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Monday, March 27, 2006
Democrats in general, and David Van Os in particular
Just a note about the whistlestop and some observations. (ok, in retrospect, 'note' is misleading!)
If you're not from Texas and don't know anyone from Texas and don't give a flip about helping Texas recover from DeLay's Republican Majority PAC, then you needn't read further.
The meeting, on Saturday, March 25th, was not as well attended as one would have hoped. Frankly, for the Democratic candidate for State Attorney General to draw only enough people to fill about half the room, I'm very disappointed in Democrats in Texas.
I don't hold David's effort accountable; I hold the Texas Democrats organization (and I'm being generous to call it an organization), the Harris County Democratic Party (which should be leading the Texas Democrats - despite what I will say about them), Barbara Radnofsky's campaign, Chris Bell's campaign and local workers accountable. Even if the only people that had turned up were all of the local workers for the various campaigns, the room at Drexler's would have been overflowing. Where were all the SD (state senate) campaigners and their supporters?
One can argue that this was one of several whistlestops for David, but this was still an important meeting. EVERY meeting for Democratic candidates is important! David's run for Attorney General holds profound consequences for the state. The Attorney General has a raft of powers that could dramatically alter the pollution landscape in our state, the funding of schools, the repeal of regressive taxes via challenge from David's office, and on and on. The Governor is the only position more able to affect immediate policy, though I think that can be argued.
And so, David comes to Houston and is essentially blown-off by the Democratic structure. There were notable exceptions. Richard Morrison, the 2004 challenger to DeLay, was there with his wife and kids, as was Hank Gilbert, the Democratic candidate for Commisioner of Agriculture. Melissa Taylor, the Executive Director of the HCDP was there, along with Kay Green, the candidate for Family Court (if memory serves) 248.
And, naturally, Phillip McNutt (HCDP) was there. Are there, like, 5 of this guy? He's at every function I go to!
I think that if Melissa and Phillip and the other, loyal HCDP workers that have been at every function that I've been to can show up, so can a lot of other people.
Enough about that; back to David.
I had written back and forth with David and his wife, Rachel, for months on the texas_kos@yahoogroups.com newsgroup, but hadn't previously met them. I was not disappointed. I spoke only briefly with David, as he really needed to make the rounds, but I was impressed. He comes across just as strong in person as he does on the net and in his campaign literature.
Rachel and I, though, spent a lot of one-on-one time talking. I had no idea that she and David were such activists -- although David's speech also changed my mind on that.
For example, Rachel was watching the 2000 Florida mess on TV when she decided to go and protest! So, she hops on a plane and goes for 4 days. I may have the timeline a bit wrong, but as I recall, while she's there, she turns from protester into backup judge at the Palm Beach recount. She also had the dubious honor of having John Bolton be nasty to her; however, to say John Bolton is a mean, nasty person is to be redundant: Bolton/nasty/petty/etc.etc. All synonyms.
Before becoming a judge (I think that's the term she used), she protested outside; even brought her own signs! The Rethuglicans were getting in the Dems faces during the protests; Rachel had a thug spitting in her face while he screamed, "Baby killer" at her. Now, don't ask me what a recount has to do with abortion. I think it's just that two or three phrases is the limit of Rethuglicans vocabulary -- if you can call that a 'vocabulary'. I wish I had been there; that 'gentleman' would have been arrested on assault charges.
While she was certifying hanging/pregnant chads (and I won't go into the other type of chad that she developed a unique name for!), she had a Republican goon standing over her, challenging every one. It was obvious to everyone that the Rethuglicans were doing everything in their power to slow down the recount.
She came back home and gathered up David, and they flew back out for 4 days, where she counted votes while David did legal work for the Gore team -- all on their nickel. Now, THAT'S what I call being aggressively interested in the future of your country.
Rachel is well spoken, but doesn't spare the language, when appropriate. I found that refreshing! Emotional and intelletual honesty in our political system -- what a concept!
Now, on to David.
