Ben Sargent, editorial cartoonist, summed the Texas' Legislature's Session up quite well. However, it seems chaos occurs under anyone's leadership. This is Texas, remember. It's a large state with many different perspectives and ideologies.
As the session comes to a close tomorrow, we can summerize this session as being challenging--similar to others; especially, for the new Speaker. However, no one can ignore that this Speaker worked with both sides to reach many compromises and lead the House with dignity and respect.
Probably the largest thing to create so much tension between the parties was the infamous Voter ID bill. Democrats hated it. Republicans felt it was necessary. Democrats used the noncontroversial calendar of bills to stall debate of the Voter ID bill and succeeded. However, in doing so, a lot of important bills died.
Some Republicans thought the Speaker gave too much power to the Democrats; while, the Democrats felt he did what he was supposed to do--administer and lead the House of Representatives.
It's too early to tell the effectiveness of the Speaker's leadership. I'm sure there will be many analyses provided by journalists, historians, and bloggers.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Hispanic Vote
Former President George W. Bush received the largest Hispanic vote in history. Chances are that if Bush were to have run a third election, he would have been re-elected by a good portion of the Hispanic vote. Why? Because of what I call "el patron" vote. He is seen as the leader or the boss. You respect the boss and stand by him throughout his career. Period.
Case in point, a good number of Hispanics voted for Hillary Rodham Clinton rather than Obama, because she was the wife of President Bill Clinton--el patron. Not many voted for President Obama because they saw him as an outsider.
Now that he is in a leadership role, the Republican party might have a tougher time securing a large percentage of the Hispanic vote. The Hispanic voter might see Obama as el patron and re-elect him for that reason--among many others. Of course, we'd have to wait three years for that outcome.
President Obama selected Judge Sonia Sotomayor for a seat in the country's highest court; the first Hispanic woman to sit in the Supreme Court. This is of itself a historic event. Not only does this increase the confidence of minorities and women, but also provides a boost of respect for the President.
The goal for the Republican Party should not be to duplicate or "better" the actions of the President by looking for a minority woman to increase their popularity, but to reevaulate their positions within their base. Rather than relying on neocons of yesteryear to be the voice of the party, they should look towards their young leaders, such as Governor Bobby Jindal or former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza.
Case in point, a good number of Hispanics voted for Hillary Rodham Clinton rather than Obama, because she was the wife of President Bill Clinton--el patron. Not many voted for President Obama because they saw him as an outsider.
Now that he is in a leadership role, the Republican party might have a tougher time securing a large percentage of the Hispanic vote. The Hispanic voter might see Obama as el patron and re-elect him for that reason--among many others. Of course, we'd have to wait three years for that outcome.
President Obama selected Judge Sonia Sotomayor for a seat in the country's highest court; the first Hispanic woman to sit in the Supreme Court. This is of itself a historic event. Not only does this increase the confidence of minorities and women, but also provides a boost of respect for the President.
The goal for the Republican Party should not be to duplicate or "better" the actions of the President by looking for a minority woman to increase their popularity, but to reevaulate their positions within their base. Rather than relying on neocons of yesteryear to be the voice of the party, they should look towards their young leaders, such as Governor Bobby Jindal or former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Waning Days of the Texas' Legislature
The Texas Legislature is on it's waning days of the legislative session. Tonight was the last day for both chambers to pass out legislative bills. Since it was the last day, many legislators scrambled to resurrect once-dead-bills and amend slightly-related-bills.
Many would argue that this is the result of last weeks' response to the House Calendars Committee's decision to place the infamous Voter ID bill before other "major" legislation. Weeks before, the House Elections Committee barely approved the Voter ID bill, five to four. The bill sat in the House Calendars Committee for a good while until the committee decided the location of where on the House Calendar it would be brought up.
Democrats didn't like the requirements outlined on the Voter ID bill. They believe the bill disenfranchises minorities and elderly voters. Republicans believe non-residents are voting illegally.
The democrats successfully prevented Voter ID to be brought up by stalling the House's noncontentious bills on a five-day-long Local and Consent Calendar. Voter ID was never brought up.
However, the sticking question was on a House procedural rules. Before the legislative session, the Texas House adopts rules to govern the body--Imagine 150 individual members arguing without rules. To avoid chaos, the House body adopted rules to help manage the legislative business.
