READER RANT ABOUT MCLENNAN COUNTY AND HB 2715

Well, BLESS OUR LITTLE TRANSPARENT HEARTS. 😂

Apparently, McLennan County has suddenly discovered transparency, accountability, HB 2715, and the dangers of the “Good Ol’ Boy System.”

Praise the Lord and pass the public records requests. 🙌

Since we’re all gathered here at the altar of government transparency, I reckon it’s a fine time to ask a few questions nobody seems particularly excited to answer.

Let’s start with Jake Burson.

Jake Burson was a Texas Ranger.

Now he isn’t.

So, this simple country girl has a simple question:

WHY IS JAKE BURSON NO LONGER A TEXAS RANGER?

Before somebody comes galloping into the comments hollering:

“DO YOUR RESEARCH! GET THE PUBLIC RECORDS!”

Well, sugar, I don’t think it’s quite that simple.

There’s just one teensy-weensy hitch in that plan:

His personnel file May or may not be released.

Well, butter my biscuit.

That’s mighty inconvenient when everybody keeps telling you to:

FOLLOW THE RECORDS!

I bet that they wouldbe tickled pink to follow them.

Could somebody kindly OPEN THE DANG DOOR so we can see them? 😂

And while we’re wearing our transparency britches, here’s another question:

Is there any truth to the allegation that Jake Burson had problems with a captain because that captain was a woman?

Everybody settle down before somebody falls clean off the porch.

See this?

❓

That’s called a QUESTION MARK.

I didn’t say it happened.

I’m asking whether it happened.

Maybe the answer is no.

Great.

Then let’s establish that.

But since we’re discussing records that aren’t exactly falling out of the filing cabinets and into the public’s lap, let’s talk about another set of records while we’re at it.

PARNELL McNAMARA’S U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE RECORDS.

Those aren’t readily available either.

And you know what?

THEY WANT THOSE TOO.

See how easy consistency is?

I don’t want Jake Burson’s records released while Parnell McNamara’s stay hidden.

I don’t want Parnell McNamara’s records released while Jake Burson’s stay hidden.

I WANT THE SAME STANDARD APPLIED TO EVERYBODY.

What a radical concept.

And here’s another little government maneuver folks who file Texas public-information requests know all too well.

When a governmental body believes requested information may be protected from disclosure, it can ask the Texas Attorney General for a ruling on whether the records have to be released.

Perfectly legitimate legal process.

But from the citizen standing on the other side waiting for records, it can also mean:

WAIT.

And wait.

And wait some more.

Then eventually the Attorney General decides whether the governmental body gets to withhold the information or has to cough it up.

So when McLennan County sends another public-information dispute to the AG, forgive me if I don’t throw a parade.

From where the citizen is sitting, sometimes it feels less like:

“We LOVE transparency!”

and more like:

“Certainly! We’d be delighted to provide that information just as soon as we ask Austin whether we absolutely HAVE TO.” 😂

There’s government efficiency for you.

Apparently some records travel by email.

Others must first make a pilgrimage to Austin.

Now let’s get to my FAVORITE part of this whole production.

We’re being educated about HB 2715 and the terrible, horrible, no-good:

“GOOD OL’ BOY SYSTEM.”

Well, y’all…

Who introduced HB 2715?

PAT CURRY.

And where is Pat Curry from?

McLENNAN COUNTY.

😂😂😂

Y’ALL STOP IT.

So let me make sure I’ve got my chickens in the right coop.

McLennan County is supposedly the corporate headquarters of Good Ol’ Boys Incorporated, while legislation introduced by a McLennan County representative is now being waved around as the sword that’s going to slay the Good Ol’ Boy dragon?

You cannot make this stuff up.

Irony didn’t just walk into the room.

IRONY KICKED THE DOOR OPEN, POURED ITSELF A SWEET TEA AND ASKED WHO SAVED IT A SEAT.

But underneath all the jokes is something very serious:

ACCOUNTABILITY DOESN’T COME WITH A TEAM JERSEY.

You don’t get to scream TRANSPARENCY! when you’re demanding somebody else’s records and suddenly discover the virtues of confidentiality when somebody asks questions about a person you support.

If we’re opening closets, let’s open ALL THE CLOSETS.

Want Parnell McNamara investigated?

INVESTIGATE HIM.

Want his U.S. Marshals Service records?

ASK FOR THEM.

Want to know why Jake Burson is no longer a Texas Ranger?

ASK.

Want his personnel records?

ASK FOR THOSE TOO.

Want to know whether there’s any truth to the allegation involving Burson and a female captain?

ASK THE QUESTION.

And when government says records can’t be released, let’s find out WHY.

If there’s a lawful exception, identify it.

If an Attorney General ruling is requested, let’s see what the Attorney General ultimately says.

And if the Attorney General says:

RELEASE THEM…

Well, honey…

GET THE COPY MACHINE WARMED UP. 😂

That’s what actual transparency looks like.

Not:

“Investigate thee, but don’t question me.”

Not:

“Release his records, but don’t ask about mine.”

And certainly not:

“TRUST US — WE’RE ALL ABOUT TRANSPARENCY!”

followed immediately by:

“Dear Attorney General, do we REALLY have to give them this?” 😂

So yes.

Let’s talk about Parnell McNamara.

Let’s talk about Jake Burson.

Let’s talk about Josh Tetens.

Let’s talk about Pat Curry.

Let’s talk about HB 2715.

Let’s talk about the Texas Rangers.

Let’s talk about the U.S. Marshals Service.

And let’s talk about EVERYBODY.

Because if your definition of reform is:

“EVERYBODY I DON’T LIKE GETS INVESTIGATED, AND EVERYBODY I DO LIKE GETS A HALL PASS”…

Honey, you haven’t dismantled the Good Ol’ Boy system.

YOU JUST ROTATED THE SEATING CHART.

And bless your heart if you thought nobody in McLennan County was going to notice. ❤️