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Newsletter: Don Green to Challenge State Rep. Joe Farias  (District 118) Report and Commentary by Joe Solis, Publisher, South Texas Republicans   Don Green and unidentified voter Democrat State Representative Joe Farias will be challenged by Republican Don Green in 2008.  (Click here to see a map of district 118 in Bexar County.)  Over the past four years, two Republicans have not been successful in their attempt to win this seat.   We had a golden opportunity in 2006, but it did not happen.   Why should people care about this state House race in 2008? Why should we even run a candidate in a district that leans Democrat?  We must give the conservatives and Republicans of District 118 a choice at the ballot box.  They deserve it.  Don Green has stepped up for the challenge.  Don is a man on a mission.  Why?  He wants to serve and lead.  It is in his blood. On December 23rd, 2007, I had an opportunity to visit with Don Green for an interview that lasted well over an hour.  This is his story from my point of view.  Let me make one very radical statement before I begin.  It is my belief that Don Green's leadership style and manner could be a blueprint for Republican leadership in the near future.  Two things are clear to me.  Don Green has his heart in the right place.  The man has a real passion for serving and it shows.  Second, he will need all the help he can get from our friends in Austin who can open some doors for him.   Don Green attended high school in Amarillo, Texas.  He has a B.A. from Waylan Baptist University.  He was born in Webster, Texas and he is currently 35 years old. Don is married and he has 2 daughters.  Don spent 7 years in the Air Force where he learned many of his leadership skills.  He was deployed to Cairo and Somalia where he participated in operation "Restore Hope Mission."  This was a tremendous experience for him because you have to "grow up real fast."  He also learned that you have to "work as a team" because "you can't do it alone."  Since you "have to work with others" you must be a "consensus builder" as you manage and lead.  He points out that there can be "bad group consensus" and it takes "moral fiber" to be the one lone voice when you feel the group is not moving in the right direction.  He is a "major accounts manager" with a Fortune 500 company which focuses on "cancer diagnostic testing." Current Leadership Position: In 2004, Don was elected as a board member of the Somerset School Board.  He was recently "cleared" by the Secretary of State and the Attorney General of Texas to run for office in 2008.  He was re-elected in 2007 for another 3 year term.  In 2004, he defeated incumbent Jimmy Casillas.  He won this victory with 70% of the vote even though the incumbent was the board president. His campaign was a classic "Door to Door" campaign. Sitting on the school board has taught Don that "moral responsibility can't be taught by schools" because "only parents" can do this.  It is so critical that children learn that they must "do the right thing when no one is looking."  School members are often involved with "contracts and land purchases."  Mr. Green made it clear to me, "Every kid deserves an opportunity for a better education." There was a recent "Rollback election" initiated by the school board  which involved a 17% tax increase.  Six members voted for the increase and Don was the only one to vote against it.  He said it came down to one simple fact.  You "have to listen to people."  The voters did not want a tax increase.  They wanted the district to "streamline" and "dig as deep as we can" before implementing a tax increase.  There was really no need to ask for a revenue increase.  The effort failed because the mood on the street was against it.  It also reflected an absolute distrust of government. One final note:  Don Green believes that every "school district" board should have an elected taxpayer advocate.  Serving in Austin: If elected in 2008, Don Green let me know that "nothing is off the table."  He believes too many things in Austin are "set in stone" and you can't talk about certain items.  He wants to "talk to everybody about solutions and ideas."  Don believes that you "have to find consensus" because "just because you disagree does not make the other side evil."  It is critical to him to have a "team consensus leadership style" to "effect change" for progress in Austin. He believes in the value of "civil discussion in Austin."  Republicans and Democrats "should not be enemies" in the legislature.    Don also believes that "mental health funding" must be a major priority.  (Mr. Green's sister is Autistic.  He mentioned that this community is not a "voting block" and they deserve more support.) Mr. Green also believes that the state should "continue to fund animal cruelty [educational] presentations."  He also believes that the state should "strengthen animal cruelty laws."  It is a sad "sign of our society" that animals are ongoing victims of cruelty.  Don decided run for the position of state representative in August of 2007.  I asked him about the two Republicans who have not been successful in their attempts to take this seat from the Democrat party.  Don believes the district is a "swing district" and that he is going to "work hard" to bring it over to the GOP.  As a result of 2008 being a presidential year, "I believe I can win."  Leadership Mentor: Kay Bailey Hutchison is one leader Don Green admires.  He admires her "moral fiber" and her willingness to "stay above" infighting in the party.  Her ability to walk this "tightrope" in the political arena is something he also admires.  Her decision not to run for Governor two years ago "showed patience."  It was a "smart move" in his opinion. It is Don's goal to "leave things better than you found them."  He believes that "today can be our finest era" and that we should "surround yourself with talented people."  He mentioned that strong leaders always "recognize their weaknesses."  I asked Don what makes him different.  First, "I never assume I am right" and I am willing to "admit when wrong." Don is a "direct" kind of leader who is "open for discussion."  He is "willing to talk" to every member of the district and members of the legislature.  Is Don a Conservative? Absolutely.  He believes in "limited government" and "moral family values."  Why?  "Citizens should decide what is best for their families."  Don is the kind of leader who will "stand up and say something is wrong."  He has "worked with Democrats to get things done" while still maintaining his core values.  What do you think of State Representative Joe Farias?  (Farias is his general election opponent.)  It is Don's belief that State Representative Farias is a "nice man," but he is "not a leader."  Yes, he is a "family man" and a "veteran."  Don has "nothing bad to say" about Joe, but he feels he is "not in tune" with the community.  The district needs a strong leader who can represent the district effectively.  It is so clear that Joe is "never going to be that guy."  Texas Monthly magazine recently called Joe "furniture."  Why?  He has "done nothing in the last year." I asked Don if he thought Democrats would vote for him this year.  Yes, they will vote for him because they "know him" and they have "voted for him for school board" in the past.  His school board position for the past 5 years is proof since the district is dominated by Democrat voters. Non-Profit Work: Mr. Green has done volunteer work for Humane Society of Bexar County.  This is where he met his wife.  His attends the ValleyHighFirstBaptistChurch.  He is also a supporter of the "Angel Food Ministry."  Personal Role Model: I asked Don about his personal role model.  Mr. Green stated that his father has been his main role model in life.  His father was in the military and he retired from a school district where he was a bus driver.   Don said he "never knew he was poor" when he was growing up. His proud family made him feel happy and fulfilled.  This taught him to "learn to live with less."  It also taught him that you should not "assume" that you know "where other people are coming from." Campaign information: Mr. Green has raised $4,000 from friends and family members.  He believes he will need $400,000 to compete effectively.  The last Republican who ran for this position in 2006 raised $650,000. Mr. Farias raised $200,000.  Don Green has been a precinct chair for a few years.  Final notes from the Joe Solis/South Texas Republicans. Don Green is a new kind of leader in the Republican Party. He is already a public servant who has a passion for serving. The voters of district 118 have a conservative choice. It is Don Green.  I encourage you to meet and support this young leader.  He represents the future of our party.  The man has a core that is strong and solid.  We need to encourage this new generation who advocate our conservative values.  This race will be a tough one. That is why Don needs our help.

Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom, (www.TexasTURF.org) by Terri Hall   Transportation Commission Chairman WIlliamson dies at age 55, but will the Commission change course?   Transportation Commission Chairman Ric Williamson will be remembered as the most stalwart Texas advocate of privatizing our public freeway system. What some called innovative and visionary, many called double taxation and highway robbery. Certainly, no one would have wished this would be the way Williamson would end his time on the Commission. Our hearts go out to his family. Williamson was a lightning rod of controversy and known for his abrasive style and unretractable support for what's known as public private partnerships (or PPPs). He relentlessly pushed the wholesale shift from gas tax funded freeways to a network of privatized tollways in the hands of foreign companies and unaccountable bureaucrats. Texas Monthly's Paul Burka summarizes the public sentiment this way in a recent Star-Telegram article: "In a column published in July, Texas Monthly's Paul Burka described the blunt-spoken Mr. Williamson as 'the most hated person in Texas, public enemy No. 1 to a million or more people,' having tried in vain to put the brakes on the frenzied dash to build privately run tollways."    What is the first public response of the commissioners? "All four of us are committed to this approach (private toll roads), and we understand the issues," Mr. Houghton said. "The issues are this: We are out of money."   Nothing's changed. Their first response is to re-assure the private toll road industry Texas is still for sale. It's clear the current crop of transportation commissioners is committed to selling out the Texas taxpayers by hawking-up our PUBLIC FREEways to the highest bidder on Wall Street. This is the legacy Ric Williamson and Rick Perry will leave..pushing an agenda the Texas taxpayers have repeatedly rejected and representing private interests over the public good. The Texas Transportation Institute study showed merely indexing the gas tax to inflation would meet our future transportation needs, de-bunking Commissioner Ned Holmes' claims of an unacceptably high gas tax increase a sstaed in a Dallas Morning News article January 1. It's time for all of these bureaucrats to go. Replace the transportation commissioners, who are joined at the hip with the road lobby, with a single ELECTED commissioner! The sooner the better!

Congressman Lamar Smith Bill Protects Communities from Crack Offenders Washington, D.C. - Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-TX)  introduced legislation to protect American communities from convicted crack offenders. This bill ensures that an estimated 20,000 criminals will not be released before serving their full prison sentence. "The American people have the right to know that their homes and communities are safe from dangerous criminals and convicted crack cocaine traffickers," stated Ranking Member Smith. "The decision by the U.S. Sentencing Commission to apply lowered penalties for crack cocaine offenders retroactively undermines the efforts of law enforcement officials across the nation and raises serious public safety concerns." "Many of these criminals are dangerous repeat offenders who possessed firearms during their crimes," continued Smith. "In addition to endangering our communities, allowing the early release of criminals back into society would cripple our reentry programs by overburdening probation officers and flood the courts with additional litigation." "To protect the American people and combat the dangerous drug trade, we must ensure that convicted criminals remain behind bars," concluded Smith. "This bill keeps communities safe from crack cocaine offenders by prohibiting the early release of 20,000 criminals." Additional members of the House Judiciary Committee joining Ranking Member Smith in sponsoring this bill include Crime Subcommittee Ranking Member Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Representatives Steve Chabot (R-OH), Howard Coble (R-NC), J. Randy Forbes (R-VA), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Elton Gallegly (R-CA), Jim Jordan (R-OH) and F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI). In April, the U.S. Sentencing Commission voted to lower penalties for crack cocaine traffickers over objections from many in the law enforcement community including the Justice Department. Last week, the Sentencing Commission voted to make the amendment retroactive, authorizing the early release of nearly 20,000 federal inmates. Because of the Sentencing Commission's decision, approximately 19,500 previously-sentenced crack dealers will likely see their sentences reduced. Of the 19,500 offenders, 35 percent possessed a firearm during their crime and at least 80 percent had previously been convicted of a crime.

