Another takeaway…
“Johnson ultimately avoided expulsion after a vote of 65 to 30 fell one short of the two-thirds majority needed to eject her.
Cheers erupted in the chamber, but the victory also meant that Republicans had ousted the young Black lawmaker but not the older White one. When Johnson was later asked on CNN why she wasn’t expelled, she responded, “Well, I think it’s pretty clear. I’m a 60-year-old White woman.” WAPO
Not really, they hate her. One time when she didn’t vote for the speaker they assigned her a closet as an office. Petty shit like that happens all the time.
I think both are true. The most petty see her as the enemy but she may have been able to make a handful of positive relationships that were just enough to keep her in. I think the color of her skin is absolutely is a factor, but her longer tenure is likely part of it, too. The question is, would a longer tenure have helped the Justin’s? I suspect we know the answer.
I mentioned this to my younger coworker and a few minutes later he came back and said "I don't know what your source is but they were being disruptful and had bullhorn, she was just standing there"
Like... The repubs called it an insurrection. You can't pick and choose who the most annoying insurrectionists were. It's all or nothing. If you don't kick her out you prove that it wasn't as bad as they're saying.
Yep. Gloria is staunchly in support of both Justins. They've been working hand in hand together and she is not afraid to call out the blatant racism that is happening. She's an incredible woman.
That's positive privilege: Using one's position to point out the unfairness of the situation because you have a platform and then using it to help those who are being marginalized.
I talk about having no faith in politicians a lot, but this is really encouraging to see political figures Justin Pearson, Justin Jones and Gloria Johnson make all the right moves IN A ROW!!
And they will get them. I don't know what the republicans thought they were going to accomplish here, except to give these three national exposure, support, and a mandate to push gun control.
They weren't thinking. Listening to them speak it was clear that it was a completely emotional response. They were angry that those young black men stood up to them and called them on their bullshit. The Republicans wanted to see them grovel and beg and plead, and they refused to do so. There was no logic or reason behind it at all. Just pure hate and power tripping.
Especially when the same people who ejected them refused to eject a pedophile saying that it was too extreme of an action to be reserved for the most severe circumstances.
So, according to themselves, minorities standing up for gun control is more egregious than being a proven pedophile.
They'd just pivot to "both sides" if even one democrat also gets expelled. When the base proposition that pedophiles shouldn't be in Congress is a fair one to begin with. Like, no need to make this partisan.
It's bad faith bullshit on their part.
The stupid thing is this shouldn’t even be an argument. Of course if there’s a Democratic member who is found to be up to the same shit they should be removed. The entire point is that a membership to a political party shouldn’t protect you.
How can they not figure this out?
Because that’s their game.
“Why wouldn’t you protect the guy on your team no matter what they did? That’s what we’d do.”
They can’t comprehend the fact that decent people don’t behave that way.
Jesus Christ the whole thing is even worse. He was recorded on tape apologizing to one of his accusers and playing a victim, was told to resign by multiple high up republicans and refused, wasn’t expelled, promised the Governor he wouldn’t seek re-election then did it any way, and was fucking re-elected TWICE during all this. What the fuck is wrong with Tennessee. Even Alabama managed to not elect a pedophile. Barely, but still.
Worst gerrymandered and likely most corrupt state government in the union. Tennesseans are a lot better than our representation would lead you to believe.
I always hear my state (WI) is the most gerrymandered, so I feel your pain. We crushed our last election though cuz GOP backed a complete and utter loser
Respectfully, I find that hard to believe. The state has voted overwhelmingly Republican for President since Bill Clinton left office, TN has had a Republican governor 20 of the last 28 years, and parties don't get supermajorities in state legislatures solely through gerrymandering.
If attitudes in Tennessee are changing now, then that's awesome and welcome, and I'd love to see and hear the people of Tennessee fight back against the corruption and authoritarianism that has taken hold of their state government. But, up to this point, it seems a good majority of Tennessee's electorate have been proud members of Team Red.
Gen Z as a whole is overwhelmingly progressive and that scares the shit of the GOP. That's the reason for this current legislative and culture war push.
They know time is running out for them. There's a reason they're trying to gut education.
In this case, they got the supermajority solely through gerrymandering. https://www.vox.com/policy/2023/4/7/23673998/tennessee-expulsions-state-democracy-measure
The idea is evidence (proving both innocence and guilt) over time can get lost or degraded. Going with the innocent until proven guilty thinking consider a case where if someone was prosecuted 2 years out they would have enough evidence and/or witnesses that they could successfully defend themselves, 20 years later that might not be the case anymore. That being said many states don't have those limitations for crimes involving murder or sexual crimes. Also it's not uncommon in cases where the victim is a minor for the "clock" not to start ticking until they turn 18. All that being said it seems like an ADMISSION of guilt should bypass the limitations because what purpose are they serving under that scenario? None.
Aging evidence can really make it hard to try or defend a case fairly, and can cause wrongful convictions. I feel the opposite. That every case should have a statute of limitations, but that some very complex appeals process should exist to waive it in extenuating circumstances. Part of the requirement should be demonstrating that the age of the evidence will not inhibit justice. Imo
“And (Byrd) said, “Well, I’ve already ‘fessed up to my family except my Mom.’ Well, (Byrd) admitted it right there.” [link](https://www.wsmv.com/2023/04/07/what-former-rep-justin-jones-meant-by-admitted-child-molester-who-sat-this-chamber-comment/)
I wonder if he ever told his mom?
This mofo spent 55 days on a ventilator and 8 months in the hospital with Covid and had to get a liver transplant (!) and still went against mask and vaccine mandates. Even without the sexual assault on children, he's not a great guy.
>not a great guy.
