tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post637604818944532313..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: TYC staff losses up 500%!Gritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-54311406481802171692007-05-08T23:37:00.000-05:002007-05-08T23:37:00.000-05:00I just wanted to let everybody know...retaliation ...I just wanted to let everybody know...retaliation is alive and well at TYC. I was terminated today. Its funny how just 2 months ago, i was the reporting party about sexual abuse, and they have been after me ever since...anybody know a good lawyer???? Hey...what happened to Ed Owens asking for whistle blowers?? Is Ed going to be making my house payments? This is what you get for doing the right thing...huh?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-22058644072194156172007-05-01T13:25:00.000-05:002007-05-01T13:25:00.000-05:00Wow, if that is true, that makes Perry look pretty...Wow, if that is true, that makes Perry look pretty corrupt beyond what is already visible. It sure would look bad if he failed to act on the TYC stuff years ago if he was out to protect family. It does look even worse since Barnard was clearly in the chain that led to the West Texas abuse but was one of the last ones to go until Sunday's article on her. The Perry appointee's (Kimbrough and Owens) couldn't protect her anymore? You're lookin pretty bad Perry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-42576614375844773532007-05-01T12:40:00.000-05:002007-05-01T12:40:00.000-05:00GRITS IF YOU DIG YOU WILL FIND THEY ARE COUSINS......GRITS IF YOU DIG YOU WILL FIND THEY ARE COUSINS.... ASK HER..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-70416799455892057612007-05-01T12:22:00.000-05:002007-05-01T12:22:00.000-05:00Pinpoint, you'd be surprised the extent to which m...Pinpoint, you'd be surprised the extent to which most reporters don't cover a story until somebody basically hands the research to them. A few of the best more aggressively pursue stories, but for the most part if advocates don't do a lot of prep work and hand them the goods on a silver platter, it's hard to get coverage.<BR/><BR/>That's why the post I wrote about today about Bill Parker and Anthony Mikulastik's affidavits in the Dallas News got covered - they emailed the smoking gun (i.e, the affidavits themselves) to multiple reporters (and also to me) and the affidavits basically speak for themselves. <BR/><BR/>Actually Kathy's theory of 'blog envy' is why I didn't write about the affidavits when I first saw them (at the same time the Dallas News reporters got them). I knew it would have more impact if the MSM reported it, and didn't want to give anyone any incentive not to pay attention to the story. So I waited to see what they'd do with it.<BR/><BR/>In some ways, though, that's also okay. This blog has a different role than the Dallas News. The longer I do this the more I try to pay attention to and respect such nuances. <BR/><BR/>After all, my goal is to make the laws and policies better, not to be the guy who breaks every news story (though I do try to cover stuff I think the MSM isn't catcing). Bloggers rely too much on the MSM to disrespect them too badly. best,Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-10166173979443744422007-05-01T12:11:00.000-05:002007-05-01T12:11:00.000-05:00Having read an editorial article by the DMN it doe...Having read an editorial article by the DMN it does appear that they believe that ripping apart the agency, doing away with resocialization, and starting over is the appropriate action to take. I get the feeling they must think that all programs and persons in the agency are corrupt by association.<BR/><BR/>Just cause there was a drunk at the wheel doesn't mean there was a problem with the car... Sure the system need tweaking... but the problems were largely a result of those in charge running the organization using it to satisfy their own agendas. Have to agree that current administration doesn't seem much different from the previous. Different vocalists, same song and dance...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-40996451215927779182007-05-01T11:53:00.000-05:002007-05-01T11:53:00.000-05:00Grits,If that is the case (that other media are no...Grits,<BR/>If that is the case (that other media are not covering this because you broke it), then the media people are no better than who they are covering. If they are not working to do their part in making this world a better place, regardless of the publicity of their "by line", they are demeaning their own profession. What have they become- just news Paparazzi? Unless it's the first million dollar picture or story seen it's not worth printing? By the way, no one has actually broke the story on Owens yet in the MSM so they actually would be the first to do so. "The New TYC Administration has Sexual Abuse Skeletons of Their Own". They don't think that would be one of the most popular stories to rock the media? That is just from the public interest stance of it. The more important stance (in my opinion) would be trying to find out if the new administrators are qualified to do what they have been appointed to do. With all of the highly questionable actions this new administration has taken, how any investigative reporter in the MSM doesn't find this worth looking into is beyond me.<BR/>PinpointAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-4151587157549318922007-05-01T11:46:00.000-05:002007-05-01T11:46:00.000-05:00Grits I think the reference to being a cousin come...Grits I think the reference to being a cousin comes from a DMN article by greg jones in which Banard described herself in an e-mail as a family acquaintance.<BR/><BR/><BR/> "With her career in tatters, Mrs. Barnard reached out to the governor, whom she identified as an old family acquaintance. In an e-mail on Jan. 3 this year, Mrs. Barnard spoke fondly of her two decades at TYC, "a job I have been very successful with and have enjoyed immensely."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-50346513725783475162007-05-01T11:25:00.000-05:002007-05-01T11:25:00.000-05:00The main reporters covering TYC at the Observer an...The main reporters covering TYC at the Observer and the Morning News where the story broke know about it and haven't followed up, and a LOT of media read Grits. My wife thinks it's because I broke it on the blog and since they can't break it they won't run with it - she calls it "blog envy," and it's true that's happened before. Quien sabe?<BR/><BR/>It's obvious why the pols don't care - Perry has appointed a husband and wife team to run Texas' youth prisons and state parole board, so this is a politically connected couple whose household is in charge of a huge chunk of the Texas criminal justice system. That doesn't explain the teflon coating with the media, though. I really can't explain it.<BR/><BR/>Is that really true about Barnard being Perry's cousin?!! Can anyone confirm this?<BR/><BR/>BTW, if Barnard really was informed of her firing through the media, that's beyond disgraceful, it's just flat out mismanagement of personnel. That's ALL on Owens, and deserves harsh criticism regardless of what he knew or didn't know at TDCJ. <BR/><BR/>To me, Owens should be taking heat on all these fronts, and I'm surprised he seems to be getting it on none of them.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-71653052326903216682007-05-01T11:07:00.000-05:002007-05-01T11:07:00.000-05:00Grits- you have a lot of media connections, right?...Grits- you have a lot of media connections, right? Have you asked them why they haven't covered the Owen's thing?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-13974308980660307182007-05-01T10:34:00.000-05:002007-05-01T10:34:00.000-05:00What would be the point of finding dirt on them? O...What would be the point of finding dirt on them? Owens has his sexual harassment involvement lawsuit with TDCJ out there and no one- not Perry, the Senators OR the media is doing anything with that. Someone has made these people untouchable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-40783437184158428612007-05-01T10:23:00.000-05:002007-05-01T10:23:00.000-05:00Maybe Barnard got to stay longer because she is Pe...Maybe Barnard got to stay longer because she is Perry's Cousin?<BR/>I wish we could dig up some dirt on Kimbrough, Whitmire and Pope and give them a taste of what they are putting TYC workers through. Maybe we should hire a PI.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-41848014077274653742007-05-01T09:15:00.000-05:002007-05-01T09:15:00.000-05:00In response to 9:05Mr. Parsee and Lydia Barnard ma...In response to 9:05<BR/><BR/>Mr. Parsee and Lydia Barnard may have done things- some may have been pretty bad. But, before anyone can sit and judge another's actions, you cannot sit next to them, doing the same thing they do and say they are wrong. The administration in charge now needs to be setting the example of how things should be done. Humiliating people has no productive value other than making one's self look better over the sake of others. If this administration is interested in self promotion- they are sitting in the same position as the old administration was. They are no better than those they replaced. Humiliating another person produces no positive benefit for the overall good of the agency. The image of the agency is not changing to that "new" path like they are wanting because the right tactics to make that happen aren't being utilized. There is no honor in shaming another human being. Respect comes from respect. If they cannot rise above this (demoralizing people) and make the changes needed without using tactics that fall into the same or worse category that the prior administration used- then there was no point in making any change.