Records

I thought president Bush did very good driving home the point of Kerry being inconsistent and untrustworthy.

Don't know when I would be able to continue the day-by-day account of the convention but here is my convention report to the Northern Dallas Pachyderm club:


First thing first, I want to thank God for the opportunity to have been a part of the Texas delegation in New York. As promised, I want to tell you what happened behind the scene or what the press would not cover at the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York.

Let me tell you that there weren’t all that many protesters, and a majority of them weren’t even New Yorker. There was this guy who is a delegate from New York hanging out with us. He loved the Stetson hats that all the Texas delegates wear so somehow we managed to find him one. Now, as he was walking outside on the streets, one of these protesters told him to his face up close that he’s not welcome in New York. He stepped right up to the guy and told the guy that he’s from Long Island and asked where was the guy from? The guy mumbled that he’s from California, took a few steps back and then walked away. Well, at least the protester was honest about being from California and didn’t flip-flop.

The closed to the press welcome party for the Texas delegation on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange was a great kickoff. We heard from the governor, lieutenant governor and House majority leader. We all got a chance to get onto the balcony where they rings the bell each trading day and had our pictures taken. The line was rather long and by 10:30 or so, the photographer wanted to stop but I am glad they were able to convince him to work on until all of us had our pictures taken.

Ann Coulter was a speaker at the Republican National Coalition for Life luncheon at New York City Tavern on the Green on Wednesday. As we were going in, there were four or five protesters behind barricade on the side of the gate. As we were coming out, it grew to about ten and they kept on yelling “Shame on You” but they weren’t all that enthusiastic. We found Ann on Thursday night hanging out with the Utah delegation on the floor and she was waving signs and being as excited as everyone else.

The press reported about House majority leader Tom DeLay nowhere to be found at the convention, that was because we had too much fun hanging out with him party after party. At the Harris County Republican Texas dinner celebration on Wednesday night, he and senator Cornyn and all of us there were so excited about secretary Martinez winning the Republican primary in Florida on Tuesday night with 11 points ahead of the next guy, Mr. Bill McCollum, who caved in under pressure on the embryonic stem cell issue.

Dr. Ralph Reed, the former chairman of the Christian Coalition, who is also credited with turning the whole state of Georgia around and in 2002 elected their first Republican governor since Reconstruction, was at the Faith, Family and Freedom rally at the Waldorf Astoria along with senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Hugh Hewitt on Tuesday.

I did not know who Pat Green was going in but the party AT&T threw on Tuesday night for the Texas delegation changed that for good. The party began after the third convention session ended at 23:00 until 02:00 in the morning on Wednesday, no wonder I could barely opened my eyes the next morning at the 07:30 breakfast.

The prayer rally governor Perry had for the Texas delegation on Thursday afternoon really ministered to our needs as half of the Florida delegation had left New York to return to their home state because of the hurricane and also the Russian terrorist attack. It was so refreshing to be able to sit down, relax and come to God for strength and grace, knowing that God is sovereign among the affairs of man.

One final note was from day one, our cowboy hats were so popular that there was a standing offers from the NYPD officers to trade their NYPD caps for our hats. Too bad I didn’t have an extra one to trade because mine had already have the autographs of the two best Christian lawmakers from Texas: senator John Cornyn and House majority leader Tom DeLay. Bill Burch did manage to come back with an NYPD cap!

I also want to thank Jan and Bruce Woody, Ken Kammerlohr and the Republicans of Texas 24th congressional district for giving me the opportunity to see New York, to nominate our president George W. Bush and vice president Dick Cheney for another four more years.

Rev. Thach flew in from California so we sat down for dinner and a little talk at Rev. Bruce's house tonight. I need to go read the spiritual formation series of books by Dallas Willard as recommended.

Well, let's see what I have been up to. I went to the Denton County Fall Festival at Sneaky Pete on lake Lewisville after got back from church on Sunday. Congressman Burgess had a good group of singers there. There were little train ride, bouncing house, pet zoo, face painting, fire house for the kids. It's pretty good consider this was their first time doing it.

I, my brother, Tony, Larry, and Paul got together last night at Larry and Tiffany's house to watch the game between Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskin. I was cheering on for the Redskin just to drive all my buddies nuts. It was a rather interesting game to the last minute. I like Joe Gibbs and have been checking out ticket master for the second Cowboys and Redskin game on Dec. 26th but they don't have all 4 seats together. Should have thought of it earlier. Maybe I need to call the concierge service then.

