Press Conference Notice to All Politicians

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL POLITICIANS for Monday, July 6, 2009:

In anticipation of the 'round the clock coverage of Michael Jackson's funeral tomorrow and the toxicology report due to be released on Thursday, if you have (1) an affair you'd like to admit to, (2) an addiction you feel should be revealed, (3) federal or state taxes you have not paid, (4) a need to come out of the closet, (5) a DWI in your recent past, (6) a financial scam you've been a part of, or (7) a state or federal elected office from which you want to resign, please schedule your press conference by 10 p.m. today so that the national media will be able to give it the attention it deserves.

Thank you for your cooperation,

ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC

P.S. - In your press conference, please be prepared to tell the media (a) how you felt when you learned that Michael Jackson had died and (b) how his death has personally affected your life.

(I WISH I could claim authorship of this. And, I wish I was as funny as my friend who wrote it! Bravo, P.R.---muse)

Former Austinite Whacks Down Trees

The owner of Casa de Muse laughed in the face of tree huggers, denied her Austin heritage and earned a stern finger shaking from all who wear Birkenstocks, by willfully allowing two mature pine trees to be whacked down in her front yard in Fort Bend County this weekend.

The homeowner - a former Austinite who really should know better than to tick off the Choose Life! Save a Tree! crowd - claimed there was "pine bark beetle" infestation and insisted the trees be removed from her property before another hurricane of Ike-ic proportions tore through her neighborhood, causing the mighty pines to crash through her roof and harm her impressionable teenagers.

How many arborists examined the trees for the supposed disease? How many poets? How many Barton Creek swimmers? How many radar tools were used to gather color images of the decay inside each trunk? How many air tools were employed to delicately blow away soil from the roots and inspect them? Twenty? Ten? No, only one lousy arborist advised that the trees should go.

So, the iconic pines on a bucolic street in Sugar Land were chopped down and carried off by an uncaring small man with a saw and a truck.

In an act of utter defiance, the homeowner refused to allow the felled trees to be turned into benches, sculptures, mulch, guitars or souvenirs.

Draft Kirk Watson for Governor?

It looks like Leticia Van de Putte is doing just that. This makes me chuckle a bit because I don't think she would go out on a limb and call for him to run for governor without pre-clearance from Senator Watson.

We for sure know that Senator Van de Putte won't run. I think that's wise. While she is a terrific legislator, I don't think her name recognition is high enough to run statewide. But, oh, how I wish it was - a woman, a Latina - that would be great. As it it, I could get really excited about Watson running. He's a fabulous statesman, extremely smart and also, he is a Baylor graduate! Where do I sign up? Senator Watson, put me on your supporter list!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Harold Cook

June 23, 2009

Statement of Senator Leticia Van de Putte regarding her political plans for 2010

Senator Van de Putte authorized the release of this statement today, regarding her plans for the 2010 elections:

“Five months of speculation regarding the possibility of me running for Governor has, quite frankly, been surprising. It started with nothing more than me not immediately saying ‘no,’ unlike in past election cycles, when asked if I would consider such a run. The reactions of thousands of Texans who encouraged me to give it serious consideration has been flattering.

“I have, indeed, given it very serious thought, and while I would love to believe, tongue firmly planted in cheek, that this pent-up desire on the part of so many Texans for me to run for governor is solely because of some perceived superior leadership ability and vast intellect of mine, I have to reluctantly admit that it’s not as much about me as it is about Republican failures.

“This is about Texas’ stunning lack of current leadership. Large and growing numbers feel betrayed by the Republicans they voted into statewide office, and who can blame them? While Texas families remain concerned about genuine priority issues, Republicans led by Rick Perry continue to instead obsess about hyper-partisan issues, in order to grab more power for themselves.

