Worth Watching

I assume you know our governor is moving toward a presidential run in 2012.

Those celebrating [Texas Governor Rick Perry] as the architect of our low-tax state would be forced to acknowledge that this is nothing new, and that Texas is also an extreme low-services state, with serious consequences for Texas families.

Education? We’re 50th in the nation in kids with a high school diploma by age 25, and 43rd in high school graduation rates. We’re 42nd in the nation in high school graduates going to college, and of those, only half earn a degree within six years.

Health care? We’re first in the nation in folks without health insurance and 49th in our low-income population covered by Medicaid.

Relative wealth? We’re fourth in the nation on the percentage of our residents living below the poverty line.

The environment? We’re first in the nation in cancer-causing carcinogens released into the air, first on toxic chemicals released into the water and first in the amount of hazardous waste generated.

I could go on, but the Legislative Study Group already has.

  Texas Tribune

An alliance of Texas LGBT-rights and faith-based groups plans to take to the streets in August to protest Gov. Rick Perry’s affiliation with the American Family Association in hosting a controversial Christian prayer and fasting event.

[...]

Several groups, including the Texas chapter of The Secular Coalition of America and the Houston Clergy Council – who recently penned a letter condemning AFA’s involvement with the event – have plans including a ‘Pray the Hate Away’ event (a jab at ‘Pray the Gay Away’ conversion techniques promoted by anti-gay groups) and protest outside Reliant Stadium on Aug. 6, the day of Perry’s prayer/fast. Diviesti projects that 10-15 grassroots organizations and some 2,000 people will join together in shared disapproval against the event. GetEQUAL will provide caravans to Houston for attendees from cities across Texas.

[...]

AFA spokesperson and former Perry speechwriter Eric Bearse [...] told radio listeners that anyone “regardless of their faith tradition or background” is invited to [the] event to “seek out the living Christ” and feel the presence of Jesus.

  Washington Independent

Texas August heat and religion. What could go wrong?

Let Texan Molly Ivins (RIP) have the last word on this. Quoting a statement of hers regarding W Bush:

"Next time I tell you someone from Texas should not be president of the United States, please pay attention."

....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.