Wednesday, January 01, 2020
Monday, December 30, 2019
2019's Final Wrangle
The aggregation of the best of the left of, about, and from around Texas for the year -- and the decade -- is coming your way.
The latest Texas church shooting (there's a phrase that didn't exist ten years ago) occurred in the west Tarrant County community of White Settlement, where a gunman opened fire and was quickly dispatched by armed Sunday morning service attendants, but not before killing two parishioners of the West Freeway Church of Christ.
The Texas Tribune assembled some of its 2019 analysis on Texas shootings, the 2nd Amendment, and our good old Legein action inaction.
Via Milt Policzer at Courthouse News:
The Texas House is heavily targeted by both Democrats and Republicans in a Census/redistricting election year. Reform Austin runs down fifteen PACs -- ten Rs and 5 Ds -- focusing on the task of getting their tribe to a majority. Not on their list is Beto O'Rourke's 'Powered by People', a new venture designed to do the same thing. And the TexTrib projects the seats that may be in play.
Off the Kuff analyzes a poll released by the Eliz Markowitz campaign. Reform Austin wants to remind HD28 constituents that healthcare is on their special election ballot.
In his last 2020 Democratic presidential primary update of 2019, PDiddie at Brains and Eggs takes note of the consensus of public opinion beginning to coalesce around the distinct possibility of a #PresidentSanders. Bonddad has a road map to a Democratic supermajority next November.
It's that listicle time of the year; Dos Centavos has his top ten posts, Somervell County Salon has her top 100, and Houston Strategies highlights his 2019 blogging.
The Texas Observer lists five stories about rural Texas you may have missed, along with its ten best longform reads. The Texas Tribune invites you to revisit some its best stories from the past year.
Houston's jobs market turns out not to have been as robust as earlier economic numbers were forecasting. The Dallas Fed projects further weakness in the oilpatch for next year, slowing Greg Abbott's "Texas Miracle" bragging down and perhaps denting the political fortunes of Republicans from Trump all the way down the ballot.
Despite a wide variety of Lone Star ecological calamities in 2019, Environment Texas looks on the sunny side. Grist posited about what ExxonMobil's win before the New York Supreme Court means for other climate lawsuits.
Grits for Breakfast posted his criminal justice round-up on Christmas Day, pointing out Governor Abbott's abdication of executive authority in issuing pardons.
All that Dr. Ghazaleh Moayedi, writing for Rewire News, wanted for Christmas was for Texans to be able to afford their abortions.
A range of emotional stories from the border merit inclusion.
Ending 2019's last Wrangle with a few lighter items ...
SocraticGadfly got out to Big Bend for the first time in more than eight years, and he shares photos and discusses changes; two additional parts will follow.
In Galveston, the state's official tall ship Elissa returns for limited day sailings for those who wish to experience the life of a 19th-century sailor.
Farewell to a pair of noteworthy artists.
And finally, two more compendiums from the year coming to a close.
The latest Texas church shooting (there's a phrase that didn't exist ten years ago) occurred in the west Tarrant County community of White Settlement, where a gunman opened fire and was quickly dispatched by armed Sunday morning service attendants, but not before killing two parishioners of the West Freeway Church of Christ.
The Texas Tribune assembled some of its 2019 analysis on Texas shootings, the 2nd Amendment, and our good old Lege
Via Milt Policzer at Courthouse News:
Those of you who enjoy surrealism as much as I do may want to look at a somewhat frightening ruling by a Texas appeals court the other day. It seems that 13-year-olds and younger are now free to commit sexual assaults in Texas without punishment. They know not what they do.
If you’re in Texas or have to travel there, I strongly recommend avoiding anyone who looks young. The appeals court says because state legislators decided that kids can’t legally consent to sex, they also can’t consent to sex they force on someone else.
I’m guessing Texas legislators might have been surprised by this interpretation.
The result was that a case against a 13-year-old who molested a 12-year-old was dismissed with prejudice. There was a crime but no criminal.
Note to Texas prosecutors: Just charge kids with assault. They can probably consent to that.
The Texas House is heavily targeted by both Democrats and Republicans in a Census/redistricting election year. Reform Austin runs down fifteen PACs -- ten Rs and 5 Ds -- focusing on the task of getting their tribe to a majority. Not on their list is Beto O'Rourke's 'Powered by People', a new venture designed to do the same thing. And the TexTrib projects the seats that may be in play.
“People should not have to leave Texas, but gerrymandering and voter suppression has stopped the will of people becoming the policy of the state.”— All On The Line (@allontheline) December 29, 2019
— @rivardinsa
Gerrymandering is to stop the will of the people. This is why we’re fighting for #FairMapshttps://t.co/bwwps5oHVp
Off the Kuff analyzes a poll released by the Eliz Markowitz campaign. Reform Austin wants to remind HD28 constituents that healthcare is on their special election ballot.
Texas legislators have done an underwhelming job improving healthcare in the state. It’s time to elect officials that care enough about Texans to enact legitimate change. House District 28 has a runoff special election coming up January 28th. Residents of Fort Bend county will have the opportunity to vote for a representative they believe will advocate for vital healthcare reform in Texas.
In his last 2020 Democratic presidential primary update of 2019, PDiddie at Brains and Eggs takes note of the consensus of public opinion beginning to coalesce around the distinct possibility of a #PresidentSanders. Bonddad has a road map to a Democratic supermajority next November.
“I wasn't recruited by the establishment or Chuck Schumer. I’m not endorsed by the DSCC & I wear that as a badge of honor…Our campaign is 100% grassroots…Regardless of the discontent of the Dem Party who try to silence our movement, we continue to fight.”— The Damage Report (@TheDamageReport) December 23, 2019
- @_SemaHernandez_ pic.twitter.com/zMIKPKNPrA
Who were our #TexanoftheYear finalists? In case you missed it, here’s the full list of finalists and our 2019 winner. https://t.co/efveMP7ehd— Dallas Morning News (@dallasnews) December 29, 2019
It's that listicle time of the year; Dos Centavos has his top ten posts, Somervell County Salon has her top 100, and Houston Strategies highlights his 2019 blogging.
If you were in any way involved in Texas politics in the last decade, I invite you to stumble down memory lane. From ducky pajamas to Jade Helm, it's been real.— Forrest Wilder (@Forrest4Trees) December 26, 2019
Thanks, @cd_hookshttps://t.co/eNSFeOO9iR
The Texas Observer lists five stories about rural Texas you may have missed, along with its ten best longform reads. The Texas Tribune invites you to revisit some its best stories from the past year.
Some Texas public officials have a foot-in-mouth problem, and this year provided plenty of examples. https://t.co/wI61rIIWVm #TXLege— Generic Old White Guy (@PDiddie) December 26, 2019
Houston's jobs market turns out not to have been as robust as earlier economic numbers were forecasting. The Dallas Fed projects further weakness in the oilpatch for next year, slowing Greg Abbott's "Texas Miracle" bragging down and perhaps denting the political fortunes of Republicans from Trump all the way down the ballot.
Despite a wide variety of Lone Star ecological calamities in 2019, Environment Texas looks on the sunny side. Grist posited about what ExxonMobil's win before the New York Supreme Court means for other climate lawsuits.
Grits for Breakfast posted his criminal justice round-up on Christmas Day, pointing out Governor Abbott's abdication of executive authority in issuing pardons.
No U.S. state locks up more women than Texas, where 4 out of 5 women in state prison are mothers, a 2017 report shows. For 10-year-old Lila, monthly visits are the only time she touches her mother. "Sometimes I ask, 'Mom, when are you going to come home?'"https://t.co/kUgbGRWUt5— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 28, 2019
All that Dr. Ghazaleh Moayedi, writing for Rewire News, wanted for Christmas was for Texans to be able to afford their abortions.
Read @mimiswartz’s inside look at what the political battle over reproductive rights was like after the Legislature slashed family planning funds, passed a sonogram law, and waged an all-out war on Planned Parenthood. From August 2012.https://t.co/rcmOz5X6r1— Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly) December 26, 2019
A range of emotional stories from the border merit inclusion.
1 This morning's NYTimes contains the sad story of a 69 year old Texas man who reluctantly agreed to sell part of his south Texas ranch to the fed government. The land borders the Rio Grande. His grandpa bought the land in 1920. But now Trump can build his wall there. pic.twitter.com/VFhoTsDdfl— LookNoFurther (@LookNoFurther4) December 26, 2019
Hundreds of kids in Texas are spending Christmas Eve taking care of each other. Freezing cold, insufficient food, water, medical attention, hygienic resources. No contact with their parents. Many as young as 1. pic.twitter.com/JJ1OC9KZur— Charles Finch (@CharlesFinch) December 24, 2019
Volunteers from across Texas, the U.S., and abroad have been making the trek to the border to help immigrants trapped in legal limbo. That's why the modern-day Freedom-Riders earned a spot in our Best Things in Texas. https://t.co/bjW1gqVZvn— Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly) December 28, 2019
Ending 2019's last Wrangle with a few lighter items ...
SocraticGadfly got out to Big Bend for the first time in more than eight years, and he shares photos and discusses changes; two additional parts will follow.
In Galveston, the state's official tall ship Elissa returns for limited day sailings for those who wish to experience the life of a 19th-century sailor.
Trainees will spend six hours aboard the 142-year-old ship learning how to navigate the vessel down the Galveston Channel. The $200 course provides hands-on and lecture learning throughout the trip, as well as a light lunch and refreshments.
Participants must be 10 years and older and participants ages 10-17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Seven April 2020 dates are currently listed on the event website. Find all you need to know about the daysailing series here and find tickets here.
Find more information on the Galveston History Foundation and Texas Seaport Museum here.
Farewell to a pair of noteworthy artists.
Bob “Daddy-O” Wade, the 76-year-old artist died this past Christmas Eve at his home in Austin. https://t.co/DuIF4fD3Au— Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly) December 29, 2019
Texas artist who created Houston's 70-foot tall saxophone, other landmark artworks has died https://t.co/5aRgA9VBm0 via @houstonchron— Generic Old White Guy (@PDiddie) December 27, 2019
And finally, two more compendiums from the year coming to a close.
I wrote about Texas's year in sports 2019—Kliff Kingsbury in the NFL, Simone Biles’s greatness, Dirk’s retirement, Witten’s unretirement, Kawhi feelings, the Astros’ transition into MLB’s villains, Art Briles being hired to coach high school kids, and more https://t.co/YqUa0FkBLZ— dan solomon (@dansolomon) December 16, 2019
It’s Been Weird, Y’all: Our 10 Favorite Strange Texas Stories of 2019 @TexasObserver https://t.co/rHOPU1kLtw— Generic Old White Guy (@PDiddie) December 28, 2019
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Friday, December 27, 2019
The Last 2020 Update of 2019
Mainstream Democrats constantly argue that their party must move toward the center, the right, in order to win elections. Republicans never argue anything similar, yet win elections. Go figure.
The big news this week is that the corporate media has finally discovered something the rest of us have known all along.
It’s increasingly clear, 39 days before the Iowa caucuses, that Bernie Sanders has distinct political strengths that could help him win the 2020 Democratic nomination. @melbournecoal looks at why Bernie may prevail. https://t.co/mAepUwPvaR— Patrick Healy (@patrickhealynyt) December 26, 2019
Sanders chances have largely been static, but 'Dem insiders' don't understand the left, or how Warren and Sanders had different bases even as she rose. https://t.co/8PDn706KJ8— Steadman™ (@AsteadWesley) December 26, 2019
Now begins the time when we will see the unhinged ad hominem smears and attacks on Sanders come into full fruition. The comparisons of the UK's election, and Jeremy Corbyn's losing to Boris Johnson, was the early skirmishing.
How the campaign to smear Bernie Sanders as anti-Semitic helps real bigots https://t.co/hKFXJksbzJ— Generic Old White Guy (@PDiddie) December 23, 2019
"Hey, it worked over there; let's try those lies over here. Oh wait, Bernie is Jewish? Well, that'll be a bit of a heavier lift."
More to blog on this later. Moving on for now.
As #Bernie2020 runs on unions and living wages for all, #Bloomberg2020 kicks off campaign using incarcerated women as slaves to call voters for 66 cents a day.— rafael (@rafaelshimunov) December 24, 2019
https://t.co/dOjLIBiWH4
For Democrats who believe money is the most important political variable, who don't know or don't care that the private prison industry is just indentured servitude, where the prisoners are paid slave wages ... Bloomer is your guy. Congratulations. Business as usual.
This view has been surging among young Democratic voters since @SenSanders 2016 campaign. Sometimes losing campaigns have legacies. The Sanders 2016 campaign created more policy legacies than any losing campaign I’ve seen. https://t.co/ARq64V6FH4— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) December 23, 2019
Like Trump, Mike Bloomberg can't be bought. But for those Democrats looking for an after-Christmas bargain, you can still get Pete Buttigieg for a big discount.
“If you want to get on the campaign's radar now before he is flooded with donations after winning Iowa and New Hampshire, you can use the link below for donations” - Buttigieg bundler to potential donors. Pretty brazen stuff.— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) December 22, 2019
From @jonathanvswan: https://t.co/BPW4JDKkgy
2010 Clip: #PeteButtigieg pledged not to take money from Wall Street banks while running for state treasurer.— Resist Programming 🛰 (@RzstProgramming) December 22, 2019
“It creates a conflict of interest. It creates an appearance...like pay to play.” -#MayorPete pic.twitter.com/P4DazTcJzh
“Buttigieg started off this race saying he was all in for Medicare for All. And then he flip flopped...it does raise the question about whether big money is over influencing his decisions.” -@JulianCastropic.twitter.com/z3GSzuPtGv— Justice Democrats (@justicedems) December 23, 2019
You have to be pretty oblivious to his craven hypocrisy to still be supporting this little fellow after his overexposure the past couple of weeks.
Which may be why Andrew Yang has been easing up to fourth lately. Where does he grow from here is his big question. If Warren and Biden keep slipping, I suppose we will find out.
This has been the underlying contradiction of @ewarren’s corruption warrior campaign—she did the same exact private, wealthy donor fundraisers she now denounces 5 minutes before running. It casts doubts on her core convictions on big money in politics https://t.co/es4qOoKwlO— Jordan (@JordanChariton) December 21, 2019
Old Joe seems to be acknowledging that he has a family problem.
MAGA and Conservatives Troll Biden Family Christmas Photo on Twitter: 'Where's Hunter?' https://t.co/sKnHGWsAgO— Mediaite (@Mediaite) December 25, 2019
What an upstanding son you raised @JoeBiden ..At a strip club in DC, workers suspected Hunter, who has a history of alcoholism and addiction, of smoking crack in a VIP room in late 2018. https://t.co/nYqAyUv3YV— By-Tor🌹 (@BrianArizona) December 23, 2019
If Biden is nominated, 2020 will be rerun of 2016. It will be nothing but scandals and epithets and vitriol and venomous spew between the two factions. And Trump will win.
But at least some Democrats want to focus on the primary issue.
A court ruling last week putting the Affordable Care Act further in jeopardy may provide the opening Democrats have been waiting for to regain the upper hand on health care against Republicans in 2020.
At the most recent Democratic presidential debate, candidates largely avoided discussing the lawsuit or Republicans’ years-long efforts to dismantle Obamacare, and instead continued their intra-party battle over Medicare for All.
But Senate Democrats, Democratic candidates and outside groups backing them immediately jumped on the news of the federal appeals court ruling -- blasting out ads and statements reminding voters of Republicans’ votes to repeal the 2010 health care law, support the lawsuit and confirm the judges who may bring about Obamacare’s demise.
“I think it’s an opportunity to reset with the new year to remind people that there’s a very real threat to tens of millions of Americans," Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said in an interview. "We Democrats are always striving to improve the system, but, at a minimum, the American people expect us to protect what they already have."
It's more than possible -- likely, IMO -- that the Democrats cannot do anything to prevent Obamacare from being dismantled by the SCOTUS. Which is why every single Democrat running for Congress needs to be asked: "What will you fight for if Obamacare is struck down?"
Ask this question now, before you vote in the March primary. Again, I believe the only acceptable answer is Medicare For All. Anything less means that sick Americans will die because of the cost considerations of insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, doctors, hospitals, medical collection agencies, and all of the rest of our glorious healthcare capitalists who value profits over people. The politicians who are fine with that are the problem.
Closing this Update with more embedded Tweets and a Libertarian news item at the end.
Bloomberg hires @TexasDemocrats vice chair: https://t.co/CJoFyNdxJb— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) December 20, 2019
The guy who played Robin Hood just endorsed the Sheriff Of Nottinghamhttps://t.co/84WMOApgCh— Ron Placone (@RonPlacone) December 21, 2019
After promising behind closed doors to “intervene” if Bernie starts winning early states, Obama is now touting Warren to big donors. https://t.co/Cs4Dfp5CF9— 29 U.S.C. § 157 (@OrganizingPower) December 23, 2019
“We should be dangerous to injustice... We should be dangerous to a system that treats us less than we deserve." –@AOC pic.twitter.com/7wCwqrkqUo— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 22, 2019
Here's the full image of my new cartoon on #M4A, for those who prefer not to follow an offsite link. pic.twitter.com/Ixoz6VwNei— Terrence Nowicki, Jr. (@TerrenceNowicki) December 20, 2019
And IPR passes along the holiday message from Vermin Supreme, who's running for the Libertarian nomination for president: "I dream of a world of holidays without cages" (it appears to be the same message he posted in 2018).
Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Monday, December 23, 2019
The Festivus TexProg Wrangle
Christmas Eve Eve is a time of panic for shoppers who've procrastinated (pro tip: a gift card from Kroger earns you gas points), the start of a long holiday week certain to be filled with high caloric lack-of-activity, and the much-anticipated airing of grievances.
Here comes your round-up of the best of the left from around and about Deep-In-The-Hearta for the next-to-last week of the decade.
First we have some political posts (the Alliance is foremost about politics, after all).
David Collins updates the list of Texas Green Party 2020 candidates. Kuff published three interviews with SBOE candidates: Michelle Palmer, Kimberly McLeod, and Debra Kerner. John Coby wraps up the Houston elections. And Stace at Dos Centavos posts about a Harris County judicial filing controversy.
And statehouse Republicans will make every effort to continue the legacy of ultraconservative oligarchy in Austin.
PDiddie at Brains and Eggs caught up his Democratic presidential primary updates with four posts leading up to, and then after, the sixth debate last Thursday.
DC politicos like Chuck Schumer want to keep chasing the Republicans being left behind by the careening Right; the DSCC chose to endorse the Libertarian who voted in the GOP primary in 2016 for US Senate, to the outrage of ... well, pretty much everybody.
Lite Guv Dan Patrick and Commissioner of Land George Pee Bush kicked off their Festivuties a few days early.
Lone Star political podcasts are all the rage these days.
A smattering of posts about the homeless at Christmastime always seem to tug at the heartstrings (not Greg Abbott's, but Texans who actually have hearts).
There are some environmental justice -- mostly injustice -- developments to report.
This Wrangle caught several Tweets about immigration and border news and opinions.
SocraticGadfly, with background on Muenster teacher-relationship conviction and other such cases, talks about how issues of philosophy play out in the courts.
Thanks for reading this elongated-for-Festivus Wrangle. Wrapping it up and putting a bow on it with a few lighter items.
The Webb County Heritage Foundation will celebrate the 180th anniversary of the declaration of the Republic of the Rio Grande with a cocktail reception on January 11, 2020 in the historic capitol building of that independent nation -- the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum at 1005 Zaragoza St. in Laredo.
The San Antonio Current provides solid advice about tamales.
The Bloggess is starting a book club.
To anyone celebrating Happy #Festivus & good luck 💪😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/LUvmPBeOOY— ✨NaNa ✨🇵🇷 (@bksfinest1179) December 23, 2019
Here comes your round-up of the best of the left from around and about Deep-In-The-Hearta for the next-to-last week of the decade.
Beto O’Rourke, Dennis Bonnen, and the Houston Astros top our annual dishonor roll, along with assorted lesser-known idiots and evildoers. See who made the cut for #BumSteers2020: https://t.co/1d2PAjqmNb pic.twitter.com/gC2C0MPKdD— Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly) December 19, 2019
Aside from our finalists, #BumSteers2020 contains many short summaries of quotidian stupidities, from the teen who went about sampling Blue Bell ice cream in the worst possible way to a crapulous couple copulating in a boat.https://t.co/WogGjSvNzq— Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly) December 18, 2019
First we have some political posts (the Alliance is foremost about politics, after all).
Houston City Council District B runoff date set for May, with trial in January https://t.co/NE4XxJPsSE #HouNews— Generic Old White Guy (@PDiddie) December 22, 2019
Updated District H vote tally expands @Karla4Houston’s lead over @Tejasimo to 16 votes: 5,305 to 5,289. Before provisional and other ballots came in, Cisneros led by 12 votes. #hounews— Jasper Scherer (@jaspscherer) December 21, 2019
Here’s your Texas 2020 March primary ballot https://t.co/wqs7wNVgoH via @TexasTribune— Alexandra Samuels (@AlexSamuelsx5) December 20, 2019
David Collins updates the list of Texas Green Party 2020 candidates. Kuff published three interviews with SBOE candidates: Michelle Palmer, Kimberly McLeod, and Debra Kerner. John Coby wraps up the Houston elections. And Stace at Dos Centavos posts about a Harris County judicial filing controversy.
Election Day was over a month ago – but after a recount and a recently discovered trove of untallied ballots, Midlanders still don’t know if a half-billion-dollar school bond won approval. https://t.co/oFJk4sK8c3— Texas Standard (@TexasStandard) December 20, 2019
And statehouse Republicans will make every effort to continue the legacy of ultraconservative oligarchy in Austin.
Francis has been a political adviser to the Wilkses, including overseeing their $15M investment in the super PAC network that boosted @TedCruz during the 2016 primary: https://t.co/ga9cf5u1aw #HD60 #txlege https://t.co/1rXaKEzyU1— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) December 16, 2019
PDiddie at Brains and Eggs caught up his Democratic presidential primary updates with four posts leading up to, and then after, the sixth debate last Thursday.
DC politicos like Chuck Schumer want to keep chasing the Republicans being left behind by the careening Right; the DSCC chose to endorse the Libertarian who voted in the GOP primary in 2016 for US Senate, to the outrage of ... well, pretty much everybody.
(T)he Democratic Senate Campaign Committee endorsed former U.S. House candidate MJ Hegar in her bid to run against Republican incumbent Senator John Cornyn. The decision to back Hegar -- who is running in a crowded, diverse field -- strikes at the heart of an intra-party debate: how to run (and win) in red states on the brink of political realignment.
The endorsement drew swift backlash from Hegar’s fellow candidates, who condemned the national party’s Senate campaign arm. Although the committee has played primary favorites in other priority Senate races, many people in Texas politics were surprised that it waded into a race more than three months out. “We had no idea that was going to happen,” said Abhi Rahman, the communications director for the Texas Democratic Party, which is running a multimillion-dollar operation aimed at defeating Cornyn.
.@replouiegohmert spouts Russian propaganda, degrades the institution, & humiliates east Texans. Wash, rinse, repeat. @Hank4Texas is his opponent & a donation link is threaded below 👇🏼 Let’s give this son of a bitch a run for his money. #ImpeachmentDay https://t.co/9VO67keicr— Kendall Scudder (@KendallScudder) December 18, 2019
Lite Guv Dan Patrick and Commissioner of Land George Pee Bush kicked off their Festivuties a few days early.
.@danpatrick accused @georgepbush of broadly labeling detractors of the controversial Alamo redesign plan as “liars and racists,” but Bush actually used the label for a small group of people who made false claims about his plans. https://t.co/EP8DKC9ADE— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) December 19, 2019
Lone Star political podcasts are all the rage these days.
🎬SEASON TWO FINALE—Merry Impeach-mas!— Pod Bless Texas (@podblesstexas) December 21, 2019
Lil and Kendall put a bow on Season 2 with @BrandyforTexas, #TXDems nominee for #HD112. Texas Senate Candidate @AudreySpankoTX joins to chat about life in Mineola and her race to unseat an extremist. #TX2020 #TXlege https://t.co/t7kVGiLNoi
From Wendy Davis's spoof on the infamous Peloton ad to Rick Perry's boho odyssey to Beto's beard, there were plenty of political odds and ends for this week's Bull Session. https://t.co/WqEjJPvWBj— Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly) December 21, 2019
A smattering of posts about the homeless at Christmastime always seem to tug at the heartstrings (not Greg Abbott's, but Texans who actually have hearts).
Greg Abbott's homeless camp in Austin is officially "indefinite."— Gus Bova 🆗 (@gus_bova) December 20, 2019
There’s limited electricity, no proper showers, and it’s far removed from existing homeless services. Still, some see it as the best available option. Welcome to Abbottville: https://t.co/0LUL0T51Zb
Gov. Greg Abbott has focused attention on homeless Austin residents.— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) December 17, 2019
But the Dallas and Houston areas last year saw twice as many new people ask for homeless-related services than the Austin area did. https://t.co/CuEAj9BbIH
In January 2018, two people living on the streets of South Dallas died—both within a block of a church.— Texas Observer (@TexasObserver) December 20, 2019
A city ordinance prevents churches and virtually anyone else from acting as emergency shelters.
Some churches are opening their doors anyway.https://t.co/UBdah7bn7A
Houston has in fact seen a huge decline in homelessness, whereas the figures are spiking in Dallas and other Texas cities. @jpgarnham has that story: https://t.co/pnBFHGkKHk— .@kristoncapps (@kristoncapps) December 17, 2019
There are some environmental justice -- mostly injustice -- developments to report.
Today, a father who lives close to @TPC_Group's #PortNeches facility told @TCEQ commissioners that his baby daughter started vomiting shortly after they left the house during last month's mandatory evacuation, ordered after 2nd plant explosion. https://t.co/70E9u2q2RP— Kiah Collier (@KiahCollier) December 18, 2019
Unauthorized emission incidents resulted in 135 million pounds of illegal air pollution in 2018, according to a new report by Environment Texas. https://t.co/0DFVEjgFfj— Texas Observer (@TexasObserver) December 20, 2019
A watchdog report found that state and federal environmental regulators didn't start monitoring air quality soon enough during Hurricane Harvey, which brought a spike in hazardous emissions from industrial facilities. https://t.co/e7OGojzVPc— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) December 17, 2019
Houston energy giants Halliburton, Kinder Morgan among companies that paid no taxes in 2018 https://t.co/7JJZlmdamq— Generic Old White Guy (@PDiddie) December 22, 2019
"Texas can no longer say, this is about Texas and it's out in the country and it doesn't matter" - @TXsharon— EARTHWORKS (@Earthworks) December 17, 2019
The #Permian Basin is a carbon bomb & @TCEQ's actions suggest they're more interested in protecting #oilandgas than #climate. via @EENewsUpdateshttps://t.co/cMNe5W3Tx9
This Wrangle caught several Tweets about immigration and border news and opinions.
Many Texas lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have urged the agreement's passage, due to the state's reliance on cross-border commerce with Mexico.— Marfa Public Radio (@MarfaRadio) December 19, 2019
via @TexasTribunehttps://t.co/37FwET9Jpt
Mauricio Vidaurri and his family support U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In fact, he used to work for them.— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) December 18, 2019
But now, President Trump’s proposed border wall threatens to cut off his access to the cemetery where his father is buried. via @latimes https://t.co/HnzRzYXDhP
One of the best young prosecutors in Texas is an undocumented immigrant. Pedro Villalobos, born in Mexico in 1991, was sworn in as an assistant DA in Austin on Monday, when he promised to “preserve, protect, & defend the Constitution.” https://t.co/4ivYQgF6ki @TexasMonthly THREAD— Michael Hall (@mikehalltexas) December 19, 2019
Read @_SemaHernandez_'s 5-count thread on how to #AbolishICE https://t.co/08DJz9Ec9C #TXSen @Sema4Texas— Generic Old White Guy (@PDiddie) December 18, 2019
“Gangs of the El Paso-Juárez Borderland” is a unique history that reflects diverse subcultures on both sides of the border – and the law. https://t.co/XRgQEB64vb— Texas Standard (@TexasStandard) December 22, 2019
SocraticGadfly, with background on Muenster teacher-relationship conviction and other such cases, talks about how issues of philosophy play out in the courts.
Thanks for reading this elongated-for-Festivus Wrangle. Wrapping it up and putting a bow on it with a few lighter items.
“We want to create a cultural repository for the creative culture of Texas and the Southwest.” https://t.co/cj6CxniEsC— Texas Standard (@TexasStandard) December 21, 2019
The Webb County Heritage Foundation will celebrate the 180th anniversary of the declaration of the Republic of the Rio Grande with a cocktail reception on January 11, 2020 in the historic capitol building of that independent nation -- the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum at 1005 Zaragoza St. in Laredo.
The San Antonio Current provides solid advice about tamales.
The Bloggess is starting a book club.
The twists and turns of these 30 Texas novels, nonfiction narratives, and other works published between January 2010 and December 2019 reveal undercurrents that run deep through the Lone Star State—a whole decade’s worth. https://t.co/bFvL3J3BGe— Texas Observer (@TexasObserver) December 22, 2019
University of Texas at Austin entomologists discovered two species – and named them “rodeo ants” because they ride on the backs of ant queens in other colonies. https://t.co/8BsnM9Q3Cd— Texas Standard (@TexasStandard) December 21, 2019
“Texas Flood: The Inside Story of Stevie Ray Vaughan” captures Vaughan’s journey from record-obsessed Dallas kid to all-time guitar god, taking care to convey what made his music transcendent. https://t.co/8AQ0zgTebW— Texas Observer (@TexasObserver) December 22, 2019
The Austin roadside Christmas trees cause a stir every year. @mccullarmebad spent time with the cedars to see if there’s some middle ground—maybe some Austinites were successfully spreading holiday cheer without spreading holiday trash. https://t.co/BWlQzYRrox— Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly) December 19, 2019
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