5-24-2012 -- 5:55 AM

Here’s something for you night owls . . . LOL.

Short and sweet and I’m afraid not very interesting but I like to keep track of the broken promises to me . . . Seventeen days later and I’m STILL waiting for the phone call from James Stewart -- based on a promise he made to me in my 5-7-2012 posting below.

5-15-2012 -- 7:05 AM

Still waiting for the call from James Stewart mentioned in the 5-7-2012 posting below . . . over a week later.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5-9-2012 -- 8:06 AM

Still waiting for the call from James Stewart mentioned in the 5-7-2012 posting below . . . two days later.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5-7-2012

I have two hand-made signs in my front yard asking why my Letter to the Editor wasn’t published.  And I also urged the public to call the publisher and ask him why.

James Stewart was out jogging.  I was mowing my front yard.  He stopped to talk.

I didn’t get MUCH out of the conversation that would change my mind about questioning the policies of the paper, although he did promise to call me today so we would have more time to discuss it.

But he did give me a “possible” explanation for why no one from the school board, or the superintendent, have replied to my repeated emails.  He said the legal counsel for politicians tell them to NEVER explain themselves in writing.  I don’t agree with that policy because how are us normal citizens going to get our questions answered if the politicians won’t answer us?  If they’re afraid of their views being known . . . then they shouldn’t have run for Public Office.

They won’t return our calls . . . they won’t answer questions in public . . . and they won’t answer us in writing.

Just what are us mere mortals supposed to do?

But Mr. Stewart’s explanation did temper my views a bit.  If only one of them had called me and said the same thing, I wouldn’t have been so harsh with them.

But they didn’t.

I know those who disagree with me will NEVER believe it . . . but I AM trying to be fair.  Mr. Stewart has been the only one so far to give me any kind of insight and I decided it was only fair that I repeat them here.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5-6-2012

Check out the link for “Election” to the left for my views on the election of School Board members set to take place next week.

Click on the “LTTE” (Letter to the Editor) link to the left to see the “Letter to the Editor” that I sent to the Brady Standard for this past week’s newspaper (week-of 4-30-2012).  It never appeared . . . and, so far, I haven’t received an explanation for why it wasn’t published.

I’ve also included a LTTE that I sent to the Standard for the week-of 4-23-2012 newspaper that WAS published, though some folks warned me that this would be the last one the paper would publish.  They appear to be right.

And I’ve also included a LTTE that Chad Blankenship sent to the newspaper last year.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentaries -- May, 2012

I’ve been talking to Bill Neslage and others and we’ve been discussing starting an online newspaper, radio station, and maybe even a local TV channel so we can give the normal and tax-paying citizens of Brady a voice in how their city and county are being run.  But, unlike some of the current outlets, we’ll also carry the views of those who disagree with us if we decide to proceed with any plans.

But I’ve also heard from Bill that Lynn Farris from KNEL is a fair and impartial guy who doesn’t “pick sides” and only air the views of Big Shots and those he happens to agree with so the radio option might be a non-starter.  But, like Bill, I don’t just trust what someone else has to say . . . even Bill and from what I know about him he always backs up his claims with facts.  I hope to talk to Mr. Farris myself soon . . . and see for myself if I agree with Bill.

THAT’S what you should always, always do yourselves . . . check the facts then make up your own minds.  That’s what Bill, me, and others are fighting so hard for -- to give you an outlet so that your concerns can be heard, and acted upon if enough of you believe the same.

Like my views!  Email me and cuss me . . . do anything you wish . . . provided you sign your name!  I’ll put any and all comments that disagree or agree with mine on my website . . . UNEDITED!!  Unlike some others locally.  THAT is the main reason I’m so upset with the School Board and the School Superintendent . . . they won’t convey their views to me.  They don’t reply to my emails.  They won’t talk to me . . . although I’ve heard several, several comments they’ve made to others . . . under the cloak of anonymity.

I’ve even heard one of them called me the “crookedest SOB alive.”  LOL.

I haven’t wasted one second worrying about or replying to such nonsense . . . because what does it matter if the comment is accurate?  I’m not trying to get any moola from anyone for my efforts.  I’m not, NOR WILL I EVER, run for any kind of public office.  Why?  Because, plainly and simply, I know for damned sure that I’m not qualified!  Hell, I know myself too well and I wouldn’t even vote for myself.

But don’t MOST politicians assassinate the characters of their accusers . . . or even those who happen to disagree with them . . . because they KNOW the facts won’t back them up . . . because they’re absolutely terrified that the public will REALLY discover what’s going on.  They refuse to speak to us mere mortals and quickly go on the attack by attacking the reputation, integrity, or “potential” motives of anyone who dares to stand up to them.

If not . . . why are the School Board members and the Superintendent so afraid to have their views known?  Like just why is Hector Martinez being “railroaded” out of town?  Against the wishes of EVERY single adult and youngster I’ve talked to?  Like why one of them decided to invade the privacy of one of our Best and Brightest students in a public forum by reading her personal and PRIVATE comments into the PUBLIC RECORD.  Unforgivable!!  He must step down for the good of our kids . . . even though I personally don’t think he meant any REAL harm to the youngster.  He’s the ONLY one who has talked to me about any of the things I’ve been bringing up and he was convincing about this one topic . . . others not so much.  I “believe” he saw the comment . . . got angry . . . and reacted without checking out the comment for the true facts and the youngster’s intent.

But what’s done is done and he’s causing way, way too much divisiveness in the community when our educational system is falling down around our ears.

I’ll run him and any others down if I’m forced to.  Unlike what I “hear” they’ve told others, School Board members can be removed from office other than just by “voting them out of office.”  I’ll use those avenues if need be.

One reason I’m so upset with the management team of the Standard is I spent countless hours preparing a Letter to the Editor that “should’ve” been published in the last newspaper -- the one that came out the week-of 4-30-2012 . . . and I was planning on running a lengthy ad detailing all the facts as I know them now.

But it’s not THAT big of a deal now.  I have this other avenue to pursue and I can take my time and do it properly.  BUT I WILL NOT JUST GO AWAY!!  I’ve got two “adopted” grand-daughters that I care a lot about.  Both are in school locally.  I refuse to allow them to be under the yolks of such an out of control School Board or a Superintendent that I “believe” was hired improperly without even interviewing any other qualified candidates.

It is NOT our aim to hurt any local media businesses . . . if they’re not abusing their power by not expressing the views of all the citizens of Brady.  Then these businesses need to become fair and impartial, AND QUICKLY, or they deserve to suffer the consequences.

How could the Brady Standard Herald get me and others off their case?  The obvious first step is to state, IN WRITING, what their Editorial Policies and their News-Posting Policies are.  And to explain the absurdity of their “supposed” policy of not getting involved in publishing LTTE’s with opposing views or reporting on ANY kind of debate involving some important local issues.  Just what kind of newspaper does that?  Lastly . . . why have they “edited out” statements from some of those citizens who don’t happen to agree with the Standard’s take on things?

Don’t believe me?  Go to a website that Bill is associated with . . . www.betterbradynow.org.  Bill has many comments and even proof that the newspaper refused to print some of the things he disagreed with . . . EVEN IF HE PAID FOR THE ADS!  You do need to create an account to read the archives and some other helpful items . . . but it’s free and it’s damned sure informative.

Neither Bill, myself, or any of the others I’m speaking to have ANY desire to get into the media business but we might be forced to if things don’t change . . . QUICKLY . . . and all of the folks I’m talking to are willing and able to do whatever is necessary to make a positive difference in our community.

An example of how a TV channel could help us . . . and possibly provide some enjoyable entertainment to the locals is we would take videos of local sporting events, public meetings, etc. and post them to both our website and to the local TV channel.  Not EVERYTHING would be controversial.  LOL.  Nor would it be wall-to-wall rantings of Village Idiots like me.  Hell, I don’t even like to hear myself talk.

It would simply be another forum that YOU could help control.  We would air whatever it is that you want to see . . . or hear . . . or read.  And maybe even some things you find uncomfortable.  No one likes seeing adults argue . . . and most of us don’t really like the positions we find ourselves in . . . but our city government, county government, and School Board are completely out of control and SOME-DAMN-BODY just has to take a stand!

I’ve lived in Brady for twenty years and most of you have never heard of me . . . and I truthfully like it that way.  I’m a lifelong hermit and I’ve always like it that way.  I’m not involved now because I want to be.  I just refuse to allow our youngsters to not have ALL of the advantages they should have.  I just don’t believe our Educational Leaders are providing them with the advantages they deserve.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May, 2012

It appears that I’ve been “black-balled” from posting Letters to the Editor in the Brady Standard . . . as some said I would be after my initial letter to the editor posted in the paper published the week-of 4-23-2012 (I’ve included it after the Letter to the Editor I mentioned above).  Furthermore, it appears that I can’t even run any PAID ads . . . since James Stewart hasn’t replied to my request for prices on full-page, half-page, and quarter-page ads.  NOR has he replied to my phone calls requesting an explanation for the paper’s actions.

So . . . what does one do when a monopolistic entity like the Brady Standard refuses to print concerned citizens’ views?

Most people just give up fighting the “system” when hurdles are put in their ways . . . as the local Big Shots want.

Me?

I get really, really  PISSED OFF . . . and attack even harder!

I’ve heard that the Brady Standard’s policy is to not get involved in controversial, divisive issues.

Oh, man . . . that’s like waving a red blanket in front of an already enraged bull!!

Seen their website lately?  Me either . . . LOL . . . but please humor me and go there for a second.  http://www.bradystandard.com/v2/content.aspx?ishome=1&memberid=1320&id=5899&module=quickpage

What’s in the banner at the top of the page?  “The Brady Standard-Herald and Heart of Texas NEWS.”

NEWS?  What news?  The news approved by the local Gentry?  The news approved by those in power, sitting on their thrones . . . those who think their edicts shouldn’t be challenged?  The news approved by Public Officials who think “citizen involvement” is merely an obstacle to be ignored so the Elite can dictate to us mere mortals?

Do any of you REALLY think the Brady Standard is a NEWSpaper?

Isn’t it just a propaganda machine of the powerful, if the powerful can’t be challenged?

The paper has a monopoly as a central entity that is “supposed” to address local issues and concerns.

Isn’t their policy to NOT let the local citizens voice their views really just a form of censorship?  Thereby virtually insuring that local officials and policies aren’t challenged?

Isn’t this REALLY the paper just stating their views on local events and officials?  By omitting the views of us mere mortals who might disagree with the actions of those who deem to rule us?

If they block and ignore the concerns and wishes of the locals . . . aren’t they, in fact, dictating an Editorial Policy that protects those who should be challenged?

So . . . what do us mere mortals do?  To fight back?

One tactic is to bust the monopoly.  I’m currently talking to several concerned citizens about starting an online newspaper where issues can be discussed openly and freely.  When this venture proves to be successful, as I believe it will, then we’ll take it to “hard-copy” form and make the Brady Standard join us mere mortals in the real world.

I quote Jeff Daniels . . .“I love how one man in the press stood up and said, ‘Wait a minute, there is something very wrong here,’ . . . Especially in the last several years, the press has not done that or not been allowed to do that – take your pick.  We don’t have McCarthyism today, but history is repeating itself . . . Money is everything, there is an arrogance of power, people speak up and are demoted.”

Does our newspaper do that?  LOL.  I think not.

Hell, they do everything in their power to keep any kind of negative comments about the powerful from appearing in the press.  I’ve talked to people who have had their Letters to the Editors edited, which changed the entire point of the Letter to the Editor in the first place.  I’ve talked to people who said their comments at City Council meetings were completely left out of the “supposed” news when it was reported in the Standard.

If the Standard doesn’t want to report the news . . . and allow everyone access to having their views heard . . . then they should, at the very least, change their name.  Local news and concerns aren’t being reported . . . only the Standard’s version of what they WANT us to know about is being reported.