Sunday Performance Politics Funnies

A Weekend Ketchup Wrangle

I fell behind taking time off this week, and a few things happened.  Some are worth revisiting.

Snow in the Panhandle, fires in West Texas, tornadoes near Austin, DFW & Houston -- a wild weather day in Texas. https://t.co/DnwrS3U5aC pic.twitter.com/KvipFdl3FA

— KXAN News (@KXAN_News) March 22, 2022

At least one person is dead after a large tornado hit New Orleans Tuesday night. This comes as at least 20 tornadoes tore through parts of Texas and Oklahoma on Monday. https://t.co/MJpNVUAxWV

— Democracy Now! (@democracynow) March 23, 2022

Here's a path comparison of the May 27, 1997 F5 Jarrell tornado vs the March 21, 2022 EF-1 Jarrell tornado. Monday's tornado crossed the 1997 path in two places. This coming May marks the 25 year anniversary of the May 27 tornado, the last F5 to have struck the state of Texas. pic.twitter.com/joDlEmS4ER

— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) March 24, 2022

A ma te acuerdas do you remember that time I was driving home from a my job interview at Whataburger and me and my camioneta roja got caught in a tornado.

That is the most Texas story it needs a corrido. #txlege https://t.co/ecDLxxGWsK

— Armando Walle (@RepWalle) March 26, 2022

#NEW Riley Leon, the 16-year-old that drove his red truck through a Texas tornado, got the job he was driving home from interviewing for and is being gifted a new Chevrolet Silverado.

DETAILS: https://t.co/44IQ3JHD7r

— FOX 7 Austin (@fox7austin) March 25, 2022

And some are not.  But I document the atrocities here, so ...

"This is nothing our lawyers are taking seriously at all because he's so wrong about the law. We thank the attorney general for his interest, but we will continue to celebrate Pride." - AISD spokesman @JasStanford https://t.co/Mw3Ugiy8z7

— Progress Texas (@ProgressTX) March 23, 2022

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick reduces profile of higher education in Texas Senate after attacking tenure https://t.co/oCVCFHgSuB#txed #txlege #highereducation #education #Texas

— San Antonio Review (@SanAntoReview) March 23, 2022

I can't get over the fact that Ted Cruz yelled at Montana airport employees "DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?" and they had to call the cops on him because he was so pissed that he was missing his flight back to DC to ask Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson if babies are racist

— Laura Bassett (@LEBassett) March 22, 2022

Sen. John Cornyn claimed he wasn’t 'arguing the merits or lack of merits of same-sex marriage' while questioning Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson over her views of the Supreme Court’s role in policymaking…but it sounds like he is. Watch the exchange 🤔 pic.twitter.com/oTPJjKcl7k

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) March 22, 2022

Here we go again…#StatesRights…the SAME argument #WhiteMen used to justify #slavery! Here’s @JohnCornyn ‘states should be allowed to set laws on it’#txlege #NeverEnds #BS

Cornyn rips 2015 same-sex marriage ruling in SCOTUS hearing: https://t.co/8qBdD2AYTR via @houstonchron

— Señor Peña (@SenorPena) March 22, 2022

🧵 @SenTedCruz vowed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearing wouldn’t become a “political circus.”

Two days later, Cruz was yelling after his time had run out and asking Jackson to define “woman.”
✏️ @BenjaminEW
📷 @business
➡️https://t.co/s6dO3pk9Ka pic.twitter.com/MYpkWag4hH

— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) March 24, 2022

The last flickering embers of Ted Cruz's sense of decency leaving his body after his shameless and shameful performance in the @JudiciaryDems hearing today. https://t.co/Bpfad8jfux

— Blake Rocap (@BlakeRocap) March 24, 2022

NEW: @GranburyISD’s superintendent is saying the quiet part out loud. This audio is evidence that book removals in the district are occurring because of anti-LGBTQIA+ bias.

Discrimination has no place in any school, anywhere. https://t.co/X9ccN4i1Kr

— ACLU of Texas (@ACLUTx) March 23, 2022

Here's some Houston and Harris County developments that the two Democrat blogs who allegedly cover this beat haven't mentioned yet.

Harris County Judge grilled following 'bid rigging' allegations https://t.co/rZO7z8c4y6

— FOX26Houston (@FOX26Houston) March 22, 2022

I've never seen that look on Judge Hidalgo's face before.  She appears nauseous.  Hope she's feeling okay.  (Probably feels better than Felicity Pereyra).

Kim Ogg accuses Commissioners Court of defunding’ DA’s office, asks for $6M more https://t.co/NfX4hBPyQ4 via @houstonchron #hounews

— Matt Schwartz (@SchwartzChron) March 22, 2022

Today I learned I live in the congressional district with the highest uninsured rate in the nation #TXCD29. It is beyond embarrassing that @LaCongresista does not support #MedicareForAll legislation that could help the 30% of my neighbors that have no health insurance. https://t.co/drNURmQdeC pic.twitter.com/TPN4qbaeQs

— RoB (@xroblockx) March 22, 2022

One last item regarding two other blue losers.

Asked about #TX28 runoff, @SpeakerPelosi says she is continuing to support incumbent Rep. Henry Cuellar.

“I support my incumbents. I support every one of them.”

Asked abt FBI raid of his home, she says: “I haven’t seen anything, have you? Do you know what it’s about?”

— Madlin Mekelburg (@madlinbmek) March 23, 2022

More politics, more criminal and social justice and injustice news, some environmental updates, and a large collection of soothers coming.

"It Was a Dark and Stormy Night" Wrangle

Let's talk about the weather.

BREAKING: In Round Rock, a debris field is becoming apparent from @KVUE fixed cameras, including bark shredded from trees. pic.twitter.com/Dqxjjp0vbi

— Tony Plohetski (@tplohetski) March 21, 2022

Here’s a few more pics from my scene at Jacksboro Elementary School as it’s now daylight. Cars tossed around, twisted metal, partially collapsed buildings. The power of a tornado. #txwx @CBSDFW pic.twitter.com/03bGehGnC5

— Nick Starling (@NickStarlingTV) March 22, 2022

Just the usual in H-Town; flooded streets, swollen bayous, some power outages.  A different story in the Panhandle, though.

There are several wrecks this morning from the heavy snow last night. This is one of several. I-40 eastbound was at a standstill at Dowell rd. Drive with caution. Some reports of 9" of snow are trickling in this morning.#txwx #okwx #nmwx #phwx @ABC7Amarillo @StormSearch7 pic.twitter.com/SSvD1vgqmc

— Corbin Voges WX (@CorbinVogesWX) March 22, 2022

So I guess we can talk about the climate.

Texas is threatening to cut ties with some of the world’s biggest financial firms over their efforts to address the climate crisis. It's the latest move from Texas leaders to stifle a climate movement that they believe endangers the state's bottom line.https://t.co/0PPDMwjxrZ

— Inside Climate News (@insideclimate) March 21, 2022

#Texas Leads #EnergyTransition into #Wind as #Renewables Reach 13% of #US #Energy Mix#Solar & Wind Prices Remain Indifferent to Putin!https://t.co/17qdcXrV3q

Kindly RT#ClimateAction #SDGs #Sustainability#Carbon #DemVoice1 #Oil #Climate@KAdnoub @unixdoss @DidiFrench pic.twitter.com/KkzUZbg9pf

— Arik Ring - Energy Engineering Expert (@arikring) March 12, 2022

Mother Jones: The “Environmentalist” Lawyer Fighting to Protect Big Oil -- Phil Goldberg has a powerful strategy to shield fossil-fuel giants from litigation#txlege #oilandgas #Oil #Renewables https://t.co/MjeqTGpCqj

— Texas Energy Report (@TxEnergyReport) March 22, 2022

If @GregAbbott_TX has no problem using energy CEOs as political human shields, why should one of them care if Abbott becomes collateral damage in a lawsuit against @BetoORourke? Via @quorumreport: https://t.co/a7vB1Kkrdq #txlege

— Scott Braddock (@scottbraddock) March 21, 2022

 A healthcare update:

Here’s an infographic we put together in the 87th session to show that Texas would actually make money by expanding Medicaid. #txlege still didn’t budge. Fiscally irresponsible. @Texas2036 https://t.co/4TF14qShNf pic.twitter.com/NBu1YNjoqI

— Donna Howard (@DonnaHowardTX) March 21, 2022

American Community Survey results released last week show Texas' uninsured rate at twice the national average — 17.3%, which was 3 points more than the state with the next-highest uninsured rate, Oklahoma. #txlege #txhealthhttps://t.co/Dmd2TriOHN

— Texas 2036 (@Texas2036) March 22, 2022

"I just don't agree with abolishing private insurance", says Rep. Sylvia Garcia, pictured above.  We have a lot of shitty Democrats in the Lone Star State, and La Congresista isn't even the worst one (that title goes to my Congress creature, Lizzie Fletcher.  But at least Fletcher isn't pretending to be something she isn't: progressive).

I suppose that segues to Ted Cruz.

“That’s not to say this hearing should be non-substantive and non-vigorous,” says Ted Cruz, while being non-substantive and non-vigorous. https://t.co/oUqJoeO4z2

— Tim O'Brien (@TimOBrien) March 21, 2022

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) refers to sexual assault allegations against Justice Brett Kavanaugh as “teenage dating habits.” pic.twitter.com/dpXl8kjFXC

— The Recount (@therecount) March 21, 2022

A 23-second video shows a visibly frustrated @TedCruz speaking with two female representatives at the @UnitedAirlines check-in desk. It later shows him speaking with a male officer as the senator gesticulates with a cell phone in his hand. https://t.co/3Av7ukfJpT via @YahooNews

— Forever in debt to your priceless advice. (@PDiddie) March 22, 2022

Here's some updates to yesterday's and also last Thursday's posts.

#Breaking: Appeals court reinstates injunction in Texas CPS case. State will be barred from investigating parents solely for providing gender affirming care to their transgender kids.

State will likely appeal to TX Supreme Court. Background: https://t.co/K60iOVL6bt #txlege

— Lauren McGaughy 🌟 (@lmcgaughy) March 22, 2022

Founder of home for sex-trafficking victims in Bastrop tells #txlege that 'predator in our midst' groomed girls, got 'em to take nude selfies, sold photos & rewarded girls w/illegal drugs.

Also, state official resigns after lashing out at federal judge.https://t.co/hW8bNYGuwq

— Bob Garrett (@RobertTGarrett) March 22, 2022

Former Director of Child Care Investigations Justin Lewis resigns after Texas Senate committee hearing (and following media coverage) that he says focused undue attention on two of his staff members. An "inebriated" text also came to light showing Lewis insulting Jack. #txlege pic.twitter.com/y8J6okUNNk

— Isaiah Mitchell (@IsaiahMitch_tx) March 21, 2022

"Public schools have become lodestones for the nation’s accelerating culture wars. This is merely the latest incarnation of a decades-old Republican playbook to discredit, defund, and ultimately destroy the Texas public education system." https://t.co/g3t6s7uHjJ

— Texas Observer (@TexasObserver) March 21, 2022

Republicans and white Americans increasingly see themselves as victims of discrimination despite ample evidence to the contrary. For @FiveThirtyEight, @NeilLewisJr and I examined *why* this is the case and how these perceptions have changed over time. https://t.co/D8YWFLGWTX

— Alexandra Samuels (@AlexSamuelsx5) March 21, 2022

And more shootings.

It was a tragic week in Texas with too many families forever changed by gun violence. Texans deserve to feel safe, and our lawmakers have the moral duty to protect our communities. #txlege #endgunviolence #enough pic.twitter.com/gV9wTfGNRv

— Texas Gun Sense (@txgunsense) March 21, 2022

This weekend, during SXSW, Austin police arrested over 30 people, 19 of whom had handguns. And even though over 150 officers were on the streets - *seven times* the normal number - four people were shot.

Tell me more about good guys with guns… #txlege https://t.co/8lNCRheuuF

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 20, 2022

And two soothers, one referenced yesterday.

The latest effort in Mineral Wells' rebirth is a sleek boutique hotel that retains its vintage flair. The seven-story hotel features 37 rooms and nine retail businesses. https://t.co/92YbWDqO1Y

— Texas Highways Magazine (@TexasHighways) March 20, 2022

#BarrioDogs 12th Anniversary Celebration & Pedal for Paws on Sunday March 27th, noon to 6pm at @bohemeos.

To ride with Pedal for Paws, sign up individually or create a team: https://t.co/e9oEiuc34q.

