Moon Trains, Space Dreams, And Lone Star Realities

Texas: Where innovation meets irony.

Mar 27, 2024

Last week, in preparation for a permanent human colony on the Moon, DARPA awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to develop a lunar railway concept as part of the 10-year Lunar Architecture (LunA-10) Capability Study.

We live in a time in human history wherein, in many of our lifetimes, we could see people visiting the moon for space tourism or even permanently residing there. It sounds like science fiction. However, if you don’t regularly follow NASA news, you may not know that building a moon base (Artemis Missions) has long been in the works.

Today, Governor Abbott announced the creation of the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium Executive Committee (TARSEC), which will boost the integration of space, aeronautics, astronautics, and aviation industries into the Texas economy.

Fine. Great. When Democrats finally flip this state, we’ll be at the forefront of space exploration. We have to be concerned about the Republicans Abbott appoints to the commission. We’ve already seen Abbott’s relationship with Elon Musk have devastating results in South Texas.

SpaceX has already been sued for causing “significant” environmental damage to Boca Chica Beach. Last year, SpaceX filed a permit with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to dump 200,000 gallons of treated waste and sewage water daily into South Bay. However, SpaceX cut a deal with the City of Bastrop only a few weeks ago, they’ve agreed to take all of Elon’s shit.

Right now, you might be thinking, “How did we get from moon trains to Elon’s shit?”

But I have a better question.

How is humanity planning for moon trains, but we still haven’t broken ground on high-speed rail in Texas?

High-speed rail began in Japan with the Shinkansen, which opened in 1964. In Europe, it started with France’s TGV, which entered service in 1981. While several high-speed rail projects are in various stages of development in the United States, the country does not currently have a high-speed rail system comparable to those in Europe or Asia.

The chatter over high-speed rail in Texas started in 1987. Every few years, the question pops up again in the news: Could Texas Finally Get High-Speed Rail? Only for it to sputter out within months.

In the United States, transportation currently generates 29% of carbon emissions. If we had high-speed rail connecting the Texas Triangle, this would reduce millions of metric tons of carbon dioxide.

High-speed rail can reverse urban sprawl by encouraging more efficient urban growth patterns. This can lead to denser, mixed-use developments near train stations, reduce the need for extensive road networks, and foster more sustainable and walkable communities.

According to this report by CNBC, a bullet train would reduce traffic in Texas by 15%.

A group, primarily rural Texans, are against it and regularly use petitions, lawsuits, and lobbying the legislature to stop high-speed rail. They don’t want a track built on their properties, and they don’t want a fast train speeding through their cow pastures. It’s an understandable position that most of us can empathize with.

In 2023, 4,268 people died in car crashes in Texas. High-speed rail in Texas could save thousands of lives each year.

The irony of it all.

While the American government seeks to establish a permanent human presence on the moon, the Texas government is once again prioritizing corporate space interests over practical, sustainable solutions for Texans.

While we’re seeing many technological advancements and space exploration ambitions in 2024, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s legal challenges allowed him to admit no wrongdoing and walk away with just a $300,00 fine and community service. This is a reminder for all of us here on earth: Republicans are above the law in Texas.

There’s a dissonance between pursuing outer space achievements and needing ethical governance and accountability at home.

During the last legislative session, House Democrats tried to fix some of Texas’s campaign ethics, but Republicans opposed them.

The irony of this amendment is that it would have capped campaign contributions at $500,000. Only months later, billionaire Jeff Yass gave Greg Abbott $6 million, and Abbott used that money to oust seven Republicans who voted against this campaign cap amendment.

Serves them right. Karma made its rounds. Unfortunately, for the rest of us, they’ve all been replaced by far-right fascists who want to destroy public education.

Is it ironic that Ken Paxton is getting off for his crimes?

Here is Brian Wice, the lead special prosecutor in Paxton’s security case, with Republican Tom DeLay. DeLay was convicted of campaign finance charges in 2010 but later acquitted. He’s directly responsible for the racial gerrymandering that took place in 2003.

It’s probably just a coincidence. Then again, innocent people don’t agree to pay $300,000 in restitution.

Today in Washington DC.

The Supreme Court of the United States heard a case about restricting access to mifepristone, an abortion bill. While SCOTUS Blog says it is likely SCOTUS will allow abortion drugs to remain available, women in Texas have a lot of reasons to be concerned.

The case was first filed in Amarillo, where Trump-appointed conservative federal Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk sided nearly a year ago with anti-abortion groups seeking to move mifepristone off the market.

Earlier this month, the 5th Circuit Court ruled that Texas minors must have parental consent to receive birth control. This came after Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas invited legal challenges to contraception and same-sex marriage rights.

There’s a war on contraceptives coming, and I’d be willing to bet it starts in Texas with the 2025 Legislative Session.

The irony is that it doesn’t have to be this way.

Texas has been a non-voting state for years. But the data indicates that if Democrats show up, we will win.

There are enough boots on the ground this year that it could happen—or maybe the election after that. Not voting has to do with voter oppression, apathy, and disengagement.

The day Texas flips blue isn’t just a distant dream but a possibility grounded in shifting demographics, changing attitudes, and the unfettered corruption of the Republican Party.

The key to turning this potential into reality lies in mobilizing every possible voter, tapping into the growing discontent with current governance, and harnessing the energy of those who believe in a more inclusive and progressive Texas.

If you aren’t already involved, find a way to engage with local county Democratic Parties and grassroots organizations. Many people have been asleep, and it will take all of us to wake them up. We can do this.