Blogging less and enjoying it more

At least through the end of tax season.

Trump's had a quiet week so far, don't you think?  Outside of the continuing developments surrounding Russians named Felix Sater, this piece about the James Comey letter and its ensuing debacle may spark some discussion.

The Texas Lege has been getting a little busier, however.  My go-to source remains Quorum Report's Daily Buzz; even if you can't read the full story about the rural high-speed rail pushback (setting up a confrontation between Trump's stated priority and the hicks that rule this state), or the $11 trillion in financial interests standing up to Dan Patrick's Not Free to Pee bill, or Dan Patrick being a jerk in other ways, Harvey's crew is always first with the news that breaks.

Some polling is out this week: Americans are worried about war but still favor support for the NATO alliance.  And the TexTrib surveyed Texans and finds that Republicans love their president and everybody likes their weed, and even Obamacare if it went by another name.  But they don't care about where people do their business in public even if they support (scroll down) the bathroom bill's intentions, and they still despise Ill Eagles.  Way to go once again, Texas Democrats!  We obviously need more independents in this state.

Most poll respondents — 54 percent — said Texans should use the public restrooms based on their birth gender, while 31 percent said they should base their choice on their gender identities.

Note also that Governor Hell on Wheels hasn't stimulated much interest for his constitutional convention.  Some of this poll's takeaways are actually positive; let's hope it doesn't hold to the typical track record of the TexTrib in specific and the recent history of polling generally.

Much more but out of time.

The Weekly Wrangle

The Texas Progressive Alliance will light a scented candle outside IKEA in solidarity with the confused people of Sweden as it brings you this week's roundup.

Off the Kuff thinks that many opportunities to make gains in 2018 will exist for Texas Democrats, and they should plan accordingly.

Libby Shaw at Daily Kos is amused by the Republicans hiding from their constituents. No wonder. The GOP has been serving the interests of billionaires and oligarchs for decades, both domestic and Russian, apparently. No Republicans, we are not about to move on. This is more dangerous than Watergate.

John Coby at Bay Area Houston supports Lillie Schechter for Chair of the Harris County Democratic Party.

The last few months have been perplexing as we try to figure out life on the Trump train. UGH. But as Texas Leftist points out, some things are slowly coming into focus. After seeming to be free from consequences, we're finally seeing that the president and his administration can be held accountable for their actions.

SocraticGadfly, on hearing about the death of Norma Jean McCorvey of Roe v. Wade fame, offers an extended take on her, the plaintiff in a simultaneous suit, and the state of abortion in America today.

Shadetree psychologist PDiddie at Brains and Eggs diagnoses President Trump as in desperate need of an intervention.

Easter Lemming Liberal News showcases Pat Van Houte's grassroots campaign (website) for Pasadena mayor, which relies on small donations and prohibits donations from city contractors.

The Lewisville Texan Journal reports that a city council candidate in that city updated her website after being confronted with accusations of plagiarism.

Texas Vox was on the scene at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission public hearings in west Texas as local residents gave officials an earful about proposed changes to storing waste out there.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme warns that the disrespect the Republicans show the US Constitution is only getting worse. Now they want to actually write their hate and kleptocracy into the document itself.

Neil at All People Have Value made note of the climate change art exhibit made by the construction crew on Memorial Drive in Houston. APHV is part of NeilAquino.com.

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More news from across Texas!

RG Ratcliffe's weekly roundup at Burkablog spotlights sex trafficking, a discussion about race in context with Black/Blue/All Lives Matter, and a voter fraud unicorn.

Texas Observer photographer Ray Whitehouse met Vaughan Neville, a conservative activist known on social media as the Man Spot, at the third annual Texas Firearms Festival held last October in Liberty Hill.

The Man Spot, aka Vaughan Neville, photographed by Ray Whitehouse at the Texas Observer

Jonathan Tilove at the AAS blog First Reading celebrates The Rag's long history of politics and weirdness in Austin.

Grits for Breakfast explains why indigent defense costs have risen as crime has declined.

The Texas Election Law Blog analyzes two election-related bills that have been filed in the Lege, and the Texas Freedom Network explains that other bills intend to redefine 'religious freedom' as being able to use religion to discriminate.

Paradise in Hell notes that Trump is now 0.00002% closer to proving his claims about election fraud, and Somervell County Salon sees Trump's "fake news" as just another name for gossip -- in which he also engages.

In the latest Chronicles of an Angry Black Queer, Ashton P. Woods at Strength in Numbers calls out the racism and mediocrity of the white LGBTQ community.

Raj Mankad wants to see multiple approaches taken to make Houston streets safer.

Julie Rovner takes a deep dive into four GOP talking points on health care.

Better Texas Blog describes how the commissioner of Texas education re-interpreted a statute in order to give $100 million in homestead exemptions to already-wealthy homeowners in already-rich school districts.  

Raise Your Hand Texas explains why voucher advocates are becoming irritable.

And Eater Houston notes that several Houston restaurants will be raising money for the ACLU in support of their immigrant employees.

Sunday Flaming Hot Cheeto Funnies