Leaders consider hunting senators (TX- D's)

[Rose Siding]

Leaders consider hunting senators
Court might rule today on arresting of lawmakers

For the second time this year, state leaders are faced with the tricky question of how to go about arresting missing legislators.

And this time, the answer is even murkier than it was when 52 House members fled the state during the Legislature's regular session.

With the missing Democrats — senators this time — safely ensconced in New Mexico, they are beyond the reach of Texas Department of Public Safety troopers.

But whether state police can be used to arrest the senators in Texas — or whether missing legislators can be arrested at all — are questions that might be headed for court as early as today.

http://www.statesman.com/legislature/content/coxnet/texas/legislature/0703/0729compel.html

DPS couldn't get them in NM but Richardson has taken precautions:

snip>

New Mexico state police guarded the hotel, partly out of concern that "bounty hunters" might show up to whisk the lawmakers away.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20030728_2235.html

[newyorican]

1. Call the "Dog" on them

it worked in Mexico. :shrug:

Though it might be a bit more dangerous trying to round up a belligerent Texan.

[hang a left]

15. Sure the New Mexico

state police are surrounding the hotel to make sure nobody gets in. They are there in case they get a Court order in favor of the Nazis

[Dem2dend]

16. The scoop

Can someone explain WHY we are running from the Repukes. Why don't they just stay and fight?

Can someone explain in laymens terms exactly what the situation is there?

[Rex]

18. If they stay and fight, they will lose.

It is a no-win situation for the Texas Dems if they stayed, the Repukes have the votes to force the redistricting issue. Something Rick Perry would love to sign into law (we need to recall his ass).

[NewJerseyDem]

20. I'll try

The Republicans took control of the state legislature after the 2002 elections. So, they want have a new congressional redistricting plan that would help republicans pick up new seats in congress. However, a new plan was adopted only 2 or 3 years ago by court order because the legislature couldn't approve one. Now, the democrats are leaving Texas so that the they can deny the republicans a 2/3 quorum that is needed in order to vote on the redistricting plan. If they stay and fight than the republican majority will win and something like 5 or 6 democratic incumbent democratic congressmen will lose their seats and it will make it even harder from the Democrats to take back control of the House of Representatives.

[markus]

2. Hunting Senators? Will there be out-of-state licenses available?

When is Republican season?

[LoneStarLiberal]

8. ...And Most Important

What's the bag limit?

[Patriot_Spear]

13. How about an extermination policy?

Keeping with the light-hearted hunting joke/theme-

They pay a $25 bounty on dead coyotes in my state- say $5 buck's a head for repuke legislators... Just kidding, of course-

[Maeve]

19. Be vewy, vewy quiet!

[catzies]

26. "I'm hunting Wepubwicans!"

shhhhhhhhh

[asjr]

3. Texas

I realize that right now this is a problem for the state of Texas. But how long before it becomes national. The Repubs. are lawless. Consider California and the recall of an elected governor. It is totally out of control and the rest of the country looks upon it as a farce. When a political party goes out of control and gets away with it the rest of the nation should wake up. I just wonder when that will happen.

[Trek234]

4. It is already becoming national

Only days ago the repubs called the cops on the dems in the US House....

[lastliberalintexas]

5. Yep

This isn't just our problem. The repubs have just begun to show their contempt for the will of the voter. If they succeed in CO, TX and CA, the rest of the country better watch out.

[seemslikeadream]

6. And they were headed for complete control

of the voting machines too!

[Booberdawg]

7. I thought this question was settled

From the article:

State District Judge Charles Campbell might rule today on whether DPS can play a role in hunting down missing lawmakers. Campbell had already informally ruled in a case brought by Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, that the DPS was not authorized to search for or arrest House members.

He is now being asked by the state's lawyers to formally extend his order to prohibit any law enforcement agency from arresting members of either chamber.


Time for these Republican thugs to give it up. They have been out maneuvered.

[Rose Siding]

9. Looks like the mandate for the Senate varies from that for the House-

snip>
In a letter sent to Dewhurst on Monday, First Assistant Attorney General Barry McBee wrote that "the Senate has express constitutional authority to compel the attendance of absent Senators, and the Sergeant at Arms is explicitly authorized under the Senate rules to 'arrest absent senators wherever they may be found.' "


As I recall the judges former ruling said that the TX Const. outweighs the "rules" of the House. I hope he feels the same about the Senate "rules".

[lastliberalintexas]

10. McBee is a Nazi

He's a pseudo Christian psycho who used to head up the TNRCC before Gov. Ken Doll tapped him for his campaign. He'll interpret anything in favor of the repubs. He's not in a non-partisan position at all.

[0007]

11. I heard that Tom DeLay is so pissed

that he and his thugs is gonna find some truck drivers to beat up!

Nancy Raygun call Perry and told him put on her good luck panties that she left behind when in Texas last.

[JohnKleeb]

31. They better not be Teamsters because I hear Junior Hoffa is mad

[Philosophy]

12. Will they be naked?

And can I use my own paint ball gun? :evilgrin: :freak:

[bluestateguy]

14. Thank you New Mexico

For protecting our Texas Democrats.

[Rose Siding]

17. There is national and international press coverage

Several dozen locals ran the story. ABC's even seems pretty fair and...ummmm, well, you know.

Google :crazy:

[Missy Vixen]

23. Anyone that might want to help

can send a few dollars to the Texas Democratic Party; they'll make sure that the donations get sent to the fund to defray the Killer D's expenses.

A month in a hotel room might get a bit expensive.

Hopefully, the Killer D's will show the DLC that Democrats nationwide support (and vote,) for those with backbone.

Julie

[ninkasi]

21. As a native Texan...

I'm so proud of these guys! At least they are willing to fight for what they believe in, instead of letting the rapacious RW steal democracy. Maybe the national Dems will get a clue, do you think?

Tom DeLay can kiss my scrawny, white, elderly ass.

[LuminousX]

22. Soon After the Last Walk Out

was when we say the national Dems start to hit back. I think they needed a kick in the pants, the realization that the Republicans would prefer to quietly march them over the cliff without a fight.

The lesson is it is always good to fight for what you believe in. Stand up for your principles. Ignore the name calling, and accept the backlash if any exists.

[study_war_no_more]

25. Post Republican revolution tactics

This is the real deal.

[SoCalDem]

24. Will they be naked in the woods?? Paintball anyone??

[Richardo]

30. HA! GMTA, SoCalDem!

GREAT animation, BTW! :D :thumbsup:

[DemoTex]

27. Dallas Morning news editorial: 10 reasons special session is bad idea.

I posted it in Editorials and Other Articles

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=3420&mesg_id=3420&page=

Reason #4 was my favorite. I still cannot believe I read this in the right-wing Dallas Morning News:

4) Keep Washington in Washington. Tom DeLay may love Congress' partisan brawls. But the governor shouldn't have let the GOP congressional heavyweight, who is pushing Austin for new lines, inflict them on Texas. Arrest the man if he gets near the Capitol.

[Pallas180]

28. Arrest them for what????????? Nazi tactics- this is critical for

all legislators, Senators, Representatives.
If Delay and Texas get away with it they'll start
arresting Washington Senators and REps. Democrats
only of course.

[BlueCollar]

29. Enough is Enough

Not content with stealing the election in Florida, Delay has his eyes on Colorado, California and Texas...

I'm really proud of my Texas senators for fighting back.

No Quorum, no session...it's that simple. My only hope is that the Dems will be able to get their message out. They're taking a beating on local talk radio (KLIF570 and WBAP820...field offices for the White House)

Check out this link

http://r.vresp.com/?SaveTexasRepresentat/2613839c51/109096/ac3ae193f4

[PopSixSquish]

32. For the First Time in My Life...

I'll be proud to say "Don't mess with Texas, Texas Democrats that is" And Gov. Richardson of NM is damm fine man!

Poor widdle Republicans, nobody wants to play their games any more.

[Nottingham]

33. Republicans just got to have their way! Perry & Delay

No matter what they will cheat Lie Steal Kill to get their way

I pray that the Democrats keep fighting. Thanks New Mexico!:bounce: