Back in February 2013 I posted up an article about how my Texas State Senator Robert Nichols filed a "Merry Christmas Bill" that will protect schools and students from getting sued by left wing groups that want to force people to do things like call a Christmas tree a holiday tree because they think saying Christmas Tree in a school is offensive. Texas State Representative Dwayne Bohac originally filed the "Merry Christmas Bill" in the Texas House of Representatives.
Well, the bill passed and will become law very soon.
the following is from the Daily Caller:
Friday, May 31, 2013
Rep. Steve Stockman: ‘The right to keep and bear arms is granted by God’
The following article is from the Houston Chronicle's Texas on the Potomac:
Texas congressman Steve Stockman is about as strong a supporter of gun rights as there is.
He believes that the right to keep and bear arms is protected by the Bill of Rights. But he believes that gun rights run far deeper than the U.S. Constitution.
“The right to keep and bear arms is granted by God and protecting from government aggression by the Constitution,” he said today in explaining his opposition to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty. “It is not subject to the whims of global totalitarians massed in New York City.”
Stockman, a Republican from Friendswood, was one of 17 Texas Republicans to sign a letter to President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry demanding they not sign the U.N. treaty. Another 113 lawmakers joined the conservative Texans.
The Texas congressman said the treaty “requires nations that sign on to it to record and track all guns and gun owners in their country, and submit the list to the ‘international secretariat.’ It would also require signing nations to ban many common types of hunting rifles.”
“I oppose any U.N. treaty touching the right to keep and bear arms,” Stockman said. “It’s beyond time for the United States to withdraw from the U.N.”
Here’s the letter and the complete list of signatories:
Texas congressman Steve Stockman is about as strong a supporter of gun rights as there is.
He believes that the right to keep and bear arms is protected by the Bill of Rights. But he believes that gun rights run far deeper than the U.S. Constitution.
“The right to keep and bear arms is granted by God and protecting from government aggression by the Constitution,” he said today in explaining his opposition to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty. “It is not subject to the whims of global totalitarians massed in New York City.”
Stockman, a Republican from Friendswood, was one of 17 Texas Republicans to sign a letter to President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry demanding they not sign the U.N. treaty. Another 113 lawmakers joined the conservative Texans.
The Texas congressman said the treaty “requires nations that sign on to it to record and track all guns and gun owners in their country, and submit the list to the ‘international secretariat.’ It would also require signing nations to ban many common types of hunting rifles.”
“I oppose any U.N. treaty touching the right to keep and bear arms,” Stockman said. “It’s beyond time for the United States to withdraw from the U.N.”
Here’s the letter and the complete list of signatories:
read the rest of the article here: http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2013/05/rep-steve-stockman-the-right-to-keep-and-bear-arms-is-granted-by-god/
Ted Cruz: Obama administration does not respect First, Second, Fourth or Fifth Amendments
The following article is from the Washington Examiner:
On Fox News Thursday afternoon, Sen. Ted Cruz indicated that President Obama should ask for Attorney General Eric Holder’s resignation.
“Yes. Absolutely,” the Texas Republican said flatly, after he was asked by Fox News host Megyn Kelly if Obama should ask for Holder’s resignation.
Cruz cited the “unprecedented” investigations of reporters and Holder’s response to the Fast and Furious scandal as examples of the Justice Department disregarding the law.
“Unfortunately, I think it’s part and parcel of a pattern from this administration of not respecting the Bill of Rights,” Cruz added. “Not respecting the First Amendment, not respecting the Second Amendment, not respecting our Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights regarding drone strikes, regarding the IRS.”
Cruz added that it was a disturbing pattern of behavior from the White House.
“Over and over again the pattern we have seen is unfortunate willingness to use the machinery of the federal government as a tool and a partisan tool to punish those perceived as your political enemies,” Cruz said.
read more here: http://washingtonexaminer.com/article/2530831
On Fox News Thursday afternoon, Sen. Ted Cruz indicated that President Obama should ask for Attorney General Eric Holder’s resignation.
“Yes. Absolutely,” the Texas Republican said flatly, after he was asked by Fox News host Megyn Kelly if Obama should ask for Holder’s resignation.
Cruz cited the “unprecedented” investigations of reporters and Holder’s response to the Fast and Furious scandal as examples of the Justice Department disregarding the law.
“Unfortunately, I think it’s part and parcel of a pattern from this administration of not respecting the Bill of Rights,” Cruz added. “Not respecting the First Amendment, not respecting the Second Amendment, not respecting our Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights regarding drone strikes, regarding the IRS.”
Cruz added that it was a disturbing pattern of behavior from the White House.
“Over and over again the pattern we have seen is unfortunate willingness to use the machinery of the federal government as a tool and a partisan tool to punish those perceived as your political enemies,” Cruz said.
read more here: http://washingtonexaminer.com/article/2530831
Ex-Hezbollah Commander/Killer Arrested in Texas
article below from The Blaze:
Counterterrorism officials on Wednesday revealed stunning details about 44-year-old Wissam Allouche, an alleged former Hezbollah commander who was arrested in Texas after being indicted on charges of not disclosing his affiliation with terrorist groups.
During Allouche’s bail hearing in San Antonio Wednesday, the prosecution said the FBI recovered documents they claim he fabricated to falsely show he had security clearances. It was also alleged that Allouche tried to “hook up” with women at Fort Sam Houston to possibly to gain access to sensitive material, MySanAntonio.com reports.
And that’s not all.
As previously reported by TheBlaze, Allouche was arrested last week for failing to disclose his membership in the Amal militia and Hezbollah in Lebanon in the 1980s and lying about issues concerning his marriage to a U.S. citizen. He is also charged with failing to disclose his ties to the terror groups when he applied for a Defense Department position that required security clearance.
If you haven’t heard of Allouche or his alleged plot to gain security clearance at the Defense Department, you’re not alone. A Google news search on the frightening story yielded very few results as of Wednesday night.
The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force has reportedly been investigating Allouche for more than three years, even going as far as using an undercover agent to secretly record conversations with him.
The FBI reportedly raided his then-home in Universal City in 2011 and found documents he allegedly fabricated to show proof of security clearances, membership in U.S. special forces and Defense Department intelligence units.
It was also revealed that Allouche had at least three aliases, one of which meant “god of death.” Investigators claim the suspected Hezbollah member was known for “acting crazy or acting dangerously.”
“He admitted on tape that he was a member of Amal and that he was a commander of Hezbollah,” prosecutor Mark Roomberg reportedly told the judge during the bail hearing on Wednesday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Bemporad agreed to keep Allouche in jail pending a trial.
Roomberg also said the suspect admitted to “sodomizing and murdering an Israeli POW.”
read rest of story here: http://pushjunction.com/l/Con
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Kountze ISD Appeals Decision Allowing Students to have Bible Verse Banners
the following article is from DallasNews.com:
Southeast Texas school district files appeal on court ruling on cheerleaders' Bible-verse banners
The Associated Press
BEAUMONT — A Southeast Texas school district is appealing a court ruling that allowed high school cheerleaders to display at football games banners emblazoned with Bible verses.
The Kountze district filed the appeal Tuesday. The district says it wants the 9th Texas Court of Appeals in Beaumont to clarify whether the Kountze High School cheerleaders have a free-speech right to include the religious messages.
The district says state District Judge Steve Thomas ruled the banners were allowed under the U.S. Constitution but stopped short of saying the cheerleaders had a free-speech right to them.
District lawyer Tom Brandt said the cheerleaders’ legal advocates “are reading into the court’s decision rights that just aren’t there.”
The Liberty Institute is a religious rights group representing the cheerleaders. It called the appeal “unfortunate.”
read more here: http://pushjunction.com/l/Coh
Southeast Texas school district files appeal on court ruling on cheerleaders' Bible-verse banners
The Associated Press
BEAUMONT — A Southeast Texas school district is appealing a court ruling that allowed high school cheerleaders to display at football games banners emblazoned with Bible verses.
The Kountze district filed the appeal Tuesday. The district says it wants the 9th Texas Court of Appeals in Beaumont to clarify whether the Kountze High School cheerleaders have a free-speech right to include the religious messages.
The district says state District Judge Steve Thomas ruled the banners were allowed under the U.S. Constitution but stopped short of saying the cheerleaders had a free-speech right to them.
District lawyer Tom Brandt said the cheerleaders’ legal advocates “are reading into the court’s decision rights that just aren’t there.”
The Liberty Institute is a religious rights group representing the cheerleaders. It called the appeal “unfortunate.”
read more here: http://pushjunction.com/l/Coh
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Texas Speaker Joe Straus Killed ALL big Pro-Life Bills in 2013 - Straus is a Pro-Choice DISGRACE
Joe Straus, Texas Speaker of the House of of Representatives, has KILLED all important Pro-Life bills in the 2013 Texas Legislative session. Joe Straus is not pro-life and NEVER has been. Straus has stated to the media that abortion is not a serious issue and a wedge issue.
Straus and his House Leadership prevented the Texas House of Representatives from even being able to vote on these bills. These bills, among other things, would prevent abortions after 20 weeks due to the fact that unborn babies can feel pain that early. Another bill that was killed would have created higher health standards for abortion clinics and would have helped prevent abortionist like Kermit Gosnell who run Hitler style murder houses where babies are born alive and then murdered. In fact, a Houston abortionist has recently been exposed for murdering babies in gruesome fashion (like twisting their heads off) after they have been born alive. Joe Straus is a DISGRACE to all Texans and cares not for the genocide of innocent babies.
We can only hope that Texas Governor Rick Perry adds these pro-life bills to the agenda of the Special Session.
Straus killed the pro-life bills this session because he had to throw a bone to his Democrat friends who he teamed up with to help him win the position of Texas Speaker. In fact, Democrats have come out and praised Joe Straus in recent weeks for killing pro-life and pro-gun legislation this session.
Texas LT Governor David Dewhurst has called on Governor Perry to add these Pro-Life bills to the Special session agenda after Straus killed them in the House. Specifically, Dewhurst has requested SB 25 which would outlaw abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy. SB 537 which would force Texas abortionists to abide by the same regulations as those governing ambulatory, or outpatient surgical centers. SB 1198 which would require Texas abortionists to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the abortion facility. These bills passed the Texas Senate but did not even make it to the House floor for a vote.
Texas Right to Life sent a letter to Governor Perry signed by 62 Texas pro-life State Representatives. The letter asks for Governor Rick Perry to add pro-life bills to the 2013 Special Session agenda. The bills requested to be added to the Special session are bills that Texas Speaker Joe Straus asked his leadership to kill during the 2013 regular legislative session.
Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus has shown his true colors this legislative session (2013). Last session (2011), Straus had to ward off massive attacks from conservative groups that said he was a fake conservative and not pro life. In order to ward off the attacks, Straus allowed some of the big conservative bills to pass through unopposed. Do not be confused though, Straus NEVER stood for ANY of the pro-life bills in 2011, he ONLY did not allow them to be killed. There was a super majority of Republicans and he would not have been able to stop the pro-life bills in 2011 anyways. To be honest, with a super majority of Republicans in 2011, there should have been a bunch more even stronger pro-life bills passed. For such a conservative state, Texas is really behind other states that have already passed much more restrictive abortion laws like 20 week unborn pain abortion ban bills and even bans on abortions when the heartbeat can be detected.
Straus might have gone along with some pro-life legislation last session for political reasons, but that is not the case this session as 2013 has been an absolutely underwhelming legislative session. Joe Straus purposely did not let any controversial bills make it to the House floor for a vote. That means, even with a near super majority of Republicans, the biggest conservative bills of the session went nowhere because they did not even make it out of the committees run by Straus appointed leaders. Why? Well, Joe Straus is a friend of the Democrats. He got elected by the Democrats when he first took over the Speaker position. The Democrats were mad that some of the good conservative bills were allowed to be passed last year. Last Session, Straus threw some bones to conservatives by allowing some of the conservative legislation to be passed (although many conservative bills last session were still killed). Not blocking some of the big conservative bills allowed Straus to keep his power in the Republican controlled House because there are enough moderates Republicans and Democrats to outnumber the conservative Republicans.
Well, the dog and pony show of last year is over and now that he kept his power, he could care less about conservative legislation and now has to switch sides and throw some bones to the Democrats this session. He has done just that. Straus has allowed his committee leaders to kill MOST of the top conservative bills of the session (not just pro life) before they even can get out committee for a full floor vote.
Congressman Steve Stockman is only TX Rep to Stand for Christian Homeschool Family Facing Deportation and German Religious Prosecution
My Congressman Steve Stockman is the only U.S. Rep from Texas to sign this letter with 26 other Reps urging the United States attorney General Eric Holder NOT to deport a Christian Homeschooling family who legally fled to America to get away from prosecution for homeschooling their children with Christian values.
Obama and his administration have no problem standing up for THOUSANDS of criminal illegal immigrants and allowing them to stay in America so why is he not allowing this law abiding family to stay here even though they fled here legally due to the threat of prosecution due to their religion?
the following article is from the Blaze: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/05/28/27-members-of-congress-petition-eric-holder-to-grant-asylum-to-homeschooling-german-family/
Obama and his administration have no problem standing up for THOUSANDS of criminal illegal immigrants and allowing them to stay in America so why is he not allowing this law abiding family to stay here even though they fled here legally due to the threat of prosecution due to their religion?
the following article is from the Blaze: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/05/28/27-members-of-congress-petition-eric-holder-to-grant-asylum-to-homeschooling-german-family/
27 Members of Congress Petition Eric Holder to Grant Asylum to Homeschooling German Family
Twenty-seven members of Congress have lent their support to the Romeike family, signing a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder urging him to grant the family asylum in the United States.
The family fled Germany in 2010 after the country threatened to take their children because they decided to homeschool. They were originally granted asylum, but U.S. authorities overruled the decision in 2012 and roughly two weeks ago, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with U.S. officials to deny the Romeike family asylum.
Congressman Marlin Stutzman’s (R-IN) letter to Eric Holder, signed by 26 fellow lawmakers, begins:
(Photo via the HSLDA)
The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) has been representing the family, and plans to file an appeal before the entire 15-member Sixth Circuit in the hopes the family will be allowed to remain in the United States.
Chairman Michael Farris commented, according to a press release: “It’s refreshing to see that there are members of Congress who are willing to put their support behind this family during this trying time…The Romeikes are doing the exact same thing the Pilgrims did hundreds of years ago, and they need to see there are still people in our government who care for this essential American ideal.”
Congressman Stutzman’s letter was also signed by: Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.), Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.), Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), Luke Messer (R-Ind.), Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), Alan Nunnelee (R-Miss.), Stevan Pearce (R-N.M.), Joe Pitts (R-Pa.), Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), Bill Posey (R-Fla.), Phil Roe (R-Tenn.), Todd Rokita (R-Ind.), Steve Scalise (R-La.), Steve Southerland (R-Fla.), Chris Stewart (R-Utah), Steve Stockman (R-Texas), Lee Terry (R-Neb.), Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), and Daniel Webster (R-Fla.).
“The Romeikes fled to our country, seeking relief from high fines, removal of their children by armed police officers, and threats of prison and termination of their parental rights. If forced to return to Germany, they will certainly face renewed persecution,” the congressional letter concludes. “As Americans, we have an obligation to stand with those who seek freedom. The Romeike family should find a welcoming home in the United States.”
Click here to read the entire text of Congressman Stutzman’s letter.
Speaker Straus Killed Pro-Life Bills so Texas Right to Life and GOP Reps ask for Special Session
The following is a letter from Texas Right to Life sent to Governor Perry signed by 62 Texas pro-life State Representatives. The letter asks for Governor Rick Perry to add pro-life bills to the 2013 Special Session agenda. The bills requested to be added to the Special session are bills that Texas Speaker Joe Straus asked his leadership to kill during the 2013 regular legislative session. Joe Straus did not want any controversial bills to pass because he wanted to make the Democrats happy. No controversial bills means Joe Straus killed the important pro-life bills.
The following is the letter from Texas Right to Life to Governor Rick Perry:
If a special session is called (after the enormously disappointing 83rd Regular Session that ends on Memorial Day during which no Pro-Life legislation was passed), Governor Perry may call legislators back to address some unfinished business. Along with the 62 legislators, Texas Right to Life considers the approximately 80,000 tiny Texans who will be aborted this year to be unfinished business.
Pro-Life legislators are frustrated and saddened about being denied the opportunity to pass laws that protect the health and safety of women and safeguard our most vulnerable unborn Texans. Our Pro-Life State House members are eager to work - even if they have to stay longer in Austin - with our Pro-Life Governor and Pro-Life Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst to enact new Pro-Life laws during a possible special session.
Yours for Life,
Elizabeth Graham
Director, Texas Right to Life
The following is the letter from Texas Right to Life to Governor Rick Perry:
Friend ---
Texas Right to Life is so proud of the Pro-Life Whip in the Texas House of Representatives, Representative Bryan Hughes, who drafted and circulated the following letter for signatures from his colleagues to urge Pro-Life Governor Rick Perry to again lead on protecting Life. 62 of the 150 House members joined Pro-Life Whip Hughes on the letter.If a special session is called (after the enormously disappointing 83rd Regular Session that ends on Memorial Day during which no Pro-Life legislation was passed), Governor Perry may call legislators back to address some unfinished business. Along with the 62 legislators, Texas Right to Life considers the approximately 80,000 tiny Texans who will be aborted this year to be unfinished business.
Pro-Life legislators are frustrated and saddened about being denied the opportunity to pass laws that protect the health and safety of women and safeguard our most vulnerable unborn Texans. Our Pro-Life State House members are eager to work - even if they have to stay longer in Austin - with our Pro-Life Governor and Pro-Life Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst to enact new Pro-Life laws during a possible special session.
