May Ukraine Have Peaceful Skies Again.
Here is what is happening in Lakeway….
Footloose: The Musical at The Galleria
Footloose: The Musical happens at 8PM every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday through Aug. 10. Presented by Magnolia Musical Theater, in partnership with Hill Country Galleria and City of Bee Cave, the location is the Central Plaza Lawn at the Galleria. Bring a blanket and enjoy this FREE production! Weather permitting. More info here: https://www.hillcountrygalleria.com/event/footloose-the-musical/2145582835
Sunday Concert Series–Austin Brassworks
On Sunday, July 28, 4PM, Austin Brassworks presents a FREE CONCERT at Lakeway Activity Center. Enjoy their range– jazz, big band, polka, wind ensemble, brass band, orchestral and, of course, quintet. For more info, go here (and scroll down): https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTI5MTM3MTA=
Shark Pool Party—NEW DATE AND TIME!
For more water fun at Lakeway Swim Center, pop in on Sunday, Aug. 4 starting at 1PM for an exhilarating shark-themed event, with shark giveaways, thrilling shark pool games, and jaw-some decorations. PLUS—last year’s crowd-favorite MECHANICAL SHARK (Bull) will make a return appearance. Regular Swim Center admission fees apply at the gate. More info here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/1867/Shark-Pool-Party
Fawn Season! PARKED fawns are FINE.
Fawn season continues in Lakeway! Please DRIVE CAREFULLY on residential streets, as fawns just wanna have fun and are clueless about traffic. If you see an adult deer, watch for a straggling fawn. If you see one fawn, watch for another. Also, when walking, ALWAYS keep your dog on a leash; this protects fragile fawns from exuberant dogs and also protects dogs from being kicked and stomped by VERY protective mama does.
Remember—the vast majority of fawns you see around town are FINE, parked in a safe spot while Mom is nearby, just off for a nice forage and some quiet doe-time. The image above center is from our local fawn expert, Leanne Dupay, a permitted wildlife rehabilitator with Texas Parks & Wildlife. 512-694-1811. (She lives in The Hills.) Take a photo of her chart and SAVE IT IN YOUR PHONE so you have the info when needed.
If the fawn’s ears are curled (see right-hand image above), its bottom is dirty, it is laying on its side with legs straight out instead of curled up like a cat, or it is wandering around crying, THEN it needs help. There is much more info on the Fawn page of my site. It also has several local contacts if you find a fawn (or other wildlife) truly in distress. https://ninawriteorwronginlakeway.com/parked-fawns-injured-deer/
Scroll down to the Back to Me section for brand new fawn photos taken in Old Lakeway and The Hills.
Lake Travis Democrats Club
2024 has a hugely important election in November. [See the NEW November 2024 Election section below.] 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
These activities take money. Printing, postage, signs—it adds up. Donations are needed. ACT BLUE makes donating easy and secure. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/western-travis-democrats-1
Things are quiet in the summer, but check https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/ for club activities each month.
Transportation Bond projects continue through our long, hot tar summer.
Summer in Lakeway smells like hot tar….
Lakeway Drive’s re-paving is DONE. Striping is TBD.
Lakeway Boulevard’s re-paving is underway and expected to be completed around Aug. 2.
Lohman’s Crossing will be re-paved roughly July 31-Aug. 13.
Council Special/BUDGET Meeting on Aug. 5, 6:30PM, at City Hall.
Budget season is in full swing, as Council considers expenditures for the city’s needs and wants, as well as revenue options including small, medium and large property tax rate increases. Show up at this meeting to learn what is being considered and voice your views. About a week prior to Aug. 5, check here for the Agenda: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
OAK TRIMMING Season
Trimming oaks is allowed by Lakeway ordinance July-January. But, pruning seal must be applied immediately to all cuts on all oak trees, to deter spread of deadly oak wilt. More info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1059/Oak-Pruning-Schedule
Brush Recycling Offered 1st Thursday of Every Month
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
Pops with Cops
Beat the heat in Rough Hollow on Aug. 9, 1-3PM, and meet some of Lakeway’s finest while chilling with a popsicle. FREE event at the Pavilion/Welcome Center (903 Highlands Blvd.).