Came by to help Kenny build some yard signs. Tim and Andrew were already hammering it away when I got there. Susie brought us pizza. Got to meet Kenny's dad and his brother Ronnie.

The 4th DFWAACC annual banquet went well Saturday night. Saw ambassador Sichan Siv again since I last saw him in Washington DC and his wife. Also saw congressman Hensarling and his district director Rebekah. Asked him about FMA and he told me he is going the route of the taking DOMA out of the federal court jurisdiction instead of moving forward with the FMA. Pete and Kenny also were there. Met and had my picture with David Chiu, the former (2000-2004) mayor of San Marcos and the first Asian American mayor in Texas.

Check out these pictures I got from a friend: Bush vs. Kerry.

Forbes released its list of 400 richest people in America today:

Isn't this cool:
.

Which America do you want your children to live in? Borrowing a quote from Samuel Huntington: "America will be a nation of individuals with equal rights sharing a common culture, or an association of racial, ethnic, and cultural groups held together by hopes for material gains."

We have heard so much about the most liberal senator's testimony before the senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 22nd, 1971 but here is the full text for your leisure reading: http://kerry-04.org/testimony.php.

Got it from a friend, click on the thumbnail to check it out: .

Great law like the campaign finance reform prevents county political party from spending anymore than certain amount of dollars, I believe around $5000, for political yard signs. Now, the average Joe like me who wants a Bush/Cheney '04 yard sign has to buy it so that we don't incur on the limited amount of dollars the county Republican party could spend. They have more money than they need but they just can't spend it, urgh! On a different level, city code here in Carrollton prevent the citizenry from putting up yard sign earlier than 30 days before election day, which means I have all the good looking yard signs and I couldn't put them out on my own yard, the very property that I own, earlier than October 2nd. Oh, state senator Jane Nelson will introduce a piece of legislation when the legislature convene on January 1st, 2005 to override homeowner association rule preventing homeowner from flying the American flag. Here in Texas the legislature meet 140 days every two years but the joke is that we wish that they would meet 2 days every 140 years instead! The truth is that the sinful nature of man makes government a necessary evil but let's keep the size of government to an absolute necessary minimum.

How about it? Eugene Volokh was a computer programmer for 12 years before he went to law school and became a law professor. I found his website from Tony Snow website, emailed him and got a reply real quick. I sure appreciate that.

I didn't count right and thought I had only one week left to finish everything at work until my boss pointed out that I have two weeks and he extended me one more week. The Lord sure have mercy on me!

I've been working pretty hard, missing both the combined Greater Dallas Pachyderm and Northern Dallas Pachyderm candidate meet and greet last week as well as the regular monthly meeting of the Northern Dallas Pachyderm yesterday.

I will be one of the groomsmen for a friend's wedding in November so I need to find some times and come in for tux measument this week.

I can't believe our annual camping for our youthgroup is coming up in less than two weeks!

Convention Monday, August 30th: I woke up, took a shower and then read the schedule. Found that for today, we all supposed to wear the denim shirt we were given yesterday in the delegate package. I walked from my hotel at 43rd St. up 7th Ave. to the New York Hilton at 53rd St. for breakfast with the Texas delegation. We were reminded of flag etiquette at the end of the breakfast for those of us who aren't wearing cowboy hats all that frequent. Saw lieutenant governor David Dewhurst so I had a picture taken with him after breakfast. Said hello to congressman Michael Burgess and his chief of staff. Was in line to get on the bus and was told they are not going to let anyone get in to Madison Square Garden with a bag. I was like, what's the point of passing out the bag to the delegates if we cannot use it to carry things. Scrambled to find friend who would put the bag in their room upstair for me. Got on the bus and was taken to Madison Square Garden for the first general sessions. Security blockade was at least two blocks from the building. On our way in, we saw a group of young kids, like junior high, stood inside the security zone almost at the entrance to the building, asking if we had security passes that we were not using. It was hot. We got there late, and the line through security with the metal detector was long. They made everyone turn on all the electronics to make sure that they were really what they looked like. For digital camera, they made us take a picture of the floor. For cell phone, punch in a digit or two. We passed through, kept taking the escalator up until we get to a floor with the gate shown on our credential. Went to our section, row and seat. I looked at the seat arrangement chart, then walked around and tried to find friends who were also alternate delegates from California, Florida and Georgia.