May 24, 2013
Dear Governor Perry,
Thank you for the strong stands you take for life and for liberty. The undersigned members of the House share your commitment to protect the sanctity of human life. Despite an overwhelming pro-life majority in the House, not a single pro-life bill filed during this 83rd session reached the House floor.
Since pro-life values are fundamental to us, and since the majority of Texans share these convictions, we are not willing to give up the fight. In the struggle to defend life, we cannot take a day off - much less a legislative session.
In light of the increasing likelihood of a Special Session, we ask that you exercise your constitutional power and add pro-life bills to the call.
More specifically, we ask that you add the following matters to the call:
Thank you for the strong stands you take for life and for liberty. The undersigned members of the House share your commitment to protect the sanctity of human life. Despite an overwhelming pro-life majority in the House, not a single pro-life bill filed during this 83rd session reached the House floor.
Since pro-life values are fundamental to us, and since the majority of Texans share these convictions, we are not willing to give up the fight. In the struggle to defend life, we cannot take a day off - much less a legislative session.
In light of the increasing likelihood of a Special Session, we ask that you exercise your constitutional power and add pro-life bills to the call.
More specifically, we ask that you add the following matters to the call:
1.Protection of pain-capable unborn children from abortion at 20 weeks gestation;
2.Protection of women and unborn children by requiring abortion facilities to meet the same health and safety standards as ambulatory surgical centers; and
3.Protection of women and unborn children by requiring abortion doctors to secure and maintain privileges at an emergency room within thirty miles of the facility where they commit abortions.
4. Legislation ensuring that any Health Insurance Exchange (whether state or federal) set up in Texas does not include coverage for abortion.
2.Protection of women and unborn children by requiring abortion facilities to meet the same health and safety standards as ambulatory surgical centers; and
3.Protection of women and unborn children by requiring abortion doctors to secure and maintain privileges at an emergency room within thirty miles of the facility where they commit abortions.
4. Legislation ensuring that any Health Insurance Exchange (whether state or federal) set up in Texas does not include coverage for abortion.
On these matters of life, the will of the people has been frustrated thus far in the Regular Session. By adding these fundamentally important issues to the special session agenda, you can enable your pro-life House Members to defend innocent human life.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of our request, and thank you for your service to Texas.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of our request, and thank you for your service to Texas.
Sincerely,
Representative George Lavender
House District 1
Representative Dan Flynn
House District 2
Representative Cecil Bell, Jr.
House District 3
Representative Lance Gooden
House District 4
Representative Bryan Hughes
House District 5
Representative Matt Schaefer
House District 6
Representative David Simpson
House District 7
Representative Jim Pitts
House District 10
Representative Kyle Kacal
House District 12
Representative Lois Kolkhorst
House District 13
Representative Steve Toth
House District 15
Representative Brandon Creighton
House District 16
Representative Tim Kleinschmidt
House District 17
Representative James White
House District 19
Representative Marsha Farney
House District 20
Representative Greg Bonnen
House District 24
Representative Dennis Bonnen
House District 25
Representative Rick Miller
House District 26
Representative Ed Thompson
House District 29
Representative Geanie Morrison
House District 30
Representative Scott Turner
House District 33
Representative J. M. Lozano
House District 43
Representative Jason Isaac
House District 45
Representative Harvey Hilderbran
House District 53
Representative Jimmie Don Aycock
House District 54
Representative Charles "Doc" Anderson
House District 56
Representative Trent Ashby
House District 57
Representative Rob Orr
House District 58
Representative Jim Keffer
House District 60
Representative Phil King
House District 61
Representative Larry Phillips
House District 62
Representative Tan Parker
House District 63
Representative Ron Simmons
House District 65
Representative Van Taylor
House District 66
Representative Jeff Leach
House District 67
Representative Drew Springer
House District 68
Representative James Frank
House District 69
Representative Scott Sanford
House District 70
Representative Charles Perry
House District 83
Representative Phil Stephenson
House District 85
Representative John Smithee
House District 86
Representative Four Price
House District 87
Representative Jodie Laubenberg
House District 89
Representative Stephanie Klick
House District 91
Representative Jonathan Stickland
House District 92
Representative Matt Krause
House District 93
Representative Bill Zedler
House District 96
Representative Craig Goldman
House District 97
Representative Giovanni Capriglione
House District 98
Representative Stefani Carter
House District 102
Representative Linda Harper-Brown
House District 105
Representative Pat Fallon
House District 106
Representative Angie Chen Button
House District 112
Representative Cindy Burkett
House District 113
Representative Bennett Ratliff
House District 115
Representative Dan Huberty
House District 127
Representative John Davis
House District 129
Representative Bill Callegari
House District 132
Representative Jim Murphy
House District 133
Representative Tony Dale
House District 136
Representative Dwayne Bohac
House District 138
Representative Debbie Riddle
House District 150
Click and follow this link to download this urgent letter --> House District 1
Representative Dan Flynn
House District 2
Representative Cecil Bell, Jr.
House District 3
Representative Lance Gooden
House District 4
Representative Bryan Hughes
House District 5
Representative Matt Schaefer
House District 6
Representative David Simpson
House District 7
Representative Jim Pitts
House District 10
Representative Kyle Kacal
House District 12
Representative Lois Kolkhorst
House District 13
Representative Steve Toth
House District 15
Representative Brandon Creighton
House District 16
Representative Tim Kleinschmidt
House District 17
Representative James White
House District 19
Representative Marsha Farney
House District 20
Representative Greg Bonnen
House District 24
Representative Dennis Bonnen
House District 25
Representative Rick Miller
House District 26
Representative Ed Thompson
House District 29
Representative Geanie Morrison
House District 30
Representative Scott Turner
House District 33
Representative J. M. Lozano
House District 43
Representative Jason Isaac
House District 45
Representative Harvey Hilderbran
House District 53
Representative Jimmie Don Aycock
House District 54
Representative Charles "Doc" Anderson
House District 56
Representative Trent Ashby
House District 57
Representative Rob Orr
House District 58
Representative Jim Keffer
House District 60
Representative Phil King
House District 61
Representative Larry Phillips
House District 62
Representative Tan Parker
House District 63
Representative Ron Simmons
House District 65
Representative Van Taylor
House District 66
Representative Jeff Leach
House District 67
Representative Drew Springer
House District 68
Representative James Frank
House District 69
Representative Scott Sanford
House District 70
Representative Charles Perry
House District 83
Representative Phil Stephenson
House District 85
Representative John Smithee
House District 86
Representative Four Price
House District 87
Representative Jodie Laubenberg
House District 89
Representative Stephanie Klick
House District 91
Representative Jonathan Stickland
House District 92
Representative Matt Krause
House District 93
Representative Bill Zedler
House District 96
Representative Craig Goldman
House District 97
Representative Giovanni Capriglione
House District 98
Representative Stefani Carter
House District 102
Representative Linda Harper-Brown
House District 105
Representative Pat Fallon
House District 106
Representative Angie Chen Button
House District 112
Representative Cindy Burkett
House District 113
Representative Bennett Ratliff
House District 115
Representative Dan Huberty
House District 127
Representative John Davis
House District 129
Representative Bill Callegari
House District 132
Representative Jim Murphy
House District 133
Representative Tony Dale
House District 136
Representative Dwayne Bohac
House District 138
Representative Debbie Riddle
House District 150
Yours for Life,
Elizabeth Graham
Director, Texas Right to Life
TX Dem. Reps Praise Speaker Straus for Blocking Abortion and Gun Bills this Legislative Session
Democrats tate Representatives praise Texas Speaker Joe Straus for blocking anti-abortion and pro-gun bills this session.
The following are quotes excerpts from an article in the Austin American Statesman:
Straus’ success came as he presided over a center-right coalition that included Democrats, Henson said. He also kept control by steering the greater debate away from guns and abortion, leaving the right wing of the Republican Party “understandably dissatisfied,” Henson said
State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, spent much of the legislative session two years ago fighting Straus and his lieutenants by using parliamentary maneuvers to derail the Republican proposals that defined that session.
This time around, Martinez Fischer and other Democrats were comparatively quiet. Part of it was the lack of divisive measures — like the 2011 efforts to ban sanctuary cities and demand sonograms before abortions — but just as much, it was Straus’ willingness to keep focused.
Rep. Van Taylor, a frequent critic of Straus, had a different take on the relative serenity of the 83rd legislative session. The Plano Republican said the calmness reflects an aversion to controversy.
“Republicans lost a golden opportunity to pass a lot of conservative legislation,” Taylor said, citing gun and abortion legislation that did not pass. He also said Straus should have ensured the chamber approved a more conservative budget that didn’t “raid the rainy day fund” and “lurch to the left,” Taylor said.
read the full article here: http://pushjunction.com/l/Coa
The following are quotes excerpts from an article in the Austin American Statesman:
Straus’ success came as he presided over a center-right coalition that included Democrats, Henson said. He also kept control by steering the greater debate away from guns and abortion, leaving the right wing of the Republican Party “understandably dissatisfied,” Henson said
State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, spent much of the legislative session two years ago fighting Straus and his lieutenants by using parliamentary maneuvers to derail the Republican proposals that defined that session.
This time around, Martinez Fischer and other Democrats were comparatively quiet. Part of it was the lack of divisive measures — like the 2011 efforts to ban sanctuary cities and demand sonograms before abortions — but just as much, it was Straus’ willingness to keep focused.
Rep. Van Taylor, a frequent critic of Straus, had a different take on the relative serenity of the 83rd legislative session. The Plano Republican said the calmness reflects an aversion to controversy.
“Republicans lost a golden opportunity to pass a lot of conservative legislation,” Taylor said, citing gun and abortion legislation that did not pass. He also said Straus should have ensured the chamber approved a more conservative budget that didn’t “raid the rainy day fund” and “lurch to the left,” Taylor said.
read the full article here: http://pushjunction.com/l/Coa
Texas Passes Drug Testing for Unemployment but not Welfare
Texas has passed legislation requiring drug testing for unemployment benefits. The Texas Senate also passed a bill that would require drug testing for people getting cash benefits from the State for things like welfare, but the leadership of Texas Speaker Joe Straus allowed that bill to be killed in the House before it could even be voted on.
the following article is from Caroline May at the Daily Caller:
the following article is from Caroline May at the Daily Caller:
Texas Passes Bill to Train Teachers as Armed Marshals - Other Gun Bills Blocked in House
Texas did have some pro-gun legislation passed this year, although some of the most important bills, like Texas Campus Carry, were blocked in the Texas House by Joe Straus who did not want too much controversy this year...
the following article is from Breitbart.com:
25 May 2013
Texas legislators have sent a bill to Governor Rick Perry that allows schools to train and maintain teachers as "armed marshals" on campuses.
The bill, which had already passed the Texas house, enjoyed a bipartisan passage of 28-3 in the Texas senate.
According to the Associated Press, the bill enjoyed the strong support of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who "pushed lawmakers to help school districts provide teachers or other employees with special weapons and tactical response training." Dewhurst's pleas were echoed by smaller school districts that could not afford to hire police and other security forces for their schools.
Under the bill, trained teachers would keep a firearm in a lockbox "within immediate reach." It allows one armed marshal per 400 students and contains provisions to hide the name of that marshal from public record, to keep him or her from being purposefully targeted in an attack.
Teachers' groups opposed the bill, arguing that protection ought to be left to security professionals. Yet because Texas already allows teachers to carry guns where school boards approve, the arguments against the bill did not prevail.
Senator Brian Birdwell (R) said the concern over law-abiding citizens possessing guns on campus is misdirected: "The Second Amendment is not about the gun, it's about the right to self-preservation."
read rest of article here: http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/05/24/Texas-Lawmakers-Pass-Legislation-To-Train-Teachers-To-Be-Armed-Marshals
the following article is from Breitbart.com:
25 May 2013
Texas legislators have sent a bill to Governor Rick Perry that allows schools to train and maintain teachers as "armed marshals" on campuses.
The bill, which had already passed the Texas house, enjoyed a bipartisan passage of 28-3 in the Texas senate.
According to the Associated Press, the bill enjoyed the strong support of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who "pushed lawmakers to help school districts provide teachers or other employees with special weapons and tactical response training." Dewhurst's pleas were echoed by smaller school districts that could not afford to hire police and other security forces for their schools.
Under the bill, trained teachers would keep a firearm in a lockbox "within immediate reach." It allows one armed marshal per 400 students and contains provisions to hide the name of that marshal from public record, to keep him or her from being purposefully targeted in an attack.
Teachers' groups opposed the bill, arguing that protection ought to be left to security professionals. Yet because Texas already allows teachers to carry guns where school boards approve, the arguments against the bill did not prevail.
Senator Brian Birdwell (R) said the concern over law-abiding citizens possessing guns on campus is misdirected: "The Second Amendment is not about the gun, it's about the right to self-preservation."
read rest of article here: http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/05/24/Texas-Lawmakers-Pass-Legislation-To-Train-Teachers-To-Be-Armed-Marshals
TX LT Gov. Dewhurst requests Special Session for Abortion and Gun Bills that Straus Killed
Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus and the Leaders of Joe Straus killed major bills in the Texas House of Representatives that would further restrict abortions in Texas and give the people of Texas more gun rights. Texas Lieutenant David Dewhurst is not happy that Joe Straus killed these important conservative bills (Straus did not want too much controversy and wanted the Democrats to be happy) so Dewhurst has asked Governor Perry to add some of these bills to the upcoming Special Session.
the following is from statesman.com:
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst wants a special session of the Legislature so that conservatives can have their way on concealed carry, abortion, drug-testing of welfare recipients and other issues near and dear to their hearts without having to suffer the rules of the regular session that have enabled the Democratic minority to thwart the will of the Republican majority.
The lieutenant governor signaled his desire in the two tweets above, but made his most declarative statement in an interview yesterday with Dave Montgomery of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Montgomery is a jewel of the Capitol press corps, a canny Columbo of the “just one more thing … maybe I’m the only one who doesn’t understand this,” style of interrogation, the cunning of his approach further obscured by his Huckleberry Hound delivery but unmasked, daily, in the excellence of his copy.
Here is the top of Montgomery’s story on his interview with Dewhurst:
“Angered by the demise of key bills considered priorities by conservatives, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst declared in an interview Thursday that Gov. Rick Perry should quickly force lawmakers back to the Capitol for a special session after adjournment Monday.
Dewhurst wants to revive a bill that would require drug tests for welfare recipients, one that would permit students with concealed-handgun licenses to carry guns inside campus buildings and a package of bills that would further restrict abortions.
His request also includes political redistricting; school vouchers, also known as school choice; an end to the state’s windstorm insurance program “without a rate shock”; and a more restrictive constitutional cap on state spending.
read more here from the statesman story here: http://pushjunction.com/l/CoL
the following is from statesman.com:
Some of the conservative bills I fought for this session may be gone…but not for long #campuscarry #prolife #tcot #txlege
— David Dewhurst (@DavidHDewhurst) May 23, 2013
Stay tuned. MT @ statesman : Drug testing approved for jobless aid, but not welfare applicants in Texas bit.ly/16byLs1 #txlegeGood morning Austin.
— David Dewhurst (@DavidHDewhurst) May 23, 2013
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst wants a special session of the Legislature so that conservatives can have their way on concealed carry, abortion, drug-testing of welfare recipients and other issues near and dear to their hearts without having to suffer the rules of the regular session that have enabled the Democratic minority to thwart the will of the Republican majority.
The lieutenant governor signaled his desire in the two tweets above, but made his most declarative statement in an interview yesterday with Dave Montgomery of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Montgomery is a jewel of the Capitol press corps, a canny Columbo of the “just one more thing … maybe I’m the only one who doesn’t understand this,” style of interrogation, the cunning of his approach further obscured by his Huckleberry Hound delivery but unmasked, daily, in the excellence of his copy.
Here is the top of Montgomery’s story on his interview with Dewhurst:
“Angered by the demise of key bills considered priorities by conservatives, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst declared in an interview Thursday that Gov. Rick Perry should quickly force lawmakers back to the Capitol for a special session after adjournment Monday.
Dewhurst wants to revive a bill that would require drug tests for welfare recipients, one that would permit students with concealed-handgun licenses to carry guns inside campus buildings and a package of bills that would further restrict abortions.
His request also includes political redistricting; school vouchers, also known as school choice; an end to the state’s windstorm insurance program “without a rate shock”; and a more restrictive constitutional cap on state spending.
read more here from the statesman story here: http://pushjunction.com/l/CoL
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Mexican Drug Cartel Hit Squad Kills Man in Southlake, Texas
from KHOU.com
SOUTHLAKE, Texas — An organized, professional criminal outfit is suspected in the killing of a 43-year-old man outside the Southlake Town Square on Wednesday night, police say.
The victim was identified as 43-year-old Juan Guerrero-Chapa, a ranch owner and lawyer from Nuevo Leon, Mexico who had been residing in Southlake for two years.
While Police Chief Steve Mylett stopped short of connecting the plain-sight shooting death to a Mexican drug cartel, he did confirm that investigators believe the murder was a targeted affair conducted by professional killers.
"Obviously the nature of this homicide, the way it was carried out indicates –– and I said indicates –– an organization that is trained to do this type of activity," Mylett said during an afternoon news conference at the Southlake Police Department. "When you're dealing with individuals that operate on such a professional level, certainly caution forces me to have to lean towards that this is an organized criminal activity act. "
read erst of article here: http://www.khou.com/news/texas-news/Pro-criminal-organization-responsible-for-Texas-killing-police-say-208826261.html
by MATT GOODMAN / WFAA
WFAA
Posted on May 24, 2013 at 10:34 AM
SOUTHLAKE, Texas — An organized, professional criminal outfit is suspected in the killing of a 43-year-old man outside the Southlake Town Square on Wednesday night, police say.
While Police Chief Steve Mylett stopped short of connecting the plain-sight shooting death to a Mexican drug cartel, he did confirm that investigators believe the murder was a targeted affair conducted by professional killers.
"Obviously the nature of this homicide, the way it was carried out indicates –– and I said indicates –– an organization that is trained to do this type of activity," Mylett said during an afternoon news conference at the Southlake Police Department. "When you're dealing with individuals that operate on such a professional level, certainly caution forces me to have to lean towards that this is an organized criminal activity act. "
read erst of article here: http://www.khou.com/news/texas-news/Pro-criminal-organization-responsible-for-Texas-killing-police-say-208826261.html
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Another Houston area Cop Killed by an Illegal Immigrant
How many police officers and/or Sheriff deputies have been killed by illegal immigrant criminals who should have never been in the Houston area or America in the first place? I have lost count. At least this one was not shot and killed in cold blood like some of the previous Illegals who have killed law enforcement officers in Houston and Harris County.
this is the latest one:
Illegal immigrant charged with intoxication manslaughter in Harris County deputy’s death
http://www.khou.com/news/crime/Man-charged-with-intoxication-manslaughter-in-HCSO-deputys-death-208107801.html
this is the latest one:
Illegal immigrant charged with intoxication manslaughter in Harris County deputy’s death
http://www.khou.com/news/crime/Man-charged-with-intoxication-manslaughter-in-HCSO-deputys-death-208107801.html
from Empower Texans: Perry Veto Protects Texans From Official Intimidation
Texans are again safe from the threat of official harassment and intimidation simply by virtue of their contributing to non-profit entities that speak out politically, thanks to a veto by Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
Gov. Rick Perry
Guys like Geren and Seliger don’t like to be challenged. More importantly, they don’t like sunlight being shown on legislative records that run counter to the pictures they paint of themselves back home. Rather than reform, they want to apply political and regulatory pressure to those who oppose them. That meant prying away at the constitutional privacy protections afforded to those who donate to non-profit organizations.
The threat was very real and personal to many.
A broad coalition of groups and organizations spoke out against a measure that was as improperly handled procedurally as it was misguided in intent.
The governor’s veto of SB 346 sends a welcome and important message: the Lone Star State won’t tolerate infringements on clear constitutional rights or chilling limitations on political speech.
Even as the nation was realizing that the Obama Administration was targeting tea party groups with the IRS in recent weeks, Sen. Seliger and Rep. Geren were maliciously working to undermine bedrock principles of political privacy. Mr. Seliger pushed his legislation sneakily through the Senate’s process — enough so that two-thirds of the Senate, after realizing what he had done, took the extraordinary step of recalling the measure.
Meanwhile, the House Democrats and a minority of the GOP voted to help Mr. Geren ramrod his bill on to the governor for it’s eventual demise. Mr. Geren also tried to attack the language to an omnibus Ethics reform bill, but House-Senate conferees rejected that language
Update: Governor Perry has Vetoed Texas SB 346 - Justice Don Willett and Senator Dan Patrick Respond
Update: Governor Perry has Vetoed Texas SB 346“Freedom of association and freedom of speech are two of our most important rights enshrined in the Constitution. My fear is that SB 346 would have a chilling effect on both of those rights in our democratic political process. While regulation is necessary in the administration of Texas political finance laws, no regulation is tolerable that puts anyone’s participation at risk or that can be used by any government, organization or individual to intimidate those who choose to participate in our process through financial means.”
“At a time when our federal government is assaulting the rights of Americans by using the tools of government to squelch dissent it is unconscionable to expose more Texans to the risk of such harassment, regardless of political, organizational or party affiliation. I therefore veto SB 346.”
the following is a facebook post from Texas Senator Dan Patrick:
Gov just vetoed SB 346 That is the bill I recalled from the House that they refused to send back. It would impact 501 C 4 organizations including many conservative & pro-life groups as well as moderate or liberal groups. It was a clearly unconstitutional, but would have required a lengthy @ expensive court fight
the following is tweet from Texas State Supreme Court Justice Don Willett:
Don Willett @JusticeWillett 8m
@GovernorPerry's #SB346 veto msg: “Freedom of association & ... speech are two of our most important rights enshrined in the Constitution."
previous articles:
ACTION ALERT! Ask Texas Governor Perry to VETO SB 346 - it attacks conservative groups and churches like Obama's IRS
Friday, May 24, 2013
ACTION ALERT! Ask Texas Governor Perry to VETO SB 346 - it attacks conservative groups and churches like Obama's IRS
Update: Governor Perry has Vetoed Texas SB 346 - Justice Don Willett and Senator Dan Patrick Respond
ACTION ALERT! GOVERNOR RICK PERRY MUST VETO THIS BILL SB 346!
ACTION ALERT! GOVERNOR RICK PERRY MUST VETO THIS BILL SB 346!
One of the
top Chairmen for Joe Straus, Charlie Geren, has pushed a bill (SB 346)
through the Texas House that, like the recent Obama IRS scandal, would
attack Texas conservative non-profit groups by demanding the groups reveal who
gives money to the non-profit groups.
This bill
would even attack churches and religious groups who do not get involved in
partisan politics and only stand for issues like pro-life and pro
marriage!
Interestingly
enough, labor unions
are specifically named in the bill as exempt from these requirements! Heck,
what about newspapers? They get involved in EVERY election and endorse
candidates and bash Republicans in issues, but they would not have to reveal
their finances under this bill. So Unions and Newspapers get a pass, but if
someone gives 25,000 to a church to buy pro-life signs then the church has to
reveal their finances! THIS IS WORSE THAT WHAT OBAMA'S IRS IS DOING!
Also, how would
you feel about having to register as a lobbyist simply because you go to the
Courthouse in Austin with a group of Christians from your church and hold
pro-life signs on the side of the road?
GOVERNOR RICK
PERRY MUST VETO THIS BILL SB 346! Call his office at 512-463-2000
Call the Texas
Governor NOW and ask that he veto this bill. Spread the word about
this outrageous shakedown and attack on the first amendment!
The
State Senate voted to pass this bill first before the house, but they did
so with good intentions not knowing the major flaws in the bill. They tried to
have a re-vote to recall this bill after they found out the flaws in the bill
and found out that it was being pushed by Straus, but it was too late. The
House conservatives were able to reveal this trickery before the bill was
voted on, but the House Democrats teamed up with the house moderate
Republicans and the House Conservative Republicans were not able to stop
this bill from passing. Since it passed the House and Senate, it now goes to
the Governor to be signed.
Governor
Rick Perry MUST veto this bill!
This is a direct
attack on the First Amendment. Non-Profits, like Pro Life groups and fiscal
responsibility groups, are non-partisan and these groups promote their issues
and support anyone who supports their issue. Because they are non-partisan and
they are created to support an issue, they are not required to reveal private
information about the non-profit in campaign finance reports. This is like how
a church works. A church is a non profit and, like other non-profits,
is protected by the First Amendment and does not have to reveal financial
info or pay taxes. A church can promote Christian issues
and encourage people to vote in support of
these Christian issues. Well, Joe Straus does not like that
because Straus has received negative attention from some of
these groups because he is not personally pro-life and has had other
fiscal responsibility issues. So what does Straus do? Straus attacks the first
amendment and calls for a shakedown of these non profit groups. These groups
are not supporting him, so he is wants to unconstitutionally target these
groups. Can someone tell me how that is ANY different from the IRS
targeting conservative non profit and Tea Party groups because they stand
for conservative values and go against the liberal values of President Obama?
Texans Should be
Outraged at this attack against the First Amendment from Joe Straus!
read more
about this bill here:
Like IRS Scandal, Texas Speaker Straus Attacking Conservative Non-Profit Groups and even Churches!
Update: Governor Perry has Vetoed Texas SB 346 - Justice Don Willett and Senator Dan Patrick Respond
GOVERNOR RICK PERRY MUST VETO THIS BILL SB 346!
One of the top Chairmen for Joe Straus, Charlie Geren, has pushed a bill (SB 346) through the Texas House that, like the recent Obama IRS scandal, would attack Texas conservative non-profit groups by demanding the groups reveal who gives money to the non-profit groups.
This bill would even attack churches and religious groups who do not get involved in partisan politics and only stand for issues like pro-life and pro marriage!
Interestingly enough, labor unions are specifically named in the bill as exempt from these requirements! Heck, what about newspapers? They get involved in EVERY election and endorse candidates and bash Republicans in issues, but they would not have to reveal their finances under this bill. So Unions and Newspapers get a pass, but if someone gives 25,000 to a church to buy pro-life signs then the church has to reveal their finances! THIS IS WORSE THAT WHAT OBAMA'S IRS IS DOING!
Also, how would you feel about having to register as a lobbyist simply because you go to the Courthouse in Austin with a group of Christians from your church and hold pro-life signs on the side of the road?
GOVERNOR RICK PERRY MUST VETO THIS BILL SB 346! call his office at 512-463-2000
Call the Texas Governor NOW and ask that he veto this bill. Spread the word about this outrageous shakedown and attack on the first amendment!
The State Senate voted to pass this bill first before the house, but they did so with good intentions not knowing the major flaws in the bill. They tried to have a re-vote to recall this bill after they found out the flaws in the bill and found out that it was being pushed by Straus, but it was too late. The House conservatives were able to reveal this trickery before the bill was voted on, but the House Democrats teamed up with the house moderate Republicans and the House Conservative Republicans were not able to stop this bill from passing. Since it passed the House and Senate, it now goes to the Governor to be signed.
Governor Rick Perry MUST veto this bill!
This is a direct attack on the First Amendment. Non-Profits, like Pro Life groups and fiscal responsibility groups, are non-partisan and these groups promote their issues and support anyone who supports their issue. Because they are non-partisan and they are created to support an issue, they are not required to reveal private information about the non-profit in campaign finance reports. This is like how a church works. A church is a non profit and, like other non-profits, is protected by the First Amendment and does not have to reveal financial info or pay taxes. A church can promote Christian issues and encourage people to vote in support of these Christian issues. Well, Joe Straus does not like that because Straus has received negative attention from some of these groups because he is not personally pro-life and has had other fiscal responsibility issues. So what does Straus do? Straus attacks the first amendment and calls for a shakedown of these non profit groups. These groups are not supporting him, so he is wants to unconstitutionally target these groups. Can someone tell me how that is ANY different from the IRS targeting conservative non profit and Tea Party groups because they stand for conservative values and go against the liberal values of President Obama?
Texans Should be Outraged at this attack against the First Amendment from Joe Straus!
read more about this bill here:
http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/latest-columns/20130522-michael-quinn-sullivan-dark-money-bill-threatens-small-social-issue-groups.ece
http://pushjunction.com/l/Cn_
http://www.chron.com/news/texas/article/House-sends-donor-disclosure-bill-to-Gov-Perry-4513388.php
http://www.agendawise.com/2013/05/charlie-geren-with-obamas-irs/
http://www.bigjollypolitics.com/2013/05/22/governor-perry-the-texas-democrat-party-official-who-threatened-to-kill-nra-members-is-behind-sb-346/
http://www.conservativehq.com/article/13553-emergency-call-action-ask-texas-governor-rick-perry-veto-sb-346-now
http://www.texasaction.com/bill/83r/sb346
http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/15512-texas-conservatives-mobilize-ask-governor-to-veto-bill-expanding-the-definition-of-political-activity
http://www.redstate.com/2013/05/21/governor-perry-please-veto-sb-346/
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324767004578489183521250950.html
http://wilcoconservative.blogspot.com/2013/05/wsj-conservatives-urge-veto-of-ill.html
GOVERNOR RICK PERRY MUST VETO THIS BILL SB 346!
One of the top Chairmen for Joe Straus, Charlie Geren, has pushed a bill (SB 346) through the Texas House that, like the recent Obama IRS scandal, would attack Texas conservative non-profit groups by demanding the groups reveal who gives money to the non-profit groups.
This bill would even attack churches and religious groups who do not get involved in partisan politics and only stand for issues like pro-life and pro marriage!
Interestingly enough, labor unions are specifically named in the bill as exempt from these requirements! Heck, what about newspapers? They get involved in EVERY election and endorse candidates and bash Republicans in issues, but they would not have to reveal their finances under this bill. So Unions and Newspapers get a pass, but if someone gives 25,000 to a church to buy pro-life signs then the church has to reveal their finances! THIS IS WORSE THAT WHAT OBAMA'S IRS IS DOING!
Also, how would you feel about having to register as a lobbyist simply because you go to the Courthouse in Austin with a group of Christians from your church and hold pro-life signs on the side of the road?
GOVERNOR RICK PERRY MUST VETO THIS BILL SB 346! call his office at 512-463-2000
Call the Texas Governor NOW and ask that he veto this bill. Spread the word about this outrageous shakedown and attack on the first amendment!
The State Senate voted to pass this bill first before the house, but they did so with good intentions not knowing the major flaws in the bill. They tried to have a re-vote to recall this bill after they found out the flaws in the bill and found out that it was being pushed by Straus, but it was too late. The House conservatives were able to reveal this trickery before the bill was voted on, but the House Democrats teamed up with the house moderate Republicans and the House Conservative Republicans were not able to stop this bill from passing. Since it passed the House and Senate, it now goes to the Governor to be signed.
Governor Rick Perry MUST veto this bill!
This is a direct attack on the First Amendment. Non-Profits, like Pro Life groups and fiscal responsibility groups, are non-partisan and these groups promote their issues and support anyone who supports their issue. Because they are non-partisan and they are created to support an issue, they are not required to reveal private information about the non-profit in campaign finance reports. This is like how a church works. A church is a non profit and, like other non-profits, is protected by the First Amendment and does not have to reveal financial info or pay taxes. A church can promote Christian issues and encourage people to vote in support of these Christian issues. Well, Joe Straus does not like that because Straus has received negative attention from some of these groups because he is not personally pro-life and has had other fiscal responsibility issues. So what does Straus do? Straus attacks the first amendment and calls for a shakedown of these non profit groups. These groups are not supporting him, so he is wants to unconstitutionally target these groups. Can someone tell me how that is ANY different from the IRS targeting conservative non profit and Tea Party groups because they stand for conservative values and go against the liberal values of President Obama?
Texans Should be Outraged at this attack against the First Amendment from Joe Straus!
read more about this bill here:
http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/latest-columns/20130522-michael-quinn-sullivan-dark-money-bill-threatens-small-social-issue-groups.ece
http://pushjunction.com/l/Cn_
http://www.chron.com/news/texas/article/House-sends-donor-disclosure-bill-to-Gov-Perry-4513388.php
http://www.agendawise.com/2013/05/charlie-geren-with-obamas-irs/
http://www.bigjollypolitics.com/2013/05/22/governor-perry-the-texas-democrat-party-official-who-threatened-to-kill-nra-members-is-behind-sb-346/
http://www.conservativehq.com/article/13553-emergency-call-action-ask-texas-governor-rick-perry-veto-sb-346-now
http://www.texasaction.com/bill/83r/sb346
http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/15512-texas-conservatives-mobilize-ask-governor-to-veto-bill-expanding-the-definition-of-political-activity
http://www.redstate.com/2013/05/21/governor-perry-please-veto-sb-346/
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324767004578489183521250950.html
http://wilcoconservative.blogspot.com/2013/05/wsj-conservatives-urge-veto-of-ill.html
Monday, May 20, 2013
TX LT GOV David Dewhurst: Stopping Texas Gosnell - Baby Murderer
the following is an email I got from Texas LT Governor David Dewhurst:
David,
After murderer Kermit Gosnell was brought to justice, there are gruesome allegations that Houston abortionist Douglas Karpen murdered babies and operated a “house of horrors” clinic.
We can do more to stop these incidents from ever happening with your help.
First, find your State Senators here: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.
Then, call your State Senator and tell them to support SB 25, SB 537 and SB 1198.
SB 25 would outlaw abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy. SB 537 would force Texas abortionists to abide by the same regulations as those governing ambulatory, or outpatient surgical centers. SB 1198 would require Texas abortionists to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the abortion facility.
Why are these so urgent? Here’s why:
BREITBART: "A new video exposé released Tuesday of the Aaron Women’s Clinic in Houston, one of three clinics owned by abortionist Douglas Karpen, depicts gruesome details of the practices of an abortionist who is currently facing a criminal investigation for allegedly allowing late-term babies to be born alive then twisting their heads off with his bare hands." (Dr. Susan Berry, "Texas Lt. Gov. Demands Investigation of Abortionist After Video Exposé," Breitbart, 5/15/13)
"Texas Lt. Gov. Demands Investigation of Abortionist After Video Exposé." "The lieutenant governor of Texas, David Dewhurst, demanded an investigation Wednesday of an abortionist whose employees claim he twisted the heads off of babies who were born alive during abortion procedures. (Dr. Susan Berry, "Texas Lt. Gov. Demands Investigation of Abortionist After Video Exposé," Breitbart, 5/15/13)
For too long, abortionists have run roughshod over the law. It’s time to hold them accountable for their actions. Call your State Senator today and tell them to pass SB 25, SB 537 and SB 1198 out of the Senate today!
For life,
David Dewhurst
David,
After murderer Kermit Gosnell was brought to justice, there are gruesome allegations that Houston abortionist Douglas Karpen murdered babies and operated a “house of horrors” clinic.
