Saturday, March 04, 2006

I'm So Tired I'm Not Even Going To Have A Margarita

Well, here we are at Doc's, after a 24 hour filibuster marathon, and I am so tired, I can't trust myself to drink and drive. I had fun today with David Van Os, Little Larry, Billy and the Girl Posse. I got to read some blog entry from Thereisnospoon at Kos with lots of dirty words, which was great 'cuz I did't have to take responsibility. I'll come back later and post the link to it, I am struggling to do this entry in a crowded Austin drinkery on a strange computer, contorting myself to do so. How do these youngsters do this all the time? I much prefer my desk by the window looking out into the oak tree. But, to sum it all up for ya real quick - I had more fun this past 24 hours than I have had since my last trip to Paris in 1988. Thanks, David and Rachel, for making it happen - and a special thanks to CandidateLarry, who hung in there, did not sleep or leave the capitol steps until 6:02 on Saturday evening, and didn't even fall asleep in the car on the way home. This is a guy who will do what he says he will do. He told David Van Os he would be there for 24 hours straight, and he was. No wonder that golden retriever loves him so much!

Goin' Back To Austin

in a minute or so. The golden retriever got a bit of a walk, I got about 4.5 hours sleep, and things are looking good at the Filibuster for Independence at the Capitol. I guess I'd better call to see who needs fresh skivvies, allergy meds, or new filibuster material. See y'all later.

Snarko Speaks

From the Van Os campaign blog, that is. He has better eyes, I guess, and a lot less trouble getting the wi-fi to heed him. So this entry from earlier in the evening is kinda cute, and Very Larry:

The Sun Goes Down but Not Enthusiasm

Larry Stallings, candidate for House 122, took the steps to criticize the chickenhawks in Washington, and the need for REAL energy and economic independence, not just lip service and ports sold off to outsourcing. "What, are we all going to be living in independent glass bubble houses?"

But my favorite quote was in explaining why he was running for office. He'd remembered Howard Dean speaking about how we cannot let a Republican run uncontested in any seat anywhere. "I'm running because one person asked me to, and my wife gave me permission."


It's nearly three AM, and I am back in San Antonio, because our golden retriever cannot cross her legs for 24 hours at a time - 12, for sure; but then it gets dicey. But I know 2 girls who are hangin' - Amanda and Aurora Keeler, who went up to Austin with Larry and Billy at 4;30 on Friday, and refused to come home with me this morning. They are no longer political rookies, I tell ya. Way out of their comfort zone, they are engaged, alert, and sleepy. These are the women of the Texas Farm Team, people - be looking for them in the Lege in about 15 years.

More after a bit of a nap and a pot of coffee.

Thanks to all y'all who are participating in the Filibuster. It's a gas with you there!

Friday, March 03, 2006

Live Blogging the Filibuster for Independence with David Van Os and Little Larry

I am sitting on the steps of the Texas State capitol. The wi-fi signal is, well, iffy, I am trying to balance Billy's laptop on my ample lap, and it is almost midnight. I am having the time of my life. David, Larry, Billy, and about 30 folks who care about Democracy are engaging in a conversation about saving America by having Texas, which spawned the opression we currently live under, leadAmerica out of it. Billy spoke for about 20 minutes about energy independence. He spoke of his dream of Texas leading not only America, but the world, in new ways of powering progress. He pointed out that Texas is blessed with at least 350 days of sun a year and enough wind to power the state. He expressed his hope that the damage to the environment from our dependence on fossil fuels could be reversed.

Well,it must be midnight - the lights of the capitol grounds just went out, and my bi-focals are useless. I have to hold the computer about six inches away to see the frakkin' keyboard. And I need to pee. So I'll post more later.

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Showing The U.S. Senate How It's Done

“Here is a chance to study AP Government in the flesh”, said the mother to the son. “Forget about the sterile AP government class with the right-wing Texas-approved text. Forget about the frakkin’ AP test! Forget about the canned classroom discussion about DPW, school vouchers, the cost of the Iraq war. Go and actually DO Democracy with your dad and David Van Os this weekend. Go participate in the Filibuster For Independence in Austin this weekend. Be prepared to filibuster, be prepared to defend Democracy. Don’t sleep for 24 hours. Do, instead of study”.

So, the boy says “OK”. Suddenly, to his mother, he is no longer a boy. He is actually putting his time where his considerable mouth is. He is going to practice Democracy in the august presence of some new-age Dems who are going to wrest Texas away from the knee-jerk stupidity of those lock-step radical right-wing freaks, and help Texas become independent once again. And he is dragging some friends along, too. It is no surprise to this mother that the guys in his class are too chicken to join him, but the women said, “Hell, yes! We’re goin’ too!”

So Billy Stallings, from the International School of the Americas in San Antonio, along with his female posse, is going to be participating in his first filibuster, helping show the U.S. Senate Democrats how Democracy is done. And this mother couldn’t be prouder.