Eagle Pass has become the epicenter due to an unprecedented number of migrants crossing the border to apply for asylum, leading to Governor Greg Abbott declaring a crisis and deploying the Texas National Guard, which attracted Republican governors, congressional delegations, and media attention.
Governor Abbott's actions have led to increased hotel prices, disruption of local businesses, and a militarized border with fencing, buoys, and razor wire, which locals like Magali Urbina argue are ineffective and merely push migrants to other states.
The narrative is seen as a political stunt to create chaos and fear, particularly in an election year, to benefit Donald Trump's re-election campaign and Republican candidates by portraying the border as a national security threat.
Some individuals are practicing political abstinence due to disgust with the political process, dissatisfaction with candidates, and a desire to avoid the toxicity of political discourse, focusing instead on community issues.
Magic: The Gathering is a turn-based collectible card game where players use resources called mana to play creatures and attack opponents. J.D. Vance, a politician, was revealed to have played the game, with his favorite strategy being Yawgmoth's Bargain, a deck that trades life for power.
Players see Vance's involvement in the game as a sign of intelligence and strategic thinking, though some express concern about his willingness to sacrifice principles for political gain, as evidenced by his flip-flopping on Trump.
Revisit more of the best field pieces from 2024, including Michael Kosta's report on the real "invaders" of a Texas border town, Grace Kuhlenschmidt's lesson on political abstinence, and Ronny Chieng's game of Magic the Gathering: GOP edition.
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