Bell To Culberson: Apologize
Congressman owes the voters of Houston
Great to see this: Chris Bell basically throwing down the gauntlet and calling a spade a spade. Among the more disingenuous tactics the anti-railers have employed is suggesting that:
What this all boils down to is the contractors who stand to benefit are supporting the ballot measure, and those contractors on the outside are funding the anti- side. No shock there. Similarly, representatives from the suburban areas are against this, whereas those representing the city itself are. Again, no shock.
But to cook the numbers, insert a provision that makes the hurdle twice as high for Houston as it does for any other city that Culberson HAS awarded money to ... that's a bit crass.
The shame in all of this is that there's an honest debate to be had over the cost effectiveness of rail. Its a shame that the anti-rail side hasn't attempted to take that up. I'll be voting yes on this one for two reasons: the anti-rail side of this debate has thoroughly turned me off from being sympathetic to a better approach and I don't believe for a second that they'll be packaging legislation to raise the taxes necessary to build the spaghetti bowl of their dreams. If I somehow come to the conclusion that John Culberson will evolve into the second coming of former congressman Jim Wright and expend highway money out the wazoo on this area, then maybe I'll come around. But in the meantime, count me as a sceptic on that one.
UPDATE: This from Paul Staton, the man behind the Recall Culberson petition ... (emphasis mine)
"Ladies and Gentlemen: Thanks to everyone who showed up at Spring Branch Middle School to hold a poster supporting Metro's solution. Mike Stevens with "Texans for True Mobility" (TTM) gave the same Powerpoint Presentation Paul Bettencourt gave last weekend at Westchester Academy. Mr. Stevens is a prepared speaker and did a complete hatchet job on Metro's Solution. Metro was not present to rebut. Several members of the audience challenged the legitimacy of TTM which is clearly attempting to change the outcome of a ballot proposition not just educating the public as to the facts of the matter. Mr. Steven emphatically told the audience Metro's Solution should be "Killed." When he did that, he expressed a political viewpoint which changes the character of TTM. Doing such requires TTM to disclose its campaign donors. Does anyone know a lawyer who might help us file a temporary restraining order against TTM precluding them from advertising against Metro's Solution until such time as they disclose said contributors? I receive literature everyday in the mail and see copious ads on TV generated by TTM. Creating an anonymous slush fund to defeat persons or propositions on the ballot undermines the transparency needed to fully inform the electorate especially as to motivation for or against an issue as important as mobility. For all we know the Government of Mexico, were the raw products to create cement are mined, is funding TTM. It would be an interesting list."
Stating a position sure would seem to go beyond education, wouldn't it? Where's the legal team around here when we need one?