Thoughts This Fortnight

ABBOTT’S FIRM LEADERSHIP FORCES HOUSTON CITY
COUNCIL TO REVERSE DANGEROUS ANTI-ICE ORDINANCE

Houston, TX – In a clear victory for law and order and Texas sovereignty, the Houston City Council was compelled to reverse course on a reckless ordinance passed on April 8 that sought to limit cooperation between local police and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The reversal came after strong leadership from Governor Greg Abbott, who rightly threatened to withhold approximately $114 million in critical state public safety funding from the city.

The original ordinance, approved in a 12-5 vote, aimed to restrict Houston Police Department officers from detaining individuals based on ICE administrative warrants or extending stops to allow federal agents to respond. This move effectively tilted toward sanctuary-style policies that prioritize illegal immigrants over the safety of law-abiding Houstonians. Such measures undermine federal immigration enforcement, embolden criminal elements, and send the dangerous message that local authorities will turn a blind eye to those in the country illegally—especially at a time when border security remains a national crisis.

Governor Greg Abbott deserves strong recognition for his decisive action. By enforcing compliance with state certifications tied to public safety grants, Abbott refused to let Houston’s liberal-leaning council jeopardize taxpayer dollars meant for police overtime, fire services, and preparations like the upcoming FIFA World Cup. His swift intervention protected Texas values, ensured local law enforcement could fulfill its duty to cooperate with ICE on detainers, and prevented the city from effectively creating a mini-sanctuary jurisdiction. Abbott’s willingness to leverage state authority demonstrated the kind of no-nonsense conservative leadership needed to counter activist policies that weaken our communities.

Credit must also go to the principled councilmembers—Vice Mayor Pro Tem Amy Peck, District A, Council Member Willie Davis, At-Large #2, Council Member Fred Flickinger, District E, Council Member Twila Carter, At-Large #3, and Council Member Mary Nan Huffman, District G—who voted against the ill-conceived ordinance on April 8, standing up for public safety and the rule of law from the outset. Their opposition highlighted the ordinance’s flaws and aligned with the priorities of most Texans who demand secure borders and cooperative policing.

In contrast, Councilmember Julian Ramirez‘s support for the original measure warrants sharp condemnation. By backing efforts to hamstring HPD’s ability to assist ICE, Ramirez sided with policies that put criminal aliens ahead of Houston families and first responders. His vote reflected a troubling prioritization of ideological signaling over the practical realities of crime, public safety, and fiscal responsibility—especially when the potential loss of over $100 million in funding was on the line.

Fortunately, cooler heads—and state pressure from Governor Greg Abbott—prevailed. The council’s later 13-4 vote to amend the ordinance restored a more sensible approach to federal-local cooperation. This episode serves as a reminder: sanctuary policies have no place in Texas, and strong conservative leadership at the state level can check local overreach that endangers residents. Governor Abbott’s stand should inspire similar resolve across the Lone Star State.

CLARIFYING – TRUMP’S IDEAS ABOUT
WAR WITH IRAN – NOT WAR CRIMES

The left-wing media suddenly have a lot to say about “war crimes.” We’re being told repeatedly that striking bridges and power plants (“civilian infrastructure”) is a war crime under international law. Not so.

It is NOT a war crime to bomb infrastructure if it has a “dual use” military/civilian purpose. While Iran has a “government” with a parliament and a president, the real power in Iran is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated foreign terrorist organization. It is estimated that the IRGC controls as much as half of Iran’s GDP, including much of its oil, construction and infrastructure industries. Terrorist thugs do not make good businessmen, that is one major reason why Iran’s economy is so bad.

War crimes are being committed in this conflict every day by Iran and the left-wing media never says a word about them.

For example, it is a war crime to use human shields, which the Iranian regime is doing by urging children to surround power plants. It is a war crime to use child soldiers, which the Iranian regime is doing again in this conflict. It is a war crime to bomb civilians or launch attacks indiscriminately. Virtually all of Iran’s targets in Israel, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are civilian targets. Including airports, apartment buildings and hotels.

VOTE FOR BRETT LIGON FOR STATE SENATE,
DISTRICT 4 ON SATURDAY, MAY 2ND!

If you live in Kingwood, Atascocita, Humble, or The Woodlands, this election for State Senator, District 4 directly impacts you.

Brett Ligon is the Republican candidate in this race, bringing a record of leadership and a focus on protecting our freedoms, strengthening communities, and promoting responsible governance.

If you live in the district, make a plan to vote and don’t forget to encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to do the same.

Election Day is this Saturday, May 2.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THURSDAY, MAY 7 TO
GET OUT AND SUPPORT THE JOINT JUDICIAL CAMPAIGN!

Save the date: Texas Youth Summit The Woodlands October 9-10 texasyouthsummit.com/events

FINISH THE JOB!

By Brian Ettinger

President Trump, finish the job with Iran. You cannot negotiate or use reason with this group of religious fanatics. You started this battle based on preventing this government from developing a nuclear bomb so finish the job. They lie and have done so for over 47 years, so no treaty agreement means anything to them, so level the country. Hit the power plants, bridges, rail lines, ports and oil refineries. Shut down their oil sales. This is all they understand. We cannot leave this government in power. Holding international shipping hostage, which affects worldwide economies, cannot be tolerated. It shows the world that you are dealing with a government so committed to its religious ideology.  Since you started this war, it’s time to finish it. You cannot leave them in power or next time you may not be in a position to stop them. Do it now or all your claims of a military victory are nothing more than destroying a lot of buildings. Face the criticism as President Truman did when he dropped the atomic bombs twice to end the Second World War. Do not leave this to a future President or Generations. NATO and European countries lost their dominance over 75 years ago. They are in decline and the U.S. does not need military bases in Western Europe, such as Spain, Germany, and the UK.  The military bases are strategically needed in Poland, Turkey, Cyprus, and the Baltics. See what happens when France or Spain has issues in African countries; let them handle it. All of these countries, including Asian nations, depend on these shipping lanes for oil, fertilizer and other products so let them make sure the strait is open. They want to put their heads in a tigers mouth and then risk getting bit off.

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ABOUT YOUR EDITOR

Gary Polland is a long-time conservative and Republican spokesman, fund-raiser, and leader who served three terms as the Harris County Republican Chairman. During his three terms, Gary was described as “the most successful county Chairman in America” by Human Events – The National Conservative Weekly. He is in his twenty-eighth year of editing a newsletter dealing with key conservative and Republican issues. For the last twenty-three years, he has edited the Texas Conservative Review. As a public service for the previous 20 years, Gary has published election guides for the GOP primary, general elections, and city elections, all to assist conservative candidates. Gary also for 20 years cohosted Red, White and Blue on Houston Public Media TV 8 PBS Houston, longest running political talk show in Texas history and for the last four-plus years Gary has been a regular commentator on Fox 26-Houston’s “What’s Your Point” airing Sunday’s at 7 a.m. Gary serves on the Board of Directors of American Values, a national pro-family, pro-faith, conservative organization supporting the unity of the American people around the vision of our founding fathers and dedicated to reminding the public of the conservative principles fundamental to the survival of our nation. Gary is a practicing attorney and strategic consultant. He can be reached at (713) 621-6335.