Texas is ranked 50th in ease of voting. Now, in an attempt to hold on to power (because they know they can not win on a level playing field), Republicans want to make it harder for Texans to vote. Well, they want to make it harder for those who are poor, disabled, and most of all, not white.
Texans already had plenty of obstacles to overcome in order to vote. Texans can not register to vote online. (What century is this?) Last year, many polling places were closed (during a pandemic, when social distancing was necessary) to make it harder for Texans to vote. Most of those polling places, no surprise, were in black and Hispanic neighborhoods. Drop-off ballot boxes were removed.
For those who did manage to obtain a ballot, there was one more dirty trick. Straight-party voting was no longer possible. Republicans didn’t want down-ballot candidates to be impacted by votes against you-know-who.
The line moved very quickly when I voted. Outside of my polling place was one small sign, amidst those for candidates, reminding voters not to stop at their vote for POTUS. They did stop there, it seems. That is why John Cornyn still has a job. The combined vote for both presidential candidates was higher than those for senatorial candidates. Straight-party voting would’ve given us another Dem in the Senate.
Now, Texas Senate Bill (or as it should be known, Republican BS7) would make it even harder to vote. Drive-thru voting would be prohibited. In order to vote by mail, you would need to prove a disability. That means that the disabled, including veterans who may have PTSD and can not function in certain environments, will have to prove they deserve a mail-in ballot. It would also limit early voting.
There is no end to the conniving Republicans will do to stay in power. That’s how they get ya’.
clues as to how we came to lose more american lives in one year than in most wars we ever fought and who was the enemy (hint hint: “they” = drumpf and only drumpf)
the hill:
for more from other docs click on
Live: CNN’s Covid-19 pandemic doctors special
Pandemic doctors speak out
Since 43 states have pushed forward voter suppression laws, it seems that 43 would like to succeed from our union as it now stands. Since succession isn’t possible, they are trying to make over the country in their chosen image. This is what a civil war looks like in the 21st Century.
https://www.texastribune.org/2021/03/29/texas-covid-vaccine-eligibility-supply/
“Still, vaccines remain in short supply, and it is difficult to secure an appointment to get vaccinated. The process often involves refreshing webpages over and over and trying to grab an appointment before they fill up — often in seconds. For Texans who do not have access to transportation or the ability to navigate technology, signing up for a vaccine appointment is nearly impossible.“
If any state wants to prohibit voting on Sunday, they need to make sure stores are closed, too. When I moved here, there was a blue law in Texas. Only grocery stores and pharmacies were open on Sunday, and they were closed until noon, if I remember correctly. They were losing a lot money and that changed.
Of course, now folks shop online, and because of covid (and some before) watch church on TV or online. Hmmm. Maybe all stated should be able to register online. Maybe, just maybe, we should even be able to vote online. We should definitely vote on Sundays.
BID, your memory is probably right. It certainly is consistent with the blue laws in Alabama until some counties allowed stores to open on Sundays and alcohol sales to occur. For example, example, in Greene County, alcohol sales are allowed on Sundays but only at the dog tracks and alcohol can be sold but not between 2AM and noon on Sunday. Couple of SCOTUS cases allowed blue laws, but businesses pressured county and local governments to lift the restrictions against stores opening and alcohol sales on Sunday. And dog tracks were always allowed to be open and gambling to occur on Sundays as I recall.
There were a lot of completely dry counties, too. Some only changed within the last, ten years. The way around it was to buy a membership to the bar or restaurant…and they repaid the cost of the membership by giving you the first drink for free. It’s not the word “God” on that money they care about, it’s the money itself. See, also sales tax.
A lot of non-denominational churches have services on Saturday. Many have service late on Sunday evening. Wouldn’t want to get in the way of golf or what have you.
BiD, maybe there’s a group like this in TX that might help. this PA story ran yesterday
The churches are killing christianity.
I can dig it.
Neetch predicted this over a hundred years back, just took a bit longer than he thought it would.
and there’s the Texas bill that would ban bussing old and poor people to the polls
having lived in states with blue laws most of my life, i was really surprised when i moved to KY – the proud home of bourbon, horse-racing, tobacco and allegedly best/most cannabis grown anywhere – where all such sins seem state-sponsored (well, not the MJ yet) and even advertised/promoted/pushed by the commonwealth. a culture shock for sure.
With all the discussion over eliminating the filibuster, maybe it is time to consider “uncapping” the House of representatives. If the House actually represented their populations there would be many more Representatives than the 435 that now exist since 1929. That could be an unmanageable number if brought up to date but it would solve two problems.
There would be more representatives to serve the populations of many states and it would bring the Electoral College in line with the actual number of voters. Of course this is opposed by the more rural/low population states
How Your State Gets Its Seats
I’m not a senior and I’m not a shut-in, I just don’t drive on highways, but thank you. It’ll show up in my area eventually.
Why the House should be much much bigger
Craig- The way around it would be to get folks near the polling place. Just organize rides/ride share. Isn’t that age discrimination? In some cases, wouldn’t it be a violation of the People With Disabilities Act?
Hear that sound? It’s the sound of lawsuits getting ready to be filed.
I am starting to feel incredibly lucky to be living in WA. We rank #2 on ease to register and are next door (Oregon) to State #2. Once registered, all voting is by mail or placing in drop off boxes that are located in very convenient places.
Here in NH, one can register at the polls and then vote. However, the Republicans instituted a voter ID law. And they’ve made it impossible for kids going to college here from out of state and living here temporarily to vote. They also took away straight party voting. Now the bastards are working on a bill to make it much harder to get an absentee ballot.
This state used to be considered one of the best states in which to vote…. not so much anymore.
voting while black…
good post, BiD, going to stop saying it if you’re gonna make it a habit
I remember when I first moved to Texas about 10 years ago I found it amazing that the state kept elections secret. Everywhere else I lived you received election notices, sample ballots, maps to polling places, etc. In Texas – NOTHING. Total secret. You have to hunt for the information on where to vote. And, they change polling places every so often. Only the dedicated Republican can keep up with where and when to vote.
wonder how fauci’s comments about pence will be taken by the maga world. they’ll now be planning to build a bigger gallows than they did jan 6th no doubt.
the interview cleared up for me why i kept hearing very strident & clear alarms from dr. debbie about the impending disaster and vital necessity to mask & close down gatherings when she was out on the hustings than from the subdued remarks she made in White House pressers. fauci corroborated her account about being censored & forbidden from any such comments made on national basis.
Now fully vaccinated Dad out for his first restaurant meal in over a year (socially distanced outside of course).
He chose Venezuelan grill meats and veggies.
“Enjoy every sandwich” .
Yaaaay! POTUS Joe! He has directed opening a vaccine center within 5 miles by April 19th!
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/03/29/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-90-of-the-adult-u-s-population-will-be-eligible-for-vaccination-and-90-will-have-a-vaccination-site-within-5-miles-of-home-by-april-19/
That is what they call “a meal in itself.” Enjoy!
Is there a Morgan Fairchild story?
What In Tarnation Are Texas Power Companies Hiding?
https://earther.gizmodo.com/what-in-tarnation-are-texas-power-companies-hiding-1846576465
Jennifer Rubin says Biden’s infrastructure bill should be a no-brainer.
Well, yeah, but then again wearing a mask and keeping a little distance from others to help prevent the spread of an airborne virus should also be a no-brainer, and is to everyone except Republicants and anti-vaxxers.
Let’s see.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/03/28/ted-cruzs-political-song-dance/
Fox News has it’s paw caught in a very nasty trap –
Why the defamation lawsuits against Fox News could seriously hurt the company
Fox spread a dangerous lie about the 2020 election. Now the network could face expensive consequences.
https://www.vox.com/22352213/dominion-fox-news-1-6-billion-tucker-carlson-lou-dobbs-maria-bartiromo-defamation-first-amendment
Biden task force to probe science manipulation under Trump
In a letter to federal agencies, the panel aims to “prevent improper political interference in the conduct of scientific research.”
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-task-force-probe-science-manipulation-under-trump-n1262403
What’s Joe to do? AP on border “crisis”.
So when your RW “friends” blame the border crisis on Joe, you might remind them that it started 3 months before he was elected and 5 1/2 months before Dumbass admitted he was elected. Look, border surges are a problem that recur and have done so over the years for the last 2-3 decades based upon economic and social conditions south of the border and is largely outside any president’s control. THIS one however started with the Dumbass administration and now Joe has to try and deal with it. At least he’s attempting to show some humanity in how kids at the boreder are treated, unlike Dumbass and his idiot prior AG, Jeff “What me Worry” Sessions.
The border crossings are seasonal. Folks have to come before the heat kicks in. And, as OM said, the hurricanes have many leaving with nothing left behind.
It’s going to take diplomacy to stem the tide. It’s also going to take a reason for desperate folks not to make the trip. It’s not like they all actually want to leave home.
Private investment in Central America and Mexico would give them jobs. Making stuff closer to home would also be a burr under China’s saddle.
I saw a dirty little 15 year-old girl from Guatemala tell CBS news that both of her parents were sick back home and she came North to work & send money back home.
It took her 16 days to make the trip alone.
We are a very long way from that ride down that sliding guilted staircase .
It’s why my great-grandma came here from Denmark. She was living on a welfare farm and had nothing. One person got enough together to get here, made some money and sent for someone else, then for her sister, then for her. Chain migration.
https://www.texastribune.org/2021/03/29/texas-senate-electricity-power/
“SB 3 would require all power generators, transmission lines, natural gas facilities and pipelines to make upgrades for extreme weather — a process known as weatherization.”
“Experts say the process of retrofitting the state’s power plants for winter could be difficult and costly, but not impossible, depending on the types of upgrades eventually mandated by regulators.”
I’d like to see how much it will cost to weatherization v what that amount invested in green energy would get us.
OM – It’s possible that the details have to be kept secret so that anyone with the mind to mess things up doesn’t have the intel to shut us down intentionally.
The trial has begun , viewed by the entire world. And that on it’s face is good.
But I fear the salt , that this will spread on raw wounds.
The defense –
George Floyd was a “slut” and was wearing a sexy outfit.
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2021/03/24/cruz-decries-shameless-power-grab-in-bill-to-curb-state-voter-id-laws-let-felons-vote-after-release-from-prison/
Ted Cruz
Blue –
They are mum for one reason , their myth that government can set guidelines , and that the private sector will do the right thing .
That idea is dead as Alexander Hamilton.
And when we’re talking about power , we have just seen the cost of this idea.
Yes, OM, that’s why they are allowing information from a 2019 interaction between George Floyd and the police into evidence at the trial.
We all saw the man on his belly, with officers pinning him down, and, one with his damned knee on his neck for 9 minutes. We all heard him pleading with them and crying for his mother until he lost consciousness from being asphyxiated.
What happened at a prior event has no damned business in this trial. What happened in 2019 is not the reason George Floyd is dead.
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/politics/texas-politics/botham-jean-act-to-be-introduced-monday-to-state-lawmakers/2591636/
The Botham Jean Act, or “Bo’s Law,” was introduced Monday by Texas Rep. Carl O. Sherman Sr. (D-Lancaster) and aims to add penalties for anyone turning off dash or body camera recordings during an investigation.
A knee on the side of your neck will shut off blood flow to your brain.
Game over.
“The Butterfly Effect” –
It not only effects over distance, but even more profound. Over time.
In early 30’s Hurst owned forests to make newsprint , hemp newsprint was large threat to his model.
It was a 2 for 1 , outlaw weed , and lock up all those jazz guys & Mexicans.
“Reefer Madness”, had the Hurst fingerprints all over it.
From that time to now. We exported our demand for drugs to the South.
MS-13 was not born in El Salvador, is was born in the barrios of East LA.
Now, imagine that Hemp was not a threat the Hurst Corporation.
Some Butterflies have very large wings.
1972 –
Let’s go to Peru , it was still all “good fun”.
“I wish I had another nostrule in my Forehead”
In a letter from that country .
If it’s a federal, national election the voting rules/laws should be the same for ALL states and set by Dems following one person one vote and increase the ease of voting.
Watched and listened to the beginning of Chauvin’s trial. The video is more sickening than I remembered.
I want someone to ask Chauvin how it FELT during those nine, casual minutes. And then ask him if it felt good? did he get a hard on? Did it make him feel strong and omnipotent?
I read the first chapter of
“America: The Farewell Tour” by Chris Hedges. It’s dense packed with notions. I was disturbed before I read it. Now I’m disheartened.
Tejas beware of Dan Rodimer. An import, All hat & no cattle. A repube, of course. An accent as phoney as John Kennedy’s twang.
America: The Farewell Tour:
Dancing –
What a strange thing to do. In our everyday lives , none of us burst into song, and lifts 98 lb. woman over our heads.
At this point , I should say I danced my young life away.
And I loved every second of it.
Oh wait ! I remember why we dance!
Excellent post BID
What is wrong with someone who says you cannot distribute water to people standing in line for hours in the hot sun
what’s next bring back the poll tax
craig, were those fried plantains on your dad’s plate of goodies? yum.
he says they lied so what they said must be true. 5 years have taught us.
politico:
Old Man – This a great song and video, with a clip of your “Nitty Gritty” in it. A very powerful ending and not what you’d expect.
“Love and Hate In a Different Time”
KGC those with holding water are the Plantation Owners!
A word about Texas –
I had to sleep on a carpet in Mesquite, Texas in a house with no fans , no AC , in a chain of 3 Texas summers.
We were seeing “Aunt Russy, and Mammy ” .
My mother’s spinster aunt , and her mother.
I was 7 .
Mammy had crossed the Red River in a wagon as a baby .
Not Blue Blood Alamo genes , but good enough .
The lighting bugs were amazing back then, thick in that wet summer air.
Mesquite, had a snow cone stand “downtown” back then , it was the only thing wake at 7PM.
“Aunt Russy, and Mammy ” lived about 400 yards from that snow cone stand.
Then Dallas ate “Aunt Russy, and Mammy ” , and that snow cone stand in Mesquite, Texas .
OM – I know I’ve seen that video before but how long has it been up to get all of those views?
By the way, your St. Vincent is gonna be on SNL this weekend.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/29/us/georgia-voting-law-sports-events/index.html
I do believe that Corey was first to call this.
My mother gave a love of our past like no other .
At 71 , I am so glad as a 7 year – old , I had to sleep on a pallet of blankets.
When she moved up in the world , and had time she was big time in her field.
She undated a book the Torrian Family , I have these boys genes .
The story of why 2 brothers fled their home North of Lake Como in the 1730’s.
It is a TV Movie !
It makes walking to America seem simple.
Blue –
Thanks I have always had a “sweet spot” for lesbian women .
Morgan Fairchild is another matter .
https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/29/health/who-coronavirus-origin-draft-report/index.html
Why are they putting out a report if they still don’t know?
Ha! The first time I saw that video of “Man of Constant Sorrow,” I thought it was gonna be a Tennessee Ernie Ford biopic. That’s who the normally dreamy-looking, Mr. Clooney looked like to me with that dark hair and mustache.
More butterflies –
This changed us
https://youtu.be/Qadw2rFiaJc
R&B from 1973, today:
(Whomever produced this deserves credit)
more genius
you probably hate this song
…but it’s actually this song
(which is a classic)
NEW THREAD