Writing R-E-A-L S-L-O-W

Just saw this online. Its actually a still from a fake ad. Basically, the ad makes fun of Hillary Clinton by saying that Laura Bush is ready to be president on day one. But there is a little problem with the fake ad it relies on fake facts. Now those of you who know me may be thinking, " Hold on, it's just a fake ad", but I have heard serious people make the same erroneous point.

The makers of the ad chose to overlook the simple little fact that not only is S-E-N-A-T-O-R Clinton a twice elected United States Senator but, before being a presidents wife, she was a lawyer. The experience gained from defeat, Ala the failed health care reform attempt of the early 90's, was a valuable lesson in national politics.

I don't know how others feel but, I want people around me who have learned from mistakes made. You learn more from your mistakes than from your success'. I guess that's why I like being Catholic. It's a religion that accepts our human condition while at the same time pushes one to be more than ones DNA.

Gratias Tibi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud

Sucess, Our Darkest Hour

I have been using the last few days trying to find a new place to live. I ain't leaving the Hill Country because of the election last week. No, we just need better digs. I have also spent some time thinking about the Democrat's near future.

We are a Party that loves to fight so much so that we sometimes we need to whomp on each other, and in the process forget that the Republicans make much better targets. Unlike the Reps, we currently suffer from an over abundance of success. We have seen this election cycle increase Democratic voter turnout. We have had without a doubt the best slate of presidential hopefuls, ever.

The new folks while they are a blessing they could also be a curse. While they may share an affinity for a particular candidate it remains unclear for me if that affinity translates into a new Democratic voter.

There is a old simile, "Un flor de tierra", a flower with shallow roots. Are the new folks who voted and caucused in the Texas primary really one of us? Are they voting for the Democratic principles which separates us from the Republicans, or are they people just caught up in the excitement of the moment ready to abandon us after the drunken revelry has passed? Will they stand with the eventual Democratic nominee in November?

Being a Dem isn't just about getting my guy or gal elected to office. Being a Dem is about caring about the little guy or gal. It's about helping people up when there is no one else there. It's about doing for the least amongst us. It's about doing one's duty and expressing ones' love of country in ways that help real people. There are those who think that Democrat's hate our country. One of my favorite quotes comes from Arthur Schlisinger Jr. (JFK aide and noted historian) he said, "It is wrong to just say my country right or wrong. The true patriot says, my country right or wrong, when right keep it right and when wrong make it right." That is what I think that the Democratic Party is trying to do.

I can only hope that during this, the Democratic Party's darkest hour, that we not lose perspective. Let us have an engaged debate but let us not lose the general election. If you support Obama or if you support Clinton imagine a world where there was a G.W.Bush third term. Isn't that in the end what we should all be fighting about?

Let's work to salvage our nations tattered honor.



Gratias Tibi Ago Deus


Wonko's Bud

An Open Letter "To Kiss My Big Blue Butt"

Dear Susan,

There are arguments to be made about Texas' dual primary caucus system. An argument can be made, and should be made, against the current system. It does appear from my vantage point that a vote in one part of Texas counts for more than other parts of Texas. If the state and national parties put more resources to court one constituency over another and then; the state formulates a system that further rewards the courted then yes, Democrats need to reevaluate the current system. If one can be had, there is nothing wrong with trying to develop a more equitable system.

I think that a primary system is always preferable over the caucus system. You write that, "The caucus system builds the grassroots." That is a valid argument in favor of the caucus system but would you consider that the caucus system favors only those who can afford to participate in such a system? Whenever I have attended my precinct caucus the only people who attend are those who can afford to. From what I have seen over the last few primary/caucus elections there are great opportunities for abuse. I have seen it in the pass and currently, I am looking into allegations that it has happened in my county.

You support Obama, I support Clinton, and that is where for the most part we disagree. From what I have read and from what I have seen, Senator Obama and Senator Clinton are for the most part indistinguishable. In the end, I will vote for whomever is the eventual nominee. I will do so because I believe in what the Democratic party has stood for.

Let me put it another way, I am a big D Democrat because I am a little d democrat. I won't allow the rough and tumble process allow me to attack Mr. Obama any more than I think you and others should attack Mrs. Clinton. I would rather and I hope you will consider that it is better to build up Mr. Obama rather than tear down Mrs. Clinton.

I would hope that in the end Clinton/Obama '08 is more than a true Yellow Dog Democrat's dream. Perhaps the candidate's and their supporter's egos' (yes, you and me) are the greatest hurdles for our Party to overcome.

At some point, someone needs to be the one to say basta (enough) this race is ours to lose, Democrats need to stand together if we are to prevail. The enemy is out there not within our camp.

Perhaps, just maybe, it starts here with me and you.


Gratias Tibi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud

Precinct 110: This Story Is Bizarre

I have just received word that the precinct convention in Hays county may have been questionable.

A voter has stated that precinct 110's convention was moved outside of the building at 8pm. The voter stated that the lighting was so bad that the voter asked the woman behind the table if she could read the sign in sheet to the voter. It was after the part about voter address, phone number, and email that the odd questioning occurred. If memory serves me right it would be around where you would write in you presidential preference.

I have been told that an email has been sent to Gloria Whitehead, Hays County Democratic Party Chair. My source tells me that there was an earlier phone conversation about this allegation.

I have been told that the HCDP Chair promised to investigate the allegation.

I will update with any new information. Man I hope this is just a miss understanding.


Gratias Tibi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud

It Could Be Nothing?

I have been getting strange reports from precinct 110. I have yet to get a full accounting but there may have been some party crashers there.

The few details I have are that the sign in sheets passed around at the precinct convention included questions of a personal nature such as:" Are you gay or lesbian?", "Do you have a social disease?".

I am told that a call has been made to the Hays County Party Chair, Gloria Whitehead. I will update if anything comes of it.


Gratias Tibi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud

Hays County Precinct 112 and 111 Pictues

I would've taken the Republican's photos but they didn't show up.



Gratias Tibi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud

23.86%

All precinct's in Hays County have reported record turnouts. Dems voted in large numbers. Results are as follows:

Total Eligible Voters: 84,567

Republicans: 8039 or 9.51%

Democrats: 20,179 or 23.86%


I do not have precinct numbers but I will try to pull something together this weekend. I have never seen so many come out to a precinct convention since 1986. The conventions for precincts 111 and 112 didn't even get started until 7:45 P.M. The last voter voted around 7PM.

Hays County is considered a swing county, only recently trending Democratic. If we can keep these voters on our side we will see a Texas Democratic landslide come November. It's a good day to be a Texas Democrat!

I am having problems uploading images. I will try later.

Gratias Tibi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud

Wonko's Bud Vote's For...

After much back and forth I have decided to vote for Hillary Clinton. I will also caucus for her on March 4th. While I do like her opponent, in the end, I felt that we need someone who has already been through the crucible.

To me, Senator Clinton is a known quantity and has the experience in Washington to make change happen. I think that she is right on most of the issues such as health care, education, the economy, and foreign policy.

In the final analysis, her stance on border security and John McCain's War in Iraq is what has sealed the deal.

I do not believe that any other candidate has a grasp of the political minefields that await them on border security. I believe that she can guide our country to a fair and equitable solution on the border fence. As it stands now, the citizens of this country have no voice with regards to how the fence will be constructed. Those without money will suffer while the uber-wealthy will be unaffected. If things do not change, John Edwards' belief that there are two America's will have an unintended national monument.

On Bush's War in Iraq, I think that she has the credibility to end the failed and bloody Republican doctrine of pre-emption. I think that she can guide our country back from the brink of international pariah to a full fledged and honorable member of the global community.

There are some who may scoff at my choice, but I am tired of not having a president that I can be proud of. I want change. I need change. I have a strong feeling that she can deliver change.

I made my choice for Clinton but not against Obama. I look forward working with his supporters in the general election. Together, we can finally end the Republican nightmare. I hope you will consider my posting and join me in voting for and caucusing for Hillary Clinton.


Gratias Tibi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud

Obama Warned Not To Sue Texas Dems...

Texas Dems are worried that Obama may sue to halt the Texas primary. The following was sent out to his campaign.

"It has been brought to my attention that one or both of your campaigns may already be planning or intending to pursue litigation against the Texas Democratic Party," Dunn said in the letter, obtained by the Star-Telegram. "Such action could prove to be a tragedy for a reinvigorated Democratic process."

Dunn is the Texas Democratic Party legal counsel. I say shame on anyone who would pull a stunt like that.

Now here's the rest of the story: As reported in the Star-Telegram, the letter was sent to both candidates. The paper used unnamed sources for their story. The sources attributed the threat as having come from the Clinton camp. Many have jumped on this story in the bloggoshpere as have local news outlets. I have a problem with the fact that, without proof and at the eleventh hour, such a story would come out.

Both campaigns may have intimated that they would do such a thing but, it is Clinton's campaign that is being tagged with the story. This is unfair and really has no place during the primary as it is divisive. If indeed one of the campaigns does follow through with such a threat then that becomes another story all together. I would hope that the Obama supporters with blogs would give the whole story rather than cherry pick information from the story so as to put Senator Clinton in a bad light.

It is these kinds of low road, spineless politics that I detest. It may be the deciding factor as to who I plan to vote for and caucus for. I guess it's time for the adults to take over.

Gratias Tibi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud