CHANGE Coming in Massachusetts…TONIGHT
We are less than three hours away from the closing of polls all across Massachusetts, and the election of new United States Senator for the Commonwealth. For sure there is plenty of excitement among Republicans and conservatives about the possibility of the election of State Senator Scott Brown to fill a seat that was held by the late Senator Edward Kennedy. In the bluest of blue states, where Democrats far outnumber Republicans, a Republican has a CHANCE. Some have told me that there is no way Scott Brown wins tonight … thats simply because it hasn’t happened in a LONG TIME. In fact WRKO in Boston back in November, made it seem that it was a foregone conclusion that State Attorney General Martha Coakley would win, just listen to this audio clip:
Now, it is really only the first sound bite that puts WRKO’s coverage of the race in question. The succeeding clips sound a bit more reasonable and more like a discussion of simply a primary win. To be honest, while I have been hopeful for a GOP win in Mass., I knew it would be hard to come to fruition and likely would never happen. I can not explain how excited I am that the polls show that people are choosing to vote for something more meaningful than party, they are choosing to vote for the future of America and not for a quick political victory. Tonight, I believe that Scott Brown will become the Junior Senator from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Yet, even if the people of Massachusetts elect him, Brown will face shenanigans from Democrats in the Senate. I mean, seriously? Who could possibly imagine the dog and pony show that this situation would turn into. The excuses that Democratic leaders have thrown out there are ridiculous. Hot Air is reporting that the latest excuse for not seating Brown should he win is that Vice President Joe Biden is out of town (HERE). Yet before it was because the Senate would need to wait for the proper certification. Which is essentially true, Brown would need to have the election results certified and a signature of the Massachusetts Secretary of State to serve. But will the Secretary of State promptly certify the election, or will the SOS drag their feet? This was the same standard that was posed when Senator Roland Burris (D-IL) was appointed by Governor Blago in Illinois. However, this does not mean that interim Sen. Kirk would be necessarily able to vote on any healthcare bill (or any other bill for that matter). An interpretation of the current Massachusetts law (which was changed to allow Governor Deval Patrick to appoint a interim, which was a power that was stripped of Republican Gov. Mitt Romney in 2004) would suggest that once the election has taken place and the results are in, interim Sen. Kirk would no longer serve in the capacity of a US Senator.
But even if Brown is allowed to assume his role in the Senate, should he win. Democrats still have the intention of shoving healthcare reform (which in its current form is something that the American people disagree with, while supporting the idea of overall healthcare reform) down the throats of the American people and putting it on President Obama’s desk. They have two options. One option being, forcing the House into a corner and passing the Senate bill, as-is. This presents a problem in that many House Democrats do not support the Senate bill in its current version. The other option for Congressional Democrats is to go through a reconciliation process (reserved normally for budgetary legislation) that only requires 51 votes in the Senate. The problem here is that they would need to strip several provisions in the bill and gut it to a bare bones skeleton version that involves only budgetary provisions and changes. Either way the healthcare issue is still toxic in the political arena. Perhaps, with a Brown win, Democrats might be better served by holding off.
Regardless of the outcome tonight, there will certainly be interesting political issues that arise out of whomever is named the winner. I can tell you one thing. I will be glued to my TV and computer screens to see the results and begin to examine what the turnout means for future races. Because even if Coakley wins (which to me it’s hard to see that happening when registered Dems in Mass are waiting in line for more than two hours in some cases to vote for a REPUBLICAN!) the fact that the Democratic machine had to pour resources and money into a solidly blue state speaks volumes.
Check back for my post-election post TONIGHT (or TOMORROW if we don’t get a winner tonight). Should be interesting no matter what.
- Andres Bocanegra
Follow me on Twitter: @andresbocanegra
Back for 2010
Let me be the first to apologize for my absence from my blog for the better part of the end of 2009. As you know I was a college senior and getting ready to graduate from the University of Texas at San Antonio in December. Note the key word “was” … I am now officially a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio.
The end of my final semester was beyond crazy and left little extra time to do anything much less run a successful blog. Right at the end I had and exam and four papers due within a two week period. It was intense. But I am back, and ready to get back into the swing of things with blogging about the politics and events that led me to create this blog. I hope that it all starts tomorrow with a Scott Brown victory in the Senate race in Massachusetts.
With Barack Obama set to give his first State of the Union, I too will present my own viewpoint on the state of the nation this week. Then comes the heart of what 2010 will be about. The economy, jobs, healthcare, and the elections and midterms. 2010 is set to be an intense election cycle and you can be sure that politics will be everywhere.
2010 will also be a year of additions to the blog. I have plans to seek out friends, colleagues, and like-minded politicos and have them become permanent contributors to this site. This development is two fold. First, if I ever need to take a brief time off, there will still be people here to post stories and issues. Second, I have a vision of creating a site that becomes a one stop shop for the multitude of conservative points of view and common sense analysis of the issues and stories of our time.
So this is my plan, and again … I am back. I hope nobody worried that I had given up on debating the issues or presenting news. If you did … you were mistaken, I will be here for a long while. As long as there are elections, debates, politicians, and politics … I will be here.
Andres Bocanegra
San Antonio Conservative
Follow me on Twitter: @andresbocanegra
And We’re Back …
Just wanted to post something quick … I am sorry that it has been so long since I have posted a blog post about anything. As many of you know I am a college student at UTSA and October has been a crazy month full of papers and midterms – which is not conducive to regular blog posting. I am back though and ready to get back into the blog world. I will be posting my thoughts about the recent Republican wins of Governorships in New Jersey and Virginia by the end of the week.
For now … follow me on twitter (where I have been all along) twitter.com/andresbocanegra or tweet me @andresbocanegra
It’s good to be back …
COMING UP: UTSA Inaugural State of the University Address
Just a quick FYI … UTSA President Ricardo Romo will deliver the very first State of the University Address on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 3:00 PM.
The State of the University Address will take place in the University Center Ballroom (UC 1.01.04) in the new UC III at the UTSA Main Campus.
I will be there and either film it and post it here or just take the usual photos and wait (or hope) that the University posts a streaming video online. Either way I will be there at this inaugural event.
- More information when its released.
YOU CAN HELP: SA Soldiers Launch Effort to Bring Delilah to Texas
This is an article from NewsRadio 1200 WOAI in San Antonio. Its about a group of soldiers who are trying to bring back a dog they “adopted” while serving over in Afghanistan. Here is is:
It’s is a story about a man and his dog, but this time, it’s a group of Texas soldiers, serving in Afghanistan, and a puppy they found abandoned.
The Army’s 143rd LRS, which is part of the Texas Agribusiness Development Team, were walking through the war zone when they noticed a small, white, dog on the side of the road. The pup fell in line with the soldiers, and has been with them ever since.
“When we got her, she was really skinny and full worms,” Specialist Sam Ellison tells News Radio 1200 WOAI. “We do agricultural stuff, so we have a guy who is a vet tech. He gave her some flea and tick stuff.”
Now that they are heading home, they’re trying to find a way to take the dog, which they named Delilah, back to Texas, so she won’t be abaonded again.
“Having these dogs, it’s good morale for these solders,” Spc. Ellison says. “We couldn’t leave her. She’s become part of the family. Part of the unit.”
They are working with an animal rescue group in Kabul, called the Tigger House, which coordinates the transport of abandoned animals out of the war torn country and provide them with a safe place to be adopted.
The problem? It’s expensive. The basic cost is about $4,200. That’s for shots, customs paperwork, shipping supplies and the plane ticket to New York. From there, they have to get Delilah another plane ticket to Austin, which will cost even more cash.
Family members have set up an account online where people can make donations. There’s also some pictures of Delilah and the troops, overseas.
I post this because I myself can not give much to these guys and so I am hopeful to find other ways to help them out. So please check their account out and hopefully feel compelled to give something. It is amazing the connection that can be formed between a man and a dog…especially in a tough situation like Afghanistan.
9.11 Tribute: “Overcome” – Live
This is just a video I wanted to share, it is a song called “Overcome” by Live. Enjoy it and remember that day and how it felt to see your nation under attack. I know where I was that morning, and I never will forget. It seems like some have begun to forget and lose sight of where we have been.
BTW…I will post a picture from tonight’s Tribute in Light at Ground Zero. I saw a live shot of it on the news and it looked amazingly dramatic tonight so I will post a photo later tonight or tomorrow.
God Bless America!
9.11.01 – Never Forget
Eight years ago on this day, our country and sense of reality changed forever. Our fellow citizens, our way of life, and freedom itself came under attack. We lost nearly 3,000 of our fellow countrymen in a violent attack of foreign terrorism. While our current political climate has left us what appears to be little common ground, today should stand separate and apart. Today let us all as Americans, rise up and stand above the fray of the political climate and recall, reflect, and remember. Let us remember how a crisp, clear day was turned from its splendor into a day of carnage, grief, and fear. Let us remember a day where we all came together to cry, to pray, and to comfort our neighbors. Let us remember a day where our political leaders stood together on the steps of the Capitol to help reassure a shaken nation. Let us remember a day where our political differences meant less to us than our nation and our fellow Americans. Let us remember a time when our fear and quiet unyielding anger turned into resolve, a renewed love of country, and dedication to others. Time is known to gray our memory as it passes. We should take the opportunity today to remember the unfurling of flags and the lighting of candles rather than current political discontent and hyperpolitical reactions to nearly anything and everything. We stood together, sang patriotic songs together, and become resolved to do more for our country. September 11, 2001 is a date that will forever be etched into American history, and our collective memory. It was a day which changed the world forever, and brought us all closer together. On this day, let us set aside our differences, our disagreements, and our discord and unite once again to remember those we lost and to honor those who have fought, continue to fight, and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of our nation and of freedom itself. America was attacked on that day because it stood as a beacon for freedom and opportunity in this world. Our President said, “no one will keep that light from shining.” As we reflect today, those words still ring true, our country will long be the hope of the world. On that day we saw the worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of America. Today we reflect on a dark day in our nation’s history. Yet out of those ashes, a great people were moved to defend a great nation. Let us continue to offer our prayers to all those who continue to grieve the loss of a loved one, to children whose worlds were shattered. Let us pray the families continue to find the comfort and condolence of a higher power to continue to cope with their loss. May God Bless those we lost, those who defend our nation, and may He continue to bless the United States of America.
Always Remember, Never Forget
September 11, 2001
NEW TODAY: Bruce Bowen Retires from Basketball
New today, former San Antonio Spurs forward has announced that he will be retiring from professional basketball. This article from The San Antonio Express-News’ Richard Oliver:
Bruce Bowen has known for some time that this day would come. And now that it’s here, he’s feeling surprisingly calm about it.
The former Spurs great is retiring from the NBA.
“I’m very happy,” Bowen, 38, said Thursday morning. “It hasn’t been difficult. I was content about it and understood it was going to happen.”
At a news conference at the Yardley’s Salon and Spa, the business he owns with his wife, Yardley, Bowen officially hung up his sneakers and moved toward a future that will still include ties to basketball.
In addition to working on his local business and charity interests, Bowen had an audition with ESPN earlier this week and will be working on something with Turner Broadcasting later.
He may also be doing some broadcasting work on high school games. Bowen also hopes to continue his advertising work with H-E-B, Hallmark Institute and AT&T.
“I’m always going to do something around the game of basketball,” Bowen said.
Though the Spurs will not be signing him to a ceremonial one-day contract or anything or that nature, Bowen said he feels he’s retiring as a Spur.
