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October 11, 2005
Kevin Brady is having a really bad week
The Republican who represents the 8th Congressional District, comprising some of the northern Houston exurbs as well as many of the east Texas counties devastated by Hurricane Rita, has found himself in a world of hurt lately. Let's summarize his woes; first from the Chronicle (bold emphasis mine):
Rural East Texans cried and vented frustration today over the lack of relief aid they've received and their belief that federal and Red Cross aid is being unfairly concentrated on urban areas where the suffering is not as great.Dozens of residents gathered under tight security at First Baptist Church in Deweyville, which sits on the Texas-Louisiana border, to talk with Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives. Many said their homes are uninhabitable and the only power they have comes from generators.
U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, who wore a bulletproof vest under his dress shirt, attended meetings in Jasper, Newton, Deweyville and Buna today with plans to visit Orange, Vidor, Kountze and Woodville on Tuesday.
Brady spokeswoman Sarah Stephens said she couldn't offer specifics about the extra security, but said, "It's certainly not a fashion accessory and something we don't normally do when we're in the district."
As Brady stepped up to the church altar, four Texas Department of Public Safety troopers lined up in front of the lectern, separating the congressman and other federal officials from the rural residents who say their needs have been neglected.
Kevlar for a townhall meeting? Not even Tom DeLay has to do that (I don't believe). Sadly, it gets worse. Brady was arrested just last Friday night for DUI:
U.S. Rep Kevin Brady was arrested and charged with driving under the influence while in South Dakota, according to a published report.The Texas Republican was pulled over by a state trooper Friday night for a problem with the tail lights of his vehicle, The Dallas Morning News reported.
Authorities were waiting for results of a blood test to determine Brady's blood-alcohol level at the time of the arrest. The legal limit in South Dakota is 0.08. If convicted of the misdemeanor charge, Brady faces up to $1,000 fine and a year in jail, Clay County Sheriff Andy Howe said.
Brady was in East Texas on Monday and could not be reached for comment, spokeswoman Sarah Stephens told the newspaper.
Poor Ms. Stephens is really earning her salary, isn't she? But truly the most scandalous revelation was this, at the end of the previously cited article:
It was homecoming weekend at the University of South Dakota, so officers were on the alert for driving violations including manning sobriety checkpoints.Brady, 50, is a graduate of the University of South Dakota.
WHAT?!? He couldn't find a college in Texas to attend? And did he have to go to a school in Tom Daschle's state?
Is this man really Texan at all?
At least he was man enough not to force his spokeswoman to front for him about refusing to return the dirty DeLay money he took:
While U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, did not receive money from TRMPAC, he did receive $10,000 from ARMPAC in 2003."I'm certainly not going to return it," Brady said Thursday. "Tom DeLay has been fighting for everything important: less taxes, stronger national security and to protect our families. He has helped us restore sales tax deductions to Texans, and he played a key role in getting federal road dollars."
I'll bet you think Tom DeLay is a wonderful guy, don't you Congressman Brady?
..."As for me, the Tom DeLay I know is principled and respects the law. I just don't believe he would break the law, and this (DeLay's indictments for conspiracy and money-laundering) is going to give us a chance to see all the facts."
Something tells me that the good people of Southeast Texas are just about ready for a new Congressman. And there's lots of good Democrats in that part of the world who would delight in this challenge. =)
Posted by Perry Dorrell at October 11, 2005 07:40 AM | Permalink
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