Texoblogosphere: Week of September 16th 2013

The Texas Progressive Alliance thinks any day we’re not dropping bombs on someone is a pretty good day as it brings you this week’s roundup.

Off the Kuff suggests a way to measure the effect of the voter ID law in the November elections.

Horwitz at Texpatriate discusses the renewed efforts to bring a comprehensive non-discrimination ordinance to the City of Houston.

WCNews at Eye on Williamson points out that the absurd has become reality in Texas, thanks to ignorance and lies, Absurd?

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme notes that the batsh*t crazies on the Texas State Board of Education textbook review board are still pushing creationism in and science out.

Texas is home to two of the top five dirtiest power generation facilities in the United States, and a new report suggests that they are “the elephant in the room” when it comes to climate change. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs thinks he has identified the main culprit, and it’s not what you may have first thought.

Neil at All People Have Value said that with the proper balancing of internal life and external life, the right calculation exists to make sense of life. All People Have Value is part of NeilAquino.com.

Even with a barrage of annoying mailers, emails and kissing babies, elections are very important. Besides being the way we choose new leaders, they are also important to ensure that our currently elected officials listen to the public, and sometimes the only way to hold them accountable for what they do. For all these reasons, Texas Leftist has decided to “take the plunge” with an official candidate questionnaire and endorsement process.

And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs.

Nancy Sims highlights the pitfalls of liking a candidate’s Facebook page.

Texas Watch calls out Rick Perry’s lies and distortions about the state’s tort “reform” law from 2003.

On The Move created a Google map to illustrate where the road rage incidents are in Texas.

TFN Insider explains how anti-CSCOPE activists just cost you a million bucks.

The Observer interviews State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon about the drought, climate change, and other fun topics.

Glasstire explains a roadside art project intended to raise awareness about the homeless.

The Bloggess uses the occasion of Suicide Prevention Week to remind us all that we are irreplaceable.

Finally, the TPA wishes all the best for KT Musselman, now the Emeritus Publisher of the Burnt Orange Report, as he moves on to his next phase in life, and to Katherine Haenschen, who succeeds him in that role.

TLCQ 2013: Modesto “Moe” Rivera

In the Second installment of the 2013 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire, we hear from Modesto “Moe” Rivera, candidate for Houston City Council At Large Position 2.

Please note: Responses have been received directly from the candidate, and have been posted verbatim from the email received. This is done out of fairness to all candidates. Publishing these responses does not constitute an endorsement, but will be considered during the endorsement process.

TL: What is your name, as it will appear on the ballot?

MR: Modesto (Moe) Rivera

TL: Are you a current or former elected official? If so what office(s)?

MR: Negative, this is the first time I have run for office.

TL: As a political candidate, you clearly care about what happens in certain levels of government. In your own words, why is government important?

MR: Government is essential since it represents its voting and non-voting citizens and has the power to rule and enforce laws. Government is necessary to manage its people’s affairs, offers rights and protection and certain services without government chaos would exist. We need to elect officials that look out for everyone’s interest.

TL: If elected, what is your top priority in office for the upcoming term? Describe how you plan to accomplish it.

MR: Promote a balanced budget and insure that expenses do not exceed its collected revenue (Tax, services and other revenues). I plan to do this by educating and influencing other members of Council s of such. I will also use my personal financial record, accounting, business experience and education as assets in obtaining a balanced budget. I will only approve responsible and reputable construction projects and service contracts.

TL: With the exception of city government and some other select businesses, Houstonians can still be fired for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender because we do not have a comprehensive non-discrimination ordinance for general employment. This lags behind other Texas cities such as Dallas, Austin, and Ft. Worth. Do you support a comprehensive non-discrimination ordinance for the city of Houston? If not, please explain why. If so, please explain how you would work to pass such a measure.

MR: I cannot support a comprehensive non-discrimination ordinance for gays and lesbians; but will support a policy of “Don’t ask and don’t tell”. Gays and lesbians need to be protected from being ridiculed, bullied and treated unfairly; I promise to fight and defend them to the best of my knowledge and strength.

TL: There have been an alarming number of complaints filed against officers in the Houston Police Department, accused of unwarranted police brutality towards citizens. A disproportionate amount of this violence occurs in minority communities, and in the vast majority of these cases, officers have gone unpunished. As a result, these incidents cause a cycle of mistrust between Houstonians and the very officers sworn to protect them. What can you do to increase oversight of the Houston Police Department, and help ensure that these incidents do not continue?

MR: Agree that this is an ongoing issue; the Mayor through the back-up from City Council should inform the HPD Chief that this type of behavior and abuse will not be tolerated. If abuse is reported then the Mayor must appoint an independent commission to investigate the incident and take action based on its recommendation. Consequently this may lead to the suspension and or dismissal of the abusive police officer and its chain of command.

TL: What makes you the best candidate for this office?

MR: My candor, persistence, demeanor, work ethic, and respecter of social justice before God.

TL: When not on the campaign trail, how do you like to spend your free time?

MR: I spend my time training physically, mentally and spiritually and mentoring others.

Thanks to Mr. Rivera for his response.