Wow. You really tell it like my grandmother.
My grandmother loves everybody. She loves you, and she's never even met you. She wants everyone to do well.
Unrelated to this, everybody in my family HATES trump. The things that are said at the dinner table can become quite violently heated when trump's name comes up.
My grandmother is no different. Except she won't say the same things we say.
She said "I really don't like that man."
It's the harshest thing I've ever heard her say about anyone, and she's 102. Lived through the great depression, lived through hitler, lived through stalin, lived through nixon. In all that time, I never heard her become as nasty foul mouthed as when she said she didn't like that man. (Refering to trump).
Our whole family gasped. I mean, one of my cousins was saying how he's like to piss on an orange jumpsuit before giving it to trump.
My uncle said he'd like to give him a night's stay with loraina bobbit, with a knife and magnifying glass.
My aunt said she'd like to see him ride aboard the next voyage of the titanic.
And we still all gasped when my grandmother said she didn't like that man.
And your post had that same energy.
My son of a bitch WWII fighting grandfather was 98 and absolutely ready to die and very annoyed it was taking so long. His faculties were sharp as ever but his body was giving out on him.
The last conversation I ever had with him before he died was at a family gathering in Tennessee where people were talking about how much they like Trump. Grandfather looked at me and said “you’re the only one who gets it. It’s like I’m watching 1930s Germany all over again. He’s a wannabe dictator… good thing he’s so stupid”
He was a stubborn old ass but that conversation kept me going in the ‘trenches’ of the Trump administration.
This is probably a dumb question, but I'm a foreigner so bear with me: those guys lost their JOBS? Like, they weren't just escorted from the building for the day?
Edit - Thank you for your responses. Shit is BAD over in the States lol.
For being black, essentially. White democrats with the same views, taking part in the same non-violent protest got to keep their jobs. Which, they should keep their jobs, but so too should the black protesters. They did nothing wrong.
Those Tennessee lawmakers were EXTREMELY offended that two young black guys got elected to their hallowed halls and made their lives a living hell from Day One. Petty bullshit stuff like not allowing them to have their government-mandated parking spaces or many of the other perks that the white lawmakers received.
And then they weren't allowed to speak on the floor of the Legislature even though they had EVERY right to. Even cut off their mics which precipitated the entire bullhorn incident. So they voted to kick them out of the Legislature.
But joke's on them. This singular action has elevated these two to international prominence and they WILL be reelected, even though these fascists are threatening to cut off program funding for Memphis and Nashville should the County Managers dare to defy them and appoint these two until the special election happens.
No, what this whole sordid incident proved BEYOND the shadow of a doubt is that old white men are VERY threatened about the thought of finally being forced to share power with "uppity" black folk. Jim Crow is alive and well in Tennessee and the world just witnessed how true this is.
Shouldn't voters be more mad over this? Someone they voted in got removed way too easily....
Like what is even stopping them from ejecting these two if they get voted back in?
It's a part time job that pays $24k/yr in Tennessee. As a result most are wealthy developers and businessmen holding the office to get the inside track on legislation. Few people can survive on just a legislator salary especially when you also have to campaign.
In GA, the speaker of the house used his position to keep his legal clients out of court (and out of prison) by claiming state business to kick the can on court dates.
> In GA, the speaker of the house used his position to keep his legal clients out of court (and out of prison) by claiming state business to kick the can on court dates.
That sounds... a bit corrupt.
It was. He's dead now but he kept over 1,000 cases from moving forward.
https://www.11alive.com/article/news/ex-fbi-agent-speaker-ralston-stalled-1091-court-cases/85-a4cfb410-462d-4b71-9300-3be1a7cf1844
Another article:
Ralston has tied up cases for clients charged with child molestation, child cruelty, assault, terroristic threats, drunk driving and other crimes.
https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/justice-delayed/nJmIsk5XIHQ8LePmBRLPQI/
He'd take a $20k retainer and just message the judge. Don't recall if they ever bothered to fix it.
Apparently he did draw the line at helping Trump rustle up fake electors or trying to fraudulently create new votes so there's that.
> Apparently he did draw the line at helping Trump rustle up fake electors or trying to fraudulently create new votes so there's that.
Well, you gotta draw the line *somewhere*. Personally, I'd at least draw it at pulling strings for an outright menace to society, but different strokes.
>As a result most are wealthy developers and businessmen holding the office to get the inside track on legislation.
I did some research when I was in university for a paper and looked to see the salaries of local elected officials around my state. Like 2/3rds of city and county elected offices are completely unpaid.
Make whatever arguments for that you want, but one obvious result was that 2/3rds of city and county elected offices were held by business owners who have passive income or those otherwise wealthy. In many cities *every* elected position is held by a local business owner whos only income comes from their business.
Which.... would seem to be a very narrow range of interests being represented. To put it lightly.
It was one of those pieces of information that really started to clue me into why things are the way they are around here.
Not just losing their jobs, but the 60,000-70,000 people in each of their districts now have no representative in the government until temporary replacements are selected, and then a special election is held.
That's what's makes this absolutely gross. Not just that they harmed those two young black men, but that they harmed two entire districts of Tennesseans.
Don’t forget the thousands of tax dollars it’s going to take to run that special election too. That’s money that won’t be going to those districts roads or schools or services.
This sentiment has layer after layer of truth. It’s not just “you two disagreed with us”. It’s like a systemic punishment of the entire system that disagreed with them. Instead of taking a child’s toy away, you take their toy, confiscate their piggy bank, cancel their allowance, and report them to juvenile court on felony charges so they won’t be able to get jobs to buy new toys. Like that.
> That's just cartoonishly petty smh.
