Craig James takes a leave of absence from ESPN to mull a Senate run. That’s certainly a much stronger indication he’ll run than we’ve had before.
I was unaware until I read this Chronicle piece that James joined the Texas Public Policy Foundation (and seems to have done some events for them, though he does not seem to currently be on the board), which would indicate at least some familiarity with conservative policy issues. Of course, Ted Cruz used to work in TPPP’s Center for Tenth Amendment Studies.
Another longshot Republican candidate , “Dr. Joe” Agris, files for the race. Dr. Agris is evidently a plastic surgeon who has done some good works, many in association with late Houston broadcasting legend Marvin Zindler (who made use of Dr. Agris services on many an occasion). Dr. Agris is not entirely a political neophyte, having run in the general election for Texas House District 134 in 2008. He reportedly waged a low-effort campaign (or so says lefty Houston blog Off the Kuff), pulling in only 42% of the vote in a distract John McCain won. He’s evidently been contemplating this run at least since April.
This entry was posted on Friday, December 16th, 2011 at 9:22 PM and is filed under Elections, Republicans, Texas, video. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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3 Responses to “Texas Senate Race Update for December 16, 2011”
In response to learning that Dr. Joseph Agris is now running for the Texas Senate, I believe i have an obligation to share my personal experiences with Dr. Agris’, personally, as well has his staff.
I have been a patient of Dr. Agris for 2 years, having undergone two procedures, both of which were performed incorrectly by Dr. Agris. I must admit that I was a little taken aback when i initially visited with Dr. Agris in the fall of 2010 for a consultation. Very little information was provided and no before and after pictures of any of his previous surgeries were provided for my review. Neverthess, because of Dr. Agris’ name value, i elected to have both a chin implant and breast reduction performed simultanesouly by Dr. Agris in October of 2010. As a side note, i would like to share, that within minutes of the impending surgery, Dr. Agris hurried in to have me sign what i must assume now were surgical authorization and release forms. After the surgeries i made continuous complaints of ongoing severe pain in my chin, due to the implant being too large and poking up through my gums and the fact the implant had shifted. Dr. Agris performed the first corrective surgery but tried to insist i pay for the correction after i had been assured there would be no additional costs to me. After must discussion, i was advised that Dr. Agris would recognize his commitment of no additional cost to myself. The chin implant shifted again, and ended up setting on a nerve which resulted in daily pain meds to be taken. Dr. Agris refused to look at the results for at least a year and subsequently i spent months in unnecessary pain. After consulting another plastic surgeon, who opined the surgery needed corrected the 2nd time, Dr. Agris agreed to remove the chin implant, and committed it would be performed at no cost to myself. Upon arrival for the removal, i was advised that Dr. Agris had changed his mind and was going to charge me for the removal. After much conversation with Dr. Agris’ staff, I insisted on speaking with Dr. Agris, who by the way refused to meet with me, but eventually agreed to perform the removal without cost to me. His bedside manner, which is usually congenial was very abrupt and hurried to the point of rudeness. At that visit, i discussed with him that the results of my breast reduction was a concern as, after a year, there was “significant” difference in size and the symmetry of the two. This was evident to the point, that i had received comments about it from family members. He indicated he wanted to submit an appeal to my insurance company, to determine if they would absorb any cost. He advised me he would be able to correct most of the problem by liposuction, but I was advised by his staff that Blue Cross/Blue Shield(BC/BS) never paid for liposuction, and they might have to look at some creative billing. After months of many inquiries to and conversations with Dr. Agris’ office re: the appeal, Dr. Agris called me himself, and explained they were still awaiting a decision from BC/BS and that while it was okay for him and myself to discuss liposuction, it was not okay to discuss the proposed procedure with my insurance company. I was quite interested to see whether Dr. Agris would actually submit fraudulent paperwork to BC, BS in order to cover the expenses of the additional surgery and whether he would actually go ahead with the surgery under fraudulent intent and pretenses. However, i have now been advised that BC/BS will not cover any further surgery and that Dr. Agris will only correct the “botched” breast reduction, if i pick up the full cost of the surgery and hospital stay. There is no proof, at this point, that he would have scheduled the corrective breast surgery had the submitted procedure had been approved by BC/BS. But there is sufficient concern, based upon the conversations i had with both his staff and Dr. Agris, that this was Dr. Agris’ intent.
Additionally, every interaction with Dr. Agris’ staff, has been frustrating,
non forthcoming, and had every appearance of delay, delay, delay. Phone calls were not returned, communications were one-way, and answers given by the staff were indeed bizarre, at times, and concerningly incompetent at all times. There was no evidence that any of the several staff members with which i spoke had any knowledge of the procedures that had been performed, and in fact, asked me such questions, such as “which doctor referred you to us, for corrective surgery?” I explained that Dr. Agris, himself, had performed the initial surgery, and i was not seeking Dr. Agris’ help in correcting another surgeons surgery results, and felt that Dr. Agris himself, was responsible for correcting his own mistakes.
