CNN just now-

[MOMFUDSKI]

Amarillo councilman discussing voting on a new travel ban regarding obtaining an abortion. They are proposing neighbor turning in neighbor. Councilman isn’t quite sure which way to vote! Says he doesn’t like it and the last time he heard of this happening was in pre-war Germany. These bastards are going full fascist fer Chrissakes. WOW

[Lovie777]

1. Remember the movie "Body Snatchers"..................

that's what the GQP reminds me of.

[ExWhoDoesntCare]

13. Except that the body snatchers

Took over people against their will, while they were sleeping.

These fascist thugs are choosing to be fascists, and are wide awake for it.

[Irish_Dem]

36. Yes the GOP base is not being forced to be evil against their will, they are willingly choosing evil.

[TheBlackAdder]

2. Neighbor turning in neighbor -- That's some next level North Korean shit right there.

What happens if the neighbor doesn't -- they get machine gunned in a pit along with the ones they protected?

[MOMFUDSKI]

6. Dunno

Well wait . . .

[Irish_Dem]

28. Yes if you know about the "crime" and don't report it, you are punished too.

That is how the regime keeps tight control over people.

[thenelm1]

32. The Stasi of East Germany all over again. n/t

[hatrack]

51. More like the mandatory pregnancy checks in Ceaucescu's Romania . . .

[Freethinker65]

3. Brand TX women like cattle, pen them up, and use as breeding stock.

Just give one year for those that want to move the hell out of TX.

[MagickMuffin]

5. You paying for relocation and finding them new employment?

I’m fighting them here in Texas.

[TwilightZone]

16. +1

[Irish_Dem]

29. Sensible women with means will probably not wait around to see how the story ends. :(

[Freethinker65]

39. Of course it was sarcasm, and I hope you win this in TX, but this is the direction things seem to be heading...

and those proposing such laws keep getting re-elected in TX. Until there is an economic loss for the State with employees and businesses demanding the restoration of rights or picking up and moving out, TX will continue to slide backwards.

Anecdotally, my unattached non-college graduate 26 yo son said he would not move to TX (he has had opportunities to) even for higher pay and he is currently in a low level retail job. No way he would move a young family there.

To further the sarcasm, perhaps other States could offer asylum to those that want to emigrate from TX? Honestly, when you think about it, asylum seekers have found ways to leave everything and many people behind and risk everything for their own/their families' welfare. States are already offering to provide medical care for women with problem/risky pregnancies denied care. Abbott recently has vowed to defy US federal immigration laws. TX is being allowed to be run like whole other country.

[Irish_Dem]

44. One of the Putin/GOP goals is for the US states to function like individual countries.

Putin wants to break up the US like the USSR fell apart.
And the GOP wants to get rid of the federal government.

[LisaM]

77. That is so spot on.

Really, any citizen should be comfortable living anywhere in this country and this Balkanization of our own nation is ripping us apart.

[Irish_Dem]

78. Yes this Balkanization of the US is being done very deliberately by Putin and the GOP.

Neither one wants a strong central government, they both want the US to be greatly weakened for obvious reasons.

[LisaM]

79. Enabled by the likes of Reagan and Grover Norquist.

It's hard to explain to an increasingly younger electorate the irreparable harm Reagan did to this country with his vilification of government.

[Irish_Dem]

80. Yes it was the beginning of the dismantling of state and federal governments.

And to destroy the notion that government works for the people and the public good.

And the GOP also started demonizing and attacking Democrats.

Now the GOP is working on building up the state governments to take over all governance.
(Read control and punishment to install a white male christian minority and for the wealthy
to become wealthier.)

[viva la]

54. Are ob/gyns leaving the state?

I know they are dedicated to their patients, but they're being told they could be imprisoned for doing their job.

What about the big tech firms? They've got a lot of young employees. They probably insure gynecological services. What's going to happen with that? Is insurance the next target?


Thank you for staying and fighting. It's got to be difficult. Here's this state full of high-tech and major research universities, and the laws are being made by cynical people who have some agenda that isn't about the good of the citizens.

[raising2moredems]

69. Much like the anti-LGBTQ bathroom laws...

When the bottom line gets hit, things will change. And yes, OB/Gyns are leaving Texasistan. Particulary ones that treat high risk pregnancies. Good luck finding those who want to do their residency in Texasistan (or Idaho as well as other states).
Take a look at the all balls out effort to keep state Constitutional reproductive rights OFF the ballot. They're running scared. Full blown idiots that thought if Roe was overturned, women AND men would be doormats and say "oh well". More like oh hell, we're not going through this AGAIN.

[yellowdogintexas]

71. Actually, Texas does not have ballot initiatives like the ones we saw in Ohio &Kansas

I really wish we did!!!! I can think of a number of initiatives we should propose. Of course the MAGA folks would be doing a few really awful ones, so it probably is just as well.

There are a number of states which do not have them.
We do vote on Constitutional Amendments but those are related to legislation passed in the last Legislative session. There are certain things which are required to have the populace vote mostly having to do with money and the state budget. We only had 11 on this year's list. (these are the lowest turnout statewide elections we have )

This year we had a couple of property tax ones, a raise of teacher pensions, something about our second tier universities, and a few others.

[obamanut2012]

11. Handmaids on The Handmaid's Take wear red ear tags like cows

[Irish_Dem]

38. Can the tags be removed?

[obamanut2012]

43. No, only by their owners

Their literal owners.

[walkingman]

4. Just another good Christian feller....

[Charging Triceratops]

7. The religious crackpots will never stop

They'll eventually start burning people at the stake again. It's a mental illness.

[Irish_Dem]

45. It is the modern day equivalent of witch burning.

Killing women by forced birth or no health care.
Or putting them in prison for made up reasons.

Open season on women again.

[moniss]

8. Back to the '50's we seem to be going

and get your name put on a list because the local powers that be don't like you and so on the "list" you go. Maybe one day you find out that you were a "sympathizer". Remember the days of local cops pouring over pictures from demonstrations to identify and start files on "sympathizers" and "known associates"?

[Ford_Prefect]

15. Cold War East Germany. The Stasi had everyone spying on their neighbors and family.

Ordinary people were running neighborhood witch hunts to see who they could denounce.
This kind of vigilante enforcement is forbidden under the Constitution.

[moniss]

23. It was the sort of thing the British

encouraged the American colonists to do.

[Mr.Bill]

18. Just wait until people get to enjoy the irony

of Trump being the one who actually has people kick down their doors and take their guns.

[chicoescuela]

22. Mr Bill, you 100% correct. tfg can't have that threat lingering. He absolutely will round

them using some crazy ass rationale. It will be interesting to watch that one.

[moniss]

25. Yes and they will be the first ones to

cry out "Why didn't somebody do something?"

[AZ8theist]

56. Yeah. The 1250's.....

[Moostache]

75. They don't mean or want the 1950's...

Its the 1850's that the power brokers want to revive. Limited franchise, no minority rights, no government intervention FOR the safety or well-being of the people, only power for the powerful and nothing for everyone else.

Its not bringing back the "back of the bus"-mentality, its taking away the buses and options for mobility and self-actualization entirely. Its also working in so many ways...just go look at the "Red Pill" people online and see what horror really looks like in 2023 and beyond...

[Raven123]

9. He knows exactly how he should vote. Get a spine, sir

[rurallib]

35. right you are - it sure is not that difficult of a decision

[Irish_Dem]

46. Oh it's so confusing, so many sides to consider, such a hard decision.

They are either liars or have no intelligence or moral core.

[RVN VET71]

74. Let me make a slight adjustment: They are -- all of them -- stupid, amoral liars

Every one of them, everyone who votes for them. Anyone who seeks power by siding with them. Anyone who chooses to stand aside, to "let the chips fall where they may" instead of opposing them: low intelligence, sociopathic dwellers at the scummy bottom of the human barrel.

75,000,000 pseudo Americans voted for Fatso the Fascist in 2020. 75,000,000!

How many of them will do it again in 2024?

I fear for my Country. I fear for Democracy.

[Irish_Dem]

76. The Trump phenomenon is a massive IQ and moral character test for all Americans.

Yes it is the greatest IQ and moral decline in US history.

[sarcasmo]

10. Coming soon, red A on your shirts.

[Irish_Dem]

47. It has to be tattooed on.

[Funtatlaguy]

12. First, they came for...

But I wasn’t in that group, so I said nothing.
And then they came for…
But I wasn’t in that group, so I said nothing.
And then they came for…
But I wasn’t in that group, so I said nothing.
And then they came for…ME…
But there was no one left to help me.

[localroger]

42. Credited to Reverend Whatsisface

...who died horribly somewhere bad after writing that.

[EmmaLee E]

55. Martin Niemoller

Originated the quote, which has been used by many in many contexts.

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

—Martin Niemöller

He didn't die horribly, but was imprisoned by the Nazis until liberated by the Allied forces in 1945.
I met him in the 60s when he had dinner with my parents.

[localroger]

61. Interesting, thanks for the correction

I knew it was Rev. Niemoller of course, but I could have sworn I read that he died in the concentration camp. Quick lookup reveals that I was wrong. I learned something nice today.

[JHB]

14. "Getting government off your back" was always a lie

They always meant their backs; they were always eager to heap it onto someone else's.

[Warpy]

17. Neighbor turning on neighbor

I sincerely hope his neighbors turn on him and expose all the dirt under the nail of that finger he's pointing at Jezebels who don't want to face death over a kid they are unprepared to raise.

[SouthBayDem]

19. That Tony Christie song needs to be rewritten

“Is This the Way OUT of Amarillo?”

[2naSalit]

20. So, I wonder...

When the DOJ will be charging the entire abutt admin with civil rights violations of all Texans.

Just wondering.

[lame54]

21. But he's not sure

[Irish_Dem]

48. Everyone knows that a travel ban on all women could be a good idea.

It might be the right thing to do to prevent half the state of Texas from crossing into other states.

And putting women in jail for traveling out of state could be a brilliant idea.

We can see why this man needs to do some serious soul searching.

[Squaredeal]

24. Why not just establish a Stasi and keep a file on everyone?

Look how that worked out in East Germany.

[bronxiteforever]

26. They want to hunt vulnerable women. Nationalize this issue!

Apparently Americans can demonstrate about foreign countries but will they demonstrate for the protection of women who will be hunted like fugitive slaves? Think this statement is hyperbole then just read the tale of Brittany Watts https://apnews.com/article/ohio-miscarriage-prosecution-brittany-watts-b8090abfb5994b8a23457b80cf3f27ce.
Texas is about to institute The Most Dangerous Game against women.
But I guess we shouldn’t worry because I am sure the Supreme Court will save them

[Irish_Dem]

49. Women will have to come up with some really big $$$bribes to get the SC to help them.

[Irish_Dem]

27. Just make it illegal for any woman to drive or to travel out of state by any means.

If they are in a car, they must be accompanied by male relative.

Better yet, women should not leave the home, should never be seen in public.

And like in China during the one child policy, if a neighbor reported a pregnant woman,
they got better housing or job.

The GOP doesn't have to reinvent the wheel, women have been oppressed and treated cruelty
by males for centuries.

[Evolve Dammit]

30. It's full blown fascism

[ecstatic]

31. it's so disgusting. We have so many unaddressed problems and this is where rethugs choose

to focus their time and energy? Locking up women?

[Irish_Dem]

50. The GOP has caused most of the problems. Why would they want to solve them?

Their goal is to keep causing more problems.

[Joinfortmill]

33. The reckoning is coming. VOTE

[orangecrush]

34. It will literally be like slavery

Where they used to come North to hunt for runaways

[Irish_Dem]

53. Underground railroads for women might be in our future.

I live in a small town that was a Quaker town and is full of old underground RR houses from that era.
The school children go through the houses when they are in 4th grade.

[LisaM]

81. I remember being trotted through Underground Railway houses growing up.

It was just an accepted part of our education. At the time, people in my state (Michigan) were proud of being a Union state and of being a gateway to Canada and freedom. Who knows if kids do that now?

[Irish_Dem]

82. It is still being done here and the town is red.

The children would be very disappointed to stop it. It is part of the curriculum, a rite of passage,
and has a treat at the end. Additionally even though this is a very red town,
the parents value education for their children above all. It is a very family oriented town.

The largest Underground RR house is right next to the elementary school.
On the other side of this Underground RR is a very good little ice cream shop
with outside picnic tables.

The children go through the houses and then stop at the ice cream shop for a treat.

The children are excited and look forward to this rite of passage in the school system.
And they really do learn the lesson, they are taught about all the secret hiding places
and how and why it was all done. And come home and talk about it.

Let me tell you about this little red town. About ten years ago the school board was taken
over by MAGA types and their first job was to tell the public high school principal to create a christian
religion class as part of the curriculum. The HS principal refused, saying it was illegal, we are a country
with separation of church and state. The school board then fired him.

The town was in an uproar. This was a highly respected and beloved high school principal. He had
a PhD, was highly experienced etc. The town is small but has a high rate of graduating
seniors getting into good schools and getting scholarships of which the town is very proud.

So when push came to shove the town rejected GOP dogma and went with the principal.
At the next school board meeting a big chunk of the town attended that meeting and let the school board know
exactly what they thought about them firing the beloved high school principal. The next election
the entire school board was thrown out of office and in fact the high school principal ran with some
of his like mined friends and they took over the school board.

[LisaM]

83. Good.

School boards have long been a problem (my dad was a teacher) but have gotten way worse and people need to pay attention.

[Irish_Dem]

84. I live in a red town and they threw the MAGA bums off the school board.

They put their kids first, and insisted on a quality education over MAGA BS.

[Demovictory9]

37. Sesrching neighbors trash for used maxi pads? If none..monitor her movements

[Irish_Dem]

52. In China during the one child policy, women had to take pregnancy tests every month.

And yes co-workers, neighbors, and family spied on women.
And got rewards for good information.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

58. Do you have a link for that?

[Kaleva]

59. The test is done every three months

". Every village has a family planning committee and in some, women of childbearing age are required to have pregnancy tests every three months."

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2012-jun-15-la-fg-china-abortions-20120616-story.html

[Irish_Dem]

62. My information was every month.

But events were also controlled by regional and local authorities so could differ.

[Kaleva]

63. I agree.

[Irish_Dem]

64. China has a very strong federal government, but the country and population are huge.

The land mass is very large and the population is 1.4 billion people.
As you travel across China, the regions are noticeably very different
in terms of language, food, customs, the people, etc.

Also the further you get away from Beijing, the seat of power, the more relaxed everything is.

And back during the one child policy the police and secret police presence as well as community
officials were very visible and in your face, very scary. Now it is much more relaxed, people
have much more space from the control and policing.

[Irish_Dem]

60. I visited China at the time and saw and heard about it myself.

And was well connected to other people visiting, working and living in China during this period.

Are you having a hard time believing that China would act this way?
I assure you they are capable of it and they did do it.

[Jakes Progress]

40. self delete

[ArkansasDemocrat1]

41. Boycott NOW on all things Texas

Don't give Abbott or those who voted him back in a penny of your hard earned liberal $. Unless we love there, that's the only thing we can do.

[cab67]

57. I doubt even the current far-right US Supreme Court...

...would let such a law stand.

I'm pretty sure it's perfectly legal to leave a dry county in Texas (they still have them), go to a county where all forms of alcoholic beverage are available, purchase some, and then (once sober) return to the dry county.

Some states only regulate people on another state's sex offender registry if the offense that put them on the other state's registry would also put them on the first state's registry.

There's a shit-ton of current precedent that would torpedo a ban on travel to another state to get an abortion.

I've gotten pretty pessimistic recently, but the sort of ban discussed here would be so flagrantly unconstitutional that even Alito would be unable to duck behind late Medieval legal reasoning to support it.

[MOMFUDSKI]

65. Thanks to all who responded.

Glad to see so many getting as jacked up as I did when I heard what I heard. They walk amongst us . . .

[MOMFUDSKI]

66. Thanks to all who responded.

Glad to see so many getting as jacked up as I did when I heard what I heard. They walk amongst us . . .

[MOMFUDSKI]

67. Thanks to all who responded.

Glad to see so many getting as jacked up as I did when I heard what I heard. They walk amongst us . . .

[markodochartaigh]

70. I grew up gay in Amarillo a half century ago.

Since 2016 I keep hearing people say "This isn't the US, where did this come from?"

Well, all the horrors, and so much more, were here all along. I think that the US would be better served if instead of a Senate filled with the wealthy and privileged we had a house filled with the disadvantaged and marginalized.

[MOMFUDSKI]

72. Polite went out the window

when that orange thing walked in the door

[YoshidaYui]

68. SO WHEN will the Republican party reveal their true colors?

a SWASTIKA .......

[Zambero]

73. As long as neighborhood spies display an American flag

they are "law and order patriots" seeking out truth and justice.