Donkeys Humped Wrangle

Not quite as bad a beatdown as the Astros took from the Braves in the World Series, but still ... they did it to themselves.  Again.

.@Sen_JoeManchin (How can I do the most damage to Biden and fellow Democrats?)
Let's cut Build Back Better in half and then, instead of declaring victory and announcing my support, trash the entire thing the day before a crucial governor's race in Virginia.

— Mark Elliott (@markmobility) November 2, 2021

I mean "they" if you're one of those Democrats who considers Joe Manchin a Democrat (and not Bernie Sanders, for example).

If I had a dollar for every time some pundit said "This is a big wake-up call for the Democrats" Id be able to pay off my student loans. https://t.co/deqIZNN0a4

— Maria (@Sandernista412) November 3, 2021

Oh yes, speaking of student loan debt ...

"The memo was completely redacted, but it was dated April 8, just a week after @WHCOS discussed the memo’s existence on cable news — meaning that the memo has existed for months, but the administration has concealed it from the public."https://t.co/L8oGKCAyoD

— The Debt Collective (@StrikeDebt) November 1, 2021

You don't suppose yesterday was some kind of a referendum on Joe Biden, do you?  Nah, had to be the Far Left's fault.

McAuliffe’s loss in a state Biden just won by over 10% raises an important question: how do we blame progressives?

— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) November 3, 2021

Sen. Mark Warner of the Commonwealth jumped out to an early lead.

Here's the clip:https://t.co/h1nNxR6cky pic.twitter.com/vA4iysx90M

— Eoin Higgins (@EoinHiggins_) November 1, 2021

From Virginia to New Jersey to Minnesota, voters in yesterday's off-year elections sent Democrats a warning for 2022: There could be a massive backlash to perceptions that progressives are pulling the party too far left.

[...]

A senior aide to another House Democratic moderate told Axios’ Hans Nichols that "it’s clear that passing a historic bipartisan infrastructure deal months ago would have energized President Biden’s numbers," and that House progressives who stalled that vote had hurt McAuliffe.

Yes well, I certainly hope so.  Though I don't think anyone's blaming the leftists for the Democratic nominee's defeat to a write-in candidate in Buffalo, NY yesterday.

Democrats have no problem when corporate candidates run as 3rd party spoilers, but would lose it if Bernie or Nina (rightfully) did the same thing. https://t.co/HB2nomlhl6

— citizen uprising (@cit_uprising) November 3, 2021

Texas -- or at least San Antonio's House District 118 -- repeated the pattern.

Our story: Republican John Lujan wins special election runoff to flip Texas House seat in San Antonio

Lujan wins by 2 points after Biden carried #HD118 by 14 https://t.co/MItlyNvtbp #txlege

— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) November 3, 2021

Quite remarkable.  To underscore, this is what they are losing to.

QAnon lunatics waiting for JFK Jr. to show up at Dealey Plaza in Dallas and they’re definitely NOT a cult pic.twitter.com/8C0jPdXc6z

— Wu-Tang Is For The Children (@WUTangKids) November 2, 2021

This guy says Critical Race Theory is the most important issue in the Virginia Election. He also says he has no idea what Critical Race Theory is. pic.twitter.com/lBrGy4lRBG

— The Good Liars (@TheGoodLiars) November 1, 2021

Gohmert: I’ve read where experts have said if you’ve got a choice between the temperature getting slightly warmer or slightly colder, you want warmer because if it’s getting slightly colder that means there’s less time for crops to grow pic.twitter.com/1XMaFZzhhQ

— Acyn (@Acyn) November 2, 2021

Alas, some things never change no matter the duopolist in charge.

Game's over https://t.co/p7exc4zBgr

— Matt Schwartz (@SchwartzChron) November 3, 2021

I have lots more coming.

