“The Way I See It” is an attempt by the columnist to enlighten readers on a subject as he views it, and does not necessarily reflect the views of this publication.

News You May Have Missed

The Media is creating a big ‘Kerfluffle’ about a Class Action Lawsuit against Trump University, and Trump’s criticism of the Judge, who is of “Mexican” extraction. The Media lap-dogs are howling for his blood, but as usual, seem to miss many of the most important facts.

Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel is a member of the San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association (SDLRLA), the group which considers various pro-illegal immigrant organizations as part of its “community.” Luis O. Osuna, SDLRLA President, recently claimed that they were not “affiliated with the National La Raza Council”’(NLRC), but that flies in the face of their name and their history. http://declared economic war on Donald Trump in a national campaign launched on thedailycaller.com/2016/06/06/meet-the-pro-illegal-immigrant-groups-the-la-raza-lawyers-of-san-diego-consider-part-of-their-community/ Judge Curiel is a lifetime member of the Hispanic National Bar Association, a La Raza-affiliated group that group’s website one year ago. http://www.wnd.com/2016/06/trump-u-judges-group-boycotting-trump/

The NLRC is a ‘race-based’ organization whose major program is aiding and abetting “illegal Immigration” or Criminal Invaders from Mexico. They provide legal help to keep them here, and also aid these Criminal Invaders in enrolling in Welfare Programs that add to the burden on American Taxpayers. There are many reasons that individuals and groups want more Illegal Immigrants, but they are selfish, often anti-American, and contribute to ignoring and violating Federal Law, as well as damaging our economy.

Why is a member of an organization whose major purpose is to violate Federal Law and aid these Criminal Invaders allowed to be a Federal Judge? Why is he not impeached, and removed from office? His bias is obvious. Trump is pledged to stop, or at least try to stop, illegal immigration. Here is a Federal Judge who is violating his Oath of Office to support the Constitution and enforce Federal law, but openly supports race-based violation of the Law, and Trump, who is trying to expose his bias; so who is the real “Racist!” here? Duh?

In the TU case, students and graduates of the now defunct Trump University are suing him because they are not successful in their “Real Estate careers”, even after writing very positive reports on their educational experience. One of the original ‘Complainants’ had to be “dismissed” because of earlier testaments praising Trump University. Trump’s defense is if that Complainant had to be dismissed, the whole case should be dismissed. Another point is the law firm representing the Plaintiffs is closely connected with the Clintons & Hillary’s campaign. The Real Estate Market has collapsed since 2008 because of very bad Lib/Prog Democrat policies! Why don’t they sue the real cause? (Because Politicians write the laws, and give themselves immunity, but it is easy to get “help” to sue Trump!) It is really a lawsuit designed to embarrass Trump and influence the election. That is why Trump refuses to “settle the case” and insists on a trial. Point of honor.

The book, CLINTON CASH, the Untold Story of How and Why Foreign Governments and Businesses Helped make Bill and Hillary Rich is available through the county library, and every voter should read it before the General Election. Bill Clinton has been paid more than $16 million to give speeches and serve as “honorary chancellor” of Laureate Education, while Hillary Clinton’s State Department funneled at least $55 million to Laureate Education Inc. http://www.wnd.com/2016/06/clinton-for-profit-education-scandal-dwarfs-trump-u/#qphGGcpilbcUGYiu.99 Hillary was instrumental in giving hundreds of millions of Govt tax dollars to this company, but it too convoluted to explain here. Isn’t that slightly more important than a few former ‘students’ of TU who failed to meet their income expectations trying to “shake down” the Trump campaign with the help of a “Clinton Crony” law firm, and an “Illegal Immigrant activist” judge?

When they left the White House in 2001, the Clintons claimed to be “dead broke”. But their income from 2001 to 2012 was at least $136.5 million, mostly from Bill’s speeches. CLINTON CASH explains that many of the groups and individuals that paid $150,000 and up for his ‘words of wisdom’ hoped to gain support from SENATOR Hillary Clinton in addressing issues or getting grants. After Hillary became Secretary of State, his fees exploded up to $750,000 and even one for $800,000. The book explains the convoluted process how Hillary managed to sell a large part of the U.S. uranium production to a Canadian based company, and then to Russian oligarchs representing the Putin govt of Russia. All for large ‘donations’ to the Clinton Foundation. Does anyone wonder why Putin and the Russians have no respect for, and certainly no fear of the Obama Clown Circus? We also know that Hillary has given very lucrative speeches to Wall Street Companies and collected millions in campaign donations. What is she promising them this time? She will NOT release the transcripts, and there is no way to force her.

George Orwell, who wrote the dystopian socialist novel 1984, said, “In times of universal deciet, telling the TRUTH is a Revolutionary Act.” Trump is the brave soul that is doing that, and there is now a real ‘Movement’ to save America. Orwell wrote 1984 as a warning, but Hillary , Obama, and other Lib/Progs read it as ‘an instruction manual’. Destroying America is OK as long as they get to be in charge. Trump realizes this and is going to change it. In his his post election speech Tuesday 6/7/16, http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/06/08/trump-brushes-aside-judge-controversy-goes-after-clinton.html?intcmp=hpbt2 he explained that he beat a rigged system to win the GOP primary, he intends to be America’s champion, and Make America Great Again. He has been fighting against all of the Washington Cartel: RINOS, Democrats, Progressive Socialists, Lobbyists, political lawyers, The Media, and dozens of “Special Interest Groups”, and he has won, and won fairly by simply telling the truth. The Leftist Media hate that, but he gets more Media exposure fighting them than his enemies can buy with millions of dollars. When they attack him, it only proves their bias and exposes their lies, because Trump will not fold and bow down to a crooked system or Political Correctness. He is beating the Media at their game of “controlling the news”, by speaking out, and with the Internet, the truth is out there, just takes a little effort to uncover it, because the Media is going to spin it to suit the Dem/Socialists and the Washington Cartel, and try to destroy anyone that threatens their little playhouse in Sodom-on-the-Potomac.

The Fourth of July celebration will soon take place in Port O’Connor with the greatest fireworks display in the whole region. Our Chamber of Commerce always does an excellent job with a huge task. They must plan long before summer arrives so all the festivities can come off as expected. A group of friends gather each year on our parsonage’s balcony to watch the excellent display of beautiful “lights in the sky,” then we watch the hundreds of cars that are trying to get back home from the front beach – and that “light show” generally lasts much longer than the official one.

The Chapel will have a special service where we will all remember the founding of our nation and praise the Lord for His blessings upon us. There is no nation on earth that has been blessed by God like the United States of America. We have more freedoms, more natural resources, and more opportunities than any place on earth! We believe it is fitting for us to pause from the ice cream, watermelon, and barbecue to praise the Lord for His blessings!

Less than three decades after the end of the Revolutionary War that won the United States its independence, the former colonies once again found themselves embroiled with Great Britain. Two years into the conflict we now call the War of 1812 the British marched into Washington, D.C. nearly unopposed.

The United States Army and government officials abandoned the capitol, escaping to Virginia. The humiliating British onslaught climaxed with the torching of the Capitol building, the White House, and many other structures. It took a providential storm to drive the British from the city.

During the following assault on Baltimore’s Fort McHenry, lawyer Francis Scott Key found himself aboard the admiral’s ship of the British fleet in order to negotiate the release of a medical doctor friend. The release terms attained, the two were temporarily detained while the bombardment of the fort continued. The darkness caused Key to wonder how the fort – and the flag – fared.

When the morning dawned, Key peered anxiously through the early mist that shrouded the ship. The flag was still flying, which meant that Fort McHenry was still in American’s hands. Quickly he scribbled some words on an envelope he had been carrying. They were the lyrics of “Defense of Fort McHenry,” later to be called “The Star Spangled Banner.”

How many of us know the fourth verse of “The Star Spangled Banner”?
“Oh! Thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peach, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!”

Frances Scott Key was a devout Christian who started thousands of Sunday Schools in his role with the American Sunday School Union. That final stanza was based upon Psalm 143:8: “Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in Three do I trust; cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee.”

It was not until 1931 “The Star-Spangled Banner” became the national anthem. But 50 years after Key penned his tribute, “In God We Trust” first appeared on our United States coinage – and in 1956, Congress declared it the national motto. By faith, Francis Scott Key saw that as the motto for our nation in 1814.

With many people attempting to replace our flag, may we fly our flag proudly this Independence Day. May we also recognize our Dependence upon God! Trust in God is our national heritage, our mottto…and in our national anthem. “ “God Bless America!” “God Bless the U.S.A.!”

Cornerstone Charity and Seadrift School
presents
2016 Kids Clothes Drive
Drop off All New or Gently Used Clothing at the House of Prayer on Hwy 185 in Seadrift
Until the end of July
Call Richard at 361-250-0574 or Sonja at 361-746-2836

There is a common political statement that says, “Elections have consequences.” While this is true, often it is spoken as a negative. Last month, you all voted and are now seeing the consequences of that election: lower rates. Hopefully, these new rates are something you see as a positive. This course has been a long and, at times, painful process that we hope puts any previous acrimony in the rearview mirror, with a board now focused clearly on the future.

We thank everyone who voted. The board consciously did not promote a voting recommendation, choosing instead to simply provide the facts and allow everyone to come to their own conclusions. Your voice was heard loudly and clearly. So, what is next? As we wrote on the Facebook page:

“On May 7th, voters chose to change district repair and upgrade spending from revenue bonds to property tax bonds. Five days later, the board, by a vote of 5-0, chose to reduce rates beginning with the first bill after June 1st.
‘By how much will rates be reduced?’

The district voted to lower the charges by half of the recommended rates from the rate study. As you may remember, a few months ago, a rate specialist provided the district with a free rate study to analyze the rates. This study took the current expenses, as well as the costs for planned repairs and upgrades, and compared them to the revenues from rates to find a fair price for the community. At the conclusion of his study, he provided the district a recommended rate. The district chose to lower rates by half of that recommended amount so that ratepayers could have some relief this summer.

‘Why not 100 percent of the recommendation?’

That recommendation was based on changing the way the district pays for upgrades to property tax bonds, which was voted on and approved. However, the bonds need to be packaged and sold before the district can receive the money. Until the bonds are sold, there will be no additional money despite the affirmative vote.

The district could have elected to wait until the bonds have been sold but instead sought to apply some near immediate rate relief for the majority of ratepayers (up to ¾” and 1” meters). They also accepted the new water rates that were discussed through the rate study. Essentially, the district lowered what they charge for water. Finally, the district also changed the wastewater per 1,000-gallon charge from a flat $4, to a tiered rate that mirrors the water rate.

Combining the initial rate reduction with the lowering of the cost of water means that most ratepayers, on the affected meters, should see a reduction in rates of approximately 25 percent. Of course, as we noted in the newsletter, there are a number of variables that affect that number. In general, an approximate 25 percent reduction should apply to most customers.”

Communication will always be key to effective government. We will continue to strive to provide you with the facts so you can make a fair judgment on the issues. We do that through several channels.

The official district Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/POCIDofficial/) — On the site, we deliver timely information about upcoming issues, explain complex portions of the operational side of the district, and work to connect you to what is happening. Dolphin Talk — Most months, we will supply the Dolphin Talk with an article like you are reading now, updating ratepayers who may not have access to Facebook.Newsletter — Quarterly, we will supply the region with a newsletter that summarizes the current news of the district. Delivered directly to your email inbox, the newsletter focuses on the main issues and also provides contact points for reference. The district decided to print physical copies and make them available at key areas throughout the town for those without email.

If you have a Facebook account, please “like” us and join the conversation. If you didn’t receive the newsletter, please email me (chill@imaginationmonkey.com) and I will make sure you will be included on the next one. Our goal is to reach you and inform you. If you have any suggestions or questions, please let us know.

Your Port O’Connor Improvement District

Do you recognize the name Hera? More likely you are more familiar with the name Juno. Well this isn’t a test; it is just an opening salvo on the month of June. Hera happens to be the Greek Goddess version of the Roman Goddess Juno that is the name of the month. Both were in charge of taking care of females’ health, happiness and other things including marriage.

For your information, June is still the main month for marriage by a fair amount. I don’t really know because I didn’t get married in that month and neither did my parents. Oh, just to be proper, we both did get married.

That aside, June is a month of many surprises, like marriage brings to us all. For instance, it was on June 15 back in the year 1215 that King John of England signed the Magna Carta. That started the codification of the rights of common folk as opposed to Royal folk. John claimed when he didn’t follow the rules that he was coerced. That is a similarity to some marriages. But the ideas of the Carta persist to this day.

Then in 1812 on June 18, the US Senate, by a vote of 19 to 13, declared war on England. We won that war also. So far someone has won every war they fought or at least claims they did. The events after the war seem sometimes to belie that claim. This is also not unlike some marriages.

On June 26 in 1945, fifty nations signed the Charter of the United Nations. As of this year, there are now 193 nations in that organization headquartered in New York City. Even so, not all nations of the world are members for various reasons; some simply don’t want to be a member, some simply can’t be a member. Many argue about the,status the rationale and other details of the issues involved. About the best one can say is that this one seems to have been more successful than the League of Nations formed after WWI. But who really knows? We argue today about who can and can’t and that also mirrors marriage.

We end on a possible happier note. It was on June 27 that Mildred J. Hill was born in Louisville. Her claim to fame was writing one of the world’s most sung songs. That song is “Happy Birthday to You”. You might be interested in looking up the checkered history of that song which was finally settled and declared in the public domain in February of this year. Once again checkered is a word that could be used in many marriages.

You can see that those Goddesses Hera and Juno have been busy in their namesake month. That business has been either directly or indirectly associated with their main female type job.

Marriage is one of the most intimate companionships one can enter. So I offer a heartfelt huzza to Hera and Juno for their work.