David's speech was, to say the least, enthusiastic. (and too loud; someone should really use an $80 Radio Shack db meter to set sound levels) The thing I most took away from the speech was David's repeated amazement that we have had no demonstrations in the street about our government being hijacked and our Constitution abrogated by these Nazis. (Ok, he didn't use the word Nazis, but they are, in fact, exactly that. 'Fascist' is not, technically, the correct term.
And I mean repeated, emotional amazement. He sounded positively Wolverine!
(Mike, you would have loved it!)
David spoke quite a bit about how our Constitutional Democracy (though, it can be aruged that we are really more Republic than Democracy -- but we do, in fact, encompass both aspects) has been replaced by BushCo. I say BushCo because Bush is just the puppet; the man couldn't tie his own shoes without Laura helping him, I'm sure, so the real machinations fall to Cheney and Rove.
David repeated this theme about our government, which is supposed to be governed by the consent of the people, being now a government over the people, not of the people, as well as his continuing amazement at how we are just letting it happen.
The people in Germany, 1933, also died the death, as a people, of a thousand cuts. The only difference is that Hitler was elected.
David is being outspent over 1,000 to one. Rachel said it was 10,000 to one, and it may be, but -- regardless -- it's a lot.
David needs more people who, like Julia, give every month. We don't have much time. David needs air time in Houston and Dallas and San Antonio. He needs full-page ads in the major papers and he needs more Internet work done, like this e-mail.
Of course, the other candidates, like Chris Bell, Nick Lampson, Ted Ankrum and Barbara Radnofsky also need more of our support, as well as Hank Gilbert and every one of the other Democratic candidates.
Rachel and I agreed that this election will not be won from the top down. The Texas Democats (the organization. What a stupidly named group; couldn't they make it distinguishable from Democrats in general in Texas?) seem to have this illusion that Barbara Radnofsky will pull Texas Democratic candidates along with her; we (and David) think that is just bullshit. This is a bottom-up election. It is the slate of state candidates that will pull locals along and power the Congressional candidates, though the state candidates had best get their act together and start working harder, like David is.
Maybe Chris Bell had other things to do; I don't know, but unless Ted Ankrum had his own function (and why would we, at Texas Kos, not know this if he did???), Ted lives just up 290 a bit and could have made it to David's whistlestop to show support and to draw more people by publicizing his appearance. And where was Barbara? Why isn't this stuff being publicized better on the Texas newsgroups, with Texas Kos being one of the lead groups?
Where the hell was the Texas Democrats organization? (TxDemocrats.net) Is every candidate being forced to go it alone? (with the notable exceptions of attendees, er.. noted... at the top)
Ted Ankrum has a newsgroup on Yahoogroups, but I got kicked off when I asked where their organization was, and if they had one, would they please let me -- and everyone else -- know. Ted, as CD10 candidate, is essential to recovering Texas, but his campaigners lack the intestinal fortitude to withstand criticism (granted, mine was a bit sharp, but not wrong) -- and I don't know if Ted realizes this. I don't mean to pick on Ted; I think he is one hell of a great guy and will make an outstanding Congressman, but I think that his organization's lack of organization is an example of what's going on statewide. They have a go-it-alone attitude that is hurting Ted, and by association, the entire state party. They are also a bunch of amateurs (their own phrase) that seem unable to reach out for experienced assistance.
For example, at the HCDP kickoff a couple of weeks ago, Barbara had a table right in the food line. David had display, but one of his children, I believe, was sick, so he didn't make it. Nick Lampson's group had a table. Several others had tables, but Ted came alone -- as far as I could tell. Not one person from his campaign staff?!
So, in closing (ok, ok! Hold down the cheering, will ya! Sheesh!), let's get out there and not only support the candidates, but let's try to dig up groups for them to speak to. Let's also encourge these Texas cowboys (mostly, the campaign workers) to put aside their go-it-alone thing and work as a group, with people from every level (local, state, Congressional) showing up at every other level's functions. Imagine how empowered some schoolboard candidate's team would feel if Chris or Ted or David showed up. Just remember; schoolboards are where the Republicans almost own this country, and this determines what our kids are taught.
