Thursday, July 31, 2014

Visiting Judge Murray Renders No Decision in the Frank Morris Resignation Case~Seeks Briefs by August 15 for Late August Hearing

A more casual Judge Menton Murray
Fumbling for words, visiting substitute Judge Menton Murray ended his self-described "minding the store" gig, while other judge's vacationed, by not rendering a decision in the Frank Morris resignation case brought by 102 Precinct Chair Tad Hasse.  Morris was sitting in at Ben Euresti, Jr's 107th District Court for the 9:00 AM hearing July 31.

When Attorney Paul L. Fourt, Jr., representing Morris, raised the issue of jurisdiction, saying "some judges stay the heck out of inter-party matters," Judge Murray quickly agreed that he might be tempted to "send the matter to Austin for the Republicans," but then, there was this matter of the law, the Texas Election Code. At times Murray's judicial temperament conjured up images of 1992 Ross Perot running mate James Stockdale's opening remarks at the vice-presidential debate:  "Who am I?  Why am I here?"

Murry, who goes on vacation himself next week, recommended both sides submit briefs by August 15, but promised to be there for a hearing "by the end of August."  "This is my case now," Murray stated.  

Hasse opened by presenting as an exhibit, an email from Morris sent at 12:36 PM May 14, resigning as party chair.  After dutifully sharing copies of the email with Judge Murray, Attorney Fourt and Morris, Hasse asked Morris:  "Did you send this email?"

Looking it over, Morris answered:  "Yes, I did."


Tad Hasse
Hasse read off a list of several party officials including County Party Secretary Ida Stacy, who received the email, asking Morris if Stacy had received the email. Morris said she had.  The Texas Election Code specifies that the county secretary must receive a copy of the resignation by the county chair, then notify the state party of the vacancy.

Here is a copy of the body of the email:

“I submit my resignation as Cameron County Republican chairman effective immediately. Also I resign from the SREC (State Republican Executive Committee) SD 27 as of this date. 


If I need to resign on June 16th, I will do so. I also resign as the primary administrator for Cameron County this date. 

I will close out all vendors’ account requiring my approval. I no longer am authorized to sign any checks on any of the party banking accounts ... notify the new chairman (he) or she will have 30 days to pick up the materials and files of the county party, which is in accordance with our By-Laws

. . . . . It's been a great ride. I'm free at last."

Frank Morris
The email introduced as evidence by Attorney Fourt was the one written 11 hours AFTER the first Morris resignation email. This time Morris specifically resigned from only the term of office ending June 15, 2014.  

Hasse claimed that Morris was simply trying to "rescind" the resignation made 11 hours earlier, something Hasse contends is not allowed by the Texas Election Code.

Tad Hasse, 2nd from right
Who took this picture?
Also introduced into evidence by Fourt was a grainy, grayscale photo of precinct chairs including Tad Hasse being sworn in by Frank Morris well after his resignation.  It is Fourt's contention that, by allowing Morris to swear him in as precinct chair, Hasse was acknowledging Morris authority and rightful chairmanship.  We've not heard the last about this picture as some are claiming privately, that it was taken by Election Administrator Chris Davis, who also submitted a letter, documenting Morris' election as Republican County Chairman.

Today's hearing in the 107th District Court was sparsely attended with many local Republicans notably absent.  Adela and Patricia Garza, Morgan Graham, James Ross, Alex Torres, Eddie Padron and Sharon Batterson, all mentioned as possible future replacements for Frank Morris, did not make the hearing.

Current elected Republicans, County Judge Carlos Cascos and Judge Oscar X. Garcia were not present.

Election Administrator Chris Davis stepped in a few minutes late, but left abruptly before interaction with Valley Morning Star Staff Reporter Emma Perez-Trevino or bloggers Juan Montoya and Jim Barton.




