09.30.06
Posted in GHDC Blog at 8:34 pm by sbruns
Watch this short interview of Democratic Party candiate Chris Bell.
In viewing, I want to point out an important comment Chris makes:
"…over the course of the last 25 years, no democrat running statewide has got less than 32% of the votes, so basically we’re fighting over about 6-8% percentage points in order to win this race."
www.chrisbell.com
Chris’ comment should resonate and emphasize how important your vote is in this election. Every vote adds up.
There is NO runoff, so whoever gets the most votes on Nov. 7 wins outright!! This is why if Kinky fragments the Dems and Strayhorn fragments the Repubs, race predictability is impossible to predict at this point. Bell has only begun these TV spots, so previous polls have not reflected his recent broader visibilty.
Please see below, "Why NOT to vote for Kinky"
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Posted in Events, Expired Posts at 6:00 am by M Beauregard
The annual fundraiser for Harris Co. Democratic Party HCDP, the Johnson-Rayburn Dinner (named for Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson and Sam Rayburn, former Speaker of the US House of Reps. and longest serving member with 48 continuous years of service) is
Saturday, September 30, 6-11pm at the JW Marriott Hotel, 5150 Westheimer. 
Speaker: Senator Russ Feingold, (D) Wisconsin
Feingold is the only senator to vote against the Patriot Act and voted against the Iraq war resolution. He is author of the bill to censure President Bush over the Iraq war, co-authored the federal campaign finance reform bill, and recently introduced legislation to accomplish universal health care coverage for all Americans.
Typically about 700 people attend the J-R Dinner and it includes all local Democratic candidates and elected officials. A special tribute is planned for Ann Richards and other renowned Democratic leaders. All local Democratic elected officials will be present other speakers will include Chris Bell and state/local candidates running for offices on the November ballot.
Proceeds from the event are used to support the daily operations of the Party office at 1445 N. Loop West @ Ella Blvd, Suite 110 (next to Lowes). The office has recently been staffed by 3 fulltime professionals, but more importantly by a team of Volunteers who dedicate their time and efforts for our goals and beliefs.
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09.24.06
Posted in Newsletters at 5:25 am by M Beauregard
There is so much going on between now and Tues. election day Nov. 7, that we hope to have a series of bi-weekly emails with announcements to keep you informed!!
1) Please check out our new website for latest news and events! Feel free to leave your comments, feedback, or post a blog with your own opinions!! Refer your friends and co-workers.
2) Heights Democratic Club now has Chris Bell yard signs for $1.
Signs are $5 at Bell Headquarters, 3939 Montrose, Suite M (near Alabama) Houston, TX 77006 Ph: (713) 524-0009
Obviously Bell needs the money for TV ads to counter the misinformation and lies of Strayhorn, Perry, & Kinky, so don’t be afraid to go by the campaign HQ, pick up other promo materials, or donate Online!
View his first TV Ad on education!
All local candidates and elected officials will be present, plus Chris Bell in person too!
details:
www.hcdp.org This event funds the Party office for the entire year to pay for rent and utilities. Daily staff are Volunteers; with 3 [modestly] paid staffers to give us continuity and strategy!! HCDP is nearby, located at 1445 N. Loop 610 & Ella Blvd, #110
NO money that you may give to the State Party
www.txdemocrats.org or DNC
http://www.democrats.org/ is returned to us locally. We must raise all our own funds for local outreach, including purchase of these yard signs!! We are truly a grassroots organization.
4) Why NOT to Vote for Kinky: Here is what you need to tell your friends.
a) He can’t win because he has no base! Most Kinky supporters are not frequent or routine voters and they are not sufficiently organized to topple the ranks of established Party loyalists! We can barely educate and engage voters about the beliefs and workings of a two party system, much less the subtle, serious differences between Kinky and the other candidates on the issues. We all enjoy a good joke, but the operations of Texas’s
$138 BILLION biennial government cannot be left for jokers.
b) As an "Independent", Kinky splits the Democratic base such that any advantage held by the Party against Republicans is diluted and the success of the central candidate (Chris Bell) is jeopardized.
The reason we have GW Bush is because Ralph Nader fragmented the Democratic vote in Florida in 2000. By splintering the Democrats, Nader eroded Gore’s votes to narrowly give Bush enough votes to win, even though Nader could not win himself nationwide!! Kinky will do the same thing in Texas this year! A vote for Kinky; is a vote for Perry, and no one wants that!
c) Let’s recognize the pattern that ‘celebrity’ candidates with no governmental experience are quickly ineffective and wasteful of time and resources! We have seen how ineffective Jesse Ventura was in Minnesota
(read more: Jesse Ventura’s gaffe riot ~ From dumb racial jokes to self-serving politics, the Minnesota governor’s past, predicted his future.)
Similarly, Schwarzenegger’s popularity has plummeted, as he has made repeated boondoggles in California! Let’s not allow Kinky to stifle or ruin Texas because he doesn’t understand the process or the protocol !!
d) Kinky has no "team" whereby he can work effectively with other winning candidates. Who does he support for Lt Gov? Comptroller? or other vital state officeholders with whom he must work with on a daily basis? NO ONE!!! There is no way that these missing relationships could function as an effective state government!
e) Some say Kinky is good for Texas because he gives us a "choice". Choice is good only if it is a good choice, but Kinky is simply NOT a good one. We have already heard his racial slurs, drug admissions, and seen him caught with an open beer container in the parade in Dallas. A media focused on his personal habits is not the image we want for a progressive Texas. No way!
f) Chris Bell filed the ethical complaints that brought down Tom Delay!! The Republican Party is in shambles at all levels and falling apart daily. Chris Bell initiated this action and is worthy of our support. As a Houstonian, Chris is good for Houston. Democrats must hold together to take advantage of this opportunity. Chris Bell is honest and ethical; and the other 3 are some form of a Republican, and we don’t need any more of them!!
Read the rest of this entry »
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09.14.06
Posted in GHDC Blog at 1:03 pm by M Beauregard
CNN re-broadcast the 2004 Larry King interview with Ms. Richard’s immediately upon the announcement of her death. It is particularly obvious when we again see her dynamic wit, prowess as a political speaker, and strong Democratic values that we realize what a great loss is upon us. Texas and the country have lost a true icon of the Democratic Party! Ms. Richards will be honored by all local Democrats at the annual fundraising Johnson-Rayburn Dinner on Sept. 30, hosted by Harris Co. Democratic Party (details above).
Enjoy this audio link to Ann Richard’s 1988 speech to the Democratic National Convention. Remember this speech was almost 20 years ago, but the issues remain the same!!
The reasons and logic by which she was defeated by GWB for Governor still remain a mystery to me. The political career of GWB has since "evolved" to its current state and this repeatedly baffles and disturbs most of us. What were voters thinking?? And what are they thinking now? Equally important, how do we learn from this unbelievable situation, move forward this November, and persevere into the future with the spirit, and in the legacy, of Ann Richards?
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A delightful Ann Richards anecdote,
as told by humorist Molly Ivins:
Several years ago, there was a big political-do at Scholz Beer Garten in Austin and everybody, who was anybody in political Texas was there, meetin’ and greetin’ at a furious pace. About halfway through the evening, a little group of us got the tired-feet and went to lean our butts against a table by the back wall of the Garten.
Like birds in a row were perched Bob Bullock, the state comptroller; me; Charlie Miles, a Black man who was then head of Bullock’s personnel department (and the reason Bullock had such a good record on minority hiring); and the very cunning, Ms. Ann Richards.
Bullock, having been in Texas politics for thirty some-odd years, consequently knew every living, sorry, no-account, sumbitch who ever held office.
A dreadful, old, racist judge from East Texas came up to him, "Bob, my boy, how are yew?" The two of them commenced to clap one another on the back and have a big greetin’.
"Judge," said Bullock. "I want you to meet my friends. This is Molly Ivins with the Texas Observer." The judge peered up at me and said, "How yew, little lady?"
"This is Charles Miles, who heads my personnel department." Charlie stuck out his hand and the judge got an expression on his face as though he had just stepped into a fresh cowpie. It took him a long minute before he reached out, barely touched Charlie’s hand and said, "How you, boy?"
Then he turned with great relief to pretty, blue-eyed Ann Richards and said, "And who is this lovely lady?"
Ann beamed and said, "why….I am Mrs. Miles, of course."
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09.10.06
Posted in Events, Meetings at 1:56 pm by sbruns
It is 59 days before the 2006 November election and there are many things going on, much to learn, and lots to do before then!! Come get revved up!!
Location: Chatters Restaurant, 140 S. Heights Blvd. (Just south of the intersection at Heights Blvd. and Washington) Speaker: Deborah Landis with Barbara Radnofsky's Campaign, Candidate for US Senator
Additional agenda items:
Update from Houston City Council with Councilmembers Peter Brown and Adrian Garcia, our Councilman
Heights Club member outreach:
We are aggressively recruiting new members to our club! Promotional cards have been placed in many coffeehouses, restaurants, and bars to advertise our club to new neighborhood residents. We need Volunteers to help man voter registration locations and to recruit and welcome new members!
Harris Co Democratic Party annual fundraiser: Johnson-Rayburn Dinner, Sept 30. http://www.hcdp.org/
SPEAKER: US Senator Russ Feingold (D) Wisconsin
Feingold is one of the few Senators who voted against the Patriot Act and the War. His perspective will be motivating and inspiring!
Other great speakers with a Democratic message are coming to Houston!
http://www.progressiveforumhouston.org/
October Heights event?? in lieu of the canceled Heights Festival
Without the Heights Festival, we have NO opportunity to promote the Club, candidates, or register voters. We need to discuss alternatives.
New Website coming!
Our website has been inactive for awhile and we are working to redesign and re-activate this useful communciation tools!
Come share your thoughts!
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09.09.06
Posted in Community, Events at 5:25 pm by sbruns
The Art Car Museum, Sept. 9-Nov5.
140 N. Heights Blvd at RR tracks
An exhibit of paintings and sculpture centered around the common theme of bones ! Just in time for Halloween.
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