2010 Texas and Dallas County General Election. Blogging from Richardson, Texas

First, some comments on the 2010 Texas, Dallas County (and Collin County) General Election contests.

This one is the Dallas County edition (mainly) because all but a few readers who have said anything are in Dallas County.

Not my district, but Stephen Broden the man running in US TX District 30 looks to be unendorsed now by many people due to disconcerting statements he has made recently.

As for the incumbent he is challenging, it's sick (in the bad way) that Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson passed out scholarship money to her relatives, some who didn't even live in the district.

Too bad there's not a way for voters to have an immediate do over with all this coming out right at election time. Of course, one can argue that the financial impact is minor compared to some bad policy over the years.

It is going to be hard to ever trust someone who is known to do something like that which is such an easily knowable violation (no way to squirm out of that one, Rep. Johnson). And Stephen Broden is going to have a hard time convincing people he didn't mean what he said.

It's also a shame that in the General Election, it's the more partisan of the candidates that come into it out of the two major (only two major) primaries and not necessary the best candidates.

I would like to see preference voting on election day. More candidates (qualified). Less party hacks (who would elect a dead person than vote across the isle types), more moderates. More parties (and I don't mean campaign happy hour drinking parties because there are already tons, I mean more options as in more choices that increase the chances of qualified thinking leadership).

About the open SBOE District 12 race, I am going with Amie Parsons.

The relationship between SBOE and The General Land Office as it relates to school funding (derived from the Permanent School Fund and its further reinvestments) is interesting.

For General Land Office Commissioner, the (two leading) candidates have more in common than most candidates. Both are former state senators and both have deep Texas roots. Both seem competent. While I like Jerry Patterson as an administrator, I think Hector Uribe could make more money for public schools (from The Permanent School Fund's land and land energy related investments and underwater lands [like off shore rights up to ten miles out into the Gulf too] in the long run by having additional energy production arrangements and leases (in addition to traditional oil and gas).

A time will come when Texas will wish that it had been as assertive as countries like Spain in investing in alternative and augmenting energy. While the goal is to make maximum return with the least risk, there is also a responsibility about how to maintain and source sustaining investments off the land resources and keep the money flowing in for a long time. (Portfolio diversification. And an added benefit of helping to augment traditional energy sources and reduce reliance on foreign sources of energy).

If the SBOE can invest a small portion of its subsequent spending and reinvestment in charter schools (through SBOE asset investment in commercial real estate), then couldn't it along with the Land Office support investing likewise of a small fraction each in emerging energy production off the Permanent School Fund land resources and other SBOE assets through leases?

(By the way, under the SBOE asset investment arrangement in charter schools, it has been explained by a SBOE Member that the state would hold title to the property and the charter school would not have to pay local ISD, county and city property taxes. That is an interesting note if accurate. )

In a key race in Collin County for the Commissioners Court Judge seat between Judge Keith Self and Former Plano Councilman David Smith, I would say I agree with the endorsements that have been going out to Smith and normally I think he would be better in terms of getting what needs to be done, done, and in a fiscally responsibly manner (as proven by his service) and he is a respectful politician. My only concern is if he could stand up to people who come knocking for stuff that the Collin County Commissioner's Court should not agree to. If he could express that he has a backbone, because he is a super nice guy, I would say Smith is the way to go. I say this because I would trust that Smith would give more accurate information than Judge Keith Self has on issues overall. Otherwise, it's back to contrarian politicizing (sometimes said to be downright misleading) Judge Keith Self who has created mixed results in my opinion. It doesn't mean I still don't admire some things he has done (and cringe at others).

If I were given only one gold star to give to an elected official in Dallas or Collin County, it would be (Dallas) District Clerk Gary Fitzsimmons, who understands customer service and has been working to improve District Clerk Office efficiencies. He should be re-elected for another term.

