MagickMuffin
MagickMuffin's JournalTexas Democratic Convention Videos
In case anyone is interested in watching some of the convention speeches. Dru and Amber Davis introduction to Wendy Davis, Wendy, Leticia Van de Putte, plus several others.
There are eight videos at the link. Enjoy, if you haven't seen them already!
http://new.livestream.com/texastribune/events/3135590
Please Contribute to Lon Burnam's Legal Defense Fund
State Rep. Lon Burnam has served Tarrant County for 17 years. The first two excerpts below are emails and the last one is from the Startlegram.
We need Lon Burnam in office. He has been very beneficial to Fort Worth and very supportive of Tarrant County candidates running for office and he is a progressive Democrat. Now it's our turn to be supportive of State Rep. Lon Burnam.
Thank you for your many years of support. As many of you already know, after 17 years in the Texas Legislature, my campaign for re-election for a 10th term as your State Representative came up short by just 111 votes. The last minute influx of pro-charter school money into my opponent’s campaign through the front group Education Reform Now —run by Wall Street hedge fund managers—was the silver bullet that ended my tenure of staunch support for our public schools and quality education for our children.
Every Session I spent as your Representative we made great strides towards equality and justice for the people of District 90 and Texas. Now more than ever, it is important that we keep a watchful eye on the Texas Legislature. Education Reform Now has a specific agenda—to help private companies make profit by redirecting public education dollars to charter schools. With so many billions of dollars at stake here…what they put into elections in Texas is chump change.
Because of the over $35,000 Education Reform Now poured into the campaign against me, my opponent will receive significant pressure to vote to undermine our public schools by redirecting the money towards charters.
But I am not finished and I will be spending the coming months holding Romero, Education Reform Now and other special economic interests accountable.
Please help me do this by making a contribution to my severely depleted political account so I can bird-dog and raise the alarm about those who see this time as an opportunity to dismantle our public education system.
Beyond that, rest assured that I do not intend to "go quietly into the night". I have ten months left as a state representative and I intend to use every bit of it. Even after I leave office, I will continue to fight for public education, healthcare for all, civil rights and environmental justice as a public citizen.
It has been my distinct honor to serve in the Texas House, even when the Texas House wasn't always honorable. Thanks for the memories, you'll be hearing from me again soon. You can count on it.
Lon Burnam
Many of you already know that last Monday I filed a lawsuit to overturn the results of the March 4th primary election after learning of illegal vote harvesting and other election irregularities. As you may know, the initial race results were very close, so even a limited number of illegitimate votes can change the outcome.
After receiving reports of these illegal acts and reviewing my options, I assembled a great legal team including Buck Wood, Art Brender and Ross Peavey, and filed suit. Our first hearing is this Friday, April 4th, when we will be filing the initial subpoenas for the documents that will prove these allegations. This suit is moving very quickly, and so are my legal bills.
I am grateful for the show of support from my friends in the words of encouragement and the 150 people who have contributed to my legal fund so that we can see this lawsuit through.
However, we have not yet raised enough money to complete the lawsuit, and without it I may have to concede.
It is hard to know what to suggest as a giving level, but one clever friend gave $111, (the number of votes separating the candidates in the race). Other friends have given much more and many gave what they could. I am not a wealthy man and I have no corporate backers footing the bill, so I am depending on you.
Please help me in this fight, not just to return me to office but to also protect the integrity of the Democratic primaries in Tarrant County, so that they do not head down the troubled path we have seen others take. Please contribute to my legal defense fund here.
Best regards,
Lon Burnam
P.S. Not everyone is on my email list, so please forward this to any of your progressive friends via email or Facebook who might be interested in supporting this effort.
P.P.S. I have said this before but judging from some of the comments I have seen from those I have never counted as friends, I need to say it again: These allegations have absolutely nothing to do with anything that could be addressed with a Voter ID law. Anyone who says that is either profoundly dishonest or profoundly confused about election law. You can tell them I said that.
State Rep. Lon Burnam filed such a suit Monday against businessman Ramon Romero Jr., the man who bested him by 111 votes in the March 4 Democratic primary for Fort Worth’s District 90 House seat.
Given what’s at stake — Burnam asks a district court to declare him the winner rather than Romero or to order a new election — the suit should receive expedited treatment from the court and everyone involved.
No one gains from holding the election outcome in legal limbo.
Burnam says in the suit, filed by attorneys Randal Buck Wood of Austin and Art Brender of Fort Worth, that he has “information and belief” that canvassers working on behalf of Romero improperly submitted applications for more than 180 vote-by-mail ballots.
The canvassers asked potential voters to fill out a vote-by-mail application on an iPad and sign it electronically, the suit says, adding, “These signatures would be downloaded as a printed application and sent to the election officials so that a ballot could be mailed to the voter.”
Burnam’s core claim is that Texas election law makes no provision for using electronic devices in that way. He submitted as evidence emails to his office from the Texas secretary of state’s office saying any such technology “must be proven to work within the legal procedures set forth in the Election Code, and approved by the Legislature.”
To date, no such approval has been issued, the email says.
Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/03/25/5679967/burnam-suit-puts-election-in-legal.html#storylink=cpy
Questions About Primary Training For The Upcoming Election
I have been a Precinct Chair since '08. I thought as part of our mandated training that we were compensated for the training mid-term elections.
However, when I received my election letter I was informed that the Sec. of State has mandated that the training sessions do not compensate for the training.
My questions are
Has this always been the case and I was mistaken about being paid for training since '08?
If this is a new mandate then
When did this change?
Did the Legislator vote for this?
If they didn't vote for this then Can the Sec. of State mandate these changes
Also I noticed that we will only be paid a whopping $8 per hour. I suppose this is the big plan to keep people wanting to service their communities. Pay them as little as possible. Perhaps in the next few years it will totally be set up as a voluntary position.
Sheesh, even the Presiding Judge during the general election makes a dollar more than the A.J and clerks.
More LOVE From Wendy's Daughters Amber and Dru
These are some emails I received from Wendy's daughters concerning their mother. You can tell how much they Love 
their mother. I just thought I'd share these with you!
May 2012
It’s our Mom’s birthday on Wednesday, and we were having some serious trouble deciding on the perfect gift for her. As we were arguing…er…discussing this problem, we realized that the best present ever would be to give her birthday wishes from all her friends and supporters.
For every $10 you contribute to our Mom’s re-election campaign between now and Wednesday, we will add one candle to her cake. Please click here and contribute today to send her a happy birthday wish. We need your help filling her birthday cake with as many candles as we can.
When we were kids, birthdays were a special and exciting time in our home. Now that we are the grown-ups (sort of…), it is our turn to show Mom how special she is by giving her all of your birthday greetings.
Please click here and contribute to help us cover her birthday cake with candles. Thanks so much for supporting our Mom!
Best,
Amber & Dru
P.S. The cake on order is really big, so we need your help to fill it up with candles – please give today!
May 2012
Wow. Just wow.
We are floored by how much love and support we have received for our Mom over the past two days. Thanks to the generosity of friends like you, we had to get an even bigger cake for Mom’s birthday celebration tonight.
We are up to 390 candles for her cake so far. But, since the party isn’t until tonight, there is still time to send your birthday wishes and help us add even more.
For every $10 you contribute right now, we will add another candle. Please click here to give and show our Mom some birthday love.
It’s going to be a great celebration this evening, and you will be there as we share with our Mom all of your amazing birthday wishes.
Please give generously to help us wish our Mom a very Happy Birthday today!
Thank you so much for sharing this special day with us and for your support of our Mom.
Best,
Amber & Dru
P.S. We just got word that Mom's staff has found over 100 additional candles. Please give now to help us fill up Mom’s cake!
May 2013
We’re interrupting your regularly scheduled legislative updates to bring you something a little more FUN! Our mom, Texas Senator Wendy Davis, is turning 50 today and we need your help with a surprise we’re planning for her.
We love our mom. She inspires us each and every day, like she does for so many of her friends and supporters. So for her birthday, we want to let her know how special we think she is and how much she means to so many people.
Click Here to Sign Mom’s Card!
It’s not every day that you turn 50. We are so proud of what our mom has accomplished in her first 50 years and can’t wait to see what’s in store for her in the next 50. Thank you for helping our family mark this milestone. It means a lot to us!
xo,
Amber and Dru
July 6, 2013
Some of you have known my mom for a while. Some of you have just gotten to know her. As her daughter, I hope everyone gets to know my mom as I do -- a tough fighter who is not afraid to take on those who abuse political power.
I watched my mother stand for 13 straight hours, fighting for the families of Texas. I couldn't have been more proud. But I wasn't surprised -- this isn't the first time she's gone up against one of Governor Perry's outrageous plans.
When the Texas legislature cut $5 billion in public education funding, hurting Texas's children and families, my mom took a stand.
My mom knows I will always stand beside her. And she needs to know you're with her, too.
My mom is building up a grassroots coalition -- and she needs 10,000 contributors to join her. Can you chip in $5 or more?
My mother is a real fighter. She always has been. And this filibuster just proved that when push comes to shove, she stands strong.
Mom got the fight against Governor Perry's anti-women bill started. Now we all need to stand with her. Become one of the 10,000 contributors to help build her grassroots coalition. Pitch in a few dollars right now.
This fight doesn't just belong to my mom. It's up to each and every one of us to pitch in and help.
Thank you!
Amber Davis
Wendy Davis Response Email On Her Character Being Attacked
Mine is a story about a teenage single mother who struggled to keep her young family afloat. It’s a story about a young woman who was given a precious opportunity to work her way up in the world. It’s a story about resiliency, and sacrifice, and perseverance.
And you’re damn right it’s a true story.
Throughout this campaign, I’ve shared that story – not because it’s unique, but because it isn’t.
The story of my life is also the story of millions of single mothers who feel alone in the world, millions of young dreamers searching for their chance to become something more than what they were born into, millions of families all across Texas who would sacrifice everything to give their children a better future.
It’s those stories – your stories – that drive my campaign. But Greg Abbott and his allies don’t want to hear them. They don’t have anything to offer Texans who find themselves in the same difficult situation I was in when I was young. They would slam the doors I walked through and pull up the ladders I was lucky to be able to climb.
And now, instead of offering real ideas to improve your life, they’re attacking mine.
It won’t work. The only thing Greg Abbott and his allies have proved with these desperate attacks is that they don’t understand what it means to live a life like mine – a life like that of so many people all across our state.
They don’t know me – and, what’s more important, they don’t know you.
I’m not surprised that the Abbott campaign would resort to attacking the story of a single mother who worked hard to get ahead.
And I’m not afraid of their false attacks – I developed thick skin long before anyone knew my name.
What I am is deeply proud of the life I’ve built and the daughters I’ve raised – and deeply grateful to the many, many people who have shared their stories and offered their support as I’ve traveled our state.
No false attack can take away my story. And no sleazy political trick will stop me from giving voice to yours.
Your stories are why I’m running for Governor. And together, I know we’ll make sure that the Texas we leave to our children is a place where every young mother can build a better life for her child. . . where every family can work their way up the economic ladder. . . where every Texan can achieve their dreams and live out their own success story.
Together, we’ll break through these attacks, win this election, and make Texas even greater.
Wendy
……… WORD ………
https://secure.wendydavistexas.com/donate/e140127bsd/
**DUERS** ARE YOU UP TO THE WALMART CHALLENGE???
Since Walmart is asking us to help provide food for their workers, why not help them out.
Hence My Challenge:
Go to Walmart fill your shopping carts full of food and place the food in the storage bins!
WIN - WIN … … … Everybody WINS!
Workers will have their holiday food and Walmart will be supplying their workers with the food they are asking us to give.
Spread the message far and wide!!!
Give Freely and Happy THANKSGIVING.
HELP PLEASE! … … … The Upcoming Election November 5th, and the Nine Amendments
I do not speak legalese, and therefore do not understand any of these amendments. Can someone help me understand them and which ones are good and which ones are evil?
Thanks
“This fall voters will be asked to approve 9 amendments to the Texas Constitution,” said Secretary Steen. “By randomly selecting the order in which the amendments appear, we can help ensure no amendment unfairly benefits from its placement on the ballot.”
The amendments will appear in the following order:
Proposition 1 (HJR 62) The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services of the United States who is killed in action.
Proposition 2 (HJR 79) The constitutional amendment eliminating an obsolete requirement for a State Medical Education Board and a State Medical Education Fund, neither of which is operational.
Proposition 3 (HJR 133) The constitutional amendment to authorize a political subdivision of this state to extend the number of days that aircraft parts that are exempt from ad valorem taxation due to their location in this state for a temporary period may be located in this state for purposes of qualifying for the tax exemption."
Proposition 4 (HJR 24) The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of part of the market value of the residence homestead of a partially disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a partially disabled veteran if the residence homestead was donated to the disabled veteran by a charitable organization.
Proposition 5 (SJR 18) The constitutional amendment to authorize the making of a reverse mortgage loan for the purchase of homestead property and to amend lender disclosures and other requirements in connection with a reverse mortgage loan.
Proposition 6 (SJR 1) The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas to assist in the financing of priority projects in the state water plan to ensure the availability of adequate water resources.
Proposition 7 (HJR 87) The constitutional amendment authorizing a home-rule municipality to provide in its charter the procedure to fill a vacancy on its governing body for which the unexpired term is 12 months or less.
Proposition 8 (HJR 147 and SJR 54) The constitutional amendment repealing Section 7, Article IX, Texas Constitution, which relates to the creation of a hospital district in Hidalgo County.
Proposition 9 (SJR 42) The constitutional amendment relating to expanding the types of sanctions that may be assessed against a judge or justice following a formal proceeding instituted by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Adding a sense of history to today’s event, the actual 1876 Texas Constitution was displayed and the amendments were drawn from a wooden box made from materials from the home where Texas delegates met at Washington-on-the-Brazos to declare independence from Mexico in 1836.
“Texas still operates under the 1876 Constitution so its presence is a good reminder about the importance and lasting impact of amending this document,” said Steen.
The 1876 Constitution and historic wood box were generously made available by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, which also hosted the event at the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building.
As part of his presentation, Secretary Steen reminded voters that the November 5 election will be the first statewide election with new photo ID requirements in effect for voting in person.
“Now is a good time for voters to make sure they have the appropriate photo ID and update their registration if their voter registration does not match the name on their ID,” said Steen. “To learn more, voters are encouraged to visit VoteTexas.gov or contact their county elections office.”
Voters ages 65 and older and those with a disability may vote by mail for any election.
For more information about voting in Texas, visit: www.votetexas.gov
For more information about the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, including the 1876 Constitution, visit: https://www.tsl.state.tx.us/
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/about/newsreleases/2013/080513.shtml
18 Microwave Snacks You Can Cook In A Mug
Pics and recipes at the link!
I've had a chocolate cake in a mug before, but started using a pyrex dish instead. I also modified the recipe into spice cake. They were both delicious 
Then my microwave died. I currently don't have the money to replace it 
http://www.buzzfeed.com/arielknutson/delicious-snacks-in-a-mug
Senator Wendy Davis Will Be On Anderson Cooper 360 tonight 7 PM CT/8 PM ET
Thank you.
After getting a few hours of quality sleep last night, it is even more evident that together, we have started something incredible.
From the masses of people at the Capitol until early this morning to the hundreds of thousands watching our filibuster online, we have shown Governor Rick Perry and the failed leadership in Austin that we will not be silenced.
It is because of your determination and dedication that we were able to stop this horrible legislation from being passed last night. Unfortunately, less than 24 hours after our filibuster, Governor Perry has once again chosen the low road of partisanship over the common good by calling a second special session. I have no doubt that our state's failed leadership will do everything they can to thwart the will of the majority of Texans and pass this harmful bill that we worked so hard to defeat. But we have shown them that this time, they will have to listen to us.
Thank you so much for all of your words of encouragement, support, and tireless hard work.
Your friend, and proudly your state senator,
Wendy
P.S. I hope you will tune into Anderson Cooper 360 on CNN tonight at 7 PM CT/8 PM ET to hear me talk about our filibuster.
AWESOME 
Latest Email from Senator Wendy Davis: Received @ 3:17 am
I have amazing news!
Just moments ago, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst announced to the Senate that SB5 is officially dead! Evidently, Governor Perry and the legislative leadership can hear our voices.
This amazing feat is because of you. I wanted to share this wonderful news as soon as I could.
Thank you so much for all of your encouragement, support, hard work, and most of all dedication and determination.
It is a great night for women and families in Texas and our allies across the country.
Your friend and, proudly, your State Senator,
Wendy
And Thank You, WENDY! We are ALL so proud of you and honored that you represent Tarrant County and the rest of Texas!
But for now go home and get some sleep. Stay Strong so you can continue to Fight for Another Day.
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