Texas Democrats commended in Oklahoma House resolution

AP via Salina Journal (KS) ^ | 14 May 2003 | JESSICA DICKERSON

[Stultis]

Posted at 10:05 AM on Wednesday, May 14, 2003

Texas Democrats commended in Oklahoma House resolution

By JESSICA DICKERSON
Associated Press Writer

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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma's Democrat-controlled House of Representatives passed a resolution Tuesday commending Texas Democratic House members who fled that state to stifle redistricting plans they opposed.

A Republican-supported resolution that would encourage Oklahoma officials to assist Texas officials in returning the errant lawmakers to Texas failed.

The resolution commending the lawmakers, by Rep. David Braddock, D-Altus, came after dozens of Texas Democrats fled Austin, Texas, after discussing ways to derail a Republican plan to redraw Texas' congressional districts.

The absence of 58 Democrats on Monday left the 150-member Texas House short of the two-thirds quorum needed to conduct business.

The rebellious Democrats holed up in an Ardmore hotel.

The House resolution commends the courage of the Texas Democrats who "have decided to defend the rights of the minority and the more pressing needs of Texas families."

The resolution charges that a Texas congressman and the majority leadership of the House are more concerned with adding Republican members to Congress than the educational, health and other needs of Texas families.

The Democrats earlier blamed Republican U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay for interfering with redistricting.

"I don't think they're breaking their oath of office," Braddock said of the Texas Democrats. "I think they're all fulfilling it by trying to meet the needs of those that have no voice."

Some House members were concerned that a similar move could occur in Oklahoma if the House supports the Texas lawmakers.

Braddock responded by saying members of the Oklahoma House are better at working together than their Texas counterparts.

The resolution, HR 1020, passed 47-44.

Another resolution, by Rep. Greg Piatt, R-Ardmore, requested that Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry, Commissioner of Public Safety Bob Ricks, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and other law enforcement officials assist Texas officials in returning the errant lawmakers to Texas.

Braddock commented that he wanted the Texas Democrats to stay in Oklahoma.

"This is economic development at its best," he quipped. "We want Texans coming to spend their money in Oklahoma."

The resolution, HR 1019, failed 50-46.

The resolutions do not have the force of law.

In a humorous moment, Rep. Ron Kirby, D-Lawton, read a proposal to grant Texas legislators political amnesty, welcome them to Oklahoma and grant them the honorary title of "Okie."

The proposal also called for a Cub Scout troop to be dispatched to the Red River to protect Oklahoma's border from Texas Rangers.

The idea met with laughter from most, with an occasional "boo."

Earlier Tuesday, Henry said he welcomed the Texas lawmakers, but was "not going to get embroiled in this political fight."

Republican State Chairman Gary Jones criticized Henry for allowing Oklahoma to become a safe haven for the Texas Democrats.

"These Democrat legislators south of our border are wasting taxpayers' money," Jones said. "They are behaving in an obstructionist manner and it's a publicity stunt, plain and simple. I'm embarrassed Gov. Henry and our Democrat-controlled House of Representatives would condone such a childish stunt."

[RWG]

More evidence of the myth of the heartland. When the federal building in okc was destroyed, all of the media talked about the attack in the heartland as if there were something special about the heartland, like maybe virtues and values. It's all a myth. ioway and miserori are part of the heartland and what do you get from there, hardkins and gebhurt? True paragons of virtue indeed, an anti-free market pork farm bill and election lies about burning churches. Notwithstanding the war article about where do you get kids like this, the heartland is a fiction as real as progress in the inner city.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

DeLay is the red flag the Dems wave.

Bump!

[jimt]

I'm so angry about these treasonous scum 'rats I get incoherent.

If they are allowed back into Texas at all, they need to be handcuffed and dragged to the House.

Every &^%$#@!**& scummy 'rat in the House must be stripped of any leadership position, except the ones held in their pusillanimous, poisonous, pus-filled pimple of a party.

[vollmond]

With the filibusters in the Senate, and the shirking of legislative resposibilites by the Texas State Democrats, they are just begging to be reduced to a less than 33% minority party. I hope it happens.

[Osage Orange]

You wrote:

"And what's the deal with Oklahoma? I kept hearing about how it was one of the most conservative state in the country, but it looks to have a Dem guv, Dem controlled House, and Dem controlled Senate. How did that happen?"

[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[

That is the national perception.....Most likely has to do with the make-up of OK's federal Reps...with all but one being elephants.

I predict that OK. will have a GOP majority in it's state house..within the next 2-3 election cycles though....

Lot's of common-folk Dems in this state...Some of it's just general ignorance, some of it's just "family tradition". Many of them vote GOP...on a regular basis.

FRegards,

[No Dems 2004]

Sounds like Oklahoma needs a new political dispensation in its legislature, huh? I think it will only be a matter of time, considering how Republican Oklahoma has become in federal politics.

[Ann Archy]

Why??? Do you think this is FUNNY?? The Democrats in both Texas AND Oklahoma are turning this country into a Banana Republic! They are pitiful children not able or CAPABLE to do their jobs.

[Osage Orange]

You wrote:

"Still, a Republican presidential candidate would have to be caught in bed with a live boy or a dead girl to lose either state."

lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

I agreed with everything you said until that..........

A GOP POTUS candidate would be jettisoned. A Dem would be congratulated..........

BWDIK?

[Puddleglum]

"Green Acres is the place to be
Fa-arm livin' is the life for me!"

Oklahoma has a long history of being pro-Dem and even initially to the left of Dems. It's very much a rural vs urban state, and federal pork has always been a close friend. I think the state votes conservative on moral issues and liberal on government $$ issues.

If it weren't for a referendum to ban cock fighting drawing so many never-voted-before hill folks to the polls, Republican Steve Largent would be governor and the OK Highway Patrol might be more helpful in extricating the Texas Dims.

[Blood of Tyrants]

I do believe that he is a Republican.

[showme_the_Glory]

Harboring, Aiding, Abetting, Conspiracy...... All terms that can now also be associated with Okies.....

[joybelle]

Can he do that?? He said last night he would have to call them back for another session. This one ends in a few days. They won't like that.

[Stultis]

Shameless self-bump to FReep Okie 'Rats.

[Stultis]

Harboring, Aiding, Abetting, Conspiracy...... All terms that can now also be associated with Okies.....

Call 'em and tell 'em. You might want to use shorter words, say 'bout four letters or so, that the Okie 'Rats can understand:

To contact the Oklahoma House of Representatives:

PHONE:  1-800-522-8502 / 1-877-299-3468 (TDD)
OKLAHOMA RELAY:
1-800-722-0353 (Voice) / 1-800-522-8506 (TDD)

[okkev68]

To all of you "okie" flaming freepers out there, feel free to kiss my big white A$$. This IS a conservative state, unfortunately it is also a largely rural state. We have a lot of old people who still think democrats are the same as they were back in the 30's and 40's. Most of our democrats would be considered right wingers on the east and left coast.

We have voted overwhelmingly republican for the last several presidents, our U.S. representatives are republican, and the state house and senate have gone from about 80% democrat to 55% in the last decade. Another 5 years and it will be controlled by GOP. I won't judge your state by the actions of a few morons, so don't judge mine.

And to all of you Texans remeber - 63-14, 14-3, 35-24, 1 National, 2 Big 12, and 1 Rose bowl Championship.

[Stultis]

I won't judge your state by the actions of a few morons, so don't judge mine.

Agreed. I'm urging people to direct their anger, and freeps, to the Okie 'Rats in the State House. Note from the article, btw, that the Pubbies in the House tried to pass a resolution calling on Oklahoma to assist Texas in retrieving the AWOL Texas 'Rats.

[maxwell]

"I don't think they're breaking their oath of office," Braddock said of the Texas Democrats. "I think they're all fulfilling it by trying to meet the needs of those that have no voice."

Yeah well, if "they" have no voice, whoever "they" are, then how do the Texas Fifty know that "they" want 'em to split town and hole up in an Oklahoma Holiday Inn, resulting in additional fuss and bother that probably ends up costing the taxpayers? (Just a thought: Are the Texas taxpayers ponying up for the hotel rooms and bar service?)

I can't understand how anybody would admire or condone this. It is not honorable in the least.

[okkev68]

Thanks. If this would have happened a year ago, Gov Keating would have the OHP pulling these guys over everytime they set foot in their vehicle.

[Stultis]

(Just a thought: Are the Texas taxpayers ponying up for the hotel rooms and bar service?)

No, "they" are. The Chick D's are using either personal money or campaign donations. (Personally, I wonder if the DNC is not kicking in somehow.)