Category Archives: Politics

Tuesday, November 8, 2016 – Vote Pray Love! And the Winner Is…

Posted on November 8, 2016 | 1 comment

Tuesday, November 8, 2016 – Vote Pray Love! And the Winner Is…

It is Election Day in The United States of America. Today citizens select the next leader of our republic. Our democracy calls for a peaceful transition of power. There is no king or queen who gets the role by hereditary. There is no forceful usurpation by a dictator. We, the people select a new leader through the voting process guaranteed by the U. S. Constitution and amendments to the document.

The Preamble to the Constitution which states the purpose of the document reads:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Today there are two schools of thought. Old School – two things you never want to see being made – sausage and legislation or in this case – politics and the goings on of the proverbial smoke filled rooms of yesteryear.

Millennials’ School – you wanted to see a transparent government. With social media reaching critical mass one gets to see and hear everything. How do you like seeing the transparent government so far?

Tonight is going to be a Betty Davis evening. “Fasten your seatbelts; it’s going to be a bumpy night.” (All About Eve)

Life is about choices. One can choose to sing songs like Barry McGuire’s – On the Eve of Destruction

Handful of senators don’t pass legislation

And marches alone can’t bring integration

When human respect is disintegratin’

This whole crazy world is just too frustratin’

And you tell me over and over and over again my friend

Ah, you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction

Or you can sing The Beatles We Can Work It Out:

Life is very short, and there’s no time

For fussing and fighting, my friend

I have always thought that it’s a crime

So I will ask you once again

Try to see it my way

Only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong

While you see it your way

There’s a chance that we may fall apart before too long

We can work it out! We can work it out!

Your choice. Both of those songs were released in 1965. We, the People are still here and

We, the People … We can work it out!

Flags @ Front (800x529)

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Posted in Education, Politics

Monday, November 7, 2016 – My Monday After Saturday College Football Awards

Posted on November 7, 2016 | Leave a comment

Monday, November 7, 2016 – My Monday After Saturday College Football Awards

Backstory for the new kids on the blog – I write about teams I like and teams that play teams I like. If your team is not mentioned let me know and I take it under consideration.

First from the West Coast – USC versus Oregon – I don’t even know the score, but you both receive the Rubber Duck Award.

Next on the list we have the Small 12 Conference or The Land of No Defenses.

THE University of Texas survived the plains of Lubbock with a victory over Tortilla Tech. (THE University 45 TT 37.) My favorite team is whoever is playing Tech.Tech (800x600)

Oklahoma State 43 K-State 37. Mullet Mike and The Cowboys survive. Both of you win a Poopy Undies Award for scaring your fans.

The Kick Off to Tip Off Awards goes to Baylor and TCU for posting a basketball score of TCU 62 Baylor 22 on the opening weekend of college basketball season. And the score was not the only Uglies coming from Waco.

An Ugly Uniform Award goes to Baylor. Fifty shades of Waco is not becoming. Gray is not colorful. Neither is black as in the black cloud of ugly that seems to be a stationary front over the institution. Therefore, Baylor also receives the Frozen Award – Let It Go!

Look, Bears Pooping in the Woods, it is bad enough without constant reminders of ugly. Please do not hang dirty laundry out your windows. Who gets the sales from the T-shirts?cab-sign-out-suit-copy-800x600Focus on the low level bowl game invitation you will now receive.

Letting go of that, let’s move on to the Top 10 and the SEC where games are more exciting and stressful.

The Bringing Home the Alligator Bacon goes to the Hogs of Arkansas! (Arkansas 31 Florida 10) Sooey Pig over 11th ranked Florida. Another favorite team is whoever is playing any school from Florida.

To players Chip Kelly of Ole Miss; Trevor Knight and Myles Garrett of Texas A&M, the Nebraska QB and all the others: All of you receive the Heal Quickly Award. Will miss you next weekend, Chip. I wanted to see you play against the Aggies.

And now the top tiered top ten college football awards. These 10 teams are listed according to today’s AP listings. Tomorrow we see who The Selection Committee votes for the Who’s In Top Four. Larry Culpepper and Dr. Pepper seem to be winning above all the others.

# 1 Alabama and LSU – (Bama 10 – LSU 0) Please share the following awards:

  • Best Football Game of the Weekend
  • A Special Edition of Poopy Undies Award
  • The “I Did Not Know I Could Hold My Breath for 47 Minutes” Award.
  • Defense – please share your videos with schools of the schools of the Small 12 Conference and perhaps these others listed below.

# 2 Michigan Maryland (Michigan 59 MD 3.) Michigan wins the Turtle Wax Award for waxing the Terrapins. Wolverines like turtles.

# Clemson and Syracuse (Clemson 54 Syracuse 0) – Clemson Wins the Too Much Orange on the Field Award.

# 4 Washington and Cal (formerly known as Berkley.) (Washington 66 Cal 27) Huskies receive the In the Right Rankings Now Award.

# 5 Louisville and Boston College (Louisville 52 BC 7) – Lamar Looking Heisman Good Award.

# 6 Ohio State and Nebraska (Ohio State 62 Nebraska 3) – The Huskers receive the Fun While It Lasted Award. Corn headwear really looks stupid when you lose to a nut named Bucky.

The Really Don’t Deserve an Award goes to the following:

# 7 Wisconsin and Northwestern (Wisconsin 21 Northwestern 7) – Badgers preparing for a bowl game where it is warm.

# 8 AUBURN? AUBURN! A hair color? You beat Vanderbilt by a touchdown 23 – 16! ROLL TIDE!

# 9 OU versus Iowa State (OU 34 Iowa State 24) – Bedlam is coming soon and The Cowboys are coming with it!

Coming in at # 10  is Texas A&M – where the Aggies should have been in the first place. (Texas A&M 28 Mississippi State 35) What a shipwreck in Starksville.

Aggies you receive a Hoover Vacuum Cleaner Award because we sucked as bad as the referees. Even I saw the block in the back on Captain Kirk’s punt return.  Aggies win Pooper Scooper Award for leaving lots of it on the field.

Pooper Scoopers (800x599)

Nevertheless, “We are the Aggies; the Aggies are we…” and we do not lose – time on the clock runs out. We got your back, Jake!barn-n-park-9-22-16-2016-09-22-041-800x530

Tomorrow we see who the College Football Selection Committee votes for and who the citizens of The United States of America votes for. Please do not forget to cast your ballot. PS – we do not get to vote with the Selection Committee.

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Posted in College Football, Education, humor, Misc., Native Texan, Politics, Texas Aggies, Uncategorized

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Wednesday, November 2, 2016 – Today I …

Posted on November 3, 2016 | Leave a comment

Wednesday, November 2, 2016 – Today I…

  1. Played golf
  2. Voted
  3. Came Home
  4. Took a shower

I think there is a correlation among those four activities.

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Please do not forget to cast your ballot.

Go Cubs.

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Posted in Misc., Politics

Tuesday, November 1, 2016 – One Week Away – Logophobia

Posted on November 1, 2016 | 2 comments

Tuesday, November 1, 2016 – One Week Away

I hope you and your neighborhood had a safe and candy-filled Halloween. I passed out tequila shots and cigarettes again this year. The children did not seem too happy, but the parents really enjoyed it.

But onward thru the fog…

Good Morning, Class,

Our vocabulary word for today is “logophobia.” It is a noun meaning an obsessive fear of words.

Your logophobic words for today are:

Emails

Servers

Hackers

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Clinton(s)

Obama(s)

Trump(s)

Wiener

Change

VOTE

Quote: There is just one cure for logophobia and that is self-scrutiny—to discover whether one’s reaction to a given term when seen in a newspaper or heard from a platform is really justified by the true significance. “Logophobia,” The Nation, August 23, 1919.

Austin Graffitti Wall 8.24.13 2013-08-24 008

Austin Graffitti Wall Austin, Texas – 8.24.13 – Photo by me.

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Posted in Education, humor, Misc., Politics

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Wednesday, October 26, 2016 – Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis. HUH?

Posted on October 26, 2016 | 1 comment

Wednesday, October 26, 2016 – Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis. HUH?

Good Morning, Class,

Did you know Latin as a language is making a comeback? I cannot wait for Roman Numerals. But seriously, folks.

While the phrase Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis, is Latin, the origin and first usage goes back to The Protestant Reformation. It is generally translated to mean “Times change, and we change with them.” It resonates as soundly today as it did during the upheaval of The Reformation in sixteenth century Europe.

Here’s What I’m Thinking. I have not walked through life in your shoes or combat boots. Nor have you walked through life in my shoes. This makes our viewpoints unique and different. I like that. It is what makes us diverse and keeps democracy alive.

Today’s post is for those of you who post on FB and other social media. You represent both sides of the political landscape. I like reading your viewpoints. Here are somethings I want you to know.

  1. I consider you my friend always.
  2. I respect your beliefs, values, and choices.
  3. I respect your intelligence and your ability to discuss issues intelligently.
  4. I will never resort to questioning or demeaning your character by calling you vicious names and stereotyping you into social labels.
  5. In spite of differences of opinion I believe common ground can be determined with open communication among all people.

