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The push for clean water in Wilson County's Arrowhead subdivision has led to new water legislation in Texas, but the fight against the Central States Water Resources-Texas utility (CSWR) is not over. With the work of Texas State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, alongside Arrowhead resident Carrie Wilcoxson, two water bills passed through the State Legislature and made their way onto Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. (See “Arrowhead residents' fight for clean water lands in Texas State Capitol,” May 14 Wilson County News.) Abbott signed SB 1662 into law May 30, mandating that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) not provide...Article Link
Editor: Re: “Arrowhead residents' fight for clean water lands in Texas State Capitol,” May 14 The WCN May 14, 2025, front page story concerning clean water is both avoidable and unavoidable. While I can “commend” Sen. Zaffirini, let's just say this wasn't her first rodeo dealing with this issue. In recent memory, La Valley Estates endured issues with unhealthy water from their plant. I wrote in LVN, plastered as much as I could on Facebook, contacted Sen. Zaffirini, Wilson County, State Rep. John Kuempel, the Governor's office, and TCEQ. Per my conversation with Sen. Zaffirini's office — “she is putting...Article Link
Join us to hear from the Texas Values Policy Team as they give an update on what happened this week, during the 89th Legislative Session, at the Texas State Capitol. #txlege Quick End of Week Update! Part 1: Women's Privacy Act, Ed bills, & more NEW Website Launch! To show your support for Texas Women's Privacy Act and hear the stories of female's who have been affected by men entering into women's private spaces, visit https://protectwomensprivacytexas.com. Sign our petition to show your support for Texas Women's Privacy Act https://protectwomensprivacytexas.com. Help us build our channel so we can maintain a culture of Faith, Family, & Freedom in Texas by interacting with us; like, comment, share, subscribe! For more about Texas Values see: Txvalues.org To support our work, go to donate.txvalues.org/GivetoTexasValues
Join us to hear from the Texas Values Policy Team as they give an update on what happened this week, during the 89th Legislative Session, at the Texas State Capitol. #txlege Quick End of Week Update! Part 1: Women's Privacy Act, Ed bills, & more NEW Website Launch! To show your support for Texas Women's Privacy Act and hear the stories of female's who have been affected by men entering into women's private spaces, visit https://protectwomensprivacytexas.com. Sign our petition to show your support for Texas Women's Privacy Act https://protectwomensprivacytexas.com. Help us build our channel so we can maintain a culture of Faith, Family, & Freedom in Texas by interacting with us; like, comment, share, subscribe! For more about Texas Values see: Txvalues.org To support our work, go to donate.txvalues.org/GivetoTexasValues
Join us to hear from the Texas Values Policy Team as they give an update on what happened this week, during the 89th Legislative Session, at the Texas State Capitol. #txlege Quick End of Week Update! Part 1: Women's Privacy Act, Ed bills, & more NEW Website Launch! To show your support for Texas Women's Privacy Act and hear the stories of female's who have been affected by men entering into women's private spaces, visit https://protectwomensprivacytexas.com. Sign our petition to show your support for Texas Women's Privacy Act https://protectwomensprivacytexas.com. Help us build our channel so we can maintain a culture of Faith, Family, & Freedom in Texas by interacting with us; like, comment, share, subscribe! For more about Texas Values see: Txvalues.org To support our work, go to donate.txvalues.org/GivetoTexasValues
Join us to hear from the Texas Values Policy Team as they give an update on what happened this week, during the 89th Legislative Session, at the Texas State Capitol. #txlege Quick End of Week Legislative Update! Part 2: Legislative Deadlines & Priority Senate Bills NEW Website Launch! To show your support for Texas Women's Privacy Act and hear the stories of female's who have been affected by men entering into women's private spaces, visit https://protectwomensprivacytexas.com. Sign our petition to show your support for Texas Women's Privacy Act https://protectwomensprivacytexas.com. Help us build our channel so we can maintain a culture of Faith, Family, & Freedom in Texas by interacting with us; like, comment, share, subscribe! For more about Texas Values see: Txvalues.org To support our work, go to donate.txvalues.org/GivetoTexasValues
“[CSWR] purchased the well in September of 2020 and removed the sand filtration system in early 2021,” said Carrie Wilcoxson of the Arrowhead subdivision near Floresville, where she and her neighbors have been dealing with extremely discolored water for more than three years. The Arrowhead residents have been battling the Central States Water Resources-Texas (CSWR) utility, which was investigated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and found to have removed the existing sand filtration system. Sand systems filter out impurities, helping water be fit for human consumption (see “Sand filtration”). Wilcoxson said the removal of the filtration system...Article Link
Join us to hear from the Texas Values Policy Team as they give an update on what happened this week, during the 89th Legislative Session, at the Texas State Capitol. #txlege NEW Website Launch! To show your support for Texas Women's Privacy Act and hear the stories of female's who have been affected by men entering into women's private spaces, visit https://protectwomensprivacytexas.com. Sign our petition to show your support for Texas Women's Privacy Act https://protectwomensprivacytexas.com. Help us build our channel so we can maintain a culture of Faith, Family, & Freedom in Texas by interacting with us; like, comment, share, subscribe! For more about Texas Values see: Txvalues.org To support our work, go to donate.txvalues.org/GivetoTexasValues
Join us to hear from the Texas Values Policy Team as they give an update on what happened this week, during the 89th Legislative Session, at the Texas State Capitol. #txlege NEW Website Launch! To show your support for Texas Women's Privacy Act and hear the stories of female's who have been affected by men entering into women's private spaces, visit https://protectwomensprivacytexas.com. Sign our petition to show your support for Texas Women's Privacy Act https://protectwomensprivacytexas.com. Help us build our channel so we can maintain a culture of Faith, Family, & Freedom in Texas by interacting with us; like, comment, share, subscribe! For more about Texas Values see: Txvalues.org To support our work, go to donate.txvalues.org/GivetoTexasValues
Join us to hear from the Texas Values Policy Team as they give an update on what happened this week, during the 89th Legislative Session, at the Texas State Capitol. #txlege Sign the petition to protect girls' and women's privacy across the state of Texas with the Texas Women's Privacy Act https://txvalues.org/texas-womens-privacy-act/ Help us build our channel so we can maintain a culture of Faith, Family, & Freedom in Texas by interacting with us; like, comment, share, subscribe! For more about Texas Values see: Txvalues.org To support our work, go to donate.txvalues.org/GivetoTexasValues
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick and Ken Paxton were all present and cheering yesterday at the White House as Donald Trump signed an executive order dismantling the federal Department of Education: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/20/texas-greg-abbott-trump-education-department/...Despite an intake of $12 billion in annual federal education funding, Texas ranks 29th among U.S. states for education quality: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/education/2025/03/21/trump-highlights-texas-in-dismantling-department-of-education/82579774007/Texas now faces the possibility of being the epicenter of an eventual national - or maybe even global - measles epidemic: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/21/texas-measles-vaccine-new-mexico-oklahoma-us/...Demonstrating how deep down the rabbit hole some anti-vaxxers have dug, the parents of the Gaines County child who died amidst the outbreak are still advocating against vaccines: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/20/texas-measles-family-gaines-county-death/...Texas Congressional Democrats are demanding answers from the CDC on what they're doing about the outbreak, and why they're not doing more: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/healthcare/2025/03/20/lloyd-doggett-cdc-measles-outbreak-texas-symptoms-vaccine/82551785007/The Tesla Cybertruck, built at the Austin Gigafactory, has seen its full line recalled over weak glue holding an exterior stainless steel panel in place - ALL of them have been recalled: https://www.the-independent.com/tech/tesla-cybertruck-recall-glue-panels-musk-b2719222.html...The reliance on electric power for the doors of Tesla cars may have turned them into deathtraps in certain accident situations: https://oaklandside.org/2025/03/18/cybertruck-crash-report-says-witness-could-not-open-door-to-save-victims/RSVP's are required for Monday's All In For Equality Advocacy Day at the Texas State Capitol, including bus transportation from San Antonio, Houston and Dallas, training on legislative visits, a noon rally, and lunch! https://secure.everyaction.com/-BQtCcqCQEGykR0ohWT3tQ2On March 29th, the State Democratic Executive Committee will choose a new chair for the Texas Democratic Party - while you don't get to vote in this very important election, you have a representative on that committee, and you should let them know your preferences: https://progresstexas.org/blog/most-important-election-you-don%E2%80%99t-know-aboutWomen's History Month, being observed throughout March across Texas, serves both as a celebration of the history of breakthroughs for women, and a reminder that Texas is the worst state for them: https://progresstexas.org/blog/celebrating-women%E2%80%99s-history-month-worst-state-womenSan Antonio listeners! Progress Texas will visit the Alamo City for the first time in far too long on May 6! Please join us for a fun fundraising gathering of progressives and a LIVE podcast taping. RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/sanantonio_mixerThe merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.We're loving the troll-free environment at BlueSky! Follow us there at https://bsky.app/profile/progresstexas.bsky.social.Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Join us to hear from the Texas Values Policy Team as they give an update on what happened this week, during the 89th Legislative Session, at the Texas State Capitol. #txlege Help us build our channel so we can maintain a culture of Faith, Family, & Freedom in Texas by interacting with us; like, comment, share, subscribe! For more about Texas Values see: Txvalues.org To support our work, go to donate.txvalues.org/GivetoTexasValues
Join us to hear from the Texas Values Policy Team as they give an update on what happened this week, during the 89th Legislative Session, at the Texas State Capitol. #txlege Help us build our channel so we can maintain a culture of Faith, Family, & Freedom in Texas by interacting with us; like, comment, share, subscribe! For more about Texas Values see: Txvalues.org To support our work, go to donate.txvalues.org/GivetoTexasValues
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:A huge day at the Texas State Capitol today, as House Bill 3, which would establish a private school voucher program in Texas, goes before the House Public Education Committee: https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/texas-house-committee-to-hold-pivotal-hearing-on-school-voucher-bill...New polling shows broad, bipartisan opposition to private school vouchers among voters in Texas: https://www.chron.com/politics/article/supermajority-of-texas-voters-out-on-school-choice-20212919.php...Republican House Speaker Dustin Burrows, elevated to that position by the support of the Democratic minority, says he's all in for vouchers: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/texas-house-speaker-burrows-says-he-will-vote-for-school-choice-as-democrats-fight-to-kill-the-bill/...Governor Abbott sees vouchers as a loyalty test: if you support Trump, you should support vouchers: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/05/texas-school-choice-trump-00210195New economic data shows that Texas would be especially hard-hit by any Trump tariffs against Mexico and Canada: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/texas-could-be-state-hardest-hit-by-tariffs-economists-say/A new Senate bill proposes that homeless encampments be outlawed across the state - essentially criminalizing the act of being homeless in public: https://www.fox7austin.com/news/senate-bill-241-homeless-camping-ban-enforcementRepublican Congressman Pat Fallon is holding two "DOGE workshop" events in northeast D/FW next Wednesday March 19 - should make for interesting conversations: https://www.instagram.com/reppatfallon/p/DHCKLmBTAXW/Houston Congressman and former Mayor Sylvester Turner's body will lie in state today in Houston and later this week at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, before his funeral in Houston on Saturday: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/houston/2025/03/10/515613/former-mayor-sylvester-turner-to-lie-in-state-in-houston-austin-ahead-of-funeral-this-week/Women's History Month, being observed throughout March across Texas, serves both as a celebration of the history of breakthroughs for women, and a reminder that Texas is the worst state for them: https://progresstexas.org/blog/celebrating-women%E2%80%99s-history-month-worst-state-womenSan Antonio listeners! Progress Texas will visit the Alamo City for the first time in far too long on May 6! Please join us for a fun fundraising gathering of progressives and a LIVE podcast taping. RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/sanantonio_mixerThe merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.We're loving the troll-free environment at BlueSky! Follow us there at https://bsky.app/profile/progresstexas.bsky.social.Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Great fun and a huge turnout for today's rally at the Texas State Capitol! Thanks to Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Rep. Greg Casar and their teams for allowing us to capture the event and all of its speakers:00:56 - Emcee and Travis County Democratic Party Chair Pooja Sethi03:40 - Austin U.S. Rep. Greg Casar13:18 - California U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu18:00 - Austin pediatrician Dr. Kimberly Avila Edwards25:47 - Austin U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett41:16 - Massachusetts U.S. Senator Elizabeth WarrenThanks for listening! Learn more about and support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Join us to hear from the Texas Values Policy Team as they give an update on what happened this week, during the 89th Legislative Session, at the Texas State Capitol. #txlege Help us build our channel so we can maintain a culture of Faith, Family, & Freedom in Texas by interacting with us; like, comment, share, subscribe! For more about Texas Values see: Txvalues.org To support our work, go to donate.txvalues.org/GivetoTexasValues
Join us to hear from the Texas Values Policy Team as they give an update on what happened this week, during the 89th Legislative Session, at the Texas State Capitol. #txlege Help us build our channel so we can maintain a culture of Faith, Family, & Freedom in Texas by interacting with us; like, comment, share, subscribe! For more about Texas Values see: Txvalues.org To support our work, go to donate.txvalues.org/GivetoTexasValues