TexArts summer production
August 9-25—Motown: A Celebration. Go here for info and to buy tickets: https://www.tex-arts.org/upcoming-productions
City Hall Art Display
In July and 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.
2024 Lakeway Photo Festival Contest
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
REGISTRATION OPEN–Garage Sale at Lakeway Activity Center.
The next community garage sale is Saturday, Sept. 14, from 8AM to noon. Members wanting to see items can register now with $30 fee; non-member registration opens Aug. 1 with $35 fee. 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
SIGN UP NOW for National Night Out.
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
Cool Arts—Artists need to Register Now.
The Lakeway Arts Committee hosts the 8th annual Cool Arts Show and Studio Tour, 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. Register now to reserve a booth in the show or be on the studio tour. $35 fee, plus must be LAC member. Go here for info or to register: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1858/Cool-Arts-Show-Studio-Tour
Looking for a way to help local families? Consider 12:31.
12:31 is a LOCAL, registered, 501(c)(3), with over 7,000 members serving students and families within LTISD. Their Summer Meals project is wrapping up. But, they are already working on their Back to School project–providing clothes and shoes for 60 area kids. 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
House Watch
If you are traveling this summer or only occupy your home here part-time, Lakeway Police Department provides a House Watch program, at no charge. Just let them know, and officers will perform close patrols of the address and contact you if anything appears suspicious. Go here to sign up: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1305/House-Watch-Request
Lake Travis Community Library
Our amazing library (1938 Lohmans Crossing) doesn’t just offer books, DVDs, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers at no charge. There’s MUCH MORE:
—Tech Help. Drop in from noon to 2PM Monday-Thursday and work with one of the tech coaches. They can help with questions about your smartphone, tablet, computer OR any of the library’s own services like the Libby app. They also provide help via email or phone, and there is a weekly ZOOM session. More info is here: https://laketravislibrary.org/tech-coach/
—Delivery to the homebound. For those with mobility or medical issues, staff will deliver books, DVDs, audios and more, on a monthly basis. Call (512) 263-2885 to get started. Info here: https://laketravislibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/brochure.pdf
—Book Clubs. The library offers a variety of book clubs, for teens and adults. More info here: https://laketravislibrary.org/book-clubs/
—Events calendar is here: https://laketravislibrary.org/calendar/
—Meeting Room accommodating up to 60 people can be reserved by not-for-profit organizations and noncommercial groups. More info here: https://laketravislibrary.org/meeting-room/
In addition, the library offers curbside pick-up, free notary service, Chromebooks and mobile hot spots you can borrow, on-site computers, printing, WiFi, and much more. Call or email for info: (512) 263-2885 librarian@laketravislibrary.org
Council met on July 15.
RESULTS: 6 members attended the meeting, all in person, with Council Member Forton absent.
As an aside: I was under the weather so decided to watch the meeting online from home. But, the streaming did not work; for the first hour, it continually froze, and I finally gave up. I was able to watch the recording the next day, but the microphones on the new system are terrible. Most, but not all, of the people sitting on the dais could be heard, but the speaker’s podium microphone only picks up comments from shorter folks; anyone of medium or taller height is inaudible.
ITEM 17: Citizens Participation for items NOT on the agenda–2 people spoke.
ITEM 18: Financial Report. Revenues were $280,000 below projections, largely from less BDS fees than anticipated (repeated delay of Main Street’s construction has slowed related development projects). Expenditures were down roughly $1.5MIL (largely from employee vacancies). The overall results put the city about $1.25MIL to the good.
ITEM 19: Request for Amendment to the PUD for Balcones Point, 33.86 acres at 2811 RR 620 South. ZAPCO recently recommended approval. Unanimously APPROVED.
ITEM 20: Request by Cascade Homes for approval of the Preliminary Plan for Balcones Point PUD (as amended in above item), on 33.86 acres at 2811 RR 620 South. ZAPCO recently recommended approval. Unanimously APPROVED.
ITEM 21: Request to amend the Future Land Use Map as to 5.36 acres at 300 Birrell Street from commercial to residential. In March, ZAPCO recommended denial, so Council approval now requires a super majority (6 of 7 votes). WITHDRAWN by applicant (will likely present a new plan to ZAPCO in August).
