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.
Thank you for this perspective, Carol. I am astonished and disgusted by the cruelty of too many of today's so-called Christians. Those cross necklaces are despicable. I also liked Talarico's framing of the commonalities among religions, with the example of how each one teaches about treating the sick or other vulnerable folks. A Texan Rev. Warnock!
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.
Excellent interview with a fascinating guest - thank you! I was deeply struck by Talarico's farewell to Anand, with the insightful comment: "And you're one of the people who's really reaching for all of it at this critical moment." What a compliment, and so accurate. We readers and listeners here at The Ink appreciate the scope of the content.
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.
Excellent conversations! It’s refreshing to hear a Texan speak about common ground, basic decency and what religion and patriotism should stand for. Mr Talarico is a charming and persuasive speaker. I hope we see more of him and in the meantime hope he stays safe. ✌🏻 Re: civil servants and veterans, shame on this country for breaking the sacred pact that if they serve and sacrifice for us, we cover their backs. There is nothing patriotic about what’s happening right now, it’s a corrupt and self-serving money grab of taxpayer money and we all have to hope it can be reversed, however long it takes.
Rep. Talarico brilliant courageous theologian. Dems have lost the majority evangelical vote starting with Reagan by not speaking directly to American Christians authentically. DJT has aligned himself with "Christian Nationalists" - a predator griftor bible salesman beat democrats, pathetic. Talorico speaks with passion and authority to the Christian community. I hope he runs for the US Senate and democratic leadership wakes up and learns from Rep. Talarico. Dems must peel off enough evangelical voters to win back power by embracing people of faith imho.
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.
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.
Thank you for this perspective, Carol. I am astonished and disgusted by the cruelty of too many of today's so-called Christians. Those cross necklaces are despicable. I also liked Talarico's framing of the commonalities among religions, with the example of how each one teaches about treating the sick or other vulnerable folks. A Texan Rev. Warnock!
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.
Excellent interview with a fascinating guest - thank you! I was deeply struck by Talarico's farewell to Anand, with the insightful comment: "And you're one of the people who's really reaching for all of it at this critical moment." What a compliment, and so accurate. We readers and listeners here at The Ink appreciate the scope of the content.
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.
A very good interview.
Thank you Anand!
Great message and great messenger!
Excellent conversations! It’s refreshing to hear a Texan speak about common ground, basic decency and what religion and patriotism should stand for. Mr Talarico is a charming and persuasive speaker. I hope we see more of him and in the meantime hope he stays safe. ✌🏻 Re: civil servants and veterans, shame on this country for breaking the sacred pact that if they serve and sacrifice for us, we cover their backs. There is nothing patriotic about what’s happening right now, it’s a corrupt and self-serving money grab of taxpayer money and we all have to hope it can be reversed, however long it takes.
Anand, thank you for having James Talarico as a guest. We need to support all of these Texas Democrats as they are fighting for all of our rights.
Rep. Talarico brilliant courageous theologian. Dems have lost the majority evangelical vote starting with Reagan by not speaking directly to American Christians authentically. DJT has aligned himself with "Christian Nationalists" - a predator griftor bible salesman beat democrats, pathetic. Talorico speaks with passion and authority to the Christian community. I hope he runs for the US Senate and democratic leadership wakes up and learns from Rep. Talarico. Dems must peel off enough evangelical voters to win back power by embracing people of faith imho.
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.