Fort Worth Gas Price Rises Fast Again

Yesterday a gallon of regular unleaded at my neighborhood QT was $1.92. This morning, when I went to Arlington, I needed gas. So I went to the QT. Overnight gas had gone up to $1.98.

I got gas, but did not call my mom with my usual call to tell her I got gas and how much it cost. It was not convenient at the time. I intended to make a gas call, later, but I forgot, til now, when it is also not convenient to call.

A few minutes ago I had to go to the Post Office. The route there goes by the QT. Now, just a few hours since I bought gas, it has gone up another 7 cents, to $2.05, as you can see in the picture, in which you can also see it is foggy here today in North Texas.

Are we in for another round of fast rising gas prices? If it zooms back up to $4 I think that'll be the blow that totally knocks the current situation into truly being The Great Depression 2.0. That is truly greatly depressing.

HP Webcams, Little Ol' Lady Electric Cart & Darwinian Selection

What I saw today in Arlington is the reason I don't think I want one of those new GM Volt Electric cars that can go only a few miles before running out of power.

I'd been at the Arlington Costco. On the way from Costco to Fry's Electronics I saw this little ol' lady in an electric cart device crossing the Matlock Road overpass over I-30.

As I passed her she was not moving, but was frantically cranking on something.

I was going to Fry's to return the HP Pro Webcam I got there yesterday. I am appalled HP makes such a piece of junk and Fry's sells it. The video was fuzzy, the audio was worse. There was no manual. Just a piece of paper with 3 instructions. 1) Turn on computer. 2) Insert cdrom. 3) Plug in USB cable. That was it.

So I got rid of the HP Pro Piece of Junk Webcam and replaced it with a Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000. The HP Pro Webcam cost $29.99. The Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000 cost $79.99.

You get what you pay for. The video from the Logitech is pretty much high definition. And the audio is also excellent. When I went to Fry's yesterday my intention was to get the Logitech one I got today, as it is top-rated. But then I saw the HP one for 50 bucks less, and figured, HP, they make good stuff, it must be good if it's an HP product. As it so often is, my logic was obviously flawed.

So, with the webcam switch out of the way, it was back on the road. I headed north on Matlock Road, wondering if the little ol' lady had gotten her electric cart moving. Traffic is very bad at this location. I was appalled when I finally got a clear view and could see the little ol' lady and her electric cart were moving again. From her pushing it.

I wanted to stop and help, but there was no way I could easily navigate the 10 or more lanes and get turned around again. It was just way too complicated. However I was able to fumble around and get my camera out and on and snap a picture as I drove by. This was a rather risky move in heavy traffic. I don't know how the little ol' lady was going to get out of that congested zone. What was she thinking? Driving such a thing in such traffic? Is there a chance that that was a Volt? Are they for sale yet?

Prairieland Wildflower Ball This Saturday at Tandy Hills Natural Area

An incoming invitation to the Prairie from Don Young....

Dust off your frock, put on your bonnet, hop in your carriage and head over to Tandy Hills Natural Area this Saturday morning, May 9th at 10:00 am for the Prairieland Wildflower Ball.

Last week at the Prairieland area of Prairie Fest, dozens of children used mud and native wildflower seed to create seed balls for distribution at THNA. The kids had a blast playing in the mud and doing their part to help with the restoration of the prairie. Now they get to celebrate their handiwork by dispersing the seed balls.

Please come out this Saturday to witness and support this beautiful gift to Mother Earth and the people of Fort Worth.

Details:

WHO: Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area in partnership with the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) and dozens of area children.

WHAT: Prairieland Wildflower Ball
(seed ball distribution)

WHEN: Saturday, May 9th. 10:00 - 10:45 am

WHERE: Tandy Hills Natural Area
3400 View Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76103
(meet at the playground)

- Rain or shine.
- Dress for the weather and the terrain.
- Bring water and hat.
- While you're here, take time for a hike and see how the wildflowers have bloomed since Prairie Fest.

PS:

FOTHNA now has a FaceBook page and Tandy Hills Natural Area has a Wikipedia entry.

The Dallas Morning News Has Been Canceled

My one longtime reader may remember that some time back I was at Sprouts Farmers Market when I got talked into subscribing to the Dallas Morning News.

I'd been living fine without a newspaper, after an addiction to reading a morning paper that goes back as far as my memory, but then that sales guy at Sprouts made an offer I just could not refuse.

I got 3 months of the Dallas paper at something like 15 bucks a month and $25 of Sprouts gift cards. I thought I remembered the sales guy saying the monthly rate after the initial period would be somewhere in the $17 range. But that may have been if I pre-paid for a year.

I'd gotten rid of the Star-Telegram when the delivery person annoyed me, but that was just the last straw. The paper had been steadily shrinking, and then when I was in Washington, last summer, they raised the monthly subscription to $17.50. Paying more for a smaller paper seemed wrong.

So, I'd been wondering why I've not seen a bill for the Dallas Morning News, or had the delivery person knock on my door. Or someone call me.

This morning there was no Dallas Morning News on my doorstep. So, about 8 I called customer service. One does not as quickly get a live person when calling the Dallas paper as one does when calling the Fort Worth paper. When I finally got a human on the line he told me the paper had been stopped because the bill had not been paid.

I told the guy I'd gotten no bills. I said I can pay it right now. He said that'd work. Apparently the pre-paid period ended March 21. He told me I owed $27.50 for the period from March 21 til May 4. I said fine.

So, that'll be $57.50 to get the paper started again in the morning, he said.

What? Why's that?

He said to get the paper started I had to pay a month ahead. The paper is $30 a month, I asked?

Yes, he said the rate had recently gone up. So, I'm thinking for the 43 day period between March 21 and May 5 I'm getting charged $27.50. And then for the first 30 day period after re-starting the subscription I'm getting charged $30.00?

That really did not make a lot of sense and seemed a rather steep price increase. And so that's what I said to the customer service guy.

He then told me if I pre-paid by some number of months, I don't remember the number, I could get the paper at $22.50 a month. That had me thinking back to that guy at Sprouts and me thinking he said it'd be something like $17.00 a month.

Anyway, I wasn't liking any of this. And so I told the guy to just send me a bill for the amount I owe and we'll just keep the paper stopped from being delivered.

And now I'm thinking it's pretty dumb on the Dallas Morning News' part to go to the bother and expense of sticking a couple guys in Sprouts to lure new subscribers. They hook one, that being me. And then the follow through is not so good.

The first problem was they had trouble getting delivery started. I got a call thanking me for subscribing, which is when I told the caller I'd not gotten a paper yet. To which she replied that delivery was supposed to have started 3 days prior. The little mistake could easily have had me canceling way back then.

But, I stuck with it. I blogged about thinking the Dallas paper was so much better than the Star-Telegram. So, then they had their new subscriber casting out positive words. Look what they've got their ex-subscriber casting out now.

And then they botch getting a bill to me. And then they stop delivery without ever contacting me. And then the cost of the paper goes up to nearly double what I thought it'd be when I initially subscribed.

It really is not that great a mystery to see why newspapers are in trouble. And in a perfect metaphor for that, Monday night the Fort Worth Star-Telegram building caught fire and had to be evacuated. I really don't know if that's a perfect metaphor, or not. I just like that "perfect metaphor" cliche.

So now I'm back to reading books when I lay on the floor in the morning drinking coffee. And I'll be getting my local news from the online versions of the two local papers. For free. I'll also be getting FW Weekly weekly. For free.

This probably is a change for the good.

Veterans Park, Fry's, Sweet Tomatoes and Strawberries

Isn't it about Day 12 of the Swine Flu Siege? Everywhere I go there are kids. It's time for them to go back to school. Then again we are almost at the time of year when school here lets out for the summer, so the respite would be brief.

I have a slightly sore throat and an odd burning sensation. I'm not much of a hypochondriac, but I'm almost certain my immune system is battling something.

I needed to get a web cam today. That meant going to Fry's Electronics in Arlington. That easily turned into going on a hike around Veterans Park on the way.

There were a lot of those aforementioned kids running around in Veterans Park. Veterans Park is in Arlington. Has Arlington closed its schools too? I don't know.

Today the Veteran statue at the memorial in Veterans Park, in addition to his regular guard duty, was also protecting wildflowers, helping to enforce a sign asking people to please STAY OFF WILDFLOWERS. Sadly, there did not appear to be too many wildflowers to stay off of, with no real need for a guard.

I don't like shopping, unless I already know exactly what I want. This was not the case with the web cam. Too many choices of varying levels of quality. I ended up with an HP web cam.

After Fry's it was around lunch time. Since I was in the neighborhood, a visit to Sweet Tomatoes seemed to make sense. Despite previously saying that until this flu crisis abates I was going to stay out of buffet lines.

But, I came prepared. I had my mask, I had several pairs of surgical gloves, I had my hand sanitizer. I'm almost 100% I did not pick up a virus while picking up stuff to eat in the buffet line.

Speaking of eating, it had been awhile since I'd been to Sweet Tomatoes. It seemed particularly good today. Strawberry is the theme for the month. There was a strawberry salad, strawberry buttermilk muffin,, strawberry mouse (is that how you spell that? It does not look right), strawberry cobbler and I'm probably forgetting a strawberry thing or two.

Glen Bucy Takes On Fort Worth's Good Ol' Boy Network

A 27 year old Fort Worth native named Glen Bucy has had enough of Fort Worth's Good Ol' Boy Network and the wrong direction he feels it has Fort Worth heading.

And so Glen Bucy is taking on Jungus Jordan, trying to take his city council seat away, and thus removing one member of Fort Worth's Ruling Junta.

Wikipedia has an article about Good Ol' Boy Networks. Below is part of that article...

Good ol' boy describes a system of social networking and perceptions alleged to exist prevalently among certain communities and social strata in the United States. Although the term originated in the South, these networks can be found throughout the U.S. and the rest of the Western world. It is typically taken to refer to informal legal, judicial, social, religious, business, and political associations among white males ("good ol' boys"); however, in modern times can be composed of either or both sexes. In some areas, the good ol' boy network is said to still exert considerable influence over many aspects of local government, business, and law enforcement. Usage of the term can often imply a wrongful exclusion of others from the network; however, often the emphasis is on inclusion of a member, as in, "doing a good ol' boy a favor".

Some negative effects of the good ol' boy network are its exclusion of others, leading to leaders of a community possibly limiting business transactions to other elites, or to friends or acquaintances from within the network, to give friends better deals, and generally to reinforce traditional power structures over any other elements in the society.

In West & Clear's Forum about the City Council Elections someone named fwtacoma (not me) commented on Glen Bucy's qualifications, to which Glen Bucy replied with the following...

fwtacoma, I respect your view on my candidacy. However, you said “you probably are not familiar with way a city is run, much less this City.” Let me start by saying that I know exactly how this city works, that is why I am running. The city is run by the “good old boy” club and “special interests”.

The people of Fort Worth have been forgotten. I am running to let city council and our leadership know that “We the people” are not blind to their true motives and interests.

I am reminded of a quote by Edmond Burke “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” I respect Mr. Jordon and mean him no ill will, however, I do believe that Mr. Jordon and most of the city council are ethically challenged and I question their true intentions for running for public office.

With that being said do not belittle my experience, in my 27 years of life, I have been faced by more challenges then most people experience in a lifetime. I have looked evil in the eye and emerged victorious. At the age of 17, I was shot at and many of my friends killed just for attending a church service. When I was 21 I faced an almost constant bombardment of Mortar attacks, multiple IEDs, and the possibility of death on a daily basis while serving my country which includes Fort Worth in Afghanistan fighting in the War on Terror.

Age is not a matter of importance, our own mayor was elected to his first public office in his 20’s or is he a more qualified candidate because of his families status in Fort Worth? I have fought for my county against evil and those who would seek to harm her. I am now fighting for the People of Fort Worth and their interests I.E. “Roads” and not of those who would contribute the most money to my campaign. Let me remind you that our first President was not an Economist, but a Soldier!

The church service to which Bucy refers, where he was shot at and saw friends killed, was the infamous Wedgewood Baptist Church Massacre about a decade ago, soon after I moved to Fort Worth.

Fort Worth Blossoms Under Mike Moncrief

This morning's Fort Worth Star-Telegram's letters to the editor once more had 2 letters to the editor in support of re-electing Mayor Mike Moncrief.

And once again the letters appear to have spun from the same boiler plate as previous letters to the editor in support of Moncrief.

And for the first time amongst these letters hyperbolic nonsense there is a mention made of some actual thing Moncrief supposedly has done for Fort Worth during his reign, that being a supposed 10% reduction in homelessness.

These cliche filled letters have so many gems. In one the writer says he or she had watched the community rally behind the homeless program? Huh? How do you watch such a thing? And the city has blossomed under Moncrief? Huh, again? How has it blossomed? Are there more wildflowers?

Anyway, below are the 2 Moncrief letters of the day (that the Star-Telegram should charge a fee to print as an advertisement)....

Fort Worth mayor

Mike Moncrief has long ago proved his loyalty and devotion to Texas and to the city of Fort Worth.

One can research his political career and see that his tireless efforts and his personal contributions more than reflect this dedication to service. He has proved himself to be a brilliant businessman and has a vision of many improvements for the future of Fort Worth.

This city has blossomed since he took office, and I hope to see him here for a long time.

It would be so nice to read ALL of the facts and not just the bits and pieces of information that the Star-Telegram wants us to know — therefore we must do our homework.

— Phyllis Campos, Fort Worth

Mayor Mike Moncrief’s homeless-assistance initiative shows his sincere and heartfelt passion for our city and all our residents.

I recently saw that homelessness in Fort Worth has been reduced by almost 10 percent in the short time of this important program. Moncrief’s leadership on this issue has uplifted community awareness and inspired action by many in the city for a group of neighbors who are truly least fortunate.

I have watched the community rally behind this very worthy program to help house, care for and retrain the city’s homeless population. A great leader is measured on many levels, and Fort Worth is fortunate to have a mayor whose sincerity and compassion inspires others.

— Libby Lindstrom, Arlington

28 Questions for Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief

Minutes ago I got a blog comment regarding Fort Worth's corrupt Mayor Moncrief, who is seeking to be re-elected, asking 28 questions of the Mayor of Fort Worth who answers no questions. I published the comments and then thought them worthy of a blogging.

Here are the questions the Mayor of Fort Worth can't or refuses to or won't answer...

28 Questions for Mike Moncrief

1. Do you think that your personal relationship with executives from Four Sevens Oil/Gas Co. and possibly other such firms sends the wrong message to Fort Worth citizens who expect you to make unbiased decisions on their behalf? Do you see it as a conflict of interest? Should you recuse yourself from any City Council decisions regarding that firm or any others seeking gas drilling business in Fort Worth?

2. Will you please provide an exact date for when the gas drilling Task Force will convene to revisit the drilling ordinance as was announced months ago? Why has the city continued to issue drilling permits during the same time period without offering citizen input? Why does the Task Force consist of an inordinate number of lawyers for the gas drilling interests and developers? Shouldn't this committee be made up exclusively of concerned citizens?

3. Will you institute an immediate moratorium on drilling permits until the Task Force has adequate time to research and discuss this complicated issue that can have severely detrimental effects on our health, property values and safety? Will you make that moratorium retroactive for any permits issued that are yet to be operational?

4. Why has the city yet to announce a formal evacuation plan near existing drill sites in the event of a catastrophic accident?

5. What is the blast radius of a typical gas well drilled inside the city limits?

6. How does Fort Worth compare with other cities of similar size in the number of acres of green space? How many acres of existing green space will be lost within the city limits if drilling continues as currently allowed? How does this relate to the fact that Fort Worth is one of the only cities in Texas without a tree protection ordinance?

7. Are the effects of gas drilling in Fort Worth considered when making plans to clean up the air quality in Fort Worth? Considering that we had a significant increase in high ozone days this past summer (2005) and that the weather patterns will tend to be the same or worse in coming years, is it prudent to allow another substantial pollution source to be added to this serious health problem?

8. Since it is a known fact that gas drilling has a negative impact on property values and marketability and that even Tarrant County Commissioner, J.D. Johnson, among many others, has suffered great loss to his property due to gas drilling, why isn¹t more done to notify citizens of these facts and change the ordinance to minimize or eliminate such damages? Why wasn¹t this announced before the ordinance was in place? Are you concerned that perhaps the city and private mineral rights owners may be sued for damages to their property values and for other reasons?

9. Do you agree that allowing such an industry-friendly ordinance to be in place is an example of misplaced priorities?

10. Were the negative impacts of long term use of heavy duty, industrial gas drilling vehicles on city streets considered when the ordinance was written?

11. How do you respond to Fort Worth police officer, Augustus Green, NPO, who has written that gas drilling in neighborhoods is a crime magnet, a noise and dust nuisance, and increases traffic congestion?

12. Are you concerned with the multi-millions of gallons of clean Fort Worth water that is used in drilling each gas well while we remain in a prolonged drought with no foreseeable end and an ever increasing population?

13. What is your reaction to the many reports of illegal dumping of oil and polluted water by gas drilling companies working in our area? How do you feel about the various criminal indictments against oil/gas executives nationwide?

14. Do you agree that gas drilling in Fort Worth will have a negative effect on the city of Fort Worth's image around the country and the world? Do you anticipate a decrease in convention and tourism dollars as a result? Do you think a city that allows gas drilling in it's neighborhoods fits the criteria of one of America's Most Livable Cities?

15. Are you aware that HUD (Federal Dept. of Housing and Urban Development) reports that operating and abandoned gas wells pose potential hazards to housing, including potential fire, explosion, spray and other pollution? Why was this information not made public to Fort Worth citizens before the gas drilling ordinance was in place?

16. Is it true that the gas drilling companies, developers, their lawyers and JP-Morgan Chase had major roles in writing of the present ordinance? Do you think that might have the appearance of a conflict of interest to the average citizen?

17. What is a "tubingless" production well? Why are they considered so dangerous? Will they be allowed in Fort Worth? Can our inspectors adequately monitor their use?

18. What is a "sour gas" well? Does Fort Worth have any? Do we have a guarantee? Why are they so dangerous and what is the city doing to prevent their drilling? What are the negative health effects associated with such wells?

19. Do you think the statement, "The USA needs the gas so we must do our part," is an example of misplaced priorities? Wouldn't it be more prudent to improve conservation measures?

20. Are you aware that the process of gas well "fracturing" is known to pollute ground water, permanently polluting clean water sources? Did you know this exact problem occurred on the property of Tarrant County Commissioner, J.D. Johnson and that he had no recourse against the gas drilling company?

21. Do you think it's important to announce to the public that there is no such thing as "free money" from gas drilling under city owned property and that the negative effects may result in a net loss for taxpayers in the long run? Are you willing to pass this burden on to future generations?

22. Do you think that, all things considered, it has served the higher good of our city our neighborhoods and citizens to allow gas drilling under the present ordinance? In you opinion, has it enhanced or reduced our "quality of life"?

23. Do you agree that the city has bent over backwards to assist drilling companies while passing a white-washed ordinance with little to no protection for Fort Worth residents and their interests?

24. Are you aware that the noise from compressors and other equipment long after a well is completed has forced some residents to sell their property or endure unending noise?

25. Do you consider it unethical that gas drilling representatives fanned out to Fort Worth's various neighborhood groups to gain support for their activities without fully explaining the negative effects of such activities?

26. Will you please explain why there is not a viable forum for logging citizens complaints regarding gas drilling? Are you aware that city supervisor, David Lunsford, reports that there have been no citizen complaints about noise from drilling rigs, despite dozens of citizen reports to the contrary? Are you aware that the city attorney has advised calling 911 to lodge complaints?

27. Are you aware that the many problems associated with gas drilling are happening all across the country and are well documented in many cases by federal agencies such as the BLM and HUD as well as other trusted sources such as National Geographic? In spite of this you have allowed an industry friendly ordinance to be in place in Fort Worth. Do you regret you decision to allow this to happen and what, if anything, will you do to reverse it before more damage is done?

28. Considering all the above, would you be willing to live within 300' or even 3,000' of a gas well or a major pipeline? If not, why would expect anyone else to? Dear Mayor Moncrief: There are rumors circulating that the Task Force to revisit the gas drilling ordinance has been intentionally stacked with citizens who are pro drilling. It has been said that the reason the initial Task Force was canceled at the last minute was to keep citizens against gas drilling off the committee and allow council members to hand pick the committee. If this is true, doesn't that mean the Task Force is nothing more than a farce and that no meaningful changes to the ordinance can occur? At the very least, isn't this an unethical way of approaching this urgent and important public issue? Are you willing to make public record the mineral rights holdings of yourself and council members within Fort Worth?

Sincerely-
Fort Worth Citizens Against Neighborhood Drilling Ordinance

Great Depression 2.0, Nephew Joey, Wal-Mart & Spaghetti

One of my favorite Facebookers put spaghetti on my mind this morning. So, a bit after noon I headed to my nearby Wal-Mart Supercenter to get spaghetti fixin's.

Judging by the post-church throngs in Wal-Mart, today, it sure is hard to believe we are in the throes of the Great Depression 2.0.

In the Great Depression 1.0 there were food lines. In the Great Depression 2.0 there are grocery store lines.

I did not buy milk today. Nothing at Wal-Mart vexed me today.

Nephew Joey called a couple minutes ago to tell me he is heading south on June 20. South to Phoenix, not Texas. I'll see if I can get myself to Phoenix in June. By then it'll be real hot. But I should be used to it, being in Texas. But, Joey? Coming in from the frigid northwest?

Then again, the summer before I moved to Texas Joey and his big brother Jason took their favorite uncle to Las Vegas. Our second day there the paper had the news that the conditions were such that Death Valley might break its temperature record.

The nephews were game to go, so we headed to Death Valley. It did not break the record, but at the lowest spot in our hemisphere, Badwater, almost 300 feet below sea level, it was 124. So, I think Joey will do fine in a Phoenix summer.

So, that's my fine day today. That and the spaghetti was real good.

The Ongoing Onslaught Of Mayor Mike Moncrief Propaganda

I was looking for a "Ruling Junta" image and this is the best I could come up with.

Each morning brings fresh, cliche-ridden, propaganda-like letters to the editor of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that never have a single fact in them to buttress their exaggerated claims of the wonderfulness of the mayor reign of Mike Moncrief.

One of today's letter writers feels quite blessed to have Moncrief be the mayor of the greatest city in the world.

I'll copy the two letters below, then below that I'll have fun writing my own letter to the editor in support of Mike Moncrief in the style of these Ruling Junta shills.

Moncrief for mayor

There seems to be a lot of negative press lately about our mayor, Michael J. Moncrief.

I just wanted to say that Moncrief seems always to have the best interest of our city at heart without prejudice or personal gain.

He is always generous, respectable and honorable and seems to serve his community out of love for our city. I pray we are only so blessed to have Moncrief re-elected for another term as the representative of the greatest city in the world — Fort Worth.

— Donovan Steen, Fort Worth

This election is vital for Fort Worth, and the re-election of Mayor Mike Moncrief will help assure the integrity of this great city.

This is a treasure among other cities as we remain vibrant, fresh and full of life.

Moncrief fully backs our police and firefighters and their policies to enhance our safety. He supports tax controls and “real” spending accountability and champions quality-of-life efforts throughout our neighborhoods.

I have worked with Mike on a number of projects and know, without hesitation, that he is a man of his word and true to his commitment to us all. Fort Worth is one of the most desirable and livable cities in this country, and Mike and Rosie Moncrief work tirelessly to make that a reality for generations to come.

Moncrief has truly earned our vote — Fort Worth will remain in good hands as a result!

— Dr. William M. Jordan, Fort Worth

Mike Moncrief is the greatest mayor in the history of the world. I don't know how Fort Worth could possibly get along without his vibrant leadership which has made Fort Worth the envy of cities and towns far and wide.

Mike Moncrief is always a saint of a man. He listens to all points of view and then does what is right for Fort Worth.

Mike Moncrief looks after taxpayer's money with a vigilance that is truly admirable. A more honest, admirable, vigilant man can not be found anywhere in America.

Mike Moncrief cares deeply about the welfare of every citizen of Fort Worth. Mike is totally behind our firefighters and police, unlike other mayors who are not behind their firefighters and police.

Mike Moncrief works tirelessly to keep Fort Worth a city that has others green with envy over the most desirable and livable city in America. Mike does all this with only the interest of the city of Fort Worth in mind, with no personal gain to him.

You must vote for Mike Moncrief. The fate and future of Fort Worth hangs in the balance.

--Durango Jones, Fort Worth