“Everybody knows, and Pop said the same thing, ‘You’re a Spur,’ ” Bowen said, referring to coach Gregg Popovich.
He spent 12 seasons in the league, including the final eight with the Spurs. Regarded as one of the league’s strongest defenders, Bowen was part of three San Antonio championship teams.
On June 24, he was part of a three-team trade with the Bucks and Pistons that brought Richard Jefferson to San Antonio. After an extended wait, during which Milwaukee tried to ship Bowen to another team, the Bucks released him last month.
Though he is now a free agent, Bowen said he had no plans to move on. He’ll be staying in San Antonio, his adopted home. The Spurs, for their part, had made it clear he wasn’t in their future plans.
“It was just about being able to say, ‘All right, it’s done,’ ” he said.
The added bonus, Bowen said: Being home for his sons, ages 2 and 3.
“(Yardley) enjoys the chance for them to see ‘Papi’ more,” Bowen said.
I just want to say to Bruce, good luck and thanks for all you’ve done for the San Antonio community… and yes, Once a Spur, Always a Spur.
Random WTF? Moment: Man Facing Charges After Firing Cannon
Just wanted to post a random WTF? story. A Pennsylvania man is facing charges after he fired a cannon in his yard and damaged his neighbor’s home. This from KDKA.com in Pittsburgh:
GEORGES TOWNSHIP (KDKA) ― A Fayette County man is facing charges after state police say he fired a metal cannon in his own yard and damaged his neighbor’s home.
According to state police, 54-year-old William Maser is facing charges of reckless endangerment, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.
Police report that Maser fired the cannon in his yard, and “the projectile traveled into a neighbor’s house.”
Authorities say it broke through the side of the neighbor’s home, went through a window and also traveled through a wall.
The incident happened around 6 p.m. Wednesday along Tent Church Road in Georges Township.
Seriously, what are you doing with a cannon in a neighborhood? Let alone what are you doing firing a cannon in a neighborhood. Seriously … WTF?
Could Merging UTSA & UTHSCSA be the Answer?
The idea has returned to look into a merger between the University of Texas-San Antonio and the University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio. This would hopefully be able to help the combined UTSA-UTHSC reach Tier One status. This is the overall goal of the UTSA and San Antonio community. This is from an article in the San Antonio Express-News:
By Melissa Ludwig and Gary Scharrer - Express-News
When Ricardo Romo became president of the University of Texas at San Antonio a decade ago, he resolved to transform the sleepy commuter campus into a premier research university.
Today, UTSA is one of the fastest-growing universities in Texas and quickly is shedding its commuter label as it attracts more high-quality students and professors. But the goal of joining the ranks of top-notch research universities still is decades away.
That reality has prompted a handful of San Antonio lawmakers and community leaders to float the idea of merging UTSA with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, a move that could catapult the combined institution to the top of the heap among Texas universities vying for “Tier One” distinction.
After years of urging, state lawmakers passed a bill this spring that lays out a pathway to flagship status and a pot of money for seven emerging research institutions, including UTSA and the University of Texas at El Paso. But in keeping with the history of higher education in Texas, the terms of competition seem to favor wealthier schools while short-changing South Texas and border institutions that serve a large population of minority students.
For Romo, it must be deja vu.
At a UT System Board of Regents meeting he attended soon after being named president of UTSA, regents skipped right over UTSA and the UTEP when talking about which institution would be Texas’ next flagship research university.
Romo looked at Diana Natalicio, president of UTEP, and said: “What are we, chopped liver?”
But merging UTSA with the health science center would give the combined institution significant firepower. UTSA’s federal research spending would jump from $22 million per year to a combined $117 million, marching the institution to the front of the line for receiving money under the state’s flagship bill.
It also would help San Antonio compete outside Texas, where most top research universities include a medical school.
“We would be the next Tier One. No question about that,” said Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio.
Van de Putte built political support for a merger back in 2001, but regents concluded the time wasn’t ripe, the schools’ missions too different.
Perry 2010
