Sunday Privilege Funnies

The *Heavy Sigh* Wrangle

Now: Texas's 6-week abortion ban law, SB 8, is in effect again for now — the 5th Circuit has granted a temporary, administrative stay of this week's preliminary injunction (which halted enforcement of SB 8) to consider the state's request for a longer stay pending appeal pic.twitter.com/wdTIH5emjm

— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) October 9, 2021

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has struck down a lower federal court ruling that temporarily blocked Texas from enforcing its ban on abortions as early as six weeks into a pregnancy.

The Department of Justice now has until Oct. 12 to reply to the ruling, and the ban remains in effect until then.

So the horror show is back on.

🚫 No exceptions

🚨 After she was raped, one 17-year-old teenager in Texas was desperate to get an abortion.

⭕️ But her worst fears were confirmed: she was denied a termination as she was eight weeks pregnant.

♀️ @WholeWomans Health Clinic said her story is just one of many. pic.twitter.com/o0pO18RiEt

— Thomson Reuters Foundation News (@TRF_Stories) October 7, 2021

(I'm sorry to have to point this out again, but clearly this was written and/or scheduled for publication this morning at 5 am without awareness of the 'breaking news' from last night.  Maybe he'll get around to that, but as of 7:30 am ... nada.  Again, my interest in having someone read yesterday's newspaper to me is less than zero, but people can be a little, shall we say, stuck in their ways.  After all, I would've thought the Catholic Church had ended itself a long time ago ...)

NEW: The Texas Senate has approved a map that would largely protect incumbents in Congress, while reducing the number of districts in which Black and Hispanic residents make up the majority of eligible voters. https://t.co/XFww8NQY7t

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) October 8, 2021

So unless a court intervenes, we'll get to see a Sheila Jackson Lee versus Al Green primary for the 9th Congressional District of Texas.  Perhaps one of them will retire before then, but ...

Here’s the rubric sent to teachers in Southlake, Texas, this week to help them decide which books to remove from their classrooms. It comes days after the district disciplined a teacher who’d had a copy of “This Book is Anti-Racist” in her class.

Story: https://t.co/9uHZcm6JBN pic.twitter.com/F73QzIhVsh

— Mike Hixenbaugh (@Mike_Hixenbaugh) October 8, 2021

Editorial: The phony 'critical race theory' crusade strikes again - and Katy ISD fell for it https://t.co/6JKTgKOOgi

— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) October 8, 2021

Under Gov. Abbott's new border initiative, thousands have been arrested for trespassing, yet the deterrent effect he intended has not come to fruition, local officials are overwhelmed + advocates claim constitutional violations. Via @jaspscherer:https://t.co/hRNbRGjJks #txlege

— Taylor Goldenstein (@taygoldenstein) October 8, 2021

Remember the Texas prisoner who sued for a cotton blanket because he was allergic to the prison's blankets and officials refused to give him a cotton one instead?

I got records showing the state spent >$20,000 fighting his case instead of giving him a blanket. pic.twitter.com/jfmptIW0Jj

— Keri Blakinger (@keribla) October 7, 2021

🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴 Latest on the teen who ran over 6 cyclists in Waller

Attorney Charlie Thomas: "... it's caused us to raise an eyebrow as to whether or not this (investigation) is being done fully on the up and up" https://t.co/PT3s0xRx84

— Jay R. Jordan (@jayrjordan) October 6, 2021

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Failed Lawsuit to Block 2020 Election Result Was Secretly Pushed by Prominent Christian Conservative Lawyer https://t.co/BI5aAo5a9P via @RANewsTX

— RA News (@RANewsTX) October 8, 2021

The political battle in one Texas county where Trump got 81% of the vote offers a rare view into the virulent distrust and unyielding pressure facing elections administrators. https://t.co/JFVjpHoeff

— ProPublica (@propublica) October 4, 2021

I completely empathize with the Romans who fed Christians to the lions.  I just wish they had been able to do more of that.

There are some small arcs bending toward justice.

U.S. Army officials disciplined 21 officers and non-commissioned officers, including firing eight senior commanders, related to the murder of Spc. Vanessa Guillén, who was killed at Fort Hood in April 2020. https://t.co/ecVaRTYXSl

— News 4 San Antonio (@News4SA) October 8, 2021

Houston council could vote on outside investigation into former housing director’s claims against @SylvesterTurner https://t.co/B5lW4arRdx #HouNews

— Forever in debt to your priceless advice. (@PDiddie) October 8, 2021

Proponents of segregation said it was necessary because Mexican Americans were not as smart as Anglo students, or were deficient in the English language.

This former UT professor fought those claims and won. https://t.co/LHwt7aXSSf

— Texas Standard (@TexasStandard) October 7, 2021

More than 270 Texans from across the state are suing the Electric Reliability Council of Texas for “negligent management” of the power grid during the February winter storm.https://t.co/Iz5gNVqGkH

— KXAN News (@KXAN_News) October 9, 2021

Here's what passes for my business round-up.

A story told many times recently but needs repeating:

The Texas Railroad Commission is one of the most powerful agencies charged with environmental protection in the country’s oilfields, and all three current commissioners profit off fossil fuels, according to reports by @CommissionShift. https://t.co/Ks0UlNBenb

— grist (@grist) October 6, 2021

.@SpaceX public hearings on Oct 18 & 20 won't have Spanish translation & closed captioning even after 65 RGV residents requested it months ago from the Federal Aviation Admin @FAANews; grounds for a discrimination lawsuit. (Title VI Civil Rights Act 1965)https://t.co/vfxfW6c67K

— Bekah Hinojosa (@beksbot) October 7, 2021

There was a good listing of distractions in yesterday's post, so I'll just add this one and then get my Saturday going to more enjoyable pursuits.

An ambitious traveling exhibition of California artists asks how we became a state of endless fences, dams, and gas flares.https://t.co/zsvbbfOnlL+

— Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly) October 7, 2021

The Snarky Wrangle from Far Left Texas

I wish Matthew McConaughey would not break his silence.

— Paula Poundstone (@paulapoundstone) October 8, 2021

I’ll say it again. It isn’t October until the Astros are pissing everyone off by still being good at baseball.

— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) October 7, 2021

‘Why are you attacking me? I’m great’: 8-year-old transgender girl asks #Texas lawmakers to oppose sports ban bill https://t.co/r2jmNEkRWH pic.twitter.com/kKaLwlCvwl

— KXAN News (@KXAN_News) October 7, 2021

Slightly more serious but no less bad-intentioned ...

Texas is a strange place to put an electric-power champion these days, but Tesla boss Elon Musk just unveiled plans to relocate the company’s headquarters to Austin. The reasons provided don’t add up, says @AntonyMCurrie https://t.co/Sr0Bvfmeno pic.twitter.com/sMofysbRZA

— ReutersBreakingviews (@Breakingviews) October 8, 2021

"If John Stankey is unwilling to correct this course by severing ties with OAN, firing anti-abortion extremist Ed Gillespie, and pledging to stop funding right-wing, racist, and anti-woman politicians, he should step down," says @UltraViolet's Sonja Spoo. https://t.co/IcLDHUd0vm

— Common Dreams (@commondreams) October 8, 2021

Republican John Cornyn doesn't know the debt ceiling is from previous US debt — not new spending https://t.co/x3ZGBTU7qV

— Raw Story (@RawStory) October 7, 2021

John Cornyn couldn't find his ass if he used both hands and a full-length mirror.

"Our job is to secure the health and safety and security of our constituents."

— Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX), talking about ... border security, not today's school shooting in his home state pic.twitter.com/7ODtwtv6GP

— The Recount (@therecount) October 6, 2021

After 16 people were killed in a hot air balloon in Texas, Sen. Ted Cruz authored and passed legislation requiring operators to be medically certified to fly. Thank God there’s no hot air balloon lobby…

Arlington https://t.co/SnIT9XxBDm

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) October 6, 2021

This isn't really "analysis", but that isn't Ross Ramsey's fault: "When Texas legislators admit they don’t know what they’re doing".

.@rossramsey writes: When Texas lawmakers find something in the law that they don’t like — or that their voters don’t like — they can always say they didn’t know what they were voting on.

It happens more than you’d think. https://t.co/DL8X4YJwWO

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) October 7, 2021

Not a fan, but if Kim Olson is the only way to get rid of Gilberto Hinojosa, then Tex Donks ought to go ahead and bust that move.  El Padron has had plenty of years to get something, anything done and failed.  Well past time for new blood, but I seriously doubt Olson is the one.

New: @KimOlsonTx, former agriculture commissioner nominee and #TX24 candidate, is exploring a run for @texasdemocrats chair.

She filed a campaign treasurer appointment yesterday, and she’ll make a decision this year about the race, per a statement from a spokesperson: pic.twitter.com/0XKSz8jCEt

— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) October 7, 2021

As usual, don't hold your breath waiting for Chaz Kuffner to weigh on this topic.  Speaking of the Yankees ...

THERE’S A PLAY AT THE PLATE AND HERE COMES AARON JUDGE pic.twitter.com/eZXuhMIUWy

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 6, 2021

Okay then.  A few more sharp elbows.

I’m so glad my tax dollars are going towards “Texas’ Finest” poking fun at and making memes of the plight of undocumented people. This is gross, embarrassing, and wrong. #txlege https://t.co/GuDOO0X7sV

— Mr. Speakermembers 🍥 (@speakermembers) October 7, 2021

Dr. Peter Hotez We’re no longer limited by science, we’re limited by antiscience https://t.co/r9RAFxd2r2

— Prof Peter Hotez MD PhD (@PeterHotez) October 7, 2021

Happy 25th anniversary, Fox News! Here's to 25 more (sexual harassment and defamation lawsuits)! #FoxNews25 pic.twitter.com/h7EinJjZ0G

— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) October 7, 2021

Another great fall weekend ahead, so get outdoors and do something fun.

Heads up! @texrenfest opens Oct. 9 and I got a sneak peek today! #KHOU11

Much more info here -> https://t.co/GDTLsk8DoY pic.twitter.com/sWnGkO1GVS

— BrandiKHOU (@BrandiKHOU) October 6, 2021

"If I don't get in to see Backseat Lovers, I'm going to punch someone."

"COVID. Three kids. I needed this."

"I literally bought a guitar yesterday, and I'm gonna be on this stage next year. I'm manifesting it."

A dispatch from @aclfestival 2021: https://t.co/4iBXrmjlVn+

— Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly) October 6, 2021

🌺 The State Fair of Texas Mundo Latino celebrates Dia de los Muertos with a wonderful exhibit honoring those who are no longer with us!

The State Fair of Texas runs through October 17, 2021.

📸 by @StateFairOfTX brought to you by @Whataburger #Dallas #GrandPrairieTX #IrvingTX pic.twitter.com/xfowkLcH6r

— Dr. Elba Garcia (@drelbagarcia) October 8, 2021

Photo of a tree along the I-Spy Halloween Trail at the Texas Forestry Museum in Lufkin, TX. Families are invited to hunt for Halloween characters from Oct. 18th - 31st during museum hours. The museum is also having a free Fall Festival on Oct. 15th.

📸 by @TXForestryMus pic.twitter.com/OHSpa0VYTH

— Texas Forest Trail (@etxtraveler) October 5, 2021

And if you're staying put or staying inside ...

October is #ArchivesMonth! See images from the #MenilArchives of #TheDeLuxeShow, organized by the Menil Foundation and curated by Peter Bradley in 1971.

Images: Hickey-Robertson. Courtesy of Menil Archives, The Menil Collection, Houston. pic.twitter.com/kMr2i5KtLZ

— The Menil Collection (@MenilCollection) October 6, 2021

A ghost town in remote West Texas seems an unlikely spot for live music.

But the author of this new @UTexasPress book says “music has breathed new life into Terlingua.” https://t.co/C0UeRJoQBK

We’ll learn more today. pic.twitter.com/1nsgE31ce8

— Texas Standard (@TexasStandard) October 7, 2021

For @TexasMonthly I wrote about the 50th anniversary of The Last Picture Show, a haunting film about growing up with nowhere to go. https://t.co/dlihqPRlND

— Chris Vognar (@chrisvognar) October 6, 2021