I've worked with Brian Huberman over the years, usually doing a bit of post-production on documentaries he's working on. They range from interviews with Holocaust Survivors (for the Holocaust Museum) to various films about the Alamo, Texas Heroes and Texas History. Raised in England, this most-British-sounding professor probably knows more about Texas history than most native Texan schoolkids (not much of a surprise, there, eh?) He's a character and a lot of fun to chat with. Join me as I try to find out where a nice English schoolboy got his fascination with all things Davy Crockett. And I'll try to find out what the hell he was thinking when he filmed Dennis Hopper surrounding himself with sticks of dynamite and then ignited them before a crowd of drag race fans. A list of his films can be found here, on his personal website.

The Outlaws meetup after a long holiday break to review the recent State of the Union address and how that looked for progressives (and how badly it looked for the GOP.) They take a look at Black History Month and how the police reform "conversation" is going with Tyre Nichols' murder by Memphis cops right in the middle of it. There are also a few words about the continued attack on public education in Texas (and everywhere else.) Some rough stuff, to be sure, but the Outlaws manage a laugh or two to keep from screaming. 

Texas Outlaw Writer James Moore reads his recent post. 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' changes meaning over the years, but the values remain the same. What's a few wrecks and dead turkey across your face over a lifetime of freedom, always heading out toward the open sky?

Texas prides itself on being the #1 oil-producing state. They're leading the country in adding renewable energy projects. And yes, there can be tension between those factions, (but traditional energy companies are not going to leave money on the table when it comes to new technology.) But Mike Shiloh warns that it is not enough. Our appetite for electricity is insatiable. Mike started out much like last week's guest (Mike Vance) - hanging out in Houston's comedy clubs, working his act and watching future comics hone their skills. This led to a reporting career in radio and then print. Mike started working with Harvey Kronberg at The Texas Energy Report. When Harvey wanted to branch out and create The Texas Quorum Report, Mike took over as publisher. The TER is on a "mission to cover the effects of politics, markets, government and general economies on the oil, gas, electricity, utilities, alternative & renewable energy industries of the acknowledged leader in world energy generation and management, Texas." Mike confided in us that, "Energy... in Texas... kind of a big deal." 

Mike Vance was a government major at UT Austin and promptly used that knowledge to go into a career in stand-up comedy, acting, pool hustling and script writing. Still searching for something that would pay even less, Mike later founded an improv troupe and a politically correct country & western band. Mike was part of Houston's explosive 80s and 90's comedy scene, a member of the disorganized group known as the Texas Outlaw Comics. (Hey! They stole our name!) A tremendous history buff, he's become a go-to source on Texas history and knows more about Houston history than General Sam himself. Though he has recently authored several lightly-read books, the biggest achievement of Mike's life to date was co-hosting an afternoon drive radio show with the Outlaws' own Roger Gray.

Rob D'Amico produced the hit 'true-crime' podcast, "Witnessed: Borderlands" about a crooked West Texas sheriff (in partnership with the Mexican drug cartels) smuggling cocaine. The "War on Drugs" was just heating up to become something out of the wild, wild west. Guns, briefcases full of cash, daring smuggling runs, and a sheriff in a white Stetson hat - it all makes for a great story. Rob, an experienced writer and journalist, moved out to West Texas to get away from it all... promising himself he wouldn't limit himself to writing just regional stories. But he says that the stories are crazy good (or sometimes, just plain crazy) out in far West Texas. The Outlaws discuss his podcast, West Texas gentrification, the current politics of the region, as well as what's REALLY happening in terms of immigration and drug smuggling. These days, Rob is hanging out in the real West Texas ghost town of Shafter, Texas. Population: 40. Well, 41 now that Rob moved in. 

The Texas/Mexico border show is looking more and more like "Apocalypse Now II: Abbott's Border." It's a revolving photo op for right-wingers looking for anti-immigrant cred - more military vehicles, camo, and law agencies than you can shake a campaign poster at. And ain't it strange that none of the GOP legislators taking selfies on the Rio Grande have proposed any meaningful legislation to solve the crisis? Sure it costs a lot not to solve a problem this big, but in the end, it's a real campaign moneymaker. "...every executive order by Greg Abbott, regarding the border with Mexico, increases the risk of an incident even more horrendous than the current humanitarian crisis on our doorstep."

Sure, there are still some "We Only Lost the House by a Little Bit" parties going on, but Texas Outlaw Writer Jim Moore points out that it's not going to be all fun and games for Dems. He suggests that we buckle up for two solid years of Hunter Biden's laptop. On the other hand, it might be interesting to watch the GOP run around the rotunda like a bunch of chimpanzees throwing poo at each other. Just give Jim Jordan time to remove his jacket and roll up his sleeves.

Nancy Thompson founded a very different MAGA organization: Mothers Against Greg Abbott. Political observers across the state marveled at her work in organizing Democrats at a grassroots level rarely seen in recent times. She (and the team she developed) had a knack for political messaging (and resulting hard-hitting ads) that caused a stir across the state. She's perfectly aware that Greg Abbott ended up winning another term, but she's only begun to fight. She's now focused on raising money, building on the infrastructure that she created, and expanding her organization into other states. Sure, she might have to change that name. But she's not worried. Greg Abbott pissed off the wrong mother. Nancy Thompson inspires. 

The 2022 Midterm Election Returns are (kinda-sorta-mostly) in. The Outlaws hash out the goings-on with Dr. Michael Adams, director of the Executive Masters of Public. Administration program at Texas Southern University. Dr. Adams specializes in electoral politics, redistricting and voting rights. We talk about the (surprise!) absence of a national "red wave/red tsunami", and yet we mourn together how Texas remains stubbornly red. What will it take to change that? Will Beto's heroic grassroots organizing pay off for future Democratic campaigns?