And so Americans everywhere around the world are in greater danger because of the stupidity of our political leaders and our feckless Supreme Court.

Civilized democracies do not sanction state sponsored murder.

Gorilla says: “Giving Texas back to Mexico would be equally cruel and unusual punishment–for Mexico!”

Governor Perry has been and always will be a complete hypocrite: threatening to secede from the Union, using federal money to balance his state budget (then blaming Congress for providing the money), and engaging in the usual Know Nothing race baiting.

Gorilla says: “Maybe the check’s in the mail!”

The easiest way to stop this kind of idiocy is to raise taxes, but Texas is full of Know Nothings who would rather destroy their state’s future generations than pay for them!!!

Gorilla says: “To Perry, it’s human: you kids are screwed!!!”

Graduates of a Rhode Island school at which all the teachers were fired staged a rally on behalf of their “embattled” teachers. Those rallying are presumably part of the 48% of seniors who actually graduated from the school last year.

The nation finally has some basic educational standards and curricula, thanks to a 2-year effort by a collection of experts. But Texas and Alaska won’t be signing on. The recently reelected governor, a prize Know Nothing if ever there was one, says that only Texans are capable of deciding what to teach their kids, presumably including the 1.5 million or so Texan children currently living in poverty.

Gorilla says: “It’s hard to be any more stupid in a land ruled by idiots!”

“This election was about hard-working Texans sending a simple, compelling message to Washington: quit spending all the money, stop trying to take over our lives and our businesses,” Governor Perry said.

Actually, the election highlights just how little Texas has benefitted from conservative rule.

According to the Center for Public Policy Priorities, looking at data for 2008 (before the recession really hit, thus the current figures are even worse):

Texas’ poverty rate is the 8th worst in the country, with 15.8 percent, or over 3.7 million Texans living in poverty in 2008 (e.g., $17,163 for a family of 3) compared to a national average of 13.2 percent. Although Texas’ poverty rate is still among the worst in the nation, it is an improvement from 2007 (16.3 percent).

A significantly higher percentage of Texas children lived in poverty in 2008. Nearly one of every four Texas kids—22.5 percent, or more than 1.4 million—lives in poverty, leaving Texas amongst the 10 worst states in the country with a rank of 8th worst. The U.S. child poverty rate is 18.2 percent. Although the child poverty rate also improved from 2007 (23.2 percent), the nearly 1.5 million Texas children living in poverty exceeds the combined child populations of Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, and San Antonio.

Gorilla says: “Poverty remains deep in the heart of Texas!”