“Texans still pay the highest homeowners insurance premiums in the country. Texas still has the highest percentage in the country of those without access to health care. Texas still has the second highest rate of teen pregnancy in the nation, and the highest rate of teens with a second pregnancy. And after years of Republican ‘leadership,’ not only has Rick Perry failed to address these challenges, but he and his minions have done everything they can to avoid addressing them in any meaningful way. Rick Perry, Kay Bailey Hutchison, and others in the Republican leadership have turned their backs on 25 million Texans, instead opting to curry favor with a handful of fringe Republican primary voters.

“If I believed for a second that it would result in a healthy debate of the issues of most importance to Texas families, I would today be announcing my candidacy for Governor of Texas. But we have all watched over the years as Perry, Hutchison, and other Republican politicians have launched their scorched earth ‘say anything to win’ vicious attacks against political opponents. To mask their utter lack of leadership, they’ll do so again, and I decline to put my family through it. That I am a Latina would only serve to amplify their attacks.

“I will gladly work hard to ensure that a Democrat prevails in the election for Governor, so that Texas families can have a better shot at having a state government focused on the needs of Texans, instead of state Republican leadership obsessed with their own political futures, at Texans’ expense.

“Prominent Democrats must put personal ambitions aside and very pragmatically nominate the person best equipped to win in November. Just because one can win the Democratic nomination for Governor doesn’t mean one should, unless he or she is best positioned to defeat the Republican nominee in the fall.

“That’s why I think Senator Kirk Watson should raise his sights and run for Governor. I’ve watched as Senator Watson has emerged as a leader in the state Senate on the issues of most importance to Texans. While staying true to Democratic values, he is a bipartisan pragmatic leader solidly focused on addressing the priorities of all Texans. I intend to lobby Senator Watson to run for governor, and I’ll wholeheartedly support him if he does. But if he declines, Democrats should recruit and support someone who, like Watson, is energetic, pragmatic, focused, and smart; and who can fully energize Democratic supporters while also attracting a broad range of independent voters in every region of the state.

“The Republicans have had their day, and Texans have realized that the Republicans can’t lead. I will be working hard to elect a Democrat to the Governor’s office.”

Aggies Hire Mr. Whipple As Interim President

The newly appointed interim President of TAMU, R. Bowen Loftin released the following statement today:

"I am encouraged that the Board of Regents took action to wipe away the recent problems and flush them down the drain. Let me be clear. Under my tenure there will be no squeezing of anything on the Texas A&M campus. Of course, if our esteemed Governor asks us to resume squeezing, I will reply, "How hard? Sir."

McLeroy Vote Possible Today

According to several news reports, the Senate Democrats claim they have the votes to block McLeroy's nomination as Chair of the Texas State Board of Education. The vote is expected to come to the Senate floor today and takes 2/3 to confirm. I've said a lot about this and I don't have much else to say except that I completely agree with Senator Shapleigh (emphasis mine):

Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso, has been a strong critic of McLeroy.

“He has used his position to push extreme beliefs on 4.7 million school children. He has rejected solid science in favor of ideology,” Shapleigh said. “He has ignored input from experts on what works best for reading.”

The Senate rarely blocks a governor’s appointment.

There is speculation in the Capitol and within the Texas Education Agency that Gov. Rick Perry might elevate Cynthia Dunbar, R-Richmond, to lead the board. Like McLeroy, Dunbar also holds strong Christian beliefs and recently authored a book that advocates more religion in the public square.

“We believe that Texans deserve better than divisive, destructive, extreme leadership,” Shapleigh said. “If the governor chooses to appoint someone more extreme and more divisive, we’ll have to deal with that at the appropriate time.”

You can find contact info for all Senators at this link. We must send a message to Governor Perry and this SBOE that religious ideology cannot guide the Board. If Perry wants to ignore that message and appoint Dunbar, so be it. We'll deal with that in November 2010 at the ballot box.

Let's Get Real On McLeroy

A reminder of who has basically the "no comment" answer to my question: How does the Senator intend to vote on McLeroy's Nomination?: Hinojosa, Lucio, Uresti and (sort of) Zaffirini and Ellis.

Now, let's connect some dots. Senate Finance Chair Ogden pushed for the nomination of McLeroy to go to the Senate floor. And, Sen. Mike Jackson caved and made it so. Who is on the Senate Finance Committee?

Chair: Ogden
Vice-Chair: Hinojosa
Members: Averitt, Duell, Duncan, Eltife, Harris, Lucio, Nelson, Seliger, Shapiro, West, Whitmire, Williams, Zaffirini

Let's assume for the case of argument that all three of those I bolded vote to confirm McLeroy. What is going to be the explanation to the school children of Texas - who can't vote and can't take off of school to go to the Capitol and lobby these powerful Senators on the Finance Committee - of why they went on record and voted for a SBOE Chair whose only purpose is to force a right wing agenda on public schools? And, if they walk the vote, they still would have to explain themselves. Would it possibly be something along the lines of, "I traded favors on the Senate budget and voted against Texas school children?"

Hopefully it won't come to that. Public education is supposed to be a Democratic issue, so let's expect every Democrat to do what's right for school kids. Believe me, the religious right is disciplined and they are calling, emailing, and threatening the Republicans to confirm McLeroy. How could we be OK with our folks voting the way the religious right wants them to?

As far the argument of, "Oh, noes!!! It could be worse! Big bad Dunbar or Leo or Mercer might be appointed by the Governor!" Hogwash. They aren't worse, they are the same as McLeroy - they all have a single minded focus on their religious right agenda for public schools. Let's put that decision in the Governor's hands. Give him the chance to appoint the moderate Bob Craig. If he puts in another person who is guided by the religious right agenda, we can go after Perry and the new Chair. If we let McLeroy be confirmed, we are agreeing with Perry that a right wing agenda is a good thing for the SBOE.

Are our Democrats going to stand with the religious right or with school children?

TX Democratic Senators and the McLeroy Vote

I have been advised by a Democrat who called all twelve Texas Democratic Senators, that there are five who are non-committal on the McLeroy confirmation vote.

I just got home from a trip to Austin, so I called the five Senators. I simply stated that I'm a Democrat and an educator, and I was calling to find out how the Senator was going to vote on the McLeroy nomination. I got almost the same exact answer from Hinojosa and Lucio's staff - they do not have an answer. These are two that worry me the most, although I wonder if we should be worried about Uresti, also.

I'm pretty sure Ellis and Zaffirini are on board.

Keep in mind that one danger is that one or more of our Democratic Senators will "walk" - in other words conveniently not be present for the vote. It requires 2/3 of the Senators PRESENT when the vote is taken, to confirm. If everyone shows up, all we need is 11 votes agaisnt confirmation to block it.

Below, you'll find links to the Senators' websites, plus the Capitol phone number you can call to express your opinion. I made it clear to each of them - in a respectful, nice way - that I expected all twelve Democratic Senators to hold together and vote not to confirm McLeroy.

Senator Juan Hinojosa - aide does not have an answer at the present time. (512) 463-0120

Senator Eddie Lucio - his aide has not been advised on how Lucio will vote. (512) 463-0127

Senator Carlos Uresti - aide who answered the phone said the staffer who is in charge of education issues is not in the office, so she couldn't speak on how Uresti would vote. (512) 463-0119

Senator Rodney Ellis - aide who answered the phone said she did not know how Ellis was going to vote because she had not discussed it with him. She said she would guess he "might not support" the McLeroy confirmation. (512) 463-0113

Senator Judith Zaffirini - aide says she is almost positive Zaffirini will oppose McLeroy's nomination. She also said she expects to see the nomination on the floor this weekend or early next week. (512) 463-0121

I'll also call the other seven Democratic Senators. You can find their contact info at this link.

For complete coverage of the Texas State Board of Education - and all of the reasons why a vote for McLeroy is a vote for the religious right and a vote against Texas school children, see the TFN Insider.

Republicans are Calling TX Democratic Senators for a Yes Vote On McLeroy

Democrats, the far right is disciplined. I was just forwarded this. We need to respond by flooding the Senators with phone calls letting them know we expect them to stand up for Texas children.

