Welcome to this week's show, Legislative Update. I'm Jim Baumgart, along with Nanette Bullabush as your co-host. Thank you for joining us. We wanna talk about some important issues like taxes. Right, and we have our special guest, Carl Potter. And we have a tax-expectualist person here. Well, a political specialist, someone who, a keen observer of national and state issues. Carl Potter, former state senator, who went through many state budgets and knows that they understand that you have to pay the bills and be fair. And we had a recent bill that passed the Congress. Passed without any democratic support or even a public hearing. Oh my. It just passed. So the Tax Reform Act, which some liberals have nicknamed the Donor Relief Act. Donor Relief Bill, because it helps the donors. But you tell us in your words, why is this bill such a bad thing for us? Well, when you look at the total package, which is gonna add about a trillion and a half to the national deficit. Of that money, about 83% of it goes to about 1% of the wealthy in this country. 1%. So when you're talking about that amount of money being shifted, it's just gonna, nothing else is gonna exacerbate the disparity of wealth in this country. We over the years have allowed giant corporations and individuals to amass extreme amount of money so that today I would say 75% of the wealth of this country is in the 10% of the population. And that means 90% of the population owns the other 25%. That's us. That's us. And what I always, I oftentimes get into heated arguments that they don't start out that way. But they do because I hear people, sometimes very working class people who say, so what? Let the wealthy keep their money. And I said, wait a minute, wait a minute. I said, there's just so much money. If everybody wanted to be a millionaire, the national treasury would not say, all right, start up the press. We're gonna print enough money. So everybody can be a millionaire. It doesn't work that way. There's just so much money. And the only way that you can have a functioning democracy in a functioning capitalist society is by the distribution of this wealth in a more even manner. And so that's why you had, even in Eisenhardt years and the Reagan years and the Bush years, you had tax rates on very wealthy people that were very, very high. It was stated that somebody has to pay the bills and the people who pay the bills are the people who've got the money. People who don't have money can't pay the bills. And otherwise, also, you need to have people be able to pull themselves up by the bootstraps. I hear that all the time. Why don't people of color just do what I, my family did pull, we were immigrants, we pulled ourselves up by the bootstraps. Or you can't do it when there's, like I said, 90% of the people have 25% of the wealth and they're working for a minimum wage. And the minimum wage of 750 has been there for decades. So there's no way that they can survive. They can't even pay their rent on what they're making. And so multiple jobs and multiple people in the family are the only way these people can survive. So if you have a tax bill now that starts actually raising the tax on some of these poorer people and just giving it to people who now have money in Swiss bank accounts and all over the world, laundering in that manner, or corporate coffers where they have so much money, they don't even know what to do with it, you're not gonna solve the problem of equity, of wealth, of poverty, and all the other melodies that go along with the underfunding. So a tax bill is more than the ads now running, oh, I'm gonna get $2,000 and I got a cute little family saying, well, we can buy grandma a new microwave oven or something, very simplistic, misleading, and complete baloney approach to this whole issue. And temporary, the corporate tax cuts are permanent. So Apple is going to get $47 billion in tax cuts over the next decade or so. We will get, I believe, if you are of middle income, somewhere between $46,000 and $80,000, we'll get something like $70 a month this first year. So $800, hey, we're doing great, $800, thank you, President Trump.  Things are gonna hurt, so it's not a win situation.  Well, there's also a fallacy here that trickle down economics works. This is not the first time this nation has embarked upon this. Right in the beginning of Reagan's first term, there was a fellow named Stockman, and he and Reagan concocted the tax breaks that were supposed to give big tax breaks to the wealthy with the idea that they were gonna create jobs. It didn't work. Shortly thereafter, Stockman left the Reagan administration and Ronald Reagan never said much about it. Later on, matter of fact, I think there were some tax increases in his term after that in order to balance the budget. You don't give more money to the wealthy, expecting them to create inordinate amount of jobs and raise wages. So you're not operating on a premise that's proven to work economically. Another thing is that sometimes this trickle down economics argument is used as a ruse for the real reason why this was given. And I would contend that the pure public policy analysis on this, that this was a payback to people who now give big money to campaigns. I believe Paul Ryan got $20 million right after that tax bill. He got this $20 million donation. It was like, thank you, Mr. Wow.  And so that's what we're having. We're seeing that particularly in the conservative realm, there are very few people who are giving money in the tune of $25 or $100 or whatever. They're not even sought to contribute in that way. The people who are in office go after the Koch brothers or the Walton family or some other, the Mercer family who don't give $100, they give millions of dollars. And so as a result, that's the constituency. So who do you keep happy when you put together a tax plan? The people who are gonna benefit the most who give you the most.  But it's unaware, I think, of many people. And that's why, like I said before, I run into, and I get in arguments too often. My wife says I'm confrontational, but I says it takes me off to have people who I know don't have much. They're trying to live in social security who say, let the rich people keep their money. What's wrong with this? I said, well, you're screwing up the whole society is what you're doing. There was a reason why in the 50s and the 60s and 70s we had the growth of a middle class. You don't have to go far back into the depression years, the 20s and the 30s. Where you found a disparity of wealth and even worse at the robber baron era of the Rockefellers and the Mellons and all those folks where they built these big mansions on the Hustads and River and the Carnegie's and Mellons and all these people who made their money and steal and so on, and they kept it. And there were then tax laws that were written to put in the progressive income tax and the estate taxes and so on in order to fund government to make this whole thing a little more equitable. And we did achieve very good equity in the 50s, 60s and 70s and now it has gone off the rails. Yes it has. Money has taken the high road rather than the low road. Well, money corrupts and money's a nice thing but it can corrupt people and make them very selfish and not very benevolent in some cases. No, and when somebody gets 50 or 100 or $4,000 because of a tax break, they feel very good and maybe they don't care that the very wealthy are gonna get millions and millions and millions because they've got their thousand dollars once. Or the deficit that has suddenly gotten worse that the Republicans said they were so concerned about. I was one of our senators, Senator Johnson was so concerned about this in 2014. I spoke with a member of his staff just a couple of weeks ago, I went to Oshkosh and they heard us, I appreciated that, but it was like all of a sudden this isn't important, we're gonna make that up. We're gonna make that money up because the economy's gonna be so good.  The cynic in me says there is a grand thought here already and what it's gonna be is that the big ticket items like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are gonna be purported as being the ones that have now contributed to this deficit. Not the tax plan, but the big entitlement as they call it. Yeah that's the big way that they're gonna go after. What you're gonna see is an effort then to raise the retirement age, flatten out benefits. And what you're gonna find out is that they're gonna be elderly people who are not gonna get help when they need nursing home help, which is what Medicaid tends to do besides helping poor people. And you're gonna see Medicare maybe not paid, they won't pay 70% of cost as they do now.  And they're gonna have more and more doctors when they get paid 50 to 60% not take Medicare patients.  And that's why again the people who think well let the rich people keep their money you don't know what they're gonna get. You're gonna get bit in the behind on this one. And I can just see Paul Ryan and others saying we can't afford these programs. Well why, because they created a system where they can't afford them. How do we, how are Democrats gonna fight this? I mean it's, you have to admit the other side has done very good with its messaging. If people like those that you're talking to are so, just think Trump can do no wrong or their Republican senator or congressman can do no wrong. They've been persuaded effectively. And how are we gonna get that progressive voice out there? How are we gonna convince people to? Well I would hope that it would still be a free press. And that's being under, That's much diminished, yes. But I mean there's some excellent reporting coming out of even the Wall Street Journal today. New York Times, yeah. And the Washington Post and New York Times. There's some good papers out there yet. Not many, but there are some. And they are finding, they've got some Bulldog reporters who are trying to find out where the Russian money is being laundered and we're finding it might go to the NRA even. I know. It's being invested in condos and people like Rachel Maddow. So you've got some good people who I think are doing very good reporting and hopefully if people pay attention to this news releases and do a little reading of Main Street news they will learn something for a change and it won't come just from politicians who are Democrat or Republican. Pontificating on an issue will come from somebody who hopefully has some credibility in journalism. He's telling us we're running out of time. Is there any other? No, I'm just looking at all the points that I had like the three hours. That we aren't gonna get to. Yeah, anything else you wanna bring up in terms of federal or national issues or you? We only have a half a minute. Oh, okay, well. We can't say much. We didn't solve the world again. Next program. Right. But there are things that we should be dealing with. Next program and the comments that the president said about the African country's in Haiti which is a country that's been very helpful to us or the dreamers or other things. We should maybe spend time in the next program. Yes, can we allow our children to listen to the president? And I have to thank Cal Potter and Nanette Boulibouche for being emotionally involved in this program. And until next week, this has been a legislative update. Thank you.


