Big Jolly Politics

politics in Harris County and Texas

Mattress Mack supports Rep. John Culberson’s reelection

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From the John Culberson campaign:

john culberson

Culberson Campaign Releases New Campaign Ad: “Care”

Ad features Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale who encourages Houstonians to re-elect Congressman John Culberson for his work after Hurricane Harvey

The Culberson for Congress Campaign released today its second broadcast ad of the election. In the ad, Jim McIngvale, better known to Houston as “Mattress Mack,” strongly encourages the voters of District 7 to re-elect Congressman John Culberson for securing billions in disaster relief for Houston after Hurricane Harvey.

Click here to watch the ad.

Congressman Culberson spearheaded the Texas and Florida Congressional Delegations to secure $141 billion in disaster relief funding for the victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

The Houston Chronicle wrote of Culberson after the Hurricane, “We don’t want to imagine what would have happened after Hurricane Harvey without U.S. Rep. John Culberson in Congress.”

Mattress Mack is known in part for his generosity during Hurricane Harvey by opening up two of his stores for storm and flood victims and using company trucks to help rescue others trapped in their homes.

Transcript

Winston Churchill once said, “What type of people do they think we are?”

We are Texans, and we take care of each other.

I know of no Texan in Washington who took care of Houston better and during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey than my friend, John Culberson.

John Culberson stood up for Texas and worked across the aisle to get Houston and Texas the funding we needed to make Houston strong again after Hurricane Harvey.

Please re-elect my friend, John Culberson!

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Even if all the accusations are false, Kavanaugh looks like toast

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Now, in addition to the scarlet letter Christine Ford wrote to Senator Feinstein, there are new allegations of sexual misconduct by Judge Kavanaugh.

In a New Yorker article Deborah Ramirez, 53, claims that in the early 1980s when she was a freshman at Yale University, Kavanaugh “exposed himself at a drunken dormitory party, thrust his penis in her face, and caused her to touch it without her consent as she pushed him away.”

And the accusations keep piling on. Michael Avenatti, the Trump-hating attorney for Stormy Daniels, claims that during the early 1980s, Kavanaugh and other men would ply women with alcohol or drugs at house parties in Washington, D.C. and then allow men to ‘gang rape’ them.

With all these accusations, Kavanaugh’s nomination is left circling the drain. Even if all of the accusations made by Ford, Ramirez and Avenatti are completely false, Kavanaugh looks like toast.

Kavanaugh vehemently denies all the accusations and vows to keep fighting for the nomination in spite of the ‘smears’ made  against him.  Trump continues to back his Supreme Court nominee.  And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell promises Kavanaugh will get an up-or-down vote by the Senate regardless of how the Judiciary Committee votes.

But the damage done by these accusations, even if false, will probably turn the Senate fence sitters against the nomination.  The Democrats and his accusers have made Kavanaugh damaged goods.  Despite his vow to stay the course, it would not surprise me one bit if Kavanaugh will withdraw his nomination.

If Kavanaugh is not confirmed by the Senate, Trump better pray that the Republicans retain control of the Senate in the midterm elections. If they don’t, Trump will be unable to seat a conservative Justice on the Supreme Court.

It Is Now Clear That Christine Ford’s Intent Was To Kill The Kavanaugh Nomination

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First Sen. Dianne Feinstein held onto Christine Ford’s scarlet letter since July and now Ford is demanding an FBI investigation before she will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Feinstein held onto the letter until the 11th hour so that Judge Kavenaugh’s nomination would be torpedoed. Because an FBI investigation would take weeks, it is now clear that all along Ford’s intent was to kill the Kavanaugh nomination.

Now Feinstein says she does not know if Ford’s allegations are true. Even if they are true, should the reprehensible behavior of a 17-year-old teenager 36 years ago be grounds to keep Kaanaugh off the Supreme Court? What about Judge Kavanaugh’s impeccable record as an adult? I thought this is a nation that believes in giving wrongdoers a second chance. We give prison inmates, even murderers, a second chance when they are released.

