WASHINGTON— U.S. Sen. John Cornyn today joined U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), and U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) in introducing bipartisan legislation, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, that will give the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate tobacco products in order to keep tobacco manufacturers from enticing young people to smoke and to assist current smokers in quitting.

Also in attendance today to support the bill at a Capitol Hill press conference were: John Kirkwood, President of the American Lung Association; Dan Smith, President of American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; Matt Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids; and Neil Meltzer, Chairman of Advocacy Coordinating Committee, American Heart Association.

"Smoking and the consumption of tobacco products is a private decision, but it carries with it serious and significant public consequences,” Sen. Cornyn said. “In the state of Texas alone, in 2004, we spent a total of $5.831 billion in medical costs, and a total of $1.62 billion in direct Medicaid costs to pay for smoking-related illnesses. Equally concerning is the serious effect smoking has on our young people. According to the CDC, 54 percent of current smokers began smoking before the age of 18. Clearly, we can and must do more to address these serious problems, and this bipartisan legislation represents a very strong step in that direction." 

This legislation will give the FDA the legal authority it needs to: 1) prevent tobacco advertising that targets children, 2) prevent the sale of tobacco products to minors, 3) help smokers overcome their addiction, 4) identify and reduce the toxic constituents of tobacco products and tobacco smoke for those who continue to be exposed to them, 5) regulate claims about reduced-risk tobacco products, and 6) prevent the tobacco industry from misleading the public about the dangers of smoking.

Chairman Kennedy will convene a hearing on the legislation in the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Tuesday, February 27, 2007.

Sen. Cornyn serves on the Armed Services, Judiciary and Budget Committees. In addition, he is Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics. He serves as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Refugees and Border Security subcommittee and the Armed Services Committee’s Airland subcommittee
 

Washington, DC – Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX) voted today to honor the 98th Anniversary of the NAACP.

House Concurrent Resolution 44 acknowledged the anniversary of the founding of the NAACP.

For almost a century, the NAACP has fought to bring justice and racial equality to all parts of America.

Smith commented, “The history of America’s modern struggle to live up to our constitutional principles was often written by the NAACP, and it continues to champion the cause of social justice today.

“The NAACP has served as the voice of those who were mute with fear. It has served as a key for those who were handcuffed and jailed under segregationist policies. And it carried the weight for those whose backs were broken by brutal beatings.

“It did so peacefully, and with dignity, and as a result America can hold its head higher.

“It is with great pleasure that I support this concurrent resolution, which I hope raises even higher the awareness of this organization’s historic contributions to the cause of civil rights,” Smith said.
 

The press conference today [2/15/2007] concerning the human papillomavirus vaccine MANDATE did not reveal new information. However, an email sent from Collin County makes it clear that the State has already distributed the HPV vaccine to counties, which obviously was ordered IN ADVANCE of the governor's Executive Order. State funds have already been used to buy the HPV vaccine and to distribute it to counties, WITHOUT the consent of the Legislature or the People!

This email was sent today within Collin County, which is just north of Dallas:

"February 15, 2007      

Collin County Health Care Services offers the Gardasil HPV Vaccination

(McKinney, TX) – Collin County Health Care Services has received a supply of the Gardasil® Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program for girls ages 9-19.

The HPV vaccination produced by Gardasil®, aids in the protection of HPV types 16 and 18 which cause 70% of cervical cancer cases and types 6 and 11 which cause 90% of genital wart cases. The vaccine may not fully protect everyone and is not used in people already infected with HPV or pregnant women."

In response, we must prepare for the House Public Health Committee PUBLIC HEARING on HB 1098, on Monday, Feb. 19, upon adjournment in Room E2.036.

In order to protect our little girls from being harmed by this political power struggle, the language needs to be stronger than the current language in HB 1098. Please do testify. Please ask that the bill language be changed to language in Rep. Bryan Hughes' HB 1215:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

19  SECTION 1. Section 161.004, Health and Safety Code, is

20   amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

21 (a-1) the immunization schedule adopted under Subsection

22  (a) may not include vaccination against human papillomavirus. The

23  executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services

Commission 

24   may not require immunization for human papillomavirus for

25   admission to any elementary or secondary school under Section

26   38.001 or for admission to any other program or facility.

