Every Bit Texas
EST. 2025 · Dispatches from the Lone Star State
Every Bit Texas
armadillo
Author

John McGillie

John McGillie is a pen name, used for safety after threats of violence. I grew up in Wishek, North Dakota, and moved to Texas 20 years ago. I write about the history, food and back roads I keep finding along the way.

02

Obama and James Talarico grabbing tacos

I hear the tacos here are okay. I'm not going to eat it here, because I can't afford to spill it on my shirt. We'll have a T-shirt for you. I've got to get the street taco. And then I think I need maybe like a holy moly.

Oct 23, 2026 / 1-MIN READ
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06

James Talarico calls out billionaires for dividing America

I am in one of the reddest parts of Texas, because I am tired of being divided into teams. Red versus blue, left versus right, rural versus urban. Because the truth is, we're all on the same team. Do you have an elderly parent or grandparent who needs care?

Oct 23, 2026 / 1-MIN READ
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14

No one should have to crowdfund their cancer treatment

No one should have to crowd fund their cancer treatment. My team and I are here in the Rio Grande Valley supporting Cindy Banda, a mother of six who is fighting breast cancer. She's facing tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills that she can't afford.

Oct 21, 2026 / 1-MIN READ
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18

Public dollars are for public schools

Greg Abbott's voucher scam will bankrupt our public schools. A parent is free to send their child to a private school, but you can't ask the taxpayers to foot the bill. We have a limited budget for public schools, and we simply can't afford it.

Oct 20, 2026 / 1-MIN READ
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19

Love Does No Harm

I love the Ten Commandments. I've tried to build my life on the Ten Commandments. But what does it mean to truly live out those Ten Commandments?

Oct 20, 2026 / 1-MIN READ
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22

James Talarico Shows Up in Houston for Sunday Funday

This man right here has been working the pavement. He has the passing, he has the commitment, he has the credibility to go up to Washington D.C. and carry that message forward. Councilman, it's good to see you. It's good to see you.

Oct 19, 2026 / 1-MIN READ
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29

Freedom, family, & faith

Both Cornyn and Paxton like to say that they stand for freedom, family, and faith. But you can't stand for freedom and control women's bodies.

Oct 18, 2026 / 1-MIN READ
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31

Fight the system, not your neighbor

You know why politics sucks right now? It's not any one politician, it is the system itself. Who was sitting in the front row at the inauguration? Who runs the 24-hour corporate media that treats news as entertainment?

Oct 17, 2026 / 1-MIN READ
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34

Our schools are not for sale

Elon Musk bought the presidency, and now the richest man in the world is gutting the Department of Education. And it's not just Elon. All across the country, billionaires are trying to destroy our public schools.

Oct 16, 2026 / 1-MIN READ
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36

James Talarico drops new ad with his grandpa

All right. This is my papa. And Jamie is my grandson. As a Baptist preacher in South Texas, he taught me to follow the two great commandments. Love God and love your neighbor.

Oct 16, 2026 / 1-MIN READ
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37

How to debunk school vouchers in 60 seconds

Greg Abbott is selling this private school voucher scam by calling it school choice. But it's not school choice. It's the school's choice because private schools can deny admission to any kid for any reason they want.

Oct 16, 2026 / 1-MIN READ
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39

Don't Give Up On Your Neighbor

The people at the top, the Elon Musk's, the Rupert Murdoch's, the Donald Trump's of the world, spend so much energy, so much time keeping us angry and divided because our unity is a threat to their power.

Oct 15, 2026 / 1-MIN READ
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42

James Talarico unveils BOLD PLAN to combat data centers

The data centers here in Abilene, my life has been turned upside down. Our water bill has increased. My kids are thinking about moving from Abilene to Fort Worth because it's cheaper. Meanwhile, our wages haven't increased at all.

Oct 14, 2026 / 1-MIN READ
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43

Students over billionaires

Six years ago, Greg Abbott showed up at the school behind me, Palmer Lane Elementary. He held a press conference with lots of cameras and promised to invest in public schools like this one.

Oct 14, 2026 / 1-MIN READ
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44

Barack Obama meets James Talarico's niece, Jane

This is my baby niece, Jane. Hey, you. Nice to see you. She's been practicing your name. Hi. What's your name? Do you want to shake my hand? And what's your name? And what's my name? That's me. She's been saying, Barack Obama. So she's almost got it.

Oct 14, 2026 / 1-MIN READ
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