larger view

Hillary has become famous for her lies, but Obama and his speech writers need to be a little more original when putting together his speeches.   Andrew Ferguson, senior editor of The Weekly Standard put together this list of Obama's "borrowed" lines: 

larger view

During a recent photo-op, Obama didn't know which end of the phone to use - how's he gonna answer those 3:00AM calls?   Click on the photo to enlarge it.

There are a number of reasons that we feel that Tyler should be removed from office because of official misconduct and incompetence!

Under official misconduct is the fact that Tyler refused to review all cases presented to him by the Victoria Police Department and the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office from mid October, 2007 till mid January, 2008.  That means well over 300 cases from the VPD alone.

I felt it might be of interest to the average resident of Victoria County to know what kinds of crimes people were arrested for and then set free on Personal Recognizance Bonds because they weren’t afforded a speedy trial.  This information is from the VPD"s 2007-2008 Case Presentation Log-Adult

Violent Crimes - 42:

Aggravated Robbery (this means with a weapon) – 1

Assault with a weapon – 3

Assault with DWI – 4

Assault - 30mes, people were arrested as follows:

 set free on personal recognasence bondseview all the cases presented to him by the Victoria Police department and the Vic

Deadly Conduct – 3

Intoxication Assault, 2 Counts of Manslaughter - 1

Driving While Intoxicated - 40:

DWI - Reckless Driving - 1

DWI – Second or More Offenses – 25

DWI – First Offense – 14

Theft, Robbery or Burglary -77:

Robbery – 1

Theft – 72

Theft of Fire Arm - 2

Burglary – 2

Various Drug Charges - 65

Possession – 60

Possession - Manufacturing or Delivery – 5

Miscellaneous Crimes Including:

Forgery

Evading Arrest

Criminal Mischief

Unlicensed Possession of a Fire Arm by a Felon

Unlicensed Possession of a Fire Arm

Reckless Driving

Criminal Trespass

Terroristic Threat

Selling Stolen Material

You see, any resident, including members of the Victoria 10, could also have become victims of these people – whether a victim as a result of a violent crime   or as a victim of a motor vehicle accident caused by a drunk driver….42 PEOPLE ARRESTED FOR VIOLENT CRIMES PLUS 40 DRUNK DRIVERS WERE TURNED LOOSE ON OUR STREETS AND HIGHWAYS…. ALL AS A RESULT OF A POWER-CRAZED D.A., UPSET BECAUSE HE COULDN’T LEGALLY GET HIS WAY.   

Next we have the situation with Mike Ratcliff.  All of the local District Judges have recused themselves from the case to avoid the appearance of impropriety because they have worked with Ratcliff while he was sheriff.  Our peerless D.A. however, claims that the fact that he was the man’s boss for ten months is no reason to recuse himself – public perception of impropriety be damned!

Then we have the notes attached to cases he reviewed and rejected – notes in which he made  unprofessional remarks about investigating officers and derogatory remarks about the victims.

The Advocate requested copies of the notes and cases, but Tyler refused.  The Advocate then appealed the situation to the Texas Attorney General.  After review the A.G. said there was no problem with releasing the notes -  any information that could compromise on-going cases as well as the names of victims could be blackened out.  Tyler appealed to a District Judge from another county to keep the documents secret, but the Judge turned the case back over to the A.G. Tyler has one last chance to appeal to the A.G., but it’s unlikely he’ll be successful this time either.  THEN the public will have a chance to judge Tyler’s lack of professionalism.

Tyler supporters have ask me why I’m being so vindictive against this egotist – it’s not vindictiveness to be upset that the D.A. deliberately made the wheels of justice grind to a halt – it’s a matter of being highly dissatisfied with a lack of professional judgment – my tax dollars are helping to pay this man’s salary and I, for one, have had enough!

I’ll leave examples of Tyler’s incompetency for another post.

I recently received this in an email and thought it was worth sharing:

>"Letter from one "Angry Woman” written by a housewife from New Jersey and sounds like it! This is one ticked off lady.

"Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001?

Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan , across the Potomac from our nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania ?

Did nearly three thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?

And I'm supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was "desecrated" when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet?...Well, I don't. I don't care at all.

I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.

I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia .

I'll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.

I'll care when the cowardly so-called "insurgents" in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques.

I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs.

I'll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights.

In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don't care.

When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured: I don't care.

When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank: I don't care.

When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed "special" food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being "mishandled," you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts: I don't care.

And oh, by the way, I've noticed that sometimes it's spelled "Koran" and other times "Quran." Well, Jimmy Crack Corn and-you guessed it-I don't care!!

If you agree with this viewpoint, pass this on to all your E-mail friends. Sooner or later, it'll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior!

If you don't agree, then by all means hit the delete button. Should you choose the latter, then please don't complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great Country! And may I add:

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem" -- Ronald Reagan

I have another quote that I would like to add AND......I hope you forward all this.

"If we ever forget that we're One Nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." Also by... Ronald Reagan

One last thought for the day:
In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the Anti-American sentiment and negativity, we should remember England ’s Prime Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent inter view. When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America , he said: "A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in.. And how many want out."

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.

One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO PASS THIS ON, AS MANY SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM. AMEN!  "<

 The year is 1907, One hundred years ago.   What a difference a century makes!

 Here are some of the U.S. Statistics for the Year 1907:

 The average life expectancy in the U.S. Was 47 years old.

 Only 14 percent of the homes in the U.S Had a bathtub.

 Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.

 A three-minute call from Denver to New York City cost eleven dollars.

 There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S., and only 144 miles of paved roads.

 The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.

 Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California.  With a mere 1.4 million people, California was only the 21^st most populous state in the Union

The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.

The average wage in the U.S. Was 22 Cents per hour.

The average U.S. Worker made between $200 and $400 per year.

A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist made $2,500 per year, a veterinarian $1,500 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.

More than 95 percent of all births in the U.S. Took place at HOME.

 Ninety percent of all U.S. Doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!  Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as "substandard."

Sugar cost four cents a pound.   Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.   Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.

Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.

Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.

 Five leading causes of death in the U.S. Were:
 1. Pneumonia and influenza
 2. Tuberculosis
 3. Diarrhea
 4. Heart disease
 5. Stroke

The American flag had 45 stars.   Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska had yet to be admitted to the Union.

The population of Las Vegas , Nevada , was only 30!!!!

Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea hadn't been invented yet.

larger view

The perfect definition:

am·biv·a·lence  n.

larger view larger view

Over the holidays, the Victoria 10 was finally able to consult with several attorneys on the procedures for filing a petition to have the District Attorney Steven Tyler removed from office.   It took a while to locate lawyers willing to speak to us because none of the local attorneys dared to.  The reason?   Political considerations!

Below, I’ve cited the code under which we will file a petition for the removal of the District Attorney.   We will file approximately a dozen charges under the definitions of Incompetency and Official Misconduct.   We’ve completed a rough draft of the petition and are waiting for a review and any recommendations in the wording of the charges by the aforementioned attorneys.   We also plan to file complaints with the Texas State Bar.

Once the petition is finalized and submitted, a copy of the petition with detailed charges will be posted in this blog.

Under the Local Government Code, Chapter 87 Removal of County Officers from Office, Subchapter B. Removal by Petition and Trial are a number of definitions:

§ 87.011 Definitions in this subchapter

(1) District Attorney includes a criminal district attorney

(2)Incompetency means

  (A) Gross ignorance of official duties

  (B) Gross Carelessness in the discharge of those duties; or

  (C) Unfitness or inability to promptly and properly discharge official duties because of a serious or mental defect that did not exist at the time of the officer’s election

(3) Official misconduct means intentional, unlawful behavior relating to official duties by an officer entrusted with the administration of justice or the execution of the law.  The term includes an intentional or corrupt failure, refusal or neglect of an officer to perform a duty imposed on the officer by law.

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

§ 87.012.  Officers Subject to Removal

(1)  a district attorney

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

§ 87.013.  General Grounds for Removal

  (a) An officer may be removed for:

    (1) Incompetency        

    (2) Official Misconduct; or

    (3) Intoxication on or off duty caused by drinking an alcoholic beverage.

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

§ 87.015.  Petition for Removal

  (a) A proceeding for the removal of an officer is begun by filing a written petition for removal in a district court of the county in which the officer resides.  However a proceeding for the removal of a district attorney is begun by filing a written petition in a district court of:

    (1) the county in which the attorney resides; or

    (2) the county where the alleged cause of removal occurred. If that county is in the attorney’s judicial district.

  (b) Any resident of this state who has lived for at least six months in the county in which the petition is to be filed and who is not currently under indictment in the county may file the petition.  At least one person of the parties who files the petition must swear to it at or before the filing.

  (c) The petition must be addressed to the district judge of the court in which it is filed.  The petition must set forth the grounds alleged for the removal of the officer in plain and intelligible language and must cite the time and place of the occurrence of each act alleged as a ground for removal with as much certainty as the nature of the case permits.

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. 

larger view

 First the D.A. in Dallas.

Then the D.A. in Houston.

Now it's  the turn of D.A. in Victoria.

The Victoria 10 have been busy over the holidays, gathering a great deal of useful and interesting information.  Stay tuned  - this next month is going to be exciting.

On a more light hearted note, the history of a tradition....

larger view

KJ1985 and superdad,

KJ1985:

You said ">It's unfortunate the Advocate's Gabe Semenza has (for the most part) been the city's lap dog on this."<

Seems to me that I remember a "guest column" on the Op-Ed page by Steve Tyler that was so long, it took two days to get it all in.  In it the D.A. told his side of the story, but I haven't seen anything comparable written by David Smith or Chief Ure - only a few comments given to reporters.  Further, Mr. Tyler has had a number of televised news conferences, yet nothing by Smith or the embattled police department.

Part of the problem is that the Victoria Police Department is under a gag order and can't speak up or out - meanwhile the D.A. can take one cheap shot after another.

superdad:

>”You said, >” Let the DA do his job!!!!<”

His job is to review cases sent to him by the S.O. or the VPD and decide whether or not to pursue them. It is NOT his job to refuse to accept over three hundred cases, until each officer presenting a case has signed a ridiculous affidavit that is basically a hunting license to prosecute deputies and police officers if they don’t investigate a case to the D.A.’s satisfaction.

Tyler defenders have repeatedly claimed that at least three county D.A.s (out over 250 counties) require such an affidavit from peace officers.  People keep asking to see a copy of these affidavits – the only one made available was one the Advocate got a hold of.  It is very brief; and it is nowhere as long or detailed as the one Tyler wanted.   Still waiting to hear from ALS and company….

So, superdad, we’re still waiting for the good D.A. TO DO his job!  How about you?   Have you forgotten the Judge Weiser is having to release criminals back onto the street since they’re not receiving the speedy trial they have a right to? Granted, the ones released so far have been charged with misdemeanors, but what about the creeps who were arrested for robbing the lady at the Mall or the three outlaws that the Sheriff’s SWAT team scooped up the other day.

DON”T YOU GET IT?  The D.A. is holding the citizens of Victoria County hostage until the police meet his demands.  He is within the law to REQUEST such an affidavit but the law DOES NOT REQUIRE it to be signed.

Check out the Texas Bar Association’s web site and follow the links to “Filing a grievance – Questions and Answers – Grievance Form (http://www.texasbar.com/Tem...

The site tells you how and where to file a grievance against ANY attorney if you feel he isn’t doing his job.  You have to be specific about your complaint, but refusing to accept reports from the S.O and VPD since mid-October is pretty specific.  ANY citizen can file a grievance.

larger view

The Advocate tried to get its hands on the reports that Tyler sent back to the police declining to prosecute.  On a number of those reports the good D.A. made unprofessional remarks about the police AND derogatory remarks about the victims.   Tyler refused to release them so the Advocate took it to the State Attorney General.  The A.G. said it was okay to release them. 

He filed a lawsuit to the District Judge in Travis County to keep the records from being released.  

Guess what?  Tyler’s lawsuit is still sitting on the District Clerks desk.  Does the expression “The Fix Is In” sound familiar?  Seems like the good ol’ boy network is working again!

Claire Solomon of the Open Government Hotline (877-673-6839) said that the ruling is #2007-14425 and the lawsuit is sitting on the desk of

Brenda Loudermilk at 1-512-475-4300
345th District Court
Travis County
Cause #DIGN07004097 - Ruling  #2007-14425

The Advocate's Gabe Semenza has also filed a press lawsuit to get the information made public too.  But apparently he didn't follow up on it.   Ms. Solomon suggested that the media may be our best friend in this situation.  She strongly suggested that residents call and encourage Brenda Loudermilk (in a very nice way) to release the files to the public.

So there you have it Mr. and Ms. Public if you’re interested in what Tyler thinks of some victims (we already know what he thinks of the VPD), give Ms Loudermilk a call and politely ask her what the holdup is.  If enough people call, maybe the pressure will encourage her to stop delaying,

larger view

This group is dedicated to getting the justice system in Victoria back on track.  All Tyler has to do is drop this demand for ridiculously detailed affidavits from the police officers and deputies.  Although only 2 or 3 other D.A.s require them throughout the State of Texas, none of those affidavits are any where nearly as stringent as Tyler’s.  In spite of his claims that he’s trying to ensure that police officers do a thorough job of investigation before turning a case over to him, the wording of his affidavit would make it better labeled as a hunting license to slam dunk members of the VPD and the S.O.

By the way, if you’ve seen any of Tyler’s recent TV interviews, the resemblance to the little animated picture next to this post appears to be uncanny.

Interestingly enough, he’s not demanding that members of state agencies to sign his affidavits; claims that reports by those officers and agents are so much better written the ones written by local peace officers doesn’t hold water - the fact is that he doesn't have any authority over them.

Dropping the affidavits and adopting a professional attitude in working with the police and deputies would remove any desire on our part to have him removed from office.  What’s of concern here is that fact that Tyler has refused to accept well over two hundred cases.  Judge Laura Weiser has been turning people loose who have been arrested because they’re not getting a speedy trial as required by law.  Till now, the people being released were arrested for committing misdemeanors.  You may have noticed that recently six bad actors have been arrested for serious crimes – three by the VPD (lady robbed in the mall) and three by the S.O. in the house raid.  Wonder how happy people are going to be if the judge has to turn them loose on the public.?

larger view

If you've seen Tyler on TV you might notice the resmblance to the little animated photo

Interesting things are in the works! Stay tuned folks - more to follow!

12/4 - Here's a way to deal with the  incompetence shown by our D.A.  More details are being researched , including how to start the petition process for removal.  It will take some time, but be patient:

 87.011: Definitions:

      “District Attorney” includes a criminal district attorney.

     “Incompetency” means gross ignorance of official duties; gross carelessness in the discharge of those duties; or inability to promptly discharge official duties because of a serious physical or mental defect.

   “Official misconduct”: means intentional, unlawful behavior relating to official duties by an officer entrusted with the administration of justice or the execution of the law. The term includes an intentional or corrupt failure, refusal, or neglect of an officer to perform a duty imposed on the officer by law.

87..013:  an officer may be removed for:  Incompetence, official misconduct or intoxication on or off duty case by drinking an alcoholic beverage.

87.015:  petition for removal: Any resident of the county in which the petition is to be filed and who is no currently under indictment in that county may file a written petition address to the District Judge of the court in which it is filed.  The petition must set forth the grounds alleged for the removal of the officer and must site the time and place of the occurrence of each act alleged.

87.017: the District Judge may temporarily suspend the officer and may appoint another person to do the duties of the office.

87.018: Trial: Officers may be removed only following a trial by jury. The county attorney may represent the state in this proceeding.

87.019:  Provides for the appeal process.

.

.

12/5 - Tyler may able to be ousted on the "Official Misconduct" charge. 160 + cases with the VPD waiting to be accepted.  More to follow.....

.