No one seems to be writing opinion pieces quite the way I would, so I decided to do it myself.

The name? Taverns are places where one goes to discuss the interesting events and things in the world, so this is my tavern.

I will offer my views on politics, economics, and whatever else strikes my fancy.
I will occasionally publish the entire article from another journal for purposes of causing discussion.

 

Missing Security Tapes and Rick Perry's Aide in case of Feds asked to Chase Democrats

Did Rick Perry direct the the DPS to call the Homeland Security Agency to track the missing Democratic Legislators? It's possible.

The Houston Chronicle reported that there were security tapes of the hall leading into the Texas DPS Command Center controlling the chase of the errant Democratic Legislators, and that when requested, the DPS provided copies - but of the crucial six hours, only fifteen minutes were on the first tape delivered last Friday. The DPS blamed a glitch in copying, and delivered a new copy with all six hours on Tuesday. Question - were they trying to run out the clock? The Texas Constitution gives the Texas Legislature only 120 days every two years to act on the business that needs to be dealt with - that includes investigating the DPS and Impeaching any officials who should be removed. The question was whether any of Tom Daley's Aides had entered the Command Center during the period when the DPS requested the Department of Homeland Security Federal Air Interdiction Service to track Pete Delay's plan. [Pete Delay is the ex-Speaker of the House and a Democratic Legislator.]

The Houston Chronicle reported today that the new tape shows that Rick Perry and his main aide on anti-Terrorism were in the DPS Command Center during the period in question. Apparently none of Delay's aides were there during that period. Rep. Kevin Bailey, D-Houston, chairman of the House General Investigating Committee has gone through the tapes that the DPS belatedly turned over.

Bailey's committee is looking into how the Texas Department of Public Safety coordinated its search for 55 missing legislators on May 12, whether anyone associated with U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay helped direct the search and why DPS officials ordered some records on the issue destroyed on May 14.

The Travis County district attorney, the federal Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration also are conducting investigations into the search. Travis County includes the State Capital, Austin, and the DA there frequently investigates activities of the State Government and the Legislature.

Personally, I think someone in the Republican Party or the Texas DPS used the Feds to track the Democrats, but the DPS order to destroy all records of the search succeeded in eliminating any record of such clear violation of law. The best any of the investigators at the State level will get is a he said vs he said type testimony. Since the feds are under control of Tom Ridge and George Bush, there will be no real revelations from them, and any records will be classified so that no one can get at them.

The Houston Chronicle has consistently carried the best information on this situation of any publication, including the Austin American Statesman. They are also the source to go to for news on the Enron situation. I wish there were more newspapers who did that kind of reporting.
posted by Richard at 10:05 PM