Political Yak

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This Could Happen to You

2008-08-02T15:03:00.004-05:00

Imagine this scene at an airport as you fly back from that blogging conference in the Bahamas:

Man in Black with a Badge: "Excuse me , ma'am, but I need you to give me your laptop."

US Citizen: "I'm sorry?"

MIB: "It's a matter of Homeland Security. Pursuant to DHS regulations, we are detaining your laptop indefinitely. Also, after we look at your personal and business files, we may have to send your computer to one of our corporate partners to analyze any of your encrypted financial or medical data."

US C: "What!?! Am I being accused of a crime? Do you think I'm a terrorist or something?"

MIB: "No, ma'am. Not at this point, at least. Relax, we're the federal government. If you're innocent, you have nothing to worry about."

US C: "But you're keeping my laptop?"

MIB: "Yes, ma'am."

US C: "When will I get it back?"

MIB: "I'm sorry, ma'am, but that's classified."

US C: "I'm so putting this on my blog."

MIB: "What's a blog? We made need to detain it...."

This might seem far fetched, but according to US Department of Homeland Security rules, federal border agents may detain and analyze any computers being carried into the country, regardless of whether the equipment belongs to a US citizen or a foreign national. No reasonable or probable cause is necessary, there is apparently no time limit on how long your property may be held in government custody, and the agents may transfer your property to other agencies and/or private entities. Oh, and the rule doesn't just cover laptops, but any device that is capable of storing data - iPods, cell phones, flash drives, etc....

Seriously! I'm not making this up! All I have to say is, to quote Ben Franklin:

They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.

Wake up America!

Hat Tip: amuse
Filed Under: Geeky Yak; Political Yak
Tags: civil liberties; DHS; search; seizure

Noriega Holds Online Townhall This Afternoon

2008-08-01T13:15:00.003-05:00

FYI - US Senate candidate Rick Noriega is holding a live, online townhall meeting this afternoon at 1:30pm CDT.

Update: Well, looks like there were a few bugs in Noriega's first virtual townhall. Some of the comments in the chat were pretty funny though. He'll be in Austin next week - in person, not a virtual campaign stop.

Filed Under: Political Yak
Hat Tip: Postcards from the Lege (via Twitter)
Tags: 2008; TX-Sen; Noriega

Would You Vote for a Computer Illiterate President?

2008-07-31T16:32:00.003-05:00

Anna Quindlen has an interesting column in next week's Newsweek magazine, entitled The Techie in Chief. She draws some historical references to President Abraham Lincoln's understanding and use of cutting-edge technology (specifically, the telegraph) during the Civil War. She throws in a comment form the National Security Agency following 9/11, that the US is "behind the curve in keeping up with the global telecommunications revolution"and then poses a fascinating question:

The terrorists have laptops in their hideouts. Can America afford to have a leader who is just learning how to use one?

Senator John McCain admits that he doesn't use email, doesn't go online and is computer illiterate. I'm sure he has aides that are quite adept with their Blackberries and such, but beyond that does he have a firm grasp on the transformative nature of current tech? Does he understand the cultural, economic, and yes, security, issues inherent in such a broad-based communications mediums as the Internet?

Experience, at least in part, shapes our understanding. Our world is changing. Would McCain be at a disadvantage in some future situation because he doesn't have that personal experience and depth of knowledge of tech? Perhaps.... It's something I'll have to cogitate on. What do you think?

Filed Under: Geeky Yak; Political Yak
Tags: 2008; Internet; John McCain; POTUS; tech

Hicthing A Ride with the School Board

2008-07-30T12:07:00.002-05:00

I spent last weekend attending the Texas PTA Summer Leadership Conference at the Austin Convention Center. Nearly 4000 people attended, participating in hundreds of workshops on topics ranging from nutrition to PTA tax filings.

I focused on a program presented by Strong Fathers for increasing dads' participation in schools. Some good stuff!

Saturday evening I ended up getting a ride back to Round Rock with Chad Chadwell, the newly-appointed member of the Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees. We had a pleasant talk during the 40-minute ride, discussing how and why he became involved in the school system's bond study committee and was eventually selected to serve out former trustee Diana Maldonado's term on the school board.

