the weaker party
If you don't know the rules, you don't know how to play the game.
Thursday, October 17, 2024
A Memorandum from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
- Click here for their website.
FYI: They are the people who decided that you have to take two government classes in order to graduate from a public university in Texas.
Memorandum
TO: Chief Academic Officers of Texas Public Universities and Health-Related Institutions; Chief Instructional Officers of Texas Public Community Colleges, Technical, and Lamar State Colleges
FROM: Michelle Singh, Ph.D., Assistant Commissioner; Division of Digital Learning, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
DATE: October 16, 2024
SUBJECT: Upcoming Digital Learning Events
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s (THECB) Division of Digital Learning (DDL) is proud to host two exciting upcoming events:
The 2nd annual Texas Digital Learning Week (TDLW), November 4-7, 2024
The 3rd annual Digital Learning Summit, February 11-12, 2025
Texas Digital Learning Week (TDLW), November 4-7, 2024
Join the THECB DDL for a week of community connections, events, and webinars celebrating innovations in digital learning. Explore resources and programs provided by the THECB and our digital learning community to help support and strengthen digital learning in Texas.
Register now for TDLW!
Digital Learning Summit, February 11-12, 2025
We are excited to invite proposals for the upcoming Digital Learning Summit 2025. The theme for this year’s conference is Choosing Agility: Adapting to a New Era of Innovation in Digital Learning. The hybrid conference will feature engaging sessions on foundational and advanced practices in digital learning, innovative digital pedagogy, and emerging research. Participants will collaborate and network with practitioners from institutions of higher education across Texas. Institutions will be invited to host viewing events at their campuses and a host facilitator guide will be provided.
Visit DLTX to review the call for proposals and to submit a proposal. Submit your proposal by 11:59 PM CDT on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
Mark your calendar for these free virtual and hybrid events held November 4-7, 2024, and February 11-12, 2025. Please forward this announcement to your faculty, librarians, instructional designers, administrators, digital learning staff, and other campus leaders who may be interested in attending these events. We look forward to your institution’s participation in the Texas digital learning community.
Visit DLTX to keep up to date on Digital Learning News and Events.
If you have questions, contact Gwendolyn Morel, PhD, Director (TDLW) or Liz Tolman, PhD, Program Director (Digital Learning Summit) at digitallearning@highered.texas.gov.
c: University and CTC Liaisons
CAO-UHRI Liaisons
Digital Learning
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
From My Texas Future: Direct Admissions
What a great idea.
Find out head of time what schools will accept you.
- Click here for it.
Sunday, October 13, 2024
An email from my election judge
Here's the content of an email I received from the person - the election judge - I will work under.
Hi everyone,
Not everyone is confirmed yet, but wanted to go ahead and send out our election information.
Our Polling Location: (you will need this for training)
Arise Baptist Church
803 Curtin Street
Houston, 77018
Poll Code: 12164
Everyone will need to make sure you are signed up through A-1 for payroll to get paid:
All election workers are required to be signed up through A1 Personnel in order to receive compensation. If you or your clerks have not already signed up, please sign up on their website at https://a1personnel.securedportals.com/apply/acct_login.aspx?package_id=11.
Everyone will need to take training:
Election Training Information
For the November 2024 Election Season, we offer two types of classes for Election Workers:
1. In-person, 4.5-hour election training is mandatory for all new election workers
and those who have only worked one election between January 2022 and May 2024.
2. In-person, 2.5-hour election training is mandatory for all Election workers
who have worked at least two elections between January 2022 and May 2024.
November 2024 General Election Training Courses
4.5 hour Eventbrite Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/november-52024-general-and-special-election-45hr-3577699
2.5 hour Eventbrite Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/november-52024-general-and-special-election-25hr-3577879
New Late Policy for Training Classes
Election Workers must arrive on time to training. The Whole Group instructor will close the doors once the class has begun to respect the time and attention of those already in attendance. After the doors have been closed, Election Workers will not be permitted to enter. Those unable to attend class due to tardiness can reschedule their training online or call 713-755-1617, Option 04 to speak with a trainer.
Walk-In Policy
Due to the fact this election requires all Election Workers be trained, we will be unable to accept walk-ins. You will need to be on the sign-in roster or show proof of registration at the door if your name is not found on the roster. Anyone trying to attend as a walk-in will be directed to call 713-755-1617, Option04 to schedule a class at a later time.
For further information on Election Training and access to our new Election Manual and other
resources, please go to www.HarrisVotes.com. If you have any questions pertaining to training, email the training team at: training@vote.hctx.net, or Call us at 713-755-1617, Option 04 beginning September 26, 2024.
From the Department of Justice's Office of Public Affairs: Justice Department Secures Agreement with Durham, North Carolina, to End Discriminatory Hiring Practices in City’s Fire Department
A press release, meaning that this in information straight from the source.
We cover the topics raised in the section on civil rights and the equal protection of the law - 14th Amendment stuff.
- Click here for it.
The Justice Department announced today that it has secured a settlement agreement with the City of Durham (City), North Carolina, to resolve the department’s claim that the hiring process for firefighters in the Durham Fire Department (DFD) violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Specifically, the department alleges that the City’s fire department screens applicants with a written test that discriminates against Black candidates.
