Americans for Prosperity just launched a new campaign on Higher Education Reform called – Rock the Ivory Tower. They will be putting out weekly videos and have a facebook and twitter account set up. The goal is to get Texans engaged in the issue so we can help make college affordable, accessible and transparent for college students and taxpayers. Right now, the average student graduates with between $22,000-$27,000 in student loan debt; and, nationally student loan debt has now surpassed credit card debt at almost $1 trillion. We need to get involved.

Here’s their first one – a man on the street video taken on the UT Campus.

You can find them on twitter @RocktheTower and facebook

http://www.facebook.com/RocktheIvoryTower Hat tip Eliza.

by Jay Wiley | June 29, 2011 | Opinion Editorial

We’ve seen it over and over again.

Every two years across America, freshly elected idealists beset the halls of Congress.  Most have vowed to their constituents they will change “business as usual” in Washington.  A deluge of special interest lobbyists, cynical senior colleagues, and the unflinching eye of a hostile media, each angling to further their own agenda, immediately overwhelm these humble public servants.  In the real world, once Mr. Smith gets settled in Washington he forgets why he was sent there in the first place—to defend liberty under the Constitution.  Only the most grounded of public servants are able to stand firm on principle in the face of this tumult.  Odds are that Potomac Fever has probably already struck an unsuspecting Congressman near you.

In primary elections across the country last year, fiscal conservatives defeated scores of big spending Republicans who had become crippled by Potomac Fever.  The lesson of those elections is that conservatives no longer have to settle for C- Republicans.  On display was the sharp contrast between serious fiscal hawks and those interested only in the next election or the next rung up the political ladder.  Now more than ever, conservative voters are looking for bold colors—not pale pastels—in Congress.

The gain of four new congressional seats here in Texas means we will soon have the rare opportunity to send some new blood to Washington.  This is fraught with peril, though.  History shows us that, once elected, incumbent Congressmen are nearly impossible to defeat.  Pick a bad one and you could be stuck for decades with someone subject to a debilitating case of Potomac Fever.  It’s important we choose wisely.

It is no longer enough to simply toe the conservative line on all the standard conservative issues.  Pro-life?  Check.  NRA membership?  Check.  American flag lapel pin?  Check.  Reagan bumper sticker on their truck?  Check.  But who are these candidates really?  Do they have the character to fend off Potomac Fever?

Here are the important characteristics to look for in our congressional candidates this primary season to help avoid a raging case of Potomac Fever.

Passion

Congressmen without an extraordinary passion for public policy become rudderless in Washington and vulnerable to corrupting influences.  Without that energy, that vigor, their calculus inevitably becomes: what’s in it for me? That is the point at which fidelity to the Constitution and to the fundamental principles of liberty is overtaken by political expediency and personal political ambition.

The passion to do the right thing for the right reasons must be deeply embedded.  They have to love public policy and embrace with both arms their role as defender of the Constitution.  There’s really no substitute for this ingredient—one either has it or they don’t.  If they don’t, it’s probably best not to punch their ticket to D.C.

Substance

As a congressional aide in Washington I met several Members of Congress that left me scratching my head.  I found that many run for Congress because they can, not because they should.  They may be politically connected back home, financially well heeled, or simply looking for a retirement gig.  We need more in Congress who understand the proper role of government as envisioned by the Founders.

Unfortunately, many Republicans seem to have a thumbless grasp of what conservatism really is.  It’s understandable because these concepts are not at all intuitive.  A full understanding of our unique form of government and its history requires intellectual curiosity and vigilant study.  Shaking hands and flashing a great smile are fine for city council, but we need Congressmen who think.  The stakes are just too high.  When conservatives master the fundamentals of limited government and how best to communicate them, liberals (whose frame of reference is usually limited to post-New Deal America) don’t stand a chance.

Courage

Webster’s dictionary defines courage as “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.”  It is an uncommon quality to be sure.