ITEM 22: Request to change the zoning of 5.36 acres at 300 Birrell Street from C-1 (office/retail) to Planned Unit Development (PUD). In March, ZAPCO recommended denial, so Council approval now requires a super majority (6 of 7 votes). WITHDRAWN by applicant (will likely present a new plan to ZAPCO in August).
ITEM 23: Request for a Special Use Permit to operate a concierge auto service and repair facility for 99 years on 1.3684 acres at 1101 RR 620 North. ZAPCO recently recommended approval. Unanimously APPROVED.
ITEM 24: As discussed at the June Council meeting, revising the ordinance to allow power tool use on recreational land/golf courses starting at 6:30AM instead of 7AM, but only in the summer (May 1-Sept. 30). Unanimously APPROVED the start time of 6:30AM from May 1-Sept. 30, with a review this October of how things are working out.
ITEM 25: Update and discussion regarding alkali-silica reaction (ASR) detected in swimming pools built between 2017-2023 in Lakeway. Unanimously APPROVED postponing this item (at staff’s request due to incomplete research results) until the August regular Council meeting.
ITEM 26: Presentation of Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. Details were scant during the meeting. Worse, there was no budget info in the online Meeting Packet, and no staff presentation was posted online. In addition, Council’s only budget meeting to date, a June 28 Budget retreat at Lakeway Resort and Spa, was not recorded/made available online, and the Minutes for that meeting include no budget figures or details at all. At the current meeting, a short presentation on Enterprise Fleet taking over management of the city’s vehicles indicated significant annual savings; no decision was made. Plus, FEMA’s $1.4MIL reimbursement for ice storm damages is expected soon; most or all of that amount likely needs to go into an emergency fund for the next crisis. That was about the end of the good news. It was noted that TCAD is raising the appraised value of Lakeway property by about $450MIL. It sounded like a property tax rate increase was likely, blamed on the flattening of new growth in the property tax base; estimated tax revenue from new build homes is only $300,000. (Too bad developers have been allowed to delay Main Street construction by ANOTHER 2 YEARS, since that also delays permit fee revenue AND the additional property and sales taxes coming in on all the new homes and businesses promised in the 4 developments comprising the new City Center.) Conversely, the new wants/needs of city departments and Council (as developed at the June 28 retreat) seem to total $1,600,000. Well, $300,000 of income won’t cover $1,600,000 in costs. Council will either make major cuts or increase our property tax rate well over the traditional no new revenue rate level—likely both, actually. As noted above, the next Budget meeting will be on Aug. 5, 6:30PM at City Hall.
ADJOURNED at 10:42PM.
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/310229
Daring Mighty Things
The stunning image above is a July 24 telescopic view from China, showing planet Saturn setting behind Earth’s moon. (Image credit: Chengcheng Xu.) Check out this government site to see daily space-related images, with understandable explanations: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
In case cloudy skies blocked your full moon views this month, this article has awesome photos from around the world. The above image was taken in Anatolia, Turkey. (Image credit: Sercan Kucuksahin/Anadolu via Getty Images.) July full moon 2024: Buck Moon puts on dramatic show for skywatchers worldwide 7/23/24 https://www.space.com/july-full-buck-moon-2024-photos
Above is the Tadpole Galaxy. (Image credit: Hubble Legacy Archive, ESA, NASA.) Located 420 million light-years from Earth, this galaxy’s awesome tail is 280 light-years long, likely resulting from a close encounter with another galaxy long ago. Check out this government site to see daily space-related images, with understandable explanations: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Earlier this month. the core stage of the Artemis 2 booster rocket, slated to launch astronauts to the moon after a 55-year hiatus, left its NASA manufacturing facility in New Orleans. Traveling to Kennedy Space Center via barge, it arrived on July 24. The above images (credits: NASA) show the core departing from New Orleans and arriving at KSC. (The link has a 1-minute video, as well.) The rocket will undergo vehicle integration and assembly ahead of launch, taking 4 astronauts around the moon in 2025. Watch NASA’s massive Artemis 2 rocket core stage arrive in Florida. Next stop: the moon 7/24/24 https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-2-core-stage-kennedy-space-center-arrival
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 had a failed engine burn due to an oxygen leak on July 11, during a satellite deployment mission. The above image shows a troublesome buildup of white material on the upper stage of a Falcon 9 rocket. (Image credit: SpaceX.) The rare failure caused the FAA to open a mishap investigation. SpaceX demanded the FAA shortcut that process with a public safety determination allowing launches to resume, arguing the anomaly “did not involve safety-critical systems or otherwise jeopardize public safety.” That would allow planned launches in the coming months carrying humans. Instead, NASA decided to perform its own re-authorization of Falcon 9 before the rocket launches its next astronaut crew OR cargo mission. The delay means no resupply missions to ISS. So far, all Falcon 9 rockets remain grounded. SpaceX launches to ISS are under independent NASA review after rare Falcon 9 rocket failure 7/18/24 https://www.space.com/spacex-falcon-9-failure-nasa-independent-investigation
Still docked at ISS, Starliner has no return date. (Image credit: ESA.) Boeing’s first Starliner mission to the ISS is the stellar version of Gilligan’s 3-hour tour. Instead of the planned 10 days at the station, the 2 astronauts will be floating around up there indefinitely, though the craft is rated for only 90 days in space; that clock started on June 5, when the craft suffered multiple helium leaks and thruster failures during its first crewed trip to ISS. The latest news from NASA is of more testing scheduled for late July. 50 days after launch to ISS, Boeing Starliner astronauts still have no landing date 7/25/24 https://www.space.com/boeing-starliner-iss-hot-fire-thruster-troubleshoot
With liberty and justice for all … except women.
The Republican Party’s new Vice-Presidential candidate, J. D. Vance, supports a national abortion ban that is absolute, with no exceptions for rape or incest. He also wants a federal law blocking women from traveling to other states to get abortions. Vance says women should remain in violent marriages, to preserve families. Yet, he opposes same-sex marriage AND in vitro fertilization, so not ALL families are sacred to him. [Much more on Vance below, in the new November 2024 Election section.] JD Vance Has a Bunch of Weird Views on Gender 7/24/24 https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/07/24/jd-vance-gender-views-00170673
The NEW DEMOCRATIC presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, supports legislation to PROTECT the right to abortion nationally, as Roe v. Wade did for 50 years. As a long-time federal prosecutor and state Attorney General, she prosecuted abusive men, as well as fraud and corruption. Harris supports same-sex marriage and IVF. [More on Harris below, in the new November 2024 Election section.] Democrats hope Harris’ bluntness on abortion will translate to 2024 wins in Congress and White House 7/24/24 https://apnews.com/article/harris-abortion-biden-election-congress-0df7d4956b4323b77139f55f7fe22a75
Another Texas horror story, when a wanted pregnancy went wrong. At 13 weeks, there was massive bleeding and pain. Doctors said there was no fetal heartbeat but refused to perform an abortion. After over a week of suffering, the woman was close enough to death to be treated. She lived and is now pregnant again, and terrified. As her husband wrote: “The disgraceful lack of care she endured was a direct result of Texas’ deadly new abortion law. Leaving abortion laws up to the states, as Donald Trump promises to do, is not a moderate stance. Doctors are scared and confused. Patient health can no longer be their top priority. Now, it’s avoiding prosecution.” Trump says leave abortion to the states. Texas nearly killed my wife. 7/19/24 https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/texas-abortion-law-trump-stance-miscarriage-rcna161130
Poland’s current prime minister won his election last fall on a promise to increase access to abortion in that country. Now, conservatives have narrowly defeated his proposal to stop prosecuting people who assist with abortions. Furious demonstrators marched on Parliament, demanding PM Tusk deliver on his electoral promises. The administration is negotiating with Catholic and agrarian conservatives, looking for a compromise likely keyed to how far along the pregnancy is. Poland’s Tusk hits a wall on legalizing abortion 7/24/24 https://www.politico.eu/article/poland-prime-minister-donald-tusk-abortion-laws-protests/
There is plenty to hate in MAGA’s Project 2025, particularly how it oppresses women. Don’t miss this excellent 10-minute podcast with Heather Cox Richardson discussing Project 2025, including how its dangerous fetal personhood doctrine goes further than a national abortion ban to ALSO end IVF and contraception AND criminalize every miscarriage. Plus, how Project 2025 guts Medicare and Social Security by sharply raising qualifying age and severely cutting benefits. And, how J. D. Vance will be positioned to implement all the horrors of this far-right manifest scheduled to roll out in a 2nd Trump administration. Heather Cox Richardson Talks Project 2025 7/16/24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfYn860HViA
November 2024 Election
So, here we are…. My blogs have so far largely ignored the presidential election, as well as statewide election craziness in Texas and partisan issues in general. (Of course, the above Women’s Rights section wouldn’t be needed without the egregious extreme views of one of the major parties.) On the other hand, LOCAL politics are always fair game in Lakeway. (Seriously, who was the WORST local candidate since Joe not-so-smart Bain—Sean Sutton, Ron Cooper or Chris Levy? Fun times….) But, state and national politics are a whole other world of divisive. I lost conservative friends over the 2020 election; since then, I got most of them back, and I’m determined to keep them this time. But, not at the cost of staying quiet about crucial issues; I certainly don’t expect anyone to be silent. So, if you are a fellow-liberal, an independent, or a conservative concerned about the choices your party is putting forward—read on. But, if you are likely to be offended by heartfelt liberal views, please skip this section and drop down the Back to me section with lots of fawn photos guaranteed to remind you that there are important things we mutually value here in Lakeway.
OK, thought experiment time…. Imagine Trump declining to run for another term. Go ahead, plenty of time. Really, no rush. You can do this.
Problems? Well, pick a reason. Best interests of the party, maybe. Not quite the man he used to be, perhaps. No path to victory, blah, blah, blah. MAKE UP SOMETHING.
Try harder, really think about Trump stepping aside. See, in your mind’s eye, Trump letting another party leader run for president because it was the RIGHT THING TO DO.
Yeah—I agree. NEVER HAPPEN. Trump is out for himself, always has been. This time, Trump is not running for office; he is running to stay out of jail.
Joe Biden ran in 2020 to protect democracy and all of America’s citizens, and he stepped aside for the exact same reasons.
FREEDOM! Kamala Harris’ first ad for President says it all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHky_Xopyrw
‘I know Donald Trump’s type’ Pitch perfect…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyjEVd_F-Ts
The Dem VP Sweepstakes are fascinating. Right now, I’m leaning toward Sen. Mark Kelly. First astronaut VP! Plus, he is from a swing state the Dems need, a moderate, a military vet, very strong on gun safety, AND respected for his practical views on immigration. OR—I’d love to see Secty. Pete Buttigieg (current Transportation Secretary and former 2-term Mayor of South Bend, Indiana) on the ticket. I have been HIGHLY impressed with him since his “Mayor Pete” days. So, I’m thrilled that he is a new front-runner in the VEEP stakes. Is America ready for a Harris/Buttigieg ticket? I tend to be pretty cautious, but I gotta say–now feels like the right time.
Look who’s old and addled now….
Moving on to the GOP ticket, the Lincoln Project’s THE SNAKE ad is a good starting place. Who IS the snake? Trump? Vance? The GOP itself? So many excellent choices…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pYSjxZfB6A
Trump never changes, not since his rigged reality show infamy back in 2016. He lies, all the time and about everything, large and small. His rambling and seemingly endless 2024 GOP convention diatribe was a prime example. He lied about everything from crime to Ukraine. Here, I use a data-based July 24 NYT article (linked below) for Trump’s exact statements, the facts, and charts showing reality.
On CRIME, Trump said: “Our crime rate is going up, while crime statistics all over the world are going down because they’re taking their criminals and putting them into our country.”
TRUTH: Crime [in America] has declined since Mr. Biden’s inauguration. The violent crime rate is now at its lowest point in more than four decades, and property crime is also at its lowest level in many decades.
On INFLATION, Trump said: “It’s killing people, they can’t buy groceries anymore. You look at the cost of food where it’s doubled, and tripled and quadrupled.”
