Legislative Update

By MELISSA VARGAS
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Posted on Fri, Dec. 07, 2007

Liveleak

A frame from the police car video shows the motorcycle just before it and the car collide. The motorcycle is on the left, just above the words "Watauga DPS."
Second officer collides with motorcycle
First officer initiates chase
WATAUGA -- Police car videos released by the Watauga Department of Public Safety show an officer's patrol car swerving into the path of a motorcycle carrying two people in August.
The officer, William Allen, says, "I hit him."
Seconds later, the officer who had been pursuing the motorcycle arrives at the crash scene and jumps out of his car, shouting, "What were you thinking?"
The videos raise further questions about the Department of Public Safety's claims that the motorcyclist ran a red light and that the officer did everything possible to avoid a collision.
The Aug. 25 collision severely injured the motorcycle passenger, Cynthia Arredondo, 31, who was thrown 60 feet and suffered severe head trauma, broken ribs, and leg and arm injuries. The driver, Derek Muzquiz, 25, was hospitalized for a week.
Watauga police officials have said the two officers were pursuing the motorcycle because Muzquiz had run a red light. The videos don't show him running a red light before the pursuit.

Release ordered
The city fought the release of the videos but was ordered to release them Nov. 30 by the Texas attorney general's office.
Watauga officials have not released the videos to the Star-Telegram, which requested them in September under the Texas Public Information Act. Watauga did provide them to KTVT/Channel 11, which provided them to the Star-Telegram.
In response to previous Star-Telegram reports about the collision, Police Chief Rande Benjamin suspended both officers involved for not following department policy. The Watauga department has declined to identify the officer who began the chase. Allen was providing backup when his car collided with the motorcycle.
Allen was suspended for 60 days without pay, and the officer who began the pursuit was suspended for 15 days without pay.
Benjamin did not return phone and e-mail requests seeking comment about the videos Thursday. City Manager Kerry Lacy was out of the office and could not be reached for comment.
City Councilman Jerry Adams said he had not seen the videos and had not heard anything about the case "in quite a while."

The crash
Allen's police car video shows him racing south on Rufe Snow Drive with his lights and siren on. When Allen turns west onto Chapman Road, he slows as he crosses into the oncoming traffic lane, the video shows.
The motorcycle is traveling toward Allen head-on, then veers to go around the police cruiser. Allen's car swerves into its path and hits the motorcycle.
The video from the pursuing officer's car begins at the intersection of U.S. 377 and Chapman Road, about a mile west of the collision site.
The patrol car is sitting behind the motorcycle, which is stopped at the traffic light with the left-turn signal flashing. When the traffic light turns green, the motorcycle turns east onto Chapman Road and the patrol car follows. At that point, the officer turns on his lights and siren, and the motorcycle speeds away.
As the officer gives chase, he speeds through two stop signs. As he nears Rufe Snow Drive, he can be heard telling Allen on the radio, "You've got him." Seconds later, Allen says on the radio, "I hit him."
The pursuing officer arrives, jumps out of his car and yells, "What were you thinking?" He runs to Arredondo's aid and calls for an ambulance.

No investigation
Arredondo is doing better but is still recovering from her injuries at an Arlington rehabilitation center, her aunt Margaret Burcie said Thursday.
Muzquiz was arrested in October on suspicion of evading arrest with a vehicle, a state jail felony. He was released on $2,500 bail.
Muzquiz's first court appearance was Nov. 5. Prosecutor Tasha Foster of the Tarrant County district attorney's office said she had not seen the chase video. To her knowledge, she said, no one in the district attorney's office is investigating the officers' actions.
Officials with the district attorney's office have said they don't generally investigate police unless someone first makes a complaint to the Texas Rangers or unless a police department makes a complaint to the district attorney.

MELISSA VARGAS, 817-685-3888
mvargas@star-telegram.com

CHECK THIS LINK TO FIND VIDEOs:
http://www.star-telegram.com/407/story/346994.html

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YAMAHA RECALLS

2001 Yamaha Road Star, Midnight Star, Road Star Silverado models (model numbers: XV16, 16AN, 16ASN, 16 ATN)

2002 Yamaha Road Star, Limited Edition, Midnight Star, Star Warrior, Silverado (model numbers: XV16, 16AP, 16APC, 16ASP, 16ASPC, 16ATP, 16ATPC, XV17 P, 17PC, 17PCP, 17PCPC, 17PCR, 17PCRC)

2003 Yamaha Road Star, Midnight Star, Limited Edition, Warrior and Silverado (model numbers: XV16, 16AR, 16ARC, 16ALER, 16ALERC, 16ASR, 16ASRC, 16ATR, 16ATRC, XV17PCP, 17PCPC, 17PCR, 17PCRC)

Filings by Yamaha with the Federal government’s Safety Recall "department" indicate that between 29,000 and 53,000 Yamaha motorcycles manufactured with defective transmission parts that can cause the transmission and rear wheel to lock up while in motion, which can throw the driver out of control, possibly causing severe injury or even death.
Yamaha has reported to the Federal government that only about 6,000 or so of these motorcycles were repaired.

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HSD submits new rules for Real ID Act
After taking public comments into account, Homeland Security Department officials have submitted a revised set of minimum federal standards that states must meet when issuing driver’s licenses and identification cards to satisfy the Real ID Act. of 2005.

A final rule will be good news to companies that work in ID security because many states have been reluctant to move forward with upgrades to their ID systems, said Jeremy Grant, a senior vice president at the Stanford Group who follows the sector closely and attended the Nov. 29panel discussion.“The regulations coming out will automatically take back the restraint that’s been holding back the market,” he said.


House GOP Exits Will Strengthen Right in '08
By John Gizzi

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With the number of House Republicans retiring at 17 and counting-- compared to four exits on the Democratic side -- there are few GOP prognosticators who dare to say that their party has any chance of regaining the majority it held in the House from 1994-to-2006. Simply put, the mathematics just aren't there.
Most of those stepping down were top level leaders in the cabinet, agencies and legislators.

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Celebrities Unqualified to Give Political Endorsements
By Pat Sajak

There have been so many debates and interviews and columns and profiles and polls, it's hard to believe the election for president is still about 11 months away. Recently, celebrity endorsements have been making news, with Oprah Winfrey saying she would campaign for Barack Obama and Barbra Streisand then making the announcement that she was supporting Hillary Clinton.
No big surprise about Streisand but this is the first time Oprah Winfrey has gotten involved in a campaign.

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HOMELAND SECURITY SCREWUP

MAHER ARAR WAS FLYING HOME TO CANADA WHEN HIS PLANE MADE A LANDING IN THE US. HE WAS PICKED UP BY HOMELAND SECURITY AND QUESTIONED. FINALLY HE WAS TOLD HIS NAME WAS ON A TERRORIST LIST AND HE WOULD BE RETURNED TO SYRIA WHERE HE WAS BORN.
ARAR HAD LEFT SYRIA 16 YEARS EARLIER AND TAKEN UP CITIZENSHIP IN CANADA. HE WAS RETURNED TO SYRIA WHERE HE WAS HELD CAPTIVE AND TORTURED FOR OVER 10 MONTHS.
FINALLY HE BROKE DOWN AND CONFESSED TO TRAINING WITH ALQUEDA IN PAKISTAN, WAS RELEASED AND SENT BACK HOME TO HIS WIFE IN CANADA.
THE US HAS NEVER EVEN APOLOGIZED AND HIS NAME IS STILL ON THE TERRORIST LIST.

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A UFO HEARING WAS HELD WITH 14 HIGH LEVEL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND TOP RANK MILITARY PERSONNEL FROM SEVEN COUNTRIES TAKING PART.
TESTIMONY WAS TAKEN FROM MANY HIGHLY RESPECTED PERSONS WHO CLAIMED TO HAVE SEEN UFO’S. More study will be done to find any cover ups that may have taken part by the government.

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RON PAUL APPEARS TO BE STARTING A REVOLUTION. HE RECENTLY RAISED $ 4,000,000 CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS IN JUST ONE DAY. People are simply disenfranchised from both parties in government. The Independents are supporting Dr. Paul and many Democrats and Republicans are looking for a change. Should be interesting as we move closer.

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Congressman Cuellar recently had a run in with the Sheriff in his home Town of Laredo.
When asked by the sheriff who he was representing since Laredo had received no funds to help fight the problems along the border.
Cuellar responded by saying the border was protected by the Border Patrol and Federal Agents. You are a sheriff and just have to look at the small picture. I am a congressman and have to look at the big picture. You just do your job as a sheriff and I will do my job as a congressman.
Cuellar’s brother is running against the sheriff in the upcoming election.

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Dana and Thomas will be hosting a meeting at the American Legion Post in Channelview to get another TMRA 2 chapter started there. Contact Dana at 281-827-8407. We are also looking at starting a new chapter in Amarillo in the near future.

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Thus far my December Calendar reads like this, December 2nd TOG Chapter Meeting in Groesbeck, Dec. 8th HOT Chapter Meeting in Axtell, Dec. 15th TMRA 2 Fundraiser at LP Cycles in Groesbeck. (call Tom for more information 254-729-3104) Then on Dec. 16th Houston COC meeting, Dec. 19th El Paso Chapter Meeting and Dec. 20th Permian Basin Chapter meeting. (look in Chapter Page of the Warrior for exact location.) We shall be attending all chapter and COC Meetings as quickly as possible as we have some important news to share.
There will of course be more to come and this does not include doing the TV Show each Tuesday.

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We are currently working on a new product line which should be ready by the first of the year if not before. Let us know if there is anything specific you think we should consider.
Call Tom 254-729-3104 or
Sputnik 512-971-6777



Ride Free – Ride Sober

Representative Mike Krusee cheated me after all. After saying he would run for reelection. I told everyone in Austin and said on my TV Show several times, including tonight, that I would take him out this election.
We returned to the office to hear him say he would not seek reelection this time. Oh well at least he is gone and we win. We'll have a new Transportation Chair next session.

Sputnik

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THE BULLETIN by the Texas Confederation of Clubs /// Nov 28th, 2007 ///
To Send a Reply or a Story to THE BULLETIN
Pro or Con please E-Mail: texascoc@coctexas.org
THE BULLETIN is a news bulletin that contains information written, gathered and compiled by members and supporters of the Texas Confederation of Clubs. These members and supporters are dedicated in the Fight for Freedom from ALL Oppression, Discrimination and Harassment.
The Texas Confederation of Clubs Thank You for subscribing to THE BULLETIN.
To Read Past Issues of THE BULLETIN go to: http://www.coctexas.org/TCOCBulletin.htm
Please Read Disclaimer at the Bottom of THE BULLETIN.
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1) From:
ROCA BIG KID
Texas COC State Liaison
We need every e-mail service or news letter to forward this out on their list!

The forms are coming in, don’t be LEFT OUT!
W
e need all forms received by Saturday December the 8th
The response has been good so far but,
We need more forms mailed in to make it GREAT and to make
the statement we want to make!

I have Attached To The News Bulletin is a PDF Form
http://www.tmra2.org/images/policeform.pdf

This form is a complaint form from the Burleson Police Department.

What we need is to have every that was in attendance at the
Benefit for Bandido Corky on November 3rd
In Burleson, Texas
To Fill This Out and Mail It To:

6006 Sandy Hill
Wichita Falls, Texas 76310

Here is information on how to fill it out:
TOP Section:
1. List Use Your Real Name as it appears on your Drivers License
2. List Your Address - Street/City/State/Zip
3. Phone - Home or Mobil (work is not needed)
4. Place of Employment NOT Needed
5. Driver’s License Number NOT Needed
6. Other ID’s - NOT Needed

Middle Section:
How Received - In Person or Other
Location Of Incident: Cutting Loose, Burleson, Texas
On Duty - Check YES
Date Of Incident: November 3rd 2007
Officer Involved: Sean Bolton
Badge Number: 337

Bottom Section:
Nature of Complaint:
Example:
On November 3rd I was in attendance at a benefit for a fellow motorcyclist.
At this event there were several of the Burleson Police Department Officers
Harassing myself and others as soon as we arrived in the parking lot
an started to get off of our motorcycles. Many Officers were rude and disrespectful.
Officers also tried to convince me and others that we should not be attending this benefit
to help someone out who is in need of further medical treatment.
The Officer in charge was Sean Bolton Badge #337.

Help Us Help YOU send a message that we are not going to take it anymore!
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