I'm kidding it'll be Ken Paxton until I'm dead
— Lord Businessman (@BusinessmanLego) May 25, 2023
The person behind the above twitter handle is a Houston resident. I’d accepted the complicated status of Ken Paxton as one of those overarching generational sagas that no outsider would ever be able to fully grasp, but…
Just now: The investigating committee of the Texas House has voted to impeach Ken Paxton.
— Jessica Huseman (@JessicaHuseman) May 25, 2023
It will go to the full house now. GONNA BE A WILD HOLIDAY WEEKEND IN TEXAS, FOLKS.
Ken Paxton’s wife, Angela Paxton, is a member of the Texas Senate, which will conduct the trial should the House vote to impeach. Spicy!
Among the allegations against Paxton: He had affair with a staffer in *another Senator’s* office.
Despite what you may have heard, Texas is a small place.
Scratch that it’s just controlled by a very tight knit group of people.
when I tell you I am *of* Texas and just straight up didn’t believe this was going to happen ever you can take that to the bank.
Breaking: A Texas House committee voted unanimously to recommend that AG Ken Paxton be impeached and removed from office.
Paxton now faces the prospect of indictment by the full chamber where he may have few remaining allies. https://t.co/SlTVckhx6m
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) May 25, 2023
In an unprecedented move, a Texas House committee voted Thursday to recommend that Attorney General Ken Paxton be impeached and removed from office, citing 20 accusations that include bribery, retaliating against whistleblowers and obstruction of justice.
Around 8 p.m., the House General Investigating Committee filed its impeachment resolution with the House clerk. It included the 20 articles listing a yearslong pattern of alleged misconduct and lawbreaking that investigators detailed one day earlier. On the House floor, some lawmakers could be heard yelling the number of the newly filed articles, and several could be seen reading the document minutes after it was filed.
The House will next decide whether to approve the articles against Paxton, which could lead to the attorney general’s removal from office pending the outcome of a trial to be conducted by the Senate.
State Rep. Andrew Murr, chair of the investigating committee, followed by telling House members that the impeachment resolution alleged “grave offenses,” justifying the committee’s action…
During a specially called meeting earlier Thursday afternoon, the committee voted unanimously to refer the 20 articles of impeachment to the full chamber.
No Texas Legislature has impeached an attorney general, an extraordinary step that lawmakers have historically reserved for public officials who faced serious allegations that they had abused their powers…
Thursday’s events came one day after the committee listened to three hours of testimony detailing allegations pointing to a yearslong pattern of misconduct and questionable actions by Paxton, which included criminal charges for securities fraud and allegations by his former top deputies that Paxton used his office to benefit a friend and political donor.
Many of the allegations detailed Wednesday were already known, but the public airing of them revealed the wide scope of the committee’s investigation into the state’s top lawyer, a member of the ruling Republican Party. The investigative committee has broad power to investigate state officials for wrongdoing, and three weeks ago the House expelled Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, on its recommendation.
Only the Texas House can bring impeachment proceedings against state officials, which would lead to a trial by the Senate. Under the Texas Constitution, Paxton would be suspended from office pending the outcome of the Senate trial. The constitution also allows the governor to appoint a provisional replacement…
Paxton has positioned himself as a champion of far-right causes and an ally of former President Donald Trump. His unsuccessful lawsuit challenging the results of the 2020 presidential election solidified his appeal in conservative legal circles, and Trump later endorsed his reelection bid. A path to Paxton’s survival could include rallying this base.
“Few in America have done more to advance the conservative legal movement,” former Trump adviser Stephen Miller tweeted Thursday. “Stand with Ken.”
Two other top Republicans, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, have yet to come to Paxton’s defense, both declining to comment on the committee’s allegations against the attorney general…
— Bearijuanification of the Pure Land 🇺🇦 (@t_jedrick) May 25, 2023
This seems like a good moment to point out that Texas attorney general Ken Paxton has been under indictment for fraud for SEVEN YEARS. (Eight years, this July.)
