Sunday, February 14, 2021
Sunday "Case Dismissed" Funnies
Nick Anderson, who founded Counterpoint, was interviewed by Houstonia Magazine about his cartooning career post-newspapers: "(A)rtists from all political leanings are providing takes on today’s biggest headlines as contributors. Of the 18 satirists, ten -- like Anderson -- saw their jobs cut. It’s too soon to know if Counterpoint will hit it big (at the moment it has more than 170,000 subscribers), but if it does this could be a way to ensure that his art form doesn’t just die out."
Please support their work if you possibly can.
Tuesday, February 09, 2021
Extra Texas Left Wrangling
Lots happening; another impeachment trial, Neera Tanden's confirmation hearing, the Lege gaveling back in, and me with a pot full of links already, so here comes a second edition of the Wrangle.
First, a few updates since yesterday. "Team Cruz" has been trending overnight. If Ted wants to play like this, we got time. Today, tomorrow, every day for the next four years.
Team Cruz is soft on cop killing. pic.twitter.com/OzwCHZc6C6
— JimBell12 (@Bell12Jim) February 8, 2021
And regarding other Texans Behaving Badly:
Apparently, calling for the killing of her coworkers wasn't enough to rile Republicans Chip Roy or Tony Gonzales. https://t.co/2DCnH5XYpu
— San Antonio Current (@SAcurrent) February 5, 2021
A suspected white nationalist who posted on social media about killing Jewish people has been federally charged after he used an undercover FBI agent to facilitate the sale of an AM-15 to a convicted felon, the DOJ said Monday in a news release. https://t.co/FnnLdzDG1w
— KENS 5 (@KENS5) February 9, 2021
Jenny Cudd, a Texas woman who admitted to taking part in the Capitol insurrection and faces charges that could result in a prison sentence, has been given permission by a U.S. judge to go on vacation in Mexico.https://t.co/36i5diYgwx
— NPR (@NPR) February 6, 2021
With respect to COVID-19:
2 coronavirus variants found in Houston area: https://t.co/tABODBlAtF #kprc2 #hounews
— KPRC 2 Houston (@KPRC2) February 8, 2021
I promised an update on environmental news, and it's going to intertwine with Houston business and Texas Democrats and Republicans in Washington. Feel free to connect the dots. Let's start with this news item.
-- Houston Energy Companies Lost Billions in 4th Quarter of 2020
ExxonMobil, which has its main campus in Houston, reported a stunning $20 billion in losses in the fourth quarter alone. Reuters reports it's the first time Exxon has posted an annual loss as a public company, and some investors are using it as an opportunity to push Exxon to focus on clean energy in hopes of boosting investor returns.
Houston-based ConocoPhillips lost more than $700 million in the fourth quarter for a total loss of $2.7 billion in 2020. BP, which also has its U.S. headquarters in Houston, reported a full-year loss of $5.7 billion, compared to $10 billion profit in 2019.
(Last) week the price of West Texas oil hit an 11-month high at just over $55 per barrel. For most of last year prices hovered at or below $40 a barrel. Many companies say they need around $50-60 per barrel to break even.
Oilprice.com reported the week before last that the frackers are gearing up again. That reads to this dispassionate observer as the very definition of 'boom and bust'. Put another way: "This juice might be worth the squeeze again; let's work this lemon some more before we move on".
But some things aren't coming back.
Lone Star Republicans are as dense as bedrock about the prospects for 'oil bidness as usual', but a handful of Texas Dems are no smarter.
Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen, Henry Cuellar of Laredo, Lizzie Pannill Fletcher of Houston and Marc Veasey of Fort Worth objected to the president’s order directing the secretary of the interior to halt new oil and gas leases on federal public lands and waters.
Pushback on Joe Biden’s oil, gas lease moratorium signals clash inside Democratic Party https://t.co/nRxaetNsqb
— Scott Braddock (@scottbraddock) February 1, 2021
The very definition of pandering.
While our electeds can't see past their next campaign finance report, those of us who want to keep breathing clean air and drinking clean water will focus over the horizon. Some oil companies are taking baby steps in the right direction. And some residents of polluted fenceline communities are taking matters into their own hands. There's just so much more that needs to be done.
“If I’m at the gas pump, and I’m pumping gas into my car, and some spills on the ground, I still pay the tax on the gas.”#txlege is weighing in on if the same should apply to oil & gas companies flaring and venting methane into our atmosphere. @statesmanhttps://t.co/pKl2nxzWMk
— EDF Texas (@EDFtx) February 9, 2021
That's my segue to some Lege business. So if the Godniks won't let us gamble at the tables, is it possible they might allow sports books?
#Breaking: Several pro teams are launching a coalition to legalize sports betting in Texas. The effort already has the backing of the @dallascowboys, @dallasmavs and @Rangers.
— Lauren McGaughy 🌟 (@lmcgaughy) February 8, 2021
The @dallasnews has the exclusive details here: https://t.co/YWIJqBTWX7 #txlege
The announcement of the Sports Betting Alliance comes after the late Sheldon Adelson’s group, Las Vegas Sands, expanded their lobbying effort to legalize gaming in Texas. The Sands' push appears to want to work in tandem with the alliance to take the biggest shot to legalize both sports betting and gambling in Texas in recent memory.
Andy Abboud, senior vice president of government affairs for the Las Vegas Sands, told the Dallas Morning News, “We view sports wagering as a component of our efforts in bringing destination resorts to Texas and creating robust, long-term economic development and jobs for the state. We look forward to working in tandem with their coalition during the legislative session.”
Mark Cuban, billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks told the Morning News in an email, “I think it’s time ...it makes no sense for us to force Texans to go to neighboring states to gamble in casinos.”
Unlike casinos, there is a significant amonut of illegal bookie action going on everywhere -- online and off. It just makes sense ... but that usually doesn't move our legislators much.
I'll blog about the Movement for a People's Party and the Green Party, perhaps tomorrow and append some of my thoughts to David Collin's, along with a profile of the GPTX's gubernatorial candidate. Closing here today with some suggested fiction reading.
Book review: 'East of Texas, West of Hell' by Rod Davis https://t.co/3JvrZblHRR via @publisherswkly
— Forever in debt to your priceless advice. (@PDiddie) February 9, 2021
Monday, February 08, 2021
SB LV Hangover Wrangle
Not inclined to go long this morning. Let's open with COVID. An update as this post was being prepared:
Rep. Ron Wright (R-Texas) died Sunday after battling COVID-19. Wright had also been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2019.
— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) February 8, 2021
The Texas Republican is the first member of Congress to die after being diagnosed with the coronavirus https://t.co/JurM5A6C4f pic.twitter.com/ez2pNmKL3r
As much of the US reports progress, Texas overtakes California as the state with the highest daily cases.
— Yaneer Bar-Yam (@yaneerbaryam) February 6, 2021
Despite some of the larger counties in Texas reporting improvement, many of the smaller counties are surging. pic.twitter.com/a7SadhkZFL
COVID-19 Testing Has Become A 'Cash Cow' For Freestanding ERs In Texas, Experts Say. And It's Getting Out Of Hand
— KERA (@keratx) February 7, 2021
LISTEN to the story from @KUT 👉 https://t.co/nhjTACucGy pic.twitter.com/IHEymTp50J
For Texans too sick or frail to leave home during the #COVID19 crisis, getting to hub sites can be impossible.@MorrisReports rode along w/Corpus Christi firefighters as they took vaccine to vulnerable residents' homes.
— Bob Garrett (@RobertTGarrett) February 4, 2021
Maybe a model here, @TexasDSHS?https://t.co/jutwQ5CqPZ
If you do not get your 2nd dose of the #COVID19 vaccine within the recommended timeframe, it’s okay. This will just delay full protection, but it will NOT make the vaccine less effective. pic.twitter.com/ouo0OJ1Oku
— Austin Public Health (@AusPublicHealth) February 6, 2021
Texas will hit 40,000 deaths from the coronavirus today, according to Dr. Peter Hotez. And while hospitalizations are declining, we're a long way from reaching herd immunity.
Most Texas teachers likely won’t get vaccine until summer, @corbettsmithDMN reports.
— Bob Garrett (@RobertTGarrett) February 6, 2021
That's in spite of @GregAbbott_TX's insistence that schools be open, & @DanPatrick's plea to get teachers #COVID19 shots soonest.@DavidLakey_MD explains 1A, 1B logic.https://t.co/E8RmknJlBQ
Here's a thread from Sema Hernandez about her recent experience with one of her children in Pasadena's (TX) school.
My child’s teacher gave children in her classroom the option to wear a face mask or a face shield. The teacher preferred to face shield because she wanted to see the children’s little faces.
— Mrs. Sema (@_SemaHernandez_) February 6, 2021
The class was exposed to a classmate who tested positive for COVID19.
SMH.
Before "Texans Behaving Badly", let's get to some of the news generated last week by Greg Abbott and Dade Phelan. I made mention in last Friday's Roundup, but there's also been a few other takes posted that are worth your consideration.
Shadows and Absences: Governor Abbott’s State of the State Speech Also Says a Lot About the State of the Texas GOP [edit] #txlege https://t.co/fWq8kPeSWd
— Jim Henson (@jamesrhenson) February 7, 2021
Texas Freedom Network also has an analysis of Abbott's SotS and also how Speaker Phelan's committee chairs will conduct business. A sample:
Anti-abortion zealots like Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, and Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth, will turn their committees into parade grounds for legislation designed to ban the procedure entirely ... Rep. James Frank, R-Wichita Falls, will head the Human Services Committee, giving him another shot at passing legislation to turn religion into a license to discriminate against LGBTQ Texans.
