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Good morning,

Some people never admit it, but they just like to be angry about the state of things. But as a self-governing people, we must define ourselves by our actions in the fight for our republic. More on that below.

But first, this is the Texas Minute for Friday, August 2, 2024.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

Analysis: This is Where the Speaker Race is Now With the dust settled from the Primary Election cycle, State Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) barely survived reelection, but many of his closest allies did not. Now, writes Brandon Waltens [[link removed]], Phelan is watching his support dwindle ahead of his race to retain the speakership of the Texas House.

Fifteen incumbent Republicans lost their elections to party conservatives, while others retired to avoid almost certain defeat. It was a historically bad cycle for the Austin establishment.

For the returning Republican members, there is a common refrain being whispered: they don't want to go through it again... and they don't want to be saddled with Phelan's commitment to keeping Democrats in charge of the GOP-dominated chamber.

Based on conversations with multiple Austin sources in and out of the Texas House, only 20 members continue to tell their colleagues that they support Dade Phelan. But of those, only 11 are seen as staunchly committed to him. Waltens names names [[link removed]] in his analysis. Court Rules Biden-Harris Admin Must Build Bor­der Wall Texas has won a major lawsuit against the Biden administration, forcing them to continue constructing the wall on the southern border. Luca Cacciatore reports [[link removed]] a federal court has found the White House unlawfully sought to prevent congressionally approved funds from being used on the border.

“This is a final victory against Biden’s attempt to defund the border wall,” said Attorney General Ken Paxton [[link removed]] yesterday.

In December 2019, Congress approved $1.375 billion for a border wall and other related projects. In 2020, Congress approved another $1.4 billion for those projects as part of a broader COVID-19 relief bill. But, after taking office in 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive order ending the declaration of the border crisis as a national emergency.

As a result of this new ruling, which the administration is not appealing, Paxton said the administration is now "legally required to build the wall."RELATED NEWS New York Supreme Court Justice Mary V. Rosado has ruled against New York City’s efforts to block bus companies from transporting illegal aliens into the city from Texas. Will Biagini has the story [[link removed]]. New York City Mayor Eric Adams had wanted to block bus companies based in Texas from transporting illegal aliens into the city under a plan promoted by Gov. Greg Abbott. For more than two years, Abbott has used state funds to send illegal aliens released by the Biden administration in Texas to self-proclaimed "sanctuary cities" like New York City.

As the costs of dealing with the illegal aliens mounted, Adams tried to stop the program but has now been thwarted. Abbott has said he will continue the program "until the Biden-Harris Administration secures the border." Texas Parents Beware: Sex-Ed Is Now ‘Opt Out’ The state law requiring parents to “opt in” before their children are exposed to sexual education curriculum expired yesterday. As Erin Anderson reports [[link removed]], Texas schools no longer require parental approval before teachers expose their children to materials that might be at odds with the family's beliefs.

State law still requires school officials to notify parents about the district’s curriculum and to make the material available for public inspection.

Last year, the Texas Senate passed legislation to make the parental opt-in permanent, but the House leadership did not schedule a vote on the measure before the regular session ended.

“It is a parent’s right and responsibility to determine when to talk to their children about sex, not government schools.” – Tara Petsch [[link removed]] of Moms for Liberty Courageous Doctor Scores Big Win In a victory for Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, the Texas Medical Board recently dismissed one of their cases against her. Daniel Greer has the details [[link removed]].

The TMB’s pursuit of Bowden has been called “bureaucratic abuse.”

Bowden has a high public profile due to her advocacy for affordable alternative treatments for COVID-19. Her actions upset the status quo and sparked controversy within the medical community, leading to multiple complaints and disciplinary actions by the TMB.

She has argued that legal and administrative actions taken against her are politically motivated and part of a broader effort by the medical lobby to suppress independent medical opinions.

Biden-Harris Admin Pulls Plug on Offshore Wind Project An offshore wind energy project slated for the Gulf Coast area has been canceled by the Biden-Harris administration. Holly Tkach reports [[link removed]] the unreliable energy project failed to attract interest from investors and developers. Keller ISD Backs Down, Allows Pro-Trump Parking Spot Art Two Keller ISD high school students who were asked to remove art on their parking spaces depicting former president Donald Trump are now being allowed to repaint them. As Valerie Muñoz reports [[link removed]], Keller High School administrators had ordered the students to erase the artwork because it was "offensive or controversial."

The school has long allowed seniors to pay $200 to reserve and paint a parking place. Guidelines restricted students to using "appropriate words, symbols, and images."

Facing public backlash and criticism from district and city officials, the high school has relented.

"Let me be clear. There is nothing offensive or controversial about respectfully painting or honoring a current or former President of the United States of America." – Dr. Charles Randklev [[link removed]], Keller ISD school board president Friday Reflection

Stop Laying Around [[link removed]]

by Michael Quinn Sullivan

Listen to the Reflections Podcast [[link removed]]

Scripture is full of stories about paralyzed and lame individuals being healed, but one story has always stood out for me. That’s because it seems so cruel.

On the surface, what Jesus said to a lame man lying near the Bethesda pool in Jerusalem was mean. He asked, “Do you want to be healed?”

Let me back up. Myth had it that when an angel disturbed the waters of the Bethesda pool, the first person to touch the water would be healed of their malady. Invalids—the blind, the paralyzed, and otherwise lame—would gather there in hopes of being the first one into the water.

So, yes, Jesus; of course, the man wanted to be healed. Except… we all know people who don’t.

We all know people who are comfortable in their misery, who find their life’s meaning and worth wrapped up in suffering.

This man was different; he explained to Jesus how he had no one to help him move into the water at the first ripple. He wanted to be healed but did not have anyone to help him.

I see the same thing repeated every day. People who complain about the state of our country, and who are angered by the news of the day. To be sure, there is a lot to be angry about—but some seem to find meaning in being angry.

When given the opportunity to learn how to make a difference, they sniff and look away. They define themselves by their anger, and they are – frankly – comfortable with it.

Others, though, are tired of sitting on the couch. They are ready to redefine themselves not as passive recipients of bad news but as agents of action. These are the people who want to make a difference in their communities, schools, states, and nation. They are just waiting for someone to help them get started.

Of course, Jesus healed the man at the pool and didn’t even require him to get wet. Scripture tells us that man couldn’t stop telling people about what had been done for him. We don’t know what else he did in his life, but I suspect he didn’t slow down for the rest of his days, nor could he stop talking about that miraculous day.

So, what about us? It’s certainly easier to make fun of those people who stay on the couch and yell at the cable news shows. We tell ourselves they should know better.

But did we? We oftentimes forget what it was like when we first felt the stirrings of civic engagement. And we tend to forget the help we got along the way.

Our nation needs us to define ourselves not by our anger, but by our willingness to stand up and get to work. And as a self-governing people, we must be willing to grab those who are likewise eager to be effective citizens.

Quote-Unquote

"Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility."

– Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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