Whitmire gives Texas Senate a quorum for third special session

[CaptAhab]

"The third special session on redistricting opened at noon with Sen. John Whitmire of Houston giving Republicans something they have lacked since July 28 -- a Senate quorum."
...
"The Senate atmosphere was highly charged as about 350 supporters of the Democratic boycott filled the gallery. They planned to cheer when the other boycotting senators returned."
...
"(The 10 other Democratic Senators) had planned to return to the Senate as a group once Whitmire established the quorum. But at three minutes past 12 p.m. Whitmire moved that the Senate stand adjourned until 10 a.m. Tuesday. The crowd in the gallery burst into boos and jeers of: "Nazis. You're acting like Nazis!""


http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2099924

[qanda]

1. Why is this allowed to continue?

nt

[lindashaw]

13. Because my state spawns stupid people!

I live in Johnson County, the most corrupt and backward county in this state. If you can believe, our founding fathers voted to never allow a college to be build in Johnson County. So now we have a corrupt, STUPID county. Hmmm...wonder if DeLay had a hand in that, too?

[Rose Siding]

35. They outlawed colleges?

Linda, I am so sorry. That's astounding.

As I watch this debacle unfold, it is hard to imagine how frustrating it must be to be a Dem in TX. I know there are many really good ones.

[Trek234]

39. Well

At least we aren't as bad as Alabama.

Really though - there isn't even a damn reason for dems to vote in this state right now. Way too much repub control.

[benfranklin1776]

2. In the future the name John Whitmire should be remembered

as being synonymous with a traitorous betrayal. Here democracy has been betrayed by his capitulation. So when we call someone a Whitmire it will have the same effect as calling them an Benedict Arnold or Vidkun Quisling. The name Tom Delay the cause of this crisis should be remembered as being synonymous with odious, third rate, petty fascist tyranny as that practiced by Mussolini.

[Flying_Pig]

3. Well put Ben....

n/t

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[indigo11153]

5. Bull

We knew nothing of the sort. Whitmire is a traitor to Texas.

[benfranklin1776]

6. The bullshit was in fact Mr. DeLay's effort

To get himself more seats which was his stated and avowed goal. Thus he decided the constitution and the will of the peple be damned lets hijack democracy and gerrymander at will. The Texas Dems who bolted did so to stop his antidemocratic power grab. If you want to blame someone for no legislative business being done then blame the Exterminator and Goodhair. If there remains any justice then a court will strike down Mr. Delay's willful tampering with the architecture of representative democracy.

[Trek234]

41. Don't count on it

The repubs wouldn't be going through this HIGHLY noticeable effort just to have it all thrown away in court. I'm sure relavent judges are in the GOP pocket.

[cprise]

7. Democracy is not representatives voting to disenfranchise

...their constituents.

[benfranklin1776]

10. Exactly right.

See though to Rethugs democracy its all about power and acquiring it at all costs rules and laws be damned. Don't like the result of a lawful recount proceeding under the election laws of a state, have your buds on the Supreme Court stop it, don't like the results of the Califronia gubernatorial election then finance a recall so you can slide a candidate in with a small percentage of the vote, don't like the results of a court approved reapportionment plan done pursuant to the constitutional requirement then hey have a new reapportionment session and create districts that twist like the serpents the architects are. Its a pattern and a disturbingly anti-democratic one.

[library_max]

20. And don't forget

That the Texas 11 broke quorum and left the state only after the Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst changed the Senate rules which require a 2/3 majority to bring up an item for debate and a vote, to a simple majority. The Republicans lost the vote in the first special session (when both houses had quorum) because they didn't have a 2/3 voting majority in the Senate. So not only is this gerrymandering, they had to arbitrarily change the voting rules to get it passed!

[benfranklin1776]

21. An excellent point.

And quite consistent with the overall m.o. Indeed.

[Red_Viking]

8. You must be kidding

Any legislation to benefit the people of Texas is absolutely last on their list. Redistricting is the SOLE reason for these special sessions.

The Dems in exile told Governor Goodhair if he would DROP redistricting and focus on these other supposedly important issues, they would return. The Governor declined. The Dems did not return.

Yep, helping us is what the Republicans are all about!

:dem:

RV

[liberalnurse]

9. Whitmire is a traitor.....

Whitmire is a traitor of democracy.....Yeap, thats what it is alright. Was he bought off? Did he violate his sworn oath of office to his fellow Texans? ...Hummmm sure he did.....That is what makes a traitor. He passes the test....Let the record reflect and history make note.....Whitmire is a traitor.

[bigluckyfeet]

24. I wonder

how many pieces of silver he got for his work?

[benfranklin1776]

25. Indeed but even Judas eventually saw the grievous error of his ways.

..and renounced them in sorrow, but the damage had been done. Perchance someday Mr. Whitmire will feel remorse as well but again the damage has been done unless a court undoes it. It is for certain though that Whitmire will never stand with the legions of great men honored in Profiles in Courage who put the interests of preserving democracy and the nation ahead of their own political interests at great personal cost. He will however make an excellent case study for Profiles in Spinelessness.

[joeybee12]

23. Right-he's a traitor! The Dems need their own Tom DeLay...

...to keep people in line!

[CBHagman]

38. Bite your tongue! The country needs to know DeLay ....

...is infernally corrupt, anti-worker, pro-sweatshop, and virtually devoid of morals. The last thing ANYONE needs is another Tom DeLay.

We do, however, need more fearless, strong-spined Democrats far and wide.

And we must all work towards the day when the extent of DeLay's corruption is known by every schoolchild in the land.

[Judi Lynn]

11. Is Whitmire the same butthead who broke ranks and went home?

What a damned shame.

From the end of the article posted above:

(snip)Meanwhile, League of United Latin American Citizens President Hector Flores and Texas NAACP President Gary Bledsoe announced they will sue to halt the implementation of any redistricting plan adopted by the Legislature.

"I don't think there is any question that what they will proposed will violate the Voting Rights Act," Bledsoe said. (snip/)

Really would like to hear more about this. What are their chances?

On edit:

sun6302! Welcome to DU! :hi: :hi: :hi:

[lindashaw]

14. Yes

[Red_Viking]

15. I hope I hope I hope

Somewhere out there is a judge who would overthrow this insane attempt at gerrymandering. *Sigh*

This is a freak show without the tent.

And yep, Whitmire's a pig. There was a big story about it in the Austin Chronicle (alternative newspaper). They called him a scab. :-)

RV

[Hawkeye-X]

22. If the lawsuit happens

the Colorado Supreme Court will make whatever they decide (since GOP passed their joke of a redistricting plan and is trying to force the enactment, but is now in the court again) the law of the land since the Supreme Court of the United States will reject the appeal and tell the Repukes to fuck off and die.

Hawkeye-X

[CMT]

12. I wonder how much they paid him off for

I'm sure his district will not be touched.

[Gin]

16. How can we find out what he was bought and sold for?

gin

[lindashaw]

17. Molly Ivins probably knows....:)

[Judi Lynn]

18. It'll be a sin if this doesn't come out!

I hope he comes to really regret his traitorous actions.

He's screwing people OUTSIDE Texas, as well.

[liberalnurse]

19. Maybe the great snoop

Larry Flint can find out for us?

[sonias]

30. Here's some possible evidence

Word on the street is that Perry put the screws to Locke, Liddell and Sapp and they told John to heel and like a good working dog, he obeyed his master.

Sonia
--------------------------

Whitmire returns; now his motives are under scrutiny
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/2085208
(snip)
Angry Democrats suggested that Whitmire might be trying to help his law firm -- the influential Locke Liddell & Sapp -- which is eager to curry Republican favor in a GOP-dominated state.
(snip)
According to Texas Lawyer magazine, Locke Liddell earned more money for lobbying than any other law firm during the 2003 Legislature -- somewhere between $1.755 million and $3.155 million.
(snip)
If Whitmire's split from the Texas 11 helps Republicans gain the redistricting prize, Locke Liddell stands to gain clout and business, said state Rep. Garnet Coleman, a Houston Democrat who helped kill redistricting during this year's regular Legislature when he joined more than 50 other quorum-breaking Democrats in Ardmore, Okla.


http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist15/dist15.htm
"practicing attorney of counsel to the law firm Locke, Liddell, and Sapp in Houston"

[mndemocrat_29]

26. This is one of the saddest days in our country

Repukes have broken rules and laws to meet their own means. I beg all Texas DUers to do everything within your power to elect as many Democrats to the next legislative section as possible.

For all of you DUers who wonder what's the matter with moderate Repukes like Jim Leach and Lincoln Chafee. We need to eliminate them because they support Tom DeLay, Orrin Hatch, and Rick Perry.

[w4rma]

27. Don't forget about Sen. Armbrister (turncoat D-TX-18)

He was the Democratic state Senator that voted *WITH* the Republicans to do away with the 2/3's rule and stayed behind whle the other 11 fought.
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/members/dist18/dist18.htm

[benfranklin1776]

28. Then he should be afforded Chapter 2 in Profiles in Spinelessness.

Since that behavior is equally blameworthy as well.

[Robbien]

29. Send Whitmire an email

Let him know what the public thinks of his actions.

http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist15/dist15.htm

email form at the bottom of the screen

[sonias]

31. John's new nickname

I was at the senate session today and the buttons in the crowd read "Quitmire"

Sonia

[benfranklin1776]

34. Apropos! And my salute to you for going to fight for democracy.

Kudos! Keep up the fight!

[Judi Lynn]

32. Related article, "Democrats Cheered in Austin"

(snip) When they arrived, a packed Senate gallery erupted with loud, long cheers of approval. The Democrats raised their joined hands in a circle on the Senate floor.

``Thank you Texas!'' Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, shouted to the crowd.

Van de Putte, chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Caucus, led 11 Senate Democrats during their more than six-week stay in New Mexico.

``It's been six weeks since Senate Democrats took a stand based on principle, based on voting rights, based on our belief that only in the rule of law can their be true liberty,'' she said.

The Democrats pledged to keep battling redistricting _ in the Senate and in court. They said the Republicans are trying to shut off the representation of rural and minority Texans in Congress.

``This fight is long from over. We have just begun the fight,'' said Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas. (snip/...)

http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=EBEB491A-DB24-4657-9440-5101EF805460

[Judi Lynn]

33. Yikes, a self-dupe!

Saddam Hussein made me do it.

[CheshireCat]

36. Just emailed Quitmire a scathing e-mail

Hope the lawsuit mentioned in the article takes care of this issue. This power-grab is so obviously illegal.

[Gin]

37. Me too.....he sold his soul down the river....hope it was worth it...

Shame on you Quitmire.

[Trek234]

40. Repubs are going to have fun now

The traitor to the party Whitmire acted just in time for the repubs to have fun playing with the the newly passed amendments from the election this saturday.

Can't wait to see what they come up with.