"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?" Patrick Henry - March 23, 1775     No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope that it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen, if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty towards the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings. Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth -- to know the worst and to provide for it. I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House? Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation -- the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motives for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer on the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free -- if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending -- if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us! They tell us, sir, that we are weak -- unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of the means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable -- and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come! It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, "Peace! Peace!" -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death! The History Place Web Site

"The Republicrat PLUS" (A Moderate Viewpoint) This is a series by 3 anonymous political insiders in Bexar County and one in Webb County. The views of this section do not represent the views of South Texas Republicans PAC.   Your lovely Southside gal says Happy New year!! We've been away for about two weeks enjoying the holiday season. I am now back after eating way too many tamales and sweets. I just dread getting back into the gym to lose the 3 pounds I've gained. It is just dreadful. On the theme of being dreadful, let's talk about judge candidate Lauro Bustamante.   He is back at it again.  Lauro, a BexarCounty lawyer, is the perennial candidate who ran and lost for a position on the 4th Court of Appeals in 2006. The fool is running against the Republican Judge Joe Frazier Brown. Judge Brown is probably one of the most admired judges in BexarCounty. And that is coming from a Democrat.  Democrats like him as well as Republicans.  He often attends events hosted by Democrats.  Lauro is now going to force Judge Brown to stir up the Republican base. That is just what we need in November. The same applies to Democratic judge candidate Amber Liddell Alwais who is challenging Judge David Berchelman. He is a friend of Congressman Charlie Gonzalez and other Democrats.  Why in the world did Amber jump into this race?  Local Democrats are rolling their eyes at this unnecessary race.  Again, it will just stir up those Republican ladies who can get the vote out.   Bexar County Democrat Chair Carla Vela is being challenged by Dan Ramos.  Dan is well known for his nasty disposition and his callous ways. He is another one who doesn't know when to quit. Her other challenger is local young attorney Brent de la Paz who is rumored to be funded by Mikal Watts, former candidate for the U.S. Senate. The Republicrat has been tough on Carla in the past but considering the alternatives of nasty and uncouth Dan Ramos or inexperienced Brent De la Paz, she is the only choice this go around.   I am told that two Justice of the Peace candidates are also challenging their opponents for petition irregularities. We will wait to see how that pans out in the next few weeks. State Senator Judith Zaffirini is livid about BexarCounty multi-millionaire Rene Barrientos challenging her in the Democrat primary. She is telling friends privately that she is outraged that the San Antonio trial lawyer jumped in at the last moment.    Attending the Democratic Party Primary gathering last week, I observed a lot of last minute candidates jumping into races that they have no business getting into.   Our internal sources close to the Senator tell us that she plans to tell voters, 'Who is this man coming down to Laredo thinking he can represent us?  He is not our kind of people' Rene will essentially say, 'She has been in there 20 years and she still does not get it.'  Expect her to play the victim, but our little birdies are telling us that she plans to hit Rene over the head with some big stuff soon.  Can you say NUCLEAR?     Rene and Colin Struthers, his political consultant, have not wasted any time taking her on. Colin is saying that she has used her position to benefit her family's financial position over the past 20 years. They are hammering on her vote against the SCHIP program.  Barrientos has buckets of money to flood the district for support.    It will be interesting to see if Congressman Henry Cuellar gets involved in some way.  Henry and State Senator Judith Zaffirini are mortal enemies. They really hate each other. Colin once worked for Henry and he is also out for blood.    Colin knows her dirty tricks and he has been waiting for the day to take her out. One of my sources tells me the Senator was enraged that Congressman Cuellar was named Mr. South Texas recently. Up until recently, that selection committee was under her control.  That party is over for the senator from Laredo.   It is very possible that Cuellar could be part of a whisper campaign that could pull votes for Barrientos. The stars are lining up for the Anti Judith Zaffirini forces. Expect the Republicrat to be a juicy information source on this race.  We have deep sources on both sides of the primary battle. That is all I know this week. Stay tuned for the next barrage of gossip. That is the moderate view, I Am the Republicat.

Thanks for reading the new edition of South Texas Republicans.  We welcome your comments, complaints and suggestions.  Joe Solis, Founder and Director  (SolisJoe@sbcglobal.net)