Letter to the Editor (Houston Chronicle)

On Sunday the Houston Chronicle gave Mayor Parker column inches to explain away the NASA situation that occurred on her watch.  I wrote a letter to the editor in response.  Of course it was not and will not be published, so I’m publishing it here instead:

Dear Editor,                             

I am Jack O’Connor and I am running for mayor of Houston.  I have met with Annise Parker and believe she is well intentioned but she is primarily driven by politics and her reelection.  The Chronicle threw her a softball by allowing her to write on the recent positive activity here at NASA.  Many of us are strong supporters of the Johnson Space Center and are aware of its impact on the local economy.  “Bay Tech” has done wonders for the Clear Lake area that extends well beyond JSC’s interests.  The organization’s efforts has had a Maritime curriculum instituted at a number of area Public High Schools.  Earning two certifications at one of these High Schools almost guarantees a job at the Port of Houston.  Other certifications at HCC can lead to even greater opportunity at the Port.

As a candidate for Mayor I have to remind the voters of Houston that she did not fight for the shuttle Enterprise to be located here.  Houston’s strong and comprehensive bid prepared by the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership was rejected. Why?  Mr. Obama’s appointee to lead the space agency in Washington changed the rules.  Ms.Parker should have been in Washington making a case and attracting national attention to the undue harm that the federal government continues to inflict on our city and the State of Texas.  Yes it was the Texas delegation whose efforts brought renewed optimism to Houston’s Space Program.  Our leadership at City Hall, however, needs a change and I look forward to the day when we can announce that the City is ”Under New Management”.

Jack O’Connor
Candidate for the Mayor of Houston.

I’m running for Mayor of Houston

As of September 7th, I am running for Mayor of Houston. I hope you’ll visit my campaign website and get involved.

Press Release

Houstonian Jack O’Connor Files for Mayor of Houston
For Immediate Release September 7, 2011	Media Contact:                   info@JackForHouston.com

HOUSTON - When I announced I was running for Houston City Council At-Large Pos. 5 no one had expressed interest publicly in the Council seat. Since then four people have either filed a campaign treasurer for the race with the City to collect donations for the office or filed to be put on the ballot. One of those running entered the same race twice earlier but withdrew due to a residency issue the first time and came very close to beating the incumbent Jolanda Jones the second time. Aside from making this campaign unnecessarily expensive, the number of candidates in this race may benefit the incumbent who very much needs to be replaced. I have been campaigning for the At-Large Pos. 5 since March and have studied City government as well as witnessing the City Council meetings. I have come to realize that I would make a viable candidate for Mayor who has come to understand the real issues that City Government must address. I have decided to be a candidate for Mayor of Houston. I do not believe the Mayor can effectively address the serious financial issues including City pension and medical liabilities that threaten insolvency. Further, the Mayor’s recent efforts to create jobs may have the opposite effect and coupled with Women and Minority owned business advantages, doing business in Houston will become increasingly difficult. Please note that the Houston area has a higher unemployment rate than New York City. The number of unemployed in the City of Houston is actually worse. There are so many issues such as the Rebuild Houston (or Rain Tax), and Red Light Cameras. Seniors will be most hurt by the Mayor’s actions. They have to pay higher rates for water and a new Rain Tax, which cannot be deducted from their income tax. I am totally committed to winning this race, and I look forward to the opportunity to gain your support. # # #

Restoring Courage

Do you remember Dwight Eisenhower? Many do not. He was the Supreme Commander of all Allied Forces liberating Europe from the Nazi Germany’s occupation. He was an American from the Midwest. As the liberation gained momentum, the gruesome discoveries of the concentration camps unfolded where six million Jews were exterminated. Those who survived the “Holocaust” were barely alive. I cannot adequately describe the horrors inflicted on the Jews here, but take note of Eisenhower’s comments and orders following the liberation of these death camps. “Record what we have found…..take pictures …film ….and document everything we have discovered. Someday people will not believe this ever happened”.

Today, leaders in the Middle East such as Iran’s Aberdinajuan deny the holocaust ever took place. The Arab and Muslim nations that surround Israel want to destroy and eliminate the only democracy and true friend of America in the entire region. Restoring Courage, an effort organized by the 912 Committee and inspired by Glenn Beck, has taken to road in a worldwide effort to bring truth and courage back to our nation and others in defense of our common heritage and commitment to Israel where Freedom, Responsibility, Human rights, and Justice are reality and not lip service. Even our President has wavered in the support of Israel which has emboldened its enemies. It is time to restore our courage and stand up to those who want to bring down Israel.

Some of you may not know many Jews. Besides sharing the Old Testament with us, their faith and culture has produced some of the finest individuals on earth whose contributions to science and the humanity have lessened the suffering of many. I know this as I grew up in New York where the Jewish population exceeded that of Israel. Their strong sense of family and conscience have had a very positive influence in the communities they live in. There is something going very wrong with the abandonment of Israel by the west. Join those who believe Israel needs our friendship and loyalty……..and have the courage to stand up to those who seek to exterminate the Jews.

-Jack

Look at this lady – Let us never forget!

Remember This Lady!!

The world hasn’t just become wicked…it’ s always been wicked. The prize doesn’t always go to the most deserving.

Irena Sendler

There recently was a death of a 98 year-old lady named Irena.

During WWII, Irena obtained permission to work in the Warsaw ghetto as a Plumbing/Sewer specialist. However, she had an ‘ulterior motive’.

She KNEW what the Nazi’s plans were for the Jews (being German).

Irena smuggled infants out in the bottom of the tool box she carried, and she carried a burlap sack (for larger kids) in the back of her truck.

She also had a dog in the back that she trained to bark when the Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto.

The soldiers wanted nothing to do with the dog and the barking covered the kids’/infants’ noises.

Irena managed to smuggle out and save 2500 kids/infants in the time that she performed such work.
She was caught, and the Nazi’s broke both her legs and her arms, and they beat her severely.

Irena had kept a record of the names of all the kids she smuggled out of Warsaw in a glass jar, buried under a tree in her back yard.

After the war, she tried to locate any parents that may have survived and reunited the families, although most had been gassed. The rest of the children she helped were placed into foster family homes or adopted.

A few years ago, it was rumored that Irena was a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize. She was not selected.

President Obama won a Nobel Peace Prize for his work as a community organizer for ACORN, and Al Gore also won for creating a slide show on Global Warming.

In MEMORIAM – 66 YEARS LATER

I’m doing my small part by sharing this message.

I hope you’ll consider doing the same.

It is now more than 65 years after the Second World War ended in Europe.

This notice is part of a memorial chain, in memory of the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians (Including 12,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses), tens of thousands of LGBT folk, and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated!

Now, more than ever, with Iraq, Iran, and others claiming the HOLOCAUST to be ‘a myth’.

It is imperative to make sure the world never forgets, because there are others who would like to do it again.

Join me and be a link in the memorial chain and help distribute this around the world.

Introduction…Why I am Running for City Council…

Press Release

Houstonian Jack O’Connor Files for Houston City Council For Immediate Release June 9, 2011 Media Contact: info@JackForHouston.com HOUSTON- Last week, Jack O’Connor, a Houston businessman and former candidate for State Representative, filed paperwork with the City of Houston Secretary to run for Houston City Council At-Large #5.Jack O’Connor brings more than 35 years of business experience and success to his effort to address the issues facing all Houstonians. Jack knows that Houston’s future hinges on the ability of businesses to be flexible without undue burden and interference from local, state, and federal governments. Most importantly, Jack knows that a stable and efficient city government is needed to retain and attract new businesses to Houston. This includes a genuine, transparent budgeting process.”I have watched from the sidelines for far too long, as impediments have been placed in front of job creators. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work as a member of Houston City Council to start working for the people who make Houston work,” said Jack O’Connor. “We must maintain our world leadership in energy, medical research and treatment, and other high tech industries that have given this city an edge. At the same time Houston’s manufacturing and service industries, large and small, have grown increasingly dependent on sourcing outside the US to be competitive. We can bring these manufacturing and service jobs back.” Jack plans to bring attention to key issues that affect all Houstonians, such as public safety, job creation and fiscal accountability. He has been active in the Eldridge West Oaks Super Neighborhood (SN 17) and focused on public safety, protecting property values, and working towards a continuing improvement in the quality of life in the area. Jack O’Connor concluded, “I think that when the voters of Houston hear my plans and my ideas for a working Houston, a cleaner Houston and a safer Houston, they will line up to support what I’m talking about. Houston needs an efficient, smart and collaborative government to confront the critical issues that lie ahead of us. We need uncomplicated solutions to complex problems. This campaign is about the great people of Houston who have a history of success.” Jack’s experience with Dresser Industries and Flow Technologies has given him knowledge and insight of the potential of Houston and its position here in the US and around the world.