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https://www.texastribune.org/2...investigation-texas/ https://www.pbs.org/newshour/a...-investigation-finds Finding he likely broke laws. However, according to Dr. Easter he is superior to any Democrat. Great critical thinking exercised voting for him in the General. | ||
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A man's got to ride for the brand! | |||
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A state run by crooks and drunks. Damn impressive.." Vote Trump- Putin’s best friend… To quote a former AND CURRENT Trumpiteer - DUMP TRUMP | |||
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Very true. Nothing worse than a Democrat. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J. Lane Easter, DVM A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991. | |||
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. . . a pawn of the Party. Mike | |||
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There are many many Republicans if not most who are far from my ideal. However, they all have one good quality — they vote against the “woke” Democratic agenda. Good enough for me. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J. Lane Easter, DVM A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991. | |||
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Good Enough to get Impeached and go to Federal Prison. | |||
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The Trumplicans in Texas are just modeling their leader’s behavior. Damn embarrassing for true conservatives in Texas that reject the kook fringe of the GOP. Unfortunately this is what happens when people put Party over the individual. Mike | |||
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Lane will send him a check to help pay his lawyers..... | |||
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I voted against Paxton in the Primary. Yet, even he was superior having a Democrat in charge of anything. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J. Lane Easter, DVM A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991. | |||
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If you think somebody who is under felony indictment for securities fraud is better. Or someone who apparently used to the power of his office to accept bribes. And, then fired the people who called him on it. You're an idiot. -Every damn thing is your own fault if you are any good. | |||
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This as expressed by Dr. Easter’s post here is not Party over the individual. This is what happens when you believe you or your view has a God Ordained right to control the government. That any means necessary is justified in securing that right. It is how ordinary folks justified voting for Nazis. Go read on the Judges’ Trials Nuremberg. The same things were said as the Faction says here. Go read about the Blood and Soil movement in pre Nazis Germany. It is the exact same language. Some file to the rhetoric to action on Jan 6. They are going to prison for it. Jan 6 was our Beer Hall Putsch. Neither May had a chance to succeed. That is not the point. Schegelberger's defense was innovative. He said, "I was defending the normative state." He is not a critical thinker. He is a tool of the Faction who believe they alone should rule. It is very similar to the Confederates rationalizations of their superiority. Go read the Vice President of the Confederacy address explaining secession. All just lost the best part; Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner-stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition. This, our new government, is the first, in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth. This truth has been slow in the process of its development, like all other truths in the various departments of science. It has been so even amongst us. Many who hear me, perhaps, can recollect well, that this truth was not generally admitted, even within their day. The errors of the past generation still clung to many as late as twenty years ago. Those at the North, who still cling to these errors, with a zeal above knowledge, we justly denominate fanatics. All fanaticism springs from an aberration of the mind from a defect in reasoning. It is a species of insanity. One of the most striking characteristics of insanity, in many instances, is forming correct conclusions from fancied or erroneous premises; so with the anti-slavery fanatics. Their conclusions are right if their premises were. They assume that the negro is equal, and hence conclude that he is entitled to equal privileges and rights with the white man. If their premises were correct, their conclusions would be logical and just but their premise being wrong, their whole argument fails. I recollect once of having heard a gentleman from one of the northern States, of great power and ability, announce in the House of Representatives, with imposing effect, that we of the South would be compelled, ultimately, to yield upon this subject of slavery, that it was as impossible to war successfully against a principle in politics, as it was in physics or mechanics. That the principle would ultimately prevail. That we, in maintaining slavery as it exists with us, were warring against a principle, a principle founded in nature, the principle of the equality of men. The reply I made to him was, that upon his own grounds, we should, ultimately, succeed, and that he and his associates, in this crusade against our institutions, would ultimately fail. The truth announced, that it was as impossible to war successfully against a principle in politics as it was in physics and mechanics, I admitted; but told him that it was he, and those acting with him, who were warring against a principle. They were attempting to make things equal which the Creator had made unequal. A country lead and made up of the right kind of people. Forever putting to rest the ideas of the Constitution. A Government of the right kind of people and only for the right kind. | |||
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At least they weren’t Democrats. Right, Lane? | |||
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Good story summarizing Paxton's criminal activities. Guy is a straight-up crook. "A Texas House committee heard stunning testimony from investigators Wednesday over allegations of a yearslong pattern of misconduct and questionable actions by Attorney General Ken Paxton, the result of a probe the committee had secretly authorized in March. In painstaking and methodical detail in a rare public forum, four investigators for the House General Investigating Committee testified that they believe Paxton broke numerous state laws, misspent office funds and misused his power to benefit a friend and political donor. Their inquiry focused first on a proposed $3.3 million agreement to settle a whistleblower lawsuit filed by four high-ranking deputies who were fired after accusing Paxton of accepting bribes and other misconduct. Committee Chair Andrew Murr said the payout, which the Legislature would have to authorize, would also prevent a trial at which evidence of Paxton’s alleged misdeeds would be presented publicly. Committee members questioned, in essence, if lawmakers were being asked to participate in a cover-up. “It is alarming and very serious having this discussion when millions of taxpayer dollars have been asked to remedy what is alleged to be some wrongs,” Murr said. “That’s something we have to grapple with. It’s challenging.” Many of the allegations detailed Wednesday were already known, but the public airing of them revealed the wide scope of the committee’s investigation into the state’s top lawyer and a member of the ruling Republican Party. The investigative committee has broad power to investigate state officials for wrongdoing, and three weeks ago the House expelled Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, on its recommendation. In this case, it could recommend the House censure or impeach Paxton — a new threat to an attorney general who has for years survived scandals and been reelected twice despite securities fraud charges in 2015 and news of a federal investigation into the whistleblowers’ claims in 2020. Erin Epley, lead counsel for the investigating committee, said the inquiry also delved into the whistleblowers’ allegations by conducting multiple interviews with employees of Paxton’s agency — many of whom expressed fears of retaliation by Paxton if their testimony were to be revealed — as well as the whistleblowers and others with pertinent information. According to state law, Epley told the committee in a hearing at the Capitol, a government official cannot fire or retaliate against “a public employee who in good faith reports a violation of law … to an appropriate law enforcement authority.” The four whistleblowers, however, were fired months after telling federal and state investigators about their concerns over Paxton’s actions on behalf of Nate Paul, an Austin real estate investor and a friend and political donor to Paxton. “Each of these four men is a conservative Republican civil servant,” Epley said. “Interviews show that they wanted to be loyal to General Paxton and they tried to advise him well, often and strongly, and when that failed each was fired after reporting General Paxton to law enforcement.” Epley and the other investigators then walked the committee through the whistleblowers’ allegations, including that Paxton gave Paul help that went beyond the normal scope of his duties. “I ask that you look at the pattern and the deviations from the norm, questions not just of criminal activity but of ethical impropriety and for lacking in transparency,” Epley told the committee. “I ask you to consider the benefits [for Paxton].” In an effort to help Paul with various legal troubles, investigators said they believe Paxton committed possible crimes and ignored subordinates who warned that what he was doing was illegal. Investigator Donna Cameron said these include the felony offenses of: Abuse of official capacity, for allegedly diverting senior employees to perform work that benefited Paul, providing at least $72,000 in taxpayer-funded labor costs. Misuse of public information, for allegedly providing Paul with an internal FBI file related to an investigation into the developer. Misapplication of fiduciary property, for allegedly hiring an outside lawyer for $25,000 to work inside the attorney general’s office, without the knowledge or consent of senior staff, to perform work that principally benefited Paul. The public hearing to receive the investigators’ verbal report was rare for a committee that typically conducts its business in private. After listening to three hours of testimony, committee members gathered in a nearby room shortly after 11 a.m. to discuss the information in private, emerging about an hour later to report that no action had been taken in executive session. Committee members declined to discuss the day’s events. Minutes into the hearing, Paxton called into a Dallas radio show and blasted the investigation as unprecedented. As for the settlement, Paxton told host Mark Davis that his office always knew it would be the Legislature’s decision whether to authorize taxpayer money for it, adding that he was shocked the Republican-controlled House has not. Paxton later released a statement blasting the “committee appointed by liberal Speaker Dade Phelan” for sabatoging his work as attorney general. “Every allegation is easily disproved, and I look forward to continuing my fight for conservative Texas values,” he said. As the hearing unfolded, Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy nonprofit, called on Paxton to resign. “If he refuses to go willingly, the Texas Legislature must act to remove him,” Adrian Shelley, Public Citizen’s Texas director, said in a statement. “A running series of scandals and an alleged pattern of corruption have clouded Paxton’s entire time in office. The people of Texas simply can’t trust that he is working for their interests, not his.” Rep. Jeff Leach, a Plano Republican and chair of the Judiciary and Jurisprudence Committee, urged his Twitter followers to watch Wednesday’s hearing on “an issue of vital importance to all Texans.” “Make no mistake: The Texas House will do our job and uphold our oaths of office,” he added. The hearing capped a whirlwind 24 hours at the Capitol during which Paxton unexpectedly called on Phelan to resign, alleging the Beaumont Republican recently presided over the chamber while drunk. Hours later, the investigative committee revealed it was looking into Paxton, and Phelan dismissed the attorney general’s request that he step down as a “last ditch effort to save face.” Phelan's spokesperson, Cait Wittman, went further Wednesday afternoon. “The Attorney General appears to have routinely abused his powers for personal gain and exhibited blatant disregard for the ethical and legal propriety expected of the state’s leading law enforcement officer," Wittman said, adding that Phelan would support whatever actions the committee may recommend. Spokespeople for Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick did not respond to requests for comment. During Wednesday's hearing committee investigators said their probe involved Paxton’s actions to help Paul, who contributed $25,000 to Paxton’s campaign in 2018. The relationship between Paxton and Paul was the basis of whistleblower complaints to state and federal authorities. They alleged that Paxton had used his office to benefit his friend. That sparked an FBI investigation in November 2020. Lawyers for the whistleblowers thanked the committee for its work, saying it helped to combat corruption and protect the public. Noting that the investigation would not have been possible without their clients’ report to authorities, the lawyers also urged lawmakers to approve their settlement with Paxton. “The Committee recognized that these men suffered real harm in retaliation for their loyalty to their oaths as public servants. Now the State must honor its solemn promise to compensate them for their lost wages and other damages,” they said in a statement after the hearing. “Good governance demands nothing less. No public employees, especially those left at the AG’s office, are going to report this kind of public corruption in the future if the legislature leaves our clients hung out to dry.” The committee began the hearing by introducing its team of five investigators, including multiple attorneys who have served as prosecutors specializing in white-collar crime and public integrity cases. The team included Epley, a former prosecutor for Harris County who also worked for former U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick, a President Donald Trump appointee and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s son; Terese Buess, a veteran prosecutor with the Harris County district attorney’s office; Mark Donnelly, who served 12 years as a prosecutor for the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of Texas and served for two years as that office’s fraud division chief, specializing in white-collar crimes; Cameron, a career prosecutor in various Texas counties with experience prosecuting public officials; and Brian Benken, a former prosecutor with the Harris County district attorney’s office with more than 30 years of legal experience. The group also worked with a former Houston Police Department officer in its investigation. The investigators interviewed 15 employees for the attorney general’s office, including Joshua Godby, who worked for the open records division when Paxton pressured the division’s staff to get involved in a records fight to benefit Paul in a lawsuit. Out of the 15 people, investigators said, all except one expressed concern about retaliation from Paxton for speaking on the matter. The investigators also interviewed a special prosecutor, Brian Wice, in a separate securities fraud case that has been ongoing for eight years, as well as representatives for the Mitte Foundation, an Austin nonprofit involved in a legal dispute with Paul. The investigators outlined the alleged favors Paxton did for Paul. In exchange, Paul helped with a “floor-to-ceiling renovation” of Paxton’s Austin home and employed a woman with whom Paxton was allegedly in a relationship. Paxton is married to state Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, who learned of the affair in 2019, leading to a brief hiatus in the relationship before it resumed in 2020, Epley told the committee. No building permits for the renovation work were filed with the city of Austin, and the committee previously issued subpoenas to an unnamed individual and to a Paul-owned business for additional information, according to Wednesday’s testimony. Investigators also found that Paxton and his wife owned a condo and home in Austin, a house in College Station and another in Collin County — with an indication that two properties have a homestead exemption when state law allows for only one. “That’s duly noted,” Murr said. The investigative committee has broad power to investigate potential wrongdoing by House members as well as officials and departments throughout state government. It can subpoena witnesses and records and recommend the impeachment of state officials. This session, the committee’s three Republicans and two Democrats have demonstrated they take this oversight role seriously. The committee quickly investigated allegations that Slaton had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 19-year-old aide in his office and also provided her alcohol. The committee’s report found these claims to be true, and the House expelled Slaton on May 9 based on its recommendation. Only the Texas House can bring impeachment proceedings against state officials, which would lead to a trial by the Senate. Removal requires two-thirds support in both chambers. This has only happened twice in Texas history, to Gov. James Ferguson in 1917 and District Judge O.P. Carrillo in 1975. Paxton served 10 years in the Texas House beginning in 2003, followed by two years in the Senate, before becoming attorney general in 2015. Although the regular legislative session will end Monday, the House investigative committee can meet whenever it pleases. A special session to consider impeachment can only take place, however, with the permission of the governor, of the House speaker and 50 members, or of a majority of all House members. -Every damn thing is your own fault if you are any good. | |||
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Exactly! Democrats are way down the path of Joshua’s narrative. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J. Lane Easter, DVM A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991. | |||
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Southern Strategy. If you were alive back then, You would be amening the above. You say it here daily about gay people, African Americans, Latinos, and trans people. | |||
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Mike, You come here daily to prove your idiocy. I have to say I am convinced. Good job counselor! As stated many times…individuals are easily replaced. The policy set forth by the controlling party in governance is way more difficult. It is not that you are too stupid to see and understand my logic… …it’s that you embrace the ideals of the 21st century Democratic Party. Thus, carry on wokester…still a free country…your prerogative. For me, I will take the opposite fork in the road. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J. Lane Easter, DVM A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991. | |||
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Policy? Like: allowing the State to void marriages between 2 consenting adults allowing the State to criminalize sex between consenting adults allowing the State to opt out of the 13-15th amendments that guarantee equal protection and federally protected rights allowing those who defame victims of mass murder not to be sued allowing those who steal and lie about returning State top secret documents to go free allowing the State to force a mother to deliver a still birth child that causes her to be sterile or a minor, who by law cannot consent to sex, be forced to give birth allowing people who commit crimes to serve in High Office allowing the State to detransition people allowing a state to void Federal Law allowing the State to choose and mandate the saying if the state approved prayer every morning allowing states to ban access to contraception or allowing employers not to offer contraception on health insurance plans Your policies should never become law. For better or worse, the vote is how we decide it subject to review by the Courts. | |||
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Lane and those that think like him gave us trump and J6. And, want to do it again. It's not a matter of policy or politics although that is a convenient and easy argument for him to keep repeating to somehow justify his support for republicans like trump and Paxton. The issue is whether you want criminals running your state or the country. Apparently, Lane is good with it. -Every damn thing is your own fault if you are any good. | |||
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20 counts against paxton? WOW opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club Information on Ammoguide about the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR. 476AR, http://www.weaponsmith.com | |||
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Welcome to the new GOP . . . the GOP of Lane and his ilk. At one point a person's standing in the GOP was determined by whether they had ethics and acted with integrity. Whether they could act as a statesman and put the interests of the country first. Whether they actually had a record of accomplishment in political office, passing substantive legislation or running an agency. Today, your standing in the party is determined by how many counts can be included in your indictment or articles of impeachment. Whether you can spin a nifty sound bite for the media. Your ability to introduce meaningless legislation that is destined to go nowhere but makes the party fringe orgasmic. Your ability to shout, be obnoxious and insulting. At one point there was actually a difference between the two parties, now they are virtually indistinguishable. Mike | |||
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I voted for George P. Bush in the Republican Primary. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J. Lane Easter, DVM A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991. | |||
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You voted for Paxton in the General knowing he was under Fed Indictment had the state sued for millions of dollars. As I said long ago, you are lost. | |||
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Far far from lost here. I see the big picture, clearly. You and your ilk are blind to the bigger picture…typical of your age group — whiners, wanting everything to be perfect for you or you will take your toys and go home. I am a builder of community and country. I lead and I lead from the front. Maybe one day you will grow up and catch up — for the country’s sake. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J. Lane Easter, DVM A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991. | |||
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Mike | |||
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You are a hate filled person leading the GOP to national ruin. I want nothing to do with you. You are a hypocrite and a lier. The only difference between you and those convicted for Jan 6 is the Jan 6 bunch took your world view to physical action. Let me say this again. I do not drink with people like you. Good day. You are the ruin of the country. Marriage equality is not. You have built nothing more than anyone else here. | |||
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You are....truly....a legend in your own mind. -Every damn thing is your own fault if you are any good. | |||
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Another thing. You do not count more or more American than a trans, gay, African American, Latino American, Democrat, Progressive, Muslim American, nor an Atheist American. They are just as American as you. You should enjoy no more privilege than any of them. For the last time without profanity. I do not need, desire, not care about your trophy case. It is no less than mine. I have nothing to grow up to. Maybe one day, you will stop being a person who seeks to remove rights from gay people and women. Maybe one day, you can pass a basic civics test without me having to explain to you what you think does not make something admissible evidence. You are a garbage person. Your monetary wealth whatever it is will not change that. I do not need to catch up to someone who try’s to explain away human gender with horses. I will not be lectured to about God by someone who for a year has been asked for a scripture to support their assertions on abortion who cannot answer. You refused to answer my question about your personal religious beliefs being what determines national policy. You refuse la to answer while I answers everyone of your questions directly. | |||
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If we treated Dr. Easter the same as the current LGBTQ folks, what happens? You would be forced to stand quietly while they conduct their sermon in your school. Leaving the vicinity would be seen as intolerant. If your school did not accept the prayer, then they would be sued and lose government funding. I’m not sure why a large number of girls should be forced to be in close proximity to a naked male because “they” decide that they are female. Now, I don’t think that the transgendered should be forced in with their biological sex group, but allowing separate facilities and separate biologically based competition groups seems to be seen as “hate” instead of scientifically determined differences. | |||
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I see that Cruz has rushed to Paxton’s defense. No surprise there, Cruz is as worthless as Paxton. Cruz is all hat and no cattle. Mike | |||
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ok just guessing- perhaps you have intimate knowledge of the prerequisite for such a pronouncement from first hand personal experience pot DuggaBoye-O NRA-Life Whittington-Life TSRA-Life DRSS DSC HSC SCI | |||
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The only person I wanted to be was Robert K. Lowe. | |||
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English really isn't you language , is it? DuggaBoye-O NRA-Life Whittington-Life TSRA-Life DRSS DSC HSC SCI | |||
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Wow, heym is a post away from sobbing and sucking his thumb in the corner. I guess I dont need to follow this thread anymore. | |||
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Thankfully the Texas House stepped up and did their job and impeached Paxton. Mike | |||
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So is this a mirror of the federal system, or is he now out of office? | |||
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English "isn't you language?" -Every damn thing is your own fault if you are any good. | |||
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My understanding he is suspended from his duties. Abbott picks a temporary replacement pending the outcome of his trial. Or resignation. -Every damn thing is your own fault if you are any good. | |||
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Surprising. Now, he's saddled with it and he's going to have enough problems with Colin Alred. -Every damn thing is your own fault if you are any good. | |||
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Unbelievable, this Duggaboy questions Lheym’s writing ability and never offers more than a couple simple-minded statements. Oh, the irony. Let me clue you in weirdo, Lheym is not only extremely knowledgeable, but an excellent writer. If you didn’t have “shit for brains” Duggaboy, you would read some of his earlier posts in this thread and take heed. Of course, you won’t. I must add, your “take-down” is simple-minded. Poor old fart, you must think this is the ultimate put-down. Hahahaha | |||
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