Tag Archives: Congress

@90.1FMKPFTHouston – Nov. 9+10+12, 2025. Airs Sun. at 1 pm, and re-airs Mon. at 2 pm, and Weds 11 am (CT). [AUDIO/VIDEO] KPFT Houston, at 90.1 FM-HD2, Galveston 89.5-HD2 and Huntsville 91.9-HD2. TOPICS:

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Results of The November 4 Joint General & Special Election
Results on the 2025 Texas Constitutional Propositions;
Residential land in Friendswood rezoned for community shopping center;
Houston looks to launch an early childhood development program for low-to-moderate-income families;
Harris County commissioners formally adopt FY 2025-26 property tax rate increase;
Harris County commissioners choose not to restrict panhandling, roadside solicitors;
Dan Patrick pledges $1 million in campaign funds to install Turning Point USA at every Texas college and high school;
Elon Musk wins $1 trillion pay package tying him to Tesla for a decade;
Cruz, Cornyn push new retaliatory legislation that blocks U.S. water from going to Mexico;
Canada’s F-35 Fighter Debate Summed Up in 3 Words;
Sweden can help fund Ukraine’s Gripen deal, defence minister says;
From Kyiv to the Suwałki Gap, bogs return as Europe’s defensive shield;
US to establish military presence in Damascus under Syria-Israel peace plan;

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#kpfthoustontx – March 2+5, 2025. Sun. at 1pm and Weds 11am (CT). [AUDIO/VIDEO] KPFT Houston, at 90.1 FM-HD2, Galveston 89.5-HD2 and Huntsville 91.9-HD2. TOPICS:

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Quote from Robert Reich
Election Info;
Tollway Spam/Phishing Texts;
A mission for listeners;
Montgomery County considers creation of government efficiency task force;
West University officials install new pedestrian mobility enhancements;
Houston Mayor John Whitmire halts J City initiatives citing ‘conflict of interest’;
Houston Mayor John Whitmire to propose banning city’s residents from sleeping on the streets;
Gov. Abbott orders TEA probe of Houston school for calling a student by chosen name and pronouns;
Yes, GOP congresswoman introduced a bill to make Trump’s birthday a federal holiday;
Norway fuel giant ‘refuses to fill US submarines’ after Trump-Zelensky clash;
Norway confirms continued cooperation with the US Navy;
Psychological aspects of Zelensky’s meeting with Trump and Vance, conducted using ChatGPT;
Trump Thinks He Humiliated Zelensky. He Really Humiliated the United States;

Now in our 12th year on KPFT!

Going forward, new shows will broadcast on Sundays at 1PM (CT) broadcast and re-run on Wednesdays at 11AM.

FYI: WordPress is forcing me to work with a new type of editor, so things will look … different … for a while. I’m hoping I’ll improve with a learning curve. Please bear with me — Mike

AUDIO:

Radio with Mike Honig where we discuss local, state, national, and international stories.

Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig (@ThinkwingRadio) is now on Wednesdays at 11AM (CT) or Thursdays at 6PM on KPFT 90.1 FM-HD2, Houston’s Community Media. You can also hear the show:

Live online at KPFT.org (from anywhere in the world!)
Podcast on your phone’s Podcast App
Visiting Archive.KPFT.ORG

“There’s a reason why you separate military and police. One fights the enemy of the State. The other serves and protects the People. When the military becomes both, then the enemies of the State tend to become the People.” ~ Commander Adama, “Battlestar Galactica” (“WATER”, Season 1 episode 2, at the 28 minute mark.)

