week of April 9, 2009. Probably one reason is that I totally agree with her.

Most of the confounding comments came from the TCEQ side of the panel. When an audience member pointed out that the TCEQ allows applicants 33 days to post a second notice after the draft permit is reviewed and Slick Machines took 44 days, the TCEQ agreed - the rules do indeed say 33 days, but they also say TCEQ may take other actions, including letting the applicant take longer without penalty.

Gee, I guess all the hours I spend teaching my children that rules actually mean something has been a waste, because, apparently, you can break the rules without any real consequences.

That's the part that shocked me, too, and I think for most people who were in the audience attending the TCEQ meeting. If there's no penalty for an applicant breaking the rules, then why the heck BOTHER??? Why doesn't TCEQ just go ahead and leave the public completely out of the loop and rubberstamp every application that comes their way without the pretense that they are actually going to act responsibly and make sure the applicants are accountable. Pffffftttt.