Month: July 2020

45 Strong Indicators Trump Can Be Reelected as 45th President in 2020

Posted on by Texans Jack & Dodie

The American silent majority who stunned the world in 2017 and elected Donald Trump President are still here. But this time, they’re red-hot-boiling-over motivated and welcoming many more supporters in time for the 2020 election.

The Mainstream Media, Democrats and Hollywood ignore this of course, but the demonstrations, terrorism, looting, beating up of innocent people–all captured on videos–are making citizens determined to vote against their causes and propaganda. The outcome of their actions are making President Trump a hero.

Left wing destruction.

It’s just common sense to intelligent people that the Antifa riots are planned by leftists with political and social engineering agendas.

We’re learning these paid for groups of destruction are small and radical, but the burning of full blocks at a time does little to tamper down the will of Americans.

The media’s 24/7 coverage of the mayhem frightens some of the vulnerable and influences the naive others. But this helps Trump’s chances. Looting and the destruction of monuments, coupled with lawlessness plays well with fake news pundits’ agendas to persuade us that it’s all a movement of the majority. But it is safe to say the real American majority are not buying it.

They’re watching and fuming as the Constitution and their sacred liberties are being vilified by such events strongly associated with left-wing liberals and their political leaders.

Even Democrat leaders who should know better are caving in to demands by demonstrators. It’s being viewed as bowing to mob mentality. They’re becoming creatures of The Swamp.

Just because choreographed crowds–some who are paid minions to their manipulation masters–demand defunding the police, most citizens will not bow down to such pressures.

Politicians who support this unlawfulness, or stand by doing nothing, will be seen as unfit to uphold law and order.

Does President Trump have a chance of being re-elected?

Of course he does. It’s a very good possibility.

My indicators are different than most and in no way come from media because it’s the same propaganda as in ’17, except worse. Naturally, anything is possible, but here are 45 indicators that give hope and determination, that Donald J. Trump will remain our 45th President.

1. After Trump’s election, all economic, military, VA, jobs, immigration, infrastructure improvements and other results were amazing.

2. The list of his accomplishments are historical: Jerusalem, Wall, Energy Independence, Soldiers came home from Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria; Korean Rocketman gives in, Black-Hispanic-Asian Americans and Females achieved historical and record breaking employment achievements. People saw him restore dignity in work.

3. Democrats showed their cards and hoaxes with Kauvenaugh, Dossier, Russian Probe, Amnesty fiasco, Mueller report, Comey, etc…were all proven wrong. This did not help their reputation and caused  losses of some base voters.

4. Trump rallies are historical record breakers. Dems have never been near those levels…ever.

5. Trump received 11% of Black vote in 2017. Indicators show that could double in November. If that happens, it will be monumental.

Trump has been strong in African American issues like prison reform, cracking down on dangerous gang activity and pardoning those wrongfully imprisoned

6. Jeffery Epstein is more associated with Clintons and Dems.

7. Mainstream Media’s credibility is lowest in history by all indicators: viewers, readers, subscribers, ratings, profits and # of employees…and that was even before COVID.  Only the Dems base tunes them in.

8. Twitter participation is down 45% (July 2020), than in the previous four month period.

9. Trump campaign contributions are coming in from individuals in record breaking #s, while the DNC/Biden rely on corporations, lobbys and growing undesirable entities that Americans are increasingly becoming more angry at: Big Pharma, Chinese businesses, Planned Parenthood, etc.

10. The only polls that came close last time are not indicating Biden is ahead. Even the The latest 2020 Zogby Poll of 1,007 likely voters gave Trump a 51%-43% lead over Democrat Joe Biden. The poll has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.

Hunter Biden is negative baggage
to the 2020 campaign.

11. Biden, who will be 78 in November, is “hiden.” Basement jokes here we come.

12. Hunter Biden and James Biden are huge and growing liabilities: Burmisa, China, etc.

13. Biden can’t and likely won’t debate Trump.

14. Biden was rejected twice in previous election cycles by his own party.

15. More facts against Democrats (Obama-Biden-Clinton) corruption are around the corner.

16. The Dems platform is not even American anymore.

Latinos reached historic employment
& economic highs with Trump.

17.  Pelosi, Nadler, Feinstein, AOC, Schiff and others are experiencing negative public image failures. As more truths come out, it will continue.

18. More Americans are coming over to the GOP side and away from the Party of riots, destruction, terrorism, hoaxes, killings, Godlessness, division and corruption.

19. The rate of new voter registration for Republicans in Pennsylvania is five times that of Democrats. Lawrence Tabas, the chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Party, predicts that Trump will beat Biden by more than 100,000 votes — more than twice the margin he had in 2016.

20. Most Republicans and more Independents have a favorable opinion of the GOP than they did before Trump became President.

21. Trump is crushing Biden among union workers (61% to 35%).

22. Born Again Christians (Trump 68%/Biden 28%).

23. NASCAR fans (Trump 68%/Biden 29%).

24. Voters who recently lost their job (Trump 58%/Biden 34%).

25. Men (Trump 57%/Biden 39%).

26. Women (Trump 48%/Biden 45%) think Trump will win.

27. Voters living in the East (Trump 49%/Biden 45%).

28. South (Trump 53%/Biden 42%).

29. Central/Great Lakes (Trump 56%/Biden 38%).

Predictably, the most socialistic states of California, Oregon and Washington has influenced The West region (Biden 49%/Trump 42%).

30. Nationally, Hispanics think the  Democrats are more of a threat to our economy (Democrat threat 66%/ GOP threat 34%).

31. Current polling shows that a majority of Americans 1) don’t blame Trump for the current economic issues and 2) trust Trump more to handle the economy than Biden.

32. Blue states (think Cuomo, Newsom, Whitmer and Brown) that have chosen to be left behind (economically, highly restrictive of freedoms/rights, soft on crime-terrorism-rioting and illegal immigration) to one degree or another, will be struggling as their citizens see red states prospering more.  And who is going to be begging the rest of America to bail them out?

33. Democrat mayors and governors ploys are backfiring. Growing resentment is causing them to be defied by some of their own constituents. These are the citizens who are understanding the President’s results and leadership.

Those who have trouble believing or comprehending should talk to blue-state and city small business owners, barbershops, beauty salons and restaurants.

Most red states and cities are serving clients, without the fear and threats of fines or arrest. Churches are holding services. Local Sheriffs, whose citizens support their funding and protection, are refusing to arrest violators.

34. One of the best indicators is Stony Brook University Professor Helmut Norpoth. He’s the man who developed a model that has correctly predicted five of the past six elections since 1996, and every single election but two in the past 108 years. 

Norpoth says his model shows that Trump has a 91 percent chance of winning — as close to a guarantee as you can get. 

His model also says hismodel shows that Trump will get 362 electoral votes, which is far more than the 304 he earned in 2016 against Hillary Clinton. 

The two elections he missed were John F. Kennedy’s 1960 victory over Richard Nixon, which was one of the most closely contested elections in American history… and George W. Bush’s 2000 victory over Al Gore, where Bush actually lost the popular vote. 

35. Murder rates and other crimes are rising generally in blue states and key Democratic controlled cities. Leftists are earning a reputation as being more interested in popularity than in peace and order. Their opportunistic plots show their politics is more important than their constituents stability. 

36. Joe Biden’s misspeaks are turning more of black America against him. His sincerity towards them is in serious question. “If you don’t vote for me then you are not black” is not exactly the kind of thing you say to motivate African-Americans to vote in your favor. 

37. At Trump’s Tulsa, Oklahoma rally, FOX News was the only major news channel to cover it entirely (CNN and MSNBC devoted less than four minutes each). FOX received their highest-rated Saturday night ever. A peak number of 8.2 million primetime viewers tuned in.

38. Most GOP local campaign headquarters are farther ahead now than they were this time in 2016. Phillip Stephens, GOP chairman in Robeson County, N.C., who helped turn the state Red then, says now “We’re thinking landslide.”

Very good indicators are showing favorability for Trump from state campaign chairs Andrew Hitt in Wisconsin, Jennifer Carnahan in Minnesota, Jane Timken in Ohio, Doyle Webb of Arkansas, and
Kyle Hupfer in Indiana.

39. Since 1980, Moody’s Analytics have only missed one presidential election. Their current model shows President Trump could be reelected in 2020 if the economy holds up. 

40. In 2016, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump shared 94.3 per cent of the American vote compared to between 98.3 per cent and 99 per cent in the previous three elections. Clinton, by media polls, should have won by a landslide. And Biden’s popularity and confidence from the left’s base is far less than hers was.

Biden’s scandals are slowly leaking out and more are sure to come. Clinton was hurt by the infamous e-mail scandal, reported threats of the ‘lock her up’ movement and since verified Kremlin-led fake news campaign. None of this helps Biden or the Democrats.

41. Trump has proven his strengths in Foreign Policy. Better trade deals, accolades from world leaders, a good relationship with India, stepping foot in North Korea, and keeping his promises with an America First policy without apology are beneficial. It’s been a great improvement from Obama’s failures.


In contrast, Biden has a history of cutting lucrative deals with foreigners for his personal benefit.

42. ISIS is practically gone.

43. Trump has grown his base since he was elected to over 87 percent, the highest level in the modern era, except when George W. Bush had a temporary increase in the immediate aftermath of 9/11.

44. More state polls just out:

Georgia: Trump 49, Biden 46
Kentucky: Trump 60, Biden 34
Michigan: Trump 50, Biden 45
Montana: Trump 52, Biden 42
North Carolina: Trump 49, Biden 46
Texas: Trump 49, Biden 45

45. In our own personal survey of simply counting flags, banners and signs in a 13 state (and D.C. on the 4th of July weekend) roadtrip in July, the Trump count was 157. Biden = 0.

States included Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

We saw many MAGA and Trump T-shirts being worn considerably in public locations such as Washington D.C., Pigeon Forge, Memphis, Gatlinburg, Branson, Mt. Airy, Louisville, St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Ft. Worth and even Austin. Not ONE article of Biden attire was seen…and we looked hard.

What can we expect in the next few months?

A. We can expect a bump in Biden and Democrats enthusiasm in about 20 days that will last into September.

B.It’s artificial for the most part because the mainstream media will bill the VP pick, whoever she is, as the second coming. It’s inevitable and predictable. So be ready and don’t let it get you down.

C. There will be more disasters, terrorism and lunacy.

D. There will be more accusations against Trump, but his base is ready and tired of them. They’re growing old. This will likely be in October and totally made up.

E. Vote. Take your family and friends. Vote early. This is your only chance. Donate to and support your candidates like your life depends on it.

The Evil Reason Democrats Hate Barr So Much Revealed in 2019 Indictments

Posted on by Texans Jack & Dodie

Americans watched in disbelief as Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler went on attack mode against U.S. Attorney General William Barr during the Judicial House Committee hearing this month.

Some of the disbelief was with Nancy Pelosi, the Democrats leader and why she would allow Nadler to be in charge of anything after his past ineptness with the Mueller investigation Russia hoax. She had to demote him for his performance in the January 2020 Trump impeachment attempt.

Nadler, Pelosi and Schiff.

Millions of viewers have been scratching their heads all week trying to determine why Nadler and the Democrats have an axe to grind.

Maybe it’s because Barr’s Justice Department’s Washington Field Office has been investigating the case involving the indictment of Democratic operatives used to illegally fund millions in foreign money for Democrats that was dispersed among leaders and politicans in their party.

Leaders such as Hillary Clinton, Corey Booker, Adam Schiff, Job Tester and Ted Lieu benefited from these illegal funds. Practically every state’s Democrat organization accepted these monies.

In December 2019, most of the Mainstream Media missed or barely reported on the indictment of eight of these operatives.

Barr made a fool out of Nadler’s attempt to damage his integrity only to embarrass himself in front of the nation again.


According to the DOJs Release Number 19-1336, Deputy Chief John D. Keller and Trial Attorneys James C. Mann and Michael J. Romano of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case.

Convicted child molester George Nader, who was a key witness in the Mueller investigation, was one of the individuals charged. Nader is known as a middleman for middle eastern sheiks seeking influence with Democrats. Records reveal he was a major contributor to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.

The indictment was “unsealed against the CEO of an online payment processing company, and seven others, charging them with conspiring to make and conceal conduit and excessive campaign contributions, and related offenses, during the U.S. presidential election in 2016 and thereafter.“

“A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia indicted Ahmad “Andy” Khawaja, 48, of Los Angeles, California, on Nov. 7, 2019, along with George Nader, Roy Boulos, Rudy Dekermenjian, Mohammad “Moe” Diab, Rani El-Saadi, Stevan Hill and Thayne Whipple“.

Khawaja and Nader.

“The 53 count indictment charges Khawaja with two counts of conspiracy, three counts of making conduit contributions, three counts of causing excessive contributions, 13 counts of making false statements, 13 counts of causing false records to be filed, and one count of obstruction of a federal grand jury investigation.”

“Nader is charged with conspiring with Khawaja to make conduit campaign contributions, and related offenses.”

“Boulos, Dekermenjian, Diab, El-Saadi, Hill, and Whipple are charged with conspiring with Khawaja and each other to make conduit campaign contributions and conceal excessive contributions, and related offenses.”

Illegal foreign funds to Democratic leaders under investigation.

According to the indictment, from March 2016 through January 2017, Khawaja conspired with Nader to conceal the source of more than $3.5 million in campaign contributions, directed to political committees associated with a candidate for President of the United States in the 2016 election. By design, these contributions appeared to be in the names of Khawaja, his wife, and his company. In reality, they allegedly were funded by Nader. Khawaja and Nader allegedly made these contributions in an effort to gain influence with high-level political figures, including the candidate. As Khawaja and Nader arranged these payments, Nader allegedly reported to an official from a foreign government about his efforts to gain influence.”

“The indictment also alleges that, from March 2016 through 2018, Khawaja conspired with Boulos, Dekermenjian, Diab, El-Saadi, Hill, and Whipple to conceal Khawaja’s excessive contributions, which totaled more than $1.8 million, to various political committees.”

“Among other things, these contributions allegedly allowed Khawaja to host a private fundraiser for a presidential candidate in 2016 and a private fundraising dinner for an elected official in 2018.”

“The indictment further alleges that, from June 2019 through July 2019, Khawaja obstructed a grand jury investigation of this matter in the District of Columbia. Knowing that a witness had been called to testify before the grand jury, Khawaja allegedly provided that witness with false information about Nader and his connection to Khawaja’s company. Boulos, Diab, Hill, and Whipple also are charged with obstructing the grand jury’s investigation by lying to the FBI.”

Corky’s Pico de Gallo

Posted on by Texans Jack & Dodie

If our father were alive during these days of pandemic restrictions, there’s no doubt he would be finding all kinds of ways to stay busy and productive.

Walter “Corky” Dennis retired from a memorable career as police officer and homicide detective for the San Antonio Police Department in the 1980s. He immediately began work as a U.S. Marshal and was assigned to the Federal Judge John Woods assassination case.

Walter “Corky” Dennis

Born in 1937, lessons from WWII rationing and post-Great Depression times instilled in him a strong work ethic and frugalness.

Along the way he owned a gas station, used car lot, bail bonds company, electrical repair business, motorcycle mechanic shop and other things to keep him occupied.

He loved tinkering in his workshop, making and repairing things he thought needed to be fixed or created.

As he aged, he tended to stay in the airconditoned house more often and managed to remodel and expand their home several times before his death in 2011.

One of the biggest surprises was seeing his cooking advancements in the kitchen. I suppose our stepmother Lucy had some influence in that because I rarely saw him cook growing up (Heating Chefboyardee spaghetti is not cooking).

My absolute favorite, that he was rightfully proud of, was his Pico de Gallo.

For those who don’t know, it’s a salsa made of fresh tomatoes, onions, and peppers, with cilantro, lime juice and plenty of garlic.

Pico de Gallo finely chopped.

Unlike other homemade salsa recipes that require cooking and blending, Dad enjoyed chopping and making this fresh salsa because it’s simply a matter of mixing everything together in a bowl.

In my travels, I’ve heard it called Salsa Fresca, Salsa Mexicana and even Rooster’s Beak. But in San Antonio, we’ve always known it as Pico de Gallo.

Ingredients

5 medium size vine ripe tomatoes, about 3 1/2 cups chopped very small

1/2 medium size red onion diced small

2 green onions very thinly sliced

1 serrano or jalapeno chile very finely minced

1 small handful fresh cilantro with leaves stems mostly removed, about 2 tablespoons full, chopped very small

6 garlic cloves minced

1 lime juiced

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon kosher salt

Fused and blended.

To begin, finely dice as much of the ingredients as possible. This allows the flavors to really “fuse and blend,” Dad would say. The idea is to not have chunks of tomatoes or onions distract from the flavor and texture.

When the tomatoes, onions and pepper are mixed together in a bowl, add the garlic cloves and the juice of one lime.

Mix everything together then let it rest for at least 20 minutes before serving. The flavors of all the ingredients will blend together beautifully while the salsa sits or is kept in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Russian Probe Zeroing In On Obama-Biden Administration

Posted on by Texans Jack & Dodie

Operation Crossfire Hurricane is boomeranging on the Obama-Biden Administration.

With new revelations in hand, the Senate Homeland and Governmental Affairs Committee has formally requested more information for the investigation of Obama-Biden interference into Donald Trump’s presidency before and after his election.

The investigation is honing in on Christopher Steele’s discredited anti-Trump dossier or who trafficked information from the opposition research memo to government officials.

Specifically they demand data regarding:

–Clinton underling and former Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott, who has admitted he received and provided copies of the Steele dossier.

–former Clinton associates Cody Shearer and Sidney Blumenthal. Shearer, a relative of Talbott, wrote a dossier similar to Steele’s that was provided to the former MI-6 agent.

–former State officials Victoria Nuland, Jonathan Winer and Kathleen Kavalec, all of whom had contact with Steele as he was developing his dossier.


Recently declassified information from Justice Department inspector general Michael Horowitz’s report appears to be damaging to the Obama-Biden White House.

Their Russia probe abuses against Trump continued even after the CIA had raised red flags about Steele’s reporting, including that he had been targeted with Russian intelligence agency disinformation about Donald Trump while writing the dossier.

We now know the CIA warned the FBI, then directed by James Comey, that Russians were feeding bogus dirt on Trump to Hillary Clinton’s paid chief researcher.

Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) sent letters this week to the CIA, State Department, Office of Director of National Intelligence and the FBI.

They are demanding “all records related to assistance requests about the persons or conduct at issue in the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane investigation, whether before or after the opening of the investigation, to the following foreign governments: a. Australia; b. Israel; and c. the United Kingdom…”

What’s Trump Doing About Big Pharma Prices and Drugs Made in Foreign Countries?

Posted on by Texans Jack & Dodie

Only a small proportion of generic active pharmaceutical ingredients are actually manufactured in the United States, and the majority come from India and China.

“American reliance on foreign countries for critical, generic drugs is not sustainable and leaves the American people incredibly vulnerable,” Trump said during his campaign rallies in 2017.

Spring and summer 2020 has showed how right he was about this reliance on foreign made drugs and bad trade deals.

The White House announced today that the “Trump Administration is signing a Letter of Interest supporting a deal to transform Kodak into a pharmaceutical company that can help produce essential medicines in the United States.”

“When the deal is final, the CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) will use his delegated Defense Production Act (DPA) loan authority to provide a $765 million loan to launch Kodak Pharmaceuticals, which will create at least 360 jobs.”

With this loan, the company can build the capacity to produce essential medicines that have lapsed into chronic national shortage.

