Be Mucho Moronic

Este es un column sobre un bike rack.

That’s how the Chron’s Lisa Falkenberg starts today’s front page column about a taxpayer funded bike rack on Navigation “in the shape of giant cursive letters spelling ‘"be mucho bueno."’

Aliana Acosta, daughter of my good friend Rafael Acosta (owner of Merida Restaurant on Navigation) complained about the “Spanglish” bike rack and the “poor use of the Spanish language.”

I get where she is coming from.

H-Town Council Member James Rodriguez has the best local quote of the week when asked about the rack:

"I think it’s very moronic. And that’s being nice.”

Diane Schenke, president of the Greater East End Management District, the entity that commissioned the rack, said this:

"It wasn’t intended to be a Spanish grammar test. It’s capturing the way people talk in the neighborhood."

Huh!

Here’s from Falkenberg on Schenke’s line:

But that’s the thing. I’ve never heard anybody use that phrase, not even a fellow Gringo. That annoying Tex-Mex menu at Lupe Tortilla – "Es preety goood!" – has more grammatical precision than this artwork.

If you ask me, el Greater East End Management Distrito be mucho estupido knuckleheads.

Commentary thinks maybe it is time to rethink their leadership.

Who leads the MLB today with runs scored for the season?

The Chron E-Board wants to mediate a session between Early to Rise and Hunker Down. Here is how they end their take today:

Before lawyering up, folks should try sitting across the table and talking things out. Might we recommend the Houston Chronicle editorial board table as a good place to start?

http://www.chron.com/opinion/editorials/article/Too-early-to-sue-4772485.php

I’m OK with that on the condition that I get to sit in and watch.

To the 40% that can watch ‘Stros games, did you know that CSN reporter Julia Morales is the daughter of 1996 Dem candidate for U.S. Senator Victor Morales? Well now you do!

Matt Carpenter of course of San Luis leads the bigs today with 100 runs scored for the season.

I’ll have a light lunch today to get ready for dollar dogs this evening at The Yard. They are also handing out 10,000 baseballs on the way out. The best part of the evening should be the ‘Stros honoring softball great and Olympian Cat Osterman.

I think I heard last night that we’re 16-28 in one run games which means we could easily be 28-16 in one run games. Oh, well!

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Houston Astros,Major League Baseball,Houston Elections,Houston Politics,Texas Politics,Texas Elections,Houston City Hall,Houston Latino Politics,Houston East End

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The Pay Raises

The Chron has a front page story in the hard copy and for subscribers only on The Mayor giving a select few of her key staff some pretty good pay raises while the thousands of other city employees got so-so pay raises.

In the story The Mayor gets criticized by the folks that want her out of office – Ben Hall and the Firefighters Union.

Let me just say this. The Mayor is entitled to give out pay raises. The folks that criticize are also entitled to take shots. It is fair game and only time will tell if it matters. It is however the lead story in the hard copy and I have said it before, Chron hard copy readers are probably older voters and more likely to vote in November.

Here is a part of the story that I found interesting:

GOP communications consultant Jim McGrath said the issue will be little more than water-cooler fodder at City Hall unless Hall can show a pattern of such decisions.

"Taxpayers and voters care about their well-being and their future and if the mayor has failed in some regard as it relates to that, that’s something you can get traction with," McGrath said. "This inside baseball stuff will not fundamentally alter the dynamics of a race that isn’t looking good for Mr. Hall at present."

Democratic political consultant Mustafa Tameez agreed: "This is not going to be seen well by the public, but something like this doesn’t make or break the election."

I guess Jim McGrath and Mustafa got the special campaign briefing.

The Mariners are in town for four. Everybody knows that Junior leads the Mariners in career dingers as a Mariner with 417, who is at numero 2?

HISD Trustee and Board President Anna Eastman will participate in a candidate forum today at the West End Multi-Service Center on Heights Blvd. at 6 pm.

There will be a reception this evening at 5:30 pm for HCC Trustee District 3 candidate Adriana Tamez at Doneraki at Gulfgate.

Anna and Adriana are both clients.

It looks like the Save the Dome campaign will be headed by former County Judges Jon Lindsay and Robert Eckels and my friend Edgar Colon. Good luck fellas!

