Texas Democrats Leave Okla., Return Home

excite news ^ | May 16, 2003 | ANGELA K. BROWN

[gitmo]

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Runaway Texas Democrats returned to a heroes' welcome at the Capitol on Friday after their self-imposed exile in Oklahoma killed a redistricting bill they hated. Legislative business in the House of Representatives resumed.

"Welcome home, Texas heroes," one sign read as the lawmakers stepped up to the Capitol to cheers and applause from like-minded citizens. The Democrats stood momentarily, smiling and waving at the exuberant crowd, some wearing yellow ribbons.

"We've weathered a few things. We've weathered some troopers; we've weathered a tornado, and we weathered Denny's," said Democrat Jim Dunnum, who emerged as the group's ringleader. "No matter what happens, democracy won in this event."

The revolt killed a divisive congressional redistricting bill that would have created more Republican seats.

The 51 exiled Democrats congratulated each other for enduring four days away from a Republican-dominated Texas House chamber and avoiding the reach of state troopers who were ordered to round them up for blocking legislative business. There must be a quorum - 100 of the 150 House members - for the House to do business.

"Thank you, you've saved us!" one onlooker shouted to a lawmaker as he walked by.

The House session convened at 9 a.m., with a quorum present at last. Republicans who had seethed at the Democrats' walkout sat quietly at their desks as their colleagues streamed in to loud applause from spectators in the gallery.

Earlier, as the Democrats' two charter buses pulled up to the Capitol, Rep. Pete Gallego said, "Hey, guys - be proud of yourselves. We really made a difference."

The buses had departed late Thursday from a hotel in Ardmore, Okla., 30 miles north of the Texas state line, just before the redistricting bill died in Austin as a midnight deadline passed.



(AP) Texas state Rep. Joe Pickett, of El Paso, Texas, packs his suitcase in Ardmore, Okla., Thursday,...

"It feels good. It's good to be back," said Democrat Rep. Garnet Coleman. "We're tired and we slept some. And we should be ready to continue working on the floor today. We have bills on the calendar."

Eighteen days remain in the regular session. Important issues such as homeowners insurance reform and passing revenue-generating bills to help a $9.9 billion budget shortfall can still be addressed through Senate legislation, amendments and other tools not affected by Thursday's deadline, Democrats say.

Meanwhile, the federal Department of Homeland Security said it had been drawn into the four-day standoff when a Texas law officer indicated that a plane carrying Democrats might have crashed.

The call to Homeland Security was placed Monday, when Texas Republicans were desperately seeking the Democrats' whereabouts. The Homeland Security Department said in a statement that it did not use its aircraft in response.

State Rep. Pete Laney, who was on the plane that safely landed in Oklahoma, questioned why federal agents were called.

"I just think it's a strange use of assets," Laney said. "I'm curious as to why a federal agency would involve themselves to this extent in a state issue."

Tom Vinger, a Public Safety spokesman, declined to comment. White House spokesman Scott McClellan refused to say whether he believes it would have been appropriate for Homeland Security to be used to round up Texas Democrats.

[gitmo]

How many of these guys hid in Canada during the Vietnam War?

[WellsFargo94]

How many of these guys hid in Canada during the Vietnam War?

Ask any of them, that was a tour that they did there.

[gitmo]

The Tour of Cowards.

[ICE-FLYER]

This is the most disgusting thing I have witnessed in politics. But, they remained true to their politically depraved culture.

Liberals are like that. When they dont like something they do not see the constitutional process of letting the people decide they go to a judge who feels the same way they do and they get judicial tyranny to make the constitution take on new meaning and thus the will of the people is thwarted. They do not want to do it the way the constitution is actually meant to be by way of amendment....after all they would never get the votes they need to make their world view the law.

In the same manner they ran away from their constitutional duties as elected representatives and hid because the world view they hold for Texas is not conforming to theirs. So, they held hostage the people of the state of Texas once again.

Bunch of Rats!

[Clara Lou]

Texas Democrats Leave Okla., Return Home
That explains that smell....

[gitmo]

Reminds me of fillibustering to prevent votes on nominations of Federal Judiciary.

[gitmo]

You're from the Lone Star State, I see. Hope you enjoyed the fresh air while it was available.

[pipecorp]

I'm gonna hold my breath til I turn blue if you don't do what I want.
Only a democrat could pull such a childish ploy and then act as if it were something to be proud of. <:^0

[shiva]

"We've weathered a few things. We've weathered some troopers; we've weathered a tornado, and we weathered Denny's," said Democrat Jim Dunnum, who emerged as the group's ringleader. "No matter what happens, democracy won in this event."

What? With all thoes Hispanics and Blacks a White man was the ringleader? I thought the Democrats were for the minorities. ....(sarcasm)

[StockAyatollah]

or the Toricelli debacle....

[WellsFargo94]

The Tour of Cowards...

Are you refering to their tour in Canada or Oklahoma? Either way, probably a good call on your part.

[lizma]

So, they held hostage the people of the state of Texas once again.

But will the People of Texas remember to the next election? I doubt most will.

It's not only the Rats we have to fear, it's our fellow American's apathy towards the political process that is the real enemy.

[lizma]

So, they held hostage the people of the state of Texas once again.

But will the People of Texas remember to the next election? I doubt most will.

It's not only the Rats we have to fear, it's our fellow American's apathy towards the political process that is the real enemy.

[alloysteel]

The Democrat party in Texas certainly endeared themselves to their constituencies, by this little prank. They only invite a greater judicial interference in the redistricting problem in Texas, but then that is what they want anyway. Sets the precedent, doncha know. If by custom, not the law, the Congressional districts are set by the judiciary, well, the method will be much easier to use in the future if only the right to name and endorse judges is retained by the Democrats.

Which also explains the problem in the US Senate in the Bush Administration getting their judicial nominees voted on.

[Sacajaweau]

Just another "cutie" by the Dems. How does Hillary fit in??

Watch for some money flow to Texas Dems!!

[buffyt]

All of them who were old enough to serve fled to VN! For sure!

Click on the link and hear HOTEL OKLAHOMA to the tune of HOTEL CALIFORNIA about the DIMWITS who left Austin instead of voting.

If they can't win

Then they won't vote.  (Like two year olds)

Hotel Oklahoma   Click on the LINK below to hear great parody that pokes fun of the DemonicRATics who fled to OKLA like a bunch of girlie men.....

Click Here
to listen to

The "Hotel Oklahoma"
-a parody from Stubie Doak

As heard on WBAP!

[kcar]

Will they be fined and arrested? Why not garnish their "wages" to recoup losses?

Rediculous party of pathetic losers. How long can they hide from the voters?

[buffyt]

I am here in Texas too, but no fresh air, that $%#@$@&%$# smoke from the Mexican fires is still blanketing the state, thicker than LA smog or SF fog.... and now they say it may have deadly pesticides in it, chemicals that are banned in the US, drifting up from the south. A lot of good our emissions restrictions are doing us, with the crap coming to Tex. from Mex.

[buffyt]

If they got away with this once they will try it again.

If they can't win....
Then they won't vote!