Shell_Seas
Shell_Seas's JournalMoon Trains, Space Dreams, And Lone Star Realities
Texas: Where innovation meets irony.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/moon-trains-space-dreams-and-lone
Today, Governor Abbott announced the creation of the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium Executive Committee (TARSEC), which will boost the integration of space, aeronautics, astronautics, and aviation industries into the Texas economy.
Fine. Great. When Democrats finally flip this state, we’ll be at the forefront of space exploration. We have to be concerned about the Republicans Abbott appoints to the commission. We’ve already seen Abbott’s relationship with Elon Musk have devastating results in South Texas.
SpaceX has already been sued for causing “significant” environmental damage to Boca Chica Beach. Last year, SpaceX filed a permit with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to dump 200,000 gallons of treated waste and sewage water daily into South Bay. However, SpaceX cut a deal with the City of Bastrop only a few weeks ago, they’ve agreed to take all of Elon’s shit.
Which Texas House Seats Should Democrats Focus On This Year And Beyond
The Battleground Overview: Identifying key districts.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/which-texas-house-seats-should-democrats
In 2024, Democrats will have both opportunities and challenges in Texas. This year, they will likely flip several Texas House seats. This is a critical step in blocking the rise of Christian Nationalism and passing legislation that works for ALL the people. As Texas grows and changes, understanding these key battlegrounds becomes essential for Democrats seeking to make impactful gains in the legislature.
The Texas House of Representatives is a battleground where crucial decisions are made on education, healthcare, and voting rights. Below are the pivotal seats that Democrats should emphasize for this year and with a long-term perspective.
Democrats need to flip 12 seats to flip the House. Getting there in 2024 will be challenging, but if it doesn’t happen this year, it will happen by 2028. All of the districts below are trending blue, and if they don’t flip blue this year, they’ll move further left by the next election.
Far-Right Republican Tom Oliverson Announces Candidacy For Texas House Speaker
When Republicans in the Texas House move right, they are unmistakably moving into fascism.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/far-right-republican-tom-oliverson
State Representative Tom Oliverson, a Republican from Harris County, has thrown his hat into the ring for Texas House Speaker. His announcement comes on the heels of the current speaker, Dade Phelan, who is being sent into a runoff race. Tom Oliverson’s ideals are much further right than Dade Phelan’s and embrace the very definition of fascism.
While the situation is volatile, plenty of things could happen between now and next January when the speaker is chosen. It’s important to talk about the consequences of what an Oliverson speakership would look like.
A Dark Day In Texas: The Supreme Court's Green Light for SB4
Where do we go from here in the battle against SB4's oppressive measures?
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/a-dark-day-in-texas-the-supreme-courts
Today, the Supreme Court ended the pause on SB 4’s implementation and allowed this blatantly unconstitutional law to be enforced while litigated in court. This ruling does not indicate that the law is constitutional; only Texas can implement it while it is being challenged. This is terrible news for many of Texas’ residents.
SB4 would grant Texas Law Enforcement Officers the authority to deport undocumented immigrants independently, bypassing due process and federal oversight. This move by Texas Republicans aims for quick political gains. The bill would allow officers and state agencies to escort individuals to ports of entry to guarantee adherence. Should immigrants resist compliance with a directive to return, they could be accused of a second-degree felony, risking up to 20 years of incarceration.
Matt Rinaldi: Another Notch In The GOP's Bedpost
Sayonara, Matt Rinaldi. It's popcorn time for the rest of us. 🍿
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/matt-rinaldi-another-notch-in-the
With prison sentences looming on the horizon for both Donald Trump and Ken Paxton, what could further push the Republican Party of Texas into further chaos? New leadership.
Yesterday, the Texas GOP Chairman announced his retirement, opening the door for the fourth Chairman the Republican Party of Texas will see in four years.
Beyond Pornography: A Prelude To Broader Digital Surveillance?
How Texas's age verification law signals a slippery slope for privacy rights.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/beyond-pornography-a-prelude-to-broader
Pornhub, the largest online pornography platform, and serveral other pornography websites disabled access to Texas today. This comes after Ken Paxton sued Pornhub’s parent company, Aylo. Paxton accused Aylo of failing to implement “reasonable age verification methods” on Pornhub and other adult sites that it owns.
In the fabric of American freedoms, the First Amendment stands as a beacon of protection for free speech, casting its light across the broad spectrum of expression, from the political to the personal, and yes, even to the realm of sexually explicit material.
The Supreme Court rulings have affirmed that consenting adults possess the freedom to engage with sexually explicit material. This legal stance underscores a fundamental respect for personal autonomy and the right to access information and expressive content without undue interference.
What’s happening in this case isn’t about pornography; it’s about the First Amendment.
Will Texas Ever Turn Blue? Here's What The Data Tells Us:
Debunking the 'Texas Will Never Be Blue' Narrative.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/will-texas-ever-turn-blue-heres-what
Yesterday, I posted a map I made on 270toWin on Twitter, which caused interesting reactions and a few ongoing debates. I made every toss-up state blue, Texas and North Carolina blue and asked, “What do you think?”
Some people pointed out my map was “wishful thinking,” while others rejoiced at Texas’s blueness. However, two groups of people wanted to let me know, “Texas will never be blue.” Those two groups were Democrats/Liberals who aren’t from Texas and Texas Republicans.
They’re wrong. Texas will be blue, it’s inevitable, it’s only a matter of when. And the data back it up. So, let’s talk about it.
Far-Right Republicans Want To Ban Democratic Chairs In The House
At Stake In 2024: The GOP's latest power play to silence Democratic voices.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/far-right-republicans-want-to-ban
Since the beginning of time, chairmanships of Committees in the Texas Legislature have been based on seniority. That was one of the things that set the Texas legislature apart from the chaos in DC and the way DC was run. But in the 87th Legislature, now disgraced Representative Bryan Slaton crafted the idea that because Republicans were in the (slim) majority, Democrats should have no political power in the House.
Slaton managed to catch the attention of the nazi-aligned group Defend Texas Liberty PAC and the cash from West Texas billionaire Tim Dunn. They adopted Slaton’s partisan idea and began pushing it out through the other nazi-aligned legislators, like Tony Tinderholt and Brian Harrison, until the GOP grassroots began pressuring House leadership not to appoint Democratic chairs over committees. As a consequence, Democrats held fewer chairs in the Legislature last session than in sessions before. It still wasn’t good enough for them.
They are trying to oust Speaker Dade Phelan because he has given chairmanships to Democrats.
Going into the 2024 election, the far-right has made banning Democratic chairs a campaign priority.
The Texas Democratic Primary Runoff Races
Election season is far from over, and some Democrats will have to head back to the polls in May.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/the-texas-democratic-primary-runoff
While the Republican side is awash with dozens of runoff contests, the Democratic Party faces only a few runoff races. Despite the smaller number of contests, these Democratic primary runoffs are still important. These races will determine who will challenge the Republican incumbents and vie for open seats in a state on the verge of flipping.
Texas Republicans' Hard Right Turn
Election Aftermath: The radical transformation of Texas' Republican Party.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/texas-republicans-hard-right-turn
I’ve been watching the Texas Legislature for over a decade, and while I have seen a few knock-down-drag-out Republican primary races in Texas, nothing prepared me for the bloodbath we saw last night.
Nine Incumbent Republican House members lost their seats. Eight more incumbent Republicans were forced into runoffs.
Moreover, the Republicans running against the incumbents are further right: Christian Nationalists, bigoted, homophobic, xenophobic, racist, sexist, and, in many cases, criminals.
Potentially, in May, we may have 17 brand-spanking new fascists in the Texas House, ready to write laws to control your life, body, freedom, and pursuit of happiness.
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Member since: Thu Aug 11, 2016, 03:03 PMNumber of posts: 3,339