I find it amazing as well

Over at Preaching to the Choir, a recent posting made me sit up a little more, and pay attention.

http://rantsofapublicdefender.blogspot.com/2010/01/we-rock.html

What I find interesting is not so much that the Attorney got fired up over her topic. It was this statement:

So 200-some years ago, we wrote a contract with ourselves to make sure we would always respect the rights of the worst among us.

I find that telling with the state of things. She talks about the down-trodden being written in the Constitution however we see that laws everyday passed to punish us for things that occurred 5, 10 20 years ago. So To S, at Rantsofapublicdefender, I say kudos to you for believing; but there again, how can you be so naive?

Nancy Grace is a cunt.

Yeah I said it, and I will say it again. Nancy Grace is a CUNT. Was watching the video regarding little Haylee Donathan, Nancy was blabbing about how she didn't like that fact that the feds have con-air (let's face it, this is acting. As a former prosecutor, she knows damned well that these planes fly "above her head"... talking about being dramatic..fucking tart).

The gyst of the video is the mom stated she fell in love with Robbi Potter. Robbi is supposed to be living in a halfway house, but decided to split with the mother and the child.

Now you know the media is gonna continuously state that he is a predator, that is why he split. only Robbi really knows why. However, I would like to interject one thing. What if the reason the guy split is because of the registry? It is possible after all. Young man, tired of the bullshit dealing with the registry. Sorry folks, hate to disillusion, there is NOTHING civil about the registry. It is totally punitive. For those that would say "Good, it deserves to be punitive', I offer this. Adding punitive measures after someone does their time erodes the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the United States. There can be no exceptions to this, or it actually works against you as well. Freedoms that you believed to be inalienable are not so and the continued erosion will one day come around and bite you square on the ass. Now back to the video ...

Our dear Friend, Nancy, goes on to depict the mom and the 'sex offender' as doing this terrible thing. Now I might not be too bright but didn't they leave and basically take a vacation/ yeah Robbi did something bad by splitting, but did he actually commit any offense besides parole violations? yeah the Adam Walsh Act supposedly will come into play, but that is a bullshit law which shouldn't be there to begin with. In America we are supposed to deal with true justice, not some hokey fucking pipe dream made up by a drunk womanizing father, and a coked out, non-attentive mother...

I guess I am just confused is all, as to why they are so upset over all of this. The child was with her mom. According to the un-educated general public, this is what sex offenders do, right? I mean really, the Registry is there to allow them to punish us everyday... So where is the big surprise?

Here's the Link to the cunt...err Nancy

Excerpt: Is an unjust government better than no government at all?

I found this in browsing. It is a term paper excerpt that I found to be very telling. If your government is unjust, is that better than NO government at all?

My answer is this. It is my opinion that no government is above its people, and when a government stands to defraud its people of Liberty and Happiness granted them by the founders of that nation, then THAT government is unjust. Having an unjust government is far worse than no government at all, because eventually with no government majority rule will apply and a standard set rules or laws would be developed; However, an unjust government does not allow reasonable, majority rule to become the law of the land. An unjust government creates laws to keep themselves in power, and to disallow a peaceful overturning of the ruling class for that of the majority. This is why certain checks need to be put into place NOW. Solidly set term limits for all elected officials. The President currently have one, but Congress nor the Supreme Court have one for themselves. This needs to change. Representatives should be allowed 3 terms maximum, Senators should be allowed 6 terms maximum, giving both a 12 year maximum in which to pass law, and govern. The Supreme Court should not be a lifetime appointment. I feel that the supreme court should have no more than a 10 year seating on the bench in Washington.

Another thing that truly needs to change is the lifetime retirement given to those elected officials. Under no circumstances are we indebted to any elected official as a whole. Their reigns have been what has devastated us over the last 50 years.

Is an unjust government better than no government at all?

INTRO:
I do not agree that an unjust government is better than no government at all. Is it really logical to give your allegiance to a country whose government violates principles of fairness? I would have to agree with St. Augustine's famous quote, "an unjust law us no law at all," and therefore I think that an unjust government is no government at all.

CONTENTIONS:

a.) IF YOUR GOVERNMENT IS NOT LOYAL TO YOU THEN YOU DO NOT OWE IT YOUR ALLEGIANCE. I do feel that one has a moral responsibility to obey just laws, but I also feel that one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.
1 For example, America would still be just a province of Great Britain if it wasn't for our forefathers who stood up and rebelled against the laws which were clearly unjust.
2 If it was acceptable for them to rebel, then it is definitely acceptable now.
3 We are all under the assumption that the laws of the land are in place......

Yet another article on how ineffective the registry is in Texas

Discretion is the hallmark of the criminal justice system in Texas. The laws are written clearly, but the decisions are left to people. Juries are empowered to examine the facts of cases and make responsible decisions regarding guilt and innocence. Judges are trusted to maintain decorum and uphold the laws so that justice can prevail. At all times, participants within the court system are expected to handle difficult and sensitive matters in the interests of fairness and justice.

The Sex Offender Registration Program is the exception to this general principle. Unlike most areas of the criminal justice system, judges are given no discretion whatsoever. Under Texas law, when a person is convicted of a qualifying sex offense he or she is automatically and permanently required to register as a sex offender.

The laws providing for mandatory lifelong sex offender registration are ineffective. For the justice system to live up to its name, judges should be given discretion over the terms of registration.

Texas Sex Offender Registration Laws

Under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, anyone who is convicted of a sexual offense is required to register with local law enforcement as part of the Sex Offender Registration Program. Depending on the particular crime, the offender must register for 10 years, or for his or her entire lifetime.

The duration of the registration requirement depends entirely upon the crime; once a person is convicted, a judge has absolutely no discretion. The judge cannot decide that the registration period should be limited or that registration is inappropriate under the circumstances. The required registration period is mandated by the relevant statutes.

The Problem With Eliminating Discretion: No Two Cases Are the Same

Some may argue that the lack of discretion leads to equitable treatment; one person convicted of possessing child pornography should be treated the same as any other person convicted of possessing of child pornography. However, in criminal matters the circumstances are always important. No two cases are identical and removing a judge's discretion does not lead to equitable treatment.

For example, consider the case of a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old who are engaged in a consensual sexual relationship. Despite the laws, such relationships are undoubtedly common and rarely draw the attention of Texas courts. However, in the event that the relationship turns sour or results in pregnancy, the 16-year-old may report the encounters as nonconsensual.

In accordance with Texas law, the 18-year-old could be prosecuted for indecency with a child. Indecency with a child is an offense requiring registration; if convicted, the older partner would be required to register for life.

This hypothetical is not intended to undermine the very real threat of sex offense or to suggest that all accusations are false. However, by leaving the judges without any discretion in sentencing, people who truly pose no threat are classified and publicly ostracized with those who are legitimately dangerous. Lifetime registration as a sex offender is a tremendous burden to place on someone for a mistake made at age 18 in a consensual relationship.

An Overinclusive Registry Undermines the Intent of Notification

Furthermore, including this hypothetical 18-year-old ultimately undermines the registry. One of the primary purposes of a sex offender registry is to alert the public to local people who are potentially dangerous. When people who are not truly threatening are included in this database, the registry is overinclusive and becomes less valuable.

If judges had discretion, they could examine the individual circumstances and determine whether a particular offender is likely to commit another offense in the future. Accordingly, the registry could be limited to those who truly threaten others and therefore warrant inclusion.

Alternately, the judge could consider the circumstances and determine whether a shorter registration period might be sufficient, rather than the current lifetime registration requirement. Again, this would alert the public to people who had recently committed sex offenses without including those who haven't committed crimes for decades.

Unfortunately, judges in Texas are not currently given this type of decision making authority; they are beholden to unbending laws. As a result, it is extremely important that anyone accused of any type of sex offense in Texas take these accusations seriously and consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney. A knowledgeable lawyer cannot change the laws, but can take actions to minimize the potential consequences of any accusation.

To the Article

Attorney General, Shapiro, and the lot...

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, state Sen. Florence Shapiro and Rep. Aaron Pena today marked the Texas Senate’s passage of legislation that would require convicted sex offenders to provide their online and cellular telephone account information to the state’s Sex Offender Registry. Senate Bill 689 passed the Senate on Monday and is now pending in the Texas House of Representatives.

What they forget to explain to you is that even if you are NOT convicted that you still have to give these up. By legislating Guilt, the legislature has mandated those who's charges were dismissed to continue to register.

“This legislation will help protect children by ensuring that state law keeps up with modern technology,” Attorney General Abbott said. “By requiring sexual predators to provide their electronic identities, the Legislature is simply improving existing registration requirements – which require convicted sex offenders to provide their addresses to the Department of Public Safety. As Attorney General, I am grateful to Sen. Shapiro and Rep. Pena for their innovative approach and commitment to Texas children.”

Bullshit. This actually is a clever ploy by them to circumvent the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Sen. Shapiro added: “I have spent my career protecting the innocent against predatory sexual offenders, beginning with Ashley's Laws in 1995. With today’s new Internet sites, it is now time to take this fight into the virtual world and target those who target our children through social networking sites, chat rooms and live video gaming systems. I commend General Abbott for his work against these most heinous criminals as well, and am grateful to his Cyber Crimes Unit for the strides it has made to bring these offenders to justice.”

Actually no she hasn't. Ms. Shapiro has spent her legislative career getting family members appointed to the various Holocaust committees, diverting state funds to Israel for economic purposes, as well as allowing herself to also infringe rights of those she deems unpure... Funny how a Jewish woman would use the same tactics as Hitler did.. I will bet that her mother and father are turning over in their graves.

Rep. Pena said: “We are closer today to preventing sex offenders from using social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook to prey upon our children. SB689 is an important progression in making the Internet safer from online predators. This legislation will provide law enforcement with new tools, resources and information to track sex offenders online.”

And Here they even tell you that they want to usurp the Bill of Rights by blocking access to all Internet sites.

The bills – Senate Bill 689 by Sen. Shapiro and its companion House Bill 1239 by Rep. Pena – include four key provisions that strengthen state sex offender registration laws:

689 was the only one to actually pass, but the other was exactly the same.

• Registration of Internet accounts and e-mail addresses. If enacted, the legislation would require all sex offenders to register their Internet account and online identifiers, including e-mail addresses and designations used for online chatting, instant messaging, social networking or other similar Internet communication. The law would require that sex offenders notify their primary registration authority or the Department of Public Safety, which manages the state’s Sex Offender Registry, any time offenders change their Internet service providers or other online identifiers.

Wow.. As you can see, they want your life so they can contact the ISP's, Social sites as well as ANY site that you register with to DENY you access. Yeah, that pretty much kills opportunity to have First Amendment rights...

• Registration of mobile telephone numbers. Dramatic growth within the mobile communications sector has increased children’s access to cellular telephones. As a result, young Texans now frequently send text messages, transfer photographs, and use their mobile telephones to chat online. To help prevent sexual predators from using mobile phones to prey upon children, the law would require registered sex offenders to register their cell phone numbers with the DPS.

This one I find interesting. How does this 'protect' the children again. What, some rSO is gonna randomly dial or text phones until he finds someone to exploit?.. Oh whatever, this is just another way to give out your information to be harassed

• Sharing information with law enforcement. Authorizes DPS to release state sex offender Internet identifiers to the OAG and social networking sites (i.e., MySpace.com, Facebook.com).

See! Explained this above. What does Facebook or Myspace need to know my phone number for again?

• Internet prohibitions for certain sex offenders. Requires sentencing courts and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to prohibit certain sex offenders (e.g., those who committed a sex offense against a minor; are designated a level 3 sex offender; or used the Internet to facilitate the commission of the crime), as a condition of parole or probation, from using the Internet to access obscene material; access a commercial social networking Web site; communicate with other individuals or groups for the purpose of promoting sexual relations with persons under 17; or communicate with a person under 17 when such offender is over 17.

Ok, as a PROBATION requirement, I can see that. However, I am not on Probation or Parole.. So how again can you legally MAKE me do these things?

In 2003, Attorney General Abbott established the Cyber Crimes Unit to crackdown on child pornographers and sexual predators who use the Internet to prey upon children. The Cyber Crimes Unit has arrested 105 predators in 25 Texas counties and Indonesia. These defendants were caught trying to arrange sexual encounters online with victims they acknowledged were young children. The “children” actually were undercover investigators. Cyber Crimes Unit investigators have also obtained convictions against 96 individuals on child pornography charges.

Ok, I cannot fault them for trying to stop people from harming children. That IS protecting them, however I find it a flat lie to say they arrested someone in Indonesia.. Texas law is long, but it ain't that long.

Since taking office, Attorney General Abbott has earned a national reputation for aggressively arresting and prosecuting child sexual predators. In addition to arrest roundups, Abbott also launched a series of town hall meetings statewide to educate parents and teenagers about the kind of criminal activity that goes on in connection with Internet diaries, chat rooms and social networking sites. Thousands of concerned Texans turned out at venues across the state to participate in the interactive presentation about the risks of online predators and the steps parents can take to protect their children online.

Well, I am happy that he aggressively goes after predators. So why in the FUCK is he still messing with the other 97% of us that are not predators? I think it is funny in the quote above, how he is trying to teach parents and teens the evils of having online information like 'diaries' .. Umm, earth to old dude.. What in the fuck do you think Myspace and Facebook are? Fucking idiots.

Calling all rSO in Texas with Deferred Adjudication

If you are a Texas rSO, granted the lie of deferred adjudication leave a comment with an email address to get in touch with you. Comments will not be published (I can see them before anyone else). I would like to discuss if any of you are interested in helping with a lawsuit against the state for the recent changes about to become law in this state. This will be a John/Jane Doe filing.

Take a look at S.B. 689 for more details.

Direct Link

If any of you have been following the work of TAJLR and Rob Sandifer, you know that the Texas Legislature has time and again refused to honor their contract with any of us that were ignorant of the real reason they allow DA. Deferred Adjudication is not a conviction according to the law, however over the past 20 years, the State has exempted the DA that we were awarded from certain crimes that we accepted the 'bargain' against.

Recently TAJLR has done a good effort in trying to get a bill passed that would allow for a final expungement of DA's, however the Legislature first ripped the bill into shreds, and then they didn't pass what they had substituted. This along with several years of work from TAJLR has been poo'd on by our elected officials. It is time for them to understand that we are tired of the promises they made to us being broken. The only way to do this is to file a lawsuit.

For those of us that have called the Reps and state senators expressing our hope for more just legislation, you know how frustrating it is to be hung up on, or ignored by them. They cannot ignore a lawsuit.

For those of us that see everyday how the constant retroactive laws affects our family's well-being, we will show the legislature and all elected officials that we have had enough. Every day, each of us have seen our children harmed by these laws. How the government threatens our family unit and the mental upbringing of our children by passing their retroactive laws.

Everyday we see how they piss on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, everyday we see more of the Rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness being stripped away from us. And everyday our families suffer for something we paid for years ago! Enough is Enough. It is time to make them listen, it is time to drag their asses into court and make them face their illegal behavior.

If you are serious in wanting to help plan this out, leave a message. I'll delete them after I get a contact list created, but will not actually publish them. I am going to do this, but really need the help.

If you are tired of the bullshit, or if you are worried about losing your job/home/family over more and more restrictive laws then please leave a message.

If you don't care, or believe you are not affected, then I understand you not wanting to get involved.

Either way that you decide understand that these laws are RETROACTIVE. What affects one affects all.

As a side note, You will notice they are going to have a meeting about what to do next. Their idea of a lawsuit has helped me make my decision as well, although I think they are gonna do a lawyer, and mine will be pro se. However, if you are on DA or have completed one I am sure these folks would like to see you in Austin.

Everyone is writing, but noone is doing anything about it.

Interesting writing showcasing the despicable level that we have sunk to as Citizens and members of the human race.

May 09, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Problems With the Texas Sex Offender Registry

Article provided by Patrick L. Hancock
Visit us at www.hancockcriminaldefense.com

Discretion is the hallmark of the criminal justice system in Texas. The laws are written clearly, but the decisions are left to people. Juries are empowered to examine the facts of cases and make responsible decisions regarding guilt and innocence. Judges are trusted to maintain decorum and uphold the laws so that justice can prevail. At all times, participants within the court system are expected to handle difficult and sensitive matters in the interests of fairness and justice.

The Sex Offender Registration Program is the exception to this general principle. Unlike most areas of the criminal justice system, judges are given no discretion whatsoever. Under Texas law, when a person is convicted of a qualifying sex offense he or she is automatically and permanently required to register as a sex offender.

The laws providing for mandatory lifelong sex offender registration are ineffective. For the justice system to live up to its name, judges should be given discretion over the terms of registration.

Texas Sex Offender Registration Laws

Under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, anyone who is convicted of a sexual offense is required to register with local law enforcement as part of the Sex Offender Registration Program. Depending on the particular crime, the offender must register for 10 years, or for his or her entire lifetime.

The duration of the registration requirement depends entirely upon the crime; once a person is convicted, a judge has absolutely no discretion. The judge cannot decide that the registration period should be limited or that registration is inappropriate under the circumstances. The required registration period is mandated by the relevant statutes.

The Problem With Eliminating Discretion: No Two Cases Are the Same

Some may argue that the lack of discretion leads to equitable treatment; one person convicted of possessing child pornography should be treated the same as any other person convicted of possessing of child pornography. However, in criminal matters the circumstances are always important. No two cases are identical and removing a judge's discretion does not lead to equitable treatment.

For example, consider the case of a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old who are engaged in a consensual sexual relationship. Despite the laws, such relationships are undoubtedly common and rarely draw the attention of Texas courts. However, in the event that the relationship turns sour or results in pregnancy, the 16-year-old may report the encounters as nonconsensual.

In accordance with Texas law, the 18-year-old could be prosecuted for indecency with a child. Indecency with a child is an offense requiring registration; if convicted, the older partner would be required to register for life.

This hypothetical is not intended to undermine the very real threat of sex offense or to suggest that all accusations are false. However, by leaving the judges without any discretion in sentencing, people who truly pose no threat are classified and publicly ostracized with those who are legitimately dangerous. Lifetime registration as a sex offender is a tremendous burden to place on someone for a mistake made at age 18 in a consensual relationship.

An Overinclusive Registry Undermines the Intent of Notification

Furthermore, including this hypothetical 18-year-old ultimately undermines the registry. One of the primary purposes of a sex offender registry is to alert the public to local people who are potentially dangerous. When people who are not truly threatening are included in this database, the registry is overinclusive and becomes less valuable.

If judges had discretion, they could examine the individual circumstances and determine whether a particular offender is likely to commit another offense in the future. Accordingly, the registry could be limited to those who truly threaten others and therefore warrant inclusion.

Alternately, the judge could consider the circumstances and determine whether a shorter registration period might be sufficient, rather than the current lifetime registration requirement. Again, this would alert the public to people who had recently committed sex offenses without including those who haven't committed crimes for decades.

