Texas Border Crisis: Rhetoric, Revolution, and Russia

The Texas border saga continues as rhetoric heats up and Russia throws its hat in the ring.

Note: I wanted to update you sooner but was plagued by illness over the weekend. I’m better now, so let’s get into it.

Last week, President Biden told Texas that they had until Friday to stand down from their stupid border stunt. Although, Biden never told Abbott the consequences of not standing down.

On Friday, Biden temporarily paused all “Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) Export Terminals” until the climate threat of methane gas is thoroughly evaluated.

Republicans (including Abbott) are saying that this move by Biden is “retribution” for the GOP’s border stunt. Here is what Biden had to say:

Climate and environmental justice activists celebrate a huge win that could affect November’s presidential election.

According to the Sierra Club, the surprise move puts the brakes on 12 proposed LNG facilities, including Calcasieu Pass LNG, an enormous, 1000-acre project proposed for the Calcasieu Ship Channel in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. The CP2 project has been vehemently opposed by climate activists and residents of the frontline community, who are already suffering the effects of several other terminals and refineries in the heavily industrialized area.

It’s important to note that Abbott rakes in tens of millions from the oil and gas industry every election cycle. Of course, he reacted to this move.

Was this retribution for Abbott’s border stunt?

Maybe. But we must acknowledge that we are in a full-blown climate crisis. Because humanity has largely failed to act on climate change over the last few decades, the world is already seeing significant consequences.

• There’s a notable increase in extreme weather events. These events include severe storms, floods, and droughts, which have a widespread impact on communities and ecosystems.

• Climate change is adversely affecting agriculture. A study indicates that for every 1 degree Celsius increase in temperature, yields of major crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat fall significantly, leading to a substantial decrease in farm income.

• The Amazon basin has been severely affected by drought conditions caused by climate change. This has led to reduced river levels, impacting transportation and basic needs in the region. The drought has caused crop failures and food and drinking water shortages.

• The changing climate is contributing to the loss of biodiversity and the collapse of ecosystems. This has far-reaching effects on various species and the health of our planet’s natural systems.

• Flowers are now blooming in Antarctica.

This list could go on. Despite what Republicans say, climate change is very real, and we’re seeing first-hand impacts of it now, in 2024.

We need leadership who will take bold action on climate change to save our planet for future generations. This needed to be done.

But by doing this, Biden hits awfully close to Abbott’s political donors. As you would imagine, the fossil fuel industry is furious, and their Republican mouthpieces are letting it be known.

Meanwhile, 73-year-old Dannie Goeb has gone full Nazi.

Lt. Governor Dannie Goeb Dan Patrick traveled to Eagle Pass this weekend and went full Nazi Germany with his political rhetoric. Like in this presser:

First of all, 8 million people have not been released in America. Only 2.3 million people have been given either asylum or work permits. Secondly, to be released, they must pass screening and background checks. Third, undocumented immigrants in Texas have significantly lower felony arrest rates compared to legal immigrants and native-born US citizens, and there is no evidence of increased criminality in recent years.

Dannie is a liar, and he’s calling migrants and refugees “murderers, gang members, terrorists, and rapists.” Just like Donald Trump called Mexicans “drug dealers and rapists” back in 2016.

Republicans scream and cry about imaginary “rapists and terrorists” at the border while supporting a rapist for president who brought terrorists to the capital.

This is the GOP’s reelection plan. Scare the shit out of GOP voters who think immigrants are coming for them. Its flat out racism at this point.

Brown = murderer? The facts don’t back this up.

Lt. Dan wasn’t done. He made some time to hit Fox News and spew the White Replacement Theory to millions of Fox viewers.

The White Replacement Theory used to be a fringe white supremacist conspiracy theory, but now it’s mainstream Republican ideology.

This is white supremacist language. Period.

What was Dan Patrick’s purpose for going to Eagle Pass?

According to Dan Patrick, he wanted to be there “to be there in the unlikely event the feds did show up so the troops knew they weren’t standing alone.”

Can you imagine? 73-year-old Dan Patrick will lead a battle in the GOP’s Civil War against America? What if he breaks a hip?

Biden promises to sign bill on the border, but Trump and Congressional Republicans continue to thwart legislation.

Over the weekend, President Biden said he was willing to shut down the US southern border if Congress approves a bipartisan proposal currently under negotiation in the Senate.

Trump has been urging Republicans in Congress not to cooperate with the Biden Administration and to block any border legislation from passing because he wants to use it as an election issue.

Also this weekend, the Oklahoma Republican party passed a censure resolution condemning their GOP Senator James Lankford for the crime of ignoring Trump’s orders and working with Democrats on a bill that would dramatically increase security at the border.

“Until Senator Lankford ceases from these actions, the Oklahoma Republican Party will cease all support for him,” the resolution stated.

You really can’t make this up. It’s a fucking cult.

More from Morning Joe:

Far-right extremists are still bringing an armed convoy to the Texas border.

The “Take Back Our Border” channel on Telegram now has over 1,000 members, some of whom are invoking a new Civil War. They’re supposed to arrive on Friday, February 2. This convoy has been promoted by Texas Congressman Keith Self, who appeared on Fox Business to speak about the event and posted a link to a news article about the convoy from the conspiracy-focused The Gateway Pundit on his Twitter account.

Like Dan Patrick, who hails from Baltimore, Keith Self is not an original Texas native. Ironically, most of these Republicans calling for Civil War and violence in Texas are transplants. It makes me wonder if, at any point, we’ll pick up pitchforks and run them out of town.

Russia offers to help Greg Abbott in his Civil War.

Russian lawmaker Sergey Mironov offered to help Texas get independence from the United States in a social media post on Saturday.

This is reminiscent of a time when Russia’s misinformation fueled mass hysteria in Greg Abbott and other Texas Republicans in an event called Jade Helm. If you don’t remember this, back in 2015, Republicans were convinced the Obama Administration would show up in Texas, kidnap Christians, transport them to abandoned Walmarts in Bluebell ice cream trucks, and force them all to be Muslims.

I wish I could tell you that Republicans have grown since that embarrassment. They haven’t.

A top Putin ally says a “destructive civil confrontation” could happen in the US over the Texas border standoff. And, of course, this is what Russia wants.

So, as per usual, Russia is interfering with American politics, and Republicans are right there in bed with Moscow. I think a serious question we all should be asking is, “If Russia offered Texas aid, military equipment, and troops to secure the borders against America, how many Republicans will greet the invaders with open arms?”

Every single one of them who believed it would win them an election would.

The Republican Party is the single biggest threat to Texas right now, and here is why:

1. They are calling for a Civil War.

2. They are demonizing immigrants.

3. They are blocking all border bills.

4. They’re selling out our national security to support Trump.

Ultimately, the Republican Party faces a critical juncture in Texas and nationwide. It must decide whether it will continue down a path of divisive rhetoric, obstructionism, and extremism or choose to be a part of constructive solutions for the betterment of our country.

Many have claimed that we are watching the sputtering death cry of the Republican Party. Let’s hope it’s true because the future of Texas and America depends on it. Fucking vote.

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