The Central Intelligence Agency has admitted that it broke into the computer networks of the Senate Intelligence Committee. 

If the CIA would bust into the computers of the Senate Intelligence Committee for whatever reason, what American is safe from a similar intrusion? 

It is these type violations that have made me a supporter of Edward Snowden's actions in revealing the extent of computer spying by the U.S. government.

It is not just government watching us all the time.  

Private sector snooping and monitoring is also a big threat to freedom.  

I'm not an advocate of living off the grid or leaving society for a survivalist fantasy. 

Instead, Congress must make laws that protect individuals from both government and private sector spying so that we can live our own lives. 

I don't know the exact solution. But I have to believe that problems we create in this society have a solution that we as everyday people can insist upon and that is practical and effective.

Because otherwise, how can anybody be hopeful about stuff?  

Issues of computer privacy must be moved to the forefront of political debate. 

But you've got to understand---This will only happen if we demand that it happen. 

It would be consistent with what should be the spirit of the currently contested anti-discrimination law in Houston for Mayor Annise Parker & human rights leaders in Houston to call for Houston to shelter & assist the unaccompanied refugee children at the border. 

Political leaders and others in Dallas County, Texas reached out to help these children.

Mayor Kassim Read of Atlanta has offered help to these children.

Mayor Rham Emanuel of Chicago has offered to help these children.  

Leadership by Mayor Parker on this issue would also be consistent with Houston's place as a city of immigrants.

Liberals and progressives in Houston will be soon asked to expend effort to defend the Equal Rights Ordinance at the ballot box in an election year where many important races are on the ballot. 

Where is the leadership and concern from the most vocal advocates of this new law--such as Mayor Parker--that would give true substance to the declared intent of the human rights ordinance? 

Please read all of NeilAquino.com

Post #3

A hopeful thing in our Texas politics is the Texas Progressive Alliance. I am a member of this organization. 

The TPA is a group of citizen-bloggers who each day observe, write about and take an active part in Texas politics at the local and statewide level.

The work of freedom is up to each of us. 

Each week the TPA offers a round-up of the best in Texas blogging for the week just past. 

Here is the current round-up---

Off the Kuff is happy to hear that there will be exit polls in Texas this year.

From WCNews at Eye on Williamson, an interesting reaction to a sexual assault conviction in Williamson County: The Case Of Greg Kelley.

Libby Shaw at Texas Kaos notes that while John Cornyn rails bemoans federal inaction over the Texas/Mexico border crisis, Mr. Cornyn and Ted Cruz have not advanced one name for nomination to the six current federal judicial vacancies in the state: Cornyn rails against political malpractice while practicing same.

Texas statewide candidates have been separated at birth from their fraternal twins: Junior Samples and Jim Hogan, Archie Bunker and Sid Miller, Glenn Hegar and Jethro Bodine, Greg Abbott and Dr. Strangelove. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs admits that once you stop laughing, it's a kind of a scary thought that these guys stand even the slightest chance of getting elected.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme knows that Republicans blow smoke when they're not blowing hate. What we really need are solutions to problems for the flood of immigrant children.

Neil at All People Have Value wrote about the need for modern victory gardens to combat climate change and all the toxic food we are offered each day. All People Have Value is part ofNeilAquino.com.

It's no surprise to Texas Leftist that marriage equality makes economic sense for the Lone Star State. But thanks to a new report from the Williams Institute, we finally have numbers to show just how much business Texas is losing.

In the wake of Harris County district attorney candidate Kim Ogg's declaration to end prosecutions for misdemeanor marijuana offenses, Texpate took a look at whether the laws regarding other intoxicants might be worth revisiting. 

========================

And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs.

Socratic Gadfly responds to the corporations who blamed first responders for the West fertilizer explosion. 

Isiah Carey had video of the dueling Palestinian and Israeli protests near the Galleria in Houston.

TexasVox points out that some of your household cleaning products are worse for you and the environment than the grime that you're cleaning up.

BOR posted Texas' rankings for states with the highest energy costs (10th in the nation) and production of greenhouses gases (first).  Why do we have to pay through the nose twice?

Lone Star Q examines the impact of LGBT donors on Wendy Davis' fundraising.

The Bloggess explains what feminism is all about, and why feminists are (in a good way!) like sharks and bees.

Equality Texas calls on AG Greg Abbott to drop the appeal of the ruling that struck down Texas' ban on same sex marriage.

SciGuy thinks it's time we consider going back to the moon instead of going to Mars.

Beyond Bones tells us what Jurassic Park got right -- and wrong -- about dinosaur anatomy.

Todo Texas points out the cost of Austin's longstanding "gentleman's agreement" on minority representation on city council.

Juanita Jean comments on Louie Gohmert's national prominence.

Lone Star Ma has an easy and inexpensive way for anyone with a little compassion to help the young refugees from Central America.

Post #2 

Some thought that Kentucky Senator Rand Paul's recent outreach to Black voters at the Urban League Conference in Cincinnati was about Senator Paul looking to win over Black folks for a 2016 Presidential race despite his previously stated hesitation about the 1964 Civil Rights Act.  

And this interpretation may well be correct as far is it goes.  

But at a deeper level, there is a history of racial ugliness to American Libertarianism and in the record of Senator Paul's father Congressman Ron Paul. 

Senator Paul can't erase this longtime racist stench by now claiming he is a friend of the diversity that helps make America a great country.

Please read all of NeilAquino.com

Because life is hopeful, here is a list of everyday ideas for resistance to our often frustrating culture.  

Post # 1

This is the first post in my new blog called Blog About Our Failing Money-Owned American Political System.   

This blog will consist of short observations about our failing money-owned American political system.  

Please read all of NeilAquino.com 

Because life is hopeful, here is a list of everyday ideas for resistance to our often frustrating culture.