Unreality Check (#6)

Posted on by dugtheship

Last week the Texas 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Tarrant County Community College v. Sims, that Texas’s state law prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sex also provides protections against discrimination for LGBTQ workers. The favorable decision provides state-level protections for LGBTQ workers for the first time under Texas state law.

The Texas appeals court’s opinion included language that interprets the Texas Commission on Human Relations Act (TCHRA) consistent with the recent US Supreme Court decision Bostock v. Clayton County that determined discrimination against employees on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by federal law. 

In January, The Human Rights Campaign filed a “friend of the court” amicus brief on behalf of the plaintiff. The brief argued that Texas state law is clear — the US Supreme Court’s interpretations of Title VII apply to analogous provisions in the TCHRA.

Some light from down here in Texas after a long string of self-inflicted pies in the face.

—–

Pres. Biden’s pause on new leases for oil and gas drilling will have marginal impact on production, according the US Energy Information Administration. The agency expects crude production in 2022 to fall by fewer than 100,000 b/d on average as a result of the administration’s order on leasing.

—–

Note that the same people who are upset about a handsy French cartoon skunk getting ‘cancelled’ were fine with a presidential candidate who “grabs ’em by the pussy.” At least they’re consistent.

—–

The GOP now has another entertainer’s back (Tucker Carlson) instead of the military’s.

President Biden announced that two female generals were in line to become combatant commanders and that initiatives were being pursued to recruit and retain women to the US military.

Tucker said, among other things that “China’s military becomes more masculine … our military needs to become, as Joe Biden says, more feminine.”

The Pentagon issued a statement attempting to address Carlson’s ignorance, adding that “What we absolutely won’t do is take personnel advice from a talk show host.”

Noted veteran Col. Alexander Vindman put it this way: “Tucker Carlson dishonors the service and sacrifice of all women who have served in the Armed Forces. Many who paid the ultimate sacrifice. He’s never served anyone but himself, but would deny soldiers the means and equipment to be effective. #HereRightMatters”

And Republicans side with Tucker.

—–

Even so, like Jefferson, I would prefer newspapers without government to government without newspapers.

Unreality Check (#5)

Posted on by dugtheship

Photo from studentenergy.org

It looks like there might be some wiggle room on energy in the both the new administration and Congress. Congressional Democrats, and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), have made a series of proposals intended to modify the terms under which oil and gas leasing can occur on federal lands rather than banning it outright. They’re also trying to get President Biden on board. Grassley called on Congress to increase royalty rates, describing the current system (in place since the 1920s) as “corporate welfare.”

Yes, Grassley represents the state that produces far more ethanol than any other, but sometimes you take help where you can get it.

Democrats likewise want to raise royalties paid to the government and are also pushing for remediation of abandoned wells, tougher regulation of methane emissions, and increased public input into the process. Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), chair of the energy and mineral resources subcommittee, described Congress’s actions as an effort to provide Biden with ways to fix a broken system rather than simply throwing it out.

—–

Republicans in the Texas legislature are keeping the pedal to the metal, putting forward a bill that would ban all abortions from the moment of fertilization. The bill would charge women who have abortions and doctors that perform them with murder. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) on Mar. 9 signed a bill into law banning abortions for any reason except saving the life of the mother.

Unreality Check (#4)

Posted on by dugtheship

Agencies shall consider ways to expand citizens’ opportunities to register to vote and to obtain information about, and participate in, the electoral process. 200-day deadline from Mar. 7. Includes modernization of websites and digital services.

The above summarizes some of the key points of an executive order issued Mar. 7 by Joe Biden. I’d heard about this one, but in general it’s been so quiet, relative to recent times, that I’d kind of lost track of what he’d been doing.

The following are some of other things that happened in just the first seven days of this month:

• The Senate passed the $1.9-trillion American Rescue Plan Act.

• The February jobs report showed 379,000 jobs added to the economy.

• The Defense Production Act was engaged to make enough vaccines to supply every American by the end of May 2021.

• Biden met with President of Mexico Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to discuss immigration, COVID-19, and economic and security cooperation.

• Biden spoke with the Guatemalan president to discuss immigration and regional security.

• Secretaries of Commerce and Education were sworn in.

• Biden assessed the mental acuity of the governors of Texas and Mississippi.

—–

Introducing George Floyd’s drug use as a defense strategy is no different than pointing out “provocative dress” on the part of the victim during a rape trial

—–

Instead of pushing this rapid reopening, why don’t GOP governors just tell everyone to work harder. I mean, that’s all poor people have to do, right?

Unreality Check (#2)

Posted on by dugtheship

Metallica’s ‘Master of Puppets’ turned 35 today. A true masterpiece. One of those rare albums that not only stands as a cohesive piece of work rather than a collection of songs but actually envelopes its listener, taking them on a journey. When you add in the great individual performances and the fact that it sounds great no matter what volume you play it at, it’s pretty much the best.

Was living in a group flat in London in fall of 1986 and would fall asleep some afternoons sitting on its hard couch with my headphones on, just letting it wash over me.

When I heard about Cliff’s death I cried. Rest in peace, genius. You will live forever.

—–

Does the GOP want us out of Iraq or in Iraq? Or whichever is the most expedient answer to the particular question they face? I think that’s the one.

—–

Conservatives have attempted to cancel an absurd amount of literature over the years, and almost all of it simply for wanting to broaden the minds of those who would read it. The forces behind what is happening now are different. It is an effort in include. Not exclude. At least their reaction is consistent I guess.

—–

In the words of great Indiana poet, William Rose Jr. (@axlrose) “I don’t worry ‘bout nothing, no, cuz worrien’s a waste of my time.” The earth is a self-balancing system. She’ll be fine. But if we want to stay here (or live elsewhere), it’s past time to get busy.

—–

The US Interior Dept. took steps today to recommit to scientific integrity and empower its experts to use the best available science. Its Order 3397 revokes Order 3369 – falsely branded the “open science” rule – that imposed improper restrictions on what science and data could be considered when making its decisions.

—–

BREAKING INTEL: When Texas COVID-19 numbers spike towards the end of the month the right’s plan is to blame it on illegal immigrants. They’re literally broadcasting it. #OnBrand

Unreality Check (#1)

Posted on by dugtheship

The University of Michigan is playing great basketball right now (notwithstanding what just happened against Illinois!). Testament to the value of recruiting to build a team rather than win individual matchups. Four-year seniors (present and future) and one great grad transfer. Bring on the tournament! Go Blue!!

—–

How is maritime piracy of commercial-scale vessels still a thing? In fact, still so much of a thing that the chief of staff of the Nigerian Navy has publicly accused security consultants Dryad Global of trying to embarrass it via continuous coverage of events. A free press holds people accountable. Everywhere.

—–

Texas congressmen have introduced legislation empowering state governors to nominate offshore areas for oil and gas development. So now state’s rights are a thing again? Got it. And it’s a ‘bipartisan’ effort to boot. Who do you think Kevin Brady and Henry Cuellar are working for?

—–

Microsoft has this thing in Outlook called Cortana. It’s supposed to give a morning inbox reminder of things one needs to remember to follow up on. Nine days out of 10 its top message is that my company’s firewall asked me to “Please verify that you trust this sender…” #useless

—–

The Big Lie is alive and well. Millions still believe the 2020 US election was stolen. At this point political parties are immaterial. You are either for democracy or you are not. Feel free to let me know which camp is yours.

To be clear, Mike Lee (R-UT), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Tom Cotton (R-AR), John Kennedy (R-LA), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), need not check in. Your anti-democracy positions have already been established.

—–

Gov. Greg Abbott just lifted the mask mandate in Texas and reopened business at 100% capacity effective Mar. 10. I guess he thought it would a cool way to mark Texas Independence Day. Hoping for the best. Expecting an absolute calamity. At least I’m vaxxed. #FromThePeopleWhoBroughtUsWinterBlackout2021