The Delta variant is ravaging Texas. "9,027 Texans are hospitalized for the coronavirus" — nearing the prior peaks of July 2020 and January 2021. Worse, "hospitalizations are increasing quicker than at any other point in the pandemic." In the Houston area, "
Cannot imagine a more horrible death than drowning in your own Covid pneumonia fluids as organs shut down. But your child by itself in an ICU...I read an account of a Houston pediatric Hospitalist that gave the grim details of children as young as 2 weeks with Covid and RSV in peds ICU.
The Gov. Of Texas is a madman, but the people of Texas are worse for putting up with all of this, supporting the
Lived in Texas two times in my life. There has always been hypocrisy in the white population. While the left is sure quilty if crazy ideas, many Texans adhere just like most GOPers that they are just like the wealthy guys who exploit them. They aren't all undereducated and working class by your standard. GOP attracts folks that are middle and upper middle class even more so. My brother is highly educated, my friends are doctors, business owners, lawyers, educators and they are supporters of Trump. Go figure. Politics has divided us no matter where we are sitting.
We just don't see as many photos of these folks in the stands at Trump rallies
There are a lot of straw men that you are beating here, sprinkled also with some very good observations. Let's focus on the latter.....
It is absolutely true that most poor and working class voters have a harder time voting (and consequently vote less). But your accusation that 'academic left' is doing nothing is misleading at best and blatantly wrong at worst.
First, the academic left is not responsible for enacting change of any sort - our legislators and other elected officials are. Democrat officials have been fighting voter suppression at all levels of government, but they're outnumbered by Republicans in most cases. We've seen in TX the lengths they've gone to in order to prevent such suppression becoming the law here.
Now maybe you'll argue that they're outnumbered by Republicans because they aren't messaging correctly. I can buy half of this - the Democrats have always had problems with messaging, partly because of the wide range of perspectives within the party and partly because marketing skills don't frequently attach themselves to individuals more interested in policy over media. It's clearly something they need to improve, but it isn't going to turn those hardcore Republicans.
Multiple analyses of elections have shown that Republicans are motivated by fear of their race or religion losing its majority status. The push by their own policy to repress the influence of ethnic, religious and cultural minorities has convinced them that these same minorities will do the same to the white evangelicals when (not if) these minorities become the expected demographic majority by mid-century. No amount of electoral messaging is going to sway this crowd.
You're also correct that black women are the most loyal voting bloc, and you're right that they are among the most vulnerable to sex crimes. But these same women are the ones most likely to have a loved one imprisoned for decades for drug or nonviolent felonies due to disproportionate policing and sentencing. They are also more likely to have seen their fathers, husbands or sons killed by police. So to claim that attempts by the left to improve policing and judicial fairness is an attempt to go easier on batterers and sex buyers is outright bullshit (and you know this.)
I would like to address more but I'm short on time. But to conclude - let's be frank about who is making the big deal about sex, CRT, pronouns and similar. It's not the left.
It's blatantly obvious that the "Left" simply lacks the basic ability to think strategically or self discipline in what would appear to be a contest that's easy to win.
While it's definitely very difficult to fight an assymetrical battle against fear mongering and bullying, the lack of clear, simple messaging from the Left leaves them without an argument that sticks. It's marketing 101 - a simple, repeatable, relatable mission statement that all the left can repeat as often as the right says "socialist", "woke", and "CRT"
Again, the problem with your assertion is the implication that the "Left" is a singular entity. This is why there is a lack of clear, simple messaging. Now, messaging has always been a problem for the Democrat party because they are about many things, not simply fearmongering.
Yes. Now turn off Fox Noise. As for the high rent in our cities, I agree they’re unreasonable. We need a national rent control law. Put a cap on how much a landlord can charge and make the minimum wage at least $15 an hour too. Both would go a long way for equality.
When I go to restaurants, it'd be nice to know if servers are dripping disease-laden droplets of mucus and sweat into my food as they bring it from the kitchen to the table. Those droplets can contain a lot of things, but they can't contain republicans' power-hungry desire for control over the masses, which is accomplished by denying basics like paid sick leave, living wages, and health insurance.
I wouldn't go to any reastaurant that has not reassured us by doing such things as assuring that all of their employees are vaccinated, given paid time off for reactions to the vaccine, and demonstrate that they are following higher good advice. If you have none in your area, find a few good cooks and pay them to do the cooking for small parties. I believe that within reason we can "have it all" if we work at whatever situations confront us.
Thank you for filling in the details of the havoc Gov. Abbott is promulgating in Texas. Shifting a bit, to a bottom line, I have to admit that I have long been suspecting that those in favor of right wing politics do not care if many black and brown people do not get vaccinated or wear masks. These are not the citizens that the conservative right wing politicians bother to court for votes nor do they care about protecting these lives.
Wow, this sure brought out the rage. I pray for Texas' elected legislators, that those who truly wish to serve the public and not private corporate interests may be strengthened, and may prevail both in ensuring voting rights for Black and brown Texans and in correcting the race to ensure COVID-19 kills as many Texas children and adults as possible.
Stupid is as stupid does, not surprised about Abbot, it seems that Cruz is the same mindset. The state seemed to do much better for it's citizens when Johnson was President.
As I read and inform myself about things going on in our country, I am disheartened often because I know that if I post on FB I will get pushback. I also know that if I post any articles or my own words running past a few words ... it doesn't get read. Twitter is good in that few bother to argue with my posts. People of this country are truly digesting different information ... if they are seeing any at all. So, what's a caring person to do when she realizes there's no reaching - or changing the minds of - so many? Anyway, I still read and inform myself and when possible, I drop valid information into a conversation here and there. Thanks, Popular Info.
Cannot imagine a more horrible death than drowning in your own Covid pneumonia fluids as organs shut down. But your child by itself in an ICU...I read an account of a Houston pediatric Hospitalist that gave the grim details of children as young as 2 weeks with Covid and RSV in peds ICU.
The Gov. Of Texas is a madman, but the people of Texas are worse for putting up with all of this, supporting the
Wealthy and corrupt against those with no sick leave and children for Godsakes who are dying from their corruption
Lived in Texas two times in my life. There has always been hypocrisy in the white population. While the left is sure quilty if crazy ideas, many Texans adhere just like most GOPers that they are just like the wealthy guys who exploit them. They aren't all undereducated and working class by your standard. GOP attracts folks that are middle and upper middle class even more so. My brother is highly educated, my friends are doctors, business owners, lawyers, educators and they are supporters of Trump. Go figure. Politics has divided us no matter where we are sitting.
We just don't see as many photos of these folks in the stands at Trump rallies
There are a lot of straw men that you are beating here, sprinkled also with some very good observations. Let's focus on the latter.....
It is absolutely true that most poor and working class voters have a harder time voting (and consequently vote less). But your accusation that 'academic left' is doing nothing is misleading at best and blatantly wrong at worst.
First, the academic left is not responsible for enacting change of any sort - our legislators and other elected officials are. Democrat officials have been fighting voter suppression at all levels of government, but they're outnumbered by Republicans in most cases. We've seen in TX the lengths they've gone to in order to prevent such suppression becoming the law here.
Now maybe you'll argue that they're outnumbered by Republicans because they aren't messaging correctly. I can buy half of this - the Democrats have always had problems with messaging, partly because of the wide range of perspectives within the party and partly because marketing skills don't frequently attach themselves to individuals more interested in policy over media. It's clearly something they need to improve, but it isn't going to turn those hardcore Republicans.
Multiple analyses of elections have shown that Republicans are motivated by fear of their race or religion losing its majority status. The push by their own policy to repress the influence of ethnic, religious and cultural minorities has convinced them that these same minorities will do the same to the white evangelicals when (not if) these minorities become the expected demographic majority by mid-century. No amount of electoral messaging is going to sway this crowd.
