Home of Today's Common Sense

Published Brownsville Herald June 21, 2010

I am frequently confused at how the players in our political society want to define us and our wants and needs in terms of what we look like or how we think.
We describe ourselves a certain way only to find that we have many similarities and when others do it, it becomes racism. Some even have the idea that if one gets an education, is creative and works hard he can succeed, it is a bad thing.
It even seems that the current goal of government is that everyone is the same; no one is different and should not be treated differently. Still we like to think of ourselves as individuals, Irish American, African American, Filipino American, Mexican American, Hispanic American, etc. I think of myself as an American and then as having Irish descent. However the brand of Celts I came from originated from Portugal and North West Spain. Does that make me of Hispanic origin. How about the Mexicans near Monterrey of Italian descent, what kind of hyphen do we use?
The law recently passed I Arizona, in frustration that the Federal government seems to have failed miserably in protecting the borders there. It is sad aspecially when it is a genuine Constitutional responsibility that should take priority over other functions where there are genuine arguments. More »

Saturday, August 7th, 2010 at 8:00 PM 1 month away
Dick Fox’s Golden Boys featuring Frankie Avalon, Fabian, and Bobby Rydell
Silver Legacy Resort Casino
407 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV

Paul Revere & the Raiders with The Comets
Moon River Theatre – Branson, Mo
Starting June 4 check schedules for dates and times

http://www.bransontourismcenter.com/shows/info/paul-revere-comets

Paul Revere & the Raiders have been together since 1958. Revere surrounds himself with the finest talent, some of whom have been with him more than 30 years. Paul Revere & the Raiders had 25 consecutive hit singles. Louie Louie, (remember all the controversy!) Steppin Out, Good Thing, Like Long Hair, Great Airplane Strike, Indian Reservation…timeless, unforgettable songs!
Featuring all five of the surviving members of Bill Haley and the Comets, these legendary performers will knock your socks off when they perform such beloved hits as “Rock Around the Clock,” “Shake Rattle & Roll,” and “See Ya Later Alligator,” as well as exciting all new material.

Also in Branson this summer

The Platters

http://www.bransontourismcenter.com/shows/info/platters

Ray Stevens

http://www.bransontourismcenter.com/shows/info/ray-stevens

The Welk Resort Theatre from September 15th thru October 23rd. With over 14 million singles, albums and videos sold in his career, Ray Stevens brings all of his hits to the Welk Resort stage: from the hilarious “Ahab the Arab”, “It’s Me Again Margaret”, “Mississippi Squirrel” and “The Streak” to his new hit “We The People” and the classic “Everything Is Beautiful”.

Righteous Brothers Bill Medley

http://www.bransontourismcenter.com/shows/info/bill-medley

Saturday, September 25th, 2010 at 8:00 PM 3 months away
Fall Doo Wop / Bobby Rydell, Jimmy Beaumont & The Skyliners, Jay Siegel And The Tokens, Earl Lewis & the Channels, Jimmy Gallagher & The Passions, Johnny Farina, Lenny Dell and the Demensions, Chris Montez North Fork Theatre at Westbury
960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury, NY
More »

Published Brownsville Herald June 7, 2010

Like most retirees my income has not increased and my cost of living continues to increase especially taxes. More so when I feel the community is being badly mistreated by the taxing authority. We are being taxed by Texas Southmost Community College and it exists only in name. The University has another Campus that unlike any of the others we must pay for.
I recently got my new property tax statement, my home was appraised at a value ten percent higher than last year and the Texas Southmost College tax rate is now $0.161924.
In these difficult times find it problematic to financially support a nonexistent entity and any politician that continues to maintain, what appears to me, to be a fraud on the community. Especially, when you consider that it is where a large percentage of its members cannot afford the university rates currently in force.
Perhaps, a few of you will remember a column I wrote, that appeared in September of 2004. It was conceived in response to a proposed bond issue and a presentation that the University and Texas – Southmost College officials provided at St. Marys Church. I went there with preconceived notions that were dispelled to some extent by Dr. Tony Zavaleta’s discussion and forced me to rethink my position. More »