mattyt36

Trump taught us all the importance of nicknames. It was a close contest between Man Hands and The Crazy Cubano, but Man Hands won the day … they’re huge and really reinforce her mannish aesthetic, and the other one is, well, just redundant. (Anyway, hope she uses the right restrooms … maybe that’s why Steve Hotze didn’t endorse her. At least she got the nod from the Mattress King.)

Oh great, on one hand we have a potential County Judge touting his endorsement by the My Pillow guy and the infamous Steve Hotze, on the other hand we have whack-job Man Hands Mealer. But that's what Republican primary voters want. If they ran Ed Emmett again, he'd probably have a great chance of winning. Of course if Lina didn't seem so out of touch this wouldn't be such a competitive race to begin with. I wonder what Sylvester thinks of her.

NO, SIR. These things can be measured. It is very lopsided. This has been written about plenty. The conservative media ecosystem has evolved into a very effective and self-reinforcing propaganda network. It's why so many people on the right so readily believe such crazy, crazy flurf. That said, I don't watch any cable news. I can see very clearly with my own eyes. A bunch of people storming up the steps of the U.S. Capitol trying to assassinate the Vice President isn't a "misstep" by the Capitol Police or some spontaneous, chance event. They were encouraged to do so. Shrug your shoulders all you want, but there is no modern parallel in U.S. history and it represents a serious threat to every one of our livelihoods to have the Overton window moved so far in the past decade that "mainstream" candidates for one political party openly talk about Civil War.

So, in other words, a policy change entirely within their legal jurisdiction, but of course when the flow of funds dries up we shouldn't be surprised that people engage in fearmongering like what was involved in that press release (e.g., "crime is out of control"). It seems to be a common theme in Harris County elections, I'm sure all orchestrated at the state party level--see the (opinion!) disingenuous rhetoric on "Man Hands" Mealer's website: Back the Blue and Lock Up Violent Criminals One of the primary motivations behind my decision to run for Harris County Judge was the state of utter lawlessness that continues to grip our entire county. Whether strolling along the bayou, picking up groceries or even attending an Astros game, residents are now rolling the dice on whether they will encounter a violent, repeat offender. While it is clear that our residents are not safe, we have now reached such a state of crisis that our law enforcement are being routinely murdered by violent, repeat offenders. In fact, in the three years since Judge Lina Hidalgo took office, more officers have been murdered than the prior decade. This is outrageous and cannot continue. Hogwash. If anyone literally believes the above, they should seek psychological counseling for paranoia. Can anyone say "violent, repeat offender"? How about three times? Here's a question for "Man Hands"--exactly how many law enforcement officers (or others for that matter) have been killed by "violent, repeat offenders" that were released due to the policy of bail reform? Methinks the answer is probably 0, or else she'd happily cite the actual number. (BTW, does the language sound like that used by anyone else on this thread? I have no idea who would want such a total crackpot as the county executive. She has zero experience . . . it's all performative--she's just a tool to shore up "red" votes in Harris County for the upcoming statewide and 2024 presidential elections. But I digress.) The above said, I can see why people would ask, "Why would we NOT make criminals pay into such an organization, especially in an environment of rising crime?" Or "Any murder is 1 too many." Of course it is--that is not up for debate--but, sorry Toto, it is not reality! But people can't have a good faith conversation about that (see OP).

@Ross buck up man! You'll see them! Never let go!

As far as I can tell this DeisoMoss hasn't built anything and doesn't even have a website. The loan they secured was a $26.1MM mortgage bridge loan, which is peanuts. If I were a betting man, I'd go with @wxman More power to them, of course, if I'm wrong.

Well, I could take the Augie approach here and say "Both parties have at least some messaging that's awful" or "stick to my guns" (cuz I know Augie likes them so much) and say, no, I think the main problem is the Democratic Party is awful at messaging. Why? Because its messaging is done by someone else. So much of America has been so well "groomed" by the conservative media, corrupt religious leaders, and the private sector that fully one-third-plus of the country thinks that Democrats are socialists, baby killers, gun-takers, unpatriotic, anti-military, pro-crime, anti-family--anyway, the list goes on and on. What Peter Thiel, J.D. Vance, and Others Are Learning From Curtis Yarvin and the New Right | Vanity Fair Vance described two possibilities that many on the New Right imagine—that our system will either fall apart naturally, or that a great leader will assume semi-dictatorial powers. “So there’s this guy Curtis Yarvin, who has written about some of these things,” Vance said. Murphy chortled knowingly. “So one [option] is to basically accept that this entire thing is going to fall in on itself,” Vance went on. “And so the task of conservatives right now is to preserve as much as can be preserved,” waiting for the “inevitable collapse” of the current order. He said he thought this was pessimistic. “I tend to think that we should seize the institutions of the left,” he said. “And turn them against the left. We need like a de-Baathification program, a de-woke-ification program.” “I think Trump is going to run again in 2024,” he said. “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.” “And when the courts stop you,” he went on, “stand before the country, and say—” he quoted Andrew Jackson, giving a challenge to the entire constitutional order—“the chief justice has made his ruling. Now let him enforce it.” This is a description, essentially, of a coup. Before you say this is an "isolated incident," "most people are like this," or "every party has its kooks," this guy is (1) on Fox News every other night; (2) got Trump's full-throated endorsement; and (3) is poised to be the next Senator from Ohio. This is the id of today's Republican Party. Just read the first message on this thread--he's speaking their language. (I wasn't going to even mention the fact that his campaign is being bankrolled by a German gay multibillionaire Silicon Valley "elitist," but it's too rich to pass up.) All I can say is I sincerely hope you are right. I do appreciate the dialogue, as always @august948

Indeed, I somehow missed the most loaded—and telling—word of all.

