A close up of the word news written in black ink.

Today’s Headlines Reveal a Distorted set of Morals 


By Johnny Trlica 

Commentary: Before getting to the actual topic of this column, please allow me a little time to gloat. In September of last year, this writer made predictions about the upcoming NFL season.  

In that issue, I wrote, “The Bayou City’s NFL team begins play this month. They will not win too many games but most assuredly will win a title: The Hottest Head Coach Award. Former Texans player DeMeco Ryans was named the team’s new head coach in the off-season and if his team can look as pretty on the field as he does, it will be a good season.â€Â 

I was definitely wrong about the Texans’ win total but nailed the part about having the hottest coach and looking as good on the field as he does. The Texans had more wins this season than the previous three seasons combined. 

The September column also predicted a Kansas City/San Francisco Super Bowl matchup. Nailed it! 

Now for the topic of the day. 

“GOP candidate accused of supplying young men for disgraced Baptist leader Paul Pressler to abuse,†is the headline from LGBTQ Nation dated January 28, 2024. The story reports on a recently unearthed email from 2017. The repulsive email accuses former chairman of the Republican Party in Harris County, and staunch anti-LGBTQ+ activist, Jared Woodfill, of providing access to young men for former Texas judge and Southern Baptist leader Paul Pressler to sexually abuse. Woodfill is on the ballot next month as a candidate to represent House District 138 (Northwest Houston), along with his intentions to be Speaker of the House. 

“Utah lawmakers pass terrifying anti-transgender bathroom policing bill,†is The Advocate headline from January 27, 2024. This article informs readers about the hate-filled Utah House of Representatives passing HB 257, “a contentious bill that, if signed into law by Republican Gov. Spencer Cox, would become the first anti-LGBTQ+ bathroom ban of the year. The bill aims to stop transgender students from using restrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity, as well as restrict access to changing rooms in government-owned or operated facilities for transgender people of all ages.â€Â 

“Trump takes N.H. in blow to Haley’s candidacy,†highlights the ignorance of today’s Republican party. Dated January 23, 2024, the article lets us know that the twice impeached, over ninety times indicted, convicted sexual abuser, and convicted business fraudster, had won the New Hampshire Republican primary over his sole remaining opponent Nikki Haley. It’s more than a little terrifying that a major political party thinks that the wanna-be dictator, full of hate for anyone who opposes him, is their choice to lead the country. 

“Florida GOP lawmakers seek to ban Rainbow Pride flags in schools, saying they’re bad for students,†is Edge Media’s headline dated January 19, 2024. The column tells us about a bill advanced by Florida Republicans that would ban teachers and other government employees from displaying a rainbow flag. Flag displays that depict a “racial, sexual orientation and gender, or political ideology viewpoint†would be banned from any state or local government building, including public schools and universities. Opponents say the bill is inspired by hate.  

“Texas had more than 26K rape-related pregnancies after abortion ban, study says,†reports the Houston Chronicle in an article dated January 25, 2024. In it we learn that since the Supreme Court overturned a woman’s right to choose, more than 26,000 women and girls had rape-related pregnancies in Texas. Now that these babies are here, the next big question should be is Texas going to help these women raise these children they were, in many cases, forced to have? 

“GOP Governors Invoke the Confederate Theory of Secession to Justify Border Violations,†is the Slate headline from January 27, 2024. After the Supreme Court ruled that the razor wire on the Texas-Mexico border was illegal, Governor Abbott vowed to ignore the order. Republican governors across the country agreed with Abbott and escalated their conflict with the Biden administration over the southern border by invoking the same legal theory that slave states wielded to justify secession before the Civil War.  

Obviously, Republicans only believe in law and order when it’s the laws and orders they agree with. 

If these and other similarly outlandish headlines are not enough to make you register to vote, you are not paying attention. It’s almost like we are yelling “Fire!†in a crowded theatre, and no one is listening. 

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent those of the MONTROSE STAR. Johnny Trlica is the editor of Houston Rainbow Herald Facebook page and has been published in several newspapers and magazines. He grew up in Rosenberg, Texas, lived for over 30 years in the Montrose and now resides in Galveston, Texas. He may be contacted at HRHeditor@gmail.com.

Related Posts

About author

Related Posts

Comments are closed.

Do not miss