Texas Cowboy Blues, Pure Blue And Flickering Like A Flame

Marty Robbins' grandfather was a Texan who told the kid stories of the old west when he was growing up in Phoenix. In World War Two, he was an assault coxswain in the Solomon Islands, then came home to host a local television show where he once featured Little Jimmy Dickens. The star got him a record deal and the rest is history in a white sport coat with a pink carnation.

Dig the way this cat could bend a note blue and bring it back from the edge of bathos, pure and simple.

BP, Transocean Face Fines Up To $21.1 Billion In Federal Suit

New Orleans – The Justice Department filed suit against British Petroleum and rig owner Transocean Deepwater Drilling to recover massive damages from the largest oil spill in history.

Under the provisions of the Clean Water Act, the oil company, the rig owner and minority owners such as Anadarko Petroleum, MOEX Offshore 2007, Triton Asset Leasing GMBH and Transocean's insurer QBE Underwriting Ltd./Lloyd's Syndicate 1036 could face penalties of up to $1,100 per barrel - $4,300 per barrel if the government is able to prove gross negligence or willful misconduct.

The defendants could wind up paying anywhere from $5.4 billion to $21.1 billion in fines for spilling an estimated 206 million gallons after “Deepwater Horizon” blew out and exploded on April 20 of this year, killing 11 workers.

BP has disputed the government's estimate of the amount of petroleum spilled into the environment.

In its defense, BP said the filing of the lawsuit is in no way proof of its culpability and that of the multiple defendants named in the federal complaint, British Petroleum is the only one that has offered to pay for cleanup and damages.

Transocean disputed the allegations and insisted it should not be held liable. In a prepared statement, company officials said “No drilling contractor has ever been held liable for discharges from a well under the Oil Pollutioin Act of 1990. The responsibility for hydrocarbons discharged from a well lies solely with its owner and operator.”

The U.S. District Judge to whom the case has been assigned has already consolidated hundreds of plaintiffs claiming damages to property in a single lawsuit against the defendants.

Costs to petroleum producers and consumers are predicted to skyrocket in the future as a result of a moratorium on deepwater drilling following the disaster and delays in processing shallow water permits which are not subject to the moratorium.

The Paris-based International Energy Agency forecast that development of new oil fields in the Gulf of Mexico will be delayed by 12 to 18 months – much longer than originally estimated. The agency had earlier estimated projects will be delayed by 6 to 12 months.

Petroleum production in the year 2015 will be thereby diminished by as much as 300,000 barrels a day, according to the forecast.

Comedy on the Court Gives Scofflaws Second Chance

You could not make up stuff better than this…

By R.S. Gates

Do you owe your soul to the court clerk? Traffic fines in arrears got you down? Don't despair.

An enterprising news editor and a county commissioner have a better deal for you.

Waco "Tribune-Herald" Editor Bill Whitaker asked Commissioners about their goals for the upcoming year in a rare appearance in Court. Precinct 1 Commissioner Snell said he wanted to continue expanding support for the “Scofflaw” program he initiated.

Mr. Snell said McLennan County and Hewitt were the only current participants in the program.

Mr. Whitaker asked Snell if he was aware of the recent article in the Trib about Waco having millions in outstanding traffic fines.

In acknowledgement, Snell said, “Why say you have a problem and not do anything about it?”

Why, indeed?

In McLennan County, it's a matter of routine that when you have a problem, don’t say anything about it; deny it; retaliate against anyone who asks about it.

To get the Tax Assessor Buddy Skeen to go along with the implementation of the program, the Court dropped their resistance to adding thousands of dollars to his payroll. Some believe this was a quid pro quo arrangement in which in return for a rise in salary of an employee, Mr. Skeen implemented the scofflaw program. Most realize this is just the way things are done.

The theory behind “Scofflaw” is that when someone has an outstanding fine, they are prohibited from renewing their vehicle registration. A similar program exists for drivers license renewal. Research indicates the program has been very effective in other areas.

In McLennan County, all a person has to do is go to the jail and turn themselves in on the outstanding warrant. It really does not matter the amount because a judge will be along shortly to release the person with a notice to appear. The appearance date is at some point in the future so the offender takes the notice to appear to the tax office and the “outstanding” violation is suspended and they can register their vehicle.

Here we have another standard operating procedure of government. Do something, even if it is not effective, and proclaim it a success at every opportunity, even if the reality is the plan was a catastrophic failure. No one is likely to figure it out if you have the local media in your pocket.

Court moves to undermine newly elected Republican County Treasurer

By R.S. Gates

In a move reminiscent of the 2006 Moody Justice Court debacle, McLennan County Commissioners’ Court, by majority vote, took action to undermine the office of County treasurer on Tuesday. Commissioners Kelly Snell and Lester Gibson opposed the move.

The court voted to replace the elected Treasurer as chief investment officer and fill the position with the appointed budget officer, effectively stripping the authority and responsibility from the office.

Rather than pledge their support for the incoming official, Judge Jim Lewis laid the groundwork for undermining another elected official who failed to kow-tow to the judge.

Two problems with the action of the court came to light. On the vote to change the administrators of the banking software, the only people who were administrators were not in attendance and the only people who were beneficiaries of the change were. Both Adam Harry and Steve More contributed to the discussion and there was no mention, during discussion, of the current Treasurer or the Treasurer elect.

The second problem is under the new guidelines, an elected official who is charged under statutory authority with ministerial duties prescribed by the Texas Constitution is now at the mercy of two appointed officials should he differ with the way things are done and seek to change a procedure.

A few weeks ago, County Judge Jim Lewis and counsel for the county summoned the Treasurer-Elect to a meeting. I was not privy to the conversation, but think about this. Counsel for McLennan County is a private law firm because McLennan County does not have a County Attorney. Taxpayers get a bill for service when counsel attends Commissioners’ Court meetings or does work for the county. I reviewed the minutes of Commissioners’ Court and found no authorization or direction of the court for such a meeting. I asked Commissioner Gibson if the court had authorized the meeting in executive session and he said the county judge took it upon himself to have the meeting. I have not heard of meetings with other incumbents who are first time office holders, but it is possible. Commissioner Gibson has repeatedly questioned who authorized certain actions in recent weeks. If the commissioners’ did not authorize the meeting at which taxpayers funded the attendance of counsel, it appears the County Judge acted with authority not granted. It is here noted and was noted by commissioner Gibson that an elected official commonly makes calls to the attorney with questions related to his job responsibilities. There is nothing illegal about the conduct of the judge. I think there is a difference between seeking legal advice and securing counsel for a meeting not authorized by the court. I ask the reader to consider, what was the purpose of the meeting if it was not discussed among other members of the court.

Commissioner Mashek is quoted “I have to read about it in the paper.” He was talking about a economic development grant before the court. I believe his statement also sums up the biggest problem with the court, lack of transparency.

In a recent radio interview with Shane Warner on Newstalk 1230, Commissioner, Mr. Snell was asked why all of the deliberations on the duties of the County Treasurer were held in executive session. Mr. Snell voiced opposition to not having the discussions in open court, but cited no effort on his part to correct it.

These are the lengths to which the winners will go to keep from having to answer questions from Brand X journalists not on the tour

Democracy Now television personality Amy Goodman and two of her producers got themselves arrested at the Republican National Convention in 2008.

Ms. Goodman tells people the NBC correspondent asked her "How did you get yourself arrested?"

She says she told him, "You know, I didn't get arrested in the Sky Box, either."

State Of The Art Gear At Tech School Worth Billions - All Donated

What's all this fuss about airplanes? The Army already has two of them. - Sen. Flugelhorn, OH.

Waco – When it comes to the so-called peace dividend, the old Capitol Hill Air Force joke is nowhere better illustrated than at Texas State Technical College.

The story goes this way. After the top brass build the bowling alley, the PX, the officers' bungalows, the swimming pool, the gym and that all-important golf course, they come back to the Hill for the money to throw in some runways and hangars.

You create a need, then you fill it; you make a market, then service it with supplies, parts, trained workers and engineers.

It's worked well in wars both cold and hot, and you'd best believe the eagles circle in the skies overhead.

This is the place where President George W. Bush parked Air Force One when he was at the Western White House in Crawford. Likewise, the Saudi Royal Family keeps at least one private airliner on tap, serviced and ready, with multiple flight crews standing by around the clock.

It's a big family.

Hangars, barracks, family housing – even a golf course - and thousands upon thousands of yards of reinforced runways engineered for heavy bombers sprawl across the rawboned Texas prairie at Waco.

Originally designed and dedicated as a World War Two Strategic Air Command training base where thousands upon thousands of cadets got their wings to fly B-17's and 24's, James Connally Air Force Base is
today a bustling combination of a state of the art industrial education center and the home of such major electronic warfare defense corporations as L3 and Chrysler.

Texas State Technical College is filling a desperate need for qualified workers to tackle the kind of high tech assignments that offer quality employment and benefits in today's global market place.

It's part of a system of three campuses located on ex-military installations. The south Texas plant is at Harlingen and there is a similar school at Sweetwater in west Texas.

There's a Catch, but it's not that famous satirical number 22 of World War Two fame.