I will agree that it is a very easy story to weave. And the Democratic Party is so awful at messaging that they sure as hell aren't helping tell a more coherent story. That has left a vacuum that is easily filled. That's the big one, of course, for obvious reasons, along with all that led up to it. But there really is a long list that keeps on getting longer. It ranges from the severity of January 6 to the irony of the former president's Chief of Staff being registered to vote in 3 states. To me, it's the persistent lack of accountability within the party that is now elevated to the point that the former President's preferred Ohio Senate candidate sees no problem with recommending a "De-Baathification" and "De-Wokeness" of the U.S. and firing all of the bureaucracy to replace it with "our people." That, combined with the naked maneuvering last year in several states to essentially give state legislatures the power to override voting outcomes based on little more than "they feel like it." Obviously, not crimes in and of itself, but I can't believe that not only probably 30% aren't disturbed by it, but a smaller number (30%-1% it seems) is actually cheering it on. I wouldn't be surprised if Bluey was in this camp based on his incessant rhetoric of retribution. Anyway, I will reiterate what I say constantly with regard to these topics . . . I just don't see it working out well. And I'm not sure why a good third of the country thinks that overturning our political system based on whimsy think it won't have severe economic consequences that will most certainly trickle down to plenty of "red heads." And, once we lose it, I don't have much confidence that we'll get it back because once these guys are in power, they sure as hell won't be letting go . . . as has been the case for the entire history of the world. I know you and I disagree on the probability of the above occurring . . . maybe you put it close to 1% . . . but in another post you said you have seen at least some of what I'm seeing, so I think you will agree it's above 0%.

From what little I have delved into, that is accurate for some categories of crime. This, however, is incorrect. The Democratic Party as a whole has not supported defunding the police, although some party members have. But I won't argue that when you have such an effective "Multi-modal" conservative propaganda network to put that idea into people's heads, you certainly have to be careful. (Incidentally, for one, believe the "much burning and looting" is one of those throwaway, loosely used phrases that may be accurate for a small number of cities in the country, but isn't accurate for the country as a whole. I recall this past December when my cousin visited from a Fort Worth suburb and asked me how bad the riots were considering I lived blocks from downtown. She was shocked when I said it wasn't an issue. So I'd prefer we be a bit more careful with such statements, but to each their own.) Which is ironic, given the unprecedented crimes committed against our system of government by the Republican politicians and their supporters. But, yeah, the effectiveness of the propaganda network cannot be denied.

I'd just hate to see such an organization be used by the State or other political activists as a passive political actor trying to "turn the tide" in Harris County politics with public money, in particular against the recent "blue waves" in the County judicial system. You can't argue that there is certainly a fixation among the Republican Party. If "crime is out of control," a responsible organization would rely not on such fearmongering and empty verbiage, but cite actual statistics. It would certainly be helpful to me as a local voter. I've seen plenty of tweets and headlines, and I'm not arguing with the numbers, but the only thing I've noticed walking around in the past couple of years is the decrease in the homeless population . . . and sign me up for that, especially if they are getting real help in the process. But this seems pretty clearly to be aimed at low-information voters. And this thread proves that they've been successful.

@BEES?! Thank you so much for that . . . it was much more than I was able to find.

Agree. Good thing we have one.

From the link posted by @Blue Dogs, under a header--and entirely unironically, mind you--"Rising Above the Noise": During a time when crime is out of control and public safety remains the number one issue for Houstonians and victims – the New York Times, the Marshall Project and The Houston Chronicle ignored the plight of those suffering to instead coordinate attacks against the organization and its CEO and staff as they tirelessly work for the safety of all. Those rhetorical techniques tell me all I need to know. If there is any "politicization" going on, it's fair to say at the very least, it isn't one-sided.

So, in other words, indicted individuals (nevermind associates of indicted individuals) holding political office is A-OK with Bluey the Big Red Dog. Color me … not surprised.

Can you please provide a translation as to the exact issue that appears to have your panties in a tither? As usual, you just used a bunch of empty and meaningless buzzwords, woke, attack, mob, welfare queen, hatred, etc., etc. Please point out exactly where this “woke mob”touched you. If you’re in the deep distress it appears you are in, please take your meds or contact the appropriate professionals.

It's just such a shame . . . it's been more than a decade now but that was a great place to walk around and take photos. The columns really lined up well against the buildings behind the fountain. Plus, it's TRANQUILITY PARK, commemorating the moon landing, so I can't help it's pretty pathetic we can't make it functional again. Is there a major engineering or structural problem with the fountain or something?

Can I re-up this question? Is Tranquility Park just forgotten until the next "master plan"?

Well when Shepherd is extended to the Sahara, let me know.

Well you have to swim first!

Much appreciated @editor, not something I had read about

@editorcan you enlighten on the reference to Cincinnati? The Fort Washington Way?

His bio seems fine to me, whatever it takes to keep Santa Claus the Bail Bondsman, Sergeant A*shat, or any other entirely nonserious person out of office.

But "wokeness" is the real problem, don't forget. Perhaps @Blue Dogs can enumerate all of the I'm sure many examples of Mayor Turner's "wokeness" and how it has affected him. I think it's clear he doesn't live in the City, so it must be really, really bad. Poor guy!

Here's a question . . . do you actually live in the City of Houston?