For additional information email: gloria@barriodogs.org#HoustonEvent pic.twitter.com/aXfWbtk5pB

— Barrio Dogs, Inc. (@barriodogs) March 10, 2022

"Rachel Levine is a Woman; Ken Paxton is a Criminal" Wrangle

Twitter flags Ken Paxton tweet as 'hateful conduct' for misgendering four-star admiral https://t.co/kMs6Y52T2r

— MySA (@mySA) March 18, 2022

Rachel Levine is a woman.
Ken Paxton is a criminal.
Fixed it. pic.twitter.com/xPNmuu4bkC

— pumping in the pick-up line (@VivaciousTeapot) March 17, 2022

This week's #politicalcartoon by @branchtoon. #Abbott #transrights pic.twitter.com/47zAXBJc6j

— Houston Chronicle Opinion (@ChronOpinion) March 16, 2022

3rd Court of Appeals asks AG's office to file response by noon Monday: https://t.co/MRPMPAEJVP

ACLU of Texas, Lambda Legal seeking emergency order to continue injunction against treating gender-affirming care as child abuse. https://t.co/bSs8ihawUM

— Chuck Lindell (@chucklindell) March 18, 2022

I'll update when it's available.

"My hair is falling out, I can't sleep. We're not good."

A mom who invited Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to dinner to meet her trans son is now the target of a state investigation his opinion prompted. | via @TexasStandard https://t.co/xs4zHqmUOo

— KUT Austin (@KUT) March 13, 2022

"Patently prohibited discrimination" alleged as doctor who treats transgender children takes UT Southwestern to court over change in care, @lmcgaughy & @maringwolf report. #txlege #transgender #UTSW #children #families #Texas #discrimination #healthcare https://t.co/z3Ix2EdgPn

— John Gravois (@Grav1) March 16, 2022

Out in SA reports on a divorce case involving two men who would be considered common-law married if that had been a thing for same sex couples before Obergefell.  The San Antonio Current shows us some billboard ads from the Trevor Project that take aim at Greg Abbott's anti-trans order.

‘Mama Bears’ ties together the stories of three conservative families with LGBTQ children, but as the only trans child in the film, Kai Shappley stands out. https://t.co/LIJRMfeVWf

— Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly) March 20, 2022

Moving on to recent legal developments regarding voting rights and women's rights.

#NEW U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit reverses 3 election lawsuits filed in 2019 & 2020 vs. @TXsecofstate. Judges found in each case, the Sec. of State couldn’t be sued b/c office doesn’t enforce the laws in question - local court clerks or elections officials do. @CBSDFW MORE pic.twitter.com/6xZG9eAzCM

— Jack Fink (@cbs11jack) March 17, 2022

Hey State of Texas, pull your head out. Your whole case defending SB 8 was: Those aiding & abetting post-"heart beat" abortions could only be punished by civil suits. Now some claim Tx law still allows criminal prosecution. Did the State mislead the 5th Circuit & SCOTUS? #txlege

— Steve Bresnen (@SteveBresnen) March 18, 2022

#Texas Republicans call for customer boycott of @Citibank after company says it will pay travel costs for employees who travel out of state to get #abortions to get around state restrictions@dallasnews
-Southern politics at ChickenFriedPolitics.com-https://t.co/2oExhwVIIh

— ChickenFriedPolitics (@ChkFriPolitics) March 17, 2022

That will be my segue to the legal and social justice lowlights.

NEW: A Scottish court has refused to extradite a man to America — entirely because he would have gone to Texas, and the judge decided Texas prison conditions violate international human rights standards.

My latest, and a THREAD: https://t.co/keXAMntlou

— Keri Blakinger (@keribla) March 17, 2022

Some migrants arrested under Gov. Greg Abbott's border security operation are locked up for months before the courts give them an attorney or prosecutors file misdemeanor charges against them, according to a group of attorneys. https://t.co/YYtI6sBlEY

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) March 18, 2022

In 2016, a man in League City, Texas stabbed his ex-wife to death. Why does his family have custody of their son?

My investigation for @TexasObserver: https://t.co/o5sMsR0CMS#callitfemicide #familycourt #KaydensLaw #DARVO #coercivecontrol pic.twitter.com/nG9qTpo8RW

— Olivia Gentile (@PowerfulPerps) March 17, 2022

Warrants detail communications between Hidalgo employees, vendor in controversial COVID-19 vaccine contract https://t.co/YYCNpSFCZI via @houstonchron #hounews

— Matt Schwartz (@SchwartzChron) March 18, 2022

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief @ChuckHoskin_Jr issues statement in response to offensive depictions by Texas high school cheer team: https://t.co/xx02vto7hI pic.twitter.com/t2VCrbaZV8

— Cherokee Nation (@CherokeeNation) March 18, 2022

And the bad apple cops, spoiling the whole bunch.

Tense moments after SAPD officers shoot, kill man who allegedly reached for gun in waistband Police used pepper spray to disperse a crowd of neighbors and family members who gathered at the scene. pic.twitter.com/jON6M8AnBL

— GENE DE LA CRUZ (@gene78577) March 15, 2022

Cops thought no one would see this brutal arrest, then a vid surfaced exposing the truth. Police in a small TX town brutally arrest man they accused of entering private property,Video surfaced and things got even uglier. Join us tonight at 9pmEST LiveChat
https://t.co/BxJ0uLd0Bg

— policeaccountabilityreport #policereform (@eyesonpolice) March 17, 2022

Thankfully the news isn't all bad.

In cities across Texas, our Statewide Leadership Council is creating a space where people whose lives have been touched by the system can find community, access resources, and build collective power. Join us in Dallas on April 2! https://t.co/TpDLVBIoZ5 pic.twitter.com/RyMD2w4oQW

— Texas Center for Justice and Equity (@TexasCJE) March 18, 2022

Houston-area homeless count drops 19% during pandemic as COVID-related funds poured into housing https://t.co/WK09oXxxp3) via @houstonchron #hounews

— Matt Schwartz (@SchwartzChron) March 16, 2022

But our teachers are still fighting on every front.

"I ended up having to start medication just to build up the courage to walk into the classroom every single day."

After two years of hell, Texas teachers are burned-out, angry, tired—and sounding the alarm about public education.https://t.co/fnOpiucDK2

— Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly) March 20, 2022

"I told my boss that was censorship."https://t.co/Kpd5f3ugMq

— KXAN News (@KXAN_News) March 18, 2022

Here's a few environmental notes.

How very Soviet of Texas Republicans to push government command and control over private business.
Weird how so many fake-‘free market’ Republican politicians turn out to be authoritarians rigging the system on behalf of the fossil fuel industry https://t.co/wZrum8lZJM

— Green News Report (@GreenNewsReport) March 18, 2022

This #GlobalRecyclingDay, we're spotlighting the Zoo's efforts to recycle fishing line and clean up trash that can cause harm to marine animals, like sea turtles, along the Texas coast. When fishing line is recycled, it can be repurposed to make items like tackle boxes! (1/2) pic.twitter.com/fPdzmpyQQq

— Houston Zoo (@houstonzoo) March 18, 2022

The finale of our new Film Fest features Berta Didn’t Die, She Multiplied! on the Honduran military coup, the assassination of Berta Cáceres & the victory to protect the Gualcarque River. Join us on #WorldWaterDay March 22: https://t.co/4tJnLmXIq4 pic.twitter.com/lkbjcTiDLH

— World BEYOND War (@WorldBeyondWar) March 14, 2022

And a large collection of calm-me-downs.

The Austin Chronicle highlights the best music they heard at SXSW.

Actress Sandra Bullock talks with @thattracysmith about her movie The Lost City," her Austin café, and why she's stepping away from in front of the camera https://t.co/gCrlqPdXFL pic.twitter.com/hOz47xIsAd

— CBS Sunday Morning 🌞 (@CBSSunday) March 19, 2022

"The crowd was a who’s who of local liberals invested in the idea that the Texas Democratic party can affect real change, without much changing its approach."https://t.co/YtH5LEXCfW

— Scott Braddock (@scottbraddock) March 15, 2022

If you want to experience the night market that inspired tonight's episode of @BravoTopChef, Houston's Asian Night Market just announced new dates for their upcoming events!
🗓 March 26th-27th 📍Little Saigon Plaza
🗓 May 28th-29th 📍@railwayheightsmarkethttps://t.co/8RdiEw469B pic.twitter.com/nsj5JI1wvx

— Houston (@VisitHouston) March 18, 2022

The first sculpture honoring a Latina woman in Houston was unveiled Saturday at The Center for Pursuit in the East End. The statue shows Houston-based musical artist Norma Zenteno seated on a bench with her dog by her side as she strums a guitar. https://t.co/PV3voGMBQC

— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) March 20, 2022

Barrio Dogs, the rescue organization founded by Zenteno's family, will host its 12th anniversary party this Sunday.  Great music, good food, and sweet pups.

Houston, New York, Chicago?

