#TXLEGE: Luther neutralizes Abbott's entire political playbook

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Proverbs 29:2

This happened on Saturday:

Due to formatting issues [Note to FoxNews.com: Y'all might want to do something about those pop-ups], we can't embed the video.  You can click through the link above.  That being said, most of what Luther says in the interview is obvious.

What's less obvious, however, is more noteworthy: The outlet where Luther gives said interview.

At this point, it seems that Shelley Luther is good copy for Fox News.  She probably generates ratings.   They certainly seem to like putting her on the air.

That is bad news for Greg Abbott.

For several years, Greg Abbott's political strategy has been obvious.  Make bombastic statements on Fox News (on issues where his office has no jurisdiction) while governing like the Karl Rove recruit he's always been.   It's generally tended to work for him, although some cracks have emerged in recent months.

Shelley Luther, however, out Fox News's Abbott.  In so doing, she illuminates how Abbott actually GOVERNS as opposed to the image Abbott wants to project.  Abbott don't like that.

Bottom Line: It's an open question how long this dynamic continues, but it ain't gonna be plesant for any incumbent as long as it does.

National Conservative Media Figures (FINALLY!!!) start WISING UP to Abbott

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."
Galatians 6:7

Obviously, Abbott did his mask order yesterday.   It doesn't take a genius to figure out how we feel about that subject.  It's not any different from anything else we've been saying about the man.

It's not a secret that this website has been basically neutral on Abbott since 2015 (Abbott's first session).  It's also not a secret that we basically turned against Abbott in 2017 (Abbott's second session).   Finally, it's not a secret which issue clued us in all those many years ago.

[Note: It's water under the bridge at this point, but imagine the pain that could have been avoided had people listened to us back then.]

That being said, what's noteworthy about yesterday is how so many NATIONAL conservative media types reacted.

Jesse Kelly:

The past few months have been hard on Gavin Newsom. pic.twitter.com/M6zR1v5z4t

— Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) July 2, 2020

Daniel Horowitz:

No American should be restricted by arbitrary coronavirus edicts so long as rioters are able to violate them while destroying public and private property. Just say no. Fight back @GregAbbott_TX https://t.co/62sGNgtVoQ

— Daniel Horowitz (@RMConservative) July 3, 2020

Sara Gonzales:

Governor Abbott is a sellout. https://t.co/yFYohyxlz0

— Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) July 2, 2020

[Note to Sara Gonzales: Your use of the word "sellout" is accurate on a deeper level than you realize, see here and here.]

Chad Prather:

I’m running for Governor of Texas.

— Chad Prather Parler @watchchad (@WatchChad) July 3, 2020

[Note to Chad Prather: You better be willing to call five or six special sessions per biennium...otherwise, it's pointless.]

Matt Kibbe:

Once upon a time I took solace in the belief that I could grab my go bag and escape to the free Republic of Texas. Vote @WatchChad https://t.co/n6F1XgFA8S

— Matt Kibbe (@mkibbe) July 3, 2020

[Note to Matt Kibbe: There's nothing going on today that is anything other than the logical extension of all of the trends we first explained to you at Voice and Exit in 2015.]

Of course, this is noteworthy because national conservative media has always been Greg Abbott's real "base."  Since time immemorial, Abbott's primary political strategy has always been to give them good copy on issues where his office has no actual jurisdiction.  They get clicks/ratings, Abbott gets powder puff coverage.  This creates the space for Abbott to, in his actual day to day job performance, govern Texas like your typical good ol' boy politician.

It was a great strategy...for awhile. National outlets don't really have the bandwidth to follow the day-to-day minuate of Texas state government. Rinse, lather, repeat.

The fundamental problem for Abbott, at this point, is that (due to his bumbling) the day to day minuate of Texas State government has become a major national story.

That's a genie that will, at best, be very difficult to put back into the bottle.

If Tucker Carlson ever puts two and two together on the subject of Greg Abbott, it'll be game over.

Bottom Line: Better late than never, etc.

"You're going to be disappointed": An open letter to Peter Rex about Austin Texas

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me:
Ezekiel 3:17

Dear Mr. Rex,

I read, with great interest, your Wall St. Journal op-ed "I’m Leaving Seattle for Texas So My Employees Can Be Free." You sound like me a decade ago. The only difference is that I moved to Austin from New York City, not Seattle.

