Yup, it wasn’t even close.

This isn’t surprising. From all accounts, Rick Perry was running strong in the last few weeks and Kay Bailey Hutchinson had stumbled and limped into the runoff. Pylorns had supported Medina, but as I told him the other day her biggest mistake was not being able to strongly answer a question off the cuff. No matter how she really feels about the 9/11 truthers, her poor showing on Glenn Beck (someone who could have made her a star had she played the game right) showed she didn’t quite have the chops to handle the bigger stage. A strong debate showing does not a candidacy make, as evidenced here.

So, it’ll be Rick Perry versus the mayor of Houston. Kinky’s not running for Governor this year, so you lose out on that option. Have fun, Texas voters.

Out.

Today at Fort Hood Texas (Killeen TX)a shooter killed 13 and wounded 30 –  utilizing 2 hand guns.

3 Shooters, 1 Killed, 2 in custody.  The primary shooter that was killed – confirmed Major Malik Nadal Hasan.  He was an Islamic convert in his 30’s.

The shooting took place at 1:30 Thursday at the soldier readiness center.  According to officials, the soldier used handguns in the attack.

According to Lt General Bob Cone, the shooter was a soldier and was killed.  Two additional soldiers were also taken into custody.  Authorities have said they are just suspects at this time.

Representative Carter asked for a moment of Silence in the House of Representatives.

On twitter follow #fthood and #FtHoodShootings

Update: CBS has learned Ft. Hood shooter Maj. Hasan was licensed psychiatrist from Maryland

Update: news conference at 5:30 CST at main gates of Ft. Hood.

Update: Possible Domestic Terrorism now discussed

Update: 4th suspect at large per tx congressman john carter

Update: 32 wounded at Scott & White Hospital – donation of blood desperately needed!

Update: Malik Hasan’s Facebook Page here.

Update: Picture of Malik Hassan – screenshot

Update:  .S. Rep. John Carter says two others who were detained have been released

Update 5:41pm: Brian Ross reports Hasan was just promoted in May; recently transfered to Fort Hood.

Update 5:43pm: another picture of shooter

Update 5:52pm: two victims flown to Seton Williamson County with multiple gun shot wounds.

Update 5:57pm: U.S. rep. McCaul says shooter had special training in shooting.

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, who has been briefed on the shootings at Fort Hood, said one suspect, Nadal Malik Hasan, was a physician who was born in Virginia to parents who hailed from Jordan.

The suspect, McCaul said, “took a lot of advanced training in shooting.”

He said Hassan, with others, acted at Fort Hood using handguns.

McCaul said he also has been told that Hasan had undergone alcohol counseling.

“Whether it was domestic or foreign, clearly when a U.S. military base is attacked in this fashion, that is an act of terror in my book,” McCaul said.

Update 6:00pm: Medical Profile of shooter.

Update 6:06pm: Rep. McCaul also said he’s been told suspected shooter Hasan had undergone alcohol counseling.

Update 6:12pm: Hasan’s records.

Update 6:21pm: More information on shooter

Update 6:24pm: Video from inside fort hood.

Update 6:27pm: Not a recent convert. Hasan was always Muslim. Cousin tells Shep on Fox

Update 9:09pm: Shooter not dead.

(CNN )A solider suspected of fatally shooting 12 and wounding 31 at Fort Hood in Texas on Thursday is not dead as previously reported, Army Lt. Gen. Robert Cone said Thursday evening.

..wish he was dead…

Update 7:30am: CNN has surveillance video

Update 8:05am: Shooter reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” while shooting.

FORT HOOD, Texas – Soldiers who witnessed the shooting rampage at Fort Hood that left 13 people dead reported that the gunman shouted “Allahu Akbar!” before opening fire, the base commander said Friday.

Lt. Gen. Robert Cone said officials had not yet confirmed that the suspected shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, made the comment, which is Arabic for “God is great!” before the rampage Thursday, which left 30 people wounded, including the gunman.

Yeah, all the people who were on the jump to conclusions map were right this time.

Related:

KXAN’s Site

Fox News Austin

KXXV

This is kinda sad in that we just voted for potential higher taxes and more state debt (bonds).

You need to go vote tomorrow and here’s why.  1. It’s your duty as a citizen. 2. There are several proposals that can directly impact you monetarily.  Pay attention to the “issuing bonds” statements throughout – that means we’re borrowing money as a state to do something.

From here.

Arguments for and against can be found here.

Proposition 1

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the financing, including through tax increment financing, of the acquisition by municipalities and counties of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to a military installation for the prevention of encroachment or for the construction of roadways, utilities, or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation.”

Proposition 2

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property’s value as a residence homestead.”

Proposition 3

“The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes.”

Proposition 4

“The constitutional amendment establishing the national research university fund to enable emerging research universities in this state to achieve national prominence as major research universities and transferring the balance of the higher education fund to the national research university fund.”

Proposition 5

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to authorize a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for consolidated equalizations.”

Proposition 6

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans’ Land Board to issue general obligation bonds in amounts equal to or less than amounts previously authorized.”

Proposition 7

“The constitutional amendment to allow an officer or enlisted member of the Texas State Guard or other state militia or military force to hold other civil offices.”

Proposition 8

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the state to contribute money, property, and other resources for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of veterans hospitals in this state.”

Proposition 9

“The constitutional amendment to protect the right of the public, individually and collectively, to access and use the public beaches bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico.”

Proposition 10

“The constitutional amendment to provide that elected members of the governing boards of emergency services districts may serve terms not to exceed four years.”

Proposition 11

“The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State, a political subdivision of the State, the public at large, or entities granted the power of eminent domain under law or for the elimination of urban blight on a particular parcel of property, but not for certain economic development or enhancement of tax revenue purposes, and to limit the legislature’s authority to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity.”

I’ll sum this up after you review it.  Seriously, I know its legaleeze but you lazy people need to work through it.. but if you’re still that lazy just skip to the bottom.

81R5789 MMS-F

By:  Creighton, Hughes, Berman, Gattis,    H.C.R. No. 50
Guillen, et al.

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States reads as follows:  “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people”; and
WHEREAS, The Tenth Amendment defines the total scope of federal power as being that specifically granted by the Constitution of the United States and no more; and
WHEREAS, The scope of power defined by the Tenth Amendment means that the federal government was created by the states specifically to be an agent of the states; and
WHEREAS, Today, in 2009, the states are demonstrably treated as agents of the federal government; and
WHEREAS, Many federal laws are directly in violation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; and
WHEREAS, The Tenth Amendment assures that we, the people of the United States of America and each sovereign state in the Union of States, now have, and have always had, rights the federal government may not usurp; and
WHEREAS, Section 4, Article IV, of the Constitution says, “The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government,” and the Ninth Amendment states that “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people”; and
WHEREAS, The United States Supreme Court has ruled in New York v. United States, 112 S. Ct. 2408 (1992), that congress may not simply commandeer the legislative and regulatory processes of the states; and
WHEREAS, A number of proposals from previous administrations and some now pending from the present administration and from congress may further violate the Constitution of the United States; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas hereby claim sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That this serve as notice and demand to the federal government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective immediately, mandates that are beyond the scope of these constitutionally delegated powers; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That all compulsory federal legislation that directs states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties or sanctions or that requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding be prohibited or repealed; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate of the United States Congress, and to all the members of the Texas delegation to the congress with the request that this resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.

The jist of it, is it’s a reminder to the Federal Government that as a state, Texas will only abide by the laws it creates and not abide with Federal laws,  with the exception of the laws and  power granted to the Federal Government by the Constitution; and the Federal Government has no right to with hold Federal money because Texas fails to comply with a law that the Federal government mandates.

Want an example?  How about drinking age? I am originally from Louisiana and it was one of the last holdout states that said if you’re old enough to serve in the military and vote, you’re old enough to drink. Guess who withheld money for programs until Louisiana changed the state drinking age to 21?  That’s right, the Federal Government.  Well Texas is getting the balls to say, nope, not on our watch.  (Lets hope that our legislators stand behind this and don’t cave to pressure).

Suck it. 3 bowl games in a row. UT brings it home.

ADDENDUM FROM FINLEY:

Damn. 3 in a row, Ohio State.

I mean, bad enough that you lose the two national championship games in a row. But to lose on a last minute drive, AGAIN?

Wow.

Now, this is not to disrespect the Horns winning in such an awesome manner. Good work, boys. You earn this Tiger fan’s begrudging respect and a throwing up of the Hook-em Horns.

Out.

11:30pm here and I managed to get a couple night shots – 2 sec exposure.

Shot from Balcony of Apt.

One of the Neighbors sticking her tongue out trying to catch acid rain snow.

Another shot from the Balcony

Yep, that’s right.  First snow storm of the season.  Ok who am I kidding? It’s the only snow storm we’ll see this season.  It doesn’t snow here.  Actually it’s not even a snow storm.  It’s God’s joke on us Texans – “Look you can see it as snow in the air but as soon as it hits the ground its rain.  Suckers.”

Ah well. Enjoy the winter slushyland while you can folks, cause its so damn rare around here.

Update(12-10-08): Here are some extra pictures shared by Paul taken in Leander/Cedar Park area of the storm last night:

Hurricane Ike Storm Track

Hurricane Ike is looking more and more like its going to come into Texas and wreak some havoc. Make sure you do all your prep work.  While the costal areas are not looking forward to this deadly hurricane making landfall, the further inland areas like Austin welcome the rain it will bring as much of Texas has been in a drought.

Image courtesy of http://www.stormpulse.com . Awesome site for the hurricane, with all of the projections etc.

Thinking about getting one now? Forget about it.  At least thats what friends of mine have been told now by the very unhelpful AT&T people.  I got mine, but I also waited outside at 6am.  I was number 73 at the ATT store on 1431.  I have to say the people there were much nicer than the A&TT workers at Lakeline Mall.

While some store actually received shipments today, apparently they can’t sell them today.  All AT&T is offering now is direct ship which is 7-10 days.    But let me explain what the AT&T people were trying to do to keep you inline and to make you buy today regardless of stock.

I got back to my office and my co-worker decided that he wanted to check at lunch to see if there were any left – since we had heard there was another shipment coming in today.  We decided to hit up Lakeline Mall AT&T store.  We walked up, the line was short and they took 2 people at a time into the store.  Out front was a greeter so we asked how many they had left – she said that she can’t give out their stock.  We said, ok well should we wait or will you be out of stock by the time we wait – as it could have been over an hour of waiting only to find out that its 7-10 days.  She said that she couldn’t give out the stock.  So after more questions and a bit of waiting we saw a shipment be delivered by Fedex.  My co-worker decided to ask some more questions and come to find out they couldn’t get into that shipment today and the other slightly more helpful AT&T worker alluded to the fact that he most likely would not get an iphone today.  But, they are trying to keep people standing in line so they can make their numbers for the day.

All in all pretty sucky for him – then again he also has to pay $400 because he’s already an AT&T customer.

Now you may ask, “How do you like your new iphone?”

Glad you asked.  I wish I knew but the itunes servers are dead and we can’t activate them.  The AT&T store couldn’t do it, and as of right now I’m still not able to activate my phone.