Senators fuming as penalties hit home

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF ^ | Wednesday, September 17, 2003 | By Ken Herman

[50sDad]

Make them go door-to-door in their home districts begging for pocket change.

[schaketo]

Let's be reasonable. Let's get on with business. Otherwise, let's get it on," Barrientos told Dewhurst.

Oh… wise guy huh? OK fat boy, take your best shot! This from someone that has a history of running from fights. I will be VERY disappointed if the Texas Repubs let these cowards off the hook. They talk tough and then run like h*ll when the fighting starts.

[lafroste]

Absolutely, I agree. What point are the sanctions if they just say "oh we didn't REALLY mean it" and let them skate. Some example that would set. The dems should pay every dang cent of the fine and get none of their privilidges until they do. I don't care that it seizes up the Texas senate through the election cycle.

OTOH, maybe I should just tell the judge next time I have to pay a speeding ticket :No, I won't pay it. Fat chance! And you can't make me." Yeah, that might work.

[yoe]

These are supposedly grown men and women who ran, thinking it a cute way to hold their colleagues at bay and I assume they knew there were penalties for such an action. It is my understanding they were going to repeat the trick, they were so happy with the first go round. Now Mr. Barrientos is unhappy that he can’t have his cake and eat it to.

If Mr. Barrientos doesn’t pay his fine by a certain date, simply double it or stop his salary until it is paid. Lordy, Lordy...imagine a Republican doing this, you would never hear the end of it. Democrats are such spoiled children.................

[lafroste]

That's the problem with republicans. We're just too dang reasonable. I think they should try being some unreasonable and confrontational SOBs for a change.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I wonder if they will bring the fines issue up to a vote? It is only fair that the chicken-Democrats get a voice in how to sanction themselves. (sarcasm)

[Publius6961]

After adjournment, Dewhurst predicted that the fines and sanctions will be resolved this week. Though he indicated a willingness to drop the penalties, Dewhurst said "several different Republicans" think the Democrats who fled to Albuquerque "ought to pay something."

As someone who knew what he was talking about once said, when dealing with pathological behavior, rewarding it is the best way to assure an increased supply of it.

I suppose that banana republic behavior as described here is normal to start near the border and work its way north.

The losers who fled the state to avoid their duty better pay a price, or Texas will snatch the title of the "Land of fruits and nuts" from California.

[Arrowhead1952]

Mr. Barrientos is the state senator that was stopped by the DPS for a DUI some time ago. I know he had to do some public service, but there was a fine as well.

Wonder who paid that for him? His constituents? I hope not.

[Stallone]

Republicans, the pious and wimpy ones, will never be accused of being too nice.

These idiots are actually cowards, afraid to confront evil and vaquish it.

The new world belongs to Warrior Freepers, Crusaders who rule the Earth.

NEVER NEGOTIATE WITH EVIL. KILL IT.

[Stallone]

vaquish = vanquish

Break heads, Pubbies, or get yours broken.

Understand?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

KILL IT.

Would a can of raid work?

[tonyinv]

These whimpy appeasers are destroying this country by letting the democrats get away with crap like this. The chicken dems should have their fines doubled each day they dont pay up.

[Texan5]

Their big issue is parking spaces? Hell, I guess we know where their priorities are (most of us already knew, though).

[TexasNative2000]

Asked about Gallegos' comments about being hampered in representing his constituents, Dewhurst referred to the 45 days the Democrats spent in New Mexico.

"Quite frankly, you know, Senator Gallegos chose not to be here to do his job. He decided to be someplace else to do his job," Dewhurst said.

Bingo.

[Ron H.]

... who invited the local senator to chat privately with him.

Dewhurst told Barrientos that Senate leaders are "dragging our feet" while working on several GOP senators who remain intent on keeping at least a portion of the fines in place.

After adjournment, Dewhurst predicted that the fines and sanctions will be resolved this week.

I sure hope all of these quotes are nothing more than fabrication on the part of the writer but I somehow doubt it. I too wanted to believe that Dewhearst had somehow grown some real cajones over the Runagate 11 but alas it was too good to be true as it seems to be shaping up. If Dewhearst gives in to these Democrap "thugs", yes thugs because that is exactly how they're acting now, he will live to regret it. He will have to cave to pretty much whatever the Thugs-R-Us 11 wants from here out regarding the previous sanctions.

Dewhearst cannot afford to be seen as to caving in to the Thugs-R-Us 11. The Thugs-R-Us 11 need to be seen to be pay a price for costing tax-payers millions of wasted tax dollars and wasting everyones time on this. And Dan Patrick still wants to believe that this man will still carry his water for him on the property tax cap relief at C.L.O.U.T. after all of this and how Dewhearst shafted Patrick and Texas tax payers on this back in the regular session.

Always heard that it is hard for a Zebra to change its stripes.

[Sabertooth]

Barrientos said he wants a resolution today or he will seek legal advice on how to pursue the matter.

"I'll tell those Republicans who want us to pay $57,000, 'Good luck,' " Barrientos said. "Hell, no, I'm not going to do it."

I confess I sometimes envy the Democrats. They don't care if the Republicans like them or not. On the other hand, our GOP leadership wallows in political battered-wife syndrome.

After adjournment, Dewhurst predicted that the fines and sanctions will be resolved this week. Though he indicated a willingness to drop the penalties, Dewhurst said "several different Republicans" think the Democrats who fled to Albuquerque "ought to pay something."

"I believe that we're going to reach a consensus among the senators who voted on this particular resolution (ordering the penalties) to go ahead and put it behind us," Dewhurst said.

See what I mean?

[CougarGA7]

Hey Texas Dems! I've got a novile idea. Pay your flipping fines. You were the ones who skirted your repsonsibilities to you constituents by going AWOL. Pay the price.

And one more thing. Stay the hell out of my state!

[hopespringseternal]

After adjournment, Dewhurst predicted that the fines and sanctions will be resolved this week.

If they don't stick, they will simply not be an issue at all next time. The GOP will have neutered itself on the issue and given the democrats preemptive permission to do this again whenever it suits them.

[TADSLOS]

Unfortunately, so true. Personally, I'd like to see these clowns fined and locked up for time not served.