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Find or Refer a Contractor in Tyler

Is Governor Perry Going to Run for President?

May 23rd, 2011

Is another Texas governor going to seek the presidency in 2012? Reports were trickling out last week that Governor Perry may seek the Republican nomination for president. In a race that thus far, promises to be populated largely by governors, Perry would constitute another moderate southerner (which means relatively conservative in today’s political climate), with a solid chance winning the party’s nod.

The electorate typically tends to favor governors being promoted to the Whitehouse. Of the last eight presidents, five have been former governors. It seems that, for the most part, voters are most comfortable with strong executives holding the highest post in the land, rather than legislators, whose stock in trade tends to be compromise and deal making. If the Texas governor did enter the race he would be one of a crowded field of State executives running, or who have considered running. They include the following names: Tim Pawlenty(MN) running, Mitt Romney (MA), running, Sarah Palin (AK), considering run, Mitch Daniels (IN) just decided not to run, and Mike Huckabee, (AR) who also decided not to run. In addition to these potential candidates, are popular favs, who, were they to enter the race, would probably inspire a ground swell of popular conservative support. They also happen to be governors and include names like: Bobby Jindal, (LA) and Chris Christy (NJ).

Reports of whether or not Mr. Perry will throw his name into the race are still sketchy, but in recent years Texas voters seem interested in a change. Even republicans are dubious of their governor’s conservative credentials, despite his attempt to shore them up around election time. Perry’s victory over Bill White last year was more of a vote against the contender than it was a wholesale endorsement of the incumbent. A move on the nomination would potentially do a couple of things for the Texas Governor. First, it may reunite his base at home with the prospect of another Texan running for President. Secondly, it would be an opportunity for upward mobility in an election year when the nation is again going to be largely concerned with voting against an unpopular incumbent. And lastly it would provide a capstone to a political career that will otherwise, likely end with this term in office.

Would I vote for the governor’s promotion? Not sure. He certainly has accomplishments to his credit, but there are certainly other candidates I’d like to see whose conservatism I find more authentic, and who are more willing to fight in a sure to be contentious campaign. As a Texan, I’m generally prone to support our candidates when they go national, but I have to be a purest on this one. I will support Governor Perry if he wins the nomination, but until then, I’ll have to hold out a while and see how the field shapes up. At the end of the day I’ll be surprised if Mr. Perry takes the plunge. The public mood seems to want something new and different. Personally, I think the governor looks too much like an establishment candidate. But that’s just me…

Arizona Shooting Victim James Eric Fuller is Himself Arrested

January 17th, 2011

What a difference a week makes! The news has been surreal of late. We had one nut case finally losing it and opening fire on a crowd of defenseless people killing six, including a federal judge and a nine year old girl. A handful more are wounded, including a sitting U. S. Congresswoman. Following the tragedy, we have certain members of the national press and local officials, including a strangely unprofessional law enforcement officer, attempting to blame the political opposition for inciting the mad man’s actions. Next we have a memorial service for the lost in which the crowd behaves like a bunch of football fans at the Super bowl. And finally, the government of the State of Arizona is forced to move in order to block the protests of another group of crazies from protesting at the funerals of the victims. What is going on in our country?

Well the strange news stories continue. It turns out that Tucson shooting victim has himself been arrested and hospitalized after publicly threatening the life of Tucson Tea Party founder Trent Humphries, over the weekend. Now it sounds like James Eric Fuller may himself be a little unbalanced. He’s definitely had a rough couple of weeks. I hope he gets the help he needs; (it seems like I’ve heard myself saying that a lot lately). But I cannot begin to imagine how this story would have been treated by the press had he been a conservative. Mr. Fuller has recently appeared on numerous leftward leaning programs and websites, including the radical “Media Matters” where he blamed among others, Sarah Palin for the actions of lunatic shooter Jared Lee Loughner. Now I am not suggesting that his actions are typical of those of his political stripe, but I am suggesting that there is an obvious double standard between how the left is depicted in the media versus anyone else. The evidence is mounting that Lougher is merely insane with no political persuasion at all. Yet he was immediately (and unsuccessfully) labeled as a Tea Party member and talk radio listener. What’s more no one comes anywhere near blaming the media for firing up Fuller’s rage against prominent conservatives even though he had been directly impacted by the Tucson tragedy and was certainly very vulnerable to anti- conservative rhetoric.

Ok look I’m not honestly blaming the left for Mr. Fuller’s disorderly behavior. We all have our own issues and hang ups in life. But those are our individual issues. The sooner we all take responsibility for our own actions, insist others do the same and stop pointing the finger at those with no culpability, the better off we will be.

Sarah Palin Comes to Tyler Texas

July 1st, 2010
Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin

Well the list of dignitaries and political candidates visiting Tyler continued over the weekend as our city was visited by none other than Former Alaska Governor and one time Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Mrs. Palin was just the latest big name to stop in East Texas in a list which includes former advisor to President George W. Bush, Carl Rove and talk radio superstars Sean Hannity and Glen Beck.

