T.S. Hermine To Hit South Of Texas-Mexico Border

Tropical Storm Hermine is strengthening and headed toward the northwestern Gulf coast on Monday.

She will probably make landfall around midnight just south of the U.S.-Mexico border.

It looks like the Houston region will not get a direct hit, but we are going to get some major rain in the 24-36 hours.

Southeast Texas will see some rain from the outer bands of Hermine, and the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for the greater Houston area.

Widespread totals of 1 to 3 inches of rain are likely, with up to 8 inches in isolated areas.

There is a small chance of tornadoes along and just inland from the Gulf, and tides along the upper coast will be 2 to 2.5 feet above normal, peaking tonight or early tomorrow.

In any case, we will be HIGH but certainly NOT DRY!!!

"The Good Lord willing and the river don't rise." - unknown

Hurricane Dolly Heads Inland

Tropical Storm Dolly became Hurricane Dolly yesterday, and will hit the border between Texas and Mexico sometime early today (Wednesday morning).


I expect it to diminish quickly. On a positive note, it will drop needed rain on the lower Texas coast.


Thank goodness it did not hit the Houston area.

"Where I am they can smell out a hurricane. My house survived Hurricane Hazel, but it didn't get past Hugo." - Mickey Spillane

Tropical Storm Dolly Forms in Gulf

It looks as if Tropical Storm Dolly will hit lower Texas and Upper Mexico. However, can we trust the national Hurricane Center's prediction?

I will wait and see where it heads. As long as it stays away from Texas proper (central to upper coast region) I will be happy.

"It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared." - Whitney M. Young, Jr.

Cristobal Is Upon Us (But Not Texas)

From a Houston Chronicle report:

Tropical Storm Cristobal churned off the Southeast seaboard after it formed Saturday, the first storm to threaten the U.S. this hurricane season, forecasters said.

The storm strengthened from a tropical depression, generating maximum sustained winds of about 45 mph as it promised to bring much-needed rains to the parched eastern Carolinas.

At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of the storm was about 125 miles east of Charleston and about 205 miles southwest of Cape Hatteras, N.C. The National Hurricane Center said Cristobal was moving northeast at about 7 mph.

Although the center of the storm was forecast to remain off the coast through the weekend, tropical storm warnings were in effect from the South Santee River in South Carolina to the North Carolina-Virginia state line, including Pamlico Sound.

Flood advisories were posted for coastal counties and Wilmington, N.C., received 2 1/2 inches of rain Saturday, said Stephen Keebler, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service there. Cristobal's winds were not expected to be a problem, Keebler said.

At least it is nowhere near Texas.

"It is better to meet danger than to wait for it. He that is on a lee shore, and foresees a hurricane, stands out to sea and encounters a storm to avoid a shipwreck." - Charles Caleb Colton

Texas Truth Has Left the State

My lovely bride and I have left the safe confines of the Lone Star State and have taken a well-earned vacation. We will be gone for a while, however I will post as often as I can.

Take care and I will give everyone the details from the road as they develop.

“All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.” - Samuel Johnson

Mitt Romney Speech at the 2008 Texas Republican Convention

Below is a video clip of the speech give by Mitt Romney at the 2008 Texas Republican Convention banquet. The banquet was held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

A person very dear to my heart had a ticket to the banquet and was kind enough to video it for me (and you). The video is not the best quality however it is very nice to have it. I was unable to attend and it will give me (and others) a chance to experience speech second hand.

I did want to take this time to thank the person who videoed it for me. This person is the kindest, most caring person I have ever known and it was a treat for them to attend. I was very happy for them.

I know you will join me in thanking them from the bottom of our hearts.

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light." - Albert Schweitzer

THERE HAS BEEN TROUBLE UPLOADING THE VIDEO. I WILL TROUBLESHOOT IT AND UPLOAD IT LATER.

2008 Texas Republican Convention-Day 2

Day 2 (Friday, June 13) at the 2008 Texas Republican Convention has come and gone. After getting a late start in the morning (afternoon) , I was able to get some views of what was going happening on the convention floor.

The political maneuvering occurring on the convention floor did not interest me very much, so I confined myself to the action going on elsewhere (i.e. bloggers row, mixers, small group settings, and the overall general view of the convention).

The Ron Paul supporters were very vocal but were amazingly polite and did not cause the ruckus I thought they would.

The speeches by the party bigwigs were typical; saying what was required to appease the crowd. It was exciting to see and hear them in person.

I will post more later, as it is getting late as I am tried.

"I wish I had an answer to that, because I'm tired of answering that question" - Yogi Berra

2008 Texas Republican Convention-Day 1

I just got home from day one of the 2008 Texas Republican Convention. As I stated in a previous post, I was able to obtain a "guest" credential for the convention from someone very dear to my heart. I have free access to the convention center, hotel, convention floor and all other meetings.

I arrived today and when directly to pick up the credential. There was not a problem. My fiend had already picked it up and as a result, I was ready to go.

As I walked from the Hilton Hotel to the George R. Brown Convention Center, I passed the Protest Area. It was a fenced off area and two or three people where holding signs up. I did not bother to read what they said, but I am sure they (and others) will be out there tomorrow. Convention organizers told me that all the big stuff would happen tomorrow (Friday).

As I got into the convention center, not much was going on. On the convention floor, they were discussing (rather heatedly) the rules of the convention. It seems some for Ron Paul’s supporters were questioning how delegates and alternates would be seated. I am not sure what the deal was as there was a large amount of shouting, booing and people making points of order. I guess they must get this out of the way before the action starts tomorrow.

After that, I went over to the trade show and looked at the booths. Most of the candidates for state and national office had booths set up, passing out their literature and handing out campaign stickers. I do miss the days of free campaign buttons. Stickers just do not do the job.

Governor Rick "Zoolander" Perry was set up in a booth (actually a quite large area) with free popcorn, stickers, literature and a video of what he ahs done. He was also signing his book about the Boy Scouts and was sitting at a table autographing it and posing for photos. His "protects" was close by and I assume they were plain clothes Texas Rangers. I pick them out of all the people around the booth, as they were the largest and bulkiest men in the area. These people were not anyone I would want to mess with.

I circulated the room a couple of times, picking up whatever free stuff I could get my hands on. It is nice to see that some people are handing out good, free stuff. Kay Bailey Hutchinson was giving out t-shirts and nice grocery bags. Local energy companies, TXU and Oncor were giving out the new compact fluorescent bulbs. I snagged three and will go back for more tomorrow. I might as well load up as long as they are free.

I also picked up coffee mugs, shirts, pens, pencils, and fingernail file boards while signing every mailing list I could.

People were standing around handing out flyers of every kind and I accepted them with the intension of reading them later.

When I got a few minutes, I sat down and read them. They were mostly the same old political stuff; nothing much that I was interested in. What I did take notice of where the flyers inviting those attending the convention to receptions and mixers.

After more wondering around, sitting and listening to the rhetoric on the convention floor and generally absorbing all that I could, the time came for the first reception.

I first attended a reception by the Log Cabin Republicans. This group is the national gay and lesbian Republican grassroots organization. I knew that going in and really did not care. They had free pizza, beer and soft drinks. I was there about 10 minutes after they opened. I ate a bit, drank a few Diet Cokes and engaged in conversation with a few people sitting around the couch. The room was a small suite and I estimate about thirty people standing around. After about 45 minutes, I got up to leave, as I had another reception I wanted to attend. As I walked out the door, there was a line down the hall. I would estimate about 100-150 people waiting to get into the suite.

I guess the delegates had a hankering for the free pizza, but I wonder if they knew who and what the Log Cabin Republicans were about.

Elizabeth Ames Jones hosted the next reception. She is running for Texas Railroad Commissioner. The suite was a bit smaller than the Log Cabin Republicans, but her suite had a different draw. It was a desert mixer. Cake, brownies, and various other pastries filled the room. I got a few brownies and found a seat on a couch. The room started to fill up and I was glad I was staying ahead of the crowds.

I engaged in more conversation with some other people. It sure was nice to talk to people who are as up on current events as I am and did not mind having intelligent conversation with others. We did not agree on everything we discussed, but the banter was polite, humorous, and enlightening.

After about another thirty minutes, I left and headed down to the Ron paul Ice Cream Social. I had heard that he was going to dissolve his campaign for President and form a new group to remain politically active.

I and the companions I had picked up along the way (at the various receptions) waited outside the ballroom for about thirty minutes. The lobby was filling up fast and I knew this reception would be a hot ticket. At precisely 9:00 pm, the doors opened and people rushed for seats. I was lucky enough to snag a table and chairs for my two companions and myself. One person watched the table as two of us went for ice cream.

One thing I can say for Ron Paul supporters is that they are very passionate about their support for Dr. Paul. They were chanting their support for Dr. Paul in the lobby before the event and inside the ballroom, they were holding up signs showing their support for his Presidential bid. At 9:30, Dr. Paul had not made an appearance and facing 30-minute drive back to where I was spending the night, I decided it was getting late and left.

I found out later that he indeed had suspended his campaign and even had a video of the event posted on YouTube. I will have to look for it later.

Friday is supposed to be the big day. On the agenda is newt Gingrich, Kay Bailey Hutchinson (Texas Senator), Mike Huckabee, and Jerry Patterson (Texas Land Commissioner).

Various State Senators and State and National Representatives will host receptions and mixers along with evening events with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, Senator John Cornyn, and Lt. Governor David Dewhurst. In addition, the Republican party of Texas Convention Banquet will be at 7:00pm with special guest Mitt Romney.

I do not have a ticket to the banquet but someone very close to my heart does. I will give you their report tomorrow.

I had a great day at the convention. I know it will be better tomorrow. I will try to get involved in what is going on in the political arena as much as my guest badge will allow me.

"Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the democrats believe every day is April 15." - Ronald Reagan

2008 Texas Republican Convention

As most of you who are from Texas know, the 2008 Texas Republican Convention starts today at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Since I was going to be in the area this week and weekend, I managed to get a pass. Do not inquire how, but I was able to snag a guest badge as I know someone who is a delegate (alternate).

Rest assure I am going to be there for every session and see how much I can absorb. I have been told there is a place for bloggers to set up and I will see if I can hook up with any of them. I must be careful as not to to get identified or recognized as I must protect my anonymity to the nth degree.

I will keep all of you posted as to my involvement in the event.

"I am not part of the problem. I am a Republican." - Dan Quayle

Video from the Texas Democratic Convention

I was surfing this morning and found the following video clip from the Texas Democratic Convention in Austin.

Look and listen to the people who are highlighted. One claims she is a Hillary supporter but will support Obama regardless. Another describes her attempt to attend the African American Caucus and being turned away because she is white, and a third claiming she is Obama's mother.

If these people are the rank and file of the democratic party, then they are in trouble. While watching this clip, I thought about how unrealistic, how uninformed, how racist, and how misguided these people are. Is this the face of the Americans we want to help select the leaders of our country? I think not.

The woman who was turned away from the African American Caucus was right. It was racism. I am willing to bet she votes for McCain in November.

I will post more lunacy from the convention as it becomes available.

PS: NO...I AM NOT THERE IN PERSON!!!!

"Men are mad most of their lives; few live sane, fewer die so. The acts of people are baffling unless we realize that their wits are disordered. Man is driven to justice by his lunacy." - Edward Dahlberg

Alligators Take Up Residence in Sinkhole

Alligators have taken up residence in the giant sinkhole in Daisetta, Texas. Some local residents claim as many as two alligators have turned the 250-foot deep sinkhole into a private swimming pool.

As I stated earlier, the city officials of Daisetta need to fence off the sinkhole, make the area secure and sell tickets to see everything. They could make some money off this disaster and put some money back into the city's bank account.

"The successful man will profit from his mistakes and try again in a different way." - Dale Carnegie

Texas Truth Visits Daisetta, Texas Sink Hole

Texas Truth and his lovely bride were in the Houston area on Sunday and decided to drive out to Daisetta to see if there was any action going on.

We arrived in Daisetta and it was like any small rural Texas town. A small school, a supermarket along with a gas station, a restaurant, and a church dotted the main street, FM 770.

The local sheriff, police, and volunteer fire department had the road blocked; detouring traffic around the area.

We got out of our vehicle and approached the road block. The people on duty were courteous and talked about what happened. They were very forthcoming with the information. It was much of the same information that was being presented on television and the media (both print and Internet).

They had a dry writer board hanging on the EasyUp tent stating the following:

1. Location of checkpoints around the sink hole with what I surmised were radio contact numbers (frequencies) or check point numbers.

2. Notice stating that ALL tours to the sink hole were halted. NO EXCEPTIONS!

3. Notice stating "NO PRESS"!

As I had stated earlier, the people manning the road block were nice enough, but it was obvious they were not going to allow ANYONE near the sink hole.

We took some photos as we drove around the town trying to get closer to the sink hole. We also stopped at the grocery store and talked to the locals about the sink hole. They were also very friendly.

I will post some of the photos and tell some of the experiences from the short day trip later.

A saying my lovely bride and I always say will be my quote for today. It will be posted below.

For now, enjoy a short video clip I found on the sink hole.



"Life is a trip. Become a part of it." - Texas Truth and his lovely Bride

Big A** Hole in Daisetta, Texas

KHOU Channel 11 in Houston is reporting a salt dome collapse in Daisetta, Texas (Liberty County).

Click here for more information. If I can get a video clip from the scene, I will post it.

"It's the first drop that destroys you - there's no harm at all in the last” - An old Irish saying

Trial of Cop Killer Begins in Houston

The death-penalty trial of Juan Leonardo Quintero, 34, opened this morning as prosecutors told jurors the illegal immigrant is a "cold-blooded killer" for executing Houston Police Officer Rodney Johnson.

Johnson had stopped Quintero for speeding and arrested him for not having a driver's license. As Johnson worked on a report in the front seat of his patrol car, Quintero, who was handcuffed and locked in the back seat, pulled a pistol from his waistband that was overlooked in a search. He shot Johnson four times in the head.

According to court records, Quintero was convicted of driving while intoxicated and received deferred adjudication for indecency with a child before he was deported in 1999.

Read more about the case here.

I think they should strap him to the gerney and insert the needle. This guy is a cool blooded killer.

Some of the comments on the Houston Chronicle's site are as follows:

macrane wrote: THEY JUST COME HERE TO WORK...right??

jeeterbug wrote: you killed someone, a police officer at that...break the law, pay the consequence. if you don't like our laws, stay in mexico!

SSM wrote: Makes me sick..... A good man gunned down by an illegal. Watching the news, driving around Houston, it's scary. We are in major trouble.

AmericanPatriot wrote: This man is a criminal murderer who came to America illegally. Death is too good for him. I look forward to the day when his employer is prosecuted. Throw him in jail too! I hope the family sues the scum employer for enabling him to come into this country and facilitating the murder.

aboutfrikkintime wrote: think of it this way, he has a long list of priors including child molestation, he was deported before and came back, he is scum and doesn't deserve the right to breath, think of his victims and their families, now how would you feel knowing he is in prison getting 3 squares, and job training, and watching sports or surfing the net? Come on I am a firm believer in the death penalty, unfortunatly leathal injection is too good for this guy, shoot him in the back of his head...eye for an eye....

THIS GUY IS LOWER THAN SCUM!!! EXCUTE HIM AS AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS!!! IN FACT, A PUBLIC EXECUTION MIGHT BE JUST THE THING!!!

I will keep abreast of this story and post more later.

“When contemplating college liberals, you really regret once again that John Walker is not getting the death penalty. We need to execute people like John Walker in order to physically intimidate liberals, by making them realize that they can be killed, too. Otherwise, they will turn out to be outright traitors.” - Ann Coulter

Clinton Challenges Texas' Primary and Caucus Rules (Possible)

Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign has raised the possibility of a challenge to Texas' primary and caucus rules just days before the contest, drawing a warning against legal action from the state's Democratic Party.

Top strategists for Democratic rival Barack Obama said Friday they supported the party's action, suggesting the Clinton campaign was trying to block the reporting of caucus results.

Read more about it here.

The plot thickens. More information as it develops.

Federal Judge Blocks Anti-Illegal Immigrant Ordinance

A federal judge has stopped enforcement of a voter-approved ban prohibiting apartment rentals to illegal immigrants in the Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch until a ruling is reached in the case.

This exact case had been discussed on the blog on the past. The ordinance would have required apartment managers to verify that renters are U.S. citizens or legal immigrants before leasing to them, with a few exceptions.

Landlords would have faced fines of up to $500 for violating the measure with each day considered as a separate violation.

U.S. District Judge Sam Lindsay, who stopped the enforcement of the ban was appointed in 1998 by President Bill Clinton.

Before I researched Judge Lindsay, I figured him to be a liberal Democrat, as he indeed is.

On a personal note: If the Democrats take the White House in 2008, we will see a great deal more of these kind of ruling. If it happens, God help us!

Video Clip of "Prolific" Mother of Seven

I have found a video clip of the "prolific" woman who is only 20 years old and has seven children, including three sets of twins.

Click HERE for the clip.

I feel it confirms my previous post on these people.

Women Give Birth To Third Pair Of Twins

I saw this story on television on Friday evening. When they did the promo clip, some things came to my mind.

First I though she might have been on some sort of fertility drugs and possibly be an older woman.

After I saw the report and read the article I found out the following facts:

1. She always has two sets of twins (ages two and three) and another four year old daughter.
2. The woman is only 20 years old. That means she had these children when she was 16, 17 and 18.
3. She is unmarried.
4. The children were from different fathers.
5. She and the father of the current set of twins are both unemployed.
6. They both are on welfare.

She was quoted in saying:

"I've always taken care of kids since I was little, I think that's where I got it. When I used to babysit a lot of kids, I wanted to have my own, a lot of kids," she said.

I say: Why are you bringing babies into this world you cannot possibly take of?

The father of the current twins was quoted as:

"Just focus, trying to have my mind right. Try to have my mind right, you know."

Perhaps that focus could have come at an earlier time ion your life. Like school, getting a job, and not bringing children into the world that you cannot possibly support.

Her mother was also quoted about the stress of bringing up seven children.

"I've always talked to her and told her about it, if you ever get depressed that bad, you've got people you can you can talk to, your sister, your brother, her boyfriend."

Notice she didn't mention herself as someone her daughter could talk to. Perhaps if she had talked to her daughter earlier, tehd aughter might not have had so many children.

She needs to have her tubes tied, the children taken, put up for adoption. She is condemning them to the perpetual life of poverty that she, her mother, and the current boyfriend are living in. What a bunch of losers!!!

And they put it on television!! What does one expect!!!!

One Down....Many To Go!!!!

Farmers Branch, Texas votes today approved an ordinance, by a 3 to 1, to ban apartment owners from renting to criminal aliens.

Opponents plan to file suit to stop the ordinance from taking effect.

The question is how can opponents sue to stop an ordinance that was legally voted on and approved by the legal votes of a city’s residents? I am not a lawyer, by that doesn’t seem possible to me.

It is about time that people are stepping up to the plate and doing something to make communities unappealing to criminals.

YES…..Illegal immigrants ARE CRIMINALS, along with the people who hire them.

Kudos go out to the citizens of Framers Branch. Perhaps many others will follow your lead.

One city down…..many more to go!!!

Texas Democrats: "You Must Be 19 To Buy Cigarettes"

You're old enough to vote and serve your country at 18, but you'd have to wait a year to buy cigarettes under a bill approved Thursday by the Texas Senate.

State Senate Carlos Uresti a Democrat from San Antonio whom is sponsoring the bill, was quoted saying "The further you can put this (legal age) off, there's a much better chance that people will not start to smoke,"

A person is legally old enough to vote. They are old enough to join the military and fight in a war. They are in most ways, legally an adult.

This is another case of lunacy running amuck.

If you are old enough to vote, fight in a war and do things that other adults can do, then you should be old enough to smoke.

Do I smoke? NO. Never have. Never will.

But if you are an adult, then it is YOUR CHOICE. This is another case of government wanting to get caught up in your lives.

Smoking is a nasty habit. I don't like to be around people who smoke, but it is their choice and if their smoking makes me uncomfortable, then I move.

The same goes with drinking. If you are 18 and considered an adult, you should be allowed to drink alcohol.

Do I drink alcohol? Not much. I have in the past, and I do enjoy a beer every now and then.

Do I drink hard liquor, NO, I don't. I can't handle it.

My choice not to drink (much) is my choice. A glass of wine or beer never killed anybody. In fact, I have read that it may be a health benefit. Moderation is the key.

My mother was an alcoholic and smoked her whole life. Both of these killed her in her early 60s. I have seen what it does and I want no part of it.

The bottom line is, in my humble opinion, that if you are of legal age to vote, be in the military, and fight in a war, you should be able to smoke and drink.

It is your choice, but do not expect any sympathy from me when you get lung cancer and liver damage. After all, you made the choice and you since you made an adult decision to partake of these "things" you might have to suffer the consequences.

This is another case of the liberals wanting more control of our lives.