PoliTex: Texas land commissioner opts for hunting instead of politics

Texas Republicans: Don’t count on state Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson showing up at the national convention next week.

He’ll be hunting instead.

Patterson told the Austin American-Statesman he was relinquishing his seat so a deserving grassroots person could go instead.

"If the outcome were still in doubt as to who our nominee would be, I would be going," Patterson said. "But the outcome is not in doubt."

So he’ll be out with others celebrating Sept. 1, which is Labor Day, the day the national convention kicks off and the day dove season begins in Texas.

Instead of in Minnesota, he plans to be "out in some prairie with a cold beer and a 12-gauge."

Heavenly help?

The Holy Spirit was out in full force recently for the Fort Worth City Council.

At a recent budget meeting, where city leaders are discussing ways to compensate for a multimillion-dollar shortfall, Sister Mary Fulbright urged the council to find ways to save programs such as the late-night hours at five area community centers.

"I don’t understand the money of the Barnett Shale," she said. "I thank God for that . . . but there’s money there."

Mayor Mike Moncrief stressed that the budget is a work in progress and no proposed cuts are made lightly.

He even noted that the city chose to hold its two-day budget retreat this year at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, rather than past locations such as the Texas Motor Speedway.

"We figured we needed the Lord’s help with this budget," he said.

Looking back

Reflecting on the 1968 Democratic National Convention recently, former House Speaker Jim Wright said he had the unique opportunity to ride in a vehicle with then-Vice President Hubert Humphrey as Humphrey prepared to accept the party’s nomination for president.

"He had asked if anybody remembered the words to the prayer of St. Francis," Wright said. "I happened to have a copy of it in my pocket, a memento from the funeral of one of my friends in World War II."

Humphrey used those prayer words in his acceptance speech — thanks to Wright — to try to reach out to all members of the sharply divided party.

"Listen to this immortal saint," Humphrey said in his speech. " 'Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light.’ "

Challenging year

U.S. Rep. Kay Granger predicts that the races in November will not be easy.

She rallied GOP supporters last week at a kickoff for state Sen. Kim Brimer’s re-election campaign, urging Republicans to work together.

"This is going to be one we have to put all our effort and fire into," Granger told the crowd. "Tarrant County will be one of the bellwethers in this election. This is the time."