are some of the San Antonio mayoral candidates. We're going to remind them that we are an LGBTQ plus community in the room tonight. We're going to remind them that we are a big part of D1 and we're going to ask them to address the LGBTQ concerns in our community and your thoughts and ideas for that community. They will give each kid two minutes and then we will turn back to your questions. So, we have, and I don't want to miss anyone today, so we'll be very careful. John Velasquez. You want to hear him here? Let's hear it. Now we're out in the dealer. We're doing a deal. Let's see what we can do. So, you will begin on this side and move across for this first two minutes. Each person will get two minutes. Okay, yay. Happy to be here. My name is John Velasquez. I'm a resident ward in Abilene, Texas. My family is from San Antonio and one group, Texas. I'm a psychologist. If you don't know what that means, I hope by the time we're done, you will. I attended University of Texas for my master's degree in psychology after a few years of high school teaching. Went over to Texas A&M University. So, I think that was a good, broad, cross-section of all of Texas to learn about that. My profession is a statutory license in the state of Texas to practice psychology, to the betterment of all people regarding the background, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation. It covers everything. I went into the profession because that is my passion to serve and help all people. I just happened to be also required by the state of Texas to do this. So, you have two really good reasons that you can count on me to fulfill the obligations to you and your interests. I want to tell you a great story to show you how I put myself out there. Many times in my practice at Thresa Community Center on South Thresa is to take referrals from schools, local schools, where parents are told that their children are misbehaving and they are immediately suspended, send home, and they must see a doctor before they can return to school. How many psychiatrists do you find the day a child is suspended? So, they come to me and they learn to know that I'm there when they need me. They can come in on a walk-in basis. And there was one child that came in once, a middle school girl, and was sent home for fighting. And apparently she was trying to catch other girls. And when I asked what was going on there, she said that she would be teased and bullied because she is lesbian. I said, okay, let's talk about this some more. What school is it you're going to? I didn't put it with the mom. She confirmed much of what was going on. Call the school, the counselor, the principal, set up an appointment. We got it down there. And I said, we have to solve this problem. And we have to solve this problem today. The mental health foreman, this young girl was going to have to stop. It wasn't going to be a plan over time. It was a school-related program. It had to stop today. So they said, what do you think we should do? I think you should assign a staff member to this child today to follow her everywhere she goes to be stopped. So I know how to intervene at an individual level to solve mental problems. And I know how to intervene at an institutional level to solve problems quickly by going where you need to go. So you can call me and say, we need your help here and I will be there. I'm having a sale tonight. My name is Ron Nirenberg. I am the District State City Councilman of part of town, which you know is one of the fastest growing in this entire state. It's also the place where the diversity pretty much in all things from associate comics to demographics to politics matches the city as a whole. I've been very proud to serve you. It has been the honor of my life to be a neighbor and to have a passion for the city and to seek to run for office and be able to serve you all. And I have, we can talk about the challenges of the city all night long but let me tell you what my vision for the city is. It's a place where the economy that works for everyone is creating good paying jobs for all parts of the community. It's a place where when you're out on the streets you're not stuck in gridlock. It's a place where you can feel free from the fear of crime in your neighborhoods, on your streets, in your balls, in all public places. It's a place where you know your public officials are being held to the highest standards of integrity and who face real consequences when they violate the public trust. And it's a place where we unapologetically take care of the people that we have here today all one and a half billion of them and take care of the future by planning properly the million and a half that will be coming and will suffer the consequences of poor planning if we don't get ahead of that. And I believe fundamentally that I... that we need to live out our values as a community and there are places where this whole community should meet in the middle. And so I was very blessed to come on council at a time when there was a lot of turmoil. And one of the first votes I faced on council was the non-discrimination ordinance. So I'm very proud that I have a voting record that puts aside politics and votes to support and be fair and to make sure that all members are our community on the basis of any measure. LGBTQ on the basis of veteran status or any other way you can categorize someone or treated fairly in the city of San Antonio because that to me is the city that we all deserve. Whether you can be proud of that your colleagues can be proud of that your children and your grandchildren can be proud of and that your neighbors can be proud of no matter who you are no matter where you live, no matter what you do no matter when you've got here that's the city you deserve and that's why I'm running for mayor. Thank you very much. Good evening.  Stand up. I shouldn't run. I shouldn't run for public office because sometimes I just get too emotional. But so my first name is Rhett and I'm going to tell you my mother's maiden name to show respect to her she recently passed from the English-Rosen quest. So I'm an immigrant. How wonderful is somebody that you if I could come to a community. So I'm going to tell you my kind of name is Whitefeather and it's a Native American name given to me by another Native American. So sometimes when I think of human rights I'm thinking of indigenous indigenous Native American rights because I know this community for many years has paid and paid and paid this community is still paying because this Texas state is previous is racist they say that they're predominantly Christian and live in the Texas Republican Party and the legislature I'm not trying to hurt other people I'm not trying to make you cry tonight I'm just saying I have a lot of emotion I have a lot of experience and when I look back on my life I was very blessed I was very protected and now how can we share that how can we create a safe space for every child for every happy man. Thank you. I'd like to start tonight's meeting a conversation with who asked for all of my meetings asking you are there any stand-in tools as chairman of the Barrett County came together and won 47 and 52 races hopefully won all 16 in a new sheriff in town our ability to advance the progressive agenda because it's a problem and we'd go home after that since I've been chair we've advanced the progressive agenda we started by campaigning fully passing pre-k for SA then we came together worked hard and campaigned and passed the MDO here in San Antonio then we came together to make sure that police officers are non-immigration officers here in San Antonio then we fought for our veterans at the state legislature to ensure the Hazelwood Legacy Act and right now we're fighting for a livable wage and making sure that this city banned the box so more important than the victory it's been advancing a progressive agenda because politicians will come up here and tell you and talk to you very beautifully but we have a record of advancing a progressive agenda but as you know I'm looking for a new job I'm running for so it's important that you know a little bit about myself I grew up on the south side maybe a little further south than you would think in a little place called Mexico my mom and I crossed the border maybe swam a little into the county then came here to San Antonio then to El Paso then to Los Angeles and I saw because I grew up as a Dream Act student but I also grew up as an American speaking English pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America saying our thanks as far as I go back but bottom line is ladies and gentlemen I am pro equality no if and I am guest San at Bill 6 no if names on one of these human rights activists indigenous human rights activists I've heard some from local government here city council you know it took me 14 years just to get in the city passed ordinance recognizing October 12th as indigenous people's day so I understand about identity I understand about someone trying to suppress or oppress your rights to declare who you are about self determination I know very well the government here easily is held up by the chambers of commerce and by those behind the full strength of money the ones that don't want equality quite very much the ones that only want it for those that already have not to have knots I'm here to represent to have knots that's been my life journey already I'm hearing a lot of politicians talking a lot of things they're just saying what you want to hear so you'll give them your vote and afterwards don't forget about everything they've said because I've seen this time after time time came to not go before city council year after year and remind them there were human beings with equal rights that why not allow us to get October 12th declared as indigenous people's day was a very hungry thing for me to do because I know it's the right thing to do and yet we have to try to convince elected officials of this I wasn't asking for money I wasn't asking that indigenous people we declare superiority to any other race simply equal and it took me 14 years just to get an ordinance passed by the city council so city here city councilman that was part of that just finished talking to any of these democrats to me the democrats republicans are the same thing there's no difference they can't do the money people that's all they do so I am for equal rights for equity for all people ethnic gender identity you name it I've been there I supported here we go and will do so as your mayor but I need your vote to get it out but if you really want to make a change if you really want to change if you want things to remain the same there you go if you want something different here I am thank you very much good evening I'm glad everybody's here if you support the LGTQ community stand up let's give them a round of applause the political leaders for allowing me to be here because all of the other forums only cater to the people with money but the candidates who have the most amount of money would be Nuremberg Medina and Taylor and I don't have a lot of money but I don't need money to get your vote because guess what voting is free right do y'all have to pay to vote? no I don't think so I'm from San Antonio born and raised I went to the public school system I went to the local university I started in nonprofit based off of health and wellness for me my biggest concerns are education health environment candidates transportation as well as culture okay and culture is a part of the LGTQ community inclusivity it doesn't concern me what restroom you're using it doesn't concern me who you're sleeping with at night it doesn't concern me about what your specific preferences are or your sexual orientation is that does not concern me what does concern me is that everybody is protected and you're treated as a human and you're treated fairly and that's what I'm going to fight for I'm going to fight to make sure that every human being no matter what you believe in you have the opportunity to shop in the same stores you have the opportunity to use the restroom that you choose and you have the opportunity to be educated education the biggest thing is we have to protect the youth if we don't protect the youth then we're going to continue to have this stratification of the have and the have nots I would advocate for a United San Antonio school district health we have some of the highest obesity rates and overweight rates in the nation obesity and poverty are highly likely so we need to not only advocate for health and wellness we need to put in strategies that dissuade people from doing unhealthy lifestyle environment you know I do something called the Missouri Bash every year San Antonio is polluted our rivers are polluted I will not put a toe in the San Antonio river and we need to have a candidate who would advocate for that cannabis people should not be going to jail for a joint and then the last piece of course education health environment cannabis and transportation like Mr. Duraberg said we should not be gridlocking if we have lots of people coming to San Antonio we need to make sure that we have life around but for this group right here in Pacific I would like to have a pride center like they were talking about earlier or a civic center for the LGBTQ community and how are we going to make that happen let's not talk about it let's find money let's find funds for it if I have to go out there with bricks and mortar I will help y'all build that because you have to have a community center to build the community so my name is Stephen Lucky you can check out my website StephenLucky.com or my Facebook it's those things that I need thank you so much all of you to keep your responses to the questions to one minute and I will be I will be a little stronger I will be an extra than she was I promise not to felt anyone a pervert like she did but please credit keep your responses to one minute so from San Antonio Progressive Alliance Carol is here and Carol will be asking the question I'm going to be asked Hi Is everyone there? Ok so what methods on what you feel what is in place in order for us to look at your word around when you get into office or back in in a city council or what have you that we can trust you and sometimes even trust you because of voting records so Thank you for the question. So the question is ultimately why should you trust any of us? And it's a very good question I think the first thing you shouldn't do though is listen to a politician say trust me. Because we know how that usually turns out. What I should tell you to do is watch me. It doesn't mean we'll always agree, but it means when I say I'm going to do something, I will do it. That's why I put out a 30 page document that you can download at govron.com that has all of the initiatives that I intend to put in place. I did the same thing when I was running for district A and go back and look at it and we checked everything off. Because you deserve to know who you're elected. And the worst thing that we can do is have a bunch of politicians coming up here making wild promises and then breaking those promises because inevitably we excite new voters and if we break those promises you've lost that voter for life. It's not Watergate, it's not Russia, it's not Hitler's scandal that has created the lowest turnout that we've ever had. It's the fact that people have gotten used to not trusting the person that is on the stage when they get into office. So watch me and look at my record. Thank you very much. To guarantee what you're talking about, I want to have more open meetings, more accessible meetings. I know some of you did ask the business position and a lot more of the city council business is open to the public. I would press on that, especially the New York City manager. I'm not trying to integrate somebody that's holding an office, but I'm saying if we do not know what we do not know about what goes on with the city manager, we are at a great disadvantage. And so I am really alarmed I've been going to the city council many times. And I can tell you without the first amendment rights without your ability to advocate and be present, then you've lost your right. And I can't submit that with you for human rights and civil rights or gay rights or women's rights or children's rights or LGBT rights. And what happens is we advocate and give up the way and we allow our public officials to advocate secretly. An indicator of where your electoral fissure will go is where they get their money. There are two candidates in this race that are going to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars for special interest and for the Chamber of Commerce. Right now we know who those candidates are. And that matters because who are they going to listen to? We know those two candidates that are accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars already on what side they're going to fall. Because they have a record. When it came to picking between the people of the Mission Trailer Park and the developers, those two candidates voted with the developers. When it came to our park and Hemisphere Park or Zachary Corporation as a hotel, they voted for Zachary Corporation as their hotel. When it came to our water and Mr. Ridge, they voted, well, not for environmentalists, they voted for Mr. Ridge. When it came to our environment and when it had to do something simple as plastic bags, instead of voting for the environment, they voted for Walmart Stamps. So we have two candidates in this race that have a record and they continue to take money from special interest and they're going to at the end of the day, think to you beautifully, but at the end of the day vote with a special interest, a lobbyist, that Chamber of Commerce and developers here at the City of San Antonio, that they always have. Everybody, here's one of them. Thank you, bro. The only way to hold this accountable is when you become elected office. It's already happened. That's when they have terminements, right? They used to be extended to four years and they're shortened. And they're called elections. Your vote is what keeps us in office or keeps us out. And we do not keep our promises. I'm saying, I'm not doing it myself because I'm learning. I've been learning now a few times. Because I figured out that I'm one of the founders that says I'm just going to be coming up in time. I want to recognize that because I started out at the fields. I wanted to be in the field. So for the first 15 years of my life, I was a micro worker. So I wanted to do something for somebody that doesn't, something for my family and for us if I could be directed. Now, I'm learning now because you have to be on the inside in order to be able to change things. I've protested for like 30 years now from Washington to Austin to Mexico here and the best way that I've figured out now is get on the inside. Get on the inside. You really want to do something for the people. You have to be on the inside. You can keep like Mr. Nero says, watch me. Like, not just watch me. If I don't do what you want, vote me out. Well, like Mr. Medina has been saying, most politicians are smooth talkers. So they're going to tell you what you want to hear. And just like Mr. Diaz said, there's elections. Elections for a reason. In two years, I don't do what I'm going to say I'm going to do. Don't vote for me. So what I will say is that the priority for me is to create a pride civic center. Once again, we have to create a community around this. And in this pride civic center, essentially what I would like to have are psychologists like Dr. Velazquez are counseling, are having workshops to help people through their journey of sexual orientation. And so the biggest piece, again, is about communities and galvanizing for community. The mayor, we have a weak mayoral system. Do y'all know who really controls the city? What's your name? So she controls the city. So you have a weak mayoral system. The mayor is the speaker, is the voice for the people. And I will speak for you. I will represent you. I am from the city. I understand you.   And if I don't, like you said, vote us out. Oh, by the way, I'm not one of the two people that Mr. Medina said. I've not been voting. You're not having an old public voting record. So we say psychology has behavior, predicts future behavior. So my past behavior has been a promise to every single of my core students that I will continue to work with you throughout your career and just let me know when you need my help. So they'll say, hey, Dr. Beacon, you're writing a letter. Yes, but please remind me that you've done that. And I believe them when they say you said you would do this for me. So I make a promise that I will forget them. I am human, but you're recording them. But it is part of my heart and my life to serve you. You ask me, you know better than I do about your issues. I will listen to you and I promise you I will help you in whatever capacity I can. If I can, it's because someone gets in the way, but I'll still find them. Thank you. So the plan for the question of the evening is blood clears. Are we on one minute? Not a political one. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.  The city is one of the top cities with queer folks, immigrant and working class individuals, and where easily a traffic violation or use in a bathroom can be a reportable effect. So if I understand the question correct, it's about the criminalization of the LGBT community. Is that correct? No. A document. You said what? A documented or un-documented. Well, once again, we at the city level of the municipality aren't in charge of the entire state, and it's our Texas legislature that is governing our state, as well as the federal level. But what we can do, like Mr. Michael Wentine spoke about earlier, we can create our own ordinances for our municipality. And so it's about taking what our constituents want, and if it's about the bathroom bill or if it's about undocumented immigrants, then we can create ordinances or advocate for them. Once again, I'm a speaker of the people. And the mayor has the biggest soapbox. The mayor represents 1.5 million constituents. So it's up to me as the mayor to galvanize our constituents and then to advocate at the state and the federal level. So for me, the biggest part is about creating a soapbox for San Antonio, essentially to advocate to the higher levels to create legislation that is going to affect all of us. Sanctuary. Our first person at Dono to be a sanctuary city has been said, we write our own ordinances so we can go against the state bill. Get our lawyers up there. The bill rights and constitution is not just for citizens. It's for all of you. Once you're here, you have rights. And what's going on right now, like you're hearing that it's a nation of laws. It's a nation of laws when you choose it to be. When you want to violate somebody's right, human rights, it's no longer a nation of laws. It's a nation of laws when you want to use it to the laws against the people but not to the protection of the people. So I'm very strongly to be advocating for San Antonio to be a sanctuary city. And these misdemeanor crimes would not get you reported, would not get you incarcerated because of your immigration status. That is wrong. Thank you. Thank you.  Whether you were a woman, disabled, and of course his favorite targets were Hispanic and immigrant. What did this council, what did this mayor say? Nothing.  This mayor and this council said nothing. Now this candidate is president of the United States. As he's implementing his policies and surely, as mayor of the city of San Antonio, we have to find common ground. When he talks about creating jobs, let's do it. When he talks about a bestiary project, let's do it. When he talks about protecting the American worker, let's do it. At the same time, we've got to demand respect. Respect for our natural resources and our Edwards aquifer. Respect for our community policing policies that they build, the ways they're profiling, stop and frisk, and show me your pay for that. Thank you. Excellent question. So I'm going to head to the first amendment to religion. This is a sanctuary nation.  Do you understand, do you understand Governor Abbott and whatever your name is, Governor Patrick? This is a sanctuary nation. We will stand up with our first amendments, with our faith, with our right to do it. I'm on the interfaith Welcome Coalition. I work with the legal organization Refugee and Immigration Center for Education, but, you know, getting a standoff with Donald Trump and saying, okay, we're going to go to, you know, we're going to turn this into an indigenous city where we're in lawsuit after lawsuit after lawsuit. I'm not going to do that. We don't have to do that. We're already exercising our first amendment rights to reach out to immigrants and undocumented people and refugees, and if Donald Trump comes after us, we will fight back. But right now, we need you to just do something. Just stand up for those that just can't stand up for themselves. Thank you. First, I think it's very important that we don't, thank you for the question, that we don't confuse strength with the met volume of your voice. I think we have to use every available tool that we have to fight bad legislation, which is why you need the strength of the city of San Antonio fighting SB4, SB6. And this is important. Pick your reason why to support why to oppose bad legislation whether it's economic or it's the impact of particular communities. The reason why we should fight SB4 and SB6 is not only will it make our community more dangerous, but they are targeting members of our transgender community. They are targeting immigrants. They are targeting people that we consider are the foundation of San Antonio. The best thing we can be doing is not raise our voices, but begin to build a culture of compassion so that we have every member of this community voting better people into office. The timing is really critical of state legislature in this session. As we speak, I'm afraid these laws will pass by the time we have the election. So we probably should come together and develop a contingency on how to respond and how to react in the event that this kind of thing happens. As mayor elect, I would start from that day May 7th, working with you to go to Austin and work with other cities perhaps who want to file a lawsuit to stop it to file an injunction, put it on hold until we get reasoned through this and develop a better system of immigration reform and overturn through the court system these bad, very minute moments. So we're going to ask the mayor candidates to stay up here for a couple of minutes, but we're going to do what we did with other candidates who couldn't be here at their allotted time is we're going to give three minutes to a city council person who's running for August and a district line where we're going to talk to their email so we're going to start with three minutes to the FWD community at least if they're very secure. Thank you Lauren and thank you for hosting tonight thank you for all you're doing and all the events that you attended at our city council district point copies we've had many copies, we've had many copies like this one right here in this very spot I've attended the Pride SA Bray actively supported the NDO I've gone up to Austin to steam against SB4 and SB6 I've got many, many events to try to help educate the community about all the great things that we're doing I'm currently working on getting an LGBTQ senior center for district one so we're currently working with Pride SA to find them we have a potential location and hopefully that can work out so I just want to say again we want to work together we want to continue the great work that was championed here in district one NDO was born in district one we want to continue that work and I'm very proud to be in your city council person I want to continue that work with compassion with thoughtfulness and with inclusivity very much I do have one quick question what do you do with me when you said you were working in a senior center I understand there's someone on the patio who has a question this will be our last question of the evening and I was asked to allow them to ask them questions hello someone to speak Lauren gentlemen come up front come up front what's being done now all promising students to get into college and funding what's being done now and what do you propose to do to help students get into college in the future what are you going to do to help bring money so in general the question is very proud what will you do and keep it on to me let's generalize this to a question that was asked earlier what are you going to do for LGBTQ youth to assist them not with homelessness because did you know in the 300 movie 30 page essay tomorrow you know how many times there were homeless appears zero so what are we going to do to help youth for the LGBTQ youth being kicked out of their homes what are we going to do a great world so LGBTQ youth can get educations without being arrived in schools in one minute part of my proposal is to expand mental health access to everyone there's not enough clinics where you can go in on a walk in basis so that if you are suddenly struggling homeless or a victim of crime there's somewhere to go it's much easier to get service and break an arm and get immediate care than it is if your heart is broken or you have been tormented and been a victim of crime so we have to carve out money in the budget because the state is not giving us the federal government is going to take away from us to provide mental health access care to all of our citizens I would lobby specifically on the educational level to reduce the risk on student loans or killing students and getting them for a lifetime and I would hope to increase the funding of state and federal fail grants and education grants to our system of public schools starting with possible consolidation so there's more equitable resources to provide for services at the school district level for identified needs such as working with the LGBTQ youth in our community in addition to that we need to listen better it's one of the reasons why I think the city should support the Pride Center is because we can work directly with the affected in addition to that we have to make sure that all of the Pride Center and other organizations like it are providing the right services so it's not just enough to have the risk of murder as Steven said we need to make sure that we have psychologists there we have counselors there we have all the resources that youth will need we have taken a first step with regard to the non-discrimination ordinance to make sure that it's an effective tool for the city to use we have a diversity of inclusion in office but we need to make sure that it's more than just an event center but in it actually reaching out in the community and identifying needs identifying populations that need service and better serving them directly from the city one question I mean we all need a little bit more money but we need to talk about anti-robin you know about that so we went out to the schools it's just a young man who wanted to talk about anti-robin in the schools and I'm going to say I've been to the Alamo community colleges and I'm thinking we've got to find a way to make sure that a lot of those