Property Rights & Appraisal Reform for Texas?

Texas Constitutional Amendment Election
Official Ballot Language and Order for the Nov.3, 2009

Read the House Research Report >>

Proposition 1 - HJR 132
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the financing, including through tax increment financing, of the acquisition by municipalities and counties of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to a military installation for the prevention of encroachment or for the construction of roadways, utilities, or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation."

Proposition 2 - HJR 36-1
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property's value as a residence homestead."

Proposition 3 - HRJ 36-3
"The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes."

Proposition 4 - HJR 14-2
"The constitutional amendment establishing the national research university fund to enable emerging research universities in this state to achieve national prominence as major research universities and transferring the balance of the higher education fund to the national research university fund."

Proposition 5 - HJR 36-2
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to authorize a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for consolidated equalizations."

Proposition 6 - HJR 116
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans' Land Board to issue general obligation bonds in amounts equal to or less than amounts previously authorized."

Proposition 7 - HJR 127
"The constitutional amendment to allow an officer or enlisted member of the Texas State Guard or other state militia or military force to hold other civil offices."

Proposition 8 - HJR 7
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the state to contribute money, property, and other resources for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of veterans hospitals in this state."

Proposition 9 - HJR 102
"The constitutional amendment to protect the right of the public, individually and collectively, to access and use the public beaches bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico."

Proposition 10 - HJR 85
"The constitutional amendment to provide that elected members of the governing boards of emergency services districts may serve terms not to exceed four years."

Proposition 11 - HJR 14-1
"The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State, a political subdivision of the State, the public at large, or entities granted the power of eminent domain under law or for the elimination of urban blight on a particular parcel of property, but not for certain economic development or enhancement of tax revenue purposes, and to limit the legislature's authority to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity."

Read the House Research Report >>

Coalition Calls for a Renewed Focus on Western Civilization and Ethics Coursework in Texas Colleges and Universities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Bill Noble
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 512-474-2005 Office

Coalition Calls for a Renewed Focus on Western Civilization and Ethics Coursework in Texas Colleges and Universities Asks lawmakers to study the value of fostering greater civic knowledge

AUSTIN – As classes begin today at the University of Texas at Austin and other institutions around the state, a new coalition has launched an effort to enhance the quality of higher education in Texas. Responding to a diminishing emphasis on Western civilization coursework in Texas and elsewhere, the Coalition for American Traditions and Ethics (CATE) is encouraging Texas colleges and universities to develop coursework and programs that give students a strong background in American ideals, institutions, and traditions.

“There is an increasing demand for an emphasis on the fundamental values and principles of our country,” said Bill Noble, spokesman for CATE Texas. “We will work with lawmakers and other interested parties to achieve our goal to provide Texas college and university students a solid grounding in civic responsibility and ethical character.”

The coalition believes that Texas colleges and universities will have an opportunity to attract new students and professors and to stand out on the national level by establishing and developing these programs. Students will benefit from the skills they learn as employers increasingly seek graduates with a comprehensive education who also demonstrate civic responsibility and ethical behavior.

“Coursework that captures American ideals, institutions and traditions from the Greek and Roman classics to the original documents of our country’s founding helps to develop a student’s critical thinking skills and makes them – and our state – more competitive in today’s global economy,” said Bill Hammond, president of the Texas Association of Business. “More importantly, thorough exposure to coursework exploring moral questions and the founding principles of our great country serves to prepare students to face the myriad of ethical challenges that arise in their day-to-day lives.”

In addition to encouraging Texas colleges and universities to create coursework and programs focusing on Western civilization and American traditions, the coalition is asking lawmakers to study the value and benefits of such coursework and programs and to determine the most appropriate structure for facilitating these programs on university campuses.

“We want all interested parties to have an opportunity to present their thoughts and ideas to lawmakers during an interim study of the issue,” said Noble. “We believe there can be strong agreement from across the political spectrum to the value and benefits of strengthening university students’ knowledge of the ideas and ethical principles that have contributed to the foundation of our country.”

# # #

The Coalition for American Traditions and Ethics in Texas (CATE) is a broad-based coalition including university faculty, civic leaders, students and employers united in an effort to promote the establishment of coursework and programs studying Western civilization and American traditions to foster the development of ethical character and civic responsibility among Texas college and university students. On the web at www.HigherEduCATE.org.

Encore Broadcast: Patriotism Now

Well ... apparently we have struck a cord. Today is a new day. Today, Conservatives are coming out of the closet. They are taking time away from the workplace, their businesses, and their homes to stand-up against the Socialist/Marxist non-sense being spewed out of Washington DC.

Friends, our Rights and Liberties are the gift of God, and no Atheist, Pluralist, Socialist, or Marxist will take that away. We will stand, and we will do it without the prompting of any political party. We will do it, because we love God, family and freedom!

You do not want to miss this Encore Broadcast of Patriotism Now. On July 19th George Scaggs of the Central Texas 9-12 Project and Don Bebee of Patriots Synonymous were on the Prolitical Hope Radio Show. Based on positive listener feedback, we are re-playing our Patriotism Now show this weekend. Invite your friends and neighbors hear the heart of two true patriots, George Scaggs & Don Bebee!

Listen to Political Hope every Sunday at 4pm and call us with your comments or questions. The call in numbers are ... (512) 637-9673 (WORD) - or - (888) 860-9673

Call the Political Hope Radio Show to voice your opinion every Sunday at 4 pm CDT. You can hear us on The Word 98.5 & 99.3 KLGO FM Radio in Austin, or listen to live streaming on-line ... www.theword993.com

God Save the U.S.A.

America's Darkest Hour - Forced Sterilization

Do you think the earth is over-populated? Should we control birth rates or de-populate parts of America or the world? Read the stories below, and call the Political Hope Radio Show this Sunday at 4 PM CDT to voice your opinion...

888.860.9673 or 512-637-WORD(9673)

Tertullian: Famine and War Prevent Overpopulation
Source: www.wikipedia.com - eugencis
Tertullian, an early Christian author (ca AD 160-220), was one of the first to describe famine and war as factors that can prevent overpopulation.[9] He wrote: "The strongest witness is the vast population of the earth to which we are a burden and she scarcely can provide for our needs; as our demands grow greater, our complaints against Nature's inadequacy are heard by all. The scourges of pestilence, famine, wars and earthquakes have come to be regarded as a blessing to overcrowded nations, since they serve to prune away the luxuriant growth of the human race."[10]

Virtual Exhibit of U.S. Eugenics

Population Control—Real Costs, Illusory Benefits.
Source: www.pop.org, Steven Mosher
The first population bomber of the modern age was, by profession at least, ill-suited to the task. The Rev. Thomas Malthus, Anglican clergyman, predicted in 1798 that there would be standing room only on this earth by the Year of Our Lord, 1890.

Obama science czar brings a potentially radical agenda to a ballooning science budget Source: www.worldmag.org, Emily Belz, August 2009
WASHINGTON—Forced abortions and sterilization are generally practices eschewed by all but the most radical scientists—but President Obama's science czar, John Holdren, called them constitutional in a 1977 textbook he co-authored with Paul and Anne Ehrlich.

Population control ‘a weapon of the West’
Source: www.thejakartapost.com, Andra Wisnu , Mon, 07/27/2009
Speakers at a conference for young Indonesian Muslims Friday, urged the audience to denounce birth control methods such as condoms and the government’s family planning program, claiming such measures were part of a conspiracy to weaken the country. At Ragunan Sports Center in South Jakarta, speakers at the conference titled, “Young Muslims, save Indonesia with Sharia and the Caliphate” asked the young attendants to reject contraception based on the rationale that reducing the population would weaken the country and draw it further into the conspiracy plans of the West.

Obama Staffer Speaks at Planned Parenthood Event, Urges Pro-Abortion Lobbying
Source: www.LifeNews.com, Steven Ertelt, July 23, 2009
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A top official with the administration of pro-abortion President Barack Obama spoke to gathering of Planned Parenthood activists last week. There, she promised leaders of the abortion business that Obama is a pro-abortion president and urged them to continue their pro-abortion lobbying efforts.

Obama's science czar's ideas 'really scary'
Source: www.OneNewsNow.com - Pete Chagnon - 7/24/2009
Forced abortions, mandatory sterilization, global governance -- these are just some of the ideas Obama's science advisor has supported in the past. According to a Fox News article, John Holdren -- President Obama's "science czar" -- has espoused the need for forced abortions, sterilizations, and the creation of a "Planetary Regime" that would oversee population levels and protect the planet. The ideas are contained in a book he coauthored in 1977 entitled Ecoscience: Population, Resources, Environment.

Obama Science Advisor Denies He Backs Forced Abortion, Population Control
Source: www.LifeNews.com, Steven Ertelt, July 21, 2009
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The office of John Holdren, whom Obama appointed to become Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, is denying charges that Holdren backs forced abortions. Holdren has been accused of backing population control given comments that appear in a book he co-wrote.

Italy Resolution Condemns Abortion for Population Control
Source: www.politicsdaily.com, Elizabeth Lev, 07/23/0916
ROME -- Italy has long been an acknowledged world leader in fashion and food, but rarely in its tri-millennial history has it stood as a beacon of political acumen. Yet last week, the same soil that gave us Machiavelli seemed to take the lead in showing the world how to seriously commit to reducing abortions.

Population control can benefit all in the country: Health Minister Azad
Source: www.sindhtoday.net, July 21st, 2009
New Delhi (ANI): The World Population Day was recently marked across the globe on July 11. But for a country like India, the day held major significance as it faces a threat of population explosion in the present time.

Investigation Shows Threats, Restrictions Impose Severe Obstacles for Abortion Providers, Women Seeking Abortions
Center for Reproductive Rights Urges Governments, Public, Medical Community to Support Abortion Providers as Human Rights Defenders
Source: http://news.prnewswire.com, July 22, 2009
Aggressive harassment, discriminatory legal restrictions and serious stigma are reducing the number of abortion providers and making abortions more difficult for women to obtain, according to a report released today by the Center for Reproductive Rights, a leading reproductive rights advocacy group.

Obama’s Science Adviser Called for ‘Zero Economic Growth’
Source: www.cnsnews.com, Christopher Neefus, Friday, July 31, 2009
1977 textbook "Ecoscience" by John Holdren and Paul R. and Anne H. Ehrlich(CNSNews.com) – At a time when it was popular among environmentalists to talk about capping pollutants, John Holdren was writing about placing “caps” on the U.S. economy itself--and working toward “zero economic growth.”

Low estimate? China reports 13 million annual abortions
Source: www.bpnews.net Michael Foust Jul 30, 2009
WASHINGTON (BP)--China released statistics Thursday showing there are at least 13 million abortions a year in the country, a sobering number that U.S. experts say likely is a low estimate and a direct result of the country's one-child policy that often includes forced abortions.

Too many people - Public Forum Letter
Source: www.sltrib.com, 07/30/2009
In her farewell column, Rebecca Walsh fired a salvo at the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, encouraging the church to embrace smaller families ("Leaving the place I love," Tribune , July 11). I couldn't agree more. My environmental consciousness was born in the zero population growth movement of the '70s, and I still consider human overpopulation the most basic of all environmental problems.

The Firing Line: 07/31/09
Source: www.dailytexasn.org, Daniel Earnest, Friday, July 31, 2009
I find it amusing that Lingwall was so quick to defend Planned Parenthood’s illegality in the Lila Rose incident as simply exhibiting “loyalty to doctor-patient confidentiality.” Rather than defending misconduct, maybe Lingwall should spend more time researching the roots of Planned Parenthood and its founder Margaret Sanger.

Abortion, Eugenics and the Meaning of Margaret Sanger
Source: www.politicsdaily.com, Carl M. Cannon, 07/22/09
There is a disquieting reason Ruth Bader Ginsburg's defenders have been denying, however implausibly, the clear meaning of the Supreme Court justice's recent remarks about the history of abortion law, and that reason is this: Historically, eugenics has always been a significant component of the intellectual underpinnings – and political impetus – of the movement to legalize abortion.

