2010 February — Trey Garrison

On Debra Medina’s Supposed Trutherism

February 14, 2010 By Trey Garrison 48 Comments

I have known Debra Medina for several years now, if one week ago you would have asked me “What is Debra Medina’s opinion on 9/11 truthers?” I would have said “hmmm, I have no idea, I imagine she knows nothing about it.” I wouldn’t even think it would be something on her agenda to even consider.

I think Thursday proved that to be true.

In my opinion her answer was pretty bad, but… not because she believes 9/11 was an inside job, which she doesn’t, but because she really doesn’t know anything about the conspiracy theories.

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Filed Under Media Driven Panics

Medina Repudiates Truthers

February 11, 2010 By Trey Garrison 39 Comments

Was it a rookie mistake in a big interview, or something worse?

Is her immediate post-interview clarification enough?

I listened to the interview with Debra Medina this morning. When Glenn Beck asked her about the 9/11 truthers, she said some good questions have been asked, but she’s focused on Texas issues, and that she doesn’t have time to give psychological tests to every volunteer and campaign worker.

I didn’t hear it as her endorsing the 9/11 truthers, but it wasn’t a solid condemnation.

Notably, as Bud Kennedy points out — “Remember that Beck’s radio pals include Pat Gray and Rick Perry backer Sen. Dan Patrick”

Listen: You decide

Immediately after the show, Medina’s spokesperson issued a statement — “Debra Medina is not a 9/11 truther.”

Is this sufficient?

UPDATE: Full Medina Statement (h/t JJM)

I was asked a question on the Glenn Beck show today regarding my thoughts on the so-called 9/11 truth movement. I have never been involved with the 9/11 truth movement, and there is no doubt in my mind that Muslim terrorists flew planes into those buildings on 9/11. I have not seen any evidence nor have I ever believed that our government was involved or directed those individuals in any way. No one can deny that the events on 9/11 were a tragedy for all Americans and especially those families who lost loved ones.

The question surprised me because it’s not relevant to this race or the issues facing Texans. This campaign has always been about private property rights and state sovereignty. It is focused on the issues facing Texans. It is not a vehicle for the 9-11 truth movement or any other group.

The real underlying question here, though, is whether or not people have the right to question our government. I think the fact that people are even asking questions on this level gets to the incredible distrust career politicians have fostered by so clearly taking their direction from special interests instead of the people, whether it’s Rick Perry and his HPV mandate or Kay Hutchison and voting for the bank bailout. It is absolutely the right and duty of a free people to question their government. Texas does not need another politician who tells you what you want to hear, then violates your liberties and steals your property anyway. I fully expect to be questioned and to be held accountable as Governor, and that’s the underlying issue here: should people be questioning their government. And the answer is yes, they should be.

Filed Under Boob Tube, Media

Yet Let’s Be Content, and The Times Lament*

February 11, 2010 By Trey Garrison 1 Comment

Sarah Palin is playing chess while the left is playing with itself Candyland says…the Huffington Post?

And the left needs to stop misunderestimating Palin says…David Broder?

Oh my. The world turned upside down*. (headline explained)

Filed Under Media

Could Medina Beat Perry? Burka Suggests It Could Happen

February 10, 2010 By Trey Garrison 14 Comments

And I don’t disagree with his take.

The bonus — aside from seeing Perry and Hutchison taken to the woodshed — would be the tea party movement showing its independence from any single leader, including Sarah Palin who just endorsed Perry. WGS-Debra-Medina-GU_101027e

And after the Massachusetts upset, a Texas upset where the incumbent from the right is likewise tossed could cement the credibility of this fiscally focused independent wave.

I may pull for Medina based on this picture alone. She’s a Glock babe. Awe-some.

Filed Under Culture Jamming, Fort Awesome, Writer on Deadline

Maybe Saying No Is Exactly The Governing Policy We Need

February 9, 2010 By Trey Garrison 6 Comments

usgs_line

Filed Under Uncategorized

How One Civil Right Protected Civil Rights Heroes

February 9, 2010 By Trey Garrison 17 Comments

51l689ISD+L._SL500_AA240_ There was a time when the fight for civil rights involved courageous men standing up to government-imposed segregation. (This was before it became the shake-down racket it is today.)

Over at Volokh Conspiracy, there’s a wonderful account by one such civil rights bad-ass, John Salter, about how when the media cameras weren’t around, the only thing that kept him and his fellow rebels safe was the fact they exercised their most important civil right — their right to self-defense with whatever arms they so chose.

Here’s a taste:

Later, I worked for years in the Deep South as a full-time civil rights organizer. Like a martyred friend of mine, NAACP staffer Medgar W. Evers, I, too, was on many Klan death lists and I, too, traveled armed: a .38 special Smith and Wesson revolver and a 44/40 Winchester carbine.

The knowledge that I had these weapons and was willing to use them kept enemies at bay. Years later, in a changed Mississippi, this was confirmed by a former prominent leader of the White Knights of the KKK when we had an interesting dinner together at Jackson.

Again, I was glad I had many firearms and, again, we guarded our home and let this be known. We responded to hate calls on the telephone by telling the callers we were quite prepared for them.

(Notably, the gun control movement in America traces its roots to the effort to keep free blacks disarmed. See this book, the Spirit and the Shotgun. Great read.)

Filed Under Fort Awesome, Guns

Ungovernable? Really? Or Just Incompetence at the Top?

February 8, 2010 By Trey Garrison 17 Comments

So, yes, there are reasons to be suspicious of government, and yes, our yearning to be “masterless” has created a culture that sends adventurers on the open road and pioneers looking for the next frontier. But it’s also making it increasingly difficult for government to function.

I’m not unsympathetic to the argument that vigilance — protest, activism, anger — is the price of freedom. But with the national government in gridlock, I’m beginning to worry that our “don’t tread on me” birthright has a deeper and darker cost.

Have you considered that Americans have always been like this — you admit it in your column, Mr. Rodriguez.

Maybe the problem is that Americans just don’t want the agenda government is pushing right now, and maybe the leader of this government activism is a guy with no real experience despite two autobiographies, no skills anyone would pay him for in the real world, and who isn’t really half as smart as your side tells itself. Ever consider that, chief?

I mean, you weren’t complaining about this before January 2009, were you?

Filed Under FAIL, Fort Awesome