Dear Literacy Friends,

Please call your senator and ask that he/she vote against McLeroy as Chair of the SBOE. McLeroy spent several days at the capitol and convinced senators to pressure the Nominations Committee Chair, Mike Jackson, to submit his name for vote on the Senate floor.

McLeroy is claiming religious persecution because he is against the “experts.” He believes that the subject area experts that belong to national and state organizations are for the status quo. You might want to mention your district’s effort and expense required to remediate the newly adopted ELA standards, and your concerns about student performance.

I spoke with Shapleigh’s aide, David Edmonson, a moment ago. Their office is getting many phone calls in favor of McLeroy. David also recommends calling all senators but especially the ones listed below with an asterisk.

Please forward this request to others to encourage their action. I’ve listed phone numbers for all senators for your convenience The ones marked with an “E” are on the Senate Education Committee.

E* Averitt-(512) 463-0122
* Carona-(512) 463-0116
E• Davis, Wendy-(512) 463-0110
* Deuell-(512) 463-0102
• Dewhurst-463.0001
* Duncan-(512) 463-0128
• Ellis-(512) 463-0113
* Eltife-(512) 463-0101
• Estes-(512) 463-0130
• Fraser-(512) 463-0124
E• Gallegos-(512) 463-0106
• Harris-(512) 463-0109
• Hegar-(512) 463-0118
• Hinojosa-(512) 463-0120
• Huffman-(512) 463-0117
• Jackson, Mike-(512) 463-0111
• Lucio-(512) 463-0127
• Nelson-(512) 463-0112
• Nichols-(512) 463-0103
E• Ogden-(512) 463-0105
E• Patrick, Dan-(512) 463-0107
* Seliger-(512) 463-0131
E• Shapiro-(512) 463-0108
• Shapleigh-(512) 463-0129
• Uresti-(512) 463-0119
E• Van de Putte-(512) 463-0126
• Watson-(512) 463-0114
* Wentworth-(512) 463-0125
E• West-(512) 463-0123
• Whitmire-(512) 463-0115
E• Williams-(512) 463-0104
• Zaffirini-(512) 463-0121


Warm regards,
Pat Jacoby
Authentic Learning Technologies, LP
307 Stirrup Drive
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
512.264.3050 phone
512.264.3063 fax

Looking for Eleven Good Men and Women

Remember when Rep. Mike Jackson, Chair of Senate Nominations, said he wouldn't bring the nomination of embattled right wing SBOE Chair McLeroy to the Senate floor if the votes weren't there to confirm?

Well something must have changed because Jackson called a Nominations meeting on Wednesday and they voted 4-2 to send McLeroy's nomination to the floor. Democratic Senator Kirk Watson (one of the two votes against sending it to the Senate) surmised that Jackson must know that a Democratic Senator or two were going to vote to confirm, because if all 12 Democrats stick together, McLeroy's confirmation is dead in the water.

That's because confirmation of this Perry appointee requires 2/3 of the Senate to vote in favor. It just takes 11 votes to block.

Democrats are pro-public education and the expectation is that they ALWAYS stand up for public schools. I'd be real curious who Jackson thinks is not going to be a real Democrat and is willing to continue McLeroy's reign of terror on school children. I think we need to find out.

Call your Senator today, or call all twelve Democratic Senators to find out how they intend to vote. The complete list of Senators identified by party is here, along with contact information.

What happens if McLeroy is not confirmed? Governor Perry gets to appoint someone else from the SBOE as Chair. He could certainly appoint someone who is equally as bad - Dunbar, Cargill, Mercer, Leo or Bradley. Or he could appoint a moderate Republican like Bob Craig, who has the best interests of Texas school children top of mind instead of a far religious right agenda.

Let that be Perry's political problem. Our task at hand is send a strong message to our Democrats in the Texas Senate that a vote to confirm McLeroy is a vote against Texas school children.