Oct. 5, 2024 ALL-POLITICS, covering the November 2024 Election.  It starts with coverage of Allred vs. Cruz and other Texas elections, plus Election Basics on registration, sample ballot, etc.  Then–the VP Debate (my take, candidate quotes, the best reactions from all over, and links for more), current polling, endorsements (including the fake ones), the best campaign ads, policy comparison (Harris vs. Trump on their plans for THE ECONOMY), and all the campaign news (real, created, hilarious, incendiary, and “time to move abroad”).  

WELCOME to my ALL-POLITICS blog covering the November 2024 Election.  (If you missed earlier editions, check below.)  Don’t worry, the regular non-politics blog will post next weekend, with the 2 blogs alternating until November.  Luckily, I have no life….

Are you registered to vote in Travis County?  Things can change, so go here to BE SURE you are eligible to vote: https://elections.traviscountytx.gov/voter-lookup/#VoterEligibilitySearch

Application deadline is Oct. 25 (but sooner is better, considering mailing time): https://elections.traviscountytx.gov/voter-information/ballot-by-mail/#AbsenteeBallotSearch

Early Voting is Oct. 21-Nov. 1.   Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

There is MUCH more being decided than the Presidential race.  Be sure to vote in ALL races, top to bottom of the ballot (preferably for DEMOCRATS.)  Go here and enter your address to see the elections and candidates: https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_Sample_Ballot

This has everything you need to know about voting in Texas: Here’s how to vote in the Texas 2024 election 8/21/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/21/texas-voter-guide-2024-election/

Texas Tribune also lets you pull your sample ballot, with details on all the races you will vote on: Here’s your ballot for the Nov. 5 Texas elections 8/30/24 https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2024/texas-ballot-2024-presidential-election-nov-5/

Volunteer for the Harris/Walz campaign.  https://go.kamalaharris.com/?utm_source=hfp_w_kh_menu

Volunteer here in the Lakeway area.  LT Dems are working with Western Travis County Democrats (a group of local Dem Precinct Chairs) to organize activities including mailings, block walks/lit drops, phone banks, campaign signs, and more for this fall.  Go here (at the link, scroll down to GOTV and click on More Info) to sign up and help GET OUT THE VOTE this fall:  https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/copy-of-club-activities

Donate here in the Lakeway area for local impact.  The activities listed above that local Dem groups are spearheading take MONEY.  Printing, postage, signs—it adds up.  Donations are needed.  ACT BLUE makes donating easy and securehttps://secure.actblue.com/donate/western-travis-democrats-1

Donate to Travis County Democratic Party.  TCDP is working hard to reach Democrats across Travis County and make sure they know when, how, and where to vote.  To get Harris/Walz and Colin Allred elected we need to turn out every Democrat in Travis County —and postcards are key in making that happen.  $20 = 30 postcards. $50 = 76 postcards. Pitch in to mobilize Democrats across Travis County.  https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fund-our-postcards?fbclid=IwY2xjawEh8LpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHby1WqRlAg3PPiBFqmxnSOXA8pyevSZAiZMFqqM0nRquYthuhh3oAyyB9A_aem_IIfdpz23omO4H9aIbCDxoA

Connect with a National Postcarding Group: Markers for Democracy.  This is something you can do YEAR-ROUND.  https://markersfordemocracy.org/postcarding

VOTE FOR Democrat Colin Allred, to get rid of Cancun Cruz and make the world a better place.  (Image credits: USA Today, Forward Blue.) https://colinallred.com/

Yikes.  That’s harsh.  Even for Cancun Cruz.  I asked Ted Cruz to help free my son Trevor Reed. He did nothing 9/26/24 https://couriertexas.com/dfw/opinion/trevor-reed-ted-cruz-texas-senate/

Current polling is consistent with Morning Consult’s survey, done Sept. 9-18, showing Allred one point ahead of Cruz, 45% to 44% among 2,716 likely voters. All year, Cancun Cruz has enjoyed a consistent but narrowing lead; the previous poll conducted by Morning Consult showed Cruz ahead by 5 points.  Per Allred: “For the first time in this race, a new poll has us leading Cruz by 1 point. I don’t know about y’all but I’m fired up and ready to WIN! We’ve got 47 days, let’s do this Texas.”  Ted Cruz Losing to Colin Allred for First Time: Texas Poll 9/20/24 https://www.newsweek.com/ted-cruz-losing-colin-allred-first-time-texas-poll-us-senate-election-1956711

Cruz is running scared, finally agreeing to a debate.  On Sept. 20, Cruz confirmed he would face Allred in a debate— the first time the nominees will face off before the election. The debate is set for Oct. 15, hosted by WFAA, the Dallas ABC affiliate.  Ted Cruz, Colin Allred agree to debate in U.S. Senate race 9/20/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/20/ted-cruz-colin-allred-texas-senate-debate/

Gail: Texas, I know you’re a very right-leaning state. But everybody knows Ted Cruz is awful in every possible way. Including sneaking off on vacation to Mexico while his fellow Texans were suffering from a crippling utility outage. Really, this is the easiest possible moment to do what’s right.

Bret: My all-time favorite comment about Cruz comes from the (sadly former) Senator Al Franken: “I like Ted Cruz more than most of my other colleagues like Ted Cruz. And I hate Ted Cruz.”  I’m also hoping for an upset in the Senate race in Texas. I’d love to see the Democratic candidate, Colin Allred, in the Senate, but what I’d love so much more is to see Ted Cruz notThe Conversation 9/30/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/30/opinion/eric-adams-kamala-harris.html

”The contest is closer than once thought, which the spending bears out, and Allred is raising plenty of money to keep the race competitive. As such, it moves to Lean Republican.”  Ted Cruz Campaign Update as Forecaster Shifts Race Toward Democrats 10/1/24  https://www.newsweek.com/ted-cruz-campaign-update-forecaster-shifts-race-toward-democrats-1962343

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee made a multimillion-dollar investment in TV advertising to oust Ted Cruz, who is vulnerable to a challenge from current House Democrat Colin Allred. Polling shows Cruz and Allred in a tight race. “Cruz has been identified as a susceptible target to keep his Senate seat. He has been constantly on the defensive in his campaign on abortion and his trip to Cancun during a winter storm in 2021. … Cruz is seen by many as yesterday’s man. He’s polling well below Trump across the state and his opponent, former NFL football star-turned-civil rights lawyer Colin Allred is the kind of young, telegenic politician likely to appeal to independents and the paler red among Republicans and is thus worth significant DSCC investment.”  Democrats’ Expensive Texas Gamble 10/3/24 https://www.newsweek.com/democrats-expensive-texas-gamble-1962383

If you live in the part of Lakeway that is in Texas House District 19, your Texas House delegate is now Republican Ellen Troxclair, thanks to a ridiculous gerrymander in 2021 that pulled a small chunk of Travis County away from Austin and dumped us in with 4 rural western counties.  Democrat Dwain Handley is challenging Troxclair.  Check out Handley’s website: https://handley4texas.com/

VOTE for Handley in Texas House District 19, AND VOTE DEM ALL THE WAY DOWN THE BALLOT.

The Texas Senate seat for the Lakeway area is District 25, and since 2013 it has been held by Republican Donna Campbell.  Now, Democrat Merrie Fox is challenging Campbell.  Check out her website: https://drmerriefox.org/

VOTE for Fox in Texas Senate District 25, AND VOTE DEM ALL THE WAY DOWN THE BALLOT.

Lakeway is the western afterthought added to the immense blob situated well east of Austin, next to Houston, that is the Texas 10th Congressional District.  (See map image above and look for the orange outline.)  The House seat in DC has been held since 2005 by far-right Republican Michael McCaul. Now, Democrat Theresa Boisseau is challenging McCaul.  Check out her website: https://www.theresa4texas.com/

VOTE for Boisseau in US House District 10, AND VOTE DEM ALL THE WAY DOWN THE BALLOT.

NONE, it seems.  On Sept. 21, the Harris campaign accepted CNN’s invitation for a second debate, to be held Oct. 23.  But, Trump is too scared to face her again.  Harris accepts CNN debate invitation for October 23, again challenging Trump to another showdown 9/21/24 https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/21/politics/presidential-debate-harris-trump-cnn/index.html

The VP nominees debated on Oct. 1, on CBS News in NYC, with Moderators Margaret Brennan (Face the Nation) and Norah O’Donnell (CBS Evening News).  (Image credits: AP, CBS, NYTimes.) 

During the first half of the 90-minute debate, Vance dominated, talking smoothly and a lot.  Vance pitched GOP policy in saner terms than Trump is capable of doing, glossing over the ugliness with slick rhetoric.  Listening carefully, viewers would notice he didn’t really say much, but he said it well, though rarely answering the actual questions asked.  Vance came off as highly polished.  Walz is many things, but polished isn’t one of them; he spoke from the heart, and it wasn’t always effective in the debate context.  Walz also seemed to lack the killer instinct, failing to pounce on every chance to denigrate his opponent; viewers differed as to whether that was a plus or minus.  Both men were amiable, even complimenting each other and noting areas of agreement; some commentators were disappointed there were few fireworks.

My pet peeve–over and over, Vance condemned aspects of governance during the last 4 years, calling it “The Kamala Harris administration.”  That is patently absurd; vice presidents assist, offer advice, report back from the dullest meetings and trips, and take on project bits and pieces when told to do so, but the President calls the shots and owns the good and the bad of a presidential administration, period.  I guarantee that Trump’s 4 year term in office was NEVER called “The Mike Pence administration.”

One early segment was notable.  When Vance yet again lied about “illegal aliens” in Springfield, the Moderator calmly noted that the claim has been proven false.  Vance retorted: “The rules were that you guys weren’t going to fact check!”  (Which begs the question—was Vance planning all along to spout lies?  He certainly did a lot of that during the debate.)  In fact, CBS News indicated ahead of the event that Moderators could “clarify a fuzzy point if they determined it had been left unclear.”  Vance refused to move to the next topic and instead mansplained in typical GOP fashion the origin of the asylum process; notably, as he talked over the Moderator, Vance repeated addressed her by first name in a dismissive fashion.  Moderator Margaret Brennan cut him off elegantly: “Thank you, Senator, for describing the legal process.”  And then, his mic was muted, as the rules provided.

Early in the second half of the debate, the questions turned to the most serious matters, and Walz rose to the occasion again and again.  Abortion.  Gun violence.  Health care.  Democracy.  Walz OWNED the second half of the debate.  More than once, Vance winced, swallowed nervously and otherwise showed that he knew he was now out of his depth and into territory where faking it wasn’t going to work. In his first major gaffe of the evening, Vance blatantly lied about abortion, saying he never supported a national abortion ban.  In fact, he campaigned on exactly that when running for the Senate in 2022; since then, he has said many times that he favors a national abortion ban.  Walz related stories (factual stories with names of real women, not stuff made up for effect) of women living with the consequences of Trump’s abortion ban—or having died because of it.  On guns, Walz blew Vance out of the water with his personal experience dealing wiht the issue, while Vance lamely insisted that stronger windows and doors would keep our schools safe from gun violence. Then, on health care, Walz schooled Vance on Trump’s long-time mission to end Obamacare, as opposed to “saving it” as Vance falsely stated; Walz’ many years governing a major state exposed Vance as shallow and inexperienced. 

The highlight of the entire debate was in the democracy discussion, when Walz refused to accept Vance’s slick remarks minimizing Jan. 6 as a Trump-directed peaceful protest and insisting that Trump peacefully transferred power to Biden.  Walz asked Vance straight out: “Did Trump lose the 2020 election?”  Vance could not answer that, of course, and went with: “Tim, I’m focused on the future.”  Walz read America’s mind when he called that “a damning non-answer.”  It was a shocking revelation; Vance showed he cannot be trusted to tell the truth (as if the stories he admits creating about Haitian immigrants didn’t do that already).  Everything Vance said earlier in the debate was immediately invalidated.  Any progress he had made away from “weird” collapsed. That simple, short exchange blew up the night, exposing Vance as a Trump toady selected for his lack of moral center to replace Trump’s original Vice President, who failed to place his running mate above democracy.   (Skip to the end of this blog for more on Vance’s real political stance and the danger he poses long-term.)

The Harris/Walz campaign immediately created an ad showcasing the democracy exchange:  JD Vance’s Damning Non-Answer  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax0KIhHFnaE

Polling declared Walz the winner.  CNN Instant Poll: Debate watchers say, 48% to 35%, that Walz is more in touch with the needs and problems of people like them than Vance is.  Following Tuesday night’s debate, viewers say, 48% to 39%, that Walz, rather than Vance, more closely shares their vision for America.  Debate watchers see Walz as more in touch with their needs and vision for America 10/1/24  https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/02/politics/election-poll-walz-vance-debate/index.html

  • “Climate change is real; reducing our impact is absolutely critical.”
  • “If you’re listening tonight and you want billionaires to get tax cuts, Trump is your candidate.”
  • “Donald Trump was the guy who created the largest trade deficit in American history with China” [Fact-Checked as TRUE, $378 billion in 2018.]
  • “The fact of the matter is, how can we as a nation say that your life and your rights, as basic as the right to control your own body, is determined on geography?”
  • Just mind your own business on this. Things worked best when Roe versus Wade was in place.
  • “In Minnesota, what we did was restore Roe v. Wade. We made sure that we put women in charge of their health care.  This is basic human right. We have seen maternal mortality skyrocket in Texas, outpacing many other countries in the world. This is about health care. In Minnesota, we are ranked first in health care for a reason. We trust women. We trust doctors.”
  • “Did Trump lose the 2020 election?” 
  • “January 6 was not Facebook ads.”
  • “What I’m concerned about is, where is the firewall with Donald Trump?  Where is the firewall if he knows he could do anything, including taking an election, and his vice president is not going to stand up against it?”
  • “America, I think you’ve got a really clear choice in this election of who’s going to honor democracy and who’s going to honor Donald Trump.”
  • “The rules were that you guys weren’t going to fact-check!”
  • “I’ve been extremely open about the fact that I was wrong about Donald Trump.”  [Vance called Trump “America’s Hitler” and “cultural heroin” as recently as 2022.]
  • “It’s really rich for Democratic leaders to say that Donald Trump is a unique threat to democracy when he peacefully gave over power on January the 20th.”
  • “I am focused on the future.” [This was his answer about whether Trump lost the 2020 election.]
  • “I want [the Republican Party] to support fertility treatments.” [Yet, Senate Republicans over the summer TWICE voted down a bill that would have protected IVF nationwide; Vance himself voted against the bill in June and failed to show up to vote on it in September.]
  • “The American people, frankly, just don’t trust us [Republicans, on abortion].”  [Wonder why….]
  • Vance refused to answer numerous questions, including foreign policy specifics.  He would not say if he agrees with Trump that climate change is a hoax.  He had nothing to say about the new health care plan that Trump supposedly has.  He could not state any specific economic policies Trump would enact.  He also refused to answer whether, as VP, he would call for alternate electors; he has previously stated that in Pence’s position he would have allowed Congress to consider alternative slates of electors from key swing states, a power that the vice president does not possess under the Constitution.
  • Stephen Colbert of The Late Show: “These two men were both a heartbeat away from being interesting this evening.” 
  • Michael Kosta of The Daily Show: “The only other V.P. debate anyone remembers is the time that fly got stuck on Mike Pence’s head. The bar is low.”
  • Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show: “Many people felt that JD Vance had a solid debate. Republicans saw that and were, like, ‘Hey, could we pull a Biden and just go with this guy?’
  • Bethany Mandel of Newsweek: “Vance showed exactly why he was chosen as Donald Trump’s running mate.  He is the wonky and shrewd version of the former president.”
  • Jeffrey Blehar of National Review: “Vance and Walz’s collegiality was so remarkable in this era. It redounds to their credit and helps their candidates, too.”
  • Farah Stockman of NYTimes Editorial: “Vance did an excellent job of impersonating a decent man.”
  • Robert Reich, professor and commentator: “JD Vance, the Republican candidate for vice president, will almost certainly be the Republican presidential candidate in 2028, regardless of whether Trump wins in November.”
  • Heather Cox Richardson, historian: “Vance lied throughout the debate and has lied throughout this campaign, and in that, he is following the MAGA Republicans and Trump, who has become entirely untethered from reality.”
  • Rachel Maddow of MSNBC: “One of the candidates is much slicker, but the other candidate won.”
  • Lawrence O’Donnell of MSNBC: “JD Vance is the first vice-presidential candidate, ever, to NOT KNOW who won the last election.”
  • Joy Reid of MSNBC: “Walz took a while to get warmed up, but he won the debate because he actually had substance.  His job was to sell Kamala Harris as president. He did that very well.”
  • Jamelle Bouie, NYTimes columnist: “If Vance had to sell the benefits of asbestos to win office, he would do it well and do it with a smile.”
  • Frank Bruni, NYTimes columnist: “Vance laundered and sanctioned Trump’s depravity, telling us not merely that he stands with Trump but that he sinks every bit as low as Trump.”
  • Zack Beauchamp of Vox: “[The democracy exchange] was the only moment from the VP debate that mattered.  Ultimately, every issue discussed earlier that night comes in second to the fundamental question of whether America’s democratic institutions deserve to endure. On that question, Vance truly is radical, and his exposure as such was the only truly important moment of the night.”
  • Will Saletan of The Bulwark: “On the debate stage, facing two audiences—the people of the United States on one hand, and Trump on the other—Vance refused to acknowledge that Trump lost.  That moment tells you the most important thing about Vance: When democracy is in peril, he will bow to Trump, not to the people or the Constitution. He must never be given that chance.”
  • Tressie McMillan Cottom, NYTimes Columnist: “Vance proved that there will be another Donald Trump, one who is just as sinister but far better produced for middle-of-the road voters. It does not matter if Vance was only pretending to align with Trump’s combative politics and disastrous policy proposals. What matters is that Vance has proved that he will change all of his fundamental beliefs in order to win.”
  • Former Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri: “Walz is running against two people, one of whom has bragged about creating stories to get attention, and the other one who lies like other people brush their teeth — I am not worried about Tim Walz’s misstatements. Has he said everything perfectly?  No.  He’s not perfect.  He’s relatable.”
  • Harris Campaign Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon: “Governor Walz showed exactly why Vice President Harris picked him. He is a leader who cares about the issues that matter most to the American people.”
  • Matt Flegenheimer, NYTimes Correspondent: “At his most effective, Walz is a kind of Labrador retriever of a communicator: affable, game, just happy to be there — but liable to tilt his head in performative confusion when something sounds off to him.”

Listen to The Daily’s excellent 28-minute Oct. 2 podcast: The Walz-Vance Debate: Civility and then a Clash  https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/02/podcasts/the-daily/walz-vance-debate.html

Check out the 3-minute highlight reel: The Biggest Moments From the VP Debate Between Tim Walz and J.D. Vance https://time.com/7027572/vance-walz-debate-top-moments-quotes/

Watch the debate in full here: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vp-debate-replay-2024/

Both candidates had a lot to say SILENTLY, and this fascinating article is well worth reading.  8 Body Language Tells From the Vice Presidential Debate 10/2/24 https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/10/02/walz-vance-vp-debate-body-language-analysis-00182127

Lots of interesting points in NPR’s fact-check article: 

VANCE said: “A lot of fentanyl is coming into our country … Kamala Harris let fentanyl into our communities at record levels.”  FALSE: Once again, we heard that undocumented immigrants are bringing fentanyl into the country — a myth which has been debunked.  In reality, close to 90% of illicit fentanyl is seized at official border crossings. Immigration authorities say nearly all of that is smuggled by people who are legally authorized to cross the border, and more than half by U.S. citizens. Virtually none is seized from migrants seeking asylum. 

VANCE said: “Thanks to Kamala Harris’ open border, we’ve seen a massive influx in the number of illegal guns run by the Mexican drug cartel.”  FALSE: Actually, there is long-standing evidence showing the gun smuggling route is going in the opposite direction.  Most recently, the Mexican Attorney General of the Republic and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made an effort to trace the origin and number of firearms in Mexico coming from or through the United States. Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Relations found that 70-90% of traced firearms originated from and passed through the U.S.  NPR fact checked the Vance-Walz vice presidential debate. Here’s what we found https://www.npr.org/2024/10/02/nx-s1-5135675/jd-vance-tim-walz-vp-debate-fact-check Even more fact-checking, unwinding many of Vance’s lies, exaggerations and “creative” comments.  Here Are Our Fact Checks From the Vice-Presidential Debate https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/10/01/us/factcheck-walz-vance

Early voting is underway in several states.  Per The Guardian, 1.4 million Americans had already voted by Oct. 4.  Polling shows Harris leading by over 3 points. Harris and Trump neck-and-neck in polls with early voting under way 10/5/24 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/05/kamala-harris-donald-trump-polls

National polling averaging shows Harris ahead of Trump by 2-3 points as of Oct. 4. 

Battleground polling averaging shows Harris leading in PA, NV, MI and WI, with Trump narrowly ahead in NC, GA and AZ as of Oct. 4.  (Source: Averages by The New York Times; polls collected by FiveThirtyEight and NYTimes.) https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/us/elections/polls-president.html

NY Times/Siena polling in important northern states Sept. 21-26 showed Harris leading Trump in Wisconsin and Michigan.  Plus, Harris is well ahead of Trump in Nebraska’s 2nd District, securely controlling the “blue dot.”  Trump was ahead of Harris in Ohio. Harris and Trump Are Neck and Neck in Michigan and Wisconsin, Polls Find 9/28/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/28/us/politics/harris-trump-poll-michigan-wisconsin.html

Harris released an official economic plan on Sept. 25, a bound volume running 82 pages. To cut rent and mortgage costs, she offers a $25K tax credit for new home buyers and commits tens of billions of dollars to rapidly increasing the nation’s housing supply. To cut food costs, she would enact a federal ban on “price gouging” by grocery stores.  Harris uses tariffs sparingly and instead pledges tax breaks including $50,000 for new small businesses; more incentives would work to encourage domestic manufacturing of low-carbon energy technology, biotechnology and other advanced industries. In addition, Harris would expand tax breaks for parents (including $6,000 for newborns) to help them afford the costs of raising children.  Harris will fund these programs with tax increases on big business and individuals earning $500,000 and up, making sure everyone pays their fair share.  (Image credit: NYTimes.)  Harris Now Has an Economic Plan. Can It Best Trump’s Promises? 9/26/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/26/us/politics/harris-trump-economy.html

WATCH Harris’ 45-minute economic speech here: Vice President Kamala Harris on the Economy – Live from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania  9/26/24  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XokApnr_Cak

Experts say Trump’s vague plans for tariffs, deportations and the Federal Reserve would be disastrous, with higher inflation, less economic growth, and lower employment, through 2040. The best-case scenario predicts that inflation would climb to 6% by 2026; by 2028, consumer prices are 20% higher.  US gross domestic product would be 2.8% lower by the end of Trump’s four-year term.  A loss of Fed Reserve independence would cause permanently higher inflation and ever-increasing prices across the US economy. By 2040, prices would be about 41% higher than otherwise. The most damaging element of Trump’s proposals would be his immigration crackdown, with 15-20 million people deported.  Mass deportations would cause a shock to the supply of workers, particularly since an estimated 16% of workers in agriculture are undocumented; losing them would spike food costs. (Image credit: NYTimes.) Trump’s promises would spike inflation and wipe out jobs, study finds 9/26/24 https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/26/business/trump-inflation-jobs-tariffs-economy/index.html

Magic Johnson has known Kamala Harris over 20 years, and he endorsed her for President on Sept. 29.  Johnson: “Nobody’s going to outwork her. She’s committed to you as the people United States, the people of Michigan. She’s going to be a president for everybody. And one thing she’s going to do is finally unite us, bring us together; that other party is trying to tear us down.”  Since then, he has joined her campaign rallies in Michigan (Go GREEN!)  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_W_XUC5SJGc

Bruce Springsteen endorsed Harris/Walz on Oct.3, saying: “Freedom, social justice, equal opportunity, the right to be and love who you want.  These are the things that make America great.  Donald Trump is the most dangerous candidate for President in my lifetime.  His disdain for the sanctity of our constitution, the sanctity of democracy, the sanctity of the rule of law, and the sanctity of the peaceful transfer of power should disqualify him from the office of President ever again.” Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSI_XbF-Yvs&list=RDNSDSI_XbF-Yvs&start_radio=1

Caroline Rose Giuliani, daughter of Trump’s disgraced and disbarred lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, endorsed Harris/Walz on Sept. 30, saying this: “Take it from me, Trump destroys everything he touches. I saw it happen to my family. Don’t let it happen to yours, or to our country.”  She favors Harris to safeguard reproductive rights and fight climate change. Rudy Giuliani’s Daughter Caroline Endorses Kamala Harris 9/30/24 https://www.newsweek.com/rudy-giuliani-daughter-endorses-kamala-harris-1961568

NYTimes: “It is hard to imagine a candidate more unworthy to serve as president of the United States than Donald Trump. He has proved himself morally unfit for an office that asks its occupant to put the good of the nation above self-interest. He has proved himself temperamentally unfit for a role that requires the very qualities — wisdom, honesty, empathy, courage, restraint, humility, discipline — that he most lacks. … Many Americans remain deeply concerned about their prospects and their children’s in an unstable and unforgiving world. For them, Ms. Harris is clearly the better choice. She has committed to using the power of her office to help Americans better afford the things they need, to make it easier to own a home, to support small businesses and to help workers.  Mr. Trump’s economic priorities are more tax cuts, which would benefit mostly the wealthy, and more tariffs, which will make prices even more unmanageable for the poor and middle class. … Harris is more than a necessary alternative. There is also an optimistic case for elevating her, one that is rooted in her policies and borne out by her experience as vice president, a senator and a state attorney general. … The Republicans who support Ms. Harris recognize that this election is about something more fundamental than narrow partisan interest. It is about principles that go beyond party.” The Only Patriotic Choice for President 9/30/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/30/opinion/editorials/kamala-harris-2024.html

New Yorker Magazine: “Kamala Harris has displayed the basic values and political skills that would enable her to build on the successes of the Biden Administration and to help end, once and for all, a poisonous era defined by Trump. … The United States simply cannot endure another four years of Donald Trump. He is an agent of chaos, an enemy of liberal democracy, and a threat to America’s moral standing in the world. Kamala Harris—who has shown herself to be sensible, humane, and liberal-minded—is our choice for the Presidency.”  Kamala Harris for President 9/29/24 https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/10/07/kamala-harris-for-president-endorsement

Harris/Walz campaign

Lincoln Project

Stephanie Ruhle interviewed Kamala Harris on Sept. 25.  (Image credits: Getty, AP, NYTimes.)  Key points:

  • On Trump using tariffs for everything: “You don’t just throw around the idea of tariffs across the board. … [Trump is] just not very serious about how he thinks about some of these issues. … One must be serious and have a plan.  And a real plan that’s not just about some talking point ending in an exclamation in a political rally, but actually putting the thought into what will be the return on the investment and the economic impact on everyday people.”
  • On the broken immigration system: “We do have a broken immigration system.  It needs to be fixed. …  [Re: the bipartisan bill Trump killed] Donald Trump got word of the bill, realized it was going to fix a problem that he wanted to run on, and told them to kill the bill.  He killed a bill that would have actually been a solution because he wants to run on a problem instead of fixing a problem. My pledge is that, when elected president if the American people will have me, I will bring that bill back and I will sign it into law.  We need a comprehensive plan that includes what we need to do to fortify not only our border but deal with the fact that we also need to create pathways to citizenship.”
  • On women’s rights and Trump’s “protector of women” remark: “Donald Trump is also the person who said women should be punished for exercising a decision that they rightly should be able to make about their own body and their future.  He then chose three members of the United States Supreme Court who did as he intended, undid the protections of Roe v. Wade, and now in state after state you see laws being passed that do punish women.  I don’t think the women of America need him to say that he’s going to protect them; the women of America need him to trust them.”3 Key Takeaways From Kamala Harris’ MSNBC Interview 9/25/24 https://www.newsweek.com/3-key-takeaways-kamala-harris-msnbc-interview-1959525

During the Sept. 10 presidential debate, Trump said the Dem. V-P candidate, Gov. Tim Walz, supports ‘execution after birth.’  The Moderator noted that killing an infant after birth is illegal in all 50 states, but far-right commentators repeated Trump’s claim afterward.  PolitFact investigated and ruled it FALSE: Every person who is born has protections under federal and state laws. It’s illegal in every state to kill a baby after it’s born.  In Minnesota, Gov. Walz approved a state law that updated language related to infants “born alive.” This change did not remove the protections every person who is born has under Minnesota and federal laws. (Image credit: funding email.)  https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2024/sep/18/tony-perkins/no-legal-protections-for-born-alive-babies-in-some/

Beto O’Rourke and First Gentleman Doug Emhoff hit the campaign trail last week in several Texas cities, urging Texans to register and VOTE BLUE.  After raising over $1MIL at an Austin fundraiser, they stopped at Whataburger for lunch.  (Image credit: Texas Tribune.)  O’Rourke and Emhoff raise another million for Harris campaign, tout voter registration momentum 9/24/24  https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/24/doug-emhoff-beto-orourke-whataburger-texas-austin/

The perfect shot of these clowns…. (Image credit: NY Times.)

Still VERY old and increasingly addled.  Still lying.  Still a racist and a misogynist. (Image credits: AP and Trump campaign email.)

Having strange and unpleasant ideas is one thing; imposing them on everyone else is another. Robert Reich’s 3-minute video hits the highlights.  (Image credits: Getty.)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0ED8Fg9yxE

Trump’s newest grift is a line of watches, starting at $500 and going up to $100,000.  Oddly, the watches are NOT made in America.  But, the high-end model does have “a replica of his famous signature!”  Trump promotes watches branded with his name 9/26/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-promotes-watches-branded-name-rcna172963

Donald Trump has a new spiel at his rallies, aiming to appeal to women: I am your protector. I want to be your protector. As president, I have to be your protector. …  I will end your national nightmare.  … making women happy, healthy, confident, and free. You will no longer be thinking about abortion.”  That really is the WORST pick up line ever.  I liked it better when Trump said he was our retribution. (Image credit: AP.)   Trump Tells Women ‘I Am Your Protector,’ Talks Abortion at Pennsylvania Rally 9/24/24 https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-pennsylvania-rally-abortion-women-2024-election-1958675

The above post is Trump’s idea of courting the female vote.  In fact, American women need to get a national protective order against Trump and the MAGA GOP.  The way to do that is: VOTE for Harris/Walz.  Trump to women: You’ll soon ‘no longer be thinking about abortion’ 9/23/24 https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-women-ll-soon-no-longer-thinking-abortion-rcna172219

Simon Rosenberg sees Trump’s abortion policy this way:

I have been in politics a long time and am not often surprised. What has surprised me this year, caught me off guard, is just how much the Republican Party and its leaders hate women. The raw, unfiltered misogyny has surprised and shocked me. Wanting to end no-fault divorces so women will be forced to stay in marriages where they are beaten. Ending Roe and the ongoing assault on reproductive freedom including IVF. Restrictions on women’s ability to travel out of state. Jail time for women having miscarriages.

Trump didn’t return abortion to the states.  He took it away from women and their doctors and gave it to Republican politicians.  It may be the single most bat shit crazy thing he says. Hopium Chronicles 9/24/24 https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/harris-hovering-around-biden-2020

Despite agreeing to participate in the news show’s Election Hour on Oct. 7, Trump abruptly cancelled on 60 Minutes.  (Image credit: NYTimes.)  He and Harris were to receive equal time; Harris will appear as planned. Trump says he cancelled due to a grudge with Lesley Stalh dating back to 2020.  Really, he is afraid they will fact-check him.  Jimmy Fallon summed it up this way: “Former President Trump broke a 50-year tradition for presidential candidates after he backed out of his scheduled interview with ‘60 Minutes’ because he was worried they’d fact-check him. So if you’re keeping track, Trump said that he’ll stand up to the president of China, but Lesley Stahl is a little too scary.” Trump backs out of “60 Minutes” election special; Kamala Harris to be interviewed 10/1/24 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-election-special-harris-trump-oct-7/

Congress had to pass a routine continuing resolution to finance the federal government for another 6 months.  Trump made House Speaker Johnson add a rider (called the SAVE Act) to the spending bill that required showing proof of citizenship when registering to vote.  Trump then demanded that Republican lawmakers shut down the government, unless Democrats agreed to the new voting process. It is already illegal for non-citizens to vote, and states enforce this.  There is no indication non-citizens are registering or voting; even the far-right Heritage Foundation has found only 12 cases of such illegal voting in the past 40 years.  But, Trump and his sycophants continue to conjure up masses of immigrants voting for Democrats. Proving citizenship would require that all voters obtain a passport; that is expensive and time-consuming, adding yet another barrier to the election process.  On Sept. 18, the bill failed, thanks to Trump.  Oct. 1 was the deadline, or the government would SHUT DOWN.  Desperate, Speaker Johnson removed the SAVE rider and limited the bill to spending through Dec. 20 only.  It passed easily on Sept. 25.  Panicking Trump Makes Shocking Demand as His Campaign Struggles 9/10/24 https://newrepublic.com/post/185796/donald-trump-demand-government-shutdown-campaign

At an antisemitic event held by the Israeli American Council, Trump attacked Jews, saying Jews are tanking his re-election and would be very sorry for doing that. (Maybe someone should have explained to Trump that the event was AGAINST antisemitic comments and actions, not FOR them.)  Trump: [If I don’t win] “in my opinion, the Jewish people would have a lot to do with the loss. If I’m at 40 percent. Think of it. That means 60 percent are voting for Kamala who in particular is a bad Democrat. The Democrats are bad to Israel, very bad. …  Any Jewish person who votes for [Harris] should have their head examined.”  (Image credit: AP.)  Trump’s Blame Game Takes a Dark Turn Against Jewish People 9/20/24 https://newrepublic.com/post/186188/donald-trump-blame-jewish-people-election

At a Sept. 29 rally in Pennsylvania, Trump ranted about urban crime and shared his brilliant idea for stopping it.  Trouble is—it was basically the plotline of The Purge, a dystopian horror flick in which murder is legal, as an official plan to end unemployment and crime.  Trump claimed out-of-control crime sprees could be ended by police via mass murder, saying this: “If you had one day, like one real rough, nasty day….” (Image credit: REUTERS.)  Trump condemned for suggesting ‘one really violent day’ to combat crime 9/30/24 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/30/trump-crime-the-purge-speech

On Oct. 4, Trump posted on his low-rent version of X that JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon had endorsed him.  Dimon instantly refuted this, saying he has not endorsed or contributed to anyone in the race.  First Taylor Swift, then Jamie Dimon—who’s next?   Trump falsely touts endorsement from JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon 10/4/24 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/04/trump-jamie-dimon-false-endorsement

3 days BEFORE the 2020 election, a close Trump advisor told supporters that Trump would declare victory no matter what: “He’s going to declare victory.  That doesn’t mean he’s the winner. He’s just going to say he’s the winner.”  Trump himself told family members: “It doesn’t matter if you won or lost the election.  You still have to fight like hell.”  And, when Trump was told on Jan. 6 that his supporters rioting at the Capitol were threatening to kill VP Mike Pence, Trump’s response was: ”So what?”  All that and MUCH MORE was revealed by Special Prosecutor Jack Smith in recent court filings in Trump’s criminal case relating to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.  Smith’s goal was to prove that Trump’s motive was personal and that of a candidate, nothing to do with official presidential duties that SCOTUS suddenly says are immune from prosecution.  (I LOVE Seth Meyers’ response: “A federal judge yesterday unsealed a 165-page motion detailing evidence against former President Trump in his election interference case. OK, well, there’s only one way he’s reading 165 pages, and it’s at the Cheesecake Factory.”) Special counsel Jack Smith provides fullest picture yet of his 2020 election case against Trump in new filing 10/2/24 https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/02/politics/jack-smith-donald-trump-filing/index.html

CNN fact-checked Trump’s fraud claims on an election that hasn’t even happened yet.  Here are his 12 BIG LIES for Election 2024 (so far):

  • False claim: Harris can only win through cheating
  • False claim: It was ‘unconstitutional’ for the Democrats to replace Biden with Harris
  • False claim: Voting by non-citizens is a widespread problem in US elections
  • False claim: The US Postal Service admitted it is ‘a poorly run mess’
  • False claim: There is no identity verification for overseas and military voters
  • False claim: Harris spied on Trump’s campaign
  • False claim: California’s vote counts are dishonest
  • False claim: Election officials use early voting to commit fraud
  • False claim: Trump won Minnesota in 2020
  • False claim: A large percentage of mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania are fraudulent
  • False claim: Harris fabricated an image to inflate her crowd size
  • False claim: Biden or Harris orchestrated Trump’s legal cases

Fact check: 12 election lies Trump is using to set the stage to dispute a potential 2024 defeat 9/30/24 https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/30/politics/fact-check-trump-election-lies-2024/index.html

Trump is desperate to please Putin, so he went after Ukraine and its heroic president.  Trump said Ukraine is obliterated, with millions dead, and now using children and the elderly as soldiers—all FALSE.  He also complained that Zelenskyy refuses to make a deal with Putin.  (By “deal,” Trump means “surrender.”)  Of course, Trump claims that only HE can end the war that Russia started.  Trump lashes out at Zelenskyy after Ukraine’s leader questioned his claim he could end war 9/25/24 https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-lashes-zelenskyy-after-ukraines-leader-questioned-claim/story?id=114115473

Mark Robinson, North Carolina’s Republican candidate for governor, has always been deranged, so of course Trump endorsed him ages ago and regularly appears with him all over the state, calling Robinson “better than Martin Luther King.”  Robinson is the guy who said “Some folks need killing.”  (And, he was standing at a church pulpit at the time.)  Robinson has long been a Holocaust denier, and he calls anything related to gays “filth.”  Bad enough, but it suddenly got worse when on Sept. 19 Robinson’s past online posts were published by CNN.  He proudly called himself a “Black Nazi” and denigrated MLK, as well as fondly recalling peeping at women in the bathroom.  On slavery, Robinson said this: “Slavery is not bad. Some people need to be slaves. I wish they would bring it back. I would certainly buy a few.”  Robinson remains defiant and in the race, and Trump has not withdrawn his endorsement.  To date, Trump’s only comment is: “Uh, I don’t know the situation.”  Mark Robinson’s History of Controversial Claims 9/21/24 https://www.newsweek.com/mark-robinson-history-controversial-claims-1957096

Trump vows to honor Confederate slave owners.

North Carolina’s Fort Bragg was renamed Fort Liberty in 2022.  The old moniker honored Gen. Braxton Bragg, who enslaved people in addition to being a Confederate general with a reputation for battlefield failure.  At a rally in North Carolina, Trump said: “I think I just learned the secret to winning absolutely and by massive margins. I’m going to promise to you … that we’re going to change the name back to Fort Bragg.  We have a great military, and we have a military that’s not woke.  You may have a few people at the top who are woke, and we’re going to get rid of them so damn fast your head is gonna spin.”  Trump pledges to rename Army base after Confederate general 10/4/24 https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/04/trump-rename-army-confederate-general-00182606

When Trump isn’t attacking Springfield, Ohio, he goes after Aurora, Colorado, blurting out scary and outlandish stories with no verification.  Trump: “Under border czar Harris, Venezuelan gangs have taken over entire apartment buildings in Aurora, Colorado. The governor is petrified in Colorado. He’s a liberal governor. He doesn’t know what to do. The guy is so scared of these guys and maybe you can’t blame him.”  Dem Governor Jared Polis responded on Face the Nation Sept. 22: “I went shopping in Aurora yesterday. What a lot of Americans need to know is Aurora [has] over 400,000 people, it’s Colorado’s third largest city, violent crime is down two years in a row, car thefts are down two years in a row. It’s a wonderful city. I’m there all the time. … This is the difference between electing a president that skirts the law versus one who has made a career enforcing the law. Kamala Harris is somebody who stared criminal enterprises in the face, put criminals behind bars as district attorney and she’s going to take that same attitude to the White House to make America safer.”  (Image credit: NYTimes.) Colorado governor defends Aurora against Trump’s claims about migrants 9/22/24  https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/22/colorado-governor-trump-migrants-00180392

On Oct. 2, Trump escalated his tirade against the Haitian immigrants legally living and working in Springfield, Ohio, vowing to revoke their Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and deport them.  Haitians have been included in the TPS program since 2010, when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake killed 220,000 people. In his first administration, Trump paused TPS for 400,000 migrants from Haiti, Nepal, Sudan, Nicaragua, and El Salvador, but a federal judge reversed Trump’s action and reinstated TPS by law. Trump floats deporting legal Haitian migrants living in Ohio 10/3/24 https://www.axios.com/2024/10/03/trump-springfield-haitian-migrants-tps

On Sept. 29, just 1 day after Hurricane Helene ripped through Georgia, Trump said: “[Gov. Kemp] has been calling the president, but has not been able to get him.  I guess the federal government is not being responsive.”  However, Gov. Kemp, a Republican, stated he had missed Biden’s first call but called him right back and was connected easily.  Here is Kemp’s version: “[Biden] said, ‘Hey, what do you need?’  And I told him, you know, we got what we need. We will work through the federal process. … [He said] if there’s other things we need, just to call him directly — which, I appreciate that.” Trump falsely says Georgia’s governor was unable to talk to Biden about storm damage 9/30/24  https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-georgia-governor-brian-kemp-unable-talk-biden-hurricane-helene-rcna173236

Trump then expanded his lies about the Biden/Harris hurricane response, saying: “They are universally being given POOR GRADES for the way that they are handling the Hurricane, especially in North Carolina.” Per CNN: “Facts First: Trump is wrong. The Biden administration’s response to the hurricane has received bipartisan praise from political leaders in affected states.”  Republican governors in the states hit by Hurricane Helene praised the Biden administration’s response, sometimes naming Biden in particular.  For instance, Republican South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster called the federal assistance “superb,” noting that Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had both called and told him to let them know whatever the state needed. “So we’re getting assistance, and we’re asking for everything we need.”  Fact check: Amid bipartisan praise for Biden hurricane response, Trump falsely claims reviews are ‘universally’ negative 9/3/24 https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/03/politics/fact-check-trump-biden-hurricane-response/index.html

On Oct. 2, Trump and company ramped things up, accusing Harris of putting a $750 price tag on hurricane victims.  Here is one version of the false tirade: “$750 for Americans in desperate need many of whom lost everything including family.  $250 BILLION spent in Ukraine so they get $6500 per person in F$&?ing UKRAINE!!! For what? Enough of this madness!”  Setting aside Trump’s sick grudge against Ukraine, let’s start with the $750. On Oct. 3 while in Georgia meeting those distributing aid and cleaning up after the storm, Harris mentioned cash disbursements as part of the larger relief effort: “And the federal relief and assistance that we have been providing has included FEMA providing $750 for folks who need immediate needs met, such as food, baby formula, and the like. And you can apply now.”  Harris ALSO discussed other aspects of the recovery plan, including longer-term emergency funding. (“FEMA is also providing tens of thousands more dollars for folks to help them be able to deal with home repair, to be able to cover a deductible when and if they have insurance, and also hotel costs.”).  Plus, the Biden administration had already disbursed over $10 million in “flexible and upfront” assistance to the states affected.  And, FEMA had already shipped over 8.8 million meals, more than 7.4 million liters of water, 150 generators, and more than 225,000 tarps to the storm zone.  In addition, crews were helping to restore power and set up satellite internet links for those without service. Over 1,600 interactions with people and animals, including rescues and evacuations, had also taken place with federal assistance.  In fact, the federal government had 1,000 first responders in place BEFORE the storm hit; in addition, Biden had the Defense Department provide 1,000 soldiers to reinforce North Carolina’s National Guard to speed up the delivery of supplies to isolated communities.  Biden approved emergency declarations for all affected states as soon as he received the requests from the governors. The Biden/Harris administration will cover 100% of the recovery costs for the first 180 days in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. SO–$750 AND A WHOLE LOT MORE–that is what Biden/Harris are doing for hurricane victims, exactly as they should.  Fact Check: Did Kamala Harris Offer Hurricane Helene Victims $750? 10/3/24 https://www.newsweek.com/kamala-harris-750-fema-hurricane-helene-relief-reimbursement-1963602

Then, there were rampant accusations from the right that FEMA was broke and not able to help hurricane victims because its money was given to illegal immigrants. TRUMP:They spent it all on illegal migrants.… They stole the FEMA money just like they stole it from a bank, so they could give it to their illegal immigrants that they want to have vote for them.  A billion dollars was stolen from FEMA to use it for illegal migrants, many of whom are criminals, to come into our country.”  NOPE, All FALSE.  FEMA Responds to Accusations Money Spent on Migrants 10/4/24 https://www.newsweek.com/fema-response-accusations-money-spent-migrants-1963702

Finally, Trump and his shameless MAGA ilk have so flooded the internet with ugly and frightening accusations that FEMA was forced to create a page debunking the lies, in order to reassure victims applying for aid: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/current/hurricane-helene/rumor-response

Frank Bruni is scathingly brilliant as well as accurate in a Sept. 26 NYT Opinion piece, on Trump’s obvious pathologies and how they are accelerating this election season: “I know it’s painful, but have you listened to him (or, even worse, skimmed his social media posts) over recent months? Hannibal Lecter, Pomeranian au poivre, pouting about how much prettier than Harris he is, perseverating on the size of her crowds, obsessing over her race, fixating on her sexual history — he’s going downhill fast, and he started out below sea level. If he descends any more, MAGA will meet magma.”  Bruni also nails Trump as a shameless salesman in overdrive: “Maybe his strategy is to put enough money in Americans’ pockets that everyone can buy two copies of the Trump-branded Bible ($59.99) and three of “Save America,” his alternative history of the Trump administration ($91.47 — and that’s on Amazon), with enough left over for a $49 special-edition pair of gold Never Surrender sneakers.  (Image credit: NYT.) The proper cable-television point of reference for Trump isn’t Fox News. It’s QVC. He’s not planning a presidency. He’s hawking merch.” https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/26/opinion/kamala-harris-context-trump.html

Jamie McGregor is a 5th generation Springfield resident who own McGregor Metal.  He started hiring legal Haitian immigrants in 2020 and now they make up 10% of his 300 employees.  Springfield recently exploded into the national consciousness when Trump and Vance repeatedly and falsely claimed that Haitians were in Springfield illegally and were destroying the town by eating pets, among other atrocities.  Again—everything Trump and Vance have said on the matter has been proven false; Vance even admits he “created stories” in order to generate media coverage for their campaign.   The result has been tumult in Springfield, including violence against Haitians and nearly 400 bomb threats that have forced closure of schools, hospitals and government offices.  Another result of what Trump and Vance did is a deluge of death threats to Jamie McGregor and his entire family.  Why?  He spoke up, trying to counter the rising tide of hatred in Springfield, saying this about his Haitian employees: “They come to work every day. They don’t cause drama. They’re on time.”  As a result, MAGA supporters put up posters around town with his face printed alongside the word, “traitor.”  He got messages, including these: “The owner of McGregor Metal can take a bullet to the skull and that would be 100 percent justified.”  AND  “Why are you importing Third World savages who eat animals and giving them jobs over United States citizens?”  When the FBI found the threats against him to be credible, McGregor was forced to increase security at his business and buy a gun to protect his family. Springfield businessman dubbed a “traitor” and threatened for defending Haitian employees 9/30/24 https://www.salon.com/2024/09/30/springfield-businessman-dubbed-a-traitor-and-threatened-for-defending-haitian-employees/

At an Oct. 2 campaign event in Milwaukee, Trump again downplayed the traumatic brain injuries suffered by U.S troops in an Iranian missile strike on an airbase in Iraq in 2020.  He was asked if he should have been tougher on Tehran after more than 100 soldiers were injured in a missile attack on the Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq in January 2020, when he was president. Trump: “So first of all, injured. What does injured mean? Injured means, you mean because they had a headache? Because the bombs never hit the fort.  So, just so you understand, there was nobody ever tougher on Iraq.”  Not for the first time, Trump confused Iraq and Iran. It also was not the first time he threw injured soldiers under the bus in order to protect his own record. In 2020 he said this: “I heard that they had headaches and a couple of other things, not very serious.” Dan Barkhuff, the president and founder of Veterans for Responsible Leadership, was outraged.  “These are incredibly debilitating injuries, and it’s really insulting that Donald Trump would comment in this way about folks who were injured in combat.”  (Image credit: AP.)  Donald Trump’s Comment on Injured Soldiers Sparks Veteran Anger—’Insulting’ 10/2/24  https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-comment-injured-soldiers-sparks-veteran-anger-iran-1962645

That’s the best Trump can do against a confident, competent, and articulate woman.  Trump’s frantic frustration at losing his favorite punching bag, Joe Biden, is palpable.  Trump still takes shots at Biden: “Crooked Joe Biden became mentally impaired — sad. But lying Kamala Harris, honestly, I believe she was born that way.”  (Image credit: NYTimes.)  Trump, using extreme rhetoric, calls Harris ‘mentally impaired’ and says she should be ‘prosecuted 9/29/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-says-kamala-harris-prosecuted-border-actions-rcna173194

Vance claims that Trump capped insulin at $35/month.  He doubles down and says Harris is lying when she credits the Biden administration for that.  FACT CHECK: Trump signed an executive order in 2020 establishing a temporary, voluntary program that let some Medicare Part D prescription drug plans cap monthly insulin copayments at $35.  Then, Biden did it for real.  His Inflation Reduction Act, which Biden signed into law in August 2022, required all Part D plans to charge no more than $35 a month for all covered insulin products. All Democrats in the House and the Senate voted for the Inflation Reduction Act, and all Republicans—including J.D. Vance—voted against it.  (Image credit: Detroit Free Press.) Heather Cox Richardson 9/29/24  https://substack.com/@heathercoxrichardson/p-149596205

Rachel Maddow’s lead segment on her Sept. 30 show detailed the influences behind Vance’s goal to gut the US government so it can be run by a dictator with the country modeled as a tech start-up.  Just to be clear, the “late Republican period” Vance talks about all the time means democracy is ENDING, SOON.  It will be replaced with techno-authoritarianism, so the country is run like a corporation, headed by a CEO; there is no difference between a CEO and a dictator, which Vance sees as a plus.  This is a story only Maddow could tell—or so I thought until I read Robert Reichs 10/3 Substack on the same theme.  (See item below.)  Maddow’s 11-minute segment is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeVhHNSe9Ks

Want to know more about far-right blogger Curtis Yarvin, Vance’s oddball mentor in this insanity?  A recent article by The New Republic starts with this: Yarvin’s disturbing manifestos have earned him influential followers, chief among them: tech billionaire Peter Thiel and his onetime Silicon Valley protégé Senator J.D. Vance, whom the Republican Party just nominated to be Donald Trump’s vice president. If Trump wins the election, there is little doubt that Vance will bring Yarvin’s twisted techno-authoritarianism to the White House, and one can imagine—with horror—what a receptive would-be autocrat like Trump might do with those ideas.”  ALSO: “Vance predicted Trump would run again and win, then offered some advice: “I think that what Trump should do, if I was giving him one piece of advice: Fire every single midlevel bureaucrat, every civil servant in the administrative state, replace them with our people.” He added that Trump should defy any court orders that tried to halt this partisan purge of the civil service. Yarvin calls this plan RAGE: Retire All Government Employees. It’s captured perfectly in Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s blueprint for a second Trump administration, which calls for firing an estimated 500,000 federal employees and dismantling entire agencies. If Trump wins, Vance may well be in charge of executing the plan.” Lots more scary stuff in the linked article, which really does assist in understanding JD Vance, heaven help us all…. (Image credit: AP.)  Where J.D. Vance Gets His Weird, Terrifying Techno-Authoritarian Ideas 7/22/24 https://newrepublic.com/article/183971/jd-vance-weird-terrifying-techno-authoritarian-ideas

Below is Robert Reich’s Oct. 3 Substack article explaining JD Vance as Trump’s running mate and the GOP’s 2028 Presidential candidate.   If Vance wins, America’s stops being a democracy and becomes a monarchical regime based on the tech start-up model, as favored by many billionaire political donors.  This item was edited for length; click the link below to read Reich’s entire article.

Trump picked Vance for his vice president because Vance publicly stated he’d do what Mike Pence refused to do: overturn democracy and place America under MAGA control. In response to a question ABC’s George Stephanopoulos put to Vance last February — “Had you been vice president on January 6th, would you have certified the election results?” — Vance said: “If I had been vice president, I would have told the states, like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and so many others that we needed to have multiple slates of electors, and I think the U.S. Congress should have fought over it from there.”

In 2020, Vance alleged that the 2020 election was stolen and that Biden’s immigration policy meant “more Democrat voters pouring into this country.” In 2022, he suggested that Democrats were attempting to “transform the electorate” amid an immigrant “invasion.”  Echoing the so-called “great replacement theory,” Vance told voters, “You’re talking about a shift in the democratic makeup of this country that would mean we never win, meaning Republicans would never win a national election in this country ever again.”

In contrast to Trump, who has no ideology except accumulating power and wealth for himself and taking revenge on those who would deny them to him, Vance does have an ideology. He’s the emerging leader of the anti-democracy movement in America. Vance would never have become a senator from Ohio in 2022 were it not for billionaire tech financier Peter Thiel, who staked $15 million on Vance’s election — a major portion of all the funds that went into Vance’s race.

Thiel and Vance — along with Elon Musk, Steve Bannon, Blake Masters, tech entrepreneur David Sacks, Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, Palantir adviser Jacob Helberg, Sequoia Capital’s Doug Leone, blogger Curtis Yarvin, and others in the anti-democracy movement — believe that the only way true libertarians can win in America is for a Caesar-like figure to wrest power from the American establishment and install a monarchical regime, run like a startup.

In Yarvin’s view, democratic governments are inefficient and wasteful; they should be replaced with sovereign joint-stock corporations whose major “shareholders” select an executive with total power, who serves at their pleasure.Yarvin refers to the city-state of Singapore as an example of a successful authoritarian regime.

How to achieve Yarvin’s vision? The first step, as Vance offered in a 2021 podcast, is to replace “every single midlevel bureaucrat, every civil servant in the administrative state … with our people. And when the courts stop you, stand before the country, and say—” as did Andrew Jackson — that “the chief justice has made his ruling. Now let him enforce it.”

Vance has been anointed by Thiel and the rest of the anti-democracy movement as the post-Trump president, tasked with replacing the American establishment with an authoritarian regime.Make no mistake: The foundation for America’s first true anti-democracy president is being laid right now.  (Image credit: Getty.) Vance and the future of the anti-democracy movement 10/3/24 https://substack.com/home/post/p-149678486

Sept. 28, 2024 Lakeway’s fun fall events and community meetings plus a couple very negative bits of local news, as well as deer photos, cool space news and images, women’s rights update, Covid news, and more.

On Tuesday, Oct. 1 from 4:30-5:30, AND on Wednesday, Oct. 2 from 10AM-noon, at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing), a trained Travis County voter registrar will share information and register voters. 

Drop by the Lakeway Police Department (1941 Lohmans Crossing Rd.) on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 4-7PM for an Open House. Meet officers in the various police department divisions, receive crime prevention material, and take a tour of the facility. On the tour, you can check out the shooting simulator and test yourself while wearing the drunk goggles. Bring the kids for stickers, coloring books and wristbands.

The Lakeway Players present the award-winning comedy, The Kitchen Witches, Oct. 3-5, at Lakeway Activity Center.  Doors open at 6:30PM; show starts at 7:30PM.  Bring your own food and alcoholic beverages.  Tickets are $34.  Go here for info and to buy tickets: https://www.thelakewayplayers.com/

On Saturday, Oct. 5 from 1:30-3PM, The Lakeway Painters will host a reception at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing).  Stop by to view the group’s art (a wide variety, from 30 artists) on display in the conference room and meet the artists.

–SPECIAL Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 6:30PM at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) will be a WATCH PARTY for the Colin Allred/Ted Cruz DEBATE, plus Representative Vikki Goodwin and short presentations by other Texas candidates stopping by.

–Go here to watch the Sept. 17 presentation from Joshua Blank, Research Director of the Texas Politics Project and polling expert:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EK7uhNpYVGuWUB52zWIMwnXLgWcg-cHb/view

–Check https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/ for club activities each month.

On Wed., Oct. 16, 9:30AM-12:30PM, there is a FREE drop off of hazardous materials at Lake Travis Regional Reuse and Recycling Center (3207 Neidhardt Drive).This service is available toresidents of Lakeway, Bee Cave and The Hills, plus customers of WCID 17, Hurst Creek MUD and Lakeway MUD.  Bring photo ID or water bill as proof of eligibility.  To be accepted, items MUST be in their original labeled containers (for proper disposal).  For paint, 30 gallon containers (full or not) is the maximum per household.  RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.  Items NOT accepted include: light bulbs, medical waste such as needles and prescriptions drugs, ammunition, tires, electronics and more.  (Full list of accepted and prohibited items is at the link below.)  Use the following link (or call Lakeway Solid Waste at (512)314-7514 or email solidwasteclerk@lakeway-tx.gov for assistance) to make a reservation: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44ACA728A1F4C07-51569315-household#/

Time to fly!  On Sat., Oct. 19, 5:30-9PM, bring bicycles, tricycles, unicycles, skates, scooters, wheelchairs, golf carts, wagons, or simply walking shoes and meet up at the Live Oak Golf Course’s Driving Range for a magical “flight” down Lakeway Drive.  Spectators along the route will also have fun, catching candy treats.  FREE EVENT.  The PARADE starts at 6PM, followed by a CARNIVAL at Lakeway Activity Center, with food and beverage vendors, games, a dunk tank, euro-bungee, photo booth, a movie, and more. Info here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/1882/Witches-Ride

On Sat., Oct. 19, 2-6PM, head over to the Hill Country Galleria’s Central Plaza Lawn for Oktoberfest fun, including live music, yard games, face painting, balloon art and contests, with festive foods and imported beers/local lagers on offer.  Bring blankets and chairs to stay awhile.  FREE admission.  Go here for info: https://www.hillcountrygalleria.com/event/oktoberfest-at-hill-country-galleria/2145584735

On Sat., Oct. 26 at 7PM, enjoy a classic horror film at Lakeway Activity Center.  This vintage thriller will be accompanied by the Lake Travis High School Chamber Orchestra.  Tickets are $7.  Dress like a vampire for the contest!  Concessions available.  Go here for tickets (click on Events tab): https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTI5ODE3MTQ=

These tours always fill up!  Sign up early for a Lakeway historical bus tour, happening on Friday, Oct. 25, at 9:15AM, 11:15AM, and 1:15PM.  FREE tours start at Lakeway City Hall, so you can also take a look inside the historic Liebelt Cabin.  Go here for info and to register: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1171/Heritage-Trail

On Sat., Oct. 26, from 11AM-2:30PM, head over to Lake Travis Elementary School (just off 620, at 15303 Kollmeyer Drive) for the 13th Annual Lake Travis Public Safety Day. FREE EVENT!  This fun and educational event allows community members to interact with first responders and learn about what they do and the tools and resources they use to keep us all safe. Agencies attend from across Central Texas, bringing their helicopters, police cars, motorcycles, ambulances, fire trucks, rescue boats, ATVs, K-9’s, horses, wildland fire mitigation equipment, incident command centers, SWAT apparatus, casualty tents, buses and more.  Go here for info: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/529/Public-Safety-Day

Lake Travis Community Library is sponsoring an art contest for students in grades 6 through 12.  Just create an original piece of art inspired by your personal reading experience.  Friends of the Library will provide cash prizes, and a selection of entries will be displayed in the library’s meeting room in December. Entry deadline is Nov 1.  Go here for the rules and entry form: https://laketravislibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-Teen-Art-Contest-Brochure.pdf

Sign up now to participate on Sat., Nov. 2, at 10AM in Lakeway’s second time being part of Tree City USA.  Residents will work with Parks and Rec Dept. to plant trees in Lakeway.  Location for planting will be announced soon!  Everyone gets a free lunch, but the first 30 folks to sign up will also get a tree to take home and plant. Get more info and sign up here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2079/Texas-Arbor-Day

On Sept. 25, around 6:30PM, a single-engine plane landed at Lakeway Airpark, immediately going out of control and veering off the runway.  (Image credit: Heikki Mustonen/KVUE .)  The plane entered a neighboring yard on Triton Court and crashed into a tree, coming to a halt just shy of the home itself.  Of the 2 occupants in the plane, 1 was seriously injured.  The FAA is investigating.  This accident follows 2 other recent crashes at the Airpark, 1 of which was fatal.  In 2019, a student pilot trying to land at the Airpark instead crashed on Lakeway Boulevard near Serene Hills Elementary School, killing 1 person in the plane.  In 2023, a plane landed on the golf course near the Airpark, plowing through trees and a fence before stopping inside an equipment facility.  Further back, in 2004, a plane crashed on takeoff, killing 6 people and striking a residence.  FAA, NTSB investigating after small plane crashes in Lakeway 9/25/24  https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/plane-crash-backyard-lakeway-airpark-near-austin-texas/269-dca1c75f-6cca-4204-a4c3-4b0530754bc0

The Lakeway Photo Festival Awards Reception was held on Sept. 22, with the 2024 winners announced (see image).  Go here to view the winning photos in each category: https://lakeway-tx.gov/1843/34507/Lakeway-Photo-Festival

City of Lakeway offers free yard waste drop off for Lakeway residents the first Thursday of every month, at the Public Works Department (3303 Serene Hills Drive) 7AM-3:30PM.  Limit is one pickup truck load of yard waste or up to one 8’X5′ pile.  Go here for details, including what is accepted:  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/62/Public-Works

Oak pruning is a violation of Lakeway ordinance February through June, due to higher likelihood then of spreading Oak Wilt. Trimming Oaks is allowed July-January.  But, when trimming, pruning seal must be applied within 10 minutes to all cuts on all Oak trees. More info here:  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1059/Oak-Pruning-Schedule

Our library is expanding, having purchased property at 21209 State HWY. 71. (Image credit: Ascension Architecture.)  The building there (formerly Pizzeria Casa Nostra) is under renovation. In order to reach a fundraising goal of $1M, several naming opportunities are available.  Honor a loved one while supporting literacy in our community, starting at $2,000 (for a bookstack) and running all the way up to $150,000 (for an entire area). Of course, donations in ANY amount are welcomed.  Go here for complete info and to donate:  https://laketravislibrary.org/fundraising/

RESULTS–All 7 members attended the meeting, with 6 on the dais and Council Member Forton attending remotely early on (but arriving in person at 8:17PM).

ITEM 21:  Citizens Participation for Items NOT on the Agenda. 3 people spoke.

ITEM 22:  Financial Report.

–Revenues through August were $660K lower than projected (largely due to less fees coming in), while Expenditures were $$1.54MIL under projections (due to staff vacancies), combining to make things $879K to the good (though that is expected to be only $330K by the end of this fiscal year).

ITEM 23:  Authorizing issuance and selling of the $22MIL Parks Bond approved in May.

–After a presentation by the bond advisor indicating a VERY good result on the bond market (with the city getting a favorable interest cost rate of 3.971% over 30 years, with the first 2 years interest only, from J.P. Morgan), the bond issuance was UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

ITEM 24:  Special Use Permit for 99 years, allowing a Cellular Tower to be built and operated by KGI Wireless on city land at 3303 Serene Hills Drive, in order to improve cell coverage in Rough Hollow.

–After over 20 public comments (mostly against the item) and lengthy discussion on the dais (with 2 failed motions), Council UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED postponing the matter until the October meeting, with staff directed to work with the applicant and engineering firms under contract to gather information, look for options, and perform due diligence.

If I needed proof that Matt Sherman was an excellent addition to Council, I got it at this meeting.  His views on the budget and tax rate were on point.  But, it was on the cell tower item that he really steered things in the right direction.  Despite public comment to the contrary, it was clear from discussion on the dais that Council was ready to vote overwhelmingly in favor of the cell tower as proposed.  First, Matt pointed out a glaring error in the applicant’s presentation.  Turns out, the image purporting to show what the tower would look like on-site actually showed a 100 foot tall tower, while the proposed tower would be 230 feet tall.  BIG difference—literally.  The applicant mumbled something about an oversight, but my question is—why didn’t city staff notice this error? It made me wonder what else hadn’t been adequately investigated, and Matt was able to argue effectively for a 1 month delay, with staff working with an expert on things like whether the proposed tower would really improve coverage as claimed and if other sites are available.

ITEM 25:  Update on the Buy Local Campaign, by the Economic Development Committee.

–POSTPONED due to illness.

ITEM 26:  Request by Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce for $6,500 from Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund for the upcoming Taste event.

–UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

ITEM 29:  Adopting the Annual Budget for Fiscal year 2024-2025.

APPROVED 6/1 (Brynteson) FY 2025 Budget of $20,592,454 (up by $658,195 from the previous year and funding 2 new full-time employees, 2.2% merit raises, 2.8% cost of living increases, along with everything else necessary to run the city).

ITEM 30:  Adopting the Tax Rate for 2024.

APPROVED 5/2 (Sherman and Brynteson) a 2024 tax rate of .1598 per $100 value (6.65% higher than the previous tax rate of .1440 and increasing the average homeowner’s tax bill by $200 for the year).

ITEM 31: Discussion on increasing Lakeway’s Over Age 65 Property Tax Homestead Exemption.  (The exemption is now $25,000 and covers 2,961 homes)

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED (after noting the chart that staff previously provided had erroneous data), increasing the Over Age 65 Property Tax Homestead Exemption to $50,000 (effective NEXT year/tax year 2025). See CORRECTED chart.

ITEMS 32, 33, 34, A-2: Executive Sessions for West Austin Business Park Legal Intervention, Police Policies, Employee Matters/City Manager, and Sailfish Park.

–The ONLY action taken on the 4 items was UNANIMOUS APPROVAL of 2 police policies (medical and license plate readers).

ADJOURNED at 12:42AM.

View the Agenda, Meeting Packet, and/or Presentation (scrolling down to City Council documents) here:  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx  Go here to watch the Council meeting online:  https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/315158

I was coming home after the LT Dems meeting on Sept. 17 and got the treat of seeing a gorgeous full moon hanging over Lakeway.  However, the above image is NOT mine; it was taken on the Indiana University campus (credit: Josh Dinner.) This article has stunning moon shots from all over the world.  Harvest Moon Supermoon lunar eclipse delights skywatchers worldwide 9/18/24 https://www.space.com/harvest-moon-supermoon-lunar-eclipse-september-photos

On Mars, rover Perseverance recently sent home a photo of a rock that doesn’t look like the other Martian rocks; it is striped, zebra-style.  Scientists are in a tizzy about what this rock, found in Jericho Crater, could reveal about Mars.  Possibly volcanic in origin, it measures about 8” across and has been dubbed ‘Freya Castle.’  Weird striped rock ‘unlike any seen on Mars’ found by Perseverance rover. Here’s why NASA’s excited 9/26/24 https://www.space.com/mars-perseverance-rover-weird-stripy-rock

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is fining SpaceX more than $630,000 for failing to comply with regulations on two launches in 2023. (The above images show a Falcon 9 launch in 2023, plus SissySpaceX Himself; credits: SpaceX and Facebook.)  Per the FAA: “Safety drives everything we do at the FAA, including a legal responsibility for the safety oversight of companies with commercial space transportation licenses.  Failure of a company to comply with the safety requirements will result in consequences.”  Elon Musk, of course, is miffed and making threats: “SpaceX will be filing suit against the FAA for regulatory overreach.” By Sept. 26, Musk’s hysteria over being thwarted had him demanding the FAA chief resign.  FAA plans to fine SpaceX $630,000 for alleged launch violations 9/17/24  https://www.space.com/faa-fining-spacex-launches-2023

Above is the Baboon Nebula.  Just 500 light-years from Earth, the shape is created by dust and gas caused by stars forming nearby.  (Image credit: Alpha Zhang and Ting Yu.)  https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240924.html

On Sept. 19, a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honored women whose work and achievements helped NASA win the space race. Honorees included NASA’s Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson and Dr. Christine Darden, along with all the other women who served as computers, mathematicians, and engineers.  (Image credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky.)  Familiarly known as “Hidden Figures,” the women’s role was first brought to the fore by Margot Lee Shetterly’s 2016 book Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Who Helped Win the Space Race; it was made into a film starring Taraji Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe. NASA’s Hidden Figures Honored with Congressional Gold Medals 9/19/24 https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/langley/nasas-hidden-figures-honored-with-congressional-gold-medals/

City of Austin, in its 2024-2025 budget, approved $400,000 in its reproductive health fund, to help city residents who have to travel out-of-state pay for airfare, gas, hotel stays, child care, food and companion travel.  Other Texas cities, including San Antonio, have done much the same.  Last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the city, claiming the budget item awards public funds to private individuals, in violation of the Texas Constitution.  Paxton sues Austin over abortion travel fund 9/27/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/27/paxton-austin-abortion-travel/

Since Texas passed an abortion ban in 2022, over 35,000 women have fled the state for abortion care, many heading for neighboring Colorado and New Mexico.  Unlike leaders in a lot of Texas border towns, the Mayor and Council of Amarillo (population 202,000) rejected an abortion travel ban prohibiting the use of streets and highways in Amarillo to obtain an abortion in a state where the procedure is legal.  The mayor is Cole Stanley, a conservative who ran on faith, family and freedom.  He was fine with defining Amarillo as a “sanctuary city” for the unborn but could not stomach the travel provisions. For him, the travel ban is jurisdictional overreach, the opposite of the typical conservative goal of small government. After months of debate, the Mayor and Council approved ballot language giving the voters final say on an abortion travel ban in the upcoming election.  Why a conservative Texas mayor defied his peers and put the brakes on an abortion “travel ban” 9/26/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/26/amarillo-texas-abortion-travel-ban-mayor/

Two Georgia women died back in 2022, as a result of the Dobbs decision, when Trump’s SCOTUS Justices ended 50 years of women’s reproductive rights.  In reality, of course, FAR MORE than 2 women have died because Trump and Dobbs, in Georgia and in the many other red states that immediately banned abortion.  But, medical case review moves slowly, due to HIPAA and other considerations; 2 years is pretty much the minimum time it takes for these cases to go public.  The gut-wrenching tragedies will continue to be disclosed.  But, for now, we know that Amber Thurman and Candi Miller died far too young, for no medically sound reason, and in agony.  And their families will never recover. 

https://www.propublica.org/article/georgia-abortion-ban-amber-thurman-death

https://www.propublica.org/article/candi-miller-abortion-ban-death-georgia

Kamala Harris: “I think we should eliminate the filibuster for Roe, and get us to the point where 51 votes would be what we need to actually put back in law the protections for reproductive freedom and for the ability of every person and every woman to make decisions about their own body and not have their government tell them what to do.” No other top leader has said that.  It shows how strongly Harris feels about a woman’s right to reproductive freedom and how far she will go to guarantee restoration of the protection women had for 50 years, until Trump’s SCOTUS overturned Roe in 2022.  VOTE BLUE!  Harris backs ending filibuster for abortion rights legislation 9/24/24 https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/24/kamala-harris-filibuster-abortion-rights-00180699

Donald Trump: I am your protector. I want to be your protector. As president, I have to be your protector. …  I will end your national nightmare.  … making women happy, healthy, confident, and free. You will no longer be thinking about abortion.” Wow, Trump must serve some super-strong Koolaid at his rallies, to get anyone to buy that insanity.  Trump Tells Women ‘I Am Your Protector,’ Talks Abortion at Pennsylvania Rally 9/24/24 https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-pennsylvania-rally-abortion-women-2024-election-1958675

Don’t believe Trump or any other Republican who claims they support IVF. Republican politicians have proven twice now that is a lie.  On Sept. 17, the US Senate voted on a bill to protect access to in vitro fertilization and require public and private insurance coverage of IVF and other fertility treatments.  Republicans voted it down.  Only 2 Republicans voted for the IVF bill, Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine).  This was the second time the GOP killed the IVF bill; they also voted it down in June.  Then, JD Vance voted against it.  This time, Vance didn’t even bother to show up to vote, being so busy on the campaign trail, “creating stories” (his term for spreading dangerous, racist lies).  The bill was proposed by Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth (Illinois), who used IVF to have her 2 daughters after being seriously injured while serving in Iraq. JD Vance Skips IVF Vote as Republicans Block Bill 9/17/24 https://www.newsweek.com/jd-vance-skips-ivf-vote-bill-gets-blocked-1955409

Justice By Design, a new podcast from Kimberly Atkins Stohr’s, covered IVF on Sept, 20.  She discussed several related issues with an IVF specialist, including personhood laws, legal challenges post-Dobbs, the intersection of religion and medicine, and the need for legal protections for IVF practices. How Trump Will Kill IVF with Dr Eve Feinberg  9/20/24 https://www.politicon.com/podcasts/how-trump-will-kill-ivf-with-dr-eve-feinberg/

The abortion issue really has influenced politics nationwide.  Here is how Bernie Moreno, a 57-year old Ohio man running as a Republican for US Senate, sees things: “Sadly, by the way, there’s a lot of suburban women that are like, ‘Listen, abortion is it. If I can’t have an abortion in this country whenever I want, I will vote for anybody else.’  …  OK. It’s a little crazy by the way, but — especially for women that are like past 50 — I’m thinking to myself, ‘I don’t think that’s an issue for you.’”  (Mental note—Check to see if it is too late to move to Ohio, just to vote AGAINST that clown.)  Ohio GOP Senate candidate says ‘a lot of suburban women’ are ‘single-issue voters’ on abortion 9/24/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/ohio-gop-senate-candidate-says-lot-suburban-women-are-single-issue-vot-rcna172585

The Grinch came to Lakeway early this election year. On Monday, Sept. 23, good Democrats woke to bare yards, our political signs stolen by that nasty old Grinch wearing a greasy MAGA hat. Then, it happened AGAIN the next night. Thefts were concentrated around lower Lakeway Boulevard, extending throughout the Airpark area.  Another area hit hard was Ladera and Falconhead from 620 to 71.  Mostly, the MAGA Grinch was too much of a coward to steal from yards on the main streets. But he scurried down the side streets, stealing from his neighbors, because he was utterly terrified by a different political view, legally stated on private property. 

Well, we got more signs. And, we filed police reports. Camera footage was sent to Lakeway PD and Bee Cave PD.  Views make it clear this was NOT kids being kids.  It was adult males, in 2 different vehicles.

Even if The MAGA Grinch isn’t caught by police, prosecuted, fined and put in jail, he is stuck with the worst punishment of all. He will NEVER redeem himself like the holiday story Grinch did. The Maga Grinch’s heart–and mind—will forever remain 3 sizes too small.

Anyone needing a Harris/Walz or Colin Allred sign, email macwestie99@gmail.com

Moo Deng is the latest, cutest, wildest internet sensation.  A baby pygmy hippo, she was born in late July at a zoo in Chonburi, Thailand.  Now teething, she constantly tries to gnaw just about everything.  Her name was chosen by a poll of avid fans and means “bouncy pig.” The 7th offspring of her parents, drama-girl Moo likes belly rubs, water play and spending quiet time with her enormous hippo mommy, Jona.  Their species is endangered, with less than 2,500 adults alive, mostly in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ivory Coast.  Moo’s overwhelming popularity has caused the zoo to limit visitor time in her area to 5 minutes; an upcoming live stream should curb the in-person crowds.  Brands world-wide (bakeries, cosmetics, sports teams and more) are featuring Moo Deng products, and the internet is rife with adorable memes.  (Image credits: Associated Press.)   Moo Deng gets her own 24/7 live stream because the internet can’t stop obsessing over the viral pygmy hippo 9/25 24 https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/southeast-asia/moo-deng-hippo-live-stream-baby-pygmy-viral-memes-b2618675.html

Here in Lakeway, the deer are increasingly reclusive these days.  But, here are a few recent photos I managed to get.

Covid is still around, but the summer surge has passed. All 4 indicators (test positivity, ER visits, hospitalizations and deaths) were falling as of Sept. 21.  https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

As of Sept. 21, wastewater viral testing still shows HIGH levels, which is better than the VERY HIGH levels for the last month.  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/index.html

This fall’s edition of the Covid-19 vaccine is available in local pharmacies.  Last week, I was able to make an appointment for early October, to get both a new Covid-19 vaccination AND a flu shot and be protected this winter, at the Lakeway HEB Pharmacy.  Start here: https://www.heb.com/pharmacy/vaccinations

FREE Covid Test Kits are available again.   The federal government will ship you 4 test kits via USPS, for no charge. Go here and complete your name and mailing address: https://special.usps.com/testkits

Sept. 21, 2024 This is PART 2 of this week’s ALL-POLITICS blog.  PART 1 covered the Sept. 10 Presidential Debate. PART 2 covers everything else on the November 2024 Election–election basics, ways YOU can get involved, Texas elections (including BIG news on Colin Allred), new polling, wild ads, endorsements, POLICY comparisons, candidate QUOTES, cool images, assorted craziness, and much more.  (Drop down to PART 1 for coverage of the Sept. 10 Presidential Debate.)

WELCOME to my ALL-POLITICS blog covering the November 2024 Election.  (If you missed earlier editions, check below.) Don’t worry, the regular non-politics blog will post next weekend, with the 2 blogs alternating until November.  Luckily, I have no life….

Have you moved or changed your name recently?  Go here to change address or name on your voter registration: https://txapps.texas.gov/tolapp/sos/SOSACManager

Are you registered to vote in Travis County?  Things can change, so go here to BE SURE you are eligible to vote: https://elections.traviscountytx.gov/voter-lookup/#VoterEligibilitySearch

This site checks voter registration within the entire state of Texas: https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do

Last day to register to vote in Travis County is Oct. 7.  THERE IS NO ONLINE REGISTRATION IN TEXAS.  Go here to fill out an application form, but it must be PRINTED and MAILED in order for registration to be completed: https://vrapp.sos.state.tx.us/index.asp

Application deadline is Oct. 25 (but sooner is better, considering mailing time): https://elections.traviscountytx.gov/voter-information/ballot-by-mail/#AbsenteeBallotSearch

Early Voting is Oct. 21-Nov. 1.   Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

There is MUCH more being decided than the Presidential race.  Be sure to vote in ALL races, top to bottom of the ballot (preferably for DEMOCRATS.)  Go here and enter your address to see the elections and candidates: https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_Sample_Ballot

This has everything you need to know about voting in Texas: Here’s how to vote in the Texas 2024 election 8/21/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/21/texas-voter-guide-2024-election/

Texas Tribune also lets you pull your sample ballot, with details on all the races you will vote on: Here’s your ballot for the Nov. 5 Texas elections 8/30/24 https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2024/texas-ballot-2024-presidential-election-nov-5/

Volunteer for the Harris/Walz campaign.  https://go.kamalaharris.com/?utm_source=hfp_w_kh_menu

Get campaign signs for your yard locally.  Sign up here to have yard signs delivered to you: https://forms.gle/Vr9ET6A8LMsXympD8

Volunteer here in Lakeway area.  LT Dems are working with Western Travis County Democrats (a group of local Dem Precinct Chairs) to organize activities including mailings, block walks/lit drops, phone banks, campaign signs, and more for this fall.  Go here (at the link, scroll down to GOTV and click on More Info) to sign up and help GET OUT THE VOTE this fall:  https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/copy-of-club-activities

Donate here in Lakeway area for local impact.  The activities listed above that local Dem groups are spearheading take MONEY.  Printing, postage, signs—it adds up.  Donations are needed.  ACT BLUE makes donating easy and securehttps://secure.actblue.com/donate/western-travis-democrats-1

Donate to Travis County Democratic Party.  TCDP is working hard to reach Democrats across Travis County and make sure they know when, how, and where to vote.  To get Harris/Walz and Colin Allred elected we need to turn out every Democrat in Travis County —and postcards are key in making that happen.  $20 = 30 postcards. $50 = 76 postcards. Pitch in to mobilize Democrats across Travis County.  https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fund-our-postcards?fbclid=IwY2xjawEh8LpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHby1WqRlAg3PPiBFqmxnSOXA8pyevSZAiZMFqqM0nRquYthuhh3oAyyB9A_aem_IIfdpz23omO4H9aIbCDxoA

As covered in my Sept. 7 blog, VOTE FOR Democrat Colin Allred, to get rid of Cancun Cruz and make the world a better place.  (Image credits: USA Today, Forward Blue.)

On Sept. 9, Gov. Tim Walz made the perfect pitch when he addressed a Democratic fundraiser at the HALL Arts Hotel Dallas, saying: “You’ve got a senate race you can win in Texas.”  My God, just do it for all of America. Replace Ted.” Walz tells Texas Democrats a U.S. Senate race win is within reach 9/9/24  https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/09/walz-texas-senate-race/

As of Sept. 20, Cruz is LOSING to Allred in polling. Morning Consult’s survey, done Sept. 9-18, showed Allred one point ahead of Cruz, 45% to 44% among 2,716 likely voters. All year, Cancun Cruz has enjoyed a consistent but narrowing lead; the previous poll conducted by Morning Consult showed Cruz ahead by just 5 points.  Per Allred: “For the first time in this race, a new poll has us leading Cruz by 1 point. I don’t know about y’all but I’m fired up and ready to WIN! We’ve got 47 days, let’s do this Texas.”  Ted Cruz Losing to Colin Allred for First Time: Texas Poll 9/20/24 https://www.newsweek.com/ted-cruz-losing-colin-allred-first-time-texas-poll-us-senate-election-1956711

DEBATE SCHEDULED—Cruz agrees to debate Allred. Cruz is running scared, finally agreeing to a debate.  On Sept. 20, Cruz confirmed he would face Allred in a debate— the first time the nominees will face off before the election. The debate is set for Oct. 15, hosted by WFAA, the Dallas ABC affiliate.  Ted Cruz, Colin Allred agree to debate in U.S. Senate race 9/20/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/20/ted-cruz-colin-allred-texas-senate-debate/

As covered in my Sept. 7 blog, if you live in the part of Lakeway that is in Texas House District 19, VOTE FOR Democrat Dwain Handley.

NEW CONTENT—Check out this brand new video that explains school vouchers and what they would do to Texas schools; Dwain Handley gives his views.  Vote to stop school vouchers: A complete guide to the voucher scam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzdPaWoF9yc

The Texas Senate seat for the Lakeway area is District 25, and since 2013 it has been held by Republican Donna Campbell. 

Now, Democrat Merrie Fox is challenging Campbell.  Check out her website: https://drmerriefox.org/

VOTE for Fox in Texas Senate District 25 AND ALL THE WAY DOWN THE BALLOT.

Lakeway is the western afterthought added to the immense blob situated well east of Austin, next to Houston, that is the Texas 10th Congressional District.  (See map image above and look for the orange outline.)  The House seat in DC has been held since 2005 by far-right Republican Michael McCaul.

Now, Democrat Theresa Boisseau is challenging McCaul.  Check out her website: https://www.theresa4texas.com/

VOTE for Boisseau in US House District 10 AND ALL THE WAY DOWN THE BALLOT.

Another Presidential Debate?

On Sept. 21, the Harris campaign formally accepted CNN’s invitation for a second debate, to be held Oct. 23.  Trump is still too scared to face her again.  (Image credits: ABC News and NYTimes.) Harris accepts CNN debate invitation for October 23, again challenging Trump to another showdown 9/21/24 https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/21/politics/presidential-debate-harris-trump-cnn/index.html

Vice Presidential Debate.

COMING UP NEXT!  The VP nominees will debate on Oct. 1.  Their meeting will be hosted by CBS News in NYC, with moderators Margaret Brennan (Face the Nation) and Norah O’Donnell (CBS Evening News).  (Image credits: Getty Images.)  VP debate hosted by CBS News set for Oct. 1 between Vance and Walz 8/15/24 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vp-debate-tim-walz-jd-vance/

Kamala Harris leads Donald Trump by 5 points among likely voters AFTER the Sept. 10 debate, per national polling by Morning Consult. Harris Extends Lead Over Trump After First Presidential Debate 9/12/24  https://pro.morningconsult.com/instant-intel/harris-trump-first-debate-poll

Simon Rosenberg’s Hopium Chronicles substack on Sep. 16 showed the above list of polling, all done AFTER the debate, with Harris leading Trump in every poll. https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/kamala-won-polling-is-good-trump?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

A national poll of likely voters, done Sept. 11-16 (so, AFTER the debate) by NYTimes/Philadelphia Inquirer/Siena College, showed Harris and Trump tied nationally at 47% of voters each.  BUT in the crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania, Harris has pulled ahead with a 4 point lead over Trump, which is beyond the margin of error and extremely good news for Democrats.  (Image credit: NYTimes/ Philadelphia Inquirer/Siena College.)  Harris Had Stronger Debate, Polls Find, but the Race Remains Deadlocked 9/19/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/19/us/politics/harris-trump-times-siena-poll-pennsylvania.html

Economy/Inflation

Harris: Her Opportunity Economy retains Biden’s curb on drug pricing and Child Tax Credit but adds a $25,000 in down-payment support for first-time homeowners, construction of 3 million new housing units, raising the minimum wage, a federal ban on corporate price-gouging on food and groceries, a $50,000 tax benefit for new small businesses, and a long-term capital gains tax of 28%.

Trump: Aside from attacking everything Biden has done and ignoring the fact that pandemic-sparked inflation has cooled in the last year (dropping to 2.9% as of July), he promises to drill even more oil (though the US is now at an all-time high for oil production), reduce gas prices (now at a 3-year low), as well as reduce the national debt (somehow), eliminate unspecified regulations, cut corporate taxes, and slap tariffs on imports. Specifics are never provided (not even “concepts”).

Reproductive Rights

Harris: Since 2022, Harris has been the Biden administration’s emissary on this topic, traveling the country to speak on it.  Now, she demands Congress pass a law restoring protections we had under Roe (the right to abortion until fetal viability, with exceptions later for rape, incest and maternal health).  She rejects state-level control as dangerously piecemeal, noting that Republican lawmakers don’t trust women to make decisions about their own bodies, health and families.

Trump: For the last 2 years, he has claimed credit for overturning Roe by appointing 3 ultra-conservative Supreme Court Justices who voted to throw out Roe v. Wade’s 50-year-old protections.  He also supported a nationwide abortion ban.  But, in 2024, he switched to saying abortion should be up to the states. Recently, Trump said government or possibly insurance companies should have to pay for IVF, but that remains sketchy.

Immigration

Harris: She emphasizes the need to reduce the root causes of migration from certain countries, and points out the current positive situation at the border thanks to the Biden administration.  She also notes that Trump orchestrated defeat of bipartisan Congressional action earlier this year that would have tightened rules and provided more enforcement personnel and judges to facilitate processing.  She pledges to pursue that and similar legislation while also creating legal immigration pathways including an earned pathway to citizenship.

Trump: His anti-immigrant rhetoric is even more extreme and inflammatory than during his first 2 campaigns, with immigrant horror stories—never documented—always front and center at rallies.  He says he will (yet again) build a U.S.-Mexico border wall, revive “Remain in Mexico” and asylum restrictions and “carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American History” of immigrants living in the US (which he promises “will be bloody”).  Trump also promises to sign an executive order ending birthright citizenship (which is a right granted in the US Constitution).

Crime/Gun Violence

Harris: She condemned the recent Georgia school shooting as “senseless tragedy” and argued “it doesn’t have to be this way.” Harris supports nationwide red flag laws, universal background checks and an assault weapons ban. On crime, she points to her record as a career prosecutor with a record for taking on drug cartels and corporation to protect everyday Americans. 

Trump: He berated a “sick and deranged monster” for the Georgia shooting (despite the shooter being a 14 year old child).  Trump argues that mental health problems and not guns are to blame for mass shootings.  He calls himself the “most pro-gun” president in history and gives no indication he would enact any gun control measures if re-elected.  On crime, he claims it is out of control and escalating despite clear statistics showing violent crime is in fact down across the country.

Democracy

Harris: She will press Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act to bolster voting rights.  Harris pledges to “hold sacred America’s fundamental principles, from the rule of law, to free and fair elections, to the peaceful transfer of power.”  She is critical of those casting doubt on election results, saying Trump tried to “throw away” people’s votes and blaming him for what happened at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

Trump: He continues his false claims that the 2020 election was rigged or stolen, still providing no evidence of this. He faces state and federal charges stemming from efforts to overturn his election loss, to which he pleaded not guilty.  Now, Trump says that if he wins this time, those who “cheated” would “be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences.” He says this includes “Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials.”  He sends mixed messages as to voting methods, sometimes calling for Election Day voting only because mail-in voting is corrupt, but other times encouraging supporters to cast their ballot any way at all.

Foreign Policy

Harris: She pledges to continue standing with Ukraine and NATO, as well as protecting the US from Iran-backed terrorist groups.  Harris supports Israel’s security while saying that the suffering of civilians in Gaza must end; she continues to work with Biden for an enduring cease-fire.  As for Afghanistan, she mourns the American soldiers lost during the withdrawal while applauding the fact that the Biden administration ended America’s longest war.

Trump: He claims that neither the Israel-Hamas war nor the Russia-Ukraine war would have started on his watch.  He says he would end both wars immediately.  He offers no specifics as far as his Israel/Gaza result.  He remains belligerent towards NATO and says he would end US aid to Ukraine (letting Putin have free rein there).  Trump ignores the fact that the deadline he negotiated with the Taliban set the rushed timeline for America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and resulted in the tragic Abbey Gate suicide bombing. Where Kamala Harris, Donald Trump stand on key issues heading into ABC News debate 9/9/24 https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/kamala-harris-donald-trump-stand-key-issues-heading/story?id=113433411

Over 100 Republican former lawmakers and officials endorsed Kamala Harris in a letter, while warning that their own party’s candidate, former President Trump, is “unfit to serve again.”  According to the letter: Mr. Trump demonstrates “dangerous qualities.”  Those include “unusual affinity” for dictators like President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and “contempt for the norms of decent, ethical and lawful behavior.”  Plus: “As president, he promoted daily chaos in government, praised our enemies and undermined our allies, politicized the military and disparaged our veterans, prioritized his personal interest above American interests and betrayed our values, democracy and this country’s founding documents.”  111 Republican former officials endorse Harris, say Trump is ‘unfit to serve’ 9/18/24 https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/18/republicans-endorse-harris-over-trump.html

Signed, “Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady.”

Soon after the Sep. 10 debate ended, Pop superstar Taylor Swift endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President.  “I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election.  I’m voting for @kamalaharris  because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos.”   Swift referenced Trump recently using AI to fake her endorsement of HIS campaign: “Recently I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation.  It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth.”  She urged her followers to do their own research and included a custom link sending people to a site assisting in voter registration.  Her “Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady” signature was a pawsome dig at JD Vance.  Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris 9/10/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/taylor-swift-endorses-kamala-harris-rcna170547

Trump first tried to shrug off this mega-endorsement as unimportant.  But, on Sept 15 he posted on his generic X platform: “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!” JD Vance was even more of a clown than his boss, saying this: “I don’t think most Americans — whether they like her music, are fans of hers or not — are going to be influenced by a billionaire celebrity, who I think is fundamentally disconnected from the interests and problems of most Americans.”  Ummm—a billionaire celebrity disconnected to reality… kinda like Donald Trump?

“Vote like your life depends on it — because it does. 

Billie Eilish and her brother/collaborator Finneas O’Connell officially endorsed Kamala Harris for president on Sept. 17.  “Vote like your life depends on it — because it does.  We are voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz because they are fighting to protect our reproductive freedom, our planet and our democracy.  We can’t let extremists control our lives, our freedoms and our future. The only way to stop them and the dangerous Project 2025 agenda is to vote and elect Kamala Harris.”  Billie Eilish endorses Harris: ‘Vote like your life depends on it’  9/17/24 https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/4884332-billie-eilish-kamala-harris-tim-walz-finneas-oconnell-trump/

The Teamsters will not endorse either candidate.

The leadership of the 1.3-million-member International Brotherhood of Teamsters said in a statement Wednesday it would not back a presidential candidate.  The Board’s vote was 14 for not endorsing and three for Harris. No board member backed Trump.  Trump has courted Union president Sean O’Brien for months, giving him Mar-a-Lago stays and a prime-time speaking slot at the Republican National Convention.  The Teamsters’ National Black Caucus, more than a half-dozen Teamsters locals, and members of the union’s national leadership have endorsed Ms. Harris over Mr. O’Brien’s objections.  Harris already has the endorsement of the country’s other top labor unions. (Image credit: NYTimes.)  Teamsters union declines to endorse in presidential election, breaking decades of precedent 9/18/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/teamsters-union-declines-endorse-presidential-election-breaking-decade-rcna171711

The Harris campaign put some fun ads on billboards in Philadelphia (see above), just to make things feel more homey while Trump was there for the debate.

The Lincoln Project’s sharp new ads maintain the pressure on Trump.

–Last Week in the Republican Party: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoYlN2bbx0M

–Bad Blood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60CX99pCUzo

–Both Wrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFKkKJi7698

–Prey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeQjGQbj5so

–Danger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlG8XHnNUqg

–In Memoriam:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeD-xLWA4ro

–A girl:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5o8DBPbIzo

–Weird: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NenV_0whyuw

–That Morning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76fxxtAszQY –Arlington: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyIIN7LZT8Q

Harris/Walz’s The Best People features Trump’s own allies and appointees during his administration who now say he is unfit for office: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6oQXN2WNtU&t=4s

The Harris campaign made some very effective ads from debate footage.

–Leadership:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR4ZzLZcW8E

–All Americans:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf9jGS_zjhI

–Wanted:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgX5RDcKcao

Harris/Walz honored Taylor Swift, soon after her endorsement, with billboards on Times Square.

Supporter Oprah Winfrey hosted a unique and star-studded campaign event on Sept. 19.  Kamala Harris sat in a cozy Michigan studio with Winfrey and an audience of about 400 people, with thousands more attending virtually and hundreds of thousands of viewers accessing across social media. (Image credit: NYTimes.) The “Unite for America” event was co-hosted by the activist group Win with Black Women, and it aimed to encourage people to register and vote for Harris in key states including Pennsylvania, Georgia and Michigan. Celebrities including Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Bryan Cranston, Chris Rock and Ben Stiller attended and gave their reasons for backing Harris or peppered her with questions.  There was no script, no teleprompter, but a lot of emotion; tears were shed.  Harris answered a variety of questions off the cuff; she also interacted with the mother of a woman who died in Georgia after denial of care under that state’s abortion ban, as well as a student injured during the recent Georgia school shooting.  The casual and homey vibe was reminiscent of Winfrey’s long-running daytime TV talk show, where viewers got to know famous people and understand current issues, making this event an important way for voters to feel informed about and comfortable with Harris, as well as underscore the importance of voting this election.  Kamala Harris joins Oprah Winfrey in emotional campaign event 9/19/24 https://www.reuters.com/world/us/kamala-harris-oprah-winfrey-hold-virtual-event-aimed-battleground-states-2024-09-19/

Speaking on Sept. 7 at the Human Rights Campaign annual dinner, Walz refuted Vance’s recent downplaying of school shootings.  Walz said: “You know what’s not a fact of life? That our children need to be shot dead in schools. That’s not a fact of life.  Folks are banning books, but they’re okay with weapons of war being in our schools.”  A campaign spokesperson continued later: “Vice President Harris and Governor Walz know we can take action to keep our children safe and keep guns out of the hands of criminals,” Harris spokesperson Ammar Moussa said in response to Vance’s Thursday comments. “Donald Trump and JD Vance will always choose the NRA and gun lobby over our children. That is the choice in this election.” It’s ‘not a fact of life’: Walz responds to Vance’s school shooting comments 9/8/24 https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/07/walz-vance-school-shooting-00177872

On Sept. 9, Gov. Tim Walz addressed a Democratic event at the HALL Arts Hotel Dallas, fundraiser organized by Vice President Kamala Harris’ victory fund.  (Image credit: REUTERS.)  Walz called the abortion situation in Texas “a nightmare, and a dangerous situation.”  He also characterized ballot access laws in Texas as intentionally designed to keep Democratic voters away from the polls, saying: “For them, it’s much easier to do voter suppression than voter outreach.” He encouraged Texas voters to vote for Colin Allred and oust Cancun Cruz from the US Senate : “You’ve got a senate race you can win in Texas,” Walz said. “My God, just do it for all of America. Replace Ted.”  Walz tells Texas Democrats a U.S. Senate race win is within reach 9/9/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/09/walz-texas-senate-race/

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is standing in for Vance in debate rehearsals with Walz.  Back in 2020, Buttigieg played the part of Mike Pence, in debate prep for Kamala Harris.  The 2024 VP debate will be held on Oct. 1.  Pete Buttigieg is playing JD Vance in Tim Walz’s VP debate prep 9/19/24  https://www.businessinsider.com/pete-buttigieg-jd-vance-tim-walz-vp-debate-prep-2024-9

The perfect shot of these clowns…. (Image credit: NY Times.)

Still old and addled.  Still lying.  Still a racist and a misogynist. (Image credits: AP and Trump campaign email.)

Robert Reich’s 18-minute video The Ten Worst Things About the Trump Presidency brings it all back….  Now a professor of public policy, Reich worked in the Ford and Carter administrations and served as Clinton’s Secretary of Labor.  It is AMAZING what we make ourselves forget, to stay sane, I guess.  But, we can’t indulge in amnesia now, or this toxic history will repeat itself.  As Reich concludes: We cannot afford to forget.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdstZDCCgAc

During a town hall in Flint, Michigan, Trump mixed up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska (which he controversially opened up to oil and gas development during his presidency), with Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan (which he often invokes when criticizing Biden for ending the war and withdrawing US troops in 2022).  Trump said: “We have Bagram in Alaska. They say it might be as big, might be bigger than all of Saudi Arabia. I got it approved.”  Later, Trump made it worse: “Check that one out, Bagram. Check that one out. It’s, it’s — no, think about this: Between Bagram, between — you go to ANWR, you take a look at the kind of things that we’ve given up. We should be — we should have that air base, we should have that oil.”  His dithering and confusion launched renewed comment that the 78-year-old is too old to run for the presidency and lacks the cognitive ability for office now, much less 4 years out.  Social Media noticed: “He is CLUELESS folks.”  AND  “This is elder abuse. Sleepy Don doesn’t even know where he is anymore. He doesn’t even know if he is alive.”(Image credit: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP/Getty Images.)  Donald Trump’s Alaska Gaffe Sparks Mockery: ‘Clueless’ 9/18/24 https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-anwr-alaska-bagram-afghanistan-1955496

Last week, Trump posted on his knock-off social media platform, saying he would reverse something he did during his first administration that raised taxes for many homeowners.  In 2017, Trump’s tax plan put a $10,000 LIMIT on the deduction for state and local taxes (SALT).  People living in states with high property tax (like Texas) or high income tax (mostly blue states offering more government services) pay MORE federal tax because of the $10,000 deduction limit on other taxes. Back in 2017, the SALT limit helped pay for Trump’s big tax cuts for the rich.  Now, Trump is desperate for votes so says he would kill the limit and “get SALT back, lower your taxes, and so much more.”  TOTAL FLIP FLOP.  (Of course, his 2017 tax plan including the SALT limit, will expire in 2025, unless Congress renews it, so there’s that.)  This is just 1 idea Trump is tossing around to reduce taxes on specific groups, including making tips and overtime pay tax-free.  Basically, he’s tossing out tax breaks like candy, but it is all vague and lacking any plan for offsetting their cost, which is required for taxation changes.  Very likely, it is all just vote-bait that Trump would forget about in the event he wins.  As for SALT, few lawmakers would argue to keep the limit, as their constituents are reminded every tax season how much they hate it.  But, experts are skeptical, noting that repealing the SALT limit would cost well over $1Trillion over the next decade, blowing up the deficit. Trump created the controversial $10,000 SALT deduction cap. Now he wants to end it. 9/18/24 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-salt-deduction-cap-10000-tax-cuts-jobs-act-reversal/

It really IS a soft landing—inflation evaporating, low unemployment, no recession, the stock market reaching new highs.  So, Trump needs to get a new riff.  Per the report released Sept. 10 by Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation hit a 3-year low in August.  (And, the price of gas fell 12% in the last year.)  Inflation falls to 3-year low as Fed prepares to cut interest rates next week 9/11/24 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/inflation-cpi-fed-readies-to-cut-rates-next-week/

And, YES–the Federal Reserve on Sept. 18 pronounced inflation is tamed and lowered its benchmark interest rate by a whopping half a point (with more cuts coming soon).  The Fed Chair, Jerome Powell, was appointed by Trump in 2017, and the Federal Reserve itself is independent from politics.  Per Powell: The US economy is in good shape. It’s growing at a solid pace, inflation is coming down. The labor market is strong. We want to keep it there. That’s what we’re doing.  We do our work to serve all Americans. We’re not serving any politician, any political figure, any cause, any issue, nothing. It’s just maximum employment and price stability on behalf of all Americans.” The first interest rate cut since 2020 is a triumphant economic landmark for America, which has already recovered from the pandemic’s turmoil far faster and more robustly than other countries.  The result will be a positive effect on the finances of Americans in many ways, from lower credit card payments to cheaper car and home loan payments. The Federal Reserve is finally lowering rates. Here’s what consumers should know 9/18/24 https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-interest-rates-loans-consumers-borrowing-6127436dd3e6d8af48825aca6d3a7715

Congress is trying to pass a continuing resolution to finance the federal government for another 6 months.  Trump had House Speaker Johnson add a rider (the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, called the SAVE Act) to the spending bill that required people show proof of citizenship when registering to vote.  Trump demanded that Republican lawmakers shut down the government, unless Democrats agree to the new voting process.  Trump: “If Republicans don’t get the SAVE Act, and every ounce of it, they should not agree to a Continuing Resolution in any way, shape, or form.” Of course, it is already illegal for non-citizens to vote.  There is no indication non-citizens are registering or voting; even the far-right Heritage Foundation has found only 12 cases of such illegal voting in the past 40 years.  But, Trump and his sycophants continue to conjure up masses of immigrants voting for Democrats.  States have various ways people can register to vote, tied to residency, which is verified.  As a practical matter, proving citizenship would require that all voters obtain a passport; that is expensive and time-consuming, adding yet another barrier to the election process.  Democrats object to the SAVE Act for that reason and also resent the GOP holding the government hostage, to get their way.  On Sept. 18, the bill failed; the vote was 220-202, with 14 Republicans and all but three Democrats opposing the bill.  Speaker Johnson vowed to keep trying.  If the spending bill isn’t passed by both the House and Senate by Sept. 31, the federal government will shut down on Oct 1.  Won’t THAT impress Republican voters heading to the polls…. (Image credit: Getty.) Panicking Trump Makes Shocking Demand as His Campaign Struggles 9/10/24 https://newrepublic.com/post/185796/donald-trump-demand-government-shutdown-campaign

Goodie—we have a new word: sanewashing.  For years, the media has—arguably–explained, filtered sanitized, cherry-picked quotes from, and otherwise cleaned up Trump’s rants to make his message look better than it really is.  To make the story presentable, Trump’s incoherence is often masked (unless, of course, his incoherence IS the story).  This article agrees it happens and offer several possible reasons (the journalistic goal of balance, a human bias toward coherence, professional condescension, boredom with Trump’s limitations, and more).  Beyond argument is the quandary the media has faced for years—cover Trump in detail as he obviously craves and thereby spread his lies and inflammatory messages, or ignore him.  The author says this: “The biggest problem, I concluded, was not journalists’ failure to resolve an unresolvable debate about exposure, but their failure to accurately describe Trump’s rhetoric—without resorting to euphemism, for example—and to do so with due prominence. … If sanewashing the incoherent things Trump says is a problem, then so is failing to proportionally cover his all-too-coherent threats. To whatever extent journalists show people Trump’s unadulterated speech, it will always be part of our job to describe it.”  Is the press ‘sanewashing’ Trump? 9/9/24 https://www.cjr.org/the_media_today/trump_incoherent_media_sanewashing.php

It is time for the media to stop glossing over Trump’s slurred words and calling people and places by the wrong names, and to stop fixing and explaining his bloody allusions and insane rants. We all saw what happened on Jan. 6, when Trump called up his MAGA zealots, and it sounds like he is amping up his calls to war.  (Image credit: NYTimes.)  Delusion or desperation?  Heather Cox Richardson captured just 1 day of invective from Trump.  QUOTES from Trump on Sept. 7:

“If I don’t win Colorado, it will be taken over by migrants and the governor will be sent fleeing. Migrants and crime are here in our country at levels never thought possible before…. You’re not safe even sitting here, to be honest with you. I’m the only one that’s going to get it done. Everybody is saying that. … If you think you have a nice house, have a migrant enjoy your house, because a migrant will take it over. A migrant will take it over. It will be Venezuela on steroids. … And you know, getting them out will be a bloody story.” 

–“Every citizen who’s sick and tired of the parasitic political class in Washington that sucks our country of its blood and treasure, November fifth will be your liberation day. November fifth, this year, will be the most important day in the history of our country because we’re not going to have a country anymore if we don’t win.” 

–“I will prevent World War III, and I am the only one that can do it. I will prevent World War III. And if I don’t win this election,… Israel is doomed…. Israel will be gone…. I’d better win.”

–“I better win or you’re gonna have problems like we’ve never had. We may have no country left. This may be our last election. You want to know the truth? People have said that. This may be our last election…. It’ll all be over, and you gotta remember…. Trump is always right. I hate to be right. I’m always right.” –“WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences so that this Depravity of Justice does not happen again. We cannot let our Country further devolve into a Third World Nation, AND WE WON’T! Please beware that this legal exposure extends to Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials. Those involved in unscrupulous behavior will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before in our Country.”  Letters from an American 9-7-24 https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/september-7-2024

On his Fox News Sept. 5 Town Hall, Trump followed Project 2025’s key tenet, that personnel is policy and the way to take over is to replace all the nonpartisan civil servants with your own people.  (Image credit: Fox News.) Trump: “Get the right people. You put the right person and the right group of people at the heads of these massive agencies, you’re going to have tremendous success, and I know now the people, and I know them better than anybody would know them.” As previously announced, Trump has tapped Elon Musk (whose checkbook Trump certainly knows) as Project 2025 Czar, heading up an “efficiency” commission to audit the U.S. government. Letters from an American 9/6/24 https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/september-6-2024

Also, at his Sept. 7 Wisconsin rally, where Trump ranted from behind a bullet-proof glass wall, he stated he would eliminate the Dept. of Education.  (Image credit: NY Times.)  This is exactly what Project 2025 outlines starting on page 285.  Further, Trump said he would put RFK, JR (who has zero medical training but is a fervent wacko whose mantra is: “No vaccine is safe.”) in charge of childhood health; Project 2025 weakens or dismantles most federal agencies and policies as to health care (Health and Human Services, FDA, CDC, NIH, and more, throughout the 900 page plan), so that makes sense.  Trump Lays Out Vision for Bending the Federal Government to His Will 9/7/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/07/us/politics/trump-rally-wisconsin.html

2 people tried to shoot Trump in 2 months, so obviously Republicans now see the need for gun safety legislation, right?

Nope. 

Oh, come on!  They’d have to be crazy NOT to see that America making assault rifles as readily available as pizza and beer is a BAD IDEA.

Two Trump shooting incidents have made zero change in the GOP’s unswerving allegiance to the NRA and guns before everything and everyone.  Then again, maybe the GOP just isn’t that into Trump these days.

Best comment on mixing guns and golf. “Yes, this weekend, a crazy person tried to hunt Donald Trump in his natural habitat, his golf course. Will you people stop trying to assassinate Donald Trump? Not only is it morally wrong, but you’re also just giving him more things to brag about.”  That was just the start of Ronny Chieng’s Trump routine on The Daily Show. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1221787795625331

Trump has long refused to follow Secret Service guidelines for his own protection. Trump insists on playing golf at public courses, which are notoriously difficult to safeguard.  Plus, Trump insists on keeping his schedule fluid, including golfing last Sunday with no notice to his Secret Service detail, which reduced the ways and degree to which they could protect him there.  Trump’s golf habit has raised alarms about security for years 9/16/24 https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/16/trump-golf-assassination-secret-service-00179422

Trump blames Democrats’ rhetoric for TWO assassination attempts.

Sure, because blaming others is easier than looking at his own words and actions.  (Image credit: NYTimes.)  Actually, both Trump gunmen were remarkably uninterested in politics.  Gunman #1 was a young man who seemed intent on Suicide by Secret Service; he Googled the appearance schedules of both candidates and opted to shoot up the closest venue.  Gunman #2 bounced back and forth ideologically but ended up Republican and an avid supporter of Ukraine; Trump’s recent statements making it clear he would end US aid and hand Ukraine on a platter to his pal Putin is what put a target on Trump there—not anything Harris said.

Trump on a daily basis incites violence with his own extreme, divisive and inflammatory language just as he has done FOR YEARS. He describes America as a hellscape with rampant crime, vicious immigrant invasions, bacon banned from everyone’s diet, babies executed after birth, sky-high prices, and imminent nuclear holocaust—and he blames Democrats for it all.  Recently (online, at rallies, during interviews, even at the debate), he has called his political opposition Communists and Marxists, said they will destroy the country (and take it away from his devotees), talked about the end of the world, enemies of the state, threats, punishment, retribution, executions, bloody endings—all in the craziest and most volatile fashion, clearly aiming to incite something.  Yet, in the next breath, he blames Democrats for the 2 recent attacks on him, saying THEY are inciting violence by urging voters to keep someone as extreme, immoral and out of control as him out of office.  Trump: “They talk about democracy, saying that I’m a threat to democracy. They’re the threat to democracy.” Sadly, that is how poorly raised and not very bright children behave on playgrounds—and they never grow out of it. Finally, it isn’t just his political opponents or even liberals who call Trump what he is and use the terms necessary for clarity.  Countless prominent Conservatives have condemned Trump as some version of a clear and present danger to American democracy. The problem(s) with Trump blaming Dems for apparent assassination attempt 9/16/24 https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/problems-trump-blaming-dems-apparent-assassination-attempt-rcna171310

“Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country, and they are the ones that are destroying the country — both from the inside and out.”  Even as he complained about the Democrats’ provocative language, he ramped up his own words to the next level. Trump dispenses with unity and blames Democrats after apparent second assassination attempt 9/16/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-dispenses-unity-blames-democrats-apparent-second-assassination-rcna171218

Last year, a little boy named Aiden Clark died in Springfield, Ohio, when a vehicle driven by a Haitian immigrant hit a bus.  The driver is serving 9-13 years in prison.  His grieving parents now have to contend with Trump and Vance repeatedly posting online and ranting at rallies that immigrant violence is ravaging the country, using the death of their son as an example.  (Yes—Springfield, Ohio, DOES sound familiar; this DEAD BOY story was Round 1 in the Trump/Vance assault on this town with the DEAD PETS story being Round 2—see item below.)  Nathan Clark says this: “My son Aiden Clark was not murdered. He was accidentally killed by an immigrant from Haiti. This tragedy is felt all over this community, the state and even the nation, but don’t spend this towards hate. In order to live like Aiden, you need to accept everyone.”  Regarding Trump and Vance, he said: “This needs to stop now.  They can vomit all the hate they want about illegal immigrants, the border crisis and even untrue claims about fluffy pets being ravaged and eaten by community members.  However, they are not allowed, nor have they ever been allowed, to mention Aiden Clark from Springfield, Ohio.” Trump faces a fact check from Ohio city thrust into spotlight  9/11/24 https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/11/trump-fact-check-springfield-ohio-00178752  ALSO: Father of 11-year-old killed in Ohio crash says Trump and Vance are using his son ‘as a political tool’ and asks for apologies 9/10/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/father-11-year-old-killed-ohio-crash-says-trump-vance-are-using-son-po-rcna170525

I’m sick of this.  Literally, it makes me queasy.  Before the debate, Trump started ranting about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, who he insisted were eating cats.  Then, it was dogs.  Then, he added geese.  JD Vance, a sitting Senator for Ohio, actually BEGAN the attack on Springfield with this and other manufactured crises, and he still chimes in regularly with fake concern.  (See more on Vance’s deplorable motives below.)  It is ALL A LIE, as clearly stated by Springfield officials.  Yes, there are immigrants there; many are Haitian.  They are in Springfield legally and are as law abiding as the rest of us.  No pets are missing/presumed eaten.  THIS DID NOT HAPPEN.  The Springfield City Manager says it did not happen.  The Mayor says it didn’t happen.  The Governor of Ohio says it didn’t happen. (Image credits: Politico and PolitiFact.)  Fact Check: No evidence of Haitian immigrants stealing and eating pets in Ohio 9/11/24 https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/no-evidence-haitian-immigrants-stealing-eating-pets-ohio-2024-09-10/  ALSO: Trump, JD Vance repeat baseless claim Haitian immigrants are eating pets as Ohio officials say there is no evidence 9/11/24 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/baseless-claim-haiti-immigrants-cats-springfield-ohio/

It was a lie, calculated to be shocking, nasty and incendiary, endangering vulnerable people.  Why bother?  Because it was conjured up in a panic attack over Trump’s upcoming debate with an accomplished woman experienced in prosecuting degenerates. During the debate, Trump railed about this twice, despite the moderator firmly noting this was a completely false story.  Trump wanted pets stolen and eaten by “horrible people” to be the story, instead of his poor showing.  Notably, most Haitian immigrants are Black; somehow, Trump has nothing bad to say about light-skinned immigrants, who he never finds “horrible” or “nasty” and never slams as “poisoning the blood of our country.”  Previously, Trump attacked Haitian immigrants by saying they all have AIDS (which is blatantly false), and Haiti has long been on Trump’s list of “shithole countries.”  Over and over, he has promised to get rid of them via mass deportations, cackling that the process “will be bloody.”  Trump’s reptile brain knew he was going to need something shocking as a distraction when he bombed so he picked Haitians to smear yet again; he did, and he does, but this is just disgusting.  And dangerous; multiple bomb threats have shut down schools and city offices, acid has been thrown on cars in a neighborhood where Haitians live, Neo-Nazis showed up to strut through town with their hate-filled message, and people living in Springfield are afraid—and they should be.  The Haitian Bridge Alliance condemned the “baseless and inflammatory” claims about Haitian migrants, arguing they “not only perpetuate harmful stereotypes but also contribute to the dangerous stigmatization of immigrant communities, particularly Black immigrants from the Republic of Haiti.”  Ohio leaders dismiss claims of migrants eating pets 9/12/24 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj35kk42k5vo   ALSO   Bomb threats reported at City Hall, multiple other buildings in Springfield, Ohio 9/12/24 https://abcnews.go.com/US/bomb-threat-reported-multiple-buildings-springfield-ohio/story?id=113619803   ALSO  Trump’s Derision of Haitians Goes Back Years 9/18/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/18/us/politics/trump-haitians.html

It has recently been reported that the Springfield lies were created by Laura Loomer, a far-right wacko and the latest broken toy to attach herself to Trump.  He even took his new bestie along to a Sept. 11 memorial service in NYC, despite the fact she claims 9/11 was “an inside job.”  Since then, she has been busy trashing Kamala Harris with online comments so racist that MAGA zealot and Trump Fan #1 Marjorie Taylor Greene called Loomer “mentally unstable” and “poisonous, complaining she had gone too far.  (Who knew that MTG even HAD a line of decency that could be crossed?)  Trump, like always, knows nothing and takes no responsibility. Trump ally Laura Loomer swatted down after posting bigoted attack on Harris  9/11/24 https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/11/laura-loomer-trump-mtg-00178815   AND  Trump says he doesn’t control far-right agitator Laura Loomer, calls her a ‘free spirit’  9/13/24 https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/13/politics/donald-trump-laura-loomer/index.html

Listen to the 30-minute podcast on NYT’s The Daily: The Story Behind ‘They’re Eating the Pets’ 9/13/24  https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/13/podcasts/the-daily/ohio-immigrants-pets.html

PolitiFact rated this PANTS ON FIRE.   https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/list/?speaker=donald-trump

And, you know, I’ve heard that pet-owners VOTE.  Image credits: Joyce Vance’s Civil Discourse substack.

Don’t believe Trump or any other Republican who claims they support IVF.  Republican politicians have proven twice now that is a lie.  (Instead, the GOP promotes “fetal personhood,” giving a fertilized egg all the rights of a human being as established by the Fourteenth Amendment; fetal personhood is in the 2024 Republican Party platform.)  On Sept. 17, the US Senate voted on a bill to protect access to in vitro fertilization and require public and private insurance coverage of IVF and other fertility treatments.  Republicans voted it down.  Only 2 Republicans voted for the IVF bill, Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine).  This was the second time the GOP killed the IVF bill; they also voted it down in June.  Then, JD Vance voted AGAINST IT.  This time, Vance didn’t even bother to show up to vote, being so busy on the campaign trail, “creating stories” (his term for spreading dangerous, racist lies).  The bill was proposed by Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth (Illinois), who used IVF to have her 2 daughters after being seriously injured in Iraq. JD Vance Skips IVF Vote as Republicans Block Bill 9/17/24 https://www.newsweek.com/jd-vance-skips-ivf-vote-bill-gets-blocked-1955409

On Meet the Press Sept, 15 (and other places), Vance over-shared his and Trump’s plans for health care.   Vance: “Trump’s plan would promote some more choice by putting people in high-risk pools.”   That is NOT a refreshing pool like you’d want to jump into on a Texas summer day.  Nope, a high-risk pool in the insurance context is BAD, meaning people with pre-existing conditions (like high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, obesity, etc.) are lumped together and get charged outlandishly high premiums for minimal coverage.  It is the opposite of what happens now with ACA/Obamacare coverage, where people can’t be charged more or denied coverage due to previous conditions.  (Image credit: Getty.)  Trump and Vance would gut ACA protections for pre-existing conditions 9/17/24  https://www.protectourcare.org/headlines-trump-and-vance-expose-their-plan-to-gut-aca-protections-for-pre-existing-conditions/

Per Dan Rather: JD Vance could be a heartbeat away from the presidency. It’s a thought you may want to seriously consider, because at the top of the Republican ticket is a 78-year-old obese man showing signs of mental decline. 

The most startling takeaway from a deep dive into Vance’s legion of interviews is that he is a wildly ambitious and opportunistic chameleon. He has transformed from a fairly moderate conservative, a self-described “never Trumper” who called the former president “cultural heroin,” “reprehensible,” and “America’s Hitler,” to a lapdog loyalist who has seemingly been absolved by Trump — perhaps because he has proven to be the anti-Mike Pence, willing to do anything to “win” an election. 

Vance said that in 2020, he “would have asked the states to submit alternative slates of electors and let the country have the debate about what actually matters and what kind of an election that we had,” thus throwing the presidential election results into complete chaos. He would have done this with no evidence of any election fraud, much less widespread fraud. Vance is an authoritarian in the making.

Vance’s total and complete transformation into the MAGA heir-apparent happened as he sycophantically sought Trump’s endorsement of his 2022 Senate candidacy.

Vance converted to Catholicism from atheism five years ago. He now identifies as Christian nationalist. His reactionary views on gun control and same-sex marriage are not surprising. What is much less mainstream, even for MAGA, is when he veers into strident misogyny. Vance opposes abortion, including in cases of rape and incest. He believes a pregnancy resulting from rape should not be considered “inconvenient.” He has said that professional women “choose a path to misery” by picking careers over having children. He has called child care subsidies “class war against normal people” and opposes no-fault divorces, suggesting women should stay in abusive marriages.

It was Vance who gave legs to the now infamous lie about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, eating residents’ pets. He told Trump about it. One might think that after the political fallout from Trump regurgitating the story several times during the debate, and the real fallout in Springfield, where hospitals, schools, and even city hall have been threatened, he would let it go. He did not. On Sunday, Vance made the rounds of the political talk shows doubling down on his false narrative. 

He told CNN’s Dana Bash that “the American media totally ignored this stuff until Donald Trump and I started talking about cat memes. If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that’s what I’m going to do.” So Trump gets his toadying pit bull, and we might get a dangerous politico who makes decisions based on what it will mean for his future, not for ours. In the meantime, the Trump-Vance lies continue to distract and dominate news coverage.  The Vance Dance 9/16/24 https://substack.com/@steady/p-148984464

As mentioned above, Vance has partnered avidly with Trump in pushing the false and incendiary claims about Springfield, Ohio, being overrun by “horrible” illegals who are destroying that town and threatening all good white folks.  The excellent Heather Cox Richardson in her Sept. 13 Letter from an American clarified that Vance STARTED IT ALL, waging a multi-front crusade against Springfield.  (She credits reporting by Hunter Walker and Josh Kovensky of Talking Points Memo.)  Plus, Vance did it to help the GOP win the Senate, trying to scare Ohio voters into electing the Republican challenger now running against Sherrod Brown, the Democrat who has held the seat since 2007. The stakes are high; if Republicans eke out just a couple net wins in the Senate, they get control of that branch—and once again will be able to stack the federal courts, from the Supreme Court all the way down the line—with far-right appointees who will make sure the country goes down that path on every issue, regardless of who sits in the Oval Office. Here is HCR’s case on Vance: “More than two months ago, Ohio senator J.D. Vance, who is Trump’s vice presidential running mate, began to speak about Springfield at a Senate Banking Committee hearing, trying to tie rising housing prices to immigrants. The next day, at the National Conservatism conference, Vance accused “illegals” of overwhelming the city.  On August 10, about a dozen neo-Nazis of the “Blood Tribe” organization showed up in Springfield, where one of their leaders said the city had been taken over by “degenerate third worlders” and blamed the Jews for the influx of migrants. The neo-Nazis stayed and, on August 27, showed up at a meeting of the city council, where their leader threatened council members. On September 1, another white supremacist group, Patriot Front, held its own “protest to the mass influx of unassimilable Haitian migrants” in the city. Right-wing social media posters pushed the story, usually with “witnesses” to events in the city coming from elsewhere. In late August, posting in a private Facebook group, a resident said they had heard that Haitian immigrants had butchered a neighbor’s cat for food. Vance reposted that rumor to attack Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, on whom he is trying to hang undocumented immigration although it was Trump who convinced Republicans to kill a strong bipartisan border bill this spring. Springfield police and the city manager told news outlets there was no truth to the rumors.  Nonetheless, on September 10, Vance told his people to “keep the cat memes flowing,” even though—or perhaps because—the rumors were putting people in his own state in danger. Trump repeated the lie at the presidential debate that night, claiming, “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating, they’re eating the pets of the people that live there.” Today, President Joe Biden demanded Trump stop his attacks on Haitian-Americans, but Trump doubled down, promising to deport the Haitian immigrants in Springfield if he is elected, although they are here legally.”  (Image credit: Getty.)  https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/september-13-2024-631

On the Sept. 15 Sunday shows, Vance admits he made it up, platforming unsubstantiated pet-eating rumors to force discussion of immigration policy.  Vance:“The American media totally ignored this stuff until Donald Trump and I started talking about cat memes.  If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that’s what I’m going to do.” Vance defends spreading claims that Haitian migrants are eating pets 9/15/24 https://www.npr.org/2024/09/15/nx-s1-5113140/vance-false-claims-haitian-migrants-pets

Trump/Vance know that they lose when the topic is abortion or democracy, so they will say anything to push what they think is a strong issue for them—immigration.  Truth, be damned. 