You're also correct that black women are the most loyal voting bloc, and you're right that they are among the most vulnerable to sex crimes. But these same women are the ones most likely to have a loved one imprisoned for decades for drug or nonviolent felonies due to disproportionate policing and sentencing. They are also more likely to have seen their fathers, husbands or sons killed by police. So to claim that attempts by the left to improve policing and judicial fairness is an attempt to go easier on batterers and sex buyers is outright bullshit (and you know this.)
I would like to address more but I'm short on time. But to conclude - let's be frank about who is making the big deal about sex, CRT, pronouns and similar. It's not the left.
The GOP is the entity that is focused on CRT.
Excellent observations and analysis.
It's blatantly obvious that the "Left" simply lacks the basic ability to think strategically or self discipline in what would appear to be a contest that's easy to win.
While it's definitely very difficult to fight an assymetrical battle against fear mongering and bullying, the lack of clear, simple messaging from the Left leaves them without an argument that sticks. It's marketing 101 - a simple, repeatable, relatable mission statement that all the left can repeat as often as the right says "socialist", "woke", and "CRT"
So, in other words, "The left needs to be more like the right."
Again, the problem with your assertion is the implication that the "Left" is a singular entity. This is why there is a lack of clear, simple messaging. Now, messaging has always been a problem for the Democrat party because they are about many things, not simply fearmongering.
Troll
Writing about "the Left" as if it is a singular entity proves you have just as much shortsightedness as what you are spewing here.
You’re a damn fool. Trolls are all morons. Go away.
Yes. Now turn off Fox Noise. As for the high rent in our cities, I agree they’re unreasonable. We need a national rent control law. Put a cap on how much a landlord can charge and make the minimum wage at least $15 an hour too. Both would go a long way for equality.
Why are you here? I’m not gonna argue with you and your use of the word left sucks because you don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.
Texas…continuing to take the lead as our ‘most backward state’… let’s hear it for Republicans!
It's a constant "race to the bottom" between Abbott, DeathSantis and Noem as to which one is the most evil governor in the country.
When I go to restaurants, it'd be nice to know if servers are dripping disease-laden droplets of mucus and sweat into my food as they bring it from the kitchen to the table. Those droplets can contain a lot of things, but they can't contain republicans' power-hungry desire for control over the masses, which is accomplished by denying basics like paid sick leave, living wages, and health insurance.
I wouldn't go to any reastaurant that has not reassured us by doing such things as assuring that all of their employees are vaccinated, given paid time off for reactions to the vaccine, and demonstrate that they are following higher good advice. If you have none in your area, find a few good cooks and pay them to do the cooking for small parties. I believe that within reason we can "have it all" if we work at whatever situations confront us.
Thank you for filling in the details of the havoc Gov. Abbott is promulgating in Texas. Shifting a bit, to a bottom line, I have to admit that I have long been suspecting that those in favor of right wing politics do not care if many black and brown people do not get vaccinated or wear masks. These are not the citizens that the conservative right wing politicians bother to court for votes nor do they care about protecting these lives.
J. Legum. Why is this behavior not considered criminal. Can the Feds do anything?
Wow, this sure brought out the rage. I pray for Texas' elected legislators, that those who truly wish to serve the public and not private corporate interests may be strengthened, and may prevail both in ensuring voting rights for Black and brown Texans and in correcting the race to ensure COVID-19 kills as many Texas children and adults as possible.
Stupid is as stupid does, not surprised about Abbot, it seems that Cruz is the same mindset. The state seemed to do much better for it's citizens when Johnson was President.
That's what the Republicans are all about... No surprise here.
As I read and inform myself about things going on in our country, I am disheartened often because I know that if I post on FB I will get pushback. I also know that if I post any articles or my own words running past a few words ... it doesn't get read. Twitter is good in that few bother to argue with my posts. People of this country are truly digesting different information ... if they are seeing any at all. So, what's a caring person to do when she realizes there's no reaching - or changing the minds of - so many? Anyway, I still read and inform myself and when possible, I drop valid information into a conversation here and there. Thanks, Popular Info.