Port Aransas South Jetty (Port Aransas, Tex.), Vol. 38, No. 11, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 13, 2008 Page: 3 of 22
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Murray W. Judson
J&biisher
'Mary Henkel Judson
; Editor & Co-Publisher
Port Aransas South Jetty
Opinion
Member:
South Texas Press Association
Texas Gulf Coast Press Association
Texas Press Association
Thursday, March 13,2008 3A
Dave McNeely
Demos vote in
record numbers
Texas Democrats were
Still pinching themselves
Several days after the March
4 primary. The face-off be-
tween Barack Obama and
Hillary Clinton in Texas' hy-
brid primary/caucus system
fiad generated a staggering
turnout not just at the polls,
but at the precinct caucuses
Afterward.
J One former precinct chair-
man in Austin said the highest turnout ever when
ijie was chairman in his precinct a couples miles
north of the Capitol was 15. This year, it was 408
(jl06 for Clinton, 302 for Obama).
i That happened all over the state. The turnout
of 2,868,454 was not just the highest since
Texas' one-party Democratic days (2,192,903
in 1972), it was the largest in history. On the
Pemocratic side, Democrats turned out more
than the general election vote for John Kerry in
2004 (2,832,704).
The jammed polling places, and particularly
the precinct caucuses, produced some chaos and
some long waits. "We're estimating that close to
a million people participated in the caucuses,"
iaid Texas Democratic Party spokesman Hector
I^ieto.
; But as Travis County elections administrator
Dana DeBeauvoir observed, having far more vot-
ers show up than anticipated is a good thing.
! Jhe reason for the huge turnout was that for
the .first time in decades, the Texas Democratic
presidential contest actually mattered. While
Clinton narrowly won the popular vote, and a
slight majority of the delegates allocated ac-
cording to that process, Obama's turnout was
much bigger at the precinct caucuses. Estimates
are that by the time the dust clears after county
and senatorial district conventions on March 29,
Obama will have netted more delegates out of
Tex$ than Clinton.
fn most years, the caucuses only serve the
purpose of choosing the delegates who will
eventually go to the state convention and run
the;party's business, draft a party platform and
some resolutions - much of which is routinely
ignored by actual candidates - and go to lots of
rheetings.
vIB'ot this year, the delegates and so-called"
SiiperDelegates - ones who hold their position
because of party or elective office, and can vote
h6W they please - will be very important in
deciding between Obama and Clinton.
>£ven Republicans had quite a large primary
tuiitiut, of 1,384,662 votes. That was just 48.3
pefe'fent of the number who voted in the Demo-
cratic primary, but quite respectable nonetheless,
since John McCain already had the nomination
altbut sewn up and was expected to carry Texas
anyway. That vote almost certainly would have
been'higher had the GOP contest been closer.
Still, the Democratic total alone was well
ovfer 'a million more votes than Republican Gov.
Rick Perry's total re-election vote of 1,716,792
i^2Q06.
r Perry, who faced Independents Carole Keeton
Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman as well as Demo-
crat Chris Bell, a Libertarian, and a write-in, got
t39 percent of the vote. The biggest vote-get-
n 2006 for the Republicans, U.S. Sen. Kay
ey Hutchison, had 2,661,789 votes - still
665 fewer more than the Democratic primary
tote this year.
? Democrats are hoping that the turnout, the
publicity and excitement, and the infrastructure
Siey developed gives them a running start on the
general election - something which they haven't
lad for years. They have targeted voters in areas
that normally vote Republican, and hope to use
$nd add to that micro-targeting this fall.
r Plus, the Democratic presidential nominee
may-actual ly come to Texas for something other
than to raise money (but not spend it here), and
textual stop along the Mexican border just
before the election.
Some Republicans crossed over to vote in the
Democratic primary, either because they felt that
Obama was a change agent, or perhaps they had
decided that maybe they weren't such stalwart
Republicans any more, after seven years of
George W. Bush as president. And at least some
crossed over to cast a cynical vote for Hillary
QRnton, figuring she'd be easier for McCain to
b^t'in November, and would have shorter or
negative coattails for other Democrats on the
Tescas ballot.
^Whatever the case, the total primary vote for
btj$ parties came to 4,253,116— more than 57
percent percent of the 2004 total general elec-
tion vote.
^-Something is going on.
Contact McNeely at cimcneely@aiistinjr.com
or (512) 458-2963.
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'Trip from hell' was worth it
South Jetty advertising director Jennifer
Heddlesten and I attended workshops in Fort
Worth last week.
It was the trip from hell.
We had strict parameters for our departure
and return, and I know from experience that
if you take a "mosquito" out of Corpus Christi
and change to a jumbo jet in Houston with
only 37 minutes to change planes, it ain't gon-
na happen. We also needed to fly into DFW
since the workshops were in Fort Worth.
I got three out of four right. By the time I
found the right departure and arrival times,
and confirmed that we would be transferring
from one mosquito to another on both trips,
I had completely lost sight of DFW versus
DAL. , .
I paid for that. Dearly.
We arrived at our hotel in time, to drop our
suitcases in our rooms and meet for a 40-min-
ute bus ride to a hotel in the stockyard district
of Fort Worth where we had a Mexican dinner
with our fellow "students."
We staggered into our rooms after 10 p.m.
Mind you, this is on a Wednesday - press
day. We had to leave the office before the
paper "went to bed" - a very uneasy feeling
on my part - so I'm feeling a bit anxious,
not to mention foolish for having us land at
Love Field.
(Make a note: We'd been sitting for eight
hours by the time we got back to the hotel.)
The next morning we were in the lobby at
8:30 ready to board the
bus for the ride to TCU
(Texas Christian Univer-
sity) for the workshops.
There, we were in session
for three hours, broke for
a buffet lunch that we
ate "at our desks," then
resumed the workshop,
during which we jumped
up to watch it snowing
outside. We broke for dinner at a barbecue res-
taurant that was a bus ride away, then headed
back to TCU for another two-and-half hours
of work. It would have been three hours, but
we started whining, crying and begging to go
back to the hotel.
After sitting for 13 hours we got back to the
hotel at about 10 p.m.
We were back in the lobby, suitcases in tow, at
8:30 the next morning, then boarded the bus to
return to TCU for another three-hour session.
Jennifer and I had a, well, long, ride back to
the airport, so we left a bit early to catch a taxi
for the very expensive ride back to Dallas.
We arrived in plenty of time, and after a
lunch of airport food, we saw the line to get
through security had backed up. Once through,
we raced to our gate, only to find that our flight
was delayed. Asked if we'd be able to make
our connecting flight, an off-duty ticket clerk
with a large sense of humor told me Corpus
Christi was completely shut down (just kid-
ding!). Assuring us we'd make the connecting
flight, she suggested we wait it out in the bar.
We took her up on her suggestion.
Once in Houston, we again raced to our
departure gate and, through a stroke of luck,
were told by a ticket agent we had talked to
that our departure gate had been changed, the
plane had not arrived and we had plenty of
time to get to the other gate. Whew!
That flight was also delayed, but not by
much, so we stood in the crowded gate area
with a young woman who had missed her own
wedding, waiting for the plane that would "be
here any minute". After many "any minutes"
we boarded, and were quite ready for a stiff
belt. Only we were in the last row, and by the
time we got our drinks, it \y;a^ftirriAtQ )#pd m
Corpus Christi. " ' "
It could have becif worse.'We could have
flown out of DFW, where we would have spent
the night on cots.
Expensive cab right versus a night on a cot
in an airport: Cab ride wins!
The bad news will show up on our scales af-
ter 24 hours straight of sitting interspersed with
breaks to eat Mexican food and barbecue.
The good news is that we learned a lot, and
over the next few months you'll see it showing
up in the South Jetty. You might even notice a
few things in this week's edition.
Mary Henkel Judson is editor and co-
publisher of the South Jetty. Contact her at
southjetty@centurytel.net.
Clean it up
We enjoyed "On Golden Pond," a great per-
formance and presentation by the cast of six.
However, we respectfully request that the
powers that be review and seriously consider
scripts that use our Lord's name in vain and
make light of any person's sexual orientation.
Great play. Exclusion of these few words
would not diminish the overall quality.
Norris and Sharon Strieker
Port Aransas
everyone!
I ask citizens and guests of Port Aransas,
please help us meet (and beat) our goal! We
realize money is tight, but your $10 can go a
long way when combined with a lot of other
$10's!
Thank you for your time and support.
Lisa Shelton
Relay for Life co-chair
Port Aransas
Meet, beat goal
Spoiler
South Jetty
>5 (946-020)
£ Pays Periodicals Postage at
Port Aransas, Texas
POSTMASTER:
SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO:
South Jetty, P.O. Box 1117,
Port Aransas, TX 78373
E-mail address changes to:
subscriptions@portasouthjetty.com
phone 361-749-5131
I am co-chair of the Relay for Life of Port
Aransas, and I would like to thank those of you
who have supported our fundraising efforts. So
far we have raised in excess of $9,000. But,
we have a long way to go to meet our goal of
$50,000.
Some of you may be thinking, "That Relay
for Life is everywhere asking for money!" Well,
that's right, we are! That is our job as Relayers.
We have over 215 participants, divided among
18 teams, in this year's Relay. In a town of
3,370 people, you are bound to see us doing
what we have signed up to do - ask you for
a donation!
In 2006, Relayers across America raised
over $1 million per day. That money is used
for medical research, cancer-related products,
patient services and lobbying for legislation to
benefit cancer research and patient rights. Some
of you have benefited in some way from the
money raised through Relay for Life.
Ask yourself: Have I, anyone in my family,
anyone I work with, anyone in my neighbor-
hood or church had a diagnosis of cancer?
Chances are great that you answered yes to at
least one. So the next time you see one of us
with our hand out, don't think of us negatively.
Think about what the money you donate can do
to help someone fighting the battle!
With most of our fundraising attempts, you
get something in return. We have great raffle
prizes - dinners, fishing trips, electronics,
etc. Plus, we have singers to entertain, poker
nights to test your skills, bake sales to satisfy
your sweet tooth, Luminaria sales to honor or
remember loved ones. There is something for
Open letter to Bev Metge, the person who
questioned the leash law after seeing the front
page featuring two adorable puppies following
in their master's footsteps on the beach.
These puppies are so young; they probably
haven't even seen a leash yet. There is always
one person who has to spoil a situation and a
picture sure to make one smile!
What's the matter, Bev? Are you afraid these
cream puffs will devour you?
Judith Calhoun
Port Aransas
Turn her in!
In re: Sunny the poodle from Inside Out.
I'm so happy she was returned. Mr. Tanzer,
you are better person than I, as I would have
had the police waiting in the wings to follow the
woman who dropped her off to have her lead
the police to the main criminal. I, too, believe
she probably knows the thief, and convinced
her to relinquish Sunny.
I love Sunny, too. When I visit Inside Out I
hold her in my arms the entire time I'm shop-
ping.
The woman who dropped her off must turn
in her "friend". I beg you, if you are reading
this, continue your good Samaritan deed to the
finish, and turn the dog snatcher in. Granted,
there are bigger issues in the city and the world,
but please, turn in this friend of yours as she
needs to punished accordingly.
Margo Kamin Crouch
Austin and Port Aransas
Library a treasure
(Editor's note: The following letter to
Bill Ellis Memorial Library director Kathy
Caldwell and her staff was also sent to the
South Jetty.)
We have just returned to Minnesota from six
weeks in Port Aransas.
Once again, we were so enriched by the pos-
sibilities and offerings at your library. Espe-
cially we want to thank you for all the ways you
extend yourselves in such a friendly, helpful
way to all of us. Everyone was always willing
to help find things, explain how things worked,
show greetings and friendliness to children and
we older ones alike.
I think Port Aransas should be so proud of
the library. I hope everyone in the community
takes advantage of such a treasure. Thanks
again.
Don and Corrine Slaughter
Farmington, Minn.
Correct mistake
Texas voters who want to keep the homestead
tax cap for 65 and over must vote in May. The
constitutional amendment will correct an er-
ror made by lawmakers when they voted for
a reduction in school property taxes in 2005.
They forgot about the homestead exemption for
senior citizens and people with disabilities.
The state constitution caps school property
taxes for homeowners 65 years and older and
those who are disabled.
However, they did not get the same reduction
when the property tax cut for schools was voted
on two years ago.
Please see 'Letters,' Page 4A
Cactus Pryor
Steve Martaindale
Bottom of the
ninth inning?
"Batting ninth and play-
ing second base for your
New York Yankees - Billy
Crystal."
Yep, that Billy Crystal.
The actor/comedian, a
well-documented Yankees
fan, is scheduled to sign a
one-day, minor league con-
tract with the Yankees and
actually play in Thursday's
exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pi-
rates.
In addition to undoubtedly being the least-
qualified professional baseball player that date,
he will surely be the oldest, one day shy of his
60th birthday.
As for Crystal's batting and fielding posi-
tions, we don't know yet where he will play.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he hasn't
decided, though I imagine Crystal will have a
hand in that call.
Billy did play second base while captain of
his high school baseball team, so that seems a
good possibility, especially when one consid-
ers that is a short throw to first base and less
likely to embarrass the actor during pre-inning
warmups.
Of course, management might also be con-
cerned that he will stop a hot grounder with his
face. That would open consideration for putting
him at center field, the position of boyhood idol
Mickey Mantle.
Billy Crystal's opportunity is particularly
captivating because everybody hits an age
when we begin to realize that we never will
get a chance to fulfill a dream. His experience
shows that maybe ... just maybe ... a late op-
portunity might arise.
Baby boomers like Crystal are in better
position than earlier generations to actu-
ally live out their dreams, even if it is in
an abbreviated form like the comedian's.
First of all, many of them have the financial
resources to do it. Secondly, the market has
created opportunities because of the large
number of financially secure boomers. Lastly,
they... OK, "we"... have become accustomed
to getting what we want.
My greatest dream as a youth was
space exploration, to become an astro-
naut. There could still be hope for that.
Dennis Tito was 61 years old when he bought
a ticket aboard a Russian space ship and spent
about a week in orbit. The price of $ 12 million
to $20 million, depending on reports, might
stand in my way.
Iconic TV anchorman Walter Cronkite has
long been open about his desire to travel in
space, no surprise to anyone who watched his
coverage of the first moon walk. He was 69 and
considered a candidate for NASA's "Journal-
ist in Space Program" when the Challenger
exploded in 1986 and caused that program to
be suspended.
At 91 now, he has maybe given up on the idea.
So, I might still have a chance at space travel,
though it is doubtful my bank account or pro-
fessional pull will swing a deal anytime soon.
I've never had a desire to be a rock star.
Though I've enjoyed a few chances to perform
on different community theater stages, the
dream of going to Hollywood or Broadway
has never been mine.
There hasn't even been a strong desire to
work at big city newspapers; they have the
problem of being in the big city.
Don't tell anyone, but the idea of politics has
crossed my mind. Anyone with a functioning
brain cannot watch politics at any level, as
most journalists must do at some point, without
coming to the same conclusion: "I could do
better than this."
Of course, one then remembers all the be-
hind-the-scenes wheeling and dealing and ...
well... politicking and most lose that desire.
Once it's all considered, I guess I'm pretty
content.
I did have dreams of becoming a professional
athlete, of course, though my high school fail-
ings pretty much quashed those thoughts. And
I'm in no shape to join Billy Crystal on the field
today except maybe as bat boy.
Hmm... I wonder if the Astros would like a
white-bearded bat boy.
Steve Martaindale is a self-syndicated colum-
nist. Write him at penmanmail-steve@yahoo.
Cactus Pryor
has gone
fishin'. His
column will
return next
week.
Letters to the Editor
Deadline: Monday,
10 A.M.
Letters to the editor should be limited to about
300 words • contain a valid signature and mailing
address, day and evening telephone numbers
where the writer may be reached • names of persons
writing letters will not be withheld from publication •
unsigned letters will not be published -only one letter
per person per 30 days period • letters endorsing or
opposing political candidates are political advertising
and should be taken to the advertising department •
all letters are subject to editing • letters of complaint
about private businesses will be forwarded to the
business and will not be published • "thank you" let-
ters are classified advertising and should go to the
classified ad department
Letters may be mailed to
P.O. Box 1117 Port Aransas, TX 78373
or e-mailed to:
southjetty@centurytel.net
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Judson, Mary Henkel. Port Aransas South Jetty (Port Aransas, Tex.), Vol. 38, No. 11, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 13, 2008, newspaper, March 13, 2008; Port Aransas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth480575/m1/3/: accessed July 10, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Ellis Memorial Library.