Williamson County Libertarian Party

I-5 bridge collapses in NW Washington

rbutler — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:45:44 +0000

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) – An Interstate 5 bridge over a river north of Seattle collapsed Thursday evening, dumping vehicles and people into the water, the Washington State Patrol said.

The four-lane bridge over the Skagit River collapsed about 7 p.m., Trooper Mark Francis said. There was no immediate estimate of how many people were in the water or whether there were any injuries or deaths, he said.

It also was not known what caused the collapse of the bridge about 60 miles north of Seattle in Skagit County, which stretches from the North Cascades National Park to a cluster of islands off the Washington coast.

Xavier Grospe, 62, who lives near the river, said he could see three cars with what appeared to be one person per vehicle. The vehicles were sitting still in the water, partially submerged and partly above the waterline, and the apparent drivers were sitting either on top of the vehicles or on the edge of open windows.

“It doesn’t look like anybody’s in danger right now,” Grospe said.

Helicopter footage aired by KOMO-TV in Seattle showed several rescue boats at the bridge collapse scene with several ambulances waiting on the shore. One rescue boat left the scene with one person strapped into a stretcher.

A damaged red car and a damaged pickup truck were visible in the water, which appeared so shallow it barely reached the top of the car’s hood.

Crowds of people lined the river to watch the scene unfold.

Gov. Jay Inslee’s office said he was on his way to the scene to assess the situation.

The bridge is not considered structurally deficient but is listed as being “functionally obsolete” – a category meaning that their design is outdated, such as having narrow shoulders are low clearance underneath, according to a database compiled by the Federal Highway Administration.

The bridge was built in 1955 and has a sufficiency rating of 57.4 out of 100, according to federal records. That is well below the statewide average rating of 80, according to an Associated Press analysis of federal data, but 759 bridges in the state have a lower sufficiency score.

Democratic Rep. Judy Clibborn, who leads the transportation committee in the state House, said the bridge wasn’t one that has been a focus for lawmakers.

“It isn’t anything that was on our radar screen as being an issue,” Clibborn said. “It is shocking that I-5 would have something happen like this.”

According to a 2012 Skagit County Public Works Department, 42 of the county’s 108 bridges that are 50 years or older. The document says eight of the bridges are more than 70 years old and two are over 80.

Washington state was given a C in the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2013 infrastructure report card and a C- when it came to the state’s bridges. The group said more than a quarter of Washington’s 7,840 bridges are considered structurally deficient of functionally obsolete.

___

Baker reported from Olympia, Wash.

Cody Wilson Shows All Libertarians How to Properly Interact With The Media

rbutler — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:46:44 +0000

One can imagine Cody– a UT Law student– conducting a cross examination as effortlessly and effectively as he faces one here…

1:08 – Cody Wilson explains that what he’s really doing here is law. He’s concerned about the legal precedent his next interactions with the Washington regime might set.

1:28 – Oops. Used a technical word that a lot of your viewers might not know the meaning of. Forces you to speak up and ask me to explain what it means. Establish that I’m an expert on this subject and that you as the media and as the audience are consulting my expertise. Cue bashful smile: “Sure media. I’d be glad to explain what a CAD file is…” {gives a very concise, clear, articulate explanation of what a CAD file is}

“Computer Aided Design files– pieces of software that might in some sense represent material objects, but at the same time, are really just pieces of information or technical data.”

1:40 – {seamless transition back into his original legal presentation; establishes an advantage quickly and gracefully, but does not violate the cardinal rule for dealing with the media that you will be super inclined naturally to err on the wrong side of because your attention span is too short for your age so you have to make a conscious effort to: STAY ON MESSAGE} One can imagine Cody– a UT Law student– conducting a cross examination as effortlessly and effectively as he faces one here.

Cody explains that the government is claiming regulatory jurisdiction over the information that he wants to share with us online, meaning the power to control that information and even force Cody to stop sharing it with us.

Cody says this is a form of “prior restraint” and overreach.

“Can you explain what prior restraint is?” the newsman did not ask. Aww, come on. That’s as big a legal jargon bomb if not bigger than the technical jargon bomb Cody dropped at the beginning of the interview. But of course– the newsman wants to change the subject^[1].

1:58 – Cody, isn’t Congressman Steve Israel right? Aren’t

You can read the rest of this article at: http://www.humblelibertarian.com/2013/05/cody-wilson-shows-all-libertarians-how.html

Free Book This Month

rbutler — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:46:40 +0000

Until May 31, subscribe to my LibertyClassroom.com, where you get seven downloadable courses in history, economics, and philosophy, taught by professors you can trust — plus discussion forums, live QA sessions, and more — and receive a free copy of Kevin Gutzman’s New York Times bestseller The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Constitution.

Once you join, just drop us a note with your mailing address and we’ll ship the book right out to you.

You can read the rest of this article at: http://www.tomwoods.com/blog/free-book-this-month/

The Zombie Returns: Woods and Murphy Live in NYC

rbutler — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:46:34 +0000

Thomas E. Woods, Jr., is the New York Times bestselling author of 11 books. A senior fellow of the Ludwig von Mises Institute, Woods holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Harvard and his master’s, M.Phil., and Ph.D. from Columbia University.
Read more »

You can read the rest of this article at: http://www.tomwoods.com/blog/the-zombie-returns-woods-and-murphy-live-in-nyc/

Some fixes in the works for congested Y

rbutler — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:46:28 +0000

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Relief might be on the way to one of Austin’s most congested areas — the so-called Y in Oak Hill.

The Texas Department of Transportation is installing turn lanes on U.S. 290 near Ranch Road 1826. The project could take two years to complete

Another project will begin this summer. Crews will put in what are called “continuous flow” intersections between the Y and Joe Tanner Lane. That’s going to take longer – 19 months — to complete.

But this means oncoming traffic won’t have to stop for people turning left off of U.S. 290.

Past coverage: Oak Hill Parkway study under way

And the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is stepping in with some big-picture thinking. The organization is wheeling out eight different long-term alternatives to the current traffic flow.

“We want to make sure we develop something that is sustainable, that is environmentally friendly,” said Mario Espinoza of the mobility authority

But just finishing the environmental study – which started last October – will be a long road, because they have to engage and educate the public.

“The earliest it can be completed in terms of the study is going to be some time in 2015, pushing to 2017,” Espinoza said. “You cannot begin construction of the project until you’ve completed the environmental study.”

You can read the rest of this article at: http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/austin/some-fixes-in-the-works-for-congested-y

Cat survives being shot with arrow

rbutler — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:46:20 +0000

BOERNE, Texas (KXAN) – Bobby, a 2-year-old tabby cat, survived being shot with an arrow and the off-duty Boerne police officer accused of the shooting was charged with animal cruelty.

According the WOAI, the NBC affiliate in San Antonio, Officer Lance DeLeon was arrested and accused of shooting Bobby with a crossbow on Tuesday. The four-year police veteran was released after posting a $2,000 bond.

South Texas Veterinary Specialists treated the cat for a punctured lung and a broken leg. The animal clinic said Bobby is expected to fully recover. The San Antonio clinic is a referral-only hospital and doesn’t provide primary veterinary care.

DeLeon was placed on administrative leave. He was arrested by Boerne police responded to a call about a neighborhood disturbance.

You can read the rest of this article at: http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/hill_country/police-officer-shoots-cat-with-arrow

Boy Scouts vote to allow gays to join

rbutler — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:46:13 +0000

GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP/KXAN) – In one of their most dramatic choices in a century, local leaders of the Boy Scouts of America voted Thursday to ease a divisive ban and allow openly gay boys to be accepted into the nation’s leading youth organization.

Gay adults will remain barred from serving as Scout leaders.

Of the local Scout leaders voting at their annual meeting in Texas, more than 60 percent supported the proposal.

“The Boys Scouts of America has been built upon the values of faith and family for more than 100 years and today’s decision contradicts generations of tradition in the name of political correctness,” Texas Gov. Rick Perry said in a statement. “While I will always cherish my time as a scout and the life lessons I learned, I am greatly disappointed with this decision.”

Casting ballots were about 1,400 voting members of BSA’s National Council who were attending their annual meeting at a conference center not far from BSA headquarters in suburban Dallas.

The vote will not end the wrenching debate over the Scouts’ membership policy, and it could trigger defections among those on the losing side.

Some conservative churches that sponsor Scout units wanted to continue excluding gay youths, and in some cases threatened to leave the BSA if the ban were lifted.

More liberal Scout leaders — while supporting the proposal to accept gay youth — wanted the ban on gay adults lifted as well.

The BSA could also take a hit financially. Many Scout units in conservative areas feared their local donors would stop giving if the ban on gay youth were lifted, while many major corporate donors were likely to withhold donations if the ban had remained.

In January, the BSA executive committee suggested a plan to give sponsors of local Scout units the option of admitting gays as both youth members and adult leaders or continuing to exclude them. However, the plan won little praise, and the BSA changed course after assessing responses to surveys sent out starting in February to members of the Scouting community.

The BSA’s overall “traditional youth membership” — Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers — is now about

You can read the rest of this article at: http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/texas/Copy_of_boy-scouts-vote-on-gay-youth-expected

Round Rock Police seek suspects in vehicle burglary

rbutler — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:44:55 +0000

Round Rock Police seek suspects in vehicle burglary
Posted: Thursday, May 23, 2013

City offices closed for Memorial Day
Posted: Thursday, May 23, 2013

Suspect in April Round Rock bank robberies arrested
Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Frequently Asked Questions on proposed downtown zoning change
Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Public hearing for new downtown zoning districts June 5
Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013

People/Pet Food and Electronic Collection Day at Recycling Center
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Irrigation improvements rebate available
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Animal Shelter pets of the week
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013

Community meeting on downtown zoning proposal May 29
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013

Police Department Community Survey
Posted: Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Next up for Monday Music on Main: Followthrough
Posted: Wednesday, May 15, 2013

City Council approves slight utility rate increases for 2015, 2016
Posted: Friday, May 10, 2013

You can read the rest of this article at: http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/home/index.asp?page=10&recordid=3118&from=rss

Austin moves to No. 11 among US cities

rbutler — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:46:32 +0000

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday validated what most people here had figured out long ago: Austin is among the nation’s fastest-growing cities.

Texas’ capital city also shot from the 13th largest U.S. city to No. 11, and the state led the nation in overall population growth for the year that ended July 1, 2012, the Census Bureau said.

“The fastest-growing municipalities are spread across Texas, from the High Plains of West Texas to the Houston suburbs,” the federal agency said on its website. “San Marcos, along the Interstate 35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio, had the highest rate of growth among all U.S. cities and towns with at least 50,000 people.”

In fact, half of the 10 large cities with the biggest jumps in population are in Texas: Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth. The Austin suburbs of Cedar Park and Georgetown also made the list of the nation’s fastest-growing cities.

At a Leadership Austin breakfast earlier this month, real estate experts said the steady growth in population is putting a strain on Austin’s housing supply and limiting the ability of many people to purchase a home.

Pete Dwyer, a veteran real estate developer, said at the May 1 event that the city’s supply of available housing is the lowest in years. With more people moving in each month, demand for housing is growing fast.

That means higher prices, he said. And that means people with higher incomes are buying homes that would ordinarily be available for people of more modest incomes.

“Austin is everybody’s darling right now,” he said.

Dwyer was on a panel with Paul Hilgers, president of the Austin Board of Realtors, and Frank Fernandez, who runs a nonprofit geared to bringing in more affordable housing to Austin.

“The cost of housing has gone up 10 percent since last year at this time,” Hilgers said. “The pressures are obvious. When people put their home up for sale they’re getting four and five offers that day.”

According to Census figures, Austin added nearly 25,400 people during the period measured. That ranks No. 5 in the nation, and No. 3 in Texas. New York posted the biggest gains with just more than 67,000 new residents. Houston came in second with 34,625; Lost Angeles third at almost 34,500 and San Antonio fourth with almost 25,400.

The additional 25,000-plus people would put Austin’s population at nearly 850,000. Travis County’s population was estimated at nearly 1.1 million, up from 1. 02 million in 2010. Williamson County’s population was estimated at 456,000, up from 423,000 two years earlier.

Texas’ population was estimated at 26.06 million, up from just over 23.14 million in 2010.

A dad’s fight to get his kids back

rbutler — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:45:06 +0000

AUSTIN (KXAN) – After his kids went missing last summer a central Texas father couldn’t get help from law enforcement.

Stephen James served 20 years in the Army with tours of duty in Iraq and Kosovo. He’s decorated veteran who fought for his country. But when his kids were abducted, nobody would fight for him. So, he turned to KXAN.

KXAN’s investigation has spanned nearly seven months, several states, and two countries. For nearly a year, no one has known the location of the children. Now, KXAN has helped track down their abductor and the kids and convinced law enforcement to finally take action.

Becoming a dad felt like heaven for Stephen James, who says the highlights of his life were the births of his two sons. But since June 20, 2012, he’s been in a living hell.

“I haven’t even been in their bedroom, you know, since they left,” said James. “I can’t hang up pictures of them everywhere. I can’t think about it. To take my mind off what’s going on and get five minutes of peace.”

James lost his peace of mind he last saw his two sons — Matteo, 12, and 9-year old Zane. The boys were taken by their mother, Alicia James, last summer. Stephen says he remembers the phone call vividly.

His wife told him “she’s taken the kids and gone to Mexico with her mom, and that I’m never going to see them again,” said James.

Marriage on the rocks

More than three years ago, James said his marriage began to sour. And in spring 2010, he and his wife separated. They had been living in the Killeen area after Stephen returned home from military duty.

In May 2010, Alicia James was charged with assaulting Stephen. Court records show she went through counseling and the charge was dismissed.

A month after the assault charge, the judge issued a restraining order against Alicia and determined the boys should live with Stephen and stay in school. Alicia was allow visitation rights. Alicia had moved to the Dallas area and Stephen came to Austin where he later got a job at Samsung.

Months passed while their

You can read the rest of this article at: http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/investigations/a-fathers-fight-to-regain-custody-of-his-kids