Last Publish :
Friday, March 12, 2010 10:00:27 AM
Tidbits
Well another week. Kind of slowed down. And
that is a good thing. But when it is slow....they are :
Shook Up - We have been talking to the AG's office
regarding the Hatch Act. Seemingly there are three that should resign today in
order to comply with the law. We are digging a little deeper right now and will
have a story next week.
Notice The Silence - There seems to be some real silence
out there in the media and the political world since we broke the Hatch Act
story. Hmmmm.
Cop Shop Talk - "Thanks for the article this week....."
Not a problem. We need all we can get. Come by and get a check.
Mad At Us - We are just the paper boy? Sorry that the
Enterprise is mad at us for posting last week a memo from their leaders. We got
it leaked? Get over it. It is the same thing you guys do every day of the week.
Threats - Ugh? Like what are you going to do with us that
won't make headlines. Recording our phone conversations and then publishing
them? So what?
Healthcare - They got the votes or will be called weak
and unable to govern. It passes by one vote.
Demise - The end of the democratic party for this cycle
and back to......who the hell knows what? Tea Party time?
Local Election - Oscar v. Prince? Any others?
Mexican Military - Helicopters over Texas? Do what? SA
News has the story.
Media Fluff - Rats in a store. How about rats in the
courthouse? Ooopss....missed that story huh?
More Media Fluff - Port Arthur News still pumped up over
what? Our taking on Spooner or our comments that the other side is not heard
when Spooner Spews? That would be a great name for his column?
Have a great weekend. See you Sunday - and be watching Monday.
HUGE STORY ON THE HATCH ACT!
Slime Time
The Southeast Texas Political Review has
learned of an attempt to Slime the Eastex Crime Stoppers group here in Southeast
Texas.
According to our cop shop sources - two of which are former
crime stopper representatives - an effort was begun three months ago by a
disgruntled former board member spreading the rumor around Southeast Texas that
the ET Crime Stoppers had financial problems as well as lost their
accreditation.
So we dug around a little and got a little help from some
friends in the cop shop. And we have discovered that Crime Stoppers has never
had a problem and that they are in good financial standing.
"It is hard for us to raise money right now because of the
stigma that was out in the public. We are hoping that we can get the message out
that there are and never were any problems," said our source.
Well - consider it done.
We here at the Review have contributed before and will again to
the Eastex Crime Stoppers and we hope you will too. The key to cleaning up this
county is to report crime. Maybe if they can get some money in - they can get
some of these guys off the streets. Quickly
Now maybe if someone would report some of the crimes at the
Jefferson County Courthouse????
We are just saying. Stop the Slime Time to guy and girls
that work their ass off to keep us safe. It is that simple.
Oh Crap
Legal Beagles across Texas have begun to toy
with the idea that some of the elections this past week could be overturned with
a little known law called the "Hatch Act" which clearly states that State and
Local city employees who run for office must resign if their position or
department receives federal funds.
Meaning? Well - according to legal beagles that we have spoke
with in Austin, Washington and locally the scenario would be this : Let's say a
Sheriffs Department accepts federal funds for any one project - like a chopper,
or a boat, or maybe even paying for their employees to attend the FBI academy -
then if any employee of the department makes the decision to run for office in a
state, county and or local race, if they are not the office holder, they must
resign or take a leave of absence during the campaign.
Meaning? Well we don't know - so we called around and asked the
question.
"Yes - the candidate must resign under the Hatch act if their
agency is receiving federal funds in any manner," said a source in Austin with
the AG's office.
"However, I have never heard of anyone enacting it and I have no
idea on how to enforce it unless it is reported to us. Since the act passed, we
have had no complaints." - She went on to say.
So we called Washington DC - and asked the question at the
United States Attorneys office.
"The Hatch act clearly states that if federal funds are being
used by a government agency any employee is precluded from running for office
unless they take a leave or quit," said the spokesperson.
And then we were referred to a flyer and about fell out of our
chair after reading it.
So read this and get shocked :
http://www.osc.gov/documents/hatchact/ha_sta.pdf
What does that mean? It means simply this - there is a
new tool in the arsenal that can be used to turn elections over and to
remove a candidate from his or her job in the government while they run for
office. As well, it can be used BIG TIME in order to stop abuse in political
movers.
If someone had used it - it would have effected people
like Jeff Branick - who should have resigned from his post, as well, newly
elected Brent Weaver, as well .... well you pick the "career" elected
officials in the county.
The bottom line - now that we know - IF YOU RUN FOR
OFFICE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AND YOU ARE AN EMPLOYEE OF A GOVERNMENT AGENCY IN
EITHER AN ELECTED FORM OR HIRED FORM YOU MUST RESIGN FROM YOUR POST WHILE
YOU ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE IF YOUR OFFICE AND OR COUNTY RECEIVES A DIME IN
FEDERAL FUNDS.
Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.
Now it may get interesting. Talk about wanting to clean
up the county? Challenge the HATCH ACT. Designed to keep career pols honest.
Operative word : HONEST?
Food for thought this morning. We will see if the AG's
office comes to Jefferson County for a visit.
PA News Spooner
So get this? The Port Arthur News once again
puts Ronald Spooner, the "former educator" (thank God on the former), touting
him on their front page and web site in his most recent editorial - giving you
the reader another dose of - "How Stupid Are You?"
Adding insult to injury - the News has no - and we mean no -
counter opinion making them THE MOST LIBERAL PAPER in Southeast Texas.
Where in the hell do we start on this guys newest dribble?
Spooner wants to talk about this great Whitehouse summit on
Healthcare. You know - how the democrats are going to save humanity in the
United States buy requiring employers and if you don't have an employer - you -
to carry health insurance. You know - government mandates. The government
telling you more and more what to do - and taking personal responsibility out of
your life. As well, having others pay for what you cannot.
We think they call that - socialism?
Then in the beginning of the dribble - Spooner lets you know
what he really things - you dumb ass citizens - you have to change the way you
think - why? Because you don't know what is good for you - only the government
does. And if you can't change the way you think - you numbing idiot - well you
are off the ship of fools!
You don't believe us - well enjoy Mr. Spooner's words :
"Starting over, either way, would not cause Democrats and
Republicans to change their minds about what each thinks, either philosophically
or politically, should or should not be the final bill. If that were possible,
compromises would have started at the summit."
No Mr. Spooner - this is what makes America GREAT. We all have
different thoughts and directions that we think America should go. The call that
DEMOCRACY. The first bill didn't work for ANYONE left or right. So chunk it.
Start over. But nooo....it is Obama! He knows what is great and good for us.
Mr. Spooner continues :
"As the President and Nancy Pelosi have pointed out,
Republicans may not vote for the final bill despite many of their good ideas
having already been incorporated into the proposed Democratic bill. The bill was
already a bipartisan even before the President added even more Republican ideas
after the summit. Republicans, however, are reluctant to take credit for their
own ideas."
No Mr. Spooner - you arrogant fool - the GOP and even going more
right - the tea party people have had enough of "do-good" democrats telling us
that they know better what is good for us. Government is not the answer. So stop
trying to convince us that the government is better for us. We do not need you,
your beloved government including Nancy Pelosi, telling us what is good for us.
We are free Americans. Maybe if you love government so much - go live in Canada.
Oh wait, you will have to come to the US for your health care or you might die
waiting in a line or for an appointment?
Now here is what Mr. Spooner goes of the reservation and you
have to really laugh :
"Bipartisanship does not mean a 50-50 agreement between
the political parties, especially when one party has the presidency and
substantial majorities in both houses of Congress."
Really? It doesn't?
Okay Spooner - have "your party" go ahead and pass the bill with
reconciliation. Do it - get it on. And then watch the GOP majority next year and
watch every waking breath of congress through reconciliation pass as many bills
as they can to gut that health care bill.
Maybe you should tell your readers that the "tax" starts
immediately - and the benefits - well they don't get cranked up until four years
late - you know - when you know who is gone?
Now for the killer :
"In the absence of a bipartisan bill that can get 60 votes
in the Senate, Democrats are apparently willing to win with 51 votes. According
to Republicans, such "reconciliation" was a good idea when George W. Bush and
Republicans used it, but it has become "shoving down the throats" of Americans
if used by Democrats."
Now we see the true democrat in Ronald Spooner. The "educator"
is highly uneducated.
What is "reconciliation?"
Well let's use the rule :
"Reconciliation is a legislative process of
the
United States Senate intended to allow
consideration of a contentious budget bill
without the threat of
filibuster. Introduced in
1974,
reconciliation streamlines the debate and amendment process.
Reconciliation also exists in the
United States House of Representatives, but because the
House regularly passes rules that constrain debate and
amendment, the process has had a less significant impact on that
body."So now we know that "reconciliation is used by
congress exclusively for "consideration of a contentious budget
bill."
Wait Ronald? Wait? Isn't this a HEALTH CARE BILL? It has
NOTHING to do with the budget? Nothing?
Oh Ronald - we know - Medicare and Medicaid - is a budget
issue? Okay Ronald - deal with that issue - but stay away from
the private sector. The government has NO RIGHT to mandate us to
pay for health care.
And let us be a little more clearer. IF AND WE MEAN IF
Congress rams this through and the president signs it - well
enjoy it till January. Then everything begins to change again.
You see Ronald all you democrats know what to do is spend other
peoples money. How about if I show up to your bank and take some
money for something that I want? You would have a fit. Well
buddy - there are many of us out there that are tired of paying
for others stuff. We are trying to pay for our own stuff. And it
takes almost four months of working to pay for others stuff now.
Then we get to our stuff. So - Ronald - if you democrats like to
pay for each others stuff - do it. But leave the rest of us out.
