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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Your points are correct. So-called political correctness is sick garbage and should be thrown out like the garbage that it is.
Sorry about the duplicate; don't know how it happened.
I believe you're retaining water today dear. lol
Well, it's pretty evident a LOT of "people" have decided I'm just PMSing and not worth bothering with. :-)
"You keep wanting to discredit Miers for not being like Roberts"
Again, you haven't shown that.
Because I didn't do it.
I stated what I wanted her judicial philosophy to be like. I used what roberts said as an example...not to 'discredit' her.
If I'm drafting for an NBA team, and a reporter asks me what kind of player I'm looking for, if I say "I want someone like michael jordan", am I discrediting the potential picks for not being like jordan?
No, I stating what I'm looking for. Pure and simple.
You want to twist that... how, I don't know, because it's as plain as day...all so you can label me as a 'troll'.
That's about as transparent as you can get.
Well, it allows less qualified (ie. smaller, presumably weaker)applicants to become firefighters. And its done expressly to allow women to get the job.
I guess you can argue some technicality that it isn't "affimrative action", but its just as bad (or maybe worse) to me.
"You're against equal rights?"
If you have to change the standards so that a specific group can compete, that's "equal rights" to you?
Are you seriously in favor of that?
"ROFLMAO......your OWN post proved you lied about what I said"
Actually, it looks like they prove he was correct and you lied. Doesn't it?
Yep, I know it's wasting my time, except for the fact that by giving Howlin enough rope, it's now plain for everyone to see exactly how she operates.
Falsely accuse me of lying, and then repeatedly fails to answer direct questions on it. Insinuates that I'm on drugs or drunk. Makes oblique references to me being gay (The anderson cooper comment). Lord knows what else.
And then, after doing all that, she plays the victim. Poor, maligned howlin. She just wants to have an honest discussion and everyone attacks her.
So in that respect, it has been useful. No one should take her bullying or junior high debate club tactics seriously. What she really is has been outed for the world to see.
You're not a nice bunny at all.....you're a bad bunny. ;)
"I absolutely think Jim Robinson ought to do whatever he deems appropriate to point out this kind of TROLL behavior. It should not be accepted here at FR. THAT's why I ping him from time to time. To his credit, he listens."
Which translates to:
"Anyone who disagress w/ me is a troll, and I'm gonna tell teacher."
Grow up.
I appreciate that. But I do regret using rather strong language.
When it comes to those put in charge of the safety of others, I can not stand political correctness. PC is a proven killer. Those that can't see this or disagree are just part of the PC problem. A deadly serious problem that continues to eat away at this country.
That's ridicules and just your opinion. Isn't this place about everyone's opinions? I have read flashbunny's responses to lots of posts and articles. I think she has put forth some excellent points on some issues. Just because you disagree is no reason to suggest what you are suggesting.
Just my opinion. Hope that doesn't make me a troll or mole or whatever.
You did what you did and I had to show you what you did because you wouldn't acknowledge it yourself.
And if you go back you'll see who began with the disparagement.
My opinion of you hasn't changed.
Get over your 4th grade intellect and you're translation will improve. Nothing to translate anyway.
If that were true the zot wouldn't exist.
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