The Between Holidays Wrangle from Far Left Texas

As we come to the end of another calendar I'll collect some listicles of noteworthy people and events from the past 12 months in a year-end Wrangle.  Today I'm playing ketchup.

3 things to consider at the end of this horrible year:
- COVID vaccines have been available to all adults since March
- Texas virus deaths are ⬆️ 35% over pre-vaccine 2020
- Our 75k deaths just shy of California, even though CA has 10 million more peoplehttps://t.co/YdHdvMXj8i

— Zach Despart (@zachdespart) December 22, 2021

As Texas preps for omicron variant threat, Gov. Greg Abbott won’t ease stance against mask mandates https://t.co/Nul7HZTWqg

— Dallas Morning News (@dallasnews) December 22, 2021

Thanks to @GovAbbott & @TexasGOP, “more than 18% of Texans were without health insurance, the highest rate in the country” #txlege

Texas has the highest share of uninsured residents in the nation. Another COVID-19 wave puts them at risk. https://t.co/xdSFTEv5gZ via @TexasTribune

— Señor Peña (@SenorPena) December 23, 2021

As stated before, I favor mask requirements by public and private orgs but not vax mandates.

Facts aren't going to persuade the unvaccinated. Authorities should focus on the strategies that are effective — The incentive that works especially well is the employer vaccine mandate: "Get vaccinated or get fired” has shown to be an effective messagehttps://t.co/XtwIw0DSbq

— Alfons López Tena (@alfonslopeztena) December 21, 2021

Moving on to the political happenings before and after the Yule.

Nearly 60 candidates filed declarations of intent to run as independents for statewide, legislative and congressional offices. History suggests very few will complete the process – namely, obtaining signatures – to be on the ballot in November. https://t.co/SdJF4NRHiy

— Texas Election Source (@TXElects) December 16, 2021

It's nice to be recognized as a viable option for Texans. I appreciate the co endorsement and I hope we can work together soon! https://t.co/KcDGhXXFIS

— DelilahForTexas💚☮🌻🌎 (@DelilahforTexas) December 19, 2021

Ted Cruz doesn't just want to be the '24 GOP nominee, he expects to be.

I blogged about Ted Cruz's dream deferred, and the interview he gave a, uh, 15 year old, in which he referred to his failed 2016 campaign as his glory days. Keep track of Cruz with our Watch: https://t.co/8UErowQN4q

— Ben Rowen (@ben_c_rowen) December 23, 2021

We'll see what we can do about that.

Here's a few news items about Lone Star Republicans and Democrats who definitely made Santa's 'naughty' list.

Interesting. You can get a year in county jail for faking up the true origin of a text, email, ad or 'deep fake video' w/intent to injure a candidate or influence an election.

Dem consultant faces such a charge for texts sent in Plano City Council race. https://t.co/k6lYAQvq56

— Bob Garrett (@RobertTGarrett) December 23, 2021

#Dallas judge accused of asking staffer to impersonate her in online hearing draws 2 primary challengers@dallasnews #Texas
-Southern politics are on the menu at ChickenFriedPolitics.com-https://t.co/Ng3hIaclLx

— ChickenFriedPolitics (@ChkFriPolitics) December 22, 2021

Texas Republican officials have restarted a program to ask people on the voter rolls giving them 30 days to prove their citizenship. If they don't respond, they are cancelled, sparking alarm that thousands of voters could be wrongfully targetedhttps://t.co/zEZTf55OiU

— Alfons López Tena (@alfonslopeztena) December 22, 2021

Lots of unvaxxed people complained of being sick after attending a conspiracy conference in Dallas this month.

But of course, it wasn't COVID. It was anthrax 🙄 https://t.co/ceFapKuu8Q

— David Gilbert (@daithaigilbert) December 22, 2021

Dallas QAnon Cult Members Migrate From JFK Jr’s Living Corpse To Chugging Chloride Dioxide https://t.co/RJp60Ao1nD via @RANewsTX

— RA News (@RANewsTX) December 22, 2021

Alex Jones wife beats him up. Madison Cawthorn’s wife ditched him at Christmas. Jared Schmeck’s wife doxxes him on instagram. It’s a Republican Family Christmas. pic.twitter.com/T2sLRo3juI

— The Masked Blue Texan (@ProgressiveTex) December 26, 2021

And some on the 'nice' list.

Hurst Democrat @DrJamesWhit Whitfield, the principal supported by student protests before his departure from Colleyville Heritage, was a late filing for #SBOE in a Republican seat currently held by incumbent Republican Pat Hardy. #tx2022

— Bud Kennedy / #ReadLocal (@BudKennedy) December 21, 2021

The $100,000 donation is one of many philanthropic efforts benefiting evacuated Afghans in #Houston, many of whom aided the U.S. military during the 20-year conflict in #Afghanistan.
📸 @jonjshapley #hounews https://t.co/zArkx3VB9X

— Elizabeth Trovall (@elizTrovall) December 23, 2021

Which provides the segue to the social and criminal justice updates.

Four members of Texas’s National Guard have died by suicide in the last two months - and all by gun suicide - raising urgent questions about the way missions are organized and staffed through indefinite involuntary call-ups. #txlege https://t.co/MVvXmlbmYp

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) December 24, 2021

In the "Friendly City" of Woodsboro, a cellphone video captured two teens in Klan outfits tasing a Black classmate. As the teens face hate crime charges, the community is in anguish over the incident. https://t.co/1mISuhKgjo

— Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly) December 22, 2021

A hearing is scheduled for Monday on whether the sentence for a Houston trucker is reduced from 110 years following a fiery crash that killed four people. https://t.co/DzGPNuEynY

— KVUE News (@KVUE) December 26, 2021

Background, ICYMI:

Ethan Couch killed 4 people while driving drunk; his BAC was 0.24. He fled the country. He was only given 10 years probation, & then 720 days in jail for violating his probation.

Rogel Aguilera-Mederos was sentenced 110 years for an accident killing 4 because his brakes failed. pic.twitter.com/Qozv4BS19b

— Mexican Rug Dealer (@DealinRugs) December 17, 2021

“The fish rots from the head,” public defender says as George Floyd pardon recommendation withdrawn, as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott grants 8 others clemency, @lmcgaughy reports. #txlege #GregAbbott #GeorgeFloyd #Texas #txcrime #txjustice https://t.co/QkI4Eu0InA

— John Gravois (@Grav1) December 23, 2021

“You become anonymous.” Criminals using ‘ghost cars’ to cover their tracks continue to plague Texas roads. KXAN investigates what’s being done to stop this ballooning black market enterprise. https://t.co/8Q2LLcrdra

— KXAN News (@KXAN_News) December 26, 2021

We should view this vote to designate a piece of the world's most valuable real estate in Austin, TX as "blight" to reward corporate real estate investors for exactly what it is:

Morally bankrupt and nakedly corrupt.https://t.co/WLnJMCssBR

— Julie Oliver (@JulieOliverTX) December 26, 2021

Return of buffalo to Texas’ Lipan Apache tribe symbolizes an era of healing. | via @TexasStandard https://t.co/sGKU6D2Wgp

— KUT Austin (@KUT) December 25, 2021

New: Nobody told Yaneli Ortiz’s family that the factory they lived near emitted ethylene oxide. Not when the EPA found it causes cancer. Not when she was diagnosed with leukemia. And not when Texas moved to allow polluters to emit more of the chemical. https://t.co/zP9c9Cvf5g

— ProPublica (@propublica) December 27, 2021

The other environmental headlines.

Decision looms on future of Spruce power plant, San Antonio’s biggest source of power — and pollution https://t.co/e0HmR66ig2

— MySA (@mySA) December 24, 2021

Third fire at this facility in three years. #txlege https://t.co/VAdWjVrkdj

— Doug Lewin (@douglewinenergy) December 23, 2021

But no @LaCongresista https://t.co/3stJZve4rI #HouNews

— Forever in debt to your priceless advice. (@PDiddie) December 22, 2021

Read #Progressive Forum founder Randall Morton’s op-ed in the Sunday Houston Chronicle, where he calls out Houston's #climate plans, which could “prolong our massive emissions instead of reducing them,” and provides alternatives. https://t.co/ziWLwsgeaW#houston #hounews

— Progressive Forum (@ProgressHouston) December 22, 2021

https://t.co/Ah0v3X3PBw @KatyTXActivists @codepink @HoustonCleanAir @htxclimstrike @SunriseMvmtHTX @airallianceHOU The Necessity Series is a two-part documentary. The first was excellent,

— XR Houston (@XR_HOUSTON) December 26, 2021

Influential Texans who departed us over the weekend.

Sarah Weddington was a key figure in the abortion rights movement in our country. Her fight at the Supreme Court secured our right to abortion with Roe v. Wade.

We are fortunate for leaders like her, and will continue to honor her legacy in our fight for reproductive rights. pic.twitter.com/Kmwerkovgi

— Planned Parenthood Texas Votes (@PPTXVotes) December 26, 2021

US Rep. Colin Allred:

Texas was home to Sarah Weddington who argued Roe, which no longer exists here. A Texan, LBJ, enshrined voting rights but we're now the hardest state in the country to vote. Our history provides hope for our future. We must keep fighting for a better Texas.

Bruce Todd was a public servant in the Austin-Travis County area for much of his early career. From 1987 to 1991, Todd served on the Travis County Commissioners Court before throwing his hat in the ring for mayor of Austin and winning.https://t.co/cl7iXj2s0N

— KXAN News (@KXAN_News) December 25, 2021

Wayne's world.... pic.twitter.com/YTPDLCY1Ny

— Ken Herman (@kherman) December 21, 2021

And the calm-me-downs to close today.

On this day in 1982, Houston Post readers were treated to a sunrise, as only Leon Hale could describe it. https://t.co/Q1PGl5B6dF

— BayouCityHistory (@BayouCtyHistory) December 21, 2021

Yo chill 😂😂 https://t.co/tzArAGHtym

— Malik Turner (@leekleek217) December 27, 2021

A 1901 portrait of Adelaida Cuellar & three of her children: Isabel, Manuel and Amos. Adelaida and her husband had a little farm in Kaufman County. A mother of 12, she started selling tamales and enchiladas, founded El Chico in 1940, and built a Tex-Mex empire based in Dallas. pic.twitter.com/R4ZnQtSkrj

— Traces of Texas (@TracesofTexas) December 26, 2021

Sunday 'Christmas Returns' Funnies

Another Wrangle Before Christmas

Don't forget the tamales on Taco Tuesday.

A few items to update from yesterday:

Texas' Harris County on Monday reported its first death related to the Omicron COVID-19 variant, a man who was unvaccinated, the county health department said https://t.co/1S5GzE6nR5

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 21, 2021

Franklin Barbecue became the first high-profile Austin restaurant to be affected by the recent surge. https://t.co/zliFTHNb4u

— Austin 360 (@austin360) December 21, 2021

From Friday: Court sets Sept. 27 start date for trial in federal Texas redistricting case.

The three-judge panel is blocking off two weeks.

Preliminary injunction hearing for SD10 claims still on for Jan. 25. #txlege

— Alexa Ura (@alexazura) December 20, 2021

The push to ban books in Texas schools has now spread to public libraries

From @allyson_renee7 & @Kevinreynolds30 https://t.co/BJ8TkNERBA @TexasTribune #txlege

— Joshua Fechter 📝 (@JoshuaFechter) December 20, 2021

The energy companies @GovAbbott met w/on Thursday to receive assurances the lights will stay on this winter have contributed $3.2M to his campaign since 2013, at least $1.09M of which came in June via its PACs, CEOs & lobbyists. #txlege #txenergyhttps://t.co/4sUc7oyhTM

— RA News (@RANewsTX) December 18, 2021

Some 'old business' I'm behind on.

Abortion rights supporters prepare for an elongated court fight with no clear path for a major victory following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on Texas' law. https://t.co/oekC97kC1L

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) December 19, 2021

One piece of new business, from the border.

Down in Texas, @GovAbbott is touting the Texas Wall. They even distributed photos to the media to show the magnificent barrier behind them!

... Of course, if you look at some of the non-official photos, you might see an issue with their "airtight security" 🤣 pic.twitter.com/KvyljSsFka

— Fr. Robert R. Ballecer, SJ (@padresj) December 20, 2021

.@GovAbbott funnels another nearly $40 million into his border security initiative, paying for police equipment, overtime for cops/courts/lawyers, radio towers and travel.

State lawmakers signed off on nearly $2B (yes, a B) for border security efforts this year. #txlege pic.twitter.com/XUMYcZ7Awv

— Jolie McCullough (@jsmccullou) December 20, 2021

And if you really want to know what lies Trump fed his rain-soaked lackeys in Houston and Dallas over the weekend, there you go.

Former President Donald Trump has revealed he received a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, drawing boos from a crowd in Dallas. https://t.co/bSMePKDNZu

— CBSDFW (@CBSDFW) December 21, 2021

And the criminal and social justice developments, not all of them bad.

HERE is my *favorite* story this year. It came from a guy on death row, who told me how prisoners there started a radio station - and how it gave him a last chance to find community.

Here’s a THREAD about the power of words & the magic of 106.5 The Tank https://t.co/dGaly1tHMl

— Keri Blakinger (@keribla) December 20, 2021

Earlier this year, the Texas Legislature passed the Bonton Farms Act, which helps former inmates wipe fines from their records upon release. This helps them find independence and avoid being saddled with debt upon release. https://t.co/m2KbbnHBSX

— D Magazine (@DMagazine) December 20, 2021

The court sided with us and REJECTED the teacher's request for an appeal! #atheist #Christians #Christianity #atheism #Atheists #God https://t.co/taXvo31fyR

— MrAYEtheist Clause 🎅🛷🔔 (@MrAYEtheist) December 16, 2021

The @HoustonChron now has women in nearly all its top positions, including @mdougreeve as editor, @ChronFalkenberg as editor of opinion, and @lbeththomas as metro editor. 🎉💃🏻 https://t.co/bytIP61vfv

— lomikriel (@lomikriel) December 15, 2021

I was impressed that what might have been -- in an earlier time -- the lede regarding the Chron's new publisher was buried.

Meyer and her wife, Melissa Macri, plan to move to the Houston area from Miami in the coming months.

H-Town held it down this Saturday and mobilized on short notice against Neo-Nazis who showed up for the WLM national day of action. We outnumbered the Nazis two to one, took their signs, and stood ground until the Nazis left soaked in rain. Details here:https://t.co/a6cDCDsfQF pic.twitter.com/rRR0zp8Gcv

— Screwston Anti-Fascist Committee (@screwstonafc) December 19, 2021

Unfortunately that's it for the good news.

This flyer was distributed to homes in NW Austin. Now which celebrity and "news" stations have created the set up for this drivel #txlege pic.twitter.com/O99szkrfbC

— harvey kronberg (@HKronberg) December 20, 2021

"It was the most humiliating experience of my life." Haitian migrants pursued by Border Patrol agents on horseback in September have filed a lawsuit accusing the U.S. government of physical and verbal abuse, inhumane treatment and denial of due process. https://t.co/WORzF6s6jX

— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 21, 2021

San Antonio must help repair families’ houses, instead of demolishing them & sending the displaced former homeowners the bill.@210TeriCastillo is right: “These demolitions… are perpetuating racial and economic injustice.”#TX35 @ksatnews @KENS5 @News4SAhttps://t.co/QBtUev5yTf

— Greg Casar (@GregCasar) December 21, 2021

#Texas AG #KenPaxton launches investigation of drug companies for marketing hormone-blocking drugs for children with gender dysphoria @SpectrumNews1TX
-Southern politics are on the menu at ChickenFriedPolitics.com-https://t.co/SspSDWLM6j

— ChickenFriedPolitics (@ChkFriPolitics) December 16, 2021

Yeah it's totally normal in a democracy for 1/3 of the legislature to be reelected by default without a single vote being cast. https://t.co/lQG7bStd2o

— Bexar County Greens 🌻💚 (@BexarGreensTX) December 17, 2021

🚨Correction needed ⁦@HoustonChron⁩ ⁦@mo_unique_⁩

“The name of the company has not been reported.”