Washington has been aptly described as a den of vipers.  Standing firm in the face of opposition requires lion-hearted public servants whose focus lies beyond the next election.  The good news is that political courage can be politically expedient as well.  Congressman Paul Ryan and Senator Jim DeMint are only a few recent examples.  In the aggregate, they are viewed favorably because they are different kinds of politicians—they have courage.

More than ever voters are interested in being talked to as adults.  The blow-dried politicians who tell you whatever you want to hear no longer have the currency in the political landscape they once did.  Demagoguery, class warfare, and political pandering are out—candor is in.  My grandpa used to tell me, “If everyone likes you, you’re not doing your job.”  Voters are now looking for more members of Congress to do their job protecting the Constitution and safeguarding liberty.

Liberals’ distorted interpretation of the Constitution has transformed America into something the Founders would find unrecognizable.  Conservatives are finally recognizing that acquiescence to the same old big government premises advanced by the Left (and their enablers on the Right) may achieve some level of legislative comity in the short term, but they inflict damage on America in the long run.  We have to pull hard on the other end of the rope to prevent our careening over the fiscal cliff.  It is not enough to have one’s heart in the right place.  To advance pro-growth, pro-liberty policies Texas conservatives should call for confident, assertive men and women in Washington with the passion to enter the fray, the substance to do intellectual battle, and the courage to stand their ground.  Potomac Fever can be averted, but it requires the right kind of public servants in Congress.

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Jay Wiley is the Editor of the AustinConservative.blogspot.com (that’s WEIRD). Wiley1842@yahoo.com

Uploaded by TedCruzforSenate on Jun 28, 2011

From his official site:

06/28/2011

AUSTIN— Speaker Joe Straus (San Antonio) today released the following statement:

“The Texas House passed anti-sanctuary cities legislation during the regular session, which the Senate failed to pass or even bring up. During the special session, the Governor, Lt. Governor and I reached consensus to attach compromise anti-sanctuary cities language to a broad government funding bill, Senate Bill 1. Unlike Senate Bill 9, the Senate’s version, this compromise language would have withstood both a constitutional challenge and a Senate filibuster. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to fulfill its commitment.”

Source.

This new video (note the attribution at the end) is going around the blogosphere.

Uploaded by EconFree on Jun 25, 2011

Commentary

Yes, economic freedom leads to higher quality of sense enjoyment in life. But there is one very important factor that no one is talking about: Prosperity attracts thieves and rogues. Economic prosperity must be accompanied by robust and active defense and system of punishment. (There’s that unfashionable word again.)

You’ll notice Singapore is number one on the list. Here is an indication of how they handle criminals in “The City of Lions” – and that includes people who insist on selling or imbibing illegal drugs. Once when I was visiting in the 1990s the story of the day was about an American teenager who had been caught defacing a public surface with graffiti and was scheduled to be caned. Needless to say in Singapore they have lovely art deco buildings from decades past which are beautifully maintained.

Hong Kong is also in the top three and here is my January report on the factors that sustain their free economy.

Until America shakes off the narcotic of tolerating the intolerable – that is pushed on our society as universal compassion – the economy will continue to fall due to the legal plunder enabled by lax oversight of social programs. The science of government in classical Vedic literature is called “Danda-niti” or the treatise of the stick. I say that it is because America is all carrots and almost no stick these days that we are in our current predicament. Bring back the big stick and see the difference. We don’t need more laws, we need enforcement.

Gov. Rick Perry today released the following statement regarding sanctuary city legislation:

“As the special session appears to be winding down, I am disappointed the Legislature did not address sanctuary cities. Working with legislative leaders last weekend, we worked to include sanctuary city legislation in Senate Bill 1. Unfortunately, SB1 Conference Committee Chairman Robert Duncan ultimately refused to allow language related to the ban of sanctuary cities into the final version of Senate Bill 1. Because of this action, the special session will not provide our peace officers with the discretion they need to adequately keep Texans safe from those that would do them harm.”

Source.

Where is everybody? There’s work left to be done.

Uploaded by reagancoalitionadmin on Jun 28, 2011

If only they had brains, courage and conscience… (sigh) Alas, it seems tis asking too much of mere mortals.

