The Three Pendejos!
The idea that "no one could have seen this coming," or that "nothing could have been done," being repeated by officials is just a deflective exercise in CYA. (Cover Your Ass.) And did you know that Ken Paxton had an affair?
They are, The Three Pendejos!
A horrible natural disaster struck the Texas Hill Country early on a July 4th in the form of flash flood on the Guadalupe River. A rush of floodwater washed through several children's summer camps, smashed into RV parks and campgrounds, lifted vehicles, and in fact, entire houses and structures off of their foundations and carried them downstream. Without a centralized warning system, people were caught unaware, and a shocking number were swept away, some still in their cars, their RVs, and their own beds. Over 125 people are confirmed dead, and there are over 150 still missing as of this writing. Dozens of the victims are young children, carried away by the rushing river from those area summer camps.
You have already read that the National Weather Service issued a watch, a warning, and then a rare “flash flood emergency” that flooding was an immediate threat. Their rainfall estimates were slightly short ("5-7 inches") of the 10 to 15 inches that fell by Friday morning in some parts of Kerr County. Seven inches would have been enough for flooding, and the emergency warnings were sent out when the river began to rise. While the 100s of layoffs and early retirements have left the weather agency understaffed, the San Antonio/Austin office was pretty much all hands on deck. One key position, though, the "warning coordination meteorologist," had taken early retirement due to the staffing cuts. That was the position that would have been in contact with and coordinated warnings and updates with the local first responders, community leaders, etc. And for an area without adequate alert systems, that position might have made a huge difference in an area known as "Flash Flood Alley."
Critics were also quick to point out that FEMA budget cuts and a lack of management expertise slowed down manpower and equipment response times. (FEMA often pre-stages response teams when a high-impact event appears to be on the horizon.) FEMA had also let 2/3 of their disaster assistance call center contractors go just two days after waters crashed through Central Texas. The agency laid off the contractors on July 5 after their contracts expired and Kristi Noem and her zoo crew did not renew them.
Just about ten years ago, other counties in the area installed flood sirens. New Braunfels regularly tests its outdoor warning system, which is designed to alert residents to flash floods. Warnings went out in several surrounding counties. Camp managers at Mo Ranch, a large camp near camp Mystic, were monitoring the NWS warnings and watching the river. They moved campers to higher ground in spite of not receiving guidance from local officials.
The point is, measures taken by the vigilant saved lives. The idea that "no one could have seen this coming," or that "nothing could have been done" being repeated by officials is just a deflective exercise in CYA. (Cover Your Ass.)
As recently as this legislative session, House Bill 13, would have created a new government council to establish an emergency response plan and administer a grant program, both of which would have been aimed at facilitating better communication systems between first responders. The bill also called for the plan to include “the use of outdoor warning sirens,” like those used in tornado-prone Texas counties, and develop new “emergency alert systems.” The bill died in Dan Patrick's Senate. Local legislators like Rep. Wes Virdell voted it down. While working with the locals at the flood site he said that, “All the focus right now is let’s save all the lives we can,”. He did allow that “I can tell you in hindsight, watching what it takes to deal with a disaster like this, my vote would probably be different now." Because that's the MAGA/GOP way, isn't it Wes? We don't want none of that gub'mint interference, waste, and control! Don't tell us what to do! Unless, you know, it affects me personally.
To be fair, the locals often fought anything that sounded like a tax increase, even when it wasn't.
In 2021, Kerr County was awarded a $10.2 million windfall from the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, which Congress passed that same year to support local governments impacted by the pandemic. Cities and counties were given flexibility to use the money on a variety of expenses, including those related to storm-related infrastructure.
Kerr County did not opt for ARPA to fund flood warning systems despite commissioners discussing such projects nearly two dozen times since 2016. In fact, a survey sent to residents about ARPA spending showed that 42% of the 180 responses wanted to reject the $10 million bonus altogether, largely on political grounds.
“I’m here to ask this court today to send this money back to the Biden administration, which I consider to be the most criminal treasonous communist government ever to hold the White House,” one resident told commissioners in April 2022, fearing strings were attached to the money.
“We don't want to be bought by the federal government, thank you very much,” another resident told commissioners. “We'd like the federal government to stay out of Kerr County and their money.”
