J.R. talks God, Guns and Good Government
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Fort Worth, Texas
Columnist J.R. Labbe loves to talk about the Second Amendment, the "religion" clause in the First Amendment and the whole Constitutional thing as it applies to good stewardship of the people's trust.
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Most Recently Answered Questions
Questions 1 - 20 of 41 (Page 1 of 3)Submitted by Bertie Milson from Granbury, Texas
Q: I recently got a notice from Tarrant Appraisal District for estimated taxes on a small mineral lease we happen to have in Tarrant county. Is this valid? They already tax the landowner and now they want to tax the minerals too? What about the water? Do they get to tax that too? I don't think this is right! Is it?
Answered 10/27/08 17:07:41 by J.R. Labbe
A: I have bad news for you, Bertie, but yes, the mineral interests are taxable. Our household received a similar notice from Johnson County, and my mother's homestead in Parker County received one as well.Submitted by J K Snydeer from Brazos Point, TX
Q: Which presidential candidate's veep choice is more critical?
Answered 06/18/08 08:37:41 by J.R. Labbe
A: Both are equally important. The days when the vice president's spot amounted to little more than a warm bucket of spit -- to paraphrase John Nance Garner -- are long over. More eyes are probably focused on McCain's choice, given the candidate's age and previously health problems. It's an unseemly reality that people have to think about the individual who will assume to the spot should something happen to the president. But Obama and McCain, in the short-term, are looking for VP nominees who have the muscle to help pull voters to the polls in November.Submitted by Gary from Fort Worth
Q: J.R.- What attention will the legislature give to the electric industry and its deregulation, given the recent spate of failures by smaller retailers?
Answered 06/11/08 08:30:17 by J.R. Labbe
A: Hard to imagine that the Texas Legislature could give more attention to the utilities than it did in its last session, given the tremendous amount of time and money that was spent on the TXU sale, with all of its implications. The problems with the smaller retailers going toes up presents one of those classic free market vs. regulation situations, complicated by the fact that we're talking about a commodity that is essential. The Lege doesn't convene until January but given the past history with the industry, I wouldn't be surprised to see an interim committee looking into it.Submitted by Lynn from Garland, Tx
Q: Do you feel that in the 2012 Pres.election, there will be a 3 party system? The long line of voters forming behind Rep.Ron Paul has become more than just a grass roots ideal, most voters (Rep/Dem) all seem to be very tired of the same old game of politics, with special interests having more imput than the American citizens. So will a 3rd political party have a realistic chance of success?
Answered 06/11/08 08:10:05 by J.R. Labbe
A: Sadly, wishing for something doesn't make it so. There may be lines behind Rep. Paul, but they are anything but long at this point. While most voters may be tired of the same old game, the critical mass needed to completely overturn the existing system has yet to form. As far as special interests having more imput than citizens, that in large part is the fault of the citizens who have become passive takers of services and payers of taxes. The change you'd like to see needs to come from just those grass roots ideals, and it starts when people exercise that right to petition the government.... and vote.Submitted by Paul from Fort Worth
Q: Politicians on the local and state level consistently push immigration as an issue, more so in Republican races than Democratic races, but this issue seems to almost disappear on the national level. You have any ideas why? Don't you think we must deal with this consistently across states? And isn't federal-level action the only way to make that happen?
Answered 06/11/08 08:05:39 by J.R. Labbe
A: The answer to immigration must come on a federal level. Or make that answers. The issue is so complicated that addressing only one facet -- closing the border, employer enforcement, possible deportations, path to citizenship -- won't solve it. While immigration has been talked about among candidates running for local and state offices, you don't hear the two presumed presidential candidates bringing it up unless someone asks a direct question. (McCain and Obama's positions used to be very similar, until McCain moved right in an attempt to appease the GOP base).Submitted by Morton from Fort Worth
Q: And now for the $64,000 question: Will Clinton be the Democrats' nominee for vice president? I say no, but I'm not the expert. What say you?
