Texoblogosphere: Week of October 5th

The Texas Progressive Alliance is happy to feel a little fall in the air as it brings you this week’s roundup.

Off the Kuff highlights a new poll showing a gap between what the people of Texas believe and what their government stands for.

Libby Shaw at Texas Kaos and contributing to Daily Kos is grateful to U.S. House Speaker John Boehner for revealing his Party’s false prophets. She is also grateful a Republican Presidential candidate’s whopper about an abortion that did not happen is exposed.

SocraticGadfly cleans up the climate change trash that Erica Greider threw all over the ground.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme has had it with Republicans who treat workers like so much used tissue paper.

The Harris County Green Party endorsed four Democrats in Houston municipal elections, bypassing the only announced Green member who who was declared, in At Large 3. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs says there’s a story about that, but he’s not telling it.

====================

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

Grits notes that statewide judicial candidates no longer have to get petition signatures from each appellate district.

Tamara Tabo has some helpful hints for the Gaslamp and other (allegedly) racist nightclubs.

Lone Star Ma went pink in support of Planned Parenthood.

The TSTA Blog warns about bullies.

Eric Berger explains what the discovery of water on Mars means for the future of space exploration.

 

And since it’s big news from the week, here’s a true classic… Mars from The Planets by Gustav Holst.

MARS

TLCQ 2015: Sharon Moses

In the Thirteenth installment of the 2015 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire we hear from Sharon Moses candidate for Houston City Council, At-Large Position 5.

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

 

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

SM:  Sharon Moses

 

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

SM:  No

 

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

SM:  Government is important because it is the glue of our society.  It unites the people in a way that no other entity can.  Albeit there are differing opinions – opposing sides – varying points of view, it is still the center of the community.  Decisions are made in government that affect us all.  And fortunately we live in a democracy so in our government our voice matters and can make a difference in how we govern.

 

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

SM:  My top priority is to reach out to the constituents and serve the community.  I would hold neighborhood meetings and get to know those that elected me and those that didn’t.  My primary goal would be to hear their voices and their concerns. As I prepare to take my place at the horseshoe, I would begin where their voices lead me.

 

TL:  After decades of deferred maintenance and neglect, Houston’s infrastructure is in a critical state of disrepair. Ask any driver, cyclist or pedestrian, and they can readily tell you that city streets and sidewalks are crumbling… some to the extent that they pose significant danger to those that would traverse them. The Parker Administration has attempted to address the problem by the voter-approved **ReBuild Houston **program. Knowing that the next Mayor has no choice but to invest in city infrastructure, do you support the continuation of ReBuild Houston?  If yes, please explain why.  If no, please explain how you would address our copious infrastructure needs differently.

SM:  I am not opposed to Rebuild Houston however, I am opposed to how it was presented to the public. Houston needs funding, Houston needs street repair and infrastructure improvement. However we cannot mislead the people in order to obtain the necessary repairs. We must be transparent with our policies, propositions and proposals to the citizens. Going forward we have to allow the
citizens to make honest choices with well-informed options. I propose we revisit the matter with a well devised plan of how and where the funding will be spent. Rebuild Houston in my opinion is not a bad idea, it just wasn’t 
implemented correctly.

 

TL:  At present the city of Houston has one of the strongest forms of “strong-Mayor governance” in the state of Texas, to the point that the Mayor alone decides what business comes before City Council. If elected, would you support an amendment to the City Charter that would allow any coalition of 6 Council Members to place items on the Council Agenda without prior approval from the Mayor? Whether yes or no, please explain your answer.

SM:  Yes, I would support an amendment to the City Charter and here’s why.  Once again we need to provide the public the opportunity to make informed choices.  I believe that if 6 of the 16 elected City Officials deem the matter important enough to bring before Council, than that item should be on the Council Agenda, as it may be a matter that is of public concern and should be addressed.  That is the purpose of City Council to be the voice of the people.