Correa: pic.twitter.com/V01qWWzELF

— Sean (@trashcanbang) March 19, 2022

Sunday "He Said, Xi Said" Funnies

"Greg Abbott Hits Rock Bottom" Wrangle (w/ updates)

When 'sexual assault' is revealed to be "just" sexual exploitation, you know Governor Hell on Wheels is having a really bad week.

The head of @TxDPS reports to Gov Abbott that the initial findings of the Texas Rangers show no evidence of sexual abuse at a shelter in Bastrop #txlege pic.twitter.com/Y9AjOO8gST

— Scott Braddock (@scottbraddock) March 16, 2022

Four employees remain under investigation by Bastrop officials amid allegations they helped girls escape the shelter. The letter says that "there is no evidence that any of the residents at the Refuge shelter have ever been sexually abused or trafficked while at the shelter."

— Tony Plohetski (@tplohetski) March 16, 2022

This story will undoubtedly be updated.

Update:

.@loiskolkhorst asks @TxDPS director Col. Steve McCraw about initial media reports Thurs night that 7 girls were possibly harmed by 9 employee/perps at The Refuge in Bastrop:

LK: That part of the story didn't happen?
SM: No ma'am.

Background:https://t.co/FAEVNJKE5Q #txlege 1/2 pic.twitter.com/MP8IzLW4um

— Bob Garrett (@RobertTGarrett) March 17, 2022

More as it develops.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that he has replaced Maj. Gen. Tracy Norris as leader of the Texas Military Department following months of criticism over her handling of Abbott’s controversial border mission. https://t.co/alvDWYgjIo

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) March 14, 2022

“We really don’t understand why we are there,” a service member told the Tribune. “We’re essentially mall security for ranches that already have paid security details to protect them.” https://t.co/1nVN9I8IoW

— KENS 5 (@KENS5) March 16, 2022

Can @GovAbbott remove TX guard from the border & send them to RA Sushi and Greenway Plaza to protect TX citizens from permitless carry? The no background ck/no training thing is a FAIL. #txlege #AbbottFailedTexas @momsdemand https://t.co/vJt2CQzHwt

— jane the hand washer (@moderatemama) March 16, 2022

It's snarky but it isn't funny.  I'll take it as a segue to "Cops Behaving Badly".

Crowd clashes with San Antonio police after fatal shooting https://t.co/BdMPefzrCE

— Laredo Morning Times (@lmtnews) March 15, 2022

BREAKING: HPD officer relieved of duty following child porn charges, department confirms#khou11 #HouNews

https://t.co/zwpUSDeisB

— KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) March 15, 2022

Houston police officers fired for fatal Nicolas Chavez shooting to be reinstated, arbitrator rules https://t.co/2fvrEcX1FX via @houstonchron #hounews

— Matt Schwartz (@SchwartzChron) March 14, 2022

Sylvester Turner gave Houston cops a raise just last week in contract negotiations that were kept secret from public scrutiny.

Police contract negotiations are transparent in some cities, with some even allowing public participation.

But in Houston, which spends about $1 billion on policing, negotiations happen behind closed doors.https://t.co/CAPsn6evJI

— Houston Public Media (@HoustonPubMedia) March 15, 2022

And it's not just the cops wearing badges that are the problem.

NEW: After a string of high-profile losses, Harris County DA Kim Ogg is left to battle critics on all sides https://t.co/aecBJLV3xs

— St. John Barned-Smith ⚔️ (@stjbs) March 16, 2022

But county commissioners have decided they're not going to take all the blame from the "tuff on krime" contingent.

Last week, Harris County Commissioners Court took aim at the bail bonding industry saying it was part of the reason for the rise in violent crime. https://t.co/OcSC7NFUuz

— FOX26Houston (@FOX26Houston) March 16, 2022

Last, as Beto (and other people running for statewide office in November who won't get the headlines) declares he will legalize it, a new opportunity for cannabis may be in the offing.

Can #Texas combat the opioid crisis with expanded medical marijuana use? https://t.co/mQRyLsfwaX pic.twitter.com/lHSCvf0and

— KXAN News (@KXAN_News) March 15, 2022

If Abbott's little helpers are going to pass out pill bottles marked as fentanyl, then someone ought to pass them a joint.

Shifting gears to catch up on the latest regarding our elections.

Breaking AP exclusive: AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — AP review shows Texas rejected about 13% of mail ballots, nearly 23,000 total, in first election under new voting law. #txlege Our latest: https://t.co/ZMLKYxTEMP

— Acacia C (@acacia_coronado) March 16, 2022

Of the election officials in a new survey who said they were likely to leave their jobs before 2024, the most common reasons why were that too many politicians were attacking "a system that they know is fair and honest," and that the job was too stressful. https://t.co/ZOEuLbaEYW

— NPR Politics (@nprpolitics) March 12, 2022

JUST IN: Continuing a trend, 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals rules for Texas in three lawsuits challenging the states voting laws.
1/

— Chuck Lindell (@chucklindell) March 16, 2022

Follow the thread for links to the rulings.  Update: More from TXElects.  Kuff also rounded up news reports about mail ballot rejections from the primaries.

Here's a few environmental pieces of note.

The state government needs to create policies for the regulatory framework to make CCUS possible. When this happens, Texas can lead the world and show how to create and use hydrogen for affordable, dependable, and sustaining energy. Read & RT: https://t.co/EZAiBq0nnr #txlege

— Carbon Neutral Coalition (@CarbonNeutral_) March 15, 2022

Went to Houston last week to try to understand how the oil & gas industry is navigating this moment.

Here's my stab at a comprehensive write-up of what I found: vengeful companies using war to insulate themselves against existential transition risk https://t.co/xmxFW6MOfi

— Kate Aronoff (@KateAronoff) March 14, 2022

After #txlege inaction, we have another chance to get this done! Tell @TCEQ you support the petition for a new rule preventing wastewater from being dumped into our cleanest and clearest streams and rivers: https://t.co/SmvFZW3G4t pic.twitter.com/CvFmAuMSFt

— Texas Sierra Club (@TexasSierraClub) March 15, 2022

Well, isn't that cute? Halliburton has solar panels on its silos for fracking sand. There is now an actual frickin' sand shortage because all the oil companies cannot frack fast enough to gouge consumers. pic.twitter.com/Q5ghqxDUBw

— Etaoin Shrdlu (@Shrdlu) March 13, 2022

And the Texas Living Waters Project urged lawmakers to seize the opportunity to transform the state’s fragile water infrastructure.

Here's some social justice items.

Texas is studying its chronic teacher shortages, but experts already have a solution: Pay them more https://t.co/4gQvIxnyCz

— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) March 14, 2022

NEWS: ‘This is the beginning’: President Smatresk meets with protestors, denounces YCT

📝 @starshipalex
📸 Jaqueline Martinezhttps://t.co/kxJlN5eMkE

— North Texas Daily (@ntdaily) March 11, 2022

Was honored to be chosen to do the audiobook reading if this significant, meaningful book by the great Jim Schutze…listen and learn how and things got to be this way in Dallas and why they’re still that way https://t.co/s2WrJBAIbT

— Mike Rhyner (@theoldgreywolf) March 17, 2022

"In total, our team discovered disciplinary actions taken against physicians licensed in Texas spread out over 30 different states — with no record on the TMB website." @KXAN_News @MattGrantKXAN @hueyjayd #patientsafety #txlegehttps://t.co/HcJoWW5pVU

— Texas Watch (@TexasWatch) March 16, 2022

“The city is denying reality.” Houston officials refuse to answer questions by @Dexinvestigates about shoddy property surveys that are creating a huge legal mess for First Ward residents:https://t.co/vPopZcgxb8 #hounews

— John Tedesco (@John_Tedesco) March 13, 2022

Some news of the weird and trivial:

Texas Monthly reports on the booming swinger club action.  The Dallas Observer defends Peggy Hill, as a person and as a parent.

And last ...

The Austin Chronicle eulogized Sister Bobbie Nelson.

Ok y'all I have tried my hand at film criticism.

Genuinely recommend this documentary: https://t.co/4Wx106rVNo #sxsw

— Gus Bova (@gusbova) March 14, 2022

3/12/64 The Astrodome passes a crucial test as the removal of towers that supported the steel dome is complete, proving the structure could stand on its own. On hand were Colt .45s personnel, Harris County officials, Warren Giles (NL president), and astronaut Alan Shepard. pic.twitter.com/v6X4b9JRTo

— Mike Acosta (@AstrosTalk) March 13, 2022

Maerki's Bakery on Congress Avenue in Austin, 1890s. The building still stands. This is what it looks like today:https://t.co/Z56kh9iGi5

Pretty cool! pic.twitter.com/yXpuyWvKVg

— Traces of Texas (@TracesofTexas) March 12, 2022