Category Archives: de rebus texanis

Houston recalibrates collaboration with ICE. Our community looks forward to decency- and common sense-focused policing.

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It stopped me in my tracks Friday when I heard Houston’s mayor announce that he is fundamentally changing our police department’s partnership with ICE. I literally pulled over to the side of the road and wept.

Mayor Whitmire, a Democrat, had concealed the Houston Police collaboration with ICE after Trump accelerated aggressive and often violent enforcement here.

He had been walking the finest of lines. On the one hand, his constituents vociferously opposed ICE tactics. There were countless marches through downtown and nightly protests at prison-like detention centers. On the other hand, our governor was threatening to withhold state funding and our attorney general was threatening lawsuits if Houston didn’t comply with Trump’s new policies.

Now that Governor Abbott and Attorney General Paxton are on their way out, the mayor is doing the right thing. As MLK used to say, “the time is always right to do what’s right.” I applaud the mayor’s move. I am relieved and thankful that even though the ICE nightmare isn’t ending, our city and our mayor are standing up for what is right.

That’s a photo of Emmanuel above, center, holding a FIEL flag. You may remember that the autistic teen was picked up by Houston police in October of last year and then handed over to ICE who held him for 48 days without access to his family. He underwent an appendectomy while in custody.

While Houston hasn’t been militarized like Los Angeles or Chicago, more immigrants are deported from Houston than from any other U.S. city (according to the advocacy group FIEL). Our community members have been living in constant fear of masked government agents who were literally snatching people off the streets. Some of the most violent episodes in ICE enforcement happened in our city (Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot and killed just blocks from the music studio our kids frequent).

Thank you, Mayor Whitmire, for taking a step to make our city whole again. It’s time for all of us to look to tomorrow and a brighter future for all of our community members. Thank you for ending this madness.

Image used with permission, courtesy FIEL.

Texas turned blue. It’s a dream come true.

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It’s hard to overstate the elation in our home on Tuesday night as we watched the election returns come in.

Wow, just wow… and WOW! It finally happened: Texas turned BLUE.

Tracie, the girls, and I are so excited about what’s going to begin happening in January! Our number one local and most immediate issue is “Goverbor Abbott out of our schools!”

But more than anything else, we are so relieved that Donald Trump’s crop of extreme Islamophobes, transphobes, and xenophobes were not allowed to drive our state deeper into the MAGA hegemon. Empathy and common sense prevailed. And now — apologies for the continued oceanic metaphors — the tide has turned!

So many people worked so hard in our state to achieve these results. My personal shout-outs go out to the voter registration drive led by Southeast Texas Impact Initiative in the Golden Triangle where Tracie grew up; and to Erika Harrison, who turned a successful career as a food influencer into a powerful platform for political activism and advocacy. Erika, you are a north star and I am your biggest fan! If you’re reading this, follow her and subscribe.

I’d also like to thank everyone for all the wonderful messages that have arrived from beyond our state. I couldn’t be more proud that our state led the charge.

For those of you watching on from outside, please know that the wave didn’t just include the marquee names like Talarico and Gina. Here in Houston, Democrats swept local offices as they did statewide offices. Dems even took the Texas house! Unbelievable!

It still feels surreal. But we will wake up to an empathy-, decency-, and intellectually driven government in January.

On Wednesday morning, Tracie and I both woke up before dawn and checked our phones to make sure we weren’t dreaming.

“Please go get some flags for our yard!” she said as she left the house.

When her mom called, she said “Tra, you must be on cloud 9 today!”

Tra’s answer? “Cloud 9? Cloud 10, 11, and 12!”

Thanks to everyone who stuck with us in this campaign and didn’t give up on what they thought was Blue America’s ugly stepchild. It turns out that we might just be home to its favorite daughters and sons.

Vote as if your kids’ lives depends on it. They do depend on it. And they depend on you to build their future.

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Even though Tracie, the girls, and I live in the most progressive, culturally diverse, and most Democratic city in conservative Texas, we don’t live in a bubble.

Most of our friends and neighbors support progressive ideals and vote Democratic. Our neighborhood is dotted with Gina and Talarico signs. But there is the occasional Paxton and Abbott yard. No one in our corner of the state steals or vandalizes signs. Everyone lives side-by-side despite our differences.

I understand that many of my fellow Southeast Texans see today’s election as an existential crisis — a ride-or-die election — for the Republican party.

At the same time, I recognize that my progressive fellows and I often talk about the contest in the same, however inverted, terms.

If Abbott, the favorite, wins, there’s no doubt that he will continue to dismantle our school system through his now seven-year takeover. Our children have been impacted directly by the degradation of education funding.

I invite my conservative friends to consider how Abbott is impacting our kids and future generations of kids in Texas.

Abbott has also ushered in some of the most stringent reproduction rights restrictions in the nation. I know a lot of Republican women who are pissed about it.

Republicans, please consider Gina for our kids, your kids, and our kids’ kids!

I also know a lot of Southeast Texans who are voting for Paxton. To them I ask, are you voting for Paxton or are you voting for Trump’s control of the Senate? I see the logic of your argument: another Supreme Court nomination and the continuation of his overarching policies and the MAGA hegemon.

Republicans, please remember that while you will achieve some of your goals if he wins, you also get continued war and tariffs that drive up costs.

You also get one of the most corrupt politicians in the U.S. as your representative. Is it worth it?

Whatever you believe, please vote! G-d bless America and G-d bless us all. See you on the other side. May the best persons win.

The world our children inherit.

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Last night, Tracie and I watched the president of the United States tell his supporters, “I can just see the fake headlines: ‘President Trump is talking about all the money they’re making while people are suffering at the pump.’ That will be the headline. But I said, I don’t give a damn, I’m going to say it: We’re making a freaking fortune.”

His disconnect between Americans’ reality and the billionaires’ payday is as appalling as it is astonishing, especially given his hubris in implying it won’t make a difference to voters.

But Trumps will be Trumps. He doesn’t just enrich himself at the average punter’s expense. He rubs it in said citizen’s face. It’s the Trump way and his supporters love him for it.

What are our children going to say 30 years from now when they remember this moment? Whether Dem or GOP, politicians are painting this election as a choice between absolute good and outright evil. And both sides are complicit in the demonizing of their opponents. Let’s face it.

The same thing is happening in Israel, our partner and client in the Iran war. Neither country will be the same nation the day after the election.

Our family watches the news together in the evenings as we get ready for dinner. If my children believed what the TV tells them, they’d be convinced their father and mother are voting for candidates who are “anti-oil, anti-beef [and] anti-Texas.”

For the record, Tracie and I both drive gas-guzzlers, we eat a ton of Texas beef (growing kids, after all), and we love living in Texas (except for our youngest who wants to move to California where I grew up).

We also can’t stand for a state government whose focus is harassing Muslims and transgender families and destroying our school system (we have been directly affected).

We also can’t stand for a senator who won’t vote to stop the war in Iran and restore full aid to Ukraine.

I’ve heard more than one person say they deeply regret their vote in 2024. As you head to the polls, please ask yourself what your children will say about this moment. Please consider the world they inherit.

Run, Paxton, Run.

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Republicans are running scared. They can run. But they can’t hide. My post today for SETX Impact.

Running on empty.

Isn’t that how America is feeling right now about its gas tank?

Running blind.

Did our president see what he looked like before endorsing?

Running into the sun.

Maybe that explains the blindness? (In late June 2026, when a noted adulterer American politician visited, there were 20 to 22 hours of direct daylight per day in Reykjavík.)

But I’m running behind.

No, you don’t have to be Oedipus to solve this riddle.

Trump may be unpredictable. He may be impossible to pin down. He’s an ever-evolving political chameleon. But there’s one thing about the man that everyone knows and can count on: nothing pains him more than being branded a loser. And that’s what’s going to happen when his blue-ribbon hog Paxton gets his ass whoopin’ in early November 2026.

Poll after poll is showing Talarico leading his Republican opponent (by up to six points).

Trump is running so scared (and he’s not even running) that he’s been to Texas twice in recent weeks.

As Susan Glasser reports in the New Yorker, he’s been telling his supporters that Talarico is a vegan larping as a carnivore. According to the President of the United States, the seminary student feigns pleasure while eating meat dishes. He does so to appeal to red-blooded, meat-eatin’ Texans. But then he excuses himself and discreetly regurgitates his meal where no one can discover his dark secret.

“What they don’t show you,” says the Donald, “is that, after every barbecue, he walks to the back of a tent and he throws up all over the place… He’s a vegan, and you can’t get elected as a vegan in Oklahoma or in Texas.”

Is that the best the prez can come up with?

As Glasser notes, “the Dumocrats are coming for Trump, and all he can do is call them names.”

And there’s no place where the Blue Wave — no, Tsunami! — is coming for Trump like Texas.

There are currently 13 U.S. Senate battleground states. Four of those are Democrat. Nine are Republican. And it’s not just Ruby Red Texas that might be changing its colors. That’s astonishing by nearly any measure. Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio…. Did you ever dream that the Republicans would be running on fumes in historic Republican strongholds?

Locally, I can report that our household was block-walked by paid canvassers for both Paxton and Abbott. In the 12 years I’ve lived in my southwest Houston neighborhood, I’ve never been canvassed by a Republican agent.

Even more incredible are the reports of paid canvassers in Houston’s historically Black Third Ward. As the locally based activist and influencer Black Girls Who Brunch recently noted, that’s practically unheard of (unless, perhaps, in the multiverse).

Trump and Paxon can certainly take a run for their money. Their PACs, unfortunately, have opened the taps.

But right now, it seems that they are running for cover. Even Abbott was too scared of complicity to show up in San Antonio last week for the latest save-Paxton’s-ship rally.

Unfortunately for them, when it comes to the Dumocrats chasing ‘em down, they can run. But they can’t hide.

I love Bo French (my post this week for Southeast Texas Impact Initiative).

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My post this week for Southeast Texas Impact Initiative.

I love Bo French!

Yes, I actually did write that. And it’s true. I am thankful for Bo French.

Here’s the reason why. His idiotic and infamously fetid racist rants on social media have forced the Republican Party to own up to its racism problem. Racism and race-driven strategies and attitudes have become so pervasive and common in the GOP that now, even politicians like John Cornyn, no progressive flower, feel compelled to condemn overt racism.

There are myriad examples of how it’s become increasingly accepted in Republican circles that you can make racist statements, even wildly mendacious proclamations, with no serious consequences. On the contrary, “welcome to the party” is what most Republicans seem to be saying. Maybe we’re still in the wink-wink, if-you-know-you-know phase of this absorbing trend in conservative circles. But with Bo French, it feels like we’ve finally reached a threshold where decency might actually prevail — for a change.

Here’s a social media post from Paul Ingrassia, who currently serves as a U.S. government attorney: “I do have a Nazi streak in me from time to time, I will admit it.”

Here’s a text he sent to fellow Republican operatives: “We need competent white men in positions of leadership. The founding fathers were wrong that all men are created equal… We need to reject that part of our heritage.”

Ron DeSantis fired his aide Nate Hochman after the latter posted an image of the Florida politician with a bold Nazi symbol as backdrop. Hochman is currently writing speeches for Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

In January of this year, the U.S. Department of Labor posted a Nazi slogan on its social media: “One Homeland. One People. One Heritage,” an echo of the German “Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer” (“one people, one realm, one leader”). “Remember who you are, American,” wrote the government employee who shared the video that included the authoritarian motto.

(Thank you to Times opinion writer Jamelle Bouie and the Nation for the above examples of blatant racism expressed by government workers.)

And let’s not forget Elon Musk, the world’s favorite antisemite (he recently took over Mel Gibson’s role as the world’s most loved Jew hater). When a user posted that Jews advance “dialectical hatred against whites,” Musk responded by writing: “You have said the actual truth.” And that’s just one of the overtly racist posts he’s shared on X, the platform he owns and controls.

As Bouie asked plaintively, why does Musk get a pass? Why do any of them get a pass, for that matter?

It’s because of the GOP’s deep-seated racism. Remember the infamous 1981 quote from prolific Republican strategist Lee Atwater (who later repented for the racist tactics his office used to help get Ronald Reagan elected): “Y’all don’t quote me on this. You start out in 1954 by saying, ‘n—– n—–, n—–.’ By 1968, you can’t say ‘n—–’ — that hurts you. Backfires. So, you say stuff like forced busing, states’ rights and all that stuff.”

I’m not making this up. Just Google it.

Atwater was explaining how he had modified and improved Nixon’s shameful “Southern Strategy,” a race-driven approach to politics that helped to get Nixon elected.

Bo French (who are bigger threat to America, he asked on social media, Muslims or Jews?) is forcing GOP leaders to take sides in the race-baiting race to the bottom. Whether this will help them get elected is another question. But at least, even the GOP is learning to call a fig a fig.

Thanks for reading my post this week for Southeast Texas Impact Initiative (click here to read and support), a grassroots group advocating for progressive issues in one of the most conservative corners of our country. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber.

Gov. Abbott’s “12 commandments,” stuffed down our kids’ throats. Weren’t 10 enough?

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There’s a hilarious scene depicting Moses on Mt. Sinai in Mel Brooks’ 1981 comedy film “History of the World, Part I.”

As Moses, played by Brooks, descends from the mountain, he’s holding three large tablets.

Moses bellows: “Hear me! Oh, hear me! All pay heed! The Lord, the Lord Jehovah, has given unto you these fifteen…”

He then stumbles and drops one of the tablets. It shatters when it hits the ground.

“Oy!,” he says to the Hebrews below, using a well-known Yiddish interjection. “Ten!,” he tells his people. “Ten commandments for all to obey!”

How the world might be different today if Moses had given us all 15!

Joking aside, many Gentiles will be surprised to learn that the “Ten Commandments” are just the opening decalogue of the five books of Moses (the Jews’ Torah). They are followed by 603 more commandments (mitzvot in Hebrew; the singular is mitzvah; a bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah is the son or daughter of the commandments, hence the rite of passage for 13-year-old Jewish kids).

Last year, Governor Abbott signed SB 10, detailing the mandatory display of the “Ten Commandments” in Texas public schools (uncanny that the bill was number 10!). Not only are teachers now compelled to display them (although legal challenges are still pending), but they are also required to use the officially Texas-sanctioned “Ten Commandments.” And yes, they must use Texas-sanctioned “Ten Commandments” posters that are provided by the state.

I was surprised — floored, actually — to discover that the agreed text of the “Ten Commandments” adopted by my state actually includes 12, yes, 12 commandments. And the strangest part of the arrangement is that those 12 commandments are introduced by the title “The 10 Commandments”…

Please click here to continue reading my post this week for Southeast Texas Impact Initiative. Please consider subscribing or donating to the group. It will play a key role in the run-up to the mid-term elections with local block walking and voter registration. Thank you for your support and solidarity.

Dear California, I know it seems like we are all out of our minds here in Texas. But don’t give up on us yet!

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Dear California, I know it seems like we are all out of our minds here in Texas. But don’t give up on us yet!

A good friend from your state recently commented on a photo of our Texas-born children that my wife (born and raised in Orange, Texas) posted on her Facebook.

“Great!” she wrote, clearly sharing her joy in seeing our kids grow up healthy, strong, and determined. But the line that followed left us crestfallen.

“Now we just got to get you out of Texas!” she added.

Remarks like that are hurtful and make us feel like all that matters to you is that we live in a place you don’t like.

But given our truly laughable and often frightening political class, I can also understand how you have such a warped perception of who we are and how we live our lives.

Please continue reading my post today for the Southeast Texas Impact Initiative Substack.

Impact — as we shorthand it — is a tireless progressive activism organizer headquartered in the Golden Triangle, where Tracie grew up, one of the most ruby red of the ruby red zones of our state. These folks never stop registering voters, block walking, connecting people with resources they need, protesting the MAGA hegemon… They are great people and I’m proud to be one of them, representing our corner of SETX (as we acronymize it).

Please consider reading, subscribing and maybe even giving. They will be a key local player in the run-up to the midterms. Thanks for the support and solidarity.

Parzen family letter: first day of high school!

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We still can’t believe it’s finally here: Georgia’s first day of school at the Kinder High School for the Performing & Visual Arts in downtown Houston.

That’s Georgia on the right (OBVIOUSLY! as she would say), wearing her favorite Gorillaz shirt and sporting her super cool new accessorized purse.

Tracie and I dropped her off early this morning. Wow! We are so excited for her year ahead, the new friends she’ll make, the music she’ll play, the concerts… How can I deny that this is one of my dreams come true?

Lila Jane, à gauche, started her last year at Meyerland Middle School a week ago Monday.

Always impeccably put together, with myriad bedazzled accessories and a speckled red beagle named Tillie by her side, she is playing once again in the school’s varsity orchestra and will be traveling to Chicago this winter for a performance at the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference. Wow! Just wow! That’s a big one.

She’s gearing up for her Region Orchestra tryout and her Kinder HSPVA audition early next year. Her playing is so gorgeous these days and we are all geeked for her year ahead as a “senior” and the concerts and recitals she’ll perform in.

Tracie has been working as hard as ever and — poo, poo, poo — her career continues to move at a brisk clip. We made sure to take some serious time off this summer to recharge. That was wonderful and we had a blast exploring fun hotels and restaurants in New Orleans.

Me? I’ve been working on the writing project I’m launching later this year (stay tuned!), putting finishing touches on my 14th-century wine book translation to be published by U. of Toronto, and contributing to the Southeast Texas Impact Initiative newsletter.

It’s been a really tough year for me. Both of my parents have died. My dog died. I had emergency surgery to remove a tumor from my neck. But even in my darkest moments, I was surrounded by Tracie, the girls, the dogs, and my Texas families… always reminding me of the countless blessings in my life.

Happy back to school, everyone! Stay safe.

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo “was damned well a Houstonian.” Say his name! ICE murders must stop!

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Tracie and I are praying for the family of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. He was fatally shot by ICE agents here in Houston on Tuesday morning.

His crime? He was undocumented. No criminal history. More than half of his life spent in Houston working to build a life for his family.

I was blown away this morning by a line from our paper of record, the Houston Chronicle. Its editors published an opinion yesterday entitled “ICE lies. And now they’ve killed a Houstonian.”

“Lorenzo may not have been an American on paper,” the paper’s editorial board wrote, “but he was damned well a Houstonian.”

That’s what the MAGA hegemon refuses to acknowledge: they are killing their fellow citizens, whether Minneapolitans or now a Houstonian. Last year, they were forced to admit that they killed an San Antonian American citizen in Texas as well. At least 20 people have died in ICE custody this year. Last year, 33 persons died in ICE custody.

Please say Lorenzo’s name! Please support your community by letting your fellow Americans — documented or undocumented — know that we see them, that we care about them, that they are citizens of our communities. Please remember that people in your city are forced to live with the constant fear that masked men in unmarked cars may prey on them or their loved ones without any notice.

On MLK Day this year, Rev. Jefferson, the leader of the Orange, Texas chapter of the NAACP, said what everyone has been thinking. ICE is the new Ku Klux Klan, he told the crowd gathered for celebration at Mt. Olive Church.

We’ll see if our mayor or our governor will make sure that ICE is held accountable for the killing of yet another productive member of society. In the meantime, we will continue to protest in the southeast Texas summer heat and we will continue to pray.

G-d bless Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and his family. G-d please, please protect our communities from ICE.