<BR/>PinpointAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-66947876082990383452007-05-01T09:05:00.000-05:002007-05-01T09:05:00.000-05:00To 9:32 pmScrew that! Parsee and Barnard got what ...To 9:32 pm<BR/>Screw that! Parsee and Barnard got what they deserved!They have been wrecking people's lives for years! They deserved to be put out there for everyone to see and humiliated for what they did!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-10960555394107585252007-05-01T06:31:00.000-05:002007-05-01T06:31:00.000-05:00I think he's from Huntsville...I think he's from Huntsville...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-87498764970210671672007-05-01T06:20:00.000-05:002007-05-01T06:20:00.000-05:00Mike Judge made a film called "Idiocracy" about ho...Mike Judge made a film called "Idiocracy" about how stupid people kept breeding at an alarming rate, while smart people didn't. The result was that morons were running the country. It was supposed to be set in the future, but it seems to have already happened. It's no coincidence, I think, that Mike Judge is from Austin.Kreacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04492469464891802002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-25906258293236305482007-04-30T23:38:00.000-05:002007-04-30T23:38:00.000-05:00The bill you're afraid of is HB 2512, not HB 2884....The bill you're afraid of is HB 2512, not HB 2884. You don't have much to worry about. That bill is still pending in committee.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-4462337064930776742007-04-30T23:03:00.000-05:002007-04-30T23:03:00.000-05:00Whatever Hurley....Whatever Hurley....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-25365375265249975412007-04-30T22:46:00.000-05:002007-04-30T22:46:00.000-05:00There is a storm brewing! Those who had ears but ...There is a storm brewing! Those who had ears but did not hear; those who had eyes but did not see; those who had a voice but did not speak; those who let evil rule their hearts should fear the coming storm! A double headed eagle spreads its wings and takes flight! There is help for the widow's son! The profane will perish by their own design.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-63879934022696688772007-04-30T22:13:00.000-05:002007-04-30T22:13:00.000-05:00Did you all catch that? She was informed through t...Did you all catch that? She was informed through the media. That is some chicken-shit tactics at best. It was a set-up, and it makes me even more distrusting of this Hurley guy. He's gotta be getting some kick backs from the DMN. The FBI needs to look closely at this one. How do you not see "exploitation." <BR/><BR/>You have to question the timing...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-12704657432676993492007-04-30T22:10:00.000-05:002007-04-30T22:10:00.000-05:00Everyone is quiting now because they don't want to...Everyone is quiting now because they don't want to be caught up in the odd 150-300 employees in that same rural area looking for jobs when HB 2884 sneaks by and all the facilities housing more than 100 kids get shifted over to TDCJ. If you all lose your job at the same time, the job market is a little saturated. Just because the facilities would end up at TDCJ doesn't mean the TYC people would work for TDCJ. TDCJ could come in and bulldoze the facilities if they wanted to.<BR/>If HB 2884 passes the house and senate, we have go to all write the govenor to not sign it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-60162012906390675672007-04-30T22:01:00.000-05:002007-04-30T22:01:00.000-05:00I have said this once on this page and will say ag...I have said this once on this page and will say again, this is all political. Has TYC made any strides over the past 2 months? Does TYC have a plan, other than to say "Resoialization as we know it is gone"? What plan do they have after 2 months, "Grandstanding"? If they had any clue what they were doing something would have emerged by now, but since they have no plan they staged these photo ops (Parsee-Barnard-500 TYC youth will be released, Cotton girl, etc) and get on the front page of a news paper to appear they were cleaning house or making strides. Every department in Austin is suppose to turn in their new restructured plan by the end of this week, this would be current TYC staff not the hired ones from TDCJ and Perry's office. Could it be that they need input from the lowly TYC staff? I just wish they would quit the grandstanding and get to work, lets move forward.