The phrase – Times change, and we change with them – or various paraphrases of it -– have been used throughout history. Maybe it is the “WE change with them” that we all having trouble with.

Flags @ Front (800x529)

Flags at entrance to President George H. W. Bush Museum. College Station, Texas. Photo by me.

Please exercise your right to vote. Do not to forget to check the machine to ensure you have entered your choices correctly.

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Posted in Politics

Tuesday, October 25, 2016 – Eclectic Tuesday and GO VOTE!

Posted on October 25, 2016 | 2 comments

Tuesday, October 25, 2016 – Eclectic Tuesday and GO VOTE!

I had the weirdest dream last night. I dreamed that Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize for Literature, the Chicago Cubs were playing the Cleveland Indians in baseball’s World Series, marijuana was becoming legal and a woman was elected president of the United States. It was almost as though the dreams of hippies from the sixties became real.

Atrium (586x800)

Please go exercise your right and privilege and GO VOTE!

RIP Tom Hayden. Go CUBS!

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Posted in humor, Misc., Politics

Tuesday October 4, 2016 – Tuesday Tales from The Brazos Valley aka My Hood

Posted on October 4, 2016 | Leave a comment

Tuesday October 4, 2016 – Tuesday Tales from The Brazos Valley aka My Hood

Tonight is the Vice Presidential debates. That should be about as exciting as watching The Weather Channel or CSPAN.

Tonight is also Neighborhood Night Out. My Hood gathering is at the cul-de-sac at the end of my street. Remember I live in a 55 + “active” Senior Community? I am not sure what the developer meant by “active” but I think he meant more active than going to the mailbox and back or walking the dog to the end of the block while pushing a baby stroller then returning pushing the dog in the stroller. The next time I Tucker sit I think I will have him come to my house. I would like to see my neighbor’s faces and their little yappy dogs’ faces when Tucker and I go over to ask if Bela, or Shorty or Chester, etc. can come out and play. Me and Tucker (800x800)

It is from 6:00 to 8:00. One is to bring a beverage and chair. Of course most of the residents just roll on down to the end of the street on their little scooters or in their chair with wheels or with their walkers with the chair seats.

Of course I am going. There is free food. Last year the Hood wanted the Night Out to be at 4:00 like when they go pick up their To-Go Orders from The Cotton Patch, but I don’t think the police could attend this year until six.

One of my neighbors is running for Mayor of Bryan. I imagine there will be lots of glad handing and back slapping.  If I had known the job was only part time I might have considered running. For those of you who know some of my neighbors, relax, none of them are the candidate.

Nevertheless, I hope there is a scooter and wheel chair race back home to see the debates. I probably will not be wearing a shirt with a logo that says “I’m With Her.” I am wondering if Tim Kaine is going to wear a tie or just go with the un ironed shirt look as usual.

Happy Tuesday!

 

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Posted in humor, Native Texan, Politics

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Friday, September 23, 2016 – The Snark Attacks! The Side Step. Vote RP DWTS

Posted on September 23, 2016 | Leave a comment

Friday, September 23, 2016 – The Snark Attacks! The Side Step. Vote RP DWTS

Assessment Question: Who wrote The Side Step?

Vote Early and Vote Often to keep former Governor of Texas Rick Perry on Dancing with the Stars. In spite of the fact that the little person has outscored him twice, let’s continue our support for our beloved. It sounds funnier if one says he got out scored by a midget, but that is politically incorrect.

RP slides August 2014 2014-08-24 001 (2) (800x600)

My retirement letter from the state of Texas.

I do not know what he is running for, but he is certainly campaigning for something. Fellow Texans,

I am proudly standing here to humbly see. I assure you, and I mean it- Now, who says I don’t speak out as plain as day? And, fellow Texans, I’m for progress and the flag- long may it fly. I’m a poor boy, come to greatness. So, it follows that I cannot tell a lie. Ooh I love to dance a little sidestep, now they see me now they don’t- I’ve come and gone and, ooh I love to sweep around the wide step, Cut a little swathe and lead the people on.

Even though Tom DeLay danced to it, we all want to see RP dance to it again. Am I right? Maybe the song writer herself would perform. I would be happy if you danced to this tune. You could dedicate it to Dolph.

It’s just a little bitty pissant country place Ain’t nothing much to see No drinking allowed, we get a nice quiet crowd, plain as it can be It’s just a piddly squatting old time country place Ain’t nothing to hide at all Just lots of good will and maybe one small thrill But there’s nothing dirty going on…

Whatever you do, RP, please do not dance to The Aggie Song. I do not think I can handle seeing you shirtless, in boots, tight jeans, a cowboy hat and a smile. Oh that is right. You refuse to wear a hat.

BTHO Arkansas!

BTHO

BTHO Arkansas!

The fabulously talented Dolly Parton wrote the lyrics The Side Step.

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Dolly Parton – Ann Richards Inauguration – Erwin Center Austin, Texas. Photo by me

http://genius.com/Dolly-parton-the-sidestep-lyrics

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Posted in College Football, Education, humor, Native Texan, Politics, Texas Aggies

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HWIT – Afterthoughts – I told you to beware of The MOB.

Posted on September 17, 2016 | Leave a comment
HWIT – Afterthoughts – I told you to beware of The MOB.
Based on some very reliable sources, The Marching Owl Band (The MOB) formed the field formations of the Roman numeral IX and a large star. (Starr) as their half-time performance during the Baylor-Rice game. The formations came together just as a voice over the loudspeaker said “Baylor’s former president and chancellor adamantly said ‘I did not investigate that coach.'”
Hey Baylor Line! Have you thought about holding The MOB hostage in the tunnel to the field? It worked for the Texas Aggies years ago when The MOB made fun of Reveille and the entire Corps of Cadets closed off the tunnel with The MOB inside.  At least you were not in Lubbock where it would be painted on the side of your bus.
Kyle Field Tour 11.19.15 2015-11-18 011 (800x600)

Kyle Field Tunnel 11.19.2015 Photo by me.

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Friday, September 16, 2016 – Snarky Friday – College Football

Posted on September 16, 2016 | 1 comment

Friday, September 16, 2016 – Snarky Friday – College Football

Let’s begin with last evening’s tryouts for the Big 12 Conference. Our contest was between the University of Houston and WKRP in Cincinnati. I vote no to Cincinnati. While those really creepy black masks will go very well in parts of Texas and especially in Lubbock, are Cincinnati and the state of Ohio aware that Texas is an open carry state for handguns? Wearing masks is frowned up and tends to lead to unwanted unpleasantries in states where we are packing heat.

My second reason to vote no were those migraine causing flapping black and white tube things. This is equal to the obnoxious cowbells from Mississippi State and the seizure causing blue football field of Boise State. UH Cougars 40 WKRP Cincinnati Bearkats 16, but much closer than the score indicates.

Tonight we shall be treated to an old Southwest Conference rivalry – Baylor and Rice at Rice Stadium @ 7:00 on ESPN. Beware of the MOB, Bears. You have lots of garbage of which the Marching Owl Band can make fun.

# 1 Alabama and # 19 Ole Miss 2:30 CBS – The Tide Rolls into The Grove in Oxford. This could prove to be a game requiring multiple toddies. Coach Sabin does not want to lose for a third time to the Rebels. John and BJ and Lisa and Ric and Hopper, please know virtual CPR and breathing exercises are available via texts. I shall expect the same at 6:00 against Auburn. Roll Tide.

What programming idiots scheduled these games at the same time? I will have carpel thumb syndrome from the remote. Set those TIVOs to record.

Texas A&M and Auburn at 6:00 ESPN at Auburn. Aubie is the official tiger mascot of Auburn University. According to Wikipedia “Aubie is an anthropomorphic tiger.” Reveille IX is the mascot of Texas A&M. Reveille is a real collie. Rev 3 (800x600)

I don’t know what anthropomorphic means other than it sounds like Aubie can’t go to the bathroom in North Carolina. BTHO Auburn.

Mississippi State and LSU at 6:30 on ESPN2 in Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge. This could be a For Whom the Cow Bells Toll. I am thinking the Tigers better bring their A game. Otherwise those obnoxious cowbells will be running Miles down the road.

Tiger Stadium (800x389)

Ohio State and OU 6:30 Fox – Lots of red, white and grey for this one. And that is just the wine list and vodka suggestion. Seeds and Sooners in Norman.

Michigan State and Notre Dame at 6:30 on the Notre Dame Network, NBC. I shall anxiously await your texts, Mr. RL. Go Spartans!

USC and #7 Stanford at 7 on ABC. Trojans versus Cardinal. Big rivalry at stake in the Pac 12. I am going with the brainiacs.

THE University of Texas and California Berkley at 9:30 on ESPN. Bevo and the Bears. Still courting the PAC 12, Texas? Hook ‘Em Hippies! Longhorn Band (800x600)

BTHO Auburn.

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