True Grit is Hard to Find (in Austin)

Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. – George SantayanaOur allegedly enlightened elected officials in the 82^nd Texas Legislature are doing it again.  They are ignoring the collective will of the people and refusing to legalize gaming despite an indisputable need for more revenue.  Seduced by the recently elected tea bag enthusiast republicans into believing they can cut their way to prosperity, they are making draconian cuts in (what else) public education and health/human services.  It goes without saying that these sagacious republicans and their cronies have no concerns about these cuts since all their children attend private schools and none of their aged relatives are in a nursing home paid by Medicaid.   What is worse is that even in the Special Session (the normal session has concluded) there is no meaningful discussion about increasing the State’s revenue.  That is how to achieve prosperity – by increasing revenue, in fact, it’s the only way.  Without increasing revenue, the 83^rd Legislature (that will convene in two years) will be facing the same type of grim shortfall that is faced today, or maybe even worse.   Do we really want to go through another brutally ugly session in 2013?  If we do not face the facts and find ways to increase revenue that is exactly what will take place.   With this dire need for new revenue, one would think that legalizing gambling would be a no brainer.  The majority of Texans favor legalized gambling in Texas.  Every single poll clearly indicates this to say nothing of the hundreds of thousands of Texans that cross over into Louisiana and/or Oklahoma to play at the casinos in our neighboring states.  Texans spend an untold amount of money gambling in addition to purchasing fuel, food, and countless other goods and services from our neighboring states when they could be buying the same things from Texans, instead.   Since legal gaming would only serve to address a portion of the shortfall, some brave elected official needs to demonstrate true Texan testicular fortitude and tell the people of Texas the hard truth – the State needs to increase taxes to raise the rest of the revenue we need to move forward, rather than fall backward.   It is that simple and nothing short of that is going to suffice.  Neither progress nor prosperity is cheap, free, or easy.  It is time to “Man Up” folks and begin an honest adult discussion about how to plan a successful future for Texans.  

Addendum:  The Texas Senate Finance Chairman, (R) Steve Ogden, agrees with me about not having solved the real problems and the 2013 session having to revisit the same issues.

What’s wrong with Kansas?

All soldiers who serve their country and put their lives at risk need to know that if something happens to them, their families will be well taken care of. That's the bond we have with our military men and women and their families. – Jeff Sessions

We Texans send many of our sons and daughters into the military services. Consequently, Texas is home to many proud veterans and many of us have family that have served or are serving. Since we send so many, we also receive far too many of them coming home for their final rest prematurely.

This morning, I read an article in the Houston Chronicle that left me utterly disgusted and outraged. I love freedom as much (if not more) than the next guy, but this wouldn’t play in Texas. It’s one thing to protest about something you feel passionately about in a public place and our laws protect most demonstrations/protests, even unpopular ones. However, a private funeral is not an appropriate place for anyone’s protest.

When the current wars began, there was some sort of distraction created at the funerals of the first few to return after giving their all. Soon afterwards, an entirely volunteer group of veterans, fathers, and other community members formed the “Patriot Guard”. A group whose sole purpose for existence is to help honor our fallen servicemen and women and uphold the dignity their service deserves. Frequently, anywhere from 50-150 of them ride their motorcycles to the grieving family’s town bearing American Flags (and other symbols of patriotism) to give an escort to the funeral procession and to help make sure nothing untoward occurs at the funeral to disrespect our fallen servicemen.
I can imagine some of these idiots from Westboro Baptist church attempting their shenanigans in Texas and failing miserably. Although the official position of the Patriot Guard is to eschew any violence, in Texas, it would probably go something like this:

Initially, these grizzled veterans (in the Patriot Guard) would do what they could to “drown out” the protestors, shield the mourning family, and politely ask the demonstrators to desist (or at least move far enough away) to show respect for the family. If that request were not heeded, another diplomatic attempt would certainly be made. However, if that attempt were rebuffed, it is likely these gentlemen would take up some defensive positions around the interlopers to mitigate any undesired chaos. Then, a few would approach the head idiots in charge and ask once more for a show of appropriate respect. If that failed, I imagine the idiots would begin to be quietly subdued using the least force required, of course. Following the services, those that subdued the idiots would (if necessary) surrender to local law enforcement and cheerfully pay any fines associated with the subdual. I also suspect the idiots from Westboro would be in no hurry to tangle with Texans again. I abhor violence but I acknowledge that sometimes it is permissible or even required. Furthermore, I seriously doubt any (Texas) court would do more than assess the minimum penalties against the members of the guard for something like this. Semper Fi!

Sadly, I Guess Someone is Going to Have to Get Killed

Alliance - in politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so deeply inserted in each other's pockets that they cannot separately plunder a third. – Ambrose Bierce

I don’t know about all of you, but I truly despise robbers and thieves. I know robbery/thievery isn’t the only sin being committed out there but I regard it as among the most reprehensible. Pokerati has the scoop here. I am going on record right now that I hope a few (or more) robbers/thieves are shot and killed while attempting to rob Texas poker games (or game rooms) in the near future. Sometimes, folks should get exactly what they deserve. Apparently, these guys have to be taught a lesson and we Texans are just the type to do it. Around here, we are often armed and usually (at least) pretty good shots. Perhaps, after a few (or more) would be robbers become shooting fatalities, the Legislature will stop wasting time and pass legislation that will enable legal gambling (particularly table poker with rake) to be played in Texas. Most of the citizens of Texas want legal gambling in Texas. It is only the alliance of well funded special interests and the religious minority that are presenting any significant opposition. The problem is virtually every one of them votes and it seems most gamblers don’t.
For those of you not familiar with the goings on around here, there has been a plethora of robberies, at not only underground poker games, but also at the ubiquitous “game rooms” that have opened in every town. These game rooms are home to eight liners and other slot-machine-type of gambling preferred by many folks (although, not me). Texas is full of empty race tracks (both dog and horse) that would love to be filled with gamblers.
These huge facilities are sitting idle and some have already closed due to lack of business. Enabling these facilities to serve an “eager to play” public would be a win-win for both the residents, as well as, the cities where these tracks are located. Jobs would be created locally, local tax revenue would be increased, and players would have a nearby place to play(legally). No one in Texas is benefiting from the current situation where would be Texas gamblers have two choices – suffer the inconvenience of travelling a long way to our neighboring States (Louisiana or Oklahoma) or play at an underground room. At the underground rooms, one has to fear both robbers and police since they will both take your money if they arrive while you are present. This state of affairs is deplorable and unnecessary. Texas Legislators, please WAKE UP!

You Were Warned

All new states are invested, more or less, by a class of noisy, second-rate men who are always in favor of rash and extreme measures, but Texas was absolutely overrun by such men. - Sam Houston

I guess some people will never get it. I wrote about it here. Don't mess with Texas poker players. Sure, we've got some cash since we are going to play poker, but we are some of the feistiest, orneriest, and most well armed folks around. If you try to rob us, you are at best an underdog and you may be drawing dead. Pokerati has the new story here. These kids are lucky to be alive.

Don’t Mess with Texas Poker Players

Poker is not a game in which the meek inherit the Earth. – David Hayano

This just in from the Houston Chronicle – Texans are well armed and not afraid to open fire. In fact, I suspect we lead the nation in the number of citizens licensed to lawfully carry a concealed handgun. I thought it was common knowledge but perhaps not. I regularly peruse the local news and frequently read about would be burglars/robbers being fatally shot by armed citizens lawfully defending their property. Each time I read this sort of news, I think justice has been served and we, the tax paying citizens of the state, have saved money by not having to pay to incarcerate the perpetrator. Let the news go far and wide, we Texans are more than capable of defending ourselves and no jury in the Lone Star State is going to convict one of us for shooting a criminal in the act of perpetrating a crime. Kinda makes one want to go to the shooting range over the weekend, doesn’t it?

Texas Hold'em in Texas? What a Great Idea!

What is a democrat? One who believes that the republicans have ruined the country. What is a republican? One who believes that the democrats would ruin the country. - Ambrose Bierce

It seems that I will not enjoy the privilege of playing NLHE at a local bar anytime soon. HB 222, currently being considered by the Texas Legislature, has been modified via political compromise to exclude poker at bars (that would have had to obtain a special permit) and instead to allow poker at dog and horse racing tracks. While this is not as good as poker at bars, due to the simple fact that there are a lot more bars than there are race tracks, it isn’t all bad for me. You see, right outside of Galveston, in lovely La Marque, is a large facility known as Gulf Greyhound Park. This place has been almost deserted lately and is struggling to survive. If HB 222 passes, it would infuse the place with some customers and some hope. The fact that it is located within 10 minutes of my residence makes the whole idea sound pretty darn good to me. In terms of physical proximity and convenience, it almost couldn’t be any better for me. I selfishly and shamelessly hope this bill gets passed for my sake.

Hope Springs Eternal

There is no gambling like politics. - Benjamin Disraeli

Although Galveston has been literally devastated by Hurricane Ike, there appears to be one potential silver lining to the dense, dark cloud lingering overhead - casino gambling may be allowed to return. There are already rumors flying all over Galveston that bringing casino gambling to Galveston will be among the ideas considered by the Texas Legislature this year.
I whole heartedly support this concept and believe the time is right for Texas, as well as, Galveston. We are already a town highly dependent on tourism and casino gambling would really help to attract travelers and tourists to Galveston as a destination. We already have cruise ships landing and leaving all the time. Those waiting to leave on a cruise, those returning from a voyage, and the folks that drop them off and pick them up would all be likely customers.
Additionally, the Texas House of Representatives has a new Speaker this year and the distinguished gentleman apparently has family in the horse racing industry.
Thus, the prevailing political winds seem to be blowing in our favor and perhaps, just perhaps, I will be able to play legal casino poker in Galveston within a few years. For me and many other Texans, that would be great. We would no longer have to travel to Louisiana or Oklahoma to play our preferred games. Texans could and would just come to Galveston.
Every time I go across the state line to gamble in one of our neighboring states, all I see in the parking lot are vehicles with Texas license plates. Thus, if this miracle happens, it will be a boon for the Texas tax coffers, a boon for the rebuilding of Galveston, and a boon for many, many Texans. Wish us luck!