forces you should be getting dual credit in other words when you get out of high school you should already have your associate degree as well because these young people can handle it and they can get dual credit in other financial problems but also let's get back to the mental health issues here you know this is a state this is a state let me just tell you that mission 22 what does that mean 22 veterans committing suicide every day in the year 2012 there were over 8000 veterans suicides folks we've got a serious problem we want to talk about mental health we'll talk about mental science we want to talk about this is a state that needs it and I will not give up on that thank you whether it's housing, whether it's health care whether it's education we need to stand up, speak up and fight back because frankly speaking with this administration progress is going to be challenged when it comes to don't ask don't tell it will be challenged when it comes to hate crimes legislation when it comes to federal services legislated by previous administration they will be challenged when it comes to executive orders don't learn the first that are going to be on the chopping block executive orders that allow us to visit state family members at hospitals legislation that's related to opening up a business getting health care when it comes to education all of these things are a chopping block we need to stand up, speak up and fight back therefore I'm ready to sign a pledge and I'm going to read it to you and I'm hoping the rest of the people on this table too over 200 mayors and councilmen across America have pledged to support the LGBT community unfortunately San Antonio is the largest city in the nation without a pledge of support for these human rights I hereby pledge that as mayor of San Antonio I will join mayors against LGBT discrimination signed by Manuel Medina on today's day I'm hoping that everyone else here on stage will do the same if the issue is funding there's a $450 million bond coming up before the ACCD now that's the taxation so we have something to say about it how that money is spent how it is used for the LGBT community you're right here we have to get involved that's the issue that's a $450 million bond that they want right now if they want it then they should include issues affecting the LGBT community shouldn't they we have to take it off so I see now the way that schools are funded here in Texas is very very weird those that have get more those that don't have don't get anything that's the way it's been done 3K4SA is a private program so some of these children are benefiting from it but not all so it needs to be more inclusive all these bonds that are passed need to include issues that we want to include that we want to include that we need to be more involved in these things Republican Democrats they're the same team party the team party wants to cut all these social services from both questions the first one is about education the second one is about helping LGBT youth so the first one about education the city manager Cheryl Spoli gets $400,000 for four incentives it costs about $1,000 and I've heard different numbers I've heard that the Alamo Community College has from 30,000 to 90,000 students that's between 30,000 to 90,000 dollars per semester so essentially let's take the high rate 90,000 a semester for free every student should be able to go the second piece it's about that pride center on an LGBTQ civic center if issues about homelessness and having the LGBT community have inclusivity we need to have some housing in that center so I think that we need to include that in the center and I think we need to take some money from Cheryl Spoli's salary from on scholarships for higher education so before we wrap up Ashley Smith we used to end up with Ashley and I are there any other volunteer voter registrars in the room? Carlos Jorge there's a bunch of us if you're not registered to vote do not leave here without registering with one of us please there's more over here so all of our voter registrars are here we're happy to register you the candidates are here they're happy to talk to you they're happy to to speak to you one-on-one after we're done thank you so thank you all for being here their jobs don't matter without us so let's thank them we're going to go with Martinez from we're a couple of closing remarks and I just want to say one last time all the candidates in the room we're all going to be using your facilities your public accommodations regardless of what happens in Austin


June 16th is known around the globe as Bloomsday, the day in which James Joyce's epic novel, Ulysses, takes place.  The main Irish Heritage Center and the Air Theatre are marking the anniversary with a week-long series in readings, walks and songs. Leslie McVane got the rundown from event coordinator Susan Riley. Susan Bloomsday is coming up June 16th. And that's the date James Joyce Ulysses was published, right? Well, actually, it's the date Ulysses takes place on June 16th, which was actually the date that James Joyce first went on a date with his wife, Laura Barnacle. I knew about that. But tell us what the main Irish Heritage Center is going to be doing on Bloomsday. Well, the main Irish Heritage Center and Air Theatre and bullfinis and bookstores and libraries, the Portland Public Library. We have a whole range of partners this year helping us on Bloomsday Portland 2012. And we have a lot more activities than we've ever had. We have a whole week. A whole sheet of things. Starting Monday. Starting Monday, yes. Or today, actually. That's right, yes. This evening, there is going to be the Shoniki Nights, which is a storytelling session, Irish storytelling session at Bullfinis on one Monday a month, is doing a special Bloomsday program with excerpts from Ulysses and Finnegan's Wake and some Joyce-themed tunes and songs and all. And then on Thursday, the Portland Public Library is hosting a screening of Ulysses, the 1967 film. And USM professor Francis McGrath, who's a Joyce expert and one of the members of our Bloomsday committee, will be giving a talk on Ulysses on film, which there's actually many films that have been based on either Ulysses, Joyce, or anything related to their lives. So there's quite a lot of interesting information there. Will that be the same night as the film? That will be Thursday. Oh, yeah, I'm so sorry. Yes, that will be on Thursday, the 14th. Now, Ulysses is very long. Is the movie that long? No. They've judiciously tightened it up just a tad. Well, that sounds fascinating. And then there's some other things happening on Saturday. The weekend's going to be terrific. Friday night, my theater company, Air, the Irish theater and company in town, we are doing a piece we've done in a number of years now called Ulysses for Beginners. And it's really fun. We take Ulysses and use songs, stories, slides, jokes, games, whatever, to explain the storyline in one hour.  It's like Ulysses' light. Now, what night is that? That's Friday night at 7.30 at Bullfinis. That sounds great. And it sounds like it's going to go boom, boom, boom. It is. Just fast-paced and fun. It is, but it's fun. And it's very accessible. I mean, people walk away and say, that's the first time I've really understood what Ulysses was about. And what a great venue, Bullfinis, for some of these things. And Doug Fuse of Bullfinis has been a terrific partner in pulling this off every year. And we're also going to be back at Bullfinis on Saturday. Saturday afternoon, we are doing this really cool event that we call the Bloomsday Walk. And because Ulysses is about Leopold Bloom, hence the name, Bloomsday, walking through, and perambulating through the city of Dublin on that day. So we are going to walk through the city of Portland, starting at the Main Irish Heritage Center at noon. And then we're going to stop at Brian Baru, Longfellow Books, Bullfinis, Reras, and read excerpts from the book at every point. So it'll be, you can stop at Bullfinis and have a drink and listen to some Joyce. You can go to Reras and have a drink. Not that we encourage you to do all of them and drive. Mind you. But you're safe walking. That's right. Well, and you know, they do that in Ireland, as you know. I've actually done that in Dublin with the literary tour of a pub tour. Yes. It was fantastic.  It is. And to learn something along the way. Yes.  We are, we're going to be. So we're urging people who like this kind of thing to come in your best 1904 costumes. Well, to find out more about it, how can they get in touch with you? The two websites that you can get more information are www.errotheater.com and www.mainirish.com. And there is one more event on Saturday night at 7.30. We are doing a musical performance at the Main Irish Heritage Center, featuring Boghat, who is a terrific traditional Irish group who are playing around town a lot. They're wonderful.  So she's wonderful, and it's going to be a terrific evening. And that's the capstone of the event. It all sounds like so much fun. You just, everyone's going to have to change their calendars and just put down Bloom's Day Week. I like that. Well, thank you for being here. And I hope it's a great success. Thank you so much.


Much of my direct research involvement over the decades has been in human infectious disease research so I've been very aware over the years of the enormous contribution made by the William and Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle based and they've contributed enormously to improving prospects for those who are suffering from AIDS in the developing world and for trying to solve at the at the user end many of these infectious disease related problems. The Gates Foundation though is looking much more broadly at the needs of developing countries and one of the initiatives they're taking in association with Illry is developing poultry production within Africa. The aim is to provide an egg a day for every individual. This is a wonderful source of high-value protein. It's a tremendous initiative and again it's a type of industry that can be integrated into other forms of food production where you use waste product from one area to facilitate food production in another. Also though with poultry there are zoonotic risks again with influenza that we know about but other potential diseases as well so it's an area that needs to be very closely monitored from the scientific aspect as we go ahead with further development.


Now Scotland is hardly a country known for having a peaceful history, especially when it comes to clans. Yet most clan battles down through Scottish history were organic spontaneous events, and not pre-arranged battles in front of a crowd like a gladiatorial event in ancient Rome. This is what makes the battle of the clans so intriguing and frankly so bizarre. The story of the battle of the clans also gives me the opportunity to discuss a fascinating clan in the history of Scotland, clan Chattin, or is it a clan? Let me tell you more. Now today I've taken you to the beautiful North Inge Park in Perth, the site of the battle of the clans that's also known as the Battle of the North Inge that was fought here in September 1396. It was fought between clan Chattin and an opponent we're not 100% sure of. It has been referred to as clan Quill, thought to mean Kay, but this has been challenged. And many argue it is much more likely that the opponents on that day were clan Cameron or clan Davidson, but more on that later. Now what we are sure of is that clan Chattin was involved one way or another, and it gives me a great opportunity to discuss a fascinating and very powerful clan in the history of Scotland, but clan Chattin isn't quite a clan. It's a confederation of clans around 12 or so with associated branches. Back in the day each of the clan chiefs were recognised under Scottish law, but they were unified under a superior chief of the confederation for protection and strength, similar to how the US is made up of different states but has a federal government. Now there are a few interesting theories about where clan Chattin gets his name. It may come from Catty, who were a tribe of Gauls that were driven out by the Romans. Another theory is that the name comes from Catav in Sutherland, in the very north of Scotland. The most widely accepted theory, however, is that they are descended from Gilachattin Moor, who was the great servant of Saint Catherine, an Irish monk who preached in Scotland. But what clans made up clan Chattin? Well, here is a general overview. The original clan Chattin was thought to be made up of clan Catanacht, clan Macpherson, clan Macphail and clan McBean or McBain. Then clan Macintosh and their cadet branches joined, such as clan Shaw, clan Farquharshan, the riches and clan MacThomas. The Macintoshes played a major role in clan Chattin and still do to this day. Other clans that made up clan Chattin included clan McGilvery, clan Davidson, the McLeans of Doc Garrick, the McLeans of Strath Deron, the Macintayers of Badanoch and the McCandrews. Now, one of the main seats of power of clan Chattin was at Tor Castle near Fort William. In the late 13th century, clan Cameron seized the castle and spurred a feud between the two clans that lasted until the 17th century. Now, at the battle of the clans, one popular theory is that clan Chattin fought their bitter rivals, clan Cameron. The battle of the clans itself was a stage but very real battle in the Kings behest where 30 men were selected to represent each side in front of spectators, which included King Robert the Third of Scotland and his court. As the battle was about to kick off, one of the McPherson's of clan Chattin fell sick, leaving them a man down. Remarkably, a volunteer named Henry Gow or Smith agreed to step in for a fee if he survived. Imagine that. Barriers were erected to stop spectators encroaching on the battlefield and King Robert the Third took up his position on a platform. The warriors were armed with swords, tarjis or shields, bows and arrows, knives and battle axes. The two clans lined up in a purpose-built enclosure on the north inch. We know from the accounts of the Exchequer during King Robert's reign that there is an entry in 1396 for the expenses of the battle, which is pretty mad to think. Quote, for Timber, Iron and Maker of Lists for 60 person fighting on the ancient Perth, £14, two shillings and 11 pens. Walter Scott gave a romanticised account of the proceedings and his work The Fair Maid of Perth that helps to paint a picture. The trumpets of the king sounded a charge. The bagpipes blew up their screaming and maddering notes. The combatants, starting forward in regular order and then increasing their pace till they came to a smart run met together in the centre of the ground as a furious land tauren and counters in advancing tide.  The reason for the battle was thought to have been to settle a dispute hence why the chatting camera and theory is so popular. The story goes that King Robert sent two of his generals into the Highlands to stop clan chatter and camera infuding but a resolution couldn't be found without a full scale war. A stage battle was then agreed upon with the winner gaining royal favour. Other theories argue that it wasn't clan camera in however but it was to settle an internal dispute within clan chatting itself probably between clan Macintosh and clan Davidson. Although we do know that members of clan McPherson were at the battle but potentially fighting on the side of clan Macintosh. It was a very bloody affair regardless. 19 out of the 30 died from the clan chatting side or the clan Macintosh side if it was an internal battle. Whereas the other side was decimated. 29 out of 30 of clan Cameron, clan Davidson or whichever other clan made up the opposing side was killed in a devastating defeat. The only guy from the opposing side who survived only did so because he swam across the Tay. Our friend, the volunteer named Henry Gow or Smith, survived however and apparently held his own in the battle. Yes, go on Henry. He has said to been invited north to join clan chatting and from him to sense the clan's Gow or Smith said. But who do you think made up the opposing side at the battle of the clans? Please let me know in the comments below. Speaking of clan battles, what happened at the battle of Glenfroon and why was the clan named McGregor banned for centuries? To find out, please click here. Thanks for watching. Please subscribe and hit the bell for ways to support including through Patreon, they will be in the description below. Thanks again for watching and I'll see you next time.


presents Jeanette MacDonald and Barry Sullivan. From Hollywood the mutual network in cooperation with Family Theatre presents the dotted line starring Barry Sullivan. And now here is your hostess Jeanette MacDonald. Thank you Tony LaFranco. Family Theatre's only purpose is to bring to everyone's attention a practice that must become an important part of our lives if we are to win the peace for ourselves, peace for our families, and peace for the world. Family Theatre urges you to pray. Pray together as a family. Now to our transcribed drama the dotted line starring Barry Sullivan as Wayne. All that was needed was a signature just a few marks with a pen and a man's life would have been saved but only one person in the world could make those marks a very special person the president of the United States. I should call myself Mr. Cromer because there are some facts about this episode that I'm not permitted to reveal and one of them is my true identity. But the important thing is not so much when or where this took place or even the real names of the people or countries involved. What matters is that we live in a world where it could happen at all. A world that needs a lot of fixing. My part of the incident began one night at the National Airport in Washington DC during a time when Americans were fighting and dying in Disneyland. But yes it goes Cromer. Yeah they never do any good. Any questions. No I think I understand most of it. I remember.  With the Middle East trade delegation I've got it.  You think this is likely to be any. Never know. There's always some of your customs official or a nervous policeman but whatever comes up use your passport. Like it's time for you to get aboard. Yeah well thank you very much Mr. Star I you know I must confess I still don't understand why a regular White House courier wasn't picked for this job. You know what you've got in that pouch. That's the main reason. Have a nice trip Mr. Cromer. It was a few minutes past eleven when the four engine military transport lifted from the runway and climbed into the night banking East or the Atlantic. Far below I could see the jagged strand of the Potomac River shining in the moonlight. I looked at the leather portfolio in my lap. Ten years in executive in the import export business and it turned out I'd come to Washington to run errands. At ten o'clock the following morning we put down at the Azores to refuel and nine hours later I was sitting in the main lounge of a hotel on Lisbon's Avenida de Libertad talking to an American correspondent for one of the wire services. Oh come on I'm Mr. Cromer. Joe Joe that's all there is to it. I was attached at the last minute to the Middle Eastern delegation and I'm just catching up with them. Well then how come you've got a diplomatic passport. Is that what I've got. That's what you've got. At least that's what you flashed at customs. Joe Joe in the first place there's no story or I'd give it to you. It's not just a story I'm after. Secondly I don't know much about passports but my understanding is that a commercial attaché has diplomatic status so maybe that's why they gave it to me. Yeah except that when the rest of that trade delegation came through ten days ago all they had were consular passports. What makes you so special. I can't imagine Joe. All right. Suppose I just do a little adding and you stop me when I make a mistake. Meaning what. Two and two. The president's been out of the country since Tuesday. Don't worry it's official came over the wires half an hour ago. Well. What of it. Yeah that was the wrong question Mr. Cromer you should have said where is he now look here Joe I apparently you already know how look you haven't any basis for that conclusion this is off the record just a private conversation. All right. The president left the country Tuesday. Now what's that got to do with me. Two days later yesterday afternoon at four o'clock Congress passed a special piece of Legislature. The boy of the asylum act. Yeah I think I heard something about it on the radio. OK OK so all you know is what you hear on the radio. But it's a fact that being technically an undesirable alien but boy of death can't be