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Today in Texas History – May 9

Women in Jazz Tribute to Damita Jo DeBlanc

From the Annals of the Chanteuses –  In 1967, Austin celebrated “Damito Jo Day.”  Damita Jo DeBlanc was born in Austin in 1930 but was raised mostly in Santa Barbara.  In 1949, LA Deejay Joe Adams began to promote her career getting her gigs at Club Oasis and other LA clubs. Adams later signed her to Discovery Records but she found little success as a solo artist and spent much of the 1950’s with R&B group Steve Gibson & the Red Caps.  She married Gibson but later divorced him as their marriage collapsed and the band’s fortunes waned.  Her solo breakthrough came with the R&B smash hit “I’ll Save the Last Dance for You” in 1960 (an answer to “Save the Last Dance for Me” and 1961’s “I’ll Be There” (an answer to “Stand by Me”).  DJ worked with a number of performers including Ray Charles, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton.  In 1984, she retired from R&B and devoted the remainder of her career to modern Gospel music.

 

Melania Speaks – Red Translates

Melania Trump, reluctant First Lady, unveiled her signature project which will focus on improving the lives of children by stopping all forms of bullying and cyber abuse.  Red thinks this is a very worthwhile and even noble attempt by the FL who despite having possibly been an illegal alien, posed naked for money, falsely claimed to speak five languages, screwed around with a rich married older man and married for money – does seem to want to set things right and maybe do some good in the world.  That’s about as decent a level of praise as anyone associated with Trumph – Our Insult Comic President will ever get from Red.  But Melania’s speech introducing her signature program seeking to protect children was undercut by an announcement by AG Jefferson Beauregard Sessions that the U.S. will now separate any children entering the U.S. illegally from their families.  So we are all about protecting children except when abusing them will pander to the GOP base.  In light of that, Red felt the need to translate a small part of Melania’s speech.

Be Best is an awareness campaign dedicated to the most valuable and fragile among us (no – not my husband’s attorneys): our children (and it’s going to be way better than Michelle Obama’s “Be Better” schtick).

There is one goal: to educate children about the many issues they are facing today (like – how can I trust anything adults say when our president is lying sack of shit).  If we truly listen to what our kids have to say, whether it’s their concerns (stumbling into war) or ideas, adults can provide them the support and tools (other than paying for public education or college loans) they need to grow up and be happy productive adults (Trump voters). Children deserve every opportunity to enjoy their innocence (and being put in federal custody apart from your annoying parents will be very enjoyable). 

Social media is too often used in negative ways (just look down the hallway at the White House), but when children learn positive behavior early on, it can be used in productive ways (voting Republican).  We have the responsibility to educate  and remind (children) when they use their voices to choose their words wisely (are you paying attention Mr. Guiliani?) and speak with respect and kindness (and very impressively I didn’t once gag on a giant bag of hypocrisy while saying that).

It remains our generation’s moral imperative to take responsibility and help our children manage the many issues they are facing today, including encouraging positive social, emotional, and physical habits (voting Republican, loving Trumpism and hating the FBI). By acknowledging there are many important issues (oh, we got your issues alright), and knowing these problems cannot be solved overnight, I believe we can change the way we think and talk (because it would really be a challenge to think or talk more crudely than my husband) about issues facing children today.

 

Today in Texas History – May 8

Josh Hamilton Texas Rangers Card, Rangers Josh Hamilton ...

From the Annals of the Sluggers –  In 2012, outfielder Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers hit four home runs in a game against the Baltimore Orioles.  Hamilton became the 16th major league baseball player to hit four home runs in one game. He also had 18 total bases which set an American League record.

Hamilton’s troubles with drug and alcohol addiction are well-known by baseball fans.  After being drafted No. 1 overall out of high school in 1999 by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Hamilton’s addiction problems kept him out of the major leagues until he debuted with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007 at the age of 26.  Hamilton’s on-field performance over the next seven seasons was impressive.  He was named to four All-Star teams and was the AL MVP in 2010 when he led the league in batting average, slugging percentage and on-base plus slugging.  He had a couple of relatively minor relapses with alcohol in later years, but it is injuries that have kept him off the field since the 2015 season.  At age 36, it seems doubtful that JH will ever return to baseball.

Today in Texas History – May 7

Rajas Poblanas - Adán's blog

From the Annals of Old Mexico – In 1824, the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas was created when Mexico under the Constitución Federal de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos de 1824.  The state of Nuevo Leon was recognized at the same time.  The constitution created a federal system of dual sovereignty between the EUM and the individual states.  An initial claim made by the Tejanos against the Mexican government after the ascendancy of Santa Anna and the installation of a new centralist form of government was that they were fighting for the reinstitution of the 1824 Constitution.  That quickly morphed into a call for complete independence from Mexico – fueled in large part by the desire to escape Mexico’s prohibition against slavery.

Quote for the Day

Powerful interests are capable of amassing armies of lobbyists and lawyers to influence (and even capture) politically accountable bureaucracies.  But what about everyone else?

Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch writing in dissent in the Oil States Energy Services, LLC v. Greene’s Energy Group, LLC case.

Excellent and unavoidable reasoning by Justice Gorsuch.   But what about powerful lobbyists, lawyers, dark money contributors and influence peddlers influencing and even capturing elected officials in light of Citizens United?  What about everyone else in that case? Will he be as worked up about that practice?

 

Today in Texas History – May 4

From the Annals of Ecumenicalism – In 1953, representatives from eleven Protestant denominations met in Dallas to form the Texas Council of Churches.  A primary goal of the TCC was to use economies of scale in mobilizing relief efforts and good works as well  The TCC also admirably advocated for the elimination of all forms of discrimination based upon race, color, national origin, or sex.  Other activities included volunteer councils and chaplaincies in state hospitals, ministries to migrant farmworkers, aid to dependent children, and efforts toward a redemptive system of criminal justice. The TCC disbanded in the 1969 to make way for a more inclusive organization, the Texas Conference of Churches. The current TCC is an association of the twelve major Protestant denominations, fourteen dioceses of the Catholic Church, and the Eastern Orthodox churches.

Jade Helm Russian Hoax Fools Our Poor Idiot Governor

Almost every day Red wonders – is Our Poor Idiot Governor really the pathetic and pitiable idiot constantly pandering to the GOP’s basest denizens that he appears to be?  The answer turns out to be yes.

Long time readers will remember the public freakout over the routine military exercise dubbed Jade Helm 15 that was displayed by such apparently all-too-easily fooled notables of the Texas GOP establishment such as OPIG, Lyin’ Ted Cruz,  the moronic Louie “Kablooie” Gohmert and the always disappointing John “Pandermaster” Cornyn.  At the urging of them and a host of fanatic right wingers convinced that jackbooted federal troops under the command of that Muslim Kenyan terrorist (who somehow managed to win the presidency in a landslide) were coming to Texas to take away their women, children and most importantly guns, OPIG called out the Texas National Guard to keep an eye on our heretofore most worshipful military.  Well, it turns out that much of the Jade Helm hype was the work of – wait for it – Russian trolls and bots.  So yes, OPIG is just that – a pitiful excuse for a state leader. The Texas Observer has the full story.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s willingness to pander to the manic extremism broadcast through AM radio airwaves and streamed on the margins of YouTube apparently has him playing right into the hands of Russian disinformation campaigns.

At least that’s what former NSA and CIA director Michael Hayden said on a “Morning Joe” podcast about the governor’s decision in 2015 to deploy the Texas State Guard to monitor federal troops.  Hayden said, “There was an exercise in Texas called Jade Helm 15 that Russian bots in the American alt-right media convinced most — many — Texans was an Obama plan to round up political dissidents.”

Abbott fell right into the trap, Hayden said, by legitimizing conspiracy theories with official state action. “At that point, I’m figuring the Russians are saying, ‘We can go big time,’ and at that point I think they said ‘We’re going to play in the electoral process.’”

If Hayden’s report is right, then the governor of Texas was fooled into siccing the Texas State Guard on U.S. troops by Russia.

Today in Texas History – May 3

From the Annals of the Crazed – In 1997, members of the so-called “Republic of Texas” surrendered to authorities ending an armed standoff where two people were held hostage.  The ROT movement was started by Richard McLaren, a well-known trouble-maker in west Texas, who based the claims of the ROT on his flawed research regarding the Civil War.  McLaren believed that because Texas voted to leave the Union in 1861, it still met qualifications under international law as a captive nation of the United States after being defeated in that war.  This conveniently ignored the fact that the actual Republic of Texas ceased to exist when Texas became a state in 1845.

Before the stand-off in west Texas, the ROT had split into three factions. McLaren continued to lead one group, while David Johnson and Jesse Enloe,  and Archie Lowe and Daniel Miller  led two rump movements.  In 1997, McLaren and his followers kidnapped Joe and Margaret Ann Rowe holding them hostage at the Davis Mountain Resort. McLaren demanded the release of ROT member in exchange for the release of the Rowes.  The stand-off with local police and Texas Rangers in force generated considerable media interest with more than 100 reporters and crew encamped at a roadside park near Fort Davis.  Ultimately, McLaren’s wife convinced him to surrender peacefully after a week.  After surrendering, McLaren and four other Republic of Texas members were convicted and sent to prison. Two  members of the group, Richard F. Keyes III and Mike Matson, eluded capture at first.   However, Matson was killed in a shoot-out with Texas Rangers two days later.  Keyes remained on the lam until September and was later was convicted of burglary with intent to commit aggravated assault and sentenced to 90 years in prison.

Interstate 14 to San Angelo and Beyond?

The yellow line represents the current designated route

San Angelo really wants an Interstate Highway running through its front yard (with apologies to John Mellencamp). Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas) has introduced legislation to the House of Representatives that supports expanding Interstate 14 through Midland and San Angelo. The expanded route would begin at I-20 outside of Midland and run through San Angelo to meet the planned route of I-14 at Brady, with another spur connecting to I-10  near Junction.

The most likely method for getting approval would come if the planned expansion could be attached to a major infrastructure bill such as that languishing in Congress with scant attention from the Trump administration. Although it would be nice to have a clearer shot at heading to parts west, Red isn’t holding his breath while waiting for this one.

Today in Texas History – May 1

NOLAN RYAN 1991 BALLSTREET PROMOTIONAL CARD #34! RANGERS ...

From the Annals of MLB –  In 1991, in his 25th major league season and at age 44 Nolan Ryan pitched his record-setting 7th career no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays.  Ryan was not particularly happy about pitching that evening on four days rest, but he agreed to pitch because it was Arlington Appreciation Night and he felt he owed something to the Texas fans. Before the game, Rangers’ pitching coach Tom House was less than optimistic.

“Nolan was bouncing his curveball, huffing and puffing on his fastball. He had no location, and his changeup was non-existent. I’m thinking, Whoops, this is not real good.”

Despite warning House and Rangers’ manager Bobby Valentine to have some warming up before he even took the mound, Ryan cruised through the game with only a couple of good defensive plays required.  He struck out Roberto Alomar to close out the game.

Ryan retired after in 1993 with the all-time MLB of 5,714 strikeouts and the less desirable career record of 2,795 walks. His 324 career wins has him tied for 14th on the all-time list.  But the record of seven career no-hitters may be unbreakable.  Sandy Koufax is second on the list with four.  Among active players, Max Scherzer, Cole Hamels, Jake Arrieta, Tim Lincecum, Justin Verlander and Homer Bailey each have two no-hitters.