Uncle Jay Explains 2008

Happy New Year to all my friends and may 2009 be a better one for all of you.

Bob

One Less Bad Guy Off The Streets

A man walking his dog ends up shooting robber. I salute any person defending himself and takes out a bad guy. Some of my favorite movies are the Death Wish series starring Charles Bronson as Paul Kersey. We need a few Paul Kersey types to help cure our crime problems.

Have you gotten your CHL yet?

Bob

Christmas Is Over & All Went Well

Jagger left this comment under It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas.

Jagger said...
Show us a photo of you house with X-mas lights.
J.

December 10, 2008 3:54 PM

So here you go Jagger, here is my house decorated up for the holidays.



Hope all of you enjoyed Christmas day with family and friends. And guess what I got for Christmas, I love it- Ruger Mini-14 NRA Edition.



Bob

How Safe Is It Out There?

After a quick look at KFDM this morning, all you have to do is scan the stories and see that it isn't all that safe out there in the real world.

Man shot during attempted robbery in Port Arthur.

Gunman in Dallas area kills two people.

Shooting and home invasion in Port Arthur.

Dunkin' Donuts robbery in Beaumont.

Now folks, ask yourself how safe it is out there. Then go get that CHL that you've been wanting.

Bob

Digital TV Conversion

I'm afraid this is going to be me. Good luck to those that need the conversion box.

Bob

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

To all my Democrat friends:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of other, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere . Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

To all my Republican friends:

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Bob

Gun Sign For Your Liberal Neighbor

JD-TEK 170 Equals Crappy Junk- Avoid

Back in early October, I needed a gasoline powered high pressure washer to help my friends clean out their flooded home in Bridge City. I went to the Sutherland's store in Port Arthur and thought I made a good deal when I purchased the JD-TEK washer for $349.99 plus sales tax. I used this washer probably a total of 3 hours before the engine blew up on it. Now here is my dilemma, I dig out the owner's manual and call the toll-free number listed for service and the phone number is not a good one. My next step is to google the internet and find the website for JD-TEK which is http://www.jdchina.com/jdtek/, and here is the statement from their website, Should your unit require service,

do not return it to the store where it was purchased. Please call our Toll-Free Hotline: 866-393-3968

Must provide receipt or proof of purchase at service center, to activate warranty.

After I called that toll free number and held for 15 minutes on the phone, it turns out that they are a service warranty provider that doesn't service for JD-TEK engines anymore. The lady was kind enough to give me another toll free number to call when I did, I held for 47 minutes before hanging up. So here is your warning, DO NOT PURCHASE JD-TEK CRAP FROM CHINA.

Bob

Michelle Obama Warns Barack Obama

Everyone have a safe weekend and get some of your Christmas shopping done before the last minute rush.

Bob

Jasper County Hog Hunting Heaven

This week I've been out of pocket up in Jasper County doing a little work on the place and enjoying some hog hunting. Hogs are becoming one of the biggest problems in Texas, with over two million running wild by best estimates. Tuesday night, a couple of old friends and I went out on a place bordering Siecke State Forest and had pretty good luck bagging some ferrel hogs. Two boar hogs, three sows and 3 piglets in a five hour hunt, which I didn't think was bad. This field was baited for a week with corn and re-baited every couple of days, so they were coming to it. We were set up in two pickup trucks, about two hundred feet from the baited area and waited till they came out into the clearing. We had plenty of firepower for the hunt, DPMS Panther AR-15: .223, Ruger Mini-14: .223, and Armalite AR10: .308 plus a couple of backup shotguns. Now in case anyone is wondering what I want for Christmas this year, below is a photo of my wish list.


Stay warm, hopefully it will warm up this weekend.

Bob

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

GOT R DONE! Up this morning at 5:30 and dragging the Christmas tree and ornaments out of the attic. Got it up, the better half did the decorating of the tree since I don't have the touch to do it right. So back into the attic for the four rubbermaid tubs fulls of outside lights, got them up. Then it was time for the angels, naivety scene and spotlights. GOT R DONE!

Now our house is all decorated for the holiday season in case we get a home invasion. I'm sort of hoping for a home invasion at my castle, it would make my day to put a few .45, .223 and OO Buck rounds into a home invader. This afternoon a neighbor stopped as I was putting up the outside decorations and asked my opinion on a couple of firearms for home defense. People in Groves are scared to death after these recent break-ins plus the home invasion last year at an attorney's house. Beware BG's, Bob and the neighborhood will be waiting.

Bob

KIRBYVILLE WILDCATS GOING TO STATE

My old team is heading to state playoffs. Wishing them the very best. Too bad Poo Poo Rhodes isn't playing this year. Oh yes, that is his name.

Bob

In The News & My 2 Cents

TABC agents in the news again, hitting a sexual oriented establishment. A little too close to my house, glad they shut it done. Parking lot is full in the afternoons after the plant workers head for home. Sort of like the old Boudreaux's on Cardinal Drive in
Beaumont some years ago.

Judge threatens to hold lawyers in contempt. You have to laugh when you see the photo of attorney Valorie Davenport. Was that photo taken right before she mounted her barrel racing horse?

No-good piece of trash drags Texas Game Warden under truck. Hope they find this no-good for nothing S.O.B. and put him behind bars for about 40 years.

O.J. Simpson gets 33 years of striped sunshine. What can I say, what goes around comes around. Bend over O.J.

Two D.W.I. arrest for same person in two days. Hey fellow, you might have a drinking problem. Good job to law enforcement for getting this drunk off the streets.

Everyone have a great weekend. Bundle up, it's going to get cold, get the firewood in the house and stay warm.

Bob

Plaxico Burress- Newest Spokesman for Glock

Can you see the latest Glock ad?
'THE ONLY SAFETY TO BEAT PLAXICO BURRESS'

This one will be fun to watch, Mayor Bloomberg going crazy over a handgun. No valid CCW permit but it wouldn't have mattered anyway in New York City. A mandatory sentence of 3 ½ years in state prison, with a maximum of 15 years, though he wouldn't be the first NFL player spending time behind bars. Hope those hot Latino ladies at that club were worth it.

I've expressed my opinions before on this blog about Glocks and their safety issues. Be careful is you are packing one, only for the trained experienced marksman.

Bob

What A Week

I'M BACK!!! What a week, good hunting, I shot a very nice 10 point, Jack shot an 8 point that was actually better than my 10 point. Two families enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving 12 miles outside of Ozana and everyone had a blast. Then the trouble started, on the way back on Monday, truck broke down on IH-10 just outside of Seguin, got towed into the Ford dealership, spent 2 nights in Seguin. Just glad to be home with my own bed and will update after a good rest.

Bob

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY FRIENDS
A little pumpkin pie for all of you to enjoy this holiday.

I'm off to Ozana to hunt with friends and spend Thanksgiving with them and my family. Will return Sunday or Monday, in the meantime, neighbors are watching the house and feeding the hungry and vicious guard dogs in case you are thinking about breaking in.

Everyone be safe during your holiday travel and see you next week.

Bob

Where Is Obama's Birth Certificate?

Bob

In The News & My 2 Cents

TABC looks at alcohol sales at Jefferson County Democratic Party event. Sorry lady, you aren't above the law, everyone plays by the rules and you need to play by them too. Lucky is lucky that they are divorced and word is this isn't her first time with a run-in with the law.

Pee Wee Football Fight Probe Ends Without Charges. Hope the kids weren't watching when these idiot coaches got into it.

Possible Valero Strike. Take my advice, be happy you have a job and be at work next week. Times are going to get harder so you don't want to be sitting around doing nothing.

Lawyer may face sanctions over whereabouts of expert witness. Typical lawyers, liar, liar, pants on fire. Now you get caught.

Visitors 'floored' by new Groves Activity Center look. A pat on the back to all of those who helped make this possible. I'll even pat myself on the back, I helped with the counter tops.

Everyone have a safe weekend. Weather is going to be great to get outdoors.

Bob

Celebrity Mansions

Oprah


Arnold Schwarzenegger


Eddie Murphy


Sylvester Stallone


Jerry Sienfeld


O.J. Simpson

Police Officer and Awkward Search

Glad I wasn't this police officer, he'll never live this down. Gives a whole new meaning to 'deadly weapon.'

Bob

My Roth IRA- Before and After Bush

This is my Roth IRA before George W. Bush.



This is my Roth IRA after 8 years of George W. Bush.

Everyone have a safe weekend. Going to be a nice weekend with cool winds, so get outside, go to the gun range and have fun.

Bob

Turkey Shooting-- It's Fun

If you like turkey shooting, try this game.

Bob

Obama Spurs Gun Sales

Today a friend wanted to go shopping for a Glock 19, so I said that I would ride along. Nothing like 2 guys doing a little gun shopping like a bunch of women on a Neiman-Marcus shopping spree. He wanted a Glock 19 for concealment and with the idea of tricking it out with a laser since he is like me, eyes aren't as good as in our younger days. Thinking we would save on fuel, first we went to Mike's Enterprises on Gulfway Driveway in Port Arthur, no Glock 19. So we drive up the road to Ty's Gun Shop in Nederland inside the Polaris dealership, no Glock 19. He wanted to go to Academy next but I really don't like dealing with the big box stores on my guns, so we go to JJ Pawn Shop in Beaumont. Again, no Glock 19, Jim said that they are in short supply thanks to Obama. Leger's Gun Range was next on the list but we both agreed that we didn't like doing business there, so off to Academy on Eastex, no Glock 19. So on the way home, stopped at Academy in Port Arthur, no Glock 19. But one thing all these places had in common, people lined up purchasing firearms and talking about the Obama administration taking over and confiscating our firearms. We hear on television, radio and read in the newspapers that guns sales are up 20% from the fear of Barack Obama and I can tell you that it is true. One guy at the Port Arthur Academy store was purchasing 4 handguns, one for everyone in his family. Hopefully it won't lead to that but confiscation of our weapons and taking away our 2nd amendment rights is possible.

Bob

One Darn Good Shot

In 1983, Research Armament Industries (RAI) in the USA began development of a new, long-range sniper cartridge capable of firing a 16.2 gram (250 gr), .338-inch diameter bullet at 914 m/s (3000 ft/s) that could penetrate 5 layers of military body armor at 1000 m (1094 yd) and still make the kill. More information on the .338 can be found here.

Bob

The BackUp Shotgun Rack For Your Bed

This is a great idea. I've had one for a couple of years but I made my own. Easily done with an old pickup truck gun rack and a couple of 1"x4" boards.