Still hasn't stood trial. Totally normal stuff. https://t.co/NC16rN7gFK
— Pamela Colloff (@pamelacolloff) May 24, 2023
Now a national disgrace!
The week’s events marked an eruption of simmering tensions between two of the top Republicans in the most populous red state.https://t.co/PqwP2zpF1P
— CNN (@CNN) May 25, 2023
… The remarkable outburst of public acrimony has been years in the making. Paxton, a more conservative figure who aligned himself with former President Donald Trump and used his office to challenge the 2020 presidential election results, has long cast House leadership as too liberal.
His attacks on state House Speaker Dade Phelan are a vivid window into a political environment where Republicans control all levers of state government but are split into multiple factions battling for power and influence.
Paxton on Tuesday posted on Twitter a letter to the state House General Investigating Committee, the chamber’s ethics panel, asking for an investigation into Phelan for performing his duties in what Paxton described as “an obviously intoxicated state.”
Paxton’s call for Phelan’s resignation came after video circulated on social media over the weekend of Phelan appearing to slur his words as he presided over the House chamber at the end of Friday’s late-night session…
The state House hearing is the latest in a string of legal troubles for Paxton. CNN has previously reported that he was facing an FBI investigation for abuse of office and that Justice Department prosecutors in Washington, DC, took over the corruption investigation. He is also under indictment for securities fraud in a separate, unrelated case. Paxton has denied all charges and allegations…
Our original story in which whistleblowers made the allegations: https://t.co/9iYgp60iCq
— Tony Plohetski (@tplohetski) May 26, 2023
Again, while what is happening now is something of a political bombshell, the underlying allegations have been well documented and reported by Texas journalists for literally years.
— Tony Plohetski (@tplohetski) May 26, 2023
Whoops, nothing to see here, folks…
Update: Arrest made in trash fire at Texas AG Ken Paxton’s office.
Despite the agency calling it "an arson" yesterday, it says DPS now says the fire appears to be "unintentional." https://t.co/iWrZwsiRrp #txlege
— Lauren McGaughy 🌟 (@lmcgaughy) May 25, 2023
(Sure, that doesn’t sound suspicious at all /jk.)
rikyrah
What they’ve been covering up for Paxton must be even worse than I thought
And, they can’t cover it up.
Something is about to blow
rikyrah
A story about the Generic Ballot
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTREnwuNQ/?t=1
Baud
Man, I’m glad I’m not them. Jeez.
mrmoshpotato
Ugh. Also, it’s 50 degrees in Chicago in late May, and I think I have a sinus infection.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
A just god would have let Molly Ivins live to see this, and write about it
Michael Bersin
Driving around rural and small-town Missouri can be educational. You can see interesting things…
Two Banners on Scaffolding in Higginsville, Missouri
Michael Bersin
My day then got even better. The local anti-LGBTQIA+ bigots attempted to school me in the error of my ways via posted comments.
A downward spiral…of pearl clutching
Roberto el oso
As a Texan, this is huge. And I’ll be overjoyed to be wrong but it’s likely it’s a backstabbing from someone(s) on his own side rather than Justice at long last making Her appearance.
Paxton is notoriously venal and so he certainly has made enemies of folks with long memories and lots of patience.
Manyakitty
@rikyrah: bring it. 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿
Manyakitty
@Roberto el oso: whatever it takes. It’s fun when they eat their own.
Rebel’s Dad
@Roberto el oso: That schaden ain’t gonna fraude itself, ya know.
Rebel’s Dad
Wow, something’s on fire in Texas and it’s not a Pasadena refinery?
(Pasadena, Houston, it’s basically the same thing there on the Ship Channel.)
rikyrah
Comparison of Old and New
The Little Mermaid
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTREWAekY/?t=1
Rebel’s Dad
@Manyakitty: Let’s call this Texavus, the first day of which is the Burning of the Evidence. Second day’s events TBD
Rebel’s Dad
@Roberto el oso: I’m not surprised that the only way to take him down is via old-school philanderin’. I’m just shocked that anyone, male or female, is willing to touch him intimately.
