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There is no “bridge too far” for TX Republicans. Of course they would do this. Any legislature that would propose “bleeding stations” that would require 3rd graders to provide triage to fellow students and their teachers in the event of a school shooting RATHER THAN PASS REASONABLE GUN CONTROL MEASURES has no moral compass, no compassion, not a whit of humanity in their DNA. They are hideous monsters and should be regarded as such. https://legiscan.com/TX/text/HB1147/id/2243361

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I wrote this when the SCOTUS gutted the Civil Rights Act

CIVIL RIGHTS 2013

Old Jim Crow has clambered out of the mire

Because times are changing as we all know,

He’s dressed up to become James Crowe, esquire,

Who openly tells unwashed masses, “No!”

Many suffered and died changing the South,

Trees hanging with strange fruit grow only ghosts

That send insidious seeds rooting in the mouth

Of liars shouting loud false freedom boasts.

Eager to win back their waning power

The wealthy elite blandly smile and nod.

They assure us everything is fine

As they destroy rights this dark hour.

People must wake up to this danger’s prod,

And rise up to conque despair's false line.

Love, Eliz

E;ozabetj Barger

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We live in an upside-down world when what is legal is labeled as "fraud" and what is obvious fraudulent intent and legislation is made legal. We are a "nation of laws", but we are naive to believe that all laws are just.

Since registered voters can be purged from voting rolls without notification, how does one go about monitoring their registration status? We may try to circumvent the road blocks only to discover that we are trapped in a maze without an exit.

For those trapped in the maze the choice is frustration and giving up, or outrage and determination fueled by an "I'll be damned if I'll be stopped" resolution. But, if those tensions cannot be resolved is not a civil explosion inevitable?

We live in a caste system of those who can and do vote; those who can and don't vote; and those who want to vote but can't vote. The first two castes are mixed racially, but the third caste is intentionally dominated by people of color.

Unless we address and resolve the issue of racial reconciliation in the US, this problem will only get worse. Of course, that is an underlying purpose of voter suppression: to never allow a majority to form with power to demand such a reconciliation.

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Just like SNCC had to "bring It" in the 60's, it's time for a national organization to be formed to counteract the right-wing voter suppression. There should be field-reps in every state where this is a problem. They can educate, take people to the polls, and help folks get ID. Most importantly, they must be visible. In essence, they have to get out there and say we are not going to take this crap anymore.

This is going to take high profile people with seed money. I wish I could travel and do this. I have registered people to vote locally, but ours is a mail-in state that has great election participation. The time is ripe to organize---just think what could be done using social media.

Wallscape, bulletin, and digital billboards run between $3000-$6000 in Houston. They are probably even cheaper in smaller cities. Rock the Vote needs to partner with seniors, actors and social influencers so they can "bring it". I wish they would expand their scope and start calling people out while explaining voter suppression. Their phone number is 202-719-9910.

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Thanks TH for shining light on unending US voter suppression. I really can't understand why this level of horrific detail at the state level is still neglected or minimized by most of the 'regular' news ...paper, radio, video. Apparently progressive investigation and reporting has diminished as independent news streams have disappeared.

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Practical query: If you, Thom, had a few bucks to help out some agent for good in fighting this whackamole nightmare on the ground, who would you send $ to? Most vote-by vote, boots-on-the-ground?

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founding

Most troubling is that the Federal Government can do nothing about these authoritarian transgressions, or is not willing to do anything. Be it voter suppression, throwing Representative out of state congress for speaking up, or refusing them entrance likeZoey Zephyr in Montana.

Republicans have carte blanche to commit civil rights violations, and our Federal government just sits there like as stone wall.

Which brings up an off topic comment. Stone wall Jackson didn't get his nick name because of his bravery but because when he was needed, he sat there like a stone wall, and did nothing.

A great example of turning a pejorative into a positive.

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