House Representative Jim Dunnum (D-Waco) asked a procedural question on the minutes submitted by the Calendars Committee. Basically, Rule 4 Section 18(c) requires clerks to submit corrected minutes to the House Committee Coordinator within three days. The corrected minutes were filed a day late. Originally, Republican Speaker Joe Straus indicated that the rules stood until revising his decision a few days later.
Democrats argue that if the violation were to have been upheld by the Speaker, then the legislatue could have tackled other important bills such as the continuation of the state's insurance department, children's health insurance program, and windstorm insurance bill. Republicans, lead by the former lieutenants of the previously iron-clad Speaker of the House Tom Craddick, stressed that allowing the Democrats to change rule would establish precedence.
Regardless, Voter ID died and so did many other important legislation, and today, legislators tried to recover once-lost-bills by amending non-related legislation.
Many would argue that this is the result of last weeks' response to the House Calendars Committee's decision to place the infamous Voter ID bill before other "major" legislation. Weeks before, the House Elections Committee barely approved the Voter ID bill, five to four. The bill sat in the House Calendars Committee for a good while until the committee decided the location of where on the House Calendar it would be brought up.
Democrats didn't like the requirements outlined on the Voter ID bill. They believe the bill disenfranchises minorities and elderly voters. Republicans believe non-residents are voting illegally.
The democrats successfully prevented Voter ID to be brought up by stalling the House's noncontentious bills on a five-day-long Local and Consent Calendar. Voter ID was never brought up.
However, the sticking question was on a House procedural rules. Before the legislative session, the Texas House adopts rules to govern the body--Imagine 150 individual members arguing without rules. To avoid chaos, the House body adopted rules to help manage the legislative business.
House Representative Jim Dunnum (D-Waco) asked a procedural question on the minutes submitted by the Calendars Committee. Basically, Rule 4 Section 18(c) requires clerks to submit corrected minutes to the House Committee Coordinator within three days. The corrected minutes were filed a day late. Originally, Republican Speaker Joe Straus indicated that the rules stood until revising his decision a few days later.
Democrats argue that if the violation were to have been upheld by the Speaker, then the legislatue could have tackled other important bills such as the continuation of the state's insurance department, children's health insurance program, and windstorm insurance bill. Republicans, lead by the former lieutenants of the previously iron-clad Speaker of the House Tom Craddick, stressed that allowing the Democrats to change rule would establish precedence.
Regardless, Voter ID died and so did many other important legislation, and today, legislators tried to recover once-lost-bills by amending non-related legislation.
Monday, May 25, 2009
A family of cardinals
Across our house, in our neighbor's Live Oak, lives a family of cardinals. A couple of mounts ago I noticed a pair of cardinals hanging out around our backyard. Both would feed from our bird feeder. They were never without the other.
Then I didn't see much of them. I figured, being spring, they had found home and made a nest. Sure enough. This afternoon, while my son and I were playing soccer and baseball in the backyard, I noticed three birds flying. The little chick flew into the pine tree. The parents perched nearby and called for the chick.
I held my son as close as I could without interferring with the chick. Then just like that. The chick made his flight back to the neighbor's tree. Amazing.
Cardinals remind me of my grandmother, Nana. She loved cardinals. A person could find curio of a cardinal somewhere in her house. She loved how they sang to each other.
Somehow, the cardinals presense makes me feel as if my grandma is watching over me and my son.
Then I didn't see much of them. I figured, being spring, they had found home and made a nest. Sure enough. This afternoon, while my son and I were playing soccer and baseball in the backyard, I noticed three birds flying. The little chick flew into the pine tree. The parents perched nearby and called for the chick.
I held my son as close as I could without interferring with the chick. Then just like that. The chick made his flight back to the neighbor's tree. Amazing.
Cardinals remind me of my grandmother, Nana. She loved cardinals. A person could find curio of a cardinal somewhere in her house. She loved how they sang to each other.
Somehow, the cardinals presense makes me feel as if my grandma is watching over me and my son.
Texas House: Reps scramble to vote
Funny to watch Texas House Representatives scramble to cast their vote on a non-controversial bill relating to how to properly hold a Texas flag.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Blocking Voter ID bill
There is always excitement under the Pink Dome.
Eight days left for the Texas Legislature to pass bills that affect the citizens of the state. Some bills have died; but many important ones still remain on the to-do-list.
The bills left are those controversial measures that affect not only the citizens but also the respective political party. The most controversial bill waiting to be debated is the Voter ID bill. Democrats feel the bill, authored by Marble Falls Republican Senator Troy Fraser, dienfranchise minority voters; while Republicans believe there needs to be more aggressive standards for voters.