Stuff keeps oozing out about this putrid fake story.

First, Vance and Trump received definitive assurances from Springfield officials on September 9 that the rumor was false, but Trump ran with it in the presidential debate on September 10 anyway.

Second, the Springfield cat owner who seemingly started it all FOUND her kitty, healthy (and not at all repentant, I bet) in the basement of her home. Miss Sassy was never even missing, much less eaten by immigrants.  The abashed cat owner had the decency to make this development public and apologize to her Haitian neighbors.

Third, when his pet-eating lies stopped getting traction, Vance started claiming the Haitians in Springfield were spreading disease, including HIV and tuberculosis.  More lies; the state department of health tracks that kind of thing, and Springfield is as healthy now as it ever was.  And yes—the Nazis said Jews spread nasty diseases, way back in the dark times.  OK, the OTHER dark times….. 

Fourth, Vance vows he will continue calling the Springfield immigrants from Haiti “illegal aliens.”  This is despite the fact they are in America LEGALLY, due to a special provision for Haiti called Temporary Protected Status that was signed into law by Republican President George H. W. Bush in 1990. 

Fifth, the Trump/Vance ticket is threatening to visit Springfield, just in case there is MORE damage they can inflict there.  City and state officials of both parties have blurted out various versions of: ”Hell, no.”

Sixth, Vance proved one thing during this distasteful episode.  He is far better at being Trump than Trump himself is these days.  Vance can string sentences together in what sounds like a coherent narrative, stay on topic, and remember the name of the person/city he is castigating.  Trump, at this point, is largely incoherent, slurs his words, lurches among unrelated topics, and relies on creepy hand-accordion gestures to make the point he has forgotten.

 –JD Vance Will Still Call Legal Haitian Immigrants ‘Illegal’: Here’s Why 9/18/24 https://www.newsweek.com/jd-vance-donald-trump-haitian-migrants-eating-pets-1955969

–Why Trump’s lies about Haitians are different 9/18/24 https://www.vox.com/politics/372364/trumps-haitians-springfield-ohio-nazi

J.D. Vance’s “Proof” of Pet-Eating Is Dumbest Thing You’ll Ever Read 9/18/24 https://newrepublic.com/post/186097/jd-vance-proof-pet-eating-migrants-exposed-police-report

–Trump Supporter Who Blamed Haitians for Stealing Cat Finds Pet in Basement 9/19/24 https://www.newsweek.com/trump-supporter-blamed-haitians-stealing-cat-finds-pet-1956041 –I’m the Governor of Ohio. I Don’t Recognize the Springfield That Trump and Vance Describe. 9/20/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/20/opinion/springfield-haitian-migrants-ohio.html

Sept. 21, 2024 This is PART 1 of this week’s ALL-POLITICS blog, covering ONLY the Sept. 10 Presidential Debate.  PART 2 covers everything else on the November 2024 Election.

The Harris/Trump Presidential Debate was held on Sept. 10, in Philadelphia, hosted by ABC News and moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis.  67 million people watched live; countless more saw it other ways.  (Image credits: ABC News for the logo; AFP/Getty for the handshake; NYTimes for all the rest.)

Who won?  Kamala Harris, no question.  Early polling says so; a CNN flash poll found Harris won by a 2 to 1 margin, and later polling was even more in Harris’ favor.  The commentators and analysts say so.  Even Trump’s allies say so.  One pundit remarked that people watching ON MUTE would have known Trump was getting beaten up, bigtime.

What happened AFTER the debate?  Well, in under 30 minutes, Taylor Swift issued a detailed and glowing endorsement of the Harris/Walz ticket (mentioning that Trump recently faked her endorsement of him via AI and signing off as “Childless Cat Lady”).  She did it on Instagram, where she has 283 million followers; her post got over 1 million likes in just 10 minutes.  She included a custom link for voter registration that got over 400,000 hits in the first 24 hours; starting the next day, registration centers nationwide reported record numbers of youngish people showing up to register to vote in the election.

Harris won the debate before a word was said, when she strode across to Trump’s side of the platform, offered her hand to him and clearly enunciated: “KAmala Harris.”  From that moment on, Harris was in charge, making her case on policy and the issues while reassuring the nation with smiles, competence and decency.  All night, Trump was angry, absurd and out of control; he never recovered. Watch that first minute of the debate with the handshake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRF8xxVaV6Y

–Trump imploded repeatedly and on several issues.  As the NYTimes aptly noted: Harris set traps. Trump leaped into them.  So many traps, and Trump self-destructed messily every time.  Early on, Harris suggested that people attend a Trump rally, to see how lame his performance is these days—to the extent that attendees leave early out of boredom and disgust.  Boom!  Another trap was Harris contrasting her working-class background with Trump’s multi-million dollar inheritance and multiple bankruptcies.  Bang!  Another volcanic reaction came when Harris explained that world leaders she deals with regularly aren’t just anti-Trump—they mock him as pathetically simple and easily manipulated with flattery and favor.  Plus—Harris refused to let Trump get away with saying he won the 2020 election, correcting him: “You were fired by 81 million people.”  THAT provoked a fiery reaction.  And, Harris noted that Trump killed the bipartisan border bill, for his own benefit, neatly defusing all of his immigration fake-outs.  She talked about reproductive rights a lot, and it was always “Trump’s abortion ban.”  Harris scored several more points, as well—enough to propel Trump into doing something unheard of post-debate: he forced his way into the “Spin Room,” where the 2 candidate teams work with journalists writing and filing articles.  Trump (and his Secret Service team) just stood there, adrift, looking for people willing to say he was amazing and listen to his lies; there were few takers.  He spewed senseless numbers from fake polling favoring him, and assured everyone: “It was the best debate I’ve ever had.” Well, someone had to say it, I guess.  In reality, Harris conducted a master class in debating a misogynistic, racist, lying sociopath who also has advanced dementia.

–Harris remained calm, collected and confident.  She was prepared and informed, frequently referencing her current experiences in the White House and abroad.  While Trump flailed, she turned and watched him as one would a performing monkey, often with a head tilt, clasped hands and/or a slight frown.  Other times, she projected concern that Trump is clearly unwell, or disappointment, her body language making that “Old, tired playbook” comment for her.  Harris smiled a lot, shaking her head at Trump’s lies and excesses, often mouthing “That is not true.”  Once, she laughed at Trump when he spouted nonsense—a real and happy laugh.  On rebuttal, she noted a few times how “extreme” Trump is.  When Trump attacked her, she easily shifted into offensive mode, utilizing her many years as a prosecutor—polite, incisive and devastating. Trump had no defense. Harris made her important points, and she was passionate on themes like protecting democracy and the truth of Jan. 6.  Over and over, Trump interrupted and demanded rebuttal time that was not part of the agreed format; Harris just shook her head with a smile and let him go.  As a result, Trump got 5 minutes more speaking time that Harris; he spoke 39 times, to her 23.  And every time, he reminded the nation of exactly who he is and buried himself deeper in his own dreck.  Harris appeared presidential; Trump came across as a deranged bully.

–In the best campaign move of the night, Harris pointed out to the 800,000 Polish Americans living in Pennsylvania (a crucial swing state and the location of the debate) that Trump’s pro-Putin posture would doom Ukraine if he got back in office.  And, once Russia held Ukraine, Poland would be the next target.

–One running mate was thrown under the bus. Trump: “I didn’t discuss it with JD.”  That is how Trump denied Vance’s assurance last week that Trump would veto a national abortion ban. 

–Trump was perpetually scowling, twisting his mouth in unattractive ways (he looked like The Joker being tortured), his body slumped into a perpetual defensive crouch.  Soon, his face was sweaty, and his shirt looked damp.  His tone was uniformly belligerent, often slipping into hysteria.  Trump never looked at Harris; he seemed afraid to do so.  He refused to provide policy specifics.  He ignored the actual questions, returning to the same ludicrous and debunked points on immigration, crime and inflation instead.  The moderators called him on that, correcting his most hyperbolic allegations (on post-birth abortion and Haitians eating pets in Ohio) with current law and official statements that contradicted him. Trump attacked the absent Pres. Biden over and over, incoherent and aggrieved; clearly, he had crafted barbs against his long-time nemesis and was determined to use them.  With Harris standing there instead—20 years younger, optimistic and brimming with life, Trump only made himself look old, decrepit and defeated.

Overall, the debate was darkness dispelled by light, the past replaced with current reality and a bright vision for the future.  Lies, grievance and bullying vs. decency, smiles and competence.  Immediately afterward, the Harris campaign challenged Trump to set another debate, as winners do….  Like any loser would, Trump said he’d have to think about it; on Sept. 12, Trump declined to participate in another debate. 

–“Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people.  And clearly he is having a very difficult time processing that.”

–“Perhaps we do not have in the candidate to my right [Trump] the temperament or ability not to be confused by facts.”

–“Talk about extreme [laughing].”

–“You’re not running against Joe Biden. You’re running against me.”

–“If Trump were president, Putin would be sitting in Kiev right now with his eyes on the rest of Europe. Starting with Poland.  [Turning toward Trump]  And why don’t you tell the 800,000 Polish Americans right here in Pennsylvania how quickly you would give up, for the sake of favor and what you think is a friendship with a known dictator who would eat you for lunch?”

–“I’m going to actually do something really unusual.  I’m going to invite everyone to attend one of Donald Trump’s rallies. Because it’s a really interesting thing to watch. You will see, during the course of his rallies, he talks about fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter. He will talk about windmills causing cancer. What you will also notice is that people start leaving his rallies early out of exhaustion and boredom. And I will tell you, the one thing you will not hear him talk about is you. You will not hear him talk about your needs, your dreams and your desires. And I’ll tell you, I believe you deserve a president who actually puts you first.’

–“It is very well known that Donald Trump is weak and wrong on national security and foreign policy. It is well known that he admires dictators, wants to be a dictator on day one, according to himself. It is absolutely well known that these dictators and autocrats are rooting for you to be president again because they’re so clear, they can manipulate you with flattery and favors.”

–“World leaders are laughing at Donald Trump.  I have talked with military leaders, some of whom worked with you.  And they say you are a disgrace. Understand what it would mean if Trump were back in the White House with no guardrails.”

–“One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree that the government and Donald Trump, certainly, should not be telling a woman what to do with her body.”

–“Nowhere in America is a woman carrying a pregnancy to term and asking for an abortion. That is not happening. It’s insulting to the women of America.”

–“I think this [Trump complaining about the crime rate] is so rich. Coming from someone who has been prosecuted for national security crimes, economic crimes, election interference, has been found liable for sexual assault, and his next big court appearance is in November at his own criminal sentencing.”

–“I will always give Israel the ability to defend itself, in particular, as it relates to Iran and any threat that Iran and its proxies pose to Israel. But we must have a two-state solution, where we can rebuild Gaza, where the Palestinians have security, self-determination, and the dignity they so rightly deserve.”

–“You’ve heard tonight two very different visions for our country.  One that is focused on the future, and the other that is focused on the past and an attempt to take us backward.  But we’re not going back.  And I believe the American people know that we all have so much more in common than what separates us, and we can chart a new way forward.”

–“She is Biden, she is Biden.”

–“She doesn’t have a plan. She copied Biden’s plan, and it’s like four sentences like, ‘Run Spot, Run.’”

–“I’ll give you a little secret. He [Biden] hates her. He can’t stand her.”

–“I had nothing to do with that [the Jan. 6 insurrection] other than they asked me to make a speech.”

–Responding to a question about how he would replace Obamacare (which provides health care to over 45 million Americans): “I have concepts of a plan.”

–“She hates Israel.  If she is president, I believe that Israel will not exist within two years from now.”

–“I probably took a bullet to the head because of the things that they say about me.”  [Something grazed the tip of his ear; he was not struck in the head.]

–“They [immigrants] are taking over the towns. They’re taking over buildings. They’re going in violently. These are the people that she and Biden let into our country. And they’re destroying our country. They are dangerous. They’re at the highest level of criminality, and we have to get them out. We have to get them out fast.”

–“In Springfield [Ohio], they’re eating the dogs. The people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there.”  [After being fact-checked by the host, quoting Springfield officials denying this had ever happened, Trump cited his source.]  “Well, I’ve seen people on television!  The people on television say my dog was taken and used for food.” [And we all know what channel Trump was watching.]

–“We’re a failing nation, being laughed at all over the world. …  We’re going to end up in World War 3, a war like no other because of nuclear weapons.  I rebuilt our military, she gave it all away. …  What they have done to our country, perhaps worst of all, allowing millions of people to come into our country, many of them are criminals.  The worst president and the worst vice-president in the history of our country.”

–Trump refused to state his current abortion policy.

–Trump refused to state his policy on Ukraine.

–Justin Winters, a professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan: “Perhaps men are too emotional to be President.”  [GO BLUE!]

–Late Night summed it up this way:

Stephen Colbert said: “Harris came out swinging, looking to rattle Trump’s cage. And now that it is over, they are still looking for pieces of his cage in low orbit.”  AND  “Harris got under his skin like she was stuffing in butter and rosemary. It was beautiful. By the end of the debate, the meat was falling off the bone.”   AND   “He was so nonsensical that she looked at him the way a parent looks at a kid giving a presentation on why they should be allowed to get a pet tiger.”

Jimmy Kimmel: “Usually when Donald Trump gets a spanking like this from a woman, it’s with a Forbes magazine. Kamala was pushing his buttons like a 12-year-old playing Fortnite.”  AND  “More than 67 million Americans watched the debate on television last night, and of that 67 million, the only one who seems to think Trump did a good job is Donald Trump.”  AND  “This morning, Trump said the debate was rigged and that ABC should be shut down for fact-checking him, but that he still thought he did great. Then ABC fact-checked him again and said, ‘You did not.’”  AND   “It looks like Operation ‘I’m Not Weird’ isn’t going well.”

–Tim Walz said: “Kamala laid out a clear vision and put a bully in his place.” 

–Rep. Senator Lindsey Graham (and all-around Trump toady) said: “This was a disaster.  Fire Trump’s debate prep team.”

–Karl Rove, Bush administration senior advisor: “There’s no putting lipstick on this pig.  Trump was crushed by a woman he previously dismissed as ‘dumb as a rock.’  Which raises the question—what does that make him?” 

–Fox News commentators: “Trump had a bad night.”   AND  “Did Trump miss opportunities?  Absolutely.”   AND  “Yeah, everyone thought Harris seemed really prepared while Trump was like, ‘My homework was eaten by a dog that was eaten by people in Ohio.’”   AND   ”Trump rose to the bait repeatedly, also going with statements that were not winners.” 

–Former Gov. Chris Christie, Republican from new Jersey who prepared Trump from previous debates: “Harris was exquisitely well prepared, she laid traps, and he chased every rabbit down every hole instead of talking about the things that he should have been talking about.”

Wall Street knows Trump lost.  Wednesday, Trump’s media stock crashed; shares of the parent company of Truth Social, which have traded like a proxy for former Trump’s election prospects, set a new low for the year.

–President Biden: “Wasn’t even close. VP Harris proved she’s the best choice to lead our nation forward.”

–ActBlue, the Democratic online fund-raising platform, took in $24 million just during the 3 hours from debate start time and $48 million in 24 hours; donations continued to pour in after that.  Overall, ActBlue has collected well over $1 Billion since Biden’s withdrawal.

–Harris-Walz campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon: “Vice President Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump?”

–Former Pres. Trump: “It was the best debate I’ve ever had.”  (Not long before he REFUSED to do another debate.)

–Tim Miller of The Bulwark: “Impotent Trump was too intimidated to even look in Kamala’s direction at the debate, and now he wusses out of the rematch. Cannot recall a more dramatic demonstration of beta weakness in a campaign setting.”

Allison Gill, in her The Breakdown Substack on Sept. 11, noted the sharp difference not just in how Trump and Harris prepared for the debate, but also in what they did when the cameras were off for a 4-minute commercial break.  (The above image shows Trump dashing off stage while Harris stands her ground and calmly makes notes; credit: CBS News.)  Per Gill, CBS pool reporter Sara Cook described it like this: “The second the stage hand said they were clear for a 4 minute break, Trump turned towards the exit, gave a big sigh through closed lips, and walked off stage without looking at Harris. From the time the moderators announced they were going to break, Harris began writing on her notepad. She wrote continuously for the entire first two minutes of the break, occasionally bringing one hand to her chin or brushing hair behind her ear. She then reviewed what she wrote for the next minute, making a few tweaks, before putting the pen down and looking out around the room with her hands folded in front of her. She took a sip of water from a glass placed under the lectern. “Trump walked back onstage 30 seconds before the end of break. He did not look at Harris, she did not look at him. Harris made small adjustments to her collar. Both candidates looked straight ahead until the program restarted.” As Gill concluded: “Cheers to everyone, everywhere who has taken shit for being prepared and capable. A picture is worth a thousand words, and a win is worth it all.” https://www.muellershewrote.com/p/the-debate

Per Dan Balz at the Washington Post: “Former president Donald Trump has long inhabited a bizarre world of his own creation. He rewrites history — or makes it up entirely — to aggrandize himself, denigrate others and spread the basest of lies.  It keeps getting worse. Since Tuesday’s debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, he’s spiraled ever deeper into conspiracy theories, falsehoods and grievances. He insists he is not a loser. He never lost the 2020 election, he says falsely, and he certainly didn’t lose that debate in Philadelphia. He claims victory in an event in which he spent 90 minutes chasing Harris’s barbs down every possible rabbit hole. He rarely managed to get off the defensive long enough to make a case against her — and when he did, he was barely coherent. Trump can’t accept the widely held verdict that Harris outdid him, just like he couldn’t accept that President Joe Biden defeated him four years ago.”  Trump can’t accept his poor debate. So he’s spiraled into conspiracy theories. 9/16/24 https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/09/14/trump-conspiracies-lies-analysis/

During the debate and afterward, to explain away Trump’s repeated face-plants, supporters posted online that Harris was wearing earrings with audio transmitters, allowing her to be coached during the event.  Since then, Trump has been using that at rallies and in interviews as just one of his “poor me” excuses for completely bombing at the debate. This was fact-checked and determined to be: FALSENo evidence Harris’ earrings contained wireless earphones.  Above images show Tiffany earrings, Harris at the debate, and the Novo Audio product. (Image credits: Tiffany, Getty, Audio Novo.)   In fact, Harris has worn her pearl earrings at many events in recent months. They are a discontinued Tiffany design, very similar to the current item shown above.  Her earrings do NOT match the Novo Audio design, which has been discontinued since 2023 due to the start-up company’s insolvency; it is not clear they were ever produced.  The company has stated that nothing was supplied to Harris or her campaign.  No evidence there were transmitters in Kamala Harris’ earrings during debate | Fact check 9/11/24 https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2024/09/11/kamala-harris-earrings-debate-fact-check/75174487007/

WATCH the debate in full here: https://www.youtube.com/live/T89NYFjEAiM

–Just have 3 minutes?  Watch the highlight reel here: https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/watch-the-first-debate-between-harris-and-trump-in-3-minutes-219046981851

–9 Body Language Tells From the Presidential Debate 9/11/24 https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/09/11/body-language-presidential-debate-harris-trump-00178569

–It Was Donald Trump’s Night — in the Worst Possible Way  9/11/24 https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/09/11/trump-harris-debate-3-takeaways-analysis-00178484

–The World Can Now See Kamala Harris in its Most Powerful Job 9/11/24 https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/09/11/kamala-harris-debate-us-allies-reaction-00178590

–Trump and Harris face off in contentious debate  9/11/24 https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-harris-debate-abc-09-10-24#h_bf0713ded98fb1867a0770a9cf09dddf

–How to Diminish a Former President 9/10/24 https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/03/opinion/thepoint#harris-trump-debate-gender

Sept. 14, 2024 Lakeway heads for fall with fun events as Council sets the budget AND our property tax rate, also cool space news and awesome images, women’s rights update, new DEER photos, and an update on the Covid surge and new vaccine.

On Sunday, Sept. 15, 4-5:30PM, enjoy Debussy String Quartet/Schubert Cello Quintet at the Lakeway Activity Center.  FREE event!  Info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1862/Sunday-Afternoon-Concert-Series

Georgia Hagan is the local artist whose work is displayed at City Hall (1102 Lohmans Crossing Rd.) during September and October.  MEET THE ARTIST, at a reception on Monday, Sept. 16 at 5:30pm.  More info plus form to complete to display YOUR art is here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2040/City-Hall-Art-Gallery

Consequential Agenda items include:  

ITEM 21:  Citizens Participation for Items NOT on the Agenda.

ITEM 22:  Financial Report.

ITEM 23:  Authorizing issuance and selling of the $22MIL Parks Bond approved in May.

ITEM 24:  Special Use Permit for 99 years, allowing a Cellular Tower to be built and operated by KGI Wireless on city land at 3303 Serene Hills Drive, in order to improve cell coverage in Rough Hollow.

ITEM 25:  Update on the Buy Local Campaign, by the Economic Development Committee.

ITEM 26:  Request by Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce for $6,500 from Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund.

ITEM 29:  Adopting the Annual Budget for Fiscal year 2024-2025, at $20,490,068.  (This budget will raise more total property taxes than last year’s budget by $2,192,912 or 19.53% percent, and of that amount, $258,361 is tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year.)

ITEM 30:  Adopting the Tax Rate for 2024 (seemingly being a total Tax Rate of $0.1600 per $100 valuation, compared to the current rate of 0.1440).

ITEM 31: Discussion on increasing Lakeway’s Over Age 65 Property Tax Homestead Exemption.  (The exemption is now $25,000 and covers 2,961 homes, reducing the tax burden by a total of $116,182, being $39 per year on average.  Discussion is on increasing the exemption to $30,000, $35,000 or $40,000. See 2 charts in the images.)

ITEMS 32, 33, 34: Executive Sessions for West Austin Business Park Legal Intervention, Police Policies, and Employee Matters/City Manager.

View the Agenda, Meeting Packet, and/or Presentation (scrolling down to City Council documents) here:  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx 

Go here to watch the Council meeting online (live or later):  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events 

Council’s Sept. 3 Budget/Tax Rate Meeting is summarized below, at the end of this section.)

Lake Travis Senior Services is sponsoring a FREE shred opportunity, on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 9-11 AM.  Just drop off papers at Lakeway Commons (corner of Lakeway Blvd. and 620), in the parking lot of Lakeway Aquatic PT. Info here: https://www.ltseniorservices.org/event-details/shred-day-5

–MONTHLY MEETING: Tuesday, Sept. 17, 6:30PM at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek), with a presentation by Joshua Blank, Research Director of the Texas Politics Project and polling expert.

–BOOK CLUB: Tuesday, Sept. 24, 6:30PM at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing Rd.).  The book is The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak.

Want a DEM campaign sign for your yard?  Go here and follow the prompts to request signs (while supplies last): https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/

–We have a hugely important election in November.  LT Dems are working with Western Travis Democrats (a group of local Dem Precinct Chairs) to organize activities including mailings, block walks/lit drops, phone banks, texting, campaign signs, and more for this fall.  Go here (at the link, scroll down to GOTV and click on More Info) to sign up and help GET OUT THE VOTE this fall:  https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/copy-of-club-activities

–These activities take money.  Printing, postage, signs—it adds up.  Donations are needed.  ACT BLUE makes donating easy and securehttps://secure.actblue.com/donate/western-travis-democrats-1

–Check https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/ for club activities each month.

The paintings of local artist and illustrator Linda Wells will be on display in Lake Travis Community Library’s meeting room (1938 Lohmans Crossing) during September.  Her primary subjects are nature and animals, reflecting a deep appreciation for the natural world. 

City of Lakeway has a page full of helpful info on steps you can take to make your family and yourself ready for various types of emergencies.  Sign up for alerts, create an evacuation bag (stocking it NOW with items like photocopies of important papers and a list of last minute things to add), make a plan for your pets, and much more.  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1953

Chariot is a FREE service providing rides (for medical appointments and grocery shopping) to non-driving folks age 60 and over. Chariot has been operating across Central Texas (including Lakeway!) since 1988. Riders must be mobile to use the service; wheelchairs cannot be accommodated.  Mission statement: “Chariot enriches lives and communities by providing transportation and socialization to non-driving seniors, helping them to age in place.”  Volunteer drivers, who must be over 21 with a high school diploma or higher plus a valid driver’s license, are critical to Chariot’s success and use their own vehicles.  Click this link or call 512-445-5552 for info and to either set up a ride or volunteer as a driver: https://chariot.org/

The next blood drive at LAC is on Saturday, Sept. 21, 8AM-noon.  This recurring event is well organized, clean and friendly.  You will be done and out the door in 30 minutes. It is an important cause and helps countless people. Plus—FREE JUICE AND COOKIES! While walk-ins are welcome, those with appointments have priority. You can see upcoming dates and make an appointment to donate by entering your zip code here: https://weareblood.org/donor/schedule/

Bring family and friends to the Lakeway Swim Center Field (3103 Serene Hills Drive) on Saturday, Sept. 21, 10AM, for City of Lakeway’s 2024 Cornhole Tournament.  FREE event!  Enjoy a fun-filled day of tossing bags, with college football on the Jumbo Screen, delicious food from local vendors, and exciting activities for all ages. Info here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2015/Cornhole-Tournament

Join Lake Travis Senior Services at its annual Aging Well Expo on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 10AM-1:30PM, at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek).  Attendees will learn about services and products promoting health and happiness during the aging process.  Enjoy a breakfast snack, lunch and presentations by outstanding speakers, plus door prizes, flu/Covid shots, goody bags, and more.  https://www.ltseniorservices.org/aging-well-expo

On Saturday, Sept. 28, noon-4PM, enjoy an afternoon of samplings, tastings and market opportunities from local chefs, artisans, wineries and distilleries.  Location is Meadow at Safe Harbor Emerald Point Marina, 5973 Hiline Rd. Tickets at $75-adult, $20-under age 21, $125-VIP.  All ages welcomed.  Go here for info and tickets: https://tastelaketravis.info/

Drop by the Lakeway Police Department (1941 Lohmans Crossing Rd.) on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 4-7PM for an Open House. Meet officers in the various police department divisions, receive crime prevention material and take a tour of the facility. On the tour, you can check out the shooting simulator and test yourself while wearing the drunk goggles. Bring the kids for stickers, coloring books and wristbands.

Police teams and city leaders will also visit National Night Out gatherings in Lakeway. Go here for info and to request a visit to your group/area: https://lakeway-tx.gov/344/National-Night-Out

The Lakeway Players present the award-winning comedy, The Kitchen Witches, Oct. 3-5, at Lakeway Activity Center.  Doors open at 6:30PM; show starts at 7:30PM.  Bring your own food and alcoholic beverages.  Tickets are $34.  Go here for info and to buy tickets: https://www.thelakewayplayers.com/

Time to fly!  On Saturday, Oct. 19, 5:30-9PM, bring bicycles, tricycles, unicycles, skates, scooters, wheelchairs, golf carts, wagons, or simply walking shoes and meet up at the Live Oak Golf Course’s Driving Range for a magical “flight” down Lakeway Drive.  Spectators along the route will have fun, as well, catching candy treats.  FREE EVENT.  The PARADE starts at 6PM, followed by a CARNIVAL at Lakeway Activity Center, with food and beverage vendors, games, a dunk tank, euro-bungee, photo booth, a movie, and more. Info here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/1882/Witches-Ride

On Saturday, Oct. 26 at 7PM, enjoy a classic horror film at Lakeway Activity Center.  This vintage thriller will be accompanied by the Lake Travis High School Chamber Orchestra.  Tickets are $7.  Dress like a vampire for the contest!  Concessions available.  Go here for tickets (click on Events tab): https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTI5ODE3MTQ=

These tours always fill up FAST!  Registration is OPEN for Lakeway historical bus tours, happening on Friday, Oct. 25, at 9:15AM, 11:15AM, and 1:15PM.  FREE tours start at Lakeway City Hall, so you can also take a look inside the historic Liebelt Cabin.  Go here for info and to register: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1171/Heritage-Trail

SEE the Sept. 16 Council Meeting Agenda (near the top), where the final Budget and Tax Rate will be adopted.

RESULTS:  ALL members attended the meeting, all in person on the dais. 

ITEM 4 (part of the Consent Agenda): This is approval of the lower of 2 bids received for traffic signal installation at the intersection of Wild Cherry and Flint Rock Rd. As the staff report notes, this work was estimated to cost $391K, to be paid out of the recent Transportation Bond.  However, the low bid now up for approval came in at a whopping $626K.  “The higher cost was due to the Non-Typical intersection for a traffic signal and the terrain surrounding the project.”

–Council Member Sherman pulled this item from the Consent Agenda for discussion as to the huge cost increase over the estimate.  After discussion, the item was returned to the Consent Agenda which PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

ITEMS 6 and 7: 2024 Proposed tax Rate AND Fiscal Year 2025 Budget.

NOTE: At the Aug. 19 meeting, Council passed a maximum tax rate of 0.1625 per $100 property valuation.  This rate is well over the current rate of 0.1440, costing the average Lakeway homeowner an extra $221.  Also, it is the highest tax rate allowed by state law WITHOUT getting voter approval of the increase. Council may stay with 0.1625 or reduce it, before adopting the final rate on Sept. 16.  At the Aug. 19 meeting, Council was looking at a $20,695,746 budget, a 3.8% increase from the current year.  That may go down, before being finalized on Sept. 16

–The tax rate and the budget were discussed together.  Council agreed on 5% staff raises—2.8% COLA plus 2.2% Merit.  Other budget additions included shift differential pay as well as radios for the Police Department. In addition, Council agreed to creatively balance the budget by assuming a $600,000 savings due to cyclical staff vacancies in the coming year. For Communications Dept., auditing software was approved but a survey tool was removed from the budget.  Other cuts were suggested for various departments (Parks and Rec in particular) but were rejected, along with the suggestion that non-resident fees be raised to get the Swim Center and Activity Center operating less in the red.  It was proposed that staff be asked to cut spending as needed to make the no new revenue rate feasible; that was hotly rejected.  In the end, consensus was reached on a budget of $20,555,720, as well as on a tax rate of 0.1600 per $100 property valuation, for now.  That rate could drop slightly at the Sept. 16 final meeting on budget and tax rate, or it could go up then (but not over 0.1645.)  Budget info is posted by the City here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/43284/FY-2024-2025-Budget-Draft

ITEM 9: Executive Session on Legal Intervention as to West Austin Business Park. 

–NO ACTION TAKEN.

ADJOURNED. (Time was not specified.)

View the Agenda, Meeting Packet, and/or Presentation (scrolling down to City Council documents) here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx  Go here to watch the Council meeting online:  https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/314014

It’s a bird, it’s a plane—NOPE, it’s a solar sail.  (Image credit: NASA/Aero Animation/Ben Schweighart.)  On Aug. 29, NASA’s ACS3 craft deployed an experimental solar sail at 600 miles above Earth; it measures 860-square-foot and is about twice as tall as the International Space Station.  The mission is to test sail technology for possible future use.  Solar sails work much like nautical sails; instead of wind, sails in space move due to the pressure of sunlight from  photons bouncing off their reflective material. The sail can be seen in the night sky as it orbits Earth. To find it, try using NASA’s app to track sighting opportunities from your location.  Details are in the article.  NASA’s solar sail spacecraft is visible in the night sky. Here’s how to see it  9/6/24 https://www.space.com/nasa-solar-sail-how-to-see-night-sky

Beachgoers, protesters, rocket launch fans, watchdog agencies, and SpaceX employees share close quarters on Boca Chica beach in South Texas.  (Image credit: Texas Tribune.)  Outraged by damaging and deadly impact to wetlands and wildlife, as well as loss of access to public lands, several coalitions have formed to block SpaceX’s planned expansion that would double the number of launches.  The Federal Aviation Administration and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have noted environmental concerns over SpaceX’s proposal, and investigations are underway.  There is also a lawsuit against Texas Parks and Wildlife for giving 43 acres of Boca Chica State Park to SpaceX for development, in exchange for land near another refuge.  In South Texas, SpaceX faces skepticism over environmental damage 9/4/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/04/space-x-south-texas-environment/

The FAA is keeping Elon Musk’s giant craft, Starship, grounded until at lease the end of November, after major anomalies during its June Test Fight #4 (that launch is shown above, image credit: SpaceX.)  In addition, SpaceX recently submitted new information indicating the environmental impact of Test Flight 5 will cover a larger area than previously reviewed.  Per the FAA: “SpaceX must meet all safety, environmental and other licensing requirements prior to FAA launch authorization.  A final license determination for Starship Flight 5 is not expected before late November 2024.”  Musk stomped his foot: “We find ourselves delayed for unreasonable and exasperating reasons.”  SpaceX’s Starship won’t be licensed to fly again until late November, FAA says  9/12/24  https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-flight-five-late-november

The above image shows the Bat Nebula, which appears to us as the same size as the moon.  (Image credit: Mike Taivalmaa.)  It is part of a much larger formation known as the Veil Nebula, which is over 1,400 light-years from Earth.  https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240904.html

Starliner made it home.  On Sept. 6, the Boeing craft finally completed its mission, empty and distrusted with human cargo, when NASA released it from its ISS docking.  Gravity did its thing, and with some remote-control magic, Starliner landed a few hours later in the desert at White Sands Space Harbor, in New Mexico.  Images above show the craft descending and then on the ground; image credits: NASA and Boeing. NASA said the return flight was textbook, but Starliner will now be tested further to track down the myriad irregularities detected on its flight to ISS.  Boeing’s Starliner capsule just landed with no crew aboard. What’s next for this astronaut taxi? 9/7/24 https://www.space.com/boeing-starliner-next-iss-mission-nasa-plan

Early on Sept. 11, a record was broken in space—more Earthlings (19) were in orbit than ever before.  (Image credit: NASA.)  Nine humans were already living in the International Space Station, and 3 more launched from Russia in a Soyuz capsule, on their way to ISS.  Another 3 are living in China’s Tiangong space station.  And 4 more were in high orbit in a Crew Dragon on the 5-day Polaris Dawn mission (another vanity jaunt for the uber-rich and famous).  Previously, 17 was the max number of people in orbit.  New record! 19 people are orbiting Earth right now 9/11/24 https://www.space.com/new-record-19-people-orbiting-earth-soyuz-iss

Thanks to last-minute court intervention, an amendment to enshrine abortion rights in Missouri’s constitution WILL be on the state ballot this fall.  On Sept. 10, the Missouri Supreme Court overturned a lower court’s ruling and ordered the Secretary of State to put the measure on the ballot.  If it passes, it would reverse Missouri’s near-total abortion ban, in place since 2022.  Several other states will vote on constitutional amendments protecting abortion rights, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada and South Dakota. Like the Missouri amendment, most would guarantee a right to abortion until fetal viability, plus later for the health of the pregnant woman.  Missouri abortion-rights measure will be on ballot, court rules 9/10/24 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/missouri-abortion-amendment-on-ballot/

Abortion rights are officially set to appear on the November election ballot in 10 states, as shown above.   (Image credit: NBC News Analysis.)  These include 2 swing states, Arizona and Nevada, where having abortion on the ballot is expected to ramp-up turnout.  Also—3 blue states (Colorado, Maryland and New York).  And 5 red states (Florida, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska and South Dakota).  Note that Florida law requires support of 60% of voters to pass, compared to a simple majority elsewhere.  Nebraska’s ballot will offer 2 choices.  Voters can EITHER allow abortion until fetal viability (and later for the health of the mother) OR allow abortion only in the first trimester (plus later if medical emergency, rape or incest); choice #2 reflects current law in Nebraska.  The 10 states where abortion rights will be on the ballot this fall 8/31/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/abortion-rights-ballot-measures-states-rcna168621

Last week in North Dakota, a state court judge found that the state constitution protects the right to an abortion before the fetus is viable and overturned the state’s near-total abortion ban.  The ruling goes into effect in 2 weeks and will make abortion legal there, for the first time since Republican Gov. Doug Burgum signed a law in 2023 that made it a felony for doctors to perform abortions.  The state Attorney General will appeal the case.  North Dakota judge overturns state abortion ban 9/12/24  https://www.reuters.com/legal/north-dakota-judge-overturns-state-abortion-ban-2024-09-12/

US Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan said, in a discussion at New York University School of Law on Sept. 9, that Americans are right to worry about rights shaping their everyday lives, after the Supreme Court in 2022 eliminated the constitutional right to abortion.  She pointed out that the conservative justices overturned Roe v. Wade on the grounds that American women were not free to have the procedure earlier in the nation’s history.  As she then noted, the same applies to many other personal rights taken for granted in recent decades.  She said: “You can say the same thing for contraception. Then you can say the same thing for interracial marriage. Then you could say the same thing for gay marriage.”  Kagan also said she supports the Justices being subject to stricter ethics rules with enforcement provisions, just like lower court judges already follow.  Kagan Sees Threats to Everyday Rights Beyond Abortion 9/9/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/09/us/politics/supreme-court-kagan-ethics.html

It is STILL HOT out there.  Give wildlife a break and some fresh water, preferably in the shade.  Rinse the bowl and add fresh water daily, to avoid breeding mosquitos. (Image credit: Angels Among Us Animal Rescue.)

The deer have not been very cooperative recently, or maybe I’m just walking around in the mornings at the wrong times or in the wrong places.  But, the deer I’ve seen are in family groups, though the coming rut season will end that for awhile. Here are a few recent photos I managed to get.

Covid is still active, but indicators show the summer surge is subsiding. All 4 indicators (test positivity, ER visits, hospitalizations and deaths) were falling as of Sept. 7.  https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

As of Sept. 7, wastewater viral testing still shows HIGH levels, which is better than the VERY HIGH levels for the last month.  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/index.html

This fall’s edition of the Covid-19 vaccine is available in local pharmacies.  This new vaccine was formulated to work against recent variants, so everyone is urged to get vaccinated.  Consider getting it along with your annual flu shot.  Check with your doctor or pharmacist for the best timing, if you recently had Covid or recently got vaccinated.  New COVID, flu vaccines arrive in Austin 8/31/24  https://www.statesman.com/story/news/healthcare/2024/08/28/covid-flu-vaccine-2024-near-me-austin-texas-tips-pharmacy-doctors-office/74965044007/

Sept. 7, 2024 This ALL-POLITICS blog covers the November 2024 Election.  It includes election basics, ways YOU can get involved, Texas House District 19 Handley vs. Troxclair, US Senate Allred vs. Cruz, latest presidential polling, update on the Sept. 10 debate, clever campaign ads, news on Harris/Walz and Trump/Vance, policy comparisons as to abortion and child care, fact-checking the candidates, quotes, gaffes, fun images, and more. 

Are you registered to vote in Travis County?  Things can change, so go here to BE SURE you are eligible to vote: https://elections.traviscountytx.gov/voter-lookup/#VoterEligibilitySearch

This site checks voter registration within the entire state of Texas: https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do

Last day to register to vote in Travis County is Oct. 7.  Go here to fill out an application form, but it must be PRINTED and MAILED: https://vrapp.sos.state.tx.us/index.asp

Application deadline is Oct. 25: https://elections.traviscountytx.gov/voter-information/ballot-by-mail/#AbsenteeBallotSearch

Early Voting is Oct. 21-Nov. 1.   Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5

This has everything you need to know about voting in Texas: Here’s how to vote in the Texas 2024 election 8/21/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/21/texas-voter-guide-2024-election/

Texas Tribune also lets you pull your sample ballot, with details on all the races you will vote on: Here’s your ballot for the Nov. 5 Texas elections 8/30/24 https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2024/texas-ballot-2024-presidential-election-nov-5/

Volunteer for the Harris/Walz campaign.  https://go.kamalaharris.com/?utm_source=hfp_w_kh_menu

Get campaign signs for your yard locally.  Sign up here to have yard signs delivered to you: https://forms.gle/Vr9ET6A8LMsXympD8

Volunteer here in Lakeway area.  LT Dems are working with Western Travis Democrats (a group of local Dem Precinct Chairs) to organize activities including mailings, block walks/lit drops, phone banks, campaign signs, and more for this fall.  Go here (at the link, scroll down to GOTV and click on More Info) to sign up and help GET OUT THE VOTE this fall:  https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/copy-of-club-activities

Donate here in Lakeway area for local impact.  The activities listed above that local Dem groups are spearheading take MONEY.  Printing, postage, signs—it adds up.  Donations are needed.  ACT BLUE makes donating easy and securehttps://secure.actblue.com/donate/western-travis-democrats-1

Donate to Travis County Democratic Party.  TCDP is working hard to reach Democrats across Travis County and make sure they know when, how, and where to vote.  To get Harris/Walz and Colin Allred elected we need to turn out every Democrat in Travis County —and postcards are key in making that happen.  $20 = 30 postcards. $50 = 76 postcards. Pitch in to mobilize Democrats across Travis County.  https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fund-our-postcards?fbclid=IwY2xjawEh8LpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHby1WqRlAg3PPiBFqmxnSOXA8pyevSZAiZMFqqM0nRquYthuhh3oAyyB9A_aem_IIfdpz23omO4H9aIbCDxoA

Mail postcards to SWING STATES.  Turning Texas blue is a big lift, BUT we can help the DEMS win the swing states, by mailing postcards.  Progressive Turnout Project has a goal of 26 million cards and makes it easy, sending you the cards, addresses and messages you can use.  You just provide the stamps.  Here is how it works: “Sign up now to write postcards to rally Democrats to vote in 11 key states on November 5! Writing postcards is the most effective action you can take from home to help re-elect President Biden and ensure that Democrats maintain a Senate majority.  You can pick the state when you sign up, and we’ll mail you free postcards along with voter lists and instructions with proven message options.  You’ll provide the postcard stamps and mail the postcards in October on the instructed date.” Go here to sign up: https://turnoutpac.org/postcards/

In 2021, Republican lawmakers ridiculously gerrymandered Texas House District 19 (Image credit: Government of Texas).  They stole a chunk of Lakeway from the safely blue Austin area district held by Dem. Vikki Goodwin.  Then, they grafted it onto the side of a red district lurching (outlined in orange above) through 5 counties–north, south and extending west past Fredericksburg.  In 2022, far right Republican Ellen Troxclair (formerly on Austin City Council) won the seat.  https://www.troxclairfortexas.com/  (Be sure to read to the bottom of Troxclair’s Endorsements page, to find some familiar Lakeway names.)  Now, Democrat Dwain Handley is challenging her.

Handley’s top issues are democracy, protecting our kids from gun violence, climate change, immigration and religious freedom.  Check out his campaign site for details: https://handley4texas.com/

Watch this Meet the Candidate video, an 11-minute interview with Mothers Against Greg Abbott, which has endorsed Handley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BymuNoHN6ow 

Here is a 5-minute video Handley did for the Primary Election in the spring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAOtTg35vD0

This 9-minute video is from Handley’s spring event here in Lakeway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOe6bOg7TXE

Colin Allred is running against the most hated man in the US Senate, Cancun Cruz.   (Image credit: Allred Campaign.)

Polls have shown Allred steadily gaining on Cruz in 2024, and now they are tied.

Colin Allred is a 4th generation Texan, attending Baylor on a football scholarship and going on to a career in the NFL.  After 5 years, an injury caused Allred to pivot to his original plan of becoming a civil rights lawyer.  He worked in the Obama Administration at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and then ran for Congress in 2018 to represent Texas’ 32nd District.  For 6 years, Allred got things done for Texas by working with ALL his colleagues, regardless of party.  Now, he is wrapping up his 3rd term in Congress, ready to shift to the US Senate.  (Image credit: USA Today.)

Here is how Allred’s site sums up his campaign against Ted Cruz:Colin knows that Texans are fed up with the divisive politics of Ted Cruz that pits Texans against each other. We deserve a Senator who doesn’t jet off to Cancun while Texans are freezing in the dark. And we deserve a Senator who cares more about your job, your health care, your retirement and your kids’ education than hosting a podcast three times a week. Colin Allred is running for Senate because Texans can’t afford six more years of Ted Cruz. He will give Texans the honest, pragmatic leadership they deserve in the Senate.  Check out Allred’s campaign site: https://colinallred.com/about/

Ted Cruz abandoned his Texas constituents during the horrific winter storm in 2021 when people all over the state lost power, literally freezing to death in their homes.  (Image credits: REUTERS and Getty Images.)  Cruz flew off to Cancun, just because he could.  Icy blast of anti-Ted Cruz outrage shows little sign of abating 2/19/21 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/19/ted-cruz-texas-outrage-cancun

More recently, Cruz in May voted against a bipartisan border agreement that was negotiated by Republican Sen. James Lankford.  (The bill would have provided over $20 billion for border personnel and other measures to curb illegal immigration.)  Why did Cruz and his GOP cohorts vote against their own bill?  Because Trump told them to; Trump didn’t want border conditions to improve, because he planned to use the border as a cudgel in the upcoming election.  So, again, Cruz failed Texas.  Senate Republicans block border security bill as they campaign on border chaos 5/23/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-republicans-block-border-security-bill-campaign-border-chaos-rcna153607

Watch this ad for Allred’s border policies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0wOzvVwimo

As they say—you either hate Cruz, or you hate him.  Even in the collegial Senate, he has no friends or allies.  Fellow Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham famously said: “If you killed Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, and the trial was in the Senate, nobody would convict you.”  You either hate him or you hate him: Why Ted Cruz just can’t get it right 1/21/21 https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/ted-cruz-senator-paris-climate-b1790835.html

Importantly, Cruz isn’t working for Texans, just for himself.  In the past couple years, he has spent his time on podcasts, endlessly talking.  In contrast, the senior senator from Texas, Sen. John Cornyn is also a Republican, but he is a powerful force in government, holding the respect of colleagues; Cornyn could well be the next GOP leader in the Senate, when McConnell retires in January.  In contrast, Cruz is laughable, which makes him vulnerable at the polls.  Colin Allred has a good shot at beating him.

Cruz in January of 2021 voted NOT to certify the election results, even AFTER the Jan. 6 rioters ransacked the Capitol and sent him and all the other lawmakers running for their lives.  Ted Cruz and 16 other Texans refused to certify the 2020 election.  https://www.texastribune.org/2022/01/06/texas-congress-ted-cruz-2020-election-jan-6/

Cruz has attacked Social Security and Medicare for years now (advocating cutting benefits, raising the eligibility age and raising drug prices).  Watch this ad contrasting all that with Allred’s position: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQUbWf0fpIc

Cruz supports a full abortion ban.  Watch a powerful ad on the horrific results of the abortion ban in Texas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65jzQumeT-0

Watch Allred’s 2-minute speech at the Democratic National Conventionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV_H47SesK8

Here are recent interviews by Allred AND Cruz on their policy positions (about 20 minutes each): Cruz, Allred discuss Senate race in one-on-one interviews 8/30/24  https://www.kltv.com/2024/08/30/cruz-allred-discuss-senate-race-one-on-one-interviews/?outputType=amp

On Sept. 6, Liz Cheney, a Wyoming Republican and formerly a GOP leader in the US House, endorsed Democrat Colin Allred in his race to beat Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. “Here in Texas, you guys do have a tremendous, serious candidate running for U.S. Senate. It’s not Ted Cruz.” Liz Cheney will support Democrat Colin Allred in Texas Senate race 9/6/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/06/dick-cheney-kamala-harris-liz-cheney-colin-allred/

Harris leads Trump by 3 points, in composite polling on the national preference, as of Aug. 31, per NYTimes charting.

In 5 swing states, the race is tied or nearly so, per NYTimes charting.

Harris dared Trump: “Say it to my face.”  So, in early August Trump agreed to the previously arranged Sept. 10 debate.  Then, of course, Trump waffled, complaining about details and absurdities, trying to wriggle out of having to face Harris.  But, pending yet another panic attack on Trump’s part, the debate is ON.  It will be on ABC, withDavid Muir and Linsey Davis as moderators, and without a live audience. (Image credits: AP and Getty.)  No hot mic moments: What else to know about the Harris v. Trump debate 9/5/24  https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/05/trump-harris-debate-what-to-know-00177554

The VP nominees will debate on Oct. 1.  Their meeting will be hosted by CBS News in NYC, with moderators Margaret Brennan (Face the Nation) and Norah O’Donnell (CBS Evening News).  (Image credits: Getty Images.)  VP debate hosted by CBS News set for Oct. 1 between Vance and Walz 8/15/24 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vp-debate-tim-walz-jd-vance/

Liz Cheney, a Republican and former congresswoman who broke with former President Donald Trump, will vote for Kamala Harris in November. “I don’t believe we have the luxury of writing in candidates’ names, particularly in swing states.  As a conservative, as someone who believes in and cares about the Constitution, I have thought deeply about this and because of the danger that Donald Trump poses, not only am I not voting for Donald Trump, but I will be voting for Kamala Harris.”  https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/04/politics/liz-cheney-voting-kamala-harris/index.html

Also, Liz Cheney said Trump and Vance would show the American people who they are. “This is my diplomatic way of saying it: They’re misogynistic pigs.  At the end of the day, I think that women around this country, we’ve had enough.”  https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/06/dick-cheney-kamala-harris-liz-cheney-colin-allred/

Lifelong Republican Dick Cheney supports Kamala Harris. Cheney served as vice-president 2001-2009 under Republican President George W. Bush.  (As Nicolle Wallace said on her MSNBC show: “Hell has frozen over.”  In a good way, of course.)  Cheney: “In our nation’s 248-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump.  He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him. He can never be trusted with power again.  As citizens, we each have a duty to put country above partisanship to defend our Constitution. That is why I will be casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.”  https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/06/politics/dick-cheney-kamala-harris-president/index.html

A dozen lawyers who served in the Reagan and Bush administrations have endorsed Kamala Harris.  Hardcore Republicans, they have chosen the Dem candidate over Trump, via a letter to Fox News.  Their message: “We endorse Kamala Harris and support her election as President because we believe that returning former Pres. Trump to office would threaten American democracy and undermine the rule of law in our country.  We urge all patriotic Republicans, former Republicans, conservative and center-right citizens, and independent voters to place love of country above party and ideology and join us in supporting Kamala Harris.” A Dozen Ex-Bush & Reagan Lawyers Endorse Harris Over Trump 8/23/24 https://www.thedailybeast.com/a-dozen-ex-bush-and-reagan-lawyers-endorse-harris-over-trump

Two prominent “religious conservatives,” David French and Ross Douthat, recently debated the merits of voting for Harris, primarily as a means of moving the Republican party past Trump.  One is a definite YES, while the other remains reluctant.  Listen to the 55-minute conversation or read the transcript here: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/06/opinion/conservatives-election-vote-trump-harris.html

Tons of celebrities are joining up with Harris/Walz.

George Clooney, Barbra Streisand, John Legend, Spike Lee, Aaron Sorkin, Ken Burns, Mark Hamill, Rosie O’Donnell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Robert De Niro, Nick Offerman, Jane Fonda, Ben Stiller, Cynthia Nixon, Kathy Griffin, John Stamos, Ed Helms, Tiffany Haddish, Ike Barinholtz, Olivia Rodrigo, Beyonce, Cardi B, Kesha, Mark Cuban, Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn, Oprah Winfrey, Carole King, Mindy Kaling, Eva Longoria, Octavia Spencer, Sally Field, Megan Thee Stallion, Stevie Wonder, Jason Bateman, Jeff Bridges, JJ Abrams, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sigourney Weaver, plus MORE daily.  Kamala Harris Celebrity Endorsements: A Full List of Democratic Celebrities Supporting The VP 8/28/24 https://deadline.com/gallery/kamala-harris-celebrity-endorsements-sally-field-ben-stiller/

The Lincoln Project has several new and clever ads:

State Line was written with Texas in mind; here, the interstate system has already become a hot spot for “busting” women who are traveling to seek an abortion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FGIyxhGkvo

Acceptance showcases Kamala Harris and her DNC acceptance speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aafXr6TKGB8

Decline (AKA Limp) almost makes me feel sorry for Trump, but not quite….  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tXxlv4O_Qg

Last Week in the Republican Party has a fun wrap of the week.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9qOg4Y21Ig

The Harris campaign released 3 powerful abortion ads on Sept. 7:

He Told Us is ALL Trump footage and quotes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lKA_GeGwIo

Big Family is a family’s IVF story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYGc5HG-kHo

Laurel tells how a woman nearly died miscarrying: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7a11XkQhYM

More Harris campaign ads:

The Harris view of Project 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkuOOfpDyWg

Opportunity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtQ_A_U1Q2M

Full Househttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHgmtsNxT8c

Everyday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beopJlU6iLw

Foundation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJi3tiV5CyA

Knows: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ9a-x_gqQ0

Harris/Walz had their first press interview, Aug. 30 on CNN.  (Image credits: CNN, Facebook.) Harris was clear and in control, with no script or teleprompter.  She took charge, with Walz supportive and open but in the background.  When asked why some policies have shifted during decades of public service, her calm explanations made sense; scientific advances, factual differences, and priority reassessments over the course of many years happen in all our lives, and being open to change is a good thing.  Harris is a problem solver aiming for the middle ground and willing to work with both parties to get things done.  She laid out more specifics on her “Opportunity Economy” plan.  Crucially, she refused to sink to Trump’s level or even respond to his blatant race-baiting.  Her response: “Same old, tired playbook. Next question, please.” may have disappointed the network hoping for shocking headlines, but Americans looking for competent representation by someone interested in governance should be pleased.  6 takeaways from Harris’ interview on CNN 8/30/24 https://www.npr.org/2024/08/30/nx-s1-5095227/kamala-harris-interview-cnn-analysis

Someone had the bright idea to create a group trashing Tim Walz, calling it NeverWalz.  Only they weren’t bright enough to buy the domain name.  Someone else did.  Above is the message visitors to www.neverwalz.com  see briefly (before being sent to the Harris/Walz campaign site).

The images above show Walz with the family’s rescue pup, a black lab named Scout (on the left, image credit: MN.gov site) and Walz at a dog park with ANOTHER dog (on the right, image credit: Instagram).  GOP trolls desperate to sling mud on Tim Walz attacked the shot of Walz with a dog other than his own, alleging fraud of some sort. They totally missed the point of its caption about having fun at the DOG PARK, where, as real people know, OTHER DOGS tend to be present.  Republicans want voters to think Walz lied about his dog. False GOP claims could cause real damage 8/27/24 https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/republicans-voters-tim-walz-lied-dog-claims-cause-113196624

Walz hit the Trump nail on its wispy orange head, calling his campaign tirades a “Mad Max screenplay.”  That aptly sums up Trump’s completely fabricated tale about an apartment complex being taken over by a Venezuela street gang in a Denver suburb, as well as his 100% false statement that Democrats kidnap children from school and perform sex change operations on them.  It may be a nice change of pace from his Hannibal Lector and shark vs. electrification rants, but the new level of crazy shows Trump’s desperation and plummeting mental acuity.  Walz: Trump speeches are like next ‘Mad Max’ screenplay 9/5/24 https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4863195-tim-walz-donald-trump-speech-next-mad-max-screenplay/

“Look at me, I have no problem picking out doughnuts.”  Walz joked last week, as he and daughter Hope were on a campaign tour of rural Pennsylvania.  The duo managed to order doughnuts and interact with voters and campaign workers like actual human beings.  (Image credit: AP.)  Tim Walz aims donut jibe at JD Vance on visit to Pennsylvania farmers’ market 9/5/24 https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/walz-vance-donut-joke-pennsylvania-b2607266.html

The perfect shot of these clowns…. (Image credit: NY Times.)

Still old and addled.  Still lying.  Still a racist and a misogynist. (Image credits: Trump campaign email, Facebook.)

On Aug. 24 (desperate to grab back public attention after the DNC tour de force, I imagine) Trump posted on Truth Social: My Administration will be great for women and their reproductive rights.”   AND  “The Republican Party is charging forward on many fronts, and I am very proud that we are a LEADER on I.V.F.”  (Remember, Trump has repeatedly boasted about overturning Roe’s 50-yearprotection of women’s access to abortion and stated that women getting abortions should be punished.) Sorry, Donnie—your Project 2025 got a lot of press, so America knows those are both lies of the big and fat variety.  https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/24/trump-abortion-reactions-00176276

The Democratic National Committee was so taken with JFK, Jr. becoming the wonky 3rd wheel on the Trump and Vance ticket that it created billboards to celebrate the event.  The DNC launched the billboards ahead of Trump’s rally with fellow weirdo Robert F. Kennedy Jr., calling out these two and Vance for being simply “weird as hell” in their quest to strip away fundamental freedoms from Americans.  https://democrats.org/news/icymi-dnc-launches-new-billboards-ahead-of-trumps-weird-rally-with-robert-f-kennedy-jr/

The repellant Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was tragically running for president as an Independent, finally suspended his moribund campaign and endorsed Trump on Aug. 23.  (Trump paid him off with an honorary title, Co-Chief of Transition, and a vague promise of a real job starting in January.)  RFK Jr’s respected Kennedy siblings called it a sad ending to a sad story.  Mortified at the damage done to the Kennedy legend, they have complained for months that RFK, Jr.’s candidacy “set fire” to their beloved father’s memory. No surprise that this loser landed next to Trump; the guy whose fetid baggage includes toying with a dead bear cub, chowing down on BBQ’d dog, mounting a decaying whale head on his car, currently hosting very his own brain worm, all while bellowing an extreme anti-vax stance (“There’s NO VACCINE that is safe and effective.”)—sure, he’ll fit right in at Trump’s Florida retirement home. 

Republican Voters AGAINST Trump: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahBKWQssQ5o

The Apprentice is coming to a theater near you.  (Image credit: Mongrel Media/Everett Collection.)  The new bio-pic covering Trump’s NYC heyday debuted at Cannes earlier this year, starring Sebastian Stan as young Trump and Succession’s Jeremy Strong as his fixer, Roy Cohn.  Trump has fought its domestic release.  Seems it doesn’t show his good side, or something….  But, the film will debut in the US on Oct.1.  Check out the press release video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKaBx2M0748   Of course, Trump says he will sue to stop the film, which he terms “pure malicious defamation.”  Pass the popcorn….  Donald Trump biopic ‘The Apprentice’ sets pre-election release date 8/30/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/donald-trump-biopic-apprentice-release-date-set-ahead-2024-election-rcna168981

First, for clarity, here is Kamala Harris’ abortion position: restore Roe, abortion up to fetal viability (around 22 to 24 weeks).   Harris wants to restore Roe. 8/20/24 https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/20/harris-restore-roe-abortion-activists-00174816

TRUMP on ABORTION—a timeline of his very own words.

1999: Trump described himself (in a Meet the Press interview) as very pro-choice.”

2011: Trump (talking to a large conservative crowd) said he was now “pro-life.”

2016: Trump told Chris Matthews in a March 2016 MSNBC interview: “The answer is there has to be some form of punishment. … for the women.  You know, you’ll go back to a position like they had where people perhaps will go to illegal places, but you have to ban it.”

2016: Trump (in response to the negative reaction even from conservatives to the above comments): “My position has not changed – like Ronald Reagan, I am pro-life with exceptions.”

2016: Trump’s election rally pitch promised to appoint Supreme Court justices who were PRO-LIFE.

2017-2020: Appointed 3 SCOTUS justices who were indeed pro-life and ruled in 2022 (along with 3 existing far-right justices) that the right to abortion until fetal viability that women had held for 50 years under Roe v. Wade no longer existed.  Trump also signed executive orders blocking federal funding for abortions.

2022 (June, in a victory statement when Dobbs overturned Roe): “Today’s decision, which is the biggest WIN for LIFE in a generation, along with other decisions that have been announced recently, were only made possible because I delivered everything as promised, including nominating and getting three highly respected and strong Constitutionalists confirmed to the United States Supreme Court.”  Trump also told Fox News: “God made the decision.”

2023: Trump told the Faith & Freedom Coalition audience: “We have to be strong and powerful. That’s why when I’m re-elected, I will continue to fight against the demented late-term abortionists in the Democrat Party who believe in unlimited abortion on demand and even executing babies after birth.”  PLUS: “I am proud to be the most pro-life president in U.S. history.”

2024: Trump started obfuscating his abortion position, often deferring to the states, out of concern that Roe being overturned was driving voters away from the Republican party.

2024: As of Aug. 30, amid contradictions and flip-flopping, Trump indicated he would vote AGAINST the Florida initiative to codify the right to abortion (until 24 weeks) in the state constitution.  So, he would be voting FOR continuation of Florida’s law which now only allows abortion up to 6 weeks.

Donald Trump: ‘There Has To Be Some Form Of Punishment’ For Women Who Get Abortions If They Become Illegal 3/30/16  https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/donald-trump-abortions/

QUOTES: Comparing Trump’s Stance on Abortion Over Time 4/8/24 https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/quotes-comparing-trumps-stance-on-abortion-over-time

Trump Contorts Himself on Abortion in Search of Political Gain 8/31/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/31/us/politics/trump-abortion-stance.html

Democrats target Trump’s muddled abortion message 9/3/24 https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/03/trump-abortion-florida-democrats-harris-00177217

Who does a grinning thumbs up for the camera, while standing in front of a sea of military graves?  And FILMS IT AS A CAMPAIGN AD?  Old Bone Spurs, of course.  Leave it to Trump, well known for disrespecting American military service and sacrifice, to use America’s most sacred cemetery and the fallen heroes buried there as props for his re-election campaign. To make Trump’s actions even worse, Trump desecrated Section 60, the area in the cemetery reserved for the graves of those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan; the deaths recorded there are recent, and the grief still deep and raw. But, all military dead are just “losers and suckers” to Trump.

So, how was Trump allowed to use Arlington National Cemetery as a campaign prop?  Well, he was NOT allowed, but he did it anyway, in his usual boorish fashion.  Trump says he was invited by families to join them at a private ceremony honoring the third anniversary of the horrific suicide bombing at Abbey Gate in Afghanistan.  His attending and placing a wreath was, of course, perfectly lovely.  What was NOT lovely or allowed by law was Trump bringing cameras and video equipment to take photos and film a campaign ad, which he used online to attack Harris.  The Army went so far as issuing a statement condemning Trump’s actions.

Any current or former service member voting for Trump will have to do mental somersaults to justify this latest example of Old Bone Spurs’ perfidy.

US Army rebukes Trump campaign for incident at Arlington National Cemetery 8/29/24 https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/29/politics/us-army-rebukes-trump-campaign-arlington-incident/index.html

–Trump posts campaign video of Arlington National Cemetery visit after ‘incident’ 8/28/24 https://abcnews.go.com/Photos/arlington-national-cemetery-confirms-incident-trump-team-remembrance/story?id=113201141&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

–I’m a combat veteran. Here’s why Trump’s Arlington stunt was so insulting. 8/29/24 https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/trump-arlington-national-cemetery-grave-photo-rcna168767

After the DNC, Trump tried to grab headlines with a run to the border.  He stopped in Montezuma Pass, Arizona, and pointed to a lovely border wall, tall and strong—the Rolls Royce of border walls, he said, as he took credit for building it.  PROBLEM—that prime run of border wall was built during the Obama Administration.  Trump’s border wall effort was nearby, a planned extension costing $35MIL per mile, but it was little more than a pile of deteriorated construction material.  Back in 2016, Trump promised to build a “big beautiful wall” across the nearly 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border if elected.  DIDN’T HAPPEN.  Trump promised to make Mexico pay for it.  ALSO—DIDN’T HAPPEN.  Trump Picked Worst Possible Spot For New Border Wall Stunt 8/26/24 https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-border-wall-stunt_n_66cc0335e4b0f0ded8062bf3

Asked if he would “commit to prioritizing legislation to make child care affordable” and “what specific piece of legislation” he would support during a Q&A session at the Economic Club of New York on Sept. 5, Trump said:

“Well, I would do that, and we’re sitting down. You know, I was somebody — we had, Senator Marco Rubio, and my daughter Ivanka, was so impactful on that issue. It’s a very important issue.

“But I think when you talk about the kind of numbers that I’m talking about — that, because look, child care is child care, couldn’t — you know, there’s something — you have to have it in this country. You have to have it. But when you talk about those numbers, compared to the kind of numbers that I’m talking about by taxing foreign nations at levels that they’re not used to. But they’ll get used to it very quickly. And it’s not going to stop them from doing business with us. But they’ll have a very substantial tax when they send product into our country. Those numbers are so much bigger than any numbers that we’re talking about, including child care, that it’s going to take care. We’re going to have — I look forward to having no deficits within a fairly short period of time, coupled with the reductions that I told you about on waste and fraud and all of the other things that are going on in our country.

“Because I have to stay with child care. I want to stay with child care. But those numbers are small relative to the kind of economic numbers that I’m talking about, including growth, but growth also headed up by what the plan is that I just — that I just told you about. We’re going to be taking in trillions of dollars. And as much as child care is talked about as being expensive, it’s, relatively speaking, not very expensive compared to the kind of numbers will be taking in.

“We’re going to make this into an incredible country that can afford to take care of its people. And then we’ll worry about the rest of the world. Let’s help other people. But we’re going to take care of our country first. This is about America first. It’s about make America great again. We have to do it because right now, we’re a failing nation. So we’ll take care of it. Thank you. Very good question. Thank you.”

In contrast, here is the Harris campaign’s child care plan: “The American people deserve a President who will actually cut costs for them, like Vice President Harris’ plan to bring back a $3,600 Child Tax Credit for working families and an expanded $6,000 tax cut for families with newborn children.”

‘Incoherent word salad’: Trump stumbles when asked how he’d tackle child care 9/6/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-stumbles-whether-prioritize-child-care-costs-rcna169922

Trump announced Elon Musk would head a new commission to massively walk back government regulations.  (Image credit: NYTimes.)  Well, the good news about Musk being Project 2025 Czar is that he would have less time to muck up X, Tesla and SpaceX.  Trump announces plan for Elon Musk-led ‘government efficiency commission’ 9/5/24 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/sep/05/trump-musk-efficiency-commission

In a Fox News interview on Sept. 1, Trump said: Who ever heard you get indicted for interfering with a presidential election where you have every right to do it.”  He is like a toddler claiming the right to smack the dog, smash plates, and throw a tantrum over being told it is naptime.  Except, Trump is determined to break our democracy in order to re-assume power once and for all and (as a priceless perk) avoid all civil fines and penalties as well as prison time for all his felony prosecutions. https://x.com/Acyn/status/1830401090183102510?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

The last blog noted that one of the convicted criminals Trump released from jail as he left the White House in 2021 has been busy since committing more crimes.  Now, it has happened AGAIN.  Trump commuted Jaime A. Davidson’s sentence on his last day in office, Jan. 20, 2021.  Davidson was serving life in prison without parole, after being convicted of murdering an undercover federal agent during a robbery.  In March of 2023, just over two years after Trump released Davidson, he was charged in Orlando, FL, with battery by strangulation and domestic violence. The victim was Davidson’s wife of just 5 months.  Cop Killer Released by Trump Went on to Attack Wife 9/3/24 https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-commuted-sentences-domestic-violence-1948190

For the Trump collection completest: Buy 15 of his grossly overpriced trading cards and get a swatch from the suit he wore during the June debate.  Like a former US President hawking trading cards wasn’t embarrassing enough….  Trump fans who spend $1,485 on digital trading cards to get piece of his suit 8/28/24 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/27/trump-debate-suit-fundraising

–Trump used “My Hero” by the Foo Fighters to usher Kennedy onstage for the endorsement announcement at as August rally.  According to the band: “Foo Fighters were not asked permission and if they were, they would have not granted it.”  Plus–any royalties received as a result of the Trump campaign’s use of the song will be donated to the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz. Foo Fighters say they did not OK Trump using “My Hero” at Arizona rally, will donate royalties to Harris-Walz campaign 8/24/24 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/foo-fighters-my-hero-trump-campaign/

Trump campaign pulls ‘Freedom’ video after Beyoncé sends cease and desist 8/27/24 https://www.voicenews.com/2024/08/23/trumps-removes-freedom-video-beyonce-cease-and-desist/amp/

Trump ordered by judge to stop playing Isaac Hayes song at campaign rallies 9/3/24 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/sep/03/trump-isaac-hayes

Abba Asked Trump to Stop Using Its Music. Other Artists Have, Too. 8/30/24 https://www.nytimes.com/article/trump-music-bruce-springsteen-rihanna.html

Trump wants “beautiful” tariffs of up to 20 percent on all imported goods, if he gets a second term. That includes the 8 million barrels of crude oil the US imports, and it would decimate a treaty with Canada, our top supplier of imported oil.  The overall result could double the cost of gas at the pumps.  Experts predict similar price spikes for groceries, home goods, clothing and more, crippling consumers trying to provide for families.  ‘Political poison’: How Trump’s tariffs could raise gasoline prices 8/30/24 https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/29/trumps-tariffs-gasoline-prices-00176421

So much one could say about the above statement (made at a press conference on Sept. 6, where he took ZERO questions, just rambled for an hour about all the women he claims he did not attack), Trump’s stated reason that he could NOT have sexually assaulted a woman because she was not hot enough to deserve it.  I think I’ll go with: Better plain than Trumped. Also: Any woman voting for this piece of filth must have zero respect for her own worth as well as that of her daughters, sisters and the human race in general.  Watch a 1-minute video clip of his statement, then go do something—ANYTHING—to help Kamala Harris win this election: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=255HTo-tvXo

It is worth checking Politifact, which does amazing work fact-checking just about everyone.  (Image credit: AP.)  Trump of course, keeps these good folks VERY busy.  Go here to see the lies he spouts at rallies, interviews, in his sleep….  https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/list/?speaker=donald-trump

I certainly don’t have the time to chronicle Trump’s lies, delusions and baseless inflammatory claims, but here are a few of his most bizarre utterances that caught my attention.

–Trump told a Moms for Liberty convention on Aug. 30: “The transgender thing is incredible. Think of it. Your kid goes to school and comes home a few days later with an operation. The school decides what’s going to happen with your child.”

RATED: Pants on Fire  https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/list/?speaker=donald-trump

Fact check: Trump falsely claims schools are secretly sending children for gender-affirming surgeries 9/4/24 https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/04/politics/donald-trump-fact-check-children-gender-affirming-surgery/index.html

–At September rallies Trump spews versions of an elaborate story about a Venezuelan gang taking over a residential building in Colorado.  Nope, not even close.  Trump Says Gangs Overran an Apartment Complex. Here’s the Truth.  Surprise, surprise: Donald Trump is spreading more xenophobic falsehoods.9/4/24 https://newrepublic.com/post/185593/donald-trump-gangs-apartment-complex-truth

–Babbling with Elon Musk on X in August, Trump said: “I think we have the worst inflation we’ve had in 100 years… bacon costing four or five times more than it did a few years ago.”  (Wonder if Trump has EVER walked the grocery store aisles and purchased bacon….) VERDICT: This is false. Inflation peaked at 9.1% under President Biden – the highest in 41 years, not 100. (In 2024, inflation is falling.)  The price of bacon is up 17% since Trump left office, not four or five times. Trump’s chat with Musk on X fact-checked 8/13/24 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0jpn2q76n1o

–Trump says that Harris will change the name of Pennsylvania if she wins the election.  Trump has been spewing versions of that one since 2023.  It is all in his deranged mind.  ‘They’re going to change the name of Pennsylvania’: Examining Trump’s claim 2/16/24 https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2024/02/theyre-going-to-change-the-name-of-pennsylvania-examining-trumps-claim.html

–At an Aug. 17 rally in PA, Trump stated: “I’m a better-looking person than Kamala.” Well, judge that one yourself. (Image credits: NY Times.)

https://www.threads.net/@dollemore/post/C_VsRrwRegw

Vance opposes gun safety measures, so he dismissed the Georgia school shooting last week as “a fact of life.” He suggested massive security at schools to keep out the bad guys.  (But, in Georgia, the killer was a 14-year-old student.)  Trump said of a recent mass shooting in Iowa: “We have to get over it – we have to move forward.”  Contrast that with Kamala Harris’ response last week: “It doesn’t have to be this way.  We can take action to protect our children – and we will.” Backlash for JD Vance after calling school shooting a ‘fact of life’ 9/5/24 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/sep/06/georgia-school-shooting-trump-vance-harris

Sen. Elizabeth Warren has an important reminder, that women cannot trust Trump/Vance when it comes to our bodies and a national abortion ban.  As she said on Meet the Press Aug, 25: “American women are not stupid.  JD Vance actually sent a letter last year to the Department of Justice saying, ‘enforce the Comstock Act.  And remember, he did that, and then Donald Trump picked him to be his vice president.”  (The Comstock is an anti-vice law from 1873 that bans the mailing of “obscene” materials; anti-abortion advocates are trying to resurrect it to prohibit transporting abortion-inducing medication and surgical equipment.)  In 2023, Vance joined 40 congressional Republicans in a letter urging the U.S. Justice Department to enforce the Comstock Act and stop the mailing of abortion pills, used in a majority of US abortions. PolitiFact’s ruling: Warren’s statement is accurate. We rate it True.  JD Vance joined GOP letter urging DOJ to enforce Comstock Act to ban mailing abortion pills 8/31/24  https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/politifact/2024/08/31/jd-vance-asked-doj-to-enforce-comstock-act-ban-mailing-abortion-pills/75017681007/

Vance’s first bright idea: “Maybe Grandma and Grandpa wants to help out a little bit more.”  Because no one ever considered that….  Vance had his brainstorm on Sept. 4 at a Turning Point conference.  For people lacking free childcare in the family, Vance had a second suggestion: Get rid of educational requirements and certifications so that anyone can be a child care worker AND it will be dirt cheap.  Because training in teaching methods, hygiene, emergency techniques like CPR, etc. is not really needed, I guess.  As far as his Senate record on child care, Vance has done nothing to help, and he failed to show up for a recent vote on expanding the child tax credit (the measure failed due to Republican opposition–or indifference, in Vance’s case.)  JD Vance Says the Solution to the Childcare Crisis Is to Have Grandparents Do It for Free 9/5/24 https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/jd-vance-solution-childcare-crisis-is-to-have-grandparents-do-it-for-free

At Turning Point’s Sept. 4 conference, Vance stated: “He signed legislation, he supported legislation, that would take children away from their parents if their parents don’t want to do sex changes. He wants the government to steal your children from you if you don’t agree with Tim Walz’s values. That is not small government. That is disgusting, and he should be ashamed of himself.”

Fact Check: This is false. Since Minnesota Gov. Walz was picked as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate, conservatives have claimed that MN law allows state authorities to intervene when parents prevent children from getting gender-affirming care.  PolitiFact concluded that the law “does not authorize the government to take custody of children whose parents don’t consent to them getting gender-affirming care.”  Fact-checking JD Vance’s Attacks on Tim Walz Over a Transgender Sanctuary Law in Minnesota9/5/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/05/us/politics/jd-vance-tim-walz-transgender-care.html

JD Vance attempted to order a dozen donuts and impersonate a real human being interacting with people who work for a living.  Epic fail….  Seth Meyers nailed it: “This dude orders donuts like his kidnapper is watching him from the car.” Watch here:  Video: JD Vance struggles with small talk in awkward donut shop visit 8/23/24 https://www.salon.com/2024/08/23/video-jd-vance-struggles-with-small-talk-in-awkward-donut-shop-visit/

In 2021, Vance spoke at a Center for Christian Virtue forum and went off on teachers—childless ones, of course.  He rolled in an attack on unions by singling out Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers. Vande said: “So many of the leaders of the left, and I hate to be so personal about this, but they’re people without kids trying to brainwash the minds of our children, that really disorients me and disturbs me.  Randi Weingarten, who’s the head of the most powerful teachers’ union in the country, she doesn’t have a single child. If she wants to brainwash and destroy the minds of children, she should have some of her own and leave ours the hell alone.”  Here is the clip: https://x.com/KamalaHQ/status/1828524227508453492

Weingarten responded on Aug. 28 to Vance’s resurfaced comments: “So sad and insulting to millions of modern families, and school teachers including Catholic nuns, none of whom should be targeted for their family decisions.”  (Nice catch on the nun thing; seems like a Christian group would have thought of that back in 2021….)  JD Vance attacks childless teachers in newly resurfaced remarks 8/28/24 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/28/jd-vance-attack-childless-teachers

On a 2021 podcast, Vance stated: “I really think that a core part of what’s wrong with journalism in America is that you have a group of people who are dealing with their own, like, psychotic breaks. They’re — I mean, if you think of the craziest journalists in American life, they’re all in their late thirties or early forties. They have all reached this point where I think they recognize that their lives are miserable and unhappy, but they all feel like they’ve reached the point of no return.”  At this point, I’m wondering if Vance has a chart someplace, with his ranking of people by profession, gender, number and type of offspring, pet preferences, etc. so he can keep straight exactly who is more miserable, crazier, and less deserving of their Constitutionally mandated right to vote, than all the rest of us. On podcast for Project 2025 partner, JD Vance attacked journalists for being “miserable and unhappy” because their biological clocks have run out 7/26/24  https://www.mediamatters.org/jd-vance/podcast-project-2025-partner-jd-vance-attacked-journalists-being-miserable-and-unhappy

Boston firefighters booed Vance when he spoke at their conference on Aug. 29, especially when he showed up and later when he said: “Trump and I are proud to be the most pro-worker Republican ticket in history.”  Earlier, Tim Walz got a gracious reception with the same crowd.  J.D. Vance Booed by Entire Crowd During Dumpster-Fire Speech 8/29/24 https://newrepublic.com/post/185447/jd-vance-booed-speech-firefighters

In a 2023 podcast, Vance went after “kittenless cats” declaring this: ”Increasingly, female cats in the US are selfishly choosing careers over kittens.  Soon, we will be a country overrun by mice.” OK, this was a Borowitz Report, and I couldn’t resist adding a little humor to the long-time pattern of ignorance, bad judgment and cruel disposition displayed by the GOP’s VP candidate.  https://www.borowitzreport.com/p/vance-attacks-cats-who-do-not-have

Vance posted online what he called a joke, belittling VP Kamala Harris shortly before her recent CNN interview.  To do so, Vance used a video of Caitlin Upton, a Teen USA contestant back in 2007 who was widely mocked for her stutter and halting response to a televised contest question.  Currently, Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr. quickly reposted Vance’s post, writing: “This is total Fake News from JD. We all know that Kamala isn’t that articulate.”  Even after Vance was informed by a CNN reporter that Ms. Upton came close to suicide in the aftermath to the bullying she suffered in 2007, he refused to apologize.  Vance dismissed the video he posted of Upton as little more than “a 20-year-old meme” and suggested Upton “laugh it off.”  Ex-beauty contestant condemns JD Vance for use of embarrassing video 8/31/24 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/31/jd-vance-miss-teen-usa

In July, JD Vance was in a hotel room with his 7-year-old son when Trump called to offer him the VP spot. As he picked up the phone, Vance told the boy: “SHUT THE HELL UP.”  And, Vance doesn’t deny it; he seems to think it was a nice family interaction, something his little boy will remember fondly as his part in Daddy’s big day.  If so, the Vance family dynamic must be scary as hell….  JD Vance Told His Son to ‘Shut The Hell Up’ About Pokemon While Talking to Trump 8/13/24 https://www.thedailybeast.com/jd-vance-told-his-son-to-shut-the-hell-up-about-pokemon-while-talking-to-trump

Harris/Trump DEBATE analysis.

Fresh polling.

US House District 10—INCUMBENT REP Michael McCaul vs. DEM Theresa Boisseau.

Texas State Senate District 25— INCUMBENT REP Donna Campbell vs. DEM Merrie Fox.

Aug. 31, 2024 Lakeway activities and events heading for fall plus Council meetings on the budget and tax rate, as well as space news and images, women’s rights update, new deer photos, Covid updates, and more.

