Galveston shouts HELLO, 2026!

By Forest Riggs

It’s official: 2025 has closed out, and 2026 is here. A new year with new adventures and lots of room for positivity. The canvas is clean and ready for you to paint your new year.
Little can be said about 2025, other than that it sucked. So many negative events shaped the year, mostly from rotten politics to horrible events around the world. It often felt like every day brought something unpleasant. Following the crazy mess in Washington, it felt (and still does) as though we are living in The Madness of King George. If it were not so sad, it would be comical, as every day the one in charge makes a fool out of himself and the United States. Sadly, the world is wondering what happened to America. I think we all know.
Here on Galveston Island, in the GULF OF MEXICO, islanders cannot wait for a new regime that will hopefully wipe away and correct many of the idiotic changes brought about by a pen swipe and an exploding ego. Like many cities around the country, the Galveston community is experiencing the negative effects of the IIC (idiot in charge.) A warped sense of Christianity, combined with an unrealistic and twisted political agenda, has pretty much hijacked any semblance of “normal” in the country. It sure appears that the bad guys are winning.

A couple of years ago, when we were introduced to Project 2025, most folks did not think it was real or would happen as planned. But it was very real, it happened, and continues to destroy any semblance of what made America so great. It was, and is, a cookbook of destruction. People turned against one another as misinformation has made targets of various aspects of the population. Our beautiful transgender brothers and sisters have literally become targets for the twisted right-wingers who continue to spew their lies and vitriol. So many laws have been changed, especially impacting immigrants, voting rights, and communities and organizations that honor diversity and respect for all. Now, the good guys have become the bad guys in the eyes and sick minds of this twisted government, dripping with false narratives and lies. Daily, innocent people are being targeted, arrested, and deported — all by some brainless goon squad Lord Cheeto has empowered. It is indeed scary.

Beautiful, all-inclusive Galveston has experienced the same fallout from the current administration, like most other cities and communities. Greg Abbot has wheeled up to TRUMP and the MAGA movement so closely that there is little separation or distinction between the two. Texas has fallen under a dark cloud fueled by the whims and ass-kissing attempts to please the master. “Sitler” — as the governor is often called — has taken Texas down a dark path; even rainbows are now considered “evil” and represent something to be stomped out and targeted. So many cities, Galveston included, witnessed their beautiful rainbow crosswalks get removed and painted or paved over. This is disgraceful when a rainbow threatens the ignorant.

So, what about 2026, a New Year? In short, we must continue to stand against this wave of hatred that has swept the nation. We have survived a year, but not without tremendous setbacks and painful events. For 2026 to be a good year, we must make our voices known and show that there is strength in numbers. This horrible thing cannot last forever, and the good citizens who appreciate honesty and truth, along with diversity, will win in the end. Someday, we will repaint the rainbows, hang flags, and again stand proud. Remember, the biggest weapon we have in the fight is the VOTE.

So, for 2026, I say stand tall, resist, and represent. It is truly a battle, one that truth and justice must win. Collectively, we can make it happen.

May the new year bring you much happiness and as much peace as it can during these dark times.

Forest Riggs lives in Galveston. His book, ‘Galveston Memories and Related Stories’ is available at Amazon.com, OutSkirtsPress.com and ForestRiggs.com.

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