admitted to the United States until the president signs that bill and makes it law. I believe that's right. In your mind of I also believe it's right that you've got a copy of that bill in your brief case for the president's signature. Joe. Even if you were right and a special courier had been selected to deliver that bill to the president it would still be a routine mission. Not be so sure that is simply to get around a technicality. Congress plans to adjourn sometime next week if the president doesn't sign the bill within the next 10 days it won't become law. As everyone knows he wants it to become law so hence the high class Aaron boy. Mr. Cromer I knew that I'm a boy. Well what if I am. It's important Mr. Cromer are you. Yes. How soon do you expect to see the president sometime in the next few days. Rumor has it he's on a battle cruiser somewhere near Gibraltar I honestly wouldn't know. You've been in touch with the American Embassy since you got here just by phone speak to the ambassador. I wasn't in but I'm expecting a call in a minute. Joe what's it all about. The friends have just canceled the boy of Duff's visa. You're kidding. Wish I was. I talked long distance less than an hour ago to be your chief in Helsinki. But boy of Duff's got until midnight tonight to find another country that will take him. Otherwise he goes back behind the iron curtain. Oh no I can't believe it. They agree they agree to keep them. Oh sure sure. But the big bear growled. They know how he can scratch. You can't very well blame him. I suppose not plus which they've stuck their necks out already. He's in their country illegally. But if the boy of Duff would request asylum in the American legation for a day or so already been thought of immigration people took him in custody last night in grief. This time of the year the heat up there must be terrific. Yeah that's why your mission isn't so routine anymore. I don't see that at all those things. Mr. Cromer as of now that piece of paper in your briefcase is the only chance before you got it simply a case of my getting it to the president in the next seven hours. Yeah but that works both ways. How do you mean. With the people who want the boy of Duff back. Simply a case of seeing that you don't. I'm glanced down on my watch. It'd been almost two hours since I called the embassy and spoke to the Chaget affairs. He should meet ambassador would have returned by six. It was now 10 of seven. Gavin had a little grin on his face. I must have looked rather piqued. Mr. Cromer I'm not trying to scare you. That's all right Joe I'm glad you told me. Look I got an idea why don't I give you a left over to the embassy and the whole things in their lap. You know that's not a bad idea. I suppose by now they know about the boy of Duff's visa being canceled. Well if they don't you can tell them I'll I'll just go upstairs listen with your mind checking with your office once more just to make sure the story is official. I don't want to make a fool of myself. I understand.  I will move. Cigarette. It's not a bad idea either. Mr. Wayne Cromer over here boy over here. Mr. Wayne Cromer. That's right. Telephone call for you sir. The moment while I plug in the instrument. There you are sir. Thanks here you go. Thank you sir. Thank you very much. Hello. Mr. Cromer speaking. This is Miss Almada. Mr. Brock and Secretary of the embassy. Yes. The ambassador has not returned yet. There have been some sudden developments in the past few hours. Yes I think I know what you mean Miss Almada.  Fine that's that's very good. But meantime you must stay in your room. Well I'm not in my room just now I'm in the lobby. Then you are to go there immediately and stay there. These are express instructions from the ambassador. Very well. And you are not to answer the phone or open the door for any reason. All right. But how will I know when the people from the embassy. It is now four minutes to seven in exactly 15 minutes. A piece of embassy stationery with my last name written on it. Almada A L M A D A will be pushed under your door by the man who is to drive you back here. Okay. And there are no conditions must you admit anyone else. Don't worry I won't. 15 minutes Mr. Cromer. I'll be ready. Bye. Oh young fellow. You are finished on the phone Mr. Cromer. Yes thanks. Very well sir.  Yes sir. I tell her that if a Mr. Joseph Gavin asks me or tries to call my room that I've I've had to go out for a while and if there's anything he wants me to know would he leave a note at the desk. You got that. If Mr. Joseph Gavin calls you are out and leave a note at the desk. Wait until the bellhopper crossed the lobby and then I walk quickly to the bank of elevators. My room was on the ninth floor at the west end of the hotel overlooking the river Alcantara. It was dark now and I could see the lights along the Rua Gusta stretching away to the paved square the ratio. I sat down to wait and at exactly 11 minutes past seven I heard a piece of paper being slipped under my door. Yes. My name is Sam Meyer Mr. Cromer your car is down. Pleased to meet you. Should I check out of the hotel now. No no we can take care of that later for you. Oh bring the portfolio of course. Right here. Fine we better be going. The elevator was crowded with people and it made at least three stops before we got to the main floor. Sam Meyer stood in front of me all the way down a husky light head man of about 30 who looked like he could handle most anything. I was still mighty relieved when we stepped out into the lobby and started for the front door. We weren't a pretty big rush. This won't take a minute. Mr. Cromer this is a note from the Mr. Gavin you said might call. We thought you were not in. That's all right son. In this envelope. Thanks very much. Here you go. Thank you sir. What's your place. That kid's really in business. Mr. Cromer look you're my responsibility. Okay okay I'll read it in the car. Get in Mr. Cromer. I didn't expect you'd be along. Yes the ambassador returned to the embassy a few moments after a phone conversation. Good good.  So that's right I wouldn't advance it if you had. The point is arrangements have been made for you to complete your mission tonight. Tonight. It is not a difficult matter you may think. The person that you are to contact is scarcely 300 miles from here. On a battle cruiser. Yes that is my understanding. A sea plane a P.B.Y. I think you'll call them we'll be waiting for you just a few miles west of here. Good enough. And knowing from experience the way that Mr. Sanmaier drives we should be there in no time. Pulled away from the hotel and started up the avenue to Deliverdad. I set the portfolio on the floor next to my feet and leaned back to enjoy the ride. The windows were down and a sharp stale breeze blew in from the ocean. We've been driving for about five minutes when I remember the note from Joe Gavin the bellboy had given me. I fished the envelope out of my pocket and tore it open. Is anything wrong Mr. Cromer. You know it's just a note from a newspaper friend of mine I said I'd have lunch with him tomorrow. Well perhaps you can if you come back this way. I folded up the note and put it back in my pocket. My hands were shaking as I reached down for the portfolio and laid it across my lap. Gavin's handwriting was large and the notes had been short. Dear Mr. Cromer the Baboyer deaf visa cancellation has been officially verified. I tried to reach your embassy for comment was informed their phone had been out of order since five o'clock. Good luck Gavin. Gone through the night and I tried to fit the pieces together. If Gavin couldn't phone the embassy then the embassy couldn't phone me. So Miss Elmada was lying and Mr. Sandmire was not what he seemed. It might very possibly be a seaplane bobbing in a surf off the coast but it certainly wasn't pointed towards your brawler and neither in that case was my unsigned copy of the Baboyer deaf asylum act. I could try to bluff them. I could say that another copy of the bill could be flown to the president in time to beat the deadline and save Mr. Nicolai Baboyer deaf. And maybe it could. But my making such a statement at this point would practically rule out the saving of Mr. Wayne Cromer. It had to be something else something something in character. Something that only a bumbling American businessman would be likely to do in a high priority situation like this. Say you know this is a beautiful city Miss Elmada just beautiful. You like least one Mr. Cromer love it always loved it used to come here in the old days before the war made a lot of friends import export that's my line. You must find that very interesting. I love it. Can't wait to get back to it either. Sometimes this government stuff can be a lot of nonsense you know there are no offense and my know not at all. I guess someone has to do it. You've been with the department long all five years. It's five more than I could stand. Nothing personal. It's not I understand. Well you either Miss Elmada. It is quite all right. But I mean well now you just take us take this mission as an example as an example of what a duplication of effort duplication with that matter. Here we are three of us three of us doing a job of Western Union delivery boy could handle. I think perhaps you have a tendency to oversimplify things Mr. Cromer around the surface we're all pretty well occupied. I've got a paper in my briefcase to rattle and send my as a steering wheel to twist and you Miss Elmada. Yes. Well I guess if we could court exceeding the speed limit you can always argue in Portuguese with the traffic. Yes among other things. I say incidentally what time am I scheduled to take off eight o'clock sharp. We're only a few minutes from the dark. Well now now there's a perfect example of what Mr. Cromer waste genuine waste of the one thing that money cannot buy time. No offense and I am of course not look at my watch Miss Elmada 735 735 25 minutes before my plane leaves and you say we're just a skip and a jump from being well now after all Mr. Cromer I know I know I know things got a little mixed up the picture change cloak and dagger and all that but you know after all in my business I have to meet emergencies like this and on schedule on schedule Miss Elmada well we will do our best to adhere to your schedule from here on you know I think I've finally got your number Miss Elmada I beg your pardon I've got your number I know what you do what you really do to earn your money. You are hired to smooth the ruffle feathers of VIPs like me who come around growling about governmental inefficiency. Mr. Cromer that is not true.  She can sound the birds off the trees. Yes sir. Well I must say you do it very well. Thank you. However it is not what I am paid for Mr. Cromer. I am a secretary. There is no law against doing two jobs at once young lady no law on the land. You know that's what I had in mind when I made this trip. Well look good it did me. How do you mean. Renew old business contacts while I'm running this air and a lot of friends here in Lisbon Joe Gavin John Henry. It is too bad you did not have a chance to see more of more of them. I miss John completely and only saw Joe for a minute in the lobby this evening. I'm really very sorry. Well I guess it can't be helped. We turn here. That's right. The ocean is just a few blocks away. I wish I could have explained to George about that luncheon date tomorrow. Hey to miss it. Well you may not have to honor me. I love Lisbon but once my job is finished here I'm heading straight for a little old New York. Yes sir. No stop ups when you speak of Mr. Gavin. Is that the newspaper man. Yeah and the contacts I've made through him. He knows every businessman and Lisbon every single one. You have a great admiration for business man. Do you know Mr. Cromer. I ought to. I'm one myself. It's what makes the world go round Miss Elmada. The poets. The poets say it's love but take it from me. I've got a great idea. Stop the car. You see that little cafe ahead pull up there. Stop the car. Mr. Cromer. I just want to make a phone call. Leave a message back at the hotel for Joe. I'm afraid that would be impossible. Don't you stop worrying about security Miss Elmada with me. Mum is the word name rank serial number. No more. I know a little bit about these things. But you have to be aboard the plane in 20 minutes. Only a few blocks away. Now let's be fair Miss Elmada. I'm making quite a financial sacrifice to work for my government. I don't think one personal phone call is too much to ask in exchange. We'll over Mr. Sandmeyer. It weren't taking any chances. Both of them came into the cafe with me. It was crowded and smoky and there was only one public phone. But I gambled in one so far so I decided to let the bet ride. Very well Mr. Cromer. Make your call. No no you dial the hotel and I'll tell you the message to leave.  As you wish. Hello. I would like to leave a message for a Mr. Joseph Gavin. Hold the line a moment please. Anything wrong. Mr. Gavin is in the hotel. Come on let me talk to him. I won't give anything away. And tell you the truth I'll get a bigger kick out of being mysterious. And I guess it's all right. Hello. Can you connect me to Mr. Gavin's room please. Thank you. You think it's a gag. I'm always kidding. Hello. We're speaking please. Would you hold the line Mr. Gavin. A friend of yours wishes to speak with you. Here as well. Be careful what you say. Don't you worry. We can't afford to take chances. Mr. Sandmeyer if I utter one word you don't like just yank down that receiver. Remember we're all in this together. Go ahead Mr. Cromer we don't have much time. Good enough. Hello Joe. Show your old dog. Can't have lunch with you tomorrow after all Joe. You're what. It's out. I wish I could make it but it's impossible. I just wanted to let you know. Anything right. The first time. What is it. I'm going back to the states. What. I don't give me that Joe. I've got your number. What do you mean. I say I've got your number. Trouble is you haven't got mine. That's the difference between us. It's called. Yeah but I can't make it for lunch. The police are here. We'll put a trace around it right away. Trace this call right now. Can anyone at Joe right here what I'm saying. No and I'm afraid I'm going to miss seeing John too. John. John Henry I told you I was looking for I guess I'm out of luck. You mean the president's signature you're stalling for time. No question about it. That's a very important commodity Joe. What have you got half an hour. Oh I wouldn't go that high like 15 minutes. That's better. If you get into that figure you may hit the jackpot like in Las Vegas with a slot machine. Mr. Cromer I'm afraid we have to go. You bet. It looks like I've got to sign off Joe. Wait a minute. Don't forget how that jackpot pays and drop me a line when you get a chance. So long Joe. Thanks much folks. I guess we can get going now. Yes I think we had better. For a moment I thought San Mayer had seen it. He seemed to be staring at the phone as I stepped away and followed Miss Almata back through the cafe toward the front door. He said nothing when we got outside nor during the short drive that took us the rest of the way to the waterfront. I looked at my watch as we pulled to a stop in front of a small boat house at the foot of the deserted pier. Seventeen minutes to eight. Inside of the place smell like a fish market. The boat slippers deserted so we sat down to wait. Another five minutes past and 10 things were beginning to look black. Mr. Cromer is the dampness bothering you. A little bit. I noticed you were shivering. I guess I'm just a little anxious to get underway. Of course I understand. Delays always make me nervous. The launch should be along any minute now. I don't see any lights out there. No it won't be running any. You care for a cigarette Mr. Cromer. Thanks. I'm going to pack up my own brand right here. Yeah she's right on schedule at the launch. Here's the light Mr. Cromer. Thanks. Mr. Cromer you dropped something. That piece of paper out of your pocket. Yeah I got it. Oh yeah that's not from Joe Gavin. I'll take a time out. Now look here that's personal correspondence. He knows we're not from the embassy. Well read it yourself. His phone called Mr. Gavin was a sick man. I can't imagine what you're getting at. Almost but not quite. You're going for a little boat ride. Motor launch pulled along side and I got in the front seat next to the man at the wheel. Send my head of my portfolio to a second man in the back. A few moments later we were headed out to open water. As far as I can see it was all over but the shooting. Mr. Cromer are you all right. Oh just grand. Permit me to introduce myself. Sergeant Valdez. He's been police. I've got what. Police. We were able to trace your call to the cafe and with ship to show radio. The rest was easy. You mean I'm safe. See and by now your captors are in custody. Holy cats you guys are well that was quite clever leaving Mr. Gavin's envelope in the coin return slot to the phone in the cafe in order to keep the line open so that we could trace the call. Yeah a little trouble folding it with one hand. Very clever indeed. Don't forget how the jackpot pays. Mr. Gavin had some trouble with that one. Well I'm glad he finally figured it out.  Tell me is that really how these slot machines work in Las Vegas. Going afternoon I was taken aboard a cruiser and at exactly two thirty six. I laid my copy of the Bo Boyer death asylum act on a wide mahogany desk and handed a pen to the man seated behind it. If you'll sign there sir. Thank you. Thank you Mr. President. And now to our hostess Jeanette McDonald and our star Barry Sullivan. Thank you Tony. Thanks Tony. Do you know what I was thinking Barry? Oh what Jeanette? When you stop to think about it anything can be a prayer anything. A sob, a tear, a cry for help, a shout of joy. You just can't rule the heart's desire into a rigid form when asking for God's help. That's why I guess our whole language is sort of embedded with little prayers. They're in our greetings, our partings, our exclamations, our love making even in some of our Christian and family names. And of course in our songs. Jeanette you mean we more or less accidentally call on God each day lots of times without remembering that we're doing it? That's just what I mean Barry. We get the ready made prayers in our language from our ancestors. Their very lives were constant prayer crossing the ocean, conquering a new land, fighting the Indians. To that constant prayer they owed survival. We owe our country. That's true. Yes. They never left God out of a moment of their daily lives. It's shocking to realize how much we take for granted today. How often we forget to let God into our daily lives. You were saying that nowadays prayers have become a sort of a lost art. Well Barry prayers are not an art to me. They're the heart of living and certainly we haven't lost heart. We just need more and more of it. And of course there's nothing to prevent us from tuning our ears to a little what did you call them Jeanette? Was it the embedded prayers? You put it very nicely Barry. The embedded prayers. That's a good start toward bringing back to our daily life what we might call the missing prayers. Why shouldn't we call them the sleeping prayers? Anyone who thinks about them can wake them up and make them real prayers again. The instant he alerts his ears and his heart. You got the message Barry. Just on time. It is time you know. Time to say the family that prays together stays together.  Family theater has brought you transcribed the dotted line starring Perry Sullivan. Jeanette McDonald was your hostess. Others in our cast were Jack Krushen, John Larch, Lillian Bayef, Herb Ellis and Jane Avello. The script was written by John T. Kelly and was directed for Family Theater by Robert Hewitt Sullivan with music composed and conducted by Harry Zimmerman. This series of Family Theater broadcasts is made possible by the thousands of you who feel the need for this type of program by the mutual network which has responded to this need and by the hundreds of stars of stage screen and radio who give so unselfishly of their time and talent to appear on our Family Theater stage.  This is Tony LaFranco expressing the wish of Family Theater that the blessing of God may be upon you and your home and inviting you to be with us next week when Family Theater will present. Today is Sunday starring Robert Stack. Jean Crane will be your hostess. Join us, won't you? Family Theater is broadcast throughout the world and originates in the Hollywood studios of the world's largest network. This is Mutual, the radio network for all America.