"Texas Ten" (Democrat Runaway Senators) Claim Oppression

Laredo, TX, Morning Times ^ | 09-17-03 | Almada, Laurel

[Theodore R.]

Texas 10 claim oppression

BY LAUREL ALMADA Times staff writer

The Texas Ten are claiming they are the victims of "oppression," and are requesting an investigation by the Webb County District Attorney's Office.

District Attorney Joe Rubio confirmed Tuesday that he assigned two prosecutors to investigate alleged official oppression that could lead to criminal charges.

Rubio said the investigation stemmed from a request on the part of attorney Carlos Zaffirini, husband of state Senator Judith Zaffirini (D - Laredo) and hired counsel for the Texas Ten.

The ten democratic senators were dubbed the Texas Ten after breaking quorum and fleeing to New Mexico in an effort to thwart a congressional redistricting agenda in the Texas legislature.

Rubio said although the letter presented by Zaffirini mentions no names in particular, the senators dubbed the Texas Ten claim they suffered "official misconduct, official oppression as well as perhaps civil rights violations."

Included in the basis for the complaint are the manner in which the $57,000 fines against the absent senators were imposed by their Republican colleagues, and services that have either been cancelled or restricted since their Sept. 10 return, he said.

Such restrictions include a cap on the amount of postage the senators can use, as well as cancellation of cellular telephone services, package services, privileges of the senators' staff to be on the Senate Floor, supplies and parking privileges, Rubio said.

He said the Texas Ten claim that these actions were taken without a quorum and are not provided for in Senate rules.

In addition, the senators allege that "all of this is only affecting senators' districts in which there is a minority majority," Rubio said.

"So I think we're going to have to look into this," he said, adding that he has assigned Assistant District attorneys Andres "Andy" Ramos and Adriana Benavides-Maddox to investigate the matter.

Rubio said the prosecutors would interview the senators who are complaining, and possibly subpoena transcripts and videotapes of Senate meetings before determining if there is sufficient evidence to proceed.

Although the unnamed alleged violators face misdemeanor charges, they could also face felony offenses depending on what the investigation reveals, he said.

Rubio said there is "no way to tell" how long the investigation might last, but the first thing to do is set up interviews with the Texas Ten.

(Times staff writer Laurel Almada can be reached at 728-2564 or e-mailed at laurel@lmtonline.com.)

09/17/03

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[Dog Gone]

I guess the concept here is that anytime a minority gets into trouble, he or she is being "oppressed."

[Mr. Mojo]

Gee, what a surprise.

Democrats playing the "victim" card.

[Roughneck]

Uhm, these were the "Texas 11". One left, whitmore I think, giving a quarom for redistricting.

The Ten left are facing over $57,000.00 in fines. Guess they are looking for a way out, putting their yellow tails between their banty legs and sqwaking as only a chicken can!

[concerned about politics]

The Texas Ten are claiming they are the victims of "oppression," and are requesting an investigation by the Webb County District Attorney's Office.

What a bunch of weenies. Grow up!

[Mo1]

Rubio said although the letter presented by Zaffirini mentions no names in particular, the senators dubbed the Texas Ten claim they suffered "official misconduct, official oppression as well as perhaps civil rights violations."

HELLO .. The Repubs wanted them to come back home .. they were the ones that ran ..

[Sofa King]

Yeah, they were oppressed because their were forced to participate in the Texas legislature. That's makes TONS of sense.

[Roughneck]

Whoops! I forgot, the one that left ALSO has to pay the same $57,000 and had the same restrictions laced upon him. He's a white guy. Why is he not "opressed"?

(hey, if you are out-of-state- not doing your job, why do you need those services anyway?)

[concerned about politics]

District Attorney Joe Rubio confirmed Tuesday that he assigned two prosecutors to investigate alleged official oppression that could lead to criminal charges.

If they can't get the voters to support them, they use facist propaganda and it's soldiers to steal for them.

[concerned about politics]

In addition, the senators allege that "all of this is only affecting senators' districts in which there is a minority majority," Rubio said.

If all else fails, use the minority race bait card.

[TADSLOS]

...the Texas Ten claim they suffered "official misconduct, official oppression as well as perhaps civil rights violations."

Somebody git a rope...

[pageonetoo]

don't you mean PANTY legs?

[Dog Gone]

The truly disgusting thing is that District Attorney Joe Rubio is going along with this.

[TheBigB]

And from the "You have got to be SH*TTING me, Pyle!" Dept...

[mrtysmm]

I wouldn't want to be the one who broke the stalemate and returned alone. They have got to be really pi$$ed at him. I wonder if they'll just lay all the blame at his feet....for anything and everything.

[Roughneck]

don't you mean PANTY legs?


LOL! Nope, although the socialist-liberal-dems do have a tendancy to "git their panties all in a wad".

I'm a bad speller though, I was thinking about "banty chickens" as in the breed of chicken! STill dont know how to spell it!

[Roughneck]

I wouldn't want to be the one who broke the stalemate and returned alone. They have got to be really pi$$ed at him. I wonder if they'll just lay all the blame at his feet....for anything and everything

Which prompt me to ask again. The fella who broke it, owes the same amount, has same restrictions, but he's a WHITE GUY! why is he not oppressed?

[Tacis]

Well, those red putty noses, organge fright wigs, and shoes that are 24 inches long on these ten don't do much for their image, either.

[cardinal4]

Must be tough to be a rat these days..

[Travis McGee]

WAAAHHH!!!! BOOO HOOOO HOOOO!