The Democratic Senators are intent on killing the Kavanaugh nomination. They have now been given a big boost by Palo Alto University psychology professor Christine Ford. Her character assassination may well kill the nomination, as was clearly her intent when she sent that scarlet letter to Feinstein.

Kavanaugh categorically denies the attempted rape ever took place.  Mark Judge, who Ford claimed was Kavanaugh’s’ accomplice,  says he has no recollection of anything like that happening and that “It’s just absolutely nuts. I never saw Brett act that way.”  And now Patrick J. Smyth, who was identified as “PJ” in the scarlet letter, denies being present at the party and says, “I have known Brett Kavanaugh since high school.  I have never witnessed any improper conduct by Brett Kavanaugh towards women.”

The Democrats say that Ford’s allegations make Kavanaugh unfit to serve on the Supreme Court. Oh yea? If so, isn’t he also unfit to serve on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals? Quick, start impeachment proceedings against the appellate court judge!

You can expect the Democrats to do what they do. But what is outrageous is that even some Republicans are now wavering in their support of Kavanaugh.

Kavanaugh deserves to have his nomination approved. He is eminently qualified to serve as a Justice of the Supreme Court. Ford’s character assassination should not stand in the way. Shame, shame on any Senator who will vote against Kavanaugh’s nomination.

Grassroots powering the John Culberson campaign

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If the only thing you knew about the John Culberson campaign came from the political pundits, you’d probably think that his campaign was a lost cause. Fortunately, the grassroots workers in Harris County don’t depend on the political pundits for their information.

Culberson’s opponent in CD-7 sent this fundraising email to her list:

john culberson opponent email

That sounds like a lot of phone calls, right? Lots of energy, right? Well, maybe for a Harris County Democrat but for a Harris County Republican? Not so much.

I bet you didn’t know that grassroot Republicans in Harris County have already made nearly twice the number of phone calls for the Culberson campaign? Yes, nearly 200,000 and they are ratcheting that up daily. Even more important, they have already knocked on more than 83,000 doors.

I reached out to the Culberson campaign’s Communications Director, Catherine Kelly, to ask her about the grassroots activity in CD-7. Here is what she had to say:

Republicans know the key to a winning campaign is a strong grassroots operation, not by one-off campaign stops by extreme liberals like Cory Booker or $14,000 in donations from Nancy Pelosi. Enthusiasm in Houston is sky high for Congressman Culberson, which is evident because our volunteers have made twice as many phone calls as the Fletcher campaign and knocked on more doors than any other Republican campaign in the state with the exception of Governor Abbott’s campaign.

The next time you hear some political pundit spouting off about the energy coming from the Democrats in Harris County, remind them that Republicans have been doing this hard work for years and this year is no different. The enthusiasm level for Republicans in Harris County is very high, regardless of what political pundits say.

And, in case you missed it, the latest New York Times poll has Culberson up by 3. Just so you know.

Go Culberson!

Update: Might as well include the latest John Culberson campaign video which was release shortly after this was published.

Opposing Viewpoints On Nike’s Kaepernick Ad Are Dividing The Police Along Racial Lines

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Here is a letter penned by NAPO president Michael McHale and addressed to Nike CEO Mark Parker:

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POLICE ORGANIZATIONS, INC.
September 4. 2018

Dear Chairman Parker,

On behalf of the more than 241,000 law enforcement officers represented by our Association across the country, I write to you to condemn in the strongest possible terms your selection of Colin Kaepernick for Nike’s “Just Do It” ad campaign. Mr. Kaepernick is known, not as a successful athlete, but as a shallow dilletante seeking to gain notoriety by disrespecting the flag for which so many Americans have fought and died.

The inclusion of Mr. Kaepernick in Nike’s “Just Do It” ad campaign also perpetuates the falsehood that police are racist and aiming to use force against African Americans and persons of color. In reality, officers across the nation risk their lives not only protecting the athletes featured in Nike’s various campaigns, but also serve aspiring athletes across the country who use the Nike brand, through the thousands of Police Athletic Leagues, Boys and Girls Clubs and Big Brother/Big Sister programs where our officers donate their time and energy. They deserve to have the respect and full support of corporate citizens like Nike.

Adding to the insult is the image of Mr. Kaepernick from the campaign featuring the quote “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” The fact that Mr. Kaepernick is no longer a starting NFL player does not equate to him being someone who has “sacrificed everything”. To truly understand what it means to “believe in something” and “sacrifice everything”, you should look to Arlington National Cemetery, or to the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial in Washington, D.C., or to the trauma unit of a military hospital. The brave men and women of every race and color buried there, memorialized there, healing there, believed in this nation and our flag and exemplify the true meaning of “sacrifice”.

In featuring Mr. Kaepernick in the “Just Do It” campaign, Nike grossly insults the men and women who really do make sacrifices for the sake of our nation. We are calling on all our member officers, their families and friends to join in boycotting all Nike products.

Sincerely,

Michael McHale
President

And here is the response from NBPA chairperson, Sonia Y.W. Pruitt:

NATIONAL BLACK POLICE ASSOCIATION
September 5, 2018

Mr. Parker:

It is with great dismay that we were made aware of a letter that you received from the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) regarding your use of Colin Kaepernick in your new “Just Do It” advertising campaign. The National Black Police Association (NBPA) is not in agreement with NAPO on this matter, and we strongly condemn their call for police officers and their families to boycott Nike and its products.

Your inclusion of Mr. Kaepernick in your ads seems appropriate to us. We live in a country where the 1St Amendment is a right of the people. Mr. Kaepernick chose to exercise his right where his passion was on the football field. NAPO believes that Mr. Kaepernick’s choice to openly protest issues surrounding police brutality, racism and social injustices in this country makes him anti-police. On the contrary, the NBPA believes that Mr. Kaepernick’s stance is in direct alignment with what law enforcement stands for-the protection of a people, their human rights, their dignity, their safety, and their rights as American citizens. NAPO has shown an adeptness at maintaining the police status quo and the tone in their letter further validates Mr. Kaepernick’s concerns, as it undermines the trust that is needed by law enforcement in order for the profession to maintain its legitimacy. That NAPO has chosen this matter to take a stance, only perpetuates the narrative that police are racist, with no regard, acknowledgement, respect, or understanding of the issues and concerns of the African- American community.

Your quote “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” is also appropriate as it relates to Mr. Kaepernick. For NAPO to presuppose that Mr. Kaepernick has not made sacrifices because he did not die on a battlefield, shows you just how out of touch NAPO is with the African-American community. We would like for them to stop their false narrative that you are not worthy of respect unless you were in the military or worked in law enforcement. The beauty of this country are the countless sacrifices that all people make in their everyday lives. The African?American community makes a sacrifice each time a life is unjustly lost at the hands of the very people who should protect them. A sacrifice is made each time the criminal justice system treats people of color as less than. A sacrifice is made each time a letter is sent asking officers to boycott a corporation, without asking those very African-American officers who are most affected, what their opinion is.

If they had asked the NBPA, we would have told them that they are out of line, and that the NBPA supports any person or group who exercises their right to peacefully protest against any form of social injustice, including police brutality and racism.

The NBPA proudly supports Nike and your use of Mr. Kaepernick in your new “Just Do It” advertising campaign. Truth and upholding the Constitutional rights of citizens, are cornerstones of leadership in policing. Our mission includes striving constantly to bridge the gap between law enforcement and our communities we are committed to ensuring equity for the community, as we work to enhance trust, legitimacy, transparency, and accountability in policing.

We will likely be buying and wearing lots of Nike products in the near future.

Best wishes,

Sonia Y.W. Pruitt
National Chairperson

NOTE: I think Michael McHale’s letter is spot on while Sonia Pruitt’s letter only serves to divide the police along racial lines.

Pruitt’s letter is absolutely disgusting in that it affirms the black community’s belief that the police “treat people of color as less than.”

Her statement “The African?American community makes a sacrifice each time a life is unjustly lost at the hands of the very people who should protect them” is ridiculous and implies that unjustified police shootings of black men are common.  And comparing the sacrifices she mentioned to the sacrifices made by our troops who gave their lives or were gravely wounded while fighting in defense of our country and the freedoms enjoyed by Kaepernick is not only ridiculous, it’s simply outrageous.

Yes, white cops do shoot black men. And yes, some of those shootings were not justified. But considering there are 800,000 law enforcement officers in the U.S., shootings of black men by the police are a rare occurrence. The problem is that when it does happen, it is always blown up by the media which would have us believe that white cops go around shooting black men all the time.

We know there is a racial divide in this country. And sad to say, now we also know there is a racial divide within the police service. My question is, if black cops subscribe to Pruitt’s crap, how can white cops ever trust a fellow black officer?

Why I Will Continue To Vote For A Disgusting Trump

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When I voted for Trump in 2016, it was really a vote against crooked Hillary.  At the time I held my nose because Trump was almost as repulsive as the Hildebeast.  Now we may have a crooked Donald sitting in the White House.

Trump has shown himself to be a liar time and time again.  He keeps contradicting himself because he’s told so many lies that he can’t remember telling them.  He seems to get many of his ‘facts’ from the fake news disseminated on social media.  His tweets show that he is a thin-skinned bully.

Trump’s former longtime lawyer, Michael Cohen, has reportedly told Special Counsel Robert Mueller about hush money paid from campaign funds to porn star Stormy Daniels.  And when Allen Weisselberg, CFO of the Trump Organization, gets through cooperating with Mueller, we may find out that Trump is a crook too.

Trump has no shame.  Senator John McCain, who passed away August 25, was a true hero.  He served his country as a Navy fighter pilot during the Vietnam War.  McCain endured more than five years of torture and deprivation in a North Vietnamese prison camp after his plane was shot down by an enemy missile.  Trump, on the other hand, managed to obtain five draft deferments during the Vietnam War, four for college and one for bone spurs in his heels that suddenly showed up right after he graduated from college.  Yet he had the nerve to question McCain’s heroism for letting himself be captured.

Furthermore, the draft dodger continued to disrespect McCain even in death.  Trump had the White House flag lowered to half-mast for only one day before raising it again when all the other flags in the nation’s capital remained at half-mast.  It was only after he received a shitstorm of criticism from the Pentagon as well as from Republicans and Democrats alike that he had the flag lowered to half-mast again.

In fairness to Trump, I agree that he is being victimized by a partisan witch hunt.  There was no collusion with any Russian government official.  But that’s not stopping Mueller who seems determined to bring Trump down.  Mueller is working up an Obstruction of Justice case and he has a possible campaign funds violation with the payoff to Stormy Daniels.  And by giving Weisselberg immunity, Mueller may even be able to dig up some past corrupt business practices.

I also think Trump’s foreign policy sure beats the crap out of Obama’s and I do like that he has rolled back many of his predecessor’s edicts.  And, of course, I also like his nominations for justices of SCOTUS.  But all that does not alter the fact that Trump is a disgusting jerk.

There is no doubt that Robert Mueller, the mainstream media, former CIA Director John Brennan, the Obama insiders and Hillary’s supporters are all openly and aggressively pursuing a coup d’etat against President Trump.  While Obama was untouchable as the first black president, unfortunately for Trump, his skin color does not protect him.

But the embattled president is not helping his cause any with his vindictive tweets. While Trump’s hard-core followers love those tweets, the majority of Americans disapprove of them.  And then there is the alleged turmoil within the White House which plays out more like an old Proctor and Gamble soap opera than the way a government should function.

Despite my disgust for Trump, I will vote for him again if he makes it as far as 2020 and runs for another term in office.  I hate to think of what direction this country will be headed to under the administration of Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris or someone else of their ilk.  God save America if any of them ever get to take over the helm of our government.

So if he makes it to 2020 and runs for reelection, I urge all of you to vote for Trump, even if you are disgusted with him, just like I will do.