TX Lege plans to seat Heflin next week: anon. senator

[PDittie]

http://www.houtopia.com

I spoke last night with a state senator, who shall remain nameless, who now believes the State House GOP may decide to seat Heflin and bump Vo out, overturning Vo's legitimate win in District 149. Like most folks familiar with the Legislature, until recently he didn't think there was any chance of that happening. He's changed his mind. The reasoning is as follows:

The legislative session begins next week, and Democratic House members begin baiting Craddick from the back microphone -- "Mr. Speaker, if you are indicted, will you step down from your leadership post?" -- and so on. The session quickly dissolves into a partisan lockdown, and Vo loses on a party-line vote.

Sound far-fetched? Think for a moment about what the GOP, at both the state and federal level, has had the audacity to do in the last couple of years -- redistricting, ethics changes, now trying to eliminate the filibuster from the U.S. Senate, etc -- and you may reach the same conclusion the state senator has. "These guys just don't give a sh*t." Bad press? Who cares. Public outrage? They'll get over it. Politically dangerous? Not a chance -- all we have to do is win a GOP primary anyway. Democratic retribution? (After several moments of laughter) Who?

The senator (and I) believe the GOP will make every attempt to do this for one reason, they can. They have the votes and they value power above all else. If they can take a little bit more, they will, integrity and the public be damned.

===========================

This is more than just the normal GOP bullshit, people.

This is subverting a certified election result.

If they even try to do this, they need to feel the full fury of the the people, next Tuesday, January 11th, at the state Capitol.

For now,we need to blast our state reps, our senators, the media and everyone else in order to derail this naked power grab.

[Ilsa]

1. I just got my Action Alert from the DNC on this.

I'm not close enough to Austin to go protest next Tuesday with the others, and my rep is a real bitch. She never returns calls or answers emails, even over something nonpartisan. I'll try Sen Armbrister's office, but I don't know if he can pull in any strings in Vo's favor.

This is a real travesty. I hope Houstonians (especially) scream bloody murder.

Heflin is a prick.

[aquart]

3. See? The right to bear arms doesn't matter.

You can have fifty guns in the house and one on the hip and still be robbed.

[pop goes the weasel]

5. Armbrister?

Talking to his office is an exercise in futility. He is a Republican for all intents and purposes. I'm sorry you and I have him for a state senator. Why can't we find someone to give him a run for the money in the primaries?

[bluestateguy]

2. Maybe another walkout is in order

Anyone know the reservation number for the Ardmore (OK) Holiday Inn?

[merci_me]

4. Are you going to be there Tuesday?

We are seriously thinking of taking our 8 yr old grandson to see his new State Rep. Hubert Vo sworn in. Hopefully we won't have a lot of extra explaining to give him. IF it can even be explained in words grandma can use in front of grandson.

Let me know if you're planning to go. I assume MrsDittie has to work. If you're going alone, we just have the three of us for our car. We aren't staying for any evening events, just the swearing in and the rally. Hopefully, that's ALL there will be.

Mary

[sonias]

6. merci_me I'll be there

Of course I'm from Austin but I will be there for Vo.

Sonia

[merci_me]

7. Maybe we'll meet up

If you see a short woman with an 8 yr old boy, only slightly shorter than her, it maybe me. PDittie tells me I'm taller than you and at 4'11" I'm not taller than many other than a few cousins and kids under 10.


My grandson will most likely have on a Rees Elementary School sweat or t-shirt. Rees is part of Vo's district. If it's a warm enough day, I may wear my bright blue t-shirt with the red heart over the heart, that says "My heart is on the LEFT."

Mary

[sonias]

8. Mary we're about the same

And I'll be on the lookout for you. Just sent you a private message as well.

Sonia

[johncoby2]

9. If this is true, civil unrest would be in order

I too believe they don't give a damn and would do whatever it takes to keep that *sshole in charge.

Civil unrest may be the only option. I mean what can the Democrats do? Call the Attorney General?

The repug party is completely out of control.