Unassociated Press

Former Press Secretary to Sen. Ted Kennedy and current University of Texas lecturer Bob Mann describes his 30 year friendship with Garry Mauro with a husky laugh and ear-to-ear grin often displayed by those who share a common bond from shared nostalgia.

“I’ve worked with him three to four different times,” Mann said to his students Wednesday night, most of whom were too young to understand a pre-Inconvenient Truth era when global warming was little more than a budding theory, “he made history with the land office.”

Mauro, the longest serving Land Commissioner in Texas history, is credited by many for taking the lead on important environmental issues and pushing legislation in Texas to reduce air pollution during his four terms.

In 1998, Mauro ran unsuccessfully against George W. Bush, who was the incumbent governor running for re-election at the time.

“My greatest political disappointment was not communicating what a sorry governor Bush would be,” said Mauro, “he doubled the budget but there’s nothing to show for it. He was a lousy governor. He just managed the status quo.”

(more…)

“I was here 44 years ago when my father was elected president,” said a radiant Luci Baines Johnson, the sound of her voice periodically muffled by the cheers from the crowd at the historic Driskell Hotel in Austin, Texas as they watched swing states cross, one by one, to the blue side of America.

“My father knew when he signed the Voting Rights Act in 1965 that he would hand over the nation to Republicans for the next generation, but he said if that’s what it takes it’s worth it.”

The daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson wore an impeccable blue suit with a button on the lapel that read “America’s Next First Family” above a serene picture of Barack and Michelle Obama with their two young daughters.

“Tonight, his dreams are coming true. Tonight society has justice. Congratulations to all of us.”

The party, held by the Obama for America Campaign, began like an electric Super Bowl game-the massive crowd, almost impossible for one trying to get to the bar to navigate through, booed as the opposing team won the reliable Republican states.

The booing, however, was heard only occasionally.

As states that went red fours years ago swung over to Obama, the crowd, which could not be characterized by any race, age, gender or income demographic but did distinctly smell of sweat and alcohol, cheered so loudly that the $8.50 Blue State Martini glass in the hand of a young woman near the smokers’ balcony began to vibrate; its contents seemingly trembled with excitement.

(more…)

As if we didn’t have enough evidence that Bush has taken America back into the dark ages, Nicholas D. Kristof, op-ed columnist for The New York Times, wrote an interesting piece about U.S. foreign policy failure in Somalia. Though I had heard briefly about what went on, I am ashamed to admit the circus that is this ever-lasting presidential campaign has distracted me from following up on the story. Kristof manages to insert the Somalian tragedy in a story supposedly about Sen. John McCain’s recent endorsement by Al Qaeda, so that yet another article is written about the election.

During the past two years, has anyone heard anything about those two little wars we’re in? When did they stop being important? All I’ve been hearing is something about mavericks and Joe the Plumber and socialism…but I digress:

Read about the endorsement, the failed Somalian policy, and an analysis of America’s Islamophobia here–> The Endorsement from Hell - Nicholas D. Kristof

“Mr. Baker did they call your cab already?” asked co-owner and manager Regina Estrada of Joe’s Bakery and Coffee Shop on East 7^th Street in Austin, Texas, her voice loud enough to be heard over the robust lunch crowd by the elderly black man slowly walking with a cane to the exit.

Estrada, whose grandparents, Joe and Paula Avila, founded the bakery in 1962, quickly and gracefully slid out of the corner booth, put her hand on Mr. Baker’s shoulder and walked him to the door.

Giving personal attention to customers, especially to the elderly, is typical of Estrada, who attributes her personable demeanor as being based in Mexican American culture.

“To us, it’s not about getting bigger,” said Estrada, who graduated from Texas State University in 2002 with a business degree, “it’s about doing the best with what we have and taking care of family, employees, and customers and making people feel at home,” said Estrada.

(more…)

Young Muslim American voters are an untapped reserve available to the presidential candidate who can appeal to them on important issues like healthcare, foreign policy and the economy, but many in this emerging voter demographic feel ignored and avoided by the presidential campaign.

Some, like University of Texas student Zignat Abdisubhan, claim the fault lies within the Muslim community. “We don’t have a large lobbying group,” she said, “If we say something the ball doesn’t get rolling.”

Aasiyah Baig, a senior in high school and first-time voter, agreed, “I don’t think we have a big presence when it comes down to voting and things like that. Not many Muslims go out and vote. It’s not the government’s fault.”

Others claim that the silent treatment stems from negative public opinion about their faith.

“It’s almost a hindrance if, like, the Muslim community supports a candidate,” said Sabina Mohammed, who gets her political information online at CNN.com. (more…)

Maureen Dowd, winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary on the Monica Lewinsky scandal, became a columnist on The New York Times Op-Ed page in 1995. In her piece for the Sept. 10 issue, she cuts into Republican vice presidential candidate Governor Sarah Palin.

Palin, now both affectionately and smugly known as “Trophy Vice”, is currently under scrutiny for having little political experience and no national political experience. The moral conservative and pro-life activist is also being attacked for having a pregnant, unwed 17-year-old daughter.

Dowd, in her typical witty, irreverent style, brings up some important questions regarding the new it-girl in town.

My Fair Veep - Maureen Dowd