Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller alleges aid to farmers of color discriminates against

[TexasTowelie]

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller alleges aid to farmers of color discriminates against white farmers in suit against Biden administration

by Reese Oxner, Texas Tribune


Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is suing the federal government claiming that the Biden administration’s COVID-19 relief plan passed last month discriminates against white farmers and ranchers.

Miller, a conservative Republican and rancher, states in the lawsuit filed Monday in Fort Worth federal court that he is suing in his capacity as a private citizen — not on behalf of the state.

Among several other major provisions, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 offers relief to “socially disadvantaged” farmers and ranchers, which the plan defines as people of color. Miller’s complaint against the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the definition in the program fails to include “white ethnic groups that have unquestionably suffered” because of their ethnicity, such as those of Irish, Italian, German, Jewish and eastern European heritage.

Attorneys are seeking class-action status for the suit on behalf of white farmers and ranchers.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/04/27/sid-miller-farmers-lawsuit/

[wryter2000]

1. Just F that s**t

I have no more effing patience for this crap. None.

[Paladin]

2. I see Sid Miller hasn't changed.

Still a fucking asshole.

[Backseat Driver]

3. Well, I haven't read it but it does seem an improper exclusionary definition of

"socially disadvantaged." How far back must one prove one's ethnicity as a POC or the way in which those excluded from relief became "socially disadvantaged." Were they victims of previous policies of federal bigAgra under lobbyist-favored policies, voter suppression, and legislation a factor? Does perhaps a photo of poor white Dad in the old small dairy barn suffice as evidence or...you get the idea, yes?

I need more information on this latest out of Texas...About 55% of my state is now rural farmland...my white grandparents and cousins were farmers. Perhaps some still are...but I'd never know as they would never send an invite to the family reunion to my married w/children always-suburban-city address...maybe it was to save postage but adventures in geneology back to the roots is more my daughter's thing.

[brush]

4. So you don't think POC farmers and ranchers have suffered from discrimination in this country?

[Backseat Driver]

5. Of course I do! So did many small/perhaps to large "white" farmers under bigAgra's policies in

other more weakly blue leaning states under "imminent domain" and as I said how does one prove one's ethnicity. For sure, it's why the GQP picked on Elizabeth Warren's comment that fell a bit short of her appearing more the POC. Criteria?

I'm a historically "socially disadvantaged" person of gender, a POG, fighting with my vote and voice, for the privacy to maintain or not the reproductive rights for all American women, one that the SCOTUS specifically granted upon review of case law. Historically, women get paid less and were denied financial as well as educational participation equality. I join with the VA State Dems who protested the twisted prayer offered up as morning prayer for their House of Delegates!

Need I explain the ways that even "white" persons can encounter discrimination as well, though surely policies were engaged to bully and perplex other stereotypical beliefs about POC to a larger degree? Out of work - don't bother to apply? Live in the "wrong" zip code because diversity is important to you? Live and change those policies and "games" that disavowed equality! I guess I failed to understand so much about criteria as I grew up. I learned about transgenerational trauma and the "games" and silly stories some still play too late and tell too long, and I have sincere regret I didn't get it sooner!

[walkingman]

6. Time for another "Jesus shot" Sid.