We cannot afford to wait 2 more years to impact national politics. Incrementalism failed in Vietnam; it's failing in Iraq (though, you'd have to blow the entire country up to 'win') and it will fail in re-gaining our country. Even if you don't live in Texas, please contribute what you can, and encourage others to do the same. If you write or blog, please write about Texas candidates. A Texas Congressperson or Senator votes - in every vote - to affect the life of everyone in this country. Just look what DeLay has done to the nation. (shudder!)
Like David says, "Fight them till Hell freezes over, then fight them on the ice."
http://vanosfortexasag.com
http://tedankrum.com
BTW, yes; I know Ted has a Democratic run-off, but when you compare the 2, there is no comparison. Ted is The Man!
Larry Wilson
Go, Wolverines!!
posted by snarko! at 12:53 PM
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Sharpening our wits on the grindstone of Life: BBQ Saturday with Morrison and Van Os
Sharpening our wits on the grindstone of Life: BBQ Saturday with Morrison and Van Os: "BBQ Saturday with Morrison and Van Os
If I had to describe David Van Os in one word, I would probably have to say 'momentum'. The dude never stops. Now he's coming to Houston to one of my favorite venues, and he's bringing some heavy hitters with him.
Van Os, best known for his Filibuster for Independence at the Texas State Capitol, is running for Texas Attorney General, and is well into a marathon speaking tour through Texas.
Mark your calendars. This Saturday, March 25th, he'll be at Drexler's BBQ.
That's right, Clyde 'The Glide' Drexler's Mom's and Pop's place at 2300 Pierce, a downtown landmark.
With him will be Master of Ceremonies Richard Morrison, who is running against Tom DeLay for District 22 in this year's election.
Music will be provided by David Rovics, who's show has been described as 'the musical version of Democracy Now', and a musical political comedy called 'Brother, Can You Spare a Dime'.
Advance tickets are cheaper, but you can pay at the door."
posted by snarko! at 10:56 AM
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Thursday, March 23, 2006
Filibuster set for special session opening April 17
PRESS ADVISORY - Van Os to Filibuster at Special Session; Accuses Abbott of Twiddling His Thumbs "For 24 hours from noon April 17 to noon April 18, I'll be filibustering in front of the Capitol with fellow citizens, demanding a just and Constitutional system of free public education for all Texas children, like our forebears demanded when they declared independence from despotism in 1836, and like every generation of Texans has demanded ever since. Like every fight I take on, I'll fight this one 'till hell freezes over, then I'll fight it on the ice." -- David Van Os
Commencing at high noon on April 17, the first day of the special legislative session on school finance, Democratic Attorney General nominee David Van Os will conduct a 24-Hour Citizens' Filibuster for a Constitutional System of Free Public Education for all Texas Children.
Van Os in particular blasts Attorney General Greg Abbott's handling of the latest round of school finance litigation, pointing out that, "Instead of rolling up his sleeves and going to work for the people of Texas to help craft a Constitutional public education system, Greg Abbott sat back and twiddled his thumbs while the legislature struggled through session after session with no assistance from the state's top legal officer. Then when the legislature kept fouling it up so bad that citizens had to keep asking the courts to intervene, Abbott's response was to try to convince the courts of Texas they had no authority to do anything about it under the Abbott theory of Constitutional law, otherwise known as 'Constitution, what's that?' "
"So now the courts have given the governor and the legislature their last chance, and again where's the attorney general in this acute and long-running Texas Constitutional crisis?" Van Os asks. "The legislature is facing its last stand, the governor and they haven't agreed on anything, any bill has to pass Constitutional muster, and still the state's chief lawyer and Constitutional advisor is nowhere around."
