I don’t believe that races of people should be charged different amounts for the same goods just because of race.  If a car sales for $20,000, I believe everyone that wants to buy it should be allowed to pay $20,000.  I don’t believe it should be sold for $20,000 to me because I am white and $23,000 to someone that is brown or $22,500 because someone is black.

Attached is a copy of a Petition that we recently filed on behalf of a client for just this type of conduct.  We allege that the conduct of the dealership is to treat one class of individuals differently than another class.  As the case progresses, we will provide additional information to you to allow you to make an informed decision on whether you agree or disagree with these financing practices.

Equal Credit Opportunity Act

This is the case of Vasquez vs. Peltier Chevrolet, Inc.

take care,

Hook ‘em

Jeff

Local Governments Should be Transparent

Congratulations to Smith County, the City of Tyler, Tyler Independent School District, Arp Independent School District, Lindale Independent School District and Chappell Hill Independent School District for being recognized by the Comptroller of Texas Susan Combs for opening their financial records to the public to provide taxpayers a clear picture of public spending. It is refreshing to see public officials recognize that they are servants of the people and not rulers over the people.

Contrast that recognition with Henderson County Officials. I recently requested information from the county auditor about State District Judge Carter Tarrance Juvenile Board pay and his continuing education travels which the County pays for (e.g. local taxpayers pay for).. What I asked for is:

1. For each year between 2000 to present, provide me with all county records related to the payment of expenses for continuing legal education for Judge Carter Tarrance including expenses related to the Judge’s attendance at Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish, Montana; http://www.grousemountainlodge.com

2. For each year between 2000 to present, provide me with a copy of all county records related to any budget amendment for the 392nd District Court’s budget; and

3. For each year between 2000 to present, provide me with a copy of all county records related to any compensation paid to Judge Carter Tarrance for service on the Henderson County Juvenile Board.

What I received from the auditor who is appointed by the District Judges was a multi-page letter telling me I had to pay $319.35 in order to have this public information.   $319.35!!!  Don’t I already pay my taxes that should enable me to this information? 

Well, I paid my money on November 18, 2009 and I still don’t have the public records. How long should I have to wait for public information when I’m paying full freight twice???

Hook ‘em

Jeff

What a tragedy.  Two young people working killed by an out of control pick-up truck.  A wreck recently happened outside of Athens where a driver over corrected and hit a car head-on causing the death of two people.  Nothing could be more tragic than poor split second decisions that result in the death of innocent people.  The employer of the truck that caused the wreck was here immediately in an effor to make sure they protect themselves from any claims against them.  Who was here to protect the innocent dead victims? 

Hook ‘em

Jeff

Now that several car dealers are in Congress, their hope is that they carve themselves out from any liability for the economic fleecing that goes on daily by car dealers.  You have to listen to this story from NPR radio.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121224829

How can we allow this to continue.  Car Dealers act like they are working for you to arrange financing when in fact this is where all the money is made!  We should say no to giving car dealers any further immunity and protections for the fraud and deceit their industry revolves around.

Hook ‘em

Jeff

I rarely spend much time thinking about what you can do in one second.  I usually think in terms of what you can do in 10 to 15 minutes, half a day, etc.  Last night with one second remaining, Hunter Lawrence kicked a 46 yard field goal that should send the Texas Longhorns into the National Championship college football game.  Talk about making the most out of 1 second.  Hunter will have the rest of his life to enjoy what that one second meant to so many people. 

Great job!

Hook ‘em

Jeff

Hook ‘em

Jeff

Monday was a busy day for police and firefighters working two wrecks near Lufkin.

The Texas Department of Public Safety reported that an 18-wheeler driven by Charles Steven Robbins, of Paris, was carrying a load which hit a railroad bridge just north of the loop at about 1:45 p.m. The load slid off the trailer and a Toyota Highlander, driven by William Edward Graham, of Houston, hit the load and spun, blocking the second lane. That is when Benjamin Michael Honeywell, of Lufkin, driving a Chevy S-10, tried to avoid the Highlander and hit the guardrail before hitting the Highlander.

The 18 wheeler was cited by the DPS for overheight.

Rubberneckers then caused a wreck on the other side of traffic. 

Why are we so interested in looking to see what is going on when we should be careful to get through the collision area?

The most important thing to remember is to constantly drive defensively to protect yourself and your family.

Hook ‘em

Jeff

As if Black Friday wasn’t enough, I just was informed we have Cyber Monday.  In case you don’t know, Cyber Monday is the internet’s version of the Friday after Thanksgiving.  I think it’s funny that we have sales that start the Friday after Thanksgiving at 4 a.m.  I think it’s even funnier that we have internet sales that start the Monday following Thanksgiving.  Do we need to line up at home to hit the keyboard at the annoited hour?

Black Friday, Cyber Monday - give me back the good old days where we hang out and roast marshmellows together and drink hot chocolate.

Hook ‘em

Jeff

Interesting read:  Deaths resulting from food bacteria is something that constantly worries me.  Seeing employees of food establishments using the restroom and not washing their hands is really troublesome.  You really have to wonder when you see the cleanliness of the restrooms in the first place.  One of my buddies refuses to eat in a restaurant until he has seen the kitchen.  Pretty good idea.  Don’t order until you look in the kitchen.  If the kitchen is dirty, get out.  There’s not any meal worth dying over.

Two U.S. deaths possible in beef recall

 

Play Video ABC News – Meat Recall After E.Coli Scare

Reuters – A picture of E.coli bacteria is seen in this undated file photo from the USDA.A New Hampshire resident …

1 hr 43 mins ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – An outbreak of food-borne illness, linked to dangerous bacteria in ground beef, sickened 28 people and caused at least one death, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday.

The CDC said a New York adult with underlying medical conditions had died and another possibly related death in New Hampshire was under investigation. State officials attribute the New Hampshire death to the O157:H7 E. coli bacteria.

All but three of the 28 cases listed by the CDC were in the U.S. Northeast and 18 were in the New England states. Sixteen hospitalizations were reported, said a CDC spokeswoman. The bacteria involved were from a common strain, so tests were under way to see if all of the reported cases were related.

Over the weekend, Fairbank Farms of Ashville, New York, recalled 545,699 lbs (248,450 kg) of ground beef products.

The Agriculture Department, which oversees meat safety, said an investigation led it to conclude “there is an association between the fresh ground beef products and illnesses in Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts.” USDA worked with state and federal officials in examining a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses.

A potentially deadly bacteria, E. coli can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and, in severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, the elderly and people with weak immune systemsare the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

A string of food-borne safety scares led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass legislation this summer to require more inspections and oversight of food manufacturers and would give the government new authority to order recalls.

Fairbank Farms announced the recall on Saturday. The beef was produced in mid-September and probably was labeled for sale before the end of the month, said USDA.

It went to retailers including Trader Joe’s, Price Chopper, Lancaster and Wild Harvest, Shaw’s, a unit of Supervalu, BJ’s, Ford Brothers and Giant, a unit of Ahold, in eight states — Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

A complete list of products is available at:

http://link.reuters.com/vyx27f

The beef was produced September 14 to 16, and the company urged consumers to check their freezers for products listed in the recall. Labels of the recalled packages will say EST 492 inside the USDA seal.

(Reporting by Charles Abbott; Editing by Walter Bagley)

 

Hook ‘em

Jeff