Join us to hear from the Texas Values Policy Team as they give an update on what happened this week, during the 89th Legislative Session, at the Texas State Capitol. #txlege Help us build our channel so we can maintain a culture of Faith, Family, & Freedom in Texas by interacting with us; like, comment, share, subscribe! For more about Texas Values see: Txvalues.org To support our work, go to donate.txvalues.org/GivetoTexasValues
Join us to hear from the Texas Values Policy Team as they give an update on what happened this week, during the 89th Legislative Session, at the Texas State Capitol. #txlege Help us build our channel so we can maintain a culture of Faith, Family, & Freedom in Texas by interacting with us; like, comment, share, subscribe! For more about Texas Values see: Txvalues.org To support our work, go to donate.txvalues.org/GivetoTexasValues
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: A variety of federal agencies began "enhanced targeting operations" against, so they claim, undocumented immigrants presenting criminal threats across Texas, including Austin and San Antonio: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/26/texas-immigration-deportation-ice-austin-san-antonio/ ...Also in North Texas and the Rio Grande Valley: https://www.keranews.org/news/2025-01-26/ice-begins-immigration-raids-across-texas-dozens-arrested ...Protests against Trump's immigration policies have begun popping up, including one at the Texas State Capitol in Austin: https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/protest-at-texas-capitol-after-ice-operations-in-austin/ ...And a bigger one near downtown Dallas: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/video/protesters-rally-in-north-texas-over-new-immigration-policies/ The Texas Senate has rolled out a school voucher plan that would grant Texas families $10,000 for private school tuition and other expenses - not nearly enough to cover it: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/education-news/2025/01/24/511928/texas-senate-proposes-extensive-school-voucher-like-program-with-1-billion-price-tag/ ...While over 20 bills limiting a range of policies regarding vaccines have been filed: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/27/texas-legislature-vaccine-mandate-bills/ Texas transplant Elon Musk, already under fire for his Nazi salute the other day, gave an address via video link at a rally for Germany's notorious far-right AfD party, in which he advocated for Germans to disregard their own fascist history: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/elon-musk-appears-video-german-far-right-campaign-event-2025-01-25/ A list of all 123 January 6 defendants pardoned by Donald Trump with Texas ties has been published: https://patch.com/texas/across-tx/123-jan-6-defendants-tx-pardoned-trump-s-first-official-act The merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Grab your goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/. We're loving the troll-free environment at BlueSky! Follow us there at https://bsky.app/profile/progresstexas.bsky.social. Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Democratically-backed candidates for newly-created oversight positions with county tax appraisal did well in Saturday's election in Dallas County: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/politics/lone-star-politics/texas-voters-elect-appraisal-board-members-denton-dallas-tarrant/3533277/ ...And in Travis County: https://www.kut.org/politics/2024-05-05/austin-travis-county-property-taxes-tcad-may-4-2024-election-results ...Molly Cook, featured on our podcast recorded at March's Unified Jam in Austin, won Saturday's special election to serve out the rest of John Whitmire's term, becoming the first openly LGBTQ Texas Senator: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/houston-whitmire-senate-seat-19437490.php Another pro-Palestinian protest at UT Austin on Sunday sees a heavy police presence but no arrests: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/ut-austin-palestine-protest-19432066.php ...While at the Texas State Capitol, the Central Texas Jewish community rallied for Jewish college students nationwide: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2024/05/05/shalom-austin-iac-walk-texas-capitol-jewish-israel-palestine-conflict-protest/73579217007/ Fort Worth's Opal Lee, the 97-year-old "Grandmother of Juneteenth", received the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Friday: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/biden-opal-lee-presidential-medal-of-freedom-ceremony-grandmother-of-juneteenth/ Mark your calendar for May 9 at 12 noon for our "Burning Issues" town hall on liquid natural gas (LNG) pollution in Texas: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/townhall_24 Also for your calendar: a public forum will be held on May 20 by the Texas Medical Board on proposed exceptions to Texas' near-total ban on abortion: https://x.com/hannahnorton89/status/1785054901661216800?s=12&t=Bt_w1MN2AlTfFkWGHJiOJg Progress Texas could use your help in funding our trip to June's Texas Democratic Convention in El Paso - thanks in advance! https://progresstexas.org/donate It will soon be time to vote in the May 28 primary runoffs! https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/26/texas-voting-2024-runoff-elections/ Progress Texas invites progressive candidates to share their views with us - which we'll then share with our statewide audience - via our Certified Progressive questionnaire: https://progresstexas.org/blog/progress-texas-certified-progressives-2024-progressive-values-questionnaire Instagram users: be sure to enable political content on that platform, which has begun opting users out: https://x.com/ProgressTX/status/1771276124498100667?s=20 Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work this election year at https://progresstexas.org/.
On this Salcedo Storm Podcast: Brandon Burden is a pastor and conservative activist leading a grassroots movement in Texas for political and spiritual reformation. His recent book Daniel Nation: When Christians Take a Stand in Civil Government, tells the powerful story of how Christians gathered at the Texas State Capitol for the 2023 legislative session to overturn evil agendas...and won!
Stories we're following at Progress Texas: Senate-approved legislation allowing private school vouchers heads to the House today: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/politics/lone-star-politics/passing-the-texas-senate-education-savings-accounts-have-tougher-road-in-house/3360879/ ...Governor Abbott is confident that vouchers are "on the one-yard line": https://www.kxan.com/state-of-texas/state-of-texas-public-funds-for-private-schools-plan-on-the-one-yard-line/ A big win for opponents of Galveston County's 2021 voting maps, drawn to disenfranchise voters of color: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/10/a-trump-appointed-federal-judge-just-ruled-a-texas-county-violated-the-voting-rights-act/ Rallies supporting Israel and Palestine were held at the Texas State Capitol yesterday with only minimal conflict: https://www.kxan.com/news/hundreds-attend-israel-palestine-rallies-at-texas-capitol/ A handful of Texas U.S. Representatives have rallied behind Ohio's Jim Jordan in his bid to be Speaker of the House, but he's nowhere near there: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/13/texas-congress-speaker-vote-jim-jordan/ ...Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee condemns GOP incompetence: https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/texas-congresswoman-calls-out-dramatic-cost-of-house-gop-leadership-vacuum-195370053726 Following a shooting on Saturday, the Texas State Fair's policy covering the carrying of guns on its grounds is contradictory: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2023/10/15/does-the-state-fair-of-texas-allow-guns-its-policy-appears-to-be-contradictory/ ...They've beefed up security for the last week of the Fair: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/state-fair-of-texas-reopens-with-added-safety-precautions-after-3-shot/ Watch for the term "special interest alien", which is being used interchangeably with "suspected terrorist" by right-wing media: https://www.politifact.com/article/2023/sep/21/special-interest-alien-designation-is-based-largel/ Austin and Dallas both make the top 5 in a new study of America's most overworked cities: https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/texas-cities-rank-in-the-top-5-most-overworked-cities-in-us-study-says/
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: A third special session called this year by Governor Greg Abbott is set to kick off this morning at the Texas State Capitol: https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/school-vouchers-border-security-and-covid-mandate-bans-heres-what-to-expect-in-texas-3rd-special-session/ ...Which we covered extensively in this weekend's special edition of the Progress Texas Happy Hour: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happy-hour-130-why-school-vouchers-are-bad-for-texas/id1552998795?i=1000630493979 ...Already breaking ranks, at least one Democratic lawmaker: Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins of San Antonio: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/politics/inside-politics/texas-politics/texas-democrat-compromise-school-choice-vouchers/287-2c051461-4bc3-47ee-8cd0-c479a7f2b084 ...And another House Democrat, Gene Wu, has a theory on why public school funding was left off the agenda: https://x.com/GeneforTexas/status/1710296945225306451?t=wYU0An7_knEQmhND-7BClg&s=03 ...As protests begin over the weekend at the Capitol grounds and Governor's Mansion: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/texas-legislature/austin-state-capitol-anti-voucher-rally/269-c7589d65-a454-4abd-994f-9506832d1393 ...And Republicans remain smugly confident that vouchers will pass: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/politics/inside-politics/texas-politics/texas-school-choice-bill-legislation-chair-house-public-education-committee-likes-odds-passing/287-d0a89ea3-a3ae-4b59-bb01-de7966ffaaa9 Also on the special session agenda: immigration, with the Colony Ridge neighborhood near Houston singled out by name: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/08/us/texas-migrants-housing-colony-ridge.html ...While progressives puzzle over the Biden Administration's decision to authorize 20 more miles of border wall through an environmentally sensitive zone: https://www.npr.org/2023/10/08/1204545880/the-biden-administration-is-building-a-controversial-part-of-the-border-wall-in- Texas law enforcement steps up monitoring of worship sites and military installations in the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/law-enforcement-increase-patrols-in-metroplex-after-attack-on-israel/ ...While U.S. Rep Michael McCaul worries that his own party's fragmented leadership may encourage American foreign adversaries: https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/08/congress-israel-hamas-mike-mccaul-00120514 Prominent Texas Republican operatives Jonathan Stickland and Matt Rinaldi are caught hosting notorious anti-Semite and generally gross person Nick Fuentes at a Fort Worth office building (warning that this read is particularly disgusting): https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/08/nick-fuentes-kyle-rittenhouse-jonathan-stickland/ A high-ranking Exxon executive is busted for sexual assault at a Magnolia hotel: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/exxon-mobils-top-shale-exec-arrested-on-sexual-assault-charge-in-texas-df29c965 And there IS a little good news this morning, for South Texas anyway: looks like it's gonna rain: https://www.expressnews.com/san-antonio-weather/forecast/article/tropical-storm-lidia-south-texas-18412692.php Thanks for listening! Find out all you need to know about voting in the constitutional amendment proposition election next month at https://govotetexas.org/ , and consider helping Progress Texas continue our important work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Episode Title: Dan Bartlett Part 1Host: Kelly ArchibaldIntroduction:Kelly Archibald welcomes listeners to "Qavah: The Podcast," introducing the episode as a journey into the life and experiences of Dan Bartlett.The concept of "qavah," meaning to wait with anticipation and hope, is introduced as the overarching theme of the podcast.Segment 1: The BeginningsDan Bartlett's early life is explored, from being the youngest of four siblings to growing up in Rockwall, Texas.Dan shares cherished childhood memories, emphasizing the freedom and independence of his youth.His family's move from Illinois to Texas is discussed, highlighting the beginning of his Texan identity.Segment 2: A Remarkable Twist of FateDan's unexpected entry into the world of politics is detailed, starting with a summer job at the Texas State Capitol.The role of influential figures like Karl Rove and Ted Lyon in his early political career is highlighted.Dan reflects on the unpredictability of his journey and how he found his passion for politics.Segment 3: Extraordinary EncountersDan shares fascinating anecdotes from his political career, including meetings with world leaders like Vladimir Putin and participation in Middle East peace talks.The unpredictable nature of meetings with President Putin is discussed, emphasizing the tension and charm he brought to diplomatic discussions.Dan reflects on surreal moments in his career, comparing himself to Forrest Gump in various historical events.Segment 4: The September 11, 2001 ExperienceThe episode concludes with a preview of Dan Bartlett's remarkable experience aboard Air Force One during the events of September 11, 2001.Kelly Archibald invites listeners to stay tuned for Part 2 of Dan's story, which will delve deeper into this significant moment in history.Closing:Kelly expresses gratitude to the audience for tuning in and encourages them to subscribe to the podcast.She invites sponsors, storytellers, and those with inspiring journeys to reach out for potential future episodes.The episode concludes with a message of hope and strength found in the stories shared on "Qavah: The Podcast."
Episode Title: Dan Bartlett Part 1Host: Kelly ArchibaldIntroduction:Kelly Archibald welcomes listeners to "Qavah: The Podcast," introducing the episode as a journey into the life and experiences of Dan Bartlett.The concept of "qavah," meaning to wait with anticipation and hope, is introduced as the overarching theme of the podcast.Segment 1: The BeginningsDan Bartlett's early life is explored, from being the youngest of four siblings to growing up in Rockwall, Texas.Dan shares cherished childhood memories, emphasizing the freedom and independence of his youth.His family's move from Illinois to Texas is discussed, highlighting the beginning of his Texan identity.Segment 2: A Remarkable Twist of FateDan's unexpected entry into the world of politics is detailed, starting with a summer job at the Texas State Capitol.The role of influential figures like Karl Rove and Ted Lyon in his early political career is highlighted.Dan reflects on the unpredictability of his journey and how he found his passion for politics.Segment 3: Extraordinary EncountersDan shares fascinating anecdotes from his political career, including meetings with world leaders like Vladimir Putin and participation in Middle East peace talks.The unpredictable nature of meetings with President Putin is discussed, emphasizing the tension and charm he brought to diplomatic discussions.Dan reflects on surreal moments in his career, comparing himself to Forrest Gump in various historical events.Segment 4: The September 11, 2001 ExperienceThe episode concludes with a preview of Dan Bartlett's remarkable experience aboard Air Force One during the events of September 11, 2001.Kelly Archibald invites listeners to stay tuned for Part 2 of Dan's story, which will delve deeper into this significant moment in history.Closing:Kelly expresses gratitude to the audience for tuning in and encourages them to subscribe to the podcast.She invites sponsors, storytellers, and those with inspiring journeys to reach out for potential future episodes.The episode concludes with a message of hope and strength found in the stories shared on "Qavah: The Podcast."
