# Screw Greg Abbott {Texas Governor}

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [March 2, 2021, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141 "2021-03-02T21:00:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 16

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2021, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/302 "2021-09-08T22:09:51Z")

</div>

- but

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2021, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/303 "2021-09-10T00:00:37Z")

</div>

Today Greg Abbott tweeted this:

> <https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1436104824660049921?s=20>

Unironically, mind you.

Yes, the fuckwit who feels perfectly comfortable forcing women to bear children against their will, is now vowing to protect Texans “right to choose” not to get vaccinated and endanger public health.

I think he and Trump ought to be exiled to the place where Napoleon lived out his days.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2021, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/304 "2021-09-10T00:03:57Z")

</div>

I hope he gets a tapeworm and gets told because it has a pulse and feels pain that he has to suck it up and live with it.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2021, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/305 "2021-09-10T00:06:15Z")

</div>

Ooh. This is promising. He’s such a painful example of why old white men should not be legislating women’s health. Fuck him and his 6 week bullshit.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2021, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/306 "2021-09-10T13:57:41Z")

</div>

> **[State agency recommends two firms to oversee construction of Gov. Greg...](https://www.texastribune.org/2021/09/08/texas-mexico-border-wall-contract/)**
>
> The state is expected to award the contract in mid-September to begin the construction of a Texas-Mexico border wall.

Complete headline:  
**State agency recommends two firms to oversee construction of Gov. Greg Abbott’s Texas-Mexico border wall**

> …  
> As of Aug. 31, [$54 million has been donated by the public](https://www.texastribune.org/2021/09/02/texas-border-wall-private-donors/), and last week the state Legislature sent a bill [allocating $1.88 billion in additional funds](https://www.texastribune.org/2021/08/31/texas-senate-border-wall-security-bill/) for border security to Abbott’s desk. Of those funds, $750 million will be used to build border barriers. The governor has not yet signed the bill into law.  
> …

A reeeeel good use of funds at this time, Greg, you MF asshole. 🤦🏽‍♀️

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2021, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/307 "2021-09-10T14:58:09Z")

</div>

> [@ThelmaLou](#):
>
> A reeeeel good use of funds at this time, Greg, you MF asshole

I hope a VERY good accounting is done on whose pockets that money lines. Oh, wait, that’s crazy talk.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\
**Post date:** [October 10, 2021, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/308 "2021-10-10T00:25:17Z")

</div>

Well, maybe Abbott knew what he was doing in abandoning any and all anti-coronavirus measures – his main opponent in the GOP primary has come down with Covid-related pneumonia. Well played, Greg. Well played.

> **[Allen West, GOP candidate for governor, says he has pneumonia caused by COVID-19](https://www.texastribune.org/2021/10/09/texas-allen-west-candidate-governor-coronavirus/)**
>
> West, the former chair of the state Republican party, tweeted that his oxygen levels are low and he will likely be hospitalized, but says his condition is “not serious.”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\
**Post date:** [October 10, 2021, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/309 "2021-10-10T03:04:27Z")

</div>

Hospitalized with pneumonia. “Not serious “. Sure. I’m sure intubation is just for giggles too.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\
**Post date:** [October 10, 2021, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/310 "2021-10-10T06:54:11Z")

</div>

Meh, even if Abbott implemented (yeah, I know - this’ll be the most ridiculous hypothetical of all ridiculous hypotheticals) the slightest hint of a modicum of covid awareness, West still would have been too much of a covidiot (with his message) anyway.

From Tribune article:

> [@](#):
>
> West’s campaign said in the tweets that he believes getting vaccinated against COVID-19 should be a personal choice. On Oct. 7, West tweeted a photo from an event he attended for Mission Generation, an evangelical organization, in Seabrook, outside of Houston, describing it as “a packed house.” The two photos West shared depicted attendees without masks.

Then again, if any dem candidates in any potentially close electoral races,\* there, get covid, sure, that could suck.

\*Given the way gerrymandering will be getting cooked up recently, I’m wondering how much that plays into the picture.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\
**Post date:** [October 10, 2021, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/311 "2021-10-10T18:52:11Z")

</div>

> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#):
>
> Then again, if any dem candidates in any potentially close electoral races,\* there, get covid, sure, that could suck.
> 
> \*Given the way gerrymandering will be getting cooked up recently, I’m wondering how much that plays into the picture.

To address this point, Republicans in the state legislature forewent attempting to redraw the map to create many more Republican districts in favor of entrenching incumbents. Already holding a 23-13 advantage and with several Republican-held seats getting much closer in recent years, they prioritized making Republican seats much more red (which necessarily made Democratic seats much more blue). Out of 38 seats (we added two) in the state’s Congressional delegation, only one would be potentially competitive under the new maps.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\
**Post date:** [October 10, 2021, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/312 "2021-10-10T19:06:04Z")

</div>

(Quote from linked article.)

> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#):
>
> West’s campaign said in the tweets that he believes getting vaccinated against COVID-19 should be a personal choice.

Yes it should be, and is. And the choice is yes, I’ll get vaccinated. Moron.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\
**Post date:** [October 10, 2021, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/313 "2021-10-10T21:21:24Z")

</div>

Yeah, that was my thinking- what exactly counts as “serious” then? Having to be revived after dying?

This is a hard one; I generally don’t wish death on anyone or even serious illness, but I’m also feeling like the state and world would be a better place with one less crazy-ass insane Republican.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2021, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/314 "2021-10-12T00:14:59Z")

</div>

Abbott has issued [an executive order banning ANY entity in Texas – public or private – from compelling any individual to get the coronavirus vaccine](https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA-40_prohibiting_vaccine_mandates_legislative_action_IMAGE_10-11-2021.pdf). No exception is made for health care providers or any other entity working with at-risk populations. How he thinks he has this authority is beyond me.

You know, I actually had some respect for how Abbott handled things at the start of the pandemic. But he’s always been a weak reed ready to bend in whatever direction the conservative winds are blowing, and now he’s officially capitulated to the anti-vaxx forces that have taken over the Republican party.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2021, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/315 "2021-10-12T01:43:34Z")

</div>

So, if OSHA requires vaccination, and Texas forbid vaccine requirements, what actually happens?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2021, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/316 "2021-10-12T01:48:16Z")

</div>

> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> …what actually happens?

I think you nailed the part that Texas Republicans don’t put any thought into.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2021, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/317 "2021-10-12T01:49:01Z")

</div>

> This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, _ **anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.** _

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2021, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/318 "2021-10-12T12:00:48Z")

</div>

Greg’s next step will be an Executive Order mandating that everyone contract COVID asap just to _prove_ it’s a hoax and No Big Deal. This will be facilitated by large, crowded events in unventilated spaces with no one wearing masks, goddammit! Vaccinations optional, but hugging, singing, shouting, and coughing on each other will be encouraged.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2021, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/319 "2021-10-12T13:39:04Z")

</div>

> [@bump](#):
>
> > This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, _ **anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.** _

Yeah, that’s what i thought. So this law seems like it’s either intended to challenge the OSHA regulation (something that could otherwise be done by employers, but maybe not by the SA the state?) or it’s just intended to create confusion and conflict.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2021, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/320 "2021-10-12T14:29:30Z")

</div>

Nah, it’s just for show. He’s trying to pose as a conservative savior thumbing his nose at Biden and the feds. But…

It’s one of his weasel lawyer things. Nothing in his executive order actually says he’s overriding federal requirements. It’s an executive order that explicitly states no local authorities in Texas can impose vaccine requirements but doesn’t say anything about their legal obligation to follow federal mandates. So, he’s not saying it’s ok to ignore federal guidelines but he’s implying it for the mouth breathers who will only read the headlines.

It’s just another way to gull the rubes. Who might still vote him out of office for his troubles.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2021, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141/321 "2021-10-12T14:56:54Z")

</div>

It’s totally a fight against the right wing of the Texas Republican party; they’re attacking him from the right of the spectrum claiming his pandemic response is too Democrat, he’s a RINO, and so on.

So Abbott feels like he’s got to disprove that with actions, not just words. Hence the stream of perplexingly stupid executive orders. He never seemed like one of the crazies until the second half of the pandemic, at which point he’s been steadily leaning into the stupid, which wasn’t really his thing before.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141.md?page=15)

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-greg-abbott-texas-governor/934141.md?page=17)
