So we are changing things up around here. Going from the WordPress.com hosting to the WordPress.org variety. We have also added contributors as well. As such, the blog is moving to a new home on the web. Check us out on our slightly changed web address – http://www.americanbrand.org.
We will see you there.
Posted in Uncategorized
State Representative J.M. Lozano (D-Kingsville) will announce later this week that he is making a switch. Lozano will join the Republican Party, and said that his decision is in part because of the new makeup of his district due to redistricting. He will become the third State Rep. to make the switch to the GOP in recent years. The last two Democrats who made the switch were State Rep. Aaron Pena of Edinburg and State Rep. Allan Ritter of Nederland. Pena will not be seeking re-election in the 2012 cycle.
“It’s been a long weekend,” said Lozano, who was first elected in 2010. “Basically, I was sad to lose the counties I did, but at the same time it was very fortunate to pick up Jim Wells, San Patricio and Bee counties.
“I had a conservative voting record this session, which was pro-life, pro-oil and gas development, and pro-small-business. And I am a small-business owner,” he said. “Those values and these voters are in line with the Republican Party.”
Lozano also recently had a conversation with George P. Bush that resonate with him and may have played a part in inspiring the party switch. He also said that his attempts to sway the Democrats in the direction of small-business interests was “fruitless.” No doubt the Texas Democratic Party has spoken out on this. Not surprisingly, the Democratic Chairman Boyd Richie calls Lozano’s decision “unprincipled and cowardly.” The Texas Democrats had a similar reaction when Aaron Pena joined the Republican Party. I believe that Lozano, much like Pena, will be welcomed into the GOP. Texas Democrats just can’t stand that Hispanics in the border region can be Republican or conservative. The Texas border region has long been considered a Democratic stronghold. But with people like Pena and Lozano making the switch the stranglehold the Dems have on the region maybe showing some weakness.
Overall, Lozano has a conservative voting record. He did have two votes where he opposed conservative viewpoints. Those would be “sanctuary cities” and Voter ID. While those two issues were big issues for the GOP in the past legislative session, I don’t think that taints Lozano here. Lozano had reasonable issues with those pieces of legislation and those are his own. But not every Republican agrees with EVERY “Republican” issue. Myself included. I am glad to see another Hispanic legislator have the courage to stand up and say they are conservative and Republican. Welcome to the party Rep. Lozano, it is the best in the state.
Posted in GOP, Politics, Texas
Tagged GOP, J.M. Lozano, redistricting, Republican, Republican Party, Rio Grande Valley, Texas, texas democrats, texas legislature
This is a new ad in the Valley for the Advocacy Alliance Center of Texas or AACT. According to the group’s website they are striving to increase voter turnout in the Rio Grande Valley area. The goal from doing this is to raise the profile of the area to state and national government leaders through civic participation. I for one am excited to see someone working to get more citizens to the polls, I support the effort and hope that it goes along with getting folks educated about the issues. Check out their website for more information. CLICK HERE
March 5, 2012 in America Votes 2012, Politics, Texas
Tagged AACT, democrat, governmnet, politics, Republican, RGV, Rio Grande Valley, Texas, voters, voting
To all of my fellow Texans, Happy Independence Day. It was 176 years ago today that the Texas Declaration of Independence was adopted at Washington-on-the-Brazos. Today is the day that Texans officially declared their independence from Mexico. Texas, its been like a whole other country Since 1836, and is the best state in the country. Happy Birthday Texas!
Two musical sections for your day await you after the jump…enjoy! Continue reading
Posted in Texas
Tagged 1836, Alamo, Austin, bluebonnets, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, God Bless Texas, Houston, I Love Texas, Independence, Lone Star, Lone Star State, Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, Texan, Texans, Texas
This is probably one of the coolest videos that I have seen recently. It is something never before filmed on camera. It is part of FROZEN PLANET and premieres Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 8PM e/p on Discovery Channel.
It is called a brinicle (brine icicle). This phenomenon is caused by brine, or naturally occurring salt water, which tends to be denser than the surrounding seawater and has a lower freezing point. When super cold brine trickles down, the warmer seawater surrounds the cyclone with a brittle layer of ice.
Check it out, it is pretty amazing to watch. Just thought I would share it.
Posted in Nature, Science, Technology
Tagged brine, brinicle, Discovery Channel, frozen planet, nature, saltwater, seawater, video, weather
Conservative blogger and activist Andrew Brietbart has died in Los Angeles at the age of 43. According to his father-in-law, Brietbart was walking near his home around midnight when he collapsed. His lawyer says that his death is the result of natural causes.
Breitbart came to be well-known for his work with the Drudge Report (he also played an early role with The Huffington Post), and would go on to found the Big Journalism, Big Hollywood and Breitbart.com websites. He was also an author, columnist and ubiquitous commentator in the media. Many may remember the hidden camera expose of ACORN done back in 2009. That was done with the backing of Breitbart and one of his network of websites. That expose brought to light numerous scandals and began a process that resulted in the end of the ACORN organization.
Former Alaska Governor and GOP Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin posted her reaction on her Facebook page:
“We are all stunned and saddened by the news of Andrew Breitbart’s passing. Andrew was a warrior who stood on the side of what was right. He defended what was right. He defended the defenseless. God bless you, Andrew. Rest in peace, friend. We will continue the fight.”
Thoughts and prayers go out to Breitbart’s family, friends, and colleagues. We have definitely lost a pioneer in “conservative activist social media,” as Newt Gingrich said today. His passion and commitment to what he believed will be missed.
Posted in Politics
Tagged 2012, andrew breitbart, breitbart, death, drudge report, sarah palin
Texas is getting its own navy (sort of). Next week the Texas Department of Public Safety will deploy a fleet of six gun-boats to patrol the Rio Grande River. These boats are 34-feet long with three 300-horsepower outboard motors. All will have bulletproof plating and six machine guns. These are similar to patrol boats that were used by the US Navy during the Vietnam War. The DPS will work with US Customs and Border Protection to combat drug smuggling across the Rio Grande.
The boats will be named after Texas State Troopers who have been killed in the line of duty. The first boat was named after Jerry Don Davis, who was shot and killed in the line in 1980. Another that will be commissioned on Thursday in Austin, will be named to honor Trooper David Irvine Rucker who was killed in 1981.
The $580,000 shallow water interceptors can patrol in just 12 inches of water and is the first of a planned fleet of six such vessels comprising the newly-created Highway Patrol Tactical Marine Unit.
According to DPS, one of the roles of the Tactical Marine Unit will be to target “splashdowns,” where smugglers crash vehicles full of drugs or weapons into the water, then transport the illegal cargo to the other side.
I like this move by the DPS to assist CPB in combating drug smuggling activities of the drug cartels across the river. This has become a major threat to the United States’ security, and has definitely had an impact right here in the border region. It shows a commitment from the State to take border security seriously and put plans into action. I for one am glad to see the State of Texas taking this type of action.