Bob

In The News & My 2 Cents

Petition Organizer Against Alcohol Sales In Lumberton Expresses Disappointment. Get over Mr. Bellow, there are more drinkers in Hardin County than you can shake a stick out. When the religious right tries to legislate my likes, I tend to believe that I'm more Libertarian in my beliefs.

FEMA addresses housing needs at press conference. Where was FEMA when I had friends from Bridge City living in tents a month ago? Bush Administration disgust me more and more each day.

Congressman Nick Lampson appears on KBTV4 Today and talks about his future. No problem here if Lampson was the next head of FEMA. Maybe S.E. Texas would be higher on the list after the next disaster.

Officer Fires Round at Vehicle After Jumping Out of Driver's Path. Beaulieu again in the line of duty, is this the second time in a year? Good job, make sure the bullet counts next time.

Beaumont Dentists Under Investigation. I've been to him once for a root canal, I never felt a thing. Now I'm wondering what he gave me. Truly sad when professionals turn to drugs.

Everyone have a safe weekend. After this post, I'm off to the deer lease for the weekend.

Bob

McCain Picked The Wrong VP Running Mate

Yep, John McCain picked the wrong person to run as his running mate. Granted, Governor Sarah Palin is hotter than a $2 pistol but what were her qualifications? She appealed to the male voters (good looking with an AR-15 in hand) but she didn't appeal to the female voters. Even in my household, lots of comments were made about Sarah and they came from a very conservative woman. Was it when she greeted McCain staffers at her hotel room door wearing only a towel? Was it when she went on a shopping spree for a wardrobe at the high dollar shops? Was it when she couldn't answer the questions for Katie? Was it that a small town mayor from Alaska with only 2 years as Governor didn't have the experience to take over as our commander-in-chief if something happened to McCain? That is the question most everyone is asking today. She wanted to make a speech last night after McCain conceded to Obama but was told that she couldn't speak. A little late now but that is why McCain lost this election. Advise from Bob, next time find a person with experience to run as your running mate, it doesn't matter if they are ugly, just make sure they have some experience to be the next president.

Bob

Congratulations Mayor Brad Bailey

Groves Mayor -- 100 of 100 precincts reporting (100%)

Brad P. Bailey 2,242 69% (X)
Billy Job 984 31%

Obama Will Take Care Of You

Don't worry folks, Obama is going to take care of all your worries.

Bob

Reward for Information

Since the beginning of this blog, I've experienced problems with Philip Klein haters trashing my blog with comments about Mr. Klein. This weekend things heated up with an exchange of words between a few individuals, since then I've deleted most of the comments. In the past, Mr. Klein has contacted me and asked me to delete those comments attributed to him and has told me that any real comments from him would be accompanied by an email verifying that he posted them. As I've stated before, I don't agree with Mr. Klein on his methods of reporting certain events but that is his right and privilege to go out on a limb and say what he says. And to be up front about it, he is usually wrong on most things that he reports. There are two blogs that debunk The Southeast Texas Political Review which Mr. Klein publishes. The first one is a more professional type blog known as Klein Watch and the other is more of a comical blog known as Sam the Eagle. Now I don't know if either of these blog operators are actually doing the posting on my blog but some of their followers may be doing it.

Now with that said, if you know who is trashing my blog with those comments, you can email me at txgulfcoastgab@gmail.com or leave a comment in the moderated comment section. Your information and tips will be kept confidential, I do not intent on sharing them with anyone but I would personally like to know who these rascals are.

Earlier today, River Rat left this comment:
river rat said...
Bob, you ought to offer a reward like Phillip Klein and find out who these people are and then publish there names. It worked for Klein whose investigating one of them.

Offer a reward? What would I offer? Well, after thinking about this today. I'll offer a gift certificate to Academy (amount unknown at this time) to be used to purchase ammunition for any information that pans out to be correct. Now that is the best I can do.

Thanks to all of you that read this blog, I appreciate you for taking the time to stop by and make sure all of you vote tomorrow.

Bob

Moderation Comments Back In Effect

A man can't go deer hunting over the weekend without a bunch of kids trashing his blog because they have a vendetta against someone. So 'dog lover', 'dog killer', 'cat lover' and 'cat killer', take your trash comments to another blog.

Bob

P.S. FYI, didn't kill a deer but will before the season is over.

KBTV Morning Program

This morning I watched KBTV with Ericka English and Jack Pieper, and I like both of them but not together. Poor Ericka could barely get a word in with Jack interrupting her and then she brought a dish for them to sample. Jack had that spoon in his hand and ready to dig in. Al Caldwell always made fun of Jack being first in the lunch line, now I know he wasn't joking. Now if we want TV viewers to watch, this is what we need, just like they have in Italy.

This is the hostess for an Italian TV talk show



And this is a hostess for an American TV talk show




Bob

My Prediction For McCain In Arizona

If this State of Arizona map looks blue to you, I predict that it will look more bluer next Tuesday night. I'm afraid that Obama will take McCain's home turf right out from under him. I'll admit it right now, the GOP didn't have a winning combination this election year. Now I could be wrong, been wrong before, so go out and vote Republican.

Bob

The Patriot Micro-Chip

THE PATRIOT MICRO CHIP is intended to be implanted in terrorists.
The implant is specifically designed to be installed in the forehead.
When properly installed it will allow the implantee to speak to God.

It comes in various sizes:



The Implantee may or may not be allowed to choose the size.
The implant may or may not be painless. Some bleeding and/or swelling may occur at the injection site.

Bob

Happy Democrat Halloween

Michelle Obama's Expensive Taste

(2) Lobster Hors D'Oeuvres $50
(2) Whole Steamed Lobsters $100
(1) Iranian Caviar $150
(1) Bollinger Champagne $44
After 20% Service Charge and New York tax
Total Room Service Bill for afternoon lunch $447.39

Folks, is this is what we are to expect with CHANGE? The Obama's are eating good on the campaign trail from all those big liberal lawyer contributions.

Bob

Obama Meets Joe The Plumber

Thank God For Guns

Remember this friends when you go to the polls to elect the next President.

Have a safe weekend and don't forget to vote.

Bob

If Lieutenant Columbo Questioned Barack Obama

Excuse me Mr. Obama, I mean Senator Obama, sir. Um . . know you are busy and important and stuff. I mean running for president is very important and . . . ah . . . I hate to bother you. I will only take a minute ok, sir?

See, I have these missing pieces that are holding me up, and I was wondering sir, if you could take time out of your busy schedule and help me out. You know, no big deal, just some loose ends and things.

I can't seem to get some information I need to wrap this up. These things seem to either be "locked" or "not available'. I'm sure it's just some oversight or glitch or something, so if you could you tell me where these things are . . . I . . I . . . have them written down here somewhere . . . oh wait. Sorry about the smears. It was raining out. I'll just read it to you.

Could you help me please find these things, sir?

1. Occidental College records -- Not released
2. Columbia College records -- Not released
3. Columbia Thesis paper -- not available, locked down by faculty
4. Harvard College records -- Not released, locked down by faculty
5. Selective Service Registration -- Not released
6. Medical records -- Not released
7. Illinois State Senate schedule -- "not available"
8. Law practice client list -- Not released
9. Certified Copy of original Birth certificate - - Not released
10. Embossed, signed paper Certification of Live Birth -- Not released
11. Harvard Law Review articles published -- None
12. University of Chicago scholarly articles -- None
13. Your Record of baptism-- Not released or "not available"
14. Your Illinois State Senate records--"not available"

Stock Market

Everyone is in turmil over the stock market, well if you invested in the stock market, you might be in the same category as this E*Trade investor.



Bob

Obama Thieves

I hope this guy gets his McCain/Palin sign back or gets to use the 2nd amendment on them.

Bob

O.J. Simpson Wants A New Trial

Poor O.J., now he seeks a new trial. Jail is the best place for that murderer.

Bob

Latest Obama Ad

Barack Obama has put out an ad that simple minded John McCain cannot use a computer.

Well guess what, Hussan Barack Obama can't land a fighter plane on an aircraft carrier at night!

This pretty much puts things in their proper perspective.

Bob

Aftermath of Hurricane Ike

Deer swimming between Orangefield and Bridge City after Hurricane Ike.



Photo of Jefferson County Drainage District #7 protection levee flood gate on FM 365 and Rodair Gully in Port Acres after Hurricane Ike.

I'm Still Alive

Folks, I'm still alive and well but so much going on with remodeling the house and then friends in Bridge City. Bridge City was devastated and my best friend's home had 4 feet of water inside. Getting up early and working until dark to help my friends. Hopefully I will be back to normal online posting somewhere down the road.
Hope all of you the best.

Bob

Update on Hurricane Ike

Ike kicked my a**, I ended up with lots of damage to my home in Groves and will be concentrating on getting everything back to normal at home. I may be out of commission on this site for awhile but will update when I can. I'm thankful that we evacuated to Jasper and rode out the hurricane in our shelter. To our friends and neighbors who suffered also, our prayers are with you. The word is lots of deaths in Orange, Chambers and Galveston County, but the officials are not releasing the numbers. Keep us in your prayers and we will do the same.

Bob

Hurricane Ike- Projected Path

Friends, the National Hurricane Center and all the government employees at that place are working around the clock to predict the path and landfall of Hurricane Ike. This is the latest and I'm out of here until further notice.

Everyone stay safe, be prepared and I will be in my Jasper County shelter.

Bob

9-11-2001 Let Us Not Forget

On the seventh anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks this week, the presidential campaigns promised a joint appearance at Ground Zero to deliver a common statement about the nation's commitment to security. Let us not forget and give 2 minutes of silence on this day to remember.

Bob

Sarah Palin Milks Taxpayers

Friends, here is a story from the Washington Post about Sarah Palin billing the State of Alaska for nights spent at her own house and travel expenses for her kids. Granted the woman is hotter than a $2 pistol and made one heck of a speech in St. Paul but lets face it, she is another typical politican looking to line her pockets.

Bob

________________________________


Palin Billed State for Nights Spent at Home
Taxpayers Also Funded Family's Travel

By James V. Grimaldi and Karl Vick
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, September 9, 2008; A01

ANCHORAGE, Sept. 8 -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has billed taxpayers for 312 nights spent in her own home during her first 19 months in office, charging a "per diem" allowance intended to cover meals and incidental expenses while traveling on state business.

The governor also has charged the state for travel expenses to take her children on official out-of-town missions. And her husband, Todd, has billed the state for expenses and a daily allowance for trips he makes on official business for his wife.

Palin, who earns $125,000 a year, claimed and received $16,951 as her allowance, which officials say was permitted because her official "duty station" is Juneau, according to an analysis of her travel documents by The Washington Post.

The governor's daughters and husband charged the state $43,490 to travel, and many of the trips were between their house in Wasilla and Juneau, the capital city 600 miles away, the documents show.

Gubernatorial spokeswoman Sharon Leighow said Monday that Palin's expenses are not unusual and that, under state policy, the first family could have claimed per diem expenses for each child taken on official business but has not done so.

Before she became the Republican Party's vice presidential nominee, Palin was little known outside Alaska. Now, with the campaign emphasizing her executive experience, her record as mayor of Wasilla, as a state oil-and-gas commissioner and as governor is receiving intense scrutiny.

During her speech at the Republican National Convention last week, Palin cast herself as a crusader for fiscal rectitude as Alaska's governor. She noted that she sold a state-owned plane used by the former governor. "While I was at it, I got rid of a few things in the governor's office that I didn't believe our citizens should have to pay for," she said to loud applause.

Speaking from Palin's Anchorage office, Leighow said Palin dealt with the plane and also trimmed other expenses, including forgoing a chef in the governor's mansion because she preferred to cook for her family. The first family's travel is an expected part of the job, she said.

"As a matter of protocol, the governor and the first family are expected to attend community events across the state," she said. "It's absolutely reasonable that the first family participates in community events."

The state finance director, Kim Garnero, said Alaska law exempts the governor's office from elaborate travel regulations. Said Leighow: "The governor is entitled to a per diem, and she claims it."

The popular governor collected the per diem allowance from April 22, four days after the birth of her fifth child, until June 3, when she flew to Juneau for two days. Palin moved her family to the capital during the legislative session last year, but prefers to stay in Wasilla and drive 45 miles to Anchorage to a state office building where she conducts most of her business, aides have said.

Palin rarely sought reimbursement for meals while staying in Anchorage or Wasilla, the reports show.

She wrote some form of "Lodging -- own residence" or "Lodging -- Wasilla residence" more than 30 times at the same time she took a per diem, according to the reports. In two dozen undated amendments to the reports, the governor deleted the reference to staying in her home but still charged the per diem.

Palin charged the state a per diem for working on Nov. 22, 2007 -- Thanksgiving Day. The reason given, according to the expense report, was the Great Alaska Shootout, an annual NCAA college basketball tournament held in Anchorage.

In separate filings, the state was billed about $25,000 for Palin's daughters' expenses and $19,000 for her husband's.

Flights topped the list for the most expensive items, and the daughter whose bill was the highest was Piper, 7, whose flights cost nearly $11,000, while Willow, 14, claimed about $6,000 and Bristol, 17, accounted for about $3,400.

One event was in New York City in October 2007, when Bristol accompanied the governor to Newsweek's third annual Women and Leadership Conference, toured the New York Stock Exchangeand met local officials and business executives. The state paid for three nights in a $707-a-day hotel room. Garnero said the governor's office has the authority to approve hotel stays above $300.

Asked Monday about the official policy on charging for children's travel expenses, Garnero said: "We cover the expenses of anyone who's conducting state business. I can't imagine kids could be doing that."

But Leighow said many of the hundreds of invitations Palin receives include requests for her to bring her family, placing the definition of "state business" with the party extending the invitation.

One such invitation came in October 2007, when Willow flew to Juneau to join the Palin family on a tour of the Hub Juneau Christian Teen Center, where Palin and her family worship when they are in Juneau. The state gave the center $25,000, according to a May 2008 memo.

Leighow noted that under state policy, all of the governor's children are entitled to per diem expenses, even her infant son. "The first family declined the per diem [for] the children," Leighow said. "The amount that they had declined was $4,461, as of August 5."

The family also charged for flights around the state, including trips to Alaska events such as the start of the Iditarod dog-sled race and the Iron Dog snowmobile race, a contest that Todd Palin won.

Meanwhile, Todd Palin spent $725 to fly to Edmonton, Alberta, for "information gathering and planning meeting with Northern Alberta Institute of Technology," according to an expense report. During the three-day trip, he charged the state $291 for his per diem. A notation said "costs paid by Dept. of Labor." He also billed the state $1,371 for a flight to Washington to attend a National Governors Association meeting with his wife.

Gov. Palin has spent far less on her personal travel than her predecessor: $93,000 on airfare in 2007, compared with $463,000 spent the year before by her predecessor, Frank Murkowski. He traveled often in an executive jet that Palin called an extravagance during her campaign. She sold it after she was sworn into office.

"She flies coach and encourages her cabinet to fly coach as well," said Garnero, whose job is equivalent to state controller. "Some do, some don't."

Leighow said that the governor's staff has tallied the travel expenses charged by Murkowski's wife: $35,675 in 2006, $43,659 in 2005, $13,607 in 2004 and $29,608 in 2003. Associates of Murkowski said the former governor was moose hunting and could not be reached to comment.

In the past, per diem claims by Alaska state officials have carried political risks. In 1988, the head of the state Commerce Department was pilloried for collecting a per diem charge of $50 while staying in his Anchorage home, according to local news accounts. The commissioner, the late Tony Smith, resigned amid a series of controversies.

"It was quite the little scandal," said Tony Knowles, the Democratic governor from 1994 to 2000. "I gave a direction to all my commissioners if they were ever in their house, whether it was Juneau or elsewhere, they were not to get a per diem because, clearly, it is and it looks like a scam -- you pay yourself to live at home," he said.