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-87977183111591557202007-04-30T21:32:00.000-05:002007-04-30T21:32:00.000-05:00You know, I am going to refrain from giving my opi...You know, I am going to refrain from giving my opinion regarding Lydia Barnard and Jerome Parsee- but I do want to express my feelings about the way both of these people have been treated in how they were fired or arrested. I don’t' feel it was right. <BR/>With Parsee's handcuffing and staged media event (the media showed up before 9 am and he got walked out at 11) so they could video him being walked to a police car that only drove around the property line to the Falls Co. Sheriff's dept. (about a 1/2 mile across a field from the Marlin Unit. You can literally see it from the facility)- that was just unnecessary. They couldn't have called him and just said, "Hey, come turn yourself in"? Who was behind arranging that? Kimbrough and Owens trying to make a statement about firing people? A disgruntled employee with a beef with Parsee? Who ever did- I hope you are given a more respectful consideration when your time comes. That entire "show" for the media spoke loudly to the shallowness and vindictiveness of the person(s) who did. The point you were trying to make was done with the arrest itself. Having him go through the public cuffing, cameras flashing and media filming, being pushed by the officer, then driven to a location where others could just stand where they were and watch the whole trip take place was nothing less than overkill. There was no glory for you in that. There was no show of any respect for another human being. <BR/>With Barnard's dismissal- How could it not have been staged? You've had over a month to fire her (or more), but instead waited for this article to print. You either fell to the media pressure to fire her (which means you likely did not have enough evidence to fire her before this- so will it be another wrongful termination?) or you waited until there was enough publicity to make yet another statement about how "serious" you are in cleaning house. You fired her without telling her first, instead you told the media. You didn't allow her to prepare herself or her family for what was about to hit. Not only did she have to face the article that came out, but now she had to face her surprise termination. Again, I am not defending Mrs. Barnard's actions within the agency, but there is a right and wrong way to treat a person. The Administration in charge now needs to take a serious look at themselves and their own ethic. You- Kimbrough, Owens, Pope, (and anyone else involved in these decisions and tactics): You are seriously evening out the scale and making it very hard to distinguish that the old administration was worse than what you are doing. The lines before all of this were pretty clear, the bad guys needed to go. Now, you have lowered yourself to their behaviors. If you are not already there, you are seriously close to being no better than they were. Keep going in the direction that you are, and you will be worse. You have cleaned out most of the "enemy" -those involved in the initial problem but instead of stopping there, you are blowing up bridges, demolishing houses, torching the schools, killing the crops and slaughtering the animals too. Killing programs that could work, targeting and firing employees that were never part of the problem, keeping the employees in the dark about their futures, making changes that had nothing to do with any of the problems and treating people like they have no human worth is air striking and destroying the entire village. <BR/>That is just my opinion. <BR/>PinpointAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-84196798586318060862007-04-30T18:41:00.000-05:002007-04-30T18:41:00.000-05:00Hurley or Harley was the PR guy for the Real Estat...Hurley or Harley was the PR guy for the Real Estate Agency, Insurance or something like this. He is clueless about the juvenile justice system and only states what he is told, 80% of what comes from his mouth is lies and misquotes, name one positive story this "PR-Guy" has stated since coming on board, nada, zipo. These are the ones everyone should be pissed off as well, he cant name one positive release, one success story, if he would get off his knees long enough to see over the desk he might come up with a story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-63096109734479237102007-04-30T18:29:00.000-05:002007-04-30T18:29:00.000-05:00Freeman and Eric Young are still with us. No one w...Freeman and Eric Young are still with us. No one was let go today other than Barnard.<BR/><BR/>Someone please tell be that it wasn't staged. Please. They could have done it on the first round, but they waited until the DMN story broke. I think a "certain visitor, the guy who replaced our CO-PIO, was all begind this... helping a friend. Harley or Hurluy... you know, the one that is quoting an purpously make us look worse then we are. after they let the other one go, or forwhatever reason, went silent (can't remember his name now.) Bet that Harley guy is getting kicks back. Unethical. We needs some investigation in that. Check his deposits in hus banck.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-52984308106305785592007-04-30T18:14:00.000-05:002007-04-30T18:14:00.000-05:00The agency that accredited your school should have...The agency that accredited your school should have some recordes of your transcripts - I think, or at least I hope. Glad you brought that up because my school changed affiations and went under A&M, and well, we all know how they f-things up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com