Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Good morning! 

Yesterday we asked about professors at taxpayer-funded universities promoting Critical Race Theory… and y’all definitely had some strong opinions! 

You’ll find the results, and a sampling of the responses, at the conclusion of today’s Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Operation Lone Star: ‘A Train Wreck’

• One of Gov. Greg Abbott’s appointees on the Texas Indigent Defense Commission presciently described the state’s border operations: “This is going to be a train wreck, I think, to say the least.”
         
• As Robert Montoya reports in a special investigative report, the result has been a mismanaged operation overwhelming the state’s judicial system. That, in turn, has allowed judges to allegedly participate in ex parte communications resulting in the release of illegal aliens in Texas.

Ad Blasts TLR For Bankrolling Democrats

• A Republican candidate is being ‘bankrolled’ by an Austin political group that has underwritten the campaigns of liberal “Biden” Democrats. That’s the gist of an ad running in Lubbock, reports Brandon Waltens.
       

• The ad, paid for by David Glasheen in the open Texas House District 84 race, blasts fellow candidate Carl Tepper for taking money from Texans for Lawsuit Reform, an organization that “has spent millions electing liberal Democrats who support Joe Biden’s radical agenda.”

     

• Indeed, looking through Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC’s contribution history at TransparencyUSA, a number of Democrats are revealed to have received substantial contributions from the organization in recent years, including Democrats such as State Reps. Liz Campos, Eddie Lucio III, Terry Canales, and Leo Pacheco – all of whom participated in the 2021 “quorum bust” to kill election integrity legislation.

      
• Last year, TLR came out in opposition to a Republican-led proposal allowing exemptions to employer COVID vaccine mandates for those with sincerely held religious beliefs or acquired immunity.
     

• TLR is also the largest donor to former Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman’s GOP bid for attorney general against incumbent Ken Paxton.

Aggie Faculty Senate Backs Longhorns On CRT

• Texas A&M University’s faculty senate has passed a resolution similar to one passed by the University of Texas, proclaiming the “academic freedom” to teach Critical Race Theory. Sydnie Henry has the story.
   

• The Texas Legislature ostensibly banned the practice of teaching CRT in public schools for K-12 students last summer, although the effectiveness of the legislation remains to be seen. Now, the focus turns to universities with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calling for an end to tenure for new university professors, in order to hold those teaching CRT accountable for their teaching methods.

      
• The Young Conservatives of Texas chapter at Texas A&M denounced the faculty senate’s actions.
        

• “I think this is a prime example of those in education sticking up for their own self-interest. Instead of advocating for a fair education, they would rather protect themselves,” Noah Betz, the chairman of YCT at Texas A&M, told Texas Scorecard. “The only reason the faculty senate is doing this is that they will still be allowed to spew leftist propaganda while avoiding any sort of consequences. There is no accountability at Texas universities while we have taxpayer-funded tenure.”
   

• (Don’t forget to check out the responses to our One Click Survey about this at the conclusion of today’s Minute.)

Austin Library Will Pay Teens To Learn About Sex

• The City of Austin’s Public Library is promising to pay teenagers $100 to learn about sex in “LGBTQIA+ friendly” courses offered during spring break. Jacob Asmussen reports that the program is advertised as for “Teens 13-18 only.” 

TURF Issues Voter Guide

• The state’s top anti-toll road advocacy group has released a voter guide for the March 2022 primary elections, reports Erin Anderson.
   
• Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom and its affiliated political action committee, Texans for Toll-Free Highways, endorsed two statewide candidates: Don Huffines for governor and Louie Gohmert for attorney general. The organization also endorsed Chip Roy in his bid to return to the U.S. House.

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Y’All Answered

Yesterday we reported on Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s intention to end “tenure” for college and university professors in Texas, and add language to existing tenure contracts that would prohibit teaching or promotion of Critical Race Theory. We asked what you thought of firing professors, regardless of tenure, for promoting CRT. 

Readers responded “yes” to terminating the professors by a margin of 96.74 percent, compared to 3.26 percent who believe the “academic freedom” of the professors needed to be protected. Here’s a sampling of the responses…

• “The whole problem in academia’s approach is that they elevate the teaching of a theory to be an absolute truth.  Then, using their power over their subjects, enforce their views by shutting down any challenges and punishing those who would do so.  This is NOT science; this is NOT teaching; it IS indoctrination.  It does not open the mind; it closes it.” – Patrick Bell
      
• “Tax dollars to public schools so they can assist the country in committing suicide. Wake up people!” – Tobie Hall

     

• “CRT opponents often say that it is a University or Law School level concept and does not belong in K-12. I agree. I also believe that discussion of difficult topics should be part of any College experience. The study of Marxism in College is not banned. A position on CRT should not be required but the discussion should be held.” – David Holden
       

• “In my opinion the system of tenure has ruined the university experience.  Even in the 60’s it allowed left-leaning professors to teach Marxist ideas and the problem has only become worse.” – Helen Herd
     

• “I'm all for academic freedom! Teach theories, as theories if you want to. But teaching a lie, as if it is true, is unacceptable and should be stopped.” – O. Machelle Morris
   

• “Not only college professors include primary and secondary propagandists (teachers).” – Jerry Bledsoe
        
• “I voted yes to fire these professors. But isn't it convenient that two weeks before the election, Lt. Gov. Patrick finally proclaims in 2023 he will ‘champion the legislation ending tenure.’” – Steve Nuff
        
• “Looks like Dan has found an issue, not too controversial, to hang his white hat on for the primary election.  Whew, just in time.” – Alan Smith
      
• “I was under the impression that professors were being paid to teach academics; not pseudo-scientific race-baiting indoctrination.” – Terry Fokas
       
• “Everything is always about the almighty dollar. Don’t send your children and your money to places that don’t share your beliefs. When UT sees their business model no longer generates enrollment it will have to change.” – Steve Crevier
      
• “We shouldn't allow tenure for any professor and review the pay of the administration that allows it to happen.” – Frank Yousuf
      
• “Not only should they lose the privilege, the university should lose state funds for promoting the ideas, tearing down statues and silencing conservatives.” – Rick Goncher
      
• “Professors will immediately start crying about academic freedom, freedom of speech, etc. I have no problem with their academic freedom and freedom of speech - as long as I am not the one paying for it!” – Ken Hodges
       
• “I marked ‘Yes,’ but the problem with this tactic is it begins a slippery slope on which those in power begin to dictate what opinions can be voiced.  It would be better to require that professors present only the subject matter of their discipline and, if CRT is actually part of the discipline (i.e., social ‘sciences’), they must allow for adequate presentation of the opposing opinion (since this is, actually, an opinion--not a proven fact).  If the professor then continues to stray from his discipline, there should be a way to remove that professor from his position.” – Arthur Potter

Your Federal & State Lawmakers

The districts displayed here should reflect those recently redrawn by the Legislature. Though the new lines do not take representational effect until 2023, they will appear on the 2022 ballot. Please note that your incumbent legislator and/or district numbers may have changed.