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​Houston Mayor John Whitmire is often telling us to come together and work together. The quote above are his comments regarding the recent cold weather and slippery roads.  No matter what is going on, Mayor Whitmire says we should be working together.  It was one of his campaign planks.    

We should work together as often as possible. Bipartisanship is essential in a democracy. But Mayor Whitmire's conception of working together and bipartisanship is heavily slanted in the wrong direction. Facing a clear authoritarian threat from the political right, Mayor Whitmire asks us to look the other way at extremism.

Mayor Whitmire could instead offer a unifying vision for Houston as a fighter for democracy and a clear opponent of political extremism. He could bring people together in that way. 

​Here are two matters directly related to Houston where Mayor Whitmire has been silent about already in his brief time as Mayor:

*Kate Cox recently had to leave Texas to obtain needed medical care related to her pregnancy. Mayor Whitmire emphasized his support of abortion rights in his recent campaign. In fact, one of his most visible spokespersons was Elizabeth Weller who was denied an abortion in Texas even though it was medically needed. Mayor Whitmire has not said anything about Kate Cox despite the similarity between her case and the case he cited to help win election.  

* Governor Abbott recently said he would shoot migrants crossing the border other than that he would be prosecuted by President Biden's Justice Department if gave such orders. This is directly relevant to Mayor Whitmire's stated intent to bring Greg Abbott's DPS police troops to Houston. The Mayor said nothing about  Governor Abbott's terrible remarks and by every indication still plans to invite DPS troops to Houston. 

Greg Abbott's police troops here in Houston would have no accountability with Ken Paxton as Texas Attorney General and under a Trump Justice Department. They would be a public safety risk.  
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​Mayor Whitmire everyday has the opportunity to face up to the reality of our politics. There is no public safety without democracy. Mayor Whitmire seeks to be a uniter and not a divider. He should unite people to  oppose far-right political extremism & to fight for our best American values.     

The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County. The Project will continue through 2024 at the least. 

Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected].​

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The Houston Democracy Project likes to read books. 

I'm currently reading Going Down Jericho Road-The Memphis Strike, Martin Luther King's Last Campaign.

You see the book above.  I'm only on page 45, but it is really solid so far.  Here is some information about the book. 

I've read a lot about King, but have not read expressly about the Memphis campaign for sanitation workers that led to his murder.  

It is good to read books!  

The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County. The Project will continue through 2024 at the least. 

Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected].​

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Above is Donald Trump's Truth Social post today. I know people don't want to see it or say don't give it air.

But to just let it go is like ignoring a hurricane warning.   

Trump is saying he should be allowed to do anything he wants and that police should be allowed to do anything they want. Even if he does not get the immunity he is currently seeking from the the courts, you know he will do whatever he wants if if back in the White House.

Our local politics go on as normal in Houston and Harris County. There is little sense of urgency. (Though the candidates speaking about working to boost voter turnout in last night's Senate District 15 Democratic Primary debate is news in the right direction.)   

Local Democratic officials could prepare plans to generate November election turnout, hold democracy town halls to make clear the authoritarian danger, have frank conversations with constituents about mental well-being and self-protection in a time of political extremism, encourage people to have channels of communication that can't be shut down by large social media firms, and press local elected Republicans about if they support insurrection or not.          

We are not helpless. We must demand that elected officials acknowledge the threats right in front of us. We will have to show up ourselves as events demand. We can't just hope the trouble will go away.    
   
The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County. The Project will continue through 2024 at the least. 

Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected].​

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I went to a debate this evening for the Senate District 15 Democratic Primary. This is the seat vacated by Mayor Whitmire. Above is a picture of the debate. The event was sponsored by a number of Harris County Democratic clubs. These clubs do good work and are staffed by long-time and skilled volunteers.  (Who really should be paid.)

Here are some details of the race with a list of the candidates. 

What was of greatest interest to the Houston Democracy Project from the debate was that each of the five candidates present said they would take part in consistent efforts to drive and improve voter turnout in SD 15 in 2024 and over the long-term. 

This is important because we must defeat Republicans in Harris County, defeat Ted Cruz and not give up hope of beating Donald Trump in Texas. 

It's been a consistent theme of the Project that our elected officials must do more to improve turnout in Harris County. It was good to hear the candidates this evening match a central theme of the Project.      

When you see candidates out on the campaign trail, ask them what they will do to improve voter turnout and fight for democracy. Hold them to their promises. Ask for concrete written plans.  Make increasing voter turnout an important issue in how you vote.  

Candidates and elected officials are here for us. Make sure they know it as we face a clear authoritarian threat in Texas and the nation.      

The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County. The Project will continue through 2024 at the least. 

Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected].​

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The John Cornyn Houston Office Protest marks 7 years of weekly protest with Week 364 on January 30, 11:30 AM-1 PM at 5300 Memorial Dr. This is our time and location each Tuesday. 

The Cornyn Protest Team shows up confidently for democracy in a highly visible place. We believe that in addition to voting, we must be willing to be present physically & in non-conventional ways to meet the clear anti-democratic threat. 

We will show up through 2024 and after. If there are Republican/authoritarian efforts to overturn 2024 election results here in Harris County, we will be present. If Republicans return to the White House in 2025 and civil liberties are under assault, we will be present. 

Consider your role in 2024. As tired as we are, there is no doubt about the threat we face. We must show up as everyday residents of Houston/Harris County who wish to live freely. Make a commitment to yourself, to the people in your life and to the values that guide you, that you will to show up and be present no matter what comes at us in 2024 from the anti-democratic right.  

Showing up is so important. It takes brains and effort to show up and to be present. It is more than half the battle to recall the cliche.   
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Please share word of the Cornyn Protest & please join us for friends/foes/passers-by/police to see. We are a friendly team with extra signs for all.

The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County. The Project will continue through 2024 at the least. 

Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected].

Donald Trump won the Iowa Caucus this evening by a solid margin. This is no surprise.

82% of Republican voters agree with Trump's statement that immigrants are "poisoning the blood" of America.  (And nearly half of all voters agree as well.) 

Here in Texas, Governor Abbott is talking about shooting migrants and is ordering state troops to nullify federal authority at the border.

And so on and so on.  You know the deal.

The point here is that Democratic Party local elected officials in Houston and Harris County have an obligation to be clear about what is taking place. We must have conversations on mental health as we face an authoritarian threat, about self-protection in whatever ways work for different households and about having channels of communication that can't be shut down by an anti-democratic forces.

The far-right radicalization taking place in Texas and the nation is clear of day. Business as usual from elected Democrats needs to stop.  It is like ignoring a hurricane warning at this point.    

The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County. The Project will continue through 2024 at the least. 

Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected]. 

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​Above you see the Tweet my Houston District C Councilwoman Abbie Kamin made to mark the 3rd anniversary of the January 6 insurrection attempt.

It is good that Councilwoman Kamin noted the day. All elected officials should be clear they oppose insurrection.  

In addition to this Tweet, what are other ways Ms. Kamin can protect freedom?  

*Speak frankly about the threat to civil liberties and democracy from the political right and the Republican Party. Bipartisanship is fine with an opposing party that supports democracy. But what if no such opposing political party is available? How is Councilwomen Kamin  preparing her constituents for the authoritarian challenge of Trump-led  2024 elections?  Is she discussing the mental health crisis many are facing as they contemplate the erosion of democracy that would come from a second Trump term? Advising District C residents to consider self-protection strategies appropriate for their household as right-wing political extremism accelerates?           

*Ask the six Houston City Council Republicans if they support Trump and authoritarianism, or if they will speak up for democracy within the Republican Party. Again-Bipartisanship is great. It is essential in a democracy. But working with anti-democratic officials and not holding them to account is not pragmatism or good government. Instead, it is a form of extremism itself.  You can't just look the other way at people seeking to take away your rights, or who will not speak up when they know they should.      

​*Prepare and make public a detailed written plan for increasing November voter turnout in District C. The plan could discuss the hiring of canvassing teams, how these teams will trained and what they will be paid, what groups and organizations Ms. Kamin will work with, how she will team up with other local elected Democrats to boost turnout, what permanent structure to boost turnout her effort will leave for the next election cycle & whatever else I'm missing here.  This high turnout is needed to hold Harris County for Democrats, defeat Ted Cruz and strongly oppose Donald Trump. What could be a higher priority for Harris County elected Democrats?  All elected Democrats should prepare such a plan.  
 
*Speak to law enforcement unions supporting election-deniers such as Ken Paxton, Donald Trump and any Republican who has not publicly distanced themselves from these anti-democratic figures, about the dangers of law enforcement support of politicians at odds with our rights. There is no public safety without democracy. We must expand our commonly-held conceptions of public safety to include our freedom. Ms. Kamin has been endorsed multiple times by law enforcement unions. If these unions will not step back from anti-democratic politicians, then Councilmember Kamin may decide their backing does not meet her standards. She can still support the police while distancing herself  from police unions.   

