Practicing What I Preach -- difficult task.

Working with "homeless" individuals is tuff! When you are counting on them to "be there"..."show up" for work and they pull one of those......"no shows," it's tuff to run a business on that in-dependability. "Helping" the homeless is an extremely "trying" experience due to the simple fact that these individuals require so many second chances and only respond to really really tuff love. (Which I happen to be good at providing.) It's close to impossible to deal with them on any type of "reasoning" level for any length of time due to the fact that they will "choose" to "be good" and work for a bit, then slip into their self medicating ways of drugs/alcohol and expect you to not be aware of that fact. It's all about them. They don't see it any other way. However, working with them teaches one to accept the fact that "things don't always turn out as planned" so it's a constant situation of both parties switching from teacher to student and being able to work together accordingly. When you are a really small business and every labor hour counts, during peak busy periods every working able body counts, it greatly affects the scheduling of personnel and work load of those that do show up when someone chooses to stay drunk for several days instead of showing up for work.

Oh well, we live and we learn (some of us), so I'm learning to hope for the best and plan for the worst as far as providing a job for some of the very capable homeless individuals. And there more of them than you know living tax free, bill free, responsibility free, accountability free, on the streets of EAST Fort Worth.

Happy New Year Readers! CHEERS to 2008!! Run John Run!

Fort Worth enforcing the "money making laws."

Funny how it appears that the laws that are most enforced are only those that bring money to the City; what about all of the Class C Misdemeanors committed by "indigent" individuals? Why do they get off scott free? Why isn't the enhancement arm of those laws enforced? This is discriminatory to those of us who have pocket change or more! When you really think about it, it's against the constitution to protect people (a segment of society) from the law. That is exactly what the City of Fort Worth is doing and perhaps the State of Texas. Why does claiming indigency protect one from the law? It doesn't make sense. The only sense I can make of it is that the City doesn't want to "invest" in the rehabilitation of people who claim (and may be) indigency. It cost too much, it's too complicated, and "it's too much of a liability" for the City of Fort Worth to deal with it. You always hear people say, "We can't arrest our way out of indigency (homelessness)." Why doesn't the City of Fort Worth use that same reasoning with people who drive above the speed limit (speeding tickets) and/or drunk drivers? Have we arrested/ticketed our way out of speeding drivers or drunk drivers? NO! Why protect the indigent (homeless) segment of our society from the laws? The law is the law. If you litter, you are breaking a law. If you panhandle at one of the 30 or so "protected intersections" of Fort Worth, you are breaking a law. If you are cruel to your dog, you are breaking a law. If you don't vaccinate your dog, you are breaking a law. If you don't feed your dog, you are breaking the law. If you are publically intoxicated, you are breaking a law. If you sell beer/alcohol to a habitual drunkard, you are breaking the law. If you are drinking beer within 1000 feet of a homeless shelter, you are breaking the law. If you criminally trespass, you are breaking the law. If you urinate in public, you are breaking the law. Why aren't any of these laws and the enhancement thereof enforced in the City of Fort Worth? Who's in control of this? The Mayor? The District Attorney? The City Council? The City Attorney's office? Oh yhea, and what about the attitude of at least ONE OF OUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS of "well, if we enforce the laws on the homeless then we are harrassing them and "criminalizing homelessness"! PUH-LEEZE!! Give me a break!! "WE" are being discriminated against, harrassed and criminalized because "we" have some pocket change to pay our tickets!! That's wrong and unlawful! The homeless (indigent) are protected from laws and we tax paying citizens are not. That's unconstitutional!

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Benazir Bhutto: Why I'm Returning To Pakistan

Bhutto Blog on The Huffington Post about returning to Pakistan. This lady was the epitome of genuine, caring, courageous leadership. What a loss for all of us!

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Defining "Mental Illness"

"Most of the homeless are 'mentally ill'," it's heard all the time. What does it mean? So many different levels of "mental illness." In regards to homelessness, should it matter if your brain is pickled because of a life of drug/alcohol abuse, or if it has been with you since birth? Yes, I say, it matters. BECAUSE, if you are a pickled brain, then you HAD a choice whereas the mentally ill, AT BIRTH, there was/is no choice. Beginning of story.

Help for the mentally ill.....comes knocking.

MHMR will come to your door and hopefully our businesses, homeless camps, etc. to provide much needed services for mentally ill individuals. This will be a very interesting program to watch and see if it does the job of truly helping the mentally ill here in Tarrant County, Texas. The problem is, if they take you to hospital AND you get admitted, one can only stay 3 days and then you are released.......to the streets once again, so it's a vicious cycle. I'll think positive and hope that MHMR provides some services to our mentally ill population.

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Cold, Wet & Chained In the Rain!

How can anyone dispute that leaving a dog in the cold rain with no shelter (which is against the law) is cruel? This picture was taken on S. Riverside close to Vickery. Council District 8.

GO CLINTON GO! Congratulations!

Not that I am a supporter of Hillary Clinton, I personally would like to see Edwards as the President. However, this endorsement is an honor for Senator Clinton. It..is..what. it.. is.. Good for her.

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Giving to the Vagrants

Congressman Michael Burgess promoting the Status Quo

It's legislators like Burgess that need to be voted out of office. Below is his reply to my letter to him sent via NORML (Nat'l Org. for Reformation of Marijuana Laws) organization requesting de-criminalizing marijuana:

Dear Friend:

Thank you for contacting me regarding your views on the legalization of marijuana. I appreciate hearing from you on this important matter.
The United States is fighting a costly war against drugs-in terms of dollars and lives that are irrevocably changed by this modern day scourge. Any legalization of substances such as marijuana will undermine the ongoing efforts by the drug enforcement community to curb this epidemic that has consumed so many Americans. Marijuana is a controlled substance and legalizing or relaxing criminal penalties will only open the doors for further illegal activities.
I will continue to support efforts on the part of the federal government to interdict drug shipments into the United States, pursue individuals that violate U.S. drug laws, provide adequate treatment to individuals addicted to drugs, and support public education campaigns that warn against the perils of illegal drug use. The federal, state, and local governments must work together on all these fronts to slow the flow of drugs into the U.S. and to lower the demand in this country for illegal substances.
Again, thank you for taking time to contact me. I appreciate having the opportunity to represent you in the U.S. House of Representatives. Please feel free to visit my website (www.house.gov/burgess) or contact me with any future concerns. Sincerely,Michael C. Burgess, M.D.Member of Congress

PUH-LEEZE! In 1970 Congress put Marijuana on the "Schedule 1" of the controlled substance list for one year, UNTIL the Nat'l Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse could study and decide where Marijuana should be classified. The Commisssion came back one year later and said that marijuana should be de-criminalized. Needless to say, marijuana is still sitting on Schedule 1.

Burgess is completely out of touch with the people, with society, with poverty, with root causes of homelessness, and most importantly with the "War on Drugs" in this Country!! Hello, the war on drugs is NOT working.

Here is the recommendation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Commission_on_Marihuana_and_Drug_Abuse

Thanks for reading.

Local Blog Sites I visit daily

The sites are so great. I would encourage any and everyone to visit them often.

www.westandclear.com
www.thecaravanofdreams.blogspot.com
www.fortworthology.com
www.cowtownchronicles.com

Art makes a great gift - support local photographer

Go to http://www.petegeniella.com/ click on "blog", scroll down until you see the green ad to pick your favorite photo (and there are some excellent shots - especially downtown Fort Worth!). Prices start at $26. Beautiful photos! I love to peruse his work...it's grand!

Panhandling freedom of speech or private use of public land?

Judge says it's a breach of the 1st Amendment Freedom of speech, I say it's private use of OUR TAXPAID public land. Get a job, get in rehab, get in one of the millions of programs that WE TAXPAYERS pay for, to "help" you get your life clean and productive, or go sit in jail where you will have to attend self help, esteem building classes. Can I go open a business on public land? No, not without following hundres of rules and paying hundreds in permits, taxes, etc. Why can the homeless? That's discriminatory to me!! Do we prosecute Class C Misdemeanors such as panhandling? Not in Fort Worth because "these individuals are not here by choice" (says the Mayor) and it is too much of a liability for the City to place these indigent individuals in our Community Service programs. Therefore give them a free ticket out of jail, we allow them to camp, panhandle, litter, destroy our beautiful lands, conduct drug deals, prostitute their bodies, run their criminal enterprises on our street corners and under our bridges in hopes that they will go away some day. But if they stick around our City, we plan to build them some housing and "wrap" more services around them which will solve our problem here in Fort Worth. We believe here in Cowtown that the "root" cause of homelessness is "lack of affordable housing." We don't focus on jobs, treatment centers, a different approach to prosecuting drug possession offenders because that's too complicated, requires some critical thinking abilities, too costly and takes too much work, and the positive outcomes are too far down the road for us. We want instant gratification at the least expensive costs. Therefore we plan to spend millions on housing in hopes that all the homeless addicts and people with no self respect or esteem will come running into our homes that we build for them and stay hidden inside, then we can all beat our chests and say, "Look, our homeless problem is solved. They are all off the streets and hidden from public view." Didn't we do good?

