“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”
- Steven R. Covey
“I leave this rule for others when I’m dead, Be always sure you’re right — then go ahead.”
- Davy Crockett
Allen Vaught has once again been busy with his Looney Tunes tricks. Is this really how he spends his time? How would you feel if he worked in your small business? Would you throw the “unworthy bum” out?
Today our spinmaster sent out a mailer to folks in District 107. I guess I got it because I have a long history of voting for mostly Democrats.
- We’ve already learned that Allen Vaught said NO to a District 107 autism parent who came to him for help finding a school for her son.
- We’ve already learned that Bill Keffer worked on legislation that created a program that got this same child and hundreds of others across Texas back in school, learning and succeeding.
- We’ve already learned that Allen Vaught is perfectly willing to slam an autism parent in the Dallas Morning News by referring to an ad about her experience as “not even factual” and “misleading”. Allen Vaught knows this family cannot come forward and defend their story without losing the privacy they and their child deserve, and yet he baits.
Today we learned a little more about Allen Vaught.
Just yesterday in the Dallas Morning News, Mr. Vaught was quoted as saying “For the first ad to be a negative ad, it tells you a lot about the politician”. But that was Monday’s version of Allen Vaught. Tuesday’s version of Allen Vaught is a whole new Allen Vaught who gives us this:
Is Allen Vaught seriously whining in the Dallas Morning News about a “negative” ad on Monday and delivering this to the home of me – an autism parent who knows the score – on Tuesday?
Real smooth, Mr. Vaught.
Does Allen Vaught seriously think it was wrong of Bill Keffer to help create the Texas Virtual Academy and get so many marginalized special needs children into an appropriate learning environment?
Who does Allen Vaught think he is?!
Let’s also discuss Allen Vaught’s TV ad that has all of his endorsements scrolling past while he rattles on about how he needs more time to get anything done. Many of these endorsements for Vaught were once endorsements for Bill Keffer. If you’re the incumbent, you get the endorsement – it’s called a friendly incumbent policy, and it’s about as exciting to wave around as support for useless bills like HB1919. Texas Medical Association, Texas State Rifle Association, National Rifle Association, Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, The Texas Association of Realtors, and Texas Hospital Association all have these policies. This is not a big thing, but I know Mr. Vaught wouldn’t want you to think that he got these endorsements for any particular reason beyond his position as the incumbent this go-round.
Speaking of go-round, I can’t wait to see who Allen Vaught will be tomorrow.
So far we’ve had:
- the nice education friend
- the tough guy who will go after insurance companies with bills like HB1919
- the sensitive guy who can’t believe this autism parent turned to his opponent for help
- the whiner who hates negative ads
- the guy who mails out negative ads
- and the guy who just couldn’t make it happen the first time around and needs another shot
I was researching my state representative race and came across your blog. First, I must say I admire your tenacity. Unfortunately, it seems your tenacity is fueled by anger. Who are you really mad at? I am still scrutinizing this race, and will consider your comments as someone who is out to destroy a candidate rather than help educate the public. The looney cartoon seems pretty appropriate.
By: carey on October 22, 2008
at 1:59 am
This is just sad. Out to destroy a candidate or help her child? Is that what it takes to help her child and so many others like him? Then, that seems like a no brainer. But no one is destroying anyone here. Just providing information. Lots of factual information.
Politics ain’t pretty. The truth hurts. Autism hurts even more.
By: Ryan on October 22, 2008
at 2:16 am
Hello, Carey –
That’s great that you are researching the race instead of voting straight ticket like I once did. I’ve learned better, as well.
Tenacity is a good word to describe me. Anger really isn’t, and I’m sorry if that’s what you get from reading a single entry on this blog. This is what our family went through at the hands of DISD: http://unworthybum.wordpress.com/2008/10/02/three-months-of-public-school/
This is our child, and it is our duty as parents to do all we can to ensure that he is not only educated, but that he is educated in a safe and appropriate manner. When we’d run out of options, I went to Representative Vaught, who had presented himself throughout his campaign as the guy who cared about schools and wanted to make them work. You are welcome to read through the blog to learn the whole story.
I am not out to destroy anyone, but I am out to do my best to ensure that Allen Vaught does not ever claim to represent my child again. Destroy is perhaps a dramatic way of saying the same thing. I need a state representative I can trust, and I learned the hard way that Allen Vaught is not that guy. This blog is a sort of gift to the district from me to you.
By: Unworthy Bum on October 22, 2008
at 2:18 am
“Destroy”? That’s an interesting spin.
By: Tas on October 22, 2008
at 2:32 am
Unworthy Bum…
I actually went through your blog, not just this entry. Thanks for your ‘gift’ to the district. I will research further, although still leaning toward voting for Representative Vaught. The Dallas Morning News endorsement for Vaught said a lot that I agree with. (I don’t think they always support the incumbant) I am not pro-voucher and it appears Bill Keffer is. There are more issues than education that I am researching. I plan on voting tomorrow. And I have NEVER voted straight ticket. Good luck on your quest.
By: carey on October 22, 2008
at 2:39 am
You’re welcome, Carey.
By: Unworthy Bum on October 22, 2008
at 2:53 am
I guess rather than being mad at the world, it’s easier to focus your angst on one person.
By: BCM on October 22, 2008
at 2:54 am
BCM, Say something fresh or amscray.
By: Unworthy Bum on October 22, 2008
at 2:56 am
Tas,
Maybe destroy was a tough word to us, but the blog seems to have a lot of spin. Its really hard to find basic facts about candidates without some person, group or organization spinning it to favor their cause. That’s why I am trying to read everything and siphon through it. This is just one blog I came across and felt compelled to comment. Most of what I read about Representative Vaught is pretty positive. And I don’t think all endorsements are ‘incumbent friendly.” I found some pretty good info at votesmart.org.
By: carey on October 22, 2008
at 3:00 am
Carey,
If you are not pro-voucher, then you have joined the ranks of the educrats who are more than willing to throw children over the side of wagon. Remember Cuomo’s speech about the “shining city” on the hill? Well, here we are … only this time it’s the “shining school” on the hill and a special population of children who are locked out. Our children.
Clearly, these children are not “your” children. You don’t claim them or protect them any more thant the educrats and obvious friends of the educrats including Vaught. Further, you can “research” (even read their stories) and your indifference shines on.
And anger? Does it bother you? Anger is an appropriate emotion when you care about the children who are hurt by the education system of our state.
UB’s tenacity shines through in every post. This blog is a gift. Perhaps not to you. But it is a gift to the children who need tenacious, caring people to surround them, speak up for them, and tell the truth.
I suspect, Carey, that you are here to share your anger rather than become educated about a perspective other than your own. Go write your own “shining school” blog … and don’t forget to ignore the children who are locked out.
By: Shine on! on October 22, 2008
at 3:03 am
Carey-
When you say you are not pro-voucher, are you by chance referring to the autism scholarship bill, which is an enforcement mechanism of federal disability law? What do vouchers have to do with it? That sure seems like a straight-ticket comment to me.
Oh, and BM – your comments are stinking up the place.
By: Mariah on October 22, 2008
at 3:04 am
Thanks carey.
“Destroying” a political candidate is about outing affairs, dirty little secrets and skeletons in the closet. Posting about someone’s policy doesn’t come close.
Something to keep in mind is that when you have a child who is struggling, all those peripheral issues take a back seat. Keep doing your research and find the candidate that represents you the best. This mom knows what she needs, and nothing trumps the immediate needs of your child.
By: Tas on October 22, 2008
at 3:10 am
So Bill Keffer helped in the effort to create the Virtual Academy. I am glad that you have found a place that works for your child. As a mother of a child with autism, I am sure you are aware that the incidence of autism is higher in urban areas than in rural. Some attribute this to air quality and possible higher levels of mercury contamination. Bill Keffer is in favor of TXU building more coal plants in Texas to “help lower your utility costs.” Have you seen who his largest contributors are? Energy companies! Companies who pollute our air, ground and water. These new plants will only pad the pockets of energy company CEOs and execs, who will in turn try to get more folks elected who will stand by their dirty coal plants (i.e. large bank accounts). In the meantime, the people of Texas will have poorer health, higher insurance premiums and sick children (that we can’t properly educate, because we have no money!) Keffer is no friend to the people of his district. His best friends are BIG business, oil & gas and insurance companies….I know your child’s education and health trumps any other issue, but let’s try to cure the cause instead of chasing solutions. I will work hard to make sure Bill Keffer never claims to represent me!