The former governor was preceded by our own current Governor of Texas, Rick Perry. For the Governor, who is currently running against Democrat rival Mark… oops my bad, Bill White, Saturday’s visit was an important opportunity to reaffirm his conservative credentials. He excited the crowd, while talking about the greatness of the state and its commitment to small government and economic expansion. House Rep.

Louie Gohmert gave a report on the goings on in Washington, and local Rep. Leo Berman spoke of his desire to enact Texas’ own version of the controversial Arizona immigration bill. Of course the main attraction of the evening was Governor Palin. She spoke at some length about the effects of the gulf oil spill, but reaffirmed the importance of oil and energy exploration.

She warned of the dangers of the President’s moratorium on drilling and advocated free market solutions, lower, more responsible government spending and greater economic freedom as the answer to the nation’s financial woes. She also criticized the President for not taking responsibility for the nation’s downward financial direction. Attendees were enthusiastic, and embraced the former governor and her message.

Sarah Palin Smiling

Sarah Palin

With all the speculation concerning her intentions toward the next presidential race in 2012 being as high as it is, having Mrs. Palin stop in Tyler is a great thing for the city. It gave Tylerites an opportunity to hear first hand a potential presidential candidate long before her decision to run has been fully made.

Even as one rising political star visits our city, a former president will also be stopping in this fall. George W. Bush will be kicking off the next season of UT Tyler’s Distinguished Lecture Series in October. He will be speaking on the nineteenth, beginning at seven thirty.

Tickets go on sale to Lecture Series members on August second and to the general public on September twentieth. For information on the former president’s appearance or future Lecturers, visit the following websites: www.cowancenter.org/bush.htm or http://www.uttyler.edu/cowan/index.htm. To watch excerpts of Governor Palin’s speech, go to http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sarah+Palin+tyler+tX&aq=f.

Be on the lookout for other future visits by political notables this election season, and then visit this site for our take on events. Their stops in Tyler are important as they bring visitors to our area, and inform our citizenry!

The Oil Palace Under Fire

June 9th, 2010

A couple of weeks ago I tried to make a case that our city and state are becoming over regulated by unnecessary local legislation and bureaucracy. From the banning of a legal substance in restaurants (namely tobacco), to traffic medians which only serve to further clog roadways, to business owners being told they must remove the flags from their store fronts, we are awash in petty legislation.

The latest example of local interference in the affairs of Tylerites is the attempt to shut down the Oil Palace. As best as I can gather, the facility has twice been the victim of vandalism. Once during a ZZ top concert when insulation was flushed down the toilet; and the water valves turned down, the other prior to the Glenn Beck appearance when the water pressure was again turned down. In light of the health department’s concerns about water flow and restroom access, the facility has brought in air-conditioned restrooms to help insure that the existing systems are not overwhelmed. Yet this is still not sufficient for the health officials, who have threatened to try to shut down the Oil Palace prior to upcoming appearances by guests like George Jones and Sarah Palin. Now as someone who attended the Glenn Beck lecture, I can attest to the fact that the Oil Palace as a venue does leave a lot to be desired, but that has absolutely nothing to do with the health department’s complaints. Both the Glenn Beck, and the Sean Hannity appearances were great nights, and there was no danger posed to any attendee. Personally, I plan to attend the Palin visit and expect to have no issues on that occasion either, nor do I plan to turn off the water valves, or flush any insulation.

I once heard someone say that many local bureaucrats are more concerned with being important than being useful. When a local institution bends over backwards to uphold the spirit of an ordinance while continuing to keep its commitments to provide a place for important local and cultural events, I must conclude this is the case. So a brief note to those oh so important folks in the health department: the fact is I as an attendee understand that there may be a problem with water flow in the building. Guess what, I won’t drink it, I still want to see Sarah Palin. I am willing to risk a water fountain that doesn’t work or a toilet that doesn’t flush right. Do you know why I take such awful risks? Because I’m a grown up! I think I can remember to go before I leave the house, and I’ll take a bottle of water to insure that I don’t over heat, but please stop trying to remove all the risk from every nuance of my life! If the facility is making a reasonable effort to fix problems or find ways to otherwise accommodate attendees I am willing to chance it.

As far as I can see, and from what I’ve read at this point, it seems the staff and management at the Oil Palace has taken reasonable steps to comply with what has been asked of them. At this point the whole thing seems like a silly battle of wills to me.

For more information, or to read up on the conflict go to the KETK website at http://www.ketknbc.com/local/oil-palace-gets-another-health-district-notice, or see the KLTV page at http://www.kltv.com/global/story.asp?s=12598373. For more info on the Oil Palace or on upcoming events go to the website at www.oilpalace.com. Readers can also check out my review of the Glenn Beck appearance by looking for the title Glenn Beck comes to Tyler, located elsewhere on this site. Lastly, for a brief look at a few cultural attractions in Tyler this summer, including those coming to the Oil Palace look for the title Cultural Events and Institutions in Tyler TX.