On the Issues Archives - Bastrop County Conservatives https://bastropcc.com/blog/category/on-the-issues/ We Are Bastrop United Mon, 22 Jan 2024 03:28:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://bastropcc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/cropped-cropped-Site-Icon-32x32.png On the Issues Archives - Bastrop County Conservatives https://bastropcc.com/blog/category/on-the-issues/ 32 32 Harmful LGBT Language in Personal Data Collection Bill by Republican Representative https://bastropcc.com/blog/2023/04/04/harmful-lgbt-language-in-personal-data-collection-bill-by-republican-representative/ Tue, 04 Apr 2023 13:05:06 +0000 https://bastropcc.com/?p=3200 The post Harmful LGBT Language in Personal Data Collection Bill by Republican Representative appeared first on Bastrop County Conservatives.

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Republican Representative Shelby Slawson is sponsoring House Bill 18, aimed at safeguarding minors’ personal data from being collected by tech giants such as Meta and Google. However, the bill’s drafters included language referring to LGBT “sexual orientation,” which defeats the purpose of the bill and could give way to gender identity and sexual orientation language being introduced into Texas public schools by liberal organizations like the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and the ACLU.

Rep. Slawson’s office was contacted to address the issue and requested that the two words referencing sexual orientation be removed. Although an updated version of the bill is expected, it has not yet been provided, and there is no assurance that the language has been or will be removed.

It is crucial that we prevent the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) laws in the bill, as they violate fundamental rights. Legislation that includes references to SOGI laws can be used against Christians and undermine beliefs such as the traditional view of marriage and the biological reality of gender.

You can find the actual language of the bill on the State of Texas’s legislative website, on page 2, line 11.

To take action, we urge our supporters to call the conservative members of the Select Committee on Youth Health and Safety, as well as Rep. Slawson’s office, and request the removal of SOGI language from HB 18.

Rep. Shelby Slawson – (512) 463-0628
Rep. Lacey Hull – (512) 463-0727
Rep. Steve Allison – (512) 463-0686
Rep. Giovanni Capriglione – (512) 463-0690
Rep. Brooks Landgraf – (512) 463-0546
Rep. J.M. Lozano – (512) 463-0463

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Recap of the Election Integrity Discussion with Seth Keshel and David Clements https://bastropcc.com/blog/2022/10/13/election-integrity-discussion-with-seth-keshel-and-david-clements/ Thu, 13 Oct 2022 17:00:26 +0000 https://bastropcc.com/?p=1915 The post Recap of the Election Integrity Discussion with Seth Keshel and David Clements appeared first on Bastrop County Conservatives.

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Pictured left to right: Seth Keshel, Mel Cooper, Dave Clements, and Venkat Varada

  • Seth Keshel and David Clements gave outstanding presentations. The meeting lasted three hours and the audience would have stayed longer. We had representatives from five counties.
  • Key take away – elections tracked with computers are subject to fraud and, in many counties, the statistics overwhelming support the conclusion that fraud occurred.
  • The speakers provided solutions for the near-term, mid-term, and long-term.

Seth Keshel and David Clements provided statistical information that left no doubt that elections are subject to fraud from many fronts and most all have been used over the years. Mail-in ballots are harvested and fraudulently voted, fictitious people vote where voter identification is not required, votes are changed by election computers, votes are omitted by election computers, and more. Dinesh D’Souza’s documentary 2000 Mules focused on rampant voter fraud through the mail-in voting process. If you haven’t seen it, you must. This presentation focused on statistical anomalies attributable to election computers.

Election Computers

As long as we use computers to capture and tabulate our votes, there is a chance for fraud.

No matter how many checks and balances, or how well managed an elections office might be, as long as we use computers to capture and tabulate our votes, there is a chance for fraud. The fraud the speakers referred to is from outsiders, people who access the computers for fraudulent purposes. While there may be no fraud today, as discussed below, computers can be breached and data accessed for the wrong purposes when we least expect it.

The Bastrop County tabulation computer, the one that compiles our votes, is not connected to the internet. It has been represented to the Elections Office by the machine provider that connectivity hardware is not installed on the machine. Wi-Fi connectivity has been tested which confirmed no connection was active at the time of testing.

Our speakers noted that these same representations were made to election offices in other States, and it was later discovered in public testimony that their computers did in fact have this internet connectivity hardware and it was used from time to time. This is where the problem lies. Most election computer users are not programmers or hardware experts and have to trust third parties. We have heard allegations about numerous election machine providers and how their access gives them the opportunity to alter votes with no audit trails. Any time an outside third party has access to an election computer, we are subject to being compromised. Controls do not apply to malicious computer experts determined to access the data.

Solutions

1. Short-term

Short-term it is best to vote on election day, preferably in the afternoon.

Although a statistical presentation by our speakers made it easy to conclude that material voter fraud occurred in certain counties, the speakers offered solutions. Short-term it is best to vote on election day, preferably in the afternoon. Why? The computer algorithms need to “know” the vote count in order to activate vote manipulation. The sooner the algorithm can identify a voting trend the sooner it can start manipulating the trend, thereby spreading the fraudulent votes over more days making an issue harder to identify. Vote on election day.