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August 8+11+14, 2024, Weds 11am, Thurs 6PM, Sun 1pm (CT). TOPICS: ELECTION INFO; Thinkwing Radio with MIKE HONIG on FaceBook: Threads; Quote of the day from Democratic; Harris County Public Library offers program to navigate FAFSA process for college students; LGBTQ+ youth find ‘healing,’ safe space at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Queer Teen Night; If you see CenterPoint Energy in your neighborhood—you may lose power; Republican Senator Ted Cruz receives endorsement from Democratic Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg; More ground cinnamon recalled for lead contamination; Elon Musk PAC being investigated by Michigan secretary of state for potential violations; House demands info from dozens of major businesses over ties to shadowy ad cartel GARM in collusion probe over free speech; Oil hovers at 8-month lows as U.S. recession fears offset Mideast tensions; Opinion: The U.S. economy is getting closer to a recession. What is the Fed waiting for?; Donald Trump Has Proposed A ‘Massive,’ Radical Plan To Pay Off $35 Trillion In U.S. National Debt; World’s first major AI law enters into force — here’s what it means for U.S. tech giants; Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina flees, army says interim government to be formed; Hungry and displaced Gazans see their misery continuing with Hamas’ new leadership; US and UK expected to be drawn in as Iran prepares retaliation against Israel; More. [AUDIO/VIDEO] KPFT Houston, at 90.1 FM-HD2, Galveston 89.5-HD2 and Huntsville 89.7-HD2. #kpfthoustontx

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Now in our 11th year on KPFT!

Going forward, new shows will post for Thursday at 6PM (CT) broadcast and re-run on Sundays at 1PM and Wednesdays at 11AM.

AUDIO:

POSSIBLE TOPICS: ELECTION INFO; Thinkwing Radio with MIKE HONIG on FaceBook: Threads; Quote of the day from Democratic; Harris County Public Library offers program to navigate FAFSA process for college students; LGBTQ+ youth find ‘healing,’ safe space at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Queer Teen Night; If you see CenterPoint Energy in your neighborhood—you may lose power; Republican Senator Ted Cruz receives endorsement from Democratic Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg; More ground cinnamon recalled for lead contamination; Elon Musk PAC being investigated by Michigan secretary of state for potential violations; House demands info from dozens of major businesses over ties to shadowy ad cartel GARM in collusion probe over free speech; Oil hovers at 8-month lows as U.S. recession fears offset Mideast tensions; Opinion: The U.S. economy is getting closer to a recession. What is the Fed waiting for?; Donald Trump Has Proposed A ‘Massive,’ Radical Plan To Pay Off $35 Trillion In U.S. National Debt; World’s first major AI law enters into force — here’s what it means for U.S. tech giants; Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina flees, army says interim government to be formed; Hungry and displaced Gazans see their misery continuing with Hamas’ new leadership; US and UK expected to be drawn in as Iran prepares retaliation against Israel;

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Weds, NOV. 15+16, 2023, Thurs 6PM (CT). TOPICS: VOTETEXAS.GOV — Voter Info; Your Voice Your Vote: All you need to know for runoff elections in Houston; Pearland considers plan for how it will develop its unused land; Harris County parks study looks to Spring Creek Greenway expansion; HISD committee advances plan to extend year, allow uncertified high school teachers; Harris County OKs $11M contract to send 360 inmates to Mississippi to ease jail overcrowding; Vote delayed on Bush airport expansion after Houston controller raises financial concerns; How McConnell helped engineer Manchin’s exit; Wisconsin judge orders former chief justice to turn over records related to impeachment advice; MORE. [AUDIO/VIDEO] 90.1 FM-HD2, #kpfthoustontx

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AUDIO:

POSSIBLE TOPICS: VOTETEXAS.GOV—Voter Information; REGISTER TO VOTE; APPLY FOR MAIL-IN BALLOT; Your Voice Your Vote: All you need to know for runoff elections in Houston; Pearland considers plan for how it will develop its unused land; Harris County parks study looks to Spring Creek Greenway expansion; HISD committee advances plan to extend year, allow uncertified high school teachers; Harris County OKs $11M contract to send 360 inmates to Mississippi to ease jail overcrowding; Vote delayed on Bush airport expansion after Houston controller raises financial concerns; How McConnell helped engineer Manchin’s exit; Wisconsin judge orders former chief justice to turn over records related to impeachment advice; More.

Welcome to Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig where we discuss local, state, national, and international stories. My co-host, assistant producer and show editor is Andrew Ferguson.

Please take a moment to choose THINKWING RADIO from the drop-down list when you donate.

Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig (@ThinkwingRadio) is now on Wednesdays at 11AM (CT) or Thursdays at 6PM on KPFT 90.1 FM-HD2, Houston’s Community Media. You can also hear the show:

Live online at KPFT.org (from anywhere in the world!)
Podcast on your phone’s Podcast App
Visiting Archive.KPFT.ORG

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Weds, MAY 10+11, 2023, Weds.11 AM & Thurs 6PM (CT). TOPICS: VOTETEXAS.GOV — Voter Info; Houston leaders, worker groups sound alarm over bills limiting local power; Congress worried more blackouts coming in Texas, other states; The Land Beneath This Stadium Once Was Theirs. They Want It Back.; US agency takes unprecedented action to tackle PFAS water pollution; Security News This Week: Russian ‘Ghost Ships’ Identified Near the Nord Stream Blasts; A Secret War Is Brewing In The South China Sea; MORE. [AUDIO/VIDEO] @KPFTHoustonTX 90.1 FM-HD2

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AUDIO:

POSSIBLE TOPICS: VOTETEXAS.GOV—Voter Information; REGISTER TO VOTE; APPLY FOR MAIL-IN BALLOT; Houston leaders, worker groups sound alarm over bills limiting local power; Congress worried more blackouts coming in Texas, other states; The Land Beneath This Stadium Once Was Theirs. They Want It Back.; US agency takes unprecedented action to tackle PFAS water pollution; Security News This Week: Russian ‘Ghost Ships’ Identified Near the Nord Stream Blasts; A Secret War Is Brewing In The South China Sea;More.

Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig (@ThinkwingRadio) is now on Wednesdays at 11AM (CT) on KPFT FM-HD2, Houston’s Community Station. You can also hear the show:

Live online at KPFT.org (from anywhere in the world!)
Podcast on your phone’s Podcast App
Visiting Archive.KPFT.ORG

Welcome to Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig where we discuss local, state, national, and international stories. My co-host and show editor is Andrew Ferguson.

Listen live on the radio, or on the internet from anywhere in the world! Please take a moment to visit Pledge.KPFT.org and choose THINKWING RADIO from the drop-down list when you donate. Continue reading →

“How to effectively talk to your member of congress”, by Emily Ellsworth

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So far, what I have read of Emily’s posts about effectively communicating with your elected officials make sense. Thus, I forward a link to her latest. – Mike H

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Emily Ellsworth is a former Congressional staffer; in other words an ‘insider’.

View the story

“How to effectively talk to your member of congress”

on Storify

Click on the link and read her advice on how to make an impression with your government representative. You might also want to check her out at Twitter @editoremilye.

Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye): Web content editor, creator, and marketer. Inconsistent YA blogger: http://emilysreadingroom.com . Introvert. Cephalopod enthusiast. Ravenclaw.

You can also find her at emilyellsworth.com

“Goodbye Academia,” by Lenny Teytelman

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Introduction by Michael R. Honig, 21-March-2014

Ever since I was a little kid, science and technology have fascinated me. When I read magazines, newspapers (or, now, web sites), the first or second thing I turned to was always the science/technology section, the way many folks look for the sports pages. Thus I am re-publishing an article I found through referral by a friend in biological research. Through my relationships and friendships to scientists (and my marriage to an outstanding researcher), I’ve heard Lenny’s story many times. I think his story is sad for both himself and his country, but is also a compelling argument for reforming the dog-eat-dog world of competing for wholly inadequate grant money by highly-trained and grossly-underpaid scientists who work in a frequently-disheartening professional environment.

This is the original link: http://anothersb.blogspot.com/2014/02/goodbye-academia.html?showComment=1393631732246

NOTE: I recommend going to the comments section after reading the article for additional perspective from others who know whereof Mr. Teytelman speaks.

_________________________________________________ Continue reading →

Rep. Anthony Weiner: Great Video Moments On The House Floor [VIDEO]

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I’m re-posting (from June 6, 2011) this short video compilation of some of Anthony Weiner’s best moments in the U.S. House of Representatives. At a time when he’s being seen by some (many? most?) as a pathetic laughingstock who should drop out of the race for mayor of New York City, it may be worth looking again at the passion he brought to the House, the good that he fought for for America, and his total unwillingness to be intimidated or shouted down.

Weiner has his personal problems, but he may also be the kind of combative, gutsy mayor that the 99% of New Yorkers need. ~ Mike

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In my opinion, some of the great and courageous moments ever seen in House debate.

A total of 3 4 videos [Last video added 10-Aug-2013]:

7m 08s

Continue reading →

Sign The Petition for the Sanders Amendment: Corporations are NOT People!

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A Petition to Support the Saving American Democracy Amendment

_____________________________________

SenatorSandersBernie Sanders: If you believe that corporations are subject to regulation by the people, sign here: http://t.co/DJIXFUqt #FiliBernie

READ THE ACTUAL 3-PAGE DRAFT HERE.

Top Progressive Heroes AND Villains

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The Republican side these days is such a villain-rich environment, you just want to vote for all of them, Unfortunately, you must choose.

Democratic heroes are tougher. There’s aren’t nearly enough high-profile Democratic heroes, which may describe the Party’s biggest problem in a nutshell.

It would also be nice to be able to vote for heroes and villains across party lines. (Mary Landrieu? Ben Nelson?) Maybe next time.

Vote!

The Speech Obama SHOULD Give: Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Speech at Madison Square Garden (October 31, 1936)

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Last night (September 1, 2011), Lawrence O’Donnell’s The Last Word ran part of a speech given by President Franklin D. Roosevelt just before the 1936 election. The most striking thing about his speech was the political fearlessness of it. One line in particular could be lifted by President Obama and cited in his speech to Congress: “Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me—and I welcome their hatred.”

If only he would…

Below is the link to the page with the transcript, and the introduction written there.
Continue reading →

Senator John Cornyn (R-TX): “Washington Needs a Balanced Budget Amendment”. Me: “Not so much.”

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I recently received a typical self-laudatory and self-justifying email from one of my Texas Senators, John Cornyn. (Reproduced at the bottom.) Below is my response, posted to his office via his official web site.

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Dear Senator Cornyn,

We do not need a balanced budget amendment.

We need senators and representatives who can do their jobs. Leaders who know when to raise taxes, and when not to. Leaders who put country ahead of party and politics. Leaders who don’t make defeating their political opposition “the number one priority”, ahead of jobs, the nation’s debt rating, or our country’s future.

I have just one number to say to you: 1937.

You, sir, are among the worst examples of Republican “party first” politics.

You should be ashamed of yourself and your party. Continue reading →

Happy Birthday, Mr. President! It is time for you to dig your heels in and make a stand, by Manolo Garibay

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Happy Birthday, Mr. President,

I hope for nothing but success for you in the years to come.

Coming out of the budget negotiations, the debt ceiling debate, and now with the fight for funding the FAA looming, it is time for you to dig your heels in and make a stand, and tell America that it is the Republicans — NOT Congress — that is standing in the way of getting this economy to recover. “Call them out,” as you have said in the past. Get angry, be aggressive and make demands… Maybe as many as 40% of Americans will not vote for you under any circumstances, so where is the risk? Continue reading →

John F. Kennedy, On Being A Liberal (September 14, 1960)

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We always think of John F. Kennedy as young, because he never lived long enough to grow old. It’s amazing today to think that, of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and John F. Kennedy, Kennedy was the oldest of the three.

Below is a speech he gave when accepting the Democratic Party nomination for the presidency, where he talks about what being a Liberal means to him.

Contemporary Democrats should take note.

Mike

Continue reading →

The GkOchP/Krauthammer Doctrine: They Want You To Stay Unemployed

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On June 30, Keith Olbermann had NY Senator Charles Schumer on Current TV’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann to talk about the debt ceiling debate, and the Congressional and — specifically — the Republican politics surrounding it. During that interview, Schumer made an unusually blunt and explosive charge: That Republicans are deliberately trying to ‘tank’ the economy for their own political advantage.

To home-based, Monday morning political quarterbackers like me, that is not a surprising statement. It’s one that many political commentators and bloggers have been making for some time.

It’s explosive because it comes from a sitting senator, Continue reading →

A “Tax Holiday” On Repatriation of Foreign Profits Is A Bad Idea. Here’s why.

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Foreign profits earned by American companies are not taxed by the United States until the profits are ‘brought home’ (i.e., repatriated).

Republicans have floated the idea of a ‘tax holiday’ on repatriated foreign profits so that companies are given an incentive to bring overseas profits home, so they can reputedly be invested, and thus create jobs here in the States.