Rogel Aguilera-Mederos was working for Castellano 03 Trucking LLC, based in Houston. 1st reported on 9/24 by NBC ⁦@9NEWS⁩. Cited by NYT https://t.co/KL6qyCd65W

— Anna Núñez (@nunez_anna) December 20, 2021

Currently working on a story detailing the uptick in drivers killing people on bicycles in Houston and Harris County. I can say none of them were in a bike lane, because there likely weren’t any for them to use https://t.co/X69iIyokrq pic.twitter.com/2yFMbW5nH5

— Jay R. Jordan (@jayrjordan) December 16, 2021

South Texas College of Law Houston, the local chapter of the NAACP and supporters are seeking clemency for 110 Black soldiers who were sentenced for inciting a riot and committing mutiny while stationed at a military camp in Houston in 1917. https://t.co/Bly14rw1qH

— Howard Henderson (@hhendersonphd) December 21, 2021

. @TxDot’s planned highway expansion in #Houston will demolish thousands of homes and businesses, and displace thousands of families. We partnered with @airallianceHOU, @LINK_Houston, @StopTxDOTi45, and @TexasHousers to file a complaint.
Read more: https://t.co/ZjUZUmQfvL pic.twitter.com/DZ67ruiHnw

— Texas Appleseed (@TexasAppleseed) December 16, 2021

Multiple people, all under the age of 30, have been indicted in a human trafficking conspiracy involving young runaway girls on what it known as the “Blade” or the infamous "Bissonnet Track," the U.S. Attorney's Office announced. https://t.co/TSMTikSIhT

— KPRC 2 Houston (@KPRC2) December 16, 2021

A new book illustrates how complaints are often suppressed—even in the case of a Galveston judge who sexually assaulted employees in his chambers. https://t.co/M2LYftvyZ0

— Texas Observer (@TexasObserver) December 16, 2021

And to segue to the soothers: Higher education at last.

Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have launched the Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy. This center is the first of its kind in Texas, according to the university.https://t.co/qI0cb7CDOj

— KXAN News (@KXAN_News) December 17, 2021

Chente Christmas carols on the San Antonio Riverwalk 🎄 pic.twitter.com/brgspJ2JMa

— Maddy Skye (@MaddySkye) December 21, 2021

Visit these steadfast institutions that have made their marks on Texas for 100-plus years. https://t.co/gxForyTk6O

— Texas Highways Magazine (@TexasHighways) December 19, 2021

The Dallas area—where members of Plains tribes and Five Civilized Tribes converged by the thousands after the Indian Relocation Act of 1956—has emerged as a fry-bread epicenter in Texas. https://t.co/IfvKiBIvou

— Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly) December 10, 2021

Globe-trotting TV host Samantha Brown loves Houston in new season https://t.co/6gxCjbfIK5

— CultureMap Houston (@culturemap) December 16, 2021

Ending today with notable Texans who left us recently.

Very somber news:

Journalist, Dallas Morning News politics reporter, author Wayne Slater killed in car crash #txlege @dallasnews #Texashttps://t.co/KtwyWGmePh

— Bob Garrett (@RobertTGarrett) December 20, 2021

On the barbecue life of John Mueller, including some of my favorite conversations with him and stories about him: https://t.co/3BXr7Gphm4

— Daniel Vaughn (@BBQsnob) December 18, 2021

HE HELPED MAKE AUSTIN INTO A RESEARCH POWERHOUSE: 'God of aerospace engineering': Hans Mark, former UT chancellor who fled Nazis, dies at 92 https://t.co/MI3c6QPWrx via @statesman

— Michael Barnes (@outandabout) December 20, 2021