A Real John Wayne, Congressman Sam Johnson

   He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive voice and walk. He is also known for his conservative political views.

 

 by J.B. Blocker

   In another time, John Wayne would have been the perfect actor to play Sam Johnson as the Fighter Pilot POW in "Captive Warriors." the Congressman’s autobiography. But Sam's heroics came during Vietnam and the Duke was finishing his career by then.

What I learned

on the Campaign Trail

by Brent Bowen

I am always surprised that more people do not know who the DA is and what he does.  Because the long running TV series “Law and Order” is still popular, I just assumed that people know what the DA does. I am also surprised that more people don’t know who the three term Denton County incumbent is. However, I should not be too surprised because he rarely makes statements and is never in a courtroom.

I have learned that the conservative movement is very strong. It is not enough to be a Republican, you must be a conservative Republican. I noticed on my opponent's signs, some say Conservative Republican, some only say Republican.

So, what makes someone a Conservative?

First. I think it is prolife. I was asked at a recent forum if I was 100% prolife. I quickly told the women “no” because I was in favor of the death penalty. Her face turned from a surprised look since I told her that I was the conservative candidate in the race, to understanding as I explained why I was not 100% prolife. Unfortunately, I do not know what percent that makes me as I believe in the death penalty.

I have also been surprised that some citizens believe that it is just standard operating procedure to be sued. As an attorney, I can tell you that it is highly uncomfortable to be sued or even be threatened with the idea of a lawsuit.

I understand that we tend to be a litigious society, but I did not think people would be content with the idea of employees’ suing their boss. In my opinion a lawsuit by an employee is the ultimate display of mismanagement and a lack of leadership. Many hundreds of thousands have and will be spent by the county due to lawsuits by D.A. staffers.

Lastly, I have learned that we do not debate, we have forums. What is the difference? Well the one who has the last word usually wins because the other cannot further defend. The forum is also a good use of sound bites even if they are false.

I have been told that I don’t have the experience to be DA, yet I have practiced criminal law for 17 years. I have handled a diverse caseload and I have handled every type of case the DA’s office handles. I doubt many in the current DA’s office have the overall experience I have had.

I believe the incumbent has not displayed management skills and has never managed an office prior to becoming the DA. Yet he attacks me for having run a successful law practice, dealing with HR and insurance, along with the hiring and firing of employees.

As DA I will take a team approach. I have always been involved in athletics, from high school sports, to playing college football, from playing intramurals, to coaching my kid’s sports. Part of teamwork and Leadership is recognizing your own faults and weaknesses and surrounding yourself with people who compliment you.

I always think that as a leader you must encourage and inspire your staff. I was once criticized for saying if I were elected I would be a cheerleader for the office and encourage them to do their best. Recently I heard County Judge Candidate Andy Eads make the very same statement. In taking a team approach, I do not intend to purge the office. I believe many if not all the current DA’s just need to make sure they are in the right place to make the office strong and efficient.

A new Head coach rarely fires his quarterback and his offensive line and skill players. He or she must make sure he has the right people, with the right skill, and attitude in the right places.  I am a team player! We play to each other’s strengths.

I am Brent Bowen your candidate for Denton County District Attorney

Brent on Facebook

1. I believe first in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior 

School Lunch 101

 This is my friend Chef Steve DeShazo. He is the Director of the El Centro College Food and Hospitality Institute in Downtown Dallas.
  El Centro is a hotbed for cullinary arts and has produced many fine chefs in it's history that spans nearly 60 years.
  With the new school year underway comes the responsibilities of providing easy, nutritious, and enjoyable lunches for your ravenous little ones.
  On this video clip provided by CBS, Chef Steve gives some simple and practical tips to packing a lunch fit for your prince or princess.
  If you believe in the Apple a Day theory, there is a clever tip included!
School Lunch 101

- J.B. Blocker is a media consultant based in Collin County in North Texas. Advertise with J.B. by calling 469-334-9962.

Justice has been served!

Man gets 41 years!

From Sondra Ortega and family to the Collin County District Attorney,

 This is about my family’s 16-month journey to the edge of hell. I won’t go into it, but the case is over now and of public record. It was a terrible experience that could have been so much worse had it not been for the professionalism of the Collin County D.A. staff.

 Our family recently had the experience of having to go through a life altering incident, that will forever leave me changed as a person and a mother.

  I was thrown into a situation that was my living nightmare as a mother, wife, and stepmother.

  I am writing this to address the outstanding service and attention that was received through it all by the Collin County Criminal Court System including District Attorney’s staff and the Court of Judge Barnett Walker

  

Brian says "Thank you McKinney".

Dear McKinney,

As I reflect on my time as Mayor of McKinney I want to say what a blessing it has been to be able to serve this great city.   

I certainly appreciate the support of my wife and kids as the sacrifice of time was certainly theirs to allow me this opportunity. 

The Way to Eat BBQ

  League of Extraordinary Reviewers from the Carrollton Police Department experience Korean friends and family style dining at SSAM Korean Grill. None of these Carrollton officials had ever tried a Korean diner. We are about to fix that!

It’s the Law! Carrolton Police Officials Derick Miller (Assistant Chief), Pat Nail (Finance), Rex Redden (Chief), Jolene DeVito (Public Information Officer), John Singleton (Jail Commander), and local real estate broker Young Sung hosted by The Way Development Group (Kevin, Richard, and John). the founders and management of the Asian Center of Carrollton anchored by DFW’s first H-Mart.

Nestled in the adjoined corners of Denton, Dallas, and Collin Counties and surrounded by 6 other exploding municipalities, Carrollton is a quiet Texas city amid the stars. Carrollton is blooming again. 

BBQ is everywhere! It’s a beautiful thing. Korean Bbq that is.

Around the metro-plex more and more Asian inspired shopping centers are popping up with Pho, Sushi, and BBQ as the lead draw. More recently H-Marts have become a center point for a tour of the Orient and its distinctively different ways to feast.

We’ve been used to Chinese cuisine for a while now. When I was growing up in the Texas panhandle there was one Chinese restaurant in Amarillo and one in Pampa. I am still friends with William Ma, the owner of the Lamplighter in Pampa. Then the introduction of Beni Hana and Vietnamese Pho houses also started attracting more non-Asian regulars.

A lot of credit for legitimizing Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese dining goes to our women and men of the United States Armed Forces. But face it, the DFW community is now known for its worldwide origins and eclectic appetite for flavor voyeurism.

Only a few years ago the visual test of a popular Asian restaurant was, ‘how many Asians were eating there’. Now we are conscious of how many non-Asians are patrons. Red and Yellow, Black and White with a healthy addition of Browns and totally mixed tables of every language and dress are common at your favorite Sushi, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese eateries.

Notably, the Korean cuisine seems to have been the late bloomer in attracting visitors. That is quickly changing.

Here in the heavily Asian influenced DFW we see Korean BBQ everywhere. In fact, there are more BBQ restaurants within a mile radius of Highway 190 (the George Bush) and Old Denton Road than there are in Caldwell County the Texas Capital of BBQ.  Is that a slap on Texas BBQ fans? Are they anything alike?

Yes. And No!

Family and friends style service for Korean BBQ has three basic elements. Fresh assorted meats, rice, and a variety of sides. Most meals begin with a broth and of course, each diner has their own bowl of a bean influenced rice. Large individual plates are not used. Diners don’t fill their plates. Instead, a small side plate and that bowl of rice sit before you and each diner samples the banchan a bite or two at a time.

Out comes the big word for you to know. We call them sides. Koreans say Banchan!

Banchan (Hangul: 반찬; Hanja: 飯饌; lit. "rice/food+sidedish"; English pronunciation: /ˈbɑːntʃɑːn/; also spelled panch'an) refers to small dishes of food served along with cooked rice in Korean cuisine.

Banchan - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banchan

The next keyword is Kimchi. I left you the wiki link that really covers the range of variations.

You Will Like Mike

Find out why you want him to represent you.
jbblocker

http://www.mikehennefer.com/

Mike Hennefer for Carrollton City Council

  Mike Hennefer is a grown-up boy scout. No, make that an Eagle Scout. He has lived his whole life with a heart of gold. He is a man of the people. A champion for all. He has led when he needed to and served when the call came.
  He has never smoked, drank alcohol, or used an illegal drug.

  Vali will tell you. She knows Mike better than he does.  Vali met Mike when they were 12 years old. She’s the tigress and he is the loveable panda who can't turn down an opportunity to lift people's spirits and come to the rescue. 

He just can't help it. 

  I am sitting across from the two and am being entertained by a 43 year marriage between a pair that would always rather be together than apart.

 

  When Mike Hennefer met this gangly girl with pin curls, for some reason, a thought, a voice, a premonition told him “that’s your wife!”

  Vali was struck by the handsome blonde boy that everyone liked.

  Throughout their childhood, the two were around each other more than weekly with their youth groups and various church activities.

  When they were 16, Mike made his move. “You are going to be my girl!”

  Vali’s answer was, “Good luck with that!”

  
  With a driver’s license in hand Mike would pick Vali up every weekday morning for early Bible Study before school. They would do this throughout high school.

“Mike was the class president his Freshman, Sophomore, and Senior years. He was the star athlete, captain of the varsity football team, and student body president.”

  Mike and Vali sit close enough to be able to lean into each other often as we talk. He’s the funny one. It’s one of his ways of being optimistic. She is practical and sensible and centered. This is what best friends for life sound like. I am enjoying it.

  Before us are two albums. Mike’s and Vali’s

  Each are filled with letters, cards, notes, scraps of paper, and envelopes with many, many postmarks.

  After graduation Mike took up his Mormon mission service and was directed to South Florida and Puerto Rico.  Over the next two years, they wrote weekly journals to each other. Humor, sadness, love, lots of love, growing pains, and future hopes and dreams are poured into the pages.

  This is their diary of young love preserved and cherished. We should all be so lucky.