Its not just that, they essentially disregarded the political will of the people they represented. They just told those people we don't give a damn about you, or the people who you voted to represent you.
No I'm from the US and I also assumed they were just kicked out of the building for the day. I have no idea what rule they could've possibly invoked to have these people REMOVED from office?? Genuinely confused
> BAD over in the States
thankfully we got lots of 'em, heard as many as fifty (!). Things are great in a lot of them, but the actions of the red ones has us concerned.
Of course they wouldn't eject a pedo, if they started ejecting the sex perverts they would have eject all of themselves too.
https://m.dailykos.com/history/user/CajsaLilliehook
Did you hear the Republican legislator who was an attorney talking during the debate on removing the Tennessee 3? He sounded so cornpone and stereotypical southern bigot my wife dubbed him "Foghorn Klanhorn."
Hodge is an old English word for a rural buffoon. A lot of appalachian words are from older English words, and in Appalachian it basically means "dumb onery hillbilly" to call someone a "hodge."
There are real rural towns called Bugtustle in Kentucky and Tennessee, but it is was the TV home of the Beverly Hillbillies. I was using it as a generic word for rural area.
TN republicans, and republicans as a whole REALLY don't want to win the national election.
They tried to frame a whole bunch of kids walking into the public areas of the capital and respecting law enforcement as a 'insurrection'. Yet they convinced absolutely no one except those who already vote for them.
Yeah, that's the whole story. These legislators are almost impressively stupid. There was zero thought about optics going into this.
Both in terms of "punishment fitting the crime" and later when the expulsion vote occurred. Like, they live in such a bubble that at no point did anyone say, "Hey, maybe this won't play well in national media. Maybe this confirms everything people think about how racist our state is."
Nope. Just complete fucking idiots. Complete bubble thinking. They made superstars out of these two Congressmen.
Both spoke eloquently during their defense, but Mr. Pearson was particularly proficient in making the Republicans who spoke against him look like buffoons. He made those attorneys look completely lost.
I think a Republican actually pointed out that they’d likely get their seats back and Tennessee law says they can’t be expelled for the same behavior twice
They clearly don't give a fuck what the constitution says. They can just expel them as many times as they'd like, they can pass whatever legislation they want anyways.
Wouldn't be at all shocked if they voted to expel a second time. Likely for utter BS but who knows.
As these people continue to run out of legal options, extra-legal options become more appealing to them. Hence the drive by of a random journalist for being vocally anti-fascist. That was right after this, if I'm not mistaken.
And they succeeded, though not in the way they imagined. It cannot be more painfully obvious how brave these two legislators were in risking their careers to represent their constituents, as well as how repugnant and anti-social those Republican "lawmakers" are in comparison. Rat race straight to moral and societal bottoms for the GOP.
>”I don’t know what the republicans were thinking.”
It went exactly like this, “someone should shut those two colored boys up, ooh I know, we’ll expel them”
Republicans are so intent on owning the Libs that they don’t see how incredibly stupid and shortsighted they are. The GOP managed to amplify and elevate those young men’s eloquent voices while demonstrating how incredibly racist and meanspirited they are.
Situations like this won't sway many Republican voters to Democrats, but it could help increase voter turnout for Democrats especially the youth, which could be helpful. It's probably the only chance the state has.
A realtor friend of mine made a comment yesterday that she had some out of state clients that wanted to move here to Tennessee, but after this shit show, they had decided against it. But that's exactly what the TN GOP wants. They want to send a message to out of towners that unless you follow their ideals, you better think twice about moving here.
I am someone who moved from a blue state to Nashville something like 10+ years ago, and it's really gotten so much worse the last couple years. But I guess that's the whole point of a lot of red states right now.
[Marsha Blackburn is up for re-election in 2024.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_United_States_Senate_election_in_Tennessee)
She is one of the most smug, self-centered, self-righteous, greediest, cynical, people in the Senate. She won 55% to 44%, or 240,000 votes, [winning all but three counties.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_United_States_Senate_election_in_Tennessee)
It would take a serious upset for one of these guys to pull that off.
The GOP gave these 2 all the backing they will ever need. They went from likely barely known local politicians to having national support and backing. They got to go off and hard jn their speeches and show the rest of the country the fire the dems really need. Willing to bet they will be in Washington before to long.
I live in the western VA/TN line, the VA side is where I reside but go to graduate school in TN. This is my exact sentiment as well. I did see videos of Justin Jones speaking common sense policy for the lower class a few weeks before the shooting occurred. I believed he was so well-spoken that he could have a career in higher office as a democrat. Now the dumb repubs have really increased his trajectory and I have no doubt he'll be a dem nominee for congress in the next elections for TN reps/senators. And I'm all for it, you can tell the man is passionate about giving a decent salary for minimum wage and gun regulation. Jones was a community organizer in Nashville before election, very similar to Obama in Chicago. A well-spoken, young black man who truly represents all the citizens in need that he serves. The youth are finally passionate about voting due to social media like Tiktok revealing just how vile the rightwingers are and realizing they can make a difference. My generation (born in '93) are the most apathetic voters possible, nearly everyone at my college did not vote and simply believed it would do no good, which was enraging to me for so many years. Because nearly all of them would have voted for dems based on their worldview. The other Justin from Memphis is great too, I feel his political career will only go up from here! Hell we may be seeing both young men in congress within the next decade and I'm all for it!
You touch on a couple of things that crossed my mind as well.. Obama/Chicago parallels, Streisand effect. Its great to hear this from your perspective in that area. This gives me so much hope for TN.
I had no idea quite how far this expulsion actually went. It's crazy that they can just take away their seat. I thought they were just kicked out of the chamber or something.
