“I sued Barack Obama 31 times,” Governor Greg Abbott roared into a microphone at the Pearl on the Concho Thursday. “[That’s] more than anyone will ever sue the president of the United States of America!”
The speech, held as part of a nine-city tour through Texas in which Abbott reviewed highlights of the 84th Legislative session, was hosted by the county’s Republican party Thursday afternoon before a crowd of approximately 150, all squeezed into a small space and sweating for Texas.
The governor’s speech recounted “losses” and “wins” the state has encountered this last session, both within the Texas borders and as pertains to issues at the federal level.
Same Sex Marriage
“Fact: There are more than 7,500 words in the United States Constitution and in the amendments,” Abbott said. “Fact: None of those words mention the word marriage or give the authority to the federal government to regulate marriage. Instead, that has always been done to the states under the 10th Amendment…”
Abbott highlighted the 1st Amendment in his balk of the U.S. Supreme Court, stating that the justices had trampled upon the religious liberties of Americans when they reached the decision in the Obergefell case that extended marriage rights to all citizens regardless of sexual orientation.
“Once again, Texas is leading the way because the fight to protect religious liberties is not over despite this United States Supreme Court decision,” Abbott said.
He cited three steps the state has taken to rebel against the law of the land, including passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the Texas Pastor Protection Act, as well as an executive order signed by the governor himself demanding that citizens of the state “respect, abide by and defend the 1st Amendment freedom of religion rights of all of their employees” and to do the same for all business engaged in commerce with Texas.
“What these three things do is ensure that no one in the state of Texas is going to be forced to participate in a wedding that forces them to violate their religious liberties,” Abbott said.
Texas Voter ID Law
Voter fraud and federal indictments were the backbone of Abbott’s discussion on the Texas ID Voter Law, which has been blocked by the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Voicing frustration over the court’s decision, Abbott stated that the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of requiring voters to present identification cards, and pointed to proof that fraud exists in the state.
“On the very day—the very day—that Barack Obama’s lawyers were in Texas arguing against the Texas voter ID law, that same day, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney in South Texas were getting indictments in a vote fraud scam in South Texas where cocaine was used to buy votes,” Abbott said.
Mary Blakeley, a San Angelo resident present at the speech, said she felt particularly strong about the subject due to her own experiences.
“The Voter ID Law is important to me,” Blakeley said. “I do work at the election polls; I do voter registration drives, and I have had some reservations about some things, so I really would like to get that pushed through.”
Texas Roads
The state of Texas highways was a high point for many in attendance, who have noted the need for new and improved routes of travel statewide. In his speech, Abbott had an answer to the problem.
“We are…dedicating more than $4 billion a year for at least 10 years to build roads in Texas without raising a single penny in taxes, fees, tolls or debt,” Abbott said. “How do you do that?”
Abbott answered the question himself by urging citizens to vote for Proposition 7, which would amend the Texas Constitution by allocating state sales tax revenue to build and maintain Texas roads. In doing so, the governor said, the state would be able to build toll-free motorways and reduce transportation-related debt.
San Angelo seemed to agree. “I think the part about…the new constitutional amendment to allow the money to go where it needs to go [for the roads] is important,” Martha Dusek said after the governor’s speech.
Dusek said she would have liked to see more this last session that would “protect the state” with regard to marriage.
Border Security
“We are tired in Texas of the federal government not securing our border, so Texas is going to do it ourselves,” Abbott’s voice was overwhelmed by applause.
The state, he said will allocate nearly $1 billion to add more law enforcement officers, thousands of cameras, boats and aircraft along the border to bolster interdiction efforts.
“What this is doing is sending a message to the drug cartels in Mexico that are making thousands of dollars for every person they smuggle into this country,” Abbott said. “We are telling them to take their business elsewhere; they are no longer welcome to do business in [the state of Texas].”
Planned Parenthood
Recalling the highly contested videos that appear to depict Planned Parenthood personnel selling dead baby parts, Abbott said he and the state are “doing more to protect innocent life”. Raucous applause rang out as the governor continued.
“We have already defunded Planned Parenthood; now we are undertaking a criminal investigation that may put Planned Parenthood out of business altogether!” Abbott cried.
The governor last month also announced the LIFE initiative, a four-point plan that will be implemented in part immediately, while other portions will require changes in law. Part of that initiative sought to completely defund Planned Parenthood and other abortion-providing agencies, while other points propose making partial-birth abortions a felony, criminalizing the sale of fetal tissue and improving and expanding adoption services.
“[The part] against abortion, that was my main thing,” said Martha Visney, a San Angelo resident and Abbott supporter. “Freedom of religion—you know, just the way he defends Texas, it just gives me chill bumps. I get so emotional when I hear him talk and tell us the things that we Texans believe.”
Well Received
In Tom Green County, Governor Abbott received some 79 percent of the vote, the greatest majority in a governor election the state has ever seen. Republican constituents lauded and applauded the governor on Thursday, many of whom had turned out to vote.
“It was awesome,” Visney said. “It just melted my heart.”
As he closed and paused for pictures, Abbott rallied those present in support of the state.
“There is a big time difference between the way they do things in Washington D.C. and the way we do things right here in the state of Texas,” he said. “In Washington, they define success by the number of people who are dependent on government. In Texas, we define success by individual liberty and by the number of people who get jobs….Texas is what America is supposed to be.”
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Comments
That should get the Tea Party frothing. Obama bad! I figured he was in town to inspect the damage done from Obama's take over during Jade Helm. I was at Walmart early trying to get the best cell for my detainment.
- Log in or register to post comments
PermalinkI found an article by the Texas Tribune back in July detailing suits Texas (Abbott and Paxton) brought against "Obama". Texas won 6 cases, lost 10, 11 are pending, and Texas withdrew 7. Cost of Abbott's 31 suits ran almost $5 million. Way to go, Gov... It's not about state's rights with you; it's about using Obama as a punching bag to distract people from the real problems Texans have.
Your administration is fighting for religious freedom as it pertains to gay marriage. Good for you? In the mean time how about doing more to address REAL issues like securing water for our booming population. This isn't about religious freedom. Nobody is locking the churches so Christians can't practice their faith. This is a distraction to get people worked up about something that doesn't matter when it comes to Texas' well being. "But religious folks shouldn't have to be forced to perform gay marriages!" As a Republican told me once if you don't like your job (pay, responsibilities, etc...) then you should pull yourself up by your bootstraps and find a better job. Funny too that Republicans love to fear monger about Sharia Law, yet these same folks are trying to legislate their religious beliefs on others...
You haven't raised taxes. Well goody for you. Big secret though is the push to increase property valuations so our taxes go up, but technically you didn't raise taxes. Remember the state supposedly came in last year and told Tom Green County to get their tax rolls up to market value? 3 years ago I bought a home, and 3 years later it's increased over 60% in value according to the county. How about a little protection for the dwindling middle class, Gov?
Border Security - I agree we need better security on the border. Maybe you could have used some of that $18 million a month you wasted in your "Obama is the boogeyman and Jade Helm is a secret plan to take control of Texas". Of course Texas is under control of the Federal government in an issue decided April 9, 1865.
Planned Parenthood Videos - I've read some sites saying the videos are fake. I've read others saying they're real. I haven't taken the time to decide which I believe. But I do know that Planned Parenthood provides other services besides abortions, and without Texas coming up with a plan to fill the void left by trying to close them there are going to be a lot of women in rural areas whose health will suffer.
It's a shame the only choices left to us in government are the fear mongering, big business, stand up for the Bible Republicans and the fear mongering, big business, "stand up for the minority" Democrats.
- Log in or register to post comments
Permalinkgood work, BM-but you forgot to mention his deployment of religious smokescreens, i.e. "lawsuits" behavior on par for rethuglicans. Decade after decade, they do the same thing: use religion as a tool to coerce the public into voting for them. Texas is a red state, but most of that red is fooled via social issues to vote for the party of 1%ers-which does the masses no good. Churches--especially prosperity pastors, get their orders from local, county and state politicians--win souls (especially the ones with drug and alcohol problems because they are magnets for addictions)--and push the republican platform. Nothing but sheep to slaughter year after year, as they far further and further behind fiancially. None of them want their exhorbitant income taxes raised-so they are all for raising property taxes to spread the loss of state revenue. Said it before, and I'll say it again--there's not much the rethuglican party would want to do for you if you make under $125k a year, except make sure your neighbor can't get an abortion, can't smoke medical/recreational marijuana, can own a gun, can get no or very expensive healthcare, can't have a gay marriage, etc. Likewise, nt much the Dems would want to do for you if your making over $125k, except make sure your neighbor can't own a gun, can get an abortion, can smoke medical/recreational marijuana, can have a gay marriage, etc. I personally think people should mind their own business, get out of other people's personal lives and VOTE THEIR INCOME--NOT THEIR RELIGION. If that were done--you'd see a great deal of rethuglicans losing office at every level in Texas.............oh, wait--forgot---campaign contributions--Texas rethugs have the most wheelbarrows of cash...........................................other than that--you should have exposed this crooked used car salesman of a politician and highlighted his hypocracy in denying municipalities throughout Texas the right to ban fracking in city limits and/or sue oil companies.............Abbott/Perry, etc. preach about D.C. staying out of Texas's business--but Austin wants to be knee-deep in Angelo's, Denton's, etc.
- Log in or register to post comments
PermalinkThe governor came to town to boast about how well he has spent my money chasing windmills and he plans to spend more and no one seems to care . I agree with every thing BM said in his rant . It's too bad two people can't impeach the governor , maybe he'll do something stupid like his pals paxton and perry , Texans should be ashamed for voting theses criminals into office .
- Log in or register to post comments
PermalinkSo the liberal BM and Milo Otis want to complain about law suits against a rogue president and an overreaching Supreme Court. Well, it's easy to see where they stand...on the wrong side of the ballot box. Texas voters voted overwhelmingly in 2005 for the Texas Constitution to be amended so that marriage in Texas would be between a man and a woman only. When 5 Supreme Court judges overruled that decision by creating law instead of interpreting it, they used elitism and power of their office to overrule the people (which is what our nation's revolution was fought over). It's not even about religious liberty, it's about the US Constitution being usurped by 5 judges who believe the people are beneath them and should bow to their will, instead of us being a nation of the people, by the people, for the people. The LGBT movement couldn't win at the ballot box, so now they have gone to the liberal media, the elitist judges, and a "progressive" agenda driven president who is not afraid to break the law of the land (the US Constitution) in order to press forward his agenda. Abbott is willing to stand up to this lawlessness and stand with the people of Texas on this and other issues such as border security, land rights, taxes, and yes even Planned Parenthood. Do we wait until they come for our guns, our land, or our right to even write a post on this website?
Watch the Planned Parenthood videos. Even if they are edited, they clearly show the illegal activities of this organization and their total lack of regard for the sanctity of human life in the womb, which begins at conception according to both science and religion. By selling parts of the unborn against the will or without consent of the mothers who choose to abort them, they are committing felony crimes (not to mention crimes against humanity on the same level of Nazi Germany). There is no way that tax payer dollars should fund this organization. Furthermore, BM's ridiculous claim that Planned Parenthood offers "other" health services to women and that women in rural areas will suffer is based on Planned Parenthood's lies to the liberal media. According to their own organizations leader, they don't even have a single mammogram machine at any of the Planned Parenthood locations nationwide. Planned Parenthood's number one service to women is the convenience of killing their unborn child so they won't be inconvenienced for the "mistake" they made. They prey on young women who are ignorant of the choices that other organizations like the Pregnancy Help Center here in San Angelo have to offer so the precious life of their unborn child can be spared. Most of Planned Parenthood's existing offices are now located in urban areas (not rural) and are nothing more than abortion factories designed to make money as efficiently as possible and then apparently selling off organs and tissue illegally to the highest bidder. Not to mention Margaret Sanger (the founder of Planned Parenthood) was a known racist and stated that the best way to get rid of inferior races was to abort their unborn children (the abortion rates among people of color is significantly higher than that of whites). Her quote, "Colored people are like human weeds and are to be exterminated," is being fulfilled across this nation today thanks to Planned Parenthood, a liberal agenda, and ignorance in statements like those by BM and Milo Otis.
And of course, only the liberal left would complain about their property values going up in a booming Texas economy thanks to an economic boost because of the oil boom, and then blame it on the Republican Governor. I always thought that an increase in asset value was a good thing, but then I am a conservative.
- Log in or register to post comments
Permalink1. If someone doesn't agree with the Republican party just call them a liberal. That'll immediately discredit them. Just FYI but I haven't voted Democrat (or liberal to you) since I can remember, but based on the tripe coming from Republicans these days I might just change that next election cycle.
2. The US Supreme Court overstepping their bounds: Yeah, and it's only been the last 8 years they've done that. It must be Obama's fault. It also happened in 1954 with Brown v. Board of Education where they struck down Jim Crow laws (State sponsored segregation). Darn that Supreme Court always thwarting States Rights. They've been doing it ever since Dred Scott back in 1857 those liberal, elitist power mongers. It's happened for over 150 years in this country, but hey, let's not look at facts because that doesn't sound as good as bashing an already impotent Obama and a Supreme Court that hasn't sided with Republicans since Campaign Finance Reform.
Texas...err...Abbott...has spent $5 million chasing windmills and what do we have to show for it? 6 wins on 31 cases. Some of those cases had merit. Others, like this silly gay marriage tantrum have 1) been a waste of money and 2) never should have been brought in the first place.
3. Yeah, I get it. Planned Parenthood is evil. I'm not saying they deserve to stay in business; I'm saying if/when the funding is yanked have a plan in place for lower income folks so 1) they continue receiving care and 2) the current system isn't overwhelmed by a large influx of patients seeking care. Yep, definitely sounds like I have a big ol' case of the liberal. It's not like they performed 11 million services (in addition to abortions and those mammogram referrals). But a large part of their business is contraception, which we all know is evil because when abstinence only education fails why on earth should there be an alternative to abortion?
4. “Only the liberal left would complain about their property values going up”
http://sanangelolive.com/news/business/2014-06-09/tom-green-county-property-tax-base-increase-much-1-billion
Yep, read all those comments by the filthy liberals of San Angelo.
When my home's value went up in value 60% in 2 ½ years I decided to take out a home equity loan to do some home improvement (you know, increase my properties value), but lo and behold the market value and the county appraised value are $30k apart. So yes, I am complaining about the valuations according to the county.
And what do we have to show for our tax dollars here in San Angelo? Roads are as bad as ever; let’s all hold our breath to see if they really start improving next year thanks to the $1 billion increase in the tax rolls. Our water situation is still up in the air. Yep, definitely liberal talking points.
- Log in or register to post comments
PermalinkPost a comment to this article here: