SocraticGadfly: Texas Progressives talk abortions, Paxton, economy

March 26, 2024

Texas Progressives talk abortions, Paxton, economy

The Texas Medical Board has partially punted on clarifying exceptions to the state's anti-abortion laws. Not surprising, and in this case, I don't totally blame them. At the federal level, a bureau or agency filling out what a federal law means (Chevron doctrine) is part of the territory. But, here in Tex-ass, it's not supposed to be.

Weasel shit Ken Paxton may pretty much beat the rap in his securities trial, as lead prosecutor Brian Wice is supposedly cutting a sweetheart plea deal that doesn't look a whole lot different than the one a second prosecutor supposedly was negotiating a month ago and that Wice blasted. Update: The rumors were true. Did a Wice assistant leak, trying to push their boss harder? Didn't work, if so.

Tom Oliverson is the first of what will surely be several contestants for Dade Phelan's throne. Phelan has fired back, saying the announcement is unseemly with several runoff elections still to be held, among other things.

"Mattress Matt" McIngvale flies under the radar screen of Ferris Wilks and Tim Dunn, but he's doing his own "hard work" to move Texas from rightist to far right. TNR profiles the reality, not just of his wingnuttery but his shysterism.

The economy is fantastic — unless you want a new job, a new home, or a new car. Let #BlueAnon talking heads spin that one. Biden would like you to compare now to the worst of COVID, and see what a genius he is, but that likely isn't happening. As I said on Twitter to Zachary D. Carter? Inflation is still above pre-COVID levels and unemployment has started creeping up again.

Even if SCOTUS eventually gives SB4 the green light, how are local sheriffs going to enforce it? Let's see Strangeabbott, David Spiller et al pony up all the money and such that would be needed. In addition, AMLO's government in Mexico has already said that on things like repatriations, it will only deal with the US federal government. Greg Abbott, a pouty-faced state version of Trump at times, will thus have reality punching him in his pouty face.

Meet Abraham George, Matt Rinaldi's likely successor as head of the Texas GOP.

Off the Kuff notes that hand counting ballots is still a bad idea.

SocraticGadfly talks about a new airline battle at Love Field.

Stace offers another edition of Thoughts on Viernes covering an SB4 protest, the Firefighter deal in Houston, and the election denying fascist on the METRO board.

Neil at the Houston Democracy Project said we must reach out with respect to the Palestinian protest movement. 

Eater Houston looks at the long tradition of Black cowboy culture at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  

Texas 2036 reports that our state leads the nation in billion dollar disasters. (And probably does not look in detail at how much Texas oil and ranching causes that.)

The Texas Signal looks at the latest report showing a significant increase in medication abortions. 

Evil MoPac has some thoughts about Ken Paxton's anti-porn crusade. 

The Fort Worth Report attended the beginning of construction on Opal Lee's new home.

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