Tommy Williams' Sham Transportation "Hearing"

With transportation funding legislation having now failed three times this year (during the general session and two special sessions), one might think the 83rd Texas Legislature would solicit greater citizen input during their FOURTH attempt.Nope.According to the Texas Tribune:After Dewhurst referred the bills to the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate recessed so the committee could briefly meet at the desk of Senate Finance Chairman Tommy...

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Agenda 21 and Rising Cost of Living

This morning, we read this piece from Stanley Kurtz:A year ago, I published Spreading the Wealth: How Obama Is Robbing the Suburbs to Pay for the Cities. There I described the president’s second-term plan to press a transformative “regionalist” agenda on the country. Early but unmistakable signs indicate that Obama’s regionalist push is well underway.....The new HUD rule is really about changing the way Americans live. It is part of a broader...

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Josh Charles: On Righteous vs. Evil Money

"Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,But a just weight is His delight." Proverbs 11:1 A fantastic (if verbose) piece from Josh Charles on the Biblical Origins of Sound Money:The subject of money is far too vast to cover in one blog post, and certainly so when the goal is to expand on principles found both in the Bible, and the writings of the American Founders.  But this Proverb, far from teaching us about long-lost...

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Blue Dot Blues: Austin vs. Texas

Blue Dot Blues has a great piece on the symbiotic cultural relationship between Austin and the rest of Texas:Conservative Texans outside Austin have this reaction to Austin conservatives – “Really?  You must have your work cut out for you.”  And when they see an Austinite with tattoos and piercings and dyed hair, outsiders shake their heads and lament about Austin’s weirdness.  It’s more or less the opposite reaction that liberals...

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Joe Straus planning a 2015 tax increase?!?

So says David Dewhurst:.@DavidHDewhurst says Straus has told senators he wants a transpo crisis in 2015 to increase pressure for taxes #mysa #hounews #txlege— Peggy Fikac (@pfikac) July 29, 2013In today's San Antonio Express-News, Peggy Fikac details Straus' approach:“Legislators know that Texas needs a much more comprehensive approach to funding our growing state's growing transportation needs, and another 30-day special session will not change...

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BREAKING NEWS: Transportation Funding Likely Dead for Second Special Session

Cahnman's Musings briefly swung by the Texas Capitol an hour ago.  We had seen on Facebook that the House was scheduled to vote on HJR 2 around five.  We arrived immediately following the conclusion of the vote.A conservative Representative informed us of the result.  Because SJR 2 would enable a Constitutional Amendment it needed 100 votes to pass.  It only got 84.We asked this Representative if he thought transportation funding...

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Freedomworks announces John Cornyn protests across Texas

From Freedomworks' Grassroots director:John Cornyn  left from Senator Lee’s fight to Defund ObamaCare. Cornyn should be doing everything he can to fight Obama’s health care takeover. Yet pressure from Mitch McConnell made him squirm, and Cornyn abandoned Senator Lee.\  We need to find out why he refuses to stand with Mike Lee and do everything he can to protect Texas from ObamaCare. Will you join activists from across the Lonestar...

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Matt Rinaldi Makes It Official

Matt Rinaldi officially jumped into the race for HD 115 today; from his campaign website:Irving, TX-- Matt Rinaldi today announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for Texas House District 115.  Already armed with strong grassroots support, Rinaldi provides conservative opposition to incumbent Rep. Bennett Ratliff, who is widely regarded as one of the most liberal Republican representatives in Austin. “Conservatives...

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More Transportation Shenanigans from Texas House Republicans

A couple of must read pieces from Empower Texans on transportation shenanigans currently playing out in the Texas House; from Transportation U-Turn:As the Wall Street Journal and the Texas Public Policy Foundation have independently verified, the legislature went on a wild spending spree in 2013 – spending approximately 25% more than in the 2011 session. And they just can’t stop. The current special session features a call to provide better funding...

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Sex and the City and Unrealistic Expectations

A surprisingly honest examination of myth vs. reality from writer Emily Shire:I finally got to watch my first episode of “Sex and the City” in 2002 on a family vacation in a hotel with premium cable. Although the viewing experience was punctuated by my parents shouting “close your eyes” every time Samantha brought out her vibrator (which happens a lot in this particular episode, “Critical Conditions”), I instantly fell in love with the humor,...

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Pastor Danny on Canadian Medicine

Last week, while on a mission trip to Toronto, our pastor suffered a calf injury that necessitated a trip to a Canadian emergency room; from his letter to the congregation: Healthcare in Canada is difficult and while sitting in a packed waiting room to see the orthopedic doctor, there was much complaint by the Canadians about the healthcare. We are heading in this direction in the USA under our current political leadership. I wish those in Washington...

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Dan Branch and Common Core-style Data Collection

Six weeks ago, we discussed HB 2103, a disastrous law passed by the Texas Legislature during the general session.  At the time, we wanted Governor Perry to veto it.  Unfortunately, in one of the worst moves he's ever made, he signed it into law.In late May, Donna Garner explained:[Author's note: This WaPo article is about a similar Federal program]In a Washington Post article dated 3.13.13, (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/03/13/lawsuit-charges-ed-department-with-violating-student-privacy-rights/...

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Greg Abbott Obtains MAJOR Medicaid Fraud settlement from Planned Parenthood

Score one for the Good Guys:Texas Attorney General’s Office Obtains $1.4 Million Settlement against Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast for Medicaid FraudPlanned Parenthood Gulf Coast fraudulently billed Texas Medicaid program for products, services either not provided or not necessaryHOUSTON – The Texas Attorney General’s Office today concluded the State’s Medicaid fraud investigation into Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, Inc. Under today’s agreement,...

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Actual Feminist Reactions to the Royal Baby

Cahnman's Musings doesn't have much to say about the Royal Baby, but some feminists believe he shouldn't be referred to as a 'boy' or a 'prince' until he has a chance 'to choose his gender identity':(h/t the Young Cons Facebook Page) (Author's Note: Charles C.W. Cooke is a National Review writer; we conjecture he was joking.)-----In an "unrelated" story, Christian women are being raped in Egypt, but nary a peep from these 'feminists.'...

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Who is the Woodhull Sexual "Freedom" Alliance?!?

Holy mess, did we just discover one of the most frightening progressive groups ever: The Woodhull Sexual "Freedom" Alliance.(Author's Note: All points of emphasis are in the original text unless specifically noted.) Now who, pray tell, is the Woodhull Sexual "Freedom" Alliance?!?The Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance (WSFA) is always working to advance the recognition of sexual, gender, and family diversity. As the nation’s leading sexual freedom...

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History Lesson: The 1970 American Psychiatric Association Convention

During the recent abortion debate, several people privately bemoaned the demonic and sophomoric tactics of the pro-abortion mob.  They interpreted these actions as another sign of cultural decline.  Unfortunately, this sort of intimidation has a long history among advocates of casual sex. A major turning point in the American sexual revolution was the 1970 meeting of the American Psychological Association in San Francisco.  The...

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Inside the Reagan Library: The Hollywood Years

Great video from the Reagan Library about the Gipper and the Golden Age of Hollywood:Highlights:Appeared in 53 films from '37 to '63. President of Screen Actors Guild (1947 - 1952)Developed his visceral dislike of Communism when he had to deal with the investigation into Communist subversion in Hollywood during the 1940's. Developed his views on the economy while working for General Electric.-----BONUS: Here's Reagan's Most famous movie line ever:...

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Greg Abbott (plus free Beer) draws ENORMOUS Crowd in Austin

Cahnman's Musings attended Greg Abbott's Austin campaign kickoff event earlier tonight in Austin.  We didn't take notes or pictures.  We thus write from memory.We were impressed.Between Rick Perry's various campaigns and Ted Cruz's race last year, we've attended A LOT of campaign events in Austin.  Tonight was unique.  We've never seen this many people at an event for a Republican candidate.There were easily 500  to 750 people...

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Hooking Kids on Sex (Warning: EXTREMELY Graphic)

American Life League does a phenomenal job going through Planned Parenthood's website to catalog what they're teaching young children and teenagers;  WARNING: It AIN'T Pretty....Highlights: "Age appropriate" is a standard set by Planned Parenthood so they can sell pornography to children disguised as science. Planned Parenthood's goal is to create sex addicts; the gateway drug is masturbation."It's Perfectly Normal" is the book they want...

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Judge Tim Sulak and the El Paso Stadium Boondoggle

Cahnman's Musings frequently listens to talk radio via 690 KTSM in El Paso.  Because we listen to this station, we've kept an eye on the ongoing boondoggle of El Paso's new minor league baseball stadium.  It was strong armed through the political process through the usual suspect of local government contractors and special interests.  When citizens objected, they took the city to court and (through some weird foible in state law),...

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With Pro-Life Legislation Passed; Texas House Republicans Return to Old Tricks

Having passed the pro-life legislation, Texas House Republicans are doing what they do best and hoping the voters won't notice; a must-read piece from Empower Texans, money quote:To no one’s surprise, the Texas House choose easier spending over common sense protections for the state’s Economic Stabilization Fund. When given an opportunity to put a “floor” for the ESF into the transportation funding bill debated yesterday, 20 moderate Republicans...

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Debra Medina's Super Crappy Fundraising

Cahnman's Musings found an interesting nugget in the fundraising chart Must Read Texas posted yesterday:In the comptrollers race, Debra Medina has only raised $55,000.  That's worse than disappointing.  It's pathetic.This is shame. Being comptroller plays to Debra Medina's strength in a way being Governor never did and never will.  Debra Medina is notorious for being a pain in the you-know-what and asking unpleasant questions of government...

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Judge Tim Sulak Kept Dead People on Texas' Voter Rolls

After yesterday's travesty, this ruling from last year isn't surprising:Texas officials were temporarily barred by a state judge from ordering county election officials to purge presumably dead voters from registration rolls because the initiative may violate the election code. The ruling came in a lawsuit filed yesterday by four Texas voters who were told they would be purged from voter-registration lists as deceased. They asked...

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Who are the Bro-Choicers?!?

This is brilliant:Highlight:"I hear Planned Parenthood rallies are a pretty good place to pick up chick...

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Everything You Need to Know About Dan Branch in One Headline

Apparently, Dan Branch is one of only four candidates to whom Dubya has given money since leaving office:Former President George W. Bush gave Dan Branch $5,000 last month for his race for attorney general.....Bush gave $1,000 to Branch in both 2010 and 2011.Now that Branch sees daylight and can try to move up — because Attorney General Greg Abbott is running for governor — Dubya upped his contribution to $5,000Cahnman's Musings already had already...

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Evolution vs. Science

An awesome new film from Living Waters ministry uses the words of leading Darwinian evolutionists to illustrate the absurdity of their position:Highlight:"The problem with those who don't see evolution is that they don't have imaginations." You can read ICR's review he...

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Freedomworks Talks Battleground Texas

This is a few weeks old, but we didn't see it during the abortion debate:Highlights: Activists are getting turned off by the GOP's shenaningans.Personal Note: DUH   The state GOP has yet to reveal their plan. 9.5 million Latinos in Texas but only 2.3 million voted last year A clear, consistent message of limited government and economic opportunity appeals to all demographic groups. For the Record: Colorado was NEVER a solidly red ...

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On Planned Parenthood's Central Lie

Sunshine State Sarah (of Texas) was at the Capitol Friday night and got disgusted enough with the lies of Planned Parenthood that she addressed them specifically; money quote:Regarding the message itself, note the language PP suggests that you send to your state senator:Please oppose all efforts to restrict women's access to the Pap tests, breast cancer screenings, and access to birth control that are important to our health. These attacks on...

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Judge Tim Sulak Demands $15 Million Taxpayer Ransom

"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."Eighth Amendment, United States ConstitutionCahnman's Musings spent the morning at the 353rd District Court of Travis County, Judge Tim Sulak presiding.  We were there to observe the Travis County Taxpayers Union's (TCTU) lawsuit against Austin Independent School district (AISD) we've discussed previously.  To quote Wendy Davis,...

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How to Have a Spirtual Conversation

This fall, almost 300 churches across Austin, TX are going to engage in Explore God, a campaign that seeks to answer spiritual questions people have in our 92% unchurched city.  The campaign will produce a series of videos that will equip believers to discuss God with their unsaved friends, co-workers, and associates.  This is the first video: Explore God Training Session 1: How to Have a Spiritual Conversation from Hill Country Bible Church...

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Do New York Jets support Islamic Terrorism?!?

As a lifelong fan of the New York Jets, Cahnman's Musings was disappointed and disturbed to read this report from Breitbart Sports yesterday.Last April, the Jets used their fifth round draft pick to select Oday Aboushai, a Palestinian (*) offensive linemen who was born in Samaria and grew up in Brooklyn.  While Aboushai possesses physical stature, he lacks athleticism.  The football justification for this pick is questionable.Aboushai's...

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Livestream of the Bloodthirsty Texas Capitol Mob

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil;For You are with me;Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  Psalm 23:4Cahnman's Musings is currently holed up in an undisclosed location at the Texas Capitol.  We are not in danger in any way shape or form.  The Department of Public Safety has asked pro-lifers to stay away from the mob.  We might risk the mob in a little bit.  You can witness...

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Pro-Abortion Left's Valiant Stand for ... Tampons?!?

About an hour and fifteen minutes ago (6:25 pm CDT) the pro-abortion mob re-assembled in the Texas Capitol rotunda. They were chanting about tampons. Seriously:Of course, when those mean old Republicans are trying to take away your tampons, there's only ONE response...TAMPON TRAMPOLINE!!!Or tampoline?!?Cahnman's Musings urges readers to pray for these morons poor lost souls.Update: A friend snapped this picture of the pro-abortion people handing...

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