Everything posted by CooterBrown
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Texas -- a failed state
Texans can now report public universities to the state over legal violationsPublic universities found in violation of state laws could lose state funding until compliance is certified.By Lily Kepner,Staff WriterJan 9, 2026 Members of the public can now submit complaints against public universities and colleges to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s new Office of Ombudsman, according to a new website launched by the agency Friday. The website, “Students First,” allows anyone to submit a complaint through a portal, with separate sections for feedback and student complaints. The coordinating board said Brandon Simmons, former Chairman of the Texas Southern University Board of Regents and leader of the office, has already begun meeting with university leaders and chancellors. The creation of the new oversight office was authorized through Senate Bill 37, a law that took effect Jan. 1. It comes after a fall during which conservative lawmakers and activists attempted vigilante enforcement online to rid gender ideology from public universities. New policies now restrict how race and gender can be taught at Texas A&M University System and Texas Tech University System. Professors lost their jobs this September after videos went viral online: one showed a professor speaking at a revolutionary socialism conference, and the other showed a children’s literature professor talking about gender identity in her course. The new statewide office serves “as an intermediary between the legislature and the public and institutions of higher education,” the website states, with the purpose of investigating complaints regarding violations of Senate Bill 37’s provisions on faculty governance, curriculum, grievances, hiring and decision-making authority provisions, and the 2023 law Senate Bill 17, which banned diversity, equity and inclusion offices and practices. Per Senate Bill 37, the office has five days to notify the institution named in a complaint, and the institution has 175 days to respond. The office has the power to recommend the Legislature withhold funding from the institution if it is found to be in violation of state law — until compliance is certified. Each year, the governor, lieutenant governor, state auditor and higher education chairs of the Texas House and Senate will receive a report on the complaints and findings. Those who willingly submit a false report may be subject to fees associated with the investigation, the law states. The announcement did not discuss guidance for course or degree audits, which are also mandated through the law. That process is left up to each university system. The law also restricts faculty influence in university decision-making while expanding the power of politically appointed regents to regulate degrees, core curriculum and hiring of leaders. Sen. Brandon Creighton, Senate Bill 37's author, said his legislation restores the balance of power at universities and holds them more accountable to the public. Faculty who advocated against the law say it replaces subject matter expertise with political influence. The Texas Tech University System, which Creighton now leads, banned courses that advocate for race or gender “ideology” or contain LGBTQ content. Multiple university systems have already launched audits into courses for gender identity following conservative criticism of “gender indoctrination” at universities. No law bans teaching in those subjects. Simmons said he looks forward to engaging more with university leaders and the public to ensure universities remain excellent. “Through a user-friendly website and engagement on campuses across Texas, I look forward to a collaborative, productive partnership with our institutional leaders and students,” said Simmons in a statement. “Texas leads the nation with top-ranked, rapidly ascending universities, and our office is here to support these great institutions in serving the next generation of Texas students.” Jan 9, 2026
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Girl Scout cookies (not selling, just eating)
In Central Texas, Girl Scout cookies go on sale Wednesday.
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Bingeable series for the whole family
I guess the episode this week was in Prague, so, guess where Lil' Brown wants to go for vacation this summer.
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Bingeable series for the whole family
My 13 YO has interesting taste. She loved Wednesday and Stranger Things like her peers, but also absolutely loves The Rookie cop show and went with us to see the 2-episode premiere of The Night Manager at Alamo a few days ago. She’s currently binging The Tudors. She’ll then also still watch Sophia the First.
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Things not going well in Venezuela
How long until Venezuela is announced as the 51st state? A 30M population is a lot of Electoral College votes and we can for sure trust elections in Venezuela.
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Your favorite opening track on an album?
Mr. Self Destruct. Every few seconds you think it can’t get louder and then it does…to the point you are wondering if you’ve blown your speakers.
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What the fuck is wrong with you, Austin?
- The Death of Robin Hood
- Domino vs the Devil (They Will Kill You)
So, a supernatural John Wick? Why the fuck not.- Beer 2026: I Want You To Put The Word Out There That We Back Up
- Markets still falling like whoa
At least imperialism is good for the markets.- Greenland - Tassa Eller Asu !!!!
Can’t wait to get in a shooting war with Western Europe. Hopefully they just nuke us and end the great American experiment.- Parker Livingstone
Next man up. No one will remember this guy’s name in 3 years.- Things Not Going Well in Venezuela, 2.0
So, Europe can kidnap Trump and put him on trial in The Hague? The precedent has been set.- Dedicated Stranger Things Series Thread
It looks like there will be two spinoffs. One will be an animated show with the current characters that takes place between seasons 2 & 3. The second show will be live action and be about the origin of the briefcase with no characters returning.- Booking a private flight . . . .
Unless that MIL is leaving you a 7+ figure inheritance, she ain’t worth the cost of a private plane ride.- Dedicated Stranger Things Series Thread
I’m sure it was unintentional but I LOL’d at this. Will moved to Milwaukee for college and his first gay hookup is with Jeffrey Dahmer.- Avatar: Fire and Ash
Finally saw this piece of shit. Couple of random thoughts: 1. I can’t believe Cameron ripped off his own movie when he had the Sigourney Weaver teen riff on the Aliens line with “Stay away from my mother, bitch!” That was so fucking meta I LOL’d. 2. I swear the entire final 45 minutes was outtakes from part 2. It was the same big battle. 3. How did the space whales make jewelry and weave giant cloth fabric for capes? 4. Did that one whale have pierced nipples?- 2026 Rose Bowl - Indiana vs. Alabama
- 2026 Orange Bowl - Oregon vs. Texas Tech
- Shit HEB Makes (when its open).
Mexican Kitchen Style are the best sturdy chip for dipping. I haven't seen them at HEB in a while but they have them at that Mexican supermarket at 183/Ohlen.- Texas RB Talk
Nah. It’s not hard to coach zero running backs. Easiest money in coaching.- Pluribus - Vince Gilligan and Rhea Seehorn
If yelling at a single person can start a chain reaction that kills millions, what would setting off a nuke among thousands of them do?- Jeffrey Epstein needs his own thread
99.9999% chance that the redaction fuck up was on purpose by the FBI agent(s) assigned to redact those files. They knew exactly what they were doing and probably surprised it took a week for someone to figure out to read the hidden text.- Tell Me About Texas a&m
- The Death of Robin Hood
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