The Texas lawmaker-pastor speaks for many of us who feel outraged by so-called Christian Nationalists who’ve usurped the outward trappings of the faith: ubiquitous crosses, public prayers, and other conspicuous displays of high piety in a movement to legitimize ghastly inhumane practices - from mass school shootings to Ukraine to Gaza. As my Christian Nationalist brother said of Ukraine two years ago, “kill them all and call it gardening.” How can that be? Sends chills down my spine. I kept a screenshot of his texts; the entire conversation revealed what Trump would do. My husband, a Princeton Seminary graduate and life-long social justice activist, invoked a line from Jesus in response, ‘I came to give life, not to destroy it.’ Mind you, Jesus referred to the born and named, the desperate, the oppressed, the suffering, the marginalized. The Gospels offer a social reordering of people, goods, and goodness.
I grew up in the 1960s when the Jim Crow South was still very much alive, in the thrall of Goldwater. And I see the Republican Party since Reagan (“government IS the problem)” very much an extension of the Jim Crow era south, a witches' brew of so-called Christian piety, backwater cruelty, and rattlesnake tent revivals. The attack on federally funded programs to ensure fairness springs from Jim Crow southerners who objected to the creation of the Department of Justice and the federalization of militia dispatched to South Carolina (my native state) to stop wanton shootings and lynchings of blacks at the polls in the 1870s. Of course, a hundred years later, lynchings remained legal. In the 1950s and 1960s, we didn’t read about lynchings and Jim Crow or Black Codes in our history books because this self-incriminating, candid record had been purged in southern history books by the Daughters of the Confederacy in Kentucky, who retained editorial control of southern history textbooks.
I enjoyed this excellent conversation with Texas Representative Talarico. So proud of the brave quorum breakers!! Anand, I appreciate your work so much and have just upgraded to a paid subscription. Thank you for all you do!
We would like to share your courage and could help defray those disrespectful fines.
This will soon ‘come to a head’ and YOU & your colleagues are on the correct side. Democracy needs constant defending. The ‘Trumps’ are everywhere, and do not ‘play fair’.
Stay safe to fight another day. Know that you are greatly respected for your integrity…a word DJT cannot even spell!
Kerry: the 2025 version of the ‘Underground Railroad’ has many ‘disguises’. If you enrol in one of the MANY Canadian Songwriting Camps, the cost is such that - meals and bunk provided - it is really not that much more than daily living expenses!!
Can’t sing or play an instrument? No problem…Trump’s goons wouldn’t come near a Songwriter’s gathering…there might be a BANJO! 😆
There is a great camp in my province (Nova Scotia).
The rabbit video is fake? Wow. These fakes are getting too good. Misinformation is evolving quickly. Thank you, Representative Talarico, for all you do.
wow! I didn't realize how much the TX reps were giving up - personally/financially - in doing this. I'm motivated to donate to their cause, if anyone knows of the reputable organization.
If he wants to be a democratic President? It’s obvious, he does not! This is not an open question by a long shot.🤨 Odd statement because I’ve been following and like this guy.🤷♀️
An amazing person. Texas should be so proud to have him representing them. And all of us are lucky to have his voice and action fighting for the moral foundation of this country. I've heard him speak before and he is so logical as well as humble. He is a bright spot in these dark days. This from an anti-relgious, pro-moral Californian. Great discussion . Thank you.
Fantastic interview. One general comment - your headlines have been increasingly vague lately and I’ve often been scrolling past them as a result having no idea what the post is actually about. I’m glad I opened this one but I encourage you to include subheadings and more indication what the piece is actually about because everyone is overwhelmed with content and doesn’t want to spend too much time choosing what to read or view.
Re statements at about 18:00: Rep. Talarico refers to "a ferocious kind of love." Beautifully said!
"They are willing to disempower Texans to hold onto their positions. We’re willing to lose our positions to empower Texans. That is a fundamental moral difference."
Put another way: we are motivated by the power of love, not the love of power.
Since Catholic grade school in the 60s, the story told in Matthew 25:31-40 has always embodied the heart of Jesus’ teachings for me (please forgive my inexact paraphrase): After reciting the ways of true service ('I was hungry and you fed me, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you cared for me, I was in prison and you visited me.') his followers asked, when did we do these things for you? and Jesus replied, 'That which you did for the least of these, my brothers, you did unto me.' I know I am being asked every day to see the Christ in the face of every brother and in every living thing, without exception.
With love and deep gratitude for you, Anand, for Representative Talarico and his compatriots, for this community, and for everyone who keeps doing the right thing no matter what.
So grateful for courageous TX reps. How is it possible that ALL Republicans there completely devoid of honor or substance?
The Texas lawmaker-pastor speaks for many of us who feel outraged by so-called Christian Nationalists who’ve usurped the outward trappings of the faith: ubiquitous crosses, public prayers, and other conspicuous displays of high piety in a movement to legitimize ghastly inhumane practices - from mass school shootings to Ukraine to Gaza. As my Christian Nationalist brother said of Ukraine two years ago, “kill them all and call it gardening.” How can that be? Sends chills down my spine. I kept a screenshot of his texts; the entire conversation revealed what Trump would do. My husband, a Princeton Seminary graduate and life-long social justice activist, invoked a line from Jesus in response, ‘I came to give life, not to destroy it.’ Mind you, Jesus referred to the born and named, the desperate, the oppressed, the suffering, the marginalized. The Gospels offer a social reordering of people, goods, and goodness.
I grew up in the 1960s when the Jim Crow South was still very much alive, in the thrall of Goldwater. And I see the Republican Party since Reagan (“government IS the problem)” very much an extension of the Jim Crow era south, a witches' brew of so-called Christian piety, backwater cruelty, and rattlesnake tent revivals. The attack on federally funded programs to ensure fairness springs from Jim Crow southerners who objected to the creation of the Department of Justice and the federalization of militia dispatched to South Carolina (my native state) to stop wanton shootings and lynchings of blacks at the polls in the 1870s. Of course, a hundred years later, lynchings remained legal. In the 1950s and 1960s, we didn’t read about lynchings and Jim Crow or Black Codes in our history books because this self-incriminating, candid record had been purged in southern history books by the Daughters of the Confederacy in Kentucky, who retained editorial control of southern history textbooks.
I enjoyed this excellent conversation with Texas Representative Talarico. So proud of the brave quorum breakers!! Anand, I appreciate your work so much and have just upgraded to a paid subscription. Thank you for all you do!
Thank-you, Punkette! Pl spread the word to keep Anand and his crew able to provide us all with this most important newsletter and discussions.
I surely will, Jud! 💙🙏
Thank you, thank you, and thank you again for breaking quorum!
Come to Canada! 🇨🇦
We would like to share your courage and could help defray those disrespectful fines.
This will soon ‘come to a head’ and YOU & your colleagues are on the correct side. Democracy needs constant defending. The ‘Trumps’ are everywhere, and do not ‘play fair’.
Stay safe to fight another day. Know that you are greatly respected for your integrity…a word DJT cannot even spell!
I honestly wish I could come to Canada, but as a retiree, I'm not a candidate :(
Kerry: the 2025 version of the ‘Underground Railroad’ has many ‘disguises’. If you enrol in one of the MANY Canadian Songwriting Camps, the cost is such that - meals and bunk provided - it is really not that much more than daily living expenses!!
Can’t sing or play an instrument? No problem…Trump’s goons wouldn’t come near a Songwriter’s gathering…there might be a BANJO! 😆
There is a great camp in my province (Nova Scotia).
J 🪕
PS I am retired too!
Such a great conversation!
The rabbit video is fake? Wow. These fakes are getting too good. Misinformation is evolving quickly. Thank you, Representative Talarico, for all you do.
wow! I didn't realize how much the TX reps were giving up - personally/financially - in doing this. I'm motivated to donate to their cause, if anyone knows of the reputable organization.
Fantastic talk. I just resubscribed.
https://substack.com/profile/152462695-collin/note/c-144427848
If he wants to be a democratic President? It’s obvious, he does not! This is not an open question by a long shot.🤨 Odd statement because I’ve been following and like this guy.🤷♀️
Anand and James you two are a great team.♥️♥️🇺🇸
An amazing person. Texas should be so proud to have him representing them. And all of us are lucky to have his voice and action fighting for the moral foundation of this country. I've heard him speak before and he is so logical as well as humble. He is a bright spot in these dark days. This from an anti-relgious, pro-moral Californian. Great discussion . Thank you.
Fantastic interview. One general comment - your headlines have been increasingly vague lately and I’ve often been scrolling past them as a result having no idea what the post is actually about. I’m glad I opened this one but I encourage you to include subheadings and more indication what the piece is actually about because everyone is overwhelmed with content and doesn’t want to spend too much time choosing what to read or view.
I love this. I'm a supporting subscriber and am so grateful. I'll continue to recommend this forum to all I can think of. THANKS!!
Re statements at about 18:00: Rep. Talarico refers to "a ferocious kind of love." Beautifully said!
"They are willing to disempower Texans to hold onto their positions. We’re willing to lose our positions to empower Texans. That is a fundamental moral difference."
Put another way: we are motivated by the power of love, not the love of power.
Since Catholic grade school in the 60s, the story told in Matthew 25:31-40 has always embodied the heart of Jesus’ teachings for me (please forgive my inexact paraphrase): After reciting the ways of true service ('I was hungry and you fed me, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you cared for me, I was in prison and you visited me.') his followers asked, when did we do these things for you? and Jesus replied, 'That which you did for the least of these, my brothers, you did unto me.' I know I am being asked every day to see the Christ in the face of every brother and in every living thing, without exception.
With love and deep gratitude for you, Anand, for Representative Talarico and his compatriots, for this community, and for everyone who keeps doing the right thing no matter what.