Dallas' Clinic Closings

I've been watching with a lot of interest the developments of the city of Dallas closing three clinics that provide services to the poor and needy. The closings would save the city nearly $3 million, and city officials were claiming the services could be absorbed by the county. Many, including myself, were concerned the move would leave a lot of folks without an outlet for practical health services, including immunizations.

Some have said Parkland would be a perfectly fine alternative, but sitting in the emergency room for six to eight hours is hardly practical. Parkland's outpatient program, which operates clinics in various locations, is already so overburdened that new patients have to wait three months after they qualify to get a doctor's appointment. There needs to be a place for immediate attention outside of the total beating of waiting at Parkland.

I doubted the county could take on the burden immediately, and after seeing news reports in the Morning News that people were being turned away at city clinics because nurses were already quitting ahead of the closure, I became more concerned. Thankfully, it looks like the city is taking the welfare of the working poor seriously.

I emailed several councilmembers about the situation, and only District 1 councilwoman Delia Jasso followed through with me. She forwarded to me a memo from assistant city manager Forest Turner to city administration that they have been working with the county to transfer their state grants to them so there would be no lapse in service. The city has informed the state of the plan and the city will be briefed on the progress in early September.

I'm glad to see the city is actually taking the needs of its citizens into account here. It would have been so easy to pass the buck and make it someone else's problem, so let's hope this works without a gap in service. I was critical of Ms. Jasso during the election, but she and her staff have been great in addressing the issue and keeping me informed. Kudos to them for their work in following up and their professionalism.

Updates on my latest stories

LifeNews.com, a national pro-life news site, has picked up on my Examiner story about Planned Parenthood. You can read their story HERE. I've also been informed that a number of other sites are running with the story as well. I'm so grateful that word of this little-known provision of the health care bill is getting out.

Also, I have also posted my interview with Wade Emmert at Examiner.com. You can read it HERE. Wade is running for Dallas County Judge, which oversees the County Commissioner's Court. It is an important position, currently being held by Jim Foster, who has been such an absolute failure that even his fellow Democrats don't support his reelection. You can find out more about Wade at WadeEmmert.com.

Planned Parenthood in America's Schools?

I took the time to start researching President Obama's health care reform bill and found something interesting. The bill allows outside groups to get federal grants to run clinics in and near America's public schools. If you're wondering who the Obama Administration had in mind to run them, note that they've been meeting with Planned Parenthood officials all summer. For more information, please CLICK HERE TO READ MY REPORT! Be sure to tell others!

People Actually Vote for Sheila Jackson Lee

House Rep. Lee represents Houston, and they ought to be ashamed. She's the ultimate opportunist. She ripped Barack Obama back in the primaries when it looked like Hillary had it wrapped up. At Michael Jackson's funeral, she promised to get a Congressional proclamation saying how wonderful he was (the House refused). This week, she had an Obama DNC delegate in her town hall meeting pretend to be a doctor and talk about how wonderful the proposed health plan is. Here is how she treats normal people.

Dallas Morning News: A School By Any Other Name

My "guest blog" entry has been posted at the Dallas Morning News website, on their opinion blog. It addresses DISD board member Ron Price's attempt to name a school for Barack Obama and Sonia Sotomayor. For a direct link, CLICK RIGHT HERE. There is even a comments section for your feedback.

My Latest Morning News Column Is Online

Thanks to everyone for the great feedback so far on my Sunday column. In case you didn't get Sunday's paper, the column is now online at the Morning News website. Click here to read the column online now!

My Next Morning News Column

My new column for the Dallas Morning News will be published soon, which discusses the city's responsibility to help the working poor and the elderly in tough times. I reference a proposal floating around City Hall to stop providing hot meals to the elderly at the MLK Rec Center and close several clinics that provide low cost immunizations and health care in South Dallas. These proposals are being made because someone thinks no one will raise a stink. Thankfully, City Councilman Dwaine Caraway vows to at least keep the meal program going.

My column also mentions the burden code enforcement can be on many. Due to space limitations, I didn't go into detail over how the code enforcement citation system works - and why some may argue that it is effective - but the bottom line is code enforcement investigators should begin working with their city council members and local civic and neighborhood groups to solve the core issues behind the citations. Yes, it is a lot of extra work and responsibility, but it is an investment in the future of our communities. The system the way it is now does not work. We can't play "gotcha" with our citizens. We must give them the tools to become better neighbors. More on this to come.

Honor one of the "Band of Brothers"

The HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers" is one of my all-time favorite series. It's an amazing true story of heroes in a time when America needed them most. I was saddened then to hear from my friend Anthony Burris that one of the "Band of Brothers" featured in the miniseries, Darrell "Shifty" Powers, died of cancer June 17 at the age of 86.

As word of his passing spread online, many are asking how they can show their thanks. I've learned that you can visit THIS LINK to leave condolences. Hurry though, it's only available through July 20.

As the grandson of a WWII vet who is no longer with us, I know that this "Greatest Generation" is getting smaller every day. Let's honor them while they can. Our condolences to the Powers family.

Faith in America's People

I must share this. The video may be small (I had to squeeze it in) but you can click on the TV icon to see it full screen. Norm Gamel sent this to me, which shows how people in the state of Georgia welcomed home one of their fallen sons. No matter what you see on TV or the garbage that makes up our popular culture, it is nice to know that when it comes down to it, this is the real America.

Can't See the Real Oak Cliff For All The Trees

Sometimes I wonder if I'm living in the same Oak Cliff as other folks. Depending on who you ask, I'm not. Even though I've lived here since I was I was kid, I was told recently by more than one Oak Cliff "Hipster Doofus" that because my Dallas Morning News columns lean conservative, I'm not a part of "their Oak Cliff" and don't speak for them. These goosestepping "Johnny-Come-Latelys" move in to the Cliff, fix up a tudor, and think they own the place.

Now, in a Morning News column published Sunday, I've actually been called out by one of my fellow Community Voices columnists, who disagrees with the fact that I say more folks aren't taking the proper responsibility for their community. Apparently, since the author is politically active and volunteers, I must be wrong. Really? Let's look at the facts.

In the June 13 runoff, voter turnout was under 7%. In my precinct, turnout was 10.50%. By the already low standards we set, that is "good." However, outside of our little social circles and the "bubble" created by our friends and neighbors, there are a bunch of disaffected people who either think their vote doesn't matter or don't care who is in charge. THAT is the real problem. If you are going to take a swing at me, try using a fist full of reality, not some rose-colored perception of how things are.

I didn't want to criticize a fellow columnist in print, because I think it's bad form, but I'm also not going to sit back and have what I think is a valid point diminished. There are real problems in Oak Cliff, and WE, the people who live here, are to blame. I love living here, and I'm not going to give it up without a fight. I've served my time on boards and committees working to make it better. Even with the good, that doesn't mean we should close our eyes to the bad. I'm sorry if pointing out the realities or "experiences" of the 93% of the people who didn't vote June 13 offends some.

Sooner or later, those realities, those problems festering under the surface are going to burst the bubble some Oak Cliff apologists live in. If we don't deal with it now, and pretend everything is wonderful, the name of Oak Cliff will continue to have a stigma attached to it. No wonderful restaurants, no big trees, and no good intentions are going to change that.

Random gunfire in Oak Cliff bad? Really?

I was so relieved to hear that our new north Oak Cliff leader, city councilwoman Delia Jasso, nipped the "July 4 random gunfire" problem in the bud by issuing a press release telling us how bad random gunfire is. She suggested folks lock away those guns and just be cool, basically. She also suggested we call 911 if we hear random gunfire. There's an idea.

The truth is, I stood a better chance of calling Domino's than 911 when I heard gunshots. At least Domino's would get here in 30 minutes, and we would have had pizza. Jasso should have grabbed the bull by the horns and worked with other Oak Cliff leaders and the police to beef up patrols and enforcement. They should have been on TV the week leading up to the Fourth telling everyone that extra cops would be out to respond quickly. That might have put a little fear into folks.

Instead, I spent the Fourth enjoying brats with family and friends and watching the neighborhood fireworks show (with random gunfire) that goes on every year in the parking lot across from Peabody Elementary near my house. Every year, an unofficial and illegal pyrotechnic demonstration is held, and once you've given up trying to call 911, it is actually enjoyable. With officers overburdened, everyone knows calls won't be responded to. The folks setting off the fireworks don't even try to hide. They sit outside their cars talking with friends and setting off rockets.

I gave up calling 911 about such things last year. After I saw a neighbor shooting bottle rockets at passing cars, I called 911. Eventually, a patrol car came by, and the neighbors responded by shooting a rocket AT THE POLICE CAR. It went off underneath the car with a loud bang and burst of light, and the car kept going. It never stopped. I officially gave up then. Say goodnight Gracie.

If we expect to make Oak Cliff a better place, we must first have lawbreakers believe the law will be enforced. Right now, I don't even believe that. For now, we just enjoy the fireworks.

My work on Examiner.com

I've been covering Dallas Republican politics on Examiner.com for a little while now, and the feedback has been great, even if it isn't all positive. Apparently, a few left-wingers are really upset over my "When Liberals Attack" articles, which point out some of the crazy and underhanded tactics coming from the left. I get a kick out of their rants which they post in the comment section after the articles. They think they can insult or shame me into keeping quiet, silly rabbits. They were especially upset over my July 4 article which reminded folks to remember the Prop. 8 musical clip that ridiculed Christians and Jesus Christ the next time they consider buying or renting a movie with Jack Black. Check it out here.

You can sign up to get an email when I post a new article on Examiner.com. Just click on the Examiner logo to the right or CLICK HERE and then click on the link that says SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL. Thanks!

4th of July Column

My latest column for the Dallas Morning News is now available to read BY CLICKING HERE. You can read it in print on Sunday, July 5 in the Metro section.

Cesar Chavez St. Controversy Is Back

Update (July 2): Steve Salazar, the city councilman supposedly behind the Chavez proposal, has withdrawn the request, saying he never intended to submit it. Right. Regardless, I'll keep my original post up for the next stupid request which is sure to come.

July 1: Here we go again. Instead of addressing a lack of education, jobs, and hope in our communities, Dallas area Latino leaders think the answer to all of our ills is naming a street for Cesar Chavez. There is now a push to rename Young St, located downtown, for Cesar Chavez. Why? Well, there is no official reason why, but once you realize that Young St. is home to WFAA, The Dallas Morning News, City Hall Plaza, and the Dallas Public Library, the reason is clear.

These folks are not motivated in honoring Chavez. They are using him. He is a tool to "stick it" to what they see as the "white powerhouse" that runs downtown and local government. They would love to see the Morning News change their address to say "Chavez." It doesn't matter that this does nothing to help local Latinos or even keep alive the work Cesar started. This is about local Latinos flexing their political muscle. They want to make a point that they can snap their fingers and get whatever they want. The Morning News, white city council members, and just about every other non-Latino in this city is too afraid to stand up to this silly demand out of fear they will appear racist. They are right - they will appear racist. They can't complain, this is the world of white liberal guilt they created.

I addressed this last year in a Morning News column (see the link to the right). If local Latino leaders were really concerned about honoring Chavez, they would do something more fitting than slap his name on some street signs. They would name a library after him. We already have a school. How about a "Cesar Chavez Educational Program," that closes the educational gap Latinos face in this town by starting GED classes around Oak Cliff, or help young working parents get into night classes at the local community college, or start a scholarship program with local four year colleges for those who need to complete their Bachelor's or Master's? No, they won't do that. That would require them to move their, ahem, behinds, and do something useful. Adelfa Callejo should spend more time inside a school instead of demanding she get her name put on the outside of one.

Roy Appleton of the Morning News asked our new city council member, Delia Jasso, why we can't name Jefferson Blvd., in the heart of Latino Oak Cliff, for Cesar, which makes more sense. "That won't happen," she said. Maybe because it's actually in a Latino community and it doesn't "stick it" in the face of too many gringos. Nice going, Delia.

My column on AC.com and in the Cypress Times

My latest column on Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's run for governor is now available for reading at AssociatedContent.com by CLICKING HERE.

The column is also available at the Cypress Times website, a great news site based in Cypress, Texas, down by Houston. You can read the column there by CLICKING HERE. I hope you'll bookmark the Cypress Times website and visit it often. They will be carrying my columns from time to time.

Told Ya So: Oak Cliff's Sophisticated Boozehounds

One of my Dallas Morning News columns a while back talked about Cockrell Hill and how I felt their legalization of alcohol sales would have negative consequences for the community. I received quite a bit of negative feedback from folks who said I had it all wrong, that Cockrell Hill would be a better place with all the tax revenue. They complained that if Cockrell Hill wouldn't sell them their wine, they would have to go over the river to get it. I don't care if you have to go out of your way to have Merlot with your Mac and Cheese, booze isn't good for Oak Cliff. I'm sorry if drinking Dr. Pepper while you discuss politics over dinner doesn't seem sophisticated.

