Tag Archives: iowa

Republicans Blame Brown People for COVID-19

Thus far, the governors of two failing states, Texas and Iowa, have blamed brown folks for the rise in the COVID-19 rate. They don’t blame the fact that half of their states have yet to be vaccinated or that they are run by anti-mask republicans, though.

In Texas, Greg Abbott has given orders to his state police to commit racial profiling to stop any car with suspected migrants from leaving South Texas in the name of COVID-19. Meanwhile, we don’t know the vaccination rate of his state police, county police who are happily assisting him, or his national guard members. We also know that more than half the state is unvaccinated because of him.

In Iowa, its governor blames brown folk, but the Iowa State Fair goes merrily on with no mask mandate while the medical experts worry about the kind of COVID-19 outbreak that will occur.

You can use a term like “culture war” all you want, but this is downright racist public policy. And those running for office need to call it what it is because the republicans sure as hell aren’t playing nice. Why should we?

The Attorney General of the United States spoke up and threatened to sue Abbott for his policy which violates civil rights of noncitizens in federal custody. Unfortunately, the Biden’s administration position has more to do with defending its right to transport captured migrants, rather than changing immigration and detention policy altogether.

Anyway, we are seeing what the republican platform will be in 2022.

Cowardly Republican Series: Runnin’ Rand Speaks!

Apparently, Rand Paul is a bit butt-hurt over being caught on video running from DREAMers in Iowa. Activist Erika Andiola and a colleague went up to Steve King, who once compared DREAMers to drug mules with large calves, while he was munching on a burger with Rand Paul. As soon as Erika stated she was a DREAMer, one sees Paul’s aide signal him and they both walk away.

King stuck around and debated Andiola about “the rule of law” and even complimented her English speaking abilities–considering she was raised in the US, that’s a big DUH for King. Anyway, all sorts of blogs and mainstream media have spent the day poking fun at Runnin’ Rand.

Today, Runnin’ Rand responded:

“I’ll be honest with ya, I’m not interested in being filmed and berated by people who broke the law and are here illegally to try and convince me about policy”…”But I’ll tell you I have sympathy for the DREAM Act kids. I’m actually a moderate on immigration.”

So, these kids are OK as long as they know their place?

Well, that’s nothing new coming from a Republican. Of course, there’s no DREAM Act to speak of to be calling these kids “DREAM Act kids.” They’re DREAMers and because every single Republican voted against it (and 5 blue dog Dems) in 2010, they’re only “DACAmented.”

Still, Republicans making fools of themselves on immigration is nothing new, whether they compliment ones English or run away from them or send the National Guard after a bunch of 7 year-olds. The ball is still in President Obama’s court.