Shouldn't The Carter Ave Rally Be On The Institute For Justice's Event Website?

The Institute for Justice has a web page specifically designed to show events and rallies directly related to eminent domain. Well, I checked it today, looking at March 4th and do you know what I didn't see? That's right...I didn't see the Carter Avenue Rescue Operation Protest and Rally.

Now, I'm fairly certain that Texas contains a great deal of eminent domain. I'm thinking that I read recently that Tarrant County was the capital of eminent domain. Maybe one of my smarter friends can verify that for me.

Seeing that the Institute for Justice is all about rendering aid to those Americans in need of getting Justice served, you'd think at the very least they would at least put the Carter Avenue Rescue Operation Protest and Rally on their event page. I'm truly confused.

Why Doesn't The Institute of Justice Give Legal Assistance to Steve Doeung?

We all thought it would be a fantastical idea to contact the Institute of Justice to ask them for help in Steve Doeung's fight against Chesapeake Energy and the City of Forth Worth and their Lackey of a Mayor, Moncrief. Then come to find out...the Institute of Justice was already contacted and they refused to help?

I took a look at their website, and you should as well. According to what they preach they're all about protecting the freedom of speech and people's personal property rights against eminent domain abuse. Well, I decided to look at a few of the cases they've been involved with, maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree.

San Juan County v. No New Gas Tax. I read that a private law firm stood to gain privately from not rolling back the gas tax. Well, isn't that very similar to a certain Mayor of Fort Worth that stands to gain privately by allowing Chesapeake to run their dangerous non-odorized pipeline under the residents' of Carter Avenues' houses? And when Steve was ticketed for violations that were directly related to him displaying a visual protest against Chesapeake Energy...wasn't that an attempt to "shut him up" and suspend his right to free speech?

So, HEY...Institute for Justice...what gives? Why not this case? We haven't even looked at the eminent domain abuse aspect of Steve Doeung's case, but we will.

A total whirlwind of a week that ended with some great and wonderful news. All week long I have trained to be a member of the 2010 Census. I can't say that everyday of the training has been tantalizing, but I have learned a whole bunch, met some people, and acquired my area assignment for the next three weeks.

We went from having a snow day on Tuesday to having a shorts and tee shirt day on Wednesday, very bizarre weather. On my snow day, stuck inside, I emailed and talked long distance to some good people over in Fort Worth and within a matter of DAYS, a most important crucial rally was birthed.

On top of that, do you remember me mentioning how proud I was of my former Pecos middle school students that are now Pecos high school students? My former Pecos students PROTESTED the unfair removal of Coach Henson from the Athletic Director spot at Pecos High School. This PROTEST included the students making posters with slogans such as: "NO COACH, NO SCHOOL"...that's right, then the students refused to go into school.

I know what you're thinking, "Good for them, but you know...nothing is going to change." I kid you not, I have heard those very words uttered all week long since the PROTEST showed up on the evening local news. NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE...well, my dear friends, something has changed. Just last night, with only two months on the job, Superintendent Lujan has decided to RESIGN.

Now, I don't know if the SAVE CARTER AVE PROTEST RALLY next Thursday, March 4th will bring about the same type of change as did the PECOS PROTEST RALLY, but I do know this. This is not the end. Chesapeake, beware...

You've called down the thunder and well now, you've got it!

HOT OFF THE PRESS!!!


The Carter Avenue Rescue Operation will be holding a rally on the Courthouse steps Thursday, March 4th at 7:30 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend.

This rally will be held prior to Steve Doeung's court appearance in his battle with Chesapeake Energy. Steve Doeung is attempting to stop Chesapeake Energy from using eminent domain to take his home in order to put a pipeline beneath the homes along Carter Avenue in Fort Worth.

Steve Doeung does not have legal counsel. He is a Lone Ranger battling Chesapeake Energy. The last time Steve Doeung was in court he was virtually alone against Chesapeake Energy.

This time we do not want Steve Doeung to be alone. We want Steve to feel the support of his fellow Texans, with a solid, loud expression of the American Spirit.

The Court hearing begins at 8:30. Please come witness this historic moment in Fort Worth and Texas and show your support for Steve Doeung and the residents of Carter Avenue.

All North Texans should be concerned with the process and outcome of this hearing. A recent Fort Worth Business Press article named Tarrant County, the eminent domain capital of Texas, which by default likely makes Tarrant County the eminent domain capital of America.

YOUR neighborhood could be next.

Speakers at the event include:

Louis McBee - Vietnam Veteran, Business Owner, Community Leader, Former Mayoral Candidate and Treasurer of NCTCA

Glen Bucy - Afghanistan Veteran, Former City Council Candidate, and Local Community Activist

Billy Mitchell - Rancher, Eminent domain abuse victim, Community Activist

And special guest - DISH, TX Mayor, Calvin Tillman - Mayor Tillman has been leading the way with his determination and resolve to ensure the safety of resident's rights concerning gas drilling, not only in DISH, but the entire state of Texas. He was recently invited to speak to citizens in New York about their concerns with gas drilling issues.

CARTER AVENUE RESCUE OPERATION begins at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 100 W. Weatherford in Fort Worth. That is the Old Historic Courthouse at the north end of downtown, across the street from Heritage Park. Just follow the signs, downtown, to Sundance Square, where you will find plenty of parking lots.

Refreshments will be provided. Please plan on attending and bring your family and friends!

Census Training Cancelled By Snow Storm

That's the view from my front door looking across my yard into my neighbor's yard. That's a lot of snow and it's still coming down. I've complained to Old Man Winter already, but he's not taking complaints. I'm done with Winter. My Rose bushes were done with Winter, they had already started budding. I took the week off from my teaching assignment to do a week of training for the 2010 Census. Why would someone take a week off from their real job in order to train for a part time gig?

The school in which I teach will be closing soon. We were promised and assured by the leaders in Austin that we would have until August 31st of 2010. Then suddenly, an email was sent by Cherie Townsend stating that if West Texas State School and Victory Field closed early, let's say, by April 2nd of 2010, it would save the state 3 million dollars and possibly meet the budget cut requirements set forth by Governor Perry.

If the school closes April 2nd, then I'll have to drive four hours a day to Iraan in order to continue to work. I'm thinking I just might not do that. I'd have to leave the house around 4:30AM and that means waking my nine year old and getting her over to mommy's and daddy's at that time. Wouldn't you consider this quite a hardship?

The 2010 Census isn't really a part time gig. Seems that I have the opportunity to work seventeen weeks. That's a lot of guaranteed money. Also, I'm getting back into the insurance business, Medicare to be specific. And if Congress is able to create a National Payor, they're going to need a lot of insurance representatives, and that's something I know how to do REALLY well.

Considering I'm snowed in for the time being, I should probably use my time wisely and do a bit of cleaning and organizing. I should probably make some soup as well, I'm thinking Crab Bisque would be good. Yummy!




2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1 1/2 cups half-and-half cream
1/2 pound pre-cooked crab meat
1/2 cup white wine

1.In a large saucepan, melt butter over a low heat. Stir in flour, salt, white pepper, bouillon granules, and onion. Blend 3/4 cup half-and-half cream into the mixture. Mix in shrimp and crab meat. Turn the temperature to medium heat and continue stirring until the mixture thickens.
2.Blend the remaining half-and-half cream and wine into the mixture.

CARO Carter Avenue Rescue Operation

This is your chance to become a fan of something really good! Steve Doeung, our lone ranger on Carter Avenue, rides back into court to take on Chesapeake Energy in the latest showdown. Stay up to date with comments and notes by Steve himself. You may even see a letter or two from the infamous Durango. There could possibly be a regal visit by the Queen herself.

Take a moment and check out the page. If you have a Face Book account, become a fan and help us spread the word. On March 4th, we need people...planes, trains and automobiles, even motorcycles, of people to support Steve! Meet at the courthouse, make some noise...let the man know you have his back.

Listening To Your Heart

When you're a child you imagine wispy wonderful whimsical widgets. Your heart speaks suddenly and soundly like a stoic soldier issuing commands. These ideas and commands comforts the idealistic nature of your soul, they're aligned with your inner wants and desires. I have the belief that in your childhood your destiny is revealed, that if you only paid it a bit of attention we would grow up knowing exactly what we need to accomplish, become and love.

Take for instance, my most favorite scene from It's A Wonderful Life. It's when George is a kid, old enough to be a soda jerk. He takes his place behind the counter to get Mary some ice cream. As he's scooping her ice cream, George explains that he'll be a famous explorer. But Mary has other plans, she leans over the counter while he's bent down and whispers:

Is this the ear you can't hear in? George Bailey, I'll love you until the day I die.

You can find Mary whispering the sweet sayings at 5:52. Mary clearly knows she loves George and never forgets it. I make it a habit of listening to my children when they express their inner desires and things they like. We keep a scrap book of all the thoughts, ideas and things they want to do...sort of a bucket list.

One of Annie's childhood dreams is to open an animal shelter with one of her friends, Mallory. They already have a really cute name picked out, Annnie-Mals. She also has a list of characteristics for her future mate, one is that he must be extremely fond of animals. We've been adding to this scrap book yearly, it will be my graduation present to her one day, and hopefully she'll always remember her childlike wants and wishes, and truly have a wonderful life.

The Cootie Queen

My friend Durango refers to me as the Queen of Wink. This reference can sometimes get under the skin of people who actually think of themselves as royalty. Thinking about being the queen, made me think about one of my favorite commercials. Yes, I do like commercials. Usually, that's all the attention span I have... about 3 minutes.

This particular commercial is an Orbit one, referencing the ever popular Cootie Queen. Under normal circumstances the Cootie Queen can be found in most elementary schools. The Cootie Queen is not well liked by others and that's because she spreads cooties. I'm thinking Kaye Bailey Hutchinson is a former Cootie Queen that's grown into a Bailout Queen.

What has Kaye Bailed out on? Didn't she say she would do only TWO terms in the Senate? Wasn't that in 1993 when she made that statement? Didn't she also say that she would resign from the Senate when she ran for governor? Then of course, the most credible proof of earning her title...she voted for the bailout. I'm thinking though that soon, we'll be singing her a tune:

Na na na na na na na na
Hey hey hey goodbye

New Super Lujan Is A Super DUD

I'm am so proud of my former Pecos students. Today, I watched them on the local news ditch school. Now why would you think a teacher of sound mind like myself would be proud of students cutting class? To express their opinion and protest an unfair act.

Lately, you've been hearing about Kermit, Texas and it's corrupt ways in the dealings of nurses blowing the whistle on erroneous doctors. Let's just say that the local school has just about the same amount problems. Of course, I don't have official sources, but a member of the Kermit ISD School Board did confirm that former Superintendent Lujan was asked to leave.

Lujan and his band of merry followers, followed him to Pecos where they have ousted the beloved Athletic Director, Hensen. I worked with Hensen and his wife and taught their daughter at Crockett Middle School. The entire family is a valuable asset to the community as well as truly loved.

It's time that good people quit being trampled on. It's time that we the people stand up for our rights and do what's right. It's time for the good ol boy Texas network to hit the curb! So, HEY FORT WORTH!!!! Pay attention! Are you going to let a bunch of high school students out do you? Steve Doeung NEEDS YOUR HELP! Be at the court house March 4th! Call your friends, take the kids out of school, alert the media: The Battle of the Century is on!!! Chesapeake Energy vs Steve Doeung!

No Longer A Lent Mass Virgin

I attended Mass last night with Jesee to celebrate Lent. Is that the proper term? Celebrate? I'm not sure, see...it was my first Lent Mass. I've been to a Christmas Midnight Mass and a Funeral Mass, but I've never been to a Lent Mass, so now, I'm no longer a Lent Mass Virgin. Pardon me, Virgin Mary.

Why'd I go if I'm not Catholic? Because, Jesse asked me if I wanted to go, and you know me, can't ever say no. Mass started at seven o'clock, we arrived around six o'thirty to get a seat up front. Jesse loves sitting near the front, he's very Catholic.

After arriving, Jesse then observed that the Spanish choir was setting up which meant that the Mass would be done in Spanish. And no, I don't speak Spanish. I picked up the little Mass book, and started practicing reading the responses, so I'd be able to chime in with the rest of everyone else.

The Spanish choir began to play...accordion, keyboard and Spanish guitars. I'll have to say, that the songs had this sorta upbeat tempo and I really enjoyed it. I pretended to know the words and mouthed along (I did know the melody).

Wow...the Catholics do a lot of kneeling and standing and sitting and kneeling and standing and sitting...and it all has something to do with this little chiming you hear. I responded as best as I could in Spanish, but while there was some down time (I call it this, because we were just watching the priest prepare communion) I turned to the English portion of the little Mass book and read the scriptures chosen for Lent.

Sacrifice, if done openly isn't really a sacrifice at all. If you seek praise from the people around you then you've received your reward. Let's say that Jesse and I have given up meat for Lent. So, if we go around looking all tired and worn out because we haven't had our meat, well, then that's not true sacrifice. You're supposed to stay all perky, and happy and dressed up nice.

Okay, so I was ready for my ashes. The ashes are from the Palms that are burned from the previous year's Palm Mass. They are saved and used for Lent. I got in line with everyone else and received my ashen mark on my forehead. Jesse told me that you are not supposed to wash the ashes off on purpose that you just let them wear off.

This worried me quite a bit. I think I worried too much about it. As I pondered these ashes, the priest finished preparing for the Communion. I wasn't supposed to partake of Communion because I hadn't gone through the Catechism. Instead, I crossed my arms in front of my chest and then I just received a blessing from the priest. Which I really needed, you can't get too many blessings.

Now I'm wondering if blessings are sorta like wishes. Can you save the blessing? Can you give the blessing to someone else? Can you use the blessing and ask for more blessings? Maybe I need to go to the Catechism to find out.