| DA Watkins Holds Facebook Fundraisers on Dallas County Property |
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| by Tom McGregor | Fri, Dec 4, 2009, 09:48 AM |
 Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price, a Democrat, has frequently lampooned Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins, a fellow Democrat, as a "show horse not a work horse." Some sources in the D.A.'s office have come forward to the Dallas Blog and confirmed that they agree with Mr. Price's assesment of Mr. Watkins. They complain that he's more concerned with updating his Facebook page than with prosecuting Dallas County criminals.
As a matter of fact, D.A. Watkins posts Facebook comments when he should be working in his office on weekdays during the hours between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. He even does Facebook campaigning and fundraising from the D.A.'s office, which technically is the property of Dallas County. Hence, his actions raise ethical concerns, since the taxpayers of Dallas County are subsidizing his campaign activities. While on the clock, he begs for campaign donations to fund his re-election campaign in 2010. Mr. Watkins identifies himself as the "chief law enforcement officer for Dallas County, Texas," and he has an obligation to protect area residents in his role by working hard to prosecute alleged criminals, especially during normal working hours. Instead, he spends his time posting Facebook comments. Here are some of his quotes with the exact dates and times: (Tuesday) November 24 at 1:23 p.m. "Craig Watkins Dallas County District Attorney Starting to round up volunteers for the campaign, visit www.craigwatkins.org for more information. Web site update coming soon!" (Monday) November 23 at 4:02 p.m. "Craig Watkins Dallas County District Attorney Thanks to all who responded to our email asking for $25.00 contributions online. To date these contributions total $4950.00. We are in the process of updating our website. We expect it to unveil it bfore the Christmas break. Please stay tuned. We have so much more to share with you." D.A. Watkins also denounces the local media on his Facebook page. The Dallas Blog's most vocal critic, Jonathan Green, posts on Mr. Watkins' Facebook: November 5 at 10:53 p.m. "I will always continue to support you against the harsh and unfair criticism posted by Tom McGregor and the staff of the Dallas Blog." Later that night at 1:09 a.m., D.A. Watkins expressed his heartfelt gratitude by responding "thanks." Apparently, when Mr. Watkins told a Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter that he spends many sleepless nights worrying about media criticism, his Facebook proves that he's not joking, which skeptics assumed was his attempt to gain sympathy from voters. To look at D.A. Watkins' Facebook page, link here: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Comments (3)
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written by furrpiece , December 04, 2009 Barack Obama's war on FOX News worked out so well that Mr. Watkins could certainly borrow a page on the brilliance of attacking the media for reporting your own shortcomings in office. Speaking of which, it is unethical for the DA to use county time, county space, or county equipment for campaigning or campaign fund raising. I'm surprised he didn't know that. I don't get it. This guy stands a pretty good chance to be re-elected. But, he seems determined to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Perhaps the political consultant in his life could point out some of the dumb things he's doing that aren't helping his chances when she's done with her own ethical conflicts representing judges in whose courts her husband must practice.
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written by Curious Jonathan , December 05, 2009 What's most important in Craig Watkins' life? To "Hug-a-Thug? or Facebooking?
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written by Jonathan Green , December 05, 2009 Freedom of the press unequivocally stands at the core of fundamentals in the United States of America. It is a form of checks and balances towards the government, business and other entities in our society. But when the Dallas Blog a Republican Conservative media outlet begins fabricating news and openly spreading half-truths and lies, it’s time for someone else to start checking them. Tom Mcgregor penchant to invade the privacy of a Dallas County Citizen in order to smear The District Attorney clearly shows pettiness. In addition, I believe I own a Blackberry as many other private citizens and can access Facebook at any point and time, it's designed that way. Looking back at the attitude of "Change" I applaud David Axelrod, and Barack Obama Committee for it's uniqueness in using the internet; Facebook, My Space, Black Planet; a Campaign tool that was very successful in reaching voters. That's amazing! Wonder McCain, and Palin did not think of that tool? Instead of highlighting the notion that Mr. Watkins has some ethical issues in question, clearly shows the Dallas Blog has once again taken the liberty of printing whatever it feels like without proper research to support its biased claims. The Dallas Blog attempted to juxtapose this incident as if the D.A. spends his entire day on Facebook. As the Republican Party struggles for a clear voice and more and more begin to leave the contingent for its increasingly fanatic fringe rhetoric,it seems that Republican Conservatives on the right are facing a new era of desperation, and the citizens of Dallas County must continue to bear the brunt of these insideous attacks while their party's identity fades. Write comment
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