"I'll answer my own question," says Van Os. "Instead of jumping in and doing his part to help his fellow Texans solve this pressing and urgent issue, Greg Abbott is saying to himself, 'Why should I care? I got my education, I made it through law school, I got appointed to a big job on the Texas Supreme Court by my pal George Bush, I got to run for Attorney General when my Republican political cronies raised a lot of money for me, and I get lots of money from my political buddies in the boardrooms and big law firms to keep me in office; heck, I'm doing fine, so what's the fuss? Why do some people have to fret all the time? Aren't we all doing fine?' "
"Greg Abbott may be too busy hobnobbing with his silk-stocking buddies to worry," continues Van Os, "but I know where I'll be on April 17, on the grounds of the seat of government, demanding that the leaders of my State cease the political games and remember who they are. They are Texans, and we Texans don't put up with mediocrity. From the earliest days, we Texans have demanded the best in public education and we even rose up in revolution over it. When our forebears declared independence from despotism and proclaimed a new nation, one of the reasons they did it, to quote from the Texas Declaration of Independence, was because the tyrannical central government had 'failed to establish any public system of education, although possessed of almost boundless resources, (the public domain,) and although it is an axiom in political science, that unless a people are educated and enlightened, it is idle to expect the continuance of civil liberty, or the capacity for self government.' "
"Fellow Texans," Van Os concludes, "what was true to the authors of the Texas Declaration of Independence in March of 1836 is just as true today. The continuance of civil liberty and the capacity for self government depend on the bright light that education shines on all of society. From noon on April 17 to noon on April 18, I will be filibustering in a call for Texas to turn that light on. Like every fight I take on, I'll fight this one 'till hell freezes over, then I'll fight it on the ice. Fellow Texans, this is a fight we all have to win. Please join me."
(Contact: Rachel Barrios-Van Os at 210-225-1955)
posted by PDiddie at 7:17 AM
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Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Promoting the ticket, and lifting your spirits
In his journal at BOR, TDP chair candidate Glen Maxey has some good words for Chris Bell, Barbara Radnofsky, and David:
Texans are responding to David Van Os's populist message and his courage to take on the big boys of corporate Texas who are literally stealing our future. He said it best: “We the people of Texas today must similarly declare our independence from the despotism of corruption, cronyism, corporate government, and Bushite tyranny; and we must win our independence in a revolution at the ballot boxes this coming November."
And in a post revealing that his dauber's down a little, Easter Lemming Liberal says:
I need to go to my Senate District Convention and the David Van Os Houston BBQ and get more optimistic and charged up.
Come on down, E.L. And that goes for everybody else who may be a little depressed about dead dancers. There'll be good food, great fun, and a chance to meet a real progressive Texas Democrat.
See y'all there!
posted by PDiddie at 12:44 PM
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Tuesday, March 14, 2006
David Van Os Whistlestop in Houston, Sat. 3/25
Meet and hear David Van Os at his Houston "Whistlestop".
Enjoy Texas BBQ and listen to music by David Rovics ("The Musical Version of Democracy Now" according to Amy Goodman) and "Brother Can You Spare A Dime" (a musical political comedy).
Richard Morrison is the Master of Ceremonies.
Drexler's BBQ, 2300 Pierce St., Houston : : March 25, 2006 :: 5 PM - 8 PM
For more info, contact Tom Gederberg at 281-451-4669 or e-mail gederberg at sbcglobal dot net
PRE-SALE TIX AVAILABLE through our "contribution" page.
HELP PROMOTE THIS EVENT. Download the flyer! (.pdf zip-compressed file)
posted by PDiddie at 3:53 PM
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Thursday, March 09, 2006
Filibuster Video, Photos Available
Adding David Van Os Filibuster for Independence media as fast as possible, but first entries are up (and a few added here to the stories below):
VIDEO :: PHOTO GALLERY
posted by snarko! at 3:35 PM
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Wednesday, March 08, 2006
DVO speaking in Killeen and Lampasas Thursday, March 9
If you're in Lampasas County or Bell County tomorrow, head on over and catch David at one of these two places:
The Stonetree Golf Club (formerly the Killeen Municipal Golf Course)
1600 Stonetree Drive, Killeen
2:00 - 3:00 pm, speech and fundraising reception
The Fourth Street Art Gallery (on the courthouse square)
508 E. Fourth Street, Lampasas
4:30 - 5:30 pm, speech and fundraising reception
And speaking to the Burnet County Democrats at The Highlander Inn on Hwy. 29 in Burnet, beginning at 7 pm.
posted by PDiddie at 2:10 PM
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Monday, March 06, 2006
Corrections
Here they are:
Larry Stallings is NOT a criminal trial lawyer, but is in, fact, the person who'd stayed all night and is running for Congress district 122; all other comments correct. The lawyer in question is named Wiston Cochran.
posted by snarko! at 2:39 PM
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Corrections
Still forthcoming;
But I'm gonna admit some of the fact (who-said-what) in previous posts are incorrect.
Will publish as soon as I'm certain whose-who.
Video nearly ready as well...
posted by snarko! at 2:17 PM
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Sunday, March 05, 2006
A little corporate media exposure
The San Antonio Express News appears to be the only one:
AUSTIN -- San Antonio lawyer David Van Os ended a 24-hour-long speech here, the first of several he plans to make in his campaign for Texas attorney general out of a desire to focus voters on "corruption and cronyism" in their government. Van Os, a Democrat and fiery orator, chose the state Capitol to celebrate the 170th anniversary of the Texas Declaration of Independence. "The purpose is to declare independence from cronyism, corruption, corporate government and Bushite tyranny, just like our forbearers did in 1836 when they declared independence from despots and tyranny," Van Os said during a break. Scandals involving bribery and corruption in Congress, as well as lobbyists' heavy influence in Texas and campaign finance problems in the state, have grabbed people's attention, Van Os said. "People want control back of their democracy and self-government," he said. He said about 50 people gathered around him at 1 a.m. Saturday near the south steps of the Capitol. "We had a lot of high-minded interaction and discourse about the meaning of the declaration of independence and the meaning of constitutional government and the powers in the Bill of Rights," Van Os said. Corruption and greed are nothing new in government, Van Os said when asked about Democratic control of state government in past years. "The political culture that encourages corruption and cronyism in our political process has been growing and getting increasingly worse for probably the last 30 years," he said. "People know that their ownership of their government is getting ripped off." Ricky Forrest of Alvin said he was drawn to the scene by a flier announcing Van Os' oratorical marathon. "I think it takes a lot of guts to do what he's doing, to say what he's saying — to express himself in such contradicting terms from the current administration and their policies," Forrest said. "I live and breathe the opportunity to speak politics." Forrest said he knew he had to go to Austin to participate. "I would've felt stupid if I didn't come," he said. "I felt stupid for coming, but I came." Van Os, the only Democrat running for attorney general in the party's primary Tuesday, will face GOP incumbent Greg Abbott in November. Van Os said he plans to conduct 24-hour speeches throughout Texas, including at a Cinco de Mayo event in San Antonio. "I'm going to roll from county seat after county seat and do this in front of courthouses." Some photos from the Filibuster can be seen here. Dave Haigler's blogpost is here; he's got a good picture of David and Elliott Naishtat, who spoke on both Friday and Saturday. As snarko has mentioned, Larry Stallings stayed through the entire Filibuster; his wife liveblogged it here, here, and here. Democratic officials and candidates who appeared at the Filibuster included Rep. Naishtat, Stallings, Texas Railroad Commission candidate Dale Henry, CD-21 candidate John Courage, TX-20 candidate Jim Stauber, Texas Senate District 25 candidate Kathi Thomas, Michigan state Senator Buzz Thomas, former Court of Appeals candidate Winston Cochran, and many others. Jack Blood of Austin radio fame made a midnight appearance with about twenty of his posse and livened things up nicely. Thanks also to Karl-T of BOR and Tim McCann of the Chris Bell campaign for coming out. I'll post other links as I find them.
posted by PDiddie at 1:31 PM
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Saturday, March 04, 2006
Filibuster Camera Recharge
Just wanted to throw in, before heading back to the Capitol (laptop battery also died, and since this is a no-electricity event, couldn't plug in anywhere)...
Did any of y'all know that? There have been no microphones, no generators; this is an old-fashioned type of thing, as close to standing on a soapbox as you'll get these days...
Anyway, stay tuned for video and photographs within the next 48 hours (my sleep dependent; see last post).
posted by snarko! at 2:20 PM
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David Van Os Filibuster Less Than 2 to Go
So it's 1:45 away from close; actually 1:50 if we hold David to his word (the event started 5 minutes late--but there's no stopwatch it's more likely to go over than under), and being one of the 24-hour people (now actually awake more like 38), please excuse any typos and loopiness.
John Courage spoke earlier this morning, reading his favorite relevant quotes from our forefathers that were so parallel to today's political climate (kinda like a Katrina, actually) as to be truly frightening. Except that it isn't. It's inspiring. They won, didn't they? We'll win again.
The crowd, and weather, today was spectacular. And Larry Stallings has stayed the whole night, providing excellent inspiration and discourse from a collection of writings by our forefathers, and a great attitude, to say the least, since I've never met this guy before.
posted by snarko! at 2:09 PM
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Crack of Dawn at the Filibuster
So the campfire scenario I left to check on things at the campaign headquarters was sorta in the same state when I returned, minus the bats flying around, a glint of orange in the sky, and it was a bit less cold. But as soon as I showed up, David stood up, and said,
"I don't know about you, but I'm sick and tired of corporate government."
Great entrance.
But the floor has been given over to one of the people whose been here all night, and debate has broken out over what to do to change government, and how to get along when you don't get along. Current discussion is that the Democrats are the party of inclusion.
posted by snarko! at 4:41 AM
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Mid Morning (that's still dark) Report from the Filibuster
Oh, yes, David's still here. Accompanied by a small but faithful crowd, huddling more into a circle (hey, it's cold out here right now and the sun's still three hours away) like friends around a campfire, swapping political stories, and wondering if our campaign manager got abducted by aliens (kidding, Perry!)
Hold on--water sprinklers just came on and we have to move equipment quickly.
Crisis evaded.
So I overheard David saying something about the "belly of the beast" when I launched, and someone asking to clarify, but he couldn't hear. So to clarify, that'd be Texas, the source of the current constitutional crisis. And since it started here, it will end here.
posted by snarko! at 1:22 AM
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Friday, March 03, 2006
Blood at Midnight
No, not that Blood. Radio Free Austin and the Revere folks--amoung them Jack Blood--showed up at the Filibuster at midnight to ask David some incredibly pointed questions, especially regarding illegal immigration, border patrol, and the minutemen.
Not that David doesn't like taking these kinds of questions.
Okay, I can't hear much actually going on at this point, cuz it's turned into a debate going every which-way with about a dozen people talking at once. But it's the People's Filibuster, so you'll have that.
David satisfied Jack by getting to the heart of the problem--at least as what he can actually do as Attorney General--which is to go after the companies that hire (knowingly) the illegal immigrants to work here in the first place. Almost sounded like an endorsement. Almost.
In regards to building a wall around Texas to keep people out, David said, "If you're not madder than hell about this country turning into a police state, you should be."
Jack and David also seemed to agree that there are two parties within the Democratic party--that of the elite, and that of the people.
Man I wish my camcorder battery didn't die just before this bunch showed up!
posted by snarko! at 10:40 PM
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5 1/2 hours and counting...
Snarko has already mentioned a couple of our special guests; it was a great pleasure to meet our candidate for the Texas Railroad Commission, Dale Henry and his wife Mary Ruth.
At dusk, David read the names of the 180 plus men who fell at the Alamo, and two of those names were Ruth's maternal great-great-great-grandfather, James George, and his brother-in-law William Dearduff. (Her fraternal great-great-great grandfather took a bullet in the leg at the Battle of San Jacinto, passed away a few weeks later, and was posthumously awarded a land grant for the area that is now Wimberley, Texas.)
Dale spoke for a few minutes as David caught a break and told us about his conversion from Republicanism, his experiences as a petroleum engineer in the Middle East, and the role of the TRC in government.
While David spoke about the 'belly of the beast' behind him (that would be the Texas Capitol building, of course, which has served as the laboratory for Republican extremist policy for the past decade), I chatted briefly with Buzz Thomas, a state senator from Michigan and a few others with him who found our Filibuster completely by accident.
And Larry Stallings' son Billy, an 18-year-old who is ADHD and has just been accepted to Harvard, also spoke briefly.
posted by PDiddie at 9:31 PM
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The Sun Goes Down at Filibuster but Not Enthusiasm
Larry Stallings, candidate for House 122, took the steps to criticize the chickenhawks in Washington, and the need for REAL energy and economic independence, not just lip service and ports sold off to outsourcing. "What, are we all going to be living in independent glass bubble houses?"
But my favorite quote was in explaining why he was running for office. He'd remembered Howard Dean speaking about how we cannot let a Republican run uncontested in any seat anywhere. "I'm running because one person asked me to, and my wife gave me permission."
posted by snarko! at 8:02 PM
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Unconstitutional Acts at Home
As the Filibuster continued, we heard from Winston Cochran, a criminal trail lawyer that is in Austin working on a case. He spoke about wrong-doings in cases that lead to the death penalty, and boy, did that seem to get David fired up.
David announced that when he is Attorney General, he will set up a death penalty review board, to ensure all cases are properly heard and actual justice served, not just let the court system push people straight into a chair and look the other way.
In combating some (understandable) cynicism from some in the crowd, David continued his "we can do it!" attitude by announcing that he's taking the issue of ballot boxes without verifiable receipts to court, RIGHT NOW. As in, BEFORE the election, not once Attorney General. And once in, he plans to declare all electronic voting machines that do not give a second way to verify the votes UNCONSTITUTIONAL and illegal in Texas.
posted by snarko! at 7:55 PM
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Filibuster and Quorum
Elliot Naishtat spoke (and I think I heard he's returning tomorrow) to congratulate David on the whole concept of the People's Filibuster.
In explaining why the event isn't a misuse--it's a new use--of "filibuster", he talked about his experience with the other Killer Ds in breaking quorum when they fled the state in an attempt to stop the redistricting fiasco now in Supreme Court.
He gave some truly inspiring ideas about being CREATIVE about the rules that are in place, rather than simply letting them rule us.
posted by snarko! at 7:54 PM
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The Filibuster Has Commenced
David Van Os began at 6:05 PM on the west side of the front steps to the Capitol against a beautiful growing dusk sky. In celebration of Texas Independence Day, he began by talking about the uniqueness of Texas, being the only state to enter the union that was formerly a sovereign nation.
David paid respect to those that died at the Alamo by reading the names of the fallen, and encouraging all to actually listen to each one, acknowledging that these are real people that died to liberate Texas from the dictator Santa Ana of Mexico, just like the rest of us standing on the lawn today. He then asked for 60 seconds of silence, which he believes 170 years later, those that crossed the line would have hoped Texans would be able to do.
Standing with David during the reading of the names were Dale Henry, candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner, and his wife Mary Ruth, who is the descendant of two soldier that fell at the Alamo--her great-great-great-great-great (did I get that right?) grandfather and uncle. Truly inspiring.
David read the Texas Declaration of Independence; scary, really, how similiar the reasons for separating from Mexico are as our current situation in government is. In fact, a new revolution was called for more than once by several speakers during the first two hours.
posted by snarko! at 7:40 PM
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