12:31 is a LOCAL, registered, 501(c)(3),with over 7,000 members serving students and families within LTISD. (Tax ID number–EIN: 88-2279325.) Along with their usual causes, right now the group is helping a mom with a newborn plus 2 little girls; the family just left an abusive home situation. Email  mike.dahlhauser@twelvethirtyone.org  or go here to join the Facebook group and see what you can do for our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/twelve31

Consequential Agenda items include:  

ITEM 4 (part of the Consent Agenda): This is approval of the lower of 2 bids received for traffic signal installation at the intersection of Wild Cherry and Flint Rock Rd. As the staff report notes, this work was estimated to cost $391K, to be paid out of the recent Transportation Bond.  However, the low bid now up for approval came in at a whopping $626K.  “The higher cost was due to the Non-Typical intersection for a traffic signal and the terrain surrounding the project.”

ITEM 5: Presentation of the 2024 Art Contest Awards.

ITEM 6: 2024 Proposed tax Rate.

NOTE: At the Aug. 19 meeting, Council passed a maximum tax rate of 0.1625 per $100 property valuation.  This rate is well over the current rate of 0.1440, costing the average Lakeway homeowner an extra $221.  Also, it is the highest tax rate allowed by state law WITHOUT getting voter approval of the increase. Council may stay with 0.1625 or reduce it, before adopting the final rate on Sept. 16.

ITEM 7: Fiscal Year 2025 Budget.

NOTE: At the Aug. 19 meeting, Council was looking at a $20,695,746 budget, a 3.8% increase from the current year.  That may go down, before being finalized on Sept. 16.  Expenses under discussion are likely to include merit raises and COLA for staff, as well as proposed spending by Parks, Finance, Administration, Police, and Communications departments.  The worksheet image above was in the staff report.

ITEM 9: Executive Session on Legal Intervention as to West Austin Business Park. 

MY TAKE on the budget and tax rate process to date is BELOW, in the recap of Council’s Aug. 19 meeting.

View the Agenda, Meeting Packet, and/or Presentation (scrolling down to City Council documents) here:  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx    Go here to watch the Council meeting online (live or later):  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

Celebrate the start of the NCAA season on Saturday, Sept. 7, 11AM (note the time change), at Lakeway Swim Center.  Watch the Texas Longhorns play in Michigan against the Wolverines, streamed live on a massive LED screen.  FREE event!  Enjoy food and activities for all ages, including yard games, inflatables, face painters, and more.  Info here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2077/College-Gameday

On Sunday, Sept. 8, 3-5PM, at the Sonesta ballroom in The Galleria, join BeeWomen at their Style Show to support abused women in the Lakeway/Bee Cave area. BeeWomen members and local models will be walking the runway, showcasing Dillard’s latest trends in fashion and style.  The event supports victims of abuse and difficult life circumstances through the Lakeway PD Victim Services Unit. Enjoy food, beverages, and opportunities to win fabulous prizes.  Info and tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beewomen-style-show-tickets-986894567217  

To learn more about the Lakeway PD Victim Services unit, visit their website: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1815/Victim-Services-Unit

Attend the second public meeting on the new Comprehensive Plan, on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 5:30PM, at Lakeway City Hall.  Get an update on developments and provide your input.  Go here for more info including a link to see the project’s timeline, goals, status and more: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1547/Comprehensive-Plan

The next community garage sale is Saturday, Sept. 14 from 8AM to noon.  Admission is FREE, but in the LAC lobby you can drop off non-perishable or canned food items, to be donated to local food banks and charities.  You can also donate new or gently used children’s books, for the Free Little Books bin at the entrance. Want to sell stuff?  LAC members-$30 per booth; Non-Members-$35 per booth.  Call 512-261-1010 to reserve a booth, or go here and click on Garage Sale tab: https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog

On Saturday, Sept. 14, 10AM-noon, head over to Lakeway City Park to play Spikeball—the new sport taking over the country.  Fun for the whole family, spikeball is a high-energy game requiring very little equipment; a net, a ball, and four players is all you need.  FREE event!  Plus–prizes, giveaways, free sports drinks and waters, as well as FREE LUNCH at noon for the first 25 people. Spikeball is easy to learn.  Go here for the rules and more info, and to sign up: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2076/Lakeway-Spikeball-Day

On Sunday, Sept. 15, 4-5:30PM, enjoy Debussy String Quartet/Schubert Cello Quintet at the Lakeway Activity Center.  FREE event!  Info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1862/Sunday-Afternoon-Concert-Series

Lake Travis Senior Services is sponsoring a FREE shred opportunity, on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 9-11 AM.  Just drop off your papers at Lakeway Commons (corner of Lakeway Blvd. and 620), in the parking lot of Lakeway Aquatic PT. Info here: https://www.ltseniorservices.org/event-details/shred-day-5

–MONTHLY MEETING: Tuesday, Sept. 17, 6:30PM at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek), with a presentation by Joshua Blank, Research Director of the Texas Politics Project and polling expert.

–BOOK CLUB: Tuesday, Sept. 24, 6:30PM at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing Rd.).  The book is The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak.

Want a DEM campaign sign for your yard?  Go here and follow the prompts to request signs (while supplies last): https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/

–We have a hugely important election in November.  LT Dems are working with Western Travis Democrats (a group of local Dem Precinct Chairs) to organize activities including mailings, block walks/lit drops, phone banks, texting, campaign signs, and more for this fall.  Go here (at the link, scroll down to GOTV and click on More Info) to sign up and help GET OUT THE VOTE this fall:  https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/copy-of-club-activities

–These activities take money.  Printing, postage, signs—it adds up.  Donations are needed.  ACT BLUE makes donating easy and securehttps://secure.actblue.com/donate/western-travis-democrats-1

–Check https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/ for club activities each month.

The next blood drive at LAC is on Saturday, Sept. 21, 8AM-noon.  This recurring event is well organized, clean and friendly.  You will be done and out the door in 30 minutes. It is an important cause and helps countless people. Plus—FREE JUICE AND COOKIES! While walk-ins are welcome, those with appointments have priority. You can see upcoming dates and make an appointment to donate by entering your zip code here:  https://weareblood.org/donor/schedule/

Bring family and friends to the Lakeway Swim Center Field (3103 Serene Hills Drive) on Saturday, Sept. 21, 10AM, for City of Lakeway’s 2024 Cornhole Tournament.  FREE event!  Enjoy a fun-filled day of tossing bags, with college football on the Jumbo Screen, delicious food from local vendors, and exciting activities for all ages. Info here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2015/Cornhole-Tournament

Join Lake Travis Senior Services at its annual Aging Well Expo on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 10AM-1:30PM, at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek).  Attendees will learn about services and products promoting health and happiness during the aging process.  Enjoy a breakfast snack, lunch and presentations by outstanding speakers, plus door prizes, flu/Covid shots, goody bags, and more.  https://www.ltseniorservices.org/aging-well-expo

On Saturday, Sept. 28, noon-4PM, enjoy an afternoon of samplings, tastings and market opportunities from local chefs, artisans, wineries and distilleries.  Location is Meadow at Safe Harbor Emerald Point Marina, 5973 Hiline Rd. Tickets at $75-adult, $20-under age 21, $125-VIP.  EARLY BIRD discounts until Sept. 2!  All ages welcomed.  Go here for info and tickets: https://tastelaketravis.info/

RESULTS: Five Members attended, with Szimanski and O’Brien absent.

ITEM 10:  Citizen’s Participation for items not on the agenda. I person spoke.

ITEM 11: Financial Report.

–Ten months into the fiscal year, Revenue is $450,000 under projections, due to less fees and permits than projected.  Expenditures are $1.68MIL under projections, due to staff vacancies.  So, the net variance is $1.2MIL to the good. 

ITEM 12: Discussion and direction to staff re: Lakeway pools built 2017-2023 and damaged by ASR.

–After discussion, a motion was made to reduce BDS fees when owners rebuild affected pools using the previous plans (or simply demolish the pool) by re-opening their permit, avoiding the $1,000 fee for a new permit; a mix receipt will be added to the permit, but area pool builders will not be listed on the city website. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.  (Cost to city estimated at $100,000.)

ITEM 13: Request by Special Olympics Texas for $300,000 from the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund.  UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

ITEMS 14 and 15: Request to amend the Future Land Use Map as to 5.36 acres at 300 Birrell Street (behind HEB) from commercial to residential.  PLUS: Request to change the zoning of the same tract from C-1 (office/retail) to Planned Unit Development (PUD) with 42 patio homes. 

–Item 14 PASSED 4/1 (Sherman).  Item 15 PASSED 3/2 (Sherman and Brynteson).

ITEM 16: First reading of proposed change of the ordinance as to solicitors, the primary changes being deleting the current No Visit list and requiring homeowners to post a No Solicitation sign.

—After discussion, staff was instructed to clean up language, proceeding with suggestions to discontinue the city’s No Visit List and instead require residents to post their own NO SOLICITING signs if desired.  The City Attorney will review state law restrictions on the fee charged for soliciting permits, now $200 for 90 days.  (REALLY?  The city makes money off of strangers ringing residents’ doorbells, and we all have to purchase and install NO SOLICITING signs to try to stop them???)

ITEM 17:  Discussion as to Baby Box Interlocal Agreement, requiring $800 annually from City of Lakeway to fund continued operation and maintenance of the Safe Haven Baby Box at the Pedernales Fire Station, which provides a safe, legal, and anonymous option for parents in crisis who need to surrender their newborns.  Deferred to the September regular meeting.

ITEM 19:  FY 2025 Budget Workshop, with proposal of a 2024 tax rate.

Discussion included: increasing the over-65 property tax exemption above the current $25K (covering about 3K Lakeway homes, but it sparked no interest on the dais); personnel costs account for $15MIL/74% of the budget; COLA and/or merit staff raises in the 5% range; and the importance of maintaining a 30% reserve.  After discussion  Council PASSED 4/1 (Brynteson) a maximum tax rate of 0.1625 per $100 property valuation.  (This rate is well over the current rate of 0.1440, costing the average Lakeway homeowner an extra $221.  Also, it is the highest tax rate allowed by state law WITHOUT getting voter approval of the increase.) That rate can be reduced but not increased at subsequent meetings on Sept. 3 and Sept. 16 when the rate will be finalized, with the next Budget (currently $20,695,746, a 3.8% increase from the current year) also finalized and approved at those meetings.  The city has posted tax rate and budget info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1949 

Here are some screenshots from the meeting:

MY TAKE: I urge everyone to click the link below and watch the Budget discussion for themselves.  And remember—Council may decide in September to reduce the 0.1625 rate significantly.  But, at this meeting I heard a lot of concern for city employees and desire to reward them with COLA and merit raises.  Salaries aside, there was little to no mention of cutting this, paring back that, or delaying whatever.  I heard very little concern about increasing the residents’ tax burden.  This is despite knowing that Travis County has raised valuations again this year, increasing our taxes regardless of rates.

Going for the highest tax rate that is possible without getting voter approval strikes me as insulting to residents.  If Council truly thinks expenses justify a big rate hike, they should explain why and let us vote on it as state law provides.  But no, instead of going with 0.1626 or 0.1700 or whatever, they shaved the rate to 0.1625 to squeeze under the voter approval line.  Just because they can.

Hard to say which is worse—1) Council Members who claim they want a lower tax rate but refuse to say which expenses they would cut to balance the budget; or 2) Council Members who refuse to discuss budget cuts and blithely assume Lakeway’s residents will pay up no questions asked.

I have to wonder how much of the present budget shortfall was caused by the repeated delays in completing Main Street and building all the homes and businesses promised by the several developers of what is collectively known as City Center.  In 2021, the roads were contracted for completion by 2023; now, after 2 extensions, the deadline is mid-2025.  We’ll see….  But, the result is 2 years delay, at least, of building permit fees (as documented in the Revenue shortfall in the Financial Report above).  Even worse, the increased property and sales tax revenue flowing in from City Center is also delayed by years.  And, here we are with budget problems.

Finally, when real people have budget problems, we work extra hours, switch to generic brands at the store, skip that pricey vacation, and take the kids clothes shopping at the Thrift Store.  But, when city officials have budget problems, do they raise our property taxes as high as the law allows and poof—there’s plenty of money to go around to pay for their priorities?  I hope not, but that’s how it looked on Aug. 19.  We’ll see the final result soon enough.

Addendum Item A.1: Executive Session on West Austin Business Park.

–After discussion behind closed doors, a motion was made to direct staff to intervene in the litigation Bee Cave has brought on this project. Abbreviated public comments from 34 people supported this action.  UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

ITEM 21: Executive Session on Hillsong PUD.

–After discussion behind closed doors, a motion was made to direct the City Attorney to respond to the demand letter as discussed during executive session. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

ADJOURNED (time of adjournment was not stated).

View the Agenda, Meeting Packet, and/or Presentation (scrolling down to City Council documents) here:  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx  Go here to watch the Council meeting online:  https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/312779

Police teams and city leaders will visit area gatherings in Lakeway during National Night Out, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. Go here for info and to request a visit to your group/area: https://lakeway-tx.gov/344/National-Night-Out

The Lakeway Players present the award-winning comedy, The Kitchen Witches, Oct. 3-5, at Lakeway Activity Center.  Doors open at 6:30PM; show starts at 7:30PM.  Tickets are $34.  Bring your own food and alcoholic beverages.  Go here for info and to buy tickets: https://www.thelakewayplayers.com/

These tours always fill up FAST!  Registration is OPEN for Lakeway historical bus tours, happening on Friday, Oct. 25, at 9:15AM, 11:15AM, and 1:15PM.  FREE tours start at Lakeway City Hall, so you can also take a look inside the historic Liebelt Cabin.  Go here for info and to register: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1171/Heritage-Trail

Fiji, in the South Pacific, saw the full moon and Earth’s shadow set together on Aug, 20, generating a lovely pinkish glow.  (Image credit: Jin Wang.)  https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240824.html

Nasa finally bows to the inevitable and makes the cautious and correct decision: Boeing Starliner’s 2 astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been living up on the ISS since June 5, will remain there until well into 2025.  (Image credit: NASA.)  The troubled Starliner capsule, whose technical problems still have not been fully identified, will be sent back to Earth crewless in September.  (NASA plans to undock the craft from ISS on Sept. 6, with personnel on Earth guiding its landing 6 hours later at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico.)  That will make room for a SpaceX Dragon capsule to dock, crewed by just 2 astronauts; when their mission ends in Feb. of 2025, Dragon will have seats available for the Starliner crew to hitch a ride home.  That all sounds good, but the backstory is a fiasco for Boeing, whose debut crewed Starliner flight was delayed several times and then marred with a maiden voyage so dangerous the craft will go home not just way late but empty.  NASA also has to face the fact that Boeing—one of its partners in the crucial Artemis moon shot–has major engineering deficits.  Starliner’s failure could well delay or change the Artemis program in a major way.  Boeing Starliner astronauts will return home on a SpaceX Dragon in 2025, NASA confirms 8/24/24 https://www.space.com/nasa-boeing-starliner-astronauts-will-return-on-spacex-dragon-2025

SpaceX is installing a SECOND launch pad at Starbase, its Boca Chico facility in South Texas, to allow even more frequent experimental launches of its mega craft, known as Starship, via the largest rocket ever built.  (Image credit: SpaceX.)  This will let Musk pollute and destroy the surrounding Texas wetlands and wildlife habitats TWICE as fast. SpaceX stacks 2nd Starship launch tower in Texas 8/22/24 https://www.space.com/spacex-starbase-starship-second-launch-tower-photos

Another failure for SpaceX’s Falcon 9.  On Aug. 28, the craft successfully launched 21 more Starlink satellites but then botched the landing, toppling over after a rough strike onto a droneship, in a bed of flames. (Image credit: SpaceX.) The FAA immediately opened (another) investigation, and Falcon 9 is grounded until the agency is satisfied as to what happened and that it will not happen again.  In a July mission, Falcon 9 also suffered an anomaly; that time, it lost 23 Starlink satellites.  The FAA is investigating SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket landing failure, launch delays possible 8/28/24 https://www.space.com/faa-investigation-spacex-rocket-landing-failure

Watch a stunning 1-minute video showing a series of clips capturing highlights of the 2023 Perseid Meteor Shower as seen in Inner Mongolia, China.  (Image credit: Jeff Dai.)  https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240826.html


 The Lincoln Project’s political ads are not subtle, but they do drive home the point.  Their newest ad is called STATE LINE, and here is how they introduce it:

The writing’s on the wall. Trump and Vance are already backing states that want to surveil pregnant women. MAGA has already blocked a bill that would protect women who travel to get an abortion. The Texas interstate system has already become a hot spot for “busting” women who are traveling to seek an abortion. Does any of that sound like small government? Of course not. It sounds like Trump’s version of Big Brother. This is what’s on the line in November. If this election goes the wrong way, Americans will suffer the consequences.

As the above indicates, this 1-minute ad was written with Texas in mind:

Vote BLUE, to protect women’s health and freedom over their own bodies, keep Mifepristone available, protect our rights to contraception and to fertility options like IVF, and block the far right from coming after other personal freedoms like who we marry, when we divorce, and how we raise our kids.  

Abortion is Healthcare. Banning abortion over the last 2 years has resulted in bad healthcare or no care at all, in waves across America, and it is getting worse.  We know that women living in red states who have problem pregnancies are dying or losing fertility.  But a wider issue is that doctors afraid of running afoul of the law are moving to blue states, leaving behind “medical deserts” where no one has any type of medical care. Widening the lens even more shows that losing bodily autonomy has endless consequences; already, women and girls are monitored and surveilled, and their travel is tracked.  Ali Velshi’s 12-minute video (a segment from his MSNBC show) is excellent, explaining the MANY awful consequences of Dobbs striking down Roe v. Wade’s protections.  The ‘Jane Crow’ era: why the ‘abandonment of morality’ by SCOTUS is ‘a matter of democracy’ 8/24/24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVkvS_b7fNU

On Aug. 20, Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen certified a crucial ballot measure protecting the right to abortion.  This means Montana voters will be able to amend the state’s constitution to “expressly provide a right to make and carry out decisions about one’s own pregnancy, including the right to abortion,” and bar the government from denying abortion access before fetal viability and when abortion is “medically indicated” to protect a pregnant patient’s health.  Montana is one of nine states with measures expanding or protecting abortion and reproductive rights on the ballot this fall, as seen in the above image (credit: NBC News).  Montana certifies abortion rights amendment for the November ballot 8/20/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/montana-certifies-abortion-rights-amendment-november-ballot-rcna167485

In Arkansas, the state Supreme Court recently sided with the secretary of state, rejecting a citizen group’s petition for failing to submit some of the necessary paperwork to get an abortion measure on the November ballot. Arkansas Supreme Court Denies Bid 8/22/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/22/us/politics/arkansas-abortion-amendment.html

In Montana, the highest court in the state struck down a law requiring minors to get parental support for abortion, ruling in favor of Planned Parenthood and the state constitution’s guarantee of reproductive freedom.  The unanimous opinion stated that a minor’s right over reproduction is fundamental and the state showed no justification for requiring parental consent.  Look for an appeal to the US Supreme Court in its 2025 term. Montana’s top court strikes down parental consent law for minors seeking abortion 8/15/24 https://www.reuters.com/legal/montanas-top-court-strikes-down-parental-consent-law-minors-seeking-abortion-2024-08-14/

Congrats to Peanut, the baby of my cat family at 11 years old!  Our vet recently heard a heart murmur, so Peanut had to go see a cardiac specialist and get an echocardiogram (an ultrasound checking the structure and functioning of the heart).  Happily, the results were all good, and the murmur is very mild and should not cause any problems.

Don’t even THINK about leaving a pet OR a child in a vehicle.

Lakeway’s fawns are suddenly long-legged with rapidly fading spots.  Also—very independent, with groups of 2 or 3 youngsters running around on their own these days.  Here are some of my fawn photos, taken in Old Lakeway during the last couple weeks.  The LAST one is kinda cool; one fawn stood stock-still, while another fawn suddenly raced through the frame.

Covid is still active, but indicators show the summer surge may be plateauing.  Of course, the Labor Day holiday’s traveling and gathering could well change that for the worse.  In group situations and especially when traveling, consider WEARING A MASK. 

As of Aug. 24, the CDC’s Data Tracker shows testing and ER visits declining, while hospitalizations and deaths are still rising. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

As of Aug. 24, wastewater viral testing still shows VERY HIGH levels, but at least the straight line rise seems to have ended.  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/index.html

This fall’s edition of the Covid-19 vaccine is rolling out now and should be in local pharmacies in September.  This new vaccine was formulated to work against recent variants, so everyone is urged to get vaccinated.  Check with your doctor or pharmacist for the best timing, if you recently had Covid or recently got vaccinated.

Recent articles:

An Obesity Drug Prevents Covid Deaths, Study Suggests 8/30/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/30/health/wegovy-covid-deaths.html

What to know about new Covid-19 vaccines 8/29/24 https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/29/what-to-know-about-new-covid-19-vaccines-00176624

On the Covid ‘Off-Ramp’: No Tests, Isolation or Masks 8/27/24  https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/27/health/covid-19-tests-vaccines-masks.html

New Covid Vaccines Are Coming. Here’s What to Know. 8/24/24  https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/22/well/covid-vaccines-boosters.html

New Covid Shots Were Approved. But Who Will Get Them? 8/22/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/22/health/covid-booster-vaccines.html

Aug. 24, 2024 This ALL-POLITICS blog covers the November 2024 Election.  It includes election BASICS (how to check your registration, see a sample ballot, etc.), links to fun and important ways YOU can get involved, DNC highlights, NEW polling, DEBATE info, Harris vs. Trump POLICY issues, FACT-CHECKING the candidates, CRAZY stuff that just pops up, priceless IMAGES, Part 2 of my take on PROJECT 2025 (with a list of bizarre things it would do), and lots more. 

WELCOME to my second ALL-POLITICS blog covering the November 2024 Election.  (If you missed the first edition, check out my Aug. 10 blog.) Don’t worry, the regular non-politics blog will post next weekend, with the 2 blogs alternating until November.  Luckily, I have no life….

Are you registered to vote in Travis County?  Things can change, so go here to BE SURE you are eligible to vote: https://elections.traviscountytx.gov/voter-lookup/#VoterEligibilitySearch

This site checks voter registration within the entire state of Texas: https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do

Last day to register to vote in Travis County is Oct. 7.  Go here to fill out an application form, but it must be PRINTED and MAILED: https://vrapp.sos.state.tx.us/index.asp

Application deadline is Oct. 25: https://elections.traviscountytx.gov/voter-information/ballot-by-mail/#AbsenteeBallotSearch

Early Voting is Oct. 21-Nov. 1. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5

There is MUCH more being decided than the Presidential race.  Be sure to vote in ALL races, top to bottom of the ballot (preferably for DEMOCRATS.)  Go here and enter your address to see the elections and candidates: https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_Sample_Ballot

This has everything you need to know about voting in Texas: Here’s how to vote in the Texas 2024 election 8/21/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/21/texas-voter-guide-2024-election/

Volunteer for the Harris/Walz campaign. https://go.kamalaharris.com/?utm_source=hfp_w_kh_menu

Get campaign signs for your yard locally. Sign up here to have yard signs delivered to you: https://forms.gle/Vr9ET6A8LMsXympD8

Volunteer here in Lakeway area. LT Dems are working with Western Travis Democrats (a group of local Dem Precinct Chairs) to organize activities including mailings, block walks/lit drops, phone banks, campaign signs, and more for this fall.  Go here (at the link, scroll down to GOTV and click on More Info) to sign up and help GET OUT THE VOTE this fall:  https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/copy-of-club-activities

Donate here in Lakeway area for local impact. The activities listed above that local Dem groups are spearheading take MONEY.  Printing, postage, signs—it adds up.  Donations are needed.  ACT BLUE makes donating easy and securehttps://secure.actblue.com/donate/western-travis-democrats-1

Donate to Travis County Democratic Party. TCDP is working hard to reach Democrats across Travis County and make sure they know when, how, and where to vote.  To get Harris/Walz and Colin Allred elected we need to turn out every Democrat in Travis County —and postcards are key in making that happen. $20 = 30 postcards. $50 = 76 postcards. Pitch in to mobilize Democrats across Travis County. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fund-our-postcards?fbclid=IwY2xjawEh8LpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHby1WqRlAg3PPiBFqmxnSOXA8pyevSZAiZMFqqM0nRquYthuhh3oAyyB9A_aem_IIfdpz23omO4H9aIbCDxoA

Mail postcards to SWING STATES.  Turning Texas blue is a big lift, BUT we can help the DEMS win the swing states, by mailing postcards.  Progressive Turnout Project has a goal of 26 million cards and makes it easy, sending you the cards, addresses and messages you can use.  You just provide the stamps.  Here is how it works: “Sign up now to write postcards to rally Democrats to vote in 11 key states on November 5! Writing postcards is the most effective action you can take from home to help re-elect President Biden and ensure that Democrats maintain a Senate majority. You can pick the state when you sign up, and we’ll mail you free postcards along with voter lists and instructions with proven message options. You’ll provide the postcard stamps and mail the postcards in October on the instructed date.” Go here to sign up: https://turnoutpac.org/postcards/

I collected BEST BITS, day by day.

SUNDAY

Here is how the DNC got ready for the Big Show starting Monday.  They projected choice comments (Joy and Hope, Weird as Hell, Project 2025 HQ) on Trump Tower in Chicago.  (Image credits: Jeff Schear/Getty Images for DNC.)  Democratic National Committee projects ‘weird’ message on Chicago’s Trump Tower ahead of DNC 8/19/24 https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/4834738-democratic-national-committee-projects-anti-trump-messages-on-trump-tower-ahead-of-dnc/

MONDAY

–‘Law & Order’ Montage 2-minute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUTH_lOp834

–The Democratic Platform: “History has shown that nothing about democracy is guaranteed. Every generation has to protect it, preserve it, choose it. We must stand together to choose what we want America to be.” 

Pres. Joe Biden’s speech-ender: “Each of us has a part in the American story. For me and my family there’s a song that means a lot to us that captures the best of who we are as a nation. The song is called ‘American Anthem.’ There’s one verse that stands out…. ‘The work and prayers of centuries have brought us to this day.  What shall our legacy be? What will our children say?  Let me know in my heart when my days are through America. America, I gave my best to you.’” (That, he did.)

Representative Jasmine Crockett from Texas: “Kamala Harris has a résumé.  Donald Trump has a rap sheet.  Harris became a career prosecutor, while Trump became a career criminal–with 34 felonies, 2 impeachments and 1 porn star to prove it.”

Representative Jamie Raskin from Maryland: “Trump’s VP Mike Pence is the first vice president in more than 200 years NOT to support the president he served.  Someone should’ve told Donald Trump that the president’s job under Article 2 of the Constitution is to take care that the laws are faithfully executed, not that the vice president is executed.  JD Vance, do you understand why there was a sudden job opening for running mate on the [Republican] ticket? They tried to kill your predecessor!”

Senator Laphonza Butler from California: “We deserve a president who shatters the boundaries of what’s possible, not the boundaries of what’s legal.”

TUESDAY

Michelle Obama: “America, hope is making a comeback.”  ALSO: “Who’s going to tell Trump that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those ‘Black jobs’?” 

Pres. Barack Obama: “He’s a 78-year-old billionaire who has not stopped whining about his problems since he rode down his golden escalator 9 years ago.  It has been a constant stream of gripes and grievances that’s actually been getting worse now that he’s afraid of losing to Kamala.”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois: “It’s time we stop expecting women to clean up messes without the authority and the title to match the job. Vice President was a good title for Kamala Harris. You know an even better one? President.”

My favorite part was Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff being introduced by his son with a video that explained the Emhoff/Harris blended family dynamic.  Cole Emhoff DNC video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaHUsIsCejI  (Doug Emhoff’s ex-wife produced the video and attended the DNC in the Harris family box.)   Emhoff’s speech was also excellent.  A woman who is part of a “3-headed parenting machine” with her hubby and his ex PLUS is beloved by both 20-something step-kids—she’s a keeper.  Doug Emhoff’s ex-wife helped produce the video bio of him that played at the DNC 8/21/24 https://www.npr.org/2024/08/21/g-s1-18527/democratic-national-convention-doug-cole-kerstin-emhoff

WEDNESDAY

Speaker Hakeem Jeffries (to Trump): “Bro, we broke up with you for a reason.”

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg: “I just don’t believe that America today is in the market for darkness.”  AND  “I believe in a better politics—one that finds us at our most decent, and open, and brave—the kind of politics that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are offering.  As you’ve felt in the last couple of days, that kind of politics just feels good to be a part of. There is joy in it, as well as power. This November we get to choose.  We get to choose our President, we get to choose our policies, but most of all, we can choose a better politics.”  Actually, EVERY WORD HE SAID was pitch perfect. Listen here: https://time.com/7013796/pete-buttigieg-dnc-speech-2024/

Representative Andy Kim of New Jersey: “There is a hunger right now in the country for a new generation of leadership to step up.”

Oprah Winfrey: “We won’t be sent back, pushed back, kicked back, we are not going back.” AND  “When a house is on fire, we don’t ask whose house it is.  And, if the place happens to belong to a childless cat lady, well, we try to get that cat out too.”

Pres. Bill Clinton: “We need Kamala Harris, the President of Joy, to lead us.”

Gov. Tim Walz: “Growing up in a small town, you learn how to take care of each other. That family down the road, they may not think like you do, they may not pray like you do. They may not love like you do. But they’re your neighbors. And you look out for them. And they look out for you. Everybody belongs. And everybody has a responsibility to contribute.”   AND  “When Republicans use the word freedom, they mean that the government should be free to invade your doctor’s office. Corporations — free to pollute your air and water. And banks — free to take advantage of customers. But when Democrats talk about freedom, we mean the freedom to make a better life for yourself and the people that you love. Freedom to make your own health care decisions. And your kids’ freedom to go to school without worrying about being shot dead in the hall.”  AND  “No matter who you are, Kamala Harris is going to stand up and fight for your freedom to live the life that you want to lead, because that’s what we want for ourselves, and it’s what we want for our neighbors.” (Image credit above: Getty Images.)

THURSDAY

DL Hughley: “I guarantee you that Kamala has been black a lot longer than Trump has been a Republican.”

US Congressman Colin Allred from Texas: “We will restore reproductive freedom. We will secure the border. We will protect Medicare and Social Security.  And we will turn the page and write a new chapter for this country and elect Kamala Harris to be the next president and beat Ted Cruz.”

Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger: “I want to let my fellow Republicans in on a secret: The Democrats are as patriotic as us.”

Former CIA Director, Secretary of Defense, White House Chief of Staff and Congressman Leon Panetta: When Harris is elected, “our allies will cheer and our enemies will fear, and we will have a commander in chief that we can trust.”

VP Kamala Harris: “Fellow Americans, this election is not only the most important of our lives, it is one of the most important in the life of our nation. In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man. But the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious.”  AND  “On behalf of the people, on behalf of every American, regardless of party, race, gender or the language your grandmother speaks. On behalf of my mother, and everyone who has ever set out on their own unlikely journey. On behalf of Americans like the people I grew up with — people who work hard, chase their dreams and look out for one another. On behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth, I accept your nomination to be president of the United States of America. AND With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past, a chance to chart a new way forward. Not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans. I will be a president who unites us around our highest aspirations. A president who leads and listens; who is realistic, practical and has common sense; and always fights for the American people. From the courthouse to the White House, that has been my life’s work.” AND  “It is now our turn to do what generations before us have done, guided by optimism and faith, to fight for this country we love, to fight for the ideals we cherish and to uphold the awesome responsibility that comes with the greatest privilege on Earth: the privilege and pride of being an American. So, let’s get out there, let’s fight for it. Let’s get out there, let’s vote for it, and together, let us write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told.”  (Image credit above: NY Times.)

Polling as of Aug. 15 shows that the highly popular Harris/Walz ticket has brought 4 crucial Sun Belt states into play.  Georgia, Arizona, Nevada and North Carolina are in the DEM column or within reach, despite being solidly red in recent months.  Harris is now leading Trump among likely voters in Arizona by 5%, and has also edged ahead in North Carolina.  Trump’s lead in Georgia and Nevada has shrunk significantly in recent weeks, with the overall trend clearly running against him. This means that the DEMS now have multiple paths to victory—by winning contested states from the Sun Belt list and/or from the Rust Belt list (Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin), where Harris/Walz are now leading in the polls.  Harris Puts Four Sun Belt States Back in Play 8/16/24 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/16/kamala-harris-polls-key-states

Among all adults — relevant since there’s plenty of time to register — Harris and Walz lead Trump and Vance by 50%-45%. Among those now registered to vote, it’s 49%-45%.  Harris has a 6-point lead among likely voters, 51%-45%. IPSOS Aug. 16 poll shows Harris leading Trump overall, nationally.  https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/harris-trump-poll-election-issues/story?id=112865487

FiveThirtyEight/NYT polling as of Aug. 21 shows Harris leading Trump nationally as well as in swing states Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.  They are tied in Arizona, with Trump leading in Georgia.  Election 2024 Polls: Harris vs. Trump 8/21/24 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/us/elections/polls-president.html

In TEXAS, polling by the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs released Aug. 22 showed Harris trailing Trump by only 5%, half the gap between Biden and Trump earlier in 2024.  Plus, GOP Sen. Ted Cruz is only 2% ahead of Dem. challenger US Representative Colin Allred.  Harris shrinks Trump’s lead in Texas, Allred within striking distance of Cruz, poll finds 8/22/24  https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/22/trump-harris-cruz-allred-texas-poll/

Harris dared Trump: “Say it to my face.”  So, in early August Trump agreed to the previously arranged Sept. 10 debate.  It will be on ABC, with David Muir and Linsey Davis as moderators, and without a live audience.  ABC Says Trump and Harris Have Agreed to Debate on Sept. 10  https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-abc-debate-814786cc3ad7c11498c71f09f0172db3

The VP nominees will debate on Oct. 1.  Their meeting will be hosted by CBS News in NYC, with moderators Margaret Brennan (Face the Nation) and Norah O’Donnell (CBS Evening News).  (Image credit: Getty Images.)  VP debate hosted by CBS News set for Oct. 1 between Vance and Walz 8/15/24 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vp-debate-tim-walz-jd-vance/

Joyful Warriors

Love, love, love Dan Rather’s Aug. 13 Substack—Joyful Warriors.  He captures a big reason the Harris/Walz ticket is resonating now in America, upending 9 years of angry politics dominated by Trump’s nasty negativity that has become rancid and exhausting.  (Image credit: Getty Images.)  https://steady.substack.com/p/joyful-warriors

Republicans for Harris

The endorsements are streaming in–from Democrats, obviously.  But, respected and high-level Republicans are also done with Trump, endorsing Kamala Harris for 2024.  This, amazingly, includes Retired Federal Appeals Court Judge Michael Luttig, who was appointed to the bench by Pres. George H.W. Bush and on the short list for SCOTUS nominee more than once.  Currently a prominent conservative legal scholar,  Luttig will vote DEM for the first time, because he understands Trump is an existential threat to American democracy.  “In the presidential election of 2024 there is only one political party and one candidate for the presidency that can claim the mantle of defender and protector of America’s Democracy, the Constitution, and the Rule of Law,” Luttig wrote.  “As a result, I will unhesitatingly vote for the Democratic Party’s candidate for the Presidency of the United States, Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris.” Other GOP members who have endorsed Kamala Harris include former Congress Members Joe Walsh, Barbara Comstock and Adam Kinzinger, as well as former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and former Mike Pence staffer Olivia Troye.  Exclusive: Conservative Republican endorses Harris, calls Trump a threat to democracy 8/19/24 https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/19/politics/conservative-republican-endorses-harris-calls-trump-a-threat-to-democracy/index.html

Plus, Stephanie Grisham, former Trump White House press secretary until resigning on Jan. 6, 2021, has not only endorsed Harris, she spoke at the DNC.  “Trump used to tell me, ‘It doesn’t matter what you say, Stephanie — say it enough and people will believe you.’”  Also: “Trump mocks his supporters. He calls them ‘basement dwellers.’”  Grisham said that she doesn’t agree with Vice President Harris on everything but is “proud to support her” because she knows she will “defend our freedoms and represent our nation with honesty and integrity.” Why is former Trump official Stephanie Grisham speaking at DNC? 8/20/24  https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4836833-stephanie-grisham-dnc-convention-chicago-trump-harris-2024/

Evangelicals for Harris

This may seem surprising, but over 200,000 people joined a ZOOM call hosted by Evangelicals for Harris, with a robust fundraising result.  They even have a website https://www.evangelicalsforharris.com/  As it states: In this election, the choice is clear: Kamala Harris.  I don’t care what, if any, religion you support, watching the 3-minute video on the site’s front page will be a balm to your soul.

POLICY—how Harris and Trump differ.

–On changing policy to allow the American President to interfere with the Federal Reserve’s decisions on interest rates:

TRUMP said on Aug. 8:  The president should “have at least [a] say” in Fed policy.

HARRIS said on Aug 10: “I couldn’t … disagree more strongly. The Fed is an independent entity, and as president, I would never interfere in the decisions that the Fed makes.”  https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/10/harris-trump-federal-reserve-independence-election.html

–On the ECONOMY:

HARRIS: “As president, I will be laser-focused on creating opportunities for the middle class that advance their economic security, stability and dignity.”  She proposed giving first-time home buyers up to $25,000 in down payment assistance and called for the construction of three million housing units that would be affordable for the middle class.  Tax credits for parents will increase.  She will fight to increase the minimum wage. Plus, she vowed that price negotiations with drug companies will expand, saving consumers millions and leveling the healthcare playing field.  HARRIS will create a federal ban on price gouging at the grocery store: “Companies are seeing their highest profits in two decades. And while many grocery chains pass along these savings, others don’t.  We need to take action when that is the case.” (BTW, don’t be fooled–Harris did NOT call for price controls; her price-gouging ban has already been proposed in Congress and now exists in several states, including Texas.)

TRUMP*: TARIFFS, so many TARIFFS, even more beautiful TARIFFS than I did last time!  But, why am I standing here being filmed with fake groceries?  I’m taking the Cheerios back to Mar-a-Lago and hiding them from Melania.  WHERE IS MY LUNCH?!

–On landlords contributing to the housing crisis:

HARRIS: “Some corporate landlords collude with each other to set artificially high rental prices, often using algorithms in price-fixing software to do it.”

TRUMP*: I’ll deport MILLIONS and MILLIONS of immigrants, all the nasty ones.  Just an endless tide of mass deportations, like no one has ever seen.  You can have THEIR houses! 

–On how a presidential administration should treat business:

HARRIS: The focus will be “creating a stable business environment with consistent and transparent rules of the road.”

TRUMP*: Contribute big time to my campaign, and I’ll make sure you never pay taxes again.  Cross me—and you’re screwed.  Drill, baby, drill!

*If Trump had said anything coherent on the economy, ever, I’d have quoted him.

Read more details here:

Kamala Harris Rolled Out An Ambitious Economic Plan. Here’s What’s In It 8/16/24  https://time.com/7011865/kamala-harris-economic-plan-groceries-child/

–Harris and Trump Offer a Clear Contrast on the Economy 8/16/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/16/business/economy/harris-trump-economy-inflation.html

Kamala Harris, for the people.

Here is transcript of her DNC speech on Aug. 22 (above image credits: REUTERS/Kevin Wurm/NY Times): Read Kamala Harris’ full speech at the Democratic National Convention 8/23/24 https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/read-kamala-harris-full-speech-at-the-democratic-national-convention-2

Watch her speech here: FULL SPEECH: Kamala Harris takes Donald Trump head-on in DNC address 8/22/24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9SoXA5Ogo8

Meet Governor Tim Walz.

Per the Harris/Walz site:

Governor Walz is a champion for America’s working families. He enlisted in the Army National Guard when he turned 17 and served for 24 years, rising to the rank of Command Sergeant Major. After attending college thanks to the GI Bill, Tim Walz served his community as a high school teacher and football coach – taking his team to the state championship for the first time in the school’s history. He became a member of Congress in a Republican district by representing the needs of farmers and rural America. As Governor, Tim Walz cut taxes for working families, lowered the cost of insulin and eliminated junk fees, and protected women’s right to choose. That experience makes him the ideal running mate for Kamala Harris, who has taken on the big banks, led the fight for reproductive freedom, and stood with our allies against Putin’s aggression during her time as a prosecutor, Attorney General, Senator, and Vice President.

Their shared commitment to working families draws a complete contrast to Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. Instead of making life better for working families or focusing on our future, Trump and Vance are committed to their extreme and dangerous Project 2025 agenda that will roll back Americans’ rights and freedoms, hurt the middle class, and threaten our democracy.

As Governor, Walz has done more to help middle class families get ahead than any other statewide leader in recent memory. He lowered the cost of insulin to $35 per month for many Minnesotans. He eliminated junk fees. And, he signed paid leave into law so that parents can take care of sick families without losing their job. Governor Walz stood up for fundamental freedoms and made Minnesota the first state to pass a law codifying abortion rights after the Supreme Court overturned Roe. He funded Minnesota police departments, putting more cops on the street and investing in body cameras, and established universal background checks for gun purchases. And, he worked across the aisle to pass a bipartisan infrastructure package.

A lifelong Midwesterner, Governor Walz grew up working on his family farm. He enlisted in the Army National Guard when he turned 17, following in his father’s – a veteran – footsteps. During his 24 years of National Guard service, he specialized in heavy artillery and retired as the highest-ranking enlisted National Guard soldier in southern Minnesota. Governor Walz went to college on the GI Bill.

Governor Walz is a gun owner, avid pheasant hunter, and supporter of the Second Amendment – and he, like millions of gun owners, believes that Congress must do more to tackle gun violence in our communities. As Governor, he established universal background checks for gun purchases.

For six terms, Governor Walz represented Minnesota’s First Congressional District – a conservative-leaning district where he was only the second Democrat elected since 1890. The son of an Army veteran who served as a command sergeant major, Walz was the ranking member on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, where he passed legislation to help stem veterans’ suicides.

Governor Walz met his wife Gwen teaching high school in Nebraska before moving to Gwen’s home state of Minnesota. A former union member, Tim taught high school for two decades, including helping lead the Mankato West football team to their first state championship.

Governor Walz and Mrs. Walz have two children, Hope and Gus. Governor Walz and Mrs. Walz struggled with years of fertility challenges and had their daughter, Hope, through reproductive health care like IVF – further cementing his commitment to ensuring all Americans have access to this care.  (Image credit: campaign website.) https://kamalaharris.com/meet-governor-tim-walz/

24 years serving his country.

Look, I have no military experience, so all I can do is evaluate this as an outsider.  Walz volunteered at age 17 and served his country for 24 years.  During his military career, he lost his hearing due to long-term exposure to high-decibel munitions, requiring surgery.  Still, instead of retiring at the 20-year mark, he stayed on 4 more years, before leaving to run for US Congress, where he served another 12 years.  I just cannot see anything objectionable there. (Image credit: campaign website.)  Here is a soldier’s take on things: JD Vance Criticized Tim Walz’s Retirement. But There’s Something He Doesn’t Understand 8/15/24 https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/08/15/tim-walz-national-guard-retirement-jd-vance-00173893

Walz’ Full DNC Speech (Image credits:Getty Images and NYT.)

READ the full transcript of Walz’ speech at the DNC.  Tim Walz’s full speech at the 2024 DNC  https://www.axios.com/2024/08/22/tim-walz-dnc-speech-full-transcript

WATCH Walz’ speech at the DNC.  Tim Walz headlines third night of DNC with help from Clinton, Oprah and Stevie Wonder  8/22/24 https://www.npr.org/2024/08/22/g-s1-18756/tim-walz-democratic-national-convention-speech

The perfect shot of those two clowns…. (Image credit: NY Times.)

TRUMP

Still old and addled.  Still lying.  Still a racist and a misogynist. (Lefthand image credit: AP.)

George Conway’s PsychoPAC ad

This ad diagnoses Old 45 in 1 perfect minute: Donald Trump’s Empty Seats Meltdown 8/9/24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFec-4__m_I&t=57s

Actually, the entire website is a hoot, funny AND rings SO true. (Image credit— PsychoPAC site.)  https://www.psychopac.org/

Lincoln Project’s FAILURES ad

Yikes, Trump is twisting in the wind.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY8uRLSMjrg

Still weird (and worse).

Kinda odd that “weird” bothers Trump (and Vance) so very much.  (Image credit: MadDogPAC.com.)  That term is relatively mild, as far as insults go.  Strongman scholar Ruth Ben-Ghiat explains things well, noting that strongmen cannot take a joke.  They are insecure, so being ridiculed is worse than being called evil.  That’s why they surround themselves with sycophants, who humor them along; being hit with the truth is shocking to them.  Calling Trump weird knocks him off balance and reminds everyone that he isn’t quite right.  Plus, humor brings us together, the last thing a strongman wants.  Trump can’t take a joke 8/7/24 https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/trump-jd-vance-tim-walz-weird-maga-authoritarians-rcna164669

No one likes a deadbeat.

The Trump campaign was required to pay $82K IN ADVANCE, before his August 14 rally in Asheville, covering the cost of the auditorium, personnel and equipment rentals.  As the reason, city authorities cited over $850,000 in unpaid bills nationwide that Trump has left along the campaign trail.  Trump Campaign Forced To Pay North Carolina City $82K in Advance for Rally 8/14/24 https://www.newsweek.com/trump-campaign-forced-pay-north-carolina-city-82k-advance-rally-1938769 A few towns in Montana weren’t as careful and got stuck with $60K in bills for rally-related expenses that Trump has ignored since 2018.  Trump’s Bozeman rally highlights unpaid costs from past Montana visits 8/16/24 https://www.nbcmontana.com/news/local/trumps-bozeman-rally-highlights-unpaid-costs-from-past-montana-visits

Soft on crime, for his friends/for a price.

Trump in early 2021 set free Jonathan Braun, a convicted drug dealer and predatory lender.  Now, he is under arrest again, this time for assaulting his wife in both July and August, as well as attacking her 75-year old father.  Back in 2021, Trump was on his way out the White House door when Braun’s family used connections it had to Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to score commutation and get him out of jail.  (Image credit: AP.) New York drug dealer whose prison sentence Trump commuted arrested on assault charges 8/22/24 https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/22/trump-clemency-recipient-jonathan-braun-arrest-assault.html

It’s a soft landing.

Trump needs to get a new shtick.  The latest inflation data shows record LOW levels since the pandemic.  Prices fell for things like for cars, clothes and plane tickets.  Gas is cheaper than last year, and getting more so.  Plus—for over a year now, wages have grown faster than inflation.  Unemployment remains extremely low.  All this shows the US nailed the coveted “soft landing” and avoided recession, unlike most other countries.  Also, it paves the way for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates in September.  The Biden/Harris economic plan WORKED.  Inflation Cools to 2.9%, Shoring Up Case for a Fed Rate Cut 8/14/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/14/business/cpi-inflation-july.html

The abortion issue is just going away….  Really?

Remember back all through 2020 when Trump said over and over that Covid-19 was going away on its own, nothing to worry about, it was just going to disappear?  And, then MILLIONS of Americans died.  https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2020/10/politics/covid-disappearing-trump-comment-tracker/

Now, he’s trying the same thing with abortion.  WRONG AGAIN. Trump at his Aug. 8 press conference: “I think that abortion has become much less of an issue. I think it’s actually going to be very small issue.”   He added, “I think the abortion issue has been taken down many notches. don’t think it’s a big factor anymore, really.”   Trump says abortion not ‘big factor’ in elections anymore 8/8/24  https://thehill.com/homenews/4819080-trump-downplays-abortion-issue/

Trump’s odd and illegal obsession with the Titanic theme song.

Everyone knows the Titanic rammed an iceberg and sank, killing over a thousand people, right?  It is one of the iconic tragedies of recent history.  Really BAD.  Even Trump must know that.  And yet, at his rallies Trump routinely plays the movie’s theme song, Celine Dion singing “My Heart Will Go On.”  WITHOUT her permission.  This has really pissed her off.  (Not easy to do, as she is Canadian.)  ‘Really, THAT song?’ Celine Dion slams Trump campaign for using ‘Titanic’ recording 8/11/24 https://www.politico.eu/article/really-that-song-celine-dion-slams-trump-campaign-for-unauthorized-use-of-titanic-recording/

Apologies to Celine, but my favorite Titanic-referencing song is Harry Chapin’s “Dance Band on the Titanic.”  Enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lB7l9okunY

Turns out that Trump has stolen music for his events since at least 2015.  Wikipedia has a whole page on performers whose work was used without permission.  Leonard Cohen had the best response; he refused to allow Trump to use “Hallelujah” but suggested “You want it Darker?”  Considering the lyrics, that song really works for Trump.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musicians_who_oppose_Donald_Trump%27s_use_of_their_music

Money, money, money.

Trump has made over $300K to date selling Bibles (his “favorite book”).  At $60 each, there are extras– gold-edged pages, large print, the U.S. Constitution, and the lyrics to Lee Greenwood’s God Bless the USA. (Sadly, the rumor that a nude photo of Melania was included seems to be false.)  Trump Makes $$$ Hawking Tacky Celeb-Endorsed Bibles 8/16/24 https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-made-dollar300k-endorsing-bible-holds-dollar1-million-in-cryptocurrency

NOT Taylor Swift.

Trump posted images faked by AI on his social media on Aug. 18, trying to convince people that Taylor Swift had endorsed him and her fans love him.  Swifties won’t forget that ….  (Actually, Trump may have just alienated the last group of females left standing by his misogynist VP, JD Vance.)  Trump shares AI-generated images of Taylor Swift and her fans supporting him 8/19/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/trump-shares-ai-generated-images-taylor-swift-fans-supporting-rcna167126

Trump disses American vets, yet again.

At a recent event at his Bedminster golf club, Trump was introduced by Miriam Adelson, a profligate donor to Republican politicians and the widow of GOP megadonor Sheldon Adelson.  Together, over the years, the Adelsons have donated over $100MIL to Trump and PACs that support him.  He recalled awarding her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018, when he was criticized for handing out such a high honor in exchange for campaign donations.  He stepped in it even worse currently, obviously angling for another big donation and saying this: “That’s the highest award you can get as a civilian. It’s the equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor, but civilian version.  It’s actually much better because everyone [who] gets the Congressional Medal of Honor, they’re soldiers. They’re either in very bad shape because they’ve been hit so many times by bullets, or they’re dead.  She [Adelson] gets it, and she’s a healthy, beautiful woman.”  Thus, Trump celebrated a megadonor as better (somehow) than Medal of Honor recipients wounded or killed to save others.  Trump says Medal of Freedom “equivalent” to and “much better” than Medal of Honor, sparking backlash from veterans 8/16/24  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-medal-of-freedom-medal-of-honor/   

Also, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who lost both her legs fighting in the Iraq War, had something to say about this.  Tammy Duckworth rips Trump over remarks about medal-winning soldiers 8/18/24  https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/18/tammy-duckworth-trump-soldiers-00174507

FACT-CHECKING TRUMP

Tampon Tim

Per CNN: Trump attacked VP nominee Gov. Tim Walz at an August 9 campaign rally in Montana: “He ordered tampons to be put into boys’ bathrooms.”

FALSE. Walz didn’t order Minnesota schools to put tampons in boys’ bathrooms or sign a bill requiring tampons to be put in all boys’ bathrooms. That’s not what the bill signed by Walz in 2023 actually says — and it’s not how the 15 Minnesota school districts say they have implemented the law. Debunking Trump attack on Walz, Minnesota schools say they don’t provide tampons in boys’ bathrooms 8/16/24 https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/16/politics/fact-check-trump-walz-minnesota-schools-tampons/index.html

Black men all seem to look alike to Trump.

Trump’s story about being in a helicopter hard landing with former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown (who Trump insisted was also saying nasty things about Kamala Harris) started at his August 8 presser, but he repeated it several times. 

FALSE. Willie Brown says it never happened, as does Jerry Brown (so it wasn’t Trump just getting a west coast politician’s name wrong).  But, Nate Holden, a former Los Angeles city councilman and state senator, remembers that helicopter fiasco with Trump well.  (And—still—Kamala Harris was NOT discussed.)  “Willie is the short Black guy living in San Francisco. I’m a tall Black guy living in Los Angeles,” said Holden, 95. “I guess we all look alike.”  One of Trump’s employees, Barbara Res, was on board and substantiates that this is what happened.  Res wrote about the incident in her memoir, and she told Politico that Trump liked to tell a joke about Holden on the helicopter — “you turned white,” Trump said. But Res said it was Trump’s face that was white.  “He was white as snow,” Holden added. “And he was scared shitless.”  Yep–all black men look alike to Trump.  Also, Trump has really lost it, mentally. Former Trump executive disputes his claim that Willie Brown was on board during helicopter incident  8/10/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/former-trump-executive-disputes-claim-willie-brown-helicopter-rcna166083 AND: The other Black politician who says he was with Trump in that near-fatal chopper crash 8/9/24 https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/09/trump-plane-crash-california-00173487

Crowd size matters.

Trump claimed in a series of social media posts on Aug. 11 that “nobody” attended Harris’ Michigan rally, demanding his Democratic rival should be “disqualified” over a “fake crowd picture” fabricated by AI.

FALSE.  Photos and videos of the event show that Harris’ Detroit crowd filled a large hangar and spilled onto the sprawling tarmac where Air Force Two had stopped. Hany Farid, a digital forensics expert, analyzed images with models designed to detect patterns associated with AI-generated images.  He found no evidence of AI generation. Trump spreads false conspiracy theory about Harris’ Detroit crowd size 8/11/24 https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/11/politics/trump-harris-crowd-size-conspiracy-theory/index.html

Claimed Harris voted to cut Medicare.

Trump stated at a July 24 rally in NC: “Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking vote to cut, as you know, Medicare by $273 billion. She cast a vote to cut Medicare.”

FALSE.  Harris, in her role as Senate President, in 2022 cast the tie-breaking vote to pass Biden’s signature Inflation Reduction Act, a sweeping climate and health care measure.  That bill did not cut Medicare funding or eligibility in any way.  In fact, it contained provisions that lowered spending by Medicare by reducing the cost of insulin and other prescription drugs.  https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2024/aug/15/donald-trump/haris-did-not-vote-to-cut-medicare-despite-trump-c/

Lying at the rate of twice per minute.

Trump may have set a new record at his Aug. 8 Florida presser—162 lies in 64 minutes, according to NPR.  (The last blog included about a dozen of the biggest lies, as chronicled by NYT.)  Fact checking is great, but the problem is that millions hear his lies but just a tiny fraction of that number will ever read the truth.  Still, this is worth reading, just as a reminder of what must NEVER AGAIN spew from the Oval Office.  162 lies and distortions in a news conference. NPR fact-checks former President Trump 8/11/24 https://www.npr.org/2024/08/11/nx-s1-5070566/trump-news-conference

Musk “interview” on X  (AKA: So, 2 scabs sat in separate basements and had an online chat, eventually.) 

Tech issues delayed things for an hour.  The audience for the highly-promoted livestream didn’t bother to wait.  (Ron DeSantis must have enjoyed THAT.)  When things FINALLY got started, Musk soft-balled the questions, Trump bloviated with zero regard for veracity, and those still listening were distracted by Trump’s heavy slurring of his words.

A few Late Night hosts listened, but that’s their job. Stephen Colbert: “A big night for weird old rich guys with no friends.” Jimmy Fallon: “It’s nice to know the guy who builds self-driving cars and spaceships hasn’t quite figured out how to broadcast a phone call.” Seth Meyers: “Also, what’s going on with Trump’s voice? He sounds like a sugared-up kid on Halloween who won’t take out his plastic vampire teeth.”

And, they got sued.  For comments Musk and Trump made during the event, the United Auto Workers union promptly filed federal labor charges against both men, for threatening to intimidate workers who go on strike. The UAW posted on X: “He’s for the billionaires. Not for you. Donald Trump is a scab.” UAW files federal labor charges against Donald Trump and Elon Musk after threatening workers on X interview 8/13/24  https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/13/business/uaw-trump-musk-charges/index.html

CNN found over 20 false statements by Trump.  Here are a few of them:

Trump: “Our crime rate’s going through the roof.”

FALSE–Both violent crime and property crime dropped significantly in 2023 and in the first quarter of 2024.

Trump: “Over 60 million people are listening to this.”

FALSE—Just over 1 million heard the event.

Trump: “I think we have the worst inflation we’ve had in 100 years.”

FALSE—Inflation peaked in Biden’s term at 9.1% in June of 2022, a level last reached in 1981.  Also, inflation dropped to 3.2% in July of 2024.

Trump: “The biggest threat? It’s not global warming, where the ocean’s gonna rise one eighth of an inch over the next 400 years … and you’ll have more oceanfront property, right?”

FALSE—The global average sea level is currently rising more per year than Trump claimed that it will rise in 400 years.  (And, the “more oceanfront property” part is just plain stupid.)

Trump: “Harris wants to release all the prisoners that are in detention, and some of these guys are really bad.”

FALSE—Harris never said that, past or present.

Trump (on illegal immigration during the Biden administration): “You have millions of people coming in a month.”

FALSE—No month during the Biden-Harris administration had close to “millions” of people entered the country illegally.  During the peak month, there were 372K crossings nationwide.  Numbers have dropped lately; there were 205K crossings in June of 2024. Trump’s lies never cease….  Fact check: Trump made at least 20 false claims in his conversation with Elon Musk  8/13/24  https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/13/politics/fact-check-trump-musk-20-false-claims/index.html

He’s a little bit creepier every day….

Who is JD Vance, really?

Snopes verified this. (Image credit: screen capture.)  https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/jd-vance-born-james-donald-bowman/?cb_rec=djRfMl8xXzJfMTgwXzBfMF8wXw

Vance’s very rigid “family values” have come a long way, baby.

Snopes verified this. (Image courtesy of X user @mattxiv.)  https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/jd-vance-drag-photo/

It was just a Thought Experiment.

Vance, a US Senator, is desperately trying to explain away his many bizarre and very RECENT proposals.  (Image credit: Detroit Free Press.)  He has said marriage should be permanent even in the face of misery and violence.  Also–people with children should have more voting power than childless citizens.  On and on.  Now, Vance explains that he wasn’t making policy proposals.  No—he was merely engaging in thought experiments.  A “thought experiment” is defined by Wikipedia as: a hypothetical situation in which a hypothesis, theory, or principle is laid out for the purpose of thinking through its consequences.  Einstein solved complex problems via thought experiments.  Vance just makes a fool of himself. 

Attacking Walz’ military service of 24 years.

Wait a minute.  Vance saw no combat and spent 6 months in Iraq on administrative duty writing press releases.  (Wonder how his “thought experiments” went over with the military….)  As for the rest of the GOP ticket, Trump famously dodged the Vietnam-era draft by claiming bone spurs.  Funny that Vance is OK with that….

Stop BULLYING me!

Vance claims the recent and very resonant take on the GOP as “weird” amounts to bullying.  Hmmm….  Has Vance NEVER MET his own running mate, Trump?  

Komrade Kamala.  Sleepy Joe Biden.  Crooked Hillary.  Low Energy Jeb Bush.  Lyin’ Ted Cruz.   Little Marco Rubio.   Pocohontas Elizabeth Warren.  Ron DeSanctus.  Coco Chow Elaine Chau.  Birdbrain Nikki Haley.  Crazy Nancy Pelosi.  Shifty Adam Schiff.  Horseface Stormy Daniels.  There are ENTIRE WEBSITES chronicling Trump’s insulting language.  Grow up. 

Whole purpose of postmenopausal female is to help raise kids.”

Oh good–Vance has the lives of American females all planned out, all the way to the grave.  Sooooo helpful!  Seriously, is there ANY group of women Vance has NOT insulted, denigrated or besmirched?  Not only did Vance go along in 2020 with the above statement by podcast host Eric Weinstein, he backed it up saying that yeah–his postmenopausal mother-in-law helped with his own young kids and it was great….  https://x.com/HeartlandSignal/status/1823811043375907296?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Got his immigration policy from the movies.

Specifically, the movie Gangs of New York, a 2002 film depicting the city in 1863.  In 2021, Vance said on a podcast that immigration was a bad thing for America even in the previous century, resulting in crime waves and ethnic conflict.  Last week, Vance defended those remarks this way: “Has anybody seen the movie Gangs of New York?  That’s what I’m talking about. You know that when you have these massive ethnic enclaves in our country, it can lead to higher crime rates.”   Well, Vance must have popped out for popcorn a few times, because the major villain of that film was an anti-immigrant crime boss.  Watch: J.D. Vance Makes Wildly Racist Claim About Causes of Crime https://www.yahoo.com/news/watch-j-d-vance-makes-185245528.html

PART 1 was included in my Aug. 10 blog.  Drop down to read that, if interested.  Here, I add a couple updates and list the specific policies that caught my attention.  (Image credit above: Project 2025. Image credit below of Trump with Heritage Foundation Board: Politico.)

Project 2025–Presidential Transition Project

Up to reading Project 2025 word for word (free)?  Go to the source:  https://archive.org/details/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL

Download the complete Project 2025 as a PDF, free: https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf

UPDATE on the Trump connection.  As I noted last time, don’t buy Trump’s panicked denials of the policy/people involved in Project 2025.  Trump is in bed with The Heritage Foundation, and Project 2025 was created by and for his own people.  Last time, I detailed many undeniable Trump connections.  Now, I’ll add this: Russell Vought, one of the key authors of Project 2025 and a former Trump cabinet member, was recently recorded talking about the right-wing blueprint for a second Trump term. He waved away Trump’s recent denials and distancing as “politics,” insisting that Project 2025 was written for Trump and with his support, reflecting his policies and plans for a second term.  He claimed that Trump has “blessed” his organization and “he’s very supportive of what we do.”  Hidden-camera video captures Project 2025 co-author talking about plans for second Trump term  8/15/24  https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/15/politics/russ-vought-project-2025-trump-secret-recording-invs/index.html

As I concluded last time, Project 2025 is a serious threat to how our federal government works and whether it will remain democratic. In reading through the 900 pages, I put together a list of specifics that caught my attention. Some are agencies, departments or services to be shut down.  Others are jarringly odd statements about basic things like family and religion, betraying the attitudes that guide Project 2025’s philosophy.  (Page numbers refer to the document’s PDF version, which is what I downloaded and read.)

–Abortion will be ENDED nationally, no exceptions.  Of course, that is not stated flat out, but it is the inescapable result of repeated calls for fetal personhood and protecting the unborn in every jurisdiction (6).  FDA must reverse its approval of chemical abortion drugs (mifepristone and others, 284 AND 458). HHS should pursue a robust agenda to pro­tect the fundamental right to life (284).  “Abortion and euthanasia are not health care.” (449.)  HHS must track all abortions in extreme detail, nationwide (455.)  All fetal tissue research must end (461).  Keep anti-life “benefits” out of benefit plans, and provide robust protections for religious employers (585).

–Marriage and children are repeatedly touted as the highest good, to be protected at any cost (page 13 and throughout the document.) The end of divorce is not declared, but it would be required to reach the goal presented of family preservation no matter what.  Page 259: “Families are the basic unit of and foundation for a thriving society.”  (BUT–straight families, only.)  Page 13: “Our Constitution grants each of us the liberty to do not what we want, but what we ought.”  Scholars contend the “ought” used there betrays how the far right would use the Constitution to force conservative values (like doing away with divorce and forcing women to stay in violent marriages) on everyone.  Page 450 continues the emphasis on married parents, with fathers prioritized: “Families comprised of a married mother, father, and their children are the foundation of a well-ordered nation and healthy society. Unfortunately, family policies and programs under President Biden’s HHS are fraught with agenda items focusing on “LGBTQ+ equity,” subsidizing single-motherhood, disincentivizing work, and penalizing marriage. These policies should be repealed and replaced by policies that support the formation of stable, married, nuclear families.  Working fathers are essential to the well-being and development of their children, but the United States is experiencing a crisis of fatherlessness that is ruining our children’s futures. In the overwhelming number of cases, fathers insulate children from physical and sexual abuse, financial difficulty or poverty, incarceration, teen pregnancy, poor educational outcomes, high school failure, and a host of behavioral and psychological problems. By contrast, homes with non-related “boyfriends” present are among the most dangerous place for a child to be. HHS should prioritize married father engagement in its messaging, health, and welfare policies.”

–HUD: Forget about those precious families living in affordable housing.  Localities and not the federal government must have final say in zoning laws and regulations, and a conservative Administration should oppose any efforts to weaken single-family zoning (511).

–Sexual orientation is discussed many times.  Allowing parents or physicians to “reassign” the sex of a minor is child abuse and must end (5).  Transgender individuals cannot serve in the military, and those with gender dysphoria would be expelled (103).  “Sex” is properly understood as a fixed biological fact (334).  Top priority is passage of a federal Parents’ Bill of Rights that restores parental rights to a “top-tier” right (344). No use of new names or pronouns different from a student’s biological sex. (346).  Rescind regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, and sex characteristics (584).

–Religion is also discussed in many chapters.  Here are a couple samples from page 581: “The Judeo-Christian tradition, stretching back to Genesis, has always recognized fruitful work as integral to human dignity, as service to God, neighbor, and family.” And: “God ordained the Sabbath as a day of rest.”

–Immigration is a popular topic.  All “illegal aliens” (including unaccompanied minors) would be expelled immediately with mandatory appropriation for a border wall system (147).  Stop asylum grants and end funding to NGOs for immigrant care (148).  Everyone crossing the border is detained until expulsion (150).  End the H-2A visa (which allows temporary agricultural work­ers into the US), as the low cost of H-2A workers undercuts American workers in agricultural employment (611). Dept. of Homeland Security would be dismantled, in favor of a stand-alone border and immigration agency at Cabinet level (133).

Department of Justice and the FBI are attacked over and over. The former is said to be “a threat to democracy,” while the latter is “a bloated, arrogant, increasingly lawless organization” (285).  Not to worry–Trump will fix everything in his second term. 

–The Department of Education will be ended (to save money, per page 445), with control of education returned to the states (285).  SNAP, WIC and school meals are all ended. (299-302).  All families can take their children’s taxpayer-funded education dollars to the education providers of their choosing—whether it be a public school or a private school (347). In higher education, end student loan forgiveness and DEI policies (347-352).

The Department of Energy (286) must “restore America’s energy independence, oppose eyesore windmills built at taxpayer expense, and respect the right of Americans to buy and drive cars of their own choosing, rather than trying to force them into electric vehicles and eventually out of the driver’s seat altogether in favor of self-driving robots.”  Limit decision-making on natural gas pipeline certificates to whether there is a need for the natural gas (407.)  Reinstate quarterly onshore lease sales in all producing states (523).  Conduct offshore oil and natural gas lease sales to the maximum extent; restart the coal leasing program (523). Reinstate President Trump’s plan for opening the National Petroleum Reserve of Alaska to leasing and development (524). Return immediately to full exploitation of all resources in Alaska—oil, gas, minerals, etc. (530).

–Wildlife populations would be gutted.  Rescind the Endangered Species Act, The Migratory Bird Treaty Act, etc. (524).  As to wild horses and burros, BLM should dispose of over 95,000 animals (528).  Repeal all federal rules on Alaska’s wildlife and waters (531).  Remove all protections for grizzly bears, grey wolves and sage grouse (534).

–Medicare must end all negotiated pricing, returning to (far more expensive for the consumer) market pricing (463).  Medicare Advantage becomes the default enrollment choice (464).

–NOAA is broken up, due to its big budget being used to decry climate change. The National Weather Service and Hurricane Center are not needed, either.  (See page 675.)

The Department of Agriculture would be severely limited.  All farm subsidies would be ended (295).  MANY assistance and loan programs are discontinued (296-301).  Easements are discontinued (305). 

Internal Revenue Service is supposedly simplified.  Reduce the corporate income tax rate to 18%, with capital gains and dividends taxed at 15% (696).  Business losses are expanded, while worker benefits are restricted (697).

–The CDC is gutted, with remnants allowed only some data gathering and policy recommending functions (453).  Those recommendations must include the “unsurpassed effectiveness of modern fertility awareness–based methods (FABMs) of family planning” (AKA natural family planning), per page 455.

–As to China, expand tariffs to all Chinese products and increase tariff rates. Also, ban all Chinese social media apps such as TikTok and WeChat.  (See page 789.)

–Here are several stand-alone items of interest:

The president may “exert leverage” on the Senate to push through approval of his appointees (173).

All political ambassadors worldwide would be recalled/fired at the start of the administration (174).

College degrees will not be required for federal jobs (357).  Prohibit the use of a BA requirement in job descriptions (589).

Uphold the federal death penalty (554).

USDA federal labeling mandate is repealed. (307). 

USDA’s dietary guidelines would be repealed (309).

USDA is directed to promote genetically engineered foods and bioengineering practices (307).

The TSA/Transportation Safety Agency would be privatized (158).

Census: Add Trump’s citizenship question (680).

The Export–Import Bank would be abolished (723).

The Federal Reserve would have its powers limited or removed (732). 

The Small Business Administration is severely cut (720).

FEC Board appointments—the President must have direct control (962).

Want more info about Project 2025?

–Summary of Project 2025 from the BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c977njnvq2do

–CBS News’ summary of Project 2025: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-is-project-2025-trump-conservative-blueprint-heritage-foundation/

–The Man Behind Project 2025’s Most Radical Plans 8/1/24  https://www.propublica.org/article/project-2025-trump-campaign-heritage-foundation-paul-dans

So, Josh Hawley, far-right US Senator from Missouri and all-around supercilious jerk, is up for re-election.  Progressive Dem Lucas Kunce, a 13-year Marine combat vet, is running against him.  Here is Kunce’s new 2-minute campaign ad, narrated by actor John Goodman, also a Kunce supporter and born and raised in Missouri.  The venerable Goodman reminds us what “family values” really means and that the rest is just political noise.  No matter what state you live in, this will give you chills.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg6phTl6M8Q

–Allred vs. Cruz

–District 19’s Dwain Handley

Until then—have fun!

Aug. 17, 2024 Covering Lakeway wrapping up summer with fun events plus Council and Comp Plan meetings, as well as stunning images and cool news from space, women’s rights news, adorable fawn photos, Covid updates, and more.  (For November Election 2024 coverage, skip down to my Aug. 10 blog; plus, next weekend, I’ll post a new politics-only blog.)

Bring the family to a temporary petting zoo, on Sunday, Aug. 18, noon-3PM, on the trail between City Hall and the Activity Center.  FREE event!  Attendees of all ages can enjoy a fun-filled visit with a variety of animals including goats, sheep, donkeys, and a miniature horse. Lunch will be provided by CraigO’s Pizza.

PLUS, around town, you can observe goats grazing the landscape in a special project to remove invasive species and excess vegetation from our green spaces.  Goats can be seen from the Petting Zoo site, as well as at other areas including around the pond on LW Blvd. near LW Drive.  Since the goats will be in safe and enclosed areas as they work to beautify Lakeway, petting them is NOT allowed.  More info here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2216/Petting-Zoo

Through August, the lobby at City Hall (1102 Lohmans Crossing) displays the art of Christy Stephens.  Meet the artist at a reception on Monday, August 19, 5:30-7:30 PM.

August 9-25—Motown: A Celebration.  Go here for info and to buy tickets: https://www.tex-arts.org/upcoming-productions

–BOOK CLUB: Tuesday, Aug. 20, 6:30PM at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing Rd.).  Instead of book discussion, there will be a speaker, Carolyn Forte, co-founder of FReadom Fighters and protector of the right to read.

–MONTHLY MEETING: Tuesday, Sept. 17, 6:30PM at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek), with a presentation by Joshua Blank, Research Director of the Texas Politics Project and polling expert.

–Want a DEM campaign sign?  Go here and follow the prompts to request signs: https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/

–We have a hugely important election in November.  LT Dems are working with Western Travis Democrats (a group of local Dem Precinct Chairs) to organize activities including mailings, block walks/lit drops, phone banks, texting, campaign signs, and more for this fall.  Go here (at the link, scroll down to GOTV and click on More Info) to sign up and help GET OUT THE VOTE this fall:  https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/copy-of-club-activities

–These activities take money.  Printing, postage, signs—it adds up.  Donations are needed.  ACT BLUE makes donating easy and securehttps://secure.actblue.com/donate/western-travis-democrats-1

–Check https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/ for club activities each month.

The Lakeway Arts Committee hosts the 8th annual Cool Arts Show and Studio Tour, Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 24-25. The event is FREE to the Public and will feature live music in the Lakeway Activity Center courtyard, along with fine visual arts created by around 20 Lakeway-area artists. Go here for info:  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1858/Cool-Arts-Show-Studio-Tour

Calling local amateur and professional photographers to enter their work in Lakeway’s 22nd annual photo contest.  It is FREE to enter; winners will be displayed at City Hall.  Entry deadline is Aug. 31.  All photos must be taken within the City of Lakeway, by residents within the Lakeway Travis ISD area.  This year’s categories include: Abstract/Artistic; Architecture; Birds; Community; Drone/Aerial; Greenscapes; Macro/Closeup; Pets; Skyscapes; Waterscapes; and Wildlife. Photos will be judged on creativity, photographic quality, and effectiveness in conveying the beauty and unique character of Lakeway. Go here for info and to enter: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1843/Lakeway-Photo-Festival

An anonymous community member has offered to match donations during the month of August.  In the process of heavy renovations at the new West location, the library needs your donation.  Don’t miss this chance to double your impact.  https://laketravislibrary.org/donate/

Local artist, author and library volunteer Victoria Waite’s abstract paintings are on display in the library’s meeting room all of August. She creates contemporary pieces in vibrant colors. The library’s meeting room showcases local artists on a rotating monthly basis.

In September, the Friends of the Library Art Committee will meet to select the featured artists for 2025. If you are interested in exhibiting your work, please review and complete the application.  It is also available at the circulation desk.  https://d31hzlhk6di2h5.cloudfront.net/20240806/7f/1e/88/8e/8db36f1ad09db58d668346e0/Art_Selection_Policy_2023.pdf

The mayor gave a live update on Aug. 15.  Go here to watch:  https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=429562329418192

Lakeway’s hot tar summer draws to a close.  The city announced that resurfacing of all 3 or our major roads—LW Drive, LW Boulevard and Lohmans Crossing—was completed as of Aug. 10.  Striping work will happen in September with minor traffic delays expected. Questions or comments?  Call Lakeway Public Works at 512-608-9000 or email the city info@lakeway-tx.gov

RESULTS:  Five members attended the meeting, 4 on the dais plus Council Member Sherman via Zoom.  Council Members Forton and Brynteson were absent.

The Budget Workshop began with some Committees presenting their funding requests.  This included Arts ($59,500), Economic Development ($30,000), Heritage ($29,500), and Wildlife ($4,900).

Property tax rates adopted in recent years were reviewed (0.1645 in 2020 and 2021, 0.1545 in 2022, 0.1290 in 2023, and 0.1440 in 2024).

Travis County has supplied current property tax data to the city, indicating Lakeway’s base property value is $8.1BIL (compared to $7.6BIL in 2024).  New growth is only 2% of that, compared to 3.2% in 2024.  That small amount of new taxes means that a “no new revenue” tax rate will not generate enough additional funds to cover the new expenses Council is contemplating. 

Several higher tax rates were discussed.  The City Manager seemed to favor increasing the tax rate as high as possible without requiring voter approval, in order to maximize funding.  (I believe the rate mentioned was 0.1626, which would raise the average home’s tax bill by $222.)

Remember that our property tax bills include funding for much more than City of Lakeway.  Travis County and LTISD get the biggest pieces of the pie (by FAR).  The MUDs get another chunk, along with emergency services and others.  City of Lakeway gets only about 8% of what we pay in property taxes.  So, whatever Council does, it only affects that small chunk of the bill–under 10% of it.

Merit raises and cost of living increases for city employees are being evaluated.  As for salary savings, a couple BDS clerks will not be replaced, due to the Main Street construction delays causing a slow-down in permitting. The previously discussed change to Enterprise Fleet for vehicle maintenance and purchases may be delayed until next year.  The expected $1.4MIL in FEMA reimbursement for ice storm costs still has not arrived.  Establishing an Emergency Fund for that kind of expense is under consideration.  They are also looking at shifting from funding large projects via bonds to doing so via a Capital Improvement Plan; the sticky part is how to fund it.  Several Capital Reserve Fund expenses (about $6MIL total) were discussed, the largest being $1.8MIL for building renovations (nearly all at the Justice Center).

The Aug. 19 meeting will continue Budget discussions.  Meetings on Sept. 3 and 16 will finalize the property tax rate and budget.

ADJOURNED at 8:16 PM.  Go here to watch the Council meeting online: https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/311552  View the Agenda, Meeting Packet, and/or Presentation (scrolling down to City Council documents) here:  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

Consequential Agenda items include:   

ITEM 10:  Citizen’s Participation for items not on the agenda. 

ITEM 11: Financial Report. 

ITEM 12: Discussion and direction to staff re: Lakeway pools built 2017-2023 and damaged by ASR. 

ITEM 13: Request by Special Olympics Texas for $300,000 from the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund.

ITEMS 14 and 15: Request to amend the Future Land Use Map as to 5.36 acres at 300 Birrell Street from commercial to residential.  PLUS: Request to change the zoning of the same tract from C-1 (office/retail) to Planned Unit Development (PUD). 

ITEM 16: First reading of proposed change of the ordinance as to solicitors, the primary changes being deleting the current No Visit list and requiring homeowners to post a No Solicitation sign. 

ITEM 17:  Discussion as to Baby Box Interlocal Agreement, requiring $800 annually from City of Lakeway to fund continued operation and maintenance of the Safe Haven Baby Box at the Pedernales Fire Station, which provides a safe, legal, and anonymous option for parents in crisis who need to surrender their newborns.

ITEM 18: Status update on the 620 Overlay Zoning District. 

ITEM 19:  FY 2025 Budget Workshop, with proposal of a tax rate.  The city recently posted budget data here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/43284/FY-2024-2025-Budget-Draft

ITEM 21: Executive Session on Hillsong PUD.