County officials pleaded with their constituents to accept the money, explaining that their own tax dollars would be sent to blue states if they rejected it. After finally approving it, they spent the money on new raises for the Sheriff's Dept., and better radio systems for the fire and sheriff's departments.
The textbook GOP response to tragedies:
• Praise Trump for his leadership in managing the crisis, solving the problem, and accomplishing what no mere mortal has ever accomplished before.
• Suggest that nothing like this has ever happened before and/or no one predicted or could have predicted such an outcome.
• Offer thoughts and prayers to victms and families of victims. Praise Jesus/give credit to the Lord for someone or something that was spared.
• Insist that there is still an active disaster recovery/crime scene, and now is not the time to assign blame.
• Assign blame. (To Democrats, RINOs, a political rival, an agency or institution that you wanted to get rid of, or just some poor bastard that doesn't have money or good connections.)
• Express loud and indignant anger that the press, critics, scientists, protestors, or rational observers would dare ask about the obvious failure of their own policies, people, or practices.
• Remain insistent that now is not the time to play "The Blame Game."
• Then blame some more people (especially immigrants, if they can be worked into the equation.)
In a disaster filled with soul-crushing story after soul-crushing story, Camp Mystic, a Christian-based summer camp for girls, captured the public's attention and sorrow more than any other. 27 young girls died during the flood, 15 from one cabin, "the Bubble Inn" that housed the youngest campers - the 8-year-olds. 15 little ones died, along with one counselor. The rest are still missing, presumed dead. In all, 27 kids and counselors died from that one camp. One life is not more sacred than another, but you don't have to be a parent to understand why the tragedy at this particular camp captured international attention... and sorrow.
At a July 4 press conference: "This is a time when we, as a state, need God more than ever," said Governor Abbott. "The one thing I hear the most are the prayers that are being sent for those who are in harm’s way. There is an extraordinary collaboration to make sure that we address everybody’s concern as quickly as possible."
Dan Patrick went a step further, relaying the story that a couple of hundred girls climbed up to the second floor of their cabin, and "began singing Christian songs. And the water stopped, and those children were saved. You can't come away with anything other than their demonstrated Christian faith saved them."
That must have been incredibly disconcerting to the families of dozens of girls at the same Christian camp who drowned. (Were they not children of God, also?)
@foxnews Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick says a group of campers miraculously survived rising flood waters at Camp Mystic as they were singing Christian songs.
♬ original sound - Fox News - Fox News
During a press conference Tuesday afternoon in which Abbott said 110 people were confirmed dead and 161 were still missing, the Republican governor took issue with a reporter’s phrasing when he asked if there would be an investigation into “who is to blame,” as there was for the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas
“Know this: that’s the word choice of losers,” replied Abbott. “Let me explain one thing about Texas, and that is Texas—every square inch of our state—cares about football.“
“You could be in Hunt, Texas, Huntsville, Texas, Houston, Texas—any size community that cares about football, high school, Friday night lights, college football, or pro,” he said. “And know this: every football team makes mistakes. The losing teams are the ones that try to point out who’s to blame. The championship teams are the ones that say, ‘Don’t worry about it, man. We got this. We’re going to make sure that we go score again, that we’re going to win this game.’”
At this point in the press conference (held to discuss the flood-related deaths and dissappearances of children attending summer camp, families enjoying a holiday, and long time residents that called hill country their home,) I suppose Abbott expected the entire MAGA nation to emerge from the tunnel, through the "HILL COUNTRY STRONG" banner, sparklers and Texas flags waving, while the high school band played We Will Rock You. Because who in Texas doesn't love a football metaphor? Who is not immediately inspired by a Friday Night Lights reference!?
And if we're going all out on football references, I'll offer one. If the state is Football Team Texas, then I guess Abbott sees himself as head coach. And as a coach, let's remember the famous warning from the late, great Houston Oilers head coach, Bum Phillips. "There's two kinda coaches in the world. Them that's fired, and them that's gonna get fired."
As the days went on, hundreds and hundreds of volunteers and professionals arrived. First responders, recovery specialists, heavy equipment operators, church groups, portable kitchens and food trucks, volunteers from across the country, and of course, H.E.B., all dispersed around the affected communities.
And then the Feds came
Kristi Noem, Homeland Security Chief, appears to be standing in as the acting head of FEMA since the Trump appointee, David Richardson, is nowhere to be found. Her specialty is fawning over Trump, and her arrival meant taking the butt-smooching up to a whole new level. Press conferences went on forever as the assembled had to praise FEMA's alleged response, the state and federal agencies on the ground, and again, the genius of all things Trump.
At a news conference on Tuesday, a San Antonio anchorwoman went way off script when she (rightfully) denounced the absurdity of running a disaster response meeting that spent half an hour slobbering over each other.
"We really didn’t get any concrete information until 27 minutes into that news conference where you had the governor speak, you had Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speak for a while,” KSAT’s Jimenez said. “But you know what people are wanting is information... I don’t know what it is about people who run for federal office that whenever disasters like this happen, they take it upon themselves to first list all the names of people they want to thank. Um, not what we want to hear right now.”
Ron Dicker
It got even worse when Trump brought his roadshow to the Hill Country on Friday and held a "roundtable" so that everyone would have time to pucker up to his big orange booty. The sycophants came out of the woodwork. Dr. Phil appeared out of nowhere like a bad dream. Why? Nobody knows.
“It’s so inspiring for you and the first lady to come here and share this and see the fiber of these communities. That’s why they rally around you and everything that you stand for here, from the border to the disasters," Dr. Phil pronounced. "It’s not just a photo op for you to be here. People see your heart and believe in what you stand for and God bless you for coming here and doing this.”
“Thank you, that was really beautiful,” Trump replied. “I am glad I asked you to say a few words.”
No doubt.
Erkki Forster
Kristi Noem piped in, “Your heart is evident for the people of Texas.”
John Cornyn gushed, "My thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem for responding so quickly to Governor Abbott's request for a federal disaster declaration. I have to tell you, I remain incredibly impressed with Governor Abbott's leadership and the incredible work that the Texas Department of Emergency Management, under the leadership of Nim Kidd do."
Greg Abbot nearly wept, “I know you love Texas, and Texas loves you,” said the governor. “We appreciate you showing up and because of your swift and effective response, we’re better positioned to deliver on all those commitments [to rebuilding] than ever before.”
If there had been much more kissing up, they'd have had to call Diddy to bring over some baby oil.
One takeaway: Patrick came out of the gate promising more support. By Monday, he was telling CBS News that he didn't want to place blame, but he thought some emergency sirens would have been good to have. "If the city can't afford to do it, then let us do it," Patrick said. "We have a special session starting two weeks from today, and I think we can take that up and do some other things of funding these sirens."
Abbott was still trying to shame the press for asking impertinent questions like 'how did this happen?' and continued to insist that it was an impossible scenario where nothing could have changed the outcome. Of course, it would only be a day or two later when Abbott was on board with installing sirens, buying better radios, and installing other early warning systems.
Which seems a waste of time and money if nothing could have prevented this. Right?
Maybe we just need to fire some coaches.
A Biblical Divorce After a Biblical Flood
You're here to find out about Ken Paxton. And here at the TX Outlaw Writers World Headquarters, we want to begin by sending our Thoughts and Prayers to the Paxton family. State Sen. Angela Paxton on Thursday filed for divorce from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
I know! We were so blown away, too! Gobsmacked! Flabbergasted!
Senator Angela Paxton released a statement that read:
“I believe marriage is a sacred covenant and I have earnestly pursued reconciliation,” she wrote. “But in light of recent discoveries, I do not believe that it honors God or is loving to myself, my children, or Ken to remain in the marriage.”
Woah!! "...recent discoveries"?!?! "...do not believe it honors God"?!?!?! Oh Kenny, just what exactly have you done?
It was already clear that Kenneth was an indicted crook, a defendant in a whistleblower lawsuit, a serial philanderer who kept a mistress with political contribution money, and a denier who tried to overthrow the 2020 election. You know, the full package.
And this, from the groom, a Godly man:
"After facing the pressures of countless political attacks and public scrutiny, Angela and I have decided to start a new chapter in our lives," he wrote. "I could not be any more proud or grateful for the incredible family that God has blessed us with, and I remain committed to supporting our amazing children and grandchildren. I ask for your prayers and privacy at this time."
He has also said out loud that this was a 'witchhunt.' Hmmmm. Where did he pick up that language?
And lucky for us all, the mistress is posting thoughts. On her Instagram, "I'm back!" I kinda like her Insta tagline: You can’t always get what you want. But I can! ❤️🔥
And the public has weighed in:
The grounds for divorce among Southern Baptists (their chosen denomination) are generally limited to cases of infidelity or if someone is married to “an unbeliever” who has abandoned them.
How this will play in his fierce bid to take John Cornyn's Senate seat in the Republican primary is anyone's guess. One thing is clear, he has split Republicans as well as his Southern Baptist 'Christian' base.
This is from the National Republican Senatorial Committee:
But this, from the former chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, Matt Rinaldi (endorsing Paxton):
“I’m a Catholic and I don’t believe in divorce. But I think the political climate we're in right now is one where Christians, conservatives believe they're in an existential battle for their country, and I think in this battle, they're choosing the candidates time and time again that will help them win this fight for the values of America.”
So, in order to save the values of Christianity/America, we abandon the values of Christianity/America. Got it. Maybe it's time that the Ten Commandments were put up in both chambers of the Texas Capitol building.
The soon-to-be former Ms. Paxton has been, up until now, content with her role as a tradwife, as the kids are calling it. You know - doing traditional wifely duties - the cooking, cleaning, child-raising, and tolerating the husband's affair having... (And several in the fundamentalist religious community maintain that AS a woman, she does not have the Biblical right to ask for a divorce.)
But let's be clear. She was happy to remain in the marriage when he was grifting money from his clients while committing securities fraud. She was happy to run for his Senate seat when he ascended to Attorney General. As a GOP senator, she was fine with consistently voting with the Texas MAGA crowd in bills promoting the defunding of schools via school vouchers for the wealthy, she was content to turn down the expansion of Medicaid funds for children, and has most certainly gone along with supporting Trump and all of his draconian policies regarding immigration, education, and social services. So much for the "least of these."
Will a divorce be some grand awakening for the Paxton Tradwife? I'm not taking that bet, but sure, we'll see.
On a much happier note, she will go down as a true Republican - she plans to take it all. From the Houston Chronicle:
The (divorce) petition argues Angela Paxton should win a “disproportionate share of the parties’ estate” because of her husband’s alleged fault in the breakup of the marriage as well as “benefits (Angela Paxton) may have derived from the continuation of the marriage.” The state senator is also asking the court to award her “exclusive use and possession” of the couple’s home in McKinney and her 2021 Chevy Silverado.
Keep on trucking! You go, gurl! As we say in Texas, "She married well. But she divorced, better."
Sometimes it's hard to be a woman, Giving all your love to just one man. You'll have bad times, and he'll have good times Doin' things that you don't understand. But if you love him, you'll forgive him, Even though he's hard to understand. And if you love him, oh, be proud of him, 'Cause after all, he's just a man
But none of this answers the question... WHAT ARE THE RECENT DISCOVERIES? He's been known as a philanderer for years. His mistress was to testify before his impeachment trial while Angela was present! (At the last minute, they decided not to call her to the stand.) So, what was the recent tipping point?
We recall the successful election of Edwin Edwards in his 1983 campaign for Louisiana governor. "The only way I can lose is if I'm caught in bed with either a dead girl or a live boy."
Maybe it's time to pop open the trunk of Paxton's car... or send someone with a camera to a few of Austin's gay bars.
*Author's note: For those who feel that there really should be a time of mourning and grief processing... let me assure you. I am truly, deeply saddened by the many fatalities and the destruction that occurred, and I have nothing but an aching heart for folks who lost family members in this tragedy. And yes, the loss of young children whose parents left them in the care of others (who they assumed put safety first) is just a gut punch. But that's it. There is outrage. People have got to hold these folks accountable, and NOT ON THEIR TERMS. This was NOT unforeseeable. And there were plenty of things that could have been done to prevent this level of catastrophe.