Texas … Be Gone!

In Heather’s latest newsletter, she included the “platform planks” the Texas Republican Party approved at their recent convention. I know many of you already read her newsletter, but for those who don’t, I feel strongly that people need to be aware of how the Republicans of this state sees themselves and their ultimate destiny.

Quite frankly, I would have no problem with the State of Texas becoming the “independent nation” put forth at the end of this statement. From my perspective, based on their goals, they are a pariah to America’s founding principles.

[D]elegates to a convention of the Texas Republican Party today approved platform planks rejecting “the certified results of the 2020 Presidential election, and [holding] that acting President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was not legitimately elected by the people of the United States”; requiring students “to learn about the dignity of the preborn human,” including that life begins at fertilization; treating homosexuality as “an abnormal lifestyle choice”; locking the number of Supreme Court justices at 9; getting rid of the constitutional power to levy income taxes; abolishing the Federal Reserve; rejecting the Equal Rights Amendment; returning Christianity to schools and government; ending all gun safety measures; abolishing the Department of Education; arming teachers; requiring colleges to teach “free-market liberty principles”; defending capital punishment; dictating the ways in which the events at the Alamo are remembered; protecting Confederate monuments; ending gay marriage; withdrawing from the United Nations and the World Health Organization; and calling for a vote “for the people of Texas to determine whether or not the State of Texas should reassert its status as an independent nation.”

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Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay

Logical Inconsistency?

Just for the “halibut,” I submitted my post (slightly edited) on “The Virus and Abortion” to the reader’s viewpoint section of our local newspaper.

I knew without a doubt I would receive kickback.

And I did.

Most were simply anti-abortion rights defenders, but the most recent contributor claimed my viewpoint suffered from “logical inconsistency” … ??

See what you think.

The [local newspaper] published a letter on Feb. 15 (“Is this correlation as tragically real as it feels?”). *Note: this is the title provided by the newspaper* The letter suggested that people who are COVID anti-vaxx and anti-abortion are suffering from a logical inconsistency.

There is no logical inconsistency between those views whatsoever.

Both views hold to the principle that it is morally wrong to force a medical procedure on an unconsenting person. Where is the inconsistency? Anti-vaxxers insist that it is wrong to force a vaccine on an unconsenting person.  The two positions are perfectly consistent. Both say that nobody has a lawful right to compel another person to undergo an invasive medical procedure involuntarily.

Of course, the pro-life and “pro-choice” movements disagree whether a fetus is a “person”. But nobody disagrees that a fetus never consents to the procedure. The fetus has no-choice.

In any case, to suggest that the pro-life and anti-vaxx positions are somehow inconsistent with each other is a falsehood and a straw man intended to distract from the real issues.

From my perspective, the writer digressed from the point of my letter (a woman’s right vs. an anti-vaxxer’s right) to interject his point: the “choice” (right) of the unborn. (“Pro-lifers insist that it is wrong to force a life-terminating abortion on an unconsenting (unborn) person.”)

And he accuses me of “logical inconsistency”??!!? Am I missing something?

You’re Pro Life Until …

This meme was included in one of Scottie’s posts (ScottiesPlayTime.com).

I felt it needed as much exposure as possible.

Take particular note of this sentence: “Not one bill tells a MAN what to do with his body.”

And for any Anti-Abortionist/Pro-Lifer reading this, let me repeat these words from the meme:

It is NOT your body … NOT your choice!

Chilling!

I know that many of my posts are related to articles I’ve come across … but sometimes, the topic is simply so bizarre that there’s little-to-nothing I can add.

And this is the case once again as related to an article about Republican-led states — in particular, Texas.

It’s Chilling What Is Happening …

The descriptive line adds this:

Biden may be president but Republican-controlled states are busy introducing reams of legislation that is anything but progressive

As I read some of the laws the Texas Governor and legislature want to pass, I have to agree that “It’s Chilling!” One can’t help but wonder where things are going to end up. (Perhaps my blog entitled “A Crazy Idea” wasn’t such a wild idea after all!) 

I’d like to add that I’m aware there are, and always have been, differences between political parties. In many instances, they don’t amount to much more than a disagreement on principles.  However, the extreme measures some states are currently taking to ensure their platform is in effect is downright frightening.

P.S. A fellow blogger lives in the state where most of this is happening … and he will undoubtedly share his experiences and frustrations from a front-row seat.

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Image by BlueStar200 from Pixabay

This, That, and Other Things

Just a few thoughts/questions that recently came to mind …

Does anyone else think the U.S. should offer fire-fighting assistance to Australia in the wake of the terrible wildfires that are literally destroying parts of that country?

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I’m not at all versed in the financial end of politics; however, Keith and Scottie recently had a brief conversation related to government economics. I found the following comment by Keith a learning moment.

Obama did not reduce the debt and Clinton only impacted it in a small way for a short time. BUT, they did reduce the annual deficit, the annual accounting of revenue and expenses. In fact, Clinton handed a small surplus budget to Bush which was a huge statement of accomplishment. Bush then gave it a way with an ill-advised tax cut which his Secretary of the Treasury argued against doing and was fired. Obama’s reduction in the deficit was largely due to the sequestration due to the impasse on the debt ceiling. They put something in place in case no deal could be reached. No deal was reached and cuts were made.

While all of this was going on, the debt continued to climb. So, yes Clinton made huge strides to reduce the deficit. Obama made some strides, but could have done more. What should be noted about Clinton’s changes is more jobs were created under his watch than any other president by far. Yet, it is clear, both Bush and Trump have done very little to impact the deficit and debt. 

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Does anyone else agree that there will be some notable repercussions (possibly within our borders) from the recent killing of Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds military force and one of the most powerful figures in the Islamic Republic?

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Why is it OK for Christians to try and pass laws to prevent abortion (which is a woman’s liberty) but they get very angry when they feel their “religious liberties” are being threatened?

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P.S. Comments are also open to discuss issues that you may be wondering about. 🙂

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Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay