Is Texas turning blue right before our eyes?
Today's opening remarks have nothing to do with the rest of the newsletter. I just want to say I love Nathan Chen, the U.S. figure skater who did amazing last night. I love the Olympics, and I think they're so fun. OK, happy reading y'all!
Is Texas turning Democrat right before our eyes?
By Chris Chu de León
Deep in the heart of Texas – somewhere between the starry desert nights of El Paso and the blooming sage of Beaumont – is the steady beat of profound contradictions.
Despite the fact that people of color made up 95% of the population growth in the past decade, the state’s halls of power remain almost exclusively in the hands of old, white male lawmakers. Although Texas is on the cusp of turning blue, these same lawmakers banned abortion after about six weeks and restricted voting rights, culminating in possibly the most conservative legislative session in a generation.
As a result, Texas might seem like a lost cause to Democrats across the nation. There has never been a more urgent moment, however, for Democrats to organize and fight for transformative change in the Lone Star State.
Today's Editorial Cartoon
Fentanyl deaths: Young Americans' fear and depression drive overdoses
By Henna Hundal
Even as we still grapple with COVID-19, an epidemic lurking beneath the surface may be disrupting the lives of young Americans even more.
Based on a recent analysis of Centers for Disease Control data, fentanyl has become the predominant killer for Americans ages 18 to 45. In the past two years, deaths from fentanyl have significantly exceeded deaths from COVID-19 for this age group. The overdoses cut across gender, race, socioeconomic status and geography.
Unfortunately, this trend doesn’t appear that it will be reversed anytime soon. In fact, these deaths are part of a growing crisis of addiction ripping apart the fabric of communities across this country.
COVID edicts and brazen high-level hypocrisy. Of course we're fed up.
By James Bovard
If hypocrisy were a panacea, the coronavirus would have been banished from earth long ago. Politicians and government officials have brazenly violated the COVID-19 edicts they impose on everyone else. But after two years of prohibitions designed to placate fears rather than protect public health, can oppressed citizens around the globe compel their rulers to end absurd restrictions vexing their daily lives?
At the 49ers-Rams game on Jan. 30, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and San Francisco Mayor London Breed were photographed sporting ear-to-ear smiles. It was easy to detect their grins because they were scofflaws – not wearing masks. Newsom imposed a statewide mask mandate for indoor events, and Los Angeles County dictated that masks must be worn for any “outdoor mega events” with more than 5,000 attendees.
Other columns to read today
- Infodemic spreads quickly but COVID emergency could end soon
- Our roads are getting more dangerous during the pandemic
- It's too late to worry about Kim Kardashian's daughter's social media
- We saved gray wolves once. They face new threats from states.
Columns on qualified immunity
Currently, we are doing a series examining the issue of qualified immunity. For more on the series read here.
- Police misconduct victims wrongfully convicted in New Mexico can sue
- Want police reform? Look to the states, not courts or Congress
- Fix racist policing by focusing on ethics, inclusion in training
- Want to build trust in government? Reform qualified immunity.
This newsletter was compiled by Jaden Amos.