I don’t know if some folks are understanding what the video means as pertains to our current situation. Lots are - some aren’t. At the very end the dog snatches that bone and wins. When you think it’s over, it ain’t. Sneaks in and grabs that sucker.— Tracy Beanz (@tracybeanz) December 31, 2020
It’s just perfect. Where does he find these things? https://t.co/xNXzu8hY0u— Tracy Beanz (@tracybeanz) December 31, 2020
“Contempt!” - Texas AG, Governor Blast Austin Mayor’s ‘Illegal’ COVID Crackdown
With COVID-related hospitalizations on the rise, but with little to no data demonstrating that shutdowns actually help slow the spread of the virus, Austin Mayor Steve Adler (D) has ordered a partial restaurant and bar shutdown across the New Year’s holiday in the city.
If shutdowns worked, California would be in the COVID catbird seat. It’s one of the nation’s most shut down states, with 47 counties on stay-at-home shutdown. But the San Francisco Chronicle says California has the worst COVID surge in the nation, by far. It’s considering rationing healthcare because its COVID surge is so strong.
Florida, meanwhile, is far more open, and is suffering much less of a COVID surge.
The wisdom of shutdowns is scientifically questionable, and economically ruinous.
Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott (R) took to social media to countermand Adler’s order.
“This shutdown order by Austin isn’t allowed. Period. My executive order stops cities like Austin from arbitrarily shutting down businesses. The city has a responsibility to enforce existing orders, not make new ones.”
Cities exist because states allow them to.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) weighed in.
Then, on Wednesday evening, the AG’s Office announced he filed a petition for temporary injunction and temporary restraining order in Travis County to stop the order’s enforcement. In the statement, Paxton said:
“The fact that these two local leaders released their orders at night and on the eve of a major holiday shows how much contempt they have for Texans and local businesses. They think breaking the law is a game of running the clock before anyone can do anything about it.
Texas is a law-and-order state, and these are lives and livelihoods that are at stake.
I’ll continue to defend them against the arbitrariness of the mayor and county judge.”
The Texas Legislature convenes in its 87th session in January. There’s a bill in the works to take the Austin Police Department away from Adler and the city council, and transfer it to the state.