Answered 06/04/08 08:22:45 by J.R. Labbe
A: Morton: I'm not an expert, either, just an avid political junkie. As much as Clinton and millions of American Democrats may hope it to be so, I don't think Obama shares that assessment. He wouldn't only be getting Hillary; he'd also get Bill. And I don't think that's as attractive as it once might have been. Of course, given how totally unpredictable this presidential campaign has been, Obama and his advisors may think the potential downside of a Bill off leash is worth risking, given the states Hillary brings with her.Submitted by Gary from Grand Prairie
Q: Should Obama and Clinton run together as the Democrat ticket?
Answered 06/04/08 08:15:49 by J.R. Labbe
A: Gary: Should and will are two different questions. Millions of Democrats across America think an Obama-Clinton team would be unbeatable in November. I'm not so sure Obama sees it that way. Remember, he doesn't just get Hillary; he also gets Bill Clinton. And the former president isn't the asset today that he was a year ago.Submitted by Jim from Fort Worth
Q: What are your thoughts on Scott McClellan's revelations on the run-up to the war? Do they confirm what you already suspected or are they a surprise? Also, as a member of the fourth estate and someone who has served as a spokesperson for an organization, what are your thoughts about such a book in general and, in particular. it being published now?
Answered 05/28/08 08:42:23 by J.R. Labbe
A: Jim: "Tell all" books spring up like mushrooms after a rain during presidential campaigns. Generally, though, the topic of revelation is one of the candidates. First thought I had this morning was that Scott was in for one heck of a lecture about loyalty from his momma, Carole Keeton McClellan Rylander Strayhorn, but then I remembered that she changed parties are often as she changed names. I haven't read the book and only know what's been reported in the last 12 hours. Very little about the Bush administration surprises me anymore. Saddens me, but not surprises. I always ache for the official spokespersons of politicians who have to go out and spin for their bosses when they know in their innards that the story is something very different. I can only speculate on why the book was published now, or why Scott felt compelled to even write it. Confession is good for the soul, I guess.Submitted by Paul from Fort Worth from Fort Worth
Q: Columnist Joe Galloway speaks repeatedly of the Army being close to broken by the stress of deployment in Iraq. If he's correct, what does this mean in the short term? How long to refit and retrain? It took years after the United States left Vietnam.
Answered 05/28/08 08:11:47 by J.R. Labbe
A: Paul: Galloway may sometimes sound like a one-note drummer, but it's a crucial note he's striking. In the short term, Americans better pray that our leadership kicks diplomacy into high gear because we don't have the manpower, the machines and the munitions to engage in any other conflict. Any success we experience in Iraq and Afghanistan is because of the commitment, training and heart of our fighting forces -- despite how mucked up the brass and the political leaders have managed to get the situation. Refitting and retraining are part of the $64 billion question, because it's Congress and the president who will determine priorities and dollars.Submitted by Gary from Grand Prairie
Q: So exactly how stretched is our military right now? And how bad is Afghanistan?
Answered 05/28/08 08:04:25 by J.R. Labbe
A: Gary: First let me say that no one can rival U.S. fighting forces when it comes to heart, commitment and training. But even the best of the best wear out after repeated deployment, especially in the arenas of Iraq and Afghanistan. The Pentagon reported that active duty recruiting goals in all branches of service were met or exceeded for FY 2007, but only the most naive won't admit that it's getting tougher and tougher. Afghanistan is a continual challenge. One of the stories that goes largely unreported here in the states is the incursion of Iranian influence in the country's western provinces. We focus so much on the area between Afghanistan and Pakistan -- where Osama bin Laden is often believed to be hiding -- that Americans don't hear much about the increase of Iranian made weapons -- the same stuff we hear so much about in Irag -- in the western areas. Reuters is the best place to watch for this kind of info. Our coalition partners in NATO and ISAF are most welcome, but so many of them come with restrictions on where they can be based and what kind of engagements they can participate in. The additional U.S. Marines should help.Submitted by Jim from Fort Worth
Q: After the inevitable happens, any ideas who might fill Ted Kennedy's seat?
