Facebook Facebook is wonky tonight. Don't know what the problem is but some links I click take me to the wrong page. Oh well.
Speaking of Facebook, I think the format of that forum and the ease of posting a random thought have taken a toll on my writing here. Maybe I'm romanticizing the distant (in internet terms) past, but it seems like in past years, I wrote longer, more substantial and profound posts.
Administration Plans Will Help Cut Pollution, Grow Economy
Washington, D.C.--President Obama today announced new energy efficiency standards for lightbulbs--standards which could obviate the need for the amount of energy produced by 14 dirty coal-fired power plants. The president also announced plans to speed up the release of some $346 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding devoted to the development, deployment, and use of energy-efficient technologies in residential and commercial buildings. The Sierra Club offered the following comments in response.
Neil at Texas Liberal suggests that instead of blowing of your fingers lighting fireworks--during a drought in Harris County no less---that maybe you would be better off reading a book instead.
With 2010 spinning up, it's funny to watch all the different players already on the field line up to take their first hits. McBlogger, of course, thinks they're all deeply in need of a little advice which he graciously provides (with surprisingly sparse use of profanity)!
We took 2 hours of video at Michael Burgess's town hall meeting on Saturday. While I've not yet been able to get the whole thing edited and distilled down to something YouTube-able, I thought you might like to see this one.
Congressional Town Hall Yesterday I attended Rep. Michael Burgess' Town Hall meeting. I've got some video that I'm still processing. The major topics of the meeting were the newly passed climate bill with its "Cap and Trade" provisions, and health care reform. Apparently talk radio has been riling people up about this, convincing people that it will be the end of America as we know it.
People were passing around a petition for Texas Sovereignty, as well as information about anti-government "Tea Parties" to be held on the 4th of July. (How tacky is it to protest your government on the 4th of July?)
The feel of the meeting was something between a campaign rally and a lynch mob.
Recently there was a bit of "controversy" because at the 6/18 Swearing-in ceremony for newly elected Councilman John Gorena, there was a lack of quorum for approximately 15 minutes, delaying the ceremony. Gorena had brought in a bunch of family and guests to witness the ceremony.
Councilman Watts was out of town, and Councilman Tierney had an emergency at his restaurant. Tierney did show up and the swearing in (or affirmation) did occur.
In a recent blog posting by former Mayoral candidate Winston Edmondson, Councilman Tierney (who was challenged by Gorena last year for his seat) was accused of being discourteous and tacky. Lathan Watts, who was absent, was not mentioned. It takes 3 Councilmembers to constitute a quorum. One seat was vacant due to Ueckert's election to Mayor.
Councilman Watts moved to hold the meeting on June 18th at 7 o' clock. Several councilmembers can be heard to be confused about whether it was 7pm or 7am. When Watts confirms 7pm, Tierney expresses concern that he can't commit to 7pm because Thursday nights are busy at his restaurant:
Councilman Tierney: "Oh, no that doesn't work for me, but if you have a quorum..."
Mayor Ueckert: "All we need is a quorum..."
Councilman Watts: "Right, that's..."
Mayor Ueckert: "I will be here whenever you determine."
Councilman Watts: "I'm asking for 7pm - it's after normal business hours... it's easier ... I understand Councilman Tierney's predicament... if we have everybody else."
So, what we have here is Councilman Watts actually making the motion to hold the canvass at 7 pm because it's easier for his schedule. Then he was unable to make it. Councilman Tierney clearly stated that he would be unable to do it.
Still, Tierney tried to make it, but as he mentioned to the Lewisville Leader, he had a large party of about 25 guests come into his restaurant at that time. Tierney runs a lean staff and was unprepared for that many guests.
Still, while things were melting down at his restaurant, he peeled away for a few minutes to go down to city hall and approve the canvass so that Gorena could be sworn in.
What might be better in the future is to canvass the votes in one meeting, and swear in the incoming councilman at another later meeting.
U.S. Representative Michael Burgess (R, Lewisville) will be hosting several "town hall" events this summer. The events are taxpayer sponsored and the general public is invited to attend, whether or not you agree with the views of our current representative. The 26th Congressional District covers most of Denton County, and parts of Tarrant and Cooke Counties. Lewisville straddles the 26th and 24th districts.
No doubt due in part to the tremendous commercial success of blogs like WhosPlayin.com, (The Best Blog in Lewisville™) people are tripping over themselves to start up local blogs.
The latest on the scene comes from former City Council candidate T.J. Gilmore: "Thoughts on Lewisville"
His initial postings seem to be very well written, which is no surprise from someone of his caliber. We've added his link to the "Other Good Websites" section in the left-hand navigational bar of this site. We wish him the best of luck with it.
In November of 2007, I wrote about a new political party, the Get Out of Our House (GOOOH) Party. Just recently, founder Tim Cox sent me a couple of copies of his book, "Revolution! Get Out of Our House".
Though I don't think there is any danger of me leaving the Democratic Party, I must say that I'm intrigued and impressed with the out-of-the-box thinking that Tim Cox and the GOOOH supporters embrace. The GOOOH party is more about changing the order of business than it is about a specific platform.
I've started reading it, with the hopes of posting a review at some point. Since I have two copies, I'd like to give one away to a reader.
If you are interested in reading the book, and wouldn't mind providing some commentary, let me know and I'll give you one of the books.
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U.S. Representative Michael Burgess (R, Lewisville) will be hosting several "town hall" events this summer. The events are taxpayer sponsored and the general public is invited to attend, whether or not you agree with the views of our current representative. The 26th Congressional District covers most of Denton County, and parts of Tarrant and Cooke Counties. Lewisville straddles the 26th and 24th districts.
