Shell_Seas
Shell_Seas's JournalSycophants To The Very End
Loyalty Over Country: The 15 Texas elected officials who continue to prioritize Trump over America.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/sycophants-to-the-very-end
In December 2020, after Joe Biden won the election, the far-right openly planned the January 6 insurrection online. It wasn’t done in secret. I even warned readers about it on Living Blue. Just as they promised, on January 6, 2021, thousands of rabid Trump supporters stormed the capitol to stop the peaceful transfer of power. Of course, Trump knew about it. He was intimately involved in each scheme that would have subverted the election and kept him in power.
To most of our shock and dismay, after the insurrection was put down and Congress returned to the joint session to finally certify the election, 147 Republicans still voted against certifying the election. Although afterward, they tried to compare their objections to times when Democrats had objected in the past, it was nothing like that. I wrote a long article in 2021 explaining the difference. However, it all boiled down to lies. Every reason they gave for objecting to the certification was based on widely debunked lies.
These 147 Republicans had no reason to stop the certification of the election other than they wanted to keep Trump in office. They broke their oaths to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, and they did it all at the behest of the Mango Mussolini.
Of those 147 Republicans, 17 of them were from Texas. 16 Congresspeople and one Senator. All of them are still in office except for Louie Gohmert and Ron Wright.
When Fiction Becomes Reality: Texas GOP Desperate To Save Fossil Fuels
The battle between billionaires and the planet Earth may eventually kill us all.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/when-fiction-becomes-reality-texas
Have you seen “Don’t Look Up” on Netflix? If not, I highly recommend it. Two desperate scientists race against time to warn the world of the impending doom. But when the government intervenes, their mission takes an unexpected twist. As the clock ticks, the president reveals a shocking discovery of rare minerals worth a staggering $140 trillion on the comet’s surface.
With greed taking center stage, the government decides to mine the comet before obliterating it. Billionaires seize the opportunity, amassing unimaginable wealth, while the planet’s fate hangs in the balance. The tension reaches a breaking point as the clock ticks down to doomsday. But when it seems like humanity might have a chance, disaster strikes as the missiles’ drones malfunction, leaving the mission in ruins.
As chaos ensues, hope fades rapidly, and the comet’s devastating impact becomes inevitable. The heart-pounding climax leads to a catastrophic collision with Earth, spelling doom for all of humanity—except for the billionaires who escape in their private rockets, leaving the rest of the world to face certain death.
The entire movie is a metaphor for fossil fuels and the climate crisis.
GOP To Kill Off Endangered Species For Fossil Fuels...Which Kills Humans
The short-sightedness of the GOP is Idiocracy's echo in Congress.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/gop-to-kill-off-endangered-species
Have you ever seen the movie Idiocracy? One of the main character's challenges in the movie is the futuristic society he’s time traveled to, using the sports drink “Brawndo” to water all their crops. They idiotically believe that since “Brawndo” has electrolytes, it can address the failing crops due to severe drought and dwindling water supplies. Of course, this decision proves disastrous. The characters soon discover that “Brawndo” is not actually water; it is an energy drink loaded with sugar and artificial substances, entirely unsuitable for irrigation purposes. As a result, the crops wither, and the environment becomes even more unsustainable.
That specific problem parallels some of our problems today with a Republican majority in Congress.
In the real world, burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Despite mounting scientific evidence and international agreements to address the issue, there has been resistance to significant policy changes from the right. Political and economic interests tied to the fossil fuel industry make the decisions, resulting in a Republican Party unwilling to implement comprehensive and sustainable solutions to combat climate change.
Like the disastrous consequences of using “Brawndo” for irrigation, the short-sighted focus on fossil fuels can have severe environmental ramifications. Rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise are among the effects already being experienced. The neglect of transitioning to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources risks exacerbating these problems, creating a less habitable and sustainable future for our planet.
Gentrification's Grip In Cameron County And The Role of SpaceX
SpaceX's presence is a double-edged sword for Cameron County.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/gentrifications-grip-in-cameron-county
Cameron County, particularly the city of Brownsville, has experienced a wave of gentrification closely linked to the presence of SpaceX's launch site in Boca Chica. While SpaceX projects have brought outsider attention and investment to the area, the consequences of gentrification have been felt keenly by Brownsville residents, particularly those from the Latino community in South Texas.
Gentrification has led to a surge in housing prices, making it increasingly difficult for long-time residents to afford their homes. For some Cameron County residents, their home appraisal values have increased by as much as 100% compared to last year leading to panic around property tax payments and the feasibility of residents remaining in their neighborhoods in the long term. Coupled with high costs around housing, signs of gentrification are impossible to ignore in Brownsville's historic neighborhoods. Bizarre and culturally irrelevant murals perfectly placed next to deserted building fronts make for an eerie foreshadowing of what Brownsville could look like without equitable access to housing and small business ownership initiatives.
Greg Abbott's Very Bad Month
Texans are fed up as Abbott's misplaced priorities lead to mounting frustration against GOP governance.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/greg-abbotts-very-bad-month
Texas Republicans are having a very bad month, especially Greg Abbott. For the rest of us, we see what’s happening, and we’re outraged. But the constant flow of bad news is pecking away at the right, and enough people are angry to make them regret it.
The biggest news this month is the situation at the border. Last week, the Houston Chronicle reported that Troopers with DPS were ordered to push children back into the Rio Grande and deny exhausted refugees water in 110° heat. Then the New York Times followed it up with another report (gift article) about how the razor wire deployed along the Rio Grande was maiming people and how badly the situation has deteriorated.
Because of Abbott’s action on the border, the State says they’re investigating, Mexico has filed a diplomatic complaint, and the DOJ is suing. The DOJ lawsuit prompted Abbott’s response, “See you in court.” This year
As the week has progressed, more and more reports of bloodied and drowned migrants have emerged. There have been at least 26 drownings in that area of the Rio Grande, and the State Troopers may or may not have been involved in some or all of those drownings. Again, the State has opened an investigation.
Oil Oligarchs' Grip on Texas: How Their Influence Blocked Energy Reform
Understanding the impact of campaign funding on energy policy and environmental outcomes.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/oil-oligarchs-grip-on-texas-how-their
During the 88th Texas Legislature, several bills were introduced that would have lowered energy costs, bolstered our electric grid, and made Texas more energy efficient. As we would expect, under a Republican majority, the good bills were blocked, and the awful bills were pushed through.
It’s July, and it’s hot as hell in Texas. Much of the excessive heat is due to climate change, and many people are seeing skyrocketing electric bills as a result. It’s time to discuss why these issues weren’t fixed in the last legislative session.
SB 258.
This was a bill introduced by Senator Sarah Eckhardt (D). SB 258 would not only have reduced the growing demand on the electrical grid but would also have provided for the weatherization of homes and businesses.
First, the bill went through and out of the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce. It’s important to note that while the Senate passed it with nine votes, two Senators voted against it. Those nay votes were Brandon Creighton and Mayes Middleton.
Combatting Cameron County's False Narrative on Elon Musk
Boca Chica Beach: From Pristine Paradise to SpaceX Launch Site
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/combatting-cameron-countys-false
The narrative of Elon Musk’s savior presence within Cameron County, specifically the city of Brownsville, where the SpaceX Launch site is located, continues to spur division amongst residents. For some, the mere presence of SpaceX in Cameron County feels like an honor or tribute to the importance of our community and land. The flattery that we were somehow chosen to host this coveted space launch site was the beginning of how this false narrative disarmed debates on whether environmental protection is really worth the limiting economic benefits that SpaceX could bring. For others, the emphasis could indicate a possibility rather than concrete facts of investment initiatives to bring equitable employment opportunities to native Brownsville residents that have already been tested and failed like several of the launches. The initially projected $885 million in gross economic output for Cameron County in 2022 has fallen short, with unexpected pollution outputs endangering ecological resources and sites of local importance. Quite the contrary, the environmental degradation, skyrocketing housing prices, and limited access to Boca Chica beach have begun to shift what the selling of the original narrative was.
What was once a pristine, accessible, and safe beach to escape from the Brownsville heat known as Boca Chica Beach has utterly transformed for the benefit of SpaceX. Today, the divine promises of employment, tourism, and an economic boost come with a heavy price: destroyed natural corridors, trafficked roads, and debris from rocket launches, as documented earlier this year. Publicized under Visit Brownsville tourism hub of opportunities and events, SpaceX South Texas Launch Site is viewed as a renowned and accessible space for all to learn about launching plans and developments with an ironically placed “beach closures” tab. Restriction to beach access, along with the impacts it has had on Boca Chica residents
Why Are West Texas Billionaires Trying To Buy Paxton's Acquittal?
The reason is full of malfeasance and involves your freedoms and liberty.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/why-are-west-texas-billionaires-trying
This week, as Texas campaign finance reports were published, we learned that the Defend Texas Liberty PAC gave Lt. Governor Dan Patrick $1 million and a $2 million loan. Billionaire Tim Dunn gave the Defend Texas Liberty PAC $2.3 million this cycle, and billionaire Ferris Wilks gave them $1.5 million. Dunn is also Ken Paxton’s biggest donor this cycle.
Earlier this week, Scorecard Confessions published a report exposing the Defend Texas Liberty PAC and how they paid for Russian-led influencers to sway public opinion regarding Ken Paxton’s impeachment on social media. These influencers touted Ken Paxton’s “innocence” and attacked the Republicans who voted in favor of impeachment.
Why does it matter that the same billionaire PAC pushing Paxton’s innocence just gave $3 million to Dan Patrick?
Because Dan Patrick presides over the impeachment trial, essentially, he’s the judge.
Political analysts on both sides of the aisle are counting on Dan Patrick’s corruption and ability to be bought off. The $3 million is payment for him tipping the trial in Ken Paxton’s favor.
Everything is bigger in Texas, even the corruption. But, it makes you wonder why… Why are these West Texas billionaires spending so much money to get Ken Paxton off the hook?
Who Owns Texas? Top 10 Most Influential Oligarchs.
Who Owns Texas? Top 10 Most Influential Oligarchs.
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/who-owns-texas-top-10-most-influential
In 2012, Berkley psychologists ran several studies looking at whether social class (as measured by wealth, occupational prestige, and education) influences how much we care about the feelings of others. These studies found that wealthy people were more likely to have unethical behavior.
Another 2012 study found that people in a higher economic class had less compassion towards their fellow man than people with lesser means.
It has been studied and written about for years. The ultra-wealthy often acts in immoral, unethical behavior, and selfish behavior.
What happens when these same ultra-wealthy people can make the laws that govern a state? Not through running for office but by buying off the politicians who are in office. And what happens to a state where this type of unfettered corruption goes on for decades?
The ability of the ultra-wealthy to buy off politicians and influence legislation has led to unfettered corruption in Texas. Hundreds of millionaires and billionaires pour mountains of cash into Texas elections each cycle. Let’s talk about some of the worst and what their agendas are.
True Texas Project: The New Red Scare
Organizing Communities and Challenging the “True Texas” Narrative
https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/true-texas-project-the-new-red-scare
With a clever rebranding in 2019 came a new strategy for expanding their messaging of misinformation. Let's go back a little to bring you up to speed on the comparison to the Red Scare.
The Red Scare is the promotion of a widespread fear of a potential rise of communism, anarchism, or other leftist ideologies by a society or state. In an effort to control the masses, the narrative was that anyone who spoke out for civil liberties and free speech was enemies of the state and was treated as such.
“One thing to remember in discussing the communists in our government is that we are not dealing with spies who get 30 pieces of silver to steal the blueprints of new weapons,” McCarthy warned in an infamous 1950 speech. “We are dealing with a far more sinister type of activity because it permits the enemy to guide and shape our policy.”
Sounds all too familiar, doesn’t it? The True Texas Project was born out of needing to keep the basic white supremacist ideologies intact. They are against any form of immigration and truly believe that they are preserving the “true values” of America. To push their narrative, they have created satellite offices across the state to recruit like-minded individuals to spread their anti-government messaging.
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