:19 AM CST
|
|
Tonight I will be interviewed by the hosts of Biased Transmission, a weekly progressive radio talk show on KEOS 89.1FM, College Staion-Bryan, Texas.
Biased Transmission is on Facebook, where you can listen to several past episodes.
Listen tonight from 6:00pm - 7:00pm on KEOS 89.1 FM.
The broadcast will also be posted on Left of College Station.
Political and social thought...
to the Left of College Station
|
|
Discuss
:: (0
Comments)
|
|
Tue Jan 06, 2009 at 08:43 AM CST
|
|
I cannot imagine the horror and pain the residents of the residents of the shelter operated by Seed Sowers Christians in Action in Paris, Texas, felt as they fled the early morning fire which engulfed their shelter into the icy, frozen rain of the streets.
As our society retrenches with the fall of our economy we cannot forget those already living on the edge. I hope this event, coupled with the death of Jennifer Gale on the steps of the church where she slept in Austin last month, will serve as a clarion call. Jennifer was unable to find a shelter in Austin where she could be accepted as a transgendered person.
Cross-Posted at Street Prophets and Daily Kos.
http://www.streetprophets.com/...
http://www.dailykos.com/story/...
|
|
There's More...
:: (0
Comments, 382 words in story)
|
|
Mon Dec 22, 2008 at 10:34 AM CST
|
( - promoted by Matt Glazer)
[A similar post also appears at www.tlcv.org/blog] Conservationists were saddened to learn of the passing this weekend of Edward C. "Ned" Fritz. Mr. Fritz was a founder of the Texas League of Conservation Voters in 1970, and the boards of directors and staff of the League and the League's Educational Fund extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends. Dubbed the Father of Texas Conservation by the Nature Conservancy, Ned Fritz was a founder and leader of a variety of conservation and environmental organizations, including the Nature Conservancy in Texas and the Texas Land Conservancy. TLCV board member David Todd remarked to the Austin American Statesman, "He was a firebrand; he was so outspoken about things," who later became, "very spiritual, poetic, really, about nature."
|
|
There's More...
:: (0
Comments, 347 words in story)
|
|
Thu Nov 20, 2008 at 01:06 PM CST
|
|
[x-posted from Capitol Annex] Today, Texas lost a luminary and a fighter. Texas lost Jim Mattox. Former Texas Attorney General James Albon "Jim" Mattox passed away last night in his sleep. He was 65. 
He will be remembered as a man who fought many fights for average, working Texans, and who left an indelible mark on Texas government in politics in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Mattox will likely be remembered as one of the state's greatest attorney generals in history, along with Jim Hogg and James Allred.
|
|
There's More...
:: (11
Comments, 660 words in story)
|
|
Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 10:39 AM CST
|
|
Great news! Congressman Chet Edwards (D-Waco) is staying right here in the Lone Star State. From a press release I just received: “While it is an honor to have been considered for the position of U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, I believe I can make the most difference for veterans, our district and country by continuing to serve in Congress. That is why I have informed President-elect Obama’s transition team that I intend to continue representing the 17th Congressional District of Texas.
With my seniority in Congress and as Chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, I believe I can do more for our military troops, our veterans and their families in my present position than I could as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. At the same time I can continue my work to improve roads, economic infrastructure and the quality of life in the 17th District, a district in which I have deep, personal roots. The full release is below the fold. I will say that I am very pleased that Congressman Edwards intends to stay in Texas. While I'm of the opinion that he can exceed at any position, he is one of a few Democrats in our state that have figured out how to win -- and win big -- in a rural area of Texas. His skills as a campaigner, politician, and community leader translate to his staff, too. Rep.-elect Chris Turner, who just defeated incumbent Republican Bill Zedler, hails from the Chet school of campaigning. So too does Jeff Rotkoff, who has worked alongside Jerry Philips for years at the House Democratic Campaign Committee. Edwards' leadership here in Texas is key to developing talented campaign workers and grassroots organizers right here at home. Glad to hear you'll be around, Congressman Edwards!
|
|
There's More...
:: (2
Comments, 561 words in story)
|
|
|
|
|
| Poll |
| Who do you support in the 299th District Court Runoff? |
|
|
|
Results
|
|
