Texans block bill, why couldnt we do this?

[USAFRavenR6]

I know this has nothing to do with MD 2A discussions but why could we not have shown this passion when SB281 was begin rammed down out throats? The situation was similar to ours where the republicans were attempting to force an abortion bill which severely restricted how abortions were carried out. People screamed and drowned out the proceedings until the Lt. Governor called the session over. Given the sheer numbers present at the hearings and outside, I think that this could have been accomplished.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/26/politics/texas-abortion-bill/index.html

 

[obnoxious2]

Except they were trying to pass a bill before the deadline of midnight while here they passed it with plenty of time left. Unless we all wanted to be kicked out daily from the chamber. That would have been comical.

 

[gmkoh]

It seems to me that the difference is that if anyone in the gallery here made a vocal expression either of support or against, the MSP gave one, maybe two warnings and then removed the person. this seemed to be directed more at the opponents of 281, but it is hard to say since there were so few proponents in attendance, except at the end when MOM brought in a number of his supporters, and entered the gallery to greet them. I did not see the MSP warn any of them, though.
the other comment I have is that liberals, lacking substantive arguments tend to try to out Shout and talk over conservatives as they put out logical, fact based arguments- just watch the panel on the talking head shows and see the obvious different tactics.
Sad part is that it works- we need to get more emotional and offer more anecdotal, feel good, victim based testimony/press. Conservatives, as we have seen in the tea party rally's, and the pro 2A presence in Annapolis, are way more considerate, disciplined and respectful. Compare that to the "Occupy Wall Street" demonstrators around the country.
What I don't understand is how Texas allowed the mob to get so out of control, or why the speaker didn't just continue the roll call vote- it would have been difficult, but not impossible, I would think. Where was the Texas state police, or whomever provides legislative security?

 

[Hopalong]

At the very end, right before final passage of the revised bill in the Senate, we tried to do exactly that. Myself, Teratos, Andi, Shannon, and a few others were literally feeding people on the floor stuff to read.

They got cut off.

Welcome to Maryland.

 

[MDFF2008]

My guess is that there are not enough R votes in the Texas Senate to end a filibuster or the leadership could not get enough votes.

We attempted to filibuster SB281, but there simply were not enough votes in the Senate to sustain the filibuster.

That is why election 2014 is so important. With 2-3 more Senate votes, we could have sustained a filibuster.

 

[one-star]

There were not enough votes (by 2) to end the fillibuster

The reason it wouldnt work here as well is that the R and the DINO in the Senate are to interested in retaining office and not interested enough in the peoples business. So they arent going to go all jihadi and win by losing (see the US house for an example of this) and rock their gravy train.

Which is why I cant support the PACs that came out of S281....unless we are dedicated to removing everyone (without care as to who comes in next) who votes against us, we cant win. Take out Dumais, sure we get another liberal, but we send a message that you dont vote against 2a and keep your job.

 

[flyingblind]

At the very end, right before final passage of the revised bill in the Senate, we tried to do exactly that. Myself, Teratos, Andi, Shannon, and a few others were literally feeding people on the floor stuff to read.

They got cut off.

Welcome to Maryland.

In the gallery we were told and clapping or cheering they had orders to close the gallery.

 

[TxAggie]

In the gallery we were told and clapping or cheering they had orders to close the gallery.

Unless you were wearing a ribbon to end Gun Violence. Then you could clap and cheer w just a stern warning.

 

[04RWon]

Because playing nice is what gets things done lol

 

[Odiferous Maximus]

The capital of Texas is Austin...which is about as Liberal as San Francisco. The police there, even the Capitol Police, have been known to arrest people for legally carrying weapons. My guess is that the Lt. Governor didn't want it to turn into a riot, and probably didn't trust the Capitol Police remove the protestors anyway.

The bottom line is that Liberals can get away with stuff like this, but Conservatives would be demonized for it.

 

[TxAggie]

The capital of Texas is Austin...which is about as Liberal as San Francisco. The police there, even the Capitol Police, have been known to arrest people for legally carrying weapons. My guess is that the Lt. Governor didn't want it to turn into a riot, and probably didn't trust the Capitol Police remove the protestors anyway.

The bottom line is that Liberals can get away with stuff like this, but Conservatives would be demonized for it.

I beg to differ on your assertion if arresting for gun possession. One if my best friends is an APD officer and even in Austin the PD is very pro CCW. May there be a few rouge LEO's in the department, sure, but its not widespread.

You are correct about the flower children inhabiting much of the city though.

 

[Odiferous Maximus]

Fair enough on the APD. I stand corrected.

 

[gmkoh]

My guess is that there are not enough R votes in the Texas Senate to end a filibuster or the leadership could not get enough votes.

We attempted to filibuster SB281, but there simply were not enough votes in the Senate to sustain the filibuster.

That is why election 2014 is so important. With 2-3 more Senate votes, we could have sustained a filibuster.

As I read the newspaper reports, they did have and did end the fillibuster, but the gallery spectators made such a disturbance that it became impossible to retain control and to hear the votes on the bill itself. Even so, it was reported that enough conservative legislators swarmed the podium and registered their votes that the measure passed, but that by then, the governor, who was present, was not able to sign the legislation before midnight.
It was also reported the state senators called for security to remove the protestors, but security refused to act.
The democrats crowed that this was "democracy at work". I fail to see how anarchy equates to democracy. It is actually the antithesis. But what can one expect with the condition of our education system where "environmental literacy" classes are mandated to students who can't read above a 5th grade level. with this trend comes even more reason to be armed for more than just hunting.
The Texas governor is calling a special session to pass the bill.

 

[TomisinMd]

This state is controlled by the uber control freaks down in those 3 or 4 counties. Could never happen here.

 

[fightinbluhen51]

My guess is that there are not enough R votes in the Texas Senate to end a filibuster or the leadership could not get enough votes.

We attempted to filibuster SB281, but there simply were not enough votes in the Senate to sustain the filibuster.

That is why election 2014 is so important. With 2-3 more Senate votes, we could have sustained a filibuster.

All we needed was one... His name is Jim Brochin!

 

[BondJamesBond]

I know this has nothing to do with MD 2A discussions but why could we not have shown this passion when SB281 was begin rammed down out throats? The situation was similar to ours where the republicans were attempting to force an abortion bill which severely restricted how abortions were carried out. People screamed and drowned out the proceedings until the Lt. Governor called the session over. Given the sheer numbers present at the hearings and outside, I think that this could have been accomplished.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/26/politics/texas-abortion-bill/index.html

I hate them all, but Democrats have always played the political game better than Republicans, maybe because they have no shame.

 

[Daiuy]

As I read the newspaper reports, they did have and did end the fillibuster, but the gallery spectators made such a disturbance that it became impossible to retain control and to hear the votes on the bill itself. Even so, it was reported that enough conservative legislators swarmed the podium and registered their votes that the measure passed, but that by then, the governor, who was present, was not able to sign the legislation before midnight.
It was also reported the state senators called for security to remove the protestors, but security refused to act.
The democrats crowed that this was "democracy at work". I fail to see how anarchy equates to democracy. It is actually the antithesis. But what can one expect with the condition of our education system where "environmental literacy" classes are mandated to students who can't read above a 5th grade level. with this trend comes even more reason to be armed for more than just hunting.
The Texas governor is calling a special session to pass the bill.

This is not how a republic does the business of the people. When a vocal mob can infringe on the elected representatives doing business, that is anarchy. Some believe that is OK if it supports their point of view. The vote, had it been valid, would have passed the legislation with an ample majority, hence the disturbance.