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: The historic impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is underway this morning at the Texas State Capitol: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-texas-attorney-general/ ...With big conservative money doing all it can to prevent his removal: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/04/us/ken-paxton-impeachment-conservative-lobbying.html ...And voters split on opinion, largely along party lines: https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2023-09-05/about-half-of-texas-voters-think-ken-paxtons-actions-justify-removing-him-as-attorney-general ...While the Texas Tribune provides an outline of the procedure AND a handy livestream: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/04/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-operate/ ...And finally, a whole new scandal comes to light with Senator Angela Paxton at its center: https://www.texasobserver.org/angela-ken-paxton-frinzi-multiband/ In other news - the new ban on drag performances in the presence of minors remains blocked: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/texas-barred-from-enforcing-newly-minted-anti-drag-show-law ...While the "Death Star" law is on the books under appeal, against the protests of Democratic AND Republican city leaders: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/republican-and-democratic-cities-band-together-to-blow-up-the-death-star-bill/ More details on ERCOT plans to limit the affordability and reliability of emergency battery storage power: https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/batteries-buoyed-texas-grid-operators-wary-new-18342962.php ...While a great idea - paying Texas power consumers to conserve in emergency crunches - is floated: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/texas-energy-grid-demand-response-18340732.php An Austin hotel is set to host a Nazi-inspired eugenics conference in December: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/04/natal-conference-austin-texas-eugenics Tech professionals who migrated to Texas from California are having second thoughts in droves: https://www.chron.com/culture/article/california-texas-tech-workers-18346616.php ...While Texas comes in at the bottom of this year's Oxfam ranking of the best U.S. states for workers: https://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/countries/united-states/poverty-in-the-us/best-states-to-work-2023/ Thanks as always for listening! Learn how you can help Progress Texas produce our acclaimed podcasts and more at https://progresstexas.org/.
In this episode of Cuadros Corner #27 I was able to sit down with a Rio Grande Valley artist who passionately loves art. He spoke to me about how the strokes from his brush is therapeutic as he slides his colorful wet paint on the canvas; truly expressing his inner most feelings. . . . His bio is as follows: . . "Born in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley (Weslaco, Texas), Jason Ray Perez is a self-taught, South Texas, mixed media and pyrography artist. His artistic styles range from modern/neo contemporary expressionism to street art, to traditional Mexican pyrography folk art. . . Perez initially made his introductory public appearance as an independent artist in 2009, by curating and promoting his first solo exhibit titled "Only in Dreams". Since then, Perez has remained an active supporter of the South Texas art scene, he has participated in numerous group exhibits internationally, nationally and throughout the state of Texas; including, three gallery level solo art exhibits titled "Alas De Mis Angeles" (2011), "Illicit Visions" (2013) and "LACONISM" (2016). . . In 2017 several of Perez' artworks were recognized by District 40, state of Texas Representative Terry Canales, and are currently exhibited in The Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas. In 2023 one of Perez' paintings titled "Shinaai" (brothers), a memorial homage to his late best friend Max Moreno (lead singer of Costello), was inducted to one of the oldest and largest Native American museums in the United States, the American Indian Center in Chicago, Illinois, for permanent display. . . Perez has been dubbed "The Patron Saint of Valley Art", has curated countless exhibits for many reputable visual artists and is a major socialite amongst the RGV's thriving art and entertainment scene. Perez continues to create art, he is the founder of the McAllen Art Crawl, former co-founder and former curator of the Phoenix Art Gallery and is the art director for several establishments located in McAllen's Art District where he both exhibits his art works and hosts art exhibits for local and visiting artists." . . . Thank you for coming to my podcast Jason, I truly felt your story and hope you accomplish all your goals. . . . You can follow him on social: . . his Facebook: . . https://www.facebook.com/jason.perez.7311?mibextid=LQQJ4d . . his Instagram: . . https://instagram.com/jperez_art?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== . . Thank you to our sponsor Backdoor Modern Vintage in Weslaco, Texas at 907 W Business 83 . . You can find their instagram in the link below: . . https://www.instagram.com/backdoor_modernvintage/ . . . thank you for listening to yet another episode of Cuadros Corner - a podcast in which I make it easy for the RGV community to share their story. . . From your local content creator & solar consultant, Carlos J. Cuadros. . . Click The Link Below for More Information . . https://linktr.ee/storystormaker . . . #artist #mixedmedia #weslaco #rgv956 #cuadroscorner --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cuadroscorner/support
The ladies of LoveTalk - Cathy, Kerri, and Marlene - host well-known Austin businessman, Joe Bland, who shares his vision for a city-wide celebration commemorating 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech. The vision is "to create a thriving community where neighbors care for neighbors in such a fashion that citizens and visitors alike say 'Greater Austin cares deeply for all of the people in the region.'" Dreamtogether2030 will host this kick-off event on August 28th at 9 a.m. on the Texas State Capitol steps to begin a multi-year campaign intended to engage area churches and communities to help neighbors in need through early education, foster care & adoption support, workforce development, food security, and economic empowerment. The event will conclude at Waterloo Greenway. Be sure to listen to this engaging program for more details.
The ladies of LoveTalk - Cathy, Kerri, and Marlene - host well-known Austin businessman, Joe Bland, who shares his vision for a city-wide celebration commemorating 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech. The vision is "to create a thriving community where neighbors care for neighbors in such a fashion that citizens and visitors alike say 'Greater Austin cares deeply for all of the people in the region.'" Dreamtogether2030 will host this kick-off event on August 28th at 9 a.m. on the Texas State Capitol steps to begin a multi-year campaign intended to engage area churches and communities to help neighbors in need through early education, foster care & adoption support, workforce development, food security, and economic empowerment. The event will conclude at Waterloo Greenway. Be sure to listen to this engaging program for more details.
Pastor Edwin Pope and Pete Inman, both business leaders in the Austin Metro area as well as leaders in various Christian ministries in Round Rock and Austin, talk with Larry about Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's "I Have a Dream Speech" and Dream Together 2030, the event on August 28 at the State Capitol which kicks off the Seven-Year Initiative to develop Dr. King's vision of the Beloved Community in Austin.Please join us on the steps on the south side of the Texas State Capitol on Monday, August 28, 2023, at 9AM as we both celebrate and remember this magnificent speech and begin the Dream Together 2030 Initiative – www.dreamtogether2030.com We will have a reading of Dr. King's speech by four students - grade school through college - as well as comments by Archbishop Sterling Lands, State Senator Royce West, Mayor Kirk Watson, and other leaders. The Huston-Tillotson Marching Band will then lead us to the Waterloo Greenway where we will have speakers and live music. To learn more about Dream Together 2030, click here.To learn more about Hill Country Institute, click here.
Chris Fox, CBS Correspondent in Austin Texas joins the show discussing abortion lawsuit hearings continuing in Texas. Amanda Zurawski, one of five plaintiffs in Zurawski v. State of Texas, speaks in front of the Texas State Capitol in Austin, March 7, 2023 as the Center for Reproductive Rights and the plaintiffs announced their lawsuit, which asks for clarity in Texas law as to when abortions can be provided under the "medical emergency" exception. All five women were denied medical care while experiencing pregnancy complications that threatened their health and lives. © Sara Diggins / USA TODAY NETWORK
Episode Summary This time on This Month In the Apocalypse, Brooke and Inmn talk about storms, extreme flooding, and the deadly heat dome. They talk about a lot going on in the ocean, including orca attacks, the Ocean Gate submersible, and El Nino. They also talk about mostly bad things for trans people. However, there are some fun instances of fascists beating each other up. Host Info Brooke can be found on Twitter or Mastodon @ogemakweBrooke. Inmn can be found on Instagram @shadowtail.artificery. Publisher Info This show is published by Strangers in A Tangled Wilderness. We can be found at www.tangledwilderness.org, or on Twitter @TangledWild and Instagram @Tangled_Wilderness. You can support the show on Patreon at www.patreon.com/strangersinatangledwilderness. Transcript This Month In the Apocalypse: June, 2023 Brooke Hello and welcome to Live Like the World is Dying, your podcast for what feels like the end times. This is your early summer June-ish installment of our segment This Month In the Apocalypse. I am Brooke Jackson and co-hosting with me today is the very delightful Inmn. Our podcast is a proud member of the Channel Zero Network of anarchist podcasts. And before we explore today's episode, we'd like to share a little jingle from another pod on the network. JIngle jangle, jingle jangle. [Brooke singing a simple melody] Brooke And we're back. Hey Inmn, how are you feeling today? Inmn I'm, I'm feeling fairly good today, Brooke. But you know, a lot of bad things happened in June. But also, some really funny things happened in June. So... Brooke This is true. You wanna hear the funniest thing that happened? I bet you have one, but I have one that's gonna be funnier. Inmn Yeah, yeah. There's a couple of funny things that we'll get to. How are you, Brooke? Brooke I'm good. I like that we've swooped in and taken this podcast away from Margaret. Just kidding. She's dealing with other stuff. We miss her terribly. And, she trusted us to do this whole episode on our own. Inmn Yeah, because we're real people. Brooke And I'm so excited about that. Do you want to hear really funny story? Inmn Yes. Brooke Okay, so Portland, Oregon always does a big Pride celebration on--well it's usually it's a Sunday, I think--in June and it's often fallen on Father's Day because of terrible planning and timing. And this year it finally didn't for once. So, it was having his big Pride celebration. I think this was just a week ago. And both the Proud Boys and the Rose City Nationalists showed up to protest Pride, except both groups showed up to the wrong location. And they showed up to the same wrong location. And they got in a fight with each other instead of fighting and protesting Pride. Inmn Wow, do you know that the fight was...Like, why did they fight? Brooke There's some videos you can find on like Twitter and the Proud Boys are attacking the Rose City Nationalists and they're calling them racists. And the Rose City Nationalists are in like khaki pants and blue shirt, you know, that full face covering thing. What does they call that? Something. And like hats. And the Proud Boys are a bunch of older white dudes, burly biker gang kind of guys, and they're yelling at them for being like punk kids, and wearing masks, and being racist. They just kick the shit out of them. Inmn Maybe just because I don't know totally who they are; who are the Rose City Nationalists? Brooke Oh, there are local to Portland chapter of one of the white nationalist groups in the US. Inmn Okay. What...Do you know why did the Proud Boys think that they're racist? Brooke I think if I remember correctly, I think they're like a neo-Nazi affiliated group, the nationalists, and they think it's really weak of them to wear full face coverings and not show their faces when they show up to events and to be in like matching outfits. I think they mock that too when they're getting into the fight, how they're in their little khaki and blue shirt uniform thing. Inmn Wow. That is...You know, if all of the white supremacists want to like fight each other and spend all their time doing that, I would be thrilled. Brooke The best outcome to a Pride protest ever, two asshole groups showing up at the wrong location and fighting each other instead. Inmn Oh, that's just wonderful. Brooke A big thanks to friend of the pod, Alex, for sending me all of the videos from this and news articles and stuff. I've just been laughing about that all week. I keep thinking about it and just chuckling Inmn I have a similarly...you know, it's like a something bad happened, but also something funny happened kind of thing. All right. Brooke Let's go. I like funny news. Inmn Okay, so, ongoing anti-trans legislation across the country and in Texas. Yeah, it's pretty bad. But, Michelle Evans who's like...I think she's a Texas House Representative candidate and some kind of like legislative Director for some wacky organization that is trying to do weird things around COVID vaccines. She was at the Texas State Capitol to celebrate SB14, which is a bill that was signed into legislation that blocks doctors from providing gender affirming care to minors, which is pretty horrifying. Brooke It's awful. Inmn Yeah, it is. It is not as bad as SB 1029, which would essentially defund all gender affirming care for anyone in the state of Texas. It's through some pretty interestingly deceptive means. Like, it blocks use of public funds for those things, which sends this ripple effect through....because you could be like, "Oh, What about like, you know, private providers? Wouldn't they still be able to provide care for people?" And the answer is probably not. Because, the public funding affects things like malpractice insurance or insurance providers in general. And so it's essentially, private doctors who don't receive public funding for doing gender affirming care, would essentially not be able to get insured because of this funding that's being...would be taken away. So... Brooke It's not okay. So not okay. These bills make me so angry. And I feel like every time we do one of these episodes, we're talking about another state, another place, another layer of these bills, and it's not just like, "Oh, they're considering this," like it's that these bills are passing in various places. Inmn Yeah, and SB 1029 has not passed in Texas, but SB 14, which blocks gender affirming care for minors, did pass. But, Michelle Evans was there at the Capitol celebrating and she confronted a trans woman in the bathroom. The altercation reportedly like involved some verbal harassment of this person. And then Michelle claims, she claims that she was sent a picture of this person in the bathroom. Brooke That's creepy. Inmn Yeah, by one of her followers. That's what she says. But she...It'll make sense in a moment. Okay, so she tweeted this out to her following and it very rapidly, you know, went viral and there were people commenting to her about it, being like, "Hey, you know, it's illegal to film people in the bathroom, right?" And she was...While she was still at the Capitol, she was detained by the Capitol Police and got her phone confiscated and she was questioned about the photo being like....They were like, "Oh, we heard that you tweeted this photo of someone in the bathroom." And she was like, "Oh, but I didn't take the picture." You know, or so she claims. And yeah, so she is still under investigation for taking a picture of someone in the bathroom, which is against the law it turns out in Texas. Brooke Oh, there's a ray of sunshine in this awfulness. And that's like, I mean, even if...Okay. Laws, not laws. Anarchism....You know, it's confusing. But, It's wrong, whether or not it's legal or illegal, it's just like, your own internal ethics should tell you that that's wrong to do. So it's nice that there's repercussions for it in some way. Inmn Yeah, you know, like, I don't...like I'm not down with the State existing or laws or like, whatever. But I'm absolutely not going to have sympathy for anyone who, like, might end up getting charges for filming people in the bathroom because that's fucked up. So, I'm curious if it'll catch on as like any kind of thing or like piece of resistance that people can do for like being harassed in bathrooms, like wherever they are, is to like....if you get filmed in the bathroom, it's like...I'm wondering if more people will end up catching charges for filming people in the bathroom who they believe to be trans. Brooke Right, you know, but then now, as you say that, I realized the flip side of it. If you're someone who's being verbally or whatever, assaulted, attacked in the bathroom, like, you shouldn't get in trouble for filming the way someone's mistreating you. But, the law doesn't, you know, have that caveat to it. Inmn Yeah, it's dumb. Yeah. But luckily, a lot of these people who are confronting people in bathrooms are like, incriminating themselves, I think. Mostly. Brooke Yeah, that is handy. Like, if you're the bad guy and you're taking the video, thanks for the evidence and doing the thing that's illegal and getting you in trouble. I just feel bad for the person who's on the receiving end of the assaults, and them maybe feeling like, "Oh, I can't document this because it's illegal to film in here." Inmn Yeah, yeah. So yeah, a thing for people to think about. So, that was a kind of funny thing. Brooke That had better ending than I was expecting. So thank you for that. Inmn Yeah. Um, do you want to hear some more kind of bad news, though, for trans folks in the news this month? Brooke No, I don't. But I also don't want to be an ignorant...to live in ignorance. So you can tell me. Inmn Okay. So Elon Musk, you know, is in the news, again. Brooke Oh God, I know where this is going. Inmn Elon announced that "Cis" and "Cis gendered," like those terms, are going to be slurs on Twitter and that targeted use of them could be grounds for account suspension on Twitter. Brooke Just when you think he's not done being the worst, he finds new ways to be just the absolute worst. Inmn I know. And like, I'm like...I feel like he just does it for the media cycle or whatever. Like, every time he like dips out of the news, he's like, "Oh, I'll just like, ridicule trans people and get back in the new cycle." Brooke He just needs the attention one way or the other. All attention is good attention, including negative. Speaking of horrible rich people, actually, I have one for you, which is going slightly out of the order that we talked about earlier, but I think it's fun to put it in here. There's a company called Ocean Gate that has developed its own little mini submarines for undersea exploration. And it's doing private tours of underwater things like, you know, submarines and other wreckage. And it's gone down to the Titanic. And they've...I guess they've been doing this annually the last couple of years, although it sounds like the last two years were both research missions. And then this year was the first year, from what I'm reading, that they were doing an actual tourist expedition. So, five super rich people who paid a quarter million dollars a piece, popped into this tiny little submarine to go down and explore the Titanic and the submarine didn't survive the water pressure. Ergo, neither did the unfortunate rich people on their underwater sea exploration. Inmn Yeah, Brooke I don't know if any of them were specifically terrible human beings. But you know, rich people in general, if you can afford to pay a quarter million dollars to go underwater, I don't feel superduper bad about it. Inmn Yeah, I think from from what I read, it was like, it was like three literal billionaires, the owner of the company, and then a titanic expert, who, I don't know what that person's deal was. So, you know, I might feel a little something for the Titanic expert who was possibly not a billionaire. But also, I don't know, I don't know what that person's life is. Brooke Yeah, but the billionaires Hey, you shouldn't be hanging with billionaires anyway. And, it is pretty ironic that the founder of the company was one of them. And yeah, while they've done, you know, for people who don't know this, explorations have dived to the Titanic, and pictures you've ever seen in videos and stuff has never been from like, people actually being that up close to the wreckage because it's so deep underwater. It's from sending--I don't know what they call them--a drone that's underwater. So, a remotely manned, piloted underwater craft that goes down and like, explores that wreckage. Inmn Yeah. And there's something...like, the pressure down there, it's like 6000 pounds per square inch or something. So like when that thing depressurized it was crushed within a few milliseconds? Brooke Yeah, I have it here if you want. About one millisecond. 1 thousandth of a second is how fast it would collapse. And the human brain can't respond to stimulus--the fastest the human brain can respond to stimulus is like 25 milliseconds. So, significantly later than when it actually happened. Like. your brain couldn't register that it happens before you died. And also, this is interesting, human bodies incinerate and are turned into ash and dust instantly upon this implosion. Inmn That's crazy. Brooke Isn't that wild? So, you wouldn't even know that had happened. Like, less than a blink and you're gone. Inmn Yeah, yeah. There is a there is an image circulating--which is probably like, you know, after hearing that, like, it's probably a photoshopped image--but there was an image floating around where people thought they could see the Xbox controller that controlled the sub on the bottom of the ocean. Which I think is probably not true because everything was destroyed. But.... Brooke Yeah, it's kind of funny, though. For a frame of reference, you mentioned that it's 5000 pounds of pressure. It's...that's like 400 times the amount of air pressure that we feel just standing around at sea level, I should say. So, it's the equivalent of the weight of the Eiffel Tower on you. Inmn Wow. Brooke Yeah. Or, I guess on the submarine. I shouldn't say on the person. But, that's the equivalent of the Eiffel Tower sitting on top of that little mini submarine. Inmn Yeah. And on the note of the ocean gate, do you know who the...you know, this is a Wikipedia joke, so you know, maybe there's other people, but...Do you know who the last person who was killed by a maritime invention that they created was prior to this? Brooke Maybe a Nazi submarine creator? I don't know. I'm guessing. Way randomly guessing. Inmn Thomas Andrews. who designed the Titanic. Brooke [Brooke laughing] The Titanic being like, "You shouldn't fucking come down here. Bad things happened." Cursed a bit of water. Inmn Yeah. Cursed water. Brooke So, mini submarines created by eccentric rich people who ignore standard safety protocols and the warnings from experts probably don't hop into one of those Let's move on. What else is happening in the ocean, Inmn? Inmn So, I'm sure everyone has heard about this. But there have been an increasing string of orca attacks, specifically in the Straits of Gibraltar, which is kind of off the coast of Spain. And the...So it's a big hype in the media right now, I think because of some specific things, like that they've sunk at least three boats at this point. Brooke Do orcas get big enough to sink boats? Inmn Yes. Brooke Wow. I'm bad with the size of things in the ocean. I think of them as being like dolphin size, but no, they're not. They're whale size, right? Inmn Yeah, they weighed like 11 tonnes or something. Brooke Oh lord those are big. Okay. I feel really ignorant for having confessed that to everyone. Just go ahead and laugh. It's okay. Inmn Yeah, they're big. They're big and powerful. And they're incredibly smart as well. And there's this one boat captain who's reported getting attacked by orcas twice at this point. And both times, his ship's rudder has been disabled. And that's what the orca are doing, is they're--in some cases they're sinking boats--and in other cases, they're disabling the rudders by ramming into them and breaking the mechanism. Brooke I don't know why I love that, but I kind of do. Inmn Yeah, it's very interesting. And, they're supposedly teaching each other how to do it. There's adults teaching calves how to do it. And then like the calves mimicking the ramming of the rudders. Brooke I love this. I don't know why I love this so much. Inmn Yeah, yeah, it's pretty good. And so, it's coming to prominence because of the sinking of the ships and because of the antagonism of this global boat race that goes through the Straits of Gibraltar and ships getting attacked during the race. But, can you guess how many orca attacks, or like encounters that resulted in some kind of worrisome interaction, with an orca that there have been since 2020? Brooke Since 2020? Inmn Yeah. Brooke Okay, I'm gonna guess that there's a couple hundred a year in normal times. And, I think the time frame you're giving me implies that it's worse than usual. So, 1000. Inmn Okay, I mean, you know, you're good at extrapolating disasters...[Laughing] Brooke Because that still seems extreme. What is it close? Inmn There have been over 500 recorded worrisome encounters or attacks on boats between 2020 and now. But, orcas have been attacking people and boats since the early 1900s, at least in terms of like what is recorded. There was a study done interviewing a lot of Inupiaq people in Alaska about orca interactions. And so like, you know, there are Indigenous stories of orca interactions dating back much further. And, what a lot of folks from those interviews had to say was that orcas are like, these, you know, wise and mystical creatures, but also that they hold grudges, might revenge themselves upon anyone who has harmed a whale in the past. Brooke Fuck yeah. Inmn Yeah. Which makes sense for some of the....Like, some of the orca attacks are being talked about, in the media specifically, they're like, "Yeah, it might be due to past trauma." Specifically, for this one whale named White Gladis who's supposedly the one who's teaching all of these orcas. Brooke Angry old lady orca. I love it. Inmn Yeah. But there's some kind of funny things being said about it. Like people are like, "Oh, it's from trauma." Some say it's revenge. Some cited it as a fad. And there are some people who are kind of minimizing it saying, like, "Oh, this is just a fad. Like, they're not revenging themselves upon people there. It's just a fad that they pick up and they'll drop it soon," citing examples like, in the Pacific Northwest, where for a while there was this pod of orcas that would swim around with dissembled seals on their heads. Brooke Wow. Alright. Inmn Yeah. And what's amusing about this to me is that people...I think people are just coming up with wild reasons for why animals do things. And it's like, I feel like it's almost how the news talks about like youth culture and youth uprisings. Like, there's some similar language being thrown around, Brooke Oh, my gosh. Inmn But one of the biggest underlying factors of the orca attacks in the Straits of Gibraltar could be linked to the fact that they were recently declared a critically endangered species or sub population. There's like 40 of them left in the Straits of Gibraltar. Brooke Shit, that is not a lot. Inmn I know. And so it's funny that people have this tendency to say like, "Oh, it's just a fad, or it's from past trauma." And it's like...they're a critically endangered sub population that is like, "No, fuck the chips. Like, it's messing with us." And, it is. Because, a lot of increased ship traffic leads to a lot of complications for them for hunting tuna. And, their fishing and hunting grounds are severely being messed up by boats, boat noise, and by changes in tuna migrations, which is exacerbated by warming waters. So, I think it's pretty clear they're revenging themselves upon humans for this Brooke Yeah, for sure. And, when you're talking about how few of them there are and then you put that in perspective how many attacks there have been like...Obviously, you know, there are orcas in other places, not just the Straits of Gibraltar, but if there's only 40 there--and I don't know how many of the 500 or so boat attacks are...but let's say a couple 100 of the boat attacks are in that area where there's only 40 orcas, you know? That means every orca has gone out and done like five boat attacks. [Both laughing] It's just like, once or twice a year, they're like, "Fuck these boats. I'm doing it." Inmn Yeah, yeah. Brooke And I'm here for it. Go orcas! Inmn Go Orcas. Brooke You know what else what happens when we fuck with Mother Nature? Inmn What also happens when we fuck with mother nature, Brooke? Brooke Weather. Weather weirdness and stuff going bad. For instance--you've got a better one than me--but this is a little one that I'll pitch as a warm up and then you can share your much better story. There have been storms in the Midwest and the East Coast this last week that have grounded thousands or even tens of thousands of flights. They've been delayed and canceled. So, there's however many passengers that equals--maybe it's thousands of planes and tens of thousands of passengers was the number, actually. They're, you know, stranded vacationing on the east coast, what have you, and can't get back to their homes. And, they haven't even started rescheduling flights yet. And I compared this earlier to like Climate migration. And it's obviously not quite the same thing. It's like a very temporary sort of situation in which a whole bunch of extra people are stuck in a place because of the climate preventing their ability to travel. Isn't that fun? Inmn No? Brooke No, certainly not. Yeah. I mean, it's just like not the normal time of year for there being epic storms like this that are holding up planes and causing cancellations and stuff. Inmn Yeah, yeah. Is some of that related to smoke from the wildfires in Canada? Brooke Um, you know, I didn't see any notes about it being caused by smoke. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some of that going on too. But, it was talking really specifically about major storms, rain storms, wind storms in the Midwest and east, which is like...When we hear about it in the winter and there's flights canceled, we're like, okay, yeah, winter snow, and ice means flights get canceled. But, when you hear about it in summer, it's very strange to have that going on right now. Inmn Yeah, yeah. Brooke Is there are other strange weather going on now? Inmn There's some other strange weather going on right now. So, in the southeast United States, South America, and Mexico right now there's this pretty intense heatwave going on. In Mexico alone, since March, there have been over 112 people who have died from extreme heat related complications in Mexico. Brooke Jeez. Inmn It's pretty brutal. There's large sporting events being canceled from athletes just like dropping out from heat illness. In the southeast of the US it is particularly bad with heat indexes of upwards of 120 degrees in New Orleans and Texas right now. And, a lot of these are like record heats for the areas. And notably in Texas, in Big Bend over the month, a 14 year old hiker in Big Bend died from heat related illness complications. And, his stepdad also died from heat related illness from crashing...which resulted in him crashing his car and dying while trying to get help for his stepson. Brooke Jeez. Inmn Yeah, it's awful. It's kind of brutal. And, there's kind of like critical fire conditions in New Mexico because of this. Like, I know someone who's like getting deployed to a fire pretty imminently in New Mexico. And, in contrast to this there's also wild flooding happening. Yeah, there's kind of been like an early little hurricane season in the Caribbean. And, in June there were catastrophic floods in Haiti, across the rest of the Caribbean, and in South America with catastrophic flooding in Brazil, Ecuador and Chile. Brooke So like, just south of the areas that are having the really bad heat waves, basically? Inmn Yeah. There's also this extreme flooding happening. And, some of this can be explained by a another pretty large weather shift, which is that we are officially in an El Nino weather pattern as of June Brooke An El Nino is the wet one, right? It's way too much rain. And La Nina is something else? Inmn Yeah, kind of. I spent a long time trying to understand these weather patterns and they're rather complicated. So, essentially what is going on is that there's this large amount of warm water that accumulates around Australia. And at some point, there's this big weather shift due to these like feedback loops changing. And, all of that warm water starts to move eastward. So, okay, during a La Nina event, Australia and tropical Asia experience a lot of flooding and storms and stuff. And then during an El Nino event, all of that warm water starts to shift eastward, which results in much higher surface water temperatures across the Atlantic. Which, can do a lot of it brings. It brings rain as well to the Atlantic. But, it also brings a huge amount of heat. So like during an El Nino event, there is projected to be like large increases in global temperatures and specifically in the surface water. And so typically in a La Nina event, we experience in the Atlantic a lot more hurricanes. So during an El Nino event, there's actually like a decrease in the amount of intensified hurricanes because of the trade winds that are associated with an El Nino event. They kind of like cut off the head of the hurricane before it can develop. But, due to an unprecedented heat event occurring, the heat is actually suppressing the winds and so a lot of weather scientists are unsure what's going to happen for this El Nino event because the winds that normally prevent large hurricanes might not do that anymore. But, there will be a huge increase in warm water and in the amount of water in the Atlantic so other catastrophic things could happen. Brooke Oh, good. Just what we need more catastrophic things. Inmn Yeah, and this is....I feel like I'm going to get @'ed for for some of this reporting. Go watch a YouTube video about El Nino.... [Brooke interrupts] Brooke You're not a climatologist full time. Inmn Yeah, not a climatologist. I had a really hard time deciphering a lot of this information. But yeah, that's what I got about the weather. Brooke I think it was great. And I appreciate that. Alright, one quick news topic for you if I may? Inmn Yeah, yeah. What else have you got in this list of horrifying things? Brooke Well, the United States Postal Service, USPS, is raising the price of stamps again. That's effective July 9th. So, if you happen to be listening to this before July 9th and you're someone who does a lot of mailings, run out and buy some Forever stamps because they will be only be 63 cents and you can use them for first class postage forever. Where as, starting July 9th, they're going to be 66 cents. They're gonna go up three whole cents. They're also raising the price for postcards and for international mail. Inmn Cool. I mean, you know, whatever. But... Brooke I have one more funny news story, but I can't remember if you had other stuff to share, too? Inmn I have some more stuff. I have some other headlines. But, you know, do your headlines. Brooke Oh, no, throw out one of your headlines. I want to your headlines. I just did a headline. We take turns here at Strangers. It's very important. Inmn All of my headlines are about pretty bad things happening for trans folks. Brooke Oh God, no. Inmn No, it's not a good month or a year for us. Brooke Or century. Life time. Inmn In Vancouver, BC, a husband and a wife interrupted a track and field meet literally in the middle of the shot-put event as this kid was walking up to do her turn. And this dad like literally stormed onto the field, accusing this person--who is a cis girl--ended up berating and accusing her of being trans, and how she should not be able allowed to compete, and demanded that the parents produce a birth certificate on the spot to prove that this like nine year old, this girl was, in fact, a cis girl. Brooke Don't harass children. I mean, the whole thing is kind of bananas, but what grown ass adult in their right mind thinks it's okay to walk up to like, you know--I was picturing like a high schooler, which is still not okay, but then you said a nine year old and I'm like, "What the actual fuck? Like, what's wrong with your brain?" I shouldn't say it that way. Why would you think it's okay to berate a nine year old child? A stranger that you don't know? That's just bananas. That's bananas. Inmn Yeah. All in the name of protecting children. [said with dry sarcasm] Brooke Yes, as a mother, I'm imagining if that had been my child in that situation, I would have not done well. I become kind of a mama bear with my kid. And like some stranger comes up and starts shouting at my kid, it's not gonna go well for them. And I just don't understand how anybody thinks that's okay. Inmn Yeah, and the both of them also verbally berated both of this kid's moms as being, you know, groomers and genital mutilators? Brooke Gross. Yeah, child's not even trans. Not that would be okay if they were, but it's just that extra layer of ignorance. Inmn Yeah, it does point to this larger thing, though, of like, you know--obviously, all of this heightened violence towards trans people is obviously more dangerous for trans people than it is for anyone else--But, I think that we're going to see--and this is corroborated by some more headlines that I have--that a lot of this violence is also going to be directed at other queer people. It's going to be directed at trans guys. And, a lot of it's going to be directed at cis women. Like, basically anyone who doesn't fit gender norms. Brooke Wonderful. Inmn Whether that's how they dress or how their hair is cut or otherwise. And, that was part of the provoking incident with this nine year old was that she had a pixie cut. So, she had short hair. Brooke Oh, no. I had a shaved head at that age. Like 8, 9, 10. Like, shaved. Like that's just a pixie cut, you know, little tiny baby hairs. That's how I like to wear it. And it's weird to think about how if I were nine years old today, how I might be treated. I mean, everybody thought I was weird for having a boys haircut then but like, nobody was going to come up and yell at me about, I don't know, my gender expression or anything like that. They're just like, "You're weird." And that was all. Inmn Yeah. Interesting. Do you have any other headlines? Brooke I've got one more fun story from Oregon for you. Do you want it now? Or do you want it after your evil headlines? Inmn Maybe if it's fun, maybe it's like a nice thing later? Brooke Okay, yeah, that's good. Suffering for a little bit. And then maybe I can take us out with some lols. Inmn Another notable thing that happened...this was like trending on Tik Tok a lot this past month was a like...a masc, a slightly masc presenting cis lesbian woman was actually arrested for using the bathroom designated for women. Brooke Oh, of course. Inmn Yeah. Brooke God forbid. Inmn Yeah. Which involves this dude cop like going into this bathroom and trying to shake this person down for ID, you know? To like, prove that she was in fact a cis woman. Brooke Oh, the whole bathroom thing. Inmn Ben Shapiro. I'm sure folks knew who Ben Shapiro is. Brooke A little bit. Inmn Yep. So, Ben Shapiro and the Daily Wire is filming an anti-trans movie in Nashville right now. Brooke I was really hoping you were gonna say in a bathroom. Sorry. Inmn I'm sure bathrooms will get brought into this movie. Brooke Okay, and where? Nashville? Inmn Nashville Tennessee. Brooke What's it called? Inmn It's called the Coach Miracle and it is about a group of cis men who are pretending to be trans women so that they can play basketball in the Olympics. Brooke Okay. Inmn And I think I've heard that Ted Cruz was on location filming with it. And they misled...they had a bunch of misleading casting ads, which tricked a lot of queer actors into signing on to the film. Brooke Yeah, I see it. I see it now. Inmn Because it's being billed as this like queer comedy movie about basketball. But, yeah, it's pretty bad. But okay, so the one thing that I'm wondering is, does them making that movie put them in violation of Tennessee's drag ban? Brooke When the shitty laws come back around to bite the shitty people in the ass? I hope it does. Inmn Yeah, well, or Brooke I really hope it violates that law. Inmn It definitely wouldn't...like no one...None of them are going to be prosecuted for that. But, in a good bit of news, a federal judge rejected the Tennessee drag show ban as being unconstitutional. Brooke Yeah, it is. It's a First Amendment violation Inmn Yeah. So, the Tennessee drag ban is is no more. I mean, it's still in the books, but it has been deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Brooke Alright. Well, that's a little something to make me less, just a little bit less worried about the world. Inmn Yeah. But also the Human Rights Campaign, which I feel like I'm having like a brain fog around. I feel like the Human Rights Campaign came under heavy critique for being pretty transphobic in years past. But I can't remember a lot of things. So. But, you know, regardless, Human Rights Campaign, declared in June, what, you know, trans people have been saying for a very long time, which is that they declared a national state of emergency for trans people. Brooke Holy shit. Inmn Which, you know, I don't really understand what that means. And it's like, you know, queer and trans people have been saying the same thing for a very long time. So like, I don't really know what kind of legitimacy they're lending to it. But... Brooke Yeah, but they're like a well known entity. So them, I think, saying that like really is going to draw some important attention to what's going on that obviously, you and I are paying well attention to, but I don't know how much any of the rest of society and you know, your normal Democrats or vanilla leftist folks are really paying any attention to all of this that's going on. Inmn Yeah, yeah, that's true. But regardless of what's up with the Human Rights Campaign... And my foggy memory...Maybe they're fine? I don't know. They did put out a report recently that is this interactive document that keeps up on what laws are being introduced, what bills have been signed into law, what states there are sports bans and bathroom bans, and things like that. Pretty much all of the information to stay up to date on what's going on in your area or your surrounding area can be found in this interactive report that they put out. Brooke So, okay. Well, if you've had problems in the past, it sounds like they are catching up and making progress and starting to do some good things now. So we should always applaud when that starts to happen. Inmn Yeah. Brooke Or we can be disappointed. But it's, you know, it's good that they're getting there now. I feel like. Inmn Yeah. What's your good headline? Yeah. What's your funny news? Brooke Okay, soon New Jersey is going to be the only state in the United States where you're not allowed to pump your own gas because Oregon's legislature just passed a law saying that's going to end our very, very silly law that says you cannot pump your own gas. So, the governor still has to sign in that law--which there's no reason to think she's not going to--and then congratulations to us. When we get to a gas station, we can get out of our cars and do it ourselves. And it's hard to emphasize how ridiculous this is if you haven't, like, lived here in Oregon and then traveled to other places where you can pump your own gas, you know? I've lived in this state my whole life, but I traveled to Washington frequently. And once I crossed that state border, I pump my own gas and it's not a big deal. But, in Oregon, I mean, you don't get out of your car, right? You roll down your window and someone comes to you and takes your card and pumps your gas. And there have been a couple of times like during severe heat waves and part of COVID, in which they allowed self-service. And it was very confusing for people. You could see them when they got to the gas station that they were sitting there and like looking around and waiting. And then they realized there was a sign and then they were like, "Oh, pump my own gas," and they get out and they look at this machine like it's asking them to do calculus or something. Oh, it's gonna be so confusing and upsetting for people and I'm looking forward to it. Inmn Cool? Brooke It's just so silly that we can't. I mean, it's a law that came on the books like 70 years ago or something like that because the government was worried about, you know, people handling flammable materials and whether or not they could be responsible and safe. And, Oregon still has that law active on the books. Inmn Wow. Brooke Yeah. So this means nothing to, you know, probably 80% of our listeners, but the 20% of you who are in Oregon with me or who have lived here for a set of time, you know you're laughing. Inmn To just to frame this episode with, you know, fascists killing or harming or trying to fight other fascists. So, people might have heard, but there was an attempted coup in Russia from this group called the Wagner Group, which is a private military company of some 50,000 troops. Brooke Damn, Inmn Yeah, yeah. And it's a private military company, they're literal mercenaries. It is a company that is operated by a single person who was...It's hard for me to understand what, you know, fascists quips with other fascists are, but they were dissatisfied with the military leadership for the, you know, the invasion of Ukraine. And they were upset that they claimed that their troops were getting shelled by the larger Russian military. And so they staged a coup. They attempted to go to Moscow to specifically target this general who is in charge of the invasion of Ukraine. And that lasted about a day and there was this shady sounding deal that was brokered between Putin and Prigozhin, who's the head of the Wagner group, by the Belarusian president, I think. And the details of the deal have not been...no one knows what the details of the deal are. But, the Wagner group went from being accused of treason and like considered criminals by the Russian state to everything's fine and no one's getting in trouble. Brooke Yeah, sure. Everything's fine. Inmn So yeah, some fascists killed some other fascists. Brooke Excellent. No notes. Brooke No notes. Brooke As we started the episode, so we ended with good news. Thanks for that happy headline. Can I do the the ending thing now with the ending of the thing? Brooke Thanks so much for listening to the latest installment of This Month in the Apocalypse. We come to you as members of the Strangers in a Tangled Wilderness publishing collective. We produce a few other podcasts, great zines, publish books. And, we just finished very successfully Kickstarting our first tabletop role playing game, Penumbra City. Inmn Which, as of...If you're listening on Friday, you still have until 7am on Saturday, July 1st to back this Kickstarter. Brooke So why would you want to? Inmn So this wonderful role playing game that me, and Margaret, and Robin, and Casandra have been working on for a really long time is...We Kicstarted it. It was a huge success. Thank you, everyone. So, if you back the Kickstarter now, in addition to whatever rewards you select--and there's, you know, there's rewards from digital PDFs, to a beautiful hardcover print edition of the game--you get a reduced price because it's going to be cheaper on the Kickstarter than it will be when we sell it later. Brooke That's like a 20% discount. That's awesome. Yeah. Inmn And you also get some Kickstarter exclusive swag, a sticker that won't exist after this, and access to an art print by Robin Savage, which will also not be available after the Kickstarter. You also get, if you back it now at any level, you get two additional books, which is a novella by Margaret Killjoy, and a campaign module that I'll be writing. And those are because we unlocked most of our stretch goals. You'll also get digital--and these are digital editions and like discount on print editions later--but you'll also get a digital edition of a full color map that Robin and Casandra are making. And so, you know, go check out the Kickstarter. Kickstarter, Penumbra City. It's on there. And yeah, I'm disappointed we didn't get to...[interrupted] Brooke [Finishing] The pizza party or the naked live streamed hot tub party. Inmn It was never naked. It was never going to be...[interrupted] Brooke I was gonna be naked. I don't know what you guys were gonna do. But there's still time though. Get us to that 100k mark and be naked in a hot tub for everyone and you will be happy about it. I promise. Yeah, there's a new book coming out too, that we are crazy excited about? At least I am because I got to do that editing work on it and it is phenomenal. I think I'm gonna buy like five copies, at least, from us when it comes out because I want to give it to so many people. Inmn Yeah, it is an incredible book. It's coming out. It's actually, if you go to our website anytime after listening to this, it'll be available for preorder. And that is To the Ghosts Who Are Still Living by Ami Weintraub. And it is a collection of essays written by Ami. In this collection of remarkable essays, Ami guides us on a journey to meet the ghosts of his Jewish ancestors, the people whose struggles and stories sometimes whisper and sometimes scream to be shared. Ami examines challenging questions of heartbreak, memory, restitution, and self-discovery. It is an absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking book. And, if you want to hear more about the book, what also came out today is an interview with Ami on my other podcast, Strangers in a Tangled Wilderness. There's a really incredible interview that he does talking about the process of creating the book and a sample chapter read by the wonderful Bea Flowers. So, go check out the book and the other podcast to hear more about it. Brooke Nice. All that great stuff is available on our website, Tangledwilderness.org. And we are also on some social media platforms and you can connect with us there. We are able to do all of these rad things because of the support of our listeners, especially because of our Patreon supporters who really provide the base monthly financials that we need in order to do our production work. So, we're incredibly grateful to our patrons. If you're interested in supporting the work, you can check out our Patreon at patreon.com/strangersinatangledwilderness and our lovely Patreon supporters who provide at least $20 a month get a very special shout out at the end of every podcast. We thank you Hoss the dog, Michaiah, Chris, Sam, Kirk, Eleanor, Jenipher, Staro, Cat J., Chelsea, Dana, David, Nicole, Mikki, Paige, SJ, Shawn, Hunter, theo, Boise Mutual Aid, Milica, paparouna, Aly, Jans, Paige, Janice & O'dell, Oxalice, Funder, Anonymous, BenBen, Princess Miranda, and Trixter. Thank you. Find out more at https://live-like-the-world-is-dying.pinecast.co
This podcast honors Juneteenth, which recognizes emancipation from slavery and celebrates the spirit of freedom. ClimeCo, which powers this podcast, believes that supporting Juneteenth aligns with its core values, particularly that of Stewardship. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) is integral to our culture. Encouraging all employees to use their unique perspectives, experiences, and ideas to help advance business outcomes and foster a culture where everyone feels their viewpoint is valued. While many in the United States may be familiar with Juneteenth, this holiday has become more prominent over the past few years. Fueled by social justice issues in 2020, Juneteenth's enactment as a U.S. Federal holiday occurred in 2021. In this episode, Yvonne Harris talks with Jason Edwards, the President & C.E.O. of Juneteenth U.S.A., the oldest Juneteenth nonprofit advocacy organization in the United States. Founded by his late Father, State Representative Al Edwards Sr., in 1985, Jason's purpose is to raise awareness of the Juneteenth Holiday, support events, the arts, and education for that purpose, and encourage state legislative bodies around the U.S. to take up the law in their state legislatures and pass it as a state holiday. In addition to his "passion work," Jason founded Providence Realty Investors and P.R.I. Asset Management, where he is responsible for the development, asset management, and capital markets for several high-net-worth and family office real estate portfolios in the Southeast. He is a founding board member of the Atlanta-based Grove Park Foundation and President of Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management Alumni Club of Atlanta. Jason holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from Morehouse College and a Master of Business Administration from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Jason's vantage point on the evolution of the Juneteenth holiday is unique and personal, as his Dad is considered the "Father of Juneteenth." He was present with his family as a toddler on the steps of the Texas State Capitol when Governor Bill Clements signed the law making Juneteenth a state holiday in 1980. Listen as Yvonne and Jason discuss the meaning of the holiday and its renewed importance to many businesses and individuals. Jason also gives sound advice on how corporations can leverage Juneteenth to further their Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) efforts and their need for courageous conversations about racial equity in the workplace. To support this episode, check out the Black Equity Index - Coqual, and share it with senior leaders and diversity officers. Linked below! Subscribe to the ESG Decoded Podcast on your favorite streaming platform, YouTube, and social media so that you're notified of new episodes. Enjoy tuning in! Episode Resource Links: Jason's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkedwards/ About Juneteenth: https://www.juneteenthusa.org/ Black Equity Index: https://coqual.org/black-equity-index/ Harvard Implicit Bias Test: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/user/agg/blindspot/indexrk.htm
Tuck chats with Naveen Kundanmal (they/them) about doing Shaina Twain karaoke at the Texas State Capitol and tracking your HRT timeline via pterodactyl screeches. (Plus, news about next season!) Listen to the full episode on Patreon for discussions of: Trying to plan a (gender-neutral) wedding without being cringe Getting medicated out of your need to TikTok Bonding with your mom over changing your first name as an adult What does Patti Harrison have to do with our cursed friendship origin story?? Find Naveen on Instagram @hottubtimenaveen or Twitter @naveenwashable, and see what's happening in Texas @equalitytexas across social media. Find our merch shop at bit.ly/gendermerch. See Tuck with Normal Gossip at Town Hall on June 16.
IntroductionIf you ask the average American on the street what religious freedom is, you will get all sorts of different ideas. Some places, you will hear: “keep your religion to yourself. Haven't you heard of the separation of Church and State?” Others might answer: “People are free to believe whatever they want. Who am I to judge if they're right or not?” Still others might claim that religious freedom means the ability to pray privately however you want.None of these are what religious freedom actually is specifically. But it should also be noted that the American constitutional notion of religious freedom is not precisely what the Catholic Church holds religious freedom to be. And, so, the object of today's exploration is to look at what religious freedom is in the United States of America. Then, more importantly, to view what religious freedom is, in principle, as defined by the Catholic Church at the Second Vatican Council. Separation of Church and StateThe First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, the first of the ten amendments which comprise the Bill of Rights, adopted on December 15, 1791, reads thusly:“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”For our purposes we will focus on the first phrase: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” This is known as the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.I do not have the time or space here to provide an exhaustive account of American jurisprudence on the matter of religious liberty. But, I do want to draw out a few key moments in American History where this question came up and which will give us a clearer view of what religious freedom is.Thomas Jefferson's Danbury LetterIn a letter to the Danbury Baptists, Thomas Jefferson wrote:“GentlemenThe affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem (Danbury Letter).”He wrote this letter in response to a letter from the Danbury Baptists in order to explain his views on federalism and the meaning of the Establishment Clause. The main meaning of his “wall of separation between Church & State” is an assurance that the government would not interfere with the church of the Danbury Baptists or give special treatment to any particular religion or sect. Justice Hugo Black, an appointee of Franklin Roosevelt to the Supreme Court, would even refer later to the Danbury explanation as an “almost authoritative declaration” of the Founders' intent for the Establishment Clause (cf. Bill of Rights Institute).Two days after sending this letter, though, Jefferson attended a religious service in the House of Representatives location in the Capitol. As Daniel Roeber notes: “Jefferson and others recognized the benefits of developing a national identity that transcended interdenominational division (Roeber).” Yet, since 1795, public worship was administered at the partially completed Capitol Building each Sunday at noon (cf. ibid).Religious liberty was the motivation of the Plymouth Pilgrims and many Catholics who settled in Maryland. However, the colonial period was far from united on religious matters. Protestant sects disagreed amongst themselves. Catholics were seen as untrustworthy papists of low social stature. Jewish people were tolerated, at best. The nascent country needed an identity which transcended these divisions. The importance of developing a national identity was something that would take over a hundred years more as most identified most readily with their own state. Lemon V. Kurtzman and the Three Pronged Test (1971)Let us now skip forward quite a bit to 1971. In that year, a case was brought to the Supreme Court in which the Court considered whether a law in Pennsylvania violated the Establishment Clause. The law reimbursed religious schools with state funds for textbooks and salaries for teachers for non-public, non-secular schools. The Court responded 8-0 with a three-pronged test for determining whether a given statute is constitutional. The government may assist religion only if:* The primary purpose of the assistance is secular* The assistance must neither promote nor inhibit religion, and * There is no excessive entanglement between church and stateIn this specific case, the Pennsylvania law was struck down because of excessive entanglement between church and state. It is worth noticing here what is implicit: there is nothing wrong, in the American understanding, with some implicit entanglement between Church and State. The issue, ultimately, is when the line is crossed towards “excessive.”Marsh v. Chambers (1983)The Nebraska legislature opened each of its sessions with a publicly funded chaplain offering a prayer. The Supreme Court, in Marsh v. Chambers (1983) determined that this was NOT a violation of the Establishment Clause. Though this instance does not pass the “Lemon” three-pronged test, the Justices argued that there is a long historical custom going back to the Continental Congress and the very Congress that resulted in the Bill of Rights. In the majority opinion, Chief Justice Warren Burger wrote: “In light of the unambiguous and unbroken history of more than 200 years, there can be no doubt that the practice of opening legislative sessions with prayer has become part of the fabric of our society. To invoke Divine guidance on a public body entrusted with making the laws is not, in these circumstances, an ‘establishment' of religion or a step toward establishment; it is simply a tolerable acknowledgment of beliefs widely held among the people of this country (Citation: 463 US 783).”As we saw with the Capitol Building services, there is not a strict and non-transversable wall of separation of Church and State. Other Supreme Court CasesI now want to walk through several other Supreme Court cases that touched on religious liberty. Again, this list is not exhaustive, but it can help us round out our picture.Reynolds v. United States (1879)In 1879, in Reynolds v. United States, the Court upheld a federal law banning polygamy. They claimed that the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment forbids government from regulating belief but that government can nonetheless punish acts which it judges to be criminal, regardless of religious belief.Torcaso v. Watkins (1961)As of 1961, the State of Maryland had a requirement that a candidate for public office needed to declare that they believed in God in order to be eligible for the position. Unanimously, in Torcaso v. Watkins, the Court agreed that this gives preference to believers who were willing to publicly profess; therefore, Maryland was aiding theistic religions and beliefs overr atheistic ones.Engel v. Vitale (1962)In the 1962 case Engel v. Vitale, the Court ruled 6-1 that a New York prayer to begin the school day was unconstitutional and in violation of the Establishment Clause despite being a nondenominational prayer. Abington v. Schempp & Murray v. Curlett (1963)The following year in 1963, the Court heard the case of Abington v. Schempp and the related case of Murray v. Curlett. In both cases, public schools were involving students in daily Bible readings and in the latter case of the daily recitation of the Lord's Prayer. Both of these cases were seen as violating both the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause.Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)In 1972, Amish parents sued the State of Wisconsin for requiring that their children attend school until the age of 16. The unanimous decision held that the Amish teens were exempt from the state law of requiring 14 to 16 year olds to attend school because the Amish religion required a living apart from worldly influences. In other words, though it was in the state's interest that the children receive two years more schooling, this did not outweigh the free exercise of the religion of the Amish.McDaniel v. Paty (1978)A Tennessee law barring clergymen from serving in public office was challenged in 1978 in McDaniel v. Paty. The Court unanimously ruled that this law was a violation of the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment (as well as the Fourteenth Amendment) because it made holding public office contingent on surrendering religious beliefs. Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye v. City of Hialeah (1993)In 1993, the Court heard Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye v. City of Hialeah. There were ordinances passed by the city of Hialeah, Florida that banned animal sacrifice. These laws were not written in a neutral and generally applicable way. They specifically targeted Santeria, a Afro-Caribbean religion based on Yoruba and some Catholic elements. Because animal sacrifice is an important part of Santeria, the Court ruled that the ordinances were designed as a form of religious persecution in violation of the Free Exercise Clause. Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe (2000)The Sante Fe Independent School District of Texas in 2000 had a policy permitting student-led, student-initiated prayer at football games. In a 6-3 decision, the Court upheld an appellate court's ruling that this was a violation of the Establishment Clause. The school district tried to argue that because it was student led and initiated, it was private speech, and, thus, protected under the First Amendment. However, Justice John Paul Stevens argued that it was not private speech because it was done over the P.A. system, by a student body representative, under school faculty supervision, and under school policy. Also, it did not pass the “Lemon” test because it did not have a secular purpose and was implemented with the purpose of endorsing school prayer.Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow (2004)California's Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow in 2004 investigated the policy requiring each elementary school class to say the Pledge of Allegiance daily. Michael Newdow, a father of one of the students, challenged this because of the words therein contained of “under God.” Because Newdow did not have custody of the child, he did not have standing to bring the case to court. However, in concurring opinions, Justices William Rehnquist, Sandra Day O'Connor, and Clarence Thomas, said that the words “under God” do NOT violate the Establishment Clause.As the Bill of Rights Institute reports:“Further, they noted, ‘the phrase ‘under God' in the Pledge seems, as a historical matter, to sum up the attitude of the Nation's leaders, and to manifest itself in many of our public observances. Examples of patriotic invocations of God and official acknowledgments of religion's role in our Nation's history abound.' They concluded that ‘the recital, in a patriotic ceremony pledging allegiance to the flag and to the Nation, of the descriptive phrase ‘under God' cannot possibly lead to the establishment of a religion, or anything like it' (Bill of Rights Institute).”Van Orden v. Perry (2005)In a similar case in Van Orden V. Perry in 2005, in a 5-4 decision, the Court determined that a monument inscribed with the Ten Commandments on Texas State Capitol grounds did not violate the Establishment Clause. There were 38 other monuments on the grounds and highlighted different parts of Texan history. Justice William Rehnquist argued that the monument had a religious message, however, it was presented in a context showing that:“[a] secular moral message about proper standards of social conduct and a message about the historic relation between those standards and the law.” Therefore, the religious message is part of a broader context of cultural heritage and patrimony of the people of Texas. Teaching Evolution in SchoolsThere are two Supreme Court cases worth looking at briefly which discuss the teaching of evolution in schools. Generally, there is a perceived discrepancy of considerable magnitude between the theory of evolution and the evidence for creation from the Book of Genesis. I am not getting into that minefield right now, but these cases show how religious liberty and the government of the United States interact.Epperson v. Arkansas (1968)In Epperson v. Arkansas in 1968, Arkansas passed a law saying that public school teachers were banned from teaching evolution because it was in contradiction with the Bible account of creation.Justice Abe Fortas wrote in the majority opinion:“In the present case, there can be no doubt that Arkansas has sought to prevent its teachers from discussing the theory of evolution because it is contrary to the belief of some that the Book of Genesis must be the exclusive source of doctrine as to the origin of man. No suggestion has been made that Arkansas' law may be justified by considerations of state policy other than the religious views of some of its citizens (Epperson v. Arkansas).”He continued to argue that the law of Arkansas is clearly not a religiously neutral act. Instead it was the targeting of a particular theory on Biblical grounds, literally read. Therefore, it is a violation of the First and Fourteenth Amendments.Edwards v. Aguillard (1987)Nineteen years later in Edwards v. Aguillard in 1987, the Court examined a Louisiana law forbidding the teaching of the theory of evolution in public schools unless it was accompanied by an equal treatment of creationism. In a 7-2 decision, the Court declared that this law violated the Establishment Clause because it failed all three parts of the “Lemon” test. It lacked secular purpose, endorsed the view that a supernatural being created mankind, and it entangled the interests of Church and State by seeking “to employ the symbolic and financial support of government to achieve a religious purpose (Citation: 482 US 578).”The American View of Religious LibertyIn sum, the evolution of religious liberty in the United States has its basis on the cultural milieu of the time. In the colonial period and in the early days of the country, there were few true atheists. Deism was exceptionally popular, but even Deists acknowledge a belief in the Creator. So, a nondenominational prayer to the Creator at the state of a session of Congress was a forgone conclusion. Since that time, the United States of America has become far more cultural, religiously, and politically diverse. As a result of this undeniable diversity, it cannot be said that the United States is currently a Judeo-Christian nation, even if the case can strongly be made that it began that way. Private speech and religious practice is unambiguously protected. However, as we have seen, the nature of the public exercise of religion is questioned when public funds are in the mix. Each of the examples mentioned above, and where problems usually arise, is in publicly-funded schools, government property or buildings, and in relation to public office. However, the Supreme Court has upheld that religious beliefs which are not criminal are protected in the public sphere. A religious person need not check their religion at the door when engaging in public matters (and how could they, really). The First Amendment of the Constitution protects all Americans against the establishment of any one religion to the competition or detriment of any others. Any law which would exclude a person from public life on the basis of religion is unconstitutional. And the free exercise of religion is safeguarded and held in a careful balance with the interests of all other religions, beliefs, and ideas. This reality is a blessing and a curse for Catholics. On the one hand, we have freedom to boldly speak the truth without fear of legal reprisal, within due limits. Yet, on the other hand, there is a bland tolerance of false religions and ideas antithetical to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His Church.The Church's View of Religious FreedomAll of that being said, what is the Catholic view of religious freedom? Is it precisely the American view or are there significant differences? When I speak to American Catholics about this question, there is no real sense of a firm understanding of the Church on the matter. And, frankly, when people read the official Church teaching, they do not understand the nuances offered there. I am going to do my best to help shed some light on the subject! Dignitatis HumanaeOn December 7, 1965, Pope St. Paul VI promulgated a Declaration on Religious Freedom which is one of the sixteen documents of the Second Vatican Council. Dignitatis Humanae (DH) is only fifteen paragraph sections long and is highly worth reading in its entirety. What I will offer here is a brief summary and the main conclusions. In the interest of keeping this to the point, I am going to be looking at three questions:* What is religious freedom in the eyes of the Catholic Church?* Why is religious freedom based on human dignity?* How has God revealed religious liberty?What is religious freedom in the eyes of the Catholic Church?God has made Himself known to man, shown us how we are to serve Him, and how we are saved in Christ and come to eternal blessedness. The Church unequivocally affirms in Dignitatis Humanae that:“We believe that this one true religion subsists in the Catholic and Apostolic Church, to which the Lord Jesus committed the duty of spreading it abroad among all men. Thus He spoke to the Apostles: ‘Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have enjoined upon you' (Matt. 28: 19-20) (DH, 1).”Many of those who are suspicious of the Second Vatican Council read this not as the full throated profession of Christ and His Church that it is. Instead, they read the word “subsist” in an uncharitable and ignorant way. We could say that the one true religion IS the Catholic and Apostolic Church, but subsists is actually a richer word. Subsists means to begin in a certain way and remain in that way. In other words, there is no true religion apart from the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, as our Lord began it and has constantly sustained it to this day. The Church which, of course, is His own Mystical Body.The Council Fathers continue:“On their part, all men are bound to seek the truth, especially in what concerns God and His Church, and to embrace the truth they come to know, and to hold fast to it (DH, 1).”Elsewhere in Vatican II in the documents Lumen Gentium and Ad Gentes we hear: “Whosoever, therefore, knowing that the Catholic Church was made necessary by Christ, would refuse to enter or to remain in it, could not be saved… The bonds which bind men to the Church in a visible way are profession of faith, the sacraments, and ecclesiastical government and communion. He is not saved, however, who, though part of the body of the Church, does not persevere in charity. He remains indeed in the bosom of the Church, but, as it were, only in a ‘bodily' manner and not ‘in his heart' (LG, 14).”For those who claim that Vatican II is weak on doctrine and the truth and is overly ambiguous or some other such nonsense, it is abundantly clear that they never read the documents or they have read them in an uncharitable and ignorant way.At any rate, all of this being said, what is religious freedom? The Council Fathers write:“Religious freedom, in turn, which men demand as necessary to fulfill their duty to worship God, has to do with immunity from coercion in civil society. Therefore it leaves untouched traditional Catholic doctrine on the moral duty of men and societies toward the true religion and toward the one Church of Christ (DH, 1).”So, the moral duty of man towards the Catholic Church remains untouched by religious freedom. What is vital to understand the Church's view is that phrase: “immunity from coercion in civil society.” That is the key. A more substantial definition is then given, with very official verbiage:“This Vatican Council declares that the human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits (DH, 2).”The Church has always held to this doctrine. We know, for example, that the Church has always condemned forced conversions as illegitimate and compelled baptisms as invalid. As St. John Paul II often said: the Faith is always proposed, not imposed.'Why is religious freedom based on human dignity?This right to religious freedom is rooted in human dignity. The Church even calls for this right to be enshrined in constitutional law throughout the world. Our human dignity points to the fact that God endowed man with reason and free will and therefore personal responsibility. We are impelled by human nature and bound by moral obligation to seek the truth, especially religious truth. Once we know the truth, we are bound to adhere to it and order our lives towards it. The Church declares that religious freedom is thus necessary because:“... men cannot discharge these obligations in a manner in keeping with their own nature unless they enjoy immunity from external coercion as well as psychological freedom (DH, 2).”There is no love without freedom, there is no seeking of the truth without freedom. So, religious freedom does not belong to feelings and subjective disposition. No. It belongs to the very nature of the human person. Faith comes from what is heard. And as truth is discovered, “it is by a personal assent that men are to adhere to it,” to use another phrase from Dignitatis Humanae (DH, 2). Personal though this assent is, religious freedom also extends to religious communities. They should not be hindered:“either by legal measures or by administrative action on the part of government, in the selection, training, appointment, and transferral of their own ministers, in communicating with religious authorities and communities abroad, in erecting buildings for religious purposes, and in the acquisition and use of suitable funds or properties (DH, 4).”Nor should they be hindered from public teaching and witness of faith, whether spoken or written. As the preeminent religious community, all of these freedoms belong to the family as well.How has God revealed religious liberty?In Divine Revelation, the doctrine of religious freedom finds its roots. The Council Fathers write:“Revelation does not indeed affirm in so many words the right of man to immunity from external coercion in matters religious. It does, however, disclose the dignity of the human person in its full dimensions (DH, 9).”First and foremost, man's response to God in faith must be free for it to be legitimate. No one can be forced to become Catholic. The act of faith is a free act. Forcing someone to love is not love at all. As Dignitatis Humanae states:“It is therefore completely in accord with the nature of faith that in matters religious every manner of coercion on the part of men should be excluded. In consequence, the principle of religious freedom makes no small contribution to the creation of an environment in which men can without hindrance be invited to the Christian faith, embrace it of their own free will, and profess it effectively in their whole manner of life (DH, 10).”God is very clear, however, in what He has revealed that we are to boldly proclaim the truth. Therefore, are we to be “tolerant” and “accepting” of other religions and simply have a bland indifference? Absolutely not! The Council Fathers write:“The disciple is bound by a grave obligation toward Christ, his Master, ever more fully to understand the truth received from Him, faithfully to proclaim it, and vigorously to defend it, never-be it understood-having recourse to means that are incompatible with the spirit of the Gospel. At the same time, the charity of Christ urges him to love and have prudence and patience in his dealings with those who are in error or in ignorance with regard to the faith (DH, 14).”Freedom from CoercionFreedom from coercion in religious matters is the crux of the Church's view of religious liberty. Really, it pertains directly to the establishing of an environment in which a person may freely seek and adhere to the one, true religion. Though there are elements of truth outside the Catholic Church, there is no salvation. If someone outside the visible bounds of the Church is saved, it is only by the superabundant merits of Jesus Christ and the instrumentality of the Catholic Church, the sacrament of salvation.We must not be indifferent. We must boldly preach the truth at all times. And we must not be afraid to stand up for these beliefs, even when it is inconvenient. In some contexts doing so can lead to our bodily martyrdom. In the United States of America, the constitutional order is more or less compatible with the free practice of the Catholic religion. However, we must be cognizant that there is a distinct difference between religious freedom in the American idea and the Catholic teaching.The American notion protects us, to an extent, but it is more geared to creating a national identity that transcends religion. This should make any faithful Catholic nervous because it is working. How many American Catholics do you know who are more concerned about being American Catholics than being Catholics who happen to be American? Religious freedom is freedom from coercion. Ultimately, it is freedom FOR the truth, FOR the Catholic Faith. We cannot forget this, lest we descend into a banal coexistence or tolerance without the drive to share the fullness of the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. We cannot be indifferent and we cannot be content to allow anyone to stay in error. We must respect their right to religious freedom by not coercing them and respecting their journey, in good conscience. But the task and privilege of evangelization remains in full force. Get full access to Good Distinctions at www.gooddistinctions.com/subscribe
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After a month of the heightened presence of Texas Department of Public Safety troopers in Austin, centered primarily on parts of the city that are home to a large percentage of Austin's non-white communities, concerns and questions are rising - and in parallel, the violent crackdown on transgender rights activists at the Texas State Capitol this week by DPS troopers may further illuminate the reality of the situation. We welcome two guests very close to the story: Austin City Council Member Zo Qadri, who has had a front row seat at Austin City Hall while all of this has unfolded, and prominent Austin-area criminal defense attorney and longtime progressive political activist Rick Cofer, who interacts with both DPS and APD officers on a daily basis, both join us for an intensive analysis. How does DPS differ - in both goals and culture - from municipal or county-level law enforcement agencies? What exactly is DPS's mission and method in Austin? How was the decision at the top levels of the city's leadership to bring them in reached? And, what happens next: when, and how, can this uncomfortable partnership come to a peaceful close? By the way, as you'll hear in our conversation, the May "Prop A vs Prop B" election in Austin is directly related to today's topic. If you're listening on release day (Saturday May 6) - PLEASE get out and vote TODAY! Learn more at GoVoteTexas.org. You have until 7pm! On Twitter: find CM Zo Qadri at https://twitter.com/ZoForAustin, and Rick Cofer at https://twitter.com/rickcofer. And, if you appreciate our work and would like to help us continue, please consider making a donation: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/donate.
PLUS a legislative update. Texas' 88th Session
Brooke Rollins, President and CEO of America First Policy Institute, joined Rick Roberts, to talk about the hearing at the Texas State Capitol to talk about the school choice bills that many are hoping go through. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Things move fast at the Texas Legislature - meaning, a lot of bad stuff can happen very quickly if advocates against the conservative agenda are not engaged - and environmental issues are certainly no exception. Joining us for a second episode this week is Luke Metzger, Executive Director for Environment Texas, with a rundown of the many issues and concerns at play, including new, nefarious trends in energy production in Texas, and an update on the upcoming Alliance For A Clean Texas Lobby Day, scheduled for the Texas State Capitol on Tuesday, April 11. Please plan to join us! All about the Lobby Day, including your registration: https://actionnetwork.org/events/act-lobby-day All about Environment Texas: https://environmentamerica.org/texas/ And - if you're a regular listener and would like to support us at Progress Texas (thank you!), go here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/donate
Hey ChatGPT, what are five interesting facts about the state of Texas? Size and population: Texas is the second-largest state in the United States, both in terms of area and population. As of the last census, the population of Texas was around 29 million, making it the second-most populous state in the U.S. after California. Six flags over Texas: The phrase "six flags over Texas" refers to the six different nations that have ruled over the region throughout its history. Texas has a booming economy, ranking as the 9th largest in the world if it were a separate country. The Alamo, located in San Antonio, is one of the most famous landmarks in Texas and the site of a pivotal battle during the Texas Revolution. The Texas State Capitol in Austin, completed in 1888, is the largest state capitol building in the United States. It is even taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. But that's enough about Texas. Pardon our dyslexic moment, but this show is about TAXES. Today we welcome Crypto Tax CPA Clinton Donnelly back to the show to discuss two major happenings that everyone should be aware of as it relates to your taxes. It ain't Texas, but we've got a heart as big as it on our pay your taxes, bitches, episode #674 of The Bad Crypto Podcast. Full Show Notes at: http://badco.in/ SUBSCRIBE, RATE, & REVIEW: Apple Podcast: http://badco.in/itunesGoogle Podcasts: http://badco.in/googleSpotify: http://badco.in/spotify FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Twitter: @badcryptopod - @joelcomm - @teedubyaFacebook: /BadCrypto - /JoelComm - /teedubyawFacebook Mastermind Group: /BadCryptoLinkedIn: /in/joelcomm - /in/teedubyaInstagram: @BadCryptoPodcastEmail: badcryptopodcast[at]gmail[dot]comPhone: SEVEN-OH-8-88FIVE- 90THIRTY BE A FEATURED GUEST: http://badco.in/apply DISCLAIMER:Do your own due diligence and research. Joel Comm and Travis Wright are NOT FINANCIAL ADVISORS. We are sharing our journey with you as we learn more about this crazy little thing called cryptocurrency. We make NO RECOMMENDATIONS. Don't take anything we say as gospel. Do not come to our homes with pitchforks because you lost money by listening to us. We only share with you what we are learning and what we are investing it. We will never "pump or dump" any cryptocurrencies. Take what we say with a grain of salt. You must research this stuff on your own! Just know that we will always strive for RADICAL TRANSPARENCY with any show associations.Support the show: https://badcryptopodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We'd love your support:Join our PatreonDonate on StripeLeave us a rating and review wherever you listenShare our podcast with your friendsClaire attended a staff legislative briefing at the Texas State Capitol. She was invited by a friend of the pod, Patti Everitt. If you haven't listened to our episode that features Patti Everitt educating us about charter schools in Texas, we highly recommend you go back and listen. We've learned that there's a lot of misinformation about charter schools and Patti Everitt is on the front lines of debunking those false narratives. At the briefing, Claire shared her experience of fighting a charter amendment expansion in her own neighborhood. She worked with Patti and fellow community members who fought back against the charter expansion and won! Stay tuned as we continue to stay informed especially as Governor Greg Abbott has named school choice as a top legislative priority this 88th Texas Legislative Session.
The horror stories that were predicted by Texas Democrats - and ignored by Texas Republicans - have become reality. A growing number of Texas women have been left at death's doorstep as doctors in our state shy away from the threat of punishment for administering lifesaving medical care related to pregnancy. The first lawsuit representing plaintiffs who have been denied essential care due to Texas' cruel and vaguely-written new laws regarding abortion has been filed. Joining us this week to celebrate the brave plaintiffs, discuss the case, and evaluate what the future holds for the ongoing fight for reproductive freedom in Texas are former State Senator and abortion rights icon Wendy Davis - now Senior Advisor for Planned Parenthood Texas Votes - and Austin Kaplan, an Austin-based attorney and progressive activist, who is working on behalf of the plaintiffs. A heartbreaking listen this time, but one that needs to be heard - we cannot give up on the essential personal rights of Texans. Watch the presser from the Texas State Capitol here: https://fb.watch/jaTIfZmVrV/ Learn more about Planned Parenthood Texas Votes' Lobby Day (Friday April 14) here: https://www.weareplannedparenthoodaction.org/a/lobby-day2023 Learn more about the Center for Reproductive Rights here: https://reproductiverights.org/maps/state/texas/ And if you're enjoying the podcast, please consider helping us continue to produce it here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/donate
Texas State Representative Christina Morales led a press conference on March 8th at the Texas State Capitol to advocate for House Bill 45. House Bill 45 would add Mexican American and African American studies and other ethnic studies courses students can take to satisfy their social studies requirement. This will offer students a more robust view of Texas history and studies show it can lead to academic success. State Rep. Christina Morales authored HB 45. She is re-filing it this year, after an identical bill passed in the House in 2021 but died in the Senate. On Wednesday at the Capitol, Morales was joined by Rep. Gene Wu, Rep. Alma Allen, Rep. Ron Reynolds, Rep Victoria Neave Criado, Rep. Jarvis Johnson, & Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, as well as members from the Mexican American Legislative Caucus and Texas Legislative Black Caucus, as well as Tony Diaz, educator and one of the chief advocates for the bill outside of the legislative body. Morales pushed that courses such as ethnic social studies lead to higher graduation rates and a higher likelihood of students enrolling into college. She said that was especially important in the "post-pandemic world" we are living in. She also touted that bipartisan support efforts like hers have received in the past. "Mexican American studies and African American studies were unanimously approved by the Republican and Democratic members in the state board of education," Morales said. "So this is bipartisan." Co-authoring this bill, among others, is Rep. Alma Allen. She said she would support HB 45 as many times as it takes to pass. "Texas history is American history," Allen said. "American history is all of our history." Educators joined lawmakers for the lawmakers' press conference in support of ethnic social studies courses. Tony Diaz, an educator in Houston, said these types of courses were first taught in Houston Independent School District. "Texas was the first state to unanimously support Mexican American history and African American history," Diaz said. "It lets students know why this history is important." Reynolds said HB 45 is a chance to take steps forward instead of backward. "This bill will certainly be a great reflection of the true diversity of this state, which is our strength and certainly help with healing," Reynolds said. * This is part of a Nuestra Palabra Multiplatform broadcast. * Video airs on www.Fox26Houston.com. * Audio airs on 90.1 FM Houston, KPFT, Houston's Community Station, where our show began. * Live events. Thanks to Roxana Guzman, Multiplatform Producer Rodrigo Bravo, Jr., Audio Producer Radame Ortiez, SEO Director Marc-Antony Piñón, Graphics Designer Leti Lopez, Music Director Bryan Parras, co-host and producer emeritus Liana Lopez, co-host and producer emeritus Lupe Mendez, Texas Poet Laureate, co-host, and producer emeritus Writer and activist Tony Diaz, El Librotraficante, hosts Latino Politics and News and the Nuestra Palabra Radio Show on 90.1 FM, KPFT, Houston's Community Station. He is also a political analyst on “What's Your Point?” on Fox 26 Houston. He is the author of the forthcoming book: The Tip of the Pyramid: Cultivating Community Cultural Capital. www.Librotraficante.com www.NuestraPalabra.org www.TonyDiaz.net Nuestra Palabra is funded in part by the BIPOC Arts Network Fund. Instrumental Music produced / courtesy of Bayden Records Website | baydenrecords.beatstars.com
We reexamine Austin, Texas on this episode, we discuss haunted places that dot Austin's bloody past, its original planners, connections to the east coast, we take a look at the as above so below symbolism built into the Texas State Capitol, the rotunda, the statues, and the layout. We then look at the Butler metro park's portal-scape, Austin's skyscrapers that seem to encode Osiris, The Pyramids, and an Owl. We wrapped up the show looking at some public artwork and speculating on what it all suggests. if you live in Austin or have some Questions or Clues to contribute please email us at esotericamericapodcast@gmail.com or... Join us on the show! email us at esotericamericapodcast@gmail.com if you'd like to research your local area and share it with us, or if you know someone who can send us an email and let us know.Instagram: @esotericamericaWatch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO0A8caVlYmn-n3QgLosqXQChad's Website/Book: https://chadstuemke.com/store/Roman's Podcast: https://altmediaunited.com/rising-ft-ashes/ RSS/XML Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/risingfromtheashes/feed.xmlMark and Tara's Podcast: https://myfamilythinksimcrazy.com/ RSS Feed: https://feeds.transistor.fm/my-family-thinks-im-crazyGet the SEEEN Travel Guide!https://ko-fi.com/s/6f1e1173a0Music CreditsIntroSong: A Bothersome Man In North Texas_ The Abilene HumBy The Fucked Up Beat
Slam the Gavel welcomes Riti Chikkerur to the podcast. Riti Chikkerur is Executive Director of OCCM, Our Children Matter Most. OCMM is a children's rights advocacy non-profit organization headquartered in Austin, Texas with a mission to "Protect, preserve and promote the rights of our children for the benefit of humanity." OCMM collaborates with civil rights organizations such as the NAACP and ACLU, advocacy groups, Family Courts and Legislators to develop and implement creative campaigns to restore the rights of our children. Riti explains that this was child inspired by her little boy who suggested a Shanti Walk. Riti wants to find solutions and that there is strength in numbers Nationwide. The entire family court system is dysfunctional and beyond disrepair. Change happens when society is marginalized and rights taken away, where the public has had enough, and this causes awareness to the problem. OCMM is a non-violent, direct action campaign with a Finding of Fact. The Shanti Walk is a self purification, self healing process. Riti has done a Shanti Walk in 2021 in California as well. There will be Truth, Reconciliations and Consequences for those that have aided and abetted this destruction to families with children involved in the Family Court arena and this means legal action as well as class action lawsuits for Families that have been put through an unjust system. Restorative JUSTICE. On November 20th, 2022, marking World Children's Day, OCMM starts their Shanti (Peace) Walks 2022 with the support and collaboration of NAACP-Austin and other civil rights organizations. The Shanti Walks will be held every day from 4:00pm to 6:00pm CST at the Texas State Capitol building starting November 20th through November 30th, 2022. This event is FREE and welcomes all who are seeking peaceful solutions to issues plaguing our children, especially issues that have arisen from the corrupt Family Court dynamics that destroys families and their children.To Reach Riti Chikkerur: 512-662-9530 info@ourchildrenmattermost.org www.ourchildrenmattermost.orgEVENT DETAILS: https://www.ourchildrenmattermost.ora/HOGMMShantiWalk2022Supportshow(https://www.buymeacoffee.com/maryannpetri)http://www.dismantlingfamilycourtcorruption.com/Support the showSupportshow(https://www.buymeacoffee.com/maryannpetri)http://beentheregotout.com/http://www.dismantlingfamilycourtcorruption.com/
In August of 2019, Pflugerville residentBen Rollman and a team of Lego enthusiasts arrived at the Texas State Capitol visitors center to deliver a Lego Masterpiece replica of our State Capitol.
High temperature records were broken both Saturday and Sunday, and ERCOT reports that electricity demand in Texas hit an all-time new record high on Sunday afternoon at 74,889 megawatts, topping the prior record set in August of 2019. A bipartisan and potentially filibuster-proof group of U.S. Senators including Texas' John Cornyn have announced an agreement on gun violence, including funding for "red flag" laws and expanded background checks on younger guy buyers. Of this new progress, Matthew McConaughey says it "doesn't mean we have a solution, but it does support more responsible gun ownership". Meanwhile, thousands gathered to rally for gun reform at the Texas State Capitol on Saturday for the second March For Our Lives, which featured similar gatherings across the country. Seven of the 31 members of a white supremacist group who were stopped from interfering with an Idaho Pride event over the weekend are from Texas - only one of the 31 is from Idaho. Blues On The Green's first pair of free shows for this summer are Tuesday and Wednesday - organizers encourage attendees to park at Austin High School or Palmer Events Center and use the shuttles from those locations. Austin Public Library and BookPeople are teaming up for a summer reading series focusing on books that have been banned or challenged in Texas school districts. Austin has a second unionized Starbucks location: the West Campus outlet at 24th and Nueces. Austin's Colton House Hotel has been named one of the top 10 "Hottest New Hotels in the U.S." by TripAdvisor. After a weather delay for a forced third super-regional game against East Carolina, Texas Baseball wins and advances to the College World Series - historic rivals OU and Texas A&M are both in the running as well. Following Austin FC's 4-1 friendly loss to C.F. Pachuca, Landon Cotham at Moontower Soccer says "there's no shame in losing to the Liga MX runner-up, but Austin's performance made it difficult to feel much encouragement". Hot weather continues: 102 expected Monday, which could tie or surpass today's all time record. Heat abates from record levels at mid-week, but remains very high - we may stay below 100 for Tuesday and Wednesday, but triple-digit days resume Thursday.
Sam Goldman interviews Juniper Porter, an activist with Trans Resistance of Texas (TROT) - an organization that recently held a die-in on the steps of the Texas State Capitol in support of trans rights (see press coverage). Follow @TRoT on Twitter and find more actions against the tsunami of anti-trans laws in states across the country at tearitup.org. One correction from Juniper on the number of anti-trans bills in Texas last session: the actual figures include 30 anti-LGBT bills, 13 of which are specifically directed at trans people. Then, we share some of the voices of abortion rights protesters who took to the streets yesterday in cities around the country, as we approach the tipping point this spring against the right to safe, legal abortion in this country. If the US Supreme Court overturns or guts Roe v. Wade, 26 states are certain or likely to ban abortion. Only the people can stop this - join the organizing summit on Zoom Saturday, April 16. Find out more about the national week of action May 18 - 15 at riseup4abortionrights.org. Refuse Fascism is more than just a podcast! You can get involved at RefuseFascism.org. Send your comments to samanthagoldman@refusefascism.org or @SamBGoldman. Connect with the movement at RefuseFascism.org and support: · Venmo: @RefuseFascism · Cashapp: $RefuseFascism · paypal.me/refusefascism · donate.refusefascism.org Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/refuse-fascism/message
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