u/mgbgtv8

Decades of this prosperity gospel bullshit is how Tarrant County and America has ended up where we are now.

More information here.

https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/article/gop-runoffs-texas-bo-french-wright-railroad-22259173.php

This month, Texans will cast their votes in primary runoff elections, deciding who will appear on the ballot for the November general election. Early voting begins Monday and continues through May 22. Election day is May 26. 

The Republican runoff for railroad commissioner boils down to a deeply concerning candidate versus an intolerable one. With reservations, we recommend incumbent Jim Wright over Bo French, the former Tarrant County GOP chair. Wright understands the complexity of the oil and gas industry this state agency regulates. He often cites his experience in the oilfield waste industry as an asset and has been campaigning to improve the agency’s efficiency and strengthen energy production. 

Last year, Wright recused himself from a vote related to an oilfield waste company to which he had financial ties. This rare recusal shows a measure of backbone in a famously weak agency far too beholden to the industry it regulates.

French has repeatedly made racist remarks online and advocated for extreme policies. He is running for Railroad Commission to “stop the Islamic invasion,” rather than to address any issues related to the agency.  He is not remotely qualified for this elected office or any other. 

In response, Bo French and his wife refused to cooperate with CPS to ensure the safety and well-being of their children...in a home with a massive firearm collection.

A federal class-action lawsuit accuses former Gateway Church Pastor Robert Morris and church leadership of mishandling tithes and failing to distribute promised funds to global missions. The suit, which alleges fraud, racketeering (RICO), and breach of contract, asserts that only a fraction of promised 15% tithes went to charity.

Released from a brief prison sentence for raping a 12 year old, Robert Morris lives a lavish lifestyle, founded Mercy Culture Church and remains close with Landon Schott.

Key details of the lawsuit:

• Allegations: The suit claims Gateway did not fulfill promises that 15% of annual revenue would go to international missionary work.
• "Money Back" Guarantee: The lawsuit alleges Morris promised to refund donations if members were unsatisfied, but the church failed to do so.
• Misrepresentation: Plaintiffs allege that out of roughly $100 million in annual revenue, only about $3 million went to designated ministries, contrary to claims that 15% (approx. $15 million) would be donated.
• Current Status: A judge ruled in September 2025 that the lawsuit against Robert Morris and Gateway leaders can proceed, denying requests for dismissal.
• RICO Allegations: The suit includes claims of mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating federal racketeering laws.

When it comes to homeschooling, Texas is as laissez-faire as they come. The Texas Education Agency, which oversees public schools, doesn’t monitor homeschool programs.

But that wasn’t enough for the Texas Legislature. Lawmakers decided last year to bar TEA and the State Board of Education from regulating homeschool programs. Supporters of the Homeschool Freedom Act said it was a necessary shield against “bureaucratic overreach.”

We hope for the sake of children that legislators reconsider. The Fort Worth-based Texas Home Educators Sports Association, or THESA, just made the case for oversight after knowingly employing a registered sex offender to coach baseball.

Watchkeep, a website that tracks sexual abuse cases, was the first to report this month that THESA allowed Tommy Whiteman, a former player for the Houston Astros organization, to coach children. Whiteman was convicted 16 years ago of online solicitation of a minor. According to his own account, Whiteman was engaged in “inappropriate conversations” with someone he thought was a 14-year-old but was actually a cop. Whiteman was arrested and had to register as a sex offender.

THESA, a faith-based group, asked parents to review a document to allow Whiteman to coach, nodding only to “the dark shadows of sports.” A screenshot of the document published by Watchkeep shows no mention of Whiteman’s sex offender status. THESA instead linked to a “testimony” on the coach’s website and asked parents to acknowledge reading it. Whiteman wrote about the sting that led to his arrest, but you have to read almost 1,000 words into the narrative to find out.The coach might have been upfront about his past with THESA, but the homeschool association wasn’t transparent with families. It took days of turmoil for the group to finally address the controversy in a letter to parents.

To add to the public’s concerns, Southlake Carroll ISD had Whiteman on a list of approved off-campus providers of athletic programs. The district said it was reviewing its protocols. We are still wondering what vetting goes after a Carroll ISD substitute teacher was arrested on sex trafficking allegations connected to her previous employment.

Whiteman has resigned from THESA. In a statement, THESA told us there had been no reports of inappropriate behavior and that board members who approved his hire were no longer with the organization. Former Southlake Mayor John Huffman, who oversaw baseball for THESA, stepped down from the group’s board.

THESA said police confirmed that Whiteman’s coaching duties were “in compliance with his current status.” 

Under Texas law, people convicted of violent sex offenses are not allowed to coach minors, but online solicitation is not categorized as a violent crime.

Common sense dictates that a second chance for a sex offender can’t involve access to children. A public school that knowingly hired a registered sex offender would have a lot of explaining to do. 

But in Texas, groups like THESA answer to no one.