So How Does This Look?

February 9. We’re back to that. https://t.co/9Zkrv4HPrh

— Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) July 28, 2021

So, let's blame the Messicans!

On what *possible* basis would an officer have a reasonable suspicion to believe that a vehicle is carrying a “migrant,” let alone one who entered the country without authorization? https://t.co/ydVg3ADwS7

— Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) July 28, 2021

The disconnect between @GovAbbott’s breathless press release about “migrants” spreading #COVID and the incredibly modest thing that his new Executive Order *actually* authorizes is … telling.

And even *this* still seems more than a little constitutionally suspect… https://t.co/Ya1XFn4dVO

— Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) July 28, 2021

How this relieves us of the worry of masking children in schools, or people in stores and restaurants, is not explained.  Apparently the only people with diseases are:  brown foreigners.

Yeah, no dog whistles here.  We don't need 'em anymore.

Honest to Pete, none dare call it racism (though it’s clearly a GOP talking point. Read the chyron.):

Wait till they hear about this dude called Jesus… https://t.co/0vybP23Hzq

— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) July 29, 2021

(And clearly somebody needs to explain Christianity to Kilmeade.)

Speaking of legally suspect orders:

Gov. Greg Abbott orders Texas National Guard to help with migrant arrests at the border https://t.co/lzCIVjhSyG via @TexasTribune

— James Barragán 🌟 (@James_Barragan) July 27, 2021

“To respond to this disaster and secure the rule of law at our Southern border, more manpower is needed — in addition to the troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and soldiers from the Texas National Guard I have already deployed there — and DPS needs help in arresting those who are violating state law,” Abbott said in a letter to Major Gen. Tracy R. Norris of the Texas Military Department. “I hereby order that the Texas National Guard assist DPS in enforcing Texas law by arresting lawbreakers at the border.”

We've been through this before.  The National Guard has no such training or authority.  It can't "arrest" anyone.  Any arrest Guardsmen do make will be so suspect as to be pointless.  Are they gonna Mirandize 'em in Spanish?  It's all for appearance, though, just like the border wall Abbott will never build one foot of.

And the minute DPS stops one car under this “order,”the driver can bring suit for violation of her/his 4th amendment (at least; 14th, too, again at least) rights and get the program shut down. Not that Abbott cares; he’s running on appearances.

If we’re lucky, somebody will point out how overtly and disgustingly racist this is. Early and often, preferably.* Rather than solve our problems, Abbott wants to blame “brown people.” He’s making Trump look like a squishy liberal. Even in Texas, that should be intolerable.

*It bothers me more than a little that even Vladeck doesn’t pick up on that. An unconstitutional action may be bad, but the law considers racism “pernicious.” That’s actually a legal term of art reserved for racism alone.