Good morning, 

With several states renewing Chinese coronavirus lockdowns, and warning people not to gather with their families for Thanksgiving and Christmas, would you comply with another shutdown of the Lone Star State? That’s today’s One Click Survey.

But first, here’s the Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Tuesday, November 17, 2020
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Be sure to check out today’s Number of the Day!

• Lt. Col. Allen West is proving to be a party chairman for which the crony-establishment simply was not prepared. That’s the thrust of the latest episode of the Luke Macias Show. 
         
• Allen West defeated incumbent James Dickey at the Texas GOP’s convention this summer. Since the Nov. 3 election, Chairman West has been making it clear that the Republican Party of Texas expects legislative victories in 2021 that reflect the priorities of the GOP grassroots in Texas. In a year when everyone predicted losses, Republicans held their healthy majority in the House. Luke Macias explains the significance of West’s actions on the legislative process, and for the Republican Party.
       
• To say that West’s willingness to push such a message has shocked the Republican Caucus in the Texas Legislature would be an understatement. Legislators have typically ignored the GOP grassroots’ legislative priorities, with the tacit blessing of the party’s past leadership.

• Texas Scorecard has a growing roster of podcasts. You can find them on your favorite podcasting platform, or on our website.

• Texans rallied around the state to “Stop the Steal” of the 2020 presidential election. Conservative favorites Shelley Luther, Allen West, Bob Hall, Dana Loesch, and Matt Rinaldi were among those headlining various rallies as questions of election integrity abound.

• Tarrant County’s Republican county judge is asking Gov. Greg Abbott for permission to fine people who aren’t wearing masks. In addition, Robert Montoya reports that County Judge Glenn Whitley wants to cancel all youth sports activities in the county.
     

• Issuing a statewide mask mandate on July 2, Gov. Abbott included language that after “a verbal or written warning to a first-time violator,” a citizen who still won’t wear a mask can be punished with a maximum fine of $250 per instance – though the mandate also (confusingly) prevents enforcement “for a violation of this executive order.”

• Meanwhile, Texas parents are calling on state officials to “unmuzzle” students. They have organized as Unmask Texas and are fighting against local school district mandates requiring students be masked all day while in class or participating in school activities. Erin Anderson reports the non-profit group describes the mandate on school children as not only illegal, but also harmful and abusive.
      
• “We have over 150 cases of physical and emotional harm so far. I have never seen so many parents engaged and angry about what is happening to our children and their education. We are organizing fast, and these districts better reverse course soon,” said Serena Ashcroft, one of Unmask Texas’ organizers.
       
• Unmask Texas maintains that wearing masks is not “developmentally appropriate” for children under 10. The organization notes Gov. Abbott’s mask mandate specifically exempted children under 10, and as such school districts are overreaching their authority to mandate those students to be masked.
   
• To be honest, I think Gov. Abbott overreached his authority by mandating Texans of any age walk around wearing a mask.

• In a new commentary, the Texas director of Gun Owners of America – Rachel Malone – explores the gun legislation that has been filed ahead of the 2021 legislative session. And she explains how Texas’ election results should be viewed “as a mandate to protect and restore our gun freedoms in the upcoming legislative session.”
      
• “Texas voters want our legislature to do more than just block gun control. In the name of liberty and justice for all, and in the spirit of the Alamo, the 87th Legislature must pass Constitutional Carry and end ‘gun-free’ zones. Our right to carry a firearm for protection should not rely on government. Texas, it’s time to move forward with freedom.” – Rachel Malone

• Are you on the new social media platform Parler? You can find me there, in addition to also being on the leftist-run Twitter and Facebook.

• In yesterday’s Texas Minute, Brandon Waltens explored the issues surrounding the state capitol – specifically, the lack of any plan to re-open the building during the 2021 legislative session.
      
• Whether or not your state senator and state representative will allow citizens to freely enter the Texas Capitol remains to be seen. Have you asked?
     
• Noticeably silent on the issue have been Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
       
• Various states and large cities are either reimplementing a new round of shutdowns or beginning to do so, with the stated goal of “protecting” citizens from the coronavirus. Those include Chicago and New York City, as well as Vermont, California, Oregon, New Mexico, and Washington.

👉 ONE CLICK SURVEY

Knowing what you know and have experienced, would you comply with another shutdown of Texas?

Today In History

On Nov. 17, 1835, residents of Cincinnati, Ohio, raised funds to purchase two cannons for the cause of Texas independence. The “twin sister” cannons made it to Texas in early April 1836, and saw action at the Battle of San Jacinto.