Hunker Down dropped the Harris County AFL-CIO meeting last night and I don’t think he mentioned the campaign to Save the Dome. I might have missed it though because I was chatting with The Dean.

Hunker Down also didn’t mention why he pulled an Early to Bed.

Another Forbes writer says the ‘Stros didn’t make $99 mil.

Here it is.

I never believed it but I still don’t know what to believe.

Everybody knows that Commentary never says much about college players because they don’t get paid – sort of. It turns out Johnny Football got a reward. He is not going to play the first half against Rice in mid-90 degree heat. Way to go NCAA!

The final 3 minutes and 23 seconds of “The Newsroom” the other night was four stars for sure as the great Jane Fonda owned the scene and that’s why she is up for an Emmy. Get it back!

Edgar Martinez of course is numero 2 on the Mariners career dinger list with 309.

44-88 and not much else you can say as the team comes home for seven.

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Houston Astros,Major League Baseball,Houston Astrodome,Anna Eastman Campaign,Adriana Tamez Campaign,Harris County Commisioners Court,Houston Mayoral Race,Mayor Annisse Parker,Ben Hall,Houston Politics,Houston Elections,Texas Politics,Texas Elections

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Crashing

Commentary isn’t going to say much today because I am experiencing major technical issues with my computer. It is on life support and I’m on a back-up.

Speaking of, did the ‘Stros have any African-Americans in the first ever Opening Day line-up back in 1962?

It is probably a good thing not to talk about Cacagate up in Austin. The DPS continues to step in it.

In the hard copy of the Chron today you can find probably the best Op-Ed of all time – kind of. It is the reprint of the “I Have a Dream” speech. Nice job Chron.

I hope the talking heads don’t try to compare The President’s speech today if you know what I mean.

Happy Birthday today to Matty D of the ‘Stros!

Left fielder Jim Pendleton of course was the only African American in the starting line-up for the ‘Stros on Opening Day in 1962. He went 1-4 with 1 RBI.

I don’t have much to say about another bullpen collapse and another one run loss.

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Houston Astros,Major League Baseball,Texas Politics,Texas Legislature,Houston Politics,Houston Latino Politics

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The Line-up

The following is the unofficial line-up of candidates from the City of H-Town website for Mayor, City Council, and Controller.

With The Mayor having eight opponents, how do they avoid the big R – yes I’m saying it – runoff and campaigning during Thanksgiving?  Will they ‘splain to Commentary a non-run-off strategy.

Former City of H-Town department director and former HISD big shot Issa Dadoush who left HISD in a huff filed at the last minute against CM C.O. Bradford.  Dadoush lists a Pasadena address – huh!

Two Latino candidates are running in At-Large Three.  They are going to split the Latino vote for sure.

In Commentary’s opinion, Hunker Down made a mistake in rejecting the Early to Rise initiative.  It looks personal.   The Early to Rise folks early on forgot to brief Hunker Down so he felt dissed and decided to be against and now is saying NO to 85,000 plus signatures.   It will come back to bite him in the arse while he campaigns for a tax increase to save the Dome.  It is a bad move if you ask me. 

I really don’t have much to say about Larry Marshall not running for reelection over at HISD other than to say he can read the writing on the wall.

The ‘Stros had 4 dingers last night to put them at 132 for the season and tied for 14^th in MLB.  How many dingers did the ‘Stros have last season and where did we rank?

Here is the list of city candidates:

MAYOR

· Cook, Don — 7954 Glenheath, Houston, TX 77061, Phone: 713.705.5594, Email: zenblews@hotmail.com

· Dick, Eric — 4325 Tulsa Road, Houston, TX 77092, Phone: 832.429.2990, Email: ericdickformayor@gmail.com

· Douglas, Keryl Burgess — 5804 Bayou Bend Court, Houston, TX 77004, Phone: 713.819.9945, FAX: 713.589.6823, Email: keryl@keryldouglasformayor.com

· Drab, Charyl L. — P.O. Box 690087, Houston, TX 77269-0087

· Fitzsimmons, Michael J. — 4800 W. 34th St, Suite C-50L, Houston, TX 77092, Phone: 713.476.0733, Email:Houstonswp@att.net

· Hall, III, Benjamin L. — 530 Little John Lane, Houston, TX 77024, Phone: 713.236.4255, Email:team@benhallformayor.com

· Jenkins, Derek — 13600 Breton Ridge, Houston, TX 77070, Phone: 832.881.5451, Email:djenkins1326@yahoo.com

· Lane, Victoria A. — 6131 Stoney Brook Dr., Houston, TX 77036, Phone: 713.550.7899, Email:Victorialane53@yahoo.com

· Parker, Annise D. — P.O. Box 66513, Houston, TX 77266, Phone: 713.861.6464, Email:annise@anniseparker.com

DISTRICT COUNCIL MEMBER

DISTRICT A

· Brown, Helena — P.O. Box 430292, Houston, TX 77243, Phone: 280.919.3577, Email:helenabrowncampaign@gmail.com

· Hale, Ron — 6602 Underhill, Houston, TX 77092, Phone: 832.620.7909, Email: info@ronaldrayhale.com

· Knox, Mike — Phone: 713.973.6992, Email: mike@mikeknox.org

· Peck, Amy — P.O. Box 800240, Houston, TX 77280, Phone: 832.390.0117, Email: amy@amypeck.org

· Stardig, Brenda — P.O. Box 19822, Houston, TX 77224, Phone: 281.829.8583, Email: info@brendastardig.com

DISTRICT B

· Blueford-Daniels, Katherine — P.O. Box 1624, Houston, TX 77251, Phone: 713.594.5643, Email:mzkat@att.net

· Davis, Jerry — 5517 Pickfair, Houston, TX 77026, Phone: 832.860.1766, Email: jvd@jerryvdavis.com

· Perkins, Kenneth — 5714 Langley, Houston, TX 77016, Phone: 832.656.1062, Email: mrkrp@hotmail.com

DISTRICT C

· Cohen, Ellen

DISTRICT D

· Boykins, Dwight — 315 W. Alabama Street, Suite 103, Houston, TX 77006

· Caldwell, Keith — P.O. Box 331309, Houston, TX 77233, Phone: 281.330.7806, Email:kcaldwell081@gmail.com

· Edwards, Lana — P.O. Box 301118, Houston, TX 77230-1118, Phone: 713.203.1585, Email:lanacedwards@gmail.com

· Johnson, Ivis — Phone:832.606.9713

· McGee, Travis — 5747 Lakefield Drive, Houston, TX 77033, Phone: 832.488.7709, Email:mcgeetravis@sbcglobal.net

· McKinzie, Larry — P.O. Box 14608, Houston, TX 77221-4608, Phone: 713.900.8683, Email:campaign@larrymckinzie.com

· Provost, Georgia Doyle — 3821 N. MacGregor Way, Houton, TX 77004,Phone: 713.942.7374, Email:gdprovost@hotmail.com

· Richards, Nicole "Assata" — P.O. Box 58636, Houston, TX 77256, Phone: 832.722.0404, Email:arichards@assatarichards.com

· Robinson, Anthony — P.O. Box 331698, Houston, TX 77233, Phone: 713.777.8472, Email:robinson4districtd@gmail.com

· Sanders, Christina — P.O. Box 14390, Houston, TX 77221, Phone: 281.895.3350, Email:info@christinaforhouston.com

· Smith, Demetria — 7303 Calais Road, Houston, TX 77033, Phone: 832.883.7509, Email:dsmith9550@yahoo.com

· White, Kirk — 5514 Griggs Road, #2523, Houston, TX 77021, Phone: 713.575.7832, Email:theprezd@gmail.com

DISTRICT E

· Martin, Dave — 1 E. Greenway Plaza, Suite 225, Houston, TX 77046, Phone: 713.526.3399, FAX: 713.965.9076, Email: campaign@martinforhouston.com

DISTRICT F

· Hoang, Al — 801 Congress, #350, Houston, TX 77002, Phone: 281.788.8486, Email:alhoang77072@gmail.com

· Nguyen, Richard — 8115 Riptide Drive, Houston, TX 77072, Phone: 281.891.0579, Email:dandelion63@yahoo.com

DISTRICT G

· Pennington, Oliver — 4617 Montrose Blvd., Suite C202, Houston, TX 77006, Phone: 713.598.7809, Email:oopennington@gmail.com

· Taef, Brian — P.O. Box 820035, Houston, TX 77282, Phone: 713.422.3416, Email: brian@briantaef.com

DISTRICT H

· Gonzalez, Edward "Ed" — P.O. Box 70683, Houston,Tx,77270, Email:info@edforh.com

DISTRICT I

· Ablaza, Leticia Gutierrez — P.O. Box 262943, Houston, TX 77207, Email: info@voteablaza.com

· Gallegos, Robert — P.O. Box 230087, Houston, TX 77223, Email: info@voterobertgallegos.com

· Garces, Graci — P.O. Box 230103, Houston, TX 77223, Phone: 713.861.2244, Email: votegraci@gmail.com

· Mendez, Ben — 8427 Bonner Drive, Houston, TX 77017, Phone: 713.880.2626, Email:ben@benmendez4houston.com

DISTRICT J

· Laster, Mike — P.O. Box 36521, Houston, TX 77236, Phone: 713.510.3261, Email:lasterfordistrictj@yahoo.com

DISTRICT K

· Green, Larry V. — 2500 West Loop South, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77027, Email: attylgreen@aol.com

AT-LARGE COUNCIL MEMBER

POSITION 1

· Costello, Stephen C. — 2211 McDuffie St., Houston, TX 77019, Phone: 832.563.2113, Email:scostello@coseng.com

· Griffin, Mike "Griff" — 1925 Lexington, Houston, TX 77098, Phone: 713.526.7711, Email: mgriffin@kgriff.com

POSITION 2

· Burks Jr., Andrew C. — 315 Alabama, Suite 103, Houston,TX 77006, Phone: 832.426.4776, Email:burksforcitycouncil@gmail.com

· Gordon, Brent Trebor — 10907 Gulf Bridge Circle, Houston, TX 77075, Phone: 713.213.2215, Email:Trebor@gordon4houston.com

· Rivera-Colon, Modesto — 4630 Magnolia Cove #718, Kingwood,TX 77345, Phone: 713.732.7672, Email:Mod.rivera55@gmail.com

· Robinson, David — 2514 Elmen, Houston, TX 77019, Phone: 713.907.8241, Email: dwr@raworks.com

POSITION 3

· Batteau, J. Brad — 3408 Delano St. , Houston, TX 77004, Phone: 832.283.5471, Email:JBradBatteau@yahoo.com

· Calvert, Rogene Gee — 10850 Richmond Ave. Suite 100, Houston, TX 77042, Phone: 832.266.0561, Email:rogene@rogenecalvert.com

· Chavez, Roland M. — 313 Byrne St. , Houston, TX 77009, Phone: 713.864.4271, Email:Rochav341@gmail.com

· Kubosh, Michael — 1701 Lubbock, Houston, TX 77007, Phone: 281.594.7680, Email:michaelkubosh@gmail.com

· Morales, Roy — 2450 Louisiana, Suite 400-224, Houston, TX 77006, Phone: 713.320.8167, Email:info@roymorales.com

· Pool, Jenifer Rene — P.O. Box 572211, Houston, TX 77257, Phone: 832.689.9334, Email:jenifer@jeniferrenepool.com

POSITION 4

· Bradford, C.O. "Brad" — P.O. Box 321309, Houston, TX 77221, Phone: 713.882.0404, Email:info@cobradford.com

· Dadoush, Issa Z. — 5023 Bayfair, Pasadena, TX 77505, Phone: 713.782.0957, Email:issa.dadoush@sbcglobal.net

POSITION 5

· Christie, Jack — 12421 Memorial, Houston, TX 77024, Phone: 713.256.6445, Email: drjackchristie@yahoo.com

· Evans-Shabazz, Carolyn — P.O. Box 8482, Houston, TX 77004, Phone: 713.522.1523, Email:evansshabazzpal5@yahoo.com

· Horwitz, James S. — 4109 Caroline, Houston, TX 77004, Phone: 713.521.0373, Email: jhorwitzlaw@gmail.com

CONTROLLER

· Frazer, Bill — 5090 Richmond Avenue, #719, Houston, TX 77056, Phone: 713.429.1773, Email:bill@frazerforcontroller.com

· Green, Ronald — 3401 Louisiana, Suite 105, Houston, TX 77002, Phone: 713.526.0166, Email:attyrgreen@aol.com

Forbes says the ‘Stros are going to show a profit of $99 mil  this year – yikes!

Check it out here.

The ‘Stros say no way and here is what they said yesterday:

We are very disappointed that, earlier today, Forbes released an article that includes significant inaccuracies relating to the Astros’ finances. The Astros do not disclose financial information. However, as MLB will confirm, the information reported in the Forbes article relating to the Astros’ revenues, the Astros media rights fee from CSN Houston, and CSN Houston’s per subscriber rate are all significantly inaccurate. As a result, the conclusion about the Astros operational profit is significantly inaccurate.

The Astros will continue to operate the team in a fiscally responsible manner that will make the City of Houston proud. We are very excited about our accomplishments and we remain steadfast in our commitment to this rebuilding process. We have established a basis of young talent on our MLB roster that will continue to improve. And our minor league system is now one of the best in MLB. As our young prospects develop, we will move them up to the Major League roster and increase our payroll to a level that will allow the Astros to compete for World Championships. The success of CSN Houston is a vital piece of that process and we continue to work toward establishing full distribution.

I don’t know who to believe.

Here is what Rice’s Mark Jones says about the Lite Guv’s reelection chances:

"He’s moving from the range of running the risk of not attaining re-election, to not even making it into a runoff.  If I had to predict right now, I would say he doesn’t make the runoff."

I’m saying he doesn’t even make the race.

Last season the ‘Stros ended up with 146 dingers and ranked 21^st in MLB of course.

Last night’s game was a nail biter as Chris Carter racked up his 24^th and 25^th dingers of the season, two-time AL Player of the Week Jason Castro had his 18^th of the season and Matty D had his 19^th.  We won 10-8. 

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Houston Elections,Houston Politics,Houston City Council Races,Houston Mayoral Race,Houston Astros,Major League Baseball,Texas Elections,Texas Politics

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The Last Day and the First Day

Today is the last day to file for office for positions on the Houston City Council, for Mayor, for Controller, for HISD Trustee, and for HCC Trustee.  Political types usually gather outside of the H-Town Mayor’s office a little before the 5 pm deadline to see if there are any last minute surprises on the City front. 

Speaking of the November elections, Commentary still has not heard of a PAC being created to help save the Dome.

I guess we also ought to be hearing this week if Early to Rise gets on the ballot.

We are also going to hear this week if State Sen. Wendy Davis runs for Governor.

How many division titles have the ‘Stros won?

Today is the first day of school for most kids around these parts. It is a special day for Dante.  He starts his first day of high school today – wow!  I can still remember his toddler days when he would hang around here and mess with my baseball memorabilia.  Good luck Dante!

Commentary had a nice time with MariGirl this past Friday at The Yard.  We each had us a couple of dollar dogs.  Her tweet on the dogs was way better than mine.

The ‘Stros have won six division titles of course:  the NL West (1980 and 1986) and the NL Central (1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001).

We were one inning away from a sweep yesterday then Lo and behold – awwww!

We have 16 home games remaining.  That is probably a good thing.  The NL West last place teams visits the AL Central last place team today in Chicago.

 

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Interesting Reads

Ben Hall finally got some good run in the press today.  Lisa Falkenberg’s column today on Ben is creating some buzz for sure.  I’m sure folks are going to be talking about the back and forth on who said what.  Here is a taste:

Hall believes part of the problem may be Parker’s "strident" leadership style, a bit of which he’s experienced during his few private encounters with her. The first time they met, at a University of Houston event, Hall said, the two shook hands and he recalls the mayor saying " ‘It’s nice meeting you. I’m going to whip your ass so bad that you’ll never run for public office again.’ " At which point, Hall said, "I immediately told my friend, ‘My goodness, I now know what’s wrong with the city.’ "

You have to subscribe or pick up a hard copy if you want to read the rest – sorry.

I’m thinking this race is going to get more interesting.

Everybody knows that Pete Rose tops the MLB all time list for base hits with 4,256 and Ty Cobb is numero 2 with 4,191 – who is numero 3?

Big Jolly has the best take to date on Early to Rise so check it out here.

The Chron E-Board gave the Lite Guv a well deserved spanking today.  Here are parts:

David Dewhurst is no Hemingway hero. His late-night call on behalf of a relative arrested for shoplifting was merely the latest example of his tendency to flail under pressure. What he did was not illegal, as best we can tell, but it was graceless and awkward. And funny, in an icky sort of way.

Dewhurst seems rattled already, and the race has barely begun.

And:

Dewhurst seems rattled already, and the race has barely begun.

"The world breaks everyone," Papa Hemingway observed, "and afterward, some are strong at the broken places."

And some are not.

Here is the entire E-Board take.

He needs to get out of the race.

Hank Aaron of course is numero 3 all time with 3,771 base hits.

Ryan Broid apologized yesterday.  Who cares?

I wonder how many folks will be dropping by The Yard this weekend to see the AL East last place Jays?

 

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On Eastman

Last night Shelley Kennedy hosted a fundraising reception at her home for HISD Board President Anna Eastman and a bunch of good folks attended.  The Dean, Blake Ellis, HCTD’s Lenora Sorola-Pohlman, Chris Bell, Orell Fitzsimmons, HCC candidate Zeph Capo, former HISD Trustee Paula Arnold, Traci Jensen, and education activist Carmen Nuncio were among those in attendance. My friend Vilma Moera and her crew prepared the delicious grub.  It was a great event.

We had two fielding errors last night.  Name the MLB club with the least fielding errors through last night?ISD Trsutee

A Democrat named Mike Collier is running for State Comptroller if State Sen. Wendy Davis runs for Governor.  I don’t know Mike Collier.  Like Burkablog said the other day, not much on the bench.

One would think that the Lite Guv would know better.  Why in the world would he hand over ammo to his opponents?  Then again why is he running for reelection?

Congrats go to Jenna Wolfe and Stephanie Gosk and their new one – Harper Estelle!

Hunker Down thinks County Attorney Vince Ryan violated attorney-client privilege on the Early to Rise opinion.  Who cares?  Will Early to Rise ever get some good run in the press?

B’More of course has only committed 38 fielding miscues.  The ‘Stros have 95 – ouch!

I really don’t want to talk about another one run loss and our 41-85 record. 

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Anna Eastman Campaign,Traci Jensen,State Senator John Whitmire,Texas Politics,Texas Elections,HISD Elections,HISD School Board Elections,Houston Astros,Major League Baseball

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Idiotic Campaign Tactics and The Big 90

Probably the most idiotic thing a political campaign can do or encourage is to have their paid workers or volunteers go steal your opponents’ signs out of yards.  Man, talk about stupid!

The Graci Garces Campaign got calls yesterday from Glenbrook Valley supporters letting us know that their Garces campaign signs were stolen out of their yards.  Dumb move for sure!  Glenbrook Valley has a very informed electorate.  Those folks talk to each other.  Believe me, by the end of yesterday everybody knew what was going on and they were probably assigning blame.

Talk about a knucklehead move.  MEMO: You are not going to change a supporter’s mind if you steal their campaign signs.  All you are doing is pi__ing them off.  They will ask for more signs.  Their neighbors will ask for a sign because they don’t like the fact that in the middle of the night their neighbor’s property was violated.  They in turn will tell other neighbors about it and in this case Graci Garces will win more votes in that neighborhood because one of her opponents pulled a bonehead move and had signs stolen from private property.  Way to go!

That’s not how you earn the support of the voters!

The ‘Stros are tied for first in MLB in committing the most fielding the errors – name the team that is tied with the ‘Stros?

Ninety years ago today in Baytown, Texas my dad Tony Campos was born and today he is celebrating his 90^th birthday and yesterday evening he and my Mom came into H-Town to celebrate his great-grandson Dante’s 14^th birthday.

My Dad’s story has been told before.  He went to public schools in Baytown.  He went off to fight in World War II in the European Theater.  He jumped out of planes behind enemy lines.  He was in the Battle of the Bulge.  He suffered frostbite.  After V-E Day he signed up to fight in the Pacific Theater but on the way there his boat made a detour to go home after the bomb was dropped.

He came home and got married to my Mom, went to college on the GI Bill, helped raise four kids and got involved.  He was a major LULAC player in the fifties and early sixties.  He helped organize the pilot project that evolved into a major federal program – Head Start.  He traveled throughout the state in Democratic campaigns with notables like the late Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, Jr.  He successfully sued the City of Baytown to go to a single member district governance structure.  He became an educator.

He’s also a super Dad and grand dad, and great grand dad.  He and my Mom have probably saved the family tens of thousands of dollars in day care and babysitting fees.  He loves his grand kids and great grand kids and they love him just as much.  Dante calls him “Tonio” after observing my Mom refer to him as Antonio – his given name.

He’s voted in 17 consecutive presidential elections and has instilled in his family a grand culture of political participation and activism.  I challenge any family in the country to match the Campos family’s participation at the polls.  If a member of the Campos family doesn’t vote, he or she is guaranteed a humiliating verbal hazing and a seat at the kids’ table at Thanksgiving dinner.

I still remember the night of Thursday, November 21, 1963 when he left to attend a dinner to honor President John F. Kennedy in Downtown Houston.  I remember that weekend sitting in front of our old box black and white TV watching the events while my Dad sat there stoically.

I remember sitting in the living room in the summer of 1968 watching the Democratic National Convention and seeing young people getting their heads bashed in on the streets of Chicago  – my Dad sat there stoically watching his Democratic Party self destruct.  I remember going to my first precinct convention in 1972 and getting elected by one vote over my Dad to be a George McGovern delegate to the Senatorial District Convention while my Dad was elected as a Hubert Humphrey alternate delegate.  I remember sitting by him at the 1992 Texas Democratic Party State Convention as he got elected as a National Delegate for Bill Clinton.

I remember sitting with him as he casually prepared for brain surgery as Hurricane Rita approached H-Town and I remember as he and my Mom stubbornly argued with me as Ike rolled toward their abode.

He and my Mom continue to come in to H-Town once or twice a week to drop by my place or go check out a little league game.  He still takes the local fish wrap, watches CNN, and takes his great grand kids to McDonald’s or Shipley’s. 

My Dad still continues to conduct the election at Precinct 102 in Harris County – got it – and he still has a photo of Hillary over his desk waiting to cast his vote for her in 2016 – wow!

Happy Birthday Dad – you have been an inspiration to us all!

My pal Shelley Kennedy will host a reception for HISD Board President Anna Eastman this evening at 5:30 pm at 706 Sue Barnett in Garden Oaks so be there!

The Early to Rise folks continue to have their troubles.  This is the headline to the Chron story on their presentation to the Harris County Department of Education yesterday:  Pre-K details murky as vote pushed.  Here is how the story starts out:

Harris County voters could decide in November whether to raise their own taxes for an early childhood education initiative without knowing how that money would be spent.

They are kind of stumbling on their roll out and they need to get some better pub if you ask me.  BTW:  the Chron story is in hard copy and for subscribers only – sorry.

The Chron E-Board gave Ben Hall a spanking of sorts today.

Check it out here.

The Brewers of course are tied with the ‘Stros for committing 93 fielding errors – tops in the bigs!

I don’t think we can go 22-15 the rest of the way.

 

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Waiting on the Rest

Happy Numero 14 to Dante today!  Happy Birthday Dante!

Lone Star State Democrats are waiting on State Sen. Wendy Davis to officially declare for Governor.  If she does get in the race, what Democrats are going to run for other statewide races?  Here is from Burkablog:

I think it can be safely assumed that Wendy Davis will run for governor in 2014, although the announcement may come later rather than sooner. The question is, where do the Democrats look for candidates to fill out their ticket after Davis? What about the other statewide offices?

The bench is very thin. Julian Castro appears to be looking at 2018 for his breakout race. Joaquin Castro isn’t going to give up his congressional seat. This is a critical election cycle, but every major statewide race has an open seat (except, of course, for lieutenant governor, but that has the feel of an open seat with the incumbent, David Dewhurst, being challenged by three credible current officeholders). Do the Democrats have a credible candidate for attorney general? Comptroller? Ag commissioner? And what about legislative races? Congressional races? The last time there was a midterm election, in 2010, the Democrats lost every contested race. The paucity of credible candidates is a real problem. Wendy Davis IS the Democratic brand.

We need to fill out the rest of the roster.  Are there any takers out there?

Last night the Rangers scored 11 runs against us in third inning.  What is the record for most runs scored against the ‘Stros in an inning?

The Early to Rise folks will try to get specific today as they lay out their plan in public to the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE).  I am hoping HCDE Trustees will step up and take responsibility and make sure this proposal is transparent.  They can’t let the newly formed without a track record Harris County Readiness Corporation dictate the terms or push them around.  After all, the HCDE Trustees are elected by the voters and the Readiness Corp. folks aren’t.  I also hope they don’t leave it up to the HCDE Superintendent to work out all the details.  Stay tuned!

Commentary saw some Roy Morales for At-Large 3 signs around a local eatery this past weekend.  I am thinking that Morales and At-Large 3 candidate Roland Chavez will probably split the Latino vote that shows up to vote.

Way back in 1989 at Riverfront, Cinncy of course scored 14 runs in the first inning against the ‘Stros.

I really don’t have anything to say about last night’s blowout.  I don’t want to talk about having one of our back-up infielders come in to play catcher and pitcher.  It has just been that kind of season. 

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,HISD,State Senator Wendy Davis,Texas Elections,Texas Politics,Houston Elections,Houston Politics,2014 Texas Governors Race

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A-Rat versus the World

He’s gone from A-Rod to A-Roid to A-Rat after he ratted out fellow MLBers on PEDs – allegedly – according to “60 Minutes.”

A-Rat’s lawyer was on “Today” this morning taking on MLB and the Yankees and the world.  Meanwhile Red Sox pitcher Ryan Dempster plunked A-Rat last night and A-Rat responded to the plunk with a dinger at Fenway. It looks like the only folks on A-Rat’s side are those that he pays.

Name the MLBer that said the following in February of 2009:

"A-Rod’s numbers shouldn’t count for anything.  I feel like he cheated me out of the game. It does bother me. Especially for the guys that went out there and did it on talent. We’re always going to have a cloud on us, and that’s not fair at all. The ones that have come out and admitted it, and are proven guilty, [their numbers] should not count. I’ve been cheated out of the game.  This is my ninth year, and I’ve done nothing to enhance my performance, other than work my butt off to get guys out. These guys [who took PEDs] have all the talent in the world. All-Star talent. And they put times two on it.  I’m going out there with the ability God gave me. They have that ability, too, and they’re putting something on top of it."

"The few times we played them, when he (A-Rat) got hits, it could have cost me a game. It could have cost me money in my contract. He cheated me out of the game and I take it personally, because I’ve never done [PEDs], haven’t done it, and they’re cheating me out of the game."

I am really enjoying this A-Rat versus MLB because there is really nothing to enjoy at The Yard other than a St. Arnold and maybe dollar dogs this Friday.

My friend Edgar says a PAC will be rolling out soon on saving the Dome.  I hope they do a better job at rolling it out than Early to Rise.

“Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie and her legs got a shout out last night on “The Newsroom.” 

The Chron E-Board agrees with the HISD Board about doing a review of the Apollo program.  Here is how today’s take starts:

There’s a reason that teachers don’t ask kids to grade their own research papers: It’s hard for anyone to spot his own mistakes.

For the same reason, we’re glad that the Houston Independent School District’s board recently voted to require an independent analysis of the district’s Apollo 20 program.

Here is the entire take.

am sure that Fryer fella from Harvard who helped put together Apollo is not happy with this.  Who cares? 

Former ‘Stro and now Royal Miguel Tejada was suspended for 105 games this past weekend for testing positive for amphetamines.  Back on February 11 of 2009, Tejada copped a guilty plea for fibbing to congressional investigators on PED use.  This what he said on 2/11/09:

"I apologize.  I know it was a mistake. I take responsibility. I am very sorry this happened. I’m sorry to my family, to Congress, to the Houston Astros and to the Major Leagues.  I apologize to the fans of baseball. I apologize to the whole United States, because this country gave me the opportunity to be who I am.  I am sorry for what just happened."

MLB will be going to extended replay next season.  That’s a bad idea.  It looks like the games are going to get longer.  Four hour games will be the new norm. 

Roy O. of course let A-Rat have it back in 2009.

The Yankees are trying to make the playoffs and they have to make up a lot of ground in the coming weeks.  The ‘Stros have to go 22-17 the rest of the way to avoid another 100 loss season.

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Houston Astros,Major League Baseball,Houston Politics,Houston Elections,HISD Apollo Program,Houston Independent School District

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