It’s hard to believe that another weekend has flown by. It seems like the days are shorter and shorter even though we have Daylight Saving Time. π My weekend was good despite feeling like a 6-cylindar engine running on 4. My kids, as always, stepped up to help as much as they could, and I managed to accomplish some creative things that always boost morale. Hooray on both counts.
Part of my low morale of late is due to my personal issues, but also because of the absurdity I keep seeing all around me. Case in point is the fact that some of the loudest voices in media and politics, like Tucker Carlson and Madison Cawthorn, get the most traction in the news and social media. Both men espouse radical views that include conspiracy theories, bigotry, and outright lies, using them to further their careers. Shame on them, and do I dare say, shame on the people who take what they say as gospel without bothering to check facts.
It’s incredibly disheartening to see that so much of government and social policy is being driven by folks like that. I find it so absurd that a talk show host like Carlson has more influence over decisions that are made in a state or a country than by the majority of the people. Or am I just so naΓ―ve and idealistic that I believe that the far right wing conservatives are in the minority?
(Bear with me. This will all tie together. Honest. π
Listening to a recent episode of The Daily Podcast about border security in Texas that focused on Governor Greg Abbot’s action that he calls Operation Lone Star, I was amazed at the billions of dollars being spent, as well as the misappropriation of National Guard personnel for things that the men and women didn’t sign up for. They’re not supposed to be used as a police presence, except in times of national disasters. And while some people think that the problem with illegal immigration is a national disaster, stopping people from crossing the border is not within the scope and parameters of the duties of a national guardsman.
The Guardsman who was interviewed for the podcast said he was called up with only a two-day notice to deploy, something that doesn’t even often happen when sent to a combat zone overseas, and has now been there for months. Specialist Hunter Schuler, a medic with the National Guard said, βI have yet to hear a convincing argument as to why we needed to be activated so quickly.β
The cost in human lives and taxpayer dollars for Operation Lone Star is all for political gain.
The effectiveness of the operation is in question, too. The Texas Tribune did some fact checking on claims being made about the rousing success. You can read it all in the article Fact Checking Texas Leaders’ Claims About Operation Lone Star, but here’s just one quote: “While Abbott initially said the operation would focus on targeting Mexican cartel members and smugglers, misdemeanor trespassing charges soon accounted for the largest share of arrests.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has been doing whatever it takes to stay popular in the conservative wing of the Republican party, which I guess is most of the Republican party. Abbot started Operation Lone Star after being called out on Tucker Carlson’s show by his Republican Primary challengers, who all said they would do better at securing the border. Because Abbott has his eyes on the White house, he had to do something to ingratiate all the voters who supported Trump.
Abbott has been a poor governor of Texas, and heaven help us if he ever attains the presidency of the United States.
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Let’s end with a bit of humor. As usual, jokes are from The Laugh Factory.
A man needed a horse, so he went to a temple and got one. Before he left, the priest told him that it was a special horse. In order to make the horse go, you say, “Thank God,” and for it to stop you say, “Amen.”
So the man left, and a few minutes later he dozed off on his horse. Hours later, he woke up and his horse was racing him towards the edge of a cliff. Just in time, he shouted “Amen!” and the horse stopped a few inches from the edge. “Whew,” said the man, “thank God!”
Two nuns from Ireland come to tour New York City. Before they come, they hear that Americans eat dogs, so they both agree to try it when they arrive. As they’re walking around New York, they hear, “Hot Dogs! Get your hot dogs!” They rush over to get one! As the first nun opens hers, her face turns white and she gasps, “What part did you get?!”
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That’s all for today from me, folks. I hope you had a pleasant weekend and have a productive week ahead. If you care to share a joke or any special things you have planned, please do. Be safe. Be happy.