View the Agenda, Meeting Packet, and/or Presentation (scrolling down to City Council documents) here:  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx    Go here to watch the Council meeting online (live or later):  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

Sadly, this has happened for several years now, and another dog died after swimming in Lake Travis over the July 4 holiday.  This local article explains the problem.  Dog dies after swimming in Lake Travis, LCRA urges owners to keep pets away 7/6/24  https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/dog-dies-after-swimming-in-lake-travis-lcra-urges-owners-to-keep-pets-away

Celebrate the start of the NCAA season on Saturday, Sept. 7, 11AM (note the time change), at Lakeway Swim Center.  Watch the Texas Longhorns play in Michigan against the Wolverines, streamed live on a massive LED screen.  FREE event!  Enjoy food and activities for all ages, including yard games, inflatables, face painters, and more.  Info here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2077/College-Gameday

Attend the second public meeting on the new Comprehensive Plan, on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 5:30PM, at Lakeway City Hall.  Get an update on developments and provide your input.  Go here for more info including a link to see the project’s timeline, goals, status and more: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1547/Comprehensive-Plan

The next community garage sale is Saturday, Sept. 14 from 8AM to noon.  Admission is FREE, but in the LAC lobby you can drop off non-perishable or canned food items, to be donated to local food banks and charities.  You can also donate new or gently used children’s books, for the Free Little Books bin at the entrance. Want to sell stuff?  LAC members-$30 per booth; Non-Members-$35 per booth.  Call 512-261-1010 to reserve a booth, or go here and click on Garage Sale tab: https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog

On Saturday, Sept. 14, 10AM-noon, head over to Lakeway City Park to play Spikeball—the new sport taking over the country.  Fun for the whole family, spikeball is a high-energy game requiring very little equipment; a net, a ball, and four players is all you need.  FREE event!  Plus–prizes, giveaways, free sports drinks and waters, as well as FREE LUNCH at noon for the first 25 people. Spikeball is easy to learn.  Go here for the rules and more info, and to sign up: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2076/Lakeway-Spikeball-Day

On Sunday, Sept. 15, 4-5:30PM, enjoy Debussy String Quartet/Schubert Cello Quintet at the Lakeway Activity Center.  FREE event!  Info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1862/Sunday-Afternoon-Concert-Series

Lake Travis Senior Services is sponsoring a FREE shred event, on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 9-11 AM.  Just drop off your papers at Lakeway Commons (corner of Lakeway Blvd. and 620), in the parking lot of Lakeway Aquatic PT. Info here: https://www.ltseniorservices.org/event-details/shred-day-5

The next blood drive at LAC is on Saturday, Sept. 21, 8AM-noon.  This recurring event is well organized, clean and friendly.  You will be done and out the door in 30 minutes. It is an important cause and helps countless people. Plus—FREE JUICE AND COOKIES! While walk-ins are welcome, those with appointments have priority. You can see upcoming dates and make an appointment to donate by entering your zip code here:  https://weareblood.org/donor/schedule/

Bring family and friends to the Lakeway Swim Center Field (3103 Serene Hills Drive) on Saturday, Sept. 21, 10AM, for City of Lakeway’s 2024 Cornhole Tournament.  FREE event!  Enjoy a fun-filled day of tossing bags, with college football on the Jumbo Screen, delicious food from local vendors, and exciting activities for all ages. Info here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2015/Cornhole-Tournament

Join Lake Travis Senior Services at its annual Aging Well Expo on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 10AM-1:30PM, at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek).  Attendees will learn about services and products promoting health and happiness during the aging process.  Enjoy a breakfast snack, lunch and presentations by outstanding speakers, plus door prizes, flu/Covid shots, goody bags, and more.  https://www.ltseniorservices.org/aging-well-expo

Police teams and city leaders will visit area gatherings in Lakeway during National Night Out, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. Go here for info and form to request a visit to your group/area: https://lakeway-tx.gov/344/National-Night-Out

The Lakeway Players present the award-winning comedy, The Kitchen Witches, Oct. 3-5, at Lakeway Activity Center.  Doors open at 6:30PM; show starts at 7:30PM.  Tickets are $34.  Bring your own food and alcoholic beverages.  Go here for info and to buy tickets: https://www.thelakewayplayers.com/

These tours always fill up FAST!  Registration is OPEN for Lakeway historical bus tours, happening on Friday, Oct. 25, at 9:15AM, 11:15AM, and 1:15PM.  FREE tours start at Lakeway City Hall, so you can also take a look inside the historic Liebelt Cabin.  Go here for info and to register: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1171/Heritage-Trail

Watch a stunning 10-second video, condensed from over 3 hours of an exploding prominence–an Earth-sized blob of plasma dancing around on our Sun’s surface.  (Image credit: NASA, SDO, Alan Watson via Helioviewer.)  It’s exactly how I feel most sunny days on my morning walks….  https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240728.html

WOW—Perseid meteors shooting through the northern lights!  The above image (credit: Gunjan Sinha) was taken Aug 11 in Canada. Check the article for more stunning images.  Rare Perseid meteor shower and northern lights display excites stargazers worldwide 8/12/24 https://www.space.com/perseid-meteor-shower-and-northern-lights-auroras-august-2024-photos

Still docked at ISS, Starliner has no return date.  (Image credit: ESA.)  Boeing’s first mission to the ISS has been stuck up there since June 5, due to multiple helium leaks and thruster failures on Starliner’s debut crewed flight. NASA has been troubleshooting for over 2 months with little result.  Now, officials say they expect to make a final decision on the crew’s return by the end of August.  Starliner’s overstaying its welcome at the space station has forced delay of upcoming flights due to docking limits; SpaceX’s next Crew-9 launch has been pushed out a full month to late September, and a SpaceX Cargo Dragon resupply flight is delayed until mid-October.  If NASA decides Starliner isn’t safe, it will be undocked from ISS and sent home empty, in hopes of a nominal parachute deployment, landing and recovery.  That would make room for SpaceX’s Crew-9 to dock at ISS with a reduced crew, allowing Boeing’s 2 astronauts to ride back to Earth very belatedly, after the SpaceX mission ends in Feb. of 2025. Will Boeing’s Starliner astronauts ride a SpaceX Dragon home in 2025? NASA could decide next week 8/14/24  https://www.space.com/nasa-boeing-starliner-return-date-decision-imminent

Musk and SpaceX are polluting Texas waters, in and around the Starbase facility in Boca Chica, per CNBC, which reports that SpaceX’s deluge system discharges industrial wastewater into nearby bodies of water.  As support, it cites a notice of violation of the Clean Water Act issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; the related investigation found that SpaceX discharged industrial wastewater without a permit four times between March and July of 2024.  (The deluge system is used for flight safety, protecting launch infrastructure and its surroundings by absorbing the intense heat and vibrations of launch.)  According to CNBC, the violations could threaten SpaceX’s ambitions to increase sharply the number of Starship launches from the Texas facility.  SpaceX denies it all. (Image credit: SpaceX via X.)  SpaceX refutes reports that its Starship launch pad system polluted Texas waters 8/14/24 https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-starbase-water-pollution-response

Vote BLUE, to protect women’s health and freedom over their own bodies, keep Mifepristone available, protect our rights to contraception and to fertility options like IVF, and block the far right from coming after other personal freedoms like who we marry, when we divorce, and how we raise our kids.  

Last week, Arizona and Missouri joined the long list of states where abortion will be on the November ballot.  [See above image, from Axios.]  At least 8 states have already approved abortion-related ballot questions, generally state constitutional protection, including Florida, Maryland, S. Dakota, Colorado, Nevada, New York, Arizona, and Missouri.  In 3 more states—Arkansas, Montana and Nebraska—advocates seem likely to meet the requirements by November.  Efforts in 3 more states—Pennsylvania, Iowa and Maine—have bogged down.  (Remember: while state protections of abortion rights are great, they will be wiped out by a NATIONAL ABORTION BAN if Trump or another Republican gets in the White House.)  States where abortion is on or proposed for the ballot in 2024 8/13/24 https://www.axios.com/2024/04/06/abortion-amendment-november-2024-elections-states-map

Two women filed federal complaints against Texas hospitals for refusing to treat their ectopic pregnancies, resulting in loss of their fallopian tubes and endangering their future fertility.  Texas law allows doctors to terminate ectopic pregnancies (a condition where the fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tubes, instead of in the uterus). Ectopic pregnancies are always non-viable and can quickly become life-threatening if left untreated.  Nevertheless, the plaintiffs say they were turned away from two separate hospitals that refused to treat them. The complaint alleges that the doctors and hospitals are so fearful of the state’s abortion laws, which carry heavy fines and sentences up to life in prison when violated, that they are hesitating to perform even protected abortions.  In new complaint, Texas women say delayed care due to abortion laws endangered their fertility 8/12/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/12/texas-abortion-law-ectopic-pregnancies/

New Mexico welcomes medicals professionals oppressed by the anti-abortion law in Texas.  Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced an initiative to encourage medical professionals in Texas to relocate to New Mexico, including several billboards (image credit: Clear Channel) adjacent to the Houston Medical Center and full-page ads in major Texas newspapers across the state. Gov. Grisham’s communications highlighted New Mexico’s commitment to protecting the full spectrum of health care, including abortion access.  Governor invites Texas healthcare professionals to New Mexico 8/4/24 https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2024/08/05/governor-invites-texas-healthcare-professionals-to-new-mexico-free-to-provide-campaign-highlights-reproductive-health-freedom/

Planned Parenthood announced that that its only Manhattan clinic would stop performing abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, as of Sept. 3. New York law allows abortion through the 24th week of pregnancy, and later in cases where a fetus is not viable or a woman’s life or health is at risk.  But, the clinic can no longer afford the “deep sedation” required to perform abortions beyond the 20-week mark.  All other NYC area Planned Parenthood centers have already discontinued abortions after 20 weeks. This is the latest sign of financial struggles for Planned Parenthood’s New York chapter, which also plans to close four clinics around the state, including its sole clinic on Staten Island. The chapter has already instituted executive pay cuts and consolidated job functions.  Manhattan Planned Parenthood Will Stop Offering Abortions After 20 Weeks 8/7/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/07/nyregion/planned-parenthood-abortions-manhattan.html

Doctors and patients in red states are moving or destroying frozen embryos due to an emerging movement against in vitro fertilization.  In Alabama, the State Supreme Court ruled in February that embryos are “unborn children.”  Several fertility clinics responded by hiring biotech companies to move the cells elsewhere; another clinic is discarding embryos in New York, due to concerns about the legality of doing so in Alabama.  Across the country, in red states with abortion bans and activists demanding that IVF be banned next, clinics and individual patients are shipping frozen embryos (specks of 70 to 200 cells barely visible to the human eye) to blue states, to safely preserve their fertility options.  I.V.F. Threats in Alabama Drive Clinics to Ship Out Embryos 8/12/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/12/health/ivf-embryos-alabama.html

Aug. 14 was my Maxie’s anniversary—17 years since I brought her home, at 8 months old. She was born at a shelter on Maui and had a rough kittenhood, sickly and underweight; they had named her Minnie so the first thing I did was change her name to Maxie, and that did the trick. Maxie has been happy and healthy ever since, accompanying me on many adventures.  She knows stuff about me, good and bad, that no other living being does–good thing she’s not talking.  Maxie doesn’t judge, either; she just loves.  And purrs like a motorboat.  Above are some baby pictures from way back in 2007, including the middle shot showing her sopping wet after her first (and only) bath. (Talk about stink eye!)  Below are 3 photos from 2024. Maxie is slowing down now and I suspect won’t be here much longer, so I treasure every day she gives me.

Call me strange, but the Summer Olympics bored me.  I just can’t watch breathlessly as people SWIM.  Or RUN.  Or RIDE A BIKE.  I respect their talent and dedication, but I have zero interest in watching.  (In the Winter Games, the endless skiing competitions at least offer lovely views.)  On the other hand, I used to be a HUGE fan of gymnastics and looked forward to the Olympics for that.  But, I read too much about how young bodies were ruined by the continuous battering; the repeated instances of youngsters being sexually abused by adults in charge ended my ability to watch that sport.  (So far, every October to March I remain obsessed with watching figure skating competitions, though the Olympics tend to be an over-hyped anomaly interrupting the usual competitive cycle every 4 years.)  Now, if viewers had somehow gotten one of those chocolate muffins I kept hearing about, I might have tuned in for the Paris Games….  But, NOT to the breakdancing competition; sorry, that’s not a sport.

Paris WAS the backdrop for one much-awaited ceremony.  The 9 US skaters from the 2022 Olympic team–Nathan Chen, Vincent Zhou, Alexa Knierim, Brandon Frazier, Karen Chen, Madison Hubbell, Zachary Donohue, Madison Chock and Evan Bates–received their gold medals after a delay of more than two years.  At the team event during the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Russia seemingly won the gold, with US taking silver.  But, the awards ceremony was delayed and it was soon revealed that Russian skating star Kamila Valieva, just 15 years old then, had tested positive 6 weeks earlier for trimetazidine (a drug improving blood flow), which is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned substance list. Valieva was banned from competition for 4 years from the test date, which disqualified her Beijing scores.  So, in Paris, Team USA finally got their gold medals, with silver going to Japan, and Russia bumped down to bronze.

It is SO HOT out there.  Give wildlife a break and some fresh water, preferably in the shade.  Rinse the bowl and add fresh water daily, to avoid breeding mosquitos. (Image credit: Angels Among Us Animal Rescue.)

Lakeway’s fawns are growing up way too fast.  Here are some of my fawn photos, taken in Old Lakeway during the last couple weeks. 

LOTS of Lakeway folks are getting Covid.  In group situations and especially when traveling, WEAR A MASK. 

The summer Covid wave is severe across the country and has not yet crested. As of Aug. 10, the CDC’s Data Tracker shows all 4 Covid-19 indicators (test positivity, ER visits, hospitalization, and death rate) RISING sharply.  https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

Wastewater viral testing shows VERY HIGH levels (instead of LOW back in June and HIGH in July).  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/index.html

Summer of 2024 is riding a major Covid wave now, with an estimated 900,000 new infections every day, based on US wastewater data.  Numbers are still trending upward, with no plateau in sight. To blame are the variants KP.3 and KP.3.1.1, which together now account for more than half of new cases in the US.  While severe cases are not rampant, early August saw a relative increase of 25% of deaths and 12% increase in emergency room visits due to Covid. The Indomitable Covid Virus 8/3/24 https://erictopol.substack.com/p/the-indomitable-covid-virus

New Covid vaccines should be available by September/October, updated to fight the newest variant offshoot called KP.2.  Experts say everyone 6 months and older should get the updated vaccine this fall.  As Covid cases rise, CDC recommends new version of vaccine 6/27/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/covid-cases-rise-cdc-panel-recommends-updated-vaccine-fall-rcna159349

If you catch Covid, consider taking PaxlovidIt prevents severe illness and death in people at high risk; studies show it is effective in nearly 75% of cases.  And “high risk” covers most American adults, including those with depression, obesity, asthma or a history of smoking.  Anyone age 50 or older should take Paxlovid, regardless of health status.  Lots more good info in this article: I Have Covid. Should I Take Paxlovid? 1/11/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/11/well/covid-paxlovid-treatment.html

Recent articles:

–The Indomitable Covid Virus 8/3/24 https://erictopol.substack.com/p/the-indomitable-covid-virus

–What Causes Dangerous Inflammation in Children With Covid? 8/7/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/07/health/misc-autoimmune-children.html

–About 400 Million People Worldwide Have Had Long Covid, Researchers Say 8/9/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/09/health/long-covid-world.html

–Should You Get Another Covid Shot Now? 8/12/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/12/well/coronavirus-vaccine-booster.html

Aug. 10, 2024 Here is my first ALL-POLITICS blog, covering the November 2024 Election.  (The regular/non-political blog will be posted on Aug. 17.) 

WELCOME to my first ALL-POLITICS blog covering the November 2024 Election.  (If you missed it, check out my July 27 blog and scroll down to its debut Election section.) Don’t worry, the regular non-politics blog will post next weekend, with the 2 blogs alternating until November. Luckily, I have no life….

REGISTRATION

Are you registered to vote in Travis County?  Things can change, so go here to BE SURE you are eligible to vote: https://elections.traviscountytx.gov/voter-lookup/#VoterEligibilitySearch

Last day to register to vote in Travis County is Oct. 7.  Go here to fill out an application form, but it must be PRINTED and MAILED: https://vrapp.sos.state.tx.us/index.asp

BALLOT BY MAIL

Application deadline is Oct. 25: https://elections.traviscountytx.gov/voter-information/ballot-by-mail/#AbsenteeBallotSearch

VOTING (in person)

Early Voting is Oct. 21-Nov. 1.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5

SAMPLE BALLOT

There is a lot more being decided than the Presidential race.  Be sure to vote in ALL races, top to bottom of the ballot (preferably for DEMOCRATS.)  Go here and enter your address to see the elections and candidates: https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_Sample_Ballot

Volunteer for Harris/Walz campaign. https://web.kamalaharris.com/forms/take-action-for-kamala-harris/

Volunteer here in Lakeway area. LT Dems are working with Western Travis Democrats (a group of local Dem Precinct Chairs) to organize activities including mailings, block walks/lit drops, phone banks, campaign signs, and more for this fall.  Go here (at the link, scroll down to GOTV and click on More Info) to sign up and help GET OUT THE VOTE this fall:  https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/copy-of-club-activities

Donate here in Lakeway area for local impact. The activities listed above that local Dem groups are spearheading take money.  Printing, postage, signs—it adds up.  Donations are needed.  ACT BLUE makes donating easy and securehttps://secure.actblue.com/donate/western-travis-democrats-1

Donate to Travis County Democratic Party. TCDP is working hard to reach Democrats across Travis County and make sure they know when, how, and where to vote.  To get Harris/Walz and Colin Allred elected we need to turn out every Democrat in Travis County —and postcards are key in making that happen. $20 = 30 postcards. $50 = 76 postcards. Pitch in to mobilize Democrats across Travis County. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fund-our-postcards?fbclid=IwY2xjawEh8LpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHby1WqRlAg3PPiBFqmxnSOXA8pyevSZAiZMFqqM0nRquYthuhh3oAyyB9A_aem_IIfdpz23omO4H9aIbCDxoA

Mail postcards to SWING STATES. Turning Texas blue is a big lift, BUT we can help the DEMS win the swing states, by mailing postcards.  Progressive Turnout Project has a goal of 26 million cards and makes it easy, sending you the cards, addresses and messages you can use.  You just provide the stamps.  Here is how it works: “Sign up now to write postcards to rally Democrats to vote in 11 key states on November 5! Writing postcards is the most effective action you can take from home to help re-elect President Biden and ensure that Democrats maintain a Senate majority. You pick the state when you sign up, and we’ll mail you free postcards along with voter lists and instructions with proven message options.You’ll provide the postcard stamps and mail the postcards in October on the instructed date.” Go here to sign up: https://turnoutpac.org/postcards/

As a proud Cat Lady, I couldn’t resist customizing this sign a bit for my yard. Thanks, JD Vance–you big DUMB lug–for the inspiration! (And, sincere thanks to Lou and Bill Kilgore for the sign itself, as we all wait for the printers to crank out brand new Harris/Walz signs for our yards.)

Check out the Harris campaign’s FEARLESS ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7Yr4U5Clls

The Harris campaign turned out to be surprising in so many ways.  But, the BEST surprise is the JOY it has sparked, nationwide.  Kamala Harris’ optimism is as contagious as her laugh.  Suddenly, people are hopeful.  Change is coming, and we’ve got this.  A weight is finally lifted, and what a relief!  Even people who were always going to vote blue are suddenly excited about this election, because they aren’t just voting AGAINST Trump and oppression—they are voting FOR the Dem candidates and forward-thinking policies.  That’s HUGE.  This campaign is going to be FUN….

Harris was certified as the Democratic presidential nominee on Aug. 6, getting 4,567 votes from delegates in a virtual roll call.  She is the first Black and South Asian woman to lead a major party ticket.  Kamala Harris certified as Democratic presidential nominee after earning majority of roll call votes 8/6/24 https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/kamala-harris-nominee-DNC-majority-democratic-roll-call-votes/story?id=112580918

Endorsements are rolling in for Harris/Walz.  A particularly note-worthy one is from LULAC, The League of United Latin American Citizens.  This is the group’s very FIRST time endorsing a presidential ticket, in its 95-year history. Latino civil rights group LULAC endorses Harris-Walz ticket in historic first 8/9/24  https://www.axios.com/2024/08/09/lulac-endorsement-harris-walz-latino-voters

I’m waiting for Taylor Swift….

Even Republican leaders are on board with Harris. 

Back in July, John Giles endorsed Harris for president.  The interesting thing is that Giles is a lifelong Republican and has been the mayor of Mesa, AZ since 2014.  But, he’s done with Trump and said this of Harris: “Vice-president Harris is fighting to make sure Americans can get ahead and be safe from gun violence and to restore and protect the rights of women. Donald Trump, on the other hand, could enact the extreme and dangerous Project 2025 agenda if elected, which would roll back our rights and freedoms.”  And, Giles isn’t the only GOP official endorsing Harris; many others followed his lead, all over the country.

Republican Arizona mayor John Giles endorses Harris for president 7/30/24 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/30/john-giles-endorses-kamala-harris-arizona-mayor

–Harris unrolls dozens of GOP endorsements 8/4/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/harris-campaigns-outreach-plan-republican-voters-rcna165040

–“Republicans for Harris” launches in the swing state of New Hampshire 8/6/24 https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/republicans-for-harris-new-hampshire/

After a couple weeks of vetting and much nail-biting by the public, Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (age 60) as her running mate.  A relative unknown until recently, in 2 terms as Minnesota governor Walz codified the right to abortion in 2023, protected access to gender-affirming care, expanded voting rights, implemented a child tax credit, provided free school breakfasts and lunches, ushered in gun safety laws, slashed use of fossil fuels, and much more.  Can’t get much more DEM than that.  Plus, he brings to the ticket Mid-West values, military service, and a gift for speaking plainly but memorably.  He taught school and coached high school football for 20 years before running for office, then spent a decade in Congress.  A cat AND dog lover, a gun owner and union member, his 2 children are the result of IVF. 

While promoting Harris as the Presidential nominee, Walz originated the “weird” characterization of Trump and Vance, which succinctly captures the oddness of so much of today’s GOP policy and personnel, without being scary or pejorative.  Most importantly, perhaps, Walz fits perfectly into the Harris campaign’s joyful warrior mode; he seems to be indomitably cheerful.  Starting at the 8/6 Philly rally where he and Harris first appeared representing the Dem ticket, Walz let loose pitch-perfect zingers against both Trump and Vance.  “Violent crime was up under Donald Trump. That’s not even counting the crimes he committed.”  And: “I can’t wait to debate Vance, that is, if he’s willing to get off the couch and show up.”  The genius of his folksy delivery is that he skewers the opposing politicians without attacking Republican voters. Walz is ridiculously popular all along the Democratic spectrum.  Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who stand on opposite sides of everything, both praised Harris’ choice of Walz, prompting AOC to wryly post: “Dems in disconcerting levels of array.” It is hoped that Walz’ regular guy persona will benefit the ticket in rural areas, especially in swing states; it works well on issues like abortion.  Instead of talking about the right to choose or even the importance of personal freedom, Walz says that it is a matter of respecting your neighbors’ decisions even when you disagree and following the Golden Rule of small towns–“Mind your own damn business.”

Harris/Walz ad introduces the new VP candidate.  Meet VP Pick Tim Walz: When we fight, we win. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF6sMbRVRYw

Here are several excellent resources (from short audios to comprehensive articles) that tell all about Tim Walz and explain why Harris picked him:

–Heather Cox Richardson presents Tim Walz, in a 9-minute audio 8/6/24 https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/august-6-2024-c69

Matters of Opinion 40-minute podcast: Tim Walz is Vibing 8/9/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/09/opinion/tim-walz-harris-trump.html

The Daily podcast explains Tim Walz and why Harris picked him, in 30 minutes. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/07/podcasts/the-daily/tim-walz-vp-democrats.html

Your Tim Walz policy guide: Where he stands on abortion, unions, energy and more 8/6/24 https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/06/tim-walz-policy-record-guide-00172844

55 Things to Know About Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’ Pick for VP  8/6/24 https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/08/06/tim-walz-55-things-harris-vp-00172790

In 2019, Trump appointed Gov. Walz to the Council of Governors.  Something else for Trump to flip-flop on….

Walz is normal, decent and fun.  Vance is fake, awkward and often creepy.  The ONLY thing Walz and Vance have in common?  A love of Diet Mountain Dew.

Lincoln ad—JV vs. Walz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXCKxjFQuD8

Polling as of Aug. 6 shows Harris leading Trump 51% to 48% nationally, reversing things just weeks into her candidacy. Women, black voters, and independents are all moving toward Harris, and she is strong with Latinos, older voters, and white voters overall.   https://www.npr.org/2024/08/06/g-s1-15701/election-poll-harris-trump

SWING STATE polls are even sweeter, per Siena College/NYT polling done Aug. 5-9.  Harris leads Trump in crucial Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.  https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/10/us/politics/harris-trump-battleground-polls.html

Look who’s old and addled now.

Lincoln Project’s ad—“Listen.”  Just 1 minute says it ALL.  One thing about Trump—he gleefully warns us exactly what he plans to do.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4AYVQxLQ7s

As Joyce Vance stated on Substack recently: “It’s okay to call the racist a racist. In fact, it’s something we’re morally obligated to do.”   I agree, so—again: Trump is a racist. 

During his question/answer session at the National Association of Black Journalists gathering, Trump imploded. 

“She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. So I don’t know, is she Indian or is she Black?” the former president said.  

Scott pushed back, citing the fact that Harris attended a historically Black university, and directed Trump back to the original question about whether he believes Harris was a “DEI” pick. He replied: “I really don’t know, could be, could be. There are some.”

He also called the black woman interviewing him “nasty” and “a disgrace.”

“A lot of the journalists in this room are Black,” Trump said, prompting laughter and gasps from the audience. “I will tell you that coming from the border are millions and millions of people that happen to be taking Black jobs.” Scott asked him to explain what a “Black job” is. “A Black job is anybody that has a job, that’s what it is,” Trump responded, before saying of undocumented immigrants: “They’re taking the employment away from Black people.”

Donald Trump falsely suggests Kamala Harris ‘happened to turn Black’ 7/31/24 https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/31/politics/donald-trump-kamala-harris-black-nabj/index.html

Watch 11 minutes of Trump’s racist comments here: Trump self-immolates at NABJ: a supercut 7/31/24  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJFmvXQp6F8

LOVE how the “weird” moniker galls Trump and company.  Invectives roll right off these folks, but the relatively mild “weird” really gets under their skin.  Not as much as his small crowd size, compared to the ginormous and super-enthusiastic overflow crowds Harris/Walz are drawing, sends Trump over the edge, but still—fun stuff. 

August 9 was the 50-year anniversary of Pres. Nixon’s resignation in shame, to avoid prosecution and imprisonment after exposure of years-long harassment of his political foes by White House staff and appointees, all at Nixon’s instruction. According to SCOTUS today, dominated by Trump’s far-right appointments, that was completely unnecessary.  Per the recent immunity ruling, Nixon had nothing to worry about since his Oval Office shenanigans with his staff were cloaked with presidential immunity as official acts.  We are still discovering just how bad Trump’s first term was—the incompetence, the grifting, the cover-ups, the security breaches, his malign policies, his deadly handling of the pandemic, all the plotting against his perceived enemies, on and on.  Imagine what Trump would do in a second term, secure in the knowledge he would never be held accountable no matter what. VOTE BLUE, or we will all find out.

By the way, Trump’s giant ear-wrapper disappeared soon after the GOP convention.  And, his ear was suddenly perfect; maybe he grew a new one, like a gecko grows a new tail.

Trump on July 26 told Christians at a Turning Point USA event that they just need to vote ONE LAST TIME.

“Vote just this time.  Four more years, you know what? It’ll be fixed, it’ll be fine. You won’t have to vote anymore.  In 4 years, you don’t have to vote again.  We’ll have it fixed so good you’re not going to have to vote.”

YOU WON’T HAVE TO VOTE ANYMORE.  Gotta love that one thing about Trump—no secret is safe with him, and like a toddler he just can’t help spilling the beans way early.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOGTCKQklPQ

He repeated these good tidings on 7/29 Fox News interview, telling an oh-so-helpful Laura Ingraham: “Don’t worry about the future.  You have to vote on November 5. After that, you don’t have to worry about voting anymore.”  Trump Declines to Back Away From ‘You Don’t Have to Vote Again’ Line 7/30/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/30/us/politics/trump-christians-vote-ingraham.html

Allegations have belatedly become public that Trump accepted $10MIL from the Egyptian government when his 2016 presidential campaign was desperate for cash.  It is illegal for US candidates to accept contributions from foreign countries.  So, the $10MIL went to Trump, and he loaned the same amount to his campaign.  Upon election, his administration abruptly reversed American policy, praising Egypt and its authoritarian ruler, President Sisi.  The sprawling Mueller Investigation and the FBI gathered evidence of the illicit transaction, turning the matter over to the Justice Department for charges.  However, Attorney General Bill Barr, Trump’s appointee, killed the case.  Now, the statute of limitations has run. —Report reveals secret US inquiry into alleged 2016 Egyptian $10m gift to Trump 8/2/24 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/02/trump-campaign-2016-egypt-investigation

First, Trump panicked and backed out of debating VP Harris, a strong and confident woman who for years prosecuted felons just like him.  On Aug. 3, he called off his Sept. 10 debate with Harris, demanding a new date and hosting by his pals on Fox News.  Harris just ignored him.  But, then, Trump realized he was being left out of the electoral loop, so he backed out of backing out.  On Aug. 8, Trump agreed to the previous terms for a Sept. 10 debate.  It will be on ABC, with David Muir and Linsey Davis as moderators, and without a live audience.  ABC Says Trump and Harris Have Agreed to Debate on Sept. 10 https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-abc-debate-814786cc3ad7c11498c71f09f0172db3

Trump lied like a rug while endlessly rambling during his supposed press conference at his Florida retirement home, on Aug. 8.  It helped that the reporters’ questions were not audible, so he could say whatever he wanted back.  (Image credit: NYT).  Here is fact-checking on just some of his self-serving delusions.

Trump claims his Jan. 6 rally crowd rivaled the 1963 March on Washington.

LACKS EVIDENCE.  While it is difficult to gauge exact crowd sizes, estimates counter Mr. Trump’s claim that the numbers gathered were comparable. Dr. King’s speech drew an estimated 250,000 people. The House Select Committee responsible for investigating the events of Jan. 6 estimated that Mr. Trump’s speech drew 53,000 people.

“She wants to take away your guns.”

FALSE.  Ms. Harris, in 2019, said she supports a gun buyback program for assault weapons, not all guns. Her campaign told NYTimes recently that she no longer supports a buyback program.

“They take the strategic national reserves. They’re virtually empty now. We have never had it this low.”

EXAGGERATED. President Biden has indeed tapped the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to try to mitigate gasoline price increases, drawing it down by about 40 percent from when he took office, and it is currently at the lowest level since the 1980s. But it still has 375 million barrels in it now, which is not “virtually empty” nor is it at the lowest level ever.  [Actually, Biden sold when prices were high and bought to replenish after process fell, saving millions.  https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-purchases-more-4-million-barrels-strategic-petroleum-reserve  ]

“The vast majority of the country does support me.”

FALSE. Trump never won a majority of the popular vote in either of the elections he ran in and never had the approval of a majority of Americans in a single day of Gallup polling during his presidency. An average of polls by FiveThirtyEight.com shows that he is viewed favorably by just 43 percent of Americans today and has the same level of support in a matchup against Vice President Kamala Harris.

“They’re going to destroy Social Security.”

FALSE. Biden and Harris have pledged not to make any cuts to America’s social safety net programs. Mr. Trump suggested this year that he was open to scaling back the programs when he said there was “a lot you can do in terms of entitlements in terms of cutting.” He later walked back those comments and pledged to protect the programs.

“Everybody is going to be forced to buy an electric car.”

FALSE. While the Biden administration has enacted regulations designed to ensure that the majority of new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the United States are all-electric or hybrids by 2032, the rules do not require consumers to buy electric vehicles.

“Our tax cuts, which are the biggest in history.”

FALSE. The $1.5 trillion tax cut, enacted in December 2017, ranks below at least half a dozen others by several metrics. The 1981 tax cut enacted under President Ronald Reagan is the largest as a percentage of the economy and by its reduction to federal revenue. The 2012 cut enacted under President Barack Obama amounted to the largest cut in inflation-adjusted dollars: $321 billion a year.

“They’re drilling now because they had to go back because gasoline was going up to seven, eight, nine dollars a barrel. The day after the election, if they won, you’re going to have fuel prices go through the roof.”

FALSE. The price of gasoline reached a low of $1.98 per gallon in April 2020, when Mr. Trump was president, chiefly as a result of the drop in driving in the first months of the Covid pandemic. It rose to a peak of $5 per gallon in June 2022, but has since steadily dropped to $3.60 per gallon in July 2024. The United States has steadily increased its oil production over the last decade, becoming the world’s largest producer of oil in 2018, a status it holds today.

“If you go back and check your records for 18 months, I had a talk with Abdul. Abdul was the leader of the Taliban still is, but had a strong talk with him. For 18 months. Not one American soldier was shot at or killed, but not even shot at 18 months.”

FALSE. Mr. Trump spoke with a leader of the Taliban in March 2020. In the 18 months that followed, from April 2020 to October 2021, 13 soldiers died in hostile action in Afghanistan.

“Democrats are really the radical ones on this, because they’re allowed to do abortion on the eighth and ninth month, and even after birth.”

FALSE. No state has passed a law allowing for the execution of a baby after it is born, which is infanticide. Moreover, abortions later in pregnancy are very rare: In 2021, less than 1 percent of abortions happened after 21 weeks’ gestation, according to CDC report based on data from state and other health agencies. More than 90 percent of abortions happened within 13 weeks of gestation.

“Nobody was killed on Jan. 6.”

FALSE. At least 7 people died in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, including a Trump supporter who was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer.

“Inflation was caused by their bad energy problems.”

MISLEADING. While high energy costs were a contributing factor to inflation over the last two years, they were not a direct result of the Biden administration’s policies. Several other factors also contributed to rising prices, including supply chain issues that were caused by the pandemic and a surge of government spending that was intended to provide economic relief during the public health crisis. Economists have also said that some of the tariffs that Mr. Trump imposed on foreign exports, which remain in place, have been inflationary.

“She couldn’t pass her bar exam.”

LACKS CONTEXT. Kamala Harris failed California’s bar exam on her first attempt in July 1989, according to her autobiography, “The Truths We Hold,” and received a letter in November that she had failed, “to my utter devastation.” She wrote in the book that she retook the exam in February 1990 and passed, and she was admitted to the bar in June 1990. The California bar exam is among the hardest in the country. The July 1989 exam had a pass rate of 59.5 percent, while the February 1990 exam had a pass rate of 45.9 percent.

“All over the world, prisons are being emptied out into our country.”

LACKS EVIDENCE. Prison populations all over the world have been increasing, not decreasing. Penal Reform International, a Netherlands-based nonprofit, estimated that the global prison population was a record 11’5 million in 2023, an increase of 500,000 people since 2000.  Immigration experts, too, have said they could not corroborate Trump’s claims that “millions” of prisoners and patients at mental hospitals are entering illegally through the southern border.

“She was the border czar 100 percent. And all of a sudden, for the last few weeks, she’s not the border czar anymore. Like nobody ever said it.”

MISLEADING. The claim contains a kernel of truth, but distorts the facts. President Biden asked Vice President Kamala Harris to oversee efforts to address the root causes of migration, principally by working with other countries in the hemisphere where migrants were coming from. Republicans have repeatedly said she was in charge of “the border,” while Democrats insisted that her assignment was not to deal with issues on the border, which is the responsibility of several agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security. The two are related, but Mr. Trump’s claim that she was a border czar is not accurate.

“Twenty million people came over the border in the last — during the Biden-Harris administration, 20 million people, and it could be very much higher than that.”

EXAGGERATED. It is impossible to know the exact number of migrants that have entered the United States, but Mr. Trump’s estimates are hyperbolic.

Fact Checking Trump’s Aug. 8 Mar-a-Lago News Conference  https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/08/08/us/trump-press-conference-fact-check

Here’s what Trump said last week about his VP pick.  I’m sure he hopes it is true…. “Historically, the vice president, in terms of the election, does not have any impact – I mean, virtually no impact.”

I have been trying to figure out why Trump picked Vance as his VP.  I assume that Peter Thiel’s millions in campaign donations helped sweeten the deal.  But, something else loomed large in Trump’s reptile brain.  Remember—Vance’s attorney wife clerked for 2 of the far-right Justices on the Supreme Court—Roberts and Kavanaugh.  And, clerkship is a professional bond that never ends.  So, having Vance on the ticket is nice insurance for when the Dems win the election and Trump appeals some inanity all the way to the Supreme Court.  After all, it’s not like conflicted Justices have the decency to recuse themselves….

Hillbilly Felony 2-minute trailer  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w1oRXw_R4o

Cats aren’t convinced.  Neither are the “childless cat ladies” Vance so unwisely denigrated.

WOW.  If Vance said that about his kids’ nanny, that would be shameful.  But, he said that about his WIFE.  Much more of Vance’s profoundly weird and dangerous rant is featured in a recent 12-minute interview by Megyn Kelly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRMWhqX7b5o

“You want me to pay more taxes to take care of other people’s kids?” asked Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, who has become the personification of the male-dominated “bro culture” that populates much of the Trump movement. “We sure this dude is a Republican? Sounds like a moron.”  https://x.com/stoolpresidente/status/1816933121884856689

Vance isn’t the only Republican who has an unhealthy obsession with women making babies—whether they want to or not and regardless of their own health.  To force the issue, they want to ban abortion nationwide, end contraception, stop divorce, and strip women of other rights.  Perversely, they call all that “protecting family values.”  Why are they pushing for this?  Republicans don’t particularly like babies.  They just want to jack up the American birthrate for economic reasons.  Because, the alternative is allowing migrants into the country, which is anathema to the far right. This Guardian article is fascinating.  The Republican party’s obsession with families has taken a fanatical turn 7/29/24 https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/jul/29/the-republican-partys-obsession-with-families-has-taken-a-fanatical-turn

Trump with the Heritage Foundation Board. (Image Credit: Politico.)

–How do I look at Project 2025/read it? Up to reading Project 2025 word for word (free)?  Go to the source:  https://archive.org/details/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL Or, download the complete Project 2025 as a PDF, free: https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf

–Where did this document come from? The Heritage Foundation organized and funded it: © 2023 by The Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002(202) 546-4400 | heritage.org

–What is The Heritage Foundation? Per Wikipedia: The Heritage Foundation is an activist American conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C.

–So, what is the Trump connection?  Don’t buy Trump’s panicked denials of the policy/people involved.  Trump and Heritage Foundation’s President, Kevin Roberts (who wrote for Foreward for Project 2025) , shared a private plane flight in 2022; see photo above from the Washington Post.  They flew together to a Heritage conference where Trump’s keynote address heralded Heritage Foundation’s forthcoming policy proposals.  Trump said this: “They’re going to lay the groundwork and detail plans for exactly what our movement will do.”  Exactly….  https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2024/08/07/trump-heritage-project-2025-roberts/

Plus, reports show at least 31 of the 38 official authors and editors of Project 2025 have a close connection to Trump.  They were Cabinet members, White House staff, advisers, committee/agency appointees, election workers, etc. the first time around and are poised to reprise their roles in a second Trump administration or whenever a Republican next gets into the Oval Office.  (JD Vance is deeply enmeshed with this group, as well.)  Here are just a few authors with clear and direct Trump connections to Project 2025: Ken Cuccinelli— served as Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security and Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under Trump; Benjamin S. Carson, Sr.– served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Trump; and Peter Navarro–served as Trump’s Deputy Assistant to the President, Director of the White National trade Council, and as Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy.  In addition, in 2024, Navarro served 4 months in a federal penitentiary for defying a congressional subpoena related to the Jan. 6 investigation.  These and MANY more authors and contributors with tight Trump connections are proudly detailed on page xv of Project 2025’s introduction.  (Much has been made of Paul Dans recently leaving Heritage; well, he edited Project 2025, its publication means his job is done, so of course he left.)

–But what IS Project 2025?  Many say it is the cure for insomnia.  But its own page xiii says: “The 2025 Presidential Transition Project is the conservative movement’s unified effort to be ready for the next conservative Administration to govern at 12:00 noon, January 20, 2025.”

–OK, what does Project 2025 say?  Well, the document runs over 900 pages, so it must say a lot, right?  I waded through it all, hand to God, but as far as gems in the way of plan specifics I came up pretty short. The majority of the content is hopelessly repetitive, with chapter after chapter devolving into endless lists of similarly named sub-agencies (most of which are to be dissolved).  Over and over, the recommendation is to restore whatever Trump did and wipe from the face of the Earth any changes Biden made.  Themes emerged, mostly as to Things That Are BAD, shrilly repeating in nearly every chapter as that particular author careens down the rabbit hole to revamp a new set of departments.  ABORTION is top of that list; it is so bad that it must never happen and definitely must not be paid for with federal funds.  A close second is any and everything TRANSGENDER, which must not be acknowledged with suitable terminology or pronouns or ever facilitated with federal funds.  Third place goes to the horrors of IMMIGRATION.  Next is CHINA.  Then, DEI (often paired with CRITICAL RACE THEORY).  Another wicked duo are CLIMATE CHANGE and ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS.  And, in a category all its own: amazingly, the far right is STILL whining about PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS, with many chapters denouncing masks, social distancing, Covid vaccines, etc.  Often times, the suggested policy change amounts to DELETING WORDS that upset conservatives; seriously, they seem to think that whiting out words like “abortion” or “transgender” changes things. 

Still, I take the document seriously.  Note that the document is only Pillar 1 of the project.  Pillar 2 is a personnel database, a website where people wanting to work in the next GOP administration submit their credentials.  (The most serious part of Project 2025 is its pledge to get rid of several thousand nonpartisan career agency employees –“fire the Deep State”– and replace them with conservatives—qualified or not– in order to carry out the far-right agenda, no pesky questions asked.  When he won in 2016, Trump had few governmental connections and was completely unprepared to appoint or recruit even higher-level positions; countless Obama appointees had to remain in their positions for months because there were no successors in place.  Even by 2020, hundreds of agency positions remained unfilled.  Republicans don’t want that to happen ever again.)  Pillar 3 is an online academy, teaching applicants how to do these jobs.  Propublica just broke a story featuring 23 secret training videos that are part of this online academy.  Examples: instructors insist that all references EVERYWHERE to climate change must be eradicated; also, gender fluidity is evil. (FYI– 29 of the 36 video speakers have worked for Trump in some capacity.)  Inside Project 2025’s Secret Training Videos 8/10/24 https://www.propublica.org/article/inside-project-2025-secret-training-videos-trump-election   Pillar 4 is a playbook; so far unpublished, per page xiv it will set up “agency teams and tran­sition plans to move out upon the President’s utterance of “so help me God.”  So, Project 2025 is a serious threat to how our federal government works and whether it will remain democratic.

I did put together a list of specifics that caught my attention. Some are agencies or departments to be shut down.  Others are jarringly odd statements toward basic things like family and religion, betraying the attitudes that guide Project 2025’s philosophy.  That list is basically Part 2 of my Project 2025 coverage and will be in the next Election blog.

–Democratic National Convention, Aug. 19-22 in Chicago  https://demconvention.com/

–Project 2025 PART 2

–Allred vs. Cruz

Until then—have fun!

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