February 20, 2021
It was just a week ago that the Senate acquitted the former president of incitement of insurrection.
Since then, the Republican Party has continued to split apart, Texas has frozen and its people are suffering, Rush Limbaugh has died, coronavirus vaccinations have ramped up, and the Biden administration has told the world that America is back.
Calling an early night. Will be back tomorrow.
[Photo by Buddy Poland]
My 73 birthday was Monday. On Tuesday night my living room temperature was 48 degrees. Water was turned off. I stayed in bed wearing my winter pjs, my heaviest pjs, a long sweater, 2 pairs of wool socks, a scarf, a hat and gloves, 3 blankets and a comforter. I was fine. I had a camping lantern, an extra battery, my cellphone and my kindle. I snacked on GS cookies. I was fine. Not so for many other people in Houston and across Texas. Many are still suffering. The Republican state government knew about the potential problem of deregulation. Ten years ago cold had caused a similar problem. For the sake of money, no insulation of vital energy sources took place. Some of that money made its way in the form of political contributions to Cornyn, Cruz, Crenshaw (my Representative) and many others. Cruz made his way to Cancun and seemed surprised that his neighbors and his daughters’ school friends and their parents shared that tidbit. He lied, blamed his kids and then justified his actions on being a good dad. What a champ. AOC was down here today and many Texas Democrats in state and local government joined her. Our state and federal Republican elected officials were MIA. Thanks for all the good wishes and contributions. They mean a lot. The Houston Food Bank is a great place to help if you want to make a meaningful contribution. Many rabid Republicans are defending Cruz and his cruddy compatriots. I hope enough Texas Republicans, however, are as disgusted as I am and remember when elections come around. The tragedy of preventable events can break you as can the lack of accountability. I won’t be broken.
Heather, I hope you bask in the knowledge that you have created a community that adores your clarity, respects your insights and each other's, and is truly a unique creation. When you take an early night --surely well deserved-- we can take turns sharing what's important to us. Tonight, I've been thinking of an article I read with very specific instructions for keeping the progressive surge going and expanding its influence. I hope others will find it a blueprint for action, too. Peaceful night, all.
https://indivisible.org/democracy-guide?akid=70164.55085.rO-UQ6&rd=1&t=8&utm_medium=link2_20210108&utm_source=email