Not only is this a bad idea in terms of tax policy, but even discussing it is bad tax policy. Allow me to relate an anecdote to explain, but be patient. It will take a little while to get back to my point. Continue reading →

China Sells Counterfeit Electronics for F-15s, and more

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ThinkWingRadio So why are the damn parts for F-15s made in China?! RT @WILLROGERSUSA Key US senators slam China on military parts probe http://t.co/BaIHzMq

ThinkWingRadio I have a great idea! The Russians can make M-16s, the Chinese can build our military computers, the Iranians can build our rockets. BFFs!!

ThinkWingRadio What the hell has happened to our country? We don’t even make our own military equipment?Now China’s “The Arsenal of Democracy”?! Thanx GOP!

My Advice To Anthony Weiner: Go Forward with Business As Usual

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I have a saying: “Good advice is easy to give, but hard to take.” As a total outsider (it’s hard to be more outside The Beltway than I am), I have some advice for you, Anthony Weiner, which you can take or leave, and it’s this: Go back to business as usual in the House.
Continue reading →

Wise Words for Weiner Critics: “Judge not, that ye be not judged”

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“Judge not, lest ye be judged.” A common misquote, I’m told, of Matthew 7:1 (“Judge not, that ye be not judged. “). Wise words, either way.

When should someone’s personal peccadillos materially matter to us? When is it actually fair to hold someone to a higher standard than we perhaps hold ourselves? When should it reach the level of ‘a scandal’? When should we care?
Continue reading →

Rep. Anthony Weiner: Great Video Moments On The House Floor [VIDEO]

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In my opinion, some of the great and courageous moments ever seen in House debate.

A total of 3 4 videos [Last video added 10-Aug-2013]:

7m 08s

Continue reading →

State Of The Union: A Surprise Argument For Separate Party Seating

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You may be surprised to learn that my wife is not as political as I am. When I bend her ear too much or gripe about conservatives too much, she lets me know when I’m done.

Thus it was that after Obama’s State Of The Union (SOTU) speech, while I and the commentators and the politicians assessed the change to ‘prom night’ seating as neutral to positive, my wife voiced an objection. Following is a paraphrase of the conversation. Continue reading →

The “N” word. (No, not that one.)

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Maverick Economist Alfred Kahn has a penchant for candor that is both refreshing and dangerous in Washington. When he said that there is the possibility of a “deep, deep depression” if inflation continues to soar, the President was furious. Kahn responded by purging the word depression from his vocabulary and instead using “banana.” So he now says: “We’re in danger of having the worst banana in 45 years.”

– Business: Yes, We Have No Bananas (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,919922,00.html)

Words have power. That’s why an ad slogan is so persuasive. It’s why people polish speeches. It’s why society sometimes considers words taboo.

Sometimes, words are taboo for politically expedient reasons. Economist Alfred Kahn learned this when he felt forced to substitute the word “banana” for the word “depression”. Continue reading →

Barry, Read “Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!”

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When politics generally and Republican/Rightwing policy proposals make you want to rip your hair out, read Truman’s “Give ‘Em Hell” speech (Oct 1, 1948) today, and be inspired. www.trumanlibrary.org/publicpapers/index.php?pid=1973

This believed to be the speech that turned the 1948 election for Harry Truman.

It took me about 2 hours to find an authoritative source for this transcript, so I can vouch for its accuracy.

The speech was given in Charleston, West Virginia. Here’s the text: Continue reading →

Dear President Obama: Like it or not, perception is reality.

2 Replies

For the last couple of days, President Obama has been defending his deal with Republican Congressional leaders on the tax cuts. After taking a lot of heat from the media, the blogosphere and elsewhere (little if any of that criticism from the right), he’s been complaining about criticism from his own base. That is to say, the people who worked for him, donated to him, voted for him, and have continually defended him over the past 3-4 years from the earliest stages of his candidacy to the present.

I wish to say this to President Obama: Continue reading →

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye): Web content editor, creator, and marketer. Inconsistent YA blogger: http://emilysreadingroom.com . Introvert. Cephalopod enthusiast. Ravenclaw.

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A Petition to Support the Saving American Democracy Amendment

SenatorSandersBernie Sanders: If you believe that corporations are subject to regulation by the people, sign here: http://t.co/DJIXFUqt #FiliBernie

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