It takes about sixteen months from conception for a rhinoceros baby to be born while a human being’s gestation period is only nine months. Nine months from now it may just be that we will see a combination of the two happen – a human rhino being born. Somewhere in America rhinos, or republicans in name only, are preparing right now for a 2012 elect run.
Like a baby most politicians have a formula that they will depend on to help them convince the public they deserve their vote. Rhinos have to have a special formula – it includes heavy doses of deception and self promotion.
For the purpose of this article let’s look at possibilities for the rarest and most dangerous kind of rhinos coming forth right here in Liberty County. These rhinos are rarely seen because the voting public is usually much too alert to have over half of the voters get conned out of their vote. This kind of rhino is the party switching rhino who claims their party change and their commitment to conservatism is the same kind of switch that other well known Republicans did – they simply were later to reveal their change.
It is mind boggling to think any politician would come in to this next election trying to sell this snake oil, but let’s pretend one or two do just to expound on what kind of things it takes to pull this off. Before anyone writes in to ridicule the possibility, let’s acknowledge any Democrat planning on running in 2012 who was concerned about the spend spend spend politics of our current Democratic leadership in Washington should have publicly announced their intention to run Republican months ago. No one in Liberty County has since December 2010. Anyone hanging with the Democratic Party and Obama through the last election has no rationale to switch now.
But if one were to try, what would it take for us to see one of these rare rhinos hatch between now and nine months from now? What kind of formula would their campaign use the next nine months?
First, let’s also acknowledge anyone switching this late would have to be desperate. The most controversial local Democrat on the ballot in 2012 is a good example. Mike Little has never had an opponent, but he is sure to have one or more this time. He was tied to the hip with recently defeated District Judge Rusty Hight, recently defeated County Judge candidate Michelle Merendino, and recently defeated County Judge Phil Fitzgerald. None of the scandalous accusations against these people or the crazy liberal policies of Obama caused Mike Little to announce a party switch.
If a candidate wants to switch parties, no one can stop them. Mike Little has plenty of negative baggage local Republicans should want to avoid but Little can still switch if he wants. By election time it is difficult to say whether rape and sodomy charges against him will have gone to court yet. Maybe he will have that behind him, but what political party wants new candidates with that kind of background.
It is not likely charges of selective prosecution charges will be behind him by December. It seems to be a growing possibility that any connection Little has to the Liz Beausoliel/stolen mail case will not be cleared up by then. Allegations of bloating his budget may or may not be under public scrutiny by November.
Republicans have fought this guy for year, if he turned rino the only good thing for real Republicans would be that they could beat him in the primary and all of his long time Democratic compadres would have very Little to say about it.
Of course it is a ridiculous to even think this might happen, but if Mike Little did, he would be a great example of the rarest most reviled type of rinos. The irony of having the person who has refused to prosecute and ignored all of the years of corruption run as a Republican is interesting, but what real Republican would want him.
Write in if you are a long time conservative Republican and would be excited about Mike Little or any other Democrat switching. Sign your name. Explain why you think this would be good.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Dear Liberty Dispatch
I see your website has two recent stories about an eleven year old girl being raped by many young men. One suggests she was used as bait by the authorities we trust to protect her or at least left unprotected. The other story is about a gag order to keep such things under wraps. I believe if you can study the court records in Judge Bobby Rader’s JP court you will find a gag order made for a different reason. (Note: Judge Bobby Rader is also a municipal court judge for the City of Liberty.):
It seems that of the many young men arrested and given very high bail amounts, one was given a $100,000.00 PR (Personal Recognizance), bond by Judge Rader. It seemed strange to me as he was not even a juvenile and I would think an adult to be more liable for what he does than a juvenile. His name is Carlos Bernard Ligons. It seems that Mr. Ligons' mother works for the jail (CEC CORP) and is politically connected with the Democrat Party. Judge Rader is a reputed (RINO) Republican and may be trying to keep his supporters and Democrat friends (Like Mike Little) happy.
Getting past the gag order may be difficult, but I think it needs to be investigated and made public. I hope there is a good explanation for a PR bond being approved for one suspect and $100,000.00 bonds for the rest, but it looks like the gag order is there to cover up some bias. There is no excuse for being with an eleven year old and I don't see how any single one of the young men involved deserve special treatment apart from the rest.
With all the media coverage, I just hope that the eleven year old can now get the protection and help she deserves.
It seems that of the many young men arrested and given very high bail amounts, one was given a $100,000.00 PR (Personal Recognizance), bond by Judge Rader. It seemed strange to me as he was not even a juvenile and I would think an adult to be more liable for what he does than a juvenile. His name is Carlos Bernard Ligons. It seems that Mr. Ligons' mother works for the jail (CEC CORP) and is politically connected with the Democrat Party. Judge Rader is a reputed (RINO) Republican and may be trying to keep his supporters and Democrat friends (Like Mike Little) happy.
Getting past the gag order may be difficult, but I think it needs to be investigated and made public. I hope there is a good explanation for a PR bond being approved for one suspect and $100,000.00 bonds for the rest, but it looks like the gag order is there to cover up some bias. There is no excuse for being with an eleven year old and I don't see how any single one of the young men involved deserve special treatment apart from the rest.
With all the media coverage, I just hope that the eleven year old can now get the protection and help she deserves.
Time to sign up for election, nine months and counting.
Less than nine months from now, sign-up for the upcoming election will begin.
Offices up for election include Liberty County District Attorney, Sheriff, Commissioner, and Liberty County Attorney- among others.
Liberty County is on the way to another historic year in Liberty County politics. The chance for Liberty County to become a better place to live surrounds a high stakes fight that will soon emerge.
Corruption in Liberty County still abounds and begs the question- Will you act?
Offices up for election include Liberty County District Attorney, Sheriff, Commissioner, and Liberty County Attorney- among others.
Liberty County is on the way to another historic year in Liberty County politics. The chance for Liberty County to become a better place to live surrounds a high stakes fight that will soon emerge.
Corruption in Liberty County still abounds and begs the question- Will you act?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Thoughts on the horrific rape of an 11-year-old in Texas
The recent rape of an 11-year-old Hispanic girl in Cleveland, Tex., is assumed to be what we can expect from the so-called "'hood." Or it's just what can happen to girls who write about their sex lives on Facebook and dress provocatively - "more appropriate to a woman in her 20s," as The New York Times put it.
And remembering the Tawana Brawley scandal, we could conclude that women of color will use any excuse to save themselves from being caught doing something untoward: running away from home to be sexually free with boyfriends, selling sex and titillation or just being airheads whose fates are determined.
These are obviously sexist and racist ways to read this tragedy, which allow us to avoid the ugly fact of the matter: Our culture does not teach young women to protect themselves. All parents suffer despair when observing how naively female children choose to enlist in the obligatory "rebellion" promoted since the '60s.
Otherwise, one is some kind of a nerd who listens to the advice of parents and other adults. To move up the lurid side of our culture, one should do everything except listen to one's parents - and finish his or her homework.
The extremely strong desire to follow the trends of the moment is helped by an electronic media in which sex is attached to every activity. Girls constantly hear about how to look "hot," which usually means dressing like a prostitute. Even Tucker Carlson, that staid Republican, took to Twitter to brand Sarah Palin a "MILF." That is not scandalous because we are so far gone at this point.
None of this even vaguely excuses women for lying about being raped nor defends male rapists. Neither is innocent.
In today's world, "innocent" is a word rarely applied outside of a narrow legal definition, because most people seem to have accepted the idea that few of us are innocent, given the endless smut supposedly bubbling in our brains.
But it is still painful to hear what preadolescent girls or teenage women say when they open their mouths on the subject of sexuality and responsibility. One can easily hear the heartbreaking confusion of children as it unconsciously wrestles up through their vulgarity, their attempts at being tough, their dismissals of supposed good behavior.
Interestingly, the reactions of men with female children tends to be quite different from those who do not have them. Upon hearing what happened in Cleveland, Tex., men with daughters across the land probably blurted out things like, "They should execute all of those asses. If not, they should stay in prison for the rest of their lives."