If he and Ted Cruz were the last men on Earth, I’d just shoot myself.
rikyrah
A Star Is Born 👏🏾🎉🌟
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTREW8FfT/?t=1
Ken
@rikyrah: The thing about “every accusation is a confession” is that the Republicans have lately been making some very weird, and very disturbing, accusations. Still, I doubt Paxton has been kidnapping children and harvesting their organs. Well, maybe only a 10% chance. 15 tops.
Nettoyeur
It sounds so much like Trump. Misuse of office, bribery, sex, coverups…. Your modern GOP Family Values
Manyakitty
@Rebel’s Dad: love it! 😄
rikyrah
Beyonce and Tina 👏🏾
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTREnoE9o/?t=1
Poe Larity
LOL. He’s just positioning himself for Lt. Governor.
Dan Patrick better watch out for those Waste Management trucks. W got only one warning.
scav
It’ll be interesting to get on record just how high the ring of GOP political bathtub scum actually is in TX. After 7+ years, shouldn’t be a faint line. They’re all swimming in it and have been for at least that long so it can’t be entirely his dead cells floating there.
Rebel’s Dad
@scav: We haven’t had a Democrat elected to statewide office since 1994. At this point it’s no longer a bathtub, it’s a cesspool.
Rebel’s Dad
@Poe Larity: Dan Patrick is the most unloveable person I’ve ever seen. I don’t understand how even his mother could love him.
Alison Rose
Oftexas of course being how Paxton wants all uterus-owners in the state to be referred to.
Rebel’s Dad
@Manyakitty: we go to light the Texavus tree and the whole state loses power 🤣😭
patrick II
In the choice between elite Texas Republicans, I’m going with the drunk guy.
piratedan
think we’re all rooting for injuries in this scenario
danielx
@Rebel’s Dad:
Okay, so all three ranking Republicans holding statewide office in Texas are assholes. Is this like a requirement in Texas now?
Okay, withdraw the question.
danielx
@patrick II:
From my reading Molly Ivins stories, it’s not like a member of the Lege being intoxicated on the floor or at the podium would be anything new. So if Phelan was loaded it shouldn’t come as any great shock to anyone, least of all Paxton.
Paxton undoubtedly knows where a lot of political bodies are buried (and real ones too for all I know), so he must have done something to REALLY piss people off for all this to come to impeachment all at once. I am kind of shocked, since that lying lump of horseshit has been under indictment since 2015 for securities fraud without ever coming to trial. Almost Trumpian, dare I say.
BQuimby
Miss miss SO MISS Molly Ivins! For TX bullshit and everything else.
NotMax
No inebriation involved but there was a very long time good ol’ boy member of the Hawaii House who eventually rose to the speakership. He proved to be so utterly inept at it in so many ways the rest of the D party created a brand new position of Speaker Emeritus and coerced him to step aside and assume that title.
piratedan
@danielx: what i’ve seen is posted that Paxton’s usual methodology of paying off whistleblowers and “solving problems” is usually done with the blessing of the State GOP which then makes sure to share that pain with Texas taxpayers, but this time, it’s a federal issue and the same methods that the Texas GOP would employ to cover Paxton’s ass this time would allow a federal DOJ to indict them all as accomplices. Since other Texas GOP asshats would very much like to avoid this scenario, Paxton’s ass is now expendable, which would cover him being impeached, to allow the rest of them plausible deniability.
eversor
@danielx:
Also being drunk is not a crime, fraud is.
strange visitor (from another planet)
@rikyrah: it was good. the film. an interesting take.
lgerard
Interesting that one of those articles intimated that Paxton might be being blackmailed by this Nate Paul dude (who was last seen being fined and jailed for contempt of court).
More of that please!
john (not mccain)
I wouldn’t be surprised if one or more of the featured players in this drama ends up shot. It’s Texas. I’m not saying that’s what I want, but I do love to laugh.