Now I get to say I told you so. Those high-class providers of adult beverages in Cockrell Hill have now opened a drive-thru store with hoochie-mamas that bring you your Colt 45s. These scantily clad chicks have earned their own protestors who don't like the fact that these girls are being treated like pieces of meat and are out in front of the drive-thru while kids pass by to and from the school down the street. Congrats Cockrell Hill! You set the women's movement back twenty years!

Gentrification and the Davis/Bishop Study

The Davis St. Land Use Study, which aims to encourage several development projects along the north Oak Cliff street, is the kind of thing this area has needed for years. The study has united several development efforts in the area into one movement that the city can get behind. It also gives the developers an easier time to move forward with the city, as each is given legitimacy with a "big picture" focus instead of isolated projects.

The study has been criticized by some as an attempt to turn the area into a mini-Uptown and drive out the large Latino population that is there. The idea that north Oak Cliff is being "gentrified" is ridiculous, and unfairly characterizes the study as some sort of ethnic cleansing.

During the recent election, one Latino candidate actually had the nerve to complain in a campaign mailing about the bulldozing of all of those trashy apartments across the street from St. Cecilia's Church. Instead of being glad that better homes would be built, he argued that somehow these people wanted to live in that rat's nest. Yes, the homes being built were probably out of their price range, but there is no shortage of decent, affordable apartments in the area. Sometimes hard decisions must be made to make a community safer.

Latinos can afford better housing. They deserve better housing. This is not a movement to chase them away. This community will benefit from this development. Don't buy into this argument that Latinos will be shut out under this plan. It's just a wedge tactic being used by some to unfairly characterize development.

The real issue here is some folks don't want to be bothered. They think this development will affect their quality of life. It's the same argument that has been used ever since the Bishop Arts area began to expand. They argued that there would be more traffic, the area would lose its identity, and some nice old buildings would be lost. It didn't happen in Bishop Arts. It won't happen under the Davis study. Thankfully, the city council seems ready to get behind the thing and not try to micromanage each phase of the plan like some are trying to do.

I See Dead Voters....

If dead people vote Delia Jasso into office and no one cares, does that make it right? I suppose we'll know soon enough. For some people, moral relativity is a way of life: right and wrong is defined by whether or not it fits our needs and wants.

Some are blowing off the charges that Delia Jasso's campaign participated in voter fraud by saying a.) take away the disputed votes and Jasso would have won by a slim margin anyway, and b.) Jasso deserves to win because she is Latino and she's running in a Latino district against a white guy (Justin Epker). For these folks, a win is a win, by any means necessary.

The problem is, wrong is wrong, no matter how you justify it. In the days to come, we'll see if the district attorney or local media do their due diligence and investigate the facts. If it is swept under the rug, it will say a lot about the state of our community. We will know if a privileged, connected few can get away with things you and I cannot.

Oak Cliff: Roughin' It Like the Stone Age

Good grief. Being without power, phone, and internet is like being a Flintstone. Like many folks in the Big D, I lost power in the storms last Wednesday. I finally got my power back late Friday, which is an eternity for someone like me who freelances and sends work by internet. It got so dang hot that I split for north Dallas, where a very wealthy gated community lost their power twice and had it restored within eight hours. In my north Oak Cliff neighborhood, it took 48 hours to get it back on once. Some waited four days, until Sunday. BTW, I live on a major south Dallas street, not some place in the middle of nowhere. Now, I'm not trying to say anything about ONCOR. They work hard and I know they didn't purposely leave Oak Cliff in the dark for so long. However, when positioning resources for such an event, shouldn't the bulk be in or near Oak Cliff, where Dallas actually has trees that take down lines? I'm just sayin'.......

The Kessler Theater Returns!

North Oak Cliff residents are well familiar with the Kessler Theater, even if you didn't know its name. It's the building on the corner of Davis and Clinton with the green curved art-deco glass marquee. It's changed hands over the years and is finally being restored to be a community arts center for live performances and everything in-between. While there's been lots of development by Bishop Arts down the road, this particular area has seen far less attention, and it's nice to see it getting some love now. I remember back in the day renting my tux for prom near the Kessler, and now those storefronts are getting restored. Hopefully we'll see the good times rolling at the Kessler again soon. You can keep up with the progress at the Kessler via their FaceBook page HERE.