Would Win All Games Played Against Black and White Cats Named Sylvester
March Madness – Team Logos Deciphered
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Monthly Archives: March 2016
Tea Party Candidate Posed as “Gay Hitler”
The San Antonio Express-News reports that GOP Texas House candidate Kyle Biederman attended a costume party dressed as “Gay Hitler” in 2008. The costume was based on a Saturday Night Live character.
A self-declared “conservative, Christian Republican,” Biedermann is running to unseat state Rep. Doug Miller, R-New Braunfels, in Texas House District 73, which covers Comal, Gillespie and Kendall counties just north of San Antonio. After winning about 36 percent of the vote in the March primary, Biedermann is facing Miller in a May 24 runoff.
Biedermann dressed up like “gay Hitler,” he said, for a Saturday Night Live-themed costume party that benefited a Fredericksburg food pantry about eight years ago. “Gay Hitler” was a character portrayed on the television comedy show in 2001 by actor Chris Kattan.
“What would be offensive about that photograph?” Biedermann asked on Wednesday. “This whole thing is about political correctness. It’s not a problem for me whatsoever.”
Red is loath to criticize because he once dressed as “Yessir Paraquat” for a costume party. But Biederman may have just lost the “Hitler Lover” and Skinhead vote – which probably will hurt him in a GOP runoff election.
Photo of “Gay Hitler” from Kyle Biederman/Facebook
Today in Texas History – March 31
From the Annals of the Cowboys – In 1883, a large group of Texas cowboys went on strike. The cowboys were complaining about new working rules that were coming with the closing of the open range. The large ranchers were imposing new conditions on their workers. Cowboys would no longer be able to brand mavericks, keep small herds of their own, or receive part of their pay in calves. Some ranches even forbade the cowboy from keeping his own horse which meant that if he quit he was afoot in the vast ranges of the Panhandle. At its peak, the strikers numbered about 300 cowboys. The cowboys were unprepared for the big moneyed ranches response and plenty of men were seeking work. It didn’t help that the big ranchers had paid off local judges and politicians. The strike was broken within a couple of months. The cowboys’ strike was the inspiration for Elmer Kelton’s novel The Day the Cowboys Quit. Red recommends almost anything written by Kelton.
Was UH Chancellor Khator Turned Down by Indiana?
Unconfirmed reports from inside University of Houston are that UH Chancellor Renu Khator was turned down last year by the University of Indiana. Khator holds a Ph.D from Purdue University – so a desire to move back to Indiana seems plausible at least. The apparent reason Khator was rejected is that UH’s student retention rate is too low. The retention rate measures the percentage of students who enroll and stay in school. Statistics for UH show fairly pathetic retention and graduation rates. For the 2010 entering class (the last class for which 4 years of statistics have been published by UH) the average annual retention rate is 35.5% and the graduation rate within 4 years is 22.7%. To be fair, most UH students are not graduating within 4 years. However, looking at longer term graduation rates, shows that on average UH graduates about 50% of an entering class with 6 to 7 years. So at least one-half of the students who enroll at UH fail to get a degree from that school. You can see the full statistics here.
Retention rates are impacted by failure rates. Students who fail classes are obviously more likely to be discouraged and drop out or move to another school. So reports are that Khator has implemented a new policy. No more than 35% of students in any particular class (e.g. Freshman English) can receive an F, D or drop the class. This will probably help bump up retention rates as well as boost Khator’s chances of landing a top job at a more prestigious institution. It’s all about the students after all.
March Madness – Team Logos Deciphered
World’s Smallest Maze
New Meaning to “Get Your Guns Up!”
KHOU is reporting that Texas Tech will allow guns in the classroom.
Texas Tech University plans to ban guns in its recreation center, chapel and some dorms, but won’t prevent students with concealed handgun licenses from carrying in classrooms, the school announced Tuesday.
The policy, which was finalized by Interim President John Opperman, will be reviewed by the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents in April. Under state law, the board doesn’t have to approve the policy but can change it if it sees a need.
“I am confident we have submitted a set of recommendations that respects the spirit of the law while reflecting input from our community,” Opperman said.
Today in Texas History – March 30
From the Annals of Reconstruction – In 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Act to readmit Texas to Congressional representation. The Act followed Texas new constitution and election of a state government and most importantly, Texas’ ratification of the 14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Texas was readmitted upon the following fundamental conditions:
First. That the constitution of Texas shall never be so amended or changed as to deprive any citizen or class of citizens of the United States of the right to vote who are entitled to vote by the constitution herein recognized, except as punishment for such crimes as are now felonies at common law, whereof they shall have been duly convicted under laws equally applicable to all the inhabitants of said State: Provided, That any alteration of said constitution, prospective in its effects, may be made in regard to the time and place of residence of voters.
Second. That it shall never be lawful for the said State to deprive any citizen of the United States on account of his race, color, or previous condition of servitude, of the right to hold office under the constitution and laws of said State, or upon any such ground to require of him any other qualifications for office than such as are required of all other citizens.
Third. That the constitution of Texas shall never be so amended or changed as to deprive any citizen or class of citizens of the United States of the school rights and privileges secured by the constitution of said State.
One could argue that all three conditions were violated – at least in spirit – by Texas for decades.
March Madness – Team Logos Deciphered
Cannonball Coming!
Is There Anything Ted Cruz Doesn’t Lie About (cont.)?
Apparently, the answer is “Yes.” The National Enquirer has reported that Sen. Ted Cruz (TP-Texas) has had extramarital affairs with at least 5 women. The junior senator from Texas (or “Pervy Ted” as the NE would have it) denies the allegations. Notorious campaign dirty trickster Roger Stone stands by the accusations and has thrown down the gauntlet basically taunting Cruz to sue him.
Well for once, Red believes that Ted is telling the truth. There is no way that there are 5 “non-professional” women out there who are willing to have coitus with Cruz.
As for Cruz denying copulating with members of the Order Rodentia, Red remains skeptical for now.
March Madness – Team Logos Deciphered
Paradise in Hell 