By Michael Wines and Manny Fernandez
San Antonio — In a state where everything is big, (click here) the 23rd Congressional District that hugs the border with Mexico is a monster: eight and a half hours by car across a stretch of land bigger than any state east of the Mississippi. In 2014, Representative Pete Gallego logged more than 70,000 miles there in his white Chevy Tahoe, campaigning for re-election to the House — and lost by a bare 2,422 votes.
So in his bid this year to retake the seat, Mr. Gallego, a Democrat, has made a crucial adjustment to his strategy. “We’re asking people if they have a driver’s license,” he said. “We’re having those basic conversations about IDs at the front end, right at our first meeting with voters.”
Since their inception a decade ago, voter identification laws have been the focus of fierce political and social debate. Proponents, largely Republican, argue that the regulations are essential tools to combat election fraud, while critics contend that they are mainly intended to suppress turnout of Democratic-leaning constituencies like minorities and students....
Ah, Rep. Bill Hurd speaks with forked tongue. Hurd is not unusal in the US House or Senate. The Republicans are attempting to transfer national parks and federal lands to the states. You know, like the land the Bundi's (click here) own over a million dollars US in lease fees.
This bill by Hurd is not about Homeland Security, it is about making the federal definition of federal lands and national parks meaningless. Then one has to wonder how the rich get richer on the backs of taxpayers.
I sincerely believe this issue is a national problem, not just in Texas. I would encourage candidates to at least mention they would defend the national parks and federal lands.
People won't want to give up their parks and lands. It is the one place in any state where people can take the family for a change of scenery from the suburbs. These lands are the single best bargain no matter the time of year for Americans seeking recreation.
Last year, freshman U.S. Representative Will Hurd (click here) cosponsored a bill requiring the Department of Homeland Security to build close to 200 miles of road in the Big Bend region, giving Border Patrol agents unfettered authority to chop up large swaths of desert wilderness.
So when Hurd posted a video last month espousing the virtue of Big Bend National Park, his opponent, Pete Gallego, a Democrat who represented the district for one term before Hurd, took notice. Gallego’s campaign posted a cheeky attack ad on Facebook in response.
“Yeah, we think Big Bend is indeed awesome,” the ad reads in big block letters. “That’s why we oppose Rep. Hurd’s bill that would destroy the Big Bend … Let’s elect a leader who will *actually* protect the Big Bend.”...
I always thought being a US House Representative was about taking care of the people and not sneaking around behind their backs to benefit cronies and profiteers. Silly me.
When visiting this Park, don’t forget a horse ride. This is one of the best ways to enjoy the Big Bend. You have two options, one hour horse ride or taking a 3 hour adventure tour in Big Bend Ranch State.
29 April 2016
The Bullock Texas State (click here) History Museum’s latest exhibition celebrates the history of Big Bend National Park through stories, artifacts and photographs. “Journey Into Big Bend” continues through Sept. 18 in the third-floor Rotunda Gallery at the museum.
Big Bend, which covers more than 800,000 acres, was the first national park designated in Texas.
The exhibition will include archaeological finds, contemporary artifacts and field notes from paleontological research. Rare casts of two fossils — a 65-million-year-old flying reptile and a 50-foot long crocodile — will be on view.
Organizers hope the personal tales from archaeologists and other experts will preserve the area’s history. One such interview is with Mescalero Apache elder Freddie Kaydahzinne, which includes information about the spiritual significance of the region in American Indian history and culture....
Ah, Rep. Bill Hurd speaks with forked tongue. Hurd is not unusal in the US House or Senate. The Republicans are attempting to transfer national parks and federal lands to the states. You know, like the land the Bundi's (click here) own over a million dollars US in lease fees.
This bill by Hurd is not about Homeland Security, it is about making the federal definition of federal lands and national parks meaningless. Then one has to wonder how the rich get richer on the backs of taxpayers.
I sincerely believe this issue is a national problem, not just in Texas. I would encourage candidates to at least mention they would defend the national parks and federal lands.
People won't want to give up their parks and lands. It is the one place in any state where people can take the family for a change of scenery from the suburbs. These lands are the single best bargain no matter the time of year for Americans seeking recreation.
Last year, freshman U.S. Representative Will Hurd (click here) cosponsored a bill requiring the Department of Homeland Security to build close to 200 miles of road in the Big Bend region, giving Border Patrol agents unfettered authority to chop up large swaths of desert wilderness.
So when Hurd posted a video last month espousing the virtue of Big Bend National Park, his opponent, Pete Gallego, a Democrat who represented the district for one term before Hurd, took notice. Gallego’s campaign posted a cheeky attack ad on Facebook in response.
“Yeah, we think Big Bend is indeed awesome,” the ad reads in big block letters. “That’s why we oppose Rep. Hurd’s bill that would destroy the Big Bend … Let’s elect a leader who will *actually* protect the Big Bend.”...
I always thought being a US House Representative was about taking care of the people and not sneaking around behind their backs to benefit cronies and profiteers. Silly me.
29 April 2016
The Bullock Texas State (click here) History Museum’s latest exhibition celebrates the history of Big Bend National Park through stories, artifacts and photographs. “Journey Into Big Bend” continues through Sept. 18 in the third-floor Rotunda Gallery at the museum.
Big Bend, which covers more than 800,000 acres, was the first national park designated in Texas.
The exhibition will include archaeological finds, contemporary artifacts and field notes from paleontological research. Rare casts of two fossils — a 65-million-year-old flying reptile and a 50-foot long crocodile — will be on view.
Organizers hope the personal tales from archaeologists and other experts will preserve the area’s history. One such interview is with Mescalero Apache elder Freddie Kaydahzinne, which includes information about the spiritual significance of the region in American Indian history and culture....