Dr. Elba Garcia's web site for Dallas Commissioner Place, above average. Commissioner Kenneth Mayfield's demeanor these days, below average. He has approached the demeanor of John Wiley. That's a shame.

By the way, all this talk about voter fraud and vote supression and voter I.D., go ahead and pass voter I.D. and people just need to be prepared, care enough about voting, plan ahead, grab that I.D., bring I.D. when voting. I understand both sides. It needs to be handled. Anyway, we should all be able to vote online at home or from work or from where we want soon (from overseas as Americans if needed/stationed there, etc.) in addition to in person (one of these days).

I know it's about party, but I didn't like the mailer Sen. John Carona sent around that I was shown that says to vote a partisan ticket. I recommend the opposite. Vote each race. It's bad advice to be told to vote straight party especially in local races where for the most part competence matters way more than any ideological frame. It is rare to find any of the politicians who don't go telling you to vote all one party, other than a few of the judicial candidates.

Speaking of judicial candidates, here is an interesting article about "resign-to-run" from Dallas News (Dallas County public defender's proposed 'resign-to-run' policy has judicial candidates in her office crying foul).


Selected Races:

Opposed races (I am leaving out unopposed races and declared elected positions, except to say that while Judge Dennise Garcia is unopposed in the general, I hope she gets many votes for re-election to Judge of Family District 303 Judicial District).

The lines drawn under a few of the races means I haven't finished making my opinion as of this posting about that race.

Several of these were very close. I have listened to candidates in 40 of the below 50+ contests. That means there are some I have never met in person but have read about, seen video of, read their statements or web sites. If I were to learn of any new verifiable information that I do not have, my opinion could change based on new information.

Speaking of which, thanks to the LWV of Texas (Richardson, Dallas); Dallas News; Committee for a Qualified Judiciary (CQJ); Dallas County Elections Department; Collin County Elections Department; Dallas Bar Association; The Parties; various other news sources and volunteer groups and individuals, and the candidates and their campaigns for the information that they helped provide now and prior.



US Rep. Dist 32
John Jay Myers

Governor
Bill White

Lt. Gov.
David Dewhurst

Attorney General
Barbara Ann Radnofsky

Comptroller
Susan Combs

Commissioner of the General Land Office
Hector Uribe

Commissioner of Agriculture
Todd Staples

Railroad Commissioner
Jeff Weems

Justice Supreme Court Pl 3
Debra Lehmann

Justice Supreme Court Place 5
Bill Moody

Justice Supreme Court Place 9
Blake Bailey

Judge Court of Criminal Appeals Place 2
Lawrence "Larry" Myers

Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 5
Cheryl Johnson

Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 6
Keith Hampton

Member State Board of Education, District 12
Amie Parsons

Chief Justice 5th Court of Appeals District Place 4
Lana Myers

Justice 5th Court of Appeals District, Place 12
Robert "Bob" M. Fillmore


District Judge, 44th Judicial District
___________


District Judge, 116th, Judicial District
Dale B. Tillery

District Judge 191 Judicial District
Gena Slaughter

District Judge 193 Judicial District
Carl Ginsberg

District Judge 194 Judicial District
Ernest White

District Judge 203rd Judicial District
Jennifer Balido

District Judge 254 Judicial District
James Martin

District Judge 256 Judicial District
David Lopez

District Judge 265 Judicial District
Mark Stoltz

District Judge 283 Judicial District
Rick Magnis

District Judge 292 Judicial District
Larry Mitchell

District Judge 298 Judicial District
Emily G. Tobolowsky


Family District Judge, 301 Judicial District
_____________


Family District Judge 302 Judicial District
Tena Callahan

Family District Judge 303 Judicial District
Dennise Garcia

Family District Judge 304 Judicial District
William "Bill" A. Mazur Jr.

Family District Judge 330 Judicial District
Marilea W. Lewis


County Defense Attorney
__________________


County Judge
__________________


Judge County Court at Law No. 1
Russell Roden

Judge County Court at Law No. 3
John Goren

Judge County Court at Law No. 5
Mark Greenberg

Judge County Criminal Court No 2
Julia Hayes

Judge County Criminal Court No 3
Doug Skemp

Judge County Crininal Court No 4
Teresa Tolle

Judge Country Criminal Court No 5
Etta J. Mullin


Judge County Criminal Court No 6
______________


Judge County Criminal Court No 7
Elizabeth Crowder

Judge County Criminal Court No 8
Tina Yoo

Judge County Crininal Court No 9
Peggy Hoffman

Judge County Criminal Court No. 10
Roberto Canas

Judge County Criminal Court of Appeals No 2
Jeffrey Rosenfield

Judge County Probate Court No 2
Chris Wilmoth



District Clerk
Gary Fitzsimmons

County Clerk
John F. Warren

County Treasurer
Joe Wells


The JP's and Constable(s) should support customer service improvements across the board but unfortunately not all of them have made sufficient strides in modernizing their offices and doing simple things like always arranging that the phone is answered when it rings (and rings). At least one of them in Dallas County curses like a sailor in front of anyone and everyone, including the media. (Do that on your own time if you wanna.) At least one of them campaigns from the bench. None of these behaviors are good law enforcement or judicial images to put forth. In some cases where there is a competent alternative or at least seemingly so, that is the one I would prefer. Some of them do not seem to know enough about the law. Have some of them become complacent and forgotten how to treat citizens? I would say more than one has.

__________________

If you are a candidate and feel I have overlooked you, then you can email me and let me know and I will print your statement or information (within reason). Like I said, in a few cases, it was a close consideration on what information and impressions I have.

If you are a candidate and want to agree with me, you can email me and let me know. I will print your statement or information likewise (within reason).

Carol Burnett, Sarah Silverman, Lucille Ball, Mike Myers, Bill Murray, Dave Chappelle, Kat Williams, Steve Martin, Jon Stewart, Tim Conway, Dat Phan

(pictionary message from one candidate for TX House 102 to opponent).

Betty White
Michael McDonald
Mo Collins
Chris Kattan
Weird Al Yankovic
Harvey Korman
Vicki Lawrence
Will Ferrell
Dana Carvey
Eddie Murphy
George Carlin
Gilda Radner
Lief Garrett
Adam Sandler
Bea Arthur
Dan Aykroyd
Johnny Carson
Carrot Top Scott Thompson
Owen Wilson
John Cleese
Rich Little
John Lithgow
Tracy Morgan
Rob Schneider
Molly Shannon
Martin Short
Red Skelton
Ben Stiller
Chris Tucker
Tracey Ullman
Christopher Walken
Jimmy Walker
Damon Wayans
Keenan Wayans
Shawn Wayans
Marlon Wayans
Laraine Newman
Stephen Colbert
Billy Connolly
Conan O'Brien
Tina Fey
...

After watching the near humorless and annoyed or irritated candidates for TX House District 102, I thought it best to begin creating an innoculation list, a vaccine of sorts.


Don Knotts
Jerry Lewis (h/t to you French)
...

What happened to Kent and Carter? That is not how they are when they are off stage. They are both socially delightful, pleasant, super likable people off stage whether you agree with their particular philosophies on a particular subject or not. Carol Kent, was that really you? Stefani Carter, I know you turned Eisemann down for running for carpet bagging it to Richardson to run for the lowly Richardson City Council (smart on you), but was that you? If that is the only exposure someone would have to the two of them, that and those awful ads, then it is no wonder ... Is this still the primaries?


Bob Newhart
Phil Hartman
Jamie Kennedy
Jack Paar

Joe Piscopo
Tim Meadows
Tom Poston
Nipsey Russell
Al Franken,
Bobby Lee
Will Sasso
Frank Caliendo
Simon Helberg...

I mean no disrepect, but neither of them came across as having that much of a plan or strategy. For pushing for anything that will improve our state's challenges and that will work and be agreeable (go beyond Texas partisan regurg.)

Stefani Carter was unpleasant and attacking trying to carve some points, which she did, which matters more in the race because she is the challenger. (And by race, I didn't mean anything having to do with skin color, and by skin color, I better not be accused of calling someone a janitor, ok? Because there's apparently something really wrong with being called a janitor. And getting kicked out of an HOA.)

Carol Kent came across as annoyed (I can see why but she needs to suck it up, up there) and didn't have her usual fiesty spirit. I might have missed it, but neither of them smiled once convincingly as in, I'm glad to be here, I'd like your vote, I'll do a good job, I can work with others even if I can't stand her, I mean them. I wonder if Fred Hill was there to encourage her or slip her some quid? She lost the "face off" or side off or whatever that was by mere fact that she was an incumbent who didn't press back as good as she was dealt, because she let herself be pushed on the ropes and aggravated, not her usual demeanor but at least she didn't keep interupting. It is her race to lose.

(I was half expecting Stefani Carter to go all like, "Knock knock, who's there, Interrupting. Interrupting wh... mooo. Ok, my bad, let's do it again. Knock knock. Who's There? Interrupting. Interruptin.... MOOO! Interrupting Cow, that's who!")

And what about high insurance rates and high utility costs? What about all the things that they didn't want to give an answer to. I would have actually liked it if they would have just said, beats me. Or dunno. Or, I didn't get around to it. Or Jane, you ignorant voter, you just don't know how hard it is to work in that bastion of a legislature and get anything good done!)


So are we now (according to partisan reviews and in some cases the candidates) supposed to know something like, Kent's a slightly peavish, forum rules tattletale, pro death penalty, hard working, neighbor's neighbor neosocialist gas tax raising top out of touch liberal in Texas with a sense of entitlement or something bipartisiany sounding. And Carter's the interrupting left end of a dark red but spotty colored wing nut cow "you can look it up for yourself" free market non endorsed by boss and unendorsed by mayor of Garland non janitorial attorney and carpetbagger. Next.

While this was not as bad as watching say Judge Sally Montgomery (D) and whoever she is bickering with at the moment, or DA Craig Watkins carrying on (however, does his opponent seriously expect us to believe Craig jacked his wheels and left his car neatly on blocks without a scratch? Get the DNA man! Prove it), at the Kent-Carter side by side it wasn't that informative or entertaining on the issues (so one has to make it so).

(About Montgomery, I really don't think Montgomery should be on the bench.)

At least Maurine and John Wiley are a little funny. Ok, a lot funny (in the laugh to keep from being incredulous way, also did Maurine seriously switch her vote to raise t..t.. I can't say it, but she nearly makes up for almost anything by how she says, "zero-scape" instead of xeriscape. It makes me grin when she does that and I like her more and also she actually knows something about it). And, at least Keith Self and whoever he is bickering with at the time are interestingly (in the fake play sort of way) dramatic.

But, this with Kent and Carter was like blah, spat, blah, moo, blah, you accidentally skipped over me, moo, huff, crouching on elbows leaning on the table, blah, moo, smirk, I thought I heard a good point no wait, yawn, huh, moo, what did she mean by that, moo, was that an answer, I'd rather be doing anything but this sigh, blah, lash, blah... Paraphrasing partially inaccurate reenactment.

If they aren't going to take their own candidacy very seriously on the issues enough to offer some meat or something, protein, starch, or leafy veggies or skillfully handcrafted item like one could find at a Richardson, Texas, Farmers and Makers Market (as opposed to being political narcisists and grouchy huffy annoyed party liners), then they can at least be entertaining. Or you know, get out of the ring.

Angie Chen Button of TX 112 just moved up a notch despite her habit of talking with her mouth full of food, letting crumbs blow out on us. Even that is more interesting than what either of the TX 102 candidates showed at the forum. (I sincerely wish Angie and alll newish reps down in Austin had better influences and guidance directly around them in the political and policy making arena. She for one has a lot to offer that's good. But there are a lot of pit...falls. She's as new as Kent when it comes to that. It seems too easy to fall into not so good things in that lege. Ask Joe Driver. Ask a lot of them. What's the deal. New reps, no matter how smart they are or think they are, shouldn't hang with people who steer then wrong there, or around Richardson City Hall for that matter. Or Garland, etc. Keeping the favor of bad people in the political arena is never worth it because it hurts good people and the new rep herself or himself who can be taken in by the big dogs. People who trusted you can't trust you anymore when you go bad. So get on the right track and stay there. Anything less is hollow even if you thought you won.)

Did Angie Chen Button seriously turn down appearing at the forum no matter what date the LWV picked? Cute. Rick. Cute.

The LWV gave them all a good opportunity.

Is there a choice that's a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll? Because if I could pick the middle half of Carol and the middle half of Stefani ... I would work for such a candidate.

Seriously, personally, I like Carol, even if I can't agree with some issues. She has done a lot of good work. Sometimes past good work isn't enough if times make more voters want to call for a candidate they think can stop the hemorrhaging (of a state budget shortfall) and not raise their taxes in the middle of a recession, whether it is a real or imagined image of a particular candidate or not or whether she has good manners or not.

New electees in the state lege have little power usually but the more worried voters are, the more they want to see a fighter, even if that fighter is borish, especially if they don't know anything about the candidates. Many will vote straight party tickets.

I don't know Stefani that well and it is mainly through seeing her at places we both happened to be. People I know who know her all seem to really like her too. I was taken aback by her behavior at the forum a little but her hand was played like her political consultants dreamed it up.

On the issues, I agree with Stefani Carter about 39% from what I can tell on the issues. I had said I agreed with Rep. Carol Kent 49% (which left 51%), but after studying it, it's more like 39%. So the tipping point is not met. If I actually had to vote or was eligible to vote for one of them, I would have to have some questions answered that neither have yet to answer clearly.

Something that happened this past week with the tea baggers makes me cringe when I was informed today that the Tea Party had endorsed Stefani weeks or months ago. I have a relative who told me that the tea baggers were having a convention in our home town and then I was sent a video in email of it because this tea bag lady woman got up and said that the place was an armpit of liberalism. Not cool to insult your audience. The tea bag speechifiers there came off as very radical. I know not all tea baggers are steeped in the same waters, but whoa.

Anyway, I give no endorsement in the Kent-Carter race. Not because of their performances at the forum. Why? Because I am a bigot. That's why. (Really not). I actually just can't vote for a woman. (Just kidding). And because I don't have to. I won't be voting for either one of them. (I actually can't.) You already know who you are voting for anyway.

But, so who is going to "win." Normally, Carol Kent would be reupped as the inc because she didn't seem to have any major scandals and she is well above average as far as candidates go, but she is new and in this time of anti inc tea flavored fervor and all the playahs and consultants, it's not a foregone conclusion. If that's the case, Stefani Carter on policy is no worse than many who represent. Just look at Pete Sessions. (I have to say Stefani floored me on her answer in the guide about the State Board of Education though). Or, if it is true that there is a come to Jesus democratic surge going on in the final countdown as I heard about on the (so called) news last night, then we know what we have gotten from Kent and it could be way worse. Just look at Pete Sessions*.

(*Despite Pete Sessions being pleasant and goofey and a good sign stealer when it comes to non office holder stuff, I can't vote for him. No, wait, make that a bad sign stealer. Good (in the bad way) sign stealers do not get caught like Pete got caught. And the reasons I won't vote for him are not about his sign stealing, but that certainly doesn't help).

Milton Burl
Jack Benny
Jack Black
Russell Brand
John Candy
Jerry Clower
Phyllis Diller
Jerry Seinfeld
Jimmy Fallon
Red Foxx

I might do a post about some of the other candidates I can or will have to vote for. (Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst; Ag Comm. Todd Staples; for RR Comm. it's Jeff Weems...)


Jamie Foxx
Mary Tyler Moore
Amy Sedaris
Julia Sweeney
Wanda Sykes
Lily Tomlin
Julia Louis-Dryfus
...

Restroom tile pictures I mentioned previously

Xeriscape the medians, or if you prefer, zero scape (h/t to Maurine) the mediums (for fiscally psychic growth).

Seriously, I know, I know. Some at the City of Richardson, Texas, will say you must water even xeriscaped medians. Not really (if you plant the right plants or trees at the best times). Just like you don't have to water native drought tolerant trees. The temperatures here rarely get below 32 F/ground and you plant in the Fall (during hurricane season basically which causes rains up here) to give the roots six or more months before the intense heat-drought (desert) conditions come with the Spring onward, which is what the heat island of a street median represents (is) for vegetation (a desert or desert like conditions for much of the year).

I have mature, beautiful trees (here and elsewhere) and have never watered them. I have never watered my xeriscape gardens, not once. It did rain right after I put them in, and that is what you want. If you feel you really need to water right after, you can of course, but you shouldn't have to do this past a very few times. If you do, then it's not the right setting to be planting whatever it is that's not going to live without all the water, attention and maintenance, which is what you want to avoid (you want low maintenance, low water need, with the good appearance and other beneficial aspects of trees and plants).

I trim and prune the trees and plants as needed in the Fall too, which is the best time (as opposed to Spring). All but the larger pieces compost.

My grandparents never watered their native trees and they are still living (the trees that is). (It had nothing to do with intentional xeriscaping. Mother Nature actually handled things from time to time without that much help back in ancient times).

You don't "mow between" a xeriscape. If done correctly in conjunction with the hardscape (the lighter the color of hardscape and any pavement, the better), and arranged well, it (median) doesn't need mowing, just infrequent grooming and even less frequent maintenance (usually tree or plant trimming or hardscape upkeep). Try an area and work on the solution that fits best and go from there.

If it can't live on its own, then it's the wrong vegetation for the situation (the location), including trying to put a giant water sucking tree on a concrete heat island. A large canopy shade tree does cool, but a tree with a big canopy uses more water during hot weather than one with a more naturally sparse, drought tolerant canopy (if that is what your conditions call for). You need to define your planting goals. It does not have to be big thirsty trees inside (on) the median to be "green" (or for someone to claim he is "green") if that is not what will work for your exact environment and local city (government) pocketbook. I have both large canopy and small canopy arrangements, but they are not of course in a road median.

If a local government can't (or refuses to) consider xeriscaping techniques or ideas, then there are intermediate options (as opposed to what is being suggested by and agreed to with the Richardson City Council and the COR staff). We do not need to add on to what we are doing. We need to go in a more conservation minded, sustainable (affordable long term) direction. Drip irrigation, which doesn't sound scary, uses up to 90% less water and can be camouflaged but should not be used to support unsustainable long-term practices nevertheless (don't plant greens that shouldn't be put there). Do not mention that this is a xeriscape technique. But it seems most anything would be better than the way it is being done now and being proposed to just continue.

If someone wants to support a City's model of

continuing to spurt resources down the storm drain (which usually happens) by creating sprinkler-watered public space landscaping arrangements that

need perpetual great watering (which isn't as much a problem short term when a place isn't in drought mode, but is a bear when it is) and

that needs significant manicuring and maintenance then

turn around and push for (sell) the need for long-term ever increasing water rate increases and

the need to flood east Texas homesteads for another reservoir (pitting district against district) and

growing the parks budget (and

hiring firms staffed by illegal workers to mow and mow, around and through configurations of trees that aren't in xeriscaped settings),

growing the electric budget (regional water supply is electricity /pump intensive),

adding to the call for selling of a giant amount of state water bonds, then

I think that is not such a good way to manage our public resources and our money for the coming decades (until technology or conditions allows us to morally use or waste all the water, and electricity, we care to, which isn't where we are today).

