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"The thing that has caused me to lose any respect for 'rats is that if they're losing by the rules, they simply change the rules or ignore them."

The re-districting plan in TX from 2 years ago was rejected by the courts, who then did their own. There was not supossed to be another re-drawing for a number of years. The reps decided to do a "special" redistricting to increase the number of GOP members in the House for Tom Delay.
If that's not changing the rules to gain pwer - what is? The hyprocricy comes in noting only one side trying to gain a political advantage (power). Both parties do it all the time. Just look at CA for a prime example of using any means to gain political power. If you can't see the splinter in your neighbors eye because of the log in yours, then you will understand.
There are high moral winners in this case - only two parties fighting for power.

The re-districting plan in TX from 2 years ago was rejected by the courts, who then did their own.

If that's not changing the rules to gain pwer - what is?

Indeed. It's time the legislature took its job back from the courts.

Your facts are somewhat incorrect.

There has never been a legislative redistricting done since the 2000 census. Such redistricting is required by the US Constitution.

The current congressional district lines were drawn by a three-judge panel and made only slight changes to adjust for population, and the judges acknowledged such. The current districts are essentially the same as those drawn by Democrats in 1991.

The Democrats refuse to acknowledge the fact that they gerrymandered those districts in 1991 to produce the congressional results they want -- not to reflect the voting patterns of Texas. The state is now a Republican state, and the lines should reflect this.

The 1991 map was described in the National Journal, a respected political publication, as the nation's worst "gerrymander" of that year, designed to hold Democratic seats while denying the Republicans any advancement.

Dewhurst's removal of the two-thirds rule for redistricting follows precedents set by Democrat Lieutentant Governors including Bob Bullock.

While it certainly is a fight for power, the high ground is far and away on the pubbies side.