Texas dem legislators leave the state to prevent a quorum

[beetea]

This is bananas!

In short, there are 27 days left in the special session Gov. Asshole, I mean Abbott called to try to get some voting restriction, critical race theory, transgender athletes, border security, etc. bills passed. The dems are flying to Washington, DC before the session reconvenes tomorrow to prevent a quorum. Looks like 51 of the 67 dems need to stay gone for this plan to work. The gov. can keep calling additional 30 day sessions so I'm not entirely sure how this is going to end but I absolutely love that they're taking extreme action to shut down this bullshit!

[AJL]

It’s a classic tactic here in our legislature. The Reps have done it in the past.

[ellipses84]

I know TX Rs set the precedent a long time ago and Oregon Rs have done it more recently.

Abbott is the worst.

[bronxgirl]

I'm glad the democrats are standing up to them. But I'm afraid what the final outcome will be. All these various state attempts to restrict voting and impede democracy are frightening and disheartening. It makes me feel so anxious.

[NewOrleans]

They learned it from Republicans

[Pom]

I can’t wait for the GOP to talk shit about this tactic. Hypocrites.

The other night someone was talking about Gag Abbott wanting to set himself up for a Presidential run. I screamed “Fuck No” at the television. I’m pretty sure the neighbors heard me.

[TamiTaylor]

I am super pissed that Abbot refused to put Ercot on the Special Session and said the power failure was due to a lack paperwork error.

Also as a teacher I’m not happy with the bill that is wanting to require every book, passage, text book, instructional material, etc and the corresponding authors and sources be given to parents via the district. It would be due to parents on the 5th of the month prior.

[beetea]

Jul 12, 2021 20:45:02 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

I am super pissed that Abbot refused to put Ercot on the Special Session and said the power failure was due to a lack paperwork error.

Also as a teacher I’m not happy with the bill that is wanting to require every book, passage, text book, instructional material, etc and the corresponding authors and sources be given to parents via the district. It would be due to parents on the 5th of the month prior.

I cannot even imagine how cumbersome and RIDICULOUS it would be to have to submit all of that to parents! Insane.

[carmenere]

Jul 12, 2021 16:27:19 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

They learned it from Republicans

I feel some kind of way about Dems taking a page out of the Republican playbook. A mixture of loving to see them get a taste of their own medicine, but also wanting Dems to be above R’s and their tactics. But if there’s one thing worth going to the mat for, voting rights is it.

[seeyalater52]

Jul 12, 2021 21:44:17 GMT -5 carmenere said:

Jul 12, 2021 16:27:19 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

They learned it from Republicans

I feel some kind of way about Dems taking a page out of the Republican playbook. A mixture of loving to see them get a taste of their own medicine, but also wanting Dems to be above R’s and their tactics. But if there’s one thing worth going to the mat for, voting rights is it.

Yup. Fleeing the state to deny quorum is a really desperate and futile move. The kind of thing that needs to be done only when there are pretty much no other options and you know you can’t look yourself in the mirror every morning if you show up and follow the rules knowing this is going to eventually pass. The kind of situation that screams DO SOMETHING. For this issue, it’s worth it.

[atexan]

I'm making it rain all over Act Blue tonight. I emailed my rep to thank her.

[NewOrleans]

Jul 12, 2021 21:44:17 GMT -5 carmenere said:

Jul 12, 2021 16:27:19 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

They learned it from Republicans

I feel some kind of way about Dems taking a page out of the Republican playbook. A

Nah, I think they should do it more! minus the white supremacy.

[beetea]

Jul 12, 2021 22:18:42 GMT -5 atexan said:

I'm making it rain all over Act Blue tonight. I emailed my rep to thank her.

<insert the “girl, same” .gif>

[basilosaurus]

I thought the dems had also done this in the past. I want to say 15ish years ago? Vote early and vote often and ditch the treasonous GQP

[atexan]

The house just voted to send law enforcement after them so they are officially fugitives.

[TR]

Jul 13, 2021 12:29:18 GMT -5 atexan said:

The house just voted to send law enforcement after them so they are officially fugitives.

Jesus Christ. I hate this fucking state.

[mouse]

Jul 13, 2021 8:45:12 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

I thought the dems had also done this in the past. I want to say 15ish years ago? Vote early and vote often and ditch the treasonous GQP

They did. I remember Molly Ivins covered it (RIP).

[AJL]

Abbot vetoed appropriations to pay legislators, staffers, and legislative agencies as long as those reps are out of session. I know one staffer this affects personally. Abbot is a fucking POS.

www.texastribune.org/2021/06/18/greg-abbott-veto-legislature-democrats/

[NewOrleans]

Jul 13, 2021 12:29:18 GMT -5 atexan said:

The house just voted to send law enforcement after them so they are officially fugitives.

abc13.com/texas-house-arrest-warrant-politics-democrats-flee-special-session/10884325/

this is small government, yes?

[picksthemusic]

Interesting how the GOP is all about prosecution now.

[atexan]

Jul 13, 2021 13:25:59 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

Jul 13, 2021 12:29:18 GMT -5 atexan said:

The house just voted to send law enforcement after them so they are officially fugitives.

abc13.com/texas-house-arrest-warrant-politics-democrats-flee-special-session/10884325/

this is small government, yes?

According to the comment sections on all these articles, this is lazy democrats who don't want to do their jobs.

[NewOrleans]

Jul 13, 2021 19:54:37 GMT -5 atexan said:

Jul 13, 2021 13:25:59 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

abc13.com/texas-house-arrest-warrant-politics-democrats-flee-special-session/10884325/

this is small government, yes?

According to the comment sections on all these articles, this is lazy democrats who don't want to do their jobs.

But when it’s R’s it’s all rebel yells I am sure.

[mbcdefg]

Jul 13, 2021 19:57:27 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

Jul 13, 2021 19:54:37 GMT -5 atexan said:

According to the comment sections on all these articles, this is lazy democrats who don't want to do their jobs.

But when it’s R’s it’s all rebel yells I am sure.

Or vacations in Cancun.

[ellipses84]

Lee Merritt officially launched his campaign for AG today. I no longer live in the state, but I definitely want to help however I can so Texans vote out the axis of evil that is Ken Paxton, Abbott and Cruz. The top of the AG website says Liberty and Justice for Texas 😢
I hope that happens and they get representatives who actually care about their constituents instead of their horrific political agenda and self interests. I worry the walkout is going to provide a lot of anti-D propaganda for future campaigns, but hopefully the majority of TX will see through the current bullshit and be glad Ds are making a stand for voting rights and true liberty and justice.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/2021/07/13/403065/civil-rights-attorney-lee-merritt-a-democrat-launches-campaign-against-republican-attorney-general-ken-paxton/amp/

[basilosaurus]

Jul 13, 2021 19:58:08 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Jul 13, 2021 19:57:27 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

But when it’s R’s it’s all rebel yells I am sure.

Or vacations in Cancun.

Remember when the Dems shut down the federal government over a budget? At least twice in very recent memory. Oh, wait...

[WOT?*]

Jul 12, 2021 20:45:02 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

I am super pissed that Abbot refused to put Ercot on the Special Session and said the power failure was due to a lack paperwork error.

Also as a teacher I’m not happy with the bill that is wanting to require every book, passage, text book, instructional material, etc and the corresponding authors and sources be given to parents via the district. It would be due to parents on the 5th of the month prior.

Have you seen this? I'm sure you have. Someone just posted it on a political group page on FB. capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/871/billtext/pdf/SB00003I.pdf (When I first looked for SB3 to confirm the photo posted, I was coming up with weather emergency legislation on legiscan, but then this popped up so I assume it's valid.)

And with TX being the leading conservative education state, this will likely be (not) taught in about 30 other states as well.

[basilosaurus]

Jul 14, 2021 10:45:30 GMT -5 WOT?* said:

Jul 12, 2021 20:45:02 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

I am super pissed that Abbot refused to put Ercot on the Special Session and said the power failure was due to a lack paperwork error.

Also as a teacher I’m not happy with the bill that is wanting to require every book, passage, text book, instructional material, etc and the corresponding authors and sources be given to parents via the district. It would be due to parents on the 5th of the month prior.

Have you seen this? I'm sure you have. Someone just posted it on a political group page on FB. capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/871/billtext/pdf/SB00003I.pdf (When I first looked for SB3 to confirm the photo posted, I was coming up with weather emergency legislation on legiscan, but then this popped up so I assume it's valid.)

And with TX being the leading conservative education state, this will likely be (not) taught in about 30 other states as well.

Yes, where TX texbooks go, largely there goes the nation. Also, I learned recently, maybe from here, that UDC had to approve of history books in the South, so they've long been whitewashed, pun intended.

[WOT?*]

Jul 14, 2021 11:09:12 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

Jul 14, 2021 10:45:30 GMT -5 WOT?* said:

Have you seen this? I'm sure you have. Someone just posted it on a political group page on FB. capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/871/billtext/pdf/SB00003I.pdf (When I first looked for SB3 to confirm the photo posted, I was coming up with weather emergency legislation on legiscan, but then this popped up so I assume it's valid.)

And with TX being the leading conservative education state, this will likely be (not) taught in about 30 other states as well.

Yes, where TX texbooks go, largely there goes the nation. Also, I learned recently, maybe from here, that UDC had to approve of history books in the South, so they've long been whitewashed, pun intended.

"Africans immigrated to the United States to work..."


www.nytimes.com/2015/10/06/us/publisher-promises-revisions-after-textbook-refers-to-african-slaves-as-workers.html 

[basilosaurus]

Jul 14, 2021 12:11:04 GMT -5 WOT?* said:

Jul 14, 2021 11:09:12 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

Yes, where TX texbooks go, largely there goes the nation. Also, I learned recently, maybe from here, that UDC had to approve of history books in the South, so they've long been whitewashed, pun intended.

"Africans immigrated to the United States to work..."


www.nytimes.com/2015/10/06/us/publisher-promises-revisions-after-textbook-refers-to-african-slaves-as-workers.html 

Some of this has been going on for at least a decade, and I see the date of that article is 2015. I don't have NYT articles left this month, so I don't know if it covers the numerous euphemisms they used for slave trade. There's also the whole that slaves were treated well b/c they got food and shelter. I can't imagine the vapors they'd get if their kids watched Roots in history like I did freshman year.

Conservatives particularly seem to more openly hate Cesar Chavez and Chicano history. I don't know if it's Denver only or all CO, but they've long done away with Columbus day replacing it with Indigenous peoples day. They also have long had a Chavez holiday, so at least there are pockets doing the right thing, although they can't compete with TX power in textbooks. I'm going to guess it's b/c while racism affects all minorities, in their circles they're more afraid of openly anti-black racism. Pure speculation on my part.

But now they have a phrase, an acronym, to rally behind a former president and other leaders (and shit "news"). For simpleton racists, it's easier to say CRT = bad than to articulate why they don't want history to be accurately taught. Because it when it comes down to it the only thing they can really say is they're racist. That they're afraid of being told that they've benefited from privilege because they think they've earned it on their own.

To quote the late great Molly Ivans, like in another thread. Bush [and others in his class] was born on 3rd base and thought he hit a home run. 

[mbcdefg]

Several have tested positive for coronavirus: www.reuters.com/world/us/two-more-texas-democrats-who-fled-dc-test-positive-covid-19-2021-07-19/

They had met with VP Harris last week. She visited Walter Reed yesterday for a routine appointment and her staff says she was not at risk of exposure: www.cnbc.com/2021/07/18/kamala-harris-heads-to-walter-reed-for-routine-checkup.html