Rebel Texas Democrats to Hold Conference

Oh, maybe it was "despicable children", or "spilt milk", that suggested to me that you were typing through your tears, Scrat.

The actions of this leadership were juvenile. And their response to the Democrats not rolling over and taking it was also predictable, and immature.

They need to wait seven more years before the matter of redistricting comes up again.

But they won't--childish bastards.

Tartarin, I'm sure Maine is glad you left.

Hey scrat - define for me the illegal actions the democrats took (under the law - the Texas law, which applies here), and the legal actions the republicans took? Playing with words does not make them fact.

A lot of us are cheering the stand-up action of the dems, and everything it stands for, but it is not ILLEGAL. Go look it up under Texas law - and no, I won't do it for you. You're the one arguing it, so you do the work. And then define for me in Texas law language the legality of the actions the republicans are proposing. You are trying very hard, but not presenting any kind of factual case. This is your opinion - fine. But don't try to make it something it isn't.

I would like to know your sources for the legality and illegality of what happened. A lot of texans here seem to know a lot about their state. You do not appear to be one of them.

What you are NOT understanding correctly is that denial of a quorum is NOT illegal.

In fact, it is a perfectly justifiable procedural manuever. Which is why there is a remedy for it:

Under the Texas Constitution, the Speaker can instruct the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House (or an officer appointed by him/her) to find and take into custody those who are absent without excuse (you'll find that in Texas House Rule 5 section 8; sorry, no link, I'm too lazy, find it yourself) "and their attendance shall be secured and retained."

The Democrats broke no laws.

If they had, then Oklahoma, or the FBI, or someone with some authority would've busted their asses in Ardmore.

Get it?

The tactic used by the Democrats is nothing new to the state and probably originated during the Civil War, when the legislature drafted a bill for Governor Sam Houston to sign, making Texas an official state of the Confederacy: Houston went into hiding and I don't believe he ever signed the bill at all. Then there were the "killer bees" not so long ago who did this. What I am saying; it is not the end of Texas as we know it. It's more like business as usual.

See? These guys are vulnerable!! (Honestly, Cjhsa...!)

Well stated, Mamaj. Let us none of us EVER AGAIN handhold these kiddos who don't really care and don't, above all, want to do any work. Welfare queen? Scrat? It's possible!

Bi-Po

PDiddie and Edgar -- I confess my ignorance about Texas law when it comes to quorum and can't find anything online that helps, though many discussions of this issue imply there IS a law. Therefore, I assumed there was a casus belli which enabled the DPS to go gunnin' for the guys in Ardmore. Now, if there wasn't, that makes the Republican case even worse. Can you clarify?

Meanwhile, Sheriff Burkhart of Ardmore OK is a Dem who's been getting flack from Republicans in his state about NOT arresting the guys in the Holiday Inn. The Ardmore paper reports on his response to this idiocy. I excerpt a piece from the article for your amusement:



"...Burkhart said if and when he is presented with legitimate Texas governor's warrants that call for the arrest of the legislators his department will take appropriate actions.

"'Until them we intend to show our hospitality,' he said.

"Acting Ardmore Police Chief John Beene said his department's stance is much the same as the sheriff's.

"'Nothing has changed. They have broken no laws in Oklahoma and as far as we can tell they haven't violated Texas law. If that changes we would do our duty,' Beene said.

"Texas Republicans tried Wednesday to convince the FBI to get involved in their effort to force the Lone star state's Democrats back across the Red River and provide the Texas House with a voting quorum. FBI officials said they refused to launch an investigation, calling the request, 'not a law enforcement matter.'...



So, if there was no legal basis for harrassing the absentees, tracing planes, using the DPS, etc. etc., aren't the Republicans in deep sh*t? I sure do hope so!

I am not versed in the law, except, I know this is done here from time to time and I have never heard of anyone getting punished for it.

What gets people thinking "illegal" is the DPS (which in this case is the 'officer' appointed by the S-a-A) 's involvement.

And the House Rule I cited above DOES use the word 'arrest'. This is not to be taken in its normal sense, of wrangling a lawbreaker. Literally what they are supposed to do is find them and bring them back to the chamber.

It's not a crime to break a House rule.

Everybody gets that Texas peace officers have no jurisdiction outside of Texas, which is why the Dems went to Oklahoma in the first place. They understood what the rules were.

Tart, I don't think this is the biggest problem the ReThugs have.

They attempted to re-do something that even the Republican Attorney General said was unnecessary, which was redraw Congressional districts to their favor two years after the USSC verified the current map. They did this despite there being more pressing legislation before the House--a budget crisis, a medical malpractice insurance crisis, etc.

They lost the PR war in the media and in the minds of the electorate. And they may continue to press the issue in a special session, which would compound their error, not to mention amplify their hubris.

But, IMO, they REALLY screwed up when the got the Office of Homeland Security involved in tracking former Speaker Laney's plane to Ardmore.

The feds got caught spying on an American politician.

Do you think if there had been a Democrat involved anywhere in there (except as the hunted) that that would have been allowed to happen?

But what can you expect any more from conservatives?

What I love about all this is the way the Republicans have already shot themselves in the foot. They reacted in a typical "mean spirited" (remember that phrase?) way and now people are turning up their noses. Then today, they decided they'd change their tune, when they could see how it was going against them. But it's too late. They have displayed themselves for what they are and they have no "honorable war" to make folks divert their eyes. It's the beginning. The Republicans will win this election for the Democrats, as they have done time and again. And I'm having trouble not splitting my sides laughin about it.

What the Democrats have done is obviously not illegal, nor is it undemocratic. So the rule of law is not injured. What they've done is make a giant step toward exposing the Republicans and I think even Carl Rove can't save their asses now.

There is a general acceptance of Republicans in Texas that makes it all but inevitable they will continue to control the state. Many voters are so dead set against anything "Democrat" that they will overlook Republicans' shortcomings and vote the straight ticket for them. It remains to be seen what will happen nationally.

Edgar, I agree about the Republicans and Texas. I'm talking about national politics. It's time for the tables to turn.

I think it's too soon to know if the Democrats even have a chance.

I hope you're right, Lola, and I hope the current Republican leaders will continue to shoot themselves in the feet until a clear majority of the country can no longer tolerate their attitudes and agendas.

Meanwhile, I feel very proud to be an Oklahoman this week. I hope the Texas Demos will feel free to come back if the Reps try it again in special session. The beer 'n' barbeque are on me....

Thanks, PDiddie. That's more or less what I thought, but I must have misunderstood something further up these pages...

Republican means never having to doubt yourself in Texas. Nationally it has come to mean never having to say you're sorry!
Worldwide, it has come to mean fascism and imperialism...
My, they have a lot to be proud of!
Ah, but they seem to go to bed early. That's a blessing.

bookmark....this is such a wonderful story

I don't know about it being too early. Obviously I'm spouting predictions that are at this point informed wishes. I just know human psychology. And somehow I think the press will help by reporting more fairly now that the Iraq invasion is done (so to speak.) The press has taken a lot of valid criticism about their failure to maintain balanced and fair coverage. And besides, stirring the pot of politics heading for an election sells news. I sure hope my wishes come true. It seems the press always gets on the case of the party presently in power. If that's the case, hold on.

This is the best news I've heard in such a long time! Wish I could be there to party with Molly Ivins!!

I was getting edgy listening to the numbers on this evening's radio news. The economy may be turning around. As much as I hate the low we've been in, I want it to stay a little supressed long enough to trip up Bush in the next election. I know, I'm bad.