 

TL:  If elected, would you support and seek to continue the current administration’s Complete Streets policy, which establishes that any new or significant re-build of city streets will work to prioritize and incorporate safe access for all road users, including pedestrians, persons with disabilities and cyclists?

SM:  Yes, I would work to continue the “Complete the Streets” policy.  I have a Masters in Transportation Planning and Management and as a student, my thesis topic was, “The Cost and Impacts of Transit Oriented Development (TOD)”.  One of the things that TOD planning does is it creates multi-modal options and allows for easily accessible green space, mostly via transit modalities however the plan design is inclusive of other modes of transportation as well.  This would include increasing walkability and cycling within the community.  The Complete Streets policy to me supports that type of planning, as it is inclusive of pedestrians, cyclist and people with disabilities.  To that end, I would consider this one of my priorities as an elected official and it would provide me with an opportunity to continue what I began while in pursuit of my Masters Degree.

 

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

SM:  I am the only lawyer in the race for Houston City Council At-Large, Position 5. I am the only candidate with a Masters in Transportation Planning and Management.  I am the only candidate that has worked for the City of Houston for 9 years.  One of those years was spent under the leadership of former City Council Member Ada Edwards, in District D.  The other eight years, I worked in the Solid Waste Management Department as a Senior Community Liaison in the area of Recycling and Sustainability.  As a liaison I have had the fortunate opportunity to reach out to the community and hear their concerns.  Armed with their issues I have been able to relate that information to the Solid Waste Management Department and get things done.  I have been able to make a difference in the community because of my position and concern for the people. Utilizing those community involvement skills, my training, education and background and the passion that I have for people has uniquely qualified me for such a position.  It is time for the people of this City to raise their voices and be heard at the horseshoe by a representative that has integrity and knows how to put it in motion to keep Houston-Strong!

 

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

SM:  I love green space and water.  One of my favorite pass times is feeding the ducks at the park and walking the trails.  I also enjoy theatre I have somewhat of a musical background and I greatly enjoy stage productions and live music.  I am family oriented and enjoy spending quality time with my husband, family and Camille my pet Chihuahua.

 

Thanks to Ms. Moses for the responses.

Election Day 2015 is Tuesday November 3rd, and Early Voting runs from October 19th through October 30th.  Check out this year’s Harris County Early Voting information for locations and times.

Sharon Moses

 

Ted Cruz Spews Islamophobic Comments in Michigan

Last month, there was a glimmer of hope for Texas Senator Ted Cruz, as he rebuked salacious comments (well, sort of) by another GOP rival Ben Carson, whom said that a Muslim could never be President of the United States.

But those that have watched Cruz closely know that what he says today will likely be very different than the comments of tomorrow. On the campaign trail in Michigan, the Senator’s Islamophobic pandering was back on full display.

Here’s the story from Jonathan Oosting at Michigan Live

KALAMAZOO, MI — Presidential candidate Ted Cruz said Monday morning in Michigan that it would be “absolutely crazy” to bring more Syrian refugees to the United States, despite a humanitarian crisis that has captured the attention of the world.

The U.S. Senator from Texas spoke to a crowd of roughly 800 guests at the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, criticizing President Barack Obama on a number of fronts, including his plans to allow more Syrian refugees into the country.

“What President Obama is proposing to do, bring tens of thousands of Syrian Muslims to America, is nothing short of crazy,” Cruz told the crowd during a question and answer period.

[…]

“It would be the height of foolishness to bring in tens of thousands of people, including jihadists who are coming here to murder innocent Americans,” Cruz said. “…With respect to the refugees, it is a humanitarian crisis, but they ought to be settled in the middle east, in majority Muslim countries.”

Is it even possible to defend the constitution’s freedom religion, and then make comments like these??  In the world of Ted Cruz, apparently so.

In a time where Muslim communities across this country suffer constant discrimination, unfair scrutiny and unspeakable indignation, it’s a real disappointment to hear such irresponsible comments from a statewide elected official.  Nevermind the fact that half a million Texas residents whom happen to be Muslim should expect better of their Senator.

Sadly, Cruz’s carelessness comes the same week that Anti-Islamic rallies  are planned across the United States.  The rallies have are planned to be staged in front of American mosques in places like Kentucky, and possibly even Houston.

The threat is so serious that CAIRThe Council on American- Islamic Relations, released a statement of alert to American Muslim communities.

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/4/15) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today urged Muslim community leaders to consider instituting additional safety measures in response to hate rallies by possibly armed anti-Muslim extremists targeting mosques nationwide on October 10.

[NOTE: October 9 has also been mentioned online as a date for the hate rallies.]

CAIR also called on all Presidential candidates and other elected officials to not only repudiate Anti-Muslim hate rallies, but also to show support for the community by visiting a mosque this weekend.

No doubt that many of the Senator’s constituents will be looking for a more sensible response.  At this point, no one can be quite sure what they’ll get from Ted Cruz.

Ted Cruz

 

Are Texas Workplace Injuries Under-Reported??

At the height of his influence, former Governor Rick Perry was darting across the country to tout his role in the Texas Miracle.  As other states have continued to slowly climb their way out of the Great Recession, Texas seemed to be blasting off like never before.  Particularly for those wanting to start a business and hire a cheap workforce the Lone Star State has rarely shined brighter than in the early 2010s.

But at some point, we have to ask what allows the state’s workforce to remain so cheap, even as wages remain flat and rising property values put an enormous strain on everyday families.  What is Texas doing to keep our work environment so low-cost??

As Jim Malewitz of the Texas Tribune reveals in a new report, part of that puzzle is what we’re not doing… properly documenting workplace injuries.

On any given day across Texas, truck drivers might crash their vehicles, construction workers tumble from scaffolding or refinery workers inhale nauseating fumes.

But many of their injuries will be documented poorly by employers and insurance companies. Some will go unreported entirely — as if they never happened. As a result, no one really knows how many Texans — or Americans, for that matter — are hurt at work.

What is written down about workplace injuries  — and when it’s written — is more than just scorekeeping. Documentation can largely determine whether workers get medical care covered by insurance companies, or fall into whatever social safety net exists, relying on government aid and public programs to recover and support themselves.

[…]

In its report to the Legislature last year, the state Division of Workers’ Compensation touted a remarkable statistic: Texas workers are filing far fewer claims than they once did — a 31 percent drop over the past decade.

The report offered many possible explanations for a trend that mirrors other states, including more safety awareness at job sites, stepped up watchdog efforts from state and federal regulators and new, safer technology.

But in one clause of one sentence of its report, the division touched on another factor potentially at play: “the possibility of under-reporting workplace injuries and illnesses.”

Make that a probability of under-reporting.  Technological advances aside, blue-collar work across the state has only increased over the last decade as more people continue to move in, and require more homes and businesses to be built and serviced.  More workers with a drop in injury claims?  Something definitely doesn’t add up.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a workplace injury claim in Texas, make sure to visit the Texas Department of Insurance Workers Compensaion page.  And remember all claims must be filed within 30 days of the incident to be eligible.

Let’s hope that more Texas workers can be made aware of their rights, and don’t have to continue suffering in silence.

TxWork

(Photo Credit:  Jones Lawyers

 

Music Musings: ‘Unbreakable’ Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson is back.

It’s a statement that can still seem more fiction than fact.  Even for someone that finally experienced the star in live format earlier this week via the Unbreakable Tour, I watched in disbelief as Miss Jackson defied conventional wisdom by sailing through her massive string of hits while executing dance moves far better than her younger imitators.  Indeed for those brave enough to go see the pop star this year, the Unbreakable tour is likely to exceed expectations of the most discriminating fans.

That’s the tour, and  today we get to hear what she’s working so hard to promote.  After a summer of rumors and anticipation, Unbreakable has arrived.  I don’t know if I can call this a review, but maybe some informed observations from a good fan?  A ‘first view’?  Well whatever you want to call it, here are my thoughts after spending Day One with Unbreakable.

2015 finds a Janet with ‘lots to talk about’, and most notably going to some places that we didn’t expect from her previous catalog. After a career spent trying to establish her own sound in contrast to others of the surname, finally we see Jackson lean in, even embrace the legendary influence of her brothers.  The album’s title track, Dream Maker/ Euphoria and closer Gon’ B Alright find the songstress  delivering vocal stylings inspired by The Jackson 5.  As Jimmy Jam stated in an interview with the BBC, vocals on the latter may leave listeners wondering if Janet herself is singing all parts on the track. Much to our surprise, everything is her.  Dream Maker/ Euphoria is a soul-tastic fantasy world where sweeping Motown-esque samples  at the opening exuviate into Janet’s sultry vocal over a crucial bass.  It’s a resplendent journey for sure.

Another highlight is BURN IT UP!- an infectious club thumper built on beautiful and mysterious arabic dance music. The culture clash definitely doesn’t seem by accident, as Jackson has already offered a deep appreciation to the traditions of her current home country.  The end result shows that the legendary pop team knows how to get the world moving no matter what hemisphere they’re in.

After a fun club tune, Dammn Baby offers another romp into “current” pop trends– well kind of.  As Jam, Lewis and Jackson are well aware, so much of today’s musical sound is rooted firmly in elements first heard in the 80s— heavy synth over intricate rhythmic and colorful instrumental texture.  As a result, it’s kind of unfair to claim these musical legends as imitators.  But inspired by the sounds of radio today, they recognize that the pendulum has swung “forward” in their favor.  Oh, they’re able to speak the 2015 language much better than several of their “younger” counterparts.  Let’s hope this song gets some love from the radio spotlight.

On Shoulda Known Better, Jackson explores themes of her socially-conscious past.  It’s a conversation between the 23-year old Rhythm Nation superstar and her more experienced self in 2015, realizing that the only way we can hope to achieve a better world is by first coming together and seeing our common humanity.

It’s never the critic that counts
Cause critics only wanna talk
While enlightened minds and open hearts
Together make this world a better place

[…]

I had this great epiphany
And rhythm nation was the dream
I guess next time I’ll know better

Other highlights include the EDM/Minneapolis/ jazz piano collaboration on Night, the quiet storm classic and current RnB chart-topper No Sleeep and a poignant tribute to brother Michael in Broken Hearts Heal.  In the latter, Jackson shares the album’s most deeply personal lyrics, wrapped in a light, breezy aura of faithful optimism. And yes, your ears are not deceiving you– a quote to Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough aerates through the track.

There’s a lot more to discover in this quality body of work.  At this stage in their careers, Jackson, Jam and Lewis have every right to sit back, reminisce and be proud of their historic accomplishments.  But perhaps the greatest beauty of Unbreakable is that it serves as a reminder of how special artistic expression is to the human experience.  As critical as the air we breathe, the need of all people have to communicate, connect, converse and feel never subsides.  A goal that is definitely achieved in this album.

So those are my impressions, but check out what the actual music critics are saying too.  Here’s Complex Music UK, Vulture and The Atlantic to get started.  Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.

 

Janet

Photo Credit:  YuTsai

 

And BTW…

2015 marks the 33rd year since Janet Jackson became a solo artist. Check out the 16-year old Janet performing her first ever single, the aptly-titled Young Love on Soul Train.

 

UPDATE  October 12th 2015:

Unbreakable is officially a hit!!  Janet Jackson’s new album makes a Number 1 debut on the Billboard charts.  With the impressive seventh album to reach the top, Jackson now earns the historic distinction of holding number 1 albums across 4 decades– the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s.

As Ms. Jackson might say herself, it’s fait accompli.  Congratulations Janet!!

Janet Jackson2