tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145989332024-03-18T21:36:29.402-06:00Pondering PenguinA Political Blog By A Republican Woman in TexasKaren Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.comBlogger2985125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-78788817019139525902018-01-31T12:24:00.000-06:002018-01-31T13:43:50.176-06:00United Republicans of Harris County GOP Primary Endorsements <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Board of Directors of United Republicans of Harris County is proud to announce the following endorsements of candidates in the Republican primary. Please note the message in the Governor's race instead of an endorsement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://www.unitedrepublicansharriscounty.com/2018-Endorsements</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-18316247086772982232018-01-30T23:31:00.000-06:002018-01-30T23:31:48.527-06:00CD-2 Candidate Attends State of the Union Address<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">President Trump delivered his first State of the Union address Tuesday night. I am happy to say he did very well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Some far-left celebrities couldn't wait for the actual event so they <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/01/30/celebrities-host-counter-event-to-state-union-trump-supporters-are-ugly-underbelly.html">made up one of their own</a> and delivered "The People's State of the Union" hosted by actor Mark Ruffalo -for people in their own political bubble. For example, comedienne Wanda Sykes went off on the "ugly underbelly" of Trump supporters and filmmaker Michael Moore said, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We must remove and replace the system and the culture that gave us Trump in the first place," he said adding "We must also cleanse our American soul of our white male privilege." I may be wrong, but I think a wealthy white male like Moore may need to check his own privilege. Also, Planned Parenthood was a sponsor, so your tax dollars were at work, folks.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg announced she would be a no-show. Just as well, given her<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/02/13/supreme-court-ginsburg-state-of-the-union/23360117/"> tendency to fall asleep</a> at these addresses. It is not unusual for SCOTUS justices to skip the SOTU - the late Justice Antonin Scalia skipped them for some 20 years. He called them "cheerleading sessions". He's wasn't wrong.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Democrat Randy Bryce, a union ironworker challenging Republican Paul Ryan, boasted of plans to attend and "stare from the gallery". It's a stunt - he <a href="https://twitter.com/politico/status/958316460597764097">is being used</a> by a current Wisconsin representative and he even sounds a bit uncertain of how the State of the Union works. Does he not understand that Ryan is the Speaker of the House and as such, he sits behind the president at this event? Anyhoo, it's a chance for him to run an ad on MSNBC (of course) during the SOTU address and try to act relevant. Bryce is the darling of the far left wackadoodle Hollywood elite, too. He made several appearances on the now-defunct Chelsea Handler show on Netflix and is heavily promoted by former Obama staffer, Alyssa Mastromonaco.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The speech was excellent. Trump told some truly inspiring personal stories of American heroes. The Cajun Navy and a Coast Guard member were honored at the very beginning of the speech. Hurricane Harvey and the recovery are still on his mind. When one young North Korean defector was spotlighted, who did I see in the seat next to him? It was <a href="https://www.kathaleenwall.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAzMDTBRDDARIsABX4AWzk55Gz9MuGDGg0btoCUQsamyw4OyFWwxxO4_ctVFBB7x6tMPiNFOwaAk3qEALw_wcB">CD-2 candidate Kathaleen Wall.</a> I had to do a double take! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think the Democrats will eventually regret their behavior during the speech. Even during the parts where traditionally both sides of the aisle applaud, the Democrats were stone-faced, dour, and motionless. There was no response when Trump spoke about the military, about his very generous immigration reform ideas, no respect for the American flag, and so on from most Democrats. I hope their very bad behavior comes back to bite them in November. It is hard to imagine American voters will reward a party openly rooting against tax cuts, larger paychecks, historically low unemployment for minorities and all Americans, a strong national defense, homeland security, and developing infrastructure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To further prove how clueless the Democrats have become as it pertains to reaching out to ordinary Americans, the Democrats offered up five separate responses to the speech on different networks. No unity there. The main response came from a young member of the Kennedy family who is continuing on the political dynasty. Didn't the very election of Trump prove the end of America's fascination with political dynasties? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Immediate polling by CNN showed that a full 70% of viewers either found the speech excellent or very good. That must be a bitter pill for that Trump-bashing network. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Onward.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #14171a; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The people dreamed this country. The people built this country, & it’s the people who are making America great again...Our nation will forever be safe & strong & proud & mighty & free!”</span><br />
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Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-60959800202255016552018-01-03T15:29:00.001-06:002018-01-03T15:29:10.334-06:00New York Times Notices Trump Era Economic Optimism<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The New York Times has a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/01/us/politics/trump-businesses-regulation-economic-growth.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news">mostly favorable piece</a> about the business community's reaction to the rollback of stifling regulations on the economy. I know, I'm pleasantly surprised, too, that the paper would run such an article, but it's a new year. I'll chalk it up to a fresh start and be happy for some honesty in the press. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 17px;"><b>A wave of optimism has swept over American business leaders, and it is beginning to translate into the sort of investment in new plants, equipment and factory upgrades that bolsters economic growth, spurs job creation — and may finally raise wages significantly.</b></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sounds good, right? More infrastructure, job creation and rising wages were all promised by President Trump when he was candidate Trump. The return of optimism was predictable, too, with the exit of President Barack Obama. His focus was on taking over 1/6 of the economy with Obamacare, the definition of abusive regulations and mandates. </span><br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 17px;">But in the administration and across the business community, there is a perception that years of increased environmental, financial and other regulatory oversight by the Obama administration dampened investment and job creation — and that Mr. Trump’s more hands-off approach has unleashed the “animal spirits” of companies that had hoarded cash after the recession of 2008.</span> </b></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After eight years of business crushing actions and governmental overreach by the Obama administration, the indicators of a strengthening in financial markets and optimistic growth remain strong. The DOW has reached all-time highs since Trump's inauguration. A record number of consecutive days with record closing numbers occurred in 2017. Companies are committing to bringing operations back from overseas, giving workers year-end bonuses and paycheck raises and hiring more people. </span><br />
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<b>The Business Roundtable, a corporate lobbying group in Washington, reported last month that “regulatory costs” were no longer the top concern of American executives, for the first time in six years. Mr. Zandi said that regulation was still the top concern in <a href="https://www.economy.com/dismal/indicators/business-confidence/about" style="color: #326891;">Moody’s survey of business confidence</a>, but that it was rapidly losing ground to concerns about the availability of labor.<br />The National Association of Manufacturers’ fourth-quarter <a href="http://www.nam.org/Data-and-Reports/Manufacturers-Outlook-Survey/2017-Fourth-Quarter-Manufacturers-Outlook-Survey/" style="color: #326891;">member survey</a> found that fewer than half of manufacturers cited an “unfavorable business climate” — including regulations and taxes — as a challenge to their business, down from nearly three-quarters a year ago.</b></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2018 is off to a good start.</span><br />
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Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-71206806173404990852018-01-02T11:25:00.000-06:002018-01-02T11:25:35.663-06:00A Glance Back at 2017 and Trump's Successes<div class="tr_bq">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy New Year! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a confession to make. I am quite pleased with the results of President Trump's first year in office. While we were all told that the world would end if Donald Trump became President of the United States, it turns out 2017 was a good year. In fact, 2017 was the best year conservatives have had in many years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conservative writer Matt Lewis summed the year up best: </span><br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.27px; white-space: pre-wrap;">"GOP can say they (a) passed tax reform, (b) repealed individual mandate, (c) confirmed Gorsuch AND a ton of fed judges, & (d) got rid of job-killing regulations. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; letter-spacing: 0.27px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; letter-spacing: 0.27px; white-space: pre-wrap;">12 circuit court judges confirmed in one year- more than any president."</span></span></b></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are a conservative voter, you probably held your breath and voted for Trump. Hoping for the best, most Republican voters and lots of conservative Independents and Democrats were willing to give him a chance because the thought of Hillary Clinton in the Oval Office was a bridge too far. For many, the Supreme Court and judicial nominations were at the top of the list of reasons to vote Republican. Economic issues and a strong national defense were all factors, too. After eight years of overreaching regulations and several world apology tours, it's good to hear the full-throated support of America and her people, especially when Trump travels overseas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2017 was a wild ride, that's for sure. Standard, traditional thought in politics and governing were tossed out and a new approach to old problems began. That's not all bad. We are reaping the benefits of a businessman at the helm, though, and not a typical politician. Do any of us honestly think that if another Republican candidate had been the victor in 2016 (it's doubtful that any of them would have been able to beat Hillary) the economic markers would have moved into such positive territory? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is fascinating to see how the #NeverTrump holdouts navigate in today's reality. Some are so bitter that acknowledging any successes for conservative governing is impossible. This is why the holdouts are rendered not relevant. The old political class of consultants and advisers - those who made lots of money off Republicans in the past - no longer hold court in D.C. Attention to flyover America is finally taken. The swells on both coasts scrambling to be taken seriously while most people now just scroll past their tweets and Facebook remarks. Is there anything more pathetic than tweets from Matt Dowd or consultants who used to get gigs on cable television? How about John Kasich or Evan McMullin? Political writers like Bill Kristol and Max Boot claim conservative purity forces them to continue their temper tantrums - Boot even proudly boasted he'd vote for Hillary Clinton. There was absolutely nothing pure and conservative about giving Hillary Clinton a vote. These two, among others, will never be taken seriously by conservatives again and that is fine by me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overseas, Trump and America are doing much better than I expected. Trump has been instrumental in the release of Americans held by brutal dictators. Even stupid college basketball players acknowledged his help in their release after stealing high-end sunglasses from a store. Former President Obama refuses to leave the stage and spouts off overseas when traditionally that is not done. America's relationship with Israel is strong now. There may be a reason to be hopeful for the people of Iran who now are rising up against their corrupt theocracy. The successes of Nikki Haley at the U.N. are unprecedented. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll continue to be thankful for the successes. It's a good start.</span>Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-87185550878275702922017-12-04T13:32:00.000-06:002017-12-04T13:32:37.305-06:00Democrat Candidate in CD-36,Houston Resistance and Bad Night Twitter <br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is not at all unusual for me to be scrolling through social media in the middle of the night. What can I say? Here's the thing, though. Night Twitter is different than Day Twitter. Something I noticed over the weekend was that local lefty fundraising efforts were aggressively over-the-top. It is common for political campaigns to use social media for fundraising efforts - I would argue it is mandatory - but Night Twitter brings out a strong whiff of desperation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The tax reform bill vote really got the political left - and their willing cohorts in the #NeverTrump universe - all wee-weed up. The phony outrage machine aptly illustrated the very basic difference in party philosophies - the left thinks your money is the government's, not yours. The left thinks the government will spend your hard-earned dollars better than you will spend them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You'll notice a common thread in all this: a real dependence on outside money and influence in Harris County politics for Democrats seeking to score victories in 2018.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Two efforts, in particular, caught my attention. The first was by the leftists in the Indivisible Houston crew. Twitter followers of this account were told of a rally to be held at City Hall as "The People Rally Against Robbery." The tweet included a re-tweet of a picture from a rally in Pennsylvania</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Sunday night. That rally was organized by MoveOn and the tweet came from the Soros-run operations in Washington, D.C. That's right - returning a very unremarkable amount of your own money in the form of a tax break back to your wallet is "robbery". </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Along the way, Indivisible Houston mocked religious conservatives and also claimed a "chill in the air" as Senator Cruz promoted his filing for re-election in Houston (though it was only a photo op, as he has to file in Austin). All of the local Democrats and the local media (sorry for repeating myself there) were invited to the rally using their Twitter handles. Several tweets were put up simply using Twitter handles and that looks particularly lazy. Also, spelling isn't a strong suit, either. For instance, when calling out local area Republicans specifically over voting for the reform, Rep. McCaul is "McCall". </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then there is Dayna Steele, running in CD-36 hoping to take out Rep. Bruce Babin. She claims she's the one to "flip Texas blue". She is a former radio personality and what strikes me in her Twitter pleas is the number of tweets aimed at specific musical/entertainment celebrities who don't even live in Texas.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She wants her slice of the outsider money pie. She even throws her nephew under the bus - a Republican lobbyist, according to her claim - by tweeting that "even he" realizes the need for change. Such disdain for a young man of another political party and a relative, too! Imagine the holiday dinners in her family. David Crosby, Melissa Etheridge, Bette Midler, Sheryl Crow all make an appearance on her timeline. She loves her some Dan Rather and Matthew Dowd, too. Can her caricature of self-important leftist get any stronger? Yeah, probably. There is time. She did, after all, re-tweet someone labeling Trump as "America's version of Bin-Laden." I don't know - do the good people of CD-36 want a representative that doesn't know the difference between a murdering Islamic terrorist and a duly elected U.S. President? </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Night Twitter would be really solid entertainment if it weren't so sad and desperate. And, in the end, I suspect really ineffective.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span>Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-51257710471039306462017-11-10T22:50:00.001-06:002017-11-10T22:54:18.763-06:00Houston Veterans Day Parade Cancelled. Shame on You, City Hall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVorKOn5e472OMOShdiTQfhRhY_oI-qlhCtZ5h8e9SCmelZib78FS2dIKn8ufddWjcwWQNebEoSIWRFRqWBVX5gejPusVZtYqiyDHVig_vgkllMYvswM2zgTmsPrttQJg9iEGm/s1600/314517_2538801039098_1525819353_2708482_890889081_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVorKOn5e472OMOShdiTQfhRhY_oI-qlhCtZ5h8e9SCmelZib78FS2dIKn8ufddWjcwWQNebEoSIWRFRqWBVX5gejPusVZtYqiyDHVig_vgkllMYvswM2zgTmsPrttQJg9iEGm/s1600/314517_2538801039098_1525819353_2708482_890889081_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The City of Houston has cancelled the Veterans Day parade. Instead, the city will host Travis Manion Foundation's 9/11 Heroes Run. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The worst part, after the whole disrespecting veterans thing - the city didn't even bother to announce the decision. How many people will wake up Saturday morning thinking they are going to attend the annual parade? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, the city took down the relevant page on their website and eliminated it from their Facebook page, according to<b> <a href="https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2017/11/10/249845/city-of-houston-cancels-veterans-parade/">this article</a></b>. How's that for cowardice? I checked out <b><a href="http://www.houstontx.gov/nov11/">the website</a> </b>accounting of this year's activities and it only made me angry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is what is now on <a href="http://www.houstontx.gov/nov11/"><b>the city website</b>:</a></span><br />
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<b>Houston is a cornerstone of Veterans Day celebrations in the United States. As a city, Houston is proud to pay tribute to our men and women in the military by providing an annual “Houston Salutes American Heroes Veterans Day Celebration”. This civic celebration honors and celebrates the brave men, women, and families who pay the ultimate sacrifice for liberty and freedom.<br />The celebration this year will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday November 11, 2017 with the 9/11 Heroes Run which was cancelled on 9/11 this year due to the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.<br />All proceeds from registration (excluding cost of shirts/fulfillment) will be donated to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.<br />The salute continues with the AARP Veterans Job & Resource Fair complete with Symbols of Freedom - military displays and activities surrounding the reflection pool in Hermann Square at City Hall.<br />The traditional Veterans Day Ceremony presented by H-E-B will begin at 10:00 a.m. on the steps of City Hall ending with a moment of silence in memory of the signing of the WWI Armistice.<br />The entire event will take place from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday, November 11.</b></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are city officials telling Houstonians that there is no way the nation's 4th largest city can possibly schedule '9/11 Heroes Run' at better time than Veterans Day weekend? It's not like Veterans Day wasn't already on the calendar when the Run was cancelled due to Hurricane Harvey. Why was this parade bumped? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have nothing against the 9/11 Heroes Run. The proceeds are going to Hurricane Harvey relief. What? Seems to me, if this is the substitute for the annual parade, the least that could be done as a gesture of goodwill would be for the proceeds to go to a charity for veterans. Is that too much to ask?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is worthy to honor the fallen and it is worthy to honor heroes. However, veterans deserve their own day and separate recognition. Veterans Day honors all veterans, not just the fallen. It is the very least we can do as grateful Americans.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shame on you, Houston leadership. How unfortunate that this bad decision now tarnishes the goodness felt about a city pulling together in a really tough year. This is disgraceful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After local television and radio coverage began of this story, some well-known Houstonians have stepped up and, in <a href="https://www.click2houston.com/news/impromptu-veterans-day-parade-planned-by-houston-icons"><b>an impromptu move</b></a>, have organized a parade. That's what leadership is. That's #HoustonStrong.</span>Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-19546268769196428472017-10-29T14:30:00.000-06:002017-10-29T14:30:19.874-06:00Texans Take a Knee and I Take a Pass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvGvyI4bmnlEdHpjWF3KiNzWKVkzjxPZ0OrcK4eSRmgL_i2lHpXkg76AnncUTT89fmny7AVu_7S6LtpiIkOWac2RMyas_Fc0e9TSRFSHFm2mxdbojZ-DlQ9rw6xq-XlTSobuL/s1600/Houston+Texans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1365" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvGvyI4bmnlEdHpjWF3KiNzWKVkzjxPZ0OrcK4eSRmgL_i2lHpXkg76AnncUTT89fmny7AVu_7S6LtpiIkOWac2RMyas_Fc0e9TSRFSHFm2mxdbojZ-DlQ9rw6xq-XlTSobuL/s320/Houston+Texans.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I read something so stupid that I have a hard believing that someone in America really believes what he is saying. Case in point - the outrage over Texans owner Bob McNair's comment on a conference call with other NFL team owners. Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">McNair is a well-known Houston zillionaire and philanthropist. He owns the Houston Texans football team. He is an older white man and for that he must be punished. This is where we are in today's world. McNair used an expression that each and every one of us has heard come out of the mouths of our parents or grandparents. He said, of the mess that the NFL finds itself in over players taking a knee instead of standing for the National Anthem, "We can't have the inmates running the prison." First, some of the Texans threatened to walk out of practice, then McNair apologized.<b> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2017/10/28/houston-texans-owner-makes-second-apology-for-inmates-running-prison-remark.html">Twice</a>.</b></span><br />
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"McNair released a second statement Saturday afternoon and insisted he wasn't referring to the players with his "very regretful comment." Instead he says he was "referring to the relationship between the league office and team owners and how they have been making significant strategic decisions affecting our league without adequate input from ownership over the past few years."<br />He then apologized to NFL players saying: "I am truly sorry to the players for how this has impacted them and the perception that it has created of me which could not be further from the truth. Our focus going forward, personally and as an organization, will be towards making meaningful progress regarding the social issues that mean so much to our players and our community."</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you may imagine, apologies are not good enough any more. The 79 year old owner is presumed racist and that will not be easy to overcome in our hyper-sensitive environment. I've heard reasoning that because a large percentage of players are African-American, this comment must be directed at those players - that McNair isn't sensitive to the life experiences of black men. I get it. There are a lot of black men and women in prison. There are also a lot of other demographics, too, including white Americans. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, then I read Sunday that the Texans were going to do a big protest against McNair <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/texans-brown-mcnair-told-players-he-was-unhappy-with-obamas-election/ar-AAuaKlk?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp">before the game</a> in Seattle. Left tackle Duane Brown led a call for the protest and successfully encouraged all but four players to take a knee before the game. I find it interesting that it happened at an away game, not in Houston. I have to think the response from the ticket holders would have been a bit different at home. I watched just enough of the broadcast to see that happen and listen to the announcers give me their hot takes on it and then I changed the channel. Yes, I only watched because I am writing this</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the thing - I say, the more protests, the better. I'm a political person and I like discourse. I encourage all people to get involved and make use of their God-given rights, within our Constitution. What better way is there to honor the sacrifices of those who came before us? I have lots of veterans in my family, both living and deceased, who fought for my right to speak up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the flip side of that - I utilize my right to protest with my feet and my pocketbook. Or, in this case, my remote control. I no longer support the NFL. When President Trump tweeted that players should be fired for not standing for the National Anthem and then the gesture escalated as the players reacted to that tweet, then I said, "I'm out." A handful of players taking a knee doesn't sway me one way or the other. This all began last season with a now unemployed social justice warrior disguised as a football player. Barack Obama was the president, if you remember. A couple of his teammates did the same and that was that. Now it's just all about being anti-Trump or, now, anti-McNair. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love politics. I love football. I hate politics taking over football. I watch sports to escape the current events of the day. I love competition. It's a game, it's not rocket science and it will not cure disease. It is grown men making lots of money playing a game for a living. Taking advantage of that high profile life to divide and not unite - the current cry from those doing the exact opposite - is wrong. I have stopped watching professional football and it makes me sad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank God for the Houston Astros. I am a "bandwagon" fan as I watch the World Series. I was once a baseball fan, back in the day, but lost interest as the greats of my day retired. With this current Astros team, though, I have found renewed zest in watching them play. What a joyful team! These guys are young and talented and eager to win. It has been heartwarming to see the Astros and their opponents stand and sing the National Anthem, as is the custom. It is particularly wonderful to see all the players who are immigrants to America participate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Go Astros. And, thank you.</span>Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-87370905549443303012017-10-21T07:29:00.000-06:002017-10-21T07:29:28.196-06:00Congresswoman Wilson's Disgraceful History on Voting Against the Veterans<div class="tr_bq">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuKW3CdOha40hVBlFILWDVx7-iQ4c5Lnh7gdQvmbcF_SO4yz2bMgZVglld5yPvRqacEfleMGjiqUVoBb_zoRHZ-ZNGooHhnk33wp1a4mlb0frOWrLLydEY9OxP9_GZ77qnSRg/s1600/rep+wilson.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuKW3CdOha40hVBlFILWDVx7-iQ4c5Lnh7gdQvmbcF_SO4yz2bMgZVglld5yPvRqacEfleMGjiqUVoBb_zoRHZ-ZNGooHhnk33wp1a4mlb0frOWrLLydEY9OxP9_GZ77qnSRg/s320/rep+wilson.gif" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Four Green Berets, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/10/20/niger-ambush-may-have-happened-because-meeting-dragged-us-officials-say.html"><b>the story goes</b></a>, were ambushed and killed in Niger after a meeting with local leaders. Sgt. La David Johnson, Staff Sgt. Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson, and Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright were killed. Sgt. La David Johnson was the only African American soldier in this foursome. President Trump called <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/355907-trump-speaks-to-families-of-service-members-killed-in-niger"><b>all four families</b></a> to extend his condolences </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">yet only one call is making headlines. Now, why would that be?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Make no mistake about it. In the minds and hate-filled political agenda of the political left in America, this is Trump's America and it is a racist place led by a white supremacist. <b><a href="https://wilson.house.gov/">Florida Representative Fredrica Wilson</a> </b>took advantage of her friendship with the aunt who raised Sgt. Johnson and went to the press with her interpretation of a phone call placed to the aunt from President Trump.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In order to boost her own political profile with the public, Wilson not only vilified Four Star General Kelly after he told <a href="http://ponderingpenguin.blogspot.com/2017/10/barack-obama-didnt-call-general-kelly.html"><b>his own Gold Star Dad story</b></a> to the White House Press Corps Thursday in response to Wilson's hideous interpretation of President Trump's phone call but she made it into a racial accusation. The ugly political left and their willing cohorts in the media were only too happy to take this accusation and run with it. Here are <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/20/clinton-pitbull-media-attack-kelly-after-gold-star-general-defends-trump-condolence-call.html"><b>two examples</b></a>, from Twitter, one from a Hillary Clinton mouthpiece and one from MSNBC: </span><br />
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<b>“Kelly isnt just an enabler of Trump. He's a believer in him. That makes him as odious as the rest. Dont be distracted by the uniform,” Hillary Clinton’s former spokesman and CNN contributor Brian Fallon tweeted.</b></div>
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<b>Kelly isnt just an enabler of Trump. He's a believer in him. That makes him as odious as the rest. Dont be distracted by the uniform.</b></div>
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<b>“I am stunned by John Kelley's lies about a black woman who he called an 'empty barrel,'” MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell tweeted.</b></div>
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<b>I am stunned by John Kelley's lies about a black woman who he called an 'empty barrel.' <a class="link customisable" data-expanded-url="http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/lawrence-stunned-by-john-kelly-s-attack-on-rep-wilson-1077490243772" data-scribe="element:url" dir="ltr" href="https://t.co/cqA2pQ3vWp" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background-color: transparent; color: #2b7bb9; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/lawrence-stunned-by-john-kelly-s-attack-on-rep-wilson-1077490243772"><span class="u-hiddenVisually" style="border: 0px !important; clip: rect(1px 1px 1px 1px) !important; height: 1px !important; overflow: hidden !important; padding: 0px !important; position: absolute !important; width: 1px !important;">http://www.</span>msnbc.com/the-last-word/<span class="u-hiddenVisually" style="border: 0px !important; clip: rect(1px 1px 1px 1px) !important; height: 1px !important; overflow: hidden !important; padding: 0px !important; position: absolute !important; width: 1px !important;">watch/lawrence-stunned-by-john-kelly-s-attack-on-rep-wilson-1077490243772 </span>…</a> via <a class="PrettyLink profile customisable h-card" data-mentioned-user-id="2836421" data-scribe="element:mention" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/MSNBC" style="background-color: transparent; color: #2b7bb9; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span class="PrettyLink-prefix">@</span><span class="PrettyLink-value">msnbc</span></a></b></div>
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Lawrence: 'Stunned' by John Kelly's attack on Rep. Wilson</a></h2>
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<a class="js-openLink u-block TwitterCardsGrid-col--12 TwitterCard-container TwitterCard-container--clickable SummaryCard--large" data-card-breakpoints="w450 w400 w350 w300 w250 w200 w150 w100 w50 " data-theme="light" href="https://t.co/cqA2pQ3vWp" rel="noopener" style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(225, 232, 237); border-radius: 0.42857em; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #2b7bb9; cursor: pointer; display: block !important; float: left; outline-offset: -1px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; text-decoration-line: none; transition: background-color 0.15s ease-in-out, border-color 0.15s ease-in-out; width: 458px;"><b>While defending President Donald Trump's "brave" condolence call to a Gold Star family, Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly attacked Rep. Frederica Wilson, calling her an "empty barrel." Lawrence O'Donn...</b></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These are the only two examples I'll leave here. The others from celebrities, leftists and the #NeverTrump (an ever shrinking) brigade are all over social media and are brutally nasty. Mind you, the general was relaying his own story and taking the press through the process of how the fallen are taken from the battlefield through their return to America. The left, never known for supporting the military, showed their true colors once again. Believe them all when they tell you who they are.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The congresswoman has <a href="https://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2017/10/19/florida-dem-criticizing-trump-over-insensitive-remarks-to-widow-of-slain-us-soldier-has-terrible-record-on-helping-vets-n2397280"><b>a poor record voting</b></a> in support of military veterans and on funding the military.</span></blockquote>
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<b>The measures that Wilson opposed included a bill that could have ensured that families of four soldiers slain in Afghanistan in 2013 received death and burial benefits. […]</b><b>Despite Wilson's claim to be “committed to honoring our service members, not only with words but with deeds,” she has voted against most bills ensuring continued funding for veteran benefits, including payments to widows of fallen soldiers, the vote-tracking site shows.</b><b>She has also opposed measures designed to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs.</b><b>In March 2013, Wilson opposed the “Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act,” which prevented a government shutdown and provided funds for the U.S. military and the VA.</b><b>The bill, which passed with bipartisan support and was signed into law by the Obama administration, provided funding to the military and the VA until the next government shutdown showdown. […]</b><b>Later in the year, Wilson again voted against a resolution aimed at ensuring benefits paid to the veterans and their families would not be affected by the government shutdown in October that year. […]</b><b>The congresswoman also opposed numerous bills aimed at improving VA services provided the veterans and their families. (<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/19/florida-democrat-wilson-no-friend-veterans-vote-record-shows.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2986cc;" target="_blank">FoxNews.com</a>)</b></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The congresswoman claimed that General Kelly's use of the term "empty barrel" was a racist slur. Truth is, that phrase goes all the way back to Plato. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the left, it is all about identity and grievance politics, always. When the congresswoman first came to the U.S. House of Representatives, she was informed she would not be allowed to wear her hats on the floor. She called this a sexist rule, though it was <b><a href="http://history.house.gov/HistoricalHighlight/Detail/36414">put into place </a>f</b>or men not to wear hats on the floor. Duh. It dates back to </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">September 14, 1837. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">So, for the Florida congresswoman, it's all about the "isms". Perhaps a refresher history course is in order. Or, maybe just a few tips on simply using Google before lodging absurd, self-serving criticisms. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">President Trump called all four of the families. I wonder why this one phone call caused such a stir, don't you? Just kidding. We know.</span>Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-37823945600206133822017-10-20T09:45:00.001-06:002017-10-20T09:45:10.060-06:00Barack Obama Didn't Call General Kelly After Son Was Killed In Action<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thursday I watched the White House press briefing and I saw an American hero emotionally walk the press corps through the process of transferring a fallen soldier from the battlefield to the delivery of the news to his or her family. His emotion was in check, to be sure, but he did tear up a bit as he spoke. I teared up as he spoke. He is a Gold Star Dad and the whole episode has caused him much pain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I now have <i>Taking Chance</i> on my to-watch list. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What strikes me is the fact that General Kelly's Commander-in-Chief, President Barack Obama, didn't make a phone call to him or his family to express his condolences in the loss of their son in Afghanistan. There are not so many four star generals and even less who become Gold Star Dads so I find it disturbing that so little personal attention was given to the loss. If we are to believe the narrative promoted from the political left that Obama respected the military so much and Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Biden were so attentive to the needs of military families, surely a phone call from Obama to General Kelly would be a normal action. But, it wasn't and it didn't happen. Apparently General Kelly did sit at Michelle Obama's <a href="https://www.apnews.com/33e05d95e44842528e74c1f8df572ad0">table at a breakfast</a> one time. </span><br />
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<b>"A White House official said Obama did not call Kelly after his son’s death but did not say whether the former president reached out in some other fashion. White House visitor records show Kelly attended a breakfast Obama hosted for Gold Star families six months after his son died. A person familiar with the breakfast — speaking on condition of anonymity because the event was private — said the Kelly family sat at Michelle Obama’s table.</b></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">So, there's that.</span><br />
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Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-10649232318388010892017-10-03T10:23:00.002-06:002017-10-03T10:23:38.151-06:00United Republicans of Harris County Invites Public to Event with RPT Chairman James Dickey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDGJ62zMy1RT0msd-ZIqSt3u_oNwqVShvWo7cs8TArGae9IvlNTep8EHRtHRQjVI_3TnO6jfDE9GyXu031qJ_EC9w7C5LcUcbPQ0_3DX8RBE43izVgMoboOnLQVKWhg20d1_j/s1600/URHC+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="156" data-original-width="600" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDGJ62zMy1RT0msd-ZIqSt3u_oNwqVShvWo7cs8TArGae9IvlNTep8EHRtHRQjVI_3TnO6jfDE9GyXu031qJ_EC9w7C5LcUcbPQ0_3DX8RBE43izVgMoboOnLQVKWhg20d1_j/s400/URHC+photo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">You Are Cordially Invited To A </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">United Republicans' Meeting</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">With Special Guest</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>James Dickey,</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Chairman,</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Republican Party of Texas</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000090; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b>TOPIC</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">"Update on the<br />Republican Party <span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">of Texas"</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #d80000; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #d80000; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Plans for the 2018 Election Cycle</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #d52c2a; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #000090; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Tuesday, October 10, 2017</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">6:30 pm Coffee and Conversation</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">7:00-8:00 pm Program</span></span></div>
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000090; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <b>Trini Mendenhall Community Center</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><div>
1414 Wirt Road</div>
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Houston, TX 77055</div>
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(Event and Parking are Free!)</div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=00119oC-fJplTJNNF3jsGPkMrIAQQyzXZbaVCRwhgdNdHasxEAIOgt6-SJ0PCpHKmhS7n0WbiHQDOnf14trdvuIVSLzJ8nCDOs5sTvgg_QhDuCn6ZPUkPKmAGyb1KqZsVgasr328JF3sVXDedwOTw9SicT-2mroZnFedtya0CzmiNKq_kojyMiWmjfC6kbr2dKldiNlnVgcUSe6QYYF5uv5gCvNegQ07SYUByTjx7kah4bwEAx_F_o18q0GI6_e0rT1H15KHOC_Ys5fYliRJY5Ja6a9UuEau6ESqk5dEHf3uK93KI_lqQ7pfI_ES5FKOBp8cfdbAjSlkqWmEMr4AQGo1IFaS2Ob2SdjfEDnWE3iWpmooMqaO0VhU3lJ3CaEHd2R1CUxmnyFgs3GLisgG7wTR9UWrX0uhPsgyzCrgZVrJAXIWyTz6qSYPM0-3O7OMQ4BoaBelzSTxRY7TYrW5McVFQ==&c=8yhvbwmen9tuodldrt4KtgjRwWST6mAmEmIsOxeTHV8G5Y5noTbyXQ==&ch=F8yzPV3Z1Z0RqYmQUXi5PUJ_8FdZF1BbCRIBEHIuRIJeliGD3aqcGw==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google Map to Location</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">*CLICK TO </span></span><a href="mailto:rsvp@urhc.net?subject=2018%20Election%20Cycle%20with%20James%20Dickey" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">RSVP</span></span></a><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> FOR THE EVENT </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">PLEASE RSVP BY OCTOBER 7, 2017</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Thank You</span></span></div>
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Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-47318773001612017532017-09-05T11:23:00.005-06:002017-09-05T11:23:59.687-06:00Surviving Hurricane Harvey: Part Four - It Was The Reservoirs, Not the Storm That Flooded West Houston<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMQneFE9LnZ0MFs33eHff0NGbgmMuJyiYt4t5qjaalqKUzMDjJNABhiqEfWlIaX614vXC5aW1uyVemjN8Wx_6iB1w72yt24S3N3jEkIZxdfSrhc2OUf0ZHqOqE8pE0PEYxUwy/s1600/21151409_10212098082665768_6721649658439725084_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="560" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMQneFE9LnZ0MFs33eHff0NGbgmMuJyiYt4t5qjaalqKUzMDjJNABhiqEfWlIaX614vXC5aW1uyVemjN8Wx_6iB1w72yt24S3N3jEkIZxdfSrhc2OUf0ZHqOqE8pE0PEYxUwy/s320/21151409_10212098082665768_6721649658439725084_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simply put, an area of west Houston was sacrificed in order to protect other subdivisions from even more dramatic flooding. These subdivisions, now flooded at devastating proportions, have no history of experiencing flooding. The Army Corps of Engineers released water from the Addicks and Barker Dams. This, we were told, was to allow room in the dams should more rain fall. Water in the reservoirs was released - controlled releases - to make room for future rain water. Buffalo Bayou needed relief, we were told. The result of this decision was unprecedented flooding in neighborhoods from near-in west Houston all the way to areas in Katy. To say this is tragic is not an exaggeration. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Houston City Councilman Greg Travis, District G, has done an excellent job keeping residents informed of actions by the Corps of Engineers and the City of Houston. This explains what action was taken and the video link is a helpful way to understand how the water moved as it flooded the area. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The storm of Hurricane Harvey didn't destroy us, it was the reservoirs after the storm that did that. Now, the mayor has approved the power to be cut off in homes and apartments that were flooded, on the heels of a mandatory evacuation order. This hampers the ability to allow some who wish to stay in their homes despite the water and protect their property. People who have dry homes are told their power will remain on but that isn't always the case. Councilman Travis, for example, said his home didn't flood but his power was cut. There is a number to call if this happens: <b>713-207-2222</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Some people from outside ask why Texans don't buy flood insurance. It is estimated that only 20% of those flooded out have flood insurance. In this case, it is because most of these homes are not on flood plains. The area has never flooded and homeowners weren't advised to buy flood insurance. My husband and I never bought flood insurance. We survived Tropical Storm Allison and Hurricane Ike without our home flooding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I watched Mayor Sylvester Turner on some of the Sunday morning talk shows and he did a good job encouraging people to keep their plans - the City of Houston is open for business. He went on to say that "95% of the city is dry now." I understand what he was doing - it's his job to keep the city and its economy moving forward - but that is an exaggerated number. In my own case, my home remained dry and our power has stayed on. Our Internet and television was only out briefly - a matter of some 8 hours or so due to a truck crashing into a utility pole - so we are grateful beyond belief. But, the down side is that we are limited in our travel due to flooded streets all around us. Imagine an island surrounded by water - that is how we continue to live. The Corps of Engineers foresees reservoir releases for the next 10 days or so and flooded streets will remain while that continues. It's a waiting game. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My former neighborhood still has large parts underwater. Remember when<a href="http://ponderingpenguin.blogspot.com/2017/08/surviving-hurricane-harvey.html"> I wrote about moving to our current home</a> last January? My husband was able to drive up to our former home this morning and spoke with the current owner. The house remained dry inside by the grace of about a 1/4 of an inch. That warmed my heart. We cling to the good stories because the bad ones are overwhelming. So many of my friends and acquaintances in 'my' part of town have lost homes and cars and much of their possessions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We will get through this. We are grateful. #HoustonStrong</span></div>
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<br />Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-7242925054313077122017-09-03T20:29:00.002-06:002017-09-03T20:29:39.582-06:00Surviving Hurricane Harvey: Part Three - Goodness Abounds<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VTOkWMLqHubuPKdM45tOrPE0S9DdifDlT7YiC9chz6udwOyGYolk2083cs_UKRECY1IVO-qvMmyPdAG2564SD6WpynCX0eihky1n-PhvALGOVV4wLY97qOawrYw4ULt78AaU/s1600/21151409_10212098082665768_6721649658439725084_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="560" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VTOkWMLqHubuPKdM45tOrPE0S9DdifDlT7YiC9chz6udwOyGYolk2083cs_UKRECY1IVO-qvMmyPdAG2564SD6WpynCX0eihky1n-PhvALGOVV4wLY97qOawrYw4ULt78AaU/s320/21151409_10212098082665768_6721649658439725084_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The good far outweighs the bad in response to Hurricane Harvey and the recovery efforts in the aftermath. Texans helping Texans happens spontaneously. There is no such thing as sitting around and waiting for outside help around here. Volunteers from across the country have felt our pain and risen to the occasion. All of this revives hope for the human race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Houston, know for its diversity, is the nation's fourth largest city and it is home to immigrants from literally any country you can think of. The greatest asset of this city, to me, is the glorious mix of people and cultures who all live together peacefully with a live and let live kind of attitude. You know all those riots in the streets of other large cities around America? That doesn't happen here. I don't know why but I think it has to do with the attitude of the city. We're simply not havin' that stuff. This isn't to say there aren't distinct differences in opinions and that conflict doesn't happen. There are problems here like other places. It is to say, though, the Texas spirit thrives in Houston. Immigrants to the city embrace it. Texans look out for each other - even those among us who are not here legally. As Congress continues to refuse to seriously tackle immigration reform, people are here in limbo, hurricane or not. One of the first announcements made by the mayor and the police chief was about those living here illegally - no one was in jeopardy of facing an ICE agent for simply seeking shelter and aid due to the storm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Only in America would a fund be established to help "undocumented" Houstonians during Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. The local ABC network affiliate's self-described "social media contributor" on Twitter actively promotes it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4H6MYL_5-_c7Eq6BVNs0uRWJsRkvA0iGe3BtOROYnH1CeY-kOG_qC-zVDkud-cy-IBUWECx-prvXMn06S1uqmEcrKGhfBWX5FY9rpc9BS2C0R9C6ls27rtwRQth4OZ6m8klh/s1600/DIplnUmV4AEPX0Z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4H6MYL_5-_c7Eq6BVNs0uRWJsRkvA0iGe3BtOROYnH1CeY-kOG_qC-zVDkud-cy-IBUWECx-prvXMn06S1uqmEcrKGhfBWX5FY9rpc9BS2C0R9C6ls27rtwRQth4OZ6m8klh/s320/DIplnUmV4AEPX0Z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One caption for this claims: "575,000+ undocumented immigrant families live in <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Houston?src=hash"><span style="color: #ffb500;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><s>#</s><b>Houston</b></span></span></a> & surrounding suburbs. Many don't qualify for Gov aid." 575,000 undocumented in one American city. That is unheard of in any other spot in the world. Shame on national media in town asking local and state politicians - even Governor Abbott - about any pending DACA decision coming from President Trump. This should be an issue for Congress, not another executive order from the sitting president. Obama did it for political expediency. America's immigration system deserves, indeed demands, honest reform. Here is<a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2017/09/03/shameless-abc-exploits-harvey-aftermath-push-daca"> a good recap</a> of a particularly shameless DACA discussion inserted into stories of Hurricane Harvey relief in Houston.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Remember the photograph of President Trump holding us the Texas flag during his first stop in Texas, during his first trip after Harvey struck? It was in Corpus Christi and a crowd of locals gathered as the president thanked first responders for their work. A teenage boy brought the flag to see the president and the Secret Service asked if he'd allow them to borrow it. <a href="http://insider.foxnews.com/2017/09/02/teen-owner-texas-flag-waved-president-asks-help-houston">He did</a>. Marcos Garza asked for donations of water and baby wipes for his hometown and then said, "I think we should support the president during his run right now, because he kind of needs it." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are many ways to help all those affected by Hurricane Harvey. How about some retail therapy? Here is<a href="http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/08-31-17-where-to-shop-now-sale-of-stylish-merchandise-helps-harvey-relief-efforts/?utm_source=hot-headlines&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=website"> a list of retail outlets</a> who are donating all or a portion of the proceeds of merchandise to recovery efforts. Remember when people unfamiliar with basic economics mocked former President G.W. Bush for telling America to go shopping after the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks? Yeah. Well, patronizing retail outlets stimulates the economy and helps recovery efforts. Simple, right? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">After you do some shopping, you may want to go out for a bite to eat. Here is<a href="http://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/09-01-17-support-harvey-relief-by-dining-at-these-houston-restaurants/?utm_source=dining-report&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=website#slide=0"> a list of some local establishments </a>donating portions of receipts to hurricane recovery efforts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The list of heroes during this horrible time is long and continues to grow. There are no words to measure the hard work and dedicated spirits shown by our <a href="http://houston.culturemap.com/news/city-life/09-01-17-saluting-the-real-heroes-of-harvey-first-responders-and-volunteers-from-near-save-lives-and-lift-everyones-spirits/?utm_source=daily-digest&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=website#slide=0">first responders and the countless volunteer rescue workers.</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan wrote <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-american-spirit-is-alive-in-texas-1504221483">a good piece</a> capturing the urgency of Congressional approval of federal dollars to be sent to Texas for recovery efforts. As happenstance would have it, Ms. Noonan was in San Antonio delivering a keynote address to a group of think tank types gathering for a convention. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Recovery is beginning. As water recedes, people are able to go back to their homes and start the process of tossing out damaged possessions and repairing their homes. Streets are lined with the fruits of peoples labors and family heirlooms alike, not just soggy carpeting and moldy drywall. Streets in my part of town are still flooded due to reservoir releases so police secure the entrance to our development and once out on the street, it is difficult to maneuver around to something as necessary as an open grocery store. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This, too, shall pass. We will get through it. We are grateful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-61065236642345706442017-09-02T09:56:00.004-06:002017-09-02T09:56:54.482-06:00Surviving #HurricaneHarvey: Part Two - Political Cartoons<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It didn't take long for the ugliness from the left to rear its head and publish political cartoons mocking Texas during Hurricane Harvey. People were still being rescued, the rain was still falling and people were looking for shelter as the cartoons hit the Internet. The souls of many are twisted and a national tragedy, brought on by Mother Nature, opened an opportunity for them to show their disdain of Texas, the nation's largest red state.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It began with the ugly <a href="http://ijr.com/the-declaration/2017/08/961652-politico-cartoonist-mocks-houston-flooding-victims-depicting-religious-racist-redneck/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social">cartoon in @Politico</a>:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkp-GsBm0AjpU_k6kpT5MeSvhCtgYHz7BI2jru6Aw1Lg_rc3l8tpkmbyCR1pWSVC4QfxHx9a0ZYK0IKpAPpYjf9_aaFqQnN2ielqtemZElons7GYQ2WfzvtK911y6aQ6azq5B/s1600/DIfuTsTWsA8tp4c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1160" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkp-GsBm0AjpU_k6kpT5MeSvhCtgYHz7BI2jru6Aw1Lg_rc3l8tpkmbyCR1pWSVC4QfxHx9a0ZYK0IKpAPpYjf9_aaFqQnN2ielqtemZElons7GYQ2WfzvtK911y6aQ6azq5B/s320/DIfuTsTWsA8tp4c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is an attack on people of faith and small government conservatives and a little smack to the Texas secessionists fringe for good measure. Funny, I don't see the liberals in California wanting to secede being mocked. The cartoonist is a coward, though, and as soon as the social media blowback began, he deleted his tweet publicizing it. <br />
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The next bit of ugliness to catch my eye was this one from <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/culture/corinne-weaver/2017/08/30/charlie-hebdo-cover-mocks-texas-victims-drowning-nazis">the staff of Charlie Hebdo</a> in Paris:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ277Ey1RV_plwiK8xf7u5wYPq526hOw0FCEpVY66huSqneak5EmO7D5Nq57IN_826KxNF8y0PVXNMRObdVClmdHeIRv5WdeBqlFNtBLudxn2ZlEyJGjYnMe78SDYioCz7Mwj9/s1600/2119207916470251353206184930847123385433922n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="756" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ277Ey1RV_plwiK8xf7u5wYPq526hOw0FCEpVY66huSqneak5EmO7D5Nq57IN_826KxNF8y0PVXNMRObdVClmdHeIRv5WdeBqlFNtBLudxn2ZlEyJGjYnMe78SDYioCz7Mwj9/s320/2119207916470251353206184930847123385433922n.jpg" width="252" /></a></span></div>
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Nazi references are common when the left goes after the right. I think it is the lowest of slurs and particularly low-brow. My paternal grandfather was Jewish. The only Nazis were actual Nazis, not your particular political opponents.<br />
Remember when everyone, including me, posted this on social media platforms after the attack by Islamic terrorists on the publication?<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Misspelled sign, 'militia' headquarters - the hatred is real towards the people in a red state. Once upon a time I lived in Atlanta and I went to college there, so this opportunism disguised as political comment doesn't surprise me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The coastal elites hate us. We get it. What about the liberals living in Texas, though? No empathy for them, either? They were flooded out, too. Mother Nature doesn't distinguish between conservatives and liberals. Painting with broad brushes never ends well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I see all the social media nastiness because I live in social media and politics. I have chosen to use my platforms for information. Twitter is an excellent tool for up to the minute news and is invaluable in an emergency. My previous blog post, Part One, was my personal thoughts as the rain stopped and the recovery begins. This one is to show reactions from those not in the storm. This is the ugly side. The good side is out there, too, and so much stronger than the ugly. Part Three will be about that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Good wins. Love conquers hate. We will get through this. #HoustonStrong #TexasTough </span></div>
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<br />Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-36084838807483825422017-08-31T18:51:00.000-06:002017-08-31T19:33:41.068-06:00Surviving Hurricane Harvey - #HoustonStrong Part One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A hawk visited outside yesterday. My family thinks hawks are a sign of good luck. I'll take it. Today the visitors have included a heron and an egret who must both be as confused as the rest of us as they wade around on land that is normally dry behind our development. My adopted city has drown in about 50 inches of rain from Hurricane Harvey over the last few days and my heart is broken. Moving to Houston from south Louisiana about 20 years ago, living on the Gulf Coast most of my life, I count Houston as the tenth place I've lived in my life - nine in America, one in Venezuela. I love this city and her people. This is my adopted home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Surreal. Surreal is the word that has been present in my head as my family and I have lived through this catastrophic weather event. I haven't left the house in seven days now. I am not about to complain about that or about the occasional bouts of cabin fever that make me snap. We have remained dry and our power has remained on the entire time. I am so very, very grateful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">My husband and I made the decision at the end of 2016 to sell our home of 20 years and downsize to townhouse living. We are at that stage in life where we no longer want the burdens of owning a large home and the swimming pool and the yard. We didn't, however, want to leave the area in which we live. So, we are in a townhouse literally 2 miles out from the subdivision in which we lived all those years. In January, as we moved, I admit to second thoughts. Was I really ready for the change? Let me tell you - life events happen sometimes that turn out to be a gift in disguise. Yesterday, all day long, we looked out a back window as our former neighbors in our former subdivision were evacuated out via air boats and smaller motorized boats. The subdivision has never experienced that before this hurricane. Not during Tropical Storm Allison, not during past hurricanes. Sure, during times of heavy downpours, the streets would fill and water would rise and then drain off. This is Houston, after all. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But not water coming up and into homes. Surreal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The two big reservoirs on my side of town had to have slow releases to preserve the integrity of the dams' infrastructures. So, areas that do not normally flood are now underwater - like my old neighborhood. I have learned more about reservoirs and water retention than I ever wanted to learn. Houston is built to handle flooding with parks and golf courses, etc. serving to hold large quantities of water in storms. Hurricane Harvey, though, was simply too much. The level of stress as water rises is unimaginable. My mind hasn't focused properly since last week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The people of Houston are the best. The outpouring of support and help - neighbor helping neighbor, strangers helping each other - remind me of the goodness of people out there in the world. When you live in the world of politics, like I do, sometimes that message gets lost. The generosity of those outside of Texas has also been humbling. Texans show up for others in need and that is being returned to us in folds. We are grateful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">As this picture shows, Houstonians line up to volunteer to help others in need. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">How great is that?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The downtown convention center was turned into a shelter and these fine people were standing in line, in the rain, to go in to help out. #HoustonStrong</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Local news stations have covered the storm since it began Thursday night into Friday morning. It has been 24/7 television coverage pre-empting regular network programming. It is overwhelming. This is Houston. We will get through it. #TexasTough</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My next blog post will be about the politics of Hurricane Harvey. Today's not the day for that, though. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Onward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-39102419083545703982017-08-15T12:48:00.000-06:002017-08-15T12:54:14.195-06:00Cowardly CEO's Abandon Trump's Manufacturing Council <br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The exodus of business CEO's and leaders from the Presidential Committee on American Manufacturing began with Kenneth C. Frazier, Chairman and CEO of Merck Pharmaceutical when Trump's statement on the hideous Charlottesville white supremacists and the counter-protesters came up lacking. <span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, piling on, Intel's CEO, Brian Krzanich and Under Armour's Kevin Plank<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/14/trump-ceos-merck-kenneth-frazier-241626"> followed suit</a> on Monday - after the president issued a second statement.</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On<a href="http://aa.com.tr/en/americas/trump-fumes-as-business-leaders-leave-council/885144"> Tuesday</a>, Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul resigned. Liberals and their #NeverTrump cohorts are cheering these men on. The far left wing of the Democrats are encouraging a boycott of companies whose leaders who have not resigned. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br />I would encourage people, whether #NeverTrump, or always Trump, or somewhere in between, to think hard before patronizing the companies run by these quitters. Make no mistake, this is no big action of conscience. This is all about leftist politics and the demand that all Americans fall in line with the dictates of the far left. These cowards signed on to the committee and enjoyed the publicity that their close proximity to the most powerful man on earth, a business man himself, provided. The committee has some two dozen members and most have chosen to go about their business - bringing jobs to American workers and providing stockholders with dividends. This is their job. These are the adults in the room.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The quitters are cowards and show a failure to lead. Stockholders should be alarmed that the leader of a company with whom they are invested has taken himself/herself out of the discussion; has vacated a seat at the table. A real leader wants to be part of the discussion. A real leader doesn't grandstand in social media and make a big deal out of a childish decision to retreat. It's easy to quit - staying and doing the work is hard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">President Trump may not have said the right words in his initial statement but his second statement very clearly named names and made clear any clarity the first statement might have lacked. Perhaps they didn't get the memo when the people spoke last November - the days of a president beholden to political correctness are over. Trump is the same man he was when these men signed on to the manufacturing council. Taking advantage of a national tragedy for their own self aggrandizement is sick. Shame on them all.</span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-36530331418059391502017-07-15T13:14:00.000-06:002017-07-15T13:43:08.514-06:00Reebok Trolls Trump and Guarantees Trump's Second Term<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Athletic gear company Reebok trolled President Trump this weekend over Trump's alleged remark to the French president's wife. It<a href="http://www.complex.com/sneakers/2017/07/trump-slammed-in-reebok-ad"> is reported</a> that Trump complimented Brigette Macron by saying, "You're in such great shape....beautiful." Reebok took to Twitter and social media to lob a politically correct response. As you may imagine, Trump supporters and non-supporters have a little something to say about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">For a little background on Mrs. Macron - she enjoyed a long career as a literature teacher at an elite school in Paris. Age 64, she first met her husband, age 39, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigitte_Macron">when he was a student in her class. </a>The school was a Jesuit school, by the way. She retired from the classroom to help her husband run for the French presidency. She tried her hand at politics in 1989 when she ran as a candidate for city council but she was not successful. She divorced her first husband in 2006 - with whom she has three children - and married Macron in 2007. She is pretty, petite, and yes, in very good shape. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reebok took to social to virtue-shame the president, as those concerned about political correctness above all common sense are prone to do. Here is what appeared on Twitter: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's all a bit too silly. Is anyone really surprised that Trump would make a remark like this? Of course not. Was it wildly inappropriate? Maybe. Was it worth a day or two of commentary? No. It's just another distraction. She wasn't an employee of Trump's and they were both in the company of their spouses. No long term damage has been done and, if truth be told, she probably enjoyed the compliment. What 64 year old woman wouldn't enjoy it? The phony outrage machine churning up once again to make the left and other sore losers from November (the American media, in particular) feel superior has produced a definitive result - regular Trump supporters no longer pay any attention to the noise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">This is how we got Trump in the first place. If this sort of silliness continues, his second term as POTUS will be guaranteed. </span></div>
<br />Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-81909798568612735592017-06-30T14:50:00.000-06:002017-06-30T14:50:12.927-06:00The Tweet That Set the Left on Fire<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm old enough to remember when MSNBC was a new cable network and three women hosted a weekday show - Gina Gaston, Ashleigh Banfeld, and Mika </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brzezinski. Gina Gaston is an evening news anchor for the Houston ABC News affiliate; Ashleigh Banfeld moved on to CNN and HLN; and Mika is still with MSNBC. I have not been a fan of Mika's for a very long time. Mika is now a co-host and newsreader for that network's <i>Morning Joe</i> show. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A little recent background on the <i>Morning Joe</i> hosts: she was given the <b><a href="http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/mark-finkelstein/2010/06/21/mika-admits-im-working-white-house-oil-spill-talking-points">Obama administration talking points</a></b> and recited them during the course of the show during that administration. She was a vocal and unabashed Hillary supporter during the last election cycle. Her co-host is former GOP congressman Joe Scarborough. Both have divorced their spouses and are now engaged to each other. Both were friendly with Donald Trump and allowed him on their show regularly, as did all the other networks, giving him unprecedented in-kind (free) campaign publicity in exchange for ratings. Then, once Trump became the GOP nominee, they turned on him, as did CNN and some on Fox, as well as all the dinosaur networks. Since his election, the hosts have regularly - maybe daily - slammed Trump as mentally unbalanced, a liar, unfit for office, and all the usual liberal sounding slurs. Like other networks (looking at you, CNN), the show brings on #NeverTrump 'conservatives' who happily join in on the personal attacks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Like the former president, Barack Obama, Trump is a thin-skinned man. Now seeing improvement in the show ratings, the hosts should be sending Trump a fruit basket with a thank you note for providing fuel to the turnaround. With a bitterly divided nation tuning in to shows supporting the opinions most closely aligned with themselves, MSNBC, once a laughingstock in cable news now finds its ratings rising. Why? A quick look at its programming tells the tale. Like CNN, it is all Trump/GOP bashing 24/7. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">President Trump expertly uses social media to push out his message to millions of followers. I'm all in favor of using social media as a tool. For politicians, Twitter and Facebook, even Instagram, should be used to promote policy and progress on the agenda on any given day. The problem with Trump, though, is that he is a coarse and aggressive New York businessman unaccustomed to self-censorship and self-control. He gets very personal in his criticisms on Twitter instead of sticking to policy and politics. That's a big no-no when it is from the President of the United States, the most powerful man on earth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We knew all this as Trump ran for POTUS. It's why Republicans like me didn't support him in the primary. He's not my cup of tea. That said, once he became the GOP nominee, he became my candidate. I didn't have to like him to vote for him.The Supreme Court nominations and conservative governing policies are too important to me to ever vote for a Democrat for president. Ever. Sanctimonious long-time Republicans who threw support to Hillary or third party candidates with no hope of winning forever lost my respect. The professional class that earns a living off the Republican party understood that they would no longer be in the inner circle and they responded according. They were willing to support Hillary Clinton and the Bernie Sanders crowd over a Republican promising to govern as a conservative. Today they all sound just like the left on social media - more interested in slamming the president than supporting solid policy and initiatives the GOP is moving forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thursday, after the usual barrage of nasty statements from Mika and aided by her fiancé, Joe, the president took to Twitter and took his thoughts into personal criticism. He said Mika was bleeding from a face lift over the New Year's holiday and he (Trump) didn't want to join her and Joe during <a href="http://www.maralagoclub.com/">Mar-a-Lago</a> festivities. Apparently the face lift part set the left on fire. I understand the discomfort from those offended. Personal attacks are not right, especially from the president, who should be leading by example. The fact that the show hosts are using personal attacks against him for ratings doesn't matter in this case. Keep it about facts, not snarky personal attacks, I would counsel him. I'm most concerned that others around President Trump don't have the sense to counsel him themselves. He is a 70 year old man, though, and no one should have really expected him to make good completely on his campaign promise to act presidential, should he win the election. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mika and Joe are special examples of Trump Derangement Syndrome within the media. Truly the only respite from non-stop Trump bashing on television is to be found on Fox News - most of the time, and from OAN, though it can be harder to find. Those two hosts take extra pleasure in going as low as possible in their slurs against Trump. Whatever happened to "When they go low, we go high"? Oh, yeah. It was really never a thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, here's what I think about the latest Twitter storm - do I care about the face lift crack? No. She's even come out and admitted she had what she calls minor surgery on her chin at that time. She's upset that it came out into the public, no doubt. I wouldn't like that, either. Should Trump have gone that far? No. There are any number of ways he could have constructed a tweet to let his displeasure of their lowbrow conversations against him be known without making it a personal jab. But, we all know that is not Trump. This isn't a surprise. It makes me angry, though, that Trump seems unable to control himself long enough to allow a really good week go by for his administration and allow the headlines be about political accomplishment, not silly Twitter wars. This was a good week for Trump, politically speaking. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously ( quite unusual these days) in favor of his travel ban, immigration reform measures were signed, VA reform legislation was signed, tort reform has passed, unemployment is down, job creation is up, and so on. He should be tweeting about all that to satisfy his urge to use Twitter. Take the wins. Let the other stuff go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Make no mistake - I have no sympathy for Mika. She's a nasty human being and has a good-sized platform to promote her brand of bullying and hate. It's divisive and unnecessary. As a leftist, she has lots of things she could criticize the GOP and Trump about on policy. She uses the ugliness for ratings. Trump <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/06/29/melania-defends-trumps-harsh-twitter-attack-on-mika/?utm_source=maropost&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nypevening&utm_content=20170629&mpweb=755-3807746-719329920">punches back</a>. This is not a surprise, as he campaigned on that. She responded to Trump's tweets by using one of her own - a personal attack on the size of Trump's hands. So, tit for tat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mika and Joe published an op-ed this morning as they left for vacation. No, I am not linking it here. I'm sick of this nonsense. It's time for everyone to grow the hell up. There are eight years of the destruction left from the Obama years to correct and there is no time to waste. If President Trump truly wants to Make America Great Again - and I think he does - it's time to get on with it. </span> </div>
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<br />Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-5887528551525850682017-06-30T08:55:00.000-06:002017-06-30T08:55:51.761-06:00Trump Nominates Texan Kay Bailey Hutchison for Ambassador to NATO<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good news, fellow Texans! President Trump has nominated our own former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison to be the next Ambassador to NATO. This is truly an excellent choice. Not only am I pleased to see her be recognized with such a prestigious position, but she is well qualified to do the job. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This is the press release issued last night from Senator John Cornyn:</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Cornyn Statement on Nomination of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison as U.S. Ambassador to NATO </span></b><span style="color: black;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria",serif;">WASHINGTON –</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria",serif;"> U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) issued the following statement after President Donald Trump nominated former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) to be U.S. Ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO):</span><span style="color: black;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria",serif;">“Throughout her career in public service, Kay’s dedication to helping others and advancing commonsense Texas values has been second to none. With a proven track record of getting results, she has always done what she thought was in the best interest of Texas and our country. </span></b><span style="color: black;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria",serif;">“I have no doubt she will now bring her tireless advocacy and fierce work ethic to the world stage on behalf of the American people. I’m thankful she has once again answered the call to service, and I look forward to supporting my fellow Texan’s nomination before the U.S. Senate.”</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kay Bailey Hutchison was the first woman to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate. She also became the first Texas U.S. senator to receive more than four million votes in a single election.</span></span></div>
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<br />Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-9623492932225517002017-06-19T19:26:00.002-06:002017-06-19T19:26:39.183-06:00Victim Blaming - Liberal Media Blames Steve Scalise for Assassination Attempt Against HimThe Hollywood left and liberals in the media are so buried in identity politics that they are unable to embrace the basic humanity of a victim of an assassination attempt. If you do not dip into the world of social media on a regular basis, count yourself lucky to have missed the unimaginable commentary that is swirling around out there. Whether on cable television or Facebook or Twitter, the vitriol is at an all time high. Make no mistake - those people claiming the mantle of progressive are ok with an elected official being shot if that person hold different political views. The victim, in their minds, had it coming.<br />
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Sadly, this is not an exaggeration. I point you in the direction of two Twitter accounts in specific - Joy Reid, a MSNBC show host and George Takei, an actor best known for his Star Trek role of Sulu on the USS Enterprise. I do not watch Reid's show, a platform for her progressive views, but I have heard her views on Sunday morning shows and she clearly has no tolerance for conservative thought. Takei is an 80 year old man consumed with reducing people to labels - gay, racist, homophobic, etc. - who is openly gay in Hollywood after being closeted during most of his career.<br />
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In the spirit of naming names of those who must be called out for bad behavior, I concentrate on these two people because theirs is an elevated level of hatred against Republicans. I don't expect Democrats or Socialists to agree with a Republican president's agenda. I do expect basic human decency from those given a platform on which to influence public thought. Believe me, I am not perfect in my comments all the time but I do try to rise above bottom-dwelling vitriol. An example - when public figures die that I have little or no respect for as human beings, I remain silent on the death in social media. It's the old adage - if you can't say anything nice, say nothing at all. When Senator Ted Kennedy died, not a peep from me about it on Twitter. I didn't just oppose his politics, I held him in low regard as a man. <br />
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In the case of Majority Whip Steve Scalise, the ugliness from the left towards him is all about politics. There is no dispute that Scalise is a good man. He is a husband and a father. He is a man of faith. He serves his community and his country. He loves his alma mater of LSU. There is strong consensus that both sides of the political aisle hold him in respect. He's an amicable guy and an inclusive leader. How about the <a href="http://heavy.com/news/2017/06/matt-mika-james-hodgkinson-shooting-victim-baseball-age-tyson-lobbyist-gop/">young man</a> who serves in government relations (lobbyist) for Tyson Foods? Did he deserve to be shot multiple times as he watched the baseball game practice? <br />
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You can watch Reid's hideous remarks <a href="https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2017/06/19/msnbcs-joy-reid-i-know-he-just-got-shot-but-you-know-steve-scalise-is-a-racist-right-n2343123"><b>here</b></a>. There is a special spot reserved in Hell for her. Takei is old and bitter. He falls into the liberal propaganda tactics of identity politics. People are dehumanized by lumping individuals into categories to label them. He thought he should tell the world that the heroic member of Rep. Scalise's security detail was a lesbian, along with the fact that she is black. He did this to give his opinion that Scalise is both racist and homophobic. Neither accusation is true, of course, but I think Takei and the others were best put into their place of shame by a statement from the Scalise family. As he lay in critical condition, his survival still in question, the family thanked the heroes who rushed to save the ball players and bystanders. They also made a point of stating that the officer credited with saving Scalise by shooting the deranged terrorist is a longtime member of his security team and considered a part of the Scalise family. <br />
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And, there is CBS's news anchor Scott Pelley. In his <a href="http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tom-blumer/2017/06/18/scott-pelley-dc-attack-congressmen-was-some-degree-self-inflicted">final broadcast</a> - CBS is cutting him loose so he'll be full-time at <i>60 Minutes</i> - Pelley said: <b></b> <br />
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<b>It's time to ask whether the attack on the United States Congress, yesterday, was foreseeable, predictable and, to some degree, self-inflicted.</b><br />
<b>Too many leaders, and political commentators, who set an example for us to follow, have led us into an abyss of violent rhetoric which, it should be no surprise, has led to violence.</b></blockquote>
That's right. He didn't accurately report it was the action of a political assassin. He stated his opinion - the victims brought it all on themselves. Instead of being a journalist, he was playing political commentator as he called them responsible. You can't make this stuff up. Good riddance to him. <br />
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There are lots of examples of this behavior out there. The next time the ugly left tries to virtue-shame you into acting differently, remember this. They think you deserve to die.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-71515561022178683112017-06-15T20:19:00.000-06:002017-06-17T12:29:37.748-06:00The #ArlingtonShooter Was a Political Assassination Meant to Terminate Republicans<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The unimaginable happened Wednesday morning as most people were beginning their day, carrying out normal routines. In a ballpark in a residential area of Alexandria, Virginia, a deranged Democrat attempted a mass assassination of Republicans. During a practice game, with the annual Congressional charity baseball game scheduled for Thursday night, a man approached Congressmen leaving a bit early to avoid rush hour traffic congestion on their way to the Capitol to ask if the group were Democrats or Republicans. With their response as "Republicans", the man continued on. He opened fire on the Republicans. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Majority Whip Steve Scalise was at second base. He fell to the ground as he was shot, bleeding heavily. He remains in <a href="https://www.medstarwashington.org/sample-page/scalise-update/#q={}">critical condition</a>, with many surgeries ahead of him. A Tyson Foods lobbyist was watching the practice and was severely wounded. He remains in <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wounded-lobbyist-matt-mika-loved-the-congressional-baseball-team/article/2625997">critical condition</a>. Rep. Roger Williams from the Austin, Texas area, was injured but not shot in the scramble. An aide to Williams - a young man from Houston - was shot in the leg. Two of the three <a href="https://www.uscp.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-chief-matthew-r-verderosa-regarding-shooting-incident">Capitol Police</a> on Scalise's security detail were injured - one was shot, one described as injured during the attack. The shooter was shot by an injured Capitol Police special agent and later died at the hospital. Scalise was the only member of leadership with a security detail there. Had those special agents not been present, this terrorist attack would have been a massacre.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Guns saved everyone present but zealots are unwilling to recognize facts, even in terror attacks. Immediately the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bradycampaign">anti-gun lobby</a> was fundraising off this attack. Former astronaut and husband of Rep. Gabby Giffords took another turn in the spotlight he pursues after every high profile shooting by giving an exclusive interview on ABC's Houston affiliate. He and Giffords run <a href="http://americansforresponsiblesolutions.org/stand-with-gabby/">a PAC</a> which targets incumbents who don't tow their line of gun control measures. ABC's Houston affiliate also aired bites with Rep. Sheila Jackson- Lee and Rep. Al Green during their lunch time newscast, giving time to their stories of being victims of threats. Both Democrats, this seemed wrong. With a majority of Republicans in elected office in D.C. from this area, why those two? Former House Majority Leader, Tom DeLay is from Sugarland and actually experienced an attack on his office on Capitol Hill where Capitol Police saved his staff. I tweeted about my opinion (shocker, I know!) and DeLay was interviewed briefly on the 10:00 P.M. newscast. Channel 13 favors Democrats and it's wrong, even if they are owned by Disney. Also, political reporter Miya Shea is married to Democrat State Rep. Gene Wu. The incestuous relationship of media and politicians is not good at the local level any more than it is at the national level.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Make no mistake, this was an act of political assassination. Evil lives among us and in today's overly heated and divided political world, this is the new level with which we find ourselves. Think I'm exaggerating? I wish that were true. I use a very basic method of checking the pulse of the general public - I shop at a grocery store. Normal enough of an activity, right? Yesterday I happened to have some shopping to do and headed out to a Kroger in my area. All was well until I began unloading my purchases onto the conveyor belt in the check-out. The cashier was chatting with another cashier (the store was in a bit of a lull in activity) and I overheard their conversation. My cashier said, "Well, it's to be expected. It's what everyone thinks about doing." I looked up at him, expressionless so as not to get his attention, and they continued on. His friend agreed with him and said, "They never tell us the whole story. They don't tell us the truth." Everyone thinks about doing that - to shoot up a field of people with whom you disagree politically? These were two young black men - I'd guess in their late twenties. In contrast, the youngish Hispanic man bringing in the shopping carts from the parking lot stopped and pleasantly conversed with me - how are you today? and the like. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">For the record, there is a lot of blame to go around on both sides but blaming victims of acts of violence is wrong. The left was wrong in blaming conservatives for former Rep. Gabby Giffords' attack. The New York Times, for example, rushed out to bring up the <a href="https://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2017/06/15/disgrace-nyt-editors-recycle-debunked-palingiffords-lie-to-give-leftists-cover-n2341427">long ago discredited blame game</a> of Sarah Palin's map of targeted incumbents and Politico decided to run with <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politico-reporter-trots-out-bogus-steve-scalise-racial-issues-following-shooting/article/2626041">the trope</a> that Steve Scalise is a racist, so he deserved to be shot. Or something. The Scalise is a racist bit was also long ago discredited, but hey, there are political points for journalists to score, right? Speaking of political reporters who are truly hacktastic, the NYT's Jonathan Martin nefariously claims Republicans want<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/us/politics/targeted-republicans-gun-laws-alexandria-virginia-baseball-shooting.html?smid=tw-share"> looser gun laws</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Members of Congress went through the motions to call for unity and that lasted about 5 minutes. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi started to shed crocodile tears on the House floor as she spoke of Majority Whip Scalise but the botox wouldn't allow actual tears to flow. Then, a brief time later went<a href="http://twitchy.com/sd-3133/2017/06/15/back-at-it-looks-like-nancy-pelosi-is-officially-off-the-unity-wagon-again/"> back on the attack</a> on Republicans. Fortunately, sales for the108th<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/06/14/steve-scalise-shooting-congressional-baseball-game-remains-on-for-thursday.html"> Annual Congressional Baseball Game </a>that will be played is on track to shatter records in attendance and thus the amount of money contributed to the three charities that will reap the benefits of those willing to show the terrorist wrong. Another shooting terrorist's mother, though, was happily quoted by Pelosi, who blamed Fox News for her son's evilness. Wednesday's</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> shooter had a <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/06/14/james-t-hodgkinson-congressional-shooter-dead-239547">record of violent behavior</a>, yet Pelosi chose to quote another shooter's mother on the evils of watching Fox News.#Sad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Just in case you are not convinced that the left hates Republicans and wishes for our demise, <a href="https://pjmedia.com/trending/2017/06/15/the-7-most-despicable-reactions-to-the-virginia-ballpark-shooting/">here are some hot takes</a> from them after the shootings happened. It is stomach-turning stuff and along the lines of those cashiers in Kroger's comments I overheard. They wish death on those who have different political views. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">I deliberately did not name the Arlington shooter in this piece. I will not be a part in humanizing him in any way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Words matter. Actions matter even more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>**UPDATE**</b> The shooter made <a href="http://ijr.com/2017/06/900671-baseball-gunman-list-gop-congressmen-pocket-attack/?utm_source=email&utm_campaign=morning-newsletter&utm_medium=owned">a hit list of Republicans </a>and this list was found by authorities. The political assassin listed, among others, the very congressman who answered his question in the parking lot that morning if those were Democrats or Republicans practicing on the field. Clearly, in his murderous rage, the man didn't even recognize those he specifically wanted to kill. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-66814491009892808662017-04-29T13:33:00.002-06:002017-04-29T13:33:20.449-06:007 Successes of Trump's First 100 Days<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today marks the 100th day of the Trump administration. All of the doom and gloom prognostications have failed to surface. As a matter of fact, some really good accomplishments have occurred, despite what Democrats and their willing cohorts in the media would have you believe. Let's recap.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">First, let me acknowledge the very best result of the November election and the first 100 days of the Trump administration - it isn't the first 100 days of the Hillary Clinton administration. That alone is reason to be optimistic if you are not a leftist.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1. Justice Neil Gorsuch. That's right. For the first time in more than a century, a president nominated and installed a judge to the United States Supreme Court within the first 100 days of his administration. That alone is worth noting as Trump's greatest accomplishment to date. Other decisions and actions can be changed or reformed in later years. This one can not, short of impeachment. This is a lifetime gig.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">2. Vice President Mike Pence. Pence is a calming, stabilizing force within Trump's White House. So far, he has provided valuable reassurances to allies overseas and at home. He is calm and steady within a sometimes turbulent West Wing. He knows the legislative process and helps the president on Capitol Hill. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">3. Business-friendly de-regulation. Very important to job creation and economy strengthening, the executive orders and memorandums signed by President Trump thus far are roll backs to crippling regulations signed by Barack Obama. I'm no fan of governing by executive order but it is understandable now. Our economy has been stuck in a stagnant or slow moving growth pattern for too long. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. A solidly conservative cabinet. After eight years of every liberal wish on display and promoted by ivory tower leftists in the Obama administration, the current group is a breath of fresh air. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">5. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader McConnell are partners. The Speaker appears to be working closely with the White House on legislation. According to Ryan, 29 bills have been sent to Trump's desk since he took office. That is the most for a president's first 100 days in office since 1949. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">McConnell uses his skillful expertise in Senate rules and process to shepherd through important legislation - case in point: the Gorsuch nomination process.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">6. The National Security team is aces in my book. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is digging out from the mess left in place by Hillary Clinton and John Kerry. He is appears calm and humble in this position, which is quite comforting in today's uncertain world. Who could ask for better than Nikki Haley at the United Nations? The Generals - McMasters and Kelly - are strong choices, too. So far, so good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">7. Illegal border crossings are down. Way down. Speaking of General Kelly, his leadership at the Department of Homeland Security is by the book and no nonsense. Just enforcing the laws already on the books is a major reform. And President <a href="http://www.lifezette.com/polizette/exclusive-trump-camp-mulls-using-seized-cartel-assets-pay-wall/"><b>Trump's idea</b></a> of using Mexico's drug cartel monies confiscated is a great idea for funding the wall he wants to build at the border. Sen.Ted Cruz is trying to piggyback on this idea as he introduced legislation in the Senate with press releases claiming it is his idea. Whatever. Anyone paying attention is used to that behavior from the junior senator from Texas. Trump has been considering it since the summer of 2016 and it is worth pursuing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The Democrats and The Resistance would like you to believe that opposition to Trump has been effective. Wrong. As <a href="http://freebeacon.com/columns/democrats-first-100-days/">this article notes</a>, the Democrats are in disarray themselves - bigly - and any setbacks have been caused by our own party divisions and by judicial activists. When Sen. Chuck Schumer tried to stop the nomination process of Justice Gorsuch, he failed. The first 100 days of the Trump administration have been a big old failure for the other side of the aisle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Most importantly, it remains that these were not the first 100 days of Hillary Clinton. I can't wait to see what happens next.</span><br />
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<br />Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-1078343191807625832017-03-29T10:28:00.000-06:002017-03-29T10:28:08.557-06:00I Went To A Texas Congressman's Town Hall Last Weekend - Here's What I Learned<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I attended Rep. John Culberson's town hall last Saturday and wrote about for Independent Journal Review. It's up now online.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Did you go? If so, I'm interested in hearing your impressions. <a href="http://ijr.com/opinion/2017/03/264850-went-texas-congressmans-town-hall-last-weekend-heres-learned/">http://ijr.com/opinion/2017/03/264850-went-texas-congressmans-town-hall-last-weekend-heres-learned/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are at a crucial time in a Republican majority district in Texas, whether leadership wants to acknowledge it or not. The other side is energized and organized. They won this round.</span>Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-85349756706416975382017-03-17T10:03:00.002-06:002017-03-17T12:32:22.767-06:00McMullin Jumps the Shark in Trump Derangement Syndrome<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you heard of Stand Up Republic?</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's a rhetorical question - of course you haven't heard of this PAC. Co-Founders Evan McMullin and Mindy Finn have started up this vehicle to raise money and try to remain relevant in their disapproval of the Trump presidency.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">From <a href="https://standuprepublic.com/about-us">the website</a>: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Evan McMullin and Mindy Finn founded Stand Up Republic to help Americans stand up in defense of the fundamental principles that have made this country the true home of liberty and a source of hope for many around the world. Stand Up Republic will build and organize a grassroots movement in defense of liberty, equality, and truth in America. Our priorities will be to uphold the Constitution and defend the democratic norms and institutions upon which the protection of our basic rights depend."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Boilerplate wording at best.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You may remember Evan McMullin, failed candidate for President. He entered the race at the eleventh hour solely to disrupt Trump's victory. He was the 2016 version of Ross Perot, without the 20% of the national vote Perot received. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">McMullin was recruited to stop Trump by the hard core #NeverTrump people. His big play was to go all-in in Utah, his home state. The result? Even his own state's voters didn't want him. He finished third behind Trump and Hillary. Ouch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Since election night, McMullin regularly tweets out snarky comments about Trump and his supporters - which include about half of Americans. He is firmly in the camp of the other half of America and aligns quite easily with the left side of the aisle. I guess that is what is meant by describing himself as an Independent. His tweets have gotten to be so tedious and pedestrian that now even some #NeverTrump people openly mock his efforts. His latest rhetoric accuses Trump supporters of being racists. Finn falls for the same tactic. How lame. It's like Obama's era and his opponents being called racists for any disagreement with him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On March 15, 2017 </span><a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/Evan_McMullin"><span style="color: #ffb500; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">@</span><span class="u-linkComplex-target"><span style="color: #ffb500; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Evan_McMullin</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> tweeted "Tonight in Tennessee, Trump promotes the policies of white nationalism to chants of "USA! USA!" These are not the values of our nation." And this: "I fear that America's youth, experiencing politics for the first time under Trump, risk never understanding fundamental American ideals."</span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On March 12, 2017 Co-Founder </span><a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/mindyfinn"><span style="color: #ffb500; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">@</span><span class="u-linkComplex-target"><span style="color: #ffb500; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">mindyfinn</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> tweeted "With shroud of political correctness lifted, we learn the ugly truth about what some "conservatives" believe. Ethno-nationalism is racism."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The next four (maybe eight) years will be filled with accusations of white nationalism and racist charges against Trump voters and anyone working with the Trump administration to move this country forward. First it was the word 'authoritarian' being lodged against Trump. That hasn't worked out so well so now, just like Democrats, they fall into calling reasonable people racists. How dumb is it to say that chanting "USA! USA!" is un-American? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">A much stronger argument would be to actually put up a policy decision or Executive Order signed and present an opposing opinion. What exactly has Trump done to warrant such disapproval? I'm talking policy, not execution of policy decisions. The Trump administration is slowly finding it's legs and getting its cabinet and staffing in place. Too slowly for my patience, but that's another story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Here's the sad truth - Republicans are slurred as racists, no matter who is in the White House. It is particularly disgusting coming from people who claimed to be part of the party at one time and were making a living off the party. Those who leave and seek validation by aligning with the other side deserve scorn and not support. If they are so firm in their values and principles of liberty and freedom, they would know that part of that is to accept free elections and respect the American voter, even when they don't agree with the outcome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">That is America. </span></div>
<br />Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-28034047502910838422017-03-12T11:28:00.001-06:002017-03-12T11:28:05.319-06:00'SNL' Trashes Ivanka Trump for Supporting Her Father<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F7o4oMKbStE" width="480"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I began watching <i>Saturday Night Live</i> in its first season - then called <i>NBC's Saturday Night</i>. In 1975, as a teenager, I thought the show and its original cast was one of the best on television. John Belushi, Dan Ackroyd, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, and Chevy Chase. One of the writers was Al Franken, now a U.S. Senator (what are you thinking, Minnesota?). No one was safe from zings and ridicule, though it was comedy-centric, not ugly and partisan and heavy on contempt as it is today. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">I haven't been a regular viewer in many years. As time marched on, the show went through regular changes in cast and writers. Frankly, the show isn't funny anymore. Unless you are a far left-leaning young person, I find it difficult to believe you think it's funny. There are no skits anymore that will live on as classics as there were in the first seasons. Coneheads, anyone? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">By 2008, writer and comedian Tina Fey found a success in boosting her career by portraying Sarah Palin, John McCain's V.P. choice. It appeared to conservatives that the show had taken a real turn into overt campaigning. The show has taken great glee in lampooning the rise of Donald Trump in politics. Actor Alec Baldwin now plays Trump by exaggerating his facial expressions and wearing a wig. Baldwin likes to portray Trump as stupid and incompetent. Ironically, the island Baldwin lives on in New York has lots of square footage owned by Trump. Maybe stupid isn't the best criticism. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Last night, First Daughter Ivanka Trump was mocked for her support of her father. In the world of the Democrats, a Republican president's kids are fair game. In this case, Ivanka is a successful businesswoman in her own right. When Trump won the party's nomination, many retail outlets refused to continue to carry his goods in their stores. Now Ivanka Trump is facing the same kind of opposition. Major retail chains are seeking publicity for phasing out her line of clothing, accessories, shoes and perfume. The best part, though? Trump supporters and thoughtful conservatives are punching back by using conscious consumerism - her goods are being purchased at a whole new level of enthusiasm. While not in some retail stores any longer, they are found online and that makes it very easy for today's busy woman. What woman doesn't enjoy a bit of retail therapy at the end of a long day? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Guest host Scarlett Johansson (her 5th appearance in that capacity) did a mock commercial appearing as Ivanka Trump promoting a cologne called "Complicit". It's ugly and mocks her for supporting her father. Did I miss the skits mocking Chelsea Clinton for supporting her father after his behavior towards women was exposed? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Watch the YouTube for yourself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Recently I hear from more and more Republican Women club members who encourage others to purchase Ivanka's items. Seems like the thing to do. Let the others read the retail sales numbers and weep. </span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<br />Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14598933.post-6941138997155270022017-03-08T11:28:00.000-06:002017-03-08T11:39:41.640-06:00#ADAYWITHOUTWOMEN Ironically Fails Women<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVtXRcSrN1ebKH5zIzvCv4WQlk_lDenvCrSANERz3MudQ3OM2gCnbtX4kQuU_jb358XocVs0zVYO2QZ1-8RogvMAbNn6koz2TOY0HUvZkIVd_7uBT3SJfyTMb8AoM-b9frU1I/s1600/C6Zz53LXEAADKlL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVtXRcSrN1ebKH5zIzvCv4WQlk_lDenvCrSANERz3MudQ3OM2gCnbtX4kQuU_jb358XocVs0zVYO2QZ1-8RogvMAbNn6koz2TOY0HUvZkIVd_7uBT3SJfyTMb8AoM-b9frU1I/s320/C6Zz53LXEAADKlL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today is International Women's Day. Are you wearing red today, ladies? Yeah. Me, neither. The malcontents on the left have organized a Day Without Women and it is as ridiculous and ambiguous as it sounds. Apparently what the women on the left side of the aisle want is a day off. The attempt is being made to garner attention to the challenges faced by women in the working world and life in general. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">International Women's Day is "<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women." </b>That <b><a href="https://www.internationalwomensday.com/">website description</a></b> of the day, however, flies in the face of the liberal takeover of messaging in America, 2017. Today the message is stay home, don't participate.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Not only is the message garbled - what exactly the message is isn't clear - but it is a completely elitist, privileged, aging feminist idea gone wrong. The unintended consequences are rising and one thing is clear - these women do not speak for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Stay home, women, and <b><a href="http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2017/03/work-from-home-democracy-protest">work from home</a></b> today is one message. That is a rallying cry from some out of touch leftists. Work from home to fight Trump is their idea. It's for democracy, whatever that means. How big of a self-indulgent bubble does a woman have to be in to think most women have that luxury - to just decide to work from home when it suits their political agenda? Most women simply do not have that option. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">At a time of uncertainty in the labor market, is it really moral to ask women to risk their livelihood to make a lame political statement? In the real world, if someone doesn't show up for work, she is fired.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As noted <b><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/08/us/day-without-woman-2017-schools/index.html?sr=twCNN030817day-without-woman-2017-schools0644AMStoryLink&linkId=35233590">in this article</a></b>, even schools are being allowed to close so that their unionized teachers can have a vacation day, at the expense of working moms and the education of their children.</span></div>
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<b>"Several school districts across the country are closing to allow staff and teachers the chance to participate. While some people in those communities applauded district leadership for the show of solidarity, others criticized them for leaving working families scrambling to find childcare."</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In North Carolina last week, the <b><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/08/us/day-without-woman-2017-schools/index.html?sr=twCNN030817day-without-woman-2017-schools0644AMStoryLink&linkId=35233590">decision was made</a></b> to shut down a school district instead of denying teachers the day off. This is the world in which we live.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>"While Chapel Hill-Carroboro City Schools values and supports its female employees, the decision to close schools is not a political statement,” interim Superintenent Jim Causby </b><a href="http://www.heraldsun.com/news/a-day-without-a-woman-projected-teacher-absences-prompt-chccs/article_4fa4357e-ff93-11e6-96b3-8f8f429717ad.html"><b>wrote to parents</b></a><b>. “It is entirely about the safety of students and the district’s inability to operate with a high number of staff absences.”</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The problem with that justification by cowardly school administrators is that the truth is missing - the decision for the teachers and staff to skip work today is, indeed, a political decision. Leftists don't want to accept Donald Trump as president and the temper tantrums continue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Working women, single parents, school children all fall victim to the selfish decision of a few. In the world of bitter liberals, a few decide and everyone else is to fall into line. Today has traditionally been one of the celebration of women. The left wants to make it a day for women to play victim instead of providing an uplifting and encouraging message. Instead of projecting a message of encouragement and empowerment to young girls, the message delivered today is one of encouraging dropping out and playing victim. This is an embarrassment to all women who show up every day and do the work - especially to conservative feminists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Remember - this is an international day of recognition. American liberals are so into themselves that, ironically, they continue to miss the big picture. Instead of dropping out of real life today in America, how about making a statement against the atrocities and abuses of women in countries that do not respect them as human beings? How about recognizing the girls in countries that do not allow them to go to school, based on their gender? How about recognizing women who must go about daily life without the ability to drive themselves or shop alone without a male escort or voice an opinion in public? How about recognizing women who must cover themselves from head to toe in forced modesty in observance of ancient religious tenets? How about recognizing women subjected to honor killings or public stoning?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">There is no such thing as a day without women, any more than there is a day without men or a day without children. Women run households, are the family caregivers, balance careers and personal lives, educate the next generation, own businesses and meet payrolls, hold political office, and serve in the armed forces as they strive to lead good lives one day at a time. Liberal women hijacking a day of celebration miss the point of real equality and feminism - women living the life that best suits their needs and those of their families. American women live in freedom and opportunity. The mixed messages from #ADayWithoutWomen in 2017 will be tossed on the garbage heap of history. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">By the way, the slogan for today is #BeBoldForChange, not wimp out and stay home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">There is, indeed, discrimination in today's America. I've felt it, as has every woman alive. Women of my generation have seen amazing progress in American society as it relates to men and women and how we all live in the world together. None of this has been won, though, by staying home and dropping out. We show up every day and just do it. That's how change is made.</span></div>
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<br />Karen Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692791436106987353noreply@blogger.com0