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  • I think that it’s now safe to say that we Texans now live in a failed state.  30 years of GOP rule, setting our own standard, living the “Texas Dream,” which they’ve bragged about relentlessly…and let’s see where we are:

    A majority of the state in complete failure, unable to deliver the most BASIC of services (things that are called “utilities,” not “luxuries,” for a reason).  No power.  No water.  No means of clearing roads (that one, I can’t fault the state so much….but it wouldn’t be as big a crisis if people weren’t stuck in their homes with no power and water).  So citizens are stuck in their homes, some of them dying there. 

    Water resource planning?  After pretending for decades that a drought would never happen again, and not doing ANYTHING to develop resources in the state water plan (a document actually developed using science and mathematical projections), we had several locations, including actual cities, down to a few days of water supply.  We’ve finally gotten on our horse a bit, but it may be too late if the next drought comes anytime soon.  

    State rank in key categories:

    Education – 34

    Health Care - 37

    Infrastructure - 33

    Opportunity - 39

    Environment - 44

    Infrastructure - 33 

    In overall quality of life ranking by US News, we are now #38, down from #36 just two years ago.  At that rate, we’ll be in the bottom 3 within ten years.

    We are SUPER independent, and FUCK the feds….but we have requested federal disaster assistance more than any other state in the past decade or so.

    But hey, our economy is ranked #15!

    That’s right, we have a “roaring economy” and the “Texas Miracle!”  But we can’t deliver the basics for our citizens.  The economy is VERY efficient at funneling bazillions to the very few…..with little of it “trickling down” to most Texans.  Yeah, the people on this board generally do fine, but face the facts – we’re the top 10% or so.  We are educated, older, and fortunate.

    Our federal system allows for state-by-state experiments.  Texas is the poster child for near anarcho-capitalism and zero regulation or oversight.  We have tested that approach, for over a generation now (30 years of Republican rule).  That approach is a failure.  The evidence is undeniable, and overwhelming.  It doesn’t matter how many River Oaks millionaires you produce if the rest of your people are dying in their homes.  Shit, some of those River Oaks millionaires might be freezing to death today, too.

    The kids of a middle class family can hardly afford to go to a good state school.  Their prospects for employment are mediocre.  Their prospects of suffering crippling medical debt at some point are significant.  Their chances of not having basic utilities needed for life safety at some point – all but certain.  Their chances of becoming ill or dying from a pollution-caused illness are material.

    What’s the result?  Our leaders have sold Texas as a paradise – move here!  Bring your business here!  And some businesses have done so, adding opportunity…..but providing little to no tax support for the infrastructure we all depend on.  To the contrary, over the past few years, I know more and more people – educated people, people who can do their jobs elsewhere, who are looking to bail on this state.  It’s people with young kids, who want them to grow up in a better place.  It’s people in their working years, who simply want a better path.  It’s retirees, who want a safe and secure place to live.

    We have consumed our seed stock.  We have burned through our reserves.  We are now consuming ourselves.  The ability to pitch Texas as the land of opportunity is done.  Seeing what we have become, the tentative thought/plan my wife and I had of wrapping up our careers here and then getting the hell out of Dodge is becoming much more concrete.  My children are already unlikely to make their future in this state.  Now we are, too.

    But the response from the Republican leadership and their sycophants – “how are you gonna pay for it?  Taxes?  That’s socialism!  You want that stuff, you have to pay for it!”

    Fuck yes I do, and I’m okay with that.  I want groceries…so I have to pay HEB.  I want a car…so I have to pay Ford.  I want clothes…..so I have to pay Dillards.  I want my population educated….so I have to pay the school district.  I want electricity, with enough capacity to keep us running when we need it…..so I have to pay my bill, maybe with a capacity surcharge.  I want water to come out of the taps….so I have to pay for development of resources and maintenance of infrastructure.  I want roads….so I pay taxes to build and maintain them.  YES, I have to pay for all of those things, and “nothing is free” – no fucking shit.  So, let’s pay for it.  We have the #15 economy….we HAVE the funds in this state.  An economy with the flow of funds that ours has can produce and maintain all of those results.  But we have chosen a different path; funnel all the dollars to the top, and spend next to nothing for the public good.  We have privatized profit….we have socialized the costs.  And we are dying because of it.

    My fellow Texans are dying in their homes….and there’s nothing I can do about it today.  And I am enraged.

    I love Texas.  I am 6th generation here.  My ancestors have Texas historical markers on their graves.  We helped make this state, and this state helped make us.  It educated us (back when college was affordable).  But it’s time to face the fact – this state is a failure, and on its current path, with its current leadership and philosophy, it will only get worse.  This state has a terrible future, unless we dramatically change our path.   Chances of that happening?  0.0% -- because we’ll continue to vote for the guys who make our leadership priorities bathroom bills, and transgender sports, and requiring the national anthem be played at certain events.  Any bill that has been proposed to improve emergency preparedness of gov’t entities has been crushed by the Republicans controlling the lege….but we will definitely stick with those guys.  No taxes.  No government functionality.

    What we are seeing happening right now is our system working EXACTLY AS IT WAS DESIGNED AND INTENDED TO WORK.  And we will, I guarantee it, collectively decide to stick with that.  This state is in free-fall, and anyone with eyes can see it.  And anyone with a brain is starting to think of ways to make their life elsewhere.  It breaks my goddamned heart to see us commit collective suicide, but here we are.

     

     


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    miguelito

    Posted

    The SC is perfectly willing and ready to do that.

    • Like 1
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    Horn Dog

    Posted

    Let me save everyone some time:


    “We find the Texas redistricting maps valid for immediate use.  We find the California redistricting maps invalid for use till at least after 2030 and subject to decades of appeal. “

    6-3. SCOTUS

    • Like 2
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    softlynow

    Posted

    52 minutes ago, miguelito said:

    The SC is perfectly willing and ready to do that.

    They probably have 2 form opinions ready to go. Red state? Fill in the name of the state on the “map approved” form. Blue state? Grab the “map violates” form, fill in the name of the state and the “reason for denial” blank. Any reason will do.

    Swing state? That will require a clerk to show off a bit, and the 6 will build in some drama to maximize bribe payments and other benefits. 

    • Hook 'Em 1
    Surly Bevo

    Posted

    Oh hey look, another shitbag Republican with rules for thee but not for me.  This particular shitbag happens to represent me....fucker.  

    • Like 2
    Ghost of NMAS

    Posted

    I hope you didn’t buy any cookies at his daughter’s bake sale

    • Like 2
    • Haha 6
    Chuckie Finster

    Posted

    26 minutes ago, HenryJames said:

     

    image.gif.fd6ba171c822d11aeed9fc19b81f5b28.gif

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    South Austin

    Posted

    The party of family values.

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    bolverk

    Posted

    54 minutes ago, Surly Bevo said:

    Oh hey look, another shitbag Republican with rules for thee but not for me.  This particular shitbag happens to represent me....fucker.  

    It feels like NE Tarrant County is the epicenter of GOP loony tunes land.

    Surly Bevo

    Posted

    Just now, bolverk said:

    It feels like NE Tarrant County is the epicenter of GOP loony tunes land.

    Oh it's still the rurals wontonly voting against almost all of their interests (well except the hate/racism) at astonishing clips that are the absolute craziest but this area isn't far behind.  

    bolverk

    Posted

    3 minutes ago, Surly Bevo said:

    Oh it's still the rurals wontonly voting against almost all of their interests (well except the hate/racism) at astonishing clips that are the absolute craziest but this area isn't far behind.  

    Oh, of course, rural Texas is batshit. What I'm getting at is the concentration of crazy Texas Republican Party leadership stuff, meaning the organized bizarros of NE Tarrant County.

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    Fudge Nuggets

    Posted

    On 7/25/2025 at 8:14 AM, The Original Greaser Bob said:

    Dems:  Are you with us, Doctor (of Jurisprudence) Wu?

     

    Horn Dog

    Posted

    2 hours ago, HenryJames said:

     

    Well yea,  just like Jesus would do!

    MissingInAction

    Posted

    On 7/26/2025 at 12:21 PM, Horn Dog said:

    Well yea,  just like Jesus would do!

    Glad I dont take communion.

    • Haha 5
    wildcat09

    Posted

    On 7/26/2025 at 10:04 AM, HenryJames said:

     

    These people are all depraved freaks and more of us should say so. 

    Pato del Muerto

    Posted

    Well how do YOU make Italian butter cookies?

    • Haha 1
    Dnaguy

    Posted

    On 7/26/2025 at 11:21 AM, Horn Dog said:

    Well yea,  just like Jesus would do!

     

    32 minutes ago, MissingInAction said:

    Glad I dont take communion.

     

    26….. gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

    27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 

    Damn, this is some freaky shit

    mr. slave GIF by South Park 

     

    • Like 1
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    • Drool 1
    TwiceHorn

    Posted

    On 7/26/2025 at 11:15 AM, bolverk said:

    Oh, of course, rural Texas is batshit. What I'm getting at is the concentration of crazy Texas Republican Party leadership stuff, meaning the organized bizarros of NE Tarrant County.

    Those far exurbs are still rurals at heart

    Larry T. Spider

    Posted

    21 minutes ago, TwiceHorn said:

    Those far exurbs are still rurals at heart

    Wannabe rurals. Work office jobs but still want to dress country and drive big trucks at 90 mph on a toll road straight into the city center from as far out as possible.

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    Captain Ron

    Posted

    On 7/26/2025 at 11:04 AM, HenryJames said:

     


    as if that couldn’t get or sound worse

     

    image.thumb.png.24b3b1c727d4f5181611922d036c5d53.png

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    Dnaguy

    Posted

    18 minutes ago, Captain Ron said:


    as if that couldn’t get or sound worse

     

    image.thumb.png.24b3b1c727d4f5181611922d036c5d53.png

    Angry Parks And Recreation GIF

    • Like 2
    tx 3 putt

    Posted

    54 minutes ago, Captain Ron said:


    as if that couldn’t get or sound worse

     

    image.thumb.png.24b3b1c727d4f5181611922d036c5d53.png

     

    oddly specific 

    also, maga : at least he's not homo !

    • Like 1
    Biff Tannen

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Captain Ron said:


    as if that couldn’t get or sound worse

     

    image.thumb.png.24b3b1c727d4f5181611922d036c5d53.png

    It’s almost like the GOP is the party of pedophiles. But that couldn’t be. 

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    UpperWestside

    Posted

    5 hours ago, Captain Ron said:


    as if that couldn’t get or sound worse

     

    image.thumb.png.24b3b1c727d4f5181611922d036c5d53.png

    When this guy kicks the bucket he moves to the front of the line on the grave pissing tour. Jesus tapdancing Christ that is one of the most horrific things I have ever seen someone say. He needs to be thrown under the jail.

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    Francisco 2.0

    Posted

    Joe Rogan's friends followed him to Texas. They all seem to hate it.

     

    https://www.chron.com/culture/celebrities/article/joe-rogan-friends-austin-texas-20790258.php

     

    Quote

    In 2020, Joe Rogan moved from Los Angeles to Austin after visiting and realizing he didn't have to wear a mask at a restaurant. Many of Rogan's compatriots in the stand-up space followed him to Texas to be closer to his "anti-cancel culture" comedy club. For some, it was a desire to escape what they saw as out-of-control homelessness, crime or high tax states like New York and California. But in recent interviews, some of Rogan's pals seem to have learned that Texas isn't paradise, either.

    Last month, comedian, podcaster and former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub made comments about Austin that were widely noted by YouTubers whose whole schtick appears to be clipping and mocking podcasters. Schaub, who Rogan has had on The Joe Rogan Experience multiple times, moved from Los Angeles to Austin earlier this year, but has said on his show, The Fighter and the Kid, that he misses Los Angeles. 

     

    Quote

    "I miss my community and my routine," Schaub said in June. He recalled a conversation with a fellow LA-to-Texas transplant, who told Schaub that Austin "is no LA." 

    Schuab is far from the first. In September 2024, Tim Dillon, a Los Angeles comedian who hosts podcast The Tim Dillon Show, called Austin "a horrible city without a soul" on a podcast with actor Whitney Cummings. Lured to Austin by the promise of low taxes and a "new" experience, Dillon quickly soured.

     

    Quote

    "It's a soulless city that should be burned to the ground and everyone that lives here should be summarily executed," Dillon joked. "It is not the 'live music capital of America,' it's three heroin addicts busking with guitars. There is zero talent here in any capacity. There's three restaurants that are good and I've been to all of them twice." 

    Dillon, who moved to Austin shortly after Rogan, announced in the summer of 2021 that he would be moving back to Los Angeles. Dillon said that the COVID-19 pandemic and Rogan's 2020 decision to move to Texas made him want a change of scenery, and that while he had "never loved Austin," he was willing to give it a chance, even though it wasn't a "world-class city." 

     

    Spoiler

    "Yes, the taxes are better. 
And yes, there are benefits to not being in LA. And yes, LA is a host of problems," Dillon said on his podcast. "But I moved here because, first and foremost, I said, something new will be good. I was wrong."

    Another Rogan associate was more direct with his criticism of Texas.

    "Texas f--king blows," comedian Shane Gillis said in a June episode of the Andrew Schulz podcast, recalling a storm that left his Austin home without power for three days. "It's hot as f--k. The second we ran out of power, the house was 90 degrees and bugs came in immediately."

    "They're on their own power grid, like f--king idiots," Schulz added. 