We just saw a low turnout and depressing Houston municipal election season. John Whitmire and Shelia Jackson Lee had no ability to boost turnout even after years and years in public office. Council Democrats often did little to support other Democrats on the City Council runoff ballot.  

Business as usual is putting Houstonians who care about democracy at risk. Texas women are being forced out of state for needed care. Governor Abbott is talking openly about shooting migrants. The Texas Legislature has passed laws to overturn Harris County election results. It is good Councilwoman Kamin has the events on 1/6 firmly in mind. But there is much more she could do. 
 
The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County. The Project will continue through 2024 at the least. 

Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected].

There was a flap a few days ago when Twitter removed some left-wing accounts and also some journalist accounts. A few of the shortly-banned accounts have since been restored. 

It's good to remember that your social media can be cut off at any point. No big social media company is a friend of democracy. There is no reason to believe they would be our allies if Republicans are looking to overturn election results, or if a Republican in the White House in 2025 pressures them to cut communication between protesters or whoever they want in the dark.

Get the phone numbers, e-mail addresses, street addresses of people you feel you could turn to in a political crisis. Get whatever information you need to keep in touch. Connect with people you trust on encrypted app networks.

There is a lot of trouble ahead. Be ready.   

 







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​Here are some Houston Democracy Project notes. 

* I finally bought the Houston Democracy Project domain name. When sharing word of the Project, please tell folks all they have to do is go to HoustonDemocracyProject.com   

* I'll be speaking about the Project at the Humble Area Democrats March meeting on 3/11.  Thanks to club President John Cotter for the invite. It's a really solid club.

* The John Cornyn Houston Office Protest will mark 7 years at the corner of Memorial & Detering on Tuesday, January 30th.  We meet each Tuesday, 11:30-1 AT 5300 memorial Dr. We have extra signs for all.

Soon the Cornyn Team will be announcing its effort to get people to commit to being present if Republicans mess with elections in Harris County or if civil liberties are under assault should Republicans return to the White House in 2025. 

* The Houston Democracy Project is featured weekly on the Egberto Willies Politics Done Right broadcast and webcast. You can hear it each Thursday from 6 AM to 7 AM on KPFT 90.1 FM and also watch it later on Egberto's website.   

* I took the picture above of a nice winter day in Houston a few days ago. Photography is a big part of the Houston Democracy Project. Here is the Pictures I Have Taken section of the Project.  ​

Thanks for reading the Houston Democracy Project Blog. Let's all be free people.  Please share word of the Project & support it with a contribution. 

The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County. The Project will continue through 2024 at the least. 

Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected].
  

Governor Greg Abbott said he would order the shooting of migrants crossing the border except that he would be prosecuted by the Biden Administration for murder.

From the San Antonio Express-News:

"We are deploying every tool and strategy that we possibly can," the governor said in an interview with conservative commentator Dana Loesch. "The only thing that we're not doing is we’re not shooting people who come across the border because of course the Biden administration would charge us with murder."

Houston Mayor John Whitmire says we should have Governor Abbott's DPS police troops patrolling Houston streets. It's part of the blind eye Mayor Whitmire turns towards his extremist Republican friends and his fundamental weakness on the public safety issue of protection of Houstonians from authoritarian threats.

Governor Abbott's DPS soldiers on Houston streets would be unaccountable. We've seen this already when Mayor Kirk Watson of Austin was told no when he asked them to get off the streets of his city. Among the issues in Austin was the disproportionate DPS arrests of Latino people.  

We are told DPS would not enforce SB 4 and its dramatic expansion of police power when deployed to  Houston. Sure.  

DPS troops in Houston in a potential second Trump administration would be a public safety risk. They would be Greg Abbott's regiments to enforce Donald Trump's announced intent to suspend civil liberties & would have no constraints under a Trump Justice Department and with Ken Paxton as Attorney General of Texas. 

Houstonians merit protection from the extreme right. The top extremist threat to the people of Houston and Harris County is Texas state government. Texas state government undermines our elections, forces seriously-ill pregnant women out of state for needed treatment and is led by a man talking about shooting migrants.

We must not relent in getting our elected leaders in Houston and Harris County to recognize the facts right in front of us & to work to protect us rather than hoping the severe challenges to democracy and basic rights in Texas will just go away.      
  
The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County. The Project will continue through 2024 at the least. 

Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected].