Texas Dem's go to Oklahoma

[dr. freeze]

Whats new? Democrats don't show up to work!!!

LMAO...they don't get their way so they leave the state. Real maturity. Thats what happens when you don't have the majority. I guess Dem's can't get that in their heads. Same in the US Congress with the federal judges. Bush is trying to get rid of the stench on the bench who gives out lottery awards at the expense of the taxpayer and the Dems block every nominee.

Now in Texas they leave the state because they don't get their way. Very representative of the people. Fortunately a select few dems stayed put and refused to be cowardice.

We'll see how this move plays out for these folks' political careers. Other than in the welfare dominated districts who get free money for not working (essentially a bought vote), I can't see many Texans appreciating their congressman fleeing to Okie.

 

[Bluemound Freak]

Give em a little time and they may try to make a Texas 2

 

[Turfgrass]

Over fifty Democrats, members of the Texas House of Representatives, have fled the state to exile in Oklahoma. And why?

Here?s the story:

1) Texas voters put the Republicans in charge of the Texas legislature.

2) The Texas legislature only meets once every two years.

3) One of the responsibilities of the Legislature is to redraw the lines of congressional districts in Texas.

4) For years the Democrats were in charge of drawing congressional districts in Texas. For all of those years the Republicans served in the legislature so that this vital business could be conducted.

5) During these years the Texas Democrats would draw these congressional districts in such as way as to assure the election of as many Democrats to the Congress as possible.

6) Now the Republicans are in the driver?s seat, and the Republicans get to redraw the congressional districts. They have drawn up a redistricting map that will make the Texas delegation majority Democrat.

7) Instead of emulating Republican behavior during all those years when Democrats were in charge and calling the shots, the Democrats have fled en masse to Oklahoma.

8) The Republican Governor of Texas sent the Texas Rangers to bring the Democrats back to do what they were elected to do, represent their constituents.

9) The Democratic Governor of Oklahoma blocked the Texas Rangers from bringing the miscreants home, saying that the Rangers had no jurisdiction in Oklahoma.

10) So, the Democrats, who are in a minority in the Texas legislature, are hiding in Oklahoma, refusing to participate in the process of redistricting. Why? Because they?re going to get the same exact treatment they?ve been giving Republicans for generations.

What are we learning here? We?re learning that Democrats can be counted on to act like Democrats. To Democrats government power is everything. They believe America is great because of government, and they feel that being in charge of government is tantamount to being in charge of, and responsible for America?s greatness. To achieve and to maintain this government power Democrats will do almost anything. They will eagerly sabotage any economic recovery for this country if they could parlay that bad economic news into an defeat for Republicans in 2004. And, in Texas, they will stomp their feet, cry and run to Oklahoma if they can?t have their way in congressional redistricting.

Sad and pathetic.

 

[dr. freeze]

yep...same thing with the judges....Repubs do not obstruct Clinton nominees but EVERY nominee that Bush puts through is slandered and attacked and obstructed.....

Dems do not realize that they are in the minority it seems....Repubs in the minority gritted their teeth but never pulled such tactics when liberal judges assumed the bench...

same in Texas...Dems have gerrymandered lines for years now Repubs get to redraw lines and Dems leave the state

 

[djv]

Are we sure the dems are the minority. I was sure Fox said the repub,s would be after new lines are agreed by a state judge? What the hell kind of government do they run down there. I know Texas is the nations leader in death penalty exacutions. Maybe they could do a little work on the politician side of things. Sounds like they have to many to start with.

 

[StevieD]

Maybe I am missing something here. The Majority Republicans are redrawing the lines so the Democrats will be the majority party but the Democrats refuse to vote and run to Oklahoma? :shrug:
Reminds me of the old saying If there was a back door to the Alamo, San Antonio, would be in Mexico.

 

[AR182]

i heard about this story yesterday & thought it was very funny. it's probably helping the oklahoma hotel industry.
then i heard that the texas rangers were ordered to round them up, which i thought was hilarious!!!
when i was a kid there was a tv show called "tales of the texas rangers". i can just picture this story on that show, & at the end we see about 20 rangers on separate horses, with each one pulling a tied up democrat. I think this is very funny picture!!!!


stevie,

what i understand id that the dems. would lose seats after the re-districting.

 

[djv]

Now we here the rest of the story. they redraw these district lines every 10 years. However Tom Delay one of Texas US congressman. For what ever reason stuck his nose in here. He thought now was a good time 7 years early. Thats call fu// the system. Now im glad those dudes went across the state line.

 

[DR STRANGELOVE]

Is there a law that requires Texas legislators to be present for every vote? I doubt it. So what would they be arrested for? What they are doing (preventing a vote by denying a quorum) is a little underhanded (no more underhanded than what the Repubs are trying to do with rezoning) but it isn't illegal.

 

[StevieD]

Now it makes sense. Thanks DJV. I applaud the awol legislators.

 

[dr. freeze]

LMAO....Do you actually think Tom DeLay has anything to do with it???

That is just more Democratic rhetoric. They drag DeLay into the mud just like they used to drag Gingrich. DeLay has as much to do with this as does Dr. Freeze.

And NO they do NOT redraw the lines every 10 years. Your Texas history is horrible if you think that way.

A redrawing of the lines will actually put more seats in minority hands. And dem's are bitching about it.

And even IF DeLay WAS involved.....Why leave the state??? Why not just go to your job and do it as best you can??? Absolutely ridiculous. When you are in the minority, you do not get your way all the time. Period.

 

[dr. freeze]

Is there a law that requires Texas legislators to be present for every vote? I doubt it. So what would they be arrested for? What they are doing (preventing a vote by denying a quorum) is a little underhanded (no more underhanded than what the Repubs are trying to do with rezoning) but it isn't illegal.

yes there is...its in the Texas constitution that Congress SHALL convene...and they are not convening. Can't press charges, but you can bring them back to convene.

 

[djv]

I hate to say it but it's a smart political move on there part. And yes Mr Delay did get in middle of this. And yes they average 8 to 10 years for redrawing the lines. And yes it was done 3 almost 4 years ago. Either that or O' Rilley has got his facts all wrong. Im starting to give him alittle more credit. He's turning the wicked up a little on the adminastration lately instead of just kissing there ring hand. O'Rilley real pissed about the Saudis as I was for over two years. Time a few more folks question some of our polices. This dont say anything. If you do your not a patriot. I think more and more folks are seeing through that smoke screen. This play in Texas is just another power move. One that was not scheduled.

 

[Terryray]

don't ya love TX politics?

don't ya love TX politics?

this hiding for a quorum is nothing new in TX.

I lived in TX for several years, and politics is a blood sport there---and no winning tactic is ever to be over looked.

so much fun!


but you gotta live there and be involved to understand it, and all it's rules (written and unwritten)


Alot of misinformation in this thread.....



Republicans leaders figure on picking up 20 or so additional seats with their redistricting plan. They are ticked at Fed Judge redistricting plan that they claim gave Dems a 17 or so seat majority in US House----in a state that is overwhelmingly Republican.


the redrawing of lines is a federal mandate after every census, (every 10 years). Judge did the last 'cause the ledge couldn't agree on one. the law doesn't require a new one now, but Republican can't resist.


Austin (basically Travis County), where I lived for years, is a large district represented by a very liberal Dem. New plan will split Travis County into 3 districts, seriously endagering the dem there, and certain to add more repubs. Austin, the only large liberal city in TX, will be carved up in a fashion like no other large city in TX. If it goes thru, good chance the representative for the city won't even live there.

and if you know anything about redistricting, especially in states like TX, this change would be expected---not even surprising, let along shocking. A huge change from boring and well run Oregon, where I grew up!


DeLay has been the driving force behind the redistrciting "I'm the majority leader, and we want more seats," DeLay said. Every Texan and TX newspaper has gone deep into DeLays extensive involvement here.



Missing Dems will be back friday, too late for any redisctricing plan. Then, the next tactic would be for Republicans to convene a special session. I've already figured out numerous 3-dimensional chess tactics each side could take when things start moving for that.





for exciting reading, here's the law:


The Texas House rules allow for the arrest of members who intentionally bust a quorum. Rule 5, section 8 states:

When a call of the House is moved for one of the above purposes and seconded by 15 members (of whom the speaker may be one) and ordered by a majority vote, the main entrance to the hall and all other doors leading out of the hall shall be locked and no member permitted to leave the House without the written permission of the speaker.

The names of members present shall be recorded. All absentees for whom no sufficient excuse is made may, by order of a majority of those present, be sent for and arrested, wherever they may be found, by the sergeant-at-arms or an officer appointed by the sergeant-at-arms for that purpose, and their attendance shall be secured and retained.

The House shall determine on what conditions they shall be discharged. Members who voluntarily appear shall, unless the House otherwise directs, be immediately admitted to the hall of the House and shall report their names to the clerk to be entered in the journal as present.

Until a quorum appears, should the roll call fail to show one present, no business shall be transacted, except to compel the attendance of absent members or to adjourn. It shall not be in order to recess under a call of the House.