You Still Have 13 Days Left to Register to Vote in Harris County

One of my neighbors is a volunteer deputy voter registrar in Harris County (Texas).  He posted the information below on another platform to educate people about how they can register to vote in Harris County.

The information below is cut and pasted from his post.  (I did delete bullet point of the post #1 because his post encouraged his neighbors to connect him directly. I also made an addition at the end of the post)

 October 5th is the last day to register to vote. Regardless of how you swing, you don't want to be left out. Here are a few ways to register:

#2 go to www.votetexas.gov and follow the steps. Note: you cannot register online in Texas. You have to print your application and mail it.

#3 Send e-mail to voters@hctx.net and ask for an application

#4 Call 713-274-8683 and ask for an application

#5 Go to the post office and ask them for an application

Very important: Make sure you are actually registered at your current address. You can check this by going to https://www.hctax.net/Voter/Search

Have you moved or changed your address? Go to https://txapps.texas.gov/tolapp/sos/SOSACManager

Note: If you have moved from one county to another, you must re-register!!!

Questions I always get asked: What's on the ballot? Where do I vote? What kind of ID do I need? Answers: go to www.harrisvotes.gov

Concerning the specific ballot, the League of Women Voters publishes a non-partisan comprehensive guide closer to the election. I've found that this is the easiest way to find objective, matter of fact information.

One addition, a comment was made to my neighbor's original post that voter registration information can be picked up at our local library. Given that you may not live in my direct neighborhood, I encourage you to inquire at a public library or libraries near you in regards voter registration materials.

The Effect of Voting for a Third Party Candidate

In the 2016 presidential election, the races in 10 states were close enough that a case can be made that a change in the selections of the third party voters could have altered the winner of those states' electoral votes.  Four of these elections were in states that were won by Hilary Clinton. Six were in states (or portions of states) that were claimed by Donald Trump.  The 10 states accounted for 116 electoral votes out of 538 total.

Following is a breakdown of the races mentioned above.  The data provided includes number of electoral votes for a given state (or portions of states), percentage of votes received by winner, percentage of votes received by second place finisher, cumulative percentage of votes received by Gary Johnson(Libertarian), Jill Stein(Green), and Evan McMullin(Independent).

States won by Trump

Arizona, 11 electoral votes, 48.67%,  45.13%,  6.14%

Florida, 29 electoral votes, 49.02%, 47.82%, 2.88%

Michigan, 16 electoral votes, 47.50%, 47.27%,  4.83%

Nebraska(District 2), 1 electoral vote, 47.16%, 44.92%, 5.69%

Pennsylvania, 20 electoral votes, 48.18%, 47.46%, 3.30%

Wisconsin, 10 electoral votes, 47.22%, 46.45%, 5.02%

States won by Clinton

Colorado, 9 electoral votes, 48.16%, 43.25%, 7.60%

Minnesota, 10 electoral votes, 46.44%, 44.92%, 6.90%

Nevada, 6 electoral votes, 47.50%, 45.98%, 3.29%

New Hampshire, 4 electoral votes, 46.98%, 46.61%, 5.17%

Here's What I found out about Confederate-Named Military Bases

This post fully supports Nolan Ryan's effort to persuade you to wear a mask.

Shortly after hearing discussion about possibly renaming 10 U.S. military bases, I decided I needed to educate myself about the history behind the naming of these bases. My plan is to use this space to share what I learn.  

Following are links to the posts I created about each of these bases and the men after who they are named.  My intent that this project serves as a helpful resource for anyone looking to learn about this topic in an efficient manner

Big thanks to the reader who directed me to this topical podcast.  It is a very informative listen.

Here's What I Found out about:

Fort Lee

Fort Bragg

Fort Pickett

Fort A.P. Hill

Fort Benning

Fort Gordon

Camp Beauregard

Fort Polk

Fort Hood

Disclaimer:  I am not a professional historian.  I am doing this research of the stories behind the naming of U.S. Military bases because I think the knowledge I find will be of benefit to the discourse in the United States.  If you have information about any of my posts that you are willing to share I am glad to hear it.  You can contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com  

The Significance of Tulsa

 A few days ago, I knew nothing about the Tulsa Race Massacre.  With the buzz surrounding the political event that is planned to take place in that city on June 19, I needed to do some research.

If you are trying to educate yourself about this part of our nation's history, the video above is a good starting point. 

Here's What I Found out about Fort Lee

Shortly after hearing discussion about possibly renaming 10 U.S. military bases, I decided I needed to educate myself about the history behind the naming of these bases. My plan is to use this space to share what I learn.  Fort Lee was opened in 1917.  It is located in Virginia, south of Richmond.

Robert E. Lee is probably the best known of all the Confederate leaders.  He was born in 1807 in Virginia.  He graduated from West Point in 1829.

Following graduation, he served 17 years as an officer in the Corps of Engineers.  He did see action on the battlefield during the Mexican-American War.   From 1852-55, he was the superintendent of West Point.  In 1855, he joined the calvary. He was called on to put down John Brown's raid at Harpers Ferry in 1859.   

When the Civil War, President Lincoln offered Lee command of the Union forces.  However, Lee declined the offer and resigned from the U.S. arm when Virginia seceded.  He accepted assignment as a general in the Confederate Army. He retained this position throughout the war.  

Following the war, he returned to Virginia.  There, he became the president of Washignton College. He died in 1870.

In the post-war portion of his life, Lee  swore allegiance to the Union, and he indicated that he opposed the erection of statues and monuments that memorialized the events of the Civil War.

Disclaimer:  I am not a professional historian.  I am doing this research of the stories behind the naming of U.S. Military bases because I think the knowledge I find will be of benefit to the discourse in the United States.  If you have information about any of my posts that you are willing to share I am glad to hear it.  You can contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com  

Here's What I found out about Fort Bragg

Shortly after hearing discussion about possibly renaming 10 U.S. military bases, I decided I needed to educate myself about the history behind the naming of these bases. My plan is to use this space to share what I learn.  

Fort Bragg is located near Fayetteville, North Carolina.  It was opened in 1918.

Braxton Bragg was born in 1817 in North Carolina.  He attended West Point, graduating in 1837.  He served as an officer in the U.S. Army in the second Seminole War and the Mexican-American War. He resigned from the Army in 1856 and became a sugar plantation owner in Louisiana.  

At some point during his time as a farmer, he joined the Confederate army and helped raise the Louisiana army.  He eventually achieved the rank of General in the Confederacy.  Later in the war, he served as President Davis's military advisor.  

Following the war, Bragg lived in Louisiana and Texas.  He died in Galveston, Texas in 1876.

Disclaimer:  I am not a professional historian.  I am doing this research of the stories behind the naming of U.S. Military bases because I think the knowledge I find will be of benefit to the discourse in the United States.  If you have information about any of my posts that you are willing to share I am glad to hear it.  You can contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com  

Here's What I Found out about Fort Pickett

Shortly after hearing discussion about possibly renaming 10 U.S. military bases, I decided I needed to educate myself about the history behind the naming of these bases. My plan is to use this space to share what I learn.  

Fort Pickett is located in Virginia southwest of Richmond.  It was built in 1942.

George Pickett, the fort's namesake was born in Richmond in 1825.  He graduated from West Point in 1846.  He served in the U.S. Military from then until Virginia left the union in 1861.  His highest rank in the Confederate army was Major General.

Pickett returned to Virginia to work as a life insurance agent and farmer after the war.  He died in 1875.

Disclaimer:  I am not a professional historian.  I am doing this research of the stories behind the naming of U.S. Military bases because I think the knowledge I find will be of benefit to the discourse in the United States.  If you have information about any of my posts that you are willing to share I am glad to hear it.  You can contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com  

Here's What I Found out about Fort A.P. Hill

Shortly after hearing discussion about possibly renaming 10 U.S. military bases, I decided I needed to educate myself about the history behind the naming of these bases. My plan is to use this space to share what I learn.  

