Apathy, Honesty, And The End Of The World
Why your vote matters more than ever in the face of climate change and authoritarianism.
Climate change is fueling extreme weather events, leading to severe repercussions worldwide. The rise in global temperatures, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, is causing more frequent and intense weather phenomena, including heatwaves, hurricanes, droughts, and heavy rainfall.
Heatwaves have become more common and severe, affecting regions such as India, where temperatures recently soared to 127°F, killing more than 1,300 people. Due to climate change, these extreme heat events are now 45 times more likely and are expected to become more frequent and longer lasting as global temperatures rise.​
Hurricanes are also becoming more powerful. Warmer ocean waters provide more energy for these storms, leading to increased intensity and faster intensification. Notable examples include Hurricanes Fiona and Ian, which caused catastrophic damage in Puerto Rico and Florida. Studies indicate that climate change has significantly increased the likelihood and severity of such storms. Scientists are now calling for a Category 6 designation for hurricanes, as we will likely see a storm this bad soon.
Drought conditions are worsening, particularly in the American West, where a megadrought, exacerbated by rising temperatures, has been ongoing for over a decade. Despite occasional heavy rainfall events, this drought ranks among the worst in the past 1,200 years.
Heavy rainfall and flooding are becoming more common in regions historically prone to high precipitation. Warmer air holds more moisture, leading to more intense and frequent rainfall events. For example, recent floods in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul and the northeastern United States have caused significant damage and displaced millions.
The repercussions of these extreme weather events strain infrastructure, disrupt economies, displace communities, and pose severe health risks. Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected, particularly those in developing regions or with inadequate infrastructure.
We don’t have any time left on the climate clock.
If Donald Trump wins the election in November, he will reverse all climate action, and the climate emergency will become considerably worse.
Climate change is expected to have a widespread and significant impact on Texas. Some will say that Texas deserves it because of our disproportionate contribution to greenhouse gases. But millions of us have never been involved with or worked for the oil industry, and the entire population isn’t to blame. Most of us were just born here.
Today in DFW:
But it’s Texas. Right? We can handle the heat.
It’s only June. Can you handle the heat at 115°? What about 127°, like it was in India? We’re talking about the actual temperature, not the heat index?
In recent years, we’ve seen temperatures over 100° for weeks. Can you handle a temperature of 120° for weeks? What about days when the air quality is red?
Today, the Conservative Supreme Court decided that houselessness is a crime, bribery is okie dokie, companies can pollute all they want, and the government is powerless to stop them.
Because of Donald Trump’s win in 2016, which led to three far-right Supreme Court Justices:
This Republican SCOTUS wants you to drink dirty water, eat contaminated food, and breathe filthy air. This court is out of control and has become an enemy of the people.
Next, they are coming for:
Birth control.
IVF.
Gay Marriage.
Bans on sodomy laws.
The next president could get two Supreme Court nominations. This is so much worse than one debate performance. This rogue court can get worse, and it will get worse if Donald Trump is reelected.
Republicans have 100% embraced fascism, and their goal is to take away every right and liberty you have. No one is safe.
Project 2025, by the Heritage Foundation, aims to reshape the American government and society drastically.
Project 2025 aims to consolidate executive power, undermining the checks and balances central to American democracy. This includes proposals to reconfigure agencies like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to eliminate regulations that prevent media monopolies, thereby empowering conservative media giants. Additionally, it seeks to hinder the Federal Election Commission (FEC), ensuring that election oversight remains gridlocked and ineffective, thus facilitating unchecked campaign spending and potential foreign interference.
The plan proposes regressive policies that would severely impact women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial equality. This includes banning abortion, restricting access to contraception, and dismantling protections under Title VII and Title IX of the Civil Rights Act. The project also promotes Christian nationalist ideals, aiming to impose a singular religious framework on American society and governance.
Project 2025 seeks to model the US governance style after authoritarian regimes, emphasizing personal loyalty over institutional integrity. This involves reshaping the Department of Justice to prioritize the president’s agenda, potentially politicizing legal proceedings and investigations. The plan also includes expanding executive powers, reducing the independence of federal agencies, and appointing loyalists to key positions, which mirrors tactics used by authoritarian leaders globally.
Economically, Project 2025 will lead to significant deregulation across various sectors, potentially compromising environmental protections and public health. The emphasis on rolling back Biden-era policies on reproductive health and environmental regulations could lead to increased pollution and reduced access to healthcare for marginalized communities.
Implementing Project 2025 will fundamentally alter the American political landscape, eroding democratic institutions, civil rights, and social justice advancements.
If Donald Trump wins, he will enact Project 2025.
The internet is abuzz today with Joe Biden’s lackluster performance in last night’s debate. While I know Lone Star Left readers would never stay home in an election, it’s the less politically engaged who need to understand that it’s more important to vote against the terrible things that Trump wants to do to us.
We’re left to wonder where this energy was last night, but this morning, Biden made another speech in which he seemingly redeemed himself from last night.
Biden may be old, but Trump will reverse all of Biden’s climate actions, accelerate the climate crisis, and millions of people will die.
Biden may be old, but the Supreme Court has gone rogue and is hyper-focused on harming the American people. If Trump wins, he will solidify this court for a generation.
Biden may be old, but Project 2025 will usher in a fascist takeover of America, and you will lose all of your rights.
I’m not apathetic. Are you?
Voters in Texas must realize their power to effect change. Texas is increasingly becoming a battleground state where every vote counts. One of the biggest challenges we face is voter apathy. Many people feel that their vote doesn’t matter or that the political system is too broken to fix. Every phone call, door knock, and conversation can help change minds and inspire action.
Effective voter mobilization requires personal engagement with the community. This means hosting town halls, participating in local events, and spreading the message on social media. Creating a sense of urgency and showing people their involvement is crucial to protecting their rights and the environment.
We must emphasize what’s at stake in the upcoming elections. Climate change policies, civil rights protections, and the very fabric of our democracy are all on the line. By drawing clear connections between voting and these critical issues, we can motivate people to take action.
Everything is on the line, and it’s all hands on deck.
Get involved!
Volunteer for your county party.
Sign up for block walking with your local candidates.
Share the message on social media.
Do something. Most importantly, vote early, vote often, just vote.
130 days left until the November 5 election!
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to understand that apathy . from Salon; "The New York Times wants Biden gone — but they seem OK with a convicted felon"
.......i argue Biden is a great New Deal Dem....but he can't get credit cause every news and opinion outlet is chasing clicks, not looking to inform the citizenry. So we see failure at every turn. What does get thru is SCOTUS and global warming, things we feel we have no control over. Meaning we see institutions doing bad things or ignoring the waiting doomsday
i have heard all the hand wring by us....however from cooler heads : Lichtman says nothing has changed......Stevenson: "One moment in June doesn't mean anything , Biden will win."
Lots of Dem have passion and have succumbed to their disappointment overly emotionally ....voters hardly noticed Biden's terrible performance and noted Trump is still lying.
nowhere will u see this reported in any paper, big or small, blog or podcast....there is no clicks in 'nothing changed Thursday nite"
Thank you for your work, which is always filled with actual strategy and tactics to move forward. I became your paid subscriber today, after months of admiring your writing.