Today leadership on this issue at the council level, the North Texas Water Board appointee level, and TX State Water Board appointee level and from the Governor and all the appointers down is lacking in my opinion. I have not been impressed by Richardson's last three politician water board appointees. At least the cronyism is so very well attended to at all levels.

Richardson's last three water board appointees, are founding or original members of the Richardson Coalition to return Gary Slagel to the mayorship.

The Richardson Coaltion participate in smearing anyone who does not share that as the utmost top priority and to rid the political earth of anyone who should dare not agree to make him thus despite any concerns. Some seem to have forgotten all about silly little old water things (at least when it comes to helping the majority of residents). (And have they also forgotten about the double agent on their team waiting in the grass.) They deserve each other, but the taxpayers deserve better than the Richardson Coalition.

Under current philosophy and leadership, rates here will keep climbing at a faster rate than our average incomes. Reminds me of something else.

Water must indeed be the oil for a set of Texas tycoons of industry. Collin County Retired Judge Ron Harris was working for T. Boone Pickens for a while trying to convince our water district and Dallas' (and others) of the need to work with (buy from) T. Boone / Mesa water, a crafty plan to pipeline water from the Ogallala aquifer involving sweeping powers of eminent domain and ability to issue the new tiny but powerful Mesa employee stocked "water district's" bonds and also a plan to transmit wind produced electricity utilizing said water right of ways (Mesa Power comes in). A fantastical idea. The idea hasn't come to be for now.

Anyway, this was the time period after Ron had lost his seat to Keith Self. I remember three times ago when I had seen Judge Ron Harris. A very likable guy in passing. Gary Slagel was shopping him around up in the panhandle at HOA for votes, against the charter of the HOA. It was a blow to Gary and of course to Ron when Keith took up that seat. Judge Keith Self also complained about the subsequent powers of eminent domain that would be used by a new government (the tiny water district in deciding its water right-of-way path from West to East Texas).

There's quite a history and set of connections up there for Richardson slash Collin County slash water board players and big water users and tax payer money and appointees and relatives and contracts and former employees and with both failed and successful plans and arrangements and politicians and former politicians. Software, transportation, other contracts. The public usually doesn't know or at least can't fully track all of what goes on very well. Some overlaps and loopholes are down right disconcerting. When we learn of things we don't like, for example, hypothetically someone's son in law being awarded a no bid contract with no background of experience in such operation, the debate dies down and all gets back to "normal." Mostly. Only to be repeated in pattern again and possibly surfacing here and there, unless a substantial intervention occurs.

T. Boone Pickens / Mesa has been reported to be the largest private holder of water rights now.

I think we should invest. In infrastructure, that is. In resource management. In education. In appearances too. I'm not opposed to paying taxes that are going to be invested transparently, fairly and wisely for agreed upon common good. A lot of good is happening but more needs to happened that's good. (No, it's not that I want to pay taxes. It seems like some people just beg to pay taxes.) What I am opposed to is our governments doing the same wasteful (non investing, hard to sustain, rote) things over again, whether in awareness of it or not, AND not respecting tax payers and our resources that to this point are finite (except for ideas), AND then on top of that intentionally doing tricky things, whether it be "strategy" (against it's own citizens, like witholding public information) or hand in the cookie jar type things, against us, we, taxpayers who provide the resources (foot the bill, the ever increasing bill).

I just see that type of non-leadership as illegitimate and the opposite of fiscally responsible and the opposite of letting us keep freedom over our hard earned resources (in some cases just handing it over to someone else for their profit and receiving very little). If someone, for instance, a homeowner, or business wants to do something like pour water out on the edge of the desert, then let them pay for it, up to a certain level of allowance (they can't run the well dry during a drought or flood my farmland for their own water reservoir use to be fair about it) but don't make the rest of us pay for it if that is not what we want to do.

I know that is not what I want to do or see happen. I have higher priorities than to fork over money to see someone spend it on arranging to pour water out on the median and then do it (and as it turns out in several cases letting it run onto and down the city street) in what appears to be for perpetuity (arrangement, institutionalized wasting) when it's not necessary.

It is just not necessary to do so in order to have an attractive environment.

This (and the outdated water district contract arrangement) is especially irksome at the very times citizens are under water use restrictions and under impendng water rate increases. This on the heels of other increases. In the middle of recession and high unemployment. Even in the absense of the last two, the trend is not good.

Oklahoma, D'eux. Just got back from Okleeehomey and boy are my feets tired

It sounded funnier when my little sis said it. But for reals, have you ever noticed that there just aren't that many Indians working at the Choctaw travel stops up there and I hear (from all you sinners) that very few (Indians) work at the casinos (it's not like I would know)? I got a deal on a bag of popcorn flavored cheetos puffs at the casino travel stop place that I ate on, on the way back to Rville (Richardson, Texas), so that was good because I was starving but it was not at all nutritional but it wasn't like there was a Richardson, Texas, Farmers and Makers Market open on the highway at three a.m. that you could get in and out of in four minutes and see polished onyx tile (at least that is what I think it is) on the bathroom walls like at the casino travel stops (I'll show you a cell phone picture or two of the bathroom that alone is worth a bathroom slash fuel stop and if you were there, sorry bout the cell phone picture taking in the bathroom, ok?). What else... I will come back to my Oklahoma part II post because there were some things I feel sure that I have been meaning and wanting to share about OK, alright. Some of it sad and some interesting and good, in my opinion. Some of it could be curious.

John

This one has been sitting in my tray for a while. This is a performer I really enjoy and one of my favorite videos and songs from him. I'm sending it out today to my friend Darrell in Richardson, Texas.


Ever since the days of old
Men would search for wealth untold
They'd dig for silver and for gold,
And leave the empty holes.
And way down south in the Everglades,
Where the black water rolls and the saw grass waves
The eagles fly and the otters play,
In the land of the Seminole.

So blow, blow Seminole wind,
Blow like you're never gonna blow again,
But I know who you are.
And blow, blow from the Okeechobee,
All the way up to Micanopy.
Blow across the home of the Seminole,
The alligators and the garr.

Progress came and took its toll,
And in the name of flood control,
They made their plans and they drained the land,
Now the glades are going dry.
And the last time I walked in the swamp,
I sat upon a Cypress stump,
I listened close and I heard the ghost,
Of Osceola cry.

So blow, blow Seminole wind,
Blow like you're never gonna blow again.
I'm calling to you like a long lost friend
But I know who you are.
And blow, blow from the Okeechobee,
All the way up to Micanopy.
Blow across the home of the Seminole,
The alligators and the garr.

visit johnanderson.com

Richardson TX to do $MM flyover into "friendly" field. Did not get recommended safe ped crossover between East Side, Dart Station, hotels, trail...

The living, working, shopping, eating, playing, DART riding, trail using, hotel staying, masses just aren't as "special" (apparently according to clamouring demands that prioritized and placed that other "special" "friendship" flyover at the top of the list magically).

Naked ladies in Richardson, Texas

Where I grew up, these were called Nekkid Ladies and Spider Lillies.

"True Amaryllis"
"Belladona Lillies"
"Silent Ninjas"
"Naked Ladies"
"Red Spider Lillies"
"Surprise Spiders"

Depending on climate and conditions can come up in spring and fall, but definitely a sign of fall around here. They shoot up without foliage (hence some of the nick names). After the flowers die (last about two weeks) some grasslike foliage appears at their base. If you have these or want these, read this, Naked Ladies In My Pasture (and its links).