Uploaded by VoicesEmpower on Jun 27, 2011

by Alice Linahan and Sibyl West

(Austin) Grassroots/Tea Party Citizens Groups Joined together to expose the Texas Leadership in both the House and Senate with regard to the deception and games during the 82nd Legislative session. They urged Gov. Perry to “Stand With Us”.

Jo Ann Fleming - TX Legislature’s TEA Party Caucus Advisory Committee, Executive Director (volunteer) Grassroots America – We the People www.gawtp.com and Alice Linahan Board Member of WomenOnTheWall.org and founder of Voices Empower asked other Grassroots/Tea Party Leaders to join them and take a stand. This press conference was held at La Quinta near the Capitol.

After vowing to remain actively engaged in the legislative process and to “keep a keen eye” on the workings of the 82nd Texas Legislature Tea Party Groups from across the state are well aware of what has been happening in the Texas Capitol.

As Jo Ann Fleming stated, “We are alarmed and angry to hear about and witness the games being played in the People’s State House regarding the Sanctuary Cities Bill — legislation so important to Governor Rick Perry that he called it an emergency item for the regular session and subsequently placed it on the call for the special session when the legislature failed to act. We understand that the business lobby, including those supported by Mr. Bob Perry, are doing all they can to derail or gut the Sanctuary City bill. Apparently, these special interests are eager to put their own interests above the safety, security, and financial well-being of Texas citizens and legal immigrants.”

A coalition of concerned grassroots and Tea Party groups voiced their opinions Monday at a Press Conference called for 10:00 am at the location of the original Speaker Showdown back in January. Their aim was exposing the failure of the 82nd legislative session so that key legislation might get passed in the last 3 days to rectify the situation in Texas or another Special Session would have to be called.

Enough with the puppet show already, #TxLege.

“Money talks and in Texas Republican Legislators are on the take, said Alice Linahan founder of Voices Empower.” Who will lose if the Sanctuary city bill is not passed, Texas taxpayers, Texans whose lives are lost or destroyed because we have allowed violent criminals to enter into our county illegally and Hispanics whose lives have been destroyed because we have joined them in not holding Mexico accountable for not providing a safe and secure homeland,” Linahan continues, whose hands are stained by the blood of those lives destroyed, Texas Democrats and Republicans.”

Part 2 is here. Bob Hall, Canton Tea Party leader said, “While Governor Perry should not be blamed for the House and Senate failures, he will be held accountable for stepping away from the conservative promises he made during the campaign. It seems that when the Governor turned his eye towards a run for the US Presidency his heart left Texas and the conservative values he had previously espoused. However, there is still time for Governor Perry and Speaker Straus to do the right thing for Texas.”

# # #

by Donna Garner | June 28, 2011

LATEST***

UPDATE ON MY UPDATE — TEXAS LEGISLATURE — 10:53 A. M. — 6.28.11

The charter school safeguards were not included in the SB 1 Conference Committee Report; therefore, please call your own state Senator and Representative and ask them to vote “NO” on the SB Conference Committee Report. This CR is on the House and Senate Calendar for today, Tuesday.

We do not want our tax dollars going to pay for any more Gulen Turkish Harmony Schools –

1.     Proof of US citizenship for all charter school operator board members and top 5  highest paid administrators. (public ISD trustees must be US  citizens)

2.     Names, titles, and biographies posted online for all charter operator board members and top 5 highest paid administrators. (KIPP Charter Schools already does)

3.     Check registers posted online. (Over 70 % of local ISD dollars are online.)

====================

SB 6 was evidently voted on today.  Unfortunately the Conference Committee Report with only “review and comment” — not “reject” — was passed.  This means that open-source materials written by college professors tied to “fuzzy/reform math” and leftist positions can submit their curriculum materials to the elected Texas State Board of Education members, but they will not be able to REJECT them.  This is a terrible loss of authority for our SBOE members and leaves our public school students vulnerable to whatever agenda is included in the open-source materials (e.g., UT Dana Center, leftist national organizations, contraceptive education in health standards, etc.).

A second part of that Conference Committee Report that was passed does give the SBOE 90 days to remove instructional materials from the Commissioner’s list if those materials do not align with the standards and/or have other deficiencies.

======================

As best I can figure out, here is where we stand today, Tuesday, 6.28.11, in the Texas Legislature:

ACTION STEP:

SB 1 (school revenue/finance bill) — final debate scheduled in both houses today — please call legislators — add these three provisions — do not want our tax dollars going to pay for any more Gulen Turkish Harmony Schools –

1. Proof of US citizenship for all charter school operator board members and top 5 highest paid administrators. (public ISD trustees must be US citizens)

2. Names, titles, and biographies posted online for all charter operator board members and top 5 highest paid administrators. (KIPP Charter Schools already does)

3. Check registers posted online. (Over 70 % of local ISD dollars are online.)

======================

ACTION STEP:

SB 6 — please call Texas Legislators — vote against the SB 6 Conference Report unless it gives authority to the elected SBOE members to review, comment, and REJECT open-source instructional materials (e.g., curriculum written by leftist college professors, “fuzzy/reform math,” etc,)

======================

ACTION STEP

Sanctuary cities bill on life support — please call Texas Legislators — enforce federal laws against illegal immigration — sanctuary cities are a perversion against federal law

======================

SUMMARY OF OTHER BILLS

House and Senate — different wording on “groping” bill — Sen. Patrick urges House to pass Senate version so bill does not die completely.

SB 2 (tied to SB 1) headed to Gov. Perry’s desk — Rep. Donna Howard’s raid on Rainy Day Fund stripped away — kudos to conservatives who put pressure on House members

SB 8 (teacher furloughs, reduced pay, loss of seniority status) — passed both houses

SB 7 (healthcare savings bill, anti-abortions, defunds Planned Parenthood) – sent to Gov. Perry’s desk

HB 79 — Rep. Leo Berman — no use of Sharia or foreign law in Texas courts — sent to Gov. Perry’s desk

HB 3 — Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) — close to House and Senate compromise — double damages against TWIA for intentional bad conduct…no 18% penalty against TWIA

======================

More details here: Legislature passes budget, health bills

by Ken Brewer | June 27, 2011 | Opinion

Van Jones has threatened FOX with a lawsuit if they don’t rescind their charges that he is a Communist. This is a fairly common Democratic tactic, to sue your opponents into silence. The Democratic Congress tried to do this to Karl Rove and almost broke him financially when they knew who the guilty party was.(source: Courage and Consequence by Karl Rove) It won’t work with FOX and Glenn Beck. The Blaze had this to say:

It’s kind of hard to keep up. First, Van Jones challenged Glenn Beck to a debate while at the Netroots Nation conference, then, when Beck didn’t seem too interested in the proposition, he made this MoveOn.org ad accusing Beck of “attacking the American dream,” followed by a politely-framed request to Glenn to “talk this out.”

Now, after all his challenges remain thus far unanswered, it seems Jones’ frustration level might just be hitting critical mass. The best way to assuage his potentially bruised ego? Well, sue FOX News!

HuffingtonPost reports:

Jones’ attorney sent a cease and desist letter Monday to Dianne Brandi, the network’s executive vice president for legal & business affairs, claiming that “a series of sensational and inflammatory charges” have been made against Jones on Fox News shows. The statements, his attorney Joseph Sandler argues, are “demonstrably, unequivocally and absolutely false.”

In a six-page letter, the letter says that Jones has been called “radical revolutionary” (Beck), “an avowed Communist and 9/11 truther” (Sean Hannity), and a “far left kook, Communist guy” (Bill O’Reilly), to name just a few of the disputed allegations.

“Mr. Jones is not a member of any Communist Party or Marxist organization whatsoever, and has not expressed any support for any form of Communist or Marxist ideology for many years,” Sandler wrote. He added that such statements are “demonstrably and unequivocally false” and were made to “injure Mr. Jones in his professional and community standing.” [Emphasis added]

This from Wikipedia:

In October 2005 Jones said he was “a rowdy nationalist”^[15] before the King verdict was announced, but that by August of that year (1992) he was a communist.[15

The following demonstrates both Van Jones’s Communism and the fact that Obama knew that he was a Communist.

Van Jones Communist

Van Jones explains how to implement Socialism into a society. He advocates a foot in the door approach as what’s been happening for decades now.

Another Communist in President B. Hussein Obama’s Cabinet is Anita Dunn. Here she admits that one of her heroes is the monster who slaughtered more human beings than Hitler, Stalin, and Genghis Khan combined!

VIDEO: Obama Cabinet Member Anita Dunn: Mao Tse Tung “Favorite Philosopher”; Truth …

Then there is Ron Bloom, another Maoist style Communist:

VIDEO: SHOCKER: Obama Czar Agrees With Mao, Too, and Thinks Free Market is …

If you think that these people are a joking matter, consider that Mao killed between 40 and 70 million humans! The margin of error, 30 million, represents more dead people than both Hitler and Stalin murdered, combined!

I conclude with a comment by Karl Rove.

Saying the commander-in-chief intentionally lied America into war is about the most serious accusation that can be leveled at a president. The charge was false—and it opened the way for politicians in both parties to move the debate from differences over issues into ad hominem attacks.- – - But Democrats lost more than the election in 2004. In telling lie after lie, week after week, many lost their honor and blackened their reputations.

The difference between Glenn Beck’s and my assertions regarding character on Obama and his administration and the lies cited by Karl Rove, is that we back them up with their own words. Our charges are the undeniable truth, as Van Jones is about to learn.

by James “Slow Pokey” Ritter | June 27, 2011 | The Trailer Park Show

After watching the Sunday Morning shows – particularly Fox news Sunday with Chris Wallace and his comments on Jon Stewart – I’m reminded how thank full I am for the alternative media sources like Ramparts360.  Examples of their irresponsibility are everywhere. And sometimes it appears racist with an incitement clearly designed to instill a deep distrust based on race, political beliefs or religion. Journolistas like  José Antonio López are good at all three. Let me make my case.

José Antonio López is a frequent contributor to The Rio Grande Guardian and its Sunday Morning Opinion, Comment,and “Analysis” section. This Sunday he was in his extreme far left comfort zone, well insulated from reality. The title alone gives away his true ideology: “López: Ya Basta – Enough with this anti-Hispanic legislation” he uses the phrase  “Ya Basta”  a favorite saying of Hugo Chavez and other communist insurgents through out Latin America. It becomes so easy to see though Mr  José Antonio López  intolerance and bigotry. But it also becomes easy to see how a not so highly educated struggling young Hispanic could fall for his rhetoric and  become upset at Republicans in particular and White people in general as the cause of whatever problems he or she may have.

My Tejano friends have no problem with any of the three bills mentioned, they see the way Mr Lopez tries to link the bills to Jim Crow laws, the way he uses the term “Spanish Mexican Texans” and “Anglo Saxon”  counting on his readers not to know both are White Europeans. Not wanting his readers to forget the “horrible experience endured” at the hands of “Anglo Saxon” he even uses the term  ” ethnic cleansing” while butchering true Texas history. Again he incites hatred and racism when he mentions   “Spanish Mexican ancestors who welcomed the first Anglo Saxon”  not mentioning that the  “Spanish Mexicans” invited the “Anglo Saxon” in to help them fight for a free Texas, offering them land and mineral rights,  or that most were killed in the  “Battle of Medina” fighting for a free and independent Texas including at least one man who was a veteran of the American Revolution.

I could go on and on picking Mr Lopez’s extremely feeble attempt at journalism apart but I’m sure you get the picture. My point is there’s nothing new about an elitist like Mr. Lopez trying to impose his racist, bigoted views on others who may admire him because of his educated use of language. And there’s nothing new in his failure to take responsibility for the actions his words may inspire others to do. I read a great article about this subject a while back which I would like to share it with you. It’s titled   “The Media and Medievalism”  by  Robert Kaplan.

Although technology has advanced to the point where damn near anyone can start a blog, they will have varying degrees of credibility, some showing real potential, others not. Collaborative efforts seem to be the best, especially if some involved are actually intelligent, trained in the art of journalism and can keep the blog on a more professional, tenable course.  While the Golden Days of the super elite journalists like Walter Cronkite would appear to be over, I’m not ready to celebrate. Whether or not they possess talent or integrity, the media wonks have access to advanced technology. And they, including Mr Lopez, have something we don’t – namely money.

And it’s down to the wire now in Texas. The end of the special session is looming and still the Dems and RINOs – under pressure from what can only be described as tribal lobbyists – are obfuscating on Sanctuary City legislation SB 9. Monday June 27 there will be action at the Capitol with Tea Party members from all across the state coming to make their stand. Don’t let Texas turn into California. Go here and make some calls. Check the twitter feed for breaking news on meeting at the Capitol.

Uploaded by StandWithAZ on Jun 24, 2011

I lived in Bombay (Mumbai) in 1974 for six months when I was studying Vedanta at an ashram there. The canard of Muslim-Hindu animosity being blamed on the British was commonplace. Yet somehow that explanation doesn’t suffice anymore. Since 9/11 we have been given a divine heads up on something wicked that this way comes, and the following is more in line with what I have learned in my studies since 2004. Hat tip TheRightScoop.

“Indeed, statism is not a desired outcome, but rather more a strategy for obtaining power or winning acclaim as one of the caring, by offering the narcotic of promising millions something free at the expense of others who must be seen as culpable and obligated to fund it — entitlements fueled by someone else’s money that enfeebled the state, but in the process extended power, influence, and money to a technocratic class of overseers who are exempt from the very system that they have advocated.” ~ Victor Davis Hanson

Read it all. There Are No Socialists – Pajamas Media

*ACTION*

Here is the page for the State Affairs Committee. By clicking on each picture at the link you can find the the reps’ email, telephone number or fax. Tell them what you think about their dithering on HB 9, the anti-sanctuary cities bill. (Do you think Straus’ adjourning the session early on Friday had nothing to do with the progressive desire to let this legislation die?)  And no, it’s not too complicated to understand. It’s all about the votes.

The current session ends on Wednesday. They’re waiting out the clock.

Background

From the Citizens in Action fax service ciausa.net via Mike Najvar.  An excerpt from one ciausa.net fax reads:

Some of our elected officials would have us believe that illegal aliens are just poor, misunderstood “undocumented immigrants” looking to provide a better life for their families.

Actually they have plenty of documents – most of them fraudulent. The first offense begets many more.

Some of our elected officials would have us believe that illegal aliens “do the jobs Americans won’t do!”

Some of our elected officials would have us believe that illegal aliens contribute to our economy in a significant way!

Here are two examples of those “poor, misunderstood” illegal aliens “contributing” to our economy and society! (There are thousands more!) Stealing from American taxpayers and committing crimes against Americans!

Illegal aliens collecting WIC vouchers in Georgia

Uploaded by TheRealFeminist on Jun 12, 2011

Florida heroin kingpin is illegal alien on food stamps

Speaker Straus, What Happened to “The Will of the House?”

by Rep. David Simpson | Jun 24, 2011 @ 07:16:55 | Press Release

Speaker of the Texas House Joe Straus Breaks Major Campaign Promise, Stops Bill Supported by Governor, Lt. Governor, Entire House, Majority of Senate, Majority of Texans

(Austin) – In a stunning turn of events, Speaker Joe Straus today went back on a fundamental campaign promise during the Speaker’s race to allow the will of the House to work itself out on the floor. Instead of allowing HB 41, a bill to stop the federal government from groping innocent travelers without probable cause that had previously passed the House unanimously on both second and third reading, to come up for a vote, Straus interjected his own will into the process. The Speaker unilaterally halted a bill supported by a majority of Texans, coauthored by 111 members of the House, approved by a majority of the Senate, vetted by Attorney General Greg Abbott, requested by Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, and called by Governor Rick Perry.

Speaker Straus stated in his inaugural address that, “The will of the House should guide this House. And the will of the House does not begin in the Speaker’s office…. It begins with the 25 million people who are proud to call themselves Texans.” But he didn’t give the will of the people or the House an opportunity today. Instead he acted alone and enforced his own will upon the process, bringing to a halt the efforts of over one hundred coauthors and many thousands of individual Texans who have called, emailed, faxed, and rallied in support of this bill.

Contrary to Speaker Straus’ allegations that Simpson would not compromise on any of the language of the bill, Simpson had prepared an amendment incorporating all suggestions by Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office and those requested by the Speaker’s team, leaving just one item to the will of the House-the proposal to lower the standard for performing searches that touched private parts from probable cause to reasonable suspicion.

Speaker Straus’ duplicitous intrigue continues. He told reporters that there was not a quorum present so the bill could not be brought up. Yet, just a few minutes before telling reporters that there were not enough members present, he had called the House to order, stating: “Quorum is present.” The House Journal confirms that a quorum was in fact present.

Speaker Straus claimed that “[t]he bill…appears to me to be nothing more than an ill-advised publicity stunt.”  Representative David Simpson (R-Longview), the bill’s author responded, “I’m curious whether the Speaker thinks that the Bill of Rights is a publicity stunt? Did the framers of the Constitution of the State of Texas and the Constitution of the United States write in protections against unreasonable search and seizure in order to be cute?”

Straus’ erratic pronouncement prompted Austin-American Statesman reporter Jason Embry to comment, “If I’d been at Straus briefing I would have asked why he let the TSA bill out of the House in the regular session, if he hates it so much.”

Simpson continued, “I am gravely disappointed at the Speaker’s disregard for the will of the House and the will of the people. While innocent travelers, including several members of our own House of Representatives, are being violated by government officials simply to be able to access public transportation, our Speaker is content to call attempts to stop this outrage a ‘mockery.’ The true mockery that is being made is of the people.”

“Apparently the Speaker thinks his wisdom above that of 111 coauthors and even the entirety of the House, which previously voted unanimously to pass this bill,” Simpson stated. “Given the duplicity of Straus’ position and the sudden break from his traditionally neutral stance on the Speaker’s dais, it appears that the Speaker is staging his own publicity stunt.”

The Washington Times today lauded Governor Perry for calling the bill, as well as for other stances he has taken against federal overreach, calling it “an impressive display of political resolve.” The Speaker of the House, however, lacks that resolve.

###

Related: Updated: Straus Calls TSA Bill “Publicity Stunt” – TexasTribune

How come when lefties libs institute a program it’s always “do as I say, not as I do”?

Uploaded by donsmithshow on Feb 14, 2011

Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas’

2011 Bernard & Audre Rapoport State Conference

Register Now for our Friday, August 12, 2011 conference, ”Shining Light on a Wired World.”

Don’t miss this year’s Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon featuring keynote speaker Ken Bunting, Executive Director of the National Freedom of Information Coalition. Read About Ken Here!

This year’s panel topics include:

• Brave New Digital World: What’s Private, What’s Public and Who Decides?
• Blazing Public Trails on the Internet
• Winners & Losers: Scoring the 82nd Legislature

Presentations will be made of the James Madison Award, Presidentʼs Future Journalist Award, and the State Bar of Texasʼ Texas Gavel Awards.

We have discounted rates this year at the Renaissance Hotel Austin, but you have to reserve your room by July 15. HOTEL INFORMATION HERE.

REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE NOW!

###

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas has been fighting to protect and strengthen our rights as citizens and to educate media and legal professionals, educators, students, public and business officials, and individual citizens about their rights and responsibilities, since 1978.  Every citizen benefits from our work and our advocacy.

Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, 3001 North Lamar Blvd. Suite 302, Austin TX  78705

www.foift.org

Uploaded by SibylDisobedience on Mar 22, 2011