Last night, I was at the Texas Capitol to protest the treatment of Representative Nicole Collier — and to witness firsthand just how far the political games in Texas have gone.
Here’s the backdrop: Republican lawmakers have required Democratic representatives to sign “permission leave slips” and accept police escorts to guarantee their return. This is the latest maneuver after Democrats staged a walkout to block Republicans’ attempt to redraw the congressional map in order to flip five Democratic-held U.S. House seats ahead of 2026.
When I arrived at the Capitol around 6:50 pm, protestors had been forced outside. The reason? An “active shooter” warning. But only protestors were cleared from the building — lawmakers and staff remained inside. Minutes later, police officers announced the Capitol grounds were closed altogether. The whole thing felt less like a security precaution and more like theater.
And that’s what this moment feels like: a grotesque farce. One side keeps inventing new ways to game the system. The other side continues to react with shock, but without strategy — as if outrage alone was enough.
I keep coming back to a metaphor: imagine a famous sports competition where doping was banned. Suddenly, the red team starts doping. The blue team cries foul, points to the rules, and demands justice. But the audience doesn’t care — in fact, they cheer! The red team keeps winning. Then the red team changes the rules so that even if the blue team started doping, it would still lose.
At some point, the blue team has a choice to make. Does it adapt, or does it keep losing while insisting on the purity of the rules?
This is the choice before us in Texas, and nationally. Do Democrats continue to rail about the unfairness of it all? Or do they build a strategy that can actually meet the moment?
Personally, I don’t see dignity in losing. If you’re in the game, you play to win. If you’re not willing to do what it takes, it’s time to get off the field.
By the way, this story is bullshit.1
https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/texas-state-capitol-grounds-closed-after-possible-threat-reported-ahead-of-protest/
These are the times when I do not miss living in TX. Hard to believe but I have spent twice as long living in NY than I did growing up and living in TX. While I have issues with NYS, I am glad to be living in a blue state — although surrounded by a lot of red these days.
Peace in courage, my dear friend. Fight the good fight.