Part One: our regular Friday check in with Scott Braddock, the editor of the Quorum Report, the dean of the Austin Press Corps and the Voice of Texas
topics:
– Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner steps in and cancels the Republican Party of Texas convention, citing health experts’ warning that it would be a “super spreader event” during a global pandemic . The Democratic mayor is in effect giving Abbot political cover.
– Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says Turner’s move was a power grab, plain and simple.
– Gov. Abbott does a complete 180 and orders the vast majority of Texans to wear a mask in public.
– A growing number of county GOPs around the state are voting to censure Gov. Abbott for his orders requiring Texans to wear a mask but It should be noted that Texans usually cooperate and help when needed (numerous occasions such as floods and hurricanes), and are generally helpful. (“prairie populism”) and many have been wearing masks for some time.
– Teacher groups and others say the state is acting recklessly with plans to open schools again this fall. One group says “Students and educators should not be forced to be props for Donald Trump’s reelection efforts.
– Democrats announce they raised $1.3 million in the first half of the year with the specific goal of winning the majority in the Texas House . Latino citizens are reluctant to vote, because many may have undocumented family members who might be exposed during the registration process. This is also true for seeking medical treatment for the virus.
Part Two: our bi-monthly check in with Bill Curry, former Clinton Advisor, candidate for Governor of CT, progressive commentator and writer.
topics:
The supreme court decides for religious bosses who want to withhold contraception from their women employees.
The US Supreme court decided on Trump’s claim of absolute immunity: Trump loses that argument 7-2 to state that Trump does NOT have absolute immunity, though it only allows the NY court to demand financial records. The president is liable to criminal prosecution in NY state for financial crimes. It is likely that this information will not be available to the public before the election. The Congress will have to revisit the case, and reapply to subpena these records.
Lt. Col. Vindman has resigned from the army, as a result of Trump’s vindictive actions. Adam Shiff wrote to Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman praising him.
Shiff: “Right does not matter to Donald Trump. But it matters to you. It matters to this country and to its people. It will always matter.
And with those words, you have left an indelible mark on our nation’s conscience and history.”
The public did get a chance to see the quality of the professionals in service to the government. The ambassadors, and others have shown their patriotism and attention to duty.
During this campaign, it appears that Biden is going out, and Trump is staying home, after his disasterous performance in Tulsa. Trump’s base is not coming to the big rally events, apparently afraid of catching the virus. There have been surges after the Tulsa event, and the Mt. Rushmore event. members of the Secret Service, and advance staff of Trump’s campaign staff have tested positive for the virus. Several senior senators have announced that they are not going to attend the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville. The Texas Republicans will not meet in person.
Trump is less effective with his base, because he now has to couch his racist message more carefully. This does not promote the catharsis that many of his supporters hope for during his rallies.
The US is looking more and more like a failed state: the economy is imploding, unrest due to racism problem, the covid pandemic, it appears that the scene is ripe for a Jim Jones event.
Vanity Fair: Coronavirus Is Blowing Up America’s Higher Education System, because a lot of money will be needed to save many colleges and universities. The administration has shown its antiintellectual goal, and putting more pressure on them, rather than help. International students are being pressured to leave the country if they cannot attend face-to-face classes.
Biden and Bernie have met, and have announced agreement on a policy plan for the Democrats. What was left out was a plan for eliminating corruption in government, a rational national security policy, and a climate change response. Climate change is an instability enhancer, and should always be considered.
