My mom has voted consistently Republican since Nixon. She is a "values voter" and part of the "believers"  demographic that the R's so desperately need to win elections. The last eight years have seen us have more than one argument about the pinhead who occupies the White House, lies and the liars who lie them.In an effort to keep peace in the family I have sworn off discussing politics at family gatherings, but I regularly get emails from her that get me fired up. I responded to a "prayer request' last night and received a reply.

I can't make this stuff up. Found this over on Wonkette, Oklahoma County Commissioner’s Hilarious Campaign Comic Book Followed the link to Tulsa. Let's go visit our Okie friends and see what they are up to...

LeftCoastBreakdown did their first the other day on this story. Go by and give them a visit too.

Since there will be a convergence of all manner of eaters in Austin I wanted to contribute my convoluted thoughts on dining in our fair burg.

I am a single father. I am also the primary conservator. My co-parent/ex-wife has only supervised visitation allowed by the ruling of the court. I am not alone in being a male who was awarded the primary status. It is not an easy road, but I have had help along the way. Today I had to make a hard and difficult decision about the long-term welfare of my daughter.

I can't contain my well thought out opinions ANY LONGER! I have to express ALL of my glorious and wonderful thoughts for all to read. I expect you to shower me with praise. Nothing less than full confirmation is acceptable.

After a couple of comments that SOME PEOPLE are incapable of growing indoor plants I figured I had better try to be helpful.

The previous diaries I found  on this did not have the list of approved states from the FDA or much about how salmonella could get in or onto our tomatoes. Will give it a shot, forgive me if this seems redundant.

When I get asked the question, "What is your favorite flower?" If I have to choose just one, it is the rose. As my screen name would imply I also grow cactus as well. But, that niche is small and reserved for quirky humans. Roses are more universal. Their history is long and storied. The list of growers and breeders is extensive. There are so many roses that it would be impossible for me to list them all in a single diary or a hundred diaries. I will limit myself to ten I have known and loved. I am partial to having fragrance in my rose. I maintain that there is an inverse proportion to its suitability as a commercial cut rose, i.e. its ability to be cut and shipped and not petal shatter before it is sold; its presentation qualities and its fragrance. The better it keeps and presents, the less likely it is to have a strong fragrance.

To the list!

I did a quick search of recent diaries and I did not see one that dealt with this issue in recent days.

We have gone past the point where we are sewing them up and sending them back to the line. Now we drug them and send them out. Too numb to be sad anymore. This is going to haunt us all if we do not prepare for the eventual harvest of anger, depression and frustration.

I am here today to laud Rick Noriega and cajole my Texas Democratic Party.
You have done well, we need to do more.

I hope you do. I suspect you care about the issues that it concerns. I am going to attempt to put up some specifics and let the chips fall where they may. I know there is not going to be a consensus on this issue, but it needs  to be discussed.

That is the title of a book I found at my local reseller. It purports to be about Texas politics, but there is a lot of common sense and some wisdom in the pages that is worth sharing. Besides, it is a hoot. It is far too delicious to keep to myself. Enjoy!

Authors/Collectors: Charles Herring, Jr and Walter Richter. 1992 Wordware Publishing, Inc.

I have been what you might call a "believer" for quite a while. It has grieved me to live where fellow believers voted in strict accordance with politicians who did not exhibit the better parts of my belief system. It is difficult to grapple with one’s own beliefs. It is even harder to argue them with someone who refuses to think. It is hard to discuss issues with someone who will not accept facts as being fact. It is very difficult to sway someone, even a little, when they refuse to recognize that facts have a value beyond your beliefs.

Hooray for  U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison not compelling her to go to arbitration. Obviously Halliburton and KBR wanted this kept quiet. Jamie Leigh Jones absolutely refuses to go away quietly; Testifying before Congress, allowing her name to be published, going on Dan Abrams and pursuing the trial. The AP story that ran in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram yesterday after the jump.

I somewhere in the midst of my diary reading/check-in with Kossackistan, I found  mention of Senator Byrd and how he might be of some effect in the present situation.
I do not want to see my party or my country rendered in two because of one woman's pride and need to pay off her debts. If Sen. Clinton did not want to play the game she should have never put her own money in it.

Here is my email...

Prove them wrong if you can. Argue about the numbers. The  numbers in the title come directly from their website. This company flying under the radar converting dairy manure into usuable, valuable gas. Why is this so unique? Why is this unknown? Why don't we have more of these for every farm critter everywhere?

The DA of Dallas County is a Dem. That has been a while in coming y'all. They are actually WORKING WITH the Innocence Project. That means something. We have a damned express line to the death chamber, ala Ron White. I saw this from my Dallas Observer and I had to shout it out.

I know, I know. Obama has promised and has kept his promise to talk about the substantive issues we all care about. I too was dismayed and disgusted it took 45 minutes for Gibsonopolous to ask something that mattered. Yes, I know this is Lee Atwater/Karl Rove at their snake belly best. But, we, the proxies, the great unwashed, the bloggers and activists will have to take the fight to the Right on the battlegrounds of idiocy. We have no other good options.