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TexasTowelie
TexasTowelie's Journal
TexasTowelie's Journal
December 25, 2014
Trent Cook
Trent Michael Cook's stepfather said news of Cook's arrest brought his family some sense of closure.
“This is the best outcome we could hope for in this situation,” Bob Wills, 60, of Tacoma Wash., said by phone Wednesday. “We’re trying to wrap our head around the whole thing as to why he would even do it. With that said, this could’ve ended a lot worse.”
Cook, an armored car driver charged with stealing more than $200,000 from the vehicle he drove, has been arrested in Colorado Springs, Colo. along with another suspect, Amarillo police said Wednesday.
Information provided to the Colorado Springs Police Department led to the arrest of Trent Michael Cook, 24, and the other suspect, whose name police did not release.
Read more: http://amarillo.com/news/latest-news/2014-12-24/step-dad-armored-car-drivers-arrest-best-outcome-we-could-hope
Armored car driver from Amarillo that stole $200K arrested in Colorado
Trent Cook
Trent Michael Cook's stepfather said news of Cook's arrest brought his family some sense of closure.
“This is the best outcome we could hope for in this situation,” Bob Wills, 60, of Tacoma Wash., said by phone Wednesday. “We’re trying to wrap our head around the whole thing as to why he would even do it. With that said, this could’ve ended a lot worse.”
Cook, an armored car driver charged with stealing more than $200,000 from the vehicle he drove, has been arrested in Colorado Springs, Colo. along with another suspect, Amarillo police said Wednesday.
Information provided to the Colorado Springs Police Department led to the arrest of Trent Michael Cook, 24, and the other suspect, whose name police did not release.
Read more: http://amarillo.com/news/latest-news/2014-12-24/step-dad-armored-car-drivers-arrest-best-outcome-we-could-hope
December 24, 2014
You might think that the Prince of Darkness has more important things than answer foolish letters from childen, but apparently not.
"If you really want a job that allows you to make a great deal of money in a fast and unethical way (a rather admirable goal in my opinion), you can go ahead and send me your résumé. I have a number of very close friends at Goldman Sachs."
-- from Satan's reply to a letter from David, who says he wants a computer "so I can do better in school and get a good job and make lots and lots of money"
Now this is an idea. Goodness knows Santa has had the Christmas business pretty much to himself for a long time, and as between "Santa" and "Satan" there's only that slight difference in the arrangement of this tiny handful of letters, and it's an open question which can be thought the truer embodiment of the Christmas spirit.
The kind of confusion this can entail is reflected in the introductory note to the "Children's Holiday Letters to Satan" gathered by Matt Passet in his recent newyorker.com "Daily Shout" piece:
One obvious difference, if the letters Matt has selected are anything to go by, is that Satan doesn't feel automatically bound by the spirit of commercialism. By which I mean that he doesn't appear bound by any need to put the message "Buy! Buy! Buy!" at the top of his advice-giving principles. Here, for example, is his full reply to David, who you'll recall from above wanted a computer in order to "do better in school and get a good job and make lots and lots of money."
- See more at: http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2014/12/santas-had-his-crack-at-facilitating.html
Santa's had his crack at facilitating the kiddies -- why not give Satan a shot?
You might think that the Prince of Darkness has more important things than answer foolish letters from childen, but apparently not.
"If you really want a job that allows you to make a great deal of money in a fast and unethical way (a rather admirable goal in my opinion), you can go ahead and send me your résumé. I have a number of very close friends at Goldman Sachs."
-- from Satan's reply to a letter from David, who says he wants a computer "so I can do better in school and get a good job and make lots and lots of money"
Now this is an idea. Goodness knows Santa has had the Christmas business pretty much to himself for a long time, and as between "Santa" and "Satan" there's only that slight difference in the arrangement of this tiny handful of letters, and it's an open question which can be thought the truer embodiment of the Christmas spirit.
The kind of confusion this can entail is reflected in the introductory note to the "Children's Holiday Letters to Satan" gathered by Matt Passet in his recent newyorker.com "Daily Shout" piece:
Each year, due mostly to minor misspellings and very poor penmanship, hundreds of children’s letters are sent to Satan, Dark Lord of the Underworld. Always in the market for the souls of innocents, Satan will often take the time to respond.
