Part 1 of 2 – Texas Republican Congressman Mac Thornberry defends the Bush torture program on Hardball. 4/23/09
Duration : 0:8:17
Archive for January, 2010
“The Way To Deal With The Problem Of Torture Is Through Elections” says Texas Congressman Part 1/2
By admin in texas congressman
Jan
31
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Government Officials Voting Fraudulently: Lawmakers Breaking the Law – Texas Legislature
By admin in texas legislation
Jan
31
What would happen to you if police caught you on video fraudulently voting? Would cops quickly arrest you and throw you in jail, only to have the District Attorney immediately charge you with fraud?
What would happen to elected government officials if they were caught doing the same? Absolutely nothing?
In fact, our representatives in the U.S. government have become so brazen, that they commit fraud in plain view, on a daily basis, while at the same time trying to pass laws that would further restrict and criminalize the public for doing the same.
This is a clear sign of excessive government, when the government is so large and overwhelmingly powerful that it’s agents can abuse the civilian population without any sense of guilt, remorse, or fear – when government officials deny charges of illegal conduct made against themselves as a matter of semantics, and when agents of the government expect and get immunity from any of their actions; actions that would be criminally prosecuted upon any other citizens.
The few standing up for freedom, liberty, and the Constitution, such as Congressman Ron Paul, who has been called the Thomas Jefferson of our day, are the only hope for America; the only hope for returning our empire-sized government to it’s proper Constitutional levels of national defense, upholding the law, and protecting the rights of the people and individual liberties.
There’s been a lot of debate at the State Capitol on bills relating to voter integrity. Some lawmakers are pushing for measures such as requiring voters to show a photo identification before being allowed to cast a ballot. Another bill would criminalize anyone who delivers a ballot for someone unable to drive to the polls. With so much emphasis on one vote for one person, you’d think lawmakers would make sure they follow the rules, too.
In this CBS 42 Investigates, Nanci Wilson found many don’t. State Representative Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, authored the bill that would require voters to show a photo ID. “It’s all about integrity,” Riddle said. But the integrity of one person, one vote doesn’t apply at the legislature. CBS 42 found many lawmakers vote more than once. During a vote, Riddle votes, turns around and votes again for another state representative. There’s so much going on during the vote on the HPV vaccine mandate, you really have to pay attention. First, State Rep. Mike Hamilton is at his desk. He leans over to vote a second time for his deskmate Dan Branch. Hamilton reaches back to vote for Charlie Howard, then casts a fourth vote for Wayne Smith. He’s not the only one scrambling to vote. State Rep. G.E. West and State Rep. Larry Phillips both lean over to vote for themselves and their deskmates. Phillips votes a third time for State Rep. Wayne Christian. Donna Howard votes for State Rep. Hubert Vo.
State Rep. Jim Dunnam didn’t have to leave his chair to cast four votes–one for himself then for Garnet Coleman, Trey Martinez Fischer and Marc Veasey.
Sometimes the voting is across party lines. Will Hartnett, a Republican, reaches back to vote for Democrat Rene Oliveira. Democrat Jim McReynolds votes for Republican Kirk England, and Republican John Davis votes for Democrat Rick Noriega. Most voters have no way of knowing if their lawmakers are actually casting their own votes. Even though the legislature is broadcast on cable TV, the cameras change when it’s time to vote. But if you’re sitting in the third floor gallery, you have a better view. “I certainly noticed. There appears to be far more votes on the tick board than there were people in the room,” capitol visitor Laurel Weiss said. Arnie and Laurel Weiss were baffled when they came to see the legislature in action. “It seems very inappropriate and they should do something about it,” Arnie Weiss said.
Riddle says voting for other members is done out of necessity. “We have a lot of amendments,” Riddle said. “We don’t have lunch breaks, dinner breaks, restroom breaks.” Necessity or not, one thing is clear, they aren’t supposed to be doing it. According to the official House rules–written, voted and approved by lawmakers at the beginning of the session–”Any member found guilty by the House of knowingly voting for another member on the voting machine shall be subject to discipline deemed appropriate by the House.”
So, should lawmakers do it? “No, there’s no question,” Weiss said. “On face value it appears to be a blatant violation, an affront, of their own rules.” It is against their own rules. But the issue is with enforcement. It is the speaker’s job to make sure rules are followed. When CBS 42 asked Speaker of the House Tom Craddick’s spokesperson about it, she just shrugged her shoulders and said it was up to the House members to decide what do to if there’s a violation. Although the practice is widespread, CBS 42 couldn’t find any instances of lawmakers being disciplined for voting more than once.
Duration : 0:3:57
Texas Senator Kirk Watson – 2008 Dem Convention (excerpt)
By admin in texas senator
Jan
31
Texas Senator Kirk Watson – 2008 Democratic Convention in Austin Texas
Duration : 0:4:37
Austin Texas Protest of Election Fraud in Iran
By admin in texas election
Jan
31
Central Texans protest Iran’s elections
June 17th, 2009
Central Texans joined in on the global protests of the disputed presidential election in Iran. Police estimate about 500 Iranian-Americans and other reformist supporters showed up in front of the Texas Capitol Wednesday as part of a show of solidarity with their counterparts in Iran. KVUE’s Elise Hu reports.
Duration : 0:2:0
Austin Protest Against Election Fraud in Iran Part 1/2
By admin in austin election
Jan
31
In light of the tragic and blatantly fraudulent presidential elections in Iran, Iranian citizens of Austin came together to hold a peaceful demonstration at the Texas Capitol on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 in solidarity with the people of Iran and to show their disappointment with and disapproval of the election results.
As you have likely seen in the news, there has been an outpouring of protest over the past few weeks from the Islamic Republic of Iran and from Iranians around the world over the June 12th presidential election there which is widely believed not to have been fair or democratic. The Iranian government is using brutal tactics to crack down on protesters and shutting down their means of communicating with each other.
The universities have also been closed down and party leaders have been detained or are under house arrest. Cell phones have been cut off and the internet has been slowed down enough so as to become useless. There is fighting in the streets and scenes that are reminiscent of the 1979 revolution. The event is being called the coup detat of 22 Khordad (June 12th).
Sponsored by Iranians for Peace and Justice, Austin Permanent Peace Protest, Iran Democracy Plan, and many other concerned UT Students and Austin citizens.
Duration : 0:9:12
McCain’s Lobbyist Friends
By admin in democratic party
Jan
31
John McCain says he’ll take on lobbyists.
But, his inner circle is full of lobbyists:
Charlie Black, Chief Campaign Advisor
Doug Goodyear, Convention CEO
Tom Loeffler, National Co-Chair
Rick Davis, Campaign Manager
Randy Scheunemann, Top Foreign Policy Advisor
And who have they represented?
Anti-Western Political Parties…
Mob-Connected Russian Oligarchs…
The Saudi Royal Family…
Companies doing business in Iran…
The Brutal Myanmar Junta…
…and some of history’s Most Brutal Tyrants.
John McCain and His Lobbyist Friends: The Wrong Choice for America’s Future.
Duration : 0:1:1
America Is Sick Of You Republican Party! You Are A Lie Factory! Congressman Grayson
By admin in republican party
Jan
31
http://MOXNews.com/Texas-Size Lobbying
By admin in texas lobbyist
Jan
31
Some want to limit lobby expenditures, but that misses the point. http://EmpowerTexans.com to learn more about the Texas budget and how to get involved. People spend money lobbying lobbying government because government has so much power over our property, business, children and health care. The way to limit lobbying is to limit government power.
Duration : 0:1:53
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor addresses the Texas Senate
By admin in texas senate
Jan
31
Texas Impact brings you video from retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s address to the Texas Senate, April 29, 2009.
Duration : 0:5:51
Hockey Pennants Complete Set (NHL Teams)
By admin in texas senator
Jan
31
Includes the following full size NHL Pennants: Atlanta Thrashers Pennant Boston Bruins Pennant Buffalo Sabres Pennant Calgary Flames Pennant Carolina Hurricanes Pennant Chicago Blackhawks Pennant Colorado Avalanche Pennant Columbus Blue Jackets Pennant Dallas Stars Pennant Detroit Red Wings Pennant Edmonton Oilers Pennant Florida Panthers Pennant Los Angeles Kings Pennant Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Pennant Minnesota Wild Pennant Montreal Canadiens Pennant Nashville Predators Pennant New Jersey Devils Pennant New York Islanders Pennant New York Rangers Pennant Ottawa Senators Pennant Philadelphia Flyers Pennant Phoenix Coyotes Pennant Pittsburgh Penguins Pennant San Jose Sharks Pennant St. Louis Blues Pennant Tampa Bay Lightning Pennant Toronto Maple Leafs Pennant Vancouver Canucks Pennant Washington Capitals Pennant