The computer manipulates the votes by tracking your votes primarily during early voting ballots, but also votes submitted early on election day. Then, systematically, the computer algorithm alters the election outcome by omitting or changing votes. Many times, this manipulation can be seen in the recorded voting trends the afternoon of election day when one candidate or the other suddenly begins to receive a noticeably larger and unusual percentage of the votes. This should trigger a hand ballot count.

One of the real-time statistical analyses presented allowed the attendees to watch a certain election while the total votes actually increased and decreased, and votes for one candidate decreased while another increased. In a properly run process, this would have been impossible. If this happens, you have a problem, period. This was a glaring example of voter fraud through computer generated vote manipulation.

Another short-term action you can take is to volunteer to serve as an election judge or poll watcher to assist in the accuracy of our electoral process. These functions are crucial to the process. Your local Republican party or Election Administration office can assist you in making arrangements to serve in these positions.

2. Long-term

You can contribute to a longer-term solution by letting your election administrator and county commissioners know that you want the computers removed.

Longer term, counties need to:

  • Limit mail-in ballots (except for military and similar voters)
  • Eliminate computers
  • Return to counting paper ballots
  • Require voter identification.

Bastrop County requires voter identification. This is crucial to election integrity. A common objection to paper ballots is the financial cost. Yes, it will be more costly without computers, but what is the integrity of our elections worth?

You can contribute to a longer-term solution by letting your election administrator and county commissioners know that you want the computers removed. Hand counts are the solution, not a perfect solution but the best available today. Their primary benefit is they are not subject to manipulation by third parties. Many counties have already taken the step and moved to hand counted paper ballots. To people who say Bastrop County cannot do this, see the recount information below. It has already been done and was performed efficiently and effectively.

Real Examples

1. Williamson County

We appear to have issues in Texas, even close to home in places like Williamson County.

Two of the attendees at our meeting stated that they walked the streets and roads in Williamson County and spoke with hundreds (probably over 1,000) of residents. They discovered a certain percentage of the residents who stated they voted in 2020 but the County voting records did not reflect their votes. And a percentage of the residents’ votes were not cast for the person they intended.

Interestingly, the percentages of issues discovered in this test matched the percentages Keshel and Clements found in other counties, in and outside of Texas. Clements stated that this was a commonly designed machine algorithm, either pre-built into the machines themselves or used by malicious people who accessed the machines later. Coincidence? The Chairman of the Republican Party of Williamson County vehemently denies that there are any issues in the County.

2. Bastrop County

On the other hand, you have Bastrop County. It certainly appears to have had accurate elections based on recent hand re-counts:

  • November 2020 – Donna Snowden/Cheryl Reese – Commissioner Precinct 4 (approximately 25% of the County re-counted) – paper ballot recount and machine count match exactly
  • May 2021 – Jimmy Crouch/Cheryl Lee – Bastrop City Council – count was for the city of Bastrop – paper ballot recount and machine count match exactly
  • March 2022 – Tom Glass/ Stan Gerdes/Paul Pape – Texas House District 17 – recount was for the entire County – paper ballot recount and machine count reflect one under-vote

Bastrop County can feel comfortable with past election results based on the foregoing. Several compliments by politicians and workers were given to the organization and responsiveness of the Bastrop County Elections Administration office run by Kristin Miles, Elections Administrator.

The morning after our meeting, Keshel and Clements addressed Bastrop Commissioners’ Court and shared their concerns and solutions.

Summary

Based on the data presented, there is election fraud taking place in the country. Due to the increased fraud in the 2020 election, people are now more aware than ever and are getting involved, such as serving as elections judges or poll watchers during the voting process, and some counties have moved to paper ballots. Although not all counties are experiencing election integrity issues, many are. It is up to us to stop the trend.

Speakers

Seth Keshel

Seth Keshel

Seth Keshel, MBA, is a former Army Captain of Military Intelligence and Afghanistan veteran. His analytical method is known worldwide and has been recognized by President Donald Trump. Seth is at the forefront of the national election integrity movement and lives in Weatherford, Texas. Seth is active in conservative grassroots efforts in Texas.

captk.com | @RealSKeshel on Truth Social

Andrew McGarry

Dave Clements

David Clements has spoken in at least 25 states and at more than 60 different events since Jan. 6, 2021 on voter integrity and was a voter integrity activist in the New Mexico elections. Clements is an attorney, former award winning business law professor and prosecutor. During his legal career, Professor Clements was a leader in trial teams that secured eight first degree murder convictions, including members of the “AZ Boys” drug trafficking organization. Professor Clements now applies his vast evidentiary and courtroom experience to the realm of elections. His advocacy has led to audits and canvassing operations being implemented across the country, with some efforts resulting in elimination of election machines that facilitate fraud.

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Monuments – Bastrop County Commissioners Court https://bastropcc.com/blog/2022/09/26/bastrop-county-commissioners-court-sep-26-2022/ Tue, 27 Sep 2022 01:27:06 +0000 https://bastropcc.com/?p=1924 Liberals and conservatives attended a recent Bastrop County Commissioners Court meeting to speak regarding the monuments currently in place on the Courthouse grounds Liberals had one speaker for moving the […]

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  • Liberals and conservatives attended a recent Bastrop County Commissioners Court meeting to speak regarding the monuments currently in place on the Courthouse grounds
  • Liberals had one speaker for moving the monuments and conservatives had four speakers in favor of leaving the monuments in place
  • No actions taken by Commissioners Court
  • Sep 26, 2022 – The recent Commissioner’s meeting covered a variety of topics, with one of those being the Capital Improvement Plan (“CIP”) where it was rumored that a discussion was to be held on moving the monuments currently located on the Courthouse lawn. As it was interesting that this was a potential topic to be held under the CIP section of the agenda, there were concerns that the county may be considering CIP dollars to move monuments. Bastrop County Conservatives (“BCC”) is against using tax dollars to move monuments and stated so in a video clip captured by KXAN News “What’s the latest with the Confederate monuments in Bastrop County? | KXAN Austin”.

    One speaker spoke in favor of moving the monuments and stated that $50,000 was raised to move the monuments and the Commissioners were not honoring a commitment to move the monuments now that funds were available. This was a misrepresentation. $50,000 is not adequate to move the monuments even one time, much less the two times certain people are requesting, from the current location to storage and then to a final resting place.

    The intent of the monuments was not to honor slavery, it was to honor fallen soldiers from Bastrop County, albeit Confederate soldiers. Several people I spoke with before the meeting suggested that we preserve history by leaving the monuments where they are and adding a plaque clearly explaining the Civil War and the positions taken by the North and the South. As we look back, every American today agrees that slavery was wrong, in every way. Whites, blacks and other minorities all sold or had slaves and it was wrong. However, this is history, and we need to learn from history, so it is never repeated.

    The video clip above from KXAN shows me talking.  Unfortunately, KXAN chose to show the least moving and passionate speech, mine. Four other people spoke against moving the monuments and their speeches were worthy of the moment. I have left their names off this blog intentionally and will leave it to them to share their names as they wish. One of the speakers stated that there is a monument in Smithville with his name on it commemorating the battles in which he fought. He stated, accurately, that if we move these monuments now, what is to stop people in 50 years from calling him a criminal because they don’t agree with the war he was in and tearing down the monument with his name? His speech, and the others, were great. If anyone is aware of where we can obtain a video of the entire meeting, we can attach it to this blog.

    Did we all accomplish our goal at the meeting? I believe so. We let the Commissioners know our position. What they do now is up to them. Our group certainly demonstrated that there are conservatives in the County who have a voice. This has not been the case in the past. A few hard-core people have shown up and taken stands but had very little support. Thanks to BCC supporters, military organizations and other members of conservative groups who attended, we had a presence. We probably had twenty-five or more people attending, primarily from BCC, compared to fifteen or fewer liberals. We demonstrated that conservatives care, will vote, have a voice and will be heard. Mission accomplished.

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    Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee – Bastrop City Council Meeting https://bastropcc.com/blog/2022/08/23/bastrop-city-council-meeting-aug-23-2022-bcc-diversity-equity-inclusion-committee-position-statement/ Wed, 24 Aug 2022 02:50:26 +0000 https://bastropcc.com/?p=1931 Bastrop City Council held a meeting where Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee members were considered Approximately 40 Bastrop County Conservatives attended the meeting supporting a concern about the diversity, equity […]

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  • Bastrop City Council held a meeting where Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee members were considered
  • Approximately 40 Bastrop County Conservatives attended the meeting supporting a concern about the diversity, equity and inclusiveness of the proposed members
  • Final Committee included two conservatives
  • Aug 23, 2022 – Bastrop City Council discussed pending committee assignments for the newly established Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (“DEI”). These assignments were to be voted on at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.

    Bastrop County Conservatives (“BCC”) researched and became aware that the proposed slate of committee members all had liberal voting records.  Further, the proposed committee composition did not reflect the ethnic make-up of the city. Based on the foregoing, the proposed committee composition was neither diverse, equitable or inclusive. To ensure conservatives had a voice, we reached out to a few members of our group. Approximately forty people showed up for the meeting in support of the statements made in the link below.

    BCC believes in diversity, and this was not it. We recently held a diversity meeting with minorities in the County. We know diversity. BCC spoke and asked the City Council to take these points under consideration when approving the committee assignments.

    At the following regularly scheduled City Council meeting, the City Council approved committee members for the DEI Committee. Two conservatives were on the newly proposed committee. We don’t know what impact our voice had on this decision. We believe in our Mayor and City Council members. Having said that, we like to think we introduced points worthy of consideration.

    As with other meetings we have attended, part of the purpose for attending was to make it known that we are organized, we care, we will have a voice and we plan to make a difference. With-out a doubt, this will not be the last time we will be needed to attend a meeting on this matter. More will come. We will be there.

    Please see the following for BCC comments at the meeting:

    The above discusses a particular matter than came before the City Council of Bastrop.  We need leaders from Elgin and Smithville to lead the conservative march with those city councils.  We need community leaders who will keep us informed about matters of concern to conservatives.  BCC is here to support you. You can reach us on our website.

     

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