Sunday Best: On Texas and Political ‘Cowpie’

A cold reality.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story February 21, 2021 This week, as a brutal storm tore through their state, millions of Texans were plunged into darkness and freezing temperatures. Their supply of light and heat had been severed. Some Republicans have argued that renewables are to blame for the crisis, but Richard Parker says that's "just cowpie." Rather, the storm has "laid bare the fallacy, still prominent in the Lone Star State, that oil and gas are more important than impending climate catastrophe." Regardless of who is to blame, this storm won't be the last to cause havoc in this country. To better prepare for future extreme weather, Jesse Jenkins implores us to now "look at what went wrong, and what to do about it." Because "when it comes to America's electrical infrastructure, Texas is only the tip of a rapidly melting iceberg," Spencer Bokat-Lindell writes. — Jennifer Brown Ina Jang 'We Are Going to Keep You Safe, Even if It Kills Your Spirit' For the millions of Americans living with dementia, every day during this pandemic can bring a fresh horror. By Katie Engelhart Julian Glander Desperate for Distraction, We Chose Dragons A game of fantasy offers a way out of isolation. By Jake Halpern Ricardo Santos The Real Story of the 'Draft Riots' In 1863, mobs of white New Yorkers terrorized Black people. The response has something to teach us. By Elizabeth Mitchell Sara Andreasson And Then the Gorillas Started Coughing Humans are spreading the coronavirus to other animals. What does that mean for all of us? By David Quammen Leah Nash for The New York Times Don't Go Down the Rabbit Hole Critical thinking, as we're taught to do it, isn't helping in the fight against misinformation. By Charlie Warzel Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT "The Argument" returns on Feb. 24 with a new host, Jane Coaston. The news tells you what's going on, but not what to make of it. Every week on the podcast, Jane and her guests will debate an argument from multiple angles, so that you can decide where you stand and how to persuade the opposition. Listen to the trailer and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Read the full Opinion report here. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Sunday Best from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018