Rebel’s Dad
This perennial favorite is especially appropriate right now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AALREbJZEZk
patrick II
Paxton seems like Trump in that he commits so many crimes it seems unbelievable. It’s just a way of life — roll out of bed, eat breakfast, commit a crime. Until the sheer number catches up with you (I hope).
Citizen Alan
@rikyrah: I’m weirdly conflicted about this. Because on one hand Halle’s voice is extraordinary and gives me chills just listening to that, plus the people complaining about her are all utterly awful. On the other hand, however, it’s still The Little Mermaid, which at the end of the day is the story of an impetuous young girl who turns her back on her father, her family, and her entire culture “because, like, she met that really cute guy for five minutes and stuff!”
Rebel’s Dad
@patrick II: “What do you mean, you’ve never committed a crime? Why, I commit six crimes before I even get out of bed in the morning!”
patrick II
@Citizen Alan:
I don’t believe you are the target audience.
Rebel’s Dad
@Citizen Alan: I’m the only gay I know who hates The Little Mermaid. I’m on Team Elsa- “Anna, you can’t marry a man you just met!”
strange visitor (from another planet)
@Citizen Alan: the original movie is like SUPER white. it’s nice to have a remade version of it where the people look like the people in real life.
https://fanboyfactor.com/2023/05/movie-review-the-little-mermaid-disney/
Maxim
@rikyrah:
@rikyrah:
Thanks for the links. So much talent.
Citizen Alan
@strange visitor (from another planet): Oh, I get all that and fully agree. I just wish the desire for greater diversity and representation could be harnessed for something with a better message. I would love it if the movie ended with Ariel walking up to Erik on her own two legs, kissing him on the cheek, and then saying something along the lines of “You’re a beautiful boy. But I didn’t come here to settle for being a princess. Now can you kindly direct me to the nearest institute of higher learning?”
strange visitor (from another planet)
@Citizen Alan: i wouldn’t wanna spoil the ending as there are quite a few changes from the original, but you’d be surprised at how their relationship is depicted.
…also, not for nothing, she’s ALREADY a princess. of a much larger kingdom… you know, the one under the sea?
JaySinWA
Still no smoking gun as to why this is happening now, after all these years, but this might be a motivation:
If Paxton was using his office against someone with influence, this could be a way to fight back and put a stop to that.
mrmoshpotato
@Rebel’s Dad:
Does Frozen II open with Hans being beheaded? (I’m only half joking.)
mrmoshpotato
@strange visitor (from another planet): 🎶Under the sea, under the sea🎶
Villago Delenda Est
@john (not mccain):
There was an episode of Sliders in which legal disputes in the US, under Texas norms, were settled with six shooters.
eversor
I’m not a fan of the new Little Mermaid. It lacks the sort of gleeful campiness of the old one. Though I feel the same about most “live action” Disney remakes.
I get the new ones are more diverse and less problematic and all that. But the older movies had a sort of scene chewing fun to their villians. I’m not sure that’s possible to do in live action. A lot of it, like the “Poor Unfortunate Souls” song in Little Mermaid are also incredibly subsersive and dare I say “woke” if you take a look at what’s actually being said. That also turned into a drag hit song so I’m shocked RonDeMuskFail hasn’t banned Disney Mermaids yet.
Bring back cartooning. The live action Gaston song scene sucked, the cartoon one was a glorious shit show.
eversor
@Villago Delenda Est:
At this point there are a lot of conservatives I’d take that dispute settlement deal with. You know like Josh Hawley. Famous treason person. All these fuckers are so casual with shit cause they know they aren’t going to get socked in the face.
Bring back tar and feathering!
NotMax
Mentioned this few days ago.
Wyatt Earp om gunfighting in the Old West.
(Taking into account he had every reason to slant things in his favor, it still is a fairly clinical narrative.)
oatler
Attack ships on fire?
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/may/26/its-new-territory-why-is-betelgeuse-is-glowing-so-brightly-and-behaving-so-strangely
Either way, sky is gonna be LIT.
NotMax
@oatler
“Try turning it off and back on again.”
//
cain
@Rebel’s Dad: yet the motherfucker still gets relected. I don’t understand these red states at all.
David 🌈 ☘The Establishment☘🌈 Koch
With a resume like this Paxton will become a leading contender for the republican presidential nomination or At the very least the next republican appointee to the supreme court
Frankensteinbeck
Ah, I see. The OP says this is a factional dispute. The GOP doesn’t give a shit that he’s corrupt. They care that he’s fighting them for power.
@strange visitor (from another planet):
In Andersen’s original she’s his personal slave girl, they make out while she sits in his lap, he creepily says he both thinks of her as a child and wants to marry her, but he marries another girl instead. It’s fine, the Little Mermaid resists the temptation to murder the prince as he and his fiancé are asleep post-coitus the first time, so God gives her the chance to earn an immortal soul, and isn’t that the only real reward worth having?
I’m guessing their relationship isn’t depicted like that, no.
Actually, I love the original Sea Witch way more than Ursula. Instead of luring the Little Mermaid in, the original warns her repeatedly of how bad the trade is, including saying that it’s not going to get her the guy anyway. Totally honest and offers several chances to back out before helping that poor, unfortunate soul.
@rikyrah:
I really, really think the live action remakes are all a bad idea, but… holy Hell, is that girl instantly charming. Just crazy photogenic.
TriassicSands
That would probably be better for us than for Molly.
Why would you want to punish Molly by forcing her to live through all that has happened since her death in 2007? Yes, we’d certainly benefit from continued access to her wit and humor, but would the last 16 years have been worth it to her? She struggled mightily with alcoholism, which probably contributed to her death at only 62. I don’t know quite how anyone suffering from either alcoholism or drug addiction could make it through the present without relapsing.
It’s gotten to the point where it seems like the definition of a “good thing happening” is simply when something bad doesn’t. For example, there will likely be no good that comes from the debt ceiling debacle except that we don’t default. Everything else about it is likely to be bad, e.g., what it takes to avoid default, the likelihood that it will just happen again, the fact that it probably won’t cost the Republicans a single vote, and so on.
RIP Molly.
RedDirtGirl
Paxton’s spokesman said in a statement that that Texas law dictated that they couldn’t go after him for anything prior to the last election. Wonder if anyone here knows if that was just horseshit. He did quote some statute.
satby
@RedDirtGirl: If Texas doesn’t get him it looks like the Feds may. Probably with help from his rivals in Texas.
lowtechcyclist
@TriassicSands:
Sometimes I think it’s a shame
When I get feeling better, when I’m feeling no pain
-Gordon Lightfoot
JPL
@RedDirtGirl: Huh! Did he just admit guilt?
PAM Dirac
@oatler: You can access about a hundred years of data for Betelgeuse at https://www.aavso.org/LCGv2/. I think the default is last two years, but it can be changed. Probably easier to change if you shift the date from Julian day to Calender day. It does look like the period has changed since the great dimming and the trend has been brighter, but it hasn’t really gotten brighter than historical maxes, at least not yet.
Barry
@patrick II: “Paxton seems like Trump in that he commits so many crimes it seems unbelievable. It’s just a way of life — roll out of bed, eat breakfast, commit a crime. Until the sheer number catches up with you (I hope).”
Ever had a dream where you were committing crimes, then woke up and found out that you were?
Miss Bianca
@Michael Bersin: I’m enjoying your blog. And I’ve totally stolen the “Are You Drunk” meme – priceless!
PaulWartenberg
Anybody ever read Molly Ivins?
She would have been physically beating up on Paxton for the last eight years as well as writing scathing op-eds against him and the whole corrupt Texas GOP.
Michael Bersin
@Miss Bianca:
Heh. Thanks. I stole it from someone else on the internets.
moops
I guess Paxton could go out and sexually assault a few strangers in the next day to get back into the good books with the GOP. Maybe curb-stomp a protestor, or immigrant, or invite some fascist to attack the Texas State Capitol buildings. What makes you a darling to the GOP these days?