TRUTH: Rising food prices are understandably on the minds of many Americans. But not a single item tracked by the government is more than 56 percent more expensive than it was when Biden took office, while grocery prices overall have gone up 21 percent. My note—Plus, grocery prices are falling. Inflation rates in other developed countries soared well past America’s peak after Covid and mostly remain far higher today; plus, many other countries are suffering from recession, which we avoided.
On JOBS, Trump said: “The only jobs Biden created are for illegal immigrants and bounce-back jobs from the Covid.”
TRUTH: Under Trump — even excluding the impact of the Covid pandemic — the economy generated an average of 182,000 jobs a month, well below Biden’s 277,000 a month (excluding his post-pandemic bounce) and Bill Clinton’s 242,000.
On IMMIGRATION, Trump said: “Americans are being squeezed out of the labor force and their jobs are taken. You know who’s taking the jobs that are created? One hundred and seven percent of those jobs are taken by illegal aliens.”
TRUTH: With unemployment having been at or below 4.1 percent for 30 months, we have a shortage of workers, not an excess. The number of employed native-born Americans has not grown meaningfully since 2019, but that’s largely because of retirements, not competition from immigrants. My note: Even Trump has (mostly) stopped bellowing about “invasions” from record immigration levels, because that is demonstrably false. After the Republicans blocked immigration reform in Congress at Trump’s demand, Pres. Biden issued executive orders that have sharply curtailed immigration at the southern border. A record LOW number of immigrants came in May and June—fewer than under Trump. https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-releases-june-2024-monthly-update
On TAXES, Trump said: “We got the largest tax cut in history.”
TRUTH: The most analytically valid method for measuring the size of a tax cut is to compare it with the size of the economy at the time. By this standard, the Trump tax package was the eighth largest tax cut in the past century, well behind the cuts that Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama signed into law. (And, of course, Trump’s tax cuts mostly benefited corporations and the wealthy.)
On UKRAINE, Trump said: “The European nations together have spent $100 billion, maybe more than that, LESS than us.”
TRUTH: Trump has this reversed. While the United States and Europe spent roughly similar amounts the year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, their aid continued to grow; ours flatlined as Mr. Biden battled with isolationist Republicans before finally securing a new aid package in April.
On DEBT, Trump said: “The tax cuts spurred the greatest economy ever seen prior to Covid. And we were ready to start paying down the debt.”
Truth: The national debt grew considerably and at a faster rate each year under Trump. His tax cut helped drive the annual budget deficit to $1 trillion in 2019 from $680 billion in 2017. Including the impact of the pandemic, the national debt increased to $27.7 trillion from $19.8 trillion during Trump’s tenure.
On TARIFFS, Trump said: “Tariffs aren’t going to drive prices higher. It’s going to cause countries like China to force them to pay us a lot of money.”
TRUTH: Studies show that the costs of goods subjected to tariffs increased by roughly the full amount of those tariffs, meaning the costs were passed on to consumers.
On PRESIDENTIAL RANKINGS, Trump said: “Biden is without question the worst president in the history of the country.”
TRUTH: Presidential greatness may be in the eye of the beholder, but this assertion is laughable. A recent survey of more than 150 current and former members of the presidents and executive politics section of the American Political Science Association put Trump dead last, behind James Buchanan (tarred with allowing the Civil War to begin) and Andrew Johnson (impeached, like Trump, and nearly convicted). Biden was ranked 14th greatest, just above Woodrow Wilson and Ronald Reagan.
Don’t Take Trump’s Word for It. Check the Data. 7/24/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/24/opinion/trump-lies-charts-data.html
Vance is making Trump look bad on several fronts. His calling Trump “America’s Hitler” and “cultural heroin” and the like was a bad look from the start. But, now that the new Dem ticket is revitalized, Trump is catching major flack for his screw up, carelessly selecting Vance as his VP. All Vance does is add “Trumpism” to a ticket already bloated with Trump. He brings no additional votes, because he represents nothing new for the GOP. It was political malpractice for Trump not to bring on a woman or a minority, or at least a VP from a swing state. I’d say Trump will be sorry come November, but he is already sorry. I wouldn’t be surprised if Trump soon dumps Vance for a do-over. After all, Trump ditched his last VP at the Capitol, surrounded by a mob chanting “Hang Mike Pence.”
More on J. D. Vance…. His bizarre views of women are mentioned in the Women’s Rights section above, but it gets worse. He wants the federal government to PAY married couples (straight couples only, of course) to have children. He even says that parents should have more say in elections, such as by REQUIRING marriage and childbearing for people to be citizens and entitled to vote. Has Vance even READ the Constitution? People without biological children, in his view, have no meaningful interest in America’s prosperity and don’t deserve to be citizens, even if they were born in the US. Step-kids don’t count, he disapproves of same-sex couples, and he voted in the Senate last month to ban IVF, so it is tough to please this guy. Americans without kids are, to Vance, a step below the Breeding Class and should be penalized by paying EXTRA TAXES. This is part of Vance’s whining about “the childless left.” He actually characterized Dems like this on air: “a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made, and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too.” But, families with kids have to do things Vance’s way; he opposes universal child care, insisting moms should stay home with youngsters. Also, he says marriage is forever. Vance holds marriage as inviolate; in his world, unhappy marriages and even violent marriages should not be ended. For him, women belong in the home and their job is to bear children, obedient and docile even when abused. So—not just pregnant and in the kitchen but sporting a black eye and broken arm. Women are breeding stock for Vance. Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy is America’s nightmare, but it could become the new reality with just a few legal tweaks and the GOP in charge. End no-fault divorce, stop child support, return to the not-so-distant days when women couldn’t open a bank account or get a credit card or buy a house unless a man co-signed; the concept of marital rape could go away, too. Of course, completely end abortion and all forms of contraception, so those big families Vance adores happen real fast, at the whims of men. Plus, every job and political office Vance ever got was bought and paid for by far-right billionaire Peter Thiel, so forget Vance’s supposed hard-scrabble origins. This article documents the dangerous comments, beliefs and goals of Trump’s chosen VP: J. D. Vance’s Sad, Strange Politics of Family 7/25/24 https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/j-d-vances-sad-strange-politics-of-family Also, this NYT article is illuminating: JD Vance, Purr-fectly Dreadful 7/27/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/27/opinion/jd-vance-cat-ladies.html
NEXT TIME: We should know the other half of the Harris ticket. Plus—I plan to explore Trump’s Project 2025 as well as the key state race in Texas, Colin Allred taking on Ted Cruz.
Back to me….
I’m still “busy, hating the heat, and cranky” though the new Dem ticket has really brightened the political landscape. So many options and possibilities—exciting! People wanted a choice—and now they will get it. Plus, the rain we have gotten lately is VERY welcome. However, Lakeway still stinks of hot tar, plus that sticky mess is all over my car AND my walking shoes.
Don’t even THINK about leaving a pet or a child in the car.
Fawns are grouping up, racing around in their version of zoomies, playing in puddles or just napping together. I’m seeing 4 or 5 spotted ones hanging out in wooded lots, parked with yearlings as babysitters, while several Mama Does head off together for a well-deserved break. Here are some of my fawn photos, taken in Old Lakeway and in The Hills during the last couple weeks.
Coronavirus Update
Personally, I am hearing about A LOT of people getting Covid—here in Lakeway and all over the country. The summer surge is real, and summer vacation travel is spreading Covid, as always.
The summer Covid wave is getting worse across the country. As of July 20, 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 HIGH levels (instead of the LOW readings back in June). https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/index.html
New Covid vaccines should be available by September, 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 Paxlovid. It 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:
—Why Covid is surging this summer — and what health experts say has changed 7/18/24 https://www.statnews.com/2024/07/18/latest-covid-spike-update-new-variants-fewer-novids/
—Vaccination slashes risk of long Covid, says large study tracing cases through Delta and Omicron variants 7/17/24 https://www.statnews.com/2024/07/17/long-covid-risk-reduced-by-vaccination-coronavirus-nejm-study1182483/
—You Have Covid Again. Why Does It Feel So Different From Last Time? 7/12/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/11/well/covid-symptoms-change.html