The settlement agreement resolves a civil pattern or practice investigation the Civil Rights Division opened in February 2020. As part of the investigation, the division conducted an in-depth review of DFD’s hiring practices, applicant data and other information received from the DFD. The division concluded that the fire department was using a written test that does not meaningfully distinguish between applicants who can and cannot perform the job of a firefighter. The test also disqualified Black applicants from employment at significantly disproportionate rates. The department thus concluded that the test violates Title VII.
. . . Under the terms of the consent decree also filed yesterday, DFD will:
- Adopt a written test that does not discriminate in violation of Title VII and provide data to the department on the administration of the new test to ensure compliance;
- Pay $980,000 in back pay to applicants who were disqualified by DFD’s uses of the challenged test; and
- Hire up to 16 applicants who were unfairly disqualified by the challenged test and who successfully complete the new firefighter selection process.
The full and fair enforcement of Title VII is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division. The division has issued a fact sheet on combating hiring discrimination by police and fire departments to help applicants for public safety jobs understand their rights to be free from discriminatory hiring processes. More information about the Civil Rights Division can be found at www.justice.gov/crt.
For more:
- Information for Journalists.
The Fall of Putin
It helps us understand decision making in an oligarchy.
- See: Russia Oligarchs.
An opinion from the Washington Post: Don’t live in a swing state? You can still influence elections.
What is an opinion piece?
Who is Sam Wang?
What is the vote maximizer project?
- Click here for the Electoral Innovation Lab.
- Click here for the article.
With the November vote at hand, many Americans will sit with their devices and obsess over the margins in the latest swing-state polls. This won’t help them influence the election any more than a fan collecting baseball statistics helps a batter get on base. But the same polling data can be used to drive active political participation, if one allows for a little uncertainty.
Well-meaning small donors too often waste their money — as many Democrats did in 2020 when they sent money to support Amy McGrath’s bid to unseat then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in Kentucky. McGrath raised $90 million but lost by almost 20 points. That money might as well have been lit on fire. This year, Republicans might likewise waste donations on former Maryland governor Larry Hogan, who trails Democratic nominee Angela D. Alsobrooks by double digits in surveys.
. . . The 10 places where citizens have the most per-vote power in the presidential race — Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, Michigan, Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — contain only 25 percent of the U.S. population. Yet in the rest of the country, voters have other kinds of power. Add in races for Congress and state leadership, as well as ballot initiatives, and competitive races can be found in 40 states and the District of Columbia.
From CBS: "Likely R" To "Lean R": What this means for the Texas Senate race between Cruz & Allred
Not the best news for our junior senator.
- Click here for the article.
Early voting in Texas starts two weeks from tomorrow, and a respected firm that predicts national elections says the Texas Senate race between Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and Democratic Congressman Colin Allred has grown more competitive.
On its website, the organization defines "Likely" as: "These races are not considered competitive at this point but have the potential to become engaged." The Cook Political Report describes "Lean" as: "These races are considered competitive races, but one party has an advantage."
The four most recent polls in the Texas Senate race listed by Real Clear Politics show Cruz leading Allred by 4.75 percentage points. The rating change from the Cook Political Report comes about a week after the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee announced it is injecting millions of dollars into Allred's campaign for TV ads.
We asked Republican and former Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams and Democratic political consultant and Grand Prairie Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Junior Ezeonu about the state of the race.
Williams told Jack that Texas remains a red state. "We're not even close to being a swing state or close to being a battleground state. We're red, solidly red, and that's not going to change in this election cycle."
Ezeonu agreed that Texas isn't a true swing state yet and said turnout is always key. "Can you get the voters out, can you energize the base and then get those moderates, swing voters that may not like Trump, may not like Cruz and want to look at someone else."
Thursday, October 10, 2024
From the University of Florida Election Lab: Early Voting Tracking
Here's some info:
- Click here for it.
Early voting is nearly upon us for the November 2024 presidential election. North Carolina usually leads off with mail balloting starting on Sept. 6, or sixty days before the November 5 general election (legal disputes regarding RFK Jr. delayed North Carolina mail ballots such that Alabama led the pack this year). More states follow with mail and in-person early voting options, with a handy guide of dates and more available from the National Conference of State Legislatures.
. . . The most reliable and important information we can learn from early voting is turnout.
Eight states — California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington — plus the District of Columbia run their elections primarily by mail. Election officials in these states send a mail ballot to every active registered voter. (Inactive registered voters — those who have not voted in a recent election — must request a mail ballot, at which time they become active voters.) Voters in these states still have options to vote in-person. Oregon and Washington — the two early adopters — offer emergency voting at an election office. Colorado innovated layering vote centers on top of mail balloting, which allows those who wish to do so an opportunity to cast an in-person ballot at special polling locations during the early voting period through Election Day. In Colorado and some other states offer special polling locations known as vote centers as a place where any voter may cast an in-person ballot and where eligible voters can do same-day registration — register and cast a ballot in-person.
Election laws and policies differ dramatically across the United States. As always, it is best to seek information from your local election officials for trusted information about elections.
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
From ABC News: Which way are key demographic groups leaning in the 2024 election?
- Click here for the article.
We’re now just about a month away from Election Day, and both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have been hard at work trying to persuade voters to pull the lever (or fill in the bubble, or touch the screen …) for them in November. Their efforts to persuade voters are all over the news, too: Whether it’s men, young voters, Latinos or Black voters, the campaigns are eager to discuss their outreach efforts to specific demographics that could be key to victory in November.
