Get Ready for Overheated Debate about Governor Perry's Record

I recall (yes, I'm a baby boomer) the election season of 1992 when Governor Bill Clinton was running for the office of  POTUS. At that time I finished reading an expose of Clinton's antics as Governor of Arkansas, a book titled "Slick Willie". In 1992 the Internet had not been widely propagated by inventor, Al Gore. (May his current invention, Global Warning, be less successful)

As an IT technologist in Sun Microsystems in Silicon Valley at the time, our company was an early adopter and pioneer in Internet communications along with other technology-based companies, universities, and government think tanks. Many early Internet users including Catholic pro-lifers were tuned in on who the real Bill Clinton was. We banged the gong about Clinton's anti-life prejudices and brazenly corrupt political activities. But we were preaching to a small choir. In my job at SUN, I also had occasions to speak to people in Arkansas who worked in the private sector. Testing the information I learned in Slick Willie, the good citizens of Arkansas confirmed in private conversation that Clinton's poor character and history of corrupt practices as Governor were true. Alas the all knowing omniscient national press was clueless and aided and abetted his election.

As we pro-lifers in the trenches feared, Slick Willie almost immediately by executive order overturned years of pro-life gains restricting public funding of abortion (Mexico City policy enacted by President Reagan) and launched an all out attack on pro-life activism with F.A.C.E., the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, put into effect and aggressively pursued by Atty. General Janet Reno in 1994. According to the late Fr. Paul Marx, founder of Human Life International, FACE obliterated the rescue movement in the U.S. I can attest to that as a member of Operation Rescue at the time.

What does this have to do with Rick Perry and his run for the office of POTUS? Well,  Al Gore's internet, widely propagated today, while a very effective means of populist social communications, is also a tool used for evil. (There are more than 200,000 registered X-rated sites on the internet which is a fraction of what truly represents porn-related interactions on the internet.)

Many conservative Texans believe Rick Perry is a good guy, not perfect, but an experienced politician with a good resume for the job of President. Many digital age pundits including talk show celebrities don't have a clue who Rick Perry is. But leave it to the "progressive" press collecting  factoids squirreled away on their tablets and smartphones to belittle Rick Perry's record in thirty second soundbites for attention-span- challenged twitterers. While Texans argue about his accomplishments and shortcomings, we can count on many in-state supporters and detractors to attempt to influence the hearts and minds of voters outside the great state of Texas. So be it. Let the contest begin. Let Perry's record be put out in the glare of public floodlights. (By the way, speaking of the vigilant press, has anyone discovered Barack Obama's school transcripts from Columbia and Harvard?)

Bishop Rene Gracida (Leo Rugiens - Roaring Lion) posted a fantastic fact sheet on his blog, The Huffinton Reposte, which will help professional and amateur pundits alike sift through the wheat and chaff about Rick Perry... almost a FAQ about the nagging, head scratching questions regarding his record. (Could be titled, "What you always wanted to know about Rick Perry but were afraid to ask?" Or ... "Rick Perry for Dummies") Take a read:

IS IT TRUE WHAT PERRY'S CRITICS ARE SAYING ABOUT HIM ?????

More elucidating facts about Governor Perry's performance in the driver's seat during economic upswings and downturns.

HOW RICK PERRY CREATED JOBS IN TEXAS

Here's another worthwhile read on Perry and Texas fiscal matters for thoughtful voters who endeavor to spend more time "under the hood" than most consumers of cable and radio news programs.

PERRY AND THE STIMULUS: IT'S COMPLICATED

Thank Al Gore for inventing the world wide web!

/s/ Phil Sevilla
San Antonio, TX

Governor Perry - Managing the Media with Prudence and Savvy

Gov. Rick Perry ignited a firestorm after his comments in Aspen on July 22^nd about homosexual marriage. I found quite a bit of blowback from the Christian media. Here's an example:  Gov. Perry Takes States Rights Position on Gay Marriage
 A good summary of the secular press' slant on the whole affair after Perry's careless comments: Perry, Conservatives and Gay Marriage: An Evolving View?

Bottom line... lessons learned... again and again:

·    Nothing new here about the media - most are not friends of Christian conservatism and they are not objective.

·    Watch what you say, tread very carefully - every word will be scrutinized, second guessed, and distorted. Perry should know this.

One crucial thing I observed which critical Christian believers picked up on...

What did Perry say in Aspen that offended their Christian sensibilities?

"Our friends in New York six weeks ago passed a statute that said marriage can be between two people of the same sex. And you know what? That's New York, and that's their business, and that's fine with me." He continued, "That is their call. If you believe in the 10th Amendment, stay out of their business."

"Well, it's not fine with God, Governor Perry," is a common thread I found resonating on Christian blogs, voicing readers' deep disappointment with Perry's statement.

Perry needs to send out a clear explanation addressing Christian conservatives' concerns about his remarks. Confusion can spiral out control and if he intends a White House run soon, his campaign, sadly, may be defined by four seemingly innocent words he enunciated in Aspen.

I'd like to remind Perry that in 1967 there were only a handful of states that legalized child killing - Colorado, Oregon, California, N. Carolina.  New York followed in 1970. What happened? Six years after Colorado, seven Supreme Court judges voted that a Texas statute restricting abortion to cases only when it was necessary to save the life of the mother was unconstitutional. The rest is history.

What makes Gov. Perry think that New York legalizing homosexual marriage is irrelevant to Texas and the other states that have defended traditional marriage? That's how corruption works!  It spreads, metastasizes, and respects no boundaries!  He speaks volumes in his book, Fed Up, about activist legislators and judges.

If he meant what he wrote about the danger of activist judges and legislators, doesn't he realize his statement last Friday came across as defending the narrow majority of state legislators (33-29) who voted to obstruct the will of the people in the state of New York? If he is fine with New York upending longstanding traditional state marriage laws, then, he will soon find the fight crossing the border into his state by the same leviathan attacking marriage in all 50 states.

Has he forgotten what happened in Lawrence vs. Texas?