We found Texas alternate delegates were seated behind this huge camera platform and we couldn't see the stage at all. We later complained with our Republican National Committeeman Tim Lambert and he said the whole floor seating arrangement will be reconfigured on Thursday night Also, we could basically sit anywhere we wanted in the alternate delegate sections all around the floor. We didn't really have to sit in the Texas section at all. People moved around all the time talking to friends from different states. We heard remarks RNC chairman Ed Gillespie, co-chairman Ann Wagner, former Montana governor and Bush-Cheney '04 Campaign Manager Marc Racicot, New York city mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Convention CEO and Manager Bill Harris. Then there was video tribute to recently deceased Republican party leaders, especially our 40th president Ronald Reagan. There were 2-minute speeches by various congressional candidates, with Congressman Tom Reynolds from New York 26th district, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee in charge. Then we had the nomination process going by House Speaker Dennis Hastert, and rolling roll call of the states, the most fun part that you see on TV all the time, with Secretary of the Convention Sara Gear Boyd and I believed Colorado Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton as assistant secretary of the convention joining speaker Hastert. Things seemed to move very fast from the floor, with things I don't even recalled taken place except for the 2-minute speeches: senator George Allen of Virginia, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee with more 2-minute speeches from senatorial candidates. Then Ohio governor Bob Taft, chairman of the Republican Governor Associations with gubernatorial candidates, don't remember if there were 2-minutes speeches, probably were. Follow by remarks from College Republicans president Eric Hoplin, Charlotte, NC mayor Pat McCrory who is also the president of the Republican Mayors and Local Officials, Irish-American president Susan Davis, National Conference of Republican County Officials president Marilyn Byers, Young Republicans president Michael Mack, Hispanics Across America president Fernando Mateo. Finally wrapped up with a benediction from the famous Joni Eareckson Tada of Agoura Hills, California that we hear often on Dr. James Dobson Focus on the Family radio show.

It's a great feeling to know that you can always kind of tell how your congressman would vote on a certain bill before even checking the congressional records. For examples, I knew more likely than not Pete Sessions would be one of the
cosponsors for HR997 and when I checked the records, I found out I was right.

I can't believe that finally the "assault-weapon" ban has gone, sunset as of September 13th, 2004: cause for celebration here!

Texas College Republicans is organizing a roadtrip 09/24-09/26 to Oklahoma to help out with the Coburn senate race. A free dinner with vice president Dick Cheney is part of the deal but since I have too many commitments this coming weekend, I cannot possibly drop everything and leave town. If work is not really crunching as it is now, I probably would seriously consider dropping everything and go on the trip though.

The walk for Pete Sessions this morning in Irving was great. Nate spoke on behalf of Pete because Pete couldn't be there. They served all of us breakfast instead of lunch as usual.

The Metrocrest Republican club annual hot dog hoe down went well tonight. There were so many judges, from justice of the peace, county court to the appeal court.

I finally finished unpack, yes, and sort out everything I brought back from New York. Let's try a day to day account of my first trip ever to New York and a Republican National Convention? My brother dropped me off at DFW on Saturday morning, August 28th, around 06:00h. There were quite a few of us going on the same flight to EWR Newark Liberty in New Jersey: Scott and his daughter, Larry and Marian, Wayne and Karin, Mary and Priscilla, .... The flight was delay for half an hour due to a rain storm. Then we boarded and waited on the runway. Got to EWR late. Then we had to figure out how to get from the airport to the hotel. Too many shuttle bus options. We didn't want to take the taxi since it costs $54 plus $8 toll. I, Mary and Priscilla took the bus to the east side, then we had to get off and take a van to the west side of Manhattan. Got to our hotel, which is right smack in the middle of Time square, 43rd street between 7th Ave. and 8th Ave., checked in and then I called Cecilia. She and I then walked up 9th street to check out the menu at a few restaurants of different cuisine: Brazilian, Greek, Thai. We went for Thai. We had a great time catching up. We went to highschool and had a lot of AP classes together. We haven't seen each other for about ten years. If not for the reunion planning thing, we probably wouldn't have been able to get back in touch.

Cecilia had to get back to work and running errand but she suggested I check out Central Park since it was real nice outside. I went back to the hotel, met with Elaine and she introduced me to a few people and I promised to help with the Asian American Republican National Coalition Convention the next day. I then went to check out Central Park. I have never walked so much in my life. I had to sit down at a bench in Central Park for a while to rest because I was getting cramp in both of my calves. From there, I went to the Empire State Building. It was beautiful on the observation deck at night.

Sunday, started in the morning at the Marriott Marquis on 45th and 7th. I helped with the registration. Met a whole bunch of people from the Asian American press and Nevada state chairman of the Young Republicans. Went over to the New York Hilton to pick up my credentials and all the stuffs that were given out to delegate, especially the now famous cowboy hat. Karin was so nice saving me a place in the line for credentials while I was picking out the right size for my hat. Went back and had lunch with the Asian American Republicans, had a chance to get to know the volunteers.

I then went to the subway station, asked around until I found enough information to take the train down to 14th. Get off on 14th, took the train going along 14th and then switch to another one to go to lower Manhanttan for a 15:00h Sunday service at at a church on 2nd Ave. between 4th and 5th streets. I had met some people from that church at a district conference back in July in California. A whole lot of protesters in lower Manhattan and there weren't as many police officers. I just minded my own business and there was no incident. By this time of the day, most of the protests were done, and they have had a few beers by the look on their faces. On the way back, there were a group of protesters on got to the same subway car, and their leader said something like: "We did a great job. I am sure there are some Republicans on this train too," but that was about it.

I then headed over to the New York Hilton to join the Texas delegation getting on the buses for our welcoming party on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. On the way getting there, Ground Zero was pointed out to us. Security was tight. Food was served right on the floor. We heard from Texas Republican Party chairman Benkiser, governor Perry, lieutenant governor Dewhurst, majority leader DeLay, the president of the NYSE, I forgot her name. Meeting a whole lot of interesting people: a couple who worked at the Shepherd Air Force base, a pastor of a church in Denton and his wife, Bob: Harris county webmaster, Vergel: young Republican from Harris county, Ben who had served in Iraq. Ben was telling me that he got into Bangdad and had his picture taken on the balcony from which we see the familiar image of Saddam firing his rifle with one hand. We all had an opportunity to get on to the balcony for picture though we had to wait in line for a long while and the photographer wanted to stop taking picture because it was already 22:30. While waiting in line, Cathie introduced me to Kelly of the Free Market Foundation. We were given a really nice medallion as souvenir as we were leaving the floor of the exchange.

The aluminum hard case for the Tungsten E is really no good. Size is too big, no cut-out for power charger cable, data synch cable, or the stylus. I was willing to put up with it because I thought it would provide much more protection for the PDA in my pocket. I've have been carrying it in my back pocket more than a few times and it has been OK. Today, I must have really sat on it because after getting out of the gym and back to my cube at work, I found the case caved in, the screen has cracked and I can no longer see anything. The PDA is gone, just like that, urgh!

Do you unknowingly finance terrorists? Check out: http://www.divestterror.org.

A great kick-off for College Republican on UTD campus thanks to Bryan and Pam. I only stopped by for a few minutes because I had to run to the screening of an upcoming movie that will be released in selected cities nationwide on October 1st.

Went to the screening of "In the Face of Evil: Reagan's War in Word and Deed" at AMS production studio in Dallas and it was just so amazing. Great documentary about beloved president Ronald Reagan; truly is for it points out exactly what went wrong and gives credits to what went right with both Democratic and Republican presidents during the last century. Check out:
http://inthefaceofevil.com
http://filmpr.com/reagan.

The radio show went well tonight. I brought up the stem cell research, clear out the misunderstanding or misrepresentation by the Democrats that president Bush bans all embryonic stem cell research. The president, because of his respect for life from conception to natural death, do not allow federal funding to further manufacturing and destroying embryos to harvest embryonic stem cells. However, more than 60 of already harvested embryonic stem cell lines could be used for research with federal dollars. Also, adult stem cell has already delivered more than embryonic stem cell promised. If embryonic stem cell research offers such wonderful potential, why don't someone private fund the research and reap the profit, since it is totally legal?

The first debate between Pete and the other gentleman went well tonight at the Gooch auditorium on UT Southwestern campus. It is formatted as one hour TV program and will be shown on Texas Cable News. Pete was real cool and did great. Met Patricia's mom for the first time there. Saw Jane and Bill afterward and Bill was telling me about how a sequence of events happened at the convention, how we all traded credentials, proved providentially life saving for one of the delegates. If any one of the events didn't happened in the sequence that they did when they did, he could have died from his stroke. God's hand was just so clearly seen.

I am swamped with work and a regular schedule of extracurricular activities.

In the mean time, check out some of these have been forwarded to me:

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/2759206.

http://gothamgazette.com/blogs/wordpress/index.php?author=14.

http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/magram200409022258.asp.

I landed in DFW International early this evening, went home, changed and then went to a friend's wedding reception in downtown Dallas.

New York was great, though I wish the protesters had stayed civil. NYPD did a great job and the FDNY endorsement of the president was a pleasant surprise. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and senator Zell Miller were just amazing, more than what I hoped for. The whole convention just went wild.

I am so sleepy now. Will have to post day-by-day later. Check out this article on the Fort Worth Star Telegram last Monday, August 30th by Washington Bureau Chief Dave Montgomery:

Lone Star delegates easy to spot
By Dave Montgomery
Star-Telegram Washington Bureau

NEW YORK CITY - They've made emotional visits to Ground Zero, basked in the neon glitz of Times Square and abundantly sampled New York's cuisine and culture.

For the 273 Texas delegates and alternates to the Republican National Convention, Job One, of course, is helping renominate President George W. Bush with a huge Lone Star send-off.

But the convention is also a marathon of parties, political pageantry and sightseeing, and delegates from Bush's home state are rising to the challenge. Appropriately, State Republican Chairwoman Tina Benkiser of Houston wisely began wearing a pedometer Sunday to log her mileage over the long days ahead.

With 138 delegates and 135 alternates, the Texas contingent is second only to California's in size and second to no one in state pride. With their Stetson hats, "Bush 2004" cowboy boots and Lone Star buttons, the Texans are by far the easiest to spot among the thousands of delegates descending on New York for the four-day convention.

"We're prime-time TV props," mused Norm Mason of Sugar Land, in looking forward to the final night of the convention on Thursday, when the Texans will be clad in matching Western attire in Madison Square Garden as Bush delivers his nomination speech. The Texas delegates have prime seating near the front of the convention arena.

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla of San Antonio have been designated among seven permanent deputy co-chairmen at the convention, displaying the party's efforts to reach out to women and Hispanics.

Many are longtime political activists and veterans of past conventions, while others are relative newcomers to politics. At least one -- Ky Ninh, an alternate delegate from Carrollton -- could even be considered a newcomer to American-style democracy.

Ninh immigrated from Vietnam with his parents and brother in 1993 and became a citizen three years ago after then-House Majority Leader Dick Armey helped nudge his citizenship application through the Washington bureaucracy.

On Sunday, wearing a cowboy hat and a tie emblazoned with, "We the People," he talked of his excitement in participating in the nomination of an American president.

"You hear about the Republican Party being exclusive," said the 28-year-old software technician. "I don't think so. I'm here as testimony of being able to participate."

Larry Stevens, 48, of Fort Worth, one of eight delegates from Tarrant County, is participating in his third national convention after years of activism in local Republican politics. Tarrant County also has five alternate delegates at the convention.

A research scientist at Alcon Laboratories, he arrived over the weekend but planned to fly back to Fort Worth early today to receive a top award from his company. He will then board an airliner later today to return to New York, hoping to catch "the tail end" of opening night.

Other delegates from Tarrant County are county GOP Chairwoman Pat Carlson; Paul Stockard of Fort Worth; Ron Wright and Melba McDow of Arlington; and Richard Carr and Tom Quinones of Haltom City.

The five alternates are David "Pat" Six, David E. Stone Jr. and Charlotte Landon of Fort Worth; and Bill Burch and Laraine Bethke of Arlington.

The Texans are staying at the 44-story New York Hilton along with delegates from Florida, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Like the rest of the city, the hotel, about two miles from Madison Square Garden, was awash in pre-convention chaos as delegates began pouring in over the weekend.

In an illustration of the Texans' stature as the president's home-state delegation, the Lone Star entourage was honored Sunday night at a closed reception at the New York Stock Exchange.

Dozens of Texans made what they considered command visits to Ground Zero, where terrorist hijackers demolished the twin towers of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people in the most lethal terrorist attack on American soil.

"It's more emotional than I thought it would be," said Jason Gill, an orthopedic surgeon from Dallas, who visited the site Sunday morning. "When you stop and think about what happened here, it's awe-inspiring."

Dave Montgomery, (202) 383-6016 dmontgomery@krwashington.com

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/nation/9534612.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp