Another tornado hit the city of Ennis, in Ellis County and Steve Howerton, the city manager and emergency management coordinator, released the following map showing the path of that tornado.

Ennis Tornado

Individuals with family or friends in the area are encouraged to use the following emergency contacts offered by DallasNews.com:

A phone bank was established for those looking for friends and family members in Hood County. Call (682) 498-8010. Alternatively, you can list yourself as “Safe & Well” or search for others that have listed themselves at the Safe & Well website operated by the American Red Cross.

Those who believe they may have a family member or friend at Lake Granbury Medical Center are being asked to call 817-579-2888.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has launched a Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 to provide immediate crisis counseling to people affected by the violent storms across northern Texas.

Contact the Granbury Animal Clinic at (817) 573-5553 to see if a lost pet has been recovered.

New developments will be added as needed.

The high school cheerleaders had sued the Kountze Independent School District after after they were told they could no longer display the banners with religious messages over arguments that it violated the First Amendment. Earlier in the school year, one unidentified spectator had complained to the Freedom From Religion Foundation. The group argued that the banners amounted to a public school’s advocating a particular religion, which was unconstitutional.

The cheerleaders contention was that these banners were student led and initiated and so private speech. Attorneys for the cheerleaders argued the girls’ First Amendment rights to free speech were being violated by the school district and that the messages on the banners were not asking anyone to believe in Christianity or accept the faith.

In his ruling, State District Judge Steve Thomas said that no law “prohibits cheerleaders from using religious-themed banners at school sporting events and that the banners did not create an establishment of religion in the school.

Gov. Rick Perry offered a statement on the ruling: Today’s ruling is a win for free speech and religious freedom. The Kountze High School cheerleaders showed great resolve and maturity beyond their years in standing up for their beliefs and constitutional rights. I’m proud of them and I celebrate this victory alongside them.

 
For more information watch the video below:

Robert O’Connor, the district’s superintendent, explained rules dictate no participant can engage in celebratory acts, including raised hands.

Hayes’ father said his son was just acknowledging God’s role in the successful run.

He is among a number of other individuals who are actively disputing the ruling, though there is no indication state officials will overturn the decision.

“You cross a finish line and you’ve accomplished a goal and within seconds it’s gone,” said the elder Hayes, wondering “what does that tell them about the rest of their lives? You’re going to do what’s right, work extra hard, and have it ripped away from you?”

Though O’Connor doesn’t see Hayes’ display as “technically a terrible scenario,” he said “the action did violate the context of the rule.”

Many oppose the disqualification on religious freedom grounds, though I contend this incident also highlights another unfortunate trend in today’s society.

Removing any sign of celebration from a victory sends precisely the wrong message to the next generation – though from a leftist standpoint, it makes perfect sense.

While good sportsmanship should always be expected, there should be a reward for hard work and these students deserve a bit of self-congratulation. Instead, the progressive agenda calls for all participants to be treated equally, despite effort or achievement.

As we’ve seen in countless other aspects of life, this practice only serves to disincentivize success, lowering the overall quality of life across the board.

Click here to get B. Christopher Agee’s latest book for less than $5! Like his Facebook page for engaging, relevant conservative content daily.

Earlier this month the same legislation cleared the Arizona House which leaves only Governor Jan Brewer’s signature before it becomes law.

While U.S. currency will continue to be accepted in the Grand Canyon State, the new bill allows gold and silver coins and bullion to be used beginning mid-2014.

Utah passed a similar law in 2011. Kansas, South Carolina and several other states are advancing similar bills.

While Utah and Arizona’s legislation is little more than symbolic, other states are eyeing infrastructure projects key to allowing precious metals to be used as legal tender.

Texas legislators are considering a measure to create the Texas Bullion Depository that would store about $1 Billion in gold currently held in a New York facility. The new facility would also function as a place for public deposits which would create a realistic medium for trade similar to blacksmiths’ and bankers’ handling of the precious metal in earlier times. Money could be deposited for one or more “depository notes” which could be traded for goods and services. The person receiving the notes in trade could then turn it in to the depository for gold. The notes would likely be backed by the State government and its gold holdings.

While the U.S. Constitution prevents states from coining money, it also says that states may not “make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts” a phrase likely opening the door for states to pass these precious metal currency bills.

The States’ moves are seen as a response to the Federal Reserve’s constant dumping of liquidity into the American economy thereby devaluing the dollar and, as many believe, leading to the collapse of the U.S. paper money.

While some states may be taking action as a symbolic nose-thumbing at the Fed, others are clearly planning for the potential downfall of the dollar.

George W. Bush: I’m retired from politics – happily so, I might add, but not from public service. We’ll use our influence to help more children start life with a quality education, to help more Americans find jobs and economic opportunity. To help more countries overcome poverty, and disease. To help more people in every part of the world live in freedom. We’ll work to empower women around the world to transform their countries. Stand behind the courageous men and women, who have stepped forward to wear the uniform of the United States, to defend our flag, and our freedoms here at home. Ultimately the success of a nation depends on the character of its citizens. Mr. President, I had the privilege to see that character up close. I saw it in the first responders who charged up the stairs, into the flames, to save people’s lives from burning towers. I saw it in a Virginia Tech professor who barricaded his classroom door with his body, until his students escaped to safety. I saw it in the people of New Orleans, who made homemade boats to rescue their neighbors from the floods. I saw it in our service members, who laid down their lives to keep our nation safe, and to make other nations free. Franklin D. Roosevelt once described the dedication of a library as an act of faith. I dedicate this library with an unshakeable faith in the future of our country. It was the honor of a lifetime to lead a country as brave and as noble as the United States. Whatever challenges come before us, I will always believe our nation’s best days lie ahead.

According to police in San Antonio a man, drinking a Slurpee, suffered a brain freeze so terrible he blacked out while driving. His truck jumped a curb and hit four parked vehicles.

Police said the man passed a field sobriety test.

Next summer when you are thinking about a nice cool drink remember this guy’s experience.  And if you’re driving… Choose Wisely.

News 4 WOAI

According to Vaus, the song in a shorter ad version, is currently seen as too controversial, too hot, for talk radio stations to accept.  He is still looking for stations that will accept his airtime purchase.

What do you think? Is it too controversial?

The curriculum management system known as CSCOPE is used by teachers in 875 districts to manage their lesson plans while allowing them to customize material for their own specific classrooms.

Some of the ideology promoted in the material, though, is wholly inappropriate and openly endorses anti-American sentiment.

According to reports, numerous witnesses spoke before the Senate committee to explain why Texas students must not be indoctrinated with the leftist lesson plans. One witness described the program as “mind control” while a teacher emotionally testified he quit his job because using the system made him feel like he was “aiding and abetting a crime.”

Other criticism of the program included lack of transparency, as the program’s particulars are not readily available to anyone other than teachers and school administrators. Questionable lesson plans covered various subjects and issues, though one of the most reprehensible forced sixth-graders to design their own socialist flag.

The CSCOPE curriculum encourages students to “notice that socialist and communist countries use symbolism on their flags” while prompting them to come up with their own symbols to use on the flag for a new socialist country. In addition to allegations the curriculum is overly supportive of Islam, the lesson plans also reportedly refer to those involved in the Boston Tea Party as terrorists.

This type of blatant leftist indoctrination deserves no place in any American school and, as a Texan, I am incredibly offended such nonsense has made its way into our great educational system. Such blatant disregard for traditional values combined with the secrecy with which the material is treated just further exposes the left’s ongoing mission.

Those unhappy with America as founded seek to change this nation’s future by systematically brainwashing the next generation in the government-mandated education camps known as the public school system.
Click here to get B. Christopher Agee’s latest book for less than $5! Like his Facebook page for engaging, relevant conservative content daily.

Is there more here than meets the eye?

Is Washington paying attention?

At the time of the posting of this article, there are now 83,548 signatures on the White House petition: WE PETITION THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO: Peacefully grant the State of Texas to withdraw from the United States of America and create its own NEW government.

Who knows what may come out of all of this?

In less than a week since this nation re-elected Barack Obama, there are calls from numerous States to secede from The United States of America. We are no longer a United Nation. We are very much a Divided Nation. Many are standing together, calling for a peaceful divide.

The famous declaration for unity that you are familiar with has been attributed to Aesop’s fables, as well as John Dickinson’s Revolutionary War song, “The Liberty Song”, which was was published first in the Boston Gazette in 1768.

However, it was Patrick Henry that made the historic exclamation in what was to be his last public speech:

“Let us trust God, and our better judgment to set us right hereafter. United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.”

Patrick Henry’s declaration came at a very pivotal point in America’s history. It was March 1799, and Mr. Henry was “denouncing The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions”, which argued that the two states “had the right and the duty to declare unconstitutional any acts of Congress not authorized by The Constitution”.

This speech took such a toll on Patrick Henry that after the speech his “near lifeless body” was carried offstage and into the nearest tavern. He died just two months later.

We have now reached another pivotal point in this nation’s history.

In the November 6 election, the divide between the candidates was a little more than 3 million votes. Barack Obama received 61,910,594 votes, and Mitt Romney received 58,654,765 votes. When you look at the total number of votes cast, it is almost a clear cut down the middle. We are most definitely a divided nation. We can no longer stand together, when we are so obviously divided over so many issues. We have reached a breaking point that threatens to be anything but peaceful if things are not handled in a way in which every voice is heard and considered.

Citizens in Louisiana are now petitioning the White House to “Peacefully grant the State of Louisiana to withdraw from the United States of America”. The petition was created the day after the election, and has nearly 8,000 signatures in just 5 days.

It appears that this petition from Louisiana was the first of many to have been submitted to the “We The People” site on the official White House website. The site claims to be “Your Voice In OUR Government”. The question remains whether or not the Government will hear the many voices being raised. It is highly doubtful, as they have turned their noses up in arrogance towards We The People numerous times before.

It’s not just the state of Louisiana, the list of State Petitions calling to peacefully “withdraw from the United States of America” is growing by the day.

Country singer Charlie Daniel’s is suggesting that “the South” secede from The Union; however, there are Northern States that are not so happy with the government, and are also calling to leave the Union. At the time of this article’s posting, the states with open petitions are the following:

Alabama
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Kentucky
Mississippi
Montana
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Oregon
Texas 

“Why should Vermont and Texas live under the same government?”

The winds of change are coming. The echoing calls to seperate are growing louder and stronger.

Barack Obama claimed in both victory speeches that we are not “a collection of Red States and Blue States, but we are The United States”. These words are empty and mean nothing coming from a man who has done so much to divide this nation. The people are not happy. We are no longer united. We The People are standing, asking to peacefully divide from the albatross that is Barack Obama. If the request is not considered, it very well may come as a demand, which will not be so peaceful.

Image via mikechurch.com

Quite often, we hear someone say they never vote because their vote doesn’t count. History proves otherwise:

1960: John F. Kennedy (D) defeats Richard Nixon (R) by 84 Electoral Votes and won the popular vote by .2%
1844: James Polk (D) defeats Henry Clay (Whig) by 65 Electoral Votes and won the popular vote by 1.4%
1880: James Garfield (R) defeats Winfield Hancock (D) by 59 Electoral Votes and won the popular vote by .1%
1888: Benjamin Harrison (D) defeats Grover Cleveland (R) by 37 Electoral Votes but the popular vote by .8%
1884: Grover Cleveland (D) defeats James Blaine (R) by 37 Electoral Votes and wins the popular vote by .7%
1848: Zachary Taylor (Whig) defeats Lewis Cass (D) by 36 Electoral Votes and wins the popular vote by 4.8%
2004: George W. Bush (R) defeats John Kerry (D) by 35 Electoral Votes and wins the popular vote by 2.4%
1916: Woodrow Wilson (D) defeats Charles Hughes (R) by 23 Electoral Votes and wins the popular vote by 3.1%
2000: George W. Bush (R) defeats Al Gore (D) by 5 Electoral Votes but loses the popular vote by .5%
1876: Rutherford Hayes (R) defeats Samuel Tilden (D) by 1 Electoral Vote but loses the popular vote by 3%

While the Cruz-Dewhurst race gained national attention, a much lesser known race speaks to the power of We The People.

While voting yesterday, my husband and I were met by a gentleman standing outside our voting precinct. He had a ‘NRA’ hat on, and told us that he was running for precinct chairman in our precinct. He informed us that he was running against the incumbent, who refused to show up to debate him.

As we talked to him, we assured him he would have our vote.

This morning we checked the results, and Brad McCally won with 4 single votes. Not 4 percentage points, not 40 votes…. 1, 2, 3, 4 votes. My husband and I were two of those four votes.

Had I not met Mr. McCally and talked with him, I would have not voted in that race. I choose not to vote when I am uninformed. However, because of Mr. McCally taking the time to talk to voters, he won by 4 votes. His opponent, Larry E. Hughes, refused to debate Mr. McCally, nor was he at the polling center.

Folks, we have to get involved! This is our country! YOUR vote DOES count!  

For all the hype surrounding social media in campaigns, Cruz is among the first American examples of a dark horse candidate who rode to victory by tapping into the vast power of Facebook, Twitter, blogs and email. Whether he wins or loses Tuesday, the fact that he emerged as a serious contender — thanks largely to a foundation poured online — has even his opponents in awe…

Among Cruz’s smart cyber moves: Weekly calls with supportive bloggers, who had access to the candidate throughout the race. Two full-time staffers focused on social media content, resulting in speedy responses to just about every tweet, Facebook comment and email.

A microsite, cruzcrew.org, that empowered volunteers to take on tasks and print out campaign literature. The use of social media ads from the earliest days of the campaign to build a mailing list that is, in the words of Vincent Harris, the Cruz campaign digital strategist, “bigger than most of the failed Republican candidates for president.”

Furthermore, “on Facebook, the Cruz campaign sent city-specific status updates so that, for instance, only users in Waco would receive the update about Cruz’s upcoming Waco appearance. Meanwhile, whenever Cruz appeared on national or statewide radio or TV programs, his campaign website would post a special splash page to specifically welcome the listeners or viewers who came there during or immediately after the show.”  Lastly, “the campaign also took advantage of the resources provided by Google and Facebook, both of which have dedicated Republican and Democratic staffers available to offer advice. As recently as this week, Harris said, the campaign deployed an idea provided to them by Google’s Republican outreach guru Rob Saliterman.”

The end results was a clear victory and provided the third knockout the Tea Party has delivered to the squishy Republican establishment.  This victory should quell any apprehension pundits might have about the Tea Party’s life span.   It’s not on life support. However, the dead tree media feels that the Tea Party is running out of gas, despite Mr. Cruz’s well executed campaign and the two other senate upsets we scored this year with Richard Mourdock in Indiana and Deb Fischer in Nebraska.

I think the mainstream media is running out of things to write about.  It’s the only explanation to this grossly presumptuous piece by Elizabeth Hartfield.  This wouldn’t be the first time ABC fabricated a story.  In her post, which was before Cruz’s resounding win, Hartfield stated that “it’s too early to declare the “death of the Tea-Party” movement. But the so-called Tea Party candidates have yet to claim the kind of wins that they did before.” Well, that was generous.  She claims:

Only one Tea Party candidate has won the GOP nomination in their state’s Senate race. Richard Mourdock, the Indiana state treasurer, defeated longtime Sen. Richard Lugar in the state’s primary in May.

Other candidates who were, at one point or another, considered strong contenders in GOP primaries ended up with relatively weak showings in their respective contests.

In Nebraska, state Treasurer Don Stenberg, once considered the strong challenger to the “establishment” candidate, Attorney General Jon Bruning, wound up finishing third in the GOP primary, with both candidates losing to state Sen. Deb Fischer. In Utah, Sen. Orrin Hatch defeated Tea Party challenger Dan Liljenquist by a margin of more than 30 percent, according to unofficial results from the Associated Press.

One big “establishment vs. Tea Party” primary has yet to take place. In Texas, former Solicitor General Ted Cruz, who is widely viewed as an up-and-coming Tea Party star and frequently compared to Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (both men are of Hispanic descent) is in the final weeks of a runoff with Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who is viewed as the establishment candidate in the race. Polls have consistently shown Dewhurst in the lead, but some political observers in the state believe that Cruz could benefit from the July 31 runoff, where turnout will be low and likely consist of a more steadfastly conservative demographic.