Oddities, assortments, Post up anything that doesn't quite fit on other threads
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Oh goody
Mutant sharks on the way
Mutant sharks on the way
Taifi gorm
Player Valuation: £35m
Cookie monsters cousin?
Charles Hawtrey
Player Valuation: £50m
A Closer Look – T. Dan Friedkin
by Transparency USA
10/07/2016
T. Dan Friedkin is the owner and CEO of Gulf States Toyota, the largest private company in Houston. With exclusive rights to sell Toyota vehicles in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas, Mr. Friedkin has expanded upon the business originally built by his father. In 2016, according to Forbes, Mr. Friedkin ranked as the 162nd wealthiest person in the United States. In the most recent 2016 primary election cycle, Mr. Friedkin was the tenth largest donor to political campaigns and PACs in the state of Texas.
In his spare time, Mr. Friedkin flies World War II-era P-51 Mustangs with an aerial acrobatic troupe. Mr. Friedkin, 51, is married with 4 children.
Mr. Friedkin has been active in the Texas political scene dating back to the late 1990s, supporting candidates in both parties, although the vast majority of his contributions go to Republicans.
Here’s an overview of Mr. Friedkin’s giving from the past election cycle:
Key takeaways from Mr. Friedkin’s giving:
At first glance, there appears to be an outlier in Mr. Friedkin’s giving this cycle: a $10,000 gift to a challenger in a State House race halfway across the state from Friedkin’s home district. That challenger was Scott Fisher who unsuccessfully sought to take the seat of State Representative Jonathan Stickland. State Rep. Stickland’s efforts in Austin have drawn the ire of many in the Capitol. Some believe State Rep. Stickland was a top target of House Speaker Joe Straus (another recipient of Mr. Friedkin’s money) and Speaker Straus’ leadership team. In actuality this gift wasn’t an outlier at all, rather, it was more support for the status quo
by Transparency USA
10/07/2016
T. Dan Friedkin is the owner and CEO of Gulf States Toyota, the largest private company in Houston. With exclusive rights to sell Toyota vehicles in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas, Mr. Friedkin has expanded upon the business originally built by his father. In 2016, according to Forbes, Mr. Friedkin ranked as the 162nd wealthiest person in the United States. In the most recent 2016 primary election cycle, Mr. Friedkin was the tenth largest donor to political campaigns and PACs in the state of Texas.
In his spare time, Mr. Friedkin flies World War II-era P-51 Mustangs with an aerial acrobatic troupe. Mr. Friedkin, 51, is married with 4 children.
Mr. Friedkin has been active in the Texas political scene dating back to the late 1990s, supporting candidates in both parties, although the vast majority of his contributions go to Republicans.
Here’s an overview of Mr. Friedkin’s giving from the past election cycle:
| Total Donations | $867,602.58 |
| Total Number of Donations | 21 |
| Average Donation Amount | $41,314.38 |
| Donations to Republicans | $597,602 |
| Donations to Democrats | $0 |
| Donations to Texas House Candidates | $25,000 |
| Percentage of Donations to Texas House Candidates | 2.88% |
| Donations to Texas Senate Candidates | $3,000 |
| Percentage of Donations to Texas Senate Candidates | .35% |
| Donations to Statewide Candidates | $569,602 |
| Percentage of Donations to Statewide Candidates | 65.66% |
| Donations to Advocacy Groups | $260,000 |
| Percentage of Donations to Advocacy Groups | 29.97% |
| Donations Given Inside Home District | $3,000 |
| Percentage of Donations Inside Home District | .35% |
| Donations Given Outside Home District | $864,602 |
| Percentage of Donations Outside Home District | 99.65% |
[td]
T. Dan Friedkin – A Closer Look
[/td]Key takeaways from Mr. Friedkin’s giving:
- Close to those in power.
Nearly all those receiving money from Mr. Friedkin were incumbents. Of those incumbents, most were either statewide officials, notably PACs for Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, or powerful members of the Texas Legislature. This trend is common among successful business executives, and often indicates a desire to have access to these elected officials. - Invests heavily in his company’s political action committee.
Mr. Friedkin gave $150,000 to Gulf States Toyota Inc. State PAC, his company’s political action committee. That represents 17.29% of his political giving in Texas. It’s normal for large companies to have PACs which work to elect men and women friendly to a particular business or industry. - Supports the status-quo.
Given his overwhelming support of those in power, it’s clear Mr. Friedkin likes the status quo in Austin. As the owner of auto dealerships, this support isn’t surprising. Many argue auto dealers currently have a monopoly on the auto sales market with massive barriers to entry.
At first glance, there appears to be an outlier in Mr. Friedkin’s giving this cycle: a $10,000 gift to a challenger in a State House race halfway across the state from Friedkin’s home district. That challenger was Scott Fisher who unsuccessfully sought to take the seat of State Representative Jonathan Stickland. State Rep. Stickland’s efforts in Austin have drawn the ire of many in the Capitol. Some believe State Rep. Stickland was a top target of House Speaker Joe Straus (another recipient of Mr. Friedkin’s money) and Speaker Straus’ leadership team. In actuality this gift wasn’t an outlier at all, rather, it was more support for the status quo
summerisle
The rain, it raineth every day
This is really an odd oddity.
It's not often I applaud plod, so improved dna testing catching up with a rapist is a great moment for justice.
www.bbc.co.uk
Man jailed for 1985 Sheffield rape after DNA breakthrough
Police were not able to get a DNA profile until 2018 and matched it to David Hill in 2021.
www.bbc.co.uk
Reform UK suspends Scotland candidate over financial allegations
Scotland leader Malcolm Offord told BBC Radio Scotland that the party had "spent a lot of time on vetting" candidates
www.bbc.co.uk
parody party.
To turn such tragedy into a peace process, such an inspiring man. RIP Tim and Johnathan
Speaking as someone in a Californian high risk fire zone this would be fantastic
Some people are fabulous, not just as artists but as humans
it looks like the final scene from alien: covenant.