126 comments:

  1. Jim, you're exposing your considerable bias here, as well as authoring a really crappy blog post. Perot's running mate was James StockDALE, not Stockton. Didn't have 30 seconds to confirm that or what? Paul Fourt's name is not Hourt, Jim. You got it right once then wrong twice. Maybe you need a proofreader. Roman's got nothing but time on his hands. Maybe he could do it. Now let's look at the photos you posted of the principals. Taddy-boy looks nice and spiffy, doesn't he? Guess he took his quarterly shower! How many pictures of Frank did you or your hey-boy have to take to get a shot of him with eyes closed three-quarters of the way? Your work here is sloppy, biased, and no longer worthy of my time. You like to tell those with whom you disagree to stay in school. Looks like you're in for a class or two yourself

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    Replies
    1. Because he f'ng resigned?

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    2. Calm down Roman...one would rather resign than get unanimously voted out of every committee they are on.

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  2. Thanks. Yes, Stockdale and Fourt, not Hourt. As for the pics, they were both one take. Mr. Morris said he was not a "morning person," but was quite amiable. I typically read through an article before hitting "publish," but I got in a hurry.

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  3. Chris, sit down.

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    Replies
    1. Please stand up!

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    2. ^^^^^^^^ lamer times 100thousandinfinitymillion

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  4. Republicans can be so quick to judge. High quality stuff Jim. It must be tough to sift through the bull to get to the truth.

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    Replies
    1. Of course, Nena and I are not members of either party. We've written many more articles about the corruption and disorganization in the Democratic Party.

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  5. Chris,
    I took one picture of each man. Neither man objected. I was not trying to make either man look good or bad. That's how they looked that moment.

    Nena Barton

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  6. How could the picture be taken when recording devices were baned in the GOP meeting by Frank? The guy has a lot of nerve to use it in court.

    Did Chris Davis really take the picture? Find out Jim.

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  7. From the angle of the grainy photo is had to have come from the phone cam of Lisa Mata.

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    Replies
    1. What a dumbass. That is Lisa on the right side of the frame

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    2. Nice try. She was getting sworn in. It was taken by someone who was not an elected precinct judge that was being sworn in. Limits the possibilities huh Chris?

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    3. The person being sworn in, in that picture is Meredith Macey , Pct 32. Who was sitting at the table to her right? Sandy Fredrichs and Lisa Mata.

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    4. 6.01 That's not Lisa. That's a ghost.

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    5. Chris Davis was in a position to take a pic from that angle. He may have given the pic to Frank when he gave him the letter proving he was elected as chair. Way to go Chris!

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    6. The picture was taken by a woman named Cecilia Nuñez.

      She has done this kind of thing before.

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  8. Most of the folks you mentioned as notably absent are either working out of town or on vacation out of state.

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  9. I've never seen Tad looking so "clean" and smiling!

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  10. Why don't you ask Morris who took the picture we assume taken with an electronic device? The Repubs will probably bestow honors and gratitude to the individual for doing it for the good of Frank Morris.

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    Replies
    1. It looks to me like it is a artists reinterpretation.

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    2. You know he didn't take the pic, numbskull.

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    3. Tsk. Tsk. Frank should know since he used it as evidence.

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    4. I took the photo.

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    5. Tad sure does love his "Tsk. Tak." Line. Semantics, Tad. Didn't you brag that you are always able to out a writer by them and cload yourself with it? Pride before the fall, pretender.

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    6. Morg u r not that good at this.

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    7. Hey, Jim. Why don't you post Frank's countersuit? You got it, right?

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  11. Who took the picture?

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  12. While the Republican parties of Hidalgo County and Nueces County grow....we are dealing with stupid rules forbidding recording devices and cell phones in Cameron County and turning around and letting the leadership breaking those exact rules. Nice job, Republican Party of Cameron County...how is that working out for you? You people should be ashamed of yourselves. The Democratic Party doesn't have to try and kill the Rep Party....they are doing it themselves quite nicely.

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    Replies
    1. Funny that the comment is coming from one of the people who can't move up in the party so he needs to target those he blames for his lack of success. Hahahahahahahahahahaha

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  13. Is Morris asleep? Maybe he's scowling because of his picture getting taken.

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    Replies
    1. Morris looked up at Nena as she focused the camera, then looked down as she took the picture. He did not object to having his picture taken.

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    2. 9:08 Maybe he's just senile.

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    3. Morris is definitely not senile. We had a nice visit before the hearing, mostly small talk about Harlingen, VA medical care etc.

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    4. Maybe he's sad.

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  14. See that #44 on the table in the left of the pic? That is my precinct and I was standing to the left of the table also being sworn in. I did not take the picture.

    It's no secret that I don't like the rule of no electronic devises. But, I followed the rules and even stepped out to text my kids during the meeting. This was when the constable followed me out to make sure I wasn't texting someone info about the meeting.

    Funny how during the meeting we had a boy sitting in the back playing games on an electronic devise (most of which can record btw), we had a laptop being used by James Ross at the head table, and Frank's phone started ringing. Now we see that someone took a picture in the middle of the meeting.

    So we see that there are people who don't think the rules should apply to them but expect the rest of us to follow them. Can you see the pattern? This is a recurrent problem among the leadership of Cameron County Republicans.

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    1. You can tell that photo was taken "secretly", were electronic devices allowed it would have been taken from a much better angle. The Morris machine drones are alive and well & following the marching orders. Yeah, that includes you, Chris Davis. You people are no better than the Sheila Jackson Lees of the world. hahahahahahahahahahaha

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    2. Lisa you obviously didn't take the photo, or did you and this is some elaborate ruse to get picture of Tad for your shrine of people who's name starts with the letter T.

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    3. Frank's phone: executive phone used for executoral exucations.
      James's laptop: executive laptop used executoral exucations.
      Kid playing gameboy: Sargent at Arms Executoral threat detecting non Executoral device detector.

      But srsly the kid took the photo.

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    4. Excellent points Lisa. It is a shame those establishment Republicans like Frank do not see.

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    5. The belief that this is establishment versus Tea Party is a false polarity. There are several Libertarians in the mix not going along with Yad's BS agenda.

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    6. Several usually means four or more....um....playing sock puppeteer doesn't count as several. You have me laughing at your in the mix line. Buahahahahaha.

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    7. So the moral of the story, Lisa, is that the sargeant at arms needs to tackle the little scofflaw brat with the portable gaming device! That will teach him not to respect authoritah!

      Two blasts with stun gun should do.

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    8. Respect my authoritah!

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  15. Lisa, you might want to review the actions taken by your friends over the past few months to promote what you think is a new age of transparency and honesty and good in the party. They attacked and slandered people, anonymously, those who had the nerve to disagree with them. Despite your intentions, as good as they might be, you are aligned with thise who viciously maligned others, including people who had nothing to do with your agenda and were innocent of any wrongdoing, you are all known by those you encourage in their campaign to hurt, to bully, and intimidate people into silence.

    As hard as you work to get rid of somebody you think is evil incarnate, you are going to replace him with far worse. The people whose hands are in the creation of this mess represent what your alternative is, and it is nothing good or Godly. I hope you take the time to think about that. But wisdom rarely tempers the actions of those seeking ill gotten gains, they think the ends justify the means. What plans do YOU have to keep the wolves from turning on the flock? Because they will. They ALWAYS do.

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    Replies
    1. Can you do us all a favor, Dreary, and stop playing the victim card? It is getting tired and refreshes my recollection of how Democrats play the race card or homophobe card.

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    2. Pssst...Ted....your puns SUCK almost as much as your public speaking skills.

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    3. Why do we have to get rid of him? He f'ng resigned!

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  16. Lisa, do you really feel that way about Sharon all the time or just when she is not around?

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    1. Two long paragraphs was not enough?

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    2. It appears there is someone looking right at the photographer and camera. Who is that guy so he can tell us who it was that took the picture?

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  17. The best time to where a striped sweater is all the time.

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  18. When I grow up I want to be an analyst or maybe a therapist. Or maybe both, that's it, I'll be a analrapist.

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  19. I guess I can see why the source of that grainy photo is important, sort of.
    But why isn't anyone talking about what the grainy photo shows? It shows a man that either:
    - never really believed in the county chair's ineligibility, or
    - worse, lacked the courage of his convictions when he swore an oath before an ineligible county chair.
    Really, folks? This is your Che? That's downright pathetic.

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  20. Lisa is correct .. it could not have been her. The guy looking straight at the cam is Candidate Larry Smith.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I honestly think photo taker was Lisa and She was just collecting photos for her shrine.

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    2. Nothing wrong with that...but if he graduates to collecting hair we otta start worrying.

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  21. I wish you had a like or dislike button so we could weigh in on others' comments, w/o having to start another fire that takes off in the wrong direction.

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  22. How do we reach these keeeeeeeeeds?!

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  23. Jim, you should ask Larry who he saw take the picture. As a former veteran, I know he will answer honestly. Larry is the key to this mystery.

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  24. Who care?! Seriously...you want to out a photographer and everybody who comments but you never have the balls to post under your name.

    Here puss puss puss puss puss!

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    Replies
    1. James ees gettin escared.

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    2. James is out of town with no internet access, fuzzy nuts.

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    3. Is James out-of-town because Frank is afraid of him getting subpoenaed?

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    4. No, he is training to serve his country. It's a real shame that asshats like you are so critical of people who are actually trying to grow the party. What have you done for your county? What have you done for Camron? How many members have you gotten to join and be active this year? Your a real acumbag.

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    5. Sharon or Morgan (whichever of you is using the brain right now), it's awfully convenient that he chose now of all times to disappear. However, this "training" still gives him the time to post on FB and anonymously here. Also growing the party, don't make me laugh! Unless he's growing the party while he's growing his fat ass at Mickey D's, he's done nothing except drag a well-respected man's name through he gutter as well as the painstaking task of being one of Frank Morris's stooges. James Ross is a child and since he can't own up to taking a picture, HE OBVIOUSLY HAS NO BALLS!

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    6. Say it to my face bitch!

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    7. 2:56 : you are not only a liar, you are an ass.

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    8. Except the fact that he let everyone know he was going to training over 3 months ago. You would know that if you went to a event once in a while.

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    9. I bet you think bush did 9/11 also,
      Or that the ilumanaughty can read minds.
      Or that Hilary Clinton is a lizard.(everyone knows that She is a snake)

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    10. 3:32: I would, James. I'm not afraid of you or Frank's ball-less minions. The problem is you're hiding out so you can't be subpoenaed. You're move, bitch.

      5:58: We both know Frank neuters all his pets. It's ok Morgan, it'll all be over soon. Soon as Frank admits to usurping power and steps down.

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    11. Anony 2:56....who is the "well respected man" you speak of? I have yet to hear of one being mentioned in this manufactured saga.

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    12. Funny when anonymous posters, and nothing but, make claims that others have no balls.

      - Captain Spanky

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    13. 7:27, i mean Ted "Limp Dick" Hassehole, nobody is getting subpoenaed. Stop trying to create a bigger melodrama than you already have.

      You love this crap. You love the attention, the fighting, the anonymous assaults you get to launch and oddly enough, receiving them. They make you feel important. But you are not. You are a joke. The fact that you have to blatantly lie furthers the truth that you are just a dingleberry on the butthole of Brownsville- you serve no purpose, but you sure are irritating until you get smeared on a square of toilet paper and flushed.

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    14. 7:27: it is "your" not "you're", bitch. And he really has been in training and preparing for deployment.

      But now that we all know an ooenly lying scumsucker you are, I guess that settle what you and your friends' words are worth, right?

      Keep making shit up, Nad.

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    15. ^^^ Captain Spanky is Alex Torres! He got that nickname when he got bored during the night shift at Mickey D's.

      ^^^^ 8:21: Was that the event where Frank came in with James on leash. Good doggie! Ruff!

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    16. 2:56: can you show us any of those Facebook posts you are making up?

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    17. 10:22: I can't show you anything I made up, but I can show you an ex-blonde housewife desperately grasping at straws.

      10:20: We both know James is on deployment at Mickey D's. Btw, his supervisor called. He wants James to quit stuffing his face on the job and get back to work.

      ps. If you stooges had a brain between you, you'd know when you got a toung whipping from Tad Hasse. He has more supporters than you know. Many of them talk to you on a daily basis.

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    18. Nice try, but no cigar.

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  25. All the elected precinct chairs were standing with their right hand raised.
    All the ones to be appointed were seated at the backs of the room.
    That leaves staff and two guests.
    One guest is in the photo.
    Staff of Frank or Chris Davis are the only ones it could be.

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    Replies
    1. You forgot that some of the staff were elected pct chairs and had their hand up, too!

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    2. They are desperately trying to distract from Frank's countersuit amd the fact that Ted bumbles and stutters his way through the legal process. He ain't that smart folks.

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  26. "judge's vacationed.." It should be "judges", no apostrophe. Just trying to help as a retired English prof. As far as the article's subject matter, I am in the dark and prefer to remain there. Your other article on transit fraud was well researched. Keep the good work

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    Replies
    1. Thanks professor. Yes, not a possessive. I occasionally slip an apostrophe on plurals where it's not indicated, just as I'm certain you meant to write: "Keep up the good work." j/k

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  27. To heck with Who Shot J.R.
    We want to know who took the picture!!!!!!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Let's ask Larry to make a statement.

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    2. Wow, these republican stories draw out a veritable morgy of comments!

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    3. This event is already gunna damage Larry's campaign enough. What do you think the headline a month before the election will do. I beg of you for the sake of Larry's campaign at least give him the ability to say "I have NO involvement in this".

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    4. Mr. Smith, who took the photo?

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    5. It was those two guys on the grassy knoll that took the picture.

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    6. No they where in the gutter.

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    7. You really are terrified of being outed as the photographer, huh James?

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    8. I think Roman took a second to stop leeching on Ted's fartbox long enough to scurry to the front and snap a pic.

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  28. Wow! Tad sure does clean up nicely! Go get em Tad!

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  29. What has Tad Done to grow the party? Anybody? He makes statements about how to do it....has he ever actually done it? Show of hands? *crickets*

    I didn't think so. Why doesn't anybody ask these questions? If he is such an expert as to what will save the party, why hasn't he contributed anything? I will tell you why: he doesn't do anything but spread discord and rip things apart. He does nothing good.

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  30. These personal attacks do nothing to further your cause. Your over-flowing anger shows your true motives. Jealousy and revenge. Can you not wait for the Judge's decision? Can you not be an adult?

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    1. In my opinion, it looks to me that Frank's people started anonymously posting smear comments about Tad and Tad's side fought back. Just because the majority is silent does not mean we support Frank. Many people, like myself, are afraid to publicly oppose Frank. Many are loyal because they need the money from working as election judges. I hate Frank Morris's management style but working gives me a little extra money to send to my grandkids. I have voted Republican since Goldwater and I'm a hard worker, but in the end it isn't worth it opposing Frank.

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    2. And don't forget, folks, Tad only posted once under his name to kiss Pat Ahumada's butt when he saw it as an opportunity to use him to attack Judge Garcia. Just because you have an issue with Morris does not mean Tad Hasse is not a guttersnipe.

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    3. Wow! Frank's cult will turn on anyone who says anything even remotely bad about Frank.

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    4. Wow! Tad's cult will turn on anyone who says anything even remotely bad about Tad. See the pattern?

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  31. Yes, I see the pattern. He f'ng resigned!

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    Replies
    1. I wonder how many of Frank's anons are going to be working the polls during early voting and election day?

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    2. I am sure the idea of people actually working is offensive to one of Tad's anons.

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  32. Tsk tsk Roman....LULZ

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  33. After seeing you Republicans fight all in the name of your Frank, I am looking forward to voting for Joe Rivera and Juan Magallanes even more. They may have faults but at least they aren't like Sarah Palin and Frank Morris who resign midstream.

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    1. Cascos, Garza and Morris are hopeless. They tied their hopes to losers like Morgan Graham, Sharon Basterson, Alex Torres, and James Ross. Cascos and Garza will be sent packing in November. Morris will be ousted soon after and his favorite brown shirt, Picadillo will be gone in 2016. That is Frank's great legacy, a county with every office in Democrat hands. Frank has surrounded himself with yes-man nobodies. Morris needs to step down now and save himself the embarrassment of being removed later.

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    2. *cough* Who pray tell is "Garza"? If you can't get the judge's name right, you are in no position to call ANYBODY else a loser.

      As for Cascos it is common knowledge he runs his own campaign, so anybody who knows anything will read your comment and know it is a bunch of bull.

      Next time you want to lie to discredit or embarass somebody, try to get the candidates' names right AND make the lie at least half believable. ;)

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    3. There is no Garza running against Magallanes.....do you not know who is running on the Republican ballot in November? It is GARCIA, genius.

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    4. How does not supporting Frank equal needing to vote for a Rivera? Are Roman and Tad so hateful and out of control with their mouths foaming, agape with evil and jealousy that they are targeting our candidates as well?

      And if Morgan, Sharon, James, and Alex are losers....what does that make the likes of Roman and Tad? Shall we compare accomplishments and failures?

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    5. Yeah....Roman is a winner...in his dreams!!! He would not have to lie and cheat his way to....well, not quite victories.....nevermind. He is not even a footnote.

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    6. Four comments in a row? I wonder who that could be? Seriously Morgan, just let Chris handle it from now on.

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    7. Roman's got more votes than all these losers combined. He ran an honest campaign and came close to beating an entrenched incumbent. Alex hardly got ten percent of the vote when he ran, Morgs and James are nobodies, and Sharon got her positions because she sucked up to Frank. The party would be a lot better with people who have the courage to run and can actually attract voters.

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    8. Garza or Garcia? What does it matter? He is still going to lose. He couldn't pick a party and keep it. Yeah that is exactly the kind of candidate to vote for....lol

      I am voting for Joe too. Watching you Republicans openly and anonymously support a guy who obviously resigned just makes us laugh.

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  34. Frank isn't on the ballot, moron!

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  35. And this, my friends, is why candidates and officeholders stay out of party politics. All the nuts and screwballs show up and think that just because they got a 5 am spot as a political commentator for the primaries (after hounding the local news stations for the spot) they know what is going on.

    The candidates do not depend on anybody to run their campaigns. Nobody "hangs their hopes" on a woman who just entered the scene a few months ago, the exec director of the northern part of Cameron, and a 20 year old kid no matter how involved they are or how quickly they can learn. Let's call a load of BS what it is: BS.

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    1. The scene? But, but, but I thought she was like a donor or something. And yeah candidates do depend on people to run their campaign. It is called a team and staff. Maybe the Repubs don't have them but the Democrats, the ones that generally win races, have them. Cascos winning are accidental and not indicative of a wave of Republican victories just ask all the other county wide R candidates that have tried and failed to win on his coat tails. Rivera will win and all will be back to normal Morg.

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    2. That "staff" we are finding includes politiqueras and considering the number of indictments against many Dems in the Valley, it should be a matter of pride to not be like them.

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  36. Are you following the Liquified Natural Gas aspirations of the Port of Brownsville. See saveRGVfromLNG.info and our saveRGVfromLNG Facebook page. Public meeting Aug 18th, 7 pm, Port Isabel Event and Cultural Center, 309 E. Railroad Ave

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