One obvious difference, if the letters Matt has selected are anything to go by, is that Satan doesn't feel automatically bound by the spirit of commercialism. By which I mean that he doesn't appear bound by any need to put the message "Buy! Buy! Buy!" at the top of his advice-giving principles. Here, for example, is his full reply to David, who you'll recall from above wanted a computer in order to "do better in school and get a good job and make lots and lots of money."
Dear David,
First of all, bravo for not telling me your age. You have no idea how many people are concluding their letters with this random of piece if information. It’s like, “All Best, Satan, Shoe Size 9 ½” or “Regards, Satan, 185 lbs. (190 around the holidays!).”
But, anyway, on to your letter. Being the embodiment of pure evil, I will not get you this computer. I’m not Mark Zuckerberg. (Or am I? Kidding, I’m not.) But if you really want a job that allows you to make a great deal of money in a fast and unethical way (a rather admirable goal in my opinion), you can go ahead and send me your résumé. I have a number of very close friends at Goldman Sachs.
Regards,
Satan, 5? 10? (LOL)
First of all, bravo for not telling me your age. You have no idea how many people are concluding their letters with this random of piece if information. It’s like, “All Best, Satan, Shoe Size 9 ½” or “Regards, Satan, 185 lbs. (190 around the holidays!).”
But, anyway, on to your letter. Being the embodiment of pure evil, I will not get you this computer. I’m not Mark Zuckerberg. (Or am I? Kidding, I’m not.) But if you really want a job that allows you to make a great deal of money in a fast and unethical way (a rather admirable goal in my opinion), you can go ahead and send me your résumé. I have a number of very close friends at Goldman Sachs.
Regards,
Satan, 5? 10? (LOL)
- See more at: http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2014/12/santas-had-his-crack-at-facilitating.html
December 24, 2014
1. The GOP and the kiss heard 'round the world
Well, you had to expect it. In April, Michael Sam, a football player who happens to be a gay man, gets drafted by the NFL's St. Louis Rams and in a moment of pure joy and relief kisses the love of his life. Let the explosion of wingnuttia begin!
The Christian element went full-Muslim-intolerance jihad on this one. American Family Association spokeswacko Bryan Fischer urged therapy for Michael. Wingnuts started in on their quoting of the usual Bible passages, putting aside any contradictory passages. Gol-lee! He done did it right thar on the teevee! The Lord sure gonna be mightily displeased! How do I know? The Bible tells me so!
Herman Cain's website called The Kiss "cringe-inducing," while the site's Dan Calabrese, calling acceptance of gay people a "rebellion against God," wrote: "The natural inclination of the human being to look at two men kissing and say, 'Ewwww!' . . . comes from God." -
-snip-
2. Crazyspeak of the Year nominee No. 5:
The famous Joe the Plumber
In the wake of the mass killings in Santa Barbara by a lunatic named Elliot Rogers, and a father's moving message to politicians and the NRA, republican genius and John McCain consultant Joe the Plumber had this to say to the grieving father: "Your dead kids don't trump my Constitutional rights."
- See more at: http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2014/12/crackpot-utopia-year-in-republican.html
Crackpot Utopia: The Year in Republican Crazy, Part 5
Crackpot Utopia: A dream world as envisioned by republicans; a manifestation or expression of the deranged, warped alternate universe inhabited by republicans, at least in their minds. See also: Bachmannism, Boehneresque.1. The GOP and the kiss heard 'round the world
Well, you had to expect it. In April, Michael Sam, a football player who happens to be a gay man, gets drafted by the NFL's St. Louis Rams and in a moment of pure joy and relief kisses the love of his life. Let the explosion of wingnuttia begin!
The Christian element went full-Muslim-intolerance jihad on this one. American Family Association spokeswacko Bryan Fischer urged therapy for Michael. Wingnuts started in on their quoting of the usual Bible passages, putting aside any contradictory passages. Gol-lee! He done did it right thar on the teevee! The Lord sure gonna be mightily displeased! How do I know? The Bible tells me so!
Herman Cain's website called The Kiss "cringe-inducing," while the site's Dan Calabrese, calling acceptance of gay people a "rebellion against God," wrote: "The natural inclination of the human being to look at two men kissing and say, 'Ewwww!' . . . comes from God." -
-snip-
2. Crazyspeak of the Year nominee No. 5:
The famous Joe the Plumber
In the wake of the mass killings in Santa Barbara by a lunatic named Elliot Rogers, and a father's moving message to politicians and the NRA, republican genius and John McCain consultant Joe the Plumber had this to say to the grieving father: "Your dead kids don't trump my Constitutional rights."
- See more at: http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2014/12/crackpot-utopia-year-in-republican.html
December 24, 2014
Crackpot Utopia: A dream world as envisioned by republicans; a manifestation or expression of the deranged, warped alternate universe inhabited by republicans, at least in their minds. See also: Bachmannism, Boehneresque.
1. A celebration of Michele Bachmann:
Pray away the crazy?
Ms. Bachmann has checked out -- of Congress. But we'll always have her words:
Of course the John Wayne that was from Waterloo was serial killer John Wayne Gacy, who molested and killed boys before he buried them in the crawl space under his house.
That pearl of wisdom from Bachmann came as she spoke at a republican leadership conference. Can't you just see them nodding their heads in agreement?
And who could forget Bachmann calling Planned Parenthood the "Lenscrafters of big abortion."
Here's Bachmann channeling Republican idol Joe McCarthy:
- See more at: http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2014/12/crackpot-utopia-year-in-republican_22.html
[font color=green]I know, I know--them eyes![/font]
Crackpot Utopia: The Year in Republican Crazy, Part 4
Crackpot Utopia: A dream world as envisioned by republicans; a manifestation or expression of the deranged, warped alternate universe inhabited by republicans, at least in their minds. See also: Bachmannism, Boehneresque.
1. A celebration of Michele Bachmann:
Pray away the crazy?
Ms. Bachmann has checked out -- of Congress. But we'll always have her words:
John Wayne was from Waterloo, Iowa. That's the kind of spirit that I have too.
Of course the John Wayne that was from Waterloo was serial killer John Wayne Gacy, who molested and killed boys before he buried them in the crawl space under his house.
There are hundreds and hundreds of scientists, many of them holding Nobel Prizes, who believe in intelligent design.
That pearl of wisdom from Bachmann came as she spoke at a republican leadership conference. Can't you just see them nodding their heads in agreement?
And who could forget Bachmann calling Planned Parenthood the "Lenscrafters of big abortion."
Here's Bachmann channeling Republican idol Joe McCarthy:
I wish the American media would take a great look at the views of people in Congress and find out if they are pro-America or anti-America.
- See more at: http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2014/12/crackpot-utopia-year-in-republican_22.html
[font color=green]I know, I know--them eyes![/font]
December 24, 2014
Top HHSC official says staffers misled him on 21CT dealings; company sues lobbyist
Kyle Janek, the top official at the state health agency entangled in an unfolding contract scandal and criminal investigation, says he takes responsibility for $110 million in questionable deals brokered under his watch. But he also says he was misled by his chief counsel and the Office of Inspector General.
“I never forget that, ultimately, I’m responsible,” Janek told three reporters Tuesday during a two-hour meeting in which he detailed how his agency came to do business with Austin data analytics company 21CT to detect Medicaid fraud.
“I still believe the culpability lies with the (Office of Inspector General),” he said.
-snip-
The company on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against that lobbyist, James Frinzi, claiming he made false statements to the Statesman and breached his fiduciary responsibility to 21CT. In the lawsuit, the company said it had had no communications with Stick about his possible future employment with the company.
Read more: http://www.statesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/top-health-official-accepts-contract-scandal-onus-/njZJS/
Related threads:
Fired state health worker sues embattled Texas health agency
http://www.democraticunderground.com/107822632
HHSC Inspector General resigns amid questions over no-bid contract
http://www.democraticunderground.com/107822630
Texas Medicaid fraud contract unfairly awarded to 21CT, rivals say
http://www.democraticunderground.com/107822593
Top Lawyer at State Health Agency Resigns Over Contract
http://www.democraticunderground.com/107822490
December 24, 2014
Jordan Baker, a young black man, a father, a son, a partner, a Houstonian, was walking through the parking lot of a mall on January 16. He was stopped by an off-duty cop who was working security because he looked “suspicious.” He was unarmed. He was shot and killed.
And now, the killing of Jordan Baker is one of nearly 300 instances in which Houston grand juries have let officers walk in an instance of excessive use of force. This afternoon, a Harris County grand jury cleared HPD officer Juventino Castro, the man who killed Baker.
In the days, weeks, and months leading up to the announcement, Houston activists have demanded justice for Baker’s death in the form of a trial—what would be the first trial for a police officer using excessive force in ten years. This Sunday, a group of activists along with Jordan Baker’s family and friends gathered in the parking lot where he was killed to pray for the grand jury to give Officer Castro a trial.
According to Castro, Baker looked “suspicious” because he was wearing a black hoodie. Castro said that “a brief struggle and foot chase ensued.” Although Baker was allegedly running away, at one point, he—according to the cop who killed him—stopped and decided to charge the officer while reaching into his waistband (again, Baker was unarmed). That’s when Castro killed him.
Read more: http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/29039/breaking-indictment-justice-houston-police-officer-shot-jordan-baker
No Indictment, No Justice for Houston Police Officer Who Shot Jordan Baker
Jordan Baker, a young black man, a father, a son, a partner, a Houstonian, was walking through the parking lot of a mall on January 16. He was stopped by an off-duty cop who was working security because he looked “suspicious.” He was unarmed. He was shot and killed.
And now, the killing of Jordan Baker is one of nearly 300 instances in which Houston grand juries have let officers walk in an instance of excessive use of force. This afternoon, a Harris County grand jury cleared HPD officer Juventino Castro, the man who killed Baker.
In the days, weeks, and months leading up to the announcement, Houston activists have demanded justice for Baker’s death in the form of a trial—what would be the first trial for a police officer using excessive force in ten years. This Sunday, a group of activists along with Jordan Baker’s family and friends gathered in the parking lot where he was killed to pray for the grand jury to give Officer Castro a trial.
According to Castro, Baker looked “suspicious” because he was wearing a black hoodie. Castro said that “a brief struggle and foot chase ensued.” Although Baker was allegedly running away, at one point, he—according to the cop who killed him—stopped and decided to charge the officer while reaching into his waistband (again, Baker was unarmed). That’s when Castro killed him.
Read more: http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/29039/breaking-indictment-justice-houston-police-officer-shot-jordan-baker
December 24, 2014
American Airlines Inc. employees will get 4 percent across-the-board pay raises, including unionized employees if their union has a joint contract covering both American and US Airways employees.
At the same time, American announced that it is sending its pilot contract to binding arbitration after more than a month of negotiations with the Allied Pilots Association.
Included in the group getting the 4 percent raise are American’s flight attendants, who will get that increase on top of the higher wages included in a joint contract finalized last week.
It will not include unionized employees who do not yet have joint contracts covering the two airlines’ employees, such as pilots. Nor will managers above a certain level be covered in the across-the-board increase.
Read more: http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2014/12/american-airlines-inc-employees-to-get-4-percent-pay-raises.html/
American Airlines Inc. employees to get 4 percent pay raises, while pilot contract goes to binding
American Airlines Inc. employees to get 4 percent pay raises, while pilot contract goes to binding arbitrationAmerican Airlines Inc. employees will get 4 percent across-the-board pay raises, including unionized employees if their union has a joint contract covering both American and US Airways employees.
At the same time, American announced that it is sending its pilot contract to binding arbitration after more than a month of negotiations with the Allied Pilots Association.
Included in the group getting the 4 percent raise are American’s flight attendants, who will get that increase on top of the higher wages included in a joint contract finalized last week.
It will not include unionized employees who do not yet have joint contracts covering the two airlines’ employees, such as pilots. Nor will managers above a certain level be covered in the across-the-board increase.
Read more: http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2014/12/american-airlines-inc-employees-to-get-4-percent-pay-raises.html/
December 23, 2014
State employees who already are paying more into a pension with recently diminished benefits could be facing more of the same depending on how lawmakers choose to deal with a chronically underfunded retirement plan.
Despite changes made to the state’s second largest pension fund in the past five years aimed at eroding a sizable unfunded liability, the Employee Retirement System of Texas – the state agency that provides retirement and health benefits to more than half a million state employees, retirees and their families – and the state Comptroller are warning that the liability is snowballing by some half billion dollars a year and quickly will get worse if nothing is done about it.
Read more: http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/texas-employee-retirement-system-sounds-alarm-on-u/njYJf/#91e0893c.3580657.735588 (subscription required)
Texas employee retirement system sounds alarm on unfunded balance
State employees who already are paying more into a pension with recently diminished benefits could be facing more of the same depending on how lawmakers choose to deal with a chronically underfunded retirement plan.
Despite changes made to the state’s second largest pension fund in the past five years aimed at eroding a sizable unfunded liability, the Employee Retirement System of Texas – the state agency that provides retirement and health benefits to more than half a million state employees, retirees and their families – and the state Comptroller are warning that the liability is snowballing by some half billion dollars a year and quickly will get worse if nothing is done about it.
Read more: http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/texas-employee-retirement-system-sounds-alarm-on-u/njYJf/#91e0893c.3580657.735588 (subscription required)
December 23, 2014
Misogynist With An Arrest Record Nominated For Texan Of The Year
C.J. Grisham, leader of Open Carry Texas, a misogynist with an arrest record, has been deemed as a finalist by The Dallas Morning News for their “Texan of the Year.”
Mr. Grisham has an arrest record and a history of using misogynistic language against women working to reduce gun violence. For example, he has referred to Moms Demand Action members as “thugs with jugs.”
Grisham has been outspoken in his disdain for law enforcement in the state, although lately, he’s feigning to have good relations with the police department even though he has mocked them on more than one occasion.
Let’s look at that.
Mr. Grisham reenacted his version of his arrest with him playing the role of police officer and his wife playing C.J. Or something. At any rate, this is the image Grisham posted for Halloween.
http://www.alan.com/2014/12/22/misogynist-with-an-arrest-record-nominated-for-texan-of-the-year/
[font color=green]Oh my![/font] 
December 22, 2014
Last week we reported that a Houston-based anti-LGBT group planned a petition drive to repeal the non-discrimination ordinance passed by the Plano City Council earlier this month.
Now, opponents of the ordinance have launched a website, PlanoEqualRights.com, dedicated to gathering signatures to place the ordinance on the ballot.
A group of 80 pastors opposed to the ordinance reportedly held an emergency meeting this week at Plano's Prestonwood Baptist Church, an evangelical megachurch that's also known as "Six Flags Over Jesus."
The Houston-based Texas Pastor Council, led by anti-gay bigot Dave Welch reports:
Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/2014/12/plano-update.html
Cross-posted in the LGBT Group.
Check out this hateful flier from opponents of Plano's nondiscrimination ordinance:
Last week we reported that a Houston-based anti-LGBT group planned a petition drive to repeal the non-discrimination ordinance passed by the Plano City Council earlier this month.
Now, opponents of the ordinance have launched a website, PlanoEqualRights.com, dedicated to gathering signatures to place the ordinance on the ballot.
A group of 80 pastors opposed to the ordinance reportedly held an emergency meeting this week at Plano's Prestonwood Baptist Church, an evangelical megachurch that's also known as "Six Flags Over Jesus."
The Houston-based Texas Pastor Council, led by anti-gay bigot Dave Welch reports:
Dr. Jack Graham, Senior Pastor of Prestonwood opened the meeting with full support of the effort, calling the city’s rapid vote (same night as the first hearing) “doing business in darkness”. He expressed appreciation for TXPC Executive Director Dave Welch taking the initiative to organize the pastor meeting as well as the stand of the Houston pastors.
Jeff Mateer of Liberty Institute gave a legal analysis of why the Plano ordinance and others like it are a direct offense against First Amendments of religious belief, expression and “free exercise”. Dave Welch then closed the meeting with the “how to” of the referendum petition process. He explained that since Plano and Houston City Charter requirements for qualifying a referendum are nearly identical, the critical steps of signature gathering and having notarized are likewise the same so they could benefit from our experience.
Jeff Mateer of Liberty Institute gave a legal analysis of why the Plano ordinance and others like it are a direct offense against First Amendments of religious belief, expression and “free exercise”. Dave Welch then closed the meeting with the “how to” of the referendum petition process. He explained that since Plano and Houston City Charter requirements for qualifying a referendum are nearly identical, the critical steps of signature gathering and having notarized are likewise the same so they could benefit from our experience.
Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/2014/12/plano-update.html
Cross-posted in the LGBT Group.
Profile Information
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: 112,168
