In Texas, Republicans make up only 52% of the voting population, but hold 66% of the state's Congressional seats. Again, a form of tyranny.
In Louisiana, Republicans make up only 59% of the voting population, but hold 88% of the state's Congressional seats.
In Mississippi, Republicans make up only 58% of the voting population, but hold 83% of the state's Congressional seats. Y'all see a pattern?
And before any Republican reply guys chime in about New York, Massachusetts or California: Republicans SUPPORT gerrymandering. Democrats want to OUTLAW it.
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Good piece from @KelliSmithNews evaluating Dallas police chief Eddie Garcia's first year in the role. But I also want to elaborate on one of the things he says 🧵 dallasnews.com/news/2022/02/0…
One of Chief Garcia's quotes is a response to a question I asked about whether he intended to honor Police Oversight Board recommendations regarding the discipline of DPD officers. And if not, why not? The Board chairman read the question aloud. Here's how Chief Garcia responded:
Here's the full transcript. On one hand, he has a point: The city council hired him to do a job. He should be allowed to do it. But my problem comes down to this: "If I don’t agree in the recommendation, I’m not gonna do it."
It's absurd for the U.S. government to call a mission "successful" when it resulted in the deaths of at least six children, four women and the loss of a helicopter. The target is dead, but use another word. 🧵
In this case, the U.S. clearly intended to take the individual alive. They failed, many civilians were killed and they lost a multi-million dollar helicopter. For the same effect and a lot less trouble, they could've bombed the house. "Successful" isn't the word. We need honesty.
More importantly, the U.S. needs to stop using "terrorism" as an excuse for multiple civilian deaths like it's 2001. This is two high-profile strikes in a row that killed a bunch of people they weren't supposed to. Terrorism can't an excuse for every bloodbath forever.
Remember this state trooper who went viral in October? He refused to get vaccinated, was fired, told Governor Inslee publicly to "kiss my ass" and then went on a Fox News tour.
He said he and his family "don't do vaccines." People will dance on this guy's grave, but it's largely Rupert Murdoch's fault. He should be in jail for brainwashing tens of millions of people. Hold him accountable for the damage he's done to society. bnonews.com/index.php/2022…
This would become an international incident if U.S. troops did this to a person in a foreign country
Like, are these cops just . . . free to go home tonight? This is one of the most abhorrent extra-judicial executions by law enforcement I've ever seen. These people should be held accountable immediately.
I want to introduce y'all to @PhilipTKingston, a candidate in Texas you should know about. Local elections are absolutely crucial. Especially in Texas. We often talk about it, but here's one where you can actually help make a difference. 🧵secure.actblue.com/donate/philip-…
When I left DC, I had no intention of getting involved in local politics. But back in Dallas, Philip was my city council rep. Getting to know him changed my mind. There are few people who know more about how city and county governments *should* work than Philip.
He doesn't just know how to give a rousing speech. Philip is interested in good governance — which is lost on many politicians. And he's not only committed to progressive Democratic values, he fights for them. If you know me, you know I can't stand fearful Dems. Philip isn't one.
The weirdest thing about a civil conflict is how life will go on normally in parallel with things like street battles and assassinations. Netflix will keep launching series and people will go to school and work and get haircuts and whatnot while the civil state disintegrates.
People will go to extreme lengths to keep their lives as normal as possible. You'll have an open gun battle in the center of town, while two miles away, parents throw a birthday party for their kid with friends over.
I see this right now with my business in Myanmar, where our suppliers are largely unimpacted by the violence. In my past life, one of the weirdest things I ever saw was during the invasion of Iraq.