Allow me to break some news you need to hear: If perceived differences in public policy are your primary reason for relocation to Austin, you're going to be disappointed. VERY disappointed. It's not 2006 anymore. Dazed and Confused was a quarter century ago.

I understand the urge to flee the Seattle city council. Unfortunately, Austin's city council is no better. Where Seattle has Kshama Sawant and her allies, Austin has Greg Casar. Austin today is Seattle five years ago.

And the trend lines are, unfortunately, identical.

Allow me to illustrate: In 2019, the Austin city council passed an ordinance to encourage camping by the homeless. Homelessness predictably skyrocketed. Sound familiar?!?

Unfortunately, homeless encampments are just the most tangible, visible, manifestation of misgovernance in Austin. They're hardly alone. Over the past decade, Austin has been a laboratory in how to NOT run a city.

Off the top of my head, within recent memory Austin has seen:

• The Uber debacle.

• The assault on short-term rentals.

• Entitlement programs at the municipal level...funded by employers.

• Multiple attempts at rewriting our land use development code that, while laudable in intent, have descended into lawless farce in practice.

• A coordinated assault on the integrity of police chief Brian Manley, the only remotely competent official in the entire city government.

But at least they got their boondoggle soccer stadium...and they want to spend $10 Billion on some trains.

Again, you're from Seattle, does any of this sound familiar?!?

-------

But a ha, you say, Texas is a Republican state. And surely the Republicans at the state level will protect me from Democrats at the local level!!!  Right?!?

LOL.

The only difference between the Travis County Democrats and the Texas GOP is that the former will stab you in the front.

When you observe it up close, you will rapidly discover that the Texas legislature is a uniquely wretched collection of cowards, drunks, imbeciles, and perverts. Far too many Texas legislators are more interested in sexually harassing young women than in protecting entrepreneurs and taxpayers. To be fair, there are also plenty of run of the mill financial criminals. Carlos Uresti was all of the above.

The Texas to which you think you are moving is a figment of the collective imaginations of Fox News, Political consultants, and the self-serving politicians who hire them.

Speaking of self-serving politicians, Governor Greg Abbott is worthless and weak.  He has no core convictions beyond Dave Carney's tracking poll. There is a lot that could be said on this topic, although the fact that Greg Abbott put a lobbyist named Mike Toomey in charge of Texas' COVID policy encapsulates it all.

While Greg Abbott's poll driven COVID dithering brought his fecklessness into public view, it's hardly the only example. When Austin passed the afore mentioned homeless camping ordinance, Greg Abbott vowed swift and decisive action. Unfortunately, by Greg Abbott's standards, swift and decisive action means nothing more than running his mouth on Fox News. Greg Abbott could have called a special legislative session to override the Austin ordinance. But Greg Abbott didn't. And Greg Abbott won't. Because Greg Abbott is worthless and weak.

If you're looking for a visual manifestation of Greg Abbott's callow failure, check out the intersection of Burnet Rd. and U.S. Hwy 183...and understand that the state of Texas has 100% jurisdiction over this right of way:

Burnet and 183 - Aweek ago vs. Today.

(But @GregAbbott_TX sez he wants to help w/ #AustinHomless)#TXLEGE #atxcouncil pic.twitter.com/Uw4bZartWD

— cahnman (@cahnman) February 7, 2020

In terms of grandiose rhetoric accompanied by meager results, Greg Abbott is the right-wing Bill DiBlasio.

The less said about Lt. Gov Dan Patrick and house speaker Dennis Bonnen, the better.

-------

There you have it.

That's not to say that everything is bad in Austin anno 2020. Longhorn baseball looks solid. One of these years, the football team is going to click.  Evil MoPac has his moments.

Then again, for one of the highlights to be a parody Twitter account that was founded to ridicule our leaders' inability to fix Austin's endemic traffic speaks volumes.

I wish I had better news to report. I really do. But that's reality. And that's what you're getting yourself into if you relocate here.

Consider yourself warned.

Sincerely, 

Adam Cahn

East Riverside

Austin, TX

P.S. Do feel free to forward this letter to Elon Musk and Joe Rogan.

Apparently, Abbott doesn't even know his data

"The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,

But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
Proverbs 15:14

Apparently, the Governor was on (where else?!?) Fox News yesterday.  Due to formatting issues, we can't embed the video.  But you can watch it for yourself here.

More from PushJunction:

After his hollow flex, Abbott went on Fox News and biffed. When asked for specifics about the virus spread in Texas, Abbott, like a kid called on unexpectedly in class, told the anchor he left his stats at home.

And this:

How can @GregAbbott_TX not be able to answer basic questions about hospitalizations on @marthamaccallum? “I did not check with the data before I came on your show.” What kind of an answer is that? If you choose to control the lives of millions by edict, know the data.

— Matt Rinaldi (@MattRinaldiTX) June 23, 2020

Didn’t know basic questions about hospitalization data on a national news appearance. But you can always be confident he knows the poll numbers like the back of his hand. https://t.co/85gSporDPd

— Matt Rinaldi (@MattRinaldiTX) June 23, 2020

Bottom Line: When your decisions impact the economy and public health for 29 million people, you need to know this stuff...unless you want to admit that lobbyists are running everything.

Why Abbott Can't Meet his Fundamental Challenge

"A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor,
But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days."
Proverbs 28:16

The Dallas Observer has an interesting write up about regulatory issues related to alcohol sales during the current government mandated shutdowns.  The whole thing is worth your time.  But one passage stands out:

April 17, the governor issued what he touted in national media as the first order reopening any state. He seemed very proud of being first. But as he has done with many issues, such as his alcohol and church service orders, he issues a bold press release that is followed with substantially less than was promised.

[Note: Emphasis added.]

The underlined part is the Greg Abbottest thing that Greg Abbott ever did Greg Abbott.

[Note: Especially because Greg Abbott put lobbyists and campaign contributors in charge of the so-called "re-opening."]

Beyond the specific regulatory issues related to alcohol sales, however, that half-sentence is interesting because it gets to the heart of what's plaguing Abbott: There's no way to make everyone happy.

At no point, certainly as Governor (and probably not as A.G. either), has Greg Abbott ever had to tell anybody "no."  Abbott has been able to give the good ol' boy/bidness-as-usual crowd most of the policy stuff they want, while using Fox News to toss his base empty calories flavored to resemble red meat.  We're rapidly learning that this strategy only works during times of plenty.

During times of scarcity, however, any decisions you make will inevitably piss someone off.  And, at least to this point, Abbott hasn't shown any willingness to do that.  So Abbott punts, and punts, and punts....

But here's the thing about punting: It only works as long as the defense holds up.

Abbott's defense, at least to this point, has always been a strong economy.

He doesn't have that anymore.

Bottom Line:  The diversionary tactics Abbott has used in the past seem, at least so far, to be poorly suited to a bad economy.  Time will tell if that holds up.  If it does, Abbott could be in for a very rough ride over the next few years.

#TXLEGE: "Save James" case proves longstanding hypothesis about Governor FoxNews

"And He answered and said to them, 'Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’"
Matthew 19:4

[Note: We've been discussing this case with Capitol sources all day.  There's a lot that we can't publish.  Suffice to say, the so-called "Big 3" are a bunch of frickin' tyrants.]

Well, well, well:

FYI the matter of 7 year old James Younger is being looked into by the Texas Attorney General’s Office and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. #JamesYounger

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) October 23, 2019

So nice of you to show up.

Late > never etc.

This case has been in the public domain since January.  Since then, any number of folks have worked it doggedly.  Recollections vary, but Abbott's staff was told no later than the second week of February.  Almost immediately, they stopped returning phone calls.

It's impossible to know if Greg Abbott was personally informed.  But the boss sets the organizational tone.  If Greg Abbott's staff kept this information from Greg Abbott personally, it's because they knew Greg Abbott didn't want to hear it.

So the case festered until the verdict earlier this week (aka. seven months later).  Luckily, the verdict happened to go viral.  And the verdict happened to go viral on a slow news day for national conservative media.

Thus:

• Steve Deace - A Texas jury just told a father he cannot prevent his son from being mutilated. It is past time for Christians to act.

• Matt Walsh - Court Rules That A Mom Can ‘Transition’ Son Into Girl Against His Dad’s Wishes. This Is Evil, Insane Child Abuse.

Finally, because this is Greg Abbott we're discussing, the most important outlet:

• Fox News - James Younger, 7, to have Texas judge decide fate amid parents' gender transition battle.

Once Fox picked up the story, Abbott no longer had a choice.  The story became too hot to ignore.  So he tweeted.

Of course, none of this is surprising.  We've been arguing for years that Greg Abbott cares far more about national conservative media than the grassroots of his own party.  That's why we started calling him Governor FoxNews in the first place.

But it's always been more of a hypothesis than anything.  It's difficult to prove.  It's impossible to test.

Until this week:

1. Abbott ignores issue for over seven months.
   
2. Out of nowhere, national conservative media becomes very interested.
   
3. Abbott at least pretends to do something.

If scientists had designed it in a lab, you couldn't have had a much better test of the "Governor FoxNews" hypothesis.

Greg Abbott behaved exactly how that hypothesis would predict.

Bottom Line: James Younger got lucky.  But the whims of social media and the national news cycle are no way to govern a self-respecting republic.  Even if it worked this one time.

--------

Note: If you work for a national conservative media outlet who covered this story this week, thank you!  You made more of a difference than you know.  Thank You.

#TXLEGE, #atxcouncil: Abbott needs to call a Special Session or SHUT UP re: New Homelessness Ordinance

"A fool vents all his feelings,
But a wise man holds them back."
Proverbs 29:11

Soo...this happened:

Abbott has zero credibility on this topic.  Like it or not, Greg Abbott allowed the so-called "sick leave" entitlement to stand.  If Greg Abbott wants his credibility back, he needs to call a special session.

The ironic thing is that Abbott now has all the grounds he needs.  While he recently said he wouldn't call a special, nobody anticipated this homelessness ordinance.  If Abbott were to call a special session now, the public would support him.

Because, right now, Steve Adler and Greg Casar are laughing at him:


via GIPHY


Bottom Line: There's a reason why nobody takes Governor Chick-fil-a McFoxNews seriously....

#TXLEGE: If you still need proof this Chick-fil-a bill was a joke

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience."
Ephesians 5:6

LOL, from the Human Rights Campaign:

With the leadership of the LGBTQ Caucus, the Texas legislative session concluded with only one anti-LGBTQ bill, SB 1978, being passed into law. SB 1978 was originally filed as a broad, sweeping anti-LGBTQ bill. However, after concerns raised by the LGBTQ Caucus, advocates and other organizations, significant changes were made to the bill. HRC opposed SB 1978, but was pleased that it passed in a form which causes no significant legal harm to the LGBTQ community.

[Note: Emphasis added.]

"No significant legal harm the the LGBTQ community" is lawyer-speak for "does nothing."

This is the substantive equivalent of the SCOTUS Colorado cake-baker case: The legislature addressed the specific actions of the San Antonio city council, but did nothing to address any other sort of abuse that falls outside of that narrow set of circumstances.

Good luck trying to live out your Faith in all the other areas of life.

But at least they were able to convince Fox News they accomplished something (and that's all that really matters).

Bottom Line: Nothing of substance was accomplished, and anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is either a liar or a chump....

#TXLEGE: Will Abbott do anything after ANOTHER Higher Ed incident?!?

"Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
James 2:17

By now, you've heard:



Obviously, this isn't good.  There's a lot that can be said.  We've said a lot of it before.

But it comes down to this: Abbott has jurisdiction.  He's not using it.  Nothing else matters.

Last year, we predicted the situation would eventually get so bad that Fox News would notice.  Well, Fox News picked this one up.  And we all know how Greg Abbott feels about Fox News....

In fairness to Abbott, he's been telegraphing for awhile that he's getting sick of UT's nonsense.  He forced out the Chairman of the Board last fall.  But none of that has changed anything.

Instead, there's this:

Bottom Line: Abbott has jurisdiction.  He's not using it.  Nothing will change until he does....

-------

Governor Greg Abbott:

Phone - (512) 378-0285

Twitter - @GregAbbott_TX

Grandstanding Gohmert's Political Theatrics

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."
Phillipians 4:8

We finally got a chance to watch the Louie Gohmert clip from yesterday's Congressional hearing:



Having now watched the exchange, we're struck by its phoniness.

Everyone's being insincere.  The Democrats are being insincere.  Strzok is being insincere.  But, unfortunately, Louie Gohmert is being obviously insincere.

This is not to excuse Strzok's conduct.  Strzok's conduct is reprehensible on both personal and professional levels.  But Strzok's personal conduct wasn't relevant in the context in which Gohmert brought it up.  Gohmert's comment was a gratuitous personal swipe designed to pander to Fox News.

Gohmert's comment accomplished nothing.  It hardens existing tribal identities without putting forward anything of substance.  The only people who should welcome Gohmert's comments are Fox News' advertisers.

Bottom Line: Cheap emotional catharsis might generate ratings for Fox News, but it'll rot your brain over the long run.

Texas State Appeases Mob; ABBOTT REMAINS SILENT (Likewise Texas Senate)

"Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
Matthew 7:20

On Friday we discussed the farce at Texas State University.  Well, it's over.  The crazies won.

And they got everything they wanted.

If you can stand to stomach it, you can read the University President's letter of surrender here.

Texans have every right to be livid.  Following the lawless actions of a university bureaucrat making over $169k, a group of students took over a building.  Then the university gave them everything they wanted.  All this in an allegedly "conservative" state.

We've said it before, but it bears repeating: The Board of Regents can stop this nonsense.  And if the Board of Regents fails to act, the Governor who appoints them can step up.  But Texas' allegedly "conservative" Governor hasn't said a peep.

Also: Wouldn't it be nice if the Texas Senate would stop rubber stamping Regent nominees?!?

Bottom Line: Texas' public universities are a state agency.  If he were to choose to use it, the Governor has jurisdiction.  But why actually do the job to which you were elected when you can sell paranoid fantasies about George Soros on Fox News?!?

#TXLEGE: Abbott's property tax plan likely faces similar trajectory as Perry's 2013 "Budget Compact"....

"That which has been is what will be,
That which is done is what will be done,
And there is nothing new under the sun."
Ecclesiastes 1:9

We've seen this movie before.

Setting: The Governor of Texas announces a fantastic fiscal policy proposal a year before the next legislative session.  The Lt. Governor signs on and the relevant activist/policy groups tout it's merit.  Then, once session gets underway, the proposal dies due to a combination of a couple intransigent Senators, a house that likes to spend money (no matter what they say on the campaign trail), and a Governor too distracted to get his own policy proposal implemented.

We've discussed more than once how Rick Perry's 2013 "Texas Budget Compact" proposal was our formative experience in the Texas legislature.  It's worth reviewing that history in the context of Greg Abbott's current property tax proposal.  We don't think all that much has really changed.

In 2012, following the collapse of his first Presidential campaign, then-Governor Rick Perry returned home and outlined a very strong package of budget/transparency reforms he wanted to see the legislature implement.  Under pressure from Ted Cruz during their original U.S. Senate race, then-Lt. Governor Dewhurst quickly signed on.  Empower Texans and TPPF did everything right.

Then, we got into the legislative session in 2013.  Joe Straus did what Joe Straus does.  Dewhurst, despite a good faith effort, couldn't line up the votes he needed in the Senate.  And Rick Perry was more interested in bashing California on Fox News than doing the day-to-day work of the Governor of Texas.

Sound familiar?!?

To be fair, a few things have are different since then, specifically:

• The Senate has a) changed the 21-vote threshold to 19, and b) grown significantly more conservative in its membership.

• Joe Straus, personally, is leaving.

Both of those changes are positive...but it's an open question whether either is a big enough to get Abbott's property tax proposal across the finish line.

While Abbott's proposal has a decent chance in the Senate, it's not a slam dunk.  Charles Perry pulled some major league shenanigans on property taxes during the recent special session.  Bob Nichols is always a wild card.  There's a 50/50 chance Seliger returns.  Even if Lt. Governor Patrick can line up 19 votes, doing so could easily involve icky legislative trade-offs.

On the house side, as the membership currently stands, 76 votes DO NOT EXIST for Abbott's proposal.  That's true regardless of the next speaker's identity.  For that to change, conservatives are going to need to have a very, very good primary season.

A better speaker can get a bill to the floor, but you still need 76 votes.

Bottom Line: Don't get your hopes up.

Fox News suddenly interested in chaos at Texas' public universities....

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
Galatians 6:9

Briscoe Cain on Fox Business this morning:



During the appearance, Briscoe discusses last week's incident at Texas Southern.  Readers are welcome to watch it themselves.  But we're primarily interested in the fact this happened in the first place.

As we explained in June:

But, for as awful as this fall portends to be, it also makes us weirdly optimistic over the longer term. The reason why is that, as these events unfold, we suspect Fox News will cover them. And we all understand the degree to which a certain Governor cares what Fox News thinks.

And, all of a sudden, here's Fox News covering shenanigans on a public university campus in Texas.  The only thing about which we were wrong is that the incident that produced Fox News' interest didn't occur at UT-Austin.  Instead, it was the failure of UT-Austin to address the incidents on their own campus three weeks ago that allowed this to occur at Texas Southern.

And, eventually, Fox News is going to figure out that (at least in Texas) public universities fall within the jurisdiction of the Governor's office.  And we suspect you'll get whiplash at how quickly Greg Abbott acts once that happens. Whiplash.

Bottom Line:  This morning's appearance was a necessary step in the process.

Awful short-term clouds with fantastic medium-term silver linings....

"Do horses run on rocks?
Does one plow there with oxen?
Yet you have turned justice into gall,
And the fruit of righteousness into wormwood,"
Amos 6:12

From time to time (typically about once a quarter), this author will take a Sunday afternoon walk around the UT-Austin campus; yesterday was one of those times.

Here's the bad news: We saw the flyer pictured above posted way too many times for comfort, especially around West Mall and Gregory Gym.  So, apparently, violent communist revolutionaries are now recruiting at our state's flagship public university and are planning to have a very active presence in the Fall 2017 semester.  That's every bit as awful and dangerous as you think.

It gets worse: This development comes on the heels of two on campus murders in 13 months.  Late last semester, we also saw the emergence of politically motivated left wing vandalism against fraternities.  The path of present trends is obvious.

We'll make another morbid prediction: It would not surprise this website to see the body count (currently at two) rise.

But, for as awful as this fall portends to be, it also makes us weirdly optimistic over the longer term.  The reason why is that, as these events unfold, we suspect Fox News will cover them.  And we all understand the degree to which a certain Governor cares what Fox News thinks.

And, as Fox News covers the worsening climate of left wing violence, Greg Abbott's previous wink-and-nod attitude toward the status quo crowd at UT will become no longer politically tenable.  Furthermore, we suspect that if the University publicly embarrasses Greg Abbott, Abbott's will crack down on them with the same focused diligence with which he's pursuing the cities during the special session.  If there's one thing we've learned about this Governor in the last month, it's that he doesn't take kindly to being publicly embarrassed by left wing bureaucrats with a sense of entitlement.

Bottom Line: It's going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better, but we absolutely see light at the end of this tunnel...

#TXLEGE: Matt Rinaldi sets the record straight....

"No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord."
Isaiah 54:17

Matt Rinaldi went on Fox Business yesterday to give the definitive account of Monday's craziness:



Highlights:

• SB 4 has already been signed into law.

• Protesters were holding signs that said: "Undocumented and here to stay."

• Protest turned into a mob after they entered the House chamber.

• Called ICE tip line.

• Democrats were bragging about mob disrupting House proceedings.

• After Rinaldi attempted to leave the situation, Poncho followed him and stated that he would "get" Rinaldi on the way to his car and that Rinaldi "had to leave eventually."
• It was at this point when Rinaldi made his comment about self-defense.

• Abbott hasn't called him.
• Note: Isn't THAT revealing.

#HookemJihad: Art Acevedo played like a fiddle

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."
Ephesians 5:11

Following last week's "Texas Muslim Day" kerfuffle, Austin police chief Art Acevedo held a press conference with local Islamic leaders to "condemn radicals in [the Islamic] Faith":

MyFoxAustin | KTBC | Fox 7 Austin | News Weather Sports

So far so good, who doesn't condemn Islamic radicals?!?

Where this gets interesting, however, is when you consider the local 'leaders' Acevedo invited:

It was a show of unity. Muna Hussaini with Nueces Mosque of Austin said they want the community to know they are regular people doing regular things like everyone else in Austin. Hussaini was joined Tuesday by others from Austin's Muslim community to condemn radicals who claim to be followers of the same faith.

[Author's Note: Emphasis added.]

And who, pray tell, founded the Nueces Street Mosque?!?

"The Mosque on Nueces St. was established in March 1977 by the Muslim Student Association at the University of Texas."

Furthermore, the UT-MSA's website reveals a joint event between the two organizations scheduled for next week:

The history of the MSA speaks from itself, as good friend of this website Erick Stackelbeck explained in 2011:



Next, let's take a look at the Imam of Nueces mosque:

And in which "parts of the world" did he study "for thirteen years"?!?