With two kids in elementary school, I look forward to meeting with him again, and the other school board members, as I get more involved in the local political scene.

Oh, and thanks again for the ride, Mr. Chadwell!

Tags: Chad Chadwell; PTA; Round Rock; Strong Fathers; Texas

Can You Hear Me Now?

2008-07-30T11:33:00.002-05:00

Blogging hasn't been a priority lately (life happens), but as I glance through my recent stats I get this wistful feeling... thinking back to a year or two ago when Political Yak had a fair draw, for a local political site. It even rated as one of the top ten political blogs in Maryland.

We've come a long way, baby.... Just not in the right direction, blogging-wise.

Some people feel blogging may be in decline, but I can't help but feel that there is still a niche to be filled by smaller, local sites. Especially when it comes to politics.

I left my comfort zone (in more ways than one) when my family was transplanted from suburban Maryland (my home for 20+ years) to Texas a little over a year ago. Texas politics is definitely different! The most obvious difference is the dominant party affiliations, but beyond that, the actual political and governmental structures are also whole other animal. I'm still trying to get to know my way around, politically speaking (geographically, too).

Texas has a lot of wide open spaces... room enough for a Texas version of the Political Yak? If you've just stumbled across my little corner of the blogosphere, what would you like to see from a Round Rock-based political blog?

Tags: blogging; Political Yak; politics; Round Rock; Texas

Mmmm! Beer... Cars!

2008-06-28T21:18:00.001-05:00

Tags: DNC; beer; ethanol

Tim Russert - RIP

2008-06-13T20:59:00.002-05:00

I knew Tim Russert only though the screen of my television, having spent many a Sunday watching him in his element on Meet the Press, but I was stunned and saddened when I heard the news this afternoon that he had died suddenly of an apparent heart attack.

I don't remember when I first starting watching Russert on Meet the Press, but I do recall cringing, in 1992, as he deftly tore into Ross Perot - the first presidential campaign I ever worked on. Even though my candidate had performed badly, from that moment on, if there was a TV around and political news in the making, I would search out the local NBC station to see what Russert had to say. He was extrordinarily good at what he did, and obviously loved politics.

Just over a week ago I was watching MSNBC's coverage as Obama clinched the Democratic nomination with his primary win in Montana. The anchors, commentators and pundits were going on about the significance of the evening's political news, and when they turned to Russert, he said, with that big grin and a twinkle in his eye, "I wish I were teaching a high school history class tomorrow."

My thoughts and prayers go out to Russert's family and friends. Tim Russert, you will be fondly remembered and sorely missed, especially this election year.

Tags: Russert

Democratic Primary Cliff Notes

2008-06-10T11:38:00.002-05:00

A video recap of the entire 2008 Democratic Primary season... in 8 minutes:

Hat Tip: Clicked
Tags: 2008; Democratic Party; POTUS

$45,000,000,000,000 Energy Revolution

2008-06-06T20:32:00.003-05:00

The International Energy Agency has released a report suggesting a plan to halve carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 in a massive effort to create a more sustainable energy market and stave off the potentially devastating effects of global warming. Scientists estimate that such an endeavor would cost just over 1% of worldwide GDP, or $45 trillion.

This morning Rush Limbaugh ridiculed the plan as a part of a liberal effort to increase taxes. Apparently Rush would prefer an alternative plan calling for everyone to stick their heads in the sand.... We might not survive, but at least it would keep the liberals out of his wallet.

Tags: global warming; IEA; Rush Limbaugh

Grassroots Good; Lobbyists Bad

2008-06-05T23:00:00.006-05:00

It looks like Senator Barack Obama hasn't wasted any time in taking charge of the Democratic Party apparatus in DC. In a move seen as supportive of the DNC's 50-State organizing strategy, Obama has decided to keep Governor Howard Dean on as party chairman. He also dispatched one of his top strategists to the Dem HQ and has barred the DNC from accepting contributions from lobbyists and PACs.

Nice start for the soon-to-be nominee!

