By David Van Os

The people have been on an accelerating downward slide under the class war waged by the robber barons and their political stooges especially for the last 31 years since the false idol Reagan took office. Many millions of honest, hard-working Americans have been tricked by three decades of lies into voting for the purveyors of the false free-market cult, voting for the very same predators who steal their jobs, their homes, and their standards of living.

Too many people who had positions of influence through which they could have combated the lies failed to do so. When false messages are not vigorously contested it is easy for the lies to fill a vacuum. Far too many people get elected on populist-sounding platforms, and then it turns out that either their platforms were fraudulent or they don’t have the guts to live up to them. And far too many journalists and academics take the easy and convenient path of acquiescence to the power of money.

By Jim Collier

The Denton County Appraisal District (Denton CAD), will be mailing the 2012 real estate property tax appraisals around the first week in May. If the past few years’ trend toward erroneously inflated home values continues, Denton County homeowners will be billed for excessive taxes.

This over-valuation is our county government’s way to generate more tax revenue without using the dreaded words “tax increase”. Our homes are given values well above the actual market values.
According to the nationally accredited authorities, S&P/Case-Schiller, property values have actually declined every year since 2007. Yet our county property appraisals have consistently increased.

During an Arbitration Review Board held last summer the question was asked, “How, with the entire country suffering from declining home prices, can Denton County be so different?” After some hemming and hawing (and even a couple of blushes) one of them mumbled “We’re in a bubble of prosperity.” During interviews with more than 20 homeowners attempting to have their appraisals corrected, that response was often repeated.

Fortunately our Legislature has put processes into law to protect homeowners from this chronic victimization. Unfortunately though, only about 3% of homeowners use those processes. That 3% has had consistent success in having their appraisals lowered. The amounts vary, from as little as 1% to as much as 15%. This amounts to lowering your tax bill by anywhere from $50 to $2000 dollars.

By Michael Stafford

Conservative political advertisements are becoming increasingly unhinged.

Herman Cain was already known for his odd political ads during his brief presidential candidacy. Since leaving the campaign trail, Cain's explored new artistic ground in a series of anti-stimulus advertisements that feature fish being tortured and bunnies being shot.

Yes, Herman Cain is apparently now producing the political equivalent of conservative crush porn. Perhaps his next ad will feature Sarah Palin in stilettos stomping on bugs? Take that, stimulus-beetle!

Meanwhile, Rick Santorum, who is still a legitimate presidential contender, is running advertisements that could serve as the basis for a clinical case study in Obama Derangement Syndrome. Consider one of his latest ads, "Obamaville," which is as dark as any commercial produced by a serious candidate in recent memory. As Paul Waldman has observed, Santorum seems to be suggesting in the ad that Obama's re-election would transform America "into some combination of 'The Day After' and 'Saw.'"

One day, historians will look back on these advertisements and conclude that conservatism had reached an intellectual and moral nadir, and had only two political cards left to play: fear and anger. Lacking a positive program of its own, it has opted to push paranoid delusions instead. That's what these advertisements are really all about. What's significant is the window they provide into the anxiety-plagued psyche of segments of the GOP base. They say far more about those that made them, and about their intended audience, than they do about Obama.

As David Frum observed shortly after President Obama's election, "to listen to Fox News and other conservative media, you'd think we were living in Czechoslovakia in the final hours before the 1948 communist coup." If anything, the feverish rhetoric has only grown worse since then. In this apocalyptic vision of the world, liberty hangs perilously by a thread. And President Obama, who is alternately conceived of as a Marxist, a Muslim, or a Mau Mau- and sometimes, as all three simultaneously- is out tear up the Constitution, destroy Christianity, impoverish us, and steal our unhealthy sugary desserts right out of our kitchen cupboards.

Of course, all of this is irrational. It is an emotional rant, not a reasoned argument. There is no objective basis for such views. But it is a vision of the world pushed relentlessly by the radical right and the conservative entertainment complex, who play on our fears and anxieties by conjuring up endless bogeymen- illegal immigrants, Socialists, Communists, Muslims, climate scientists, the media, even public employees- on whom to pin blame. This is a delirium; a delusion. But it's also something a bit more- it's an intentional lie.

Flower Mound Realtor Kris Wise (who is afraid of heights) announced that she will be conducting a raffle benefiting the Children's Advocacy Center of Denton County.

One lucky winner will join Kris on May 4th for a sunset balloon ride in southern Denton County (actual location TBD based on wind patterns that day) around the Flower Mound area for about an hour. There will be champagne and festivities as well and of course the entertainment will be Kris screaming upon lift off.

Raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 and all proceeds will go to the Children's Advocacy Center of Denton County. (http://www.cacdc.org) The raffle tickets can be purchased at the Keller Williams office at 2611 Cross Timbers Rd Ste 100, Flower Mound 75028 or you can send an email to Andy at andy@kriswise.com and make arrangements.

As I look back on the last six years, there are too many people to thank and too many issues in the city to list them all. My tenure on the Highland Village city council is coming to a close. There are many aspects of my service that I will certainly miss. But I can look back and say that I served for six years which was the term limit for my position when I was first elected in 2006. I want to take this time for reflection on six years of service to the people of Highland Village. This journey started when the place six seat on the council was open because Dianne Costa was running for mayor. I had always been interested in the workings of local government and had a long history of volunteer service to this community. On this basis, I decided to throw my hat in the ring for elected office. This election season was on the tail end of some fairly hotly contested races for city council in Highland Village. There was a good hard fought race with lots of walking door to door and after the victory I began my service on council in May of 2006. Thanks to all the folks who supported me in 2006 and have continued to support me the last six years.

Learning all the ins and outs of being a member of the council takes up most of the first year of service. I immersed myself in activities and learned about the regional representatives and regional issues in North Texas and Denton County. Transportation was one of the issues at the forefront of my entire time on council. DCTA services and road projects were two things that required constant vigilance by our council. The training I had during my surgical residency helped me tremendously on the council. The team concept is essential not only on the dais, but in relationships with city staff. I learned early on that a hands off style without micromanaging city departments fit me well. The city is blessed to have a great management team in place. They were always available and more than willing to discuss issues in their individual departments. In addition the city has a great group of volunteers on our boards and commissions who help the wheels of the city turn efficiently. I appreciate their willingness to serve.

Joe Gandelman - Independent's Eye

After nearly 30 years of rapid growth that saved the sagging AM radio format the question is being seriously asked: is conservative talk radio as we know it on the way out?

According to reports, conservative talk titan Rush Limbaugh has lost 141 advertisers due to his three-day, bordering-on-slander verbal assault on Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke. The company distributing his show has suspended his national advertising for two weeks.

Various analysts note that former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is launching a radio show April 2 in direct competition with Limbaugh. There are rumblings that some stations might decide to replace Limbaugh with Huckabee. Why? Huckabee has shown wide appeal in his Fox News show where he comes across as a thoughtful conservative who prefers discussing issues to polarizing polemics.

Meanwhile, The Daily Beast's John Avlon points to a list that Premier Networks, which distributes Limbaugh and various other conservative talkers, put out containing 98 companies that don't want their ads on controversial political radio shows anymore.

This comes, Avon writes, "at a particularly difficult time for right-wing talk radio. They are playing to a (sometimes literally) dying demographic. Rush & Co. rate best among old, white males. They have been steadily losing women and young listeners, who are alienated by the angry, negative, obsessive approach to political conservations. Add to that the fact that women ages 24—55 are the prize advertising demographic, and you have a perfect storm emerging after Limbaugh's Sandra Fluke comments."

The bottom line: conservative political talk may be outdated business model.

By Tina Dupuy

Conservatives really wanted a fight about religious freedom. It appeared to be an easy win: turn an ObamaCare mandate that insurers cover birth control into a war on religion. The GOP, void of any ideas Obama hasn't contaminated by agreeing with, finds itself in an election year frantically looking for a bold battle cry. That sweet hot button issue that can excite their party and (hopefully) win them the White House (or maybe the Senate).

Their old standbys have fallen flat: Iran, abortion, climate change, child labor laws, and even gay marriage don't have the sparkle they once had for the Grand Old Party.

Republicans can't seem to get excited about Mitt Romney as their '80s-teen-movie-smug-rich-guy-stock-character nominee. Worse yet, he's Mormon, which makes evangelical leaders grumble. So having a common enemy is the best way to bring everyone together for the proverbial good fight: Freedom.

"It's important for us to win this issue," Speaker John Boehner told reporters last week. "Our government for 220 years has respected the religious views of the American people and for all of this time there's been an exception for those churches and other groups to protect the religious beliefs that they believe in. And that's being violated here."

Is Boehner coming out against anti-Sharia laws?! Or is he just conveniently forgetting the government isn't always so deferential to the pious? Mormons had to forsake polygamy to gain statehood, for one. In 1862 the then-General Ulysses S. Grant expelled Jews from his district of Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky. And there were plenty of states where you couldn't hold public office if you didn't swear to believe in God (as opposed to Allah, Buddha or a flying plate of spaghetti) until the Torcaso v. Watkins decision in 1961.

This whole charade of religious freedom collapsed under the girth of Rush Limbaugh. He pivoted what was supposed to be a church and state issue into snickering about young women having sex. For three days Limbaugh railed on law student, Sandra Fluke, who testified for congressional Democrats, calling her a prostitute and a slut for speaking in public about the need for birth control coverage. So the GOP was trying to take the high (read: holy) road and there was their mouthpiece driving them all off a cliff demanding Ms. Fluke post sex videos on the Internet.

Wayne Pickett, Recreation Manager for Lewisville’s Parks and Recreation Department has announced he will officially retire on July 31, 2011. His last day in the office will be Friday, July 8.

Anyone who has known Wayne will greatly miss him.

Check it out. Mamask8z is skating! Come play with me. You wanna put your big girl panties on and roll with us?? BRING IT BABY!!!! We want you.


media@northtexasrollerdolls.com
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Roller Derby in North Texas: North Texas Roller Dolls Currently Accepting New Skaters

Lewisville, TX – The North Texas Roller Dolls (NTRD), the newest all- female roller derby league in North Texas, announced its Spring 2011 Membership Drive.

NTRD skates for sport, fitness and fun! Skaters of all skill levels and sizes are encouraged to join NTRD. Those who are small, big, fast, slow, tall, or short are all accepted. Female participants age 18 and over are welcome. The training staff of NTRD will teach skaters and help them hone their skills for strength, safety, and performance.

NTRD is seeking women who are determined and willing to push themselves. Currently, the league consists of five teams: Crash Test Honeys (Training Team), Locas Muertas (Lewisville), Main Street Mafia (Lewisville), Funky Town Fugitives (Fort Worth/Haltom City), and Hickory Street Hooligans (Denton).

NTRD practices locally at two North Texas skating rinks: InterSkate Roller Rink located at 1408 S. Business Highway 121, Lewsiville, TX 75067 (www.interskate.net) and RollerWorld NE located at 5817 Denton Highway, Haltom City, TX 76148 (www.rollerworldne.com).

Volunteers of either gender that do not wish to skate, can become Non-Skating Officials (NSO). NSO positions include time keepers, scoreboard operators, statistics recorders and others. NSO’s must be 18 years of age and very detail-oriented.

Roller derby is among the fastest growing sports world-wide, according to Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). WFTDA is the international ruling organization for women’s flat track roller derby. As stated on the WFTDA website: currently there are more than 700 leagues across 25 countries around the world, up from 400 in 11 countries just one year ago. (http://wftda.com/news/wftda-2011-demographic-survey-results)

North Texas Roller Dolls operates as a non-profit, charitable organization empowering women through the sport of Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby. Representing the North Texas area, NTRD promotes athleticism, sportswomanship and community involvement to women from all walks of life. We strive to promote the sport of Roller Derby by competing in this physically demanding sport that inspires women embrace their inner strength while entertaining fans and enriching our community. NTRD follows the guidelines and standards set forth by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).



For information contact:
Jennifer “Fluffy” Southwell
media@northtexasrollerdolls.com
214/497-5382

This was inadvertently posted twice by the author. Here's the full article.