This is absolutely the reality in Texas. Here is a list put together by @jcslattery of @TXCivilRights of many *bad* voting bills that we have already seen filed in the #txlege which we are watching closely: https://t.co/wMjDEeZI3r https://t.co/JwlLamptaB
— Ali Lozano 🏳️🌈 (@alozano_msw) February 5, 2021
We know Phelan is against many of the marijuana bills proposed; opposition to vice has long been enforced by the Texas TaliBaptist Caucus. But who is it besides the church crowd that's blocking casino gambling in the Lone Star State? Reform Austin suggests a few parties.
Entities with competing interests, namely other casinos, don’t want to see the Las Vegas Sands organization running the table.
First, there are tribal interests in Oklahoma and Texas. The Chickasaw Nation has spent over $350,000 to Strategic & Public Affairs Consulting lobbyist Daniel Hodge. (PD adds: Hodge was a longtime right-hand man to the governor before opening his shop.) The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is paying between $25,000 and $49,999 for three lobbyists. Finally the Kickapoo Tribe in Texas is paying four lobbyists between $100,000 and $150,000 each this session.
Another possible opponent to the Las Vegas Sands expansion in Texas is Tilman Fertitta, who owns the Lake Charles casino The Golden Nugget. Seven lobbyists hired by his company, Landry’s Inc. are being paid from $10,000-$24,999 to $150,000-$199,999 a year (in disclosure forms).
These numbers pale in comparison to the up to $4.5M that the late Sheldon Adelson’s group has spent building up their army of 63 lobbyists.
Money chat is normally Kuff's beat, but I don't see much lately there regarding CFR, so note RA's piece on the top ten PACs in the state. Only two -- the bottom two -- are affiliated with Democrats or progressives, though H-E-B grocer Charles Butt's PAC and the mega-law firm Greenberg Traurig gives to politicians of both political persuasions. As best I know, much of GT's blue side fundraising and donating is still headed by the well-connected Roland Garcia.
And concluding our look at the Lege ...
Socratic Gadfly exposes the bogus claims of NRA Pander Bear Drew Springer.
Let’s be clear. Texas State Senator Drew Springer is pandering to this crowd: endangering lawmakers, law enforcement & the general public. So he can be popular. With these guys. #txlege @MomsDemand https://t.co/U4Bw5gqsnO pic.twitter.com/DB4eVZfsOe
— Texas Jamie Ford 🌻 (@ThisIsItYall) February 2, 2021
At the top of the "TBB" this week: Ted Cruz.
"The left -- and some grifters on the right -- are consumed by partisan anger and rage," the (Cruz) spokesperson said via email. "Sen. Cruz will continue to work for 29 million Texans in the Senate."
No, he won't. Cruz works only for himself, his potential run for president in 2024, and in the meantime will vote 'no' on everything Biden does or nominates and get into Twitter spats on cultural topics.
Another day, another social media duel involving @tedcruz and pop culture. This time, the Texas senator is sparring with "Princess Bride" star @Cary_Elwes over politics, entertainment. https://t.co/1darpnofsG
— John Gravois (@Grav1) February 4, 2021
Ted Cruz is courting Trump's base, but the senator's tumultuous history with the former president looms in Republican voters' minds.@JTiloveTX reports: https://t.co/E2DRfsCUSd
— Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly) February 7, 2021
UPDATE: At least 21 Texans now face charges in the wake of the U.S. Capitol siege.
— Texas Public Radio (@TPRNews) February 8, 2021
More here from @HoustonPubMedia:https://t.co/0Q4sUQSCnb
Five of the groups it identified are either headquartered in or have operations in the San Antonio area. https://t.co/31lnX82Glj
— San Antonio Current (@SAcurrent) February 2, 2021
The TexTrib via Progrexas has the story about the TXGOP staffer who was fired after he posted video from the DC riot. (He had also spread around that fake Pizzagate conspiracy theory.) Bud Kennedy at the FWST took note of the Parker County school trustee who advanced the "Stop the Steal" nonsense.
I will save environmental and social justice links for the week-ending Round-up. Here's a few items to close out today.
You're running out of time, and places, to get your square fish, chicken and dumplings, jalapeno cornbread, and/or chocolate ice box pie.
More than a dozen former Luby’s and Fuddruckers properties can be found in online for-sale listings. The company plans to cease all its restaurant operations by the end of the fiscal year. #hounews @HoustonChron https://t.co/A5uYqn6RZI
— Amanda Drane (@AmandaDrane) February 3, 2021
Here's @holleynews with some more Texas history they don't teach in school --> Black Seminoles made their mark on Texas history https://t.co/U2aIeLOFu2 via @houstonchron #hounews #nativetexan
— Matt Schwartz (@SchwartzChron) February 7, 2021
#Texas bats need our help. via @JayRJordan #hounews https://t.co/DMcC8qXSZk
— Chron (@chron) February 2, 2021
Y'all ever feel like we live in the strangest state? So do we. Our latest roundup of far-flung news from across Texas includes a dog from Plano who accidentally shot his owner in the leg.https://t.co/KtH5KkuSr8
— Texas Observer (@TexasObserver) February 7, 2021