27  SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

28   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

29   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

30   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

31   Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
 

The Christian Coalition was founded in 1989 as a means towards helping to give Christians a voice in their government again. We represent a growing group of over 2 million people of faith all across America. Our Mission: Represent the pro-family point of view before local councils, school boards, state legislatures and Congress; Speak out in the public arena and in the media; Train leaders for effective social and political action; Inform pro-family voters about timely issues and legislation; Protest anti-Christianity bigotry and defend the rights of people of faith.

The Christian Coalition of America is the largest and most active conservative grassroots political organization in America. The Christian Coalition of America offers people of faith the vehicle to be actively involved in shaping their government - from the County Courthouse to the halls of Congress.

Our hallmark work lies in voter education. Prior to the November election the Christian Coalition of America distributed a record 70 million voter guides throughout all 50 states. These non-partisan guides gave voters a clear understanding of where various candidates stand on the issues important to them. With this knowledge, millions of voters went to polls ready to make their voices heard. Our efforts, however, do not stop with voter guides. We actively lobby Congress and the White House on numerous issues, hold grassroots training schools around the country, host events all around the country and in Washington that draw thousands of pro-family supporters from around the nation and organize community activists regarding issues facing their local government. If you are interested in having a positive pro-family impact on your government, the Christian Coalition of America is your organization. 

In politics, every voice counts!

The Bexar County Chapter, under the leadership of Co-Chairs Schuylar Crist and Nancy Goettman of Awake America Ministries, shall strive with renewed commitment and dedicated new leadership, to educate Christians about their candidates and promote true family values in this county. We look forward to a prosperous 2007 and beyond working for the Kingdom of God!

Because we are starting over from scratch, including new State Executive Director, Major Buck Werner (Retired),our initial focus is on membership and fundraising so that we may be a strong voice in our government and educate the voting public who truly care about what is happening in Bexar County and in our nation!

For more information, or to join the Bexar County Chapter of Christian Coalition Please contact:

Schuylar Crist, Co-Chair, Programs and Newsletter
(210) 663-6093
skyskyrider@hotmail.com

Nancy Goettman, Co-Chair, Membership and Outreach
(210) 437-1259
nancygoettman777@yahoo.com
 

By John Merrifield,
Professor of Economics
Director, Entrepreneurial Conservatism Institute
February 19th, 2007

The January 28 San Antonio Express-News contained a lengthy article on what should be done about supposedly low performing chartered schools. I say ‘supposedly’ because as the article made clear, many chartered schools specialize in children that have done poorly in their assigned traditional public school. Even with great improvement, their scores may still be below average. Therein lurks the terrible danger that proposed legislation to regulate chartered schools and close those with test scores deemed academically unacceptable will close popular, effective chartered schools because they enroll struggling students. Or worse than that, increased regulation, despite the best of intentions, will destroy chartered schools with the same malaise, and compliance-oriented focus that so severely hobbles traditional public schools.

Poor ideas and poor implementation are part of the free enterprise that underlies chartered school start-up, and virtually all of the other goods and services we consume.  Some poor performing charters are to be expected. The rarely asked, critical question is why closure of supposedly low-performing chartered schools of choice is a public policy issue. In other words, how are supposedly low-performing schools of choice able to maintain enough enrolment to stay open? Why do parents send their children to a supposedly bad school? Again, the word ‘supposedly’ directly implies one potential answer. The school looks unacceptable because it specializes in struggling kids. Another possible answer is parental indifference to academic performance, at least the component measured by the state’s standardized tests. General indifference is ridiculous. The tiny fraction of parents indifferent to their child’s academic growth would not take the trouble to take a child out of the assigned public school. However, it is possible that a chartered school may offer something of importance (discipline, engaging subject for their child) that parents may value enough to accept the lower standardized test scores. 

But sadly, given the performance record of traditional public schools, the best explanation of supposedly low-performing chartered schools’ ability to sustain enrollment is that the alternative to the shabby chartered school – the traditional public school – is even worse. It would have to be worse by enough of a margin for that to be easily recognized by a large number of parents, and to overcome the costs, inconvenience, and uncertainties of a new school. So, when the authorities close a popular chartered school – however ineffective it may seem – they force families to enroll their children in a schooling alternative the families believe is worse than the chartered school.

The policy route to better chartered schools, and indeed a better school system in general, is increased competition. Give parents alternatives other than going back to the traditional public school, and the schools of choice that really are performing poorly will be closed by parents enrolling their children elsewhere. At the very least, that means eliminating the state cap on the number of charters. Better yet, really open it up to free enterprise. Create true school choice by ending the public finance discrimination against users of private schools. Utah just took a big step in that direction by enacting a means-tested, universal voucher law. They left room for Texas to do even better.
 

This week's very public showdown between Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Chair John Carona and Governor-appointed Chair of the Transportation Commission Ric Williamson during the House Transportation Committee meeting displayed the growing tension between the Legislative and Executive branches. Between the Executive Order mandating the HPV vaccine when legislation addressing the issue had already been introduced and now this exchange between Carona and Williamson, there's an obvious battle of the brawn taking place. Thankfully, the Legislative branch has taken up the mantle of the WILL OF THE PEOPLE and chosen to actually represent those whom they were elected to serve, while this Governor continues down a baffling road mirroring a dictatorship more than an elected public servant. The recent revelations that Rick Perry's son was just hired by the very company who Perry proposes should takeover the State Lottery again calls into question the ethics of this Governor and the motives behind what's driving his public policies--a tainted money trail and lobbyists’ scandal or the public good. The Ft. Worth Weekly asked what happened to Rick Perry and wondered if someone replaced him with a body double. Read about it here.

Though the Dallas Morning News reported that Williamson and Carona did meet the following day (See the story here!), there's clearly a growing divide that the grassroots can quickly heal if they fully exert their firepower! There's an opportunity to do just that. Senator Carona has called for a statewide genuine PUBLIC HEARING (versus the dog and pony shows TxDOT calls a hearing) on Thursday, March 1 on the Trans Texas Corridor, Public-Private Partnerships, and this shift to toll.

The grassroots will be putting on a massive march down Congress Avenue and rally on the Capitol steps the following day, on Texas Independence Day, March 2 called, Don't Tag Texas!  For all the details, go here.

C'mon Alamo City, it's time to take a stand before they sell off our state to the highest bidder!
 

I was reading your newsletter today about the land to be used for the Trans Texas Corridor. I was remembering back to l963 when we first got here. San Antonio took the whole area, which is now Hemisfair Plaza from ordinary citizens. They were compensated for the land and houses and moved elsewhere. Some of them were very unhappy; others were happy to get the money to buy a new house elsewhere. I think that is the way eminent domain works. It is used all over the country.

My mother had a saying, "It all depends on whose ox is being gored." Isn't that so? The large area across from El Mercado and west of Milam Park was taken during Urban Renewal. My friend's mother owned it and he got a first class education at Trinity University from the sale of that property. Some of us love it when we buy a piece of property or better yet inherit it, and lo and behold it winds up right smack in the middle of progress, and we make a nice profit from it. Others want to hold on to the land. When all the expressways were built, property had to be taken.

Can you imagine Texas or any other state without the expressways? I guess I am older than you and have seen more of this than you. Look at Boerne, Kerrville and all those once little towns. Ranches are sold off, developers move in, infrastructures have to be provided, and so it goes. I came to realize I just really occupy my house for a period of time. Someday, someone else will live in it or tear it down. When we moved out here 4l years ago, I could travel the length of Babcock Road from Wurzbach to my street and never see another car. Now I can't get out onto Babcock. 

I have to go down to Hollyhock and go up to the stoplight. We knew it was coming when we moved here, but 4l years went by awfully fast. What I am trying to say is, “It is the greatest good for the greatest number.” We desperately need roads and Texas just happens to be one of those states that is increasing its population faster than any of us want it to increase. I think we have to adjust to some major unpleasant changes.
 

All the following are valid questions:

1)  How much will each vaccine truly cost? 

2) Who will end up paying the bill? 

3)  Will this order damage the “abstinence first” message? 

4) Have the side effects of this new vaccine been fully vetted?

5) Is this a legitimate role of our state government?

6) What happens to Parental Rights in this decision?

7) Why wasn't our Legislature allowed to vote on such a critical issue?

8) Why isn't this mandate an opt-in versus an opt-out program?

That's all good and fine, but it is really NOT the main point. The cost and good or bad affects of the vaccine or even if it’s moral or not is and should be discussed in the normal public discourse. But, it SHOULDN'T be used as the MAIN reason for or against the specific action of our Governor. It is frightening that the REAL issue is going to be lost.

There needs to be question number 9 or perhaps it should be the first and the ONLY question--WHERE did this supposed "power" to become a dictator come from? 

What clause or law in the Texas Constitution GIVES the Governor this power to "make law" on his own whim or volition?

We MUST not let him get away with "making law." Technically, we do not NEED for him to "rescind" something that he has not the power to do or enforce, or for any agency to obey to begin with. Allowing him to rescind his order concedes the position that he HAD the authority to issue the order in the first place!!!!  Why have him rescind something that was not legitimate to begin with?  

If we concede this ground that he even HAS the power, we have lost the bigger foundation of our very form of government, i.e. our representative form of government 

What Perry just did, is much, much larger than just the vaccine issue in itself.  

Technically, in my personal opinion, his move Friday does not border on being dictatorial, but rather he just BECAME a dictator!!!!!  (Strong language, but someone show me how this wasn't becoming a dictator? One man abusing his elected authority, making law on his own whim over the rest of us. 

As said in other emails and blogs, I have commented on that NO ONE MAN should EVER have the power to just "speak" and "make law" over ANYONE in this nation!!!! 

We got rid of a despot dictator in Texas 171 years ago this coming April.  It seems 171 years later, as of last Friday, one man wants to "rule" his "subjects" in Texas with a monarchial type authority he does NOT HAVE!!!!

Our focus needs to be on this and this alone and NOT whether the vaccine is good or bad because we would lose sight of the bigger issue. (This is where many of us social conservatives MISS IT by focusing on minor aspects of a given issue and NOT on the bigger picture, which is the AUTHORITY of the Governor. We risk not even DEALING with it.) 

Where did this "executive order" power come from? What does it really say or do? What powers does it give the Governor or not? THAT is the main point. 

For what is stopping him or any subsequent Governor from waking up one day on another RIDICULOUS "whim" and with an "executive order" makes law. A governor does not have lawmaking authority.

Folks, his "presumed" authority to even do this is the issue. His move technically became that of a dictator. Our liberty and freedom is too precious to "toy with" and we should never concede one INCH of ground on this issue. For once we lose that inch we never get it back!!!! 

Remember, first and foremost, NO Governor HAS the authority to "make law" and to become a dictator. (To me, these are grounds for removal from office.) 

The legislature needs to make this the issue, to get a ruling from the Attorney General or to seek a Texas Supreme Court ruling to clarify this dictatorial power he THINKS he has. If this is not addressed first, foremost, and with fervency, our liberty and freedom has just been taken away and we now have a King ruling Texas via this "executive order" nonsense!!!!

In closing, I am reminded of the old movie line from Cecil B. De Mille’s "The Ten Commandments," where Yul Brynner playing Pharaoh Ramses would say when he wanted to make law, "So let it be written. So let it be done."   

All hail to Pharaoh Perry. He just gave his own "So let it be written. So let it be done," supreme royal decree to all of his "subjects" last Friday.          

Michael Franks

Former SREC SD18

Descendent of the founders of Texas 1824
 

While I am not an attorney, I was raised in a law firm and most of my life I have been around the legal community which is why I am not an attorney. The simple fact is that the most common thing to do when an attorney is quoting a case is to ensure they have the correct case especially when it is in print. The Republicrat’s anonymity is a good thing because she seems to be unable to quote the correct cases when attacking another person. She might want to check who Roy R. Barrera Jr. did defend in her article a couple of weeks ago because I can assure you without a shadow of doubt that he never represented a Mr. Hawthorne.

As for her usual bashing of others through her shroud of anonymity suggests that she is unwilling to stand up for her own convictions or opinions. SURPRISED? I doubt anyone is. While I do read her articles (that was a compliment in a way), it tends to be a satirical start to my week, so I thank you for that. Joe, while I understand your impartiality concerning this column, I know you enjoy the resulting controversy. However, there have been at least two instances when she has had to correct herself. In my opinion, she has started the New Year misrepresenting the facts.

But then again I doubt she ever checks her facts because she uses hearsay and third party information. I could not tell if she was trying to attack Roy R. Barrera Jr. or trying to get him more clients. Perhaps, he rejected her since he is a happily married man. Then it seemed she was either jealous of him or maybe it was envious of him. I couldn’t tell for sure. Yet she doesn’t see that Roy’s success is due to hard work, dedication and the desire to make a difference in the community.

Another amusing point concerned the attention given to the judges. Hmmmm?  Of course, attorneys who practice law in Bexar County will give respect and attention to the judges who preside over their cases. Wow!  What do you call that? Of course, it is COMMON SENSE! Then she comes out and says that attorneys contribute money to Republican judges to run for office. STOP THE PRESSES! NEWS FLASH! This is not anything new.

All the judges including DEMOCRATS who are running for a bench seat get a huge amount of their campaign funds from attorneys. While a majority of the Republican benches were lost this election, will anything truly change in the courthouse except that the reversal rate will go up and there will be a few more criminals on the street? While some Morons believe this last election was a vote on the individuals, it was not. It was a vote against those on the top of the ballots. Any moron who knows anything about politics should be able to figure that out. While some Republican candidates won, they won in spite of the mood of the country as a whole. This was proved by the fact that a shoe salesman (not Al Bundy) named Fagin had over 120,000 votes, and even the attorneys who are Democrats are thankful that Judge Peden was re-elected over a shoe salesman. As a final note, I offer a simple comment.

REPUBLICRAT, please take a stand and be proud of it and stop hiding behind the shadows. I have a great many friends who are Democrats and whose views we agree to disagree on. But those who complain and accuse and cry about injustice and then hide behind anonymity do not deserve the freedoms so many have given their lives to provide for us. I promise you do not need the witness protection program. And, some hit man will not take you out. What probably would happen is that you would have to actually take responsibility for your actions and comments. So who will you be, a lady of courage or a coward in the dark?

Just one person’s opinion

Robert F. Colunga, San Antonio, Texas
 

So now, the games begin. The Council races are off and running so to speak. The question is “Who will file next?” Even I can’t answer that one.

We do know that R.G. Griffing from the SA Lightning has filed for Mayor without any fanfare, and perennial candidate Rhett Smith is running around loose and unmuzzled and of course, Mayor Hardberger is definitely in the mix. Where is Patrick McCurdy? Are there any surprises on the horizon?

This past week District 8 candidates addressed the Northwest Democrats. I heard that was interesting. I didn’t hear any good juicy gossip about it yet, but it is, too early to tell how the herd of candidates in District 8 will shake out for the obvious runoff.

One safe bet is that Mario Obledo will make it to the second round. Mario worked for State Senator Leticia Van de Putte and former San Antonio Mayor Ed Garza. That certainly can’t hurt his chances. Now that an African-American physician has filed, that ought to be an interesting race. There are too many candidates in the race to make an accurate prediction at this early stage. As time passes, we will get a better feel how it will turn out.

Council District 1, 3, 4, & 9 are static for now but it could possibly change. At this point, however, I wouldn’t hold my breath that it will.

District 2 has a wannabe challenger for Sheila McNeil at the moment named Tim Wright, but a serious candidate is anticipated to officially jump in soon. 

Moving quickly on to District 5, an Edgewood teacher, Ralph Gomez has filed and a Gilbert Gallego is posturing to jump in against Westside activist Lourdes Galvan. We just wait. Gomez was involved with Raul Prado in the past so that may become a sticking point in that race.

In District 6 Delicia Herrera is still waiting.

As predicted, the District 7 race is accelerating to fever pitch. Both challenger Justin Rodriguez & incumbent Elena Guajardo amassed their block walking troops at Jefferson High School at the same time this past Saturday to hit the streets.

In District 9, nothing has changed for Kevin Wolff.

In the District 10 race, John Clamp has filed and is taking on a young man named Rey De Los Santos. It is way too early to tell, but even money is on Clamp winning this race. I have to say I am burning out and the Council races have just started.

Democrats are looking ahead to a visit from former Senator John Edwards very soon. He is cute! That ought to be interesting. 

Since I have been at this for over a year, I have decided to take a short vacation and pass the writing off to La Prima. I hope that she will give readers a fresh perspective on the Democratic Party. She actually writes better than I do and now she is able to focus more on issues than I can.

After 60 columns, I temporarily sign off and say, that is the moderate viewpoint, I AM the Republicrat PLUS!