Fort A.P. Hill is located in Virginia in close proximity to Washington, D.C. It was opened in 1941.

A.P. Hill was born in 1825 in Virginia.  He graduated from West Point in 1847.  He served in the U.S. Military during both the Mexican-American War and the Seminole War.  

He resigned from the U.S. Military in March 1861 and joined the Virginia Infantry.  His highest rank in the Confederate Army was Lieutenant General.  He was killed in battle in April of 1865.  He is buried in Richmond, Viriginia.

Disclaimer:  I am not a professional historian.  I am doing this research of the stories behind the naming of U.S. Military bases because I think the knowledge I find will be of benefit to the discourse in the United States.  If you have information about any of my posts that you are willing to share I am glad to hear it.  You can contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com  

Here's What I Found out about Fort Benning

Shortly after hearing discussion about possibly renaming 10 U.S. military bases, I decided I needed to educate myself about the history behind the naming of these bases. My plan is to use this space to share what I learn.  

Fort Benning is located in western Georgia.  It was established in 1918.  

Henry L. Benning was born in Georgia in 1814. He was a lawyer in that state beginning in 1835.  He also served for six years on the Georgia Supreme Court.  He helped draft Georgia's Orders of Succession shortly after  Lincolin's election in 1860.  

He served in the Confederate Army throughout the entirety of the war.  He reached the rank of Brigadier General.

Following the war, he returned to Georgia, resuming his law practice. He died in 1875 of a stroke.

The Rotary Club of Columbus, Georgia requested the military be named after Benning.  

Disclaimer:  I am not a professional historian.  I am doing this research of the stories behind the naming of U.S. Military bases because I think the knowledge I find will be of benefit to the discourse in the United States.  If you have information about any of my posts that you are willing to share I am glad to hear it.  You can contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com 

Here's What I Found out about Fort Gordon

Shortly after hearing discussion about possibly renaming 10 U.S. military bases, I decided I needed to educate myself about the history behind the naming of these bases. My plan is to use this space to share what I learn.  

Fort Gordon was established in 1941.  It is located in the north eastern part of Georgia.

This base is named after John Gordon who was born in Georgia in 1832.  Prior to the war, Gordon was a lawyer, and he also undertook the project of developing coal mines in northwestern Georgia.

During the war, Gordon reached a top rank of lieutenant general.  Following the war, he returned to Georgia to practice law.  At various times, he served as the state's governor and as Georgia's representative to the U.S. Senate. He reportedly vigorously opposed the policies of Reconstruction.

Disclaimer:  I am not a professional historian.  I am doing this research of the stories behind the naming of U.S. Military bases because I think the knowledge I find will be of benefit to the discourse in the United States.  If you have information about any of my posts that you are willing to share I am glad to hear it.  You can contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com 

Here's What I Found out about Fort Rucker

Shortly after hearing discussion about possibly renaming 10 U.S. military bases, I decided I needed to educate myself about the history behind the naming of these bases. My plan is to use this space to share what I learn.  

Camp Rucker was opened in May 1942.  It is located in Southeast Alabama.  

Here is what I can tell you about Edmund Rucker

Rucker was born in 1835 in Tennessee.  As an adult, he worked as a railroad surveyor and then became an engineer. He was the city engineer of Memphis in the late 1850s.

With the outset of the Civil War, he enlisted in the Confederate army.  He served under Lieutenant General Nathan Forrest. His highest rank was acting brigadier general, but that rank was never confirmed by the Confederate Congress.  

Following the war, Rucker worked in Tennessee and then Alabama.  Included in his endeavors was a railroad project undertaken with Forrest.  He achieved a significant level of success in business in Alabama.  He died in 1924.

Disclaimer:  I am not a professional historian.  I am doing this research of the stories behind the naming of U.S. Military bases because I think the knowledge I find will be of benefit to the discourse in the United States.  If you have information about any of my posts that you are willing to share I am glad to hear it.  You can contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com 

Here is What I Found out about Camp Beauregard

Shortly after hearing discussion about possibly renaming 10 U.S. military bases, I decided I needed to educate myself about the history behind the naming of these bases. My plan is to use this space to share what I learn.  

Camp Beauregard was originally established during World War I.  It is located in central Louisiana.  At this point, I have not found information about the naming of this camp.

Here is what I can tell you about P.G.T. Beauregard.

He was born near New Orleans, Louisiana in 1918.  He attended West Point, where he received training in civil and military engineering.  He served as an engineer officer during the Mexican-American War.

In 1861, he was named the superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy.  However, shortly after his appointment, he resigned from the U.S Military and joined the Confederate army.

He was a Confederate commander at the first battle of the war, Fort Sumter.  He served through the entirety of the conflict.

Following the war, Beauregard returned to New Orleans and was active in that community until his death in 1893.  Over time, he became a strong supporter of voting rights and other civil rights for African Americans in his community in order to undermine Radical Republican control during Reconstruction.

Disclaimer:  I am not a professional historian.  I am doing this research of the stories behind the naming of U.S. Military bases because I think the knowledge I find will be of benefit to the discourse in the United States.  If you have information about any of my posts that you are willing to share I am glad to hear it.  You can contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com

Here's What I Found Out about Fort Polk

Shortly after hearing discussion about possibly renaming 10 U.S. military bases, I decided I needed to educate myself about the history behind the naming of these bases. My plan is to use this space to share what I learn.  

Fort Polk is located in western Louisiana.  It opened in 1941.

Who was Polk?

Polk was born in Tennessee in 1806.  He was a second cousin to former president James K. Polk.  He attended and graduated from West Point. At West Point, he developed a close friendship with Jefferson Davis. Shortly after his graduation, Polk resigned his commission to pursue ordination as an Episcopal minister.

He served in various roles in the Episcopal church from 1830 until the start of the Civil War.  In 1841, he was consecrated as the Episcopal church's bishop of Louisiana.  While serving in that capacity, he also attempted to manage a sugar plantation with 400 slaves in that state.

In the five years leading up to the Civil War, Polk was primarily focused on establishing the University of the South.  The goal of this school was to supply clergy for the mid-South region.

In the Spring of 1861, Polk joined the Confederate army at the urging of Jefferson Davis, who was the Confederate president.  He entered the army with a rank of Major General.  I cannot find information of him reaching any rank higher than Major General. He was killed in battle in June of 1864.

I have not found any information regarding the process that led to Fort Polk being named after Leonidas Polk in 1941.

Disclaimer:  I am not a professional historian.  I am doing this research of the stories behind the naming of U.S. Military bases because I think the knowledge I find will be of benefit to the discourse in the United States.  If you have information about any of my posts that you are willing to share I am glad to hear it.  You can contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com

Here's What I Found Out about Fort Hood

Shortly after hearing discussion about possibly renaming 10 U.S. military bases, I decided I needed to educate myself about the history behind the naming of these bases. My plan is to use this space to share what I learn.  

Before I begin, I will share an article I read concerning the subject.  One of the most-often used arguments I hear used AGAINST the changing of names of forts or removal of confederate statues is something along the lines of we should never erase our history. The point the author of this opinion piece makes is that in most cases, bases named after confederate soldiers, confederate statues, etc. were themselves successful attempts to alter/erase history in that certain communities decided to glorifying the cause of the confederacy and erase the fact that there efforts at leaving the union were ultimately unsuccessful.  

I had never seen that line of reasoning used to counter the disdain for erasing our history and it made sense to me.  You can click here to read the piece by Scott Simon.