To see how well those outreach efforts are doing, we pulled together data from all the national polls in the last month to check how the electorate, and particularly these key demographic groups, have moved in response to last month’s campaigning. In particular, we checked in on whether the emerging Harris coalition has changed since our last look at patterns in demographic support back in August.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3lLYOGDsts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jALYy01DoM0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jenWdylTtzs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnKLpO9qhOE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_McKinley
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_Act_of_1996
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malice_murder
https://www.oyez.org/cases/2023/22-721
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_L._Buckley
https://daily.jstor.org/who-took-the-cocaine-out-of-coca-cola/
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Dear ChatGPT: Is campaign spending a form of political speech?
First: What is political speech?
Political speech refers to any expression or communication that relates to political matters, including discussions about policies, political candidates, government actions, or social issues. This can encompass a wide range of activities, such as:
Public speeches: Addresses made by politicians or activists.
Campaign advertising: Messages promoting candidates or policies.
Social media posts: Online discussions and commentary about political issues.
Protests and rallies: Gatherings aimed at expressing political views or advocating for change.
Political speech is protected under free speech laws in many democratic countries, allowing individuals and groups to express their opinions, advocate for causes, and engage in political discourse.
So: Is campaign spending a form of political speech?
Yes, campaign spending is often considered a form of political speech, particularly in the context of U.S. law. The Supreme Court has ruled that spending money to influence elections is a way of exercising free speech under the First Amendment. This interpretation allows candidates and organizations to spend significant amounts on campaigning and political advertising, viewing it as an essential part of the democratic process. However, this perspective also raises concerns about the influence of money in politics and the potential for unequal representation.
From Buckley v. Valeo.
- Expenditure Limits:
An excerpt:
The Court first reiterated that "[t]he Act's expenditure ceilings impose direct and substantial restraints on the quantity of political speech." It reviewed the sweeping scope of the law, noting, "The plain effect of [the Act] is to prohibit all individuals, who are neither candidates nor owners of institutional press facilities, and all groups, except political parties and campaign organizations, from voicing their views 'relative to a clearly identified candidate' through means that entail aggregate expenditures of more than $1,000 during a calendar year. The provision, for example, would make it a federal criminal offense for a person or association to place a single one-quarter page advertisement 'relative to a clearly identified candidate' in a major metropolitan newspaper."
From November 2, 1954: Proposition Prop. 6 - For the Constitutional Amendment to require women to serve on juries.
- Click here for detail.
Election date: 11/02/1954
Votes for: 302,850
Votes against: 224,730
Articles affected Article 16 : Amends §19
What is the Federal Election Commission?
From Wikipedia: Federal Election Commission.
. . . an independent agency of the United States government that enforces U.S. campaign finance laws and oversees U.S. federal elections. Created in 1974 through amendments to the Federal Election Campaign Act,[3] the commission describes its duties as "to disclose campaign finance information, to enforce the provisions of the law such as the limits and prohibitions on contributions, and to oversee the public funding of Presidential elections." It is led by six commissioners who are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
From Wikipedia: Federal Election Campaign Act.
. . . the primary United States federal law regulating political campaign fundraising and spending. The law originally focused on creating limits for campaign spending on communication media, adding additional penalties to the criminal code for election law violations, and imposing disclosure requirements for federal political campaigns. The Act was signed into law by President Richard Nixon on February 7, 1972.
Click here for the FEC website.
Click here for contribution limits.
What is an independent agency of the United States government?
Ask ChatGPT:
What is a political campaign?
A political campaign is an organized effort to influence decision-making within a specific group, typically aimed at securing votes for a candidate or party in an election. Campaigns involve various activities, including:
- Messaging: Developing a clear platform and communicating policies and values to voters.
- Fundraising: Raising money to support campaign activities, such as advertising and events.
- Outreach: Engaging with voters through door-to-door canvassing, phone calls, social media, and events.
- Debates and Public Appearances: Participating in public forums to discuss issues and interact with constituents.
- Advertising: Creating ads for television, radio, print, and online platforms to promote the candidate and their message.
Campaigns can vary in scale, from local elections to national contests, and they often involve strategizing to respond to opponents, mobilizing supporters, and ultimately getting people to vote on Election Day.
How are modern presidential campaigns organized?
Modern presidential campaigns are highly organized and strategic endeavors that typically involve several key components:
- Fundraising: A significant part of modern campaigns focuses on raising money through donations, fundraising events, and online contributions. Campaigns often set ambitious fundraising goals and utilize various platforms to engage supporters.
- Voter Outreach: Campaigns employ field teams to conduct voter outreach, including door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, and organizing events to engage potential voters. They often use data analytics to identify and target key demographics.
- Digital Strategy: The internet plays a crucial role in modern campaigns. This includes social media marketing, email campaigns, and targeted online ads. Campaigns often utilize data to tailor messages to specific voter segments.
- Messaging and Communications: Developing a clear and compelling message is vital. Campaigns create content, manage press relations, and respond to media inquiries to shape public perception.
- Debates and Public Appearances: Candidates participate in debates and town halls to engage with voters and present their platforms. These events are often meticulously planned and rehearsed.
- Coalition Building: Campaigns work to build coalitions with various interest groups, organizations, and influential individuals to broaden their support base.
- Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) Efforts: As the election date approaches, campaigns ramp up efforts to ensure their supporters turn out to vote, utilizing methods like early voting initiatives and transportation assistance.
- Post-Election Strategy: After the election, campaigns may also engage in efforts to ensure a smooth transition, especially if the candidate wins, or to analyze results for future campaigns.
Overall, modern presidential campaigns are complex, data-driven operations that leverage technology, social media, and grassroots engagement to mobilize voters and communicate effectively.
What is political fundraising?
Political fundraising is the process of collecting money to support a political campaign, party, or cause. It plays a crucial role in enabling candidates to cover various expenses, such as advertising, staff salaries, events, and outreach efforts. Key components of political fundraising include:
- Events: Candidates often host fundraising events, such as dinners, rallies, or auctions, to engage supporters and encourage donations.
- Online Fundraising: Many campaigns leverage digital platforms to solicit donations through websites, social media, and email campaigns.
- Major Donors and Bundlers: Some campaigns actively seek large contributions from wealthy individuals or "bundlers" who gather donations from multiple sources.
- Public Funding: In some jurisdictions, candidates can access public funds if they meet certain criteria, which can supplement their fundraising efforts.
Effective fundraising is essential for a successful campaign, as it provides the necessary resources to reach voters and promote the candidate's message.
JFK assassination: Cronkite informs a shocked nation
Monday, October 7, 2024
Fall 2024 - GOVT 2305 Week Six Recap
- Declaration of Independence.
- Federalist 10.
- Washington's Farewell Address.
- Sedition Act of 1798
- Winner Take All Elections.
- Single-member district.
- The Two Party System.
- Party Coalitions.
- Factions in the Republican Party (United States).
- Factions in the Democratic Party (United States).
For Week Seven
- Party Eras
- Polling
- 2024 Presidential Polls
- Voter Turnout
- Campaigning
- Campaign Funding
- Money in Politics
Sunday, October 6, 2024
From the The North Carolina Department of Public Safety: Hurricane Helene: Fact vs. Rumor
The state executive agency in charge of emergency management in North Carolina is fighting back against political forces it argues are sending out misinformation.
- Click here for the page.
There are many false reports and misinformation being shared on social media about the response to Hurricane Helene. Additional reliable information regarding Helene can be found at www.ncdps.gov/helene.
Do your part to the stop the spread of rumors by doing three easy things:
- Find trusted sources of information.
- Share information from trusted sources.
- Discourage others from sharing information from unverified sources and question where information is coming from.
THE 10 NEW RULES OF AMERICAN POLITICS
Worth a look.
- Click here for it.
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000018a-565a-d2a3-a3fe-f7fa33760000
The basics:
1. All politics is now national
2. Education is the new fault line in American politics
3. National polling is not an accurate predictor of presidential election outcomes
4. There are only a handful of states that determine control of power in the U.S.
5. The potency of abortion as a political issue will increase over time
6. The south and the west are now the center of political power
7. The suburbs are the last remaining battleground
8. Online small dollar donors - not the fat cats and bundlers - are the real test of the strength of a candidate
9. There is no longer a true “Election Day” in America
10. Political reform is gaining strength across the country
A look at select presidential elections in history
From David Leip's Atlas of Presidential Elections.
- Click here for it.
- A quick look at the projected current map.
Years of note:
- 1788
- 1800
- 1824
- 1828
- 1856
- 1860
- 1892
- 1896
- 1912
- 1924
- 1928
- 1932
- 1948
- 1964
- 1968
- 1992
- 2000
- 2004
FiveThirtyEight: NEW POLLING - Kamala Harris Electoral Map Victory
He walks us through the polling as of 10/5/24
He pulls the numbers from here.
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Seen at a Freebirds Burritos
You've seen these in different businesses. It's the various documents businesses are required to post to show that they are in compliance with national, state, and local law.
This is what I see going on:
- Galveston County Health District Permit
- National Human Trafficking Hotline
- Texas Sales Tax and Use Permit
- Texas Food Safety Manager Certificate
- Texas Alcoholic Beverage Notice
- League City Fire Marshall's Office Places of Assembly Permit
- League City Fire Marshall's Office Compressed Gasses Permit
- Texas Penal Code: Identity Theft Warning
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify Program
Friday, October 4, 2024
Thursday, October 3, 2024
ACC Trainings
- Americans with Disabilities Act Overview.
- Child Abuse: Mandatory Reporting.
- Discrimination: Avoiding Discriminatory Practices.
- Drug Free Workplace.
- Employee Acknowledgement of Student Rights and Responsibilities-Expressive Activities.
- FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
- Preventing Harassment & Discrimination: Non-Supervisors Clery Act and Title IX.
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
From ACC: Campus Crime Statistics for Alvin Community College
I just received an update from the ACC president about crime statistics.
- Cick here for it.
It is required by the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, also known as the Clery Act. These are called Clery Reports.
For more on the legislation, click here.
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act or Clery Act, signed in 1990, is a federal statute codified at 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f), with implementing regulations in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations at 34 CFR 668.46.
By October 1 of each year, institutions must publish and distribute their Annual Campus Security Report to current and prospective students and employees. Institutions are also allowed to provide notice of the report, a URL if available, and how to obtain a paper copy if desired. This report is required to provide crime statistics for the prior three years, policy statements regarding various safety and security measures, campus crime prevention program descriptions, and procedures to be followed in the investigation and prosecution of alleged sex offenses.
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
The Interest Groups that represent Social Media Influencers
It makes sense that the rise of social media influencers would lead to the development of interest groups that represent them.
Here are four:
- American Influencer Association.
- American Influencer Council.
- Influencer Marketing Association.
- Social Media Association.
Early Influencers:
- Michelle Phan.
- Tavi Gevison.
Just out of curiosity I asked ChatGPT: Who was the first social media influencer?
The concept of social media influencers evolved with the rise of platforms like MySpace and Facebook in the early 2000s. However, one of the earliest recognized social media influencers is often considered to be Pioneer Blogger or YouTuber like Tavi Gevinson, who gained fame through her fashion blog, "Style Rookie," in the late 2000s. Other early influencers included personalities like Michelle Phan, who popularized makeup tutorials on YouTube. Their impact helped shape the influencer culture we see today.
A few links from our class discussion on 10/1/24
We began with a discussion of warrantless searches and seizures.
A student asked about whether an searches of one person can be approved by another. In certain cases they can.
We asked ChatGPT: Can a hotel authorize a search of its customers?
ChatGPT said:
Generally, hotels do not have the authority to conduct searches of their guests without consent, unless there's a specific legal reason or emergency situation. Hotels have a duty to provide privacy to their guests, and any search could be seen as an invasion of that privacy.
However, hotel staff may inspect rooms for maintenance or safety reasons, usually outlined in the hotel’s policies. If a guest is suspected of illegal activity, law enforcement may intervene, but that would require proper legal procedures, such as a warrant. Always check the hotel's policies or local laws for specific situations.
We also found information from the interest group that represents district and county attorneys in Texas.
- Texas District & County Attorneys Association.
- Warrantless search and seizure.
Monday, September 30, 2024
Federal Reserve Rate Cuts:
- Federal Reserve Press Release: - Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement.
- Reuters: Fed seen cutting rates another 50 bps in November.
- Bankrate: Fed’s interest rate history: The federal funds rate from 1981 to the present.
- What is the Federal Reserve?
- What is Inflation?
- - How are prices set in the US?
Is voting a fundamental right?
Congress seems to think so.
The Supreme Court might disagree.
From Title 52-VOTING AND ELECTIONS:
The Congress finds that-
(1) the right of citizens of the United States to vote is a fundamental right;
(2) it is the duty of the Federal, State, and local governments to promote the exercise of that right; and
(3) discriminatory and unfair registration laws and procedures can have a direct and damaging effect on voter participation in elections for Federal office and disproportionately harm voter participation by various groups, including racial minorities.
Sunday, September 29, 2024
Public Goods and Emergency Services
Hurricane Helene has torn up western North Carolina, which gives us an opportunity to look at a central task - a public good - of all levels of government.
- What is a public good?
In economics, a public good (also referred to as a social good or collective good) is a good that is both non-excludable and non-rivalrous. Use by one person neither prevents access by other people, nor does it reduce availability to others. Therefore, the good can be used simultaneously by more than one person. This is in contrast to a common good, such as wild fish stocks in the ocean, which is non-excludable but rivalrous to a certain degree. If too many fish were harvested, the stocks would deplete, limiting the access of fish for others. A public good must be valuable to more than one user, otherwise, its simultaneous availability to more than one person would be economically irrelevant.
- Wikipedia: Emergency service.
Emergency services and rescue services are organizations that ensure public safety, security, and health by addressing and resolving different emergencies. Some of these agencies exist solely for addressing certain types of emergencies, while others deal with ad hoc emergencies as part of their normal responsibilities. Many of these agencies engage in community awareness and prevention programs to help the public avoid, detect, and report emergencies effectively. Emergency services are often considered first responders, and typically have dedicated emergency vehicles.
- City of Pearland: Office of Emergency Management.
- Brazoria County: Office of Emergency Management.
- Texas Division of Emergency Management.
- U.S. Homeland Security: Emergency Services.
Fall 2024 - GOVT 2305 Week Five Recap
What we covered last week:
Introduced the second section
The Political Institutions
Political Freedom
- Constitutional Terms
- U.S. Code
- Texas Code
This week
I want to focus on political conflict and how it conditions the nature of the political institution
- Declaration of Independence.
- Federalist 10.
- Washington's Farewell Address.
- Sedition Act of 1798
- Winner Take All Elections.
- Single-member district.
- The Two Party System.
- Party Coalitions.
- Factions in the Republican Party (United States).
- Factions in the Democratic Party (United States).
From the Texas Tribune: How Texas counts ballots and keeps elections secure
More on the mechanics of running elections.
- Click here for the article.
It mentions the Texas Association of Elections Administrators.
Here's more on them:
The purpose of the Texas Association of Elections Administrators (TAEA) is to promote the efficient integration of voter registration functions with the actual conduct of elections and to ensure that voter registration, voting, and vote tabulation are all carried out in accordance with the highest legal and ethical standards.
Also worth a look:
From the Texas Association of Counties: County Elections Academy.
The Texas Association of Counties (TAC) County Elections Academy provides educational opportunities to help the county officials and personnel responsible for holding efficient and secure elections.
"The Academy, created in 2022, will not only provide practical support for election officials but also give them some additional paths to education," said TAC Executive Director Susan M. Redford. The classes will help election officials "show the critics that they’re getting the education they need and that they’re doing everything they need to,” she said. "Elections are a core function of county government and this academy is another opportunity for the Association to unite counties to achieve better solutions," she continued.
The TAC President has appointed an Education Committee, which is made up of four clerks, four election administrators, one tax assessor-collector/voter registrar and ex officio members from the Texas Secretary of State’s Office. The committee is looking to create a curriculum that offers practical advice for rerunning elections in the county.
