A generation or so of miscegenetics between the sheets should take care of this issue. Until then, Texas be Texas. It would, however, help speed up a better answer to What's the Matter with Texas if Dems would quit not voting. This would be a good time to initiate this important aspect of citizenship.
Embarrassingly accurate analysis of the state of our Texas. The disconnect from reality of the truth and the fiction of our relationship with Mexico is confounding. A number of years ago I assisted as a lawyer and individual with the creation of US/Mexico Consulting, assisting a Mexican resident of the US. He was capitalizing on the demand IN MEXICO for business relationships in the US, primarily Texas. The disconnect I reference and you so correctly focus on was abundantly and forcefully clear. Mexicans investing in Texas while our leaders were badmouthing men and women who only wanted a better life for their families. Perhaps as the skin color “gap” continues to flip we’ll see a change in attitudes as well. I’m not sure I’ll see it - I’m 77 - but perhaps my grandkids will. Thank you as always for your well written view of our world from a perspective I share.
I don’t know how I manage to respond to the wrong post of yours, I was responding to the story you wrote about growing up. I was unable or o respond right away so I went back to it. Now it on this post?
As to this post about TexasI agree with all you have written about our State and I have decided that we have taken over by Aliens! The worst part of that is two of them may be making decisions for the Federal government! Musk and Paxton are moving up to destroy us from a higher position!
Just for the hell of it I would love to see the Biden Administration pull his clearances, (Bill Nelson at NASA is not happy with his numerous conversations with Putin)! Musk began panicked Tuesday when he thought he might lose all he had, (mainly all his Security Clearances), if Harris won! I know because he posted it on Twitter.
Yep, it’s an exhausting conundrum and so frustrating for me that I cannot return to my birth state, where I came of age under the presidency of LBJ. The myth of Texas is too alive in the imagination of so many.
Texas is exhausting! Fossil fuel companies have invested so much into propaganda that infiltrates every corner of the state. By dumbing down the educational system and influencing churches into mischaracterizing everything Democrats support (racial equality, women’s rights, abortion, environmental regulation, green energy, and victims’ rights), people here can cling to their backward, and hypocritical views.
It’s been a strategy used for decades to encourage a united it’s “us against them,” mentality. Somehow, media personalities Rush Limbaugh and Alex Jones speak to the souls of Texans. Sinclair and Telemundo are coaching border town viewers to vote against their own interests, lest we fall into “socialism.”
Forty years living here are enough. Looking to make the move to Colorado which will be a refreshing change. That is, as long as the oil and gas companies don’t gain more of a foothold than they already have. Their mind control campaigns are no match for a highly educated and informed population that appreciates its natural beauty and the need to maintain common sense protections for the land and people. The diverse economy keeps innovation alive.
Texans have been played by the utterly corrupt public officials who are grifting taxpayer dollars, pocketing bribes, and telling the public they are doing them a favor. That’s what is wrong with Texas.
The immigrant crime rouse is just that, it’s a tool to demonize them, everyone, even law enforcement knows that’s not even close to true. Turn on any local news in a metropolitan area and the serious crimes are gun crimes, SENSELESS murders and shootings perpetrated by U.S. citizens, usually young people, who are legally carrying a gun around thanks to the anti immigrant politicians! I guess crossing illegally counts as a crime, if that’s what they’re counting, but so is speeding and driving over the alcohol limit as many white Texans do. I’m sure some are involved in the drug trade, so are white Texan’s who distribute them to their fellow Texans. And when an alien does get a job, social security withholding is taken out of their checks and because they aren’t yet citizens they’ll never get a dime back.
I’ll be surprised if Allred wins, he’s too kind and civilized, and I’d have a heart attack if Kamala even comes close.
You have to remember this too about Texas as far as race and voting goes, the white evangelical Baptist vote is a BIG factor and there’s an underbelly of racism there for certain. They don’t say it out loud but it’s there, I know, my whole damn family sops it up.
To be fair, Texas does enforce the federal E-Verify law against undocumented State employees and contractors. So at least they've solve that problem of so many foreigners stealing white-collar government jobs.
Man, reading your article on a Sunday morning is better than watching Charles Kuralt. :)
I love learning about Texas from you.
One thing, though. When I listen to local radio I hear men callers claim they just can't see voting for a woman. So it's not just her pigmentation, it's her gender, too.
And anyone who lives in Texas for any length of time knows for an indisputable fact (no alternative facts here) that the economy would collapse without the immigrant workers who are willing to take low pay with no benefits and work outside in the summer heat.
In Texas
"If conservatives were truly serious about ending illegal immigration, a new law would be on the books that made it a felony to hire anyone without proper documentation. That, of course, will never happen."
8 U.S. Code § 1324a - Unlawful employment of aliens
(a) Making employment of unauthorized aliens unlawful
(1) In general It is unlawful for a person or other entity—
(A) to hire, or to recruit or refer for a fee, for employment in the United States an alien knowing the alien is an unauthorized alien (as defined in subsection (h)(3)) with respect to such employment, or
(B)
(i) to hire for employment in the United States an individual without complying with the requirements of subsection (b) or (ii) if the person or entity is an agricultural association, agricultural employer, or farm labor contractor (as defined in section 1802 of title 29), to hire, or to recruit or refer for a fee, for employment in the United States an individual without complying with the requirements of subsection (b).
“The latest available data show that during the last 12 months (April 2018 to March 2019) only 11 individuals (and no companies) were prosecuted in just seven cases,” TRAC said in a statement releasing the findings. “Not only are few employers prosecuted, fewer who are convicted receive sentences that amount to more than token punishment.” Source:
I suppose this is why I didn't think there were criminal penalties. American business interests are not likely to get involved in smuggling people across the border. There are plenty here to hire already. INS raids are mostly pro forma of packing houses. I reported on one many years ago in Laredo and they raided an abattoir. The workers were all deported. The place was closed for a week and opened with all new undocumented workers. It's just a stupid game. And thanks for the kind words about the writing, Kelley. Really appreciate it.
Hypocrisy, thy name is Texas...a favorite political sign here in red Jeff Davis county is " Texit Now!"...the maggots do not seem to understand the consequences of leaving the Union...thanks for another well written piece...
Thanks, amigo. One other thing Texas MAGAts don't understand is that it is not constitutionally possible to secede (or "succeed" as their low intellect masses have it). Secession was blocked by Congress after the Civil War. No state's vote to secede has any force of law. But it sure would be entertaining to see all the MAGAts go run to Greg Abbott trying to get him to pay their Social Security checks and Medicare bills.
While true, they have no use for facts or intelligence...plus " Who's gonna build your wall?..."...Tom Russell(2007)..."...
"...But if uncle Sam sends the illegals home
Who's gonna build the wall?
Who's gonna build your wall boys?
Who's gonna mow your lawn?
Who's gonna cook your Mexican food
When your Mexican maid is gone?
Who's gonna wax the floors tonight
Down at the local mall?
Who's gonna wash your baby's face?
Who's gonna build your wall?..."....
#donOLD was asked this same question in his meeting with Latin voters recently by a non-English speaking immigrant worker...the maggots certainly won't as it is below their caste level...
Texas is not just a microcosm of the U S, but of humanity. Could Texas seem a contradiction because of its succession of immigrants over thousands of years, with existing residents scorning the newest arrivals to their perceived territory; or new settlers and colonizers dispossessing and enslaving existing residents?
A generation or so of miscegenetics between the sheets should take care of this issue. Until then, Texas be Texas. It would, however, help speed up a better answer to What's the Matter with Texas if Dems would quit not voting. This would be a good time to initiate this important aspect of citizenship.
Embarrassingly accurate analysis of the state of our Texas. The disconnect from reality of the truth and the fiction of our relationship with Mexico is confounding. A number of years ago I assisted as a lawyer and individual with the creation of US/Mexico Consulting, assisting a Mexican resident of the US. He was capitalizing on the demand IN MEXICO for business relationships in the US, primarily Texas. The disconnect I reference and you so correctly focus on was abundantly and forcefully clear. Mexicans investing in Texas while our leaders were badmouthing men and women who only wanted a better life for their families. Perhaps as the skin color “gap” continues to flip we’ll see a change in attitudes as well. I’m not sure I’ll see it - I’m 77 - but perhaps my grandkids will. Thank you as always for your well written view of our world from a perspective I share.
I don’t know how I manage to respond to the wrong post of yours, I was responding to the story you wrote about growing up. I was unable or o respond right away so I went back to it. Now it on this post?
As to this post about TexasI agree with all you have written about our State and I have decided that we have taken over by Aliens! The worst part of that is two of them may be making decisions for the Federal government! Musk and Paxton are moving up to destroy us from a higher position!
Just for the hell of it I would love to see the Biden Administration pull his clearances, (Bill Nelson at NASA is not happy with his numerous conversations with Putin)! Musk began panicked Tuesday when he thought he might lose all he had, (mainly all his Security Clearances), if Harris won! I know because he posted it on Twitter.
Yep, it’s an exhausting conundrum and so frustrating for me that I cannot return to my birth state, where I came of age under the presidency of LBJ. The myth of Texas is too alive in the imagination of so many.
Texas is exhausting! Fossil fuel companies have invested so much into propaganda that infiltrates every corner of the state. By dumbing down the educational system and influencing churches into mischaracterizing everything Democrats support (racial equality, women’s rights, abortion, environmental regulation, green energy, and victims’ rights), people here can cling to their backward, and hypocritical views.
It’s been a strategy used for decades to encourage a united it’s “us against them,” mentality. Somehow, media personalities Rush Limbaugh and Alex Jones speak to the souls of Texans. Sinclair and Telemundo are coaching border town viewers to vote against their own interests, lest we fall into “socialism.”
Forty years living here are enough. Looking to make the move to Colorado which will be a refreshing change. That is, as long as the oil and gas companies don’t gain more of a foothold than they already have. Their mind control campaigns are no match for a highly educated and informed population that appreciates its natural beauty and the need to maintain common sense protections for the land and people. The diverse economy keeps innovation alive.
Texans have been played by the utterly corrupt public officials who are grifting taxpayer dollars, pocketing bribes, and telling the public they are doing them a favor. That’s what is wrong with Texas.
The immigrant crime rouse is just that, it’s a tool to demonize them, everyone, even law enforcement knows that’s not even close to true. Turn on any local news in a metropolitan area and the serious crimes are gun crimes, SENSELESS murders and shootings perpetrated by U.S. citizens, usually young people, who are legally carrying a gun around thanks to the anti immigrant politicians! I guess crossing illegally counts as a crime, if that’s what they’re counting, but so is speeding and driving over the alcohol limit as many white Texans do. I’m sure some are involved in the drug trade, so are white Texan’s who distribute them to their fellow Texans. And when an alien does get a job, social security withholding is taken out of their checks and because they aren’t yet citizens they’ll never get a dime back.
I’ll be surprised if Allred wins, he’s too kind and civilized, and I’d have a heart attack if Kamala even comes close.
You have to remember this too about Texas as far as race and voting goes, the white evangelical Baptist vote is a BIG factor and there’s an underbelly of racism there for certain. They don’t say it out loud but it’s there, I know, my whole damn family sops it up.
To be fair, Texas does enforce the federal E-Verify law against undocumented State employees and contractors. So at least they've solve that problem of so many foreigners stealing white-collar government jobs.
Man, reading your article on a Sunday morning is better than watching Charles Kuralt. :)
I love learning about Texas from you.
One thing, though. When I listen to local radio I hear men callers claim they just can't see voting for a woman. So it's not just her pigmentation, it's her gender, too.
And anyone who lives in Texas for any length of time knows for an indisputable fact (no alternative facts here) that the economy would collapse without the immigrant workers who are willing to take low pay with no benefits and work outside in the summer heat.
In Texas
"If conservatives were truly serious about ending illegal immigration, a new law would be on the books that made it a felony to hire anyone without proper documentation. That, of course, will never happen."
And that's a fact, too.
It's already illegal...
8 U.S. Code § 1324a - Unlawful employment of aliens
(a) Making employment of unauthorized aliens unlawful
(1) In general It is unlawful for a person or other entity—
(A) to hire, or to recruit or refer for a fee, for employment in the United States an alien knowing the alien is an unauthorized alien (as defined in subsection (h)(3)) with respect to such employment, or
(B)
(i) to hire for employment in the United States an individual without complying with the requirements of subsection (b) or (ii) if the person or entity is an agricultural association, agricultural employer, or farm labor contractor (as defined in section 1802 of title 29), to hire, or to recruit or refer for a fee, for employment in the United States an individual without complying with the requirements of subsection (b).
Yeh I knew this was on the books. But it’s not a felony, I don’t think. Civil penalties only and/or fines?
Thanks for the legal reference.
Felony is the key word here.
“The latest available data show that during the last 12 months (April 2018 to March 2019) only 11 individuals (and no companies) were prosecuted in just seven cases,” TRAC said in a statement releasing the findings. “Not only are few employers prosecuted, fewer who are convicted receive sentences that amount to more than token punishment.” Source:
https://hrexecutive.com/how-many-employers-have-been-prosecuted-for-employing-illegals/
More recently… (and
$3million is a hefty fine)
https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/texas-company-pay-3-million-after-investigation-reveals-hiring-illegal-alien
I suppose this is why I didn't think there were criminal penalties. American business interests are not likely to get involved in smuggling people across the border. There are plenty here to hire already. INS raids are mostly pro forma of packing houses. I reported on one many years ago in Laredo and they raided an abattoir. The workers were all deported. The place was closed for a week and opened with all new undocumented workers. It's just a stupid game. And thanks for the kind words about the writing, Kelley. Really appreciate it.
"However, most violations are felony offenses and carry criminal fines and jail time. Some examples of penalties and enhancements:
For primary offenses of bringing in an unauthorized alien: up to one year in prison;
For bringing in an unauthorized alien for purposes of financial gain: up to 10 years in prison;
For smuggling an alien in illegally: up to 10 years in prison;
For transporting an alien illegally: up to 5 years in prison;
For hiring ten or more unauthorized aliens: up to 5 years in prison;
If the unauthorized alien you helped causes serious bodily injury or endangers someone's life: up to 20 years in prison;
If violating these laws results in someone's death: up to life in prison."
https://www.thefederalcriminalattorneys.com/harboring-aliens
Hypocrisy, thy name is Texas...a favorite political sign here in red Jeff Davis county is " Texit Now!"...the maggots do not seem to understand the consequences of leaving the Union...thanks for another well written piece...
Thanks, amigo. One other thing Texas MAGAts don't understand is that it is not constitutionally possible to secede (or "succeed" as their low intellect masses have it). Secession was blocked by Congress after the Civil War. No state's vote to secede has any force of law. But it sure would be entertaining to see all the MAGAts go run to Greg Abbott trying to get him to pay their Social Security checks and Medicare bills.
While true, they have no use for facts or intelligence...plus " Who's gonna build your wall?..."...Tom Russell(2007)..."...
"...But if uncle Sam sends the illegals home
Who's gonna build the wall?
Who's gonna build your wall boys?
Who's gonna mow your lawn?
Who's gonna cook your Mexican food
When your Mexican maid is gone?
Who's gonna wax the floors tonight
Down at the local mall?
Who's gonna wash your baby's face?
Who's gonna build your wall?..."....
#donOLD was asked this same question in his meeting with Latin voters recently by a non-English speaking immigrant worker...the maggots certainly won't as it is below their caste level...
This is one of the most heartfelt story of a trial by fire!
I know where your strength comes from my friend.
What you went through, either breaks you or strengthens you!
I’m glad it was the latter.
I also happy you all made it out.❤️
Thanks for those thoughts. I think the odds were just as good of me falling apart. I cannot account for why that did not happen.
Texas is not just a microcosm of the U S, but of humanity. Could Texas seem a contradiction because of its succession of immigrants over thousands of years, with existing residents scorning the newest arrivals to their perceived territory; or new settlers and colonizers dispossessing and enslaving existing residents?
"We have met the enemy and it is us".
— Pogo
Thank you for another wonderful article on a question that has been baffling me for years.
Someone once said, "Texas is where you cross the Red River to meet the redneck."