Unfortunately, judges in Texas are not currently given this type of decision making authority; they are beholden to unbending laws. As a result, it is extremely important that anyone accused of any type of sex offense in Texas take these accusations seriously and consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney. A knowledgeable lawyer cannot change the laws, but can take actions to minimize the potential consequences of any accusation.

Find the original here

Conflicting Statutes

(c) On expiration of a community supervision period imposed under Subsection (a) of this section, if the judge has not proceeded to adjudication of guilt, the judge shall dismiss the proceedings against the defendant and discharge him. The judge may dismiss the proceedings and discharge a defendant, other than a defendant charged with an offense requiring the defendant to register as a sex offender under Chapter 62, as added by Chapter 668, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997, prior to the expiration of the term of community supervision if in the judge's opinion the best interest of society and the defendant will be served. The judge may not dismiss the proceedings and discharge a defendant charged with an offense requiring the defendant to register under Chapter 62, as added by Chapter 668, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997. Except as provided by Section 12.42(g), Penal Code, a dismissal and discharge under this section may not be deemed a conviction for the purposes of disqualifications or disabilities imposed by law for conviction of an offense. For any defendant who receives a dismissal and discharge under this section:

This is what is supposed to happen if someone in Texas completes deferred adjudication successfully. However if you read Article 62.005, you will see that they added the bit in about Deferred Adjudication:

(5) "Reportable conviction or adjudication" means a conviction or adjudication, including an adjudication of delinquent conduct or a deferred adjudication, that, regardless of the pendency of an appeal, is a conviction for or an adjudication for or based on:

So If one law is saying ONE thing, and another law says the exact opposite, what is the remedy?

Any f you lawyer minded folks out there care to push out a real world explanation?

Secret Service and Airport security rough up and detain a female Minister

For unknown reasons, a Female Minister was roughly pulled away from the Press line at LAX. This was a concerted effort from the Secret service and Airport Security. No Charges have been files against the good Reverend, and no reason giving for such a rough detainment.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2009/05/29/reverend.dragged.speaks.out.kabc

Hmm, so now it is OK for the Government to physically assault members of the Clergy. Way to go boys, You've graduated to offending the church!!!

Civil Lawsuits

Hey folks. I am currently researching how to write and file a lawsuit. if anyone has direction relating to the filing of a lawsuit 'Pro Se', post a link and I will happily research away. I am seriously considering how best to fight the HB 22 if it becomes law. I know that the District Court in Utah has already stated that such law is unconstitutional, but I feel that another lawsuit will need to be filed for these assholes to actually READ the Constitution.

SB 2075 -- Texas State Legislature

Well, now the State Senate Committee has done it. They too have re-worded the deferred adjudication bill that was submitted excluding all those with more than a State Jail felony. S.B. 2075 relies on the person wanting expungement to fit in the narrow definition of being able to have gotten an order of nondisclosure. What a crock of shit. This does nothing but continue to punish ALL of us not fitting in the narrow scope to continue to deal with punitive practices of the state legislature. Here's a list of numbers to start calling. These are the state legislators that are responsible for taking a bill that would have allowed Texas to finish its promise to all of us that are being unlawfully held to the list WITHOUT a CONVICTION. Bills of Attainer are ILLEGAL, but yet they pass them every year.

(thanks to tajlr for compiling this list)

Senator John Whitmire (Chairman)
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0115
Capitol Fax: (512) 475-3737
john.whitmire@senate.state.tx.us
Legislative Director Lara Wendler (512)-463-0115
lara.wendler@senate.state.tx.us
Legislative Aide Susan Fontenette

Senator Kel Seliger
kel.seliger@senate.state.tx.us
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0131
Capitol Fax: (512) 475-3733
kel.seliger@senate.state.tx.us
Chief of Staff Bryan McMath (512)-463-0131
Bryan.McMath@senate.state.tx.us

Senator John Carona
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0116
Capitol Fax: (512) 463-3135
john.carona@senate.state.tx.us
Chief of Staff Margie McCloskey
margie.mccloskey@senate.state.tx.us
Administrative Director Detta Haffelder
detta.hoffelder@senate.state.tx.us
Administrative Aide Stephanie Schotz

Senator Rodney Ellis
rodney.ellis@senate.state.tx.us
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0113
Capitol Fax: (512) 463-0006
Chief of Staff Brandon Dudley
brandon.dudley@senate.state.tx.us

Senator Glenn Hegar
glenn.hegar@senate.state.tx.us
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0118
Capitol Fax: (512) 475-3736
Chief of Staff Lisa Craven lisa.craven@senate.state.tx.us
Administrative Director Barbara Erickson
barbara.erickson@senate.state.tx.us

Senator Hinojosa
juan.hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0120
Capitol Fax: (512) 463-0229
Chief of Staff René A. Ramirez (512)-463-0120
Policy Analyst, Capitol Athena Ponce
athena.ponce@senate.state.tx.us
General Counsel, Capitol Jerry Haddican
jerry.haddican@senate.state.tx.us
Legislative Aide, Capitol Carlos Gutierrez
carlos.gutierrez@senate.state.tx.us
Legislative Assistant, Capitol Oscar Garza
oscar.garza@senate.state.tx.us
Media Relations/Policy Analyst, Capitol Arturo Ballesteros
arturo.ballesteros@senate.state.tx.us

Senator Dan Patrick
dan.patrick@senate.state.tx.us
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0107
Fax: (512) 463-8810
Legislative Director Logan Spence
logan.spence@senate.state.tx.us

Seeing as I do not like this person...

I thought it would be a good idea to compile some publicly available information on her.

Senator Florence D. Shapiro (TX)

Current Office: State Senate
Current District: 8
Party: Republican



Background Information
Gender: Female
Family: Husband: Howard -- Funny, Howard is a defense lawyer who "defends" those charged with sex offenses.. wonder how good THAT money is spent?
3 Children: Lisa, Staci, Todd-- Todd is also an attorney at dear old Dad's shop....
Birth Date: 05/02/1948
Birthplace: New York, NY
Home City: Plano, TX
Religion:

Education:
BS, Secondary Education, University of Texas-Austin.

Professional Experience:
Former Teacher, Richardson Independent School District
Former Owner/President, Shapiro and Company.

Political Experience:
President Pro Tempore, Texas State Senate, present
Senator, Texas State Senate, 1992-present
Governor for a Day, April 9, 2005
Mayor of Plano, 1990-1992
Plano City Council, 1979-1990.


Organizations:
Advisory Director, Plano Chamber of Commerce
Director, Presbyterian Hospital of Plano
Past Vice Chair, National League of Cities Advisory Council
Past President, North Central Texas Council of Governments
Past President, Plano Economic Development Board
Past President, Texas Municipal League.

Caucuses/Non-Legislative Committees:
Education Commission on the States
Southern Regional Education Board.

Committees:
Administration, Member
Committee of the Whole Senate, Member
Education, Chair
Finance, Member
Transportation and Homeland Security, Member


Senator Florence D. Shapiro (TX)

Current Office: State Senate
Current District: 8
Party: Republican

BiographicalVoting RecordIssue Positions
(Political Courage Test)Interest Group RatingsCampaign Finances

Senator Florence D. Shapiro REPEATEDLY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY
RESPONSES TO CITIZENS ON ISSUES THROUGH THE 2006
NATIONAL POLITICAL AWARENESS TEST WHEN ASKED TO DO SO BY

Key national leaders of both major parties including:
John McCain, Republican Senator
Geraldine Ferraro, Former Democratic Congresswoman
Michael Dukakis, Former Democratic Governor
Bill Frenzel, Former Republican Congressman
Richard Kimball, Project Vote Smart President

Over 100 news organizations throughout the nation also urged their candidates to supply their issue positions through the National Political Awareness Test.

Her voting record speaks for itself. Consistently, Shapiro has voted against Women's Rights to choose, has voted to raise taxes against the common citizen, voted no against AIDS/HIV awareness/prevention, voted for christian only expression in schools, and voted against requiring loan companies informing individuals about terms of complex loans.

http://votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=5456

This doesn't surprise that the top 80% of her finances comes from special interest groups in Finance, the lobby, general business and the construction industries.

http://votesmart.org/finance.php?can_id=5456
UPDATED:

We see what her game is by passing all of these feel good laws, and backing business over the people.

Name FLORENCE SHAPIRO US SENATE EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE INC
Connected Organization Name --
Address 5700 GRANITE PARKWAY SUITE 900
PLANO, TX 75024
Interest Group Category --
Affiliated Party Republican
Affiliated Candidate Florence Shapiro

She has aspirations of ruling from the Capitol...
If you follow the money on contributors list, funny but they seem to all be millionaires and business owners...

Family:

Lisa Shapiro Strauss -- Plano HS grad 1990, Oh Look She's on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Lisa-Shapiro-Strauss/578082415
http://www.facebook.com/profile/pic.php?uid=AAAAAQAQJtVzTh4X9fdEt7rwL12WNAAAAAnEDbH_3M3KAmjAisPzNsKb

Now THIS is interesting. Texas lege Shapiro was given a place on the national board for Holocaust survivors (which I say nothing derogatory about). HOWEVER, it is pretty handy that her Son-In-Law,Rabbi Brian Strauss, serves on the board of the Holocaust Museum Houston .. hmm, wonder how he got THAT job? Way to go Ma!

Staci Shapiro Rubin --Oh gee, she's on Facebook too. http://www.facebook.com/people/Staci-Shapiro-Rubin/1079406166

There is a picture, but only of her kids (I imagine, and I won't link that alone).

Get a trend here. Let's cash in on the NAME.. So I'll keep- Shapiro..

Again will update later. For those that think it is too much to include the kids in on this, I say NO WAY. If MY kids and wife are exposed to the hatred, then HER family will be as well. I am looking for further info on Todd, and will post it as soon as I can.

and in case anyone is wondering, here is an opinion from SC Justices Scalia on the matter:

http://abovethelaw.com/2009/04/justice_scalia_responds_to_for.php

Discussions of privacy rights in the digital era should distinguish between such confidential data as medical records and information that might be personal but is easy to find out, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia...

Texas, New Bill Passed for de-registration

Sex offenders who were convicted despite having consensual sex with their victims would be allowed to petition for removal from the state's sex offender registry, under a bill the House passed on Wednesday.
The bill allows offenders who were no more than four years older than their victims - and whose victims were at least 13 years old - to ask a judge to remove them from the sex offender registry if their relationship was consensual. The bill passed 131-12.
Under current law, young men who were convicted after having sex with their underage girlfriends are often forced to register for years, a stigma that keeps them from finding work or renting apartments. Many of the men who came to testify on the bill this spring were married to the women they were convicted of assaulting.
"This is one of the most morally compelling pieces of legislation that I have ever filed," said Rep. Todd Smith. "We rarely have the opportunity to do something that takes people out of a living hell."

http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/05/de-registration-bill-for-conse.html

Although This is a great bill, now moving to the Governors Office. If passed, it will be a good thing for those of us that were trapped with their underaged girlfriends that have been placed under the bullshit laws. It does not go far enough in my opinion, but This is still a good step.

I would like to point out that even the good legislator brings to the front the truth.. " We rarely have the opportunity to do something that takes people out of a living hell. "

Florence Shapiro

It's time for this cunt to go. Florence Shapiro (R-Plano) has been in the State Senate since 1993. It is time she goes. She is so out of touch with the facts and reality she need to go back to her bullshit small business.

These next elections, lets get this bitch out of office and off of the people's tax money.

correction Texas S.B. 689

it seems that the pinheads from Plano have gotten their bill through. Senate Bill 22 originally made it illegal NOT to give up your online identifiers, excluding email addresses. Now it seems they substituted extra into the bill, requiring email addresses, as well as game tags and a few other things.

This is where I say Fuck the government.

There is a companion of cshb 22 that is identical..

inequality

I wanted to enter something here that really bothers me.. Lane Garrison, actor, drunk driver, killer will be released soon since he has paid off the wrongful death suit against him. Seem Mr. Garrison got 40 months for using his car, and a bottle of booze, to murder a young person.

Lane Garrison leaves prison in the next few weeks having settled litigation filed by the victims of the crash of a car driven by the intoxicated actor.

While no settlement amounts were released, the lawsuit brought by the parents of 17-year-old Beverly Hills High School student Vahagn Setian, who was killed in the 2006 accident, sought damages from the former Prison Break star for wrongful death and gross negligence. The action filed by injured passenger Michelle Ohana, who was 15 at the time, sought payment for medical bills, lost wages and home nursing care.

Garrison is currently in state prison finishing up a 40-month sentence for vehicular manslaughter. A spokesman for California Department of Corrections tells PEOPLE that Garrison is expected to be paroled in the next "few weeks."

The spokesman declined to discuss Garrison's plans, but similar parolees are generally released into community residential facilities and assigned to a parole officer somewhere in the state. For safety reasons, the corrections department does not disclose inmate release dates or the location of the residential facilities they are assigned to in a community.

Garrison began serving his sentence on Nov. 20, 2007, after pleading guilty. He is entitled to be released from his three-year, four-month sentence by earning good behavior credits behind bars, where he is working as a peer mentor for other inmates.

Funny. 40 months for killing a kid, and injuring another for life and he gets off with good behavior!?! How does that shit work. Yeah, he's a good guy, he only killed one and wounded another, that isn;t too bad, right?

Give me a freaking break..

We are still citizens!

A ton of new ex poste facto bills in the Texas Lege over the last couple of months. Far too many to post here but a link to them is here.

Put very simply, it seems that everyone other than Dutton, is pushing for harsher and harsher laws. I'll have to see if this is an election year..

So, the call is again to you. contact your local Reps. Get involved. Write them a letter, Fax Them, Get an invite to their office, tell them of the truths that they are ignoring for far too long. They already know you are out there, you are part of their district.


Let your elected officials know that you are tired of the BullShit, let them know that if they do not clean up their laws, that WE will be voting differently next go around.

That brings us to another point.. You are voting right? Vote in every election you are eligible. If there is one for dog catcher, cast your ballot. We have to begin to show these assholes that we are here

Attorneys who do not defend 'Child Molesters'

I was just ready an attorney's blog regarding child molesters and his not defending them. By not defending, I mean he will not take that person's case.

Although, I do not find an issue with anyone not wanting to do something that they might find distasteful, immoral, or something that makes their day feel not so warm and fuzzy, I do take issue with this.

A person is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, right? Well, here is a defense attorney that states he will not defend a 'child molester'. Mr. Attorney, umm, how do you know he did it? If this guy still has to go to Trial, He has not been reviewed in front of the bench as guilty or innocent, then how are you defending a child molester again?

I know several defense attorneys. I have talked to them at great length about what they do or do not do in their chosen field, and what their take on things such as sex offenses are. I have never had one of them say, sorry I will defend a mass murderer that just took out a school of children, but I will not defend a child molester...

How do you make the determination, or is it that he too, the attorney. falls into that majority of idiots that allow the mis-represented fear actually control his thoughts, and allows him to pass judgment when sometimes, none is warranted?

When do the defenders stop defending, and become just another moron that believes information that is not based on facts, nor studies? I guess in this case, I have found that out.

Public Hearing

There is to be a public hearing this week on several of the bills in the Texas Legislature regarding Sex Offender laws. Make sure you call, write, or fax your Representatives NOW! We have to voice our dis-approval of these unconstitutional laws and ensure we let them know that we are watching them very closely. It is our right to fight for our rights folks, noone else is going to do it for us!

UN says we've been bad.. What are they gonna do, spank us?

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/01/19/mexican.execution.violation/index.html

From CNN.com

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A United Nations court has found that the United States violated an international treaty and the court's own order when a Mexican national was executed last year in a Texas prison.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a ruling Monday in an unusual case that pitted President Bush against his home state in a dispute over federal authority, local sovereignty and foreign treaties. Mexico had filed a formal complaint against U.S. state and federal officials

"The United States of America has breached the obligation incumbent upon it" to stop the execution, the ICJ announced in a unanimous opinion.

-- So What else is NEW? We violate our own people all the time, why not a few Mexican Nationals?

Jose Ernesto Medellin's death by lethal injection in August followed a 15-year legal dispute after his conviction for two brutal slayings.

At issue was whether Texas and other states had to give in to a demand by the president that the prisoner be allowed new hearings and resentencing. Bush made that request reluctantly after the international court in 2004 concluded that Medellin and about 50 other Mexicans on various states' death rows were improperly denied access to their consulate upon arrest, a violation of a treaty signed by the United States decades ago.

Their home countries could have provided legal and other assistance to the men had they been notified, the court said.

In a separate judgment, the ICJ declined Mexico's demand that the United States provide guarantees against executing other foreign inmates in the future.

The U.S. Supreme Court last March ruled for Texas, allowing the Medellin execution to proceed.

Efforts stalled in Congress last summer over legislation that would have given foreign death row inmates like Medellin a new hearing before any punishment could be carried out.

State Department officials have said the international ruling will not help other foreign inmates in U.S. prisons, because federal officials cannot force states to comply. Administration officials also said that the president did all he could to force state compliance and that Congress now needs to intervene with specific legislation.

-- BullShit! I CALL BULL SHIT. The legislature passed Megan's law, they passed Jessica's law, and they passed the ADAM WALSH ACT and forced states to go along by mandating they pass 'state' authored laws.. This is horse shit. Again, the government denying responsibility for their actions.

Medellin was 18 when he participated in the June 1993 gang rape and murder of two Harris County girls: Jennifer Ertman, 14, and Elizabeth Pena, 16. He was convicted of the crimes and sentenced to death.

The prisoner's lawyers argued that Mexican consular officials were never able to meet with the man until after his conviction.

Only Oklahoma has commuted a capital inmate's sentence to life in prison in response to the international judgment. Days after Medellin died by lethal injection, Texas executed Honduran native Heliberto Chi Acheituno, who also said his treaty rights were violated.

The ICJ in 2004 ordered the United States to provide "review and reconsideration" of the sentences and convictions of the Mexican prisoners. That world court again in July mandated that the United States do everything within its federal authority to stop Medellin's execution until his case could be further reviewed by American courts.

Based in The Hague, Netherlands, the ICJ resolves disputes between nations over treaty obligations. The 15-judge panel is the principal judicial organization of the United Nations, laying out rights of people detained in other nations.

The Supreme Court appeal turned on what role each branch of government plays to give force to international treaty obligations. After the ICJ ruling, the United States pulled out of that international court's jurisdiction in matters arising from the Vienna Convention.

In allowing the Medellin execution to proceed, the Supreme Court majority noted congressional "inaction" on the issue, efforts that had "not progressed beyond the bare introduction of a bill in the four years since the ICJ ruling."

--

I am not saying what this asshat did was right, nor do I say that the end should have been any different , he raped and KILLED two young girls. For the murder, he got what should have been given. What I take exception to is the sheer bullshit being spewed from the State Department.

The real problem here is though, there is nothing that the UN can do about it. If they threaten sanctions, we'll threaten to either not pay our dues, or be a little 'late' like we did a few years ago, and not a single one of them will say another word.