The Dia de Los Muertos Wrangle from Far Left Texas

#DiadelosMuertos #SanAntonio pic.twitter.com/wDZzEE8mja

— Emily (@LuvvvMusic) October 24, 2021

Miles de familias disfrutan esta tarde del Desfile de #DiaDeMuertos en Dallas ⭐️ Texas!! Everyone welcome to celebrate life/family/traditions!! Gracias Fam. Navarro, sponsors, aliados y cientos de voluntarios. El Pegaso no podía faltar 👇🏽 #DayOfTheDead pic.twitter.com/mGZUPudF3C

— Francisco dela Torre (@fdelatg) October 30, 2021

Cheers to our beautiful dead. 🙏☠️ #ElPaso #DiadelosMuertos #dayoftheday #parade pic.twitter.com/mFA3ZwadEu

— Ivan Pierre Aguirre (@i_p_a_1) October 24, 2021

Day 2 of volunteer work at @MECA_Houston with @cishouston La Raza students from @Milby_HS such an amazing way celebrating our loved ones we have lost. What a beautiful day to celebrate our familias. @rpena3kr @AdrianGarciaHTX @RepMorales145 #makingadifference #DiaDeMuertos pic.twitter.com/KLF9sSSoP3

— CISH / WOW / La Raza SA (@CishWow) October 31, 2021

In honor of all those who died in search of a better life #DiaDeLosMuertos #INDIGENOUS #TAIRP pic.twitter.com/3PMP3uxQD7

— Indigenous (@AmericanIndian8) October 26, 2021

Remember and celebrate your loved ones with us at our Dia de los Muertos event, Monday, November 1 from 4-9 pm! We encourage you to bring copies of pictures of your loved ones to place in the community altar created by Angel Quesada. https://t.co/ww1wCkXSBk pic.twitter.com/na23PVTfRW

— Discovery Green (@DiscoveryGreen) October 28, 2021

Don’t miss Celebracion de Vida by @mexicraneos! The beautiful skulls placed around Discovery Green and Avenida, last day is Sunday, November 7! Visit https://t.co/3ivqw9Fz3Q for details! pic.twitter.com/G00P2nnReh

— Discovery Green (@DiscoveryGreen) November 1, 2021

Or go with All Saints Day if you prefer.

Today we celebrate in #Spain #AllSaintsDay, time to explore some of the most beautiful cemeteries in our country ❤️, where there are the tombs of historical characters and some impressive grave monuments.

👉https://t.co/Vh9D83XJW5#TeMerecesEspaña #VisitSpain #SpainTraditions pic.twitter.com/XxTGb2z7sO

— Spain (@spain) November 1, 2021

There's an important case being heard at the SCOTUS this morning.

Live updates: Supreme Court hears arguments on Texas’ ‘heartbeat’ abortion ban, legal bounties #SB8 #SCOTUS #texasabortionban #txlege #Texas https://t.co/ZiEDYcuWtH

— Todd J. Gillman (@toddgillman) November 1, 2021

Don't wait to see if the Supremes are capable of doing the right thing for women (they aren't).  Take action into your own hands.

Basic reproductive healthcare is virtually illegal in Texas. I'm moving to rural New Mexico to drive a new mobile abortion clinic that mostly serves Texans. I'd love any support you're able to give so we can get people the care they deserve! https://t.co/B6wiIFkNqS

— 𝖙𝖎𝖒𝖔𝖙𝖍𝖞💀𝖋𝖆𝖚𝖘𝖙 (@crulge) October 26, 2021

Oh, and tomorrow is Election Day.

Election day in Texas is Nov 2nd. In #ATX, we're having a critically important vote. Please, please, read up, and vote #NoOnPropA

Yes, we need professional street teams. NO, they shouldn't be guys like this. Seriously. #PropA https://t.co/2TPBb5XFE1

— Spooky Action Right Behind You (@contentlove) October 31, 2021

HEY TEXAS VOTERS,

Tuesday is Election Day and on the ballot are 8 Propositions for State Constitutional Amendments!

Find the details of what they are here:https://t.co/owyYyBwRmn

— 🎃 King Calabaza (@grantrodam) October 31, 2021

Meanwhile, Democrats in Virginia are panicking.

Virginia's off-year elections are often seen as a proxy for national mood.

And in a state President Biden won by ten points, a tight race for governor has Democrats worried — and Republicans energized. https://t.co/sTItJ9AhmT

— NPR Politics (@nprpolitics) October 29, 2021

The Republicans’ racial culture war is reaching new heights in Virginia, where their candidate Glenn Youngkin plays the fierce kulturkampf warrior and racial dog-whistlerhttps://t.co/Z8f1LNW9JA

— Alfons López Tena (@alfonslopeztena) October 30, 2021

Much hay will be made inside the Beltway among the chattering class if Terry McAuliffe fumbles the governorship away.

On to the climate news, where there is also a very important meeting of very important people in Glasgow, Scotland taking place.

rest. Glasgow may not be the COP that creates a new world. But it can be a spark. If you are in Glasgow, see you on the streets.

Be the change you want to see in the world. And kick down doors.

And we've got free stickers... DM us and I'll post some out for you! pic.twitter.com/Aq5DiKYEch

— Ungagged! (@_Ungagged) October 30, 2021

I'll go long on #COP26 later; here's a few more Lone Star updates.

I got to see Bolivar Flats with ⁦@HoustonAudubon⁩ today — where there were more species of birds that I’d never heard of than I ever could have imagined. People are concerned about how the coastal surge barrier could affect this place if it’s built. pic.twitter.com/8WvoR57qWS

— Emily Foxhall (@emfoxhall) October 28, 2021

The most severe impacts of climate change can feel far-off and far away from home, but a series of dramatic photo renderings released by Climate Central make the prospect of rising sea levels hit startlingly close to home. https://t.co/2Xz5BnWlXw

— KXAN News (@KXAN_News) October 25, 2021

And some of the criminal and social justice developments.

NEW: More than two dozen Democratic members of Congress have called on the federal government to investigate whether Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s new criminal justice system for migrants violates the U.S. Constitution. https://t.co/vXHVTWQcF9

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) October 29, 2021

Vital story on Crime Stoppers today from @newrepublic @TanaGaneva @econhardship

Next week, we'll share a new report showing how TV news that quotes these groups without including community voices fuel misinformation about bond reform in Harris County. Stay tuned 👀 #HouNews https://t.co/Igqw8dWpui

— Texas Center for Justice and Equity (@TexasCJE) October 29, 2021

Texas is offering a year of free #childcare for those who work in restaurants, bars and the entertainment industry to help relieve the labor shortage. Why could states not do something similar for the #childcare industry itself? https://t.co/DSA1X3kkhM

— Dan Wuori (@DanWuori) October 29, 2021

911 transcripts show police in San Marcos, Texas, refused to assist Democratic campaigners threatened by a pack of motorists known as a “Trump Train” in 2020. In audio recordings, officers “laughed” and “joked about the victims and their distress.” #txlege https://t.co/9j3sFkt4EN

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) October 30, 2021

A white mob lynched the body of a Black man, and burned the city of Sherman’s Black business district. Some locals hadn’t even heard of the 1930 lynching until recently.

Then came the struggle to have it formally recognized with a historical marker:

https://t.co/VmkMkWVlN1

— Texas Standard (@TexasStandard) October 29, 2021

This article tells the story of a racist murder in East Texas in 1955, and the restorative justice project that is still working to hold the killers accountable.
(cw: descriptions of racially-motivated violence)https://t.co/jXOm8UZ7Jx

— Texas Civil Rights Project (@TXCivilRights) October 30, 2021

Thwarting Nazis is turning into a full-time effort.

Update: Dallas ISD will not respond to Rep. Matt Krause's letter, which the district views as an "unofficial request."

Austin ISD made a similar decision bc library catalogs are already online.https://t.co/P4Srs2Uo9k #txed #TxLege

— Emily Donaldson (@EmilyJDonaldson) October 30, 2021

SHABBAT SHALOM FROM AUSTIN, TEXAS pic.twitter.com/j9JrCZhe3K

— رفائيل | רפאל 💐🕎🇵🇸🇦🇲 (@strelkaibelka) October 29, 2021

New! - Ted goes Full Brown Shirt, declaring Nazi Salutes at School Board Meetings are perfectly fine.@SenTedCruz @GOP @SenateGOP pic.twitter.com/q6zaGAqDyn

— 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐭𝟏𝟗𝟔𝟖 (@repeat1968) October 27, 2021

Nazis: We appreciate the support but even we don’t wanted to be associated with Ted Cruz.

— The Volatile Mermaid (Resting Witch Face) (@OhNoSheTwitnt) October 28, 2021

Enough of that.  The calm-me-downs:

#texas #texaspoliticians #scary pic.twitter.com/NC0uRGA0wv

— John Branch (@Branchtoon) October 31, 2021

1981's 'Student Bodies' is far and away one of the most unusual movies to ever come out of Texas. It's also, to our knowledge, the only slasher film to feature a future Texas state senator. https://t.co/LqPtteBKzO

— Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly) October 31, 2021

I have Dallas and Deep Ellum on the brain tonight. Here's one of the best versions of Deep Ellum Blues you'll ever hear, as performed by Levon Helm (of The Band) and his Dirt Farmer Quartet. RIP Levon!https://t.co/xHM48YAnWB via @youtube

— Traces of Texas (@TracesofTexas) October 30, 2021

Sunday Frightful Funnies

The Weekend Spine-Chilling Wrangle

When you’ve had a rough year but you’re trying hard to enjoy Halloween. pic.twitter.com/JzqBCDaedx

— Saffron Ann (@GeekEnby) October 26, 2021

There are two separate elections happening in San Antonio right now, and some voters may have to visit the polls twice. | @Joeycules https://t.co/AsTxBMJaVz

— Texas Public Radio (@TPRNews) October 27, 2021

Early voting concludes Friday for the November 2 constitutional amendment, general, and special elections. Through Wednesday, 455K Texans have voted early in-person or by mail statewide, representing 2.7% of registered voters.

In HD-118, just over 5K people have voted in person in the special runoff election, representing 5.2% of registered voters. Early turnout in the district is on pace to double that of the September 28 special election.

Now y'all get out there and keep not voting.

If you tell the “Democratic” party that you will vote for it no matter what then don’t act surprised when the party takes your vote for granted and does less than the bare minimum with its majority during a moment of historic inequality.

— Ryan Knight ☭ (@ProudSocialist) October 25, 2021

"The inaction by corporate Democrats in the U.S. Senate encourages this behavior." https://t.co/bVVcFFMHXb

— Common Dreams (@commondreams) October 26, 2021

Then again, it's scary season.  So if fear works on you, pay attention.

The new political maps drawn by the Texas Senate don't just favor Republicans, @rossramsey writes.

The maps help Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pick which Republicans he wants in the Senate. https://t.co/65Cy3SYnmZ

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) October 27, 2021

Judge Jerry Smith was part of the 3-judge panel for litigation over the Texas House and Congressional maps (Perez v. Perry & Perez v. Abbott) from the last #redistricting cycle. #txlege https://t.co/SOrZwl6gAm

— RA News (@RANewsTX) October 25, 2021

Newly uncovered emails capture the ridicule and disbelief of top lawyers at the Florida attorney general’s office as Texas AG Ken Paxton sued in December to overturn Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election. https://t.co/crhvuLf5VU

— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) October 28, 2021

Ted Cruz just casually defending Nazis in a congressional hearing 🤦🏽‍♀️ https://t.co/MaAVIcnIhC

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) October 27, 2021

Why didn’t @GregAbbott_TX just pick Sidney Powell or her pet Kraken to be Texas Secretary of State? New column: https://t.co/9Nr2x2Awto via @houstonchron #txlege

— EricaGrieder (@EricaGrieder) October 27, 2021

10/24/2021- Texas #ReproductiveRights #Democracy #VotingRights #VaccineMandate #MaskMandates #CriticalRaceTheory #Texas https://t.co/ohtnxwNnvr pic.twitter.com/WFGbsV8U3y

— Clay Bennett (@BennettCartoons) October 23, 2021

How about anger?  Will some righteous outrage spur turnout?

.@ArmyTimes: The TX National Guard is activating "thousands" more troops for @GovAbbott's border initiative, while slashing tuition benefits due to state-required $ cuts.

Soldier who pulled out of fall courses after being activated: "Fuck this." https://t.co/WaMIQIY6pV #txlege pic.twitter.com/hoE8Dw8tTO

— Jasper Scherer (@jaspscherer) October 26, 2021

U.S. Border Patrol officials belonged to a private Facebook group that contained racist and other offensive posts. But even though 60 employees were found to have violated the agency’s code of conduct, only two lost their job, a House report found. https://t.co/FPSo5hFLyM

— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 25, 2021

At least a quarter of Texas’ gas, coal and other thermal plants dropped offline this week. Texas is facing electricity shortages because gas plants aren't showing up — again. #txlege #txenergy https://t.co/e30x1C7JwZ

— TXEnergyBiz (@TxEnergyBiz) October 25, 2021

Texas energy expert: “I do not have confidence we are ready for this winter”

“Obviously that was a wild storm and hopefully we won’t have another storm like that. But hope is not a strategy. We need to harden our system,” @douglewinenergy said. #txlege https://t.co/TNggrD9cUE

— KarinaKling (@KarinaKling) October 26, 2021

"Road expansion projects have failed to deliver the promised benefits. In fact, the evidence shows that they actually make traffic and pollution worse." #TrueStateofTxDOT https://t.co/9u5czkGGox

— One Breath Partnership (@OneBreathHOU) October 21, 2021

In an Oct. 25 letter, @RepMattKrause, a Republican state lawmaker and candidate for state attorney general, asked schools to confirm whether the book titles are on shelves at public school libraries or classrooms.https://t.co/ct7nvxxgOh

— Chron (@chron) October 27, 2021

From the @StarTelegram Editorial Board: The Southlake school Holocaust incident shows what a mess Texas made with the critical race theory law #txlege https://t.co/yfHofJjtCg

— Bud Kennedy / #ReadLocal (@BudKennedy) October 23, 2021

It seems to work for the Right.

How prepared are Texans to give up oil and beef to slow the #climatecrisis? Not at all, based on today's email. Here's the column that is setting off my Stetson-wearing friends. https://t.co/zRWA82DQLB @HoustonChron #txlege

— ChrisTomlinson (@cltomlinson) October 25, 2021

I try to keep it light in order to maintain my sanity.  That doesn't do anything to GOTV, but I've decided that's not really my job any longer.

Texas School Censors All Of ‘Huck Finn’ Except The N-Words https://t.co/euXZsi7z25 pic.twitter.com/qRWoknjt6H

— The Onion (@TheOnion) October 28, 2021

The Book Burning
by @Nick_Anderson_
To see more cartoons: https://t.co/J0Pb5tD3yU#CriticalRaceTheory #bookbanning #CancelCulture pic.twitter.com/F1ZgjvQHnv

— RA News (@RANewsTX) October 28, 2021

Patrick Chappatte, The New York Times @PatChappatte pic.twitter.com/vneKP9di0O

— Editorial & Political Cartoons (@EandPCartoons) October 27, 2021

And advancing some action items beyond voting, because the system is quite obviously dysfunctional, and voting for Coke or Pepsi isn't going to fix it.

“Demand that Texas owners invest in your rights and protect your investments. Texas is not safe for you, your spouse, or your children. Until the legislation is overturned, Texas isn’t safe for anyone." https://t.co/0TURInb8N2

— KXAN News (@KXAN_News) October 28, 2021

For months I have been told by news outlets to wait until @RepLloydDoggett decided what he wanted to do.

Then @GregCasar, @EddieforTexas, and @TMFtx jumped in, and I guess they are more headline worthy than a queer, working class Latina. https://t.co/KdU6IMB5Bb

— Claudia Zapata for TX35 (@PoderConClaudia) October 27, 2021

It's a shame that people have to keep learning the same lesson over and over again.

More climate and criminal social justice news in the Wrangle on Monday.  It's a great weekend for baseball and trick-or-treating and Dia de Los Muertos and lots of other things.

KUTX is once again proud to support the #AltercationComedyFestival, feat. over 80 national comedians including, @thebrianposehn @eddiepepitone @samlymatters @MoAlexander & more starting Tues. 10/27-30 at @KickButtCoffee
https://t.co/WdIgnaJtH5 pic.twitter.com/3sCLVXtot9

— KUTX 98.9 (@KUTX) October 25, 2021

NEW: Travis Scott unveils #Astroworld 2021 lineup featuring 21 Savage, Lil Baby, SZA, and more. 🎡

Look: https://t.co/4E1XLZMw4U pic.twitter.com/449LH7r3fk

— Complex (@Complex) October 26, 2021

Jorge Silvera saw this photo taken during the filming of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" on Tumblr and shared it. I saw this movie at a drive-in in Temple. I was 13 years old and, as I sat petrified on our car, somebody started a chain saw on the back row. I jumped out of my skin! pic.twitter.com/Yllm7CMyyo

— Traces of Texas (@TracesofTexas) October 25, 2021