How Competitive will U.S. House Races be this year?
Not very. Only 24 out of 435 races are toss-ups. Check it out:
- From the Cook Political Report: 2024 CPR House Race Ratings.
Also check out:
- The U.S. Senate.
- State Governors.
- The Electoral College.
Thursday, September 26, 2024
From the NYT: Here Are the Charges Eric Adams Faces
For our look at due process:
Relevant Terms:
- Indictment
- Bribery
- Charges
- Fraud
Click here for the article.
Click here for the indictment.
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
For 9/24/24
From the Texas Secretary of State: Elections Division.
- Offices up for election.
- Sample Ballot.
From Brazoria County Clerk: Elections.
- Map of precincts.
From Harris County Clerk: Elections Department.
- Click here for my ballot.
US Code: Title 52 - Voting and Elections
Click here for it.
Categories
1 - Voting Rights
- Subtitle 1 - - Voting Rights.
- - Definition.
- - Free from interference.
- Relevant Amendments
- - 14th
- - 15th
- - 19th
- - 23rd
- - 24th
- - 26th
- Relevant Legislation:
- - Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- - Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- Relevant Federal Agencies
- - Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division.
2 - Voting Assistance and Election Administration
- Subtitle 2 - - Voting Assistance and Election Administration.
- - Voting Accessibility
- - Voter Registration
- - Federal Election Records
- - Election Administration Improvement
- Relevant Legislation:
- - Help America Vote Act.
- Relevant Federal Agencies:
- - Election Assistance Commission.
- - Federal Election Commission.
- Relevant State Agencies:
- - Texas Secretary of State, Elections Division.
3 - Federal Campaign Finance
- Subtitle 3 - - Federal Campaign Finance.
- - Disclosure of Federal Campaign Finance Funds
- - General Provisions
- Relevant Legislation
- - Federal Election Campaign Act.
- Relevant Federal Agencies
- - Federal Election Commission.
- Relevant Supreme Court Decisions
- - Buckley v. Valeo.
See also: PACs and SuperPACs.
Monday, September 23, 2024
Question from a student:
Based on what you have learned so far, how would you address this is issue presented by one of your fellow students?
Are there any rights that protect me if I (as a Christian) don't want to participate in selling Halloween related items at my job? Do I have the right to avoid selling or stocking specific items that conflict with my faith such as: evil eye, crystals, sage, etc. . . ? Can I be fired or disciplined for refusing to participate in certain work duties because of my religious beliefs? Can my employer require me to participate in activities that go against my religious beliefs?
Let's discuss in class.
Dear ChatGPT: What is Sedition?
Here are some examples of sedition against the king:
The Charles II Treason and Sedition Act of 1661
This act expanded the definition of treason and sedition to protect the monarch and government. It made it an offense to call the king a heretic or papist, or to incite hatred or dislike of the king or government.
The Treasonable and Seditious Practices Act
This act expanded the definition of treason to include speaking and writing against the government, even if no subsequent actions followed.
King George III's Proclamation of 1775
This proclamation declared the American colonies to be in a state of rebellion.
From Houston Landing: Houston council members want to eliminate ‘sidewalks to nowhere’ requirement and fee
An example of public policy at a local level.
Sidewalks, and walkability in cities in general.
- Click here for the article.
A proposal to scrap a requirement that developers include a sidewalk when building a new house or pay a fee will wait another week after one of the council members who pitched the measure tagged it on Wednesday.
Thomas, District J Councilmember Edward Pollard and District D Councilmember Carolyn Evans-Shabazz put the proposal on the agenda last week, saying it was aimed at eliminating so-called “sidewalks to nowhere” – pathways that do not connect to sidewalks on either end.
Pollard and Evans-Shabazz tagged the measure last week.
The proposal has prompted pushback from disability advocates, who argue sidewalks – even those that do not immediately connect to others – will improve accessibility for residents and encourage more development in those neighborhoods.
The Greater Houston Builders Association supports the idea of eliminating the requirement, saying it would reduce the cost of housing construction.
The existing ordinance applies to the construction of individual houses. The requirements for sidewalk construction in new subdivisions would not change.
Some council members have said there is a possible compromise. Pollard and Evans-Shabazz last week told the Landing the fee paid by developers in lieu of building sidewalks is too high at $12 per square foot. They said they would be open to keeping the current requirement, but with a lower fee.
City Council approved the sidewalk requirement and “in-lieu-of” fee in January 2023.
The money goes to a separate fund to build or repair sidewalks, usually in the same area where the fee was collected. Pollard estimated around $700,000 currently is in the fund, but none has been used, according to the Planning and Development Department.
City Council can take up the proposal next week, delay it for further consideration or could refer it to committee for additional vetting and refinement.
Fall 2024 - GOVT 2305 Week Four Recap
- Civil Liberties
- Substantive Liberties
- Procedural Liberties
- Habeas Corpus
- Bills of Attainder
- Ex Post Facto Laws
- U.S. Bill of Rights
- Texas Bill of Rights
- 14th Amendment.
- Selective Incorporation.
- Criminal Justice Policy
What we will cover week 5
Introduction to the Second Section.
The Political Institutions
- Political Ambition
Function of a Constitutional System
- Indirect Democracy
- Suffrage
- Elections
- Political Freedom
- First and 14th Amendment protections
Free Speech
Free Press
Right to Peaceful Assembly
Right to Petition for Grievances
Public Opinion
Information (Media)
Factions (Interest Groups)
Political Parties
Governmental Relations
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Dear ChatGPT: What are the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States?
1. **Right to Travel**: The ability to move freely between states without undue restrictions.
2. **Right to Vote**: Participation in elections and political processes.
3. **Right to Own Property**: The ability to acquire, use, and dispose of property.
4. **Right to Contract**: Freedom to enter into contracts and engage in business.
5. **Access to the Courts**: The ability to seek legal recourse and have a fair trial.
6. **Protection of Basic Rights**: This can include rights related to personal liberty, such as the right to free speech and assembly.
7. **Equal Protection**: The assurance that individuals are treated equally under the law.
The interpretation of these privileges has been shaped by various Supreme Court decisions, and while some rights are explicitly mentioned in other parts of the Constitution (like the Bill of Rights), the Privileges or Immunities Clause serves as a broader protection against state actions that may infringe upon these rights.
Slacker Culture
The theory is that people who were born during a particular period of time were exposed to similar events and tend to think alike.
From Axios: Graham met Nebraska leaders in push to get Trump one more electoral vote
This provides opportunities to manipulate elections by manipulating how each state selects it electors.
Here's the latest effort to do so.
- Click here for the article.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) met with Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and around a dozen Republican state lawmakers Wednesday as Republicans seek a last-minute change to the way the Cornhusker state allocates its electoral votes, per multiple reports.
Why it matters: Nebraska and Maine are the only states that don't apportion votes on a winner-take-all basis. Vice President Kamala Harris looks likely to pick up the swing congressional district around Omaha — a single electoral vote which could prove decisive depending on how other swing states break down.Graham and other Republicans, including Pillen, want to change to a winner-take-all system before November.
That would virtually guarantee former President Trump all of the state's electoral votes.
If Harris were to win the Blue Wall states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, but lose the Sun Belt swing states, the race would come down to which candidate won that single purple district in Nebraska.
Zoom in: Republicans have failed to gain sufficient support to overcome all the procedural hurdles to making the change, so Harris looks likely to take that vote — for now at least.
Driving the news: Nebraska's KOLN-TV first reported that Graham spoke to the lawmakers at the governor's mansion to try and encourage the final holdouts to rally behind the change.A spokesperson for Graham confirmed KOLN-TV's reporting but did not say whether he was acting as an envoy of the Trump campaign, as NBC reported. The Trump campaign did not provide comment.
Most of the state senators who were present at the meeting are ready to pass a winner-take-all bill, the report said.
Yes, but: Pillen said in a statement last week that he would not call a special session to reconsider the state's apportionment of votes without "clear and public indication" that 33 senators would vote to back the change.
From the Washington Post: Exploding pagers leave clues to Israeli ‘red button’ plot, officials say
Lots of red buttons out there apparently.
- Click here for the article.
The blackened husks of pagers and handheld radios that exploded in a colossal attack on Hezbollah this week have become fragmentary clues to how Israel orchestrated what current and former Israeli and Western security officials said was part of an elaborate, decade-long effort to penetrate the militant group.
Markings on the mangled electronic components have left a trail leading back through a manufacturer in Taiwan to a Hungarian shell company suspected of being set up or exploited by Israeli intelligence to disguise its alleged role in delivering the lethally rigged devices to Hezbollah. Security officials in another European capital have probed whether a second shell company there was the real seller behind the pagers deal.
Current and former officials have described it as part of a multipronged effort by Israel over the past decade to develop what Israeli officials referred to as a “red button” capability — meaning a potentially devastating penetration of an adversary that can remain dormant for months if not years before being activated.
Israel’s reason for pressing one such “red button” this week remains murky, though experts have speculated that Israeli officials were worried that the conversion of thousands of pagers to miniature IEDs was at risk of being detected. Such attacks are generally designed to be unleashed as a prelude to a broader offensive, officials said, sowing chaos in preparation for follow-on military operations.
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Friday, September 20, 2024
From FRED: Real Gross Domestic Product per Capita 1947 - 2024
What is FRED?
- The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
What is the Federal Reserve?
. . . the central banking system of the United States. It was created on December 23, 1913, with the enactment of the Federal Reserve Act, after a series of financial panics (particularly the panic of 1907) led to the desire for central control of the monetary system in order to alleviate financial crises.
What it the real gross domestic product?
. . . is an inflation-adjusted measure that reflects the value of all goods and services produced by an economy in a given year. Real GDP is expressed in base-year prices. It is often referred to as constant-price GDP, inflation-corrected GDP, or constant-dollar GDP. Put simply, real GDP measures the total economic output of a country and is adjusted for changes in price.
Click here for more data from FRED.
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Monday, September 16, 2024
George Washington’s Letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport
A statement in favor of religious liberty.
- Click here for the letter.
- Click here for Touro Synagogue.
First: Moses Seixas’ Letter from Congregation Yeshuat Israel.
Permit the children of the stock of Abraham to approach you with the most cordial affection and esteem for your person and merits — and to join with our fellow citizens in welcoming you to Newport.
This so ample and extensive Federal Union whose basis is Philanthropy, Mutual confidence and Public Virtue, we cannot but acknowledge to be the work of the Great God, who ruleth in the Armies of Heaven, and among the Inhabitants of the Earth, doing whatever seemeth him good.
For all these Blessings of civil and religious liberty which we enjoy under an equal benign administration, we desire to send up our thanks . . .
George Washington’s Letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport
. . . The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy — a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.
It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.
It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my administration and fervent wishes for my felicity.
May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants — while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid. . . .
From Wikipedia: Dead cat strategy
For our look at politics.
This is intended to distract people.
- Click here for the entry.
The dead cat strategy, also known as deadcatting, is the political strategy of deliberately making a shocking announcement to divert media attention away from problems or failures in other areas. The present name for the strategy has been associated with British former prime minister Boris Johnson's political strategist Lynton Crosby.
There is one thing that is absolutely certain about throwing a dead cat on the dining room table – and I don't mean that people will be outraged, alarmed, disgusted. That is true, but irrelevant. The key point, says my Australian friend, is that everyone will shout, "Jeez, mate, there’s a dead cat on the table!" In other words, they will be talking about the dead cat – the thing you want them to talk about – and they will not be talking about the issue that has been causing you so much grief.
Johnson employed the Australian Lynton Crosby as his campaign manager during the 2008 and 2012 London mayoral elections, leading to press speculation that he was the "Australian friend" in the story.
Other similar strategies:
- Chewbacca defense – Nonsensical diversionary legal defense strategy
- Diversionary foreign policy – Conflict instigated to distract from domestic strife
- Fearmongering – Deliberate use of fear-based tactics
- Red herring – Fallacious approach to mislead an audience
- Wag the dog – Diversional political strategy, often military in nature
Orson Welles - War Of The Worlds - Radio Broadcast 1938 - Complete Broad...
In 1938 they did the same with radio.
Many though the following was not a dramatization, but an actual event. It made Orson Welles famous.
- Wikipedia: The War of the Worlds (1938 radio drama).
Welles's "War of the Worlds" broadcast has become famous for convincing some of its listeners that a Martian invasion was actually taking place due to the "breaking news" style of storytelling employed in the first half of the show. The illusion of realism was supported by the Mercury Theatre on the Air's lack of commercial interruptions, which meant that the first break in the drama came after all of the alarming "news" reports had taken place. Popular legend holds that some of the radio audience may have been listening to The Chase and Sanborn Hour with Edgar Bergen on NBC and tuned in to "The War of the Worlds" during a musical interlude, thereby missing the clear introduction indicating that the show was a work of science fiction. Modern research suggests that this happened only in rare instances.
In the days after the adaptation, widespread outrage was expressed in the media. The program's news-bulletin format was described as deceptive by some newspapers and public figures, leading to an outcry against the broadcasters and calls for regulation by the FCC. Welles apologized at a hastily-called news conference the next morning, and no punitive action was taken. The broadcast and subsequent publicity brought the 23-year-old Welles to the attention of the general public and gave him the reputation of an innovative storyteller and "trickster".
Fall 2024 - GOVT 2305 Week Three Recap
Your textbook readings this week focused on federalism, which is the division of government into three layers: the national, state, and local.
We looked at the basic documents of each: the constitutions - or charters - and their statutory codes and current news that illustrates their basic functions.
And we looked at the basic budgets on the national and state levels, lesser so with local governments, in order to understand how they relate with each other.
Hopefully you should have an understanding of what each level is responsible for.
As a reminder, we looked at the following in class:
- National Constitution
- Texas Constitution
- Local Charters
- U.S. Code
- Texas Statutory Code
- Local Ordinances
- The U.S. Budget
- Texas Fiscal Size-Up
For Week 4
- Civil Liberties
- Substantive Liberties
- Procedural Liberties
- Habeas Corpus
- Bills of Attainder
- Ex Post Facto Laws
- U.S. Bill of Rights
- Texas Bill of Rights
- 14th Amendment.
- Selective Incorporation.
- Criminal Justice Policy
Sunday, September 15, 2024
Saturday, September 14, 2024
What is a swing state?
A little help for the GOVT 2306 essay.
- From Wikipedia:
In American politics, a swing state (also known as battleground state, toss-up state, or purple state) is any state that could reasonably be won by either the Democratic or Republican candidate in a statewide election, most often referring to presidential elections, by a swing in votes. These states are usually targeted by both major-party campaigns, especially in competitive elections. Meanwhile, the states that regularly lean to a single party are known as "safe states" (or more specifically as "red states" and "blue states" depending on the partisan leaning), as it is generally assumed that one candidate has a base of support from which a sufficient share of the electorate can be drawn without significant investment or effort by the campaign.
What are the swing states in 2024?
- From the NYT: Tracking the Swing States for Harris and Trump.
- - Pennsylvania
- - Georgia
- - North Carolina
- - Michigan
- - Arizona
- - Wisconsin
- - Nevada
How competitive will Texas be?
- From Wikipedia: 2024 United States presidential election in Texas.
Texas is generally considered to be a red state, not having voted Democratic in a presidential election since Southerner Jimmy Carter won it in 1976 and with Republicans holding all statewide offices since 1999. Texas' location in the American South and largely in the greater Bible Belt has given the GOP the upper hand in the state in recent decades. Texas is considered by some to be potentially competitive, as the state has not backed a Republican for President by double digits since it favored Mitt Romney in 2012, which can be largely credited to the fast-growing Texas Triangle trending leftwards in some recent elections.
For More:
- From Axios: As Harris invigorates Dems, Texas appears out of play.
- From KXAN: 2024 election: Exploring claim Texas is ‘sleeper battleground state’
- From KXAN: These are the reddest and bluest counties in Texas, based on recent election results.