By: samone on October 22, 2008
at 12:20 pm
Sam, I’m not even sure why you’re reading if your mind is made up.
I have stated several times throughout my long 3- or 4-week history of blogging that I am focused on education. It is the only way I can deal with either of these stupid political parties.
If you want to talk education, this is the place to do it. If you want to talk other issues, and I believe you are the same person who wanted to talk insurance in another post, then you’ll need to look for another forum. Cya!
By: Unworthy Bum on October 22, 2008
at 12:57 pm
This particular blog seems more about demonizing a candidate. There is more to autism argument than education. So you would rather support a candidate who will contribute to the root of the cause, so more parents can suffer as you have? You are wearing blinders to the rest of the world, which I get. But there is a much bigger picture here.
I get all of Keffer’s negative mail on Vaught and he’s all of over the board as well. Just trying to add some balance to your board!
So regarding education, Keffer is no true friend to education for ALL of us. He wants to privatize education through vouchers. Even more kids will get left out with his plan.
Again, I can see you are very passionate about your situation, but your throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
By: samone on October 22, 2008
at 1:19 pm
Samone,
You are talkin’ the educrat spin. It is LAUGHABLE that you claim to provide “balance.” There is no BALANCE in the education system or the “spin” that exists out there with the absolute goal of oppressing children who are the most vulnerable of all. This is a blog to support children who are not included in the public school “dream” and their parents.
The public school district (and their friends who are highly enriched by the status quo) make sure there is no balance in practice or in the media. When school districts can use our tax dollars with no limits or accountability to hire private attorneys to battle the rights and needs of children … there’s a big problem. And yes, they are spending our tax dollars to advertise their spin in the media as well.
The baby is being thrown out alright … and its not Unworthy Bum who is throwing … it’s the educrats and their friends (including Vaught who turns a blind eye) …
By: For the record on October 22, 2008
at 1:51 pm
Wow. I feel like some people are missing the point of how & why this began. A family in HD107 asked their local elected official for help for their child with special needs and he would not help. This blog is getting muddied by other issues. I suggest you read about the candidates in their own words on the issues. The DMN surveys are online for public view. http://z5.thevoterguide.org/a-dallas/race-detail.do?id=10003235
Sam- if you had spent anytime learning about Keffer you would know that he is pro public education. His children go to public school. He said at the WW candidate forum that he is about meeting the needs of each child & family and not “one size fits all” approach.
By: Allison on October 22, 2008
at 1:57 pm
Just pointing out that Keffer represents PAC money, too. And big money interests. So your argument doesn’t stand.
Allen Vaught represents an entire district, not just you. From what i am reading, one family (i suspect is you) presented an idea that worked for them. But what about all the others that solution would take money from? There is only so much to go around. I doubt very seriously any candidate just wants to make it someone else’s problem and burden the tax payers later. The tax payers are paying no matter what.
Like i said, there is a much bigger picture that you can’t see because you are emotionally connected.
I just don’t want to see others like Carey in this blog to only see one side of the story. That’s why I blogged her.
And no, I am not someone who talked insurance previously. That’s not my agenda.
By: samone on October 22, 2008
at 2:01 pm
Samone-
I agree with you 100% that Vaught is the representative for all the people. I am of the opinion that as my elected official, he should make every effort to help me and every other member of this community. I am an educator. I am a taxpayer. I am a voter.
Yes, I am aware it is a stretch to reach everyone…to help everyone BUT why is this an area where he completely put on his brakes and said no? These families are struggling in many areas. From what I’ve read, he offered no solution. Even if he does not support individualized instruction for children, why would he not help with other resources such as respite services?
By: Allison on October 22, 2008
at 2:33 pm
In the 2006 election, Keffer’s kids were in private school. He may say he’s pro public education now, but his record doesn’t speak that. In 2006, Vaught ran as anti-voucher and everyone knew that. His stance hasn’t changed to appeal to voters like Mr. Keffer’s has. Keffer won’t even put “Republican’ on his yard signs. He’s trying to misrepresent himself and people are falling for it.
Allison, I don’t know about conversations that happened with Rep. Vaught and this woman. He may have tried to offer other solutions. I doubt he slammed a door on this constituent, who is now providing half-truths!
By: samone on October 22, 2008
at 3:05 pm
Samone-
In 2006, Keffer’s kids were in RISD. I live in the area and have children in his daughter’s class.
Again, if you had spoken with Keffer or ever been around him when he spoke, you would know that though he is a Republican, he doesn’t always follow the Rs.
By: Allison on October 22, 2008
at 3:59 pm
I think it is fine to be emotionally connected if you have a child who is being screwed by public education, and your representative is ineffective and non-committed and cowtows to a special interest group that says they want to fix public education but ultimately does nothing. The bigger picture? How much bigger does the picture have to get before you can see it? $84 million dollars missing. The elementary school in my neighborhood is overcrowded and puts up shack-like outbuildings that encroaches on the city park and has a broken playground. That school is not even serving regular kids well let alone children with special needs. I think the big picture is that children don’t stay children for ever, the time is now to provide innovative programs and alternatives for failing public schools. Now is the time, to not confuse a program for children with autism which would allow FEDERAL money to follow the child to an appropriate program in that same district or another district, as a VOUCHER. Now is the time to see the big picture, that picture is the public schools are consistently failing in my neighborhood and the children are growing up. The time is now to be a thinking democrat not a straight ticket tool. The time is now to say democracy is ousting the representative who hears the people talking and doesn’t listen. Mr. Vaught had his chance and the schools in my neighborhood are worse than when he started. At the very least Keffer helped to provide one alternative, an innovative approach to education. And he did it before now. And some children are growing because of it!
By: District 107 Citizen on October 22, 2008
at 4:34 pm
Sam, This candidate demonized himself by representing PAC money instead of a family in need from his district that came to him with a really great solution to an enormous problem. This same candidate is well aware that these kids will soon age out of the system and become someone else’s problem.
The children that are here need education so this country isn’t overwhelmed with adults who need taxpayer-funded institutionalization. While other people work out what caused the epidemic, and I think most of us in the autism community already know, and how to solve that/cover butts, I am focused on educating the kids that are already here.
By: Unworthy Bum on October 22, 2008
at 1:45 pm
Allison,
Maybe my year stands corrected. But Keffer’s kids were at the Highlander School before RISD. He is only touting pro- public education now because it is convenient.
District 107..how many bills regarding public education came up while Vaught was in office? Have you researched? You’re right. Our public schools are a mess and pulling funding from them for vouchers is not going to fix the problem.
I’d rather give Rep. Vaught a chance to get something done than put Keffer back in.
By: samone on October 22, 2008
at 7:09 pm
Samone-
Again, if you had ever spoken with or heard Keffer talk, you would know he and his wife are heavily invested in their community & school. If he weren’t pro-public ed, why would he send his kids?
If you listened to what he said you would know that he supports the best option for all children and all families. Again, the cookie cutter approach to educating children does not work for all children and all families.
By: Allison on October 22, 2008
at 7:46 pm
He voted to transfer money from student achievement awards to equal pay raises across the board. Never mind accountability these teachers need raises! Never mind that the school is overcrowded and we have to add another shack out back to house them, lets give everyone who works at the school a raise by transferring the money from student achievement awards! bravo. What I can’t understand is why any thinking democrat would want to continue with someone who has done nothing. I can show you the schools in my neighborhood! You wouldnt send your kid to any of them. At the very least, when noone was looking, Keffer helped to bring an innovative program to the mix. In two more years, you will have lost a lot more children by staying the course! As the democrat leadership says: Do we really need another couple years of more of the same? The answer for kids who are growing up is no. we don’t
By: District 107 Citizen on October 22, 2008
at 7:52 pm
This is your education gu?
This is what found for Bill Keffer on Votesmart
“My top priorities are: 1) promote greater fiscal discipline by eliminating the new gross-margins tax, requiring zero-based budgeting every session, and focusing effort on the spending, rather than the revenue, side of the budget equation; 2) addressing the adverse ramifications from unchecked illegal immigration; and 3) protecting the impressive benefits derived from historic tort reform passed in 2003.”
Fails to mention anything about education.
By: Carey on October 22, 2008
at 8:43 pm
it’s amazing isnt it! He doesn’t even list education as his top priority yet he brought an innovative program to a whole lot of texas families with no options left! He’s like superman! This as opposed to Mr. Vaught, whose top issue is education and he hasnt done one thing to provide creative, innovative answers to the failing public schools oh aside from saying yes to transfering money from student achievement awards to equal raises to anyone who works in a school. that fixed alot! and $84 million is still missing and a bunch of hardworking teachers are looking for work.
By: District 107 Citizen on October 22, 2008
at 9:34 pm
Bill Keffer Doesn’t Need to Care About Public Schools
from Burnt Orange Report by: Matt Glazer
Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 03:20 PM CDT
Source close to the Capitol have another story about candidates meeting with buddies of Tom DeLay.
Former state representative William R. “Bill” Keffer was in Austin last week meeting with lobbyists and lunching with John Colyandro, the Executive Director of the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute.
The Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) conservative think tank, and Keffer serves on the Board with other like-minded former colleagues such as Linda Harper-Brown, Phil King, Arlene Wohlgemuth and a long list of registered lobbyists.
You may remember John Colyandro as the executive director of the infamous Texans for a Republican Majority (TRMPAC), and he remains under felony indictment with Tom DeLay aide Jim Ellis for money laundering and other charges related to the 2002 TRMPAC election scandal.
Keffer and Colyandro were joined at lunch on July 16, 2008, by a third unidentified male at the Texadelphia near the State Capitol at 501 West 15th (one of my favorite lunch time destinations).
A large group of diners sitting nearby perked up when the conversation at Keffer’s table turned political. Keffer, who is trying to regain the House seat he lost in 2006 to incumbent State Representative Allen Vaught, was advised by one of his lunch companions not to worry about funding for public education because all of the “white” voters in the district have already decided to send their kids to private schools.
Bill Keffer used to be a contributing writer to a local Dallas publication called “The Lake Highlands Advocate.”
May 2000, Keffer wrote, “the market for alternative schools is the direct result of government-forced integration of the public schools. The demise of the public schools has followed on the heels of federal courts mandating integration about as directly as any example of cause-and-effect in social policy in American history.”
By: BCM on October 22, 2008
at 10:12 pm
BCM –
Apparently, you don’t have original thoughts or the ability to express your own point of view. We can read Burnt Orange on our own. If you are unable to articulate your position without resorting to using someone else’s material, then I suggest you just stop now.
Isn’t the Burnt Orange material copyrighted? When you cut and paste whole pages of articles from another blog and insert them into this blog, that’s a form of spamming and very poor blog manners.
You’re looking rather desperate.
By: Shine on! on October 23, 2008
at 12:28 am
Good job,BCM. Sometimes good ideas are better left in the original text, so nothing is lost in translation.
By: Carey on October 23, 2008
at 1:33 am
What is the Burnt Orange Report? Some kind of on-line National Enquirer reporting the hearsay of eavesdroppers at greasy spoons?
By: Mariah on October 23, 2008
at 4:22 am
Hey Carey,
Are you easily confused by the written word?
By: Shine on! on October 23, 2008
at 11:37 pm
You stupid bitch, you try to use your sons illness to elect a racist ignorant bastard. You make me fucking sick. You said you used to talk to him 10 times a day during the session, you LYING BITCH. you said he helped you and he had a good heart. AND VAUGHT HAD THE ENDORSEMENTS WHEN KEFFER WAS THE INCUMBENT! You disgust me for using your son’s pain to for the gain of some politician. The fact that you LIE and twist your sons pain around for a RACIST who is ANTI-education… that is what makes you a stupid bitch.
I do not even know what you were trying to do with this blog, you are all over the place with your lies and I Am so glad that no one fell for your bullshit and keffer is once again a LOSER. And you with your lies, are also the LOSER.
By: dsting on November 14, 2008
at 1:01 am