Knowles, whose children were school-age at the start of his first term, said that his wife sometimes accompanied him to conferences overseas but that he could "count on one hand" the number of times his children accompanied him.

"And the policy was not to reimburse for family travel on commercial airlines, because there is no direct public benefit to schlepping kids around the state," he said. The rules were articulated by Mike Nizich, then director of administrative services in the governor's office, said Knowles and an aide to another former governor, Walter Hickel.

Nizich is now Palin's chief of staff. He did not return a phone call seeking comment. The rules governing family travel on state-owned aircraft appear less clear. Knowles said he operated under the understanding that immediate family could accompany the governor without charge.

But during the Murkowski years, that practice was questioned, and the state attorney general's office produced an opinion saying laws then in effect required reimbursement for spousal travel.

Research editor Alice Crites in Washington contributed to this report.

A John McCain Supporter Speaks

Robin Williams Talks About Sarah Palin

In The News & My 2 Cents

Now everyone should be back in Southeast Texas after leaving for Hurricane Gustav.
Some didn't leave, like these no good for nothing burglars, too bad the homeowners weren't home, nothing like a good round of 00 Buckshot in the chest.

Indictment in the Summer Bourque murder and the no good piece of dirt accused suspect is sitting in a Seattle jail awaiting return to Jefferson County. Have the rope and tree ready when he returns.

Federal Judge has the hots for employee and ends up in hot water. Temptation crosses party line, Democrats and Republicans both like the opposite sex.

Local evacuees not eligible for expense reimbursement, well darn, maybe we shouldn't worry about someone else paying for our inconveniences.

Southeast Texans not out of the woods with other storms brewing. Yep, keep us worrying about what storm is going to get us next.

Everyone have a safe weekend, nice cool weather to get out and do something with the family.

Bob

Sarah Palin-Patriotic American Woman

This is my kind of gun toting woman, flag waving patriot, conservative American. Five kids later and not one scratch mark on her smart body. Has anyone noticed but aren't the Republican convention women delegates better looking than what the Democrats had last week?

Bob

Red State Update Guys Like Sarah Palin

I Survived Hurricane Gustav

I'm back in town after evacuating to Jasper County. As you can see from the photo, Hurricane Gustav did considerable damage to my lawn chair. I know some residents are mad for having to evacuate and not getting anything of substance from this hurricane but I count my blessing instead. I know it was a hard decision for the county officials and mayors but better safe than sorry.

In case you are wondering why I went to Jasper County with a hurricane approaching, well I actually have an underground bunker constructed at the old home place. Being in the construction business for years, I was able to utilize some of my building knowledge and built this bunker back in 2001. One thousand square feet living area, ten inch concrete walls and half in the ground, propane stove, electricity supplied by a 25K propane generator and a 14,000 BTU air conditioner and heating system. No trees within a 250 foot radius, no worry about trees falling on top of it or blocking the exit.

Now everyone keep your eyes on Ike and Josephine, they are coming like flies on a pile of crap.

Bob

GOP Convention and Hurricane Gustav

With all the democrats leaving Denver and heading back home to stump the cities and northern states for Obama, here is a photo of some of the right wing gun loving religious GOP nuts in the rural southern areas who will converge on St. Paul this week. They look like some of my Jasper and Newton county relatives now that I take a closer look.

Everyone stay safe, Hurricane Gustav could easily drift to the west and cause us havoc, so have your generators and supplies ready.

Bob

Army Wins National Pistol Title

USAMU’S Service Pistol Team beat 100 of the best pistol teams in the nation, repeatedly hitting a bull’s eye the size of a silver dollar half a football field away, to win the National Pistol Team Championship.

The National Pistol Matches include the National Rifle Association National Pistol Championships and the Civilian Marksmanship Program National Trophy Matches. The NRA Championships consisted of Center Fire, .22- and .45-Caliber Championships. The CMP matches featured competitions with pistols such as M-1911, .45-caliber pistols and M-9/M-92 9 mm pistols. Firing includes slow fire stages at 50 yards and timed and rapid fire stages at 25 yards.

With 101 of the country’s best teams competing, the USAMU Blue Team of Staff Sgt. James M. Henderson, Staff Sgt. Robert S. Park II, Staff Sgt. Lyman P. Grover and Sgt. Michael S. Gasser not only won the National Pistol Team Championship, but was the first USAMU team to win in 23 years. The USAMU Blue Team won the championship with a score of 3,480 points out of a possible 3,600 and 152 X’s out of a possible 360 (X’s are bull’s eyes that are used in tie-breaking).

Those X’s were critical in determining the national winner, as the USAMU Blue Team tied the USAMU Gray Team with identical scores of 3,480 points, with the Blue Team taking the championship with 35 more X’s. The USAMU Gray Team of Sgt. 1st Class Gregory S. Wilson, Staff Sgt. Jason R. Sargent, Sgt. Timothy M. Barber and Sgt. Sean P. Watson beat the third-place team by 13 points. This was the first time in 35 years that the Army had taken both first and second place in the championships.

Henderson took second place overall in the NRA National Individual Pistol Championship only nine points behind winner Brian Zins, the national manager of the NRA Competitive Shooting Division’s Pistol Programs; Henderson was also the National Service Champion and won the .45-caliber National Championship.

Watson took second place in the .22-caliber National Championship and third place in the Center Fire National Championship. Henderson finished second in the NRA Preliminary Pistol Championship and USAMU’s Staff Sgt. Adam E. Sokolowski was third.

For the fifth time in his shooting career, Henderson won the President’s Hundred Match with a score of 386 points and 12 X’s. Henderson set the National Record for this match in 2005 with a score of 389 and 10 X’s and has won it more times than any other shooter in history.

In a tradition started by President Theodore Roosevelt, winners of the prestigious President’s Pistol Trophy Match receive a letter of congratulations from the president of the United States. The President’s Pistol Match is conducted every summer at Camp Perry in which the top 100 shooters are awarded the President’s Hundred Tab. The match consists of 20 shots slow fire, 10 shots timed fire and 10 shots rapid fire; a perfect score is 400.

Henderson said it takes good coaching, a lot of good practice and great determination to become a great shooter.

“You have to be determined to be the best,” Henderson said. “This year, we really believed that we were good enough to do it. I always wondered what it would be like to be the dominant team and now I know. When we walk up to the line, we know that we are the team to beat.”

Shooting their M-9 pistols, the USAMU Team of Henderson, Park, Gasser and Barber won the National Trophy Team Match; the team was coached by Sgt. 1st Class Jason M. St. John and the team captain was Grover.

Park was awarded the U.S. Forces Command Trophy for being the highest active duty Army finisher in the National Trophy Individual and National Trophy Pistol Team matches. He also won the General Mellon Trophy, which is awarded to the highest scoring Army shooter in the National Trophy Team Match.

Henderson, Park, Watson and Barber were named to the U.S. Mayleigh Cup Team, whose scores will go up against those of other countries in the Mayleigh Cup International Postal Team Match, which the USA has won for the past five years.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program and the National Rifle Association have been running the National Matches for over 100 years. More than 5,000 people from across the country vie for these annual national championship titles at Camp Perry’s ranges on the banks of Lake Erie. The National Matches and Small Arms Firing Schools were established by Congress and the president in 1903.

The USAMU Service Pistol Team competes in Conseil International du Sport Militaire - known as CISM and the Military World Games - the Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting, the Interservice Small Arms Competition, the Interservice Championships and the National Championships, as well as conducting the Small Arms Firing School at the National Pistol Matches for the Department of Defense.

This year, nearly 400 civilian and military personnel from around the country attended the school that included training in M-9 pistol marksmanship.

(Paula J. Randall serves as public affairs officer for the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, Accessions Support Brigade.)

Groves Politics Heating Up

Politics will be alive and well in Groves come November. There will be plenty of signs in yards for national and local candidates. Things will be heating up in Groves with two mayoral candidates running so far. Groves current mayor, Brad Bailey, has filed for re-election as well as recently defeated former mayor Billy Job. Brad Bailey has served us well the last eight years after Billy Job did his damage for the four years prior to Brad coming into office. I don't know why Job wants the office again unless it is for political gain but he went down in defeat to County Judge Ron Walker two years ago. And I'll admit that I voted for the Democrat Walker in that race. Brad has a tough decision to make right now, talk is a 1.7 cent increase in the current tax rate, which will add about $8 per year to the average homeowner in Groves, but with increased fuel cost, it may not be avoided. I know Job will use that against Brad as I know Job's tactics.

In the Groves City Marshal position held by Jeff Wilmore, no one has filed against Jeff, who has done a fantastic job for the citizens of Groves.

I'll keep you posted.

Bob

Can You Feel The Love?

Looks like the Democrats are united and ready to go. Or it looks like a swingers party down the street.

Bob

Time For A Diet

Words of Wisdom

The purpose of fighting is to win. There is no possible victory in defense. (waiting for attack)

The sword is more important than the shield, and skill is more important than either. The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental.


1. Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just shoot to kill you.

2. If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck.

3. I carry a gun cause a cop is too heavy.

4. When seconds count, the cops are just minutes away.

5. A reporter did a human-interest piece on the Texas Rangers. The reporter recognized the Colt Model 1911 the Ranger was carrying and asked him 'Why do you carry a 45?' The Ranger responded, 'Because they don't make a 46.'

6. The old sheriff was attending an awards dinner when a lady commented on his wearing his sidearm.
'Sheriff, I see you have your pistol. Are you expecting trouble?'
'No Ma'am. If I were expecting trouble, I would have brought my rifle.'

Bob

Criminals Want Gun Free Homes

Here is a good video to watch, especially with the Democratic National Convention cranking off in Denver this week. I give credit where credit is due, I stole this video from TexasFred but I'm sure Fred wants everyone to watch it.

What's in Your Dad's Wallet?

It has been a hard weekend, as all of my friends know, my dad is in a nursing home. He has been there for 3 years, at first he was aware of his surroundings, where he was and knew all his loved ones, family and friends. Now things have progressed for the worse, it was a matter of time but today it was necessary to place him in the Alzheimer's unit. Dad always kept his wallet after going into the nursing home, guess it was one way he still had control over certain things in his life.
Though he only keep a couple of dollars in his wallet along with his expired drivers license, and old photos of the grandchildren, it was something he carried for years. Today I took his wallet since there was no need for it in the new unit but as I was thumbing through it, I came upon this poem that he had cut of the newspaper some years back. Before I place it into my wallet, I'll share it with you.

YOUR NAME

You got it from your father
It was all he had to give
So it's yours to use and cherish
For as long as you may live.

If you lose the watch he gave you,
It can always be replaced
But a black mark on your name, Son,
Can never be erased.

It was clean the day you took it
And a worthy name to bear
When he got it from his father,
There was no dishonor there.

So make sure you guard it wisely,
After all is said and done
You'll be glad the name is spotless
When you give it to your son.

Bob

What? Joe Biden Endorsing John McCain

In The News & My 2 Cents

I'd like to be on the jury for this one. Joshua Bush has a bullet stuck in his head after he tried to rob a used car dealer. I salute the owner of the business and give this advice, PLACEMENT, PLACEMENT, PLACEMENT. Don't know the caliber of handgun the business owner used but a .45 Colt should have been used or AR-15 chambered in .223. We reap what we sow as I've heard all my life. Joshua should count himself lucky on this one, maybe next time Buddy you won't be so lucky. Again this is a good reason to have your concealed handgun license when someone sticks their nose around the corner.

Jasper restaurant gets busted for drugs. And they bust the FedEx delivery man too, one would think he would be buying speed the way they drive. Will need to watch Bill Leger Restaurant Report to see what the health inspectors rate the BBQ place.

Indian tribe scalps attorney for $22 million. You have to root for the Indians on this one since the lawyers have been scalping people for years.

Beaumont cop fighting for his job after working undercover in sex sting operation. It's HARD being a cop, no pun intended.

Close to my house, Groves Marshal shoots a pit bulldog after responding to a family disturbance. Don't need pit bulldogs in our neighborhood anyway.

Everyone have a safe weekend. Be careful, the bad guys are waiting for you.

Bob

2008 Democratic National Convention Events Schedule

Schedule of Events For Democratic National Convention in Denver

7:00 pm OPENING FLAG BURNING

7:15 pm PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE U.N.

7:20 pm Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST

7:25 pm NONRELIGIOUS PRAYER AND WORSHIP - Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton

7:45 pm CEREMONIAL TREE HUGGING - Darryl Hannah

7:55 pm Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST

8:00 pm HOW I INVENTED THE INTERNET - Al Gore

8:15 pm GAY WEDDING PLANNING - Rosie O'Donnell

8:35 pm Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST

8:40 pm OUR TROOPS ARE WAR CRIMINALS - John Kerry

9.00 pm MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR SADDAM AND HIS SONS - Cindy Sheehan and Susan Sarandon

10:00 pm ANSWERING MACHINE ETIQUETTE - Alec Baldwin

11:00 pm Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST

11:05 pm COLLECTION FOR THE OSAMA BIN LADEN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT FUND - Barbara Streisand

11:15 pm FREE THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS FROM GUANTANAMO BAY - Sean Penn

11:30 pm OVAL OFFICE AFFAIRS - William Jefferson Clinton

11:45 pm Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST

11:50 pm HOW GEORGE BUSH BROUGHT DOWN THE WORLD TRADE TOWERS - Howard Dean

12:15 am TRUTH IN BROADCASTING AWARD - Presented to Dan Rather by Michael Moore

12:25 am Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST

12:30 am SATELLITE ADDRESS - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

12:45 am NOMINATION OF BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA - Nancy Pelosi

1:00 am Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST

1:05 am CORONATION OF BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA

1:30 am Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST

1:35 am Bill Clinton asks Ted Kennedy to drive Hilary home.

Punching Small Holes In Pieces Of Paper

Punching small holes in pieces of paper with your firearm may be a thing of the past if Barack Obama gets his way. The man singing is Joe Bethancourt and I saw him perform when I was in Arizona last year. You can go to his site and order a music CD.

Bob

Common Sense

Thomas Paine and a little common sense.

Texas School District Letting Teachers Carry Guns

HARROLD, Texas (AP) — A tiny Texas district will allow teachers and staff members to carry concealed firearms to deter and protect against school shootings when classes begin this month, provided the gun-toting employees follow certain requirements.

The small community of Harrold in north Texas is a 30-minute drive from the Wilbarger County Sheriff's Office, leaving students and teachers without protection, said David Thweatt, superintendent of the Harrold Independent School District. The lone campus of the 110-student district sits near a heavily traveled highway, which could make it a target, he argued.

"When the federal government started making schools gun-free zones, that's when all of these shootings started. Why would you put it out there that a group of people can't defend themselves? That's like saying 'sic 'em' to a dog," Thweatt said in a story published Friday on the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Web site.

Barbara Williams, a spokeswoman for the Texas Association of School Boards, said her organization did not know of another district with such a policy. Ken Trump, a Cleveland-based school security expert who advises districts nationwide, said Harrold is the first district with such a policy.

Trustees approved the policy change last year. For employees to carry a pistol, they must have a Texas license to carry a concealed handgun; must be authorized to carry by the district; must receive training in crisis management and hostile situations; and must ammunition designed to minimize the risk of ricocheting bullets.

Officials researched the policy and considered other options for about a year before approving the policy change, Thweatt said. The district also has other measures in place to prevent a school shooting, he said.

"The naysayers think (a shooting) won't happen here. If something were to happen here, I'd much rather be calling a parent to tell them that their child is OK because we were able to protect them," Thweatt said.

Texas law outlaws firearms at schools unless specific institutions allow them.

It isn't clear how many of the 50 or so teachers and staff members will be armed this fall because Thweatt did not disclose that information, to keep it from students or potential attackers.

On the Net:
Harrold Independent School District: http://harroldisd.net/