It is with concern for the constituents of the state of Texas, that i share this information. I believe it speaks to the true character of Dr. Joseph Agris. There is nothing to indicate that he would serve the office of Senator with any higher level of honesty, consciousness or skill than that observed by myself over the almost two years of interaction i had with him and his staff.
please accept my error in noting that Dr. Agris is “now” running for the Texas state senate, i should have indicated that Dr. Agris “had” run for election, although defeated.
[…] previously mentioned, Dr. Agris is a plastic surgeon who has done numerous good works, many in association with late […]
In response to learning that Dr. Joseph Agris is now running for the Texas Senate, I believe i have an obligation to share my personal experiences with Dr. Agris’, personally, as well has his staff.
I have been a patient of Dr. Agris for 2 years, having undergone two procedures, both of which were performed incorrectly by Dr. Agris. I must admit that I was a little taken aback when i initially visited with Dr. Agris in the fall of 2010 for a consultation. Very little information was provided and no before and after pictures of any of his previous surgeries were provided for my review. Neverthess, because of Dr. Agris’ name value, i elected to have both a chin implant and breast reduction performed simultanesouly by Dr. Agris in October of 2010. As a side note, i would like to share, that within minutes of the impending surgery, Dr. Agris hurried in to have me sign what i must assume now were surgical authorization and release forms. After the surgeries i made continuous complaints of ongoing severe pain in my chin, due to the implant being too large and poking up through my gums and the fact the implant had shifted. Dr. Agris performed the first corrective surgery but tried to insist i pay for the correction after i had been assured there would be no additional costs to me. After must discussion, i was advised that Dr. Agris would recognize his commitment of no additional cost to myself. The chin implant shifted again, and ended up setting on a nerve which resulted in daily pain meds to be taken. Dr. Agris refused to look at the results for at least a year and subsequently i spent months in unnecessary pain. After consulting another plastic surgeon, who opined the surgery needed corrected the 2nd time, Dr. Agris agreed to remove the chin implant, and committed it would be performed at no cost to myself. Upon arrival for the removal, i was advised that Dr. Agris had changed his mind and was going to charge me for the removal. After much conversation with Dr. Agris’ staff, I insisted on speaking with Dr. Agris, who by the way refused to meet with me, but eventually agreed to perform the removal without cost to me. His bedside manner, which is usually congenial was very abrupt and hurried to the point of rudeness. At that visit, i discussed with him that the results of my breast reduction was a concern as, after a year, there was “significant” difference in size and the symmetry of the two. This was evident to the point, that i had received comments about it from family members. He indicated he wanted to submit an appeal to my insurance company, to determine if they would absorb any cost. He advised me he would be able to correct most of the problem by liposuction, but I was advised by his staff that Blue Cross/Blue Shield(BC/BS) never paid for liposuction, and they might have to look at some creative billing. After months of many inquiries to and conversations with Dr. Agris’ office re: the appeal, Dr. Agris called me himself, and explained they were still awaiting a decision from BC/BS and that while it was okay for him and myself to discuss liposuction, it was not okay to discuss the proposed procedure with my insurance company. I was quite interested to see whether Dr. Agris would actually submit fraudulent paperwork to BC, BS in order to cover the expenses of the additional surgery and whether he would actually go ahead with the surgery under fraudulent intent and pretenses. However, i have now been advised that BC/BS will not cover any further surgery and that Dr. Agris will only correct the “botched” breast reduction, if i pick up the full cost of the surgery and hospital stay. There is no proof, at this point, that he would have scheduled the corrective breast surgery had the submitted procedure had been approved by BC/BS. But there is sufficient concern, based upon the conversations i had with both his staff and Dr. Agris, that this was Dr. Agris’ intent.
Additionally, every interaction with Dr. Agris’ staff, has been frustrating,
non forthcoming, and had every appearance of delay, delay, delay. Phone calls were not returned, communications were one-way, and answers given by the staff were indeed bizarre, at times, and concerningly incompetent at all times. There was no evidence that any of the several staff members with which i spoke had any knowledge of the procedures that had been performed, and in fact, asked me such questions, such as “which doctor referred you to us, for corrective surgery?” I explained that Dr. Agris, himself, had performed the initial surgery, and i was not seeking Dr. Agris’ help in correcting another surgeons surgery results, and felt that Dr. Agris himself, was responsible for correcting his own mistakes.
It is with concern for the constituents of the state of Texas, that i share this information. I believe it speaks to the true character of Dr. Joseph Agris. There is nothing to indicate that he would serve the office of Senator with any higher level of honesty, consciousness or skill than that observed by myself over the almost two years of interaction i had with him and his staff.
please accept my error in noting that Dr. Agris is “now” running for the Texas state senate, i should have indicated that Dr. Agris “had” run for election, although defeated.