We can do more to stop these incidents from ever happening with your help.
First, find your State Senators here: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.
Then, call your State Senator and tell them to support SB 25, SB 537 and SB 1198.
SB 25 would outlaw abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy. SB 537 would force Texas abortionists to abide by the same regulations as those governing ambulatory, or outpatient surgical centers. SB 1198 would require Texas abortionists to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the abortion facility.
Why are these so urgent? Here’s why:
BREITBART: "A new video exposé released Tuesday of the Aaron Women’s Clinic in Houston, one of three clinics owned by abortionist Douglas Karpen, depicts gruesome details of the practices of an abortionist who is currently facing a criminal investigation for allegedly allowing late-term babies to be born alive then twisting their heads off with his bare hands." (Dr. Susan Berry, "Texas Lt. Gov. Demands Investigation of Abortionist After Video Exposé," Breitbart, 5/15/13)
"Texas Lt. Gov. Demands Investigation of Abortionist After Video Exposé." "The lieutenant governor of Texas, David Dewhurst, demanded an investigation Wednesday of an abortionist whose employees claim he twisted the heads off of babies who were born alive during abortion procedures. (Dr. Susan Berry, "Texas Lt. Gov. Demands Investigation of Abortionist After Video Exposé," Breitbart, 5/15/13)
For too long, abortionists have run roughshod over the law. It’s time to hold them accountable for their actions. Call your State Senator today and tell them to pass SB 25, SB 537 and SB 1198 out of the Senate today!
For life,
David Dewhurst
Nationwide IRS Protests tomorrow (Tuesday) at offices around the country - Including many in Texas
There will be protest tomorrow, Tuesday, 5/21/2013 at IRS offices nationwide.
These protests will be peaceful and the rallies will be to protest the IRS ILLEGALLY targeting conservative groups
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL REPUBLICAN CLUBS OR TEA PARTY GROUP TO FIND OUT WHEN AND WHERE THE NEAREST RALLY WILL BE IN YOUR AREA.
In my area, there will be a rally at the Beaumont, TX IRS office at 11:30am.
the email below about these IRS rallies is from Jeff Sadighi of the Southeast Texas Tea Party:
More details to follow...
Southeast Texas TEA PArty
These protests will be peaceful and the rallies will be to protest the IRS ILLEGALLY targeting conservative groups
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL REPUBLICAN CLUBS OR TEA PARTY GROUP TO FIND OUT WHEN AND WHERE THE NEAREST RALLY WILL BE IN YOUR AREA.
In my area, there will be a rally at the Beaumont, TX IRS office at 11:30am.
the email below about these IRS rallies is from Jeff Sadighi of the Southeast Texas Tea Party:
Hello Everyone,
By now you have probably heard about how this
administration allowed the IRS to target and harass TEA Party groups
across America. Tuesday
TEA Party groups across the nation are going to protest at their local
IRS offices across the country to raise awareness to this inexcusable
abuse of power, and how an agency of the federal government engaged in
what could be termed 'terrorism' against groups because the had
'patriot' or TEA Party' in their names, or 'admitted' that their
function was to teach about the Constitution, or seek constitutionally
limited government.
Let that sink-in for a moment...
Please join the Southeast Texas TEA Party on Tuesday May 21 at 11:30am
for a peaceful and civilized demonstration at our local IRS office -
350 Pine St Beaumont, TX 77701 - to raise awareness about this issue.
We will stay through the lunch hour which is when that area of town is
the most active. https://maps.google.com/maps?
Many, including Senator Ted Cruz, say this is
a perfect opportunity to abolish the IRS so we can take the power to
intimidate away from politicians of any party:
See how intimidating and inappropriate the questions were:
Remember, not one person on earth actually
understands the IRS 'Code' and no two tax preparers will ever get the
same tax 'liability' for the average family who has several
'deductions' when given the same information. Money Magazine hs been
proving this for decades:
Some other news stories that discuss this growing scandal:
http://colorlines.com/
Please share some of your lunch-hour and come
join us for this peaceful demonstration, and even if you cannot stay
for the entire time -make your voice heard. At least 53% of Americans
would love to see the IRS become an old painful memory!
More details to follow...
Southeast Texas TEA PArty
Texas CSCOPE Liberal Curriculum is DEAD! - Not so Fast, SB 1406 MUST STILL PASS
update: SB 1406 JUST PASSED the Texas House!
The TESCCC Board has announced that they will be ENDING all CSCOPE lessons.
CSCOPE is dead, but as a way to prevent it from coming back with no SBOE oversight, SB 1406 MUST STILL pass the Texas House
We must NOT let our guard down and the Texas Legislature needs to continue to take action to prevent bad curriculum and online backdoor curriculum from being introduced into Texas schools with no oversight. SB 1406 MUST pass the Texas House. Just because TESCCC is pulling CSCOPE does not mean they cannot try to start it back up in the future. SB 1406 will help prevent this and must pass even though CSCOPE has been pulled. Ginger Russell reports on her website Red Hot Conservative that an email has been sent to Superintendents saying that CSCOPE will not be completely gone.
State Senator Dan Patrick announced this news earlier this morning (See Dan Patrick Press Release below)
CSCOPE was a controversial curriculum in Texas. There was widespread outrage over the past year because of the outrageous Liberal, anti-American lessons. What made things worse is that this curriculum was created WITHOUT the oversight of the State Board of Education as required by law for all Texas Curriculum. On top of that there were financial inconsitincies and coverups.
After CSCOPE was exposed, school district all across Texas started dropping CSCOPE from being used in their school districts. My hometown of Lumberton, TX was even in the committee process of ditching CSCOPE and researching what will replace it for Lumberton ISD.
It is believed that TESCCC was facing investigations into the financing of CSCOPE and that is what finally compelled them to finally pull all CSCOPE lessons before they could be investigated further.
past articles:
Greg Abbott to CSCOPE - Disclose Info or Face Lawsuit
CSCOPE Director Caught LYING about Communist Chinese Flag Lesson (VIDEO) - Lumberton ISD - David Bellow Investigation
Flawed CSCOPE Needs SBOE Oversight says State Board of Education Member David Bradley
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott Orders Full Investigation into CSCOPE, will SHUT IT DOWN
CSCOPE supplement blames 9/11 attack on America - shocking Texas school lesson
OUTRAGE: The Boston Tea Party was a Terrorist Attack according to Texas School Curriculum, Cscope
Texas Teaching 'Allah is the Almighty God' - CSCOPE Cirriculum Must be Stopped
Press Release from State Senator Dan Patrick:
SENATOR PATRICK ANNOUNCES THE END OF CSCOPE
In sudden turn of events the TESCCC Board decides to end CSCOPE lesson plans.
AUSTIN-- A letter signed by all 20 members of the Board released this morning stated they will notify their 875 school district clients that all lesson plans will be removed from their website on August 31st, 2013 and that districts cannot use any lessons they currently have beyond that date. TheAugust 31st date corresponds to the notice clause in their contracts with their districts. The letter goes on to say that the Regional Service Centers will not produce lesson plans in the future. The 20 Service Centers will return to their original business plan of providing a management tool for teachers to stay on schedule regarding the teaching of the required TEKS. The official vote will take place at an already scheduled Board meeting on Friday, May 24th.
"I'm pleased that the CSCOPE Board has made the decision to get out of the lesson plan business. This is a positive development for students, parents, teachers, and for the Regional Service Centers,' said Senator Patrick. "I want to thank the members of the Senate Education Committee for their months of work on this issue. I also want to thank Attorney General Abbott and his staff in providing valuable assistance in our review of CSCOPE," added Patrick.
"We would like to thank Senator Patrick, Senator Duncan, and members of the Senate and House Education Committees. Their leadership has been invaluable and we look forward to a positive relationship in the future. We believe that this is the best decision moving forward; and allows us to continue to provide high quality services to the more than 1,000, school districts and charter schools in Texas, said Kyle Wargo, Board Member Region 17 Board of Directors and Anne Poplin, Chair, TESCCC.
"We accept the concerns expressed by the leadership of our state regarding segments of the lessons that were perceived as contradictory to the values of our great state. We will therefore eliminate the model lessons offered as examples of what was interpreted as the intent of the standards and focus on moving forward in a positive manner," said Mary Ann Whiteker, Superintendent, Hudson ISD.
"Once the TESCCC officially approves this measure Friday I will notify the SBOE that they do not need to review the 1600 CSCOPE lesson plans," said Patrick. "The CSCOPE era is over. However, what the last several months has proven is that the state will have to create a plan to monitor all on line material in the future so that our schools and classroom remain completely transparent to parents and the legislature knows what is being taught in our classrooms across Texas," added Patrick.
The TESCCC Board has announced that they will be ENDING all CSCOPE lessons.
CSCOPE is dead, but as a way to prevent it from coming back with no SBOE oversight, SB 1406 MUST STILL pass the Texas House
We must NOT let our guard down and the Texas Legislature needs to continue to take action to prevent bad curriculum and online backdoor curriculum from being introduced into Texas schools with no oversight. SB 1406 MUST pass the Texas House. Just because TESCCC is pulling CSCOPE does not mean they cannot try to start it back up in the future. SB 1406 will help prevent this and must pass even though CSCOPE has been pulled. Ginger Russell reports on her website Red Hot Conservative that an email has been sent to Superintendents saying that CSCOPE will not be completely gone.
State Senator Dan Patrick announced this news earlier this morning (See Dan Patrick Press Release below)
CSCOPE was a controversial curriculum in Texas. There was widespread outrage over the past year because of the outrageous Liberal, anti-American lessons. What made things worse is that this curriculum was created WITHOUT the oversight of the State Board of Education as required by law for all Texas Curriculum. On top of that there were financial inconsitincies and coverups.
After CSCOPE was exposed, school district all across Texas started dropping CSCOPE from being used in their school districts. My hometown of Lumberton, TX was even in the committee process of ditching CSCOPE and researching what will replace it for Lumberton ISD.
It is believed that TESCCC was facing investigations into the financing of CSCOPE and that is what finally compelled them to finally pull all CSCOPE lessons before they could be investigated further.
past articles:
Greg Abbott to CSCOPE - Disclose Info or Face Lawsuit
CSCOPE Director Caught LYING about Communist Chinese Flag Lesson (VIDEO) - Lumberton ISD - David Bellow Investigation
Flawed CSCOPE Needs SBOE Oversight says State Board of Education Member David Bradley
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott Orders Full Investigation into CSCOPE, will SHUT IT DOWN
CSCOPE supplement blames 9/11 attack on America - shocking Texas school lesson
OUTRAGE: The Boston Tea Party was a Terrorist Attack according to Texas School Curriculum, Cscope
Texas Teaching 'Allah is the Almighty God' - CSCOPE Cirriculum Must be Stopped
Press Release from State Senator Dan Patrick:
SENATOR PATRICK ANNOUNCES THE END OF CSCOPE
In sudden turn of events the TESCCC Board decides to end CSCOPE lesson plans.
AUSTIN-- A letter signed by all 20 members of the Board released this morning stated they will notify their 875 school district clients that all lesson plans will be removed from their website on August 31st, 2013 and that districts cannot use any lessons they currently have beyond that date. TheAugust 31st date corresponds to the notice clause in their contracts with their districts. The letter goes on to say that the Regional Service Centers will not produce lesson plans in the future. The 20 Service Centers will return to their original business plan of providing a management tool for teachers to stay on schedule regarding the teaching of the required TEKS. The official vote will take place at an already scheduled Board meeting on Friday, May 24th.
"I'm pleased that the CSCOPE Board has made the decision to get out of the lesson plan business. This is a positive development for students, parents, teachers, and for the Regional Service Centers,' said Senator Patrick. "I want to thank the members of the Senate Education Committee for their months of work on this issue. I also want to thank Attorney General Abbott and his staff in providing valuable assistance in our review of CSCOPE," added Patrick.
"We would like to thank Senator Patrick, Senator Duncan, and members of the Senate and House Education Committees. Their leadership has been invaluable and we look forward to a positive relationship in the future. We believe that this is the best decision moving forward; and allows us to continue to provide high quality services to the more than 1,000, school districts and charter schools in Texas, said Kyle Wargo, Board Member Region 17 Board of Directors and Anne Poplin, Chair, TESCCC.
"We accept the concerns expressed by the leadership of our state regarding segments of the lessons that were perceived as contradictory to the values of our great state. We will therefore eliminate the model lessons offered as examples of what was interpreted as the intent of the standards and focus on moving forward in a positive manner," said Mary Ann Whiteker, Superintendent, Hudson ISD.
"Once the TESCCC officially approves this measure Friday I will notify the SBOE that they do not need to review the 1600 CSCOPE lesson plans," said Patrick. "The CSCOPE era is over. However, what the last several months has proven is that the state will have to create a plan to monitor all on line material in the future so that our schools and classroom remain completely transparent to parents and the legislature knows what is being taught in our classrooms across Texas," added Patrick.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
James Dobson: IRS Stonewalled Christian Family Org for Being 'Critical of the President'
The following is by Debra Heine of Breitbart.com: http://www.breitbart.com/InstaBlog/2013/05/18/IRS-Rep-Told-Dr-James-Dobson-His-Application-Was-Rejected-Because-He-Had-Been-Critical-Of-President
“Do you want to rewrite your application and resubmit it?” she asked Dobson's lawyer. He answered, “no, we’ll just have to litigate”, and about eight days later they got their 501(c)(4).
Dr. James Dobson was a guest on the Hannity show Friday night to talk about the treatment his Christian, pro-family, group, Family Talk Action got from the IRS when they applied for a 501(c)(4), a process he said “went on and on and on” for 19 months.
When his lawyer called the IRS to find out what the problem was, an IRS rep named Medley told him, “we don’t think we’re going to approve your application.” When he asked, why, she answered, "because you’re a right wing organization, and you’re political, and you’ve been critical of the President and we don’t think you give other people an opportunity to express their views, and besides that – you’re not educational.” An answer Dr. Dobson took great umbrage at.“Do you want to rewrite your application and resubmit it?” she asked Dobson's lawyer. He answered, “no, we’ll just have to litigate”, and about eight days later they got their 501(c)(4).
IRS Targeted Conservative Hispanic Group in Texas - Voces Action Adryana Boyne
Adryana Boyne is a great Hispanic Republican who has a group (Voces Action) that draws Hispanic to the Republican Party by showing Hispanics that their conervative values are in line with Republicans, NOT Democrats.
I am sure Obama and the Democrats hate this because they want minorities to think that the Democrt Party is the only party for minorities.
Well surprie surprise, look who got targeted by the IRS!
The following article is from Brandon Darby of Beritbart.com: http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/05/15/IRS-Targeted-Conservative-Hispanic-Outreach-Group
The IRS’s targeting of Tea Party groups went even further than has been revealed. A conservative Hispanic outreach group that educates Spanish-speaking and English-speaking Hispanic communities on the US Constitution was also targeted after applying for 501(c3) status, according to the group’s founder and president, Adryana Boyne.
Boyne's organization, named Voces Action, also applied for 501(c4) status. Boyne said she abandoned her 501(c3) efforts due to the IRS’s treatment of her. “I spent thousands of dollars on attorneys and hundreds of hours dealing with the IRS on this. Our groups had separate boards and followed all of the laws,” said Boyne.
“We applied for nonprofit status in June of 2009 and we did not hear back from them until late 2010, even though we began calling them after six months had passed,” said Boyne. “We received the same kind of intrusive questions that Tea Party groups received. We are not a Tea Party group, but I have spoken at some Tea Parties.”
Though Boyne’s group only focused on educating Hispanic communities on the US Constitution and on conservative social and economic values, she said her group was treated unfairly.
“We did everything according to the law but we were treated like criminals,” Boyne concluded.
I am sure Obama and the Democrats hate this because they want minorities to think that the Democrt Party is the only party for minorities.
Well surprie surprise, look who got targeted by the IRS!
The following article is from Brandon Darby of Beritbart.com: http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/05/15/IRS-Targeted-Conservative-Hispanic-Outreach-Group
IRS Targeted Conservative Hispanic Outreach Group
The IRS’s targeting of Tea Party groups went even further than has been revealed. A conservative Hispanic outreach group that educates Spanish-speaking and English-speaking Hispanic communities on the US Constitution was also targeted after applying for 501(c3) status, according to the group’s founder and president, Adryana Boyne.
Boyne's organization, named Voces Action, also applied for 501(c4) status. Boyne said she abandoned her 501(c3) efforts due to the IRS’s treatment of her. “I spent thousands of dollars on attorneys and hundreds of hours dealing with the IRS on this. Our groups had separate boards and followed all of the laws,” said Boyne.
“We applied for nonprofit status in June of 2009 and we did not hear back from them until late 2010, even though we began calling them after six months had passed,” said Boyne. “We received the same kind of intrusive questions that Tea Party groups received. We are not a Tea Party group, but I have spoken at some Tea Parties.”
Though Boyne’s group only focused on educating Hispanic communities on the US Constitution and on conservative social and economic values, she said her group was treated unfairly.
The IRS sent us 27 pages of questions, they demanded recordings of every speech I’ve ever given and details about every person I know who is a politician in my life. They demanded to know how many times I had met with them and details of my personal relationships with them. Many of my closest friends are politicians and they wanted private information about my friendships.The questions Boyne and her Voces Action group received were not only exhaustive and intrusive, but the IRS also demanded the 27 pages be answered in full within two weeks, according to Boyne. “They would say, ‘If you do not answer in the next two weeks, your application will be terminated and you will need to reapply.’”
“We did everything according to the law but we were treated like criminals,” Boyne concluded.
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