Posted on 10/06/2005 10:18:56 PM PDT by Ol' Sparky
Miers' time on Dallas City Council provides some insight
BY DAVE LEVINTHAL
The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS - (KRT) - She may have no judicial record, but Supreme Court justice nominee Harriet Miers took firm stances on issues ranging from taxation to democratic reforms abroad as a one-term member of the Dallas City Council, a Dallas Morning News study of city records indicates.
For example, in 1991, Miers voted in favor of a council resolution reaffirming economic sanctions Dallas had imposed against South Africa, then under a white minority-rule apartheid government. The council adopted the resolution by a 6-2 vote with three absences.
At the time, President George H.W. Bush was considering repealing federal economic sanctions against the country.
A 1989 city ordinance prohibited Dallas government from buying goods that originated in South Africa or conducting business with firms that sold goods or services there for use by the police, military or prison system.
"As she goes through this nomination process, something like that should cheer the liberals and lead to gnashing of teeth among the very conservative social conservative," said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University, Miers' alma mater. "Hers was the appropriate moderate Republican position of the day, but beating up on South Africa wasn't a way to win friends with conservatives."
It was one of several council votes that will be scrutinized as her court nomination moves forward. She served between June 1989 and November 1991.
Miers was one of 10 Dallas council members to unanimously approve a 1989 agenda item that revised minimum height, weight and vision requirements for Dallas firefighters to facilitate "promotion of certain ranks in the Fire Department," particularly women.
The agenda item's title: "Implementation of Fire Department Affirmative Action Plan."
In one of her first meetings as a council member, Miers sponsored a resolution "recognizing democratic aspirations of students and civilian population in Beijing, China." The council ratified the resolution 10-1.
"It's important for the city to let those people know we realize what they're going through," Miers said at the time, a few weeks after the Chinese government violently quashed pro-democracy rallies centered in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.
Records from council meetings during her tenure also indicate that she:
_Voted for a 1990 resolution requesting that Congress "pass legislation which would prohibit judicial taxation of local governments." The council unanimously adopted the resolution, which came at a time when courts in some places had seized control of floundering school districts and administered taxes. "This is a position that would be almost universally accepted by Republicans," Jillson said.
_Abstained from an otherwise unanimously adopted 1990 resolution urging Congress to pass legislation bolstering AIDS emergency treatment programs and provide funding to local governments for such programs. Before the vote, Miers said she had a conflict of interest, although no record detailing that conflict was available.
_Voted to ratify a 1990 resolution urging the governor to call a special session of the Texas State Legislature and consider a bill that aimed to limit state power and return regulatory jurisdiction over pawnshops to municipalities. The council ratified the resolution by an 8-2-1 vote.
_Voted in 1989 to levy property taxes on "business personal property temporarily located within the state." The agenda item passed 10-1, but the record indicates Miers directed Dallas' city manager to search for alternate revenue streams so that the tax could be repealed in 1991.
_Was absent when the council in 1990 unanimously resolved to install City of Dallas and U.S. flags within all municipal parks.
_Was absent in 1991 when the council formally urged Congress to pass the Brady Bill, which limited gun accessibility. The council adopted the resolution unanimously.
_Voted in 1991 to ratify a resolution urging the Texas State Legislature to observe the Rev. Martin Luther King's birthday as a state holiday. The council unanimously ratified the resolution.
_Voted in 1991 to ratify a resolution supporting passage of the federal North American Free Trade Agreement. The council ratified the resolution by a 7-2-2 vote.
_Voted in 1991 in favor of a resolution urging Congress to approve a presidential request for "fast track" trade negotiation authority. The resolution passed 5-2-3.
_Abstained from voting on a resolution urging Congress to allow toll road development along interstate highway right-of-ways. Records did not indicate why Miers abstained; the resolution passed by a 6-1 vote with three absences and an abstention.
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You're repetitive postings have gotten boring.
Besides, you haven't answered the questions I asked you first.
You're wound just a little too tight; I mean, if it was just me, it would be one thing; but you're taking on anybody who moves into your line of sight.
Not sure about Roberts...but as far as Miers goes...I think Alexander Hamilton's cautions agains cronyism hold...even without any considerations of her qualifications.
New news tonight...apparently FEMA is taking a new look at the "no bid" contracts they gave out like confetti.
My reaction? I have bought more Home Depot stock in my IRA.
" unlike some weasels on here."
personal attack # 5,432
BTW, that was meant as a freepmail to black tooth to warn him as to what to respect. I hit the wrong link. That's why you weren't pinged.
Keep saying it over and over and over and over.
I have issues with people who have to lie to further their own agenda, yes, I do.
Well if you're digusted by Roberts, then you're with Schumer, Kennedy, Durbin, Clinton, et. al., and against 78 Senators.
Pretty much says all I need to know about you.
FGS, even if that is true, I would have NEVER admitted that on the open forum.
Talk about D U M B.
Oh, MA'AM...Ah's sorry I did it right in front of your face! Ah's shufflin' along now....
... yes, Missus...
When you get through Badgering Howlin, could you please find it somewhere within to respond to the direct questions I asked of you?
Let me repeat. Do you like Miers' business instincts, and can you assail my theory?
You're continued mmocking of black people on this forum is disgusting.
sorry, I didn't see any question there about her business instincts...just your theory. Maybe you linked to the wrong thing (like I hit the wrong link for my freepmail to black tooth).
As to your theory...well, there have been a lot of theories floated around over the past 4 days. And the most important thing about this nomination isn't strategery, but that he's putting a person on the court who will be there pretty much for life. And because of that, he should be solely concentrating on picking the nominee who is most likely to be in the mold of scalia and thomas that he promised.
You see the problem on threads like this...since there's no real track record for her, every time we hit these little road bumps that would set off warning signs, we're being told they don't matter.
It's not actually reassuring. And it's only nomination + 4 days!
I understand what your comment says but not what you mean when you say " more people will die unnecessarily" because of adjusted weight and height.
Words are not always Res Ipsa Loquitur..
Are you ever going to answer the two direct questions I put to you:
1: Do you or do you not support the policy that is the subject of this thread?
2: What exactly did you mean when you wrote: "You have major issues with women, too? "
Do you honestly believe that's the way black people talk???!!! OMG!!!
I'd better alert the black FReepers and tell them to use a lot of apostrophes in their posts!!!
Yet another attack from you.
I admitted it because I don't lie, no matter how many times you want to say that I do.
Too bad for you I don't fall for you usual 'bait and attack' operation.
Well, you've lost me now. You're all over the place.
And frankly, "Alex," I'm tired of playing your word games.
I understand that rather than admitting you made accusations about my posts that you have been unable to back up, you're trying to draw me into another discussion, but I'm not buying it.
And I think you know what "major issues with women" means. You're LOADED with it.
Miers experience in the commercial sector is a valuable asset. It's about time we have some real world justice on the court.
You have this revealing habit of resorting to talking points. Careful with that bunny.
Do you like Miers' business instincts?
and howlin again avoids direct questions.
Let's see...carry the 9...divided by PI, multiplied by the national debt...
Oh, it's about the 15 trillionth time she's done that.
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