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Rachel Hanes, Policy Director, Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance is our special guest Monday. Click on this picture for GEAA's terrific Data Center paper. It's scary to see the dysfunction of government from the highest to the lowest levels. The State of Texas and local governments are using tax incentives for unsustainable energy and water demands. Everyone who lives here knows how all kinds of Texas- wrong this is. What can we do? Join our Monday night meeting at 8 pm (RSVP HERE) to help independents -- voters who are dealigning from both parties -- become informed on the problems and solutions on data centers with Rachel Hanes of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance. Check our their policy paper, Data Centers in Texas: A Review and Call for Innovation and Regulation -- Heads Up: it's 62 pages and, as always, well done by GEAA just released HERE. There will only be a handful of independent candidates on the November ballot. They will file their petitions in June, so you will meet them soon! Meanwhile, independents can vote in the Texas primary runoffs of the major parties. Early voting begins on Monday, May 18. Election Day is Tuesday, May 26. (Caution: You can’t switch parties, though, if you voted in the March primary.) SUSANNA LEDESMA-WOODY Someone who doesn't just go along to get along and faces her community -- Susanna is that! Visit her site HERE. click on the. window for LIV's short endorsement video. LIV is not endorsing in the statewide runoffs for Lt. Gov., Attorney General, etc; but, we are supporting independent Dem Susanna Ledesma-Woody in an important Travis County Commissioner race in Precinct 4, southeast Austin and Del Valle. Susanna is a quintessential independent thinker, otherwise known as an insurgent. She was the only Travis. County Official NOT to support incentives to Tesla. We wrote about her independence from the Austin Democratic establishment HERE. She is also an extraordinary person by all accounts. Help LIV help Susanna starting NOW on the phone or at the doors by signing up to volunteer for Susanna HERE. Luvya, and hope to see ya! LIV Team PS The Texas Tribune just published this -- Texas Republicans Have a Data Center Problem.

We've known Susanna for nearly 20 years, since she first started organizing modest-income people in SE Travis County and then served on the Del Valle School Board -- without pay. Last week, I got a call from a longtime retired Democratic official, someone I respect and love. He was irritated that LIV is supporting Susanna Ledesma Woody (not to be confused with Susanna Almanza of PODER) in the heated Democratic Party runoff for Travis County Commissioner Precinct 4. Note: There is no contest in November, so who wins the runoff on Tuesday, May 26, will serve in this seat. LIV just released a video supporting Susanna HERE. Please share! Here's why you should beware of the effort to stop Susanna by Austin's echo chamber. In the last two election cycles, Susanna ran against longtime incumbent Margaret Gomez, who is now retiring. In Susanna’s second run, she lost to the 20-year incumbent by only 248 votes, shocking the Democratic Party establishment. LIV Board Member, Debbie Russell, who served with Susanna for eight years on the Del Valle School Board, wrote about our support HERE. Folks, there are many good people supporting either of these candidates. But if you visit the list of Morales supporters, you see what the problem is. It’s a pile-on of the Austin political establishment, calling political consultants “community leaders,” big real estate committed to Austin’s growth machine and political organizations that serve to keep “progressives” on a leash. The simple truth is Susanna Ledesma-Woody is deeply rooted in the district. LIV calls Susanna an independent Democrat. We’re doing all we can to make Susanna’s third time the charm. Join us! Susanna needs help making phone calls, knocking on doors, joining her text bank and, of course, she needs donations. Click on the map to see if you can vote in Precinct 4 or HERE. Susanna's Website is HERE. Also, please like, comment and share the video from LIV's Facebook page HERE, Early voting starts on May 18 Election Day is Tuesday, May 26 Many thanks to LIV Board Members, Debbie Russell and David Jones, for video production and to Susanna for never giving up for Del Valle!

BIG thanks to new member, Leslie Scouras for researching and writing the "Data Center Dance" for LIV. BIG kudos as well to longtime LIV Board Member, David Jones for his stellar narration. Two weeks ago, we had a great presentation on the "Data Center Dance." However, the audio was not good. Thanks to Leslie and David, we now have a great 16-minute non-hyperbolic presentation of the very real problems facing Texans on how the Legislature opened the barn door to allow an industry to take advantage of our land, our water and our tax dollars. This is great stuff, folks! Watch, share and comment on our Facebook page HERE. This coming Monday night, we will talk about the Data Center Dance and its likely partner, the Texas Data Center Hustle a well-worn dance Texas independents are getting wise to. RSVP for next Monday night's meeting HERE. PS If you haven 't become a member or donated to the all-volunteer LIV, please do HERE.

Ron Paul Several of us from LIV attended the Ron Paul Institute for Peace & Prosperity's fundraiser in Lake Jackson, Texas, entitled, "War is on the Menu," It was informative, with a dynamic line up of a speakers including independent journalist, Brian McGlinchey, political science professor, Robert Pape, former Congresswoman, Marjorie Taylor Greene, recently resigned Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, and of course, the inimitable Ron Paul. Ron Paul, now 90 years young, stood and spoke to us forcefully and brilliantly. Interestingly, as always, there was a healthy attendance of young people because Ron Paul reaches out to them in every way possible. Dr. Ron Paul and LIV's Linda Curtis I got a chance to talk with Dr. Paul for a few minutes letting him know when I first fell in love with him. I was there in 1988 when he and Lenora Fulani debated as the only minor party presidential candidates on the ballot in all 50 states. The NY-based black pro-socialist progressive Fulani was treated by Dr. Paul with the utmost respect, and she responded in kind. Then they had a thorough-going debate about Reaganomics! We captured Dr. Paul's extraordinary 45-minute talk at this event. Try to watch as much as you can before our Monday night meeting. Be sure to sign up to get the Zoom instructions: RSVP HERE

While warmongers seemed determined to fight the power of nature, LIV is celebrating Earth Day in San Marcos today, Saturday, April 18, in San Marcos, at the water wonderful Meadows Center. Join us 10 am to 4. Enjoy the free glass bottom boat tours. Details HERE . PS We can use some help at our booth. Look for the cowgirl trailer, pick up some swag and play the Water Grab Games and win a prize. This coming Monday night we meet as usual at 8 pm. We will have a go at Data Centers Part 2. Sign up HERE .

Are you sick and tired of being had on your water, your land and your taxes? Hop on Zoom tonight for Part 1 of Data Center Dance! Oh, we Texans are SO misled by guys in suits posing as businessmen. They were there last Thursday as "invited only" testimony took place before the Texas House State of Affairs Committee on Data Centers. We're here to tell you, it was a state of affairs alright, which is why LIV is joining the charge across Texas to put a stop to those who have been telling us a big yarn about data centers. RSVP HERE and read what we have posted on the event page to prepare for this Part 1 on the Data Center Dance. Be sure to read Quorum Report's report of the hearing HERE We thank Rep. Richard Raymond. (D-Laredo) and Rep. Helen Kerwin (R-Cleburn) for their leadership on this issue.

Professor Pape: Iran War Not Over, Trump TRAPPED . The President has us in the middle of a dangerous war and both parties in Congress are still playing partisan politics. Get involved, folks. Thanks to the Texas Tribune, for this excellent article, " Texas is giving data centers more than $1 billion in tax breaks each year ." After you read it, don't mourn, organize with LIV! More below. We missed this notice in our last email about a hearing in the Texas House on Data Centers: Tomorrow, Thursday, April 9, at 10 am you can attend or watch online the Texas House State Affairs Committee Hearing . If you miss it, watch it later HERE . This hearing is for invited testimony, but you can submit comments before the hearing closes. HEARING NOTICE HERE . Reminders : Bastrop; Dems are holding their own forum on data centers tomorrow night at 6:30 in person and streamed. Details HERE . LIV has been doing our own research and will hold a forum " Data Center Dance " on Zoom next Monday night, April 13 @8 pm. Details HERE . (Revisit the event page over the weekend for additional information. We're also working on having a special guest.) Visit our Events page for important events this Saturday, April 11, ( Texas Forward Party Convention ) and the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity event in Lake Jackson on Saturday, August 25. Texas is giving data centers more than $1 billion in tax breaks each year

"Where is he?" asks US Rep. Brendan Boyle about Russell Vought , OMB Director. Watch the 4-minute video or read the transcript HERE . Breaking : Just as we learned about the President's Easter Day unhinged profanity-filled Truth Social post HERE , we finished the following article. His post makes this article all the more urgent for us to keep our eyes on the prize. Hop on Zoom tonight to talk strategy for independents. RSVP Keep Your Eyes on the Prize, folks! Why has Russell Vought , the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) been missing for 15 months? It's a simple question posed by a member of the House Budget Committee, Congressman Brendon Boyle. The OMB is a key member of the Executive Branch and the President's cabinet. Its mission stated on its website is to , " assist the President in meeting his policy, budget, management and regulatory objectives and to fulfill the agency’s statutory responsibilities." What might trump (pardon the pun) the Epstein scandal, and even the massively destructive war with Iran -- chosen by the President and Bibi Netanyahu, not the U.S. Congress -- is the $40T federal debt. The Problem : Reminder: the Pentagon has failed its last 8 audits. Most Americans have no idea who Russell Vought is, what the OMB's function is, or even how dangerous to our economy are the raids by the so-called "military industrial complex" that now demands a massive increase in military spending (Politico) and cuts to domestic programs and services. (See the president's ill-timed rant about how he's too busy fighting wars to worry about childcare. HERE .) The Real Problem : Millions of Americans simply do not trust their political leaders stuck in the swamp of two-party politics. Therefore, the country is also stuck in a nightmare of confusion, war and fiscal madness, as the world is watching, and hating, us. The Solution Organize, educate and mobilize the 45% independent nonaligned voters to peacefully intervene to demand President Trump apologize and reverse course in Iran, resign or face impeachment . Third time is a charm. Russell Vought is missing alright and so are we, the American people.

March 31 Gallup Poll on the U.S. job market HERE : "The Data: In Q4 2025, 19% of college-educated workers said it was a good time to find a quality job, compared with 35% of workers without a college degree. The Trend: This marks a reversal from prior years, when college-educated workers were the more optimistic group. In addition, just 19% of Gen Z workers are optimistic about the job market, compared with a third of Gen X workers and 42% of baby boomers." Who is the Trump administration at war with, Iran or the American people? The administration appears headed off the cliff of economic and political suicide, but it doesn't look like most people (including many Congressional Republicans- SEE HERE ) are ready to jump. Keep calling your members of Congress to stop this war disaster. Are you on Social Security? Here's how this affects you. This affects us all: U.S. Tomahawk Hit Naval Base Beside Iranian School, Video Shows In Texas, at the top of LIV's list is water, land and our democracy right here in the USA. First & Foremost for Bastrop & Lee Countians! Take the time to read the Simsboro Aquifer Water Defense Fund (SAWDF) Water Report. Then, take the simple action, as they request on the "DFC Process." We apologize we missed the first date, Apr. 2, but another meeting is on April 16. Full SAWDF Report HERE The big news for all of Texas: It appears that the AI Bubble is beginning to burst • yahoo! finance: Tech Billionaires Are Quietly Rooting for AI Bubble to Collapse • Breaking Points: AI BUBBLE POP? HALF Of Datacenters Delayed/Canceled In the meantime, what do we -- Texas independents -- really have the power to do? We can organize locally. Organize a LIV Hub. We're just getting started with a survey we are testing in the field. We'll talk about it on Monday night as the only "boots on the ground" worth engaging in. Don't Forget These Upcoming Events! Monday, April 6, 8 pm online LIV weekly meeting is now just a weekly meeting. Our speaker has to reschedule for a presentation on the Save America Act. RSVP HERE   Thursday, April 9, 6:30 pm, Kerr Community Ctr : a local Bastrop forum on data centers Andy Wier (Simsboro Aquifer Water Defense Fund) and Elvis Hernandez (General Mgr of the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District) about the impact of data centers . The small room may necessitate watching the stream on Facebook. Sponsored by Bastrop Democrats. More HERE on our Events page. Saturday, April 11 , LIV members will attend the Texas Forward Party  convention to be held in Austin. Linda Curtis , LIV's "petition queen," is conducting a petition workshop at this event. Sign up to attend this free event HERE . Monday, April 13, 8 pm online LIV weekly meeting , "The Data Center Dance: what's really going on?" LIV active members have been doing our own research on data centers and plans for incentives through tax abatements. RSVP HERE . Saturday, April 18: Come visit our cowgirl trailer at Earth Day in San Marcos at Texas State University, sponsored by the Meadows Center. Volunteers needed to help! Contact us . Saturday, April 25, 8:30 - 1 pm, Lake Jackson, TX , LIV will attend the annual event of the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity, "War is on War is Back on the Menu". More HERE .

LIV proudly endorses Susanna Ledesma-Woody , for Travis County Commissioners Court, Pct. 4 in the Democratic Primary as the independent voice in this race. Early Voting, May 18 thru May 22 • Runoff Election Day: Tuesday, May 26. Info: HERE   There are only 5 seats on the Travis County Commissioners Court. For nearly 1.4 million people, these officials need to do some serious representing! Precinct 4 (southeast Travis County, which includes a portion of Del Valle) is arguably the most squeezed for resources. Housing prices, and stock, are getting more out of reach for the mainly working-class population.   There is a run-off in the Democratic Primary for this seat between longtime community activist, Susanna Ledesma-Woody , and George Morales III , Precinct 4 Constable, who stepped down to run for this seat. Since there is no Republican running in November, the winner of this runoff will be the next Precinct 4 Travis County Commissioner to be seated in January 2027. Morales is an affable enough guy but keeps claiming that the Democratic Party wants him in this seat. He is claiming it’s his turn .   Hey independents, you know what this is, right? Democratic Party establishment politics. This guy was making $127,266 from the counties’ coffers currently. If he wins this race, which he claims some sort of entitlement to, his salary will be $152,589 per year. Cha-ching!   Let us tell you about Susanna Ledesma-Woody.   Ledesma-Woody started as a community organizer two decades ago, founding the Del Valle Community Coalition to empower the modest-income community of Del Valle by addressing food and healthcare access, education, and a home-ownership “resilience” program and more. She joined the Del Valle ISD Board of Trustees in 2011.   Susanna has never been paid for 20 years of community service.   On the school board, Susanna has made immense changes to better the district in almost every measure of district governance, making her experience far more applicable to the Commissioners Court. Morales headed an office that serves eviction notices, warrants and traffic tickets.   And, as a school board member, Susanna was the only county official  to reject Tesla’s incentive deal, knowing full well working with bad actors would hurt working families. See KVUE HERE  and Austin Chronicle article HERE .   Susanna Ledesma-Woody is a fighter, not an entitled, partisan glad-hander. Nuff said.      Disclosure: I had the pleasure of serving with Ledesma-Woody for eight years on the Del Valle School Board.   Learn more about Susanna, volunteer and give her a donation at here website: https://www.votesusanna.net/ ________________________ Additional Info: Susanna has received the Austin-American Statesman endorsement .

Join us tonight, Monday, March 30, 8 pm for our weekly LIV meeting online. We will focus on the article linked below, "Picking our Favorite Wars" and building LIV Hubs. RSVP HERE In this Edition of LIV News March 30, 2026 • For discussion tonight, Picking our Favorite Wars and LIV Hubs HERE • LIV Endorses Susanna Ledesma-Woody , Runoff for Travis County Commissioner HERE Upcoming Events Tonight, Monday, March 30, LIV Weekly Meeting at 8: RSVP HERE We will discuss our lead article, "Picking our favorite wars." and establishing LIV Hubs . Thursday, April 2, 6:30 pm online, establishing our first LIV Hub , starting in Bastrop County. All members welcome from wherever you are in Texas. RSVP HERE . Monday, April 6, 8 pm online LIV weekly meeting, Guest Speaker Andy Griffith ( OpenBallothq.com ) will discuss his policy paper to be released by LIV this coming Thursday about the Save Act. RSVP HERE Saturday, April 11 , LIV members will attend the Texas Forward Party convention to be held in Austin. Linda Curtis , LIV's "petition queen," is conducting a petition workshop at this event. Sign up to attend this free event HERE . Monday, April 13, 8 pm online LIV weekly meeting , TENTATIVE : "The Data Center Dance: what's really going on?" SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, April 18: LIV will have a booth at the Earth Day in San Marcos at Texas State University, sponsored by the Meadows Center. Volunteers needed to help! Contact us . Saturday, April 25, 8:30 - 1 pm, Lake Jackson, TX , LIV will attend the annual event of the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity, "War is on War is Back on the Menu". More HERE . LIV Team PS Austinites ! Read THIS Austin Bulldog article. See convention center whistle-blower and "petition queen" (and so much more), Katie Kam run in District 9 in November!

Henry Kissinger said this, according to William F. Buckley • Snopes HERE Today, people across the globe are revisiting (politically speaking) the grave of Henry Kissinger , the deeply hated national security advisor and Secretary of State during the Vietnam war, a colossal mistaken war of choice. Why is it so hard for us to believe we're here again? Short term memory loss? How about our own refusal to face our own failure to get us out of the two-party doom loop? On Saturday, I watched two important talks. One was by John Mearsheimer on Prof. Glenn Diesen 's show excerpted HERE . (Incredible hour version HERE .) I also watched Bernie Sanders' speech at the No Kings rally in St. Paul, MN HERE . John Mearsheimer is always a surprise, though I wouldn’t call it a pleasant one . He says Iran’s refusal to agree to Donald Trump’s “ 15-point demands ”* indicates that Iran believes it holds the cards. He thinks they do as well, stating, “Trump is trapped in his own war of choice,” just as our $39T debt spiral is setting in. The Pentagon  failed its eighth audit in December 2025 , on the heels of U.S. spending $188B on the war in Ukraine . Remember that war of choice -- Ukraine -- by the previous administration? If Trump carries through on his threats, he says, "it will take the world economy off a cliff." Welcome to the two-party doom loop. What Bernie did say in St. Paul is what's most important. Bernie is rarely a surprise, though we appreciate him as the most independent and consistent of the Democrats . About 22 minutes into his speech, he talks about how progressives, moderates and conservatives are united against the war with Iran. True! But, he fails to take it to the independent mat. Let's imagine for a moment if Bernie said something like this: "The Democratic Party has been mistaken by continuing to wage a strictly partisan war against the Republicans in its sole pursuit of political power. Sure, Trump is a big problem and everyone now knows this. But are the Democrats willing to lead the world in the pursuit of peace and diplomacy and how would we do that given our own hypocrisy and warmongering in Ukraine? We must stop picking our favorite wars, sorry." No, he did not say this. But, I would have given my eye teeth to see the response from the 10,000 people in that crowd. Let's talk about what we in America can do to get us out of the madness of picking our favorate wars.