To learn how to blend industrial gases for complex petrochemical reactions that lead to the formulation of pesticides, fertilizers and other high dollar agribusiness chemicals worth way more than motor fuel or lubricants, you need the gear that is good to go on the job.
Bio-medical monitoring equipment means the difference between life and death in surgeries and ICU wards worldwide. Aside from its complex operation, who is going to diagnose and repair its delicate mechanisms?

A small publishing firm needs to offer turn-key on-line cataloging and incoming 800-number sales and service to sophisticated consumers of machine tools, oil field equipment, or automotive supplies. Not only is job one a high cash flow monster, the security ramifications of servicing multiple industrial clients is a caution. Hackers could have a field day with confidential money transactions and sensitive consumer information. How do you construct and maintain a firewall and encryption system to safeguard against anything from sabotage to outright theft?

You train the people you need, and they need to have hands-on experience with state of the art gear. Where does it all come from? According to Bob Simonette, a department chairman in the college's electronic media and webpage design program, “It's all donated.”

In a question and answer period following his orientation day presentation, he is asked if he could estimate the worth of the equipment donated to the school by industries needing qualified workers.

“I'm not sure. It's in the billions.” He shrugs, smiles, acknowledges that he runs three computer labs with 20 machines each loaded with the latest software – both PC's and Mac's – and industrial donors picked up the tab.

This guy makes it sound like it's the only way to fly.

He's probably right.

The college has a flight training program that turns out qualified private and commercial pilots on a routine basis. They train them in single and dual-engine aircraft. Jet engine service? There is a hangar filled with equipment and students. Computer-driven machine tools? Ditto. State of the art welding – it's a very important job in the Texas oil fields – is handled in a department that trains and places fitters and welders all over the oil patch, from its most remote locations offshore to the big enchilada at Houston.

The point is that all the gear – from the airplanes to the engines, the lathes and milling machines, and the computers that drive them – were donated by manufacturers who need to get qualified workers up and running so they can keep it in the road and moving ahead.

It's a theme that runs through his talk. His one and only Power Point slide quotes a Plano business developer named Andy Rutledge who writes extensively about education.

“Education isn't something you get. It's something you take; it's something you steal.”

What kind of people go to TSTC? Mostly guys. In fact, according to Autumn Outlaw, the chief of new student orientation, the gender breakdown is about three-quarters male and one-quarter female.

Not to worry, she told a class of new students assembled in a modern auditorium. With 36,000 college students in the Waco area, meeting women is not a problem. The school provides free tickets to all of Baylor University's sporting events, McLennan Community College has an extensive nursing degree program, and local attractions find ways to comp students who are out on a lark to a good time.

Everyone who stays in business long knows a market when they see one.

The lady is filled with practical tips and information. For instance, DPS Troopers lurk at the Crest exits on I-35 leading to the campus. They know when classes commence and they know students who are late are going to speed. Besides, the DPS headquarters unit is located.

All financial aid money is put on a “Tech One ID” that just happens to double as a Master Card. If you use the ATM at the Recreation Center, you don't pay a fee.

Registered Nurses are standing by at the Student Health Center to apply Band-Aids and butterflies, dispense aspirin and assess medical conditions. They also sell health insurance there. You could save yourself thousands of dollars by taking advantage of the system, she advises new students.

She began by introducing herself as “The only named Outlaw on campus...There are many outlaws on campus, but I'm the only named Outlaw.” Hard to forget a name like that. It's a big family.

The final orientation experience came when the students hit the computer lab to learn to log-in and give themselves a password. People do everything from check their grades and change their schedules to register for classes, apply for grants and scholarships and leave messages for the faculty.

Communication is the key to everything, but there are rules.

Said Carrie Bernal, a key player in the Office of Information Services, “These are not your home machines; these are state machines.” Misuse or any other hanky panky will get you kicked out.

Army Doctor Faces 2-3 Day Court Martial Over Authenticity Of President Obama's Birth Certificate

Ft. Meade, MD – Army officials began a court martial today of a doctor who has refused to deploy to Afghanistan because he does not believe President Barack Hussein Obama is a natural-born citizen of the United States.

As Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, the President is required by the U.S. Constitution to be a natural-born citizen of the U.S. As such, he is the chief officer of the American military establishment.

Lying to fellow officers is the most serious honors violation known to officers of the American military.

If convicted during the 2 to 3 day proceeding, Lt. Col. Terrence Lakin, a high-ranking 18-year veteran of the Army Medical Corps, could possibly be sentenced to dismissal from the service and more than 3 ½ years in a military prison.

As a doctor with much experience working in the obstetrical theater, Dr. Lakin has often filled out paperwork with much more information about a live birth than is provided in the official document President Obama has released to the public.

If provided with the kind of information he has routinely furnished local civil officials about live births at which he has provided obstetrical services, he says he will deploy to Afghanistan.

So far, the President has refused to comply with his request or the requests of others.