Response from Gov. Perry. He refuses to answer questions about his Frisbee golf game.

May 16, 2011

Dear luridtransom:

Thank you for writing to the Office of the Governor.

Our office does not distribute grant funding. However, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) oversees several grant programs for communities seeking to improve their parkland. Eligible projects include ball fields, playgrounds, trails, camping facilities, beautification, restoration and more.

Please note that TPWD is an independent state agency, and the governor has no role in its day-to-day operations, including determining grant awards. You may wish to contact TPWD to share your concerns. You can do so by calling, toll-free, (800) 792-1112.

We understand that Helotes city officials decided not to apply for a beautification grant. We encourage you to keep in contact with your city council members if issues such as this arise in the future.

Please write to our office whenever we can be of assistance.

Sincerely,
/s/
Dede Keith

Constituent Communication Division
Office of the Governor
DK:sdp

Health care stats, USA Today style.

Click to enlarge on this graph comparing health care spending by percentage of GDP. It says Americans are twice as healthy as Finns.

Add this blog to the list of websites reporting Judgment Day is May 21, 2011.

Letters to Lamar.

Dear Congressman Smith:

In response to President Obama’s speech on immigration reform, you released a statement including the following:

“The non-partisan Government Accountability Office has found that only 44% of the border is under the operational control of the Border Patrol, and only 15% is under actual control. Mr. President, 44% is a failing grade. And if 44% is the most secure the border has ever been, it’s time to get to work to improve the grade. The American people expect nothing less than an A+ on border security.”

https://lamarsmith.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=240574

Please explain what the percentages you cited actually mean, and explain your plan for achieving an “A+” on border security. Also, please tell me the benefits of your A+ Plan versus the status quo. Finally, please tell me how much your A+ Plan costs, and compare that cost to the current cost of border security. List these costs in actual dollar amounts. Thank you for your straight-forward and thorough answers, which I will post on my blog.

Regards,
Matt Bishop

Texas Tech: You fired Mike Leach and hired a birther. I hope you're happy.

From the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal:

Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville appeared on conservative commentator Sean Hannity’s television show Tuesday [4/26], taking part in a panel discussion about President Obama’s Easter Sunday pastor, the controversy over his birth location and who might run against him in 2012.

Tuberville suggested that the president has a good chance to be unseated by whoever opposes him.

Asked by Hannity if there is anyone he likes for president, Tuberville said, “It really doesn’t make any difference. If the economy doesn’t get better, if the price of gas is six or seven dollars a gallon, if we’re still in wars, anybody’s going to run and win. Bottom line, we can’t keep going the direction we’re going.”

Tuberville was the day’s celebrity guest on “The Great American Panel” segment, joining in with former Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich and FOX News legal analyst Tamara Holder in a discussion moderated by Hannity.

The first family’s attendance at an Easter service led by the Rev. Wallace Charles Smith was the first topic. Smith, who has compared conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh to the Ku Klux Klan, has been accused by the right of race baiting.

“We’ve got to have leadership in this country,” Tuberville said. “For our president to do something like this, to go to a church and portray an image like this, doesn’t represent all people. I’m a football coach, and I have to represent everybody on our football team and our alumni and our fan base. I’m the leader, and you have to do that, so leadership’s very important.”

***

Tuberville later called on the president to produce his birth certificate. Last month, potential presidential candidate Donald Trump made headlines by questioning Obama’s birth and citizenship.

Hannity acknowledged the existence of a certification of live birth and birth announcements shortly after Obama was born, but showed statistics saying many Americans are unconvinced.

“We’ve got enough controversy going on in this country,” Tuberville said. “I don’t know why he wouldn’t just step up and say, ‘Here it is.’ Obviously, there’s got to be something on there he doesn’t want anybody to see.”

http://www.redraiders.com/2011/04/26/tuberville-weighs-in-on-conservative-talk-show/

And that mule went on to save Spring Break.

Luridtransom asked AARP, via e-mail, to state whether it is FOR or AGAINST requiring a power-of-attorney and living will to be eligible for Medicare.

For some reason I'm on Barry Jackson's AARP e-mail list. Here's his latest. (No clue why it's addressed to George.)

Dear George,

We need 75,000 activists to stand up for Medicare and Social Security.

Tell Congress: Don't harm Medicare and Social Security.

The message is simple: Don't harm Medicare or Social Security. Right now, Congress is considering making a deal to pay the nation's bills (or in Washington-speak, raise the debt ceiling) that could include reduced Medicare benefits and millions left without secure healthcare.

Congress needs to understand that Medicare protects real people. It is not simply numbers on a balance sheet – and they need to hear that people like you are against drastic cuts to Medicare and Social Security.

We need 75,000 activists to send a strong message to Congress by May 13th. Will you join me and speak up today? Tell Congress to stop harmful cuts to Medicare and Social Security.

Congress should not address the federal deficit by breaking the promise of secure healthcare that seniors have earned through years of hard work. But right now Congress is considering budget deals that could:

Re-open the Medicare "doughnut hole" and raise seniors' drug costs.

Eliminate Medicare as we know it for future retirees by turning Medicare into a voucher-like system that would double healthcare costs for seniors.

Place arbitrary limits on Medicare spending that could increase your costs and limit your access to care.

George, there's a lot at stake in the weeks to come. Congress must understand that Medicare is more than just a line in the budget – it provides health security that millions of Americans depend on each year.

Don't let Congress put the health of older Americans at risk. Now is the time to make sure your member of Congress knows where you stand in this fight.

Click here to tell your members of Congress to protect Medicare and Social Security from harmful cuts.

Thank you for standing with us to protect Medicare and Social Security.

Sincerely,

Barry Jackson
Senior Manager, Grassroots

Dear Congressman Smith,

Re. H.R. 1527

Legislation was recently introduced in the House to provide each American with an itemized tax receipt. Here’s more about that: http://cooper.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=479&Itemid=73
The bill would provide a written receipt for those filing paper tax returns and an electronic receipt for those that e-file. The receipt would include a breakdown of each individual’s contributions to Social Security, defense spending, Medicare, and other federal programs, as well as the total amount of federal debt and how much the federal government has borrowed per citizen.

Are you FOR or AGAINST H.B. 1527?

Regards,
Matt Bishop

Hola, ladies.

It's your civic duty as an American or Foreigner to: (1) inform yourself on the issues, and (2) vote for the Hottest Latina 2011.

http://mysa.upickem.net/engine/Details.aspx?PageType=VOTING&contestid=29765

Luridtransom endorses Angela Ramirez.

And we runnin' out of french fries and burrito coverings.

There’s lots of talk about the federal deficit these days. How much do you know about the federal budget, federal revenues and the deficit? You should at least know the basics before the next Tea Party Rally or march to protest spending cuts (transportation and refreshments courtesy of AARP). So pay attention, ignorant Americans and Foreigners. Today we'll focus on Budget Basics.

These numbers are for FY 2010. (Source: Internet)

Federal expenditures: $3.5 trillion (24% of GDP)

Federal revenues: $2.2 trillion (15% of GDP)

Budget deficit: $1.3 trillion (9% of GDP)

So how does Uncle Sam spend all that cash money, you ask. About 80% of the budget comes from five categories:

• Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP: $732 billion (21% of the budget). $452 billion went to Medicare, which provides coverage to 47 million people age 65+ or with disabilities (15% of the population). $280 billion funds Medicaid and CHIP, which provide health care or long-term care to 60 million low-income children, parents, elderly people, and people with disabilities (19.3% of the population). Medicaid and CHIP require matching payments from the states.

• Defense and security: $705 billion (20% of the budget). This includes the cost of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, which totaled $170 billion in 2010.

• Social Security: $707 billion (20% of the budget). As of March 2011, 59.8 million people receive Social Security benefits of some sort. That’s 19.2% of the population.

• Safety net programs: $496 billion (14% of the budget). These programs include: the refundable portion of the earned-income and child tax credits, which assist low- and moderate-income working families through the tax code; programs that provide cash payments to eligible individuals or households, including Supplemental Security Income for the elderly or disabled poor and unemployment insurance; various forms of in-kind assistance for low-income families and individuals, including food stamps, school meals, low-income housing assistance, child-care assistance, and assistance in meeting home energy bills; and various other programs such as those that aid abused and neglected children.

• Interest on the national debt: $196 billion (6 percent of the budget). As of March 25, 2011, the total federal debt was $14.26 trillion. That’s 97.3% of calendar year 2010’s GDP of $14.66 trillion.

And here it is all USA Today style:

I Hate You, RoughRiders.

Note Henry the Puffy Taco in the background.

From the E-N:
Decker's three-run, eighth-inning homer was the difference in the Missions' 6-5 triumph over the Frisco RoughRiders, but it turned out that was only the beginning of what ended up as one of the wildest games in the franchise's 106-year history.

Before it was over, the small crowd of 2,153 witnessed a controversial ninth inning and a brief but frightening melee between Frisco players and a handful of unruly fans immediately after the game.

During the disturbance, heated words were exchanged. A trash can and bats were tossed into the stands by Frisco players from in front of their dugout, then back at the players by the fans.

By the time the dust had settled, at least three fans were handcuffed and detained by police. The fans were subdued and detained by San Antonio police officers, including officers called to the scene to back up off-duty police working as security, but a department spokesman could not confirm whether charges were filed.

Luridtransom Official Inquiry: E-Mail to Gov. Rick Perry. Response will be posted upon receipt.

Dear Gov. Perry:

I ran across this article in the San Antonio Express-News yesterday about a proposed frisbee golf course in Helotes which has been scrapped. Here’s the link to the article:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/northwest/news/article/Helotes-disc-golf-project-voted-down-1344021.php

The story mentions a “state-funded, $500,000 grant to help pay” for the frisbee golf course. I did not realize the State of Texas was in the business of funding frisbee golf courses, but apparently even in this time of budget crisis, there’s always money for frisbee golf. Is that right?

A few questions:
(1) Will you veto any budget sent to you that contains allocations for frisbee golf? (In other words, are you AGAINST state subsidies for frisbee golf?)
(2) If you answered no to Question #1, how much money would you like to see allocated to frisbee golf related items in the budget for 2012-13?
(3) Would you be willing to use the Rainy Day Fund to pay for frisbee golf related items?
(4) Finally, do you play frisbee golf? If so, what is your handicap?

Thank you in advance for your candid and thorough answers to my frisbee golf related questions. (I will post your response on my blog.)

Regards,
Luridtransom

Luridtransom Official Inquiry: E-Mail to Speaker Joe Strauss (R-San Antonio). Response will be posted upon receipt.

Dear Speaker Strauss:

I ran across this article in the Express-News yesterday about a proposed Frisbee golf course in Helotes which has been scrapped. Here’s the link to the article:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/northwest/news/article/Helotes-disc-golf-project-voted-down-1344021.php

The story mentions a “state-funded, $500,000 grant to help pay” for the frisbee golf course. I did not realize the State of Texas was in the business of building frisbee golf courses, but apparently even in this time of budget crisis, there’s always money for frisbee golf. Is that right?

A few questions:
(1) How much did the state spend on frisbee golf in the last budget?
(2) How much is allocated to frisbee golf in the budget recently approved by the House?
(3) Do you play frisbee golf? If so, what is your handicap?

Thank you in advance for your thorough answers to my frisbee golf related questions. (I will post your response on my blog.)

Regards,
Luridtransom

Open E-Mail to Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas). Response will be posted upon receipt.

Congressman Smith:

I ran across an interesting suggestion on Ezra Klein’s blog today. Here’s the link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/what-if-medicare-required-a-living-will/2011/04/13/AFk8qZsE_blog.html

In short, the idea is that to be eligible for Medicare, you would have to give someone power-of-attorney and sign a living will. You could tell your attorney-in-fact, and write in your living will, that you want every possible measure employed to keep you alive. You could say cost is no object, and neither is pain or quality of life. Or, you could instruct your attorney-in-fact not to prolong your life by extraordinary measures if you lost consciousness in a long, fatal illness or simply old age. You could make whatever choice, and offer whatever instructions, you want. You just have to do it. You have to make the decision.

Klein suggests that the simple act of making that choice would cut costs, as many people would prefer something besides maximal treatment, and would ensure fewer people suffered needlessly because their health deteriorated before they made their wishes clear.

Congressman Smith, as you may be aware, many economists say Medicare costs are a major part of the federal deficit. For example: "If you look past the next eight to 10 years, Medicare is the deficit problem," says Douglas Holtz-Eakin, former head of the Congressional Budget Office. "And there's simply no way we can address our fiscal problems without coming to terms with Medicare's future." (http://www.npr.org/2010/12/01/131701211/medicare-key-to-conquering-deficit-dilemma)

So, are you for or against Ezra Klein’s idea to make it mandatory to designate a power-of-attorney and sign a living will to be eligible for Medicare benefits? Please clearly state whether you are FOR or AGAINST this proposal, and then you can explain your position all you want. Thank you in advance for your straight forward response. Which I will post on my blog.

Regards,
Luridtransom

Ca$h Money Time

The Greatest credit card in existence: Fidelity American Express. No annual fee and you get 2% of the amount of your purchases deposited in the form of Ca$h Money into your Fidelity account.

The only reasons I can see to NOT get a Fidelity Amex are:
(1) You’re too lazy;
(2) Your main credit card concern is interest rate, because you carry a balance;
(3) You think I’m lying or I’m wrong;
(4) You think your current card gives you a better deal on rewards; or
(5) You aren’t interested in free money and/or you prefer a lower rewards yield from your credit card.

Unless one or more of the above apply, you should get a Fidelity Amex and make it rain with free cash money. You’re welcome.

Oh, and if you get a better rewards deal from another credit card, please let me know. Luridtransom loves value.

Hipster Estates at Oak Meadows

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/where-have-urban-austins-children-gone-1428955.html

Interesting story on Austin's demographic trends.

Ca$h Money Time

Telefónica (TEF) is luridtransom's stock pick of the day. It's cheap (7.89 P/E) and pays a great dividend (6.6% yield). And it's called Telefónica. Buy some shares immediately. It's a 5-star lock.

Telefónica is the number one Spanish multinational by market capitalisation and one of the largest private telecommunications companies in the world.

Product Review: Maui Jim Typhoons

Maui Jim Typhoons take some getting used to. The fit is different from Costas. I like the Typhoons, but we're still getting to know each other. I'll provide the definitive Typhoon review at a later date if that's what the people want.

luridtransom official inquiry to follow.

From the Express-News:

Amid concerns from nearby residents, a proposed championship disc golf course, pavilion, walking trails and other amenities are no longer moving forward in Helotes.

City Council members voted on Apr. 14 to withdraw their support of seeking a state-funded, $500,000 grant to help pay for the project. It was planned for 58 city-owned acres in the Iron Horse Canyon Natural Area.

Wait a minute. Did you say the state of Texas, which I hear is facing a pretty serious budget problem, gives out $500k grants to build frisbee golf courses?

The article mentions the project would have required an additional $250k from the City of Helotes. A $750k frisbee golf course? In a Natural Area?

www.mysanantonio.com/community/northwest/news/article/Helotes-disc-golf-project-voted-down-1344021.php

Appliance Maintenance

Dishwashers get all limed up.