"He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, where he studied under some of the greatest living scholars of our time."

So he studied "under some of the greatest living scholars of our time in Karachi, Pakistan?!?  Gee, how reassuring.  But wait, it gets better....

"Puneet Madaan, a frequent commenter here on Money Jihad and no stranger to our readers, recently sent in a link about IjaraLoans.com, a Michigan-based sharia compliant lender.

After clicking on IjaraLoans.com’s online tool to “Chat With A Scholar”, Puneet noticed the name of their scholar is Sheikh Mohammed-Umer Esmail. He also found that Sheikh Mohammed-Umer Esmail has led prayers with UT Austin’s Muslim Student Association."

[Author's Note: This post is long enough without getting into a separate dissertation on Sharia compliant finance; suffice to say it's really, really bad news.]

Bottom Line: In a press conference called to 'rebuke' Islamic extremism, Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo invited a representative from a local mosque with ties to terrorist front groups whose Imam studied in Pakistan; way to go Chief....

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One final note: Cahnman's Musings would like to congratulate Fox 7, KEYE, and KXAN for missing this obvious angle in their reporting on yesterday's event.

Travis County Republicans promote Parental educational choice

"Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;
Keep her, for she is your life."
Proverbs 4:13

Travis County Republican Party vice chair Matt Mackowiak discussed school choice with the editor of the Burnt Orange Report last night:

MyFoxAustin | KTBC | Fox 7 Austin | News Weather Sports

Highlights:

• Rich people already have school choice; if you're poor, you're confined by ZIP code.

• Deshotel rattles the tin cup

• Republicans want the dollars to follow the child, Democrats want the dollars to follow the bureaucrats.

Ted Cruz sets record straight

"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong."
1 Corinthians 16:13

STC appeared with Bret Baier to clarify some of the nonsense folks have tried to spin about last weekend:



Highlights:

• Notion he helped Reid: "That's just silliness."

• The whole purpose was to force a vote on Amnesty.

• He was clear with Reid and McConnell for a week in advance.

• As a result of said vote, every D is on the record supporting amnesty.
• A dozen criticized it when it happened.

• "I believe in the primary process, I trust the grassroots."

• Compares himself in D.C. to Uber; compares legacy D.C. culture to Taxi commissions.

• "I'm not trying to play the Washington rules."

Liberty on the Rocks DOMINATES Local Media!!!

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage."
Galatians 5:1

Last night, Liberty on the Rocks hosted "Austin Ridesharing: Drinks Debate, and Lots of Designated Drivers;" we were going to do a write up, but the local media coverage speaks for itself.

From Fox 7:

MyFoxAustin.com | KTBC Fox 7 | News, Weather, Sports

KEYE:



From the Statesman:

The Lyft and Uber ride-sharing debate continued Wednesday night with several members of the pro-free market mindset casting stones at what some called the “taxi cartel.”

The setting was cocktail hour at the upstairs barroom of Chicago House, where conservative foundations hosted a representative of the ride-sharing company Lyft. The company has faced some push-back as city officials continue to debate if and how companies like Lyft and Uber should be allowed to use cellphone apps to pair drivers looking to make an extra buck with willing passengers.

The chief speaker was attorney Larry Salzman with the libertarian law firm Institute for Justice. The firm has been involved with lawsuits involving drivers for companies like Lyft and Uber in Chicago, Tampa, Fla., and Milwaukee, Wis.

Lyft representative Scott Dunaway said ride-sharing companies empower willing drivers to earn a little extra cash on the side. That pursuit of prosperity, Salzman said, is a constitutional right.

Prior to speaking, Salzman said he could see litigation filed against the city of Austin if it works to limit or prohibit ride-sharing companies.

“There are good things happening in courts, there are good things happening in city councils, and in some cases in state legislatures,” he said.

 Read the whole thing here.

Rick Perry meets David Asman in NYC

"Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea the son of Elah, king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done."
2 Kings 18:1-3

During his recent NYC trip, Governor Perry sat down with Cahnman's Musings' old family friend David Asman to discuss economics and Texas' recent success:



Highlights:

• 30% of jobs in the last decade were in Texas.

• "You don't see tech companies moving to New York."

• Texas has the 3rd highest graduation rates in the country.

• Note: We have to laugh when Perry talks about accountability in government schools, considering that he helped gut accountability in the government schools last session.

• We agree 100% with Perry on immigration.

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