Huh?

Philip R. Klein denigrates the Golden Triangle Empowerment Center (GTEC) in his latest posting on the SET Political Review (Caution: Philip's crude language is left intact):

They were all there. Mayor Prince, incoming Jefferson County Judge Branick and a host of other big names in Jefferson County! They were there for the (get ready) The Golden Triangle Empowerment Center and Small Business Incubator. Oh yes they were. So here comes the cameras and her comes the media and here comes the politicos. And they all stood up and cheered for another government program that is going to do good in Jefferson County - to help folks get employed at the local plants.

Uh....wait.

So we start getting calls from some in the know. Like some cops at the Port Arthur Police department and some of the security divisions of the local plants.  And they tell us : "....and you guys might want to look into who is running that gig down there.....

Let's pause so some local politicos butts can pucker right now - not to mention the media.

So according tot he media this gig has a spokesperson. His name is Arthur Brandon. And this seemingly has upset some local law enforcement. Why? Well, According to our sources, Arthur Brandon has a long and extensive history for Assault, Forgery, Criminal Mischief, Drug Charges, Terrorist Threats, Larceny, and went to the big house for awhile. He was paroled in May of 2008.

Now we all want people to do well. Right? Get better? Give a second chance - or in this case a seventh chance.

Mr. Brandon now teaches at the center. According to our sources at the local plants : "Mr. Brandon would not qualify to come on to the plant property at this time."

Here is our thought - we say give everyone a chance. And we mean everyone. But maybe - just maybe this project or government program or whomever runs their PR program - or maybe even the mayor or someone in the County Judges office might want to check into backgrounds before attaching themselves to something?

We are going to watch this project. Very closely. And giggle to the media and the politicos.....

From The Port Arthur News:

Arthur Brandon, 38, is one of the success stories of GTEC. His life was pitched downward and his future looked bleak. His youth was spent serving time in prison — about 13 years. And then he heard about the center and its life skills programs while working at local refineries as a sandblaster. Today, Brandon is one of the intake coordinators for the program.

“You can come here and have something to come to,” Brandon said. “It’s family, it’s life, it’s employment.”

While prominently featured in this success story, PRK apparently missed Brandon's 13 years in prison.

Read the entire PA News article for more information, but let's examine a few of Klein's other claims here in greater detail:

Klein: And they all stood up and cheered for another government program....

PA News:  The largest chunk of operating funds— ongoing financial pledges of 98 percent — comes from businesses in Port Arthur, Beaumont and Orange — the center’s service area.

Klein: So according tot he (sic) media this gig has a spokesperson.

Klein: Mr. Brandon now teaches at the center.

PA News: Today, Brandon is one of the intake coordinators for the program.

Klein: But maybe - just maybe this project or government program or whomever (sic) runs their PR program - or maybe even the mayor or someone in the County Judges (sic) office might want to check into backgrounds before attaching themselves to something?

PA News: Arthur Brandon, 38, is one of the success stories of GTEC. His life was pitched downward and his future looked bleak. His youth was spent serving time in prison — about 13 years.

Klein: We are going to watch this project. Very closely. And giggle to the media and the politicos.....

PA News: The fact that the center has already connected more than 200 people with jobs is also telling.

Typically, Philip's comments underscore the petty nature of his personality.

In closing, I'll note that while Brandon has turned his life around and has apparently become a valuable and contributing member of the community, Philip R. Klein is still a blight on society.