Uploads from Patrick Feller, tagged politics, with geodata

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nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:33:05 -0700

I spent the last three evenings watching the Republican National Convention, more (it turns out) for amusement than for edification.

While standing in line this morning to pick up a birthday card at Walgreens, I was thinking about Clint Eastwood's fifteen minute bit last night, and the reaction to it, so I was surprised, when I glanced up, to see Clint glaring back at me, from the cover of LIFE/ICONS.

Eastwood's performance at the convention had amused and bemused me, while doing nothing to diminish my respect for his talent and my enjoyment of his films.

I can't find a verb for iconoclasty, specifically self-iconoclasty, but there should really be one... and don't try to tell me you can't do that to yourself...

Oh, go ahead. Make my day.

Texas Governor Rick Perry's Campaign Stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas 103110164901BW

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:14:37 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

Rick Perry

Back in April of 2009, Perry had this to say about what Texas might do if it got too "fed up":

Texas is a unique place. When we came into the union in 1845, one of the issues was that we would be able to leave if we decided to do that," Perry said. "My hope is that America and Washington in particular pays attention. We've got a great union. There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, who knows what may come of that.

What kind of American leaves the door open for secession?
He has his facts wrong, of course. In 1845, when Texas joined the United States, it reserved the right to divide into five states, not to secede,

Texas Governor Rick Perry's Campaign Stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas 103110164803BW

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:13:54 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

In March of 1999, Perry signed this declaration, honoring the Confederacy and denying that slavery was the primary cause of the Confederacy, the primary reason given by the Texas Secession Convention for seceding, and the cause of the Civil War.

The Senate of the State of Texas
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 526
WHEREAS, April is the month in which the Confederate States of America began and ended a four year
struggle for states' riqhts, individual freedom, and local government control; and
WHEREAS, The State of Texas declared herself to be a free and independent state and
subsequently joined the Confederate States of America of which it was a member state from 1861 until
1865; and
WHEREAS, The battlefields, monuments, museums, and other historical sites to be found in Texas
allow our citizens and visitors to remember, study, and appreciate the men and women of that unique
time in the history of Texas and the nation; and
WHEREAS, The flag of the State of Texas was carried by Texas Confederate soldiers in every
major battle of the War Between the States and the state contributed over 115,000 soldiers and sailors
to the service of the Confederate States of America; and
WHEREAS, During the period of reconciliation, Texas Confederate veterans became instrumental in
the continued development of our state and local governments and our institutions of higher learning; and
WHEREAS, We honor our past and draw from it the courage, strength, and wisdom to go forward
into the future together as Texans and Americans; and
WHEREAS, The State of Texas has long recognized her Confederate history and the leaders who
made sacrifices on behalf of the Confederate cause; and
WHEREAS, The Texans who served in the War Between the States are memorialized in almost
every county in the state, and many cities and counties in the State of Texas bear the name of
Confederate veterans; and
WHEREAS, It is important for all Texans to reflect upon our state's past and to respect the devotion
of her Confederate leaders, soldiers, and citizens to the cause of Southern liberty; and
WHEREAS, In years since the war, the morally abhorrent practice of slavery has in the minds of
many Texans become the prime motivation of Southern soldiers, despite the fact that 98 percent of
Texas Confederate soldiers never owned a slave and never fought to defend slavery; and
WHEREAS, Politically correct revisionists would have Texas children believe that their Confederate
ancestors fought for slavery when in fact most Texans joined the Confederate armed forces to defend
their homes, their families, and their proud heritage as Texans; and
WHEREAS , Confederate Memorial Day in April is a time for all Texans to honor those men and
women who died for Texas, and also all the Texans who came afterward and benefitted from their
legacy of honor and devotion to our state; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 76th Legislature, hereby recognize April as
Confederate History and Heritage Month in the State of Texas and encourage all Texas schools and
citizens to join in efforts to become more knowledgeable of the role of the Confederate States of
America in the history of our country.
Rick Perry
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the above Resolution was
adopted by the Senate on March 30, 1999.
Betty King
Secretary of the Senate
Mike Jackson
Member, Texas Senate

But, then, what else can we expect from a governor who thinks that Texas should leave the possibility of seceding again open?

Texas Governor Rick Perry's Campaign Stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas 103110164506BW

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:11:54 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

Rick Perry reminding me of George W. Bush

This photo used at Forbes.com: forbes.com/sites/afontevecchia/2011/09/29/rick-perry-to-b...

Texas Governor Rick Perry's Campaign Stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas 103110165801BW

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:15:34 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

Congressman Ted Poe, a key promoter of the stupid birther madness, is on the left, Republican HD-127 Candidate Dan Huberty in the distance, and his Republican primary opponent, Dr. Susan Curling borrowing my pen (She did return it.)

Texas Governor Rick Perry's Campaign Stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas 103110164605BW

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:13:01 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

Rick Perry

On May 3, 2010, he had this to say about the BP Gulf Oil Spill disaster:

"From time to time there are going to be things that occur that are acts of God that cannot be prevented."

Texas Governor Rick Perry's Campaign Stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas 103110164602BW

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:12:07 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

Rick Perry

Texas Governor Rick Perry's Campaign Stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas 103110164604BW

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:12:43 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

Rick Perry

Back in 2009, shortly after President Obama was elected, Governor Perry, though he got his history wrong, suggested the possibility of Texas attempting to secede, again:

Texas is a unique place. When we came into the union in 1845, one of the issues was that we would be able to leave if we decided to do that," Perry said. "My hope is that America and Washington in particular pays attention. We've got a great union. There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, who knows what may come of that.

Back in February of 1861, the Secession Convention of Texas gave these reasons for secession:

A declaration of the causes
which impel the State of Texas to secede
from the Federal Union

The government of the United States, by certain joint resolutions, bearing date the 1st day of March, in the year A. D. 1845, proposed to the Republic of Texas, then a free, sovereign and independent nation, the annexation of the latter to the former, as one of the co-equal States thereof,

The people of Texas, by deputies in convention assembled, on the fourth day of July of the same year, assented to and accepted said proposals and formed a constitution for the proposed State, upon which on the 29th day of December in the same year, said State was formally admitted into the Confederated Union.

Texas abandoned her separate national existence and consented to become one of the Confederated States to promote her welfare, insure domestic tranquillity and secure more substantially the blessings of peace and liberty to her people. She was received into the confederacy with her own constitution under the guarantee of the federal constitution and the compact of annexation, that she should enjoy these blessings. She was received as a commonwealth holding, maintaining and protecting the institution known as negro slavery--the servitude of the African to the white race within her limits--a relation that had existed from the first settlement of her wilderness by the white race, and which her people intended should exist in all future time. Her institutions and geographical position established the strongest ties between her and other slave-holding States of the confederacy. Those ties have been strengthened by association. But what has been the course of the government of the United States, and of the people and authorities of the non-slave-holding States, since our connection with them?

The controlling majority of the Federal Government, under various pretenses and disguises, has so administered the same as to exclude the citizens of the Southern States, unless under odious and unconstitutional restrictions, from all the immense territory owned in common by all the States on the Pacific Ocean, for the avowed purpose of acquiring sufficient power in the common government to use it as a means of destroying the institutions of Texas and her sister slave-holding States.

By the disloyalty of the Northern States and their citizens and the imbecility of the Federal Government, infamous combinations of incendiaries and outlaws have been permitted in those States and the common territory of Kansas to trample upon the federal laws, to war upon the lives and property of Southern citizens in that territory, and finally, by violence and mob law to usurp the possession of the same as exclusively the property of the Northern States.

The Federal Government, while but partially under the control of these our unnatural and sectional enemies, has for years almost entirely failed to protect the lives and property of the people of Texas against the Indian savages on our border, and more recently against the murderous forays of banditti from the neighboring territory of Mexico; and when our State government has expended large amounts for such purpose, the Federal Government has refused reimbursement therefor, thus rendering our condition more insecure and harassing than it was during the existence of the Republic of Texas.

These and other wrongs we have patiently borne in the vain hope that a returning sense of justice and humanity would induce a different course of administration.
When we advert to the course of individual non-slave-holding States, and that a majority of their citizens, our grievances assume far greater magnitude.

The States of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa, by solemn legislative enactments, have deliberately, directly or indirectly violated the 3rd clause of the 2nd section of the 4th article of the federal constitution, and laws passed in pursuance thereof; thereby annulling a material provision of the compact, designed by its framers to perpetuate amity between the members of the confederacy and to secure the rights of the slave-holding States in their domestic institutions--a provision founded in justice and wisdom, and without the enforcement of which the compact fails to accomplish the object of its creation. Some of those States have imposed high fines and degrading penalties upon any of their citizens or officers who may carry out in good faith that provision of the compact, or the federal laws enacted in accordance therewith.

In all the non-slave-holding States, in violation of that good faith and comity which should exist between entirely distinct nations, the people have formed themselves into a great sectional party, now strong enough in numbers to control the affairs of each of those States, based upon the unnatural feeling of hostility to these Southern States and their beneficent and patriarchal system of African slavery, proclaiming the debasing doctrine of the equality of all men, irrespective of race or color--a doctrine at war with nature, in opposition to the experience of mankind, and in violation of the plainest revelations of the Divine Law. They demand the abolition of negro slavery throughout the confederacy, the recognition of political equality between the white and the negro races, and avow their determination to press on their crusade against us, so long as a negro slave remains in these States.

For years past this abolition organization has been actively sowing the seeds of discord through the Union, and has rendered the federal congress the arena for spreading firebrands and hatred between the slave-holding and non-slave-holding States.

By consolidating their strength, they have placed the slave-holding States in a hopeless minority in the federal congress, and rendered representation of no avail in protecting Southern rights against their exactions and encroachments.

They have proclaimed, and at the ballot box sustained, the revolutionary doctrine that there is a "higher law" than the constitution and laws of our Federal Union, and virtually that they will disregard their oaths and trample upon our rights.

They have for years past encouraged and sustained lawless organizations to steal our slaves and prevent their recapture, and have repeatedly murdered Southern citizens while lawfully seeking their rendition.

They have invaded Southern soil and murdered unoffending citizens, and through the press their leading men and a fanatical pulpit have bestowed praise upon the actors and assassins in these crimes, while the governors of several of their States have refused to deliver parties implicated and indicted for participation in such offences, upon the legal demands of the States aggrieved.

They have, through the mails and hired emissaries, sent seditious pamphlets and papers among us to stir up servile insurrection and bring blood and carnage to our firesides.

They have sent hired emissaries among us to burn our towns and distribute arms and poison to our slaves for the same purpose.

They have impoverished the slave-holding States by unequal and partial legislation, thereby enriching themselves by draining our substance.

They have refused to vote appropriations for protecting Texas against ruthless savages, for the sole reason that she is a slave-holding State.

And, finally, by the combined sectional vote of the seventeen non-slave-holding States, they have elected as president and vice-president of the whole confederacy two men whose chief claims to such high positions are their approval of these long continued wrongs, and their pledges to continue them to the final consummation of these schemes for the ruin of the slave-holding States.

In view of these and many other facts, it is meet that our own views should be distinctly proclaimed.

We hold as undeniable truths that the governments of the various States, and of the confederacy itself, were established exclusively by the white race, for themselves and their posterity; that the African race had no agency in their establishment; that they were rightfully held and regarded as an inferior and dependent race, and in that condition only could their existence in this country be rendered beneficial or tolerable.

That in this free government all white men are and of right ought to be entitled to equal civil and political rights; that the servitude of the African race, as existing in these States, is mutually beneficial to both bond and free, and is abundantly authorized and justified by the experience of mankind, and the revealed will of the Almighty Creator, as recognized by all Christian nations; while the destruction of the existing relations between the two races, as advocated by our sectional enemies, would bring inevitable calamities upon both and desolation upon the fifteen slave-holding States. By the secession of six of the slave-holding States, and the certainty that others will speedily do likewise, Texas has no alternative but to remain in an isolated connection with the North, or unite her destinies with the South.

For these and other reasons, solemnly asserting that the federal constitution has been violated and virtually abrogated by the several States named, seeing that the federal government is now passing under the control of our enemies to be diverted from the exalted objects of its creation to those of oppression and wrong, and realizing that our own State can no longer look for protection, but to God and her own sons - We the delegates of the people of Texas, in Convention assembled, have passed an ordinance dissolving all political connection with the government of the United States of America and the people thereof and confidently appeal to the intelligence and patriotism of the freeman of Texas to ratify the same at the ballot box, on the 23rd day of the present month.

Adopted in Convention on the 2nd day of Feby, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one and of the independence of Texas the twenty-fifth.

[Delegates' signatures]

Texas Governor Rick Perry's Campaign Stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas 103110164802BW

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:13:37 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

I am not a fan or supporter of Governor Perry. He is not good for our state, but, until a majority of voters learns that, we are stuck with him.

That said, his office had this to say in response to my questions about claims by the Sons of Confederate Veterans that he is a member of that group.

December 13, 2010

Dear Mr. Feller:

Thank you for writing to the Office of the Governor. We appreciate the opportunity to address
the rumors you heard.

What you read was incorrect. Governor Perry is not a member of the Sons of Confederate
Veterans, and he has never said that slavery was not a primary reason for Texas’ secession in
1861. In fact, in his recent book, Fed Up, the governor writes:

Any discussion of the need to empower states inevitably brings with it cynical questions
about their role in promoting slavery and hindering the civil rights movement. Indeed,
many of our ancestors … denied basic liberties and humanity to certain people solely
because of the color of their skin. These were inexcusable chapters in American history
— particularly for the southern states most responsible. These chapters were often
defined by some who championed “states’ rights,” and thus the concept of federalism has
been understandably but mistakenly weakened.

… Unwilling to give up a way of life inexcusably based on an abominable practice,
southern states persuaded Congress — the federal government — to pass the Fugitive
Slave Act of 1850, which compelled citizens of northern states to act against their
conscience and help return escaped former slaves into bondage. … Thus, while the
southern states seceded in the name of “states’ rights,” in many ways it was the northern
states whose sovereignty was violated in the run-up to the Civil War.
Please contact our office whenever we can be of assistance.

Sincerely,
Dede Keith
Constituent Communication Division
Office of the Governor

Texas Governor Rick Perry's Campaign Stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas 103110164101BW

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:10:39 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

District 4 State Senator Tommy Williams

Texas Governor Rick Perry's Campaign Stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas 103110164401BW

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:10:48 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

Rick Perry giving thumbs up with Uncle Sam

Texas Governor Rick Perry's Campaign Stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas 103110165302BW

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:14:47 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

Rick Perry speaking while Congressman Ted Poe, a key promoter of the stupid birther madness, and former legislative candidate Dr. Susan Curling hug.

Texas Governor Rick Perry's Campaign Stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas 103110164502BW

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:11:03 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

Ted Poe and Rick Perry's teeth

Texas Governor Rick Perry's Campaign Stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas 103110164801BW

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:13:19 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

Rick Perry making eye contact

Texas Governor Rick Perry's Campaign Stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas 103110165303BW

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:15:05 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

Rick Perry, some bald guy, a police officer, and another fellow

Because Texans keep electing politicians like Governor Rick Perry & Congressman Ted Poe:

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:11:45 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

We rank 44th among states in overall children's health and well-being, the Annie E. Casey Foundation reports in its annual Kids Count Data Book. Texas' child poverty rate is higher than the national rate, with one-in-four children living in poverty.

[Photo taken at Rick Perry's campaign stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas October 31, 2010]

Texas Governor Rick Perry's Campaign Stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas 103110161501BW

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:09:27 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

Republican HD-127 Candidate Dan Huberty

Texas Governor Rick Perry's Campaign Stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas 103110161401BW

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:09:00 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

Congressman Ted Poe, a key promoter of the stupid birther madness, checking out the crowd at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas.

Texas Governor Rick Perry's Campaign Stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas 103110161601BW

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:09:35 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

Uncle Sam and some person pointing at me.

They offered to take a picture of me with him, but I declined.

It isn't about me.

Texas Governor Rick Perry's Campaign Stop at Skeeter's Mesquite Grill, Kingwood, Texas 103110163001BW

nobody@flickr.com (Patrick Feller) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:09:59 -0700

Patrick Feller posted a photo:

Attendees and Uncle Sam