Shell_Seas
Shell_Seas's JournalRepublicans' Complicity In Cooking Prisoners To Death In TDCJ
Prison conditions for most inmates in Texas are cruel and unconstitutional. The battle for basic human dignity has been met by the GOP with indifference.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/republicans-complicity-in-cooking
This month alone, nine incarcerated people have died in heart attacks or unknown causes in prisons lacking air conditioning, including two men in their 30s. While the TDCJ refused to label these deaths as “heat-related,” these men are often locked away inside metal and concrete prisons that reach heat indexes of 150°.
This has been going on for a long time. Over the last few decades, dozens, if not hundreds, of TDCJ inmates have died due to heat-related deaths.
Below is a short (20-minute) documentary made by the Marshall Project, a criminal justice watchdog, back in 2017. It’s eye-opening and well worth the watch. It discusses the issue of extreme heat in prisons, particularly in Texas, where many prisons lack air conditioning. And it highlights cases where inmates have suffered heat-related illnesses and died due to improper cooling measures.
Lawsuits have been filed against Texas for inhumane conditions and wrongful deaths related to extreme heat in prisons. Experts argue that fans and other measures are insufficient to combat the heat, and air conditioning is the most effective solution.
Texas Tango Recap: The Absurd 88th Legislature's Special Session
From rants to rejections, dive into the absurdity of Texas politics and brace yourself for another round of gridlock, outbursts, and political theater.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/texas-tango-recap-the-absurd-88th
Yesterday marked the grand finale of the first special session of the 88th Legislature. After a full 30 days, it ended without one bill being passed. So, what happened?
It all started on May 29, when the regular session ended, and the House and Senate were set to begin the special session the very next day. But Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick couldn't resist the urge to stir the pot. In a stunning display of bad timing, Patrick unleashed his fury on Speaker Dade Phelan.
In a riveting rendezvous with Sherry Sylvester, an Oklahoma racist, and Texas Public Policy Foundation fellow, Patrick declared, "I've had it up to here with the dysfunction in the House. Those pesky points of order that kill all the fun legislation? I'm sick and tired of them!"
Ah, yes, the famous points of order, the guardians of legislative righteousness, making sure bills follow the rules and shape up before strutting out of the chamber. How dare they?
Mitchell Jordan Makes History: Palestine, Texas Elects First-Ever Black Mayor
Driving economic growth and job opportunities: Mitchell Jordan's plan for a better Palestine.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/mitchell-jordan-makes-history-palestine
In a defining moment for the sleepy town of Palestine, Texas, history was made this week as Mitchell Jordan was elected in the mayoral run-off, poised to become the first-ever Black mayor of the city upon his official swearing-in on Thursday. This watershed moment reflects the diverse fabric of Palestine and signals a transformative era of inclusivity, leadership, and hope for the entire community.
Jordan brings a vision for progress and positive change to the community. Focusing on driving economic growth and attracting businesses, Jordan aims to create higher-paying job opportunities for residents. Recognizing the potential of Palestine and its rich historical value, he envisions a more aggressive and innovative approach to business development, leveraging the town’s strategic location between Houston and Dallas. Additionally, Jordan is committed to addressing the needs of the youth population, ensuring they have access to engaging activities and opportunities. By prioritizing these goals, he seeks to uplift the community and build a brighter future for Palestine.
Pervez Agwan: A Progressive Voice For Texas' Future
Why Lone Star Left is endorsing Pervez Agwan for Texas' Congressional District 07.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/pervez-agwan-a-progressive-voice
This week, Texas saw record temperatures throughout the state, reaching 110° in many places. In Kingsville, the heat index reached 125°. Texas is hot. It’s always been hot, but we’re seeing longer and more frequent heat waves due to climate change. Extreme weather is on the rise in Texas. Aside from the heat, droughts, wildfires, flooding, and hurricanes will worsen severely unless the state gets off of fossil fuels and eliminates greenhouse gas pollution by 2050.
Two weeks ago, hundreds of thousands of dead fish washed up on the shores of Texas, and our grid continued to tip-toe toward a total failure.
Humanity cannot afford to keep politicians in office who won’t take the climate crisis seriously. Moreso, we should not elect people who cater to the whims of the fossil fuel industry.
This is why Lone Star Left is endorsing Pervez Agwan for Texas’ Congressional District 07.
The Impeachment Games
Senate forces Angela Paxton to recuse. Impeachment trial scheduled for September 5.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/the-impeachment-games
All month long, I kept an eye on the Senate Committee calendar. Never once was a committee hearing scheduled. It should have been on the schedule even if the hearing was a closed session and behind closed doors. But no meeting was ever scheduled. Any meetings they had, they held in secret.
Come June 20, the Senate was scheduled to meet at 11 am. They met, discussed a bill and a resolution, then gaveled to recess until 1 pm. They came back at 1 pm and immediately gaveled back to recess until 6 pm. It was assumed at that point the entire Senate body was debating the rules behind closed doors.
When they returned at 6 pm, they called another recess until 9 pm. Then, at 9 pm, they called a recess until today.
June 20 came and went, and there were no impeachment rules.
Angela Paxton Refuses To Recuse After Singing Husband's Praises
The endless corruption of the Paxton family is profound and seemingly without limits.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/angela-paxton-refuses-to-recuse-after
Everyone can stop wondering about what Angela Paxton plans on doing regarding the impeachment trial after she puts out the following statement:
Paxton promises to “carry out my duties” on the very day before the Senate considers rules for her husband’s impeachment trial.
She means that she will vote to acquit her corrupt shady-dealing husband. We shouldn’t have expected anything less from a woman who drove the getaway car to her husband’s escape from a process server.
And if there is any doubt about how Angela Paxton plans to vote, here is the tweet she posted before her announcement.
Corrupt Texas Republicans Are Nothing New
Who owns Greg Abbott? Decades of money trails and political favors created the monster we all now know.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/corrupt-texas-republicans-are-nothing
Considering the current state of Texas politics, when you see “the most corrupt person in Texas government,” your mind likely jumps straight to Ken Paxton. While Paxton is corrupt beyond belief, one man has overshadowed Paxton in both the dollars and in the amount of time he’s been able to stay in office unchecked. That man is Gregory Wayne Abbott.
The great Molly Ivans once said, “In Texas, we do not hold high expectations for the governor’s office; it’s mostly been occupied by crooks, dorks, and the comatose.”
Governor Greg Abbott has spent a lifetime taking money from wealthy donors and using his office to take actions that would seemingly benefit his donors. Of course, we don’t typically punish Conservatives who take money for political favors in Texas. We look the other way, or at least we have a history of doing so. If the Senate convicts Ken Paxton, he may be the first Republican in Texas history held accountable for selling political favors. Perhaps that’s why the right is so outraged at his impeachment.
Texas Conservatives are corrupt. That’s how it always has been. We just silently agree as a collective to look the other way.
The Houston Democracy Project - Its Time To Fight Back
Houstonians are leading the way in building a pro-democracy movement.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/the-houston-democracy-project-its
The State of Texas and Texas Republicans are undermining Houston and Harris County's political representation. They have removed the elected School Board and are attempting to overturn local elections, eroding the community's values and resource control. It is time to fight back and demand candidates running for leadership positions in Houston join the battle against these anti-democratic measures.
What is the Houston Democracy Project?
The Houston Democracy Project is a movement that seeks to make democracy a central issue in the 2023 Houston elections. This shift will only occur if Houstonians take the lead and prioritize the protection of freedom. Rank-and-file Democrats, activist Democrats, and Democratic clubs and organizations must demand more from candidates and incumbents.
Defeated Republicans in Harris County filed 21 lawsuits, now moving through a state court, to undo 2022 Harris County Democratic election wins. These cases are headed to the hyper-partisan Texas Supreme Court. And in Houston, the far-right Texas state government has taken control of the school board.
Tarrant County And The Future Of America
Tarrant County is facing a battle for democracy in Texas and needs a strong Democratic victory in 2024.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/tarrant-county-and-the-future-of
This last weekend, Allison Campolo, the Chair of the Tarrant County Democratic Party, abruptly resigned. This means there will be a special election for the TCDP within 30 days, and Tarrant County Democratic precinct chairs will elect that person.
In a statement to the Star-Telegram, Campolo said her decision to resign came with a realization that “there were people in this county who were ready to run for this position who are highly qualified and would continue to grow and diversify our party.”
The importance of Tarrant County in both state and national politics.
In 2022, Christian extremism watchdog Jenny Cohn brought light to the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). This global movement promotes dominionism, which is the belief that Christians have a mandate from God to control all aspects of government and society. Lance Wallhau is an apostle of NAR and a right-wing evangelist who proudly declared himself as a Christian Nationalist and, in 2021, urged Trump to hold Christian-based rallies.
2023: The Year Of Accountability
The wheels of justice may be slow, but they never cease moving forward.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/2023-the-year-of-accountability
The Trump years were incredibly frustrating for millions of people across the country. Witnessing the lawlessness and sheer corruption that permeated the highest levels of government was disheartening and disillusioning. It felt as though the fundamental principles of accountability and justice were being eroded before our eyes.
The culmination of this aggravation came with the shocking insurrection at the US Capitol, where the fragility of our democracy was laid bare. What intensified the anger was the perception that Republicans seemed immune to consequences for their actions. It appeared that they could defy laws, norms, and ethical standards without facing any meaningful repercussions. This glaring disparity in accountability deepened the sense of injustice and further eroded faith in our political system.
But you have to remember the wheels of justice turn slowly, and there are many reasons for that. First, complex legal processes and procedures require meticulous examination of evidence, analysis of arguments, and adherence to due process. Additionally, court systems often face heavy caseloads, leading to backlogs and delays. Moreover, pursuing justice involves multiple parties, including investigators, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, and juries, all requiring time to prepare and present their cases. Furthermore, legal challenges, appeals, and the need to ensure fairness and accuracy contribute to the gradual pace of justice. Overall, the intricate nature of the legal system and the commitment to upholding principles of fairness and thoroughness contribute to the slow progression of justice.
If 2020 and 2021 were the year of fucking around, 2023 is the year of finding out.
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