    Gillis, who has returned to stardom after previously using an anti-Asian slur on a podcast and getting fired from Saturday Night Live, moved from New York City to Austin in 2023. He's said in several interviews that his move was motivated by a desire to be closer to Rogan's comedy venue and Texas' lack of a state income tax. 

    "I just wanted to move to a place where you can do standup during the week," Gillis told Theon Von in 2024. "Forever it was just New York and LA, now you can do it in Nashville in Austin." 

    But besides learning all about Texas' bizarre love affair with electrical independence, Gillis has complained about Austin's homeless population (whom he's called "screaming runners") and the number of emergency alerts the state of Texas sends out. 

    "Texas goes wild with Amber Alerts," he said on a 2024 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience. "It's a really depressing way to start your day." 

    Schuab, Gillis and Dillon are far from the only comedians to not see what Rogan sees. In January, New Orleans-native comedian Mark Normand called Austin's comedy scene "a punchline." Normand has also declared that "moving to Texas is over," and last summer complained about Texas' weather and Austin's homeless population. 

    "That city is a boiling pot of evil goo, just circling a dish," Normand said in July 2024.

    Everywhere you look, comedians in Rogan's orbit are trashing Austin. So if you've had enough of California and New York transplants ruining Texas, don't worry. It appears the fever may have broken. 

     

     

    • Haha 2
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    Nice Guy Eddie

    Posted

    On 7/24/2025 at 7:44 AM, gernblansten said:

    SIAP

    Texas AG claimed three homes as primary residence. Democrats are being probed for similar issue
     

    “The problem: Mortgages signed by the Paxtons contained inaccurate statements declaring that each of those three houses was their primary residence, enabling the now-estranged couple to improperly lock in low interest rates, according to an Associated Press review of public records. The lower rates will save the Paxtons tens of thousands of dollars in payments over the life of the loan, legal experts say.”

    “The records also revealed that the Paxtons collected an impermissible homestead tax break on two of those homes, and they have routinely flouted lending agreements on some of their other properties.”

    https://apnews.com/article/paxton-mortgages-trump-primary-residence-homestead-deduction-bd259b6bd122afcaf4f11eac5a3a152e

     

     

    giphy.gif

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    Bozo_Casanova

    Posted

    On 7/26/2025 at 10:04 AM, HenryJames said:

     

    image.png.a381021cf7a2fc37d82d21d302007c77.png

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    Nice Guy Eddie

    Posted

    8 minutes ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

    image.png.a381021cf7a2fc37d82d21d302007c77.png

    Has a little wang to it.

    • Haha 2
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    Captain Ron

    Posted

    6 hours ago, Francisco 2.0 said:

    Joe Rogan's friends followed him to Texas. They all seem to hate it.

     

    https://www.chron.com/culture/celebrities/article/joe-rogan-friends-austin-texas-20790258.php

     

     

     

     

      Reveal hidden contents

    "Yes, the taxes are better. 
And yes, there are benefits to not being in LA. And yes, LA is a host of problems," Dillon said on his podcast. "But I moved here because, first and foremost, I said, something new will be good. I was wrong."

    Another Rogan associate was more direct with his criticism of Texas.

    "Texas f--king blows," comedian Shane Gillis said in a June episode of the Andrew Schulz podcast, recalling a storm that left his Austin home without power for three days. "It's hot as f--k. The second we ran out of power, the house was 90 degrees and bugs came in immediately."

    "They're on their own power grid, like f--king idiots," Schulz added. 

    Gillis, who has returned to stardom after previously using an anti-Asian slur on a podcast and getting fired from Saturday Night Live, moved from New York City to Austin in 2023. He's said in several interviews that his move was motivated by a desire to be closer to Rogan's comedy venue and Texas' lack of a state income tax. 

    "I just wanted to move to a place where you can do standup during the week," Gillis told Theon Von in 2024. "Forever it was just New York and LA, now you can do it in Nashville in Austin." 

    But besides learning all about Texas' bizarre love affair with electrical independence, Gillis has complained about Austin's homeless population (whom he's called "screaming runners") and the number of emergency alerts the state of Texas sends out. 

    "Texas goes wild with Amber Alerts," he said on a 2024 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience. "It's a really depressing way to start your day." 

    Schuab, Gillis and Dillon are far from the only comedians to not see what Rogan sees. In January, New Orleans-native comedian Mark Normand called Austin's comedy scene "a punchline." Normand has also declared that "moving to Texas is over," and last summer complained about Texas' weather and Austin's homeless population. 

    "That city is a boiling pot of evil goo, just circling a dish," Normand said in July 2024.

    Everywhere you look, comedians in Rogan's orbit are trashing Austin. So if you've had enough of California and New York transplants ruining Texas, don't worry. It appears the fever may have broken. 

     

     

    This is the failed state thread. THIS belongs in the shit Texas is doing right thread.

     

    In the same vein, why Austin went from Boom to "Bust"

     

    Actually not a bad video - pretty much nails why everyone moving here "failed." I can't label it all that wrong - mainly Austin just has never made the moves to be ready for quick growth.

    @0:11 - LOL when? 1992? 1993? 1994? 1997? 1999? 2000? 2004? etc, etc

    @2:50 - FIrst time here? GIF

     

     

     

    Captain Ron

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

    image.png.a381021cf7a2fc37d82d21d302007c77.png

    Hey Stiffler, how's the Pale Ale?

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    Post Oak

    Posted

     Cross post-

    Energy bills fidna go up

     

    * 77 gigawatts of lost clean energy in Texas, including over 50 gigawatts of solar and over 20 gigawatts of wind)

    * Only 2 gigawatts of additional gas

    * Household power bills up $400–$500 a year

    * Industrial energy costs up 50%

    * Tens of billions in lost rural tax

     

     

     

    • Rage+1 4
    Brisketexan

    Posted

    This all checks out. When you understand that our energy market is designed solely to deliver profits to corporations/donors, it all makes sense. Delivering energy to consumers is just a means to that end.

    • Like 1
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    Pasken

    Posted

    12 minutes ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

    We’re just not going to talk about redistricting?

    The map is out. It’s shitty

    They've been trying to take Doggett out for decades and it looks like they finally did it.

    bolverk

    Posted

    8 minutes ago, Pasken said:

    They've been trying to take Doggett out for decades and it looks like they finally did it.

    Doggett is TX-37, which will be Austin.

    Casar is TX-35, which will be Seguin, Floresville, La Vernia, and Karnes County.

    Either Casar has to move or primary Doggett and fight over Austin.

    Pasken

    Posted

    Just now, bolverk said:

    Doggett is TX-37, which will be Austin.

    Casar is TX-35, which will be Seguin, Floresville, La Vernia, and Karnes County.

    Either Casar has to move or primary Doggett and fight over Austin.

    Doggett won't beat Casar in a primary and he won't attempt to either. He's not going to knock out a young progressive while he's pushing 200 years old. 

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    tx ind

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Pasken said:

    Doggett won't beat Casar in a primary and he won't attempt to either. He's not going to knock out a young progressive while he's pushing 200 years old. 

    image.gif.61074fdf216de4c874d50736edef10d0.gif

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    Bozo_Casanova

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Pasken said:

    Doggett won't beat Casar in a primary and he won't attempt to either. He's not going to knock out a young progressive while he's pushing 200 years old. 

    I wouldn’t be confident about Greg beating Doggett in a May primary with that map. That seems like a coin flip. That said, a primary would surprise me. the was I heard it was that Doggett was hanging it up in 2028 anyway, so maybe he retires sooner. Less likely but still possible is that one of those guys moves and attempts to break the gerrymander. 

    Gap03

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

    We’re just not going to talk about redistricting?

    The map is out. It’s shitty

    TX-10 and -11 are fucking ridiculous.  Fuck these pieces of shit.

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    ChuckNorrisActionJeans

    Posted

    I know this is a stupid question but how is mid-decade redistricting based on nothing whatsoever even legal? 

    Captainant

    Posted

    8 minutes ago, ChuckNorrisActionJeans said:

    I know this is a stupid question but how is mid-decade redistricting based on nothing whatsoever even legal? 

    Well you see, Chief Justice Roberts in his infinite wisdom said that "racism is solved" and so we didn't need the Voting Rights Act anymore, which also happened to do away with pesky rules and checks like you're suggesting

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    wood

    Posted

    38 minutes ago, crash_davis said:

    Most kickass aggy I've ever seen. 

    fuckin-a-fucking-a.gif

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    bolverk

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Gap03 said:

    TX-10 and -11 are fucking ridiculous.  Fuck these pieces of shit.

    That whole area from northern Travis County up to Georgetown is fucked on the proposed map.

    Say you get in your car from North Austin and head up to Ikea. You start out in TX-37, drive a couple of miles through TX-10, then a couple more in TX-11, maybe pass one Exit in TX-17, and you finally reach your destination, only a few miles away in TX-31.

    Communities of interest, eh?

    • Western Travis/Round Rock is paired up with Livingston in the Piney Woods of East Texas.
    • Round Rock/Pflugerville hangs with Midland/Odessa.
    • Cedar Park/Round Rock goes along with Corsicana.

    Yeah, buddy.

     

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