Those who only had sons (or who had no children) were uniformly disgusted, but also perhaps sympathetic to the accused young men. But what if they had daughters of their own who had been raped because of how they dressed or with whom they consorted? Would the accused deserve sympathy then?
"Hell, no."
I do not think that rape should be qualified by the dress of the victim, even if she seems to be a "video vixen" in training. Yet irony always walks tall in American life. Those wanting to preserve their crime were caught by the same kind of electronics that may have influenced their behavior: They used their phones to take pictures and to make videos of what happened. That is how the police found out which young men were to be arrested and charged.
There it is.
By, Stanley Crouch- NY Daily
crouch.stanley@gmail.com
And remembering the Tawana Brawley scandal, we could conclude that women of color will use any excuse to save themselves from being caught doing something untoward: running away from home to be sexually free with boyfriends, selling sex and titillation or just being airheads whose fates are determined.
These are obviously sexist and racist ways to read this tragedy, which allow us to avoid the ugly fact of the matter: Our culture does not teach young women to protect themselves. All parents suffer despair when observing how naively female children choose to enlist in the obligatory "rebellion" promoted since the '60s.
Otherwise, one is some kind of a nerd who listens to the advice of parents and other adults. To move up the lurid side of our culture, one should do everything except listen to one's parents - and finish his or her homework.
The extremely strong desire to follow the trends of the moment is helped by an electronic media in which sex is attached to every activity. Girls constantly hear about how to look "hot," which usually means dressing like a prostitute. Even Tucker Carlson, that staid Republican, took to Twitter to brand Sarah Palin a "MILF." That is not scandalous because we are so far gone at this point.
None of this even vaguely excuses women for lying about being raped nor defends male rapists. Neither is innocent.
In today's world, "innocent" is a word rarely applied outside of a narrow legal definition, because most people seem to have accepted the idea that few of us are innocent, given the endless smut supposedly bubbling in our brains.
But it is still painful to hear what preadolescent girls or teenage women say when they open their mouths on the subject of sexuality and responsibility. One can easily hear the heartbreaking confusion of children as it unconsciously wrestles up through their vulgarity, their attempts at being tough, their dismissals of supposed good behavior.
Interestingly, the reactions of men with female children tends to be quite different from those who do not have them. Upon hearing what happened in Cleveland, Tex., men with daughters across the land probably blurted out things like, "They should execute all of those asses. If not, they should stay in prison for the rest of their lives."
Those who only had sons (or who had no children) were uniformly disgusted, but also perhaps sympathetic to the accused young men. But what if they had daughters of their own who had been raped because of how they dressed or with whom they consorted? Would the accused deserve sympathy then?
"Hell, no."
I do not think that rape should be qualified by the dress of the victim, even if she seems to be a "video vixen" in training. Yet irony always walks tall in American life. Those wanting to preserve their crime were caught by the same kind of electronics that may have influenced their behavior: They used their phones to take pictures and to make videos of what happened. That is how the police found out which young men were to be arrested and charged.
There it is.
By, Stanley Crouch- NY Daily
crouch.stanley@gmail.com
Saturday, March 12, 2011
LIBERTY DISPATCH EXCLUSIVE- JUDGE SIGNED GAG ORDER IN CLEVELAND, TEXAS SEX CASE
UPDATED
GAG ORDER SIGNED 03/15/11
The judges signed Liberty County DA, Mike Little's "gag order" with the best of intentions but other motives by Mike Little are at play here, not the 12 year old's protection.
Liberty Dispatch has learned that Liberty County DA, Mike Little's motivations are very suspect. We have learned that an increasing number of national media have asked him about charges against him for the sexual assault of a black man named, Michael Lynn Blue. The Mr. Blue case is working its way through the Liberty County courts at this time.
The Michael Lynn Blue case number at the Liberty County District Clerks office is: CR24373
GAG ORDER SIGNED 03/15/11
The judges signed Liberty County DA, Mike Little's "gag order" with the best of intentions but other motives by Mike Little are at play here, not the 12 year old's protection.
Liberty Dispatch has learned that Liberty County DA, Mike Little's motivations are very suspect. We have learned that an increasing number of national media have asked him about charges against him for the sexual assault of a black man named, Michael Lynn Blue. The Mr. Blue case is working its way through the Liberty County courts at this time.