Kodak will work with the Administration and drug product manufacturers to identify the products that are most needed to meet national security requirements.

Once fully operational, Kodak will have the capacity to produce 25% of the generic active pharmaceutical ingredients necessary for all non-biologic and non-antibacterial pharmaceuticals used in the United States.

DPA was a mechanism Trump used to mobilize the private sector and secure massive amounts of personal protective equipment and ventilators this year.

The President has legal authority to use DPA loans to invest in America and if he so choses, their additional work overseas.

To date, the Administration has taken 33 DPA actions totaling almost $3.2 billion to provide critical support for essential medical resources and our defense industrial base.

The President has used the DPA to contract with companies like General Electric, Honeywell, Puritan, and 3M to ramp up production of ventilators, swabs, and masks.

On July 24, 2020, President Trump signed an Executive Order of lowering drug prices to patients by eliminating kickbacks to middlemen.

“One of the reasons pharmaceutical drug prices in the United States are so high is because of the complex mix of payers and negotiators that often separates the consumer from the manufacturer in the drug-purchasing process,” the Order states.

“The result is that the prices patients see at the point-of-sale do not reflect the prices that the patient’s insurance companies, and middlemen hired by the insurance companies, actually pay for drugs.”

“Instead, these middlemen — health plan sponsors and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) — negotiate significant discounts off of the list prices, sometimes up to 50 percent of the cost of the drug.”

“Medicare patients, whose cost sharing is typically based on list prices, pay more than they should for drugs while the middlemen collect large “rebate” checks.  These rebates are the functional equivalent of kickbacks, and erode savings that could otherwise go to the Medicare patients taking those drugs.” 

Until Trump’s order, Federal regulations created a safe harbor for such discounts and preclude treating them as kickbacks under the law.

Fixing this problem could save Medicare patients billions of dollars.  The Office of the Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services has found that patients in the catastrophic phase of the Medicare Part D program saw their out-of-pocket costs for high-price drugs increase by 47 percent from 2010 to 2015, from $175 per month to $257 per month. 

Narrowing the safe harbor for these discounts under the anti-kickback statute will allow tens of billions in dollars of rebates on prescription drugs in the Medicare Part D program to go directly to patients, saving many patients hundreds or thousands of dollars per year at the pharmacy counter.

Here is what the Executive Order actually states:

Sec. 2.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States that discounts offered on prescription drugs should be passed on to patients.

Sec. 3.  Directing Drug Rebates to Patients Instead of Middlemen.  The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall complete the rulemaking process he commenced seeking to:

(a)  exclude from safe harbor protections under the anti-kickback statute, section 1128B(b) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1320a–7b, certain retrospective reductions in price that are not applied at the point-of-sale or other remuneration that drug manufacturers provide to health plan sponsors, pharmacies, or PBMs in operating the Medicare Part D program; and

(b)  establish new safe harbors that would permit health plan sponsors, pharmacies, and PBMs to apply discounts at the patient’s point-of-sale in order to lower the patient’s out-of-pocket costs, and that would permit the use of certain bona fide PBM service fees.

Sec. 4.  Protecting Low Premiums.  Prior to taking action under section 3 of this order, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall confirm — and make public such confirmation — that the action is not projected to increase Federal spending, Medicare beneficiary premiums, or patients’ total out-of-pocket costs.

Sec. 5.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Setting the Record Straight on School Reopenings in Texas

Posted on by Texans Jack & Dodie

Paxton Issues Legal Guidance on School Reopening

Politicians and playing politics in our local school districts has threatened some schools not to reopen in 2020.

However, deaths from student suicides and drug overdoses currently exceed deaths due to the COVID-19 virus, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) director Dr. Robert Redfield warned.

School activities are good for students.

Attorney General Ken Paxton today issued guidance on the opening of local schools for the upcoming school year, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, responding to a request from Stephenville Mayor Doug Svien.

While playing an important role in protecting the health of school children and employees, local health authorities may not issue sweeping orders closing schools for the sole purpose of preventing future COVID-19 infections.

Rather, their role is limited by statute to addressing specific, actual outbreaks of disease. School officials, both public and private, are the appropriate ones to decide whether, when, and how to open school.  

“Education of our children is an essential Texas value and there is no current statewide order prohibiting any school from opening,” said Attorney General Paxton. “While local health authorities may possess some authority to close schools in limited circumstances, they may not issue blanket orders closing all schools on a purely preventative basis. That decision rightfully remains with school system leaders.”

In Kendall County, the Boerne ISD offered families a choice of either In-Person or E-Learning.

Overall, 78% of the families selected In-Person Learning, while 22% chose E-Learning.

“I think that the cost to our nation in continuing to keep these schools closed is substantial, and I’m hopeful that resources that are necessary can be made available,” Redfield said. “But there has been another cost that we’ve seen, particularly in high schools.”

“We’re seeing, sadly, far greater suicides now than we are deaths from COVID,” he lamented. “We’re seeing far greater deaths from drug overdose that are above excess that we had as background than we are seeing the deaths from COVID.”

Redfield went on to stress that this is why health must be viewed in light of the “overall social being of individuals,” which in this instance, he argued required working to “get these schools open in a way that people are comfortable and they’re safe.”

Many have argued that the mental and emotional health risks of prolonged isolation would be as dangerous or more dangerous than the coronavirus itself in many cases, particularly among the young, for whom COVID-19 is less dangerous than for the elderly or immunocompromised.

Graceland Presents Ten New Interactive Experiences Before Elvis Week

Posted on by Texans Jack & Dodie

Just in time for Elvis Week, Graceland and Elvis Presley’s Memphis Entertainment Complex in Memphis, Tennessee is debuting 10 new interactive experiences for visitors to immerse themselves even further into the life and legacy of the King of Rock ‘n Roll.

“Our goal is to make every guest’s visit to Graceland unforgettable, which is why we continually invest in new experiences and exhibits throughout the property,” says Debbie Miller, CMO of Elvis Presley Enterprises.

“We think these innovative, technology-driven activities that allow guests to create and share one-of-a-kind photos and videos of themselves with Elvis are exciting additions that will take fan engagement to a whole new level,” she continued.

graceland

Images courtesy of Graceland

The new state-of-the-art activities will be located at Elvis Presley’s Memphis Complex — home to the most extensive collection of Elvis memorabilia in the world.

Through these experiences, guests can get closer to Elvis than ever before via virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology and become “King” or “Queen” of their social media feeds through interactive and shareable moments.

“I’ve always wanted to dress like Elvis, but never quite found the courage,” said Graceland Holdings managing partner Joel Weinshanker. “I plan to be first in line for these socially shareable attractions.”

All 10 new experiences are included in the Graceland ticket price, and most allow visitors to create customized photos and videos of themselves with Elvis to download free of charge.

  • Eras of Elvis Game asks guests to answer questions that will result in meeting ’50s, ’60s, or ’70s-era Elvis via augmented reality technology for a downloadable photo.
  • “Elvis Yourself” Virtual Dress-Up Experience allows fans to be virtually dressed in one of Elvis’ iconic costumes and have their photo taken.
  • Elvis Album Cover Photo Booth virtually places guests onto an album cover of their choice with Elvis resulting in a downloadable photo.
Your picture here.
  • Elvis Movie Match Game asks guests to answer questions that will result in meeting one of the king’s big-screen characters via augmented reality for a downloadable photo.
  • Interactive LED Dance Floor Quiz invites visitors to test their Elvis IQ by answering questions on an illuminated dance floor.
  • Elvis’ Interactive Golf Cart Ride takes guests on a virtual tour of the Graceland grounds in a custom-designed golf cart simulator with 360-degree video technology.
  • “Can’t Help Falling in Love” AR Serenade virtually transports guests onto the set of Blue Hawaii and allows them to be serenaded by the king himself. The video will be downloadable and sharable.
  • Elvis Movie Posters Photo Booth virtually places guests in one of Elvis’ movie posters to create a unique and sharable photo.
  • “Memories” AR Serenade allows guests to take a virtual seat on stage next to Elvis at the ’68 Comeback Special as he performs this song resulting in a downloadable video.
  • Elvis: Front Row lets visitors see what it was like to see Elvis perform live in this immersive concert experience that combines elements of live footage, stage lighting, and surround sound.

The new interactive activities are being introduced just in time for the modified Elvis Week event that will take place at Graceland from Aug. 8-16.

Instead of live performances, appearances, autograph signings, and meet and greets, the modified Elvis Week will include pre-recorded panels featuring those who knew Elvis, interviews with Elvis tribute artists, and new content pieces from the Graceland Archives.

Photos by Jack Dennis

The event will also feature drive-in movies, and specially edited concert shows that highlight the best of past Elvis Weeks, including the ultimate Elvis tribute artist contest and Elvis films on the big screen.

Attendance at Elvis Week events will be limited to meet social distancing and maximum capacity guidelines.

 The Candlelight Vigil on Aug. 15 will require free advanced reservations, but the longstanding Graceland tradition will carry on with a socially distanced fan procession to Meditation Garden.

Graceland has also announced the first-ever Virtual Elvis Week to allow fans from around the world to participate in Elvis Week from home.

Content will include past Elvis Week concerts and panels; interviews with bandmates, co-stars, and friends; new behind-the-scenes Graceland content; and a look back at previous Candlelight Vigils and Elvis tribute artists.

The virtual event will also include a live stream of the 2020 Candlelight Vigil, which will be available free of charge on the Graceland website.

Day passes for Elvis Week are $50. The full schedule and ticket information are available here. Tickets for Virtual Elvis Week are $39 and are available to purchase here.

In another first, Graceland has launched its first-ever gift card program. The customizable gift cards are available in six collectible Elvis designs and can be purchased here.

graceland, elvis
National Archives

Texas, Alaska Leaders Defend Religious Liberty After Coach Fired For Praying

Posted on by Texans Jack & Dodie


High School Coach Fired For Silently Praying Before Games

When Joe Kennedy made headlines in Seattle, Washington five years ago for being fired from his coaching job for praying, he vowed to fight.

“I was blessed for eight years with these guys,” he said. “And it was just awesome, and I look at my blessings instead of what I lost.”

Coach Joe Kennedy

But as a former United States Marine, Kennedy said this is a fight that’s bigger than him. 

“Praying, I can do anywhere,” he said. “The Christian side of me is, like, you don’t take away my faith. Prayer makes no difference where you do it. But the Marine in me? It was like, yeah, I will fight for the Constitution and everybody’s rights. It means something to me. I’ve got blood in that game.”

Wednesday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson led 21 states in an “amicus brief” filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit defending the religious liberty of public employees.

Kennedy coached football at Bremerton High School until he was suspended midway through the season in 2015 for praying silently on the field after each game.

The school district prohibited Kennedy from coaching out of baseless fear that his individual prayers violated the Establishment Clause. 

Coach silently in prayer.

Last year, when the case was first appealed to the United States Supreme Court, Justice Alito—joined by Justices Thomas, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh—expressed concern that the lower courts had improperly read the Establishment Clause to require school control over virtually everything an employee does, even when off-duty.

After the district court again ruled for the school district, Coach Kennedy’s case is once again before the Ninth Circuit. Texas’s amicus brief argues in defense of the religious liberty guaranteed to Coach Kennedy and all public employees by the First Amendment.

“By preventing Coach Kennedy from exercising his religious freedom, the district has demonstrated constitutionally impermissible hostility toward religion. In fact, the district’s shifting demands show a determination to infringe on his First Amendment right to religious exercise,” said Attorney General Paxton.

“An unfounded fear that the school district might be seen as endorsing religion is no justification for prohibiting a man from honoring his deeply-held beliefs. Religious expression and public service can and must coexist.”  

Denying public employees the right to engage in private religious expression, such as kneeling in silent prayer for less than a minute, also directly threatens religious diversity a release from Paxton’s office stated.

By forcing employees to forgo their constitutionally protected right to religious liberty, public institutions ensure that their employees must either hide their beliefs entirely or hold no religious beliefs at all, it continued.

James Woods’ Greatest Twitter Hits This Week

Posted on by Texans Jack & Dodie

American actor James Woods literally has a genuis IQ. He’s definitely one of the most intelligent people in Hollywood. Here’s some of his greatest tweets of this week…so far.

As long as these crazies on the left insist that “protests” are fine, but church gatherings are not, no rational person will take them seriously. Every day the raw political agenda of Democrats is exposed. Their hypocrisy is a hatchet wound in America’s soul.

The only thing you need to know about this election is the constant and virulent hatred the Democrat Party has for law enforcement in this country. It’s evident in every major Democrat city, from the riots in their streets to the corruption endemic to their failed leadership.

The main generators of COVID-19 are riots condoned, indeed encouraged, by Democrat politicians. Maybe the geniuses of the “party of science” will someday comprehend that the virus can’t differentiate between a protest and a beach party.

After learning Google has purged Breitbart from their search results: The members of the liberal media/tech cartel are now completely unrestrained in their bias by any means or measure, particularly their own integrity or what’s left of it.

Hank Johnson, who literally feared that Guam would capsize, absolutely refuses to hear an answer to his rambling, bumbling tirade. There is no stupider human being in America. He is an unequivocal moron.

Watch as #ChubbyPenguinNadler plays pocket pool in search of his left testicle and some semblance of the truth about #Portland. As usual he finds neither…

The Democrats will pull off one of the greatest scams in history when they get all the way to Election Day without once having #JoeBiden face spontaneous questioning or a debate.

Let these Democrat cities eat themselves like cancer eating its host. Don’t send in federal law enforcement. Don’t send in the National Guard. Let the people who cooked this horrid feast at the ballot box now choke on it.

They’ve already destroyed Arizona and Nevada.

New Elvis Presley Tribute Artist World Record Broken

Posted on by Texans Jack & Dodie

A new world record was set last week when an Elvis Presley Tribute Artist sang Elvis’ songs nonstop for 50 hours, 50 minutes and 50 seconds.

“Kjell Elvis” believes his new Guinness World Record will stand for years. 


Kjell Henning Bjornestad, a 52 year old Norwegian entertainer, shattered German Thomas Gathje’s 16-year-old record by seven hours, between Thursday and Saturday morning, July 23-25, at the Scotsman Pub in Oslo, Norway.

The event also raised a money for the building of a refugee hospital at Tham Him camp in Myanmar, Burma.

“I am so happy that I performed for 50 hours, 50 minutes and 50 seconds,” he said. “This is the third time I am doing this, and every time I beat the old record. Now I think this world record will stay for a long time!”


“I am hoping this will open new doors for me in my career to as an entertainer,” he smiled. “I will use all chances to do good things and help people in difficult situations.”

“My toughest challenge was to stay awake and to keep my voice going all the time,” he added. “I would like to be the only person to perform at the South and North Pole, and the deepest and highest places possible on Earth.”

Hurricane Hanna Price Gouging Warning Alert

Posted on by Texans Jack & Dodie

Following the severe weather and flooding in South Texas during Hurricane Hanna, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today warned that state law prohibits price gouging in the wake of a declared disaster. Under state law, once the governor issues a declaration, vendors are prohibited from charging exorbitant prices for necessities such as drinking water, food, batteries, generators, towing, clothing, medical supplies, lodging, repair work and fuel during and after the crisis.

“Natural disasters can pull communities together. Unfortunately, they can also pull in unscrupulous individuals looking to scam vulnerable citizens,” said Attorney General Paxton. “As our communities work to rebuild and recover, my office will continue to aggressively prevent disaster scams and stands ready to prosecute any price-gouger who takes advantage of Texans.”

Price gouging is illegal, and a disaster declaration triggers stiffer penalties under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for the counties of Aransas, Bee, Bexar, Brazoria, Brooks, Calhoun, Cameron, Dimmit, Duval, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Harris, Hidalgo, Jackson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, La Salle, Live Oak, Matagorda, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Victoria, Webb, Wharton, Willacy, and Zapata.

Texans in affected counties who believe they have encountered price gouging should call the Office of the Attorney General’s toll-free complaint line at (800) 621-0508 or file a complaint online at https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/file-consumer-complaint

Powerful Winning Hacks That Take Venom Out of Angry People

Posted on by Texans Jack & Dodie

During a job performance review in the 1990s, my boss, H-E-B Vice President Ralph Mehringer said something that I remember to this day.

“You have the unique ability to take the venom out of angry people,” he noted. “You quickly de-fang them.”

I liked that.

Ralph is a keen observer and calls it as he sees it. His words were motivating, so of course, it reinforced my learning and practicing.

I became interested in studying Neuro Linguistic Programming, or NLP for short. Eventually I became a certified NLP Practitioner.

It helped immensely in leadership and dealing with others through powerful techniques such as “anchoring,” reading body language and facial expressions, “reframing thoughts” and building rapport.

As the years progressed, “de-fanging” became natural and automatic like.

Here are some tips I learned along the way and continue to use today:

1. When someone is angry and confrontational, stand next to them, rather than in front of them. You want to appear not to be much of a threat, after all you’re physically on their side, and they eventually calm down.

2. Slow the pace of speech. They are likely to be yelling or talking rapidly. It’s critical not to engage in a like manner. When it’s your turn to reply, do so in a deliberate, kind, quiet and slower tone.

3. Open with “I need your help.” Most people don’t like the guilt of not helping someone out. When asking for a favor from someone, begin with “I need your help.” It GREATLY increases the chances of getting the favor done. But best of all, it can be used as an opening line to someone very irritated about something. Usually I act innocently not knowing they’re upset. It’s a good precursor to leading them out of their anger towards a better outlook.

4. Rephrase what the other person says and repeat it back to them. In that slower, quieter voice, this helps you understand their concern. This makes them feel you care and are listening to them. It shows your genuine interest in them. It validates them and helps you. Note: Don’t overdo it. You don’t want to appear condescending.

5. If you want someone to agree with you, nod while you talk. I learned this as a door-to-door insurance salesman in the early 1980s and discovered it works well with group presentations too. When you notice them beginning to change their attitude, or better yet nod back, you’re on the right track. They are beginning to subconsciously agree with you.

6. If someone doesn’t like you, ask to borrow a pencil or pen. This is called the Benjamin Franklin Effect. It’s just a small favor that actually helps nudge them to like you. Not as effective, but still good, is to subtly touch someone’s upper arm when you ask for a favor.

7. Mimic them without them realizing it. It’s called mirroring and takes some practice. It has to be subtle and with finesse. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it try folding your arms in a non-threatening way. It helps to determine their interest. If someone is observing you, they will likely mimic you.

8. Repeat a person’s name many times in the conversation. Don’t overdo it, but it helps you remember their name, and makes them like you more.

9. If the person is a child, bring bubbles. Hint: this can work for adults too. Bubbles are magical mood changers.

BONUS: What if the person is just a narcissist?

Understand that narcissists are psychological warriors. They demand superiority over you. It gives them power to belittle and make you feel inferior.

They win if you lash back or try to explain yourself. Don’t let them win.

If you stay and explain yourselve (by arguing back or even by trying to talk calmly) you are showing them that they have power over you.

Walking away is a powerful strength.

I know for many, the idea of walking away after someone has hurt us seems like we are running away or letting them walk all over us.

But the truth of the matter is that when we walk away from a narcissist we are the stronger and better person.

Show them that you will NOT allow them to sully your character.

Show them that you will NOT be talked to like that.

And prove to them that you will NOT tolerate their childishness.

In walking away — and by not saying anything to a narcissist when they go on their childish verbal war — you remain 100% who you are. That’s totally true to yourself. You win.

You take yourselves out of that battle to which they are trying to wage against you…and you lose absolutely NOTHING.

They love drama…don’t be a character, or spectator, of their drama.

Walk away and say NOTHING.