Having said that, here is what I found out about Fort Hood.

First of all, Fort Hood was opened in 1942.  However, to me, the story begins 120 miles to the northwest of Fort Hood's location, where a county was named after John Bell Hood.  Hood County was founded in 1866, immediately after the Civil War's end.  

John Bell Hood was born in 1831 in Kentucky.  He attended and graduated from West Point.  He graduated in 1853 and served in the U.S military until 1861.  His highest rank was First Lieutenant.  

In 1861, resigned from the U.S. Army.  According to the Texas State Hstorical Association, he was dissatisfied with Kentucky's neutrality, declared himself a Texan and joined the confederate Army.  This occurred within weeks of Texas voting to secede and join the confederate cause.

He served in this confederate army until the end of the conflict in 1865. For some portion of the war, he commanded Hood's Texas Brigade.  There is a historical monument in remembrance of the brigade on the South Drive of the Texas state capitol.  This monument was raised by the Hood's Brigade Association in 1910.

As best I can tell, his highest rank was Lieutenant General, although he did receive a temporary full Generalship. This ranking was never confirmed by the Confederate Congress.

After war, he lived and did business in New Orleans.  He died in 1879.

Concerning the story behind the naming of Fort Hood itself, I have not been able to uncover anything at this point.  I plan to update this post if/when new evidence becomes available.

Disclaimer:  I am not a professional historian.  I am doing this research of the stories behind the naming of U.S. Military bases because I think the knowledge I find will be of benefit to the discourse in the United States.  If you have information about any of my posts that you are willing to share I am glad to hear it.  You can contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com

Nolan Ryan wants you to Wear a Mask!

New #COVID19 PSA from baseball Hall-Of-Famer, Nolan Ryan: “Don't Be A Knucklehead.” pic.twitter.com/kN6fIfRqjR

— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) June 10, 2020

In case you didn't hear, Nolan Ryan is helping Gov. Abbott encourage people to wear a mask when they go out in public. 

The Brown Eye/Blue Eye Experiment

A few weeks ago, I learned about the Brown Eye/Blue Eye Experiment and Jane Elliott on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

Ms. Elliott has been using this experiment to help people learn about their attitudes concerning race for more than 50 years.  I was able to find the above video on You Tube.

Watching the video was not a comfortable experience. However, it gives a little bit of insight into what it is like to be treated differently because of a personal characteristic over which you have no control.

If you are able, I encourage you to watch this video and/or learn more about Ms. Elliott and her work.

Vidor Peace Rally, a Wrap Up

The Peace Rally in Vidor on Saturday afternoon was carried out in a completely peaceful fashion.  One of Beaumont's TV stations live stream a portion of the rally, and I am including a link to that footage here.

Additionally, numerous people have tweeted about the event.  I am posting a few of those tweets below.

Hey twitter!!!!!!!!!!!!! Check us out on 12news and channel 6!!! IT WENT AMAZING. Best march I've ever went to. WE BEAT THE ODDS. #VIDOR #VIDORTEXAS #BlackLivesMatters

— Maddy Malone (@MaddyMalone2) June 6, 2020

This is one of the event's organizers.

Yeah, Vidor is one of the last remaining sundown towns. The amount of courage it takes to go to a rally there is amazing. https://t.co/bZXYyM8Y2k

— Chase Hoffman (@Driftpeasant) June 7, 2020

If you grew up in Texas anytime in the last 50 years, you’ll know what a big deal this is. https://t.co/t4hBTdHkaw

— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) June 6, 2020

I - in 2020 - still don't stop for gas in Vidor, TX. And here we have a crowd of white people at a rally in support of the black community.

A town that had to be forced by the federal government to allow black people to live there in the 90’s holding a rally for the black comm. https://t.co/fEGHlF1Gsc

— Home Hair Disaster, CPA (@spacecasemir) June 6, 2020

Vidor is on my Mind

As the weekend arrives, I can't help but think about the town of Vidor, in Southeast Texas.

I have seen several reports that a Peace March is being planned in that town on Saturday afternoon.  After watching the reports, I am hopeful that this rally will be a great event for that area and for others as well.

I can't explain why, but this event is on my mind.  I have no reason to have any emotional connection to Vidor, but I find myself thinking of it.

I am including links to a few reports about the upcoming rally.  If you are so inclined, please keep the people of Vidor on your mind for the weekend as well. Also, if part of your daily routine includes talking to a higher power, please consider talking to that higher power about the upcoming event.

Thank You.

One of the event's organizers did a Q&A with Texas Monthly

Organizers of "Peace March in Vidor" fighting for change in Memory of George Floyd.

Vidor woman plans peace march in Loving Memory of George Floyd for Vidor's Gould Park 

A Brief Public Service Announcement

This is a public service announcement for anyone who receives the upcoming financial appeal from The Leader.  This appeal asks community members/readerrs to make a charitable donation (which will not be tax-exempt) to The Leader to increase that business's profitability.

The publishing conglomerate that owns The Leader, McElvy Media Group, boasts annual revenues of $13 million.  This revenue is generated through the publication of 25 local newspapers on a weekly basis throughout the country.   You can read more about this business at their website.

Many who read this post will be receiving an appeal from Mr. McElvy next week to send him money to keep one of his 25 papers afloat.  I just wanted you to have a little bit more information about the company behind this appeal to your generosity before they throw it in your driveway.

May Madness Moves on to the Knock-Out Stage

Twenty play-off schools have been trimmed to eight as the EGF Collegiate Power Series  moves on to Sunday's knock-stage.

Here's what you need to know about the knock-out stages:

The Quarter-finals begin at 1:30 pm (Central Time).  They can be seen on four different streaming platforms.

Twitch 
Mixer
Facebook
You Tube

The schedule:

Quarter-final #1- Seton Hall vs. Kentucky
Quarter-final #2- Tennessee Tech vs. Washington St.
Quarter-final #3- University of Texas-Arlington vs. Delaware
Quarter-final #4- Missouri vs. San Jose St.


Semi-final #1- Kentucky vs. Missouri
Semi-final #2- Washington St. vs. University of Texas-Arlington


Final #1- Missouri vs. University of Texas-Arlington

Champions- Missouri

I Think I can Get Away with Calling This May Madness

I have always been a fan of high school and collegiate sports.  Unfortunately, at the moment such activities have all been cancelled.

Or so I thought.

Thanks to some random connections I have in my life, I learned that there is a computer game called Rocket League and some colleges, including my alma mater compete in this game regularly.  As an added bonus, given the virtual nature of this games, the individuals who play it are unencumbered by social distancing restrictions.

In fact, a multi-week national collegiate Rocket League competition organized by EGF conlcudes this Sunday on a device near you.  This is the Collegiate Power Series.

After three weeks of qualifiers, the top 20 schools in the nation are slated to face-off in round robin matches on Friday and Saturday.  Based on the results of these round robin matches, eight schools will advance to Sunday's knock-out stage.  Each match consists of a best 3 of 5 series.

Matches can be watched on various streaming platforms:

Twitch and a second Twitch channel
Mixer
Facebook
You Tube

Friday, May 8- Play is scheduled to begin at 3:30 pm (Central time)

Group 1
Rochester Institute of Technology
Marquette
Tennessee Tech
Washington State
Connecticut

Group 2
Texas-Arlington
USC
Northeastern
Xavier
Kentucky

Saturday, May 9- Play is scheduled to begin at 1:30 pm (Central time)

Group 3
Syracuse
Florida State
Delaware
DePaul
Missouri

Group 4
Georgia Tech- Appears to have withdrawn from the competition
San Jose St.
New Mexico
Marist
Seton Hall

Sunday, May 10- The Quarter-Finals are scheduled to begin at 1:30 pm (Central Time)