Sheila Jackson Lee accuses GOP of "racism" for using her photo in an email message

US Congress website of her heinous ^ | 6/26/03 | Sheila Jackson Lee press release

[GOPcapitalist]

For Immediate Release - June 26, 2003
Contact: Nkenge Harmon
(202) 225-3816

WASHINGTON, DC – This week the Harris County Republican Party of Texas sent an e-mail to its members soliciting their attendance at a redistricting hearing that will occur in Houston on Saturday. The Republican’s e-mail depicted Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee without mention of her name. (A copy of the e-mail follows this page.) After reading the offensive e-mail Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee said: “In order to provoke their party members to attend redistricting hearings in the 18th Congressional District of Texas, Republican Party officials stooped to their lowest level of party politics. Just when we thought they couldn’t go any lower the Republicans have outdone themselves with this e-mail.”

“They used a photo of me to play the race card. They did not include photos of the other Representatives from the Houston area although there are three. You do not see Reps. Chris Bell, or Gene Green, or Nick Lampson. The three of them are white males; none of them were referred to by name and none of them had their picture utilized.” “Instead of requesting that their members attend the redistricting hearings to have their positions heard on this important issue, the Republican Party chose to plaster my picture on their e-mail. If that is not bad enough, the Republicans chose not to use my name. They chose only to use a picture of an African American women with the language below it stating, ‘She will be there to express her views.’ They chose to circulate this e-mail as if there is some ominous overtone to an African-American woman attending this weekend’s redistricting hearings to state her opinion.”

“I do not believe for a minute that everyone to whom this e-mail was directed knows that is a picture of the Congresswoman from the 18th District. Many of them will simply see an African-American behind the podium, along with the Republicans’ foreboding language. Unfortunately, the Republicans chose to play the race card. It is deceitful and it is shameful. The Harris Country Republican Party should not simply apologize to me. They should apologize to the African-Americans in the Houston area and across the nation. The race card has no place in politics or in a democratic society, that seeks participation from all of its citizens.”

“This shameful episode provides additional proof that the Republicans created this redistricting plan to disenfranchise African-Americans in the 18th District. In fact, this ugly incident lays bare the fact that Republicans are truly seeking to destroy the 18th District and other districts across Texas that are home to large numbers of people of color. It is also obvious that Republicans desire to flood this week’s hearings with a lopsided display that might falsely reflect that most Texans are satisfied with the redistricting plan.”

“I am disappointed that rather than waging a fair political battle, the Republicans are playing the race card to force Majority Leader Tom Delay’s redistricting plan on our state. The Republican governor and state legislators in Texas are not attempting to work in the best interests of Texans but rather in the best interests of Tom Delay and Washington politics.”

“Let us not turn the clock back on the representation many fought so hard to attain. I call for all Texans of goodwill to attend the upcoming redistricting hearings. Come to the hearings to express your views, not because of a racist solicitation e-mail. Come to the hearing because you want to be heard.”

[StopGlobalWhining]

They should have sent photos of Neil Armstrong and the Mars Rover.

Is this at all related to the upcoming The Planetary Society Launches Global "Mars Day Celebration"

The Red Planet is on a trajectory that will bring it to its closest approach to Earth in over 50,000 years

If Mars is this close, will we be able to see from earth the flags there that Armstrong and the other astronauts planted when they visited Mars? Will we need telescopes to see them?

Sheila Jackson Lee is indeed a visionary.

[A CA Guy]

Well she is a well known hole that would inspire change. Race card? No, more like playing the dangerous idiot card.

[deport]

She's in one of those "protected" majority-minority seats

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The problem with the set aside districts like this,IMO is that if she keeps the seat long enough that at some point when the democrats get back in control then she will be a committee chair along with others because of senority.... scary to think about.

[GOPcapitalist]

The problem with the set aside districts like this,IMO is that if she keeps the seat long enough that at some point when the democrats get back in control then she will be a committee chair along with others because of senority.... scary to think about.

That's not the only thing to be scared about. If the Dems win control Charles Rangel becomes chairman of the Ways and Means committee. That's why we need redistricting in Texas to pass for all the other seats. It could give us 5 or 6 new Republicans at the expense of an equal number of current Dems.

[Uncle Miltie]

Racist? Oh no. We are just being "Diverse" in our photography, which is required by law (well, fiat anyway.)

[elfman2]

What a racist thing for her to say…

[deport]

Are they going to do something to keep Dems from bolting?

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Good question.... I don't know what you'd do at the beginning. I suspect they'll be there at the start as that is when committee work will be done, drawing lines, etc...... it's when it gets down to floor activity that they may try something, imo.

Just because they have a special session doesn't mean anything will be accomplished. Texas has had as many as six back to back in the past that I'm aware of. Some could have been on different topics, I don't know.

[GOPcapitalist]

Word is that they may change the quorum rules for a special session. Regular sessions operate under the regular House rules but special sessions do not and they can adopt their own. So they may cut the quorum rule from 100 to 85.

[Paul_B]

Woman sure can whine. Professional, world-class whining. And if they had used her name, she would have whined about that.

Perhaps it is because of her extraordinary obnoxiousness that the Pubs thought her picture would evoke a great response.

[bayourod]

But you do have to admit that she is kinda cute. Kinda. In a diferent sort of way. Maybe?

Anyway, I hope the three new minority Congressmen that will replace the white Democrat Crongressmen under the GOP plan are just as attractive.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

The proper response is that we are not playing the 'race card', we are playing the 'idiot card'.

My thoughts exactly.

I don't know this woman specifically, but based on my past exposure to demonicrats in general -- of all colors -- and to her whining in specific (about this one issue), it only took me about 60 seconds to begin to suspect that the republicans had played not the 'race card,' but the 'frickin' idiot card.'

[Luke Skyfreeper]

But you do have to admit that she is kinda cute. Kinda. In a diferent sort of way. Maybe?

Um.... I knew "kinda cute." I've worked with "kinda cute." And Sheila Jackson Lee, you’re no "kinda cute."

[lilylangtree]

Good for the Texas GOP. When all else fails, the RATS fall back on racist allegations. Sheesh! Boring!

[deport]

Word is that they may change the quorum rules for a special session. Regular sessions operate under the regular House rules but special sessions do not and they can adopt their own. So they may cut the quorum rule from 100 to 85.

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How do they do that since the Quorum Rule is written in the Texas Constitution without a change/amendment to the Constitution?

[GOPcapitalist]

I'm not quite sure how it works - that's just the rumor I've heard. It may in fact be impossible without a constitutional amendment, or it may not. Or it could have something to do with striking a quorum requirement for the non-vote readings of the bill.

Special sessions in Texas are subject to all sorts of strange little rules that make them an entirely different ball game than the regular legislature.

[Dan from Michigan]

I highly doubt it's the race card. I think it's more likely the "Open their trap" card.

Besides. Kent Bentsen also PO'ed me.

[Gillmeister]

Can I AX you a question...........Let me AX you..........If you AX me..........what a dolt.

[Flyer]

did any of you save a copy

Paid for by the Harris County Republican Party

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She will be there to express her views...
...will you be there to express yours?

REMINDER

Redistricting Hearing in Houston this Saturday

Below is the location for the hearing. Hearings will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a lunch break from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The subcommittee may adjourn or recess earlier or later depending on the work schedule
 

SATURDAY, JUNE 28

Roderick Paige Auditorium
College of Education Building
Texas Southern University
3100 Cleburne St., Houston

[deport]

Thanks.... I was just curious if you had any info as to how they may do it. The Constitution makes no allowances for 'special session' quorums that I find.

[oldtimer]

Lots of chicken wings there, and a $100,000 a year to braid her hair.