How do you define True Patriotism?

LISTENER QUESTIONS & SHOW TOPIC RELATED STORIES for July 19, 2009

• Does true Patriotism require civic involvement?
• Is criticizing Congress or the President un-patriotic?
• Is Patriotism giving aid to those in need
  (i.e. Palestine, per reader letter in San Bernardino Sun)
  
• Bombshell: Orders revoked for soldier challenging prez
• Pentagon orders soldier fired for challenging prez
• Senator Cronkite

Let us hear from you. Post your comments or call the show, (512) 637-9673 or (888) 860-9673

Fighting Obesity with Obesity

You've heard it a thousand times, "You can't fight fire with fire". Apparently House Democrats and President Obama think they are Red Adair.

While Red proved there is at least one circumstance where the old cliche comes up short, I wonder if the Dems are considering the explosive and damaging consequences of his procedure. When Red used fire to put out fires, he literally blew the fire up to extinguish it.

Maybe this is what Democrats desire. It is certainly plausible that they will destroy the country and some number of people with their obese health care proposal. Have you seen the massive chart of bureaucratic paper pushing they invision to solve the inflamed health care crisis?

The Democrats' socialistic Health-Care Reform proposal fights obesity with obesity. While Americans are increasingly inflamed by bloated diets, a lack of exercise and other behavioral risks, the Democrats want to increase the size of government to fight the problem. The problem is not a lack of government programs. The problem is a lack of American's that are responsible for their own health. The problem is Americans that are increasingly dependent on entitlements, rather than their own good choices. The problem is a nation that is already dependent upon government, corporate, and institutional health subsidies.

No one can own your health for you. It is your responsibility. If you want the liberty to eat want you want; if you want the freedom to abort your own child and get in bed with whatever diseases you choose, DON'T ASK ME TO PAY FOR IT! Health is your choice and your responsibility. Adding a more obeseity to an already obese U.S. government and U.S. population will only create a greater explosion! If you want to fix the health care crisis in American, remove the bloated government regulations that are in the way, and let the people have liberty!

God Save the U.S.A.

Photo by Peter Dejong, April 1991

See Behavioral Health Risk Factors on http://www.cdc.gov/brfss/index.htm

Patriotism Now in the Spirit of 1776

You will not believe the audacity of these folks. I pray it inspires you. A new era of Patriotism has dawned in America. While we were not previously lacking for political action groups, we were lacking for people in those groups. Now the number of groups, number of citizens involved, and the frustration level of Americans in rising exponentially.

Oh yes, we are a persistent people. We are a hard-working, industrious bunch, and we don't back down from what is right and true. A new day has dawned on these Sacred Shores. We will stand for justice, righteousness, and liberty. We will celebrate Patriotism Now in the Spirit of 1776. We will re-unite with the values and principles of 9-12-2001 and July Forth of 1776!

You're going to love our guests this week. These are common men that love America, and they have paused to render aid to our nation. They are willingly sacrificing their time, talent, and treasure to defend the liberties granted by the Hand of the Almighty to We The People.

George Scaggs is a leader with the Central Texas 9-12 Project, and Don Bebee is the Founder of Patriots Synonymous. Don had the audacity to transform the U.S. Presidential Seal into the Seal of We The People of the United States of America. You do not want to miss this show.

Listen to Political Hope every Sunday at 4pm and call us with your comments or questions.

The call in numbers are ...

(512) 637-9673 (WORD) - or - (888) 860-9673

Call the Political Hope Radio Show to voice your opinion every Sunday at 4 pm CDT. You can hear us on The Word 98.5 & 99.3 KLGO FM Radio in Austin, or listen to live streaming on-line ...

http://www.theword993.com/

God Save the U.S.A.

Next Week: July 27, 2009 - Flushing Long Island Quakers - First Anniversary Edition with Jerald Finney & Pastor David Newsome