The Michael Lynn Blue case number at the Liberty County District Clerks office is: CR24373
Friday, March 11, 2011
OUTSIDER UPDATE: TEXAS RANGER LEADERSHIP IS CHANGING HANDS
It's March 2011 and we, The Outsiders, continue to investigate & maintain pressure on the local Liberty County corruption. In our last Update we explained that we had expanded the scope of our investigations and we had expanded the scope of our Complaints to include the leadership of the Texas Rangers. In this report, we seek to inform Liberty County Residents of noteworthy changes occurring within the leadership of the Texas Rangers and our ongoing activities.
Former Texas Ranger Clete Buckaloo has been appointed to head up a new investigative unit with the Department of Public Safety. The Unit's personnel focus on combating corruption among law enforcement officers and personnel. The new unit is part of the State’s new multi-jurisdictional approach with the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in order to combat several types of crime. As the OAG’s Director of Law Enforcement, Clete Buckaloo oversees the Fugitive Unit, the Cyber Crimes Unit, the Special Investigations Unit, the Facilities Security Unit, the Criminal Litigation Unit and the Professional Standards Unit. Director Buckaloo will also coordinate the Fugitive Unit’s work with DPS, TDCJ and local law enforcement as they create the new Sex Offender Parole Violation Apprehension Teams. Director Buckaloo assumed the new post in Austin on Jan. 15, 2011. See the official press release at this website:
https://www.oag.state.tx.us/alerts/alerts_view.php?id=250&type=3
The newly created Director of Law Enforcement position seems very unique as it involves several government agencies and the restructuring of some agencies.
Several news stories about Clete Buckaloo exist and he was even featured on the cover of the April 2007 issue of Texas Monthly. See the following websites:
http://www.bccourier.com/Archives/News_detail.php?recordID=100211N6
http://www.dallasjustice.com/dallascriminallawyerblog/retired-tex-ranger-buckaloo-heads-new-texas-team-to-stop-corrupt-cops
http://governor.state.tx.us/video/interviews/15214/
http://www.texasranger.org/E-Books/Oral%20History%20-%20Buckaloo,%20Clete.pdf
http://www.texasmonthly.com/preview/2007-04-01/feature
The Outsiders, wish Director Clete Buckaloo and his team well in their efforts to weed out government corruption in Texas. We hope that this change will lead to Complaints of government corruption being taken very seriously by the Texas Rangers as our last Update featured a Complaint and an Appeal to Texas DPS regarding local Texas Ranger, Grover Franklin (Frank) Huff and the leader of the Texas Rangers, Antonio (Tony) Leal. This brings us to the next big change in the Texas Rangers...
Antonio Leal, the youngest man to ever serve as the leader of the Texas Rangers, will be retiring at the end of this month. Also, a new interim leader of the Texas Rangers has already been selected. See: Attachment #1 (Texas DPS Press Release). Although The Outsiders are aware that there have been other Texas citizens who have had problems with Texas Ranger Leal, many of us feel that the Appeal letter featured in our last Update was likely the straw that broke the camel's back. See: Attachment #2 (Complaint Appeal to Texas DPS Director Steven C. McCraw, by Robert F. Valdez) The timing seems right, but the reader can decide for himself if Leal's retirement and the Complaint Appeal letter to the Texas DPS Director are somehow connected. However, regardless of the reason, Antonio Leal will no longer be in charge of the Texas Rangers and that change is likely for the better.
The Outsiders, would like to take this moment to encourage the citizens of Liberty County to trust that the system can work if we all stay vigilant and do our part. If people who have been wronged by government officials diligently file Complaints and actively make their issues known to the community, it can make a difference. Oftentimes, government agencies have Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) rules that require a Complaint to be filed before any investigations can begin. For this reason, citizens should seek out what the appropriate procedure is for filing Complaints when they are wronged. We live in unique times. The internet gives citizens more access to government information than ever before and the citizens are able to communicate like never before. Although not every Complaint or other action against corruption will succeed, every reasonable action someone does to fight corruption makes it easier for the next person to get justice. Even organized corruption can be curtailed if the citizens stand up for their rights in large numbers. We have seen it. When corrupt government officials know they are being watched, they do less crime. In short, good government requires maintenance by the citizenry.
This brings us to the latest Outsider activity. We have been busy sending a flurry of Texas Public Information Act (PIA) requests to all corners of Liberty County government and we have been busy with a lot of research and undercover work. A great deal of information and provable evidence has been coming in. Honest citizens and local government officials have been busy gathering information and even taking pictures of crimes large and small. We will be filing more Complaints where we are finding wrong doing and we plan to report that government related criminal activity (with the evidence to prove it) on this website soon. The Outsiders, ask that if you're a corrupt government official or one of their accomplices: please smile. It makes for a better picture.
Once again we would like to thank all those citizens and govt. officials who, despite all the risks, continue to contribute hard evidence to fight corruption and help the system work correctly.
#1 DPS PRESS RELEASE - Texas Ranger Chief Retires.pdf
#2 02-20-2011 APPEAL Letter to DIRECTOR of TEXAS DPS et all.pdf
Sincerely,
THE OUTSIDERS
Former Texas Ranger Clete Buckaloo has been appointed to head up a new investigative unit with the Department of Public Safety. The Unit's personnel focus on combating corruption among law enforcement officers and personnel. The new unit is part of the State’s new multi-jurisdictional approach with the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in order to combat several types of crime. As the OAG’s Director of Law Enforcement, Clete Buckaloo oversees the Fugitive Unit, the Cyber Crimes Unit, the Special Investigations Unit, the Facilities Security Unit, the Criminal Litigation Unit and the Professional Standards Unit. Director Buckaloo will also coordinate the Fugitive Unit’s work with DPS, TDCJ and local law enforcement as they create the new Sex Offender Parole Violation Apprehension Teams. Director Buckaloo assumed the new post in Austin on Jan. 15, 2011. See the official press release at this website:
https://www.oag.state.tx.us/alerts/alerts_view.php?id=250&type=3
The newly created Director of Law Enforcement position seems very unique as it involves several government agencies and the restructuring of some agencies.
Several news stories about Clete Buckaloo exist and he was even featured on the cover of the April 2007 issue of Texas Monthly. See the following websites:
http://www.bccourier.com/Archives/News_detail.php?recordID=100211N6
http://www.dallasjustice.com/dallascriminallawyerblog/retired-tex-ranger-buckaloo-heads-new-texas-team-to-stop-corrupt-cops
http://governor.state.tx.us/video/interviews/15214/
http://www.texasranger.org/E-Books/Oral%20History%20-%20Buckaloo,%20Clete.pdf
http://www.texasmonthly.com/preview/2007-04-01/feature
The Outsiders, wish Director Clete Buckaloo and his team well in their efforts to weed out government corruption in Texas. We hope that this change will lead to Complaints of government corruption being taken very seriously by the Texas Rangers as our last Update featured a Complaint and an Appeal to Texas DPS regarding local Texas Ranger, Grover Franklin (Frank) Huff and the leader of the Texas Rangers, Antonio (Tony) Leal. This brings us to the next big change in the Texas Rangers...
Antonio Leal, the youngest man to ever serve as the leader of the Texas Rangers, will be retiring at the end of this month. Also, a new interim leader of the Texas Rangers has already been selected. See: Attachment #1 (Texas DPS Press Release). Although The Outsiders are aware that there have been other Texas citizens who have had problems with Texas Ranger Leal, many of us feel that the Appeal letter featured in our last Update was likely the straw that broke the camel's back. See: Attachment #2 (Complaint Appeal to Texas DPS Director Steven C. McCraw, by Robert F. Valdez) The timing seems right, but the reader can decide for himself if Leal's retirement and the Complaint Appeal letter to the Texas DPS Director are somehow connected. However, regardless of the reason, Antonio Leal will no longer be in charge of the Texas Rangers and that change is likely for the better.
The Outsiders, would like to take this moment to encourage the citizens of Liberty County to trust that the system can work if we all stay vigilant and do our part. If people who have been wronged by government officials diligently file Complaints and actively make their issues known to the community, it can make a difference. Oftentimes, government agencies have Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) rules that require a Complaint to be filed before any investigations can begin. For this reason, citizens should seek out what the appropriate procedure is for filing Complaints when they are wronged. We live in unique times. The internet gives citizens more access to government information than ever before and the citizens are able to communicate like never before. Although not every Complaint or other action against corruption will succeed, every reasonable action someone does to fight corruption makes it easier for the next person to get justice. Even organized corruption can be curtailed if the citizens stand up for their rights in large numbers. We have seen it. When corrupt government officials know they are being watched, they do less crime. In short, good government requires maintenance by the citizenry.
This brings us to the latest Outsider activity. We have been busy sending a flurry of Texas Public Information Act (PIA) requests to all corners of Liberty County government and we have been busy with a lot of research and undercover work. A great deal of information and provable evidence has been coming in. Honest citizens and local government officials have been busy gathering information and even taking pictures of crimes large and small. We will be filing more Complaints where we are finding wrong doing and we plan to report that government related criminal activity (with the evidence to prove it) on this website soon. The Outsiders, ask that if you're a corrupt government official or one of their accomplices: please smile. It makes for a better picture.
Once again we would like to thank all those citizens and govt. officials who, despite all the risks, continue to contribute hard evidence to fight corruption and help the system work correctly.
#1 DPS PRESS RELEASE - Texas Ranger Chief Retires.pdf
#2 02-20-2011 APPEAL Letter to DIRECTOR of TEXAS DPS et all.pdf
Sincerely,
THE OUTSIDERS
Thursday, March 10, 2011
VICTIMS: Liberty County Taxpayers
As readers of Liberty Dispatch will remember, there is a case in the 253rd Judicial District Court of Liberty County concerning charges by a black prisoner that Liberty County DA, Mike Little sexually abused him by sodomizing him. Michael Lynn Blue filed his case against Liberty County DA, Mike Little on 11/09/2010.
The charges go on to state that DA Little used or traded the sexual contact as an unwanted barter for a reduced sentence. The case filed in Liberty County is filed under case number #CR24373.
The problem with this case beyond the obvious charge of homosexual abuse and official oppression of a prisoner is another fact- which places Liberty County taxpayers and State of Texas taxpayers in a position of abuse by DA Little.
The abuse occurring is county and state taxpayers having to effectively pay for Liberty County DA, Mike Little’s legal representation. Furthermore, in addition to county and state taxpayers having to pay for DA Little’s representation is the outrage of someone from his own office representing him. His first assistant Liberty County DA, Anne Streit is the one who county and state taxpayers are paying to represent Liberty County DA, Mike Little on a criminal based charge.
Texas Law* clearly states a Criminal District Attorney is NOT entitled to legal cost reimbursement.
County/State Law** clearly states the county does not have a duty to provide legal counsel for a criminal charge involving a County Criminal District Attorney.
Apparently, the Liberty County District Attorney, Mike Little has publicly suppressed the criminal charge made against him and his use of county funds for his defense. The unauthorized use of county assets for his legal defense also rises to the charge of illegal use of county assets.
Liberty County has come a long way but this lingering injustice and corruption has stalled the progress and strides made in the recent past elections and has created a victim out of Liberty County and State of Texas taxpayers.
*State of Texas: A criminal district attorney is not a covered person under section 104.001, a criminal district attorney is not entitled to be defended by the attorney general or receive reimbursement of defense costs under that chapter. (Criminal charges, DA) See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. 104.001-.005
**County of Liberty: As a court has determined, however, a county does not have a general duty to provide for the criminal defense of any of its officers and employees. See White v. Eastland County, 12 S.W.3d 97, 102 (Tex. App.--Eastland 1999, no pet.). A pertinent statute, section 157.901 of the Local Government Code, requires a county to employ and pay for private counsel to represent a county official or employee in an action arising out of the performance of public duties. See Tex. Loc. Gov't Code Ann. 157.901 (Vernon 1999). The court in White determined that section 157.901 creates a duty to provide for a defense in civil cases, but does not create a duty to defend an official or employee against a criminal charge. See White, 12 S.W.3d at 102. The court in White also determined that the common law does not impose a duty on a county to pay for the criminal defense of its officers and employees. Id. at 103. Consistently with the opinion in White, we conclude that a county does not have either a statutory or common-law duty to provide for criminal defense expenses of an officer or employee.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Dear Editor...
I have a few thoughts on the longsuffering and the politics in our county. If I may I would like to share them with your readership.
Thomas Paine stirred the American spirit in the 1700’s when he encouraged the colonists to “oppose not only the tyranny but the tyrant”. This is one of the most famous phrases Paine wrote in his pamphlet Common Sense and it is not difficult to understand why it was important that it be said. In fact, it needs to be said now in Liberty County.
The abuse and misuse of office in Liberty County is well known. But we need to face the facts that Thomas Paine faced over 200 years ago and realize that it takes more than just hating corruption. It takes more than just recognizing something is wrong in the courthouse.
Paine points us to what may be common sense but something that is less common to act on. In addition to opposing corruption, Paine says we have to oppose the corrupt people involved too. By most accounts King George III was a popular head of state. But after he refused to change his ways and reacted so aggressively in response to the Olive Branch Petition, it took someone like Paine to help people to see that though the King may be loved, opposing him was the only way to be free – and the only way to free the King from being a tyrant.
The good people of this county are in many ways just like the patriots in Paine’s day. Most people are not eager to see someone lose their job or to face the consequences of their behavior. Most people hate corruption, but they do not expect to find out that the corrupt are their friends and neighbors. We almost would rather just continue to gripe about corruption and do nothing rather than find out the county is being victimized by someone that we know or someone whose family we really like.
In the days following the American Revolution and Thomas Paine’s famous writings, the British and King George III became the United States’ number one trading partner. In knowing that, we need to realize we too need to oppose our friends when they are doing wrong. We need to help take them out of a position of authority. We need to stop allowing their corruption to hurt so many people. Then, as the patriots did with the King, we can try and renew our relationship with them.
Thomas Paine stirred the American spirit in the 1700’s when he encouraged the colonists to “oppose not only the tyranny but the tyrant”. This is one of the most famous phrases Paine wrote in his pamphlet Common Sense and it is not difficult to understand why it was important that it be said. In fact, it needs to be said now in Liberty County.
The abuse and misuse of office in Liberty County is well known. But we need to face the facts that Thomas Paine faced over 200 years ago and realize that it takes more than just hating corruption. It takes more than just recognizing something is wrong in the courthouse.
Paine points us to what may be common sense but something that is less common to act on. In addition to opposing corruption, Paine says we have to oppose the corrupt people involved too. By most accounts King George III was a popular head of state. But after he refused to change his ways and reacted so aggressively in response to the Olive Branch Petition, it took someone like Paine to help people to see that though the King may be loved, opposing him was the only way to be free – and the only way to free the King from being a tyrant.
The good people of this county are in many ways just like the patriots in Paine’s day. Most people are not eager to see someone lose their job or to face the consequences of their behavior. Most people hate corruption, but they do not expect to find out that the corrupt are their friends and neighbors. We almost would rather just continue to gripe about corruption and do nothing rather than find out the county is being victimized by someone that we know or someone whose family we really like.
In the days following the American Revolution and Thomas Paine’s famous writings, the British and King George III became the United States’ number one trading partner. In knowing that, we need to realize we too need to oppose our friends when they are doing wrong. We need to help take them out of a position of authority. We need to stop allowing their corruption to hurt so many people. Then, as the patriots did with the King, we can try and renew our relationship with them.
STILL PAYING FOR THE PAST
The four to one vote yesterday in Liberty County Commissioners’ Court is a sure signal Republicans are not going to sit on the fence and waste a great deal more time on this controversial issue. They voted to halt the ongoing project to remodel the old Wal-Mart store into county office space and an emergency shelter. Liberty County Judge Craig McNair made the motion, adding he would like to see the building put of for sale to recoup some of the money already spent on the project. As expected Democrat Liberty County Commissioner Todd Fontenot voted against halting the project he and Lee Groce and Phil Fitzgerald initiated.
Before local politicians simply take a loss in the real estate market, Liberty Dispatch would like an answer to the questions centering on a middleman making suspicious profits off of the county’s purchase of this property. Rumors still are adrift about Todd Fontenot, Lee Groce, and Phil Fitzgerald giving thumbs up to a middleman purchasing the old WalMart building and then selling it to Liberty County in a pre-arranged “deal”. We would love for that rumor to be false, but in the midst of one scandal after another, we would like this to be verified before taxpayers simply take hundreds of thousands of dollars of loss in a sale of this property.
We also would be interested in hearing Phil Fitzgerald’s side of the story about any agreement he believed he had with Bruce Stratton and the hospital district or if it is true he paid over a million bucks for this property and had no inkling of a deal with anyone.
Our hats are off to Liberty County Judge, Craig McNair for moving on this issue. Liberty County taxpayers needed to hear a reasonable plan to develop the property or an exit strategy. Now we can at least recover some of the money the Democrats blew and we can get the building back on the tax rolls. Somewhere soon we hope there is an end to how much and how long we will pay for the past.
Before local politicians simply take a loss in the real estate market, Liberty Dispatch would like an answer to the questions centering on a middleman making suspicious profits off of the county’s purchase of this property. Rumors still are adrift about Todd Fontenot, Lee Groce, and Phil Fitzgerald giving thumbs up to a middleman purchasing the old WalMart building and then selling it to Liberty County in a pre-arranged “deal”. We would love for that rumor to be false, but in the midst of one scandal after another, we would like this to be verified before taxpayers simply take hundreds of thousands of dollars of loss in a sale of this property.
We also would be interested in hearing Phil Fitzgerald’s side of the story about any agreement he believed he had with Bruce Stratton and the hospital district or if it is true he paid over a million bucks for this property and had no inkling of a deal with anyone.
Our hats are off to Liberty County Judge, Craig McNair for moving on this issue. Liberty County taxpayers needed to hear a reasonable plan to develop the property or an exit strategy. Now we can at least recover some of the money the Democrats blew and we can get the building back on the tax rolls. Somewhere soon we hope there is an end to how much and how long we will pay for the past.
BREAKING NEWS: LOCAL TEXAS RANGER FIRED FROM RANGERS
Liberty Dispatch has been given information that local Liberty County Texas Ranger, Grover Franklin "Frank" Huff has been fired and/or forced to resign from the Texas Rangers. Additionally we have information that simultaneously, Texas Ranger Captain, Antonio Leal has taken an early retirement with his last day as Ranger leader- March 31, 2011.
Numerous allegations of illegal activity including witness tampering, document tampering, evidence tampering, intimidation, harassment, official oppression, official misconduct and as a conduit for illegal activities coming out of the Liberty County DA's office- centered around Huff.
Huff's removal is seen publicly as a very positive move for The Texas Rangers, Liberty County and The State of Texas.
Huff was illegally serving as an elected official in Hardin, Texas on the school board. Last night Huff was removed from the Hardin school board.
Thanks to the Liberty County Sheriff's Office and Liberty County Sheriff, Henry Patterson for their great work and results in this corruption probe.
We will report more as more information becomes available.
NOTE: "The Outsiders" have claimed they played a major role in the investigation which led to Huff's ultimate departure from the Texas Ranger's.
Numerous allegations of illegal activity including witness tampering, document tampering, evidence tampering, intimidation, harassment, official oppression, official misconduct and as a conduit for illegal activities coming out of the Liberty County DA's office- centered around Huff.
Huff's removal is seen publicly as a very positive move for The Texas Rangers, Liberty County and The State of Texas.
Huff was illegally serving as an elected official in Hardin, Texas on the school board. Last night Huff was removed from the Hardin school board.
Thanks to the Liberty County Sheriff's Office and Liberty County Sheriff, Henry Patterson for their great work and results in this corruption probe.
We will report more as more information becomes available.
NOTE: "The Outsiders" have claimed they played a major role in the investigation which led to Huff's ultimate departure from the Texas Ranger's.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)