As for the Port Arthur News? You print this stuff? And then
you wonder why we all turn our backs and don't buy you?
Go find someone that has a counter point. A good counter
point to Mr. Spooner. You might be surprised how many people
there are that MIGHT BUY YOUR PAPER?
But what do we know? We are just a low tech, bad spelling
internet site that has grown by 4,000% over the last five years.
While your paper has shrunk?
We are just saying? People are tired of being taken on a
guilt trip that we do not do enough for others because that is
what we all seem to be doing now - doing for others when we are
having trouble doing for ourselves. Enough GOVERNMENT. Enough.
Ronald Spooner is getting a check from the Retired Teachers
Association - after getting a check from the people to teach our
kids. And this is the crap he taught them? No wonder we have a
batch of screwed up kids that want from others and don't want to
go out and earn it. It is because of liberal whack jobs like
Ronald Spooner that are simply off their rockers.
But don't blame Ronald - he only knows about taking from us
the taxpayers - not giving. And what he did give screwed up a
generation of people that are now beholden to the NANNY
GOVERNMENT to take care of them.
A shame - a true Shame.
Oscar
One of two things are going to happen this
spring. Either Oscar Ortiz will come in and shake things up - or he will be done
as a politico forever. There is no in-between.
Oscar Ortiz kicked off this official campaign this past week in
his race for taking back the Mayors chair post term limits four years ago.
Ortiz, the former Mayor of Port Arthur, is well known for his bitch slaps of his
political opponents and as well his focus on what is good for Port Arthur first
- then Oscar - then the chips land where they land.
Oritz will face a very very strong Delores Prince - the current
Mayor. Which has set some ugly tones already. Like the fire chief running to the
city manager for cover, and the police chief ready to throw his hands in the air
and say what next. Two men - that should not be pulled into a political battle -
who in the end will.
Setting politics aside for a moment - we find that Port Arthur
is a dying town. With corruption everywhere.
Where?
Well let's just drop a hint. How about the EDC and the members
of the EDC board that are under investigation? Or maybe ease on over to the Port
Arthur Housing Authority which a long time undercover investigation has
suggested that over $50,000 in money has been requested for the Housing
Authority from places like the Regional Planning Commission when the money is
getting channeled to? How about Houston and San Antonio? And the Review has
learned it was really a sting operation - indictments coming?
And it does not stop there.
The infrastructure is failing. Crime is....
Well never mind. We don't want to kick this dead horse any
longer. It is just a dying community that has one thing left - the plants. And
they milk them for money as fast and as hard as they can, then kick them in the
nuts and tell them they are not giving enough - and they want more.
City Council? Well we have already given an example of that this
week. Telling the plant managers to hire citizens of the city - yet the council
hires a Dallas PR Firm to do their work passing up two PR firms in the county?
And then adding insult to injury? Get this - two of the city
council members got inside deals (watch the next few weeks) on
some...well....let's just say pressuring business leaders to do things their way
or else? It is like a mini Jefferson County Commissioners Court. And that is
funny.
In the end - Oscar is going to have to stand on his own two
feet. But our guess is that he will lose. The blacks run the city. That simple.
that true. And Oscar isn't black. And the Mexican Vote and the White Vote
doesn't match the black vote.
But - never say never to this man. It will be interesting to
watch. It will be ugly. And watch for department heads to run for cover. And if
Oscar wins - leaders will walk. And that might not be a bad thing in some cases
- but in others it would be really bad.
Old School meets politically correct blacks.
Fun Fun Fun! For everyone!
Kiss Off
Wow! And we missed it?
We got a call this past Friday from a close source to one of the
plant managers with a close relationship with the industrial council who tells
the Review that they are "furious" with the Port Arthur City Council after
awarding a contract with Phillips Productions this past week to help with Port
Arthur's image.
The reason? And it is not what you think!
"These guys up on Port Arthur City Council sit there and lecture
us about who we hire. They do this demand thing about hiring local help. They
tell us we are bad business partners and beat us up in the media. But what the
hell does Port Arthur due? They hire a Dallas firm to redo Port Arthur's image?
Is there nobody in Port Arthur or Jefferson County they can hire?" - asked the
source.
And then they went on to say : "It is typical. And I know I
speak for all the plant managers in this area. They (the Port Arthur City
Council) can kiss off. They are going to spend again another hundred thousand
dollars on a firm in Dallas? And they cannot find anyone here? That is crap. You
are not going to lecture us anymore."
Ouch.
And our take is that we AGREE. And we must admit we did not even
think about it last week in our story.
Again - Bob Phillips and his production company is a damn good
company. But the Port Arthur City Council just did what they always do. Which is
Government telling the people and businesses what they should do - but then do
the opposite of how they demand us to do it.
But remember - it is Port Arthur. And frankly they simply don't
get reality. And they are government out of control in asking us to do what they
won't or ignore.
So - kiss off? Yep. This is a classic example.
