Posted on April 1, 2008 at 11:47 a.m.

At least they are talking about the problem of pet overpopulation and animal cruelty. That's more than they've done in the 20 years I've lived here.

Let's take this opportunity to make our voices heard. Attend the Dallas City Council meeting Wed 4/2 at 9 am at City Hall.

If you can't be there, write your council person and tell them that Dallas' escalating stray problem and euthanasia rate is unacceptable to you.

On Dallas city officials considering stronger animal laws

Posted on November 9, 2007 at 9:33 a.m.

I was there when Josh did his first show, back when the Edge really was alternative. It was a pleasure to see him prosper, and a disappointment to watch the rest of the station gradually decline into corporate crap, just like everywhere else. But this direction was set in motion with the deregulation of broadcast ownership. It's created chains of McStations; I saw it coming 15 years ago. The radio industry is run by a bunch of suits who don't even like music, they're just in it for the money.

Many mention I-Pod as killing radio. I would add to that satellite and Internet stations, where I have found numerous great formats. But these mediums could never have flourished so rapidly if radio hadn't sucked.

Josh is a smart, talented guy and he will find success elsewhere. As for radio's future, I don't think it's equally as bright.

On UPDATED: 102.1 The Edge fires Josh Venable, while Kiss FM fires Cruz and Gina Lee Fuentes

Posted on October 15, 2006 at 8:52 p.m.

Kevin,

Those are indeed their plans (as reported in the DMN) though I have it on good authority that neither Senator West nor the DCDP has sufficient funds to run such a campaign. Leading one to wonder.. where will this money come from?

The truth is, I am even more troubled by the potential impact on race relations than any effect this may have on Kinky's campaign. Dallas does not have a history of tolerance, but we have made progress. Such a hateful campaign pitting black against white could erase in a heartbeat many of the gains over past years. At the very least, it will make it increasingly difficult to engage people of color in meaningful political discussion.

At worst case, it could even lead to violence.

To me, launching such an attack, when they -know- Kinky is no racist, is not only dishonest, it's dangerous and irresponsible.

Furthermore, it confirms the very point that Kinky has made all along: These politicians care more about their own power than they do their own constituents.

I know the Kinky supporters are angry at these attacks and other perceived betrayals. But I would respectfully ask you this: please do not make any inflammatory public statements, nor urge boycotts of any business, nor encourage people to vote only for Kinky.

Study the issues, examine the all candidates, and vote your heart.

This is an important election, let's give it the consideration it deserves.

On An Open Letter to Kinky Friedman

Posted on October 14, 2006 at 8:50 p.m.

Dear Mr. McCrea,

I think you have misinterpreted my (admittedly) somewhat emotional post.

"How in heaven's name do you three Kinky supporters think you're going to win over undecided voters, or keep wavering anti-Perry pro-Kinky voters like me from jumping ship, if you keep on engaging in this sort of juvenile name-calling?"

We have fielded more calls and emails from undecided and skeptical voters than you can imagine. In virtually every case, we were able to persuade them to join Camp Kinky. NEVER by criticizing the other candidates, but by speaking from the heart about what we believed was good about our guy.

I am open to ALL people who support positive change for Texas. I don't care what their skin color, previous party affiliation, religion or economic status is. I am a progressive who is sick and tired of the divide-and-conquer mentality that is killing this country. It's my personal opinion that if the Good People don't soon come forward and stand together, we will have no country left to save.

My beef with Mr. Wynne is not that he dared support someone else. Viva la difference.

It is that he injected himself into Kinky Friedman's life, talked to him "nearly every day" on the phone (his words), and was constantly involved with the campaign staff. That to me is a declaration of friendship. Then he changed his mind. And did it publicly.

I don't know about you, but I do not back out on my friends, just because they hit a rough patch.

If you have a problem with a friend, you talk to them face to face. You don't post a letter in public, humiliating them.

Those of us in the trenches who have worked our hearts out for over a year now are tired. We have been excoriated by the Democrats because we dared to back someone other than their Chosen One, and so they call us "racist". The Republicans have called us "queer lovers."

We have turned the other cheek, until both cheeks are raw.

We grow weary of making nice, even though Kinky Friedman himself has personally told us to "be nice" to the other candidates. Now THAT'S class.

Would that the other candidates had given this advice to their own staff.

Instead, certain Democrats in Dallas County (Royce West) are getting ready to launch the ugliest, most negative campaign ads ever aired here. And Chris Bell stands by and watches it happen.

This is morally wrong, it will strain race relations, and it will damage SO MUCH MORE than merely Kinky's candidacy. My heart cries out against this outrage, but it seems there is little we can do to stop it.

And so there is much in the background that you, as a casual observer, cannot possibly know that fuels our comments.

I wish you all the best and commend you for the effort to at least follow the election and make a choice, when so many will stay home yet again in apathy.

On An Open Letter to Kinky Friedman

Posted on October 13, 2006 at 9:08 p.m.

Mr. Wynne ought to be ashamed for posting a letter like this in public.

In my book, you are a quitter and a coward. Moreover, you have grossly misjudged the people of Texas.

The support for Kinky Friedman has NOT appreciably waned, despite what you may think of the debate performances. And I'm in more of a position to know this than you, BECAUSE I HAVE WORKED NON-STOP FOR OVER A YEAR, ON THE STREETS, TALKING TO REAL PEOPLE, while you and your rich friends sat around drinking at high-dollar fundraisers. You sent Kinky a few bucks, but you never did any of the REAL work.

You weren't there when we marched in January in the rain, in the Martin Luther King Day parade.

You weren't there when we sat in the cold March wind, gathering signatures at hip-hop clubs and redneck honky-tonks.

You weren't there when we handed out flyers in 100-degree heat.

You haven't fielded hundreds of phone calls and thousands of emails, from people all across North Texas who are desperate for change.

Let me borrow a phrase from Public Enemy: Don't believe the hype.

Kinky Friedman can win this thing. The only thing that can stop him is a lack of courage on the part of the public.

For God's sake, don't let the Establishment win again.

Vote Kinky, starting 10/23.

On An Open Letter to Kinky Friedman