TexasTowelie
TexasTowelie's JournalReports: Houston-area patient monitored for Ebola
A patient in the Houston area is being monitored for Ebola, KTRK, KPRC and KHOU reported.
The unidentified person was admitted to North Cypress Medical Center along the Northwest Freeway on Monday. Reports say that although the person has traveled to Africa, he is at "extremely low risk" of the virus that has raised fears across the globe.
The hospital released the following statement, according to KPRC:
"North Cypress Medical Center is treating a patient who has not been diagnosed with Ebola. He is considered to be of extremely low risk to the Ebola virus. Hospital personnel are taking all precautions as prescribed by the Harris County Health Department and the U.S. Center for Disease Control. The patient is in stable condition and is showing no signs of a fever."
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/houston-texas/article/Reports-Houston-area-patient-monitored-for-Ebola-5805551.php
Sen. Ted Cruz: Amend U.S. Constitution to Preserve Marriage Bans
Hours after the U.S. Supreme Court paved the way for same-sex marriage bans to be lifted in five states, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz called Monday for amending the U.S. Constitution to prevent either the federal government or the U.S. Supreme Court from overturning a state's ban on same-sex marriage.
Cruz announced his plans in a statement Monday in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to let stand appeals court rulings allowing same-sex marriages in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. Cruz called the court's decision to let those rulings stand "tragic and indefensible" and expressed concern that it would lead to the overturning of same-sex marriage bans in every state.
Like other statewide Republican officials in Texas, Cruz has been an ardent defender of the state's same-sex marriage ban, which was approved by Texas voters as an amendment to the Texas Constitution in 2005. The Texas ban was ruled unconstitutional by a U.S. District Judge in February. The state immediately appealed that ruling to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
"When Congress returns to session, I will be introducing a constitutional amendment to prevent the federal government or the courts from attacking or striking down state marriage laws," Cruz said. “Traditional marriage is an institution whose integrity and vitality are critical to the health of any society. We should remain faithful to our moral heritage and never hesitate to defend it.”
http://www.texastribune.org/2014/10/06/cruz-amend-us-constitution-preserve-marriage-bans/
[font color=green]An amendment that will never be ratified.[/font]
Victoria gun shop owner sentenced to federal prison
The owner of the Double D Gun Shop in Victoria was sentenced to two years in federal prison on Monday.
Garrett Vincent Riedesel was also sentenced to two years supervised release to run consecutively, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney's office.
Riedesel pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.
He admitted he possessed a Remington Model 870, 12-gauge shotgun, which had a barrel length of more than 7 inches and an overall length of nearly 15 inches.
-snip-
Riedesel's store, 3303 N. Navarro St., No. A, is no longer open.
http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2014/oct/06/gun-shop-owner-sentenced-to-federal-prison/
At Tea Party meeting: "You're suggesting that we shoot people." Reply: "But you're in Texas."
[font color=green]This excerpt is from the article "Tea Party favorite delights supporters" that appeared in the Williamson County Sun. The article is written by John Savage regarding an appearance of conservative filmmaker Dennis Michael Lynch during a meeting with the Williamson County Tea Party. [/font]
The crowd responded with applause.
Governor Perry did not answer the letter, the man said, but he wanted to know what Mr. Lynch thought of the idea.
"I disagree with you," Mr. Lynch said in a calm, even tone. "You're suggesting that we shoot people."
"But you're in Texas," someone in the crowd shouted. "Is there anything wrong with that?"
http://www.etypeservices.com/SWF/LocalUser/Williamson1//Magazine65586/Full/index.aspx?id=65586#/4/zoomed
Parents sue 2 churches after youth pastor solicits daughter
The parents of a teenage girl are suing two well-known Houston churches, claiming the organizations were negligent by employing a youth pastor who was convicted of sexually soliciting their daughter while working there.
According to the lawsuit, filed this week in Harris County, Second Baptist Church and Community of Faith Church were careless in their supervision and hiring of 35-year-old Chad Foster, a one-time youth pastor who pleaded guilty to trying to pressure the girl into having sex using the Internet in 2011.
Both churches told KPRC-Channel 2 that they sympathize with the accuser, but denied any wrongdoing.
"Second Baptist Church did not know of any of those allegations," church spokesman Gary Moore told KPRC on Thursday. And Mike King, attorney for Community of Faith, says, "
Foster) was provided extensive training as it relates to appropriate contact with minors by the senior pastor. Any allegation of a lack of training is false."
Foster was part of a "marketing scheme" by Second Baptist that allowed youth pastors to encourage students in public schools to attend church activities and events, enticing them with fast food, the suit states. The goal was to recruit their parents to join. He later went to work for Community of Faith, the suit states.
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Parents-sue-Houston-churches-after-youth-pastor-5797657.php
What Does the Supreme Court Punting on Same-Sex Marriage Mean For Texas?
It’s a big day for supporters of same-sex marriage. The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to take up the issue this year, which means same-sex marriages can continue in five states that currently ban the practice.
But where does that leave Texas?
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision against weighing in on same-sex marriage means it will soon be legal in 30 states and the District of Columbia.
But, in Texas, the marriages will not be allowed. A federal district judge ruled earlier this year that the Texas constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman relegates same-sex couples to second-class citizenship. But the judge also allowed the ban on same-sex marriages to continue while the case winds through the appeals process.
Read more: http://kut.org/post/what-does-supreme-court-punting-same-sex-marriage-mean-texas
Foes of Texas abortion law ask Supreme Court to block ruling
AUSTIN, Texas — Abortion providers on Monday asked the Supreme Court to block a lower federal court ruling that allowed Texas to enforce tough restrictions effectively closing all but seven abortion facilities in America’s second most-populous state.
The New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights, representing Texas physicians and women’s health care providers, filed a 50-plus page emergency application with the high court Monday. It argued that “no credible evidence suggests that the challenged requirements would enhance the safety of abortion procedures.”
The center is seeking to reinstate — until all appeals are exhausted — an injunction imposed earlier by a lower court judge against the sweeping law overwhelmingly approved by the GOP-controlled state Legislature in 2013.
In August, Austin-based U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel blocked a provision of the law requiring clinics to pay for hospital-level upgrades. He ruled that those rules were less about safety than making access to abortion difficult.
Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/state/headlines/20141006-foes-of-texas-abortion-law-ask-supreme-court-to-block-ruling.ece
A Debate on School Prayer Between an Expert and an Idiot (featuring Mr. Conservative from Lubbock)
[font color=green]I rarely venture into this group, but this article drew my interest when it appeared on the Patheos Website. The article includes excerpts from the "That's Debatable" opinion section of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal and features the Obama-hating retired ophthalmologist, twice-defeated GOP House primary candidate, and self-proclaimed Mr. Conservative, Dr. Donald R. May. Those who read the Texas Group are familiar with some of the comments that I posted about Dr. May and his ridiculous conspiracy-laden blogs, so please sit back and enjoy the stupid crap written by Dr. May in his debate with Arnold Loewy, the Chair of Criminal Law at Texas Tech School of Law.[/font]
Arnold Loewy (left) and Donald May
Let’s start with the sensible Loewy:
…
We are so much better off today when students for whom a particular religious exercise is meaningful can participate in it on their own at school, unencumbered by the presence of others who neither revere nor understand their sacred blessings. Much of the objection to the school prayer decisions come from those who do not understand them.
Well said. Perfectly reasonable. Thank you, professor.
Now, let’s hear the rebuttal of Donald May, a failed congressional candidate who, proving Loewy’s point, doesn’t understand the law whatsoever.
The educational achievements, discipline and manners of our youth have since been in a steep decline.
Read more: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/09/07/a-debate-on-school-prayer-between-an-expert-and-an-idiot/
[font color=green]My apologies for invading this group with only my second post and since I am a Christian, but I definitely recognize an idiot and thought I would share the laughter. The rest of the article doubles down on Dr. May's stupidity. Carry on...[/font]
Ebola patient receives experimental treatment in Dallas hospital
Thomas Eric Duncan, the Liberian national who is fighting a severe Ebola infection in Dallas, is getting an experimental treatment, the hospital announced Monday.
The drug is an investigational medication, brincidofovir, for Ebola Virus Disease.
Duncan remains in critical but stable condition, according to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas.
Chimerix, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company today announced that brincidofovir has been provided for potential use in patients with Ebola Virus Disease. The company is developing new oral antivirals in areas of high unmet medical need, including Ebola.
Read more: http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2014/10/ebola-patient-receives-experimental-treatment-in-dallas-hospital.html/
Bell Helicopter cutting 320 jobs in Fort Worth, Amarillo
Bell Helicopter is laying off 320 employees, mostly in Fort Worth, as it continues to adjust to reduced levels of defense spending, particularly on its V-22 Osprey.
The job cuts include both union and non-union positions, including management. About 235 of the positions are in Fort Worth, where Bell has its headquarters and engineering operations. The other 95 job cuts come in Amarillo, where Bell assembles the V-22.
In a letter sent to employees today, Bell’s chief executive John Garrison said the company expects to see more cutbacks in the months ahead.
“We have and will see more reductions across the globe. Unfortunately in September, 36 employees from Mexico were let go, and later this year more than 200 employees will be impacted in Mirabel,” Garrison wrote, referring to its facility in Canada where it builds commercial helicopters.
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/10/06/6177733/bell-helicopter-cutting-320-jobs.html
[font color=green]The Tea Party asked for cuts in spending, now that the sequester is in effect they might not like the outcome of their efforts.[/font]
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Gender: MaleHometown: South Texas. most of my life I lived in Austin and Dallas
Home country: United States
Current location: Bryan, Texas
Member since: Sun Aug 14, 2011, 03:57 AM
Number of posts: 112,150