In a attempt to bring the Voter ID bill up for debate, Republican House Calendars Chair, Representative Brian McCall, placed the bill for consideration on Saturday. When House Democrats learned of the posting, they decided the only option for them was stall the calendar by debating noncontentious bills.
The House has until Tuesday midnight to pass out Senate bills, including the Voter ID legislation. Sofar, the House Democrats have successfully stalled the calendar.
It's actually quite entertaining to watch legislators debate nonsense bills that have no affect on statewide laws. It's even funnier to watch House Democrats exaggerate that the nonsense bill is "important" for their district. What does El Paso County reporting have to do with Austin, Texas?
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Star Trek and my 5-year-old
Today was my son's fifth birthday. What better way to commemorate this milestone than to take my son to watch Star Trek. Although, I have to admit, I've watched the new movie twice before taking my son.
I debated for several days as to whether to take my son to watch this movie. There is violence and adult situations, but nothing graphic.
I picked my son up from daycare early to go to the 4:25 viewing of Star Trek at the theater near our house. We got a small bag of popcorn, orange soda and diet coke, and Airheads candy.
Since my son does get a little scared, we made sure to bring his baby blanket and sat at the very last row in the back. This pleased him.
There was one scene I was a bit concerned with his viewing--Kirk makes out with an Orion woman and Uhura is seen strip to her underwear. We seemed to survive that scene easily.
When we were walking out, I asked my son who his favorite character was. He responded, "Kirk." I wonder why? Ha!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
REMINDS ME OF MY DOG AND I
It annoys my wife that our dog wakes up exactly at 3 am each morning to jump onto the bed and snuggle with me. In the process, while struggling to get up and get comfortable, the movement wakes up my wife.
The movement does wake me up, but I quickly return to dreamworld in no time. So does my dog. It's a different story for my wife.
The movement does wake me up, but I quickly return to dreamworld in no time. So does my dog. It's a different story for my wife.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Cinco de Mayo
Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo. Celebrations are still on schedule for many parts of the United States and Mexico. The Swine flu hasn't made a dent on this Mexican holiday--and it shouldn't.
Feliz Cinco de Mayo.
Feliz Cinco de Mayo.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Strawberries and Mint
I was clueless on what to blog about tonight; although, this weekend was quite busy.
On Friday, my son and I spent the traditional evening at McDonalds--this goes back to when my dad use to take me to McDonalds when I was a little boy every Friday. When we got home, we watched a fantastic animated movie with the voices of Harry Connick Jr. and Jennifer Aniston called The Iron Giant.
Saturday was our laid-back day. We spent the afternoon shopping at Best Buy, Hobby Lobby, and Toys R Us. However, in the afternoon, I joined a few of my friends for dinner and dessert, while my wife took care of the kids.
Today was our busy day. My wife had an appointment with her hair stylist, while my son and I went to my office for a few hours. I got to finish some stuff for next week. My son enjoyed painting and drawing over print-outs of the USS Enterprise. Afterwards, we visited the AT&T store and Apple store--my wife wants to upgrade her PDA. She loves technology.
That's okay, I got to visit Best Buy again and the Sony store and drooled over flat screens, HD car radios, and Sony Vaios.
This evening, my wife made the greatest dinner, Guinness Beef Casserole, while my son and I built a birdhouse, hung wind chimes, and played in the yard.
On Friday, my son and I spent the traditional evening at McDonalds--this goes back to when my dad use to take me to McDonalds when I was a little boy every Friday. When we got home, we watched a fantastic animated movie with the voices of Harry Connick Jr. and Jennifer Aniston called The Iron Giant.
Saturday was our laid-back day. We spent the afternoon shopping at Best Buy, Hobby Lobby, and Toys R Us. However, in the afternoon, I joined a few of my friends for dinner and dessert, while my wife took care of the kids.
Today was our busy day. My wife had an appointment with her hair stylist, while my son and I went to my office for a few hours. I got to finish some stuff for next week. My son enjoyed painting and drawing over print-outs of the USS Enterprise. Afterwards, we visited the AT&T store and Apple store--my wife wants to upgrade her PDA. She loves technology.
That's okay, I got to visit Best Buy again and the Sony store and drooled over flat screens, HD car radios, and Sony Vaios.
This evening, my wife made the greatest dinner, Guinness Beef Casserole, while my son and I built a birdhouse, hung wind chimes, and played in the yard.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
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