No, you did not do good. Until you ADDRESS the lack of jobs for people who have a criminal records, until you address irresponsible parenting, until you address the problem with people not thinking they have something to offer their community, until you address the lack of a place for the mentally ill to go, you are WASTING our tax dollars and year after year you will have to build more and more and more housing, services, etc. because you will be ENABLING and ENCOURAGING the homeless population to turn to the taxpayers to support their addictions, mental health, food, clothing, and lifestyles. These are "root" causes of homelessness NOT "affordable housing," that's NOT a "root" cause of homelessness. However, you are doing a great job of "selling" this idea and fooling millions of Americans and politicians. Very sad and extremely costly now, and will continue to be each coming year until you figure out the definition of "root." Hint: "root" is basic cause, source, origin (Oxford Dictionary). HELLO... let's talk on an educated level here.

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Fort Worth Getting Long Awaited, NEEDED Spay/Neuter Clinic

FINALLY we are getting a spay/neuter clinic. The papers are "in routing" which means with a few more signatures, the clinic will be underway. The clinic will be an addition onto the City's Animal Control Shelter on Martin Street. TODAY, no pets are spayed or neutered before leaving the City's shelter which is insane!!! Unlike the Humane Society of North Texas on E. Lancaster (a non-profit entity, has nothing to do with funding from the City, County or State). In order to adopt a pet from HSNT (http://www.hsnt.org/ )it must be spayed or neutered with the exception of taking a puppy that is too young for such surgery.

Fort Worth's land, roads & environment taking a hit?

The Gas Drilling Companies only see dollar signs. Is that true of our local government as well?

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Cruelty to Dogs Happens in Fort Worth

Don't turn a blind eye to dog abuse....call Animal Control at 817-392-3737. Plug this number into your cell phone and call, punch #3 when you hear the recording and leave a message for an officer. You will need the location address. The City can turn a blind eye UNLESS the calls are made to support the statistics.
See story at http://www.cowtownchronicles.com/

East Lancaster Just Outside of Downtown

People who have lived in this neighborhood since childhood will tell you that this street and neighborhood used to be beautiful. One lady told me she used to ride her bicycle from View Street (West Meadowbrook Neighborhood) down E. Lancaster to Cobb Park! WOW!! This used to be brick corridor and have large beautiful homes along the street. WOW, what a difference a generation or so makes!! Again, so important to pay attention to local politics, be involved, speak up and out, etc. I still think the neighborhood is beautiful with all the trees and it is so very close to downtown, maybe some day, we'll be able to live here and ride our bikes to the Saturday Rahr brewery for free beer tasting on Saturdays, or take a hike thru Tandy Hills Park, or have a local neighborhood restaurant where we could get a nice salad. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Questioning The Reasons

Why is it that some people get really defensive and offended that I would ask questions of why they did or didn't do something? For instance, why has there NOT been an NEZ (Neighborhood Empowerment Zone) created around the Near East Side Urban Village, it's the only Urban Village w/out it's own NEZ? This UV slipped into the Evans/Rosedale NEZ that was put in place for the Evans Village. This leaves the neighborhood around the Near East Side Urban Village (E. Lancaster) unsupported by tax incentives for development. Also, when I last looked on the City's website under UV planning, Near East Side UV is the only Urban Village that does not show the market analysis. Why? Darn, I wanted to see what the analysis revealed.
Oh yhea, and what residents are they referring to when they try and sell us on the fact that there is a significant number of residents at the location presently? Who will help support the UV? The answer to that one was.......(after some stumbling and him hawing around)....it's the homeless individuals? What? The homeless individuals are going to support the businesses in the UV? Well, yhea...the non-profits -- I guess they do help keep the money flowing to the non-profits don't they? But what about the pedestrian friendly stuff? What is it going to be and when? I can't wait to see and patronize those businesses.

These are all legitimate questions right? Anything wrong with asking these questions? No, shouldn't be, they sound like good ones to me. However, some people get really bent out of shape when asked these very questions. I think that is interesting. I've always questioned "why" and "whatfors" of the powers. All my life I have done that.
In my life's experience, I have come to the conclusion that the people who get defensive and snippy, and act as if the questioner has committed a crime in asking such, are to be questioned further, more often and watched closely, ESPECIALLY if they have any "power."

The ones that invite questions and freely give explanations are the ones I usually respect. Cheers to all the comfy question answerers. I then know you are secure in your thoughtout decisions or at least able to have a conversation and effectively communicate the topic. Shame on you if you are a public servant and behave in this manner. We tax paying citizens have every RIGHT to ask you about your decisions, plans for our neighborhood, your agenda, why you did what you did, why you didn't do what you didn't do, etc. You are not "above" being questioned by anyone. You "owe" us, you are serving us, the public...you are a public servant. Open, transparent, effective, proactive, accessible government -- that's what we want here in Fort Worth isn't it?

Do you have an ipod? How about an iphone?

I have neither but would love both, especially an iPhone. Well not really, if I couldn't keep my same cell phone number then I wouldn't want to change to an iPhone. And I'd rather have a better camera (one that I could zoom in on and take snap shot of chained/abused dogs living in cruelty around this City so that I could bring this issue closer to the lawmakers and public) rather than an ipod.

A Bomb in Fort Worth?

Sounds like Fort Worth may go down in an inferno, but what do we care, some of us are making big bucks and we don't care about the possible "accidents" that may happen. We only care about the money. To hell with Quality of Life, the environment, the possible catastrophic danger, and contaminating Fort Worth's drinking water. We don't care.

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"Helping" The Homeless

I will edit this post from time to time but I want to get these thoughts down for now. Homeless individuals (not "folks" I'm sick of that word - it has become plastic).

Homeless individuals must be "categorized" in order to budget for the enormous costs that will be associated with "helping" them.

A few Categories to start are:

Youth - all under 16
all under 20
all under 30
all under 40
all under 55
all under 70
all under 80
all under 85
all under 90

every 3 to 6 months after 90 until passing on to next life occurs. ("death")
Mentally Ill

TYPE of Drug Addiction ie. crack, alcohol, meth
Domestic Abuse - female only

Domestic Abuse - males only

Categories that may need to be further separated:

homo/heter0

white/black/hispanic

existing family that is in contact with homeless individual

no existing family that is in contact with homeless individual

previous criminal record

no previous criminal record

No drug addiction - down on luck individual (not self imposed reason for being homeless - willing and able, clean record individual)

College Educated

High School Educated

The reason for all the age categories is because the needs are so different just from an age point of view. In other words, the younger an individual, the more intensive one-on-one care is needed so that this one individual's life as the best chance of being turned around. The elderly will need much more medical attention than a younger person generally speaking. So you have an intake center staffed 24/7 and when someone walks in for help you start with age and go from there.

We must find jobs for persons with a record of a non-violent crime such as drug possession. We must do something different in regards to their punishment and the aftercare of these individuals. Otherwise, we are spinning our wheels. If you do not attack and "help" the psychological part of "why" a person is involved in criminal activity, you are wasting tax dollars.

"Lack of Affordable Housing" being preached as root cause of homelessness. Puh-lease! (puh-lease stolen for Jennifer Engle's blogsite sports writer Star-Telegram)

Has educated America forgotten the definition of "root" cause? Root causes of homelessness are as follows:

1. lack of responsible, nurturing, caring parents through childhood

2. lack of ability to obtain job due to criminal record (even a non-violent record)

3. Persistent and severe mental illness

If we were to put our money towards reversing and dealing with these three categories, homelessness would be decreased in years to come. You ask how do we deal with numbers 1-3.

Well, we do following:

1. PARENTING - hold irresponsible parents accountable for their lack of parenting. Example, if you don't show up for parent-teacher conference, your held accountable. If your child comes to school in distress, homework not done, the parent is held accountable, etc.

2.CRIMINAL RECORDS - deal with non-violent crimes in a much different way than we are currently doing. Example, drug possession, you go to rehab confinement to serve sentence where you get caring, teaching, learning, self-esteem building classes, anger management, etc. When thru with sentence, you go to aftercare strict program.

3. MENTAL ILLNESS - Needs to be included in health program - save this topic until I know more from experts. I do know that the mentally ill need to be with others and supported which at the current time, they are not, there is no where for them to go. MHMR is a total disaster from what I understand.

On a different note, in "helping" the homeless, an employer needs to be "way" flexible in hiring and helping these individuals. It's much like a ladder. They will not show up for work from time to time (if they are doing drugs or have any type of drug/alcohol "addiction") so an employer needs (and HAS to be) to be forgiving, understanding, empathetic, and at the same time, be firm -- be able to practise "tuff" love, this is extremely important) and the homeless individual MUST pay a consequence of their action of not showing up for work!! (VERY IMPORTANT!) However, the consequence must be with talking (building a relationship with the individual so that they "get" that "someone" really "cares," AND some little other consequence like work for free for one hour.......something along those lines.

In other words, they have to be given many more "chances" than you and I would ever get. These individuals are so "fragile" emotionally and most are professional hustlers, very street smart and must be dealt with accordingly -- that is IF you are really serious about "erradication" (ending) of homelessness.

In a City, the cost to tackle this would be astronomical, but in years to come, it would dwindle because you would ACTUALLY being attacking the "roots" of homelessness instead of TALKING about it, EXPLOITING it, and using it as an EXCUSE to get more taxpayers monies.

more later. Thanks for reading.

Texas Railroad Commission in bed with Chesapeake Energy and making babies

Chesapeake Energy says it's not practical and too expensive to recycle the salty wastewater from the well sites and wants to contaminate Fort Worth's water because that's the easiest and cheapest. All the while they are promoting a billboard marketing campaign around town that reads, "Chesapeake -- doing a world of good for Ft. Worth."

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Kicked Out By Intimidation.....well almost.

On a gorgeous night in downtown Ft. Worth, I think it was in October of 2007, I was invited by a dear friend of mine to attend a benefit for the Tarrant County Sickle Cell Association inwhich my City Council representative happens to be Executive Director. Since my friend had my ticket I could not get in without it as I was told at the check in desk (which happened to be my City Council representative's mother). I called my friend on my cell and met her at the entrance where she was waiting. It was a very nice event, lots of political office holders City & State, etc. After sitting down at our numbered table, a tall black man walked over to me, (one that had been called to the front desk when I arrived), and asked me to leave. I said, why I have a ticket. He replied, "because "they" don't want you here." He told me that if I didn't "get up," there would be a "Police escort" to get me out.

My first thought was to get up, so I proceeded to stand up....

My dear friend, basically said, "Over my dead body," she is my guest and I'll turn this MF out if you want to play that game. Go Ahead and call the Police.....she's my guest and she's gonna sit right here!" People sitting around us started to turn around to see what the ruckus was about. Then a female crony of my Council Rep's Moma came over to the intimitador and motioned for him to walk away ie. leave us alone now that the game was on.

Needless to say, I sat back down and had a lovely evening -- I knew my friend meant what she was saying and I surely didn't want the scene to escalate.

Interesting. ......Should I ask "why this happened?" ..........Huuummmm........I think not. Not right now at least. I just know it was "very odd." I felt like I knew exactly what it must have felt like back in the 60's when black people were asked to leave, or get off the bus, or you can't come in here, etc. I do at times wonder.... was it because I speak the truth when the truth hurts in regards to District politics? Is it because I'm a white girl who speaks the truth when the truth hurts in regards to District politics? Is it because I'm so outspoken in regards to District politics and what my City Council rep does and does not do? Is it because I DO NOT bow down to my City Council rep and act as if she were a "god?" Is it because I show respect to those who have earned it instead of giving it freely just because of a title? Why? Why was a "known community intimidator" sent over to kick me out of the benefit? Oh....and who is "they?" Would the definition of "they" be my Council Rep, her mother and their cronies? Lots of questions. Wonder if I'll ever know the answers...and do I really care?

Fort Worth, Texas

Such an awesome City. Beautiful. Full of green trees, old buildings, new buildings, lots of homies, small, growing, not typical, full of culture, old school, new school, a Mayor who I think really does have some care for people, is a people person, sort of old school, but ...good hearted. Got a City Council who's sort of strange. Has some anchors, but lacking on the edges. Not really a "people's council," especially with the loss of Wendy Davis. She is a true leader. She is not afraid to speak up, she uses her brain, she's attractive.....like Bobby Brown (Whitney's) said, "Beauty, Brains & Balls." I hope she goes far in her career if she keeps herself in check and remembers that's it's about the "people"......not necessarily, your "friends", but "the people."

That's what all politicians should remember, but I think some, alot, ....nevermind.

Fort Worth needs to step up on the "progressivness" of the City and the "greening" of the City and by the way, UNCHAIN the dogs from their isolation! We are above that, as a society. Education is desparately needed along with some sobering consequences.....to the percentage of Fort Worth citizens who are mistreating dogs in the most inhumane ways of the 21st Century.
Dogs are not happy on a chain. It's against a dog's nature to be kept in isolation and restricted in movement. Unchain Fort Worth.

Unattended Tethered Dogs

The question of the night is.....is it ok to tether (tie, chain) a dog?

Dogs need exercise, food, water, and attention on a daily basis. Right? Right. So....is it ok to tie a dog to a car, fence, pole, tire, hoola hoop 24 hours a day? No.

Is it ok to tie a dog while one is at work during the day? No. If you choose (choose) to own a dog, then you need to provide/have a secure and safe environment for which the dog to gets it's needs met much like the responsibility of mother or father of children.

Again, needs for a dog are: exercise, food, water and attention on a daily basis.

I think there is a culture difference in dog ownership...I don't know if it is a culture difference or ignorance but to make the choice of owning and serving as the caretaker of a dog, then I am of the opinion that one is responsible and should be held accountable for meeting the needs of the animal. If you do not care if the dog gets sufficient exercise or if the dog gets food, water, love or attention on a daily basis (sometimes hourly), to me, you are an irresponsible dog owner and you should be held accountable.

Yes, that means "government is coming more into your private affairs." So be it. We are supposedly a "civilized society" living in one of the most "livable cities" and dogs are way up there on the chain of companions. They are loving, smart, giving animals and to abuse them is a disgrace given we are in the age of 2007.

The City Councils and State legislators should be held accountable for making sure that dogs are protected from abuse. So far, they aren't doing such a good job as far as I can see...what to do other than speak up, take pictures, ask that something be done. And we won't even get into the enforcement of laws and City Ordinances...that's another area that needs exposed and talked about. Enforcement of laws and City Ordinances. Disgustingly lacking!

Imma Virgin & Inexperienced

I'm very new at blogging so please don't be too harsh on the dullness in appearance of the site. It will shape up with time. However, I feel a re-birth now with this whole blogging thing...thanks to the guys at westandclear.com and fortworthology.com who have helped open my eyes and exercise a few more of the brain cells that I have been ignoring but are now coming out of hibernation.

Favorite Blog Sites & Other places I frequent

http://www.fortworthology.com/ http://www.thecaravanofdreams.blogspot.com/ http://www.cowtownchronicles.com/ http://www.westandclear.com/ http://www.iheartfw.com/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
http://www.petegeniella.com/blog


And always send money here -- this should be legal just as the drug of "alcohol" is legal. Not to mention the many of our youngsters that the "illegalization of" sends to jail and/or prison. We taxpayers end up paying the tab when they can't get a job because of their "record" for possession of the natural weed, marijuana!!! Send money and please frequent this site: http://www.norml.org/

Why call yourself a public servant?

If you are not really concerned about things going wrong in your City or in Society, why run for public office and why call yourself a public servant. Why think you are better than others (your constituents) and that people "owe" you because you are in office and you are "somebody" now? This type of politician makes me sick at my stomach.

Vote Bernie For City Council Fort Worth, Texas

What a great thing for this great City of Fort Worth. Vote Bernie. http://www.iheartfw.com/