Answered 05/21/08 09:07:53 by J.R. Labbe
A: Jim, I suppose that question is best placed to the voters of Massachusetts. Whether one likes or dislikes the senator's politics, he is undeniably a force in the U.S. Senate -- still. As much as conservatives revel in badmouthing the liberal lion, Kennedy reaches across the aisle on numerous issues to build coalitions. The Baked Bean state will be hard pressed to find someone as effective.Submitted by Alan from Fort Worth
Q: Given the recent controversies about execution methods and bad convictions, what do you think is the likelihood that capital punishment will be either banned or practically abandoned in the U.S. within the next, say, 20 years?
Answered 05/21/08 09:01:02 by J.R. Labbe
A: Alan: I think the likelihood is good. It may not be at the behest of the U.S. Supreme Court (of course, that could hinge on who wins the presidency this year and how many new justices he or she gets to nominate), but there's definitely movement on the state level to halt executions. When Texas starts talking about innocence commissions, change is definitely in the air.Submitted by Paul from Fort Worth
Q: Give the history of the area -- the rout of the Soviet army for example -- do you think it is even possible for a non-asymmetrical force to be successful even regardless of force numbers?
Answered 05/21/08 08:35:08 by J.R. Labbe
A: It's going to take more than just military force (golly, where have we heard that before?) to negate the effectiveness of the Taliban, al Qaeda and other "non-coalition forces." But for darn sure we aren't going to make lasting military gains when half of the U.S. coalition partners have restrictions on where they can go and what they can do when they are there.Submitted by Paul from Fort Worth
Q: JR ... how about your personal opinion -- not the official one of the Editorial Board -- on whether Hillary Clinton should stay in or drop out? You buy the argument that continued campaigning is damanging to the party -- in this case the Dems, but sometime in the future it could be the GOP?
Answered 05/14/08 08:59:16 by J.R. Labbe
A: Paul: Heck, yes, she should stay for if for no other reason than the voters in the remaining primary states get to experience a taste of what we Texans experienced in our March primary -- a surge of energy and heightened interest in the presidential campaign. What potential damage it might cause the party is secondary. Besides, a political party should have to earn the White House.Submitted by Herb from Fort Worth
Q: Ok. J.R., I'll get back on topic now. What effect do you see on our second amendment rights by the election of each of the following candidates? Clinton, Obama, McCain, Paul. Do you think there will be any kind of influence at the Republican convention by Ron Paul? Thanks for letting me rant last week and handling it so professionally.
Answered 05/07/08 08:13:40 by J.R. Labbe
A: Herb: In the short term, none of those candidates will have any significant impact. The issue is in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court, and the justices will be issuing a decision in Heller vs D.C. prior to the November election. But who becomes president may be very significant in future court cases of all stripes because it's likely the next U.S. president will be nominating one, if not more, future justices. Gun rights advocates view a Clinton or Obama presidency as hostile to their views of private gun ownership rights. McCain perhaps less so, but he hasn't exactly been a poster child for gun rights. If McCain sticks with his pledge to nominate justices in the ilk of Roberts and Alito, one assumes a gun rights viewpoint would come with them. But we'll see how this court rules in June on the DC handgun ban ordinance.Submitted by Don Klick from Fort Worth
Q: Which school district is building the most expensive Schools in the county? A couple of recent facts: Keller ISD reported a expected cost of 72 mill and recently recieved a bid of 78mill. Saginaw bond proposal 137 mill. Keller has built 4 elementary school for under 11 mill Northwest ISD bond proposal 21 to 23 million each
Answered 05/07/08 08:07:41 by J.R. Labbe
A: Don: I'm not sure that a complete evaluation of a school district's building needs can be understand by just looking at the final price tag. Without looking at the specifics of each proposed project, you can't make a fair assessment.Submitted by Herb from Fort Worth
Q: OK, I'll agree I might have been a bit premature in venting my last rant. I'll try to cool down a bit before the next one. The paper I picked up was at a convenience store on the West side. The section "Fort Worth" was either not there or was called "Regional" It also had no TV Star in it as advertised by the placard above the stack. When I went back to the store we found that none had the TV Star. I just use the TV Guide on my computer now. I do understand the realities of business and also knew Mr.Carter. Yes, he would have expanded to growing areas but I think the name would still be the "FORT WORTH Star-Telegram". His civic pride would not allow anything else.
Answered 04/30/08 10:02:52 by J.R. Labbe
A: Again, I can't project what Mr. Carter would do in the current business environment. Today's Star-Telegram serves readers in communities that have their own civic pride and are desiring of a newspaper that recognizes those geographic distinctions while also presenting information on the issues and challenges that we have in common as folks living in North Texas.Submitted by Greg from N. Richland Hills, TX
Q: What have you heard about Montana's opposition to Collective Rights?
Answered 04/30/08 08:27:31 by J.R. Labbe
A: Greg, I have read some coverage on the issue of Montana's opposition to the possibility that the Supreme Court might draw a collective rights interpretation of the Second Amendment when it delivers a decision in Heller vs D.C sometime this summer. Some Montana lawmakers are cautioning that the agreement under which their state joined the Union in 1889 construed the Second Amendment as a right of any person to own guns, not just members of a state militia.Submitted by Herb from Fort Worth
Q: I know this isn't your department, but I have to vent. What has happened to the FWST? First, it is now just the "Star-Telegram", second, now there is no "Fort Worth" section, it's been retitled "Regional". Why the intentional separation from Fort Worth? When are they going to just move to Dallas. Is the publisher so ashamed of Fort Worth that he wants to just me the North Texas paper? Once the FWST was proud of Fort Worth and it's heritage. Amon Carter is spinning in his grave.
Answered 04/30/08 08:12:45 by J.R. Labbe
A: Herb: The Star-Telegram is still very proud of its heritage as a newspaper founded in Fort Worth, and which now serves all of North Texas. I wouldn't begin to posit what Mr. Carter might be doing, but it's not constructive to romanticize how he would have conducted business were he still alive in this new media environment. Above all, he was a shrew businessman, and he understood the realities of business. The Star-Telegram serves a varity of distinct areas of North Texas -- Fort Worth, Arlington, Northeast Tarrant County. A decision was made 15 years ago to target coverage that would interest the people living in those regions. We opened full-blown newsrooms in Arlington and Northeast Tarrant County. I suggest you pick up today's Star-Telegram that's delivered to households in Fort Worth and points south and west. You will note that the Fort Worth section is titled "Fort Worth."Submitted by Paul from Fort Worth
Q: Do you have any information about how many people are relatively permanently homeless vs how many are occasionally homeless? Seems to me that while the count remains somewhat static from year to year, it probably does not cover the same people. If that's true, how do you design a program to end homelessness if you can't be sure the participants will be around to complete it? Not negative ... just curious.
Answered 04/23/08 13:01:36 by J.R. Labbe
A: Paul, we have folks in Tarrant County who have lived in what is supposed to be temporary emergency shelter for decades. They haven't gone anywhere; the community has found ways to allow them to maintain their homelessness. Many people experience temporary homelessness as a result of job loss, divorce, medical emergency or some other traumatic life event that knocks them into homelessness. According to the last point-in-time count of Tarrant County's homeless, there were about 3,900 men, women and children in emergency shelters, transitional housing (think Union Gospel Mission and the Salvation Army), and permanent supportive housing. There also were more than 200 men and women who were totally unsheltered. More than 24 percent of Tarrant County's homeless are considered chronically homeless. That means they have been continuously homeless for a year or more, or have had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years. Fort Worth's proposed 10-year plan is design to address the chronic homeless -- get them into permanent housing (apartment, group home, etc.) AND provide the "wrap-around" services they need-- medical, mental health, budgeting, education, job training -- to maintain a self-sufficient, independent and, hopefully, productive lifestyle.