What do you say Senator McCain? Ready to cut those lobbyist ties?

Tags: 2008; lobbyists; Obama; POTUS

Yes We Can... Finally!!!

2008-06-04T21:01:00.014-05:00

Finally!!!

Tags: 2008; Obama; POTUS; Yes We Can

Dr Forgione to Retire

2008-02-19T17:45:00.003-06:00

Dr. Pat Forgione, the longtime Austin ISD Superintendent, announced his retirement today.

Forgione has been superintendent for nearly 10 years, and will be stepping down just as the state begins a review of the Texas public school accountability system. It'll be interesting, at least to those of us with school-aged kids, to see which candidates emerge to replace Forgione, and what issues arise during the ensuing debate.

Over the past few months, I've been meeting with a number of parents, teachers, principals and others in both the Austin and Round Rock ISDs. Anectdotally, there seems to be a lot of anger and anxiety regarding standardized testing, the overall testing culture, dropout rates, parental involvement and, at the most basic level, whether the school sysyems are effectively preparing our students for college and/or living wage jobs in the "new" economy.

I've heard that a third of central texas 9th graders will never graduate from high school. Of those that do graduate and go on to college, half will have to take remedial courses because they don't have the skills necessary for standard freshman classes. We can do better than that!

What education issues are most important to you and your family? What pressures do you feel as a parent, teacher or administrator? What do want to see the new superintendent tackle?

Tags: AISD; Austin; Forgione

Latest Texas Poll Shows Clinton, Obama About Even

2008-02-18T20:33:00.002-06:00

The latest Texas poll numbers, released today from CNN/Opinion Research, show Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama running neck-and-neck with just a few short weeks before the 4 March primary. The numbers:

Clinton - 50%
Obama - 48%

On the GOP side:

McCain - 55%
Huckabee - 32%
Paul - 11%

The MOE was 4.5%. So, do these numbers suggest Clinton might eke out a slim victory in the Lone Star State? Or will Obama continue his winning streak? Which candidate will get more voters to actually cast their ballots and caucus on election day? It's, obviously, too close to call at this point.

Hat Tip: The Page
Tags: 2008; Clinton; Obama; poll; POTUS; Texas

New Texas Presidential Polls Differ

2008-02-15T16:44:00.003-06:00

I just stumbled across the new Texas Credit Union League Poll of Texas Primary Voters, which offers a different take than the most recent ARG data (which I posted earlier today).

Here's the Democratic data from TCUL:

Clinton - 49%
Obama - 41%

And for the GOP:

McCain - 45%
Huckabee - 41%
Paul - 6%

ARG shows Obama ahead, while TCUL has Clinton in the lead. Both polls were released in the last day or two, and both were based on very recent data (within the past week). Why the difference?

It looks like the TCUL poll reached voters identified specifically as Democratic party members, while the ARG data targeted voters who were likely to vote in the Democratic primary, regardless of their current party affiliation. The results appear to suggest that Obama is picking up significant support from Republican and independent voters who plan to cross party lines and vote on the Democratic ballot come 4 March.

What's your take on these dueling polls? Will Obama's crossover appeal hold on election day?

Related Posts:
New Texas Poll Numbers (3 February)
(Another) New Texas Poll Released (15 February)

Hat Tip: Postcards
Tags: 2008; Clinton; Obama; poll; POTUS; Texas

(Another) New Texas Poll Released

2008-02-15T12:13:00.004-06:00

ARG released the results of a new Texas presidential primary preferences poll this morning. This is the first poll I've seen since the IRV poll I mentioned back on 3 February, and the first one that shows Barack Obama leading Hillary Clinton. Evidence of Obamamentum hitting the Lone Star State?

Here's the breakdown for the Democratic race:

Obama - 48%
Clinton - 42%
Someone Else - 3%
Undecided - 7%

And for the Republicans:

McCain - 42%
Huckabee - 36%
Paul - 11%
Someone Else - 2%
Undecided - 9%

Interesting stuff and exciting times for us political junkies! Your thoughts?

UPDATE: Yet another poll released today, with different results.

Tags: 2008; Clinton; Obama; poll; POTUS; Texas

Clinton and Obama Coming to Austin

2008-02-12T13:45:00.001-06:00

It appears that Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, still fighting it out for the Democratic Presidential nomination, will be holding a debate here in Austin next week. The Page is reporting that the debate will be at the LBJ Library next Thursday, February 21.

More today from Postcards.

I haven't heard if the debate will be open to the public, but I'd be interested in attending. Anybody out there know how to get a seat?

UPDATE: I understand that the debate will be on the UT campus, not at the LBJ Library. Also, there will be 100 tickets available for the general public. They'll be distributed using a lottery system. You can enter the ticket drawing on the Texas Democrats website.

Tags: 2008; Austin; Clinton; debate; Obama; Texas

Mail Call: McCain x 3; DCCC; NRCC

2008-02-04T22:57:00.000-06:00

Alright, it's been three weeks since I've gone through the Political Yak mail bag and things seem to have picked up a bit even though my (new) home state of Texas doesn't vote until next month. Both parties' nominations are still up for grabs, with no overwhelming lead in the races on either side of the aisle, so it looks like those of us in yet-to-vote states are primarily being tapped for funding the nomination fights and party building, at least so far, on the direct mail side of things.

Senator John McCain has been quite prolific since the first of the year, with 3 fundraising appeals in the last 4 weeks (all similar to his last piece) as he attempts to make up lost ground. I haven't seen any recent fundraising totals, but it's fairly obvious that McCain, even though he now leads most national polls, will need to substantially buildup his warchest to compete against Governor Mitt Romney who can self-fund his campaign, if he desires.

I also received my first direct mail fundraising pieces of the year from the Dems' DCCC and the GOP's NRCC. The Dem's piece offers the recipient "membership" in the organization, while the GOP includes a "Nationwide Policy Survey."

It'll be interesting to see how the direct mail campaigns change, if the nomination battles are still being waged come March, when the Lone Star state votes.

Tags: 2008; DCCC; direct mail; fundraising; McCain; NRCC

New Texas Poll Numbers

2008-02-03T00:10:00.002-06:00

IVR has some new poll numbers on the presidential primary race in Texas.

Here's the breakdown for the GOP:

Romney 30% (11%)
McCain 29% (24%)
Huckabee 20% (26%)
Paul 8% (4%)
Keyes 3% (0%)
Undecided 10% (8%)

And the Dems:

Clinton 48% (46%)
Obama 38% (28%)
Gravel 3% (0%)
Undecided 10% (8%)

Polls can be wrong, but it's interesting nonetheless to see how the numbers have shifted since the last count.

UPDATE: Another poll was released 15 February (click for the results).

UPDATE 2: Yet another poll released 15 February, with different results.

Hat Tip: Postcards
Tags: 2008; poll; POTUS; Texas

American-Statesman Endorses McCain, Obama

2008-02-02T22:58:00.000-06:00

This morning the editorial board of the Austin American-Statesman jumped into the fray of presidential primary politics and endorsed Senator John McCain on the GOP ticket. Tommorow's paper will carry their endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for the Dems.

On McCain:

A conservative, McCain also is pragmatic - he tries to solve problems, not just make the world, or the nation, work the way ideologues say it should....

We’re also confident that, in fighting terrorism, McCain would not besmirch the honor of the American people. When McCain demanded that Americans be barred from torturing this nation’s enemies, he wielded a moral authority that no other U.S. leader could match....

But he knows that politics is supposed to be about working together to solve problems, not just crushing political enemies. And so he worked with Democrats in Congress to pass campaign finance reform legislation and on a major immigration reform bill that ultimately did not pass.

McCain’s record in Congress is that of a solid Republican. He has a lifetime rating of 82.3 percent from the American Conservative Union. Some conservatives say that rating isn’t nearly high enough. For us, though, it’s an indication that McCain cannot be zipped into anyone’s straitjacket.

On Obama:

At home, we’re divided into red and blue camps. Democrats and Republicans have stoked divisions to advance their party’s interests. Meanwhile, Washington is stumbling along with its red leg moving right and blue one lurching left.

Along the way, elected officials - and the public - have forgotten that those legs are part of the same body. It’s not surprising, therefore, that we’ve danced in place, failing to make progress on the big challenges that confront our country. Young people, disillusioned and disheartened with their government, have tuned out.

No other candidate except Obama offers a way out of that rut. He has articulated a vision that would allow the legs of government to again move fluidly in a natural motion that takes the country forward.

I'm curious as to the timing of the Austin paper's picks. Super Tuesday is just days away, but Texas is not part of it. One would think a local (regional?) paper like the Statesman wouldn't have much influence beyond its subscriber base. Perhaps the editors believe their opinions will be moot by the time Texans go to the polls until 4 March?

Tags: 2008; Austin American-Statesman; endorsements; McCain; Obama; POTUS

Texas Governor Settles for Second Choice

2008-02-01T21:49:00.000-06:00

Texas Governor Rick Perry, who found himself suddenly without a candidate when Rudy Giuliani dropped out of the presidential race Wednesday, wasted no time in throwing his support behind another candidate, Senator John McCain.

Perry officially endorsed McCain yesterday, saying that the maverick Republican "can and will win the war on terror.... Everything else is kind of secondary."

Tags: 2008; endorsements; McCain; Perry; POTUS

State of the Union in 60 Seconds

2008-01-29T20:59:00.000-06:00

Didn't have time to watch all 50 minutes of President Bush's State of the Union address? No problem. Here are the highlights in 60 seconds.

Hat Tip: Clicked
Tags: 2008; Bush; SOTU

Mail Call: McCain Strikes First in New Year

2008-01-14T22:08:00.000-06:00

Ah, now I know it's an election year! The first piece of political ~~junk~~ direct mail of 2008 arrived in my mail box last week! Senator John McCain strikes first this year (at least here at the Political Yak HQ) with a request for an "emergency campaign contribution."

The fundraising letter mentions "Mitt Romney's deep pockets," touts McCain as "the only Republican... who can beat Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama" and says he "must raise $1.7 million in the next 7 days."

Tags: 2008; fundraising; mail; John McCain

Texas Dems Force Kucinich Off Primary Ballot

2008-01-03T14:18:00.000-06:00

Texas Democratic Party officials have cut Congressman Dennis Kucinich from the state's March 3 Presidential Primary ballot, citing a "defective" application. Kucinich responded by filing a lawsuit in federal court and seeking a judicial injunction to prevent his name from being dropped. An initial hearing was held in an Austin courthouse this morning.

The legal rangling appears to be over a section of the Texas Democratic Party candidate application that requires candidates to sign what Kucinich calls a "blind loyalty oath," a promise to "fully support" the eventual Democratic Party nominee. The six-term Ohio Congressman apparently crossed out that section of his application (.pdf) when filing the required paperwork. He has since said he would sign the oath, provided he is allowed to write in a statement that his support would be conditional on the eventual nominee's refusal to use war as an instrument of foreign policy. The party will not allow such an edit.

Aside from the loyalty oath, Kucinich's application is in compliance with Democratic party rules.

My take? I'd refuse to sign the statement as well! What Dem officials say is necessary to unite the party, is instead a heavy-handed tactic to censor individual candidate's opinions and to maintain control of an outdated party apparatus that stifles debate and attempts to stomp out unpopular views. The Texas Republican Party requires no such oath. Why do the Dems insist on it?

Hat Tip: MSNBC; Texas Politics
Tags: 2008; Democrats; Kucinich; President; Texas

One Person, One Vote? Not in the Texas Legislature!

2007-12-28T23:35:00.000-06:00

Well, let's say you a fine, civic-minded citizen who recently moved to Texas. You're a bit concerned when you find out that election officials can change your vote after it's been cast. But you really start to get pissed off when you discover that after the election, once whoever won the official tally is in office, he or she may not actually get to vote on all those bills making there way through the Texas legislature... because one of their colleagues managed to steal their vote!

WTF!?!

Hat Tip: Austin American-Statesman
Tag: fraud; legislature; Texas; voting