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Check out my video from The Texas Rally For Life in Austin on Saturday here!

Pics are here and here.

Claver T Kamau-Imani is the gentleman who graciously asked me to be on the radio this morning with him on his new talk show in Houston on "The Truth In Black & Right!" Mon-Fri. 9-11am. KCHN 1050 AM. Streaming KCHNradio.com. I look forward to regularly talking to Claver and I'll let you guys know when the next time will be. But you guys listen every morning!

The nerves start, as Lilly looks out at the 300-pound players one-third his age. Then anxiety turns to terror when the coach sends him into the game. And Bob Lilly, once one of the most feared men in football, wakes up in a cold sweat.

This fall, historic national elections came and went, the stock market began a roller coaster ride, gas prices plunged and the economy continued its freefall. But all that domestic drama took a back seat in Galveston, where the sole focus remains the struggle to rebuild homes, livelihoods and dreams amid the rubble of Hurricane Ike.

Bob Lilly’s recurring nightmare has finally stopped. The dream where he is in uniform on the Dallas Cowboys’ sideline—gray hair under his helmet and a 60-something body hidden under pads.

On Thursday the Houston Chronicle reported the tragedy of Kristen Dewald:

...but I had no idea how awesome.

The Texas Insider explains why even during this economic slowdown, Texas continues strong growth and employment. Did you know these interesting tidbits?

*If Texas were a nation (and let's face it, it should be) it would be 12th largest economy in the world.

Hey, it could happen:

via The Travis Monitor

In part:

Please note that Texas is the only state with a legal right to secede from the Union . (Reference the Texas-American Annexation Treaty of 1848.)

So what does Texas have to do to survive as a Republic?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas is weeks away and I can already feel the spirit of Santa upon us. Shoppers buzz about the mall, making lists and checking them twice. Stockings are hung by the chimney with care. The tree is ablaze with twinkling lights, the fridge jammed full of goodies. The countdown ‘til Christmas has begun.
 

On November 19th the State Board of Education met in Austin. One of the items on the agenda was allowing public testimony about the science standards or TEKS. The Chron's commons live blogged the event here.

According to Editor & Publisher, circulation of the the Houston Chronicle is down 11.66 percent. The biggest percentage drop of any top 10 circulation newspaper in the country.

I realize that officials have done and are doing all they can, but where are the good people of the United States? We poured money into the Red Cross and other organizations for New Orleans after Katrina. Why can't we do the same for Galveston?

Fox News is reporting about that little boy that was kidnapped in Las Vegas:

LAS VEGAS — A relative of a boy allegedly kidnapped by men posing as police officers may have owned a Mexican drug cartel, FOX News has learned.

Police said the family of 6-year-old Cole Puffinburger was involved in the illegal drug trade.

Though he runs the largest state in the Union, Gov. Rick Perry made time to champion the Boy Scouts of America in his new book, On My Honor.

LoneStar Times has an amazing before and after picture of Galveston. It's stunning.  

I was reading an AP story about Galveston rebuilding and got a bit of a history lesson. As most of you probably know, a catastrophic hurricane hit the island in 1900 and 6000 people perished in the storm. In 1915 another hit, but only less than a dozen died.

As the FEMA supplied pods are shutting down here in Houston, the Churches and other volunteer organizations are stepping up to the plate to help those in need:

"We have a very good network throughout 18 counties to do distribution," said Brian Greene, president of the Houston Food Bank. "Normally it's all very low-income people below the poverty level being served," he added. "After the disaster it's people who never thought they'd see food from a food network."

God bless all of you that are hurting from Hurrican Ike. This has been a trying time for all of us. There has been a silver lining though. Neighbors helping neighbors. Everyone on our street has come out in the evenings and shared food and drink. We helped each other with cutting of trees and debri from our yards. This has happened all across Houston and I have been amazed at our communities.

Churches have opened their doors sheltering hurrican victims and providing beds, food, and comfort. The city has also done a remarkable job in rescue and the beginning of recovery. We have a lot to be proud of here amid the grief of what was lost.

Galveston and Houston will stand strong once again. As long as we know we are in this together, we can accomplish what needs to be done.

If you live outside the Houston/Galveston area and would like to help, the Salvation Army and the Red Cross are asking for monetary donations. That would probably be the best way. And continue to pray for those in need.

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