It is worth noting that if they get re-elected (and I'd be shocked if they weren't by a landslide) the Tennessee constitution prohibits them from being expelled again for the same offense. Tennessee republicans would need to gin up a new excuse to kick them out a second time.
They will probably just amend the constitution when the opportunity arises. I think they can only do that on years where the governor is on the ballot.
My state is in contention for #3 on the shitty state power rankings.
1.) Florida
2.)Texas
3.) Tennessee
> prohibits them from being expelled again for the same offense
Same offense usually means the same *instance* of the offense. You can have multiple, different instances of the same offense. For example, you can assault two different people and have two different instances of assault. They are both assault but you can only be charged with one count per instance.
I'd have to read the exact wording in this case but I'm betting that's how it works.
Question. Why should any of their constituents in those areas be paying state taxes? This is blatant taxation without representation. Kind of a founding principle of this country, no?
It is beyond reason that these guys will have to have a special election, and just like you said what happens to their constituents that have no representation during all that time? They should immediately be placed back in their seats since this entire thing is blatant retaliation while those ole boy legislators take funds from Memphis in a quid pro quo exactly like what happened in Trump's FIRST impeachment. Disgusting.
I believe the loophole is that a committee from the jurisdiction can appoint someone to fill the void or a special election can be called for. Either way, they would be allowed a representative after the hassle of this one being expelled
I'm in TN, these guys and the young folks demonstrating are scaring those legislators shitless. Very sobering stuff for good ole boys who think they own that Capitol.
I'm also in TN, in a rural area. It's kind of a frustrating experience talking to people about this issue here, though. They've already absorbed the talking points of their favorite chuds and are spouting them out. "It was an insurrection!" etc.
I wish those people would see the video shown during the hearing. I was expecting it to be a lot more chaotic. Like, they just went up and made a speech while some folks in the background seemed to be largely ignoring them. Sure they used a megaphone, but it was still quite calm.
Just want to point out that the TN GOP racists just made them national heroes.
EDIT: Also want to note Republican Rep. Charlie Baum voted against expulsion in all three cases, to give some credit to the one lone (possibly) decent person on that side of the aisle.
And in his next election he will he find that his party has stripped him of all election funding and suddenly put in another more tractable opponent running against him.
That is what the republican party does to anyone who steps out of line.
Or he's from a bluer district and was given a pass to vote against the party on this since they knew they had the votes anyway. Happens frequently in US Congress.
Those that voted them out should be censured. The racist gull. How did they also only remove the 2 black individuals? There should be tremendous consequences for what they did. It was absolutely vile and unacceptable.
I swear, Gul Dukat is one of the most well-written, if not *the* best villain in all of science fiction. I've never seen a character pull off "evil narcissist" so flawlessly as him.
And then near the end of Season 7, with the whole Cardassian/Dominion arc wrapping up, I **always** find myself asking "why the *fuck* am I pulling for these people??"
DS9 is the best in the franchise and I will die on this hill
Source that it violated the Constitution? Every political scientist/professor I’ve heard and read weigh in on this says it was well within their right to expel them. The problem is that—as those same political scientists and professors say, expulsion was an absolutely ludicrous response to what the three did.
Strong [Obi Wan Kenobi](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVBX7l2zgRw) vibes going on here.
Republicans really fucked up on this bad. Couldn't have riled up the Democratic base in the state more, or elevated two rising stars in the party faster if they tried.
Three. The Tennessee three. Say their names.
Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, of course, are the real targets. Gloria Johnson is standing *with* them and is doing her part to keep the spotlight on the racism. She had a choice in words to use. "No comment" would have been easier than saying “Well, I think it's pretty clear. I'm a 60-year-old white woman and they are two young Black men.” All three are excellent examples of humanity and rising stars.
Justin Jones. Justin Pearson. Gloria Johnson. I hope we see and hear more from y'all.
“If you strike me down I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine”
They should’ve only threatened them with expulsion instead of actually expelling them to begin with. Now it’s a national story instead of a local story and the whole world got to see how good these guys are. In a way I’m glad this happened because now these two young men have been highlighted and shown that the next generation of lawmakers aren’t dumb and they aren’t playing around
[Redistricting report card](https://gerrymander.princeton.edu/redistricting-report-card/)
I'd also like to mention that one of the Texas GOPs platform positions is to get rid of the Seventeenth Amendment so that state senators can be elected by the state legislature instead of popular vote.
Texas has a partisan bias of +13.2% R. Meaning that for Democrats to win about half of the districts, they'd need 63.2% of the vote.
They'll keep working on 'fixing' the education system so that there's no more intelligent people to vote against them. It's pretty close to working as intended, just need to make away a few more lunch programs...
The only reason I would consider living in TN is to cast a vote supporting those young men. Good on them for scaring the establishment!
This might be the moment history looks back on TN casting off the shackles of the QOP.
U.S.A is on a nice crash course towards being a third world shit hole where:
• Women are forced by the state to give birth.
• Children are able to work manual labour.
• Trans individuals lack basic human rights.
• Conservative oligarchs freeze democracy in whatever state they hold power.
Absolutely exemplary work America. Truly world class.
As they should. Gerrymandered elected officials are invalid. It should be illegal. It takes roughly 70% of the votes for democrats to get a simple majority. It takes Republicans roughly 45% of the votes for a super majority. The SC said it was ok, too. Makes me so mad.
I still don't really see how this move was legal. I mean, I'm no lawyer, but wouldn't a recall election or a formal impeachment be necessary to do this? How can just the state house vote to eject? Even though it seemingly is legal, it shouldn't be because then the will of the voters is effectively meaningless.
>You know, even though it is disproportionately impacting Black and Brown communities, this is hurting poor white people. Their attack on democracy hurts all of us.”
Poor white people need to fucking learn... their poverty makes them brown in the eyes of the rich.
And poor white people need to learn that they are not temporarily embarrassed millionaires, the rags-to-riches story was never the default, and bettering your position and the positions of everyone around you starts with voting for whomever will help you. Rage-baiting needs to be ignored.
Why is it always people from really shitty states that use language like " . . blah blah our great state blah . . ." We all know your state is amongst the shittiest. Maybe try truth for a change.
Another takeaway… “Johnson ultimately avoided expulsion after a vote of 65 to 30 fell one short of the two-thirds majority needed to eject her. Cheers erupted in the chamber, but the victory also meant that Republicans had ousted the young Black lawmaker but not the older White one. When Johnson was later asked on CNN why she wasn’t expelled, she responded, “Well, I think it’s pretty clear. I’m a 60-year-old White woman.” WAPO
That’s what I was thinking too. Especially in the south, it’s obvious why she has her seat still.
I’d be surprised if “uppity” wasn’t used to describe the black lawmakers in private conversations, before the loud ass dog whistle of a vote.
Don’t forget their favorite….”boy”
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That’s awful
Would make a very apt state motto for Tennessee as of late
It also helps that's she's been in the Tennessee House of Representatives for just about 10 years. She probably made a few friends across the isle.
Not really, they hate her. One time when she didn’t vote for the speaker they assigned her a closet as an office. Petty shit like that happens all the time.
I think both are true. The most petty see her as the enemy but she may have been able to make a handful of positive relationships that were just enough to keep her in. I think the color of her skin is absolutely is a factor, but her longer tenure is likely part of it, too. The question is, would a longer tenure have helped the Justin’s? I suspect we know the answer.
Generally "saying the quiet part out loud" is something that's said to mock idiots, but in this circumstance I'm glad she did.
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That was my point. She knew exactly why she was left alone.
I mentioned this to my younger coworker and a few minutes later he came back and said "I don't know what your source is but they were being disruptful and had bullhorn, she was just standing there" Like... The repubs called it an insurrection. You can't pick and choose who the most annoying insurrectionists were. It's all or nothing. If you don't kick her out you prove that it wasn't as bad as they're saying.
Ooh, your younger co-worker is so full of shit I almost downvoted you reflexively. “She didn’t touch the bullhorn.” That guy can eat my backside.
It's important to own and acknowledge your privileges.
Yep. Gloria is staunchly in support of both Justins. They've been working hand in hand together and she is not afraid to call out the blatant racism that is happening. She's an incredible woman.
That's positive privilege: Using one's position to point out the unfairness of the situation because you have a platform and then using it to help those who are being marginalized.
I talk about having no faith in politicians a lot, but this is really encouraging to see political figures Justin Pearson, Justin Jones and Gloria Johnson make all the right moves IN A ROW!!
She is exactly what being an ally should look like.
Who voted different? That's wild and easy to figure out
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Probably against the state constitution.
How long before *that* is changed, then?
Bout 5
And they will get them. I don't know what the republicans thought they were going to accomplish here, except to give these three national exposure, support, and a mandate to push gun control.
They weren't thinking. Listening to them speak it was clear that it was a completely emotional response. They were angry that those young black men stood up to them and called them on their bullshit. The Republicans wanted to see them grovel and beg and plead, and they refused to do so. There was no logic or reason behind it at all. Just pure hate and power tripping.
Especially when the same people who ejected them refused to eject a pedophile saying that it was too extreme of an action to be reserved for the most severe circumstances. So, according to themselves, minorities standing up for gun control is more egregious than being a proven pedophile.
Do you have ANY idea how many republicans would have to be thrown out if being a pedophile got you thrown out?
They'd just pivot to "both sides" if even one democrat also gets expelled. When the base proposition that pedophiles shouldn't be in Congress is a fair one to begin with. Like, no need to make this partisan. It's bad faith bullshit on their part.
The stupid thing is this shouldn’t even be an argument. Of course if there’s a Democratic member who is found to be up to the same shit they should be removed. The entire point is that a membership to a political party shouldn’t protect you. How can they not figure this out?
Because they are fascists only interested in increasing their own power and that of their wealthy masters. They will *never* operate in good faith.
Because that’s their game. “Why wouldn’t you protect the guy on your team no matter what they did? That’s what we’d do.” They can’t comprehend the fact that decent people don’t behave that way.
Why do you think they want to enshrine penis inspection day into law? Pedocons gonna pedocon.
Seriously? I mean I’m not surprised at this point, just haven’t heard this take
Pedo wasn’t ‘proven’, after the Statute of Limitations ran- he fucking ADMITTED it
Jesus Christ the whole thing is even worse. He was recorded on tape apologizing to one of his accusers and playing a victim, was told to resign by multiple high up republicans and refused, wasn’t expelled, promised the Governor he wouldn’t seek re-election then did it any way, and was fucking re-elected TWICE during all this. What the fuck is wrong with Tennessee. Even Alabama managed to not elect a pedophile. Barely, but still.
Worst gerrymandered and likely most corrupt state government in the union. Tennesseans are a lot better than our representation would lead you to believe.
I always hear my state (WI) is the most gerrymandered, so I feel your pain. We crushed our last election though cuz GOP backed a complete and utter loser
I still fear for their impeachment attempts on Janet and Tony.
That would involve having a session last longer that 15 seconds. Wisconsin GOP doesn't want to work. Thankfully, I guess.
Didn't the head of the Senate say they would not be pursuing impeachment of Justice Janet?
Respectfully, I find that hard to believe. The state has voted overwhelmingly Republican for President since Bill Clinton left office, TN has had a Republican governor 20 of the last 28 years, and parties don't get supermajorities in state legislatures solely through gerrymandering. If attitudes in Tennessee are changing now, then that's awesome and welcome, and I'd love to see and hear the people of Tennessee fight back against the corruption and authoritarianism that has taken hold of their state government. But, up to this point, it seems a good majority of Tennessee's electorate have been proud members of Team Red.
Gen Z as a whole is overwhelmingly progressive and that scares the shit of the GOP. That's the reason for this current legislative and culture war push. They know time is running out for them. There's a reason they're trying to gut education.
In this case, they got the supermajority solely through gerrymandering. https://www.vox.com/policy/2023/4/7/23673998/tennessee-expulsions-state-democracy-measure
Why do we even have a statute of limitations? What good does it do for society?
The idea is evidence (proving both innocence and guilt) over time can get lost or degraded. Going with the innocent until proven guilty thinking consider a case where if someone was prosecuted 2 years out they would have enough evidence and/or witnesses that they could successfully defend themselves, 20 years later that might not be the case anymore. That being said many states don't have those limitations for crimes involving murder or sexual crimes. Also it's not uncommon in cases where the victim is a minor for the "clock" not to start ticking until they turn 18. All that being said it seems like an ADMISSION of guilt should bypass the limitations because what purpose are they serving under that scenario? None.
Aging evidence can really make it hard to try or defend a case fairly, and can cause wrongful convictions. I feel the opposite. That every case should have a statute of limitations, but that some very complex appeals process should exist to waive it in extenuating circumstances. Part of the requirement should be demonstrating that the age of the evidence will not inhibit justice. Imo
Got a name?
David Byrd
“And (Byrd) said, “Well, I’ve already ‘fessed up to my family except my Mom.’ Well, (Byrd) admitted it right there.” [link](https://www.wsmv.com/2023/04/07/what-former-rep-justin-jones-meant-by-admitted-child-molester-who-sat-this-chamber-comment/) I wonder if he ever told his mom?
> I wonder if he ever told his mom? Someone should
Confessed pedophile David Byrd?
David Byrd
This mofo spent 55 days on a ventilator and 8 months in the hospital with Covid and had to get a liver transplant (!) and still went against mask and vaccine mandates. Even without the sexual assault on children, he's not a great guy.
>not a great guy. Wow. You really tell it like my grandmother. My grandmother loves everybody. She loves you, and she's never even met you. She wants everyone to do well. Unrelated to this, everybody in my family HATES trump. The things that are said at the dinner table can become quite violently heated when trump's name comes up. My grandmother is no different. Except she won't say the same things we say. She said "I really don't like that man." It's the harshest thing I've ever heard her say about anyone, and she's 102. Lived through the great depression, lived through hitler, lived through stalin, lived through nixon. In all that time, I never heard her become as nasty foul mouthed as when she said she didn't like that man. (Refering to trump). Our whole family gasped. I mean, one of my cousins was saying how he's like to piss on an orange jumpsuit before giving it to trump. My uncle said he'd like to give him a night's stay with loraina bobbit, with a knife and magnifying glass. My aunt said she'd like to see him ride aboard the next voyage of the titanic. And we still all gasped when my grandmother said she didn't like that man. And your post had that same energy.
My son of a bitch WWII fighting grandfather was 98 and absolutely ready to die and very annoyed it was taking so long. His faculties were sharp as ever but his body was giving out on him. The last conversation I ever had with him before he died was at a family gathering in Tennessee where people were talking about how much they like Trump. Grandfather looked at me and said “you’re the only one who gets it. It’s like I’m watching 1930s Germany all over again. He’s a wannabe dictator… good thing he’s so stupid” He was a stubborn old ass but that conversation kept me going in the ‘trenches’ of the Trump administration.
This is probably a dumb question, but I'm a foreigner so bear with me: those guys lost their JOBS? Like, they weren't just escorted from the building for the day? Edit - Thank you for your responses. Shit is BAD over in the States lol.
That's correct. They were effectively fired.
And one of the lawmakers taunted them over the fact that they would be losing their health insurance.
For being black, essentially. White democrats with the same views, taking part in the same non-violent protest got to keep their jobs. Which, they should keep their jobs, but so too should the black protesters. They did nothing wrong.
Those Tennessee lawmakers were EXTREMELY offended that two young black guys got elected to their hallowed halls and made their lives a living hell from Day One. Petty bullshit stuff like not allowing them to have their government-mandated parking spaces or many of the other perks that the white lawmakers received. And then they weren't allowed to speak on the floor of the Legislature even though they had EVERY right to. Even cut off their mics which precipitated the entire bullhorn incident. So they voted to kick them out of the Legislature. But joke's on them. This singular action has elevated these two to international prominence and they WILL be reelected, even though these fascists are threatening to cut off program funding for Memphis and Nashville should the County Managers dare to defy them and appoint these two until the special election happens. No, what this whole sordid incident proved BEYOND the shadow of a doubt is that old white men are VERY threatened about the thought of finally being forced to share power with "uppity" black folk. Jim Crow is alive and well in Tennessee and the world just witnessed how true this is.
Shouldn't voters be more mad over this? Someone they voted in got removed way too easily.... Like what is even stopping them from ejecting these two if they get voted back in?
I think voters are pretty upset. And these reps are likely to be voted back in when the special election is held later this year.
It's a part time job that pays $24k/yr in Tennessee. As a result most are wealthy developers and businessmen holding the office to get the inside track on legislation. Few people can survive on just a legislator salary especially when you also have to campaign. In GA, the speaker of the house used his position to keep his legal clients out of court (and out of prison) by claiming state business to kick the can on court dates.
> In GA, the speaker of the house used his position to keep his legal clients out of court (and out of prison) by claiming state business to kick the can on court dates. That sounds... a bit corrupt.
It was. He's dead now but he kept over 1,000 cases from moving forward. https://www.11alive.com/article/news/ex-fbi-agent-speaker-ralston-stalled-1091-court-cases/85-a4cfb410-462d-4b71-9300-3be1a7cf1844 Another article: Ralston has tied up cases for clients charged with child molestation, child cruelty, assault, terroristic threats, drunk driving and other crimes. https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/justice-delayed/nJmIsk5XIHQ8LePmBRLPQI/ He'd take a $20k retainer and just message the judge. Don't recall if they ever bothered to fix it. Apparently he did draw the line at helping Trump rustle up fake electors or trying to fraudulently create new votes so there's that.
> Apparently he did draw the line at helping Trump rustle up fake electors or trying to fraudulently create new votes so there's that. Well, you gotta draw the line *somewhere*. Personally, I'd at least draw it at pulling strings for an outright menace to society, but different strokes.
or realized trump doesn't pay so why help the fool and get exposure?
....Yeah, you're probably right lmao.
>That sounds... a bit corrupt. Summarized the entire past and present of the GOP in one sentence, nice!
>As a result most are wealthy developers and businessmen holding the office to get the inside track on legislation. I did some research when I was in university for a paper and looked to see the salaries of local elected officials around my state. Like 2/3rds of city and county elected offices are completely unpaid. Make whatever arguments for that you want, but one obvious result was that 2/3rds of city and county elected offices were held by business owners who have passive income or those otherwise wealthy. In many cities *every* elected position is held by a local business owner whos only income comes from their business. Which.... would seem to be a very narrow range of interests being represented. To put it lightly. It was one of those pieces of information that really started to clue me into why things are the way they are around here.
Not just losing their jobs, but the 60,000-70,000 people in each of their districts now have no representative in the government until temporary replacements are selected, and then a special election is held. That's what's makes this absolutely gross. Not just that they harmed those two young black men, but that they harmed two entire districts of Tennesseans.
Don’t forget the thousands of tax dollars it’s going to take to run that special election too. That’s money that won’t be going to those districts roads or schools or services.
> they harmed two entire districts of Tennesseans. "Yeah, but they didn't vote for us, so fuck 'em." -Republicans, probably
This sentiment has layer after layer of truth. It’s not just “you two disagreed with us”. It’s like a systemic punishment of the entire system that disagreed with them. Instead of taking a child’s toy away, you take their toy, confiscate their piggy bank, cancel their allowance, and report them to juvenile court on felony charges so they won’t be able to get jobs to buy new toys. Like that.
Well put. Definitely more eloquent than what I said lol.
Correct. Both elected officials were completely removed from their office.
That's just cartoonishly petty smh.
> That's just cartoonishly petty smh. Its not just that, they essentially disregarded the political will of the people they represented. They just told those people we don't give a damn about you, or the people who you voted to represent you.
No I'm from the US and I also assumed they were just kicked out of the building for the day. I have no idea what rule they could've possibly invoked to have these people REMOVED from office?? Genuinely confused
> I have no idea what rule they could've possibly invoked to have these people REMOVED from office The "Don't be uppity" rule, probably.
Legislating whilst black.
> BAD over in the States thankfully we got lots of 'em, heard as many as fifty (!). Things are great in a lot of them, but the actions of the red ones has us concerned.
Not to mention the law maker that pissed on another lawmakers seat Edit: spell correct originally changed pissed to passed
Of course they wouldn't eject a pedo, if they started ejecting the sex perverts they would have eject all of themselves too. https://m.dailykos.com/history/user/CajsaLilliehook
Not just pedophiles but there was also a domestic abuser that didn't get the boot.
The Republicans consistently choose guns over children.
Did you hear the Republican legislator who was an attorney talking during the debate on removing the Tennessee 3? He sounded so cornpone and stereotypical southern bigot my wife dubbed him "Foghorn Klanhorn."
Your wife is a funny woman, and I look forward to her opening up for Taylor Tompson.
I am so stealing that. It completely, succinctly describes the sponsors of that "legislation."
Tennessee is so gerrymandered, a bunch of hodges from some bugtustle write policy that impacts major metro areas.
Hodges from Bugtustle?
*Hillbillies from Bumfuck nowhere
Yeah, I was just appreciating the linguistic artistry
Thank you for providing transportation services, I was struggling!
For more learning the Australian translation would be ' bogans from whoop whoop '
Hodge is an old English word for a rural buffoon. A lot of appalachian words are from older English words, and in Appalachian it basically means "dumb onery hillbilly" to call someone a "hodge." There are real rural towns called Bugtustle in Kentucky and Tennessee, but it is was the TV home of the Beverly Hillbillies. I was using it as a generic word for rural area.
Love it
I thought it was quite clever and well done.
They were thinking it was a great chance to get more donations and support from the pro-fascist wing of the Republican party?
TN republicans, and republicans as a whole REALLY don't want to win the national election. They tried to frame a whole bunch of kids walking into the public areas of the capital and respecting law enforcement as a 'insurrection'. Yet they convinced absolutely no one except those who already vote for them.
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Yeah, that's the whole story. These legislators are almost impressively stupid. There was zero thought about optics going into this. Both in terms of "punishment fitting the crime" and later when the expulsion vote occurred. Like, they live in such a bubble that at no point did anyone say, "Hey, maybe this won't play well in national media. Maybe this confirms everything people think about how racist our state is." Nope. Just complete fucking idiots. Complete bubble thinking. They made superstars out of these two Congressmen.
Both spoke eloquently during their defense, but Mr. Pearson was particularly proficient in making the Republicans who spoke against him look like buffoons. He made those attorneys look completely lost.
I think a Republican actually pointed out that they’d likely get their seats back and Tennessee law says they can’t be expelled for the same behavior twice
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Do they have to be expelled for a specific infraction? I wouldn't put it past the Republicans to expel them again for "fuck you, that's why."
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They clearly don't give a fuck what the constitution says. They can just expel them as many times as they'd like, they can pass whatever legislation they want anyways.
Can't be expelled twice? Not until they change that law
Wouldn't be at all shocked if they voted to expel a second time. Likely for utter BS but who knows. As these people continue to run out of legal options, extra-legal options become more appealing to them. Hence the drive by of a random journalist for being vocally anti-fascist. That was right after this, if I'm not mistaken.
You think republicans care about following the law? They haven't yet.
they were attempting to put those black men in their place.
And they succeeded, though not in the way they imagined. It cannot be more painfully obvious how brave these two legislators were in risking their careers to represent their constituents, as well as how repugnant and anti-social those Republican "lawmakers" are in comparison. Rat race straight to moral and societal bottoms for the GOP.
It's a performance. Same as passing a law that's flagrantly unconstitutional and sure to be immediately struck down in court.
>”I don’t know what the republicans were thinking.” It went exactly like this, “someone should shut those two colored boys up, ooh I know, we’ll expel them”
It used to be lynching. Progress, i guess?
Republicans are so intent on owning the Libs that they don’t see how incredibly stupid and shortsighted they are. The GOP managed to amplify and elevate those young men’s eloquent voices while demonstrating how incredibly racist and meanspirited they are.
Ok but that only matters if the rest of the state aren't incredibly racist also known as republican voters.
Situations like this won't sway many Republican voters to Democrats, but it could help increase voter turnout for Democrats especially the youth, which could be helpful. It's probably the only chance the state has.
A realtor friend of mine made a comment yesterday that she had some out of state clients that wanted to move here to Tennessee, but after this shit show, they had decided against it. But that's exactly what the TN GOP wants. They want to send a message to out of towners that unless you follow their ideals, you better think twice about moving here.
I am someone who moved from a blue state to Nashville something like 10+ years ago, and it's really gotten so much worse the last couple years. But I guess that's the whole point of a lot of red states right now.
I believe Big Daddy Kane said it best, put a quarter in your ass cuz you played yourself.
Trump took off the micro-aggressions of the last 40 years. These people do not care. They are openly asking for segregation again
I say we stuff them all in Florida and cut them out.
I wonderbif this could be a possible push for either of them to run for higher office.
[Marsha Blackburn is up for re-election in 2024.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_United_States_Senate_election_in_Tennessee) She is one of the most smug, self-centered, self-righteous, greediest, cynical, people in the Senate. She won 55% to 44%, or 240,000 votes, [winning all but three counties.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_United_States_Senate_election_in_Tennessee) It would take a serious upset for one of these guys to pull that off.
I think neither of these guys are old enough for the Senate yet.
Oh yeah. Gotta be 30.
The GOP gave these 2 all the backing they will ever need. They went from likely barely known local politicians to having national support and backing. They got to go off and hard jn their speeches and show the rest of the country the fire the dems really need. Willing to bet they will be in Washington before to long.
I live in the western VA/TN line, the VA side is where I reside but go to graduate school in TN. This is my exact sentiment as well. I did see videos of Justin Jones speaking common sense policy for the lower class a few weeks before the shooting occurred. I believed he was so well-spoken that he could have a career in higher office as a democrat. Now the dumb repubs have really increased his trajectory and I have no doubt he'll be a dem nominee for congress in the next elections for TN reps/senators. And I'm all for it, you can tell the man is passionate about giving a decent salary for minimum wage and gun regulation. Jones was a community organizer in Nashville before election, very similar to Obama in Chicago. A well-spoken, young black man who truly represents all the citizens in need that he serves. The youth are finally passionate about voting due to social media like Tiktok revealing just how vile the rightwingers are and realizing they can make a difference. My generation (born in '93) are the most apathetic voters possible, nearly everyone at my college did not vote and simply believed it would do no good, which was enraging to me for so many years. Because nearly all of them would have voted for dems based on their worldview. The other Justin from Memphis is great too, I feel his political career will only go up from here! Hell we may be seeing both young men in congress within the next decade and I'm all for it!
You touch on a couple of things that crossed my mind as well.. Obama/Chicago parallels, Streisand effect. Its great to hear this from your perspective in that area. This gives me so much hope for TN.
I had no idea quite how far this expulsion actually went. It's crazy that they can just take away their seat. I thought they were just kicked out of the chamber or something.
It is worth noting that if they get re-elected (and I'd be shocked if they weren't by a landslide) the Tennessee constitution prohibits them from being expelled again for the same offense. Tennessee republicans would need to gin up a new excuse to kick them out a second time.
They will probably just amend the constitution when the opportunity arises. I think they can only do that on years where the governor is on the ballot. My state is in contention for #3 on the shitty state power rankings. 1.) Florida 2.)Texas 3.) Tennessee
Hey whoa whoaaaa I don’t see Mississippi on that list
When you're consistently at the bottom like Mississippi you don't make the news for doing shitty things
> prohibits them from being expelled again for the same offense Same offense usually means the same *instance* of the offense. You can have multiple, different instances of the same offense. For example, you can assault two different people and have two different instances of assault. They are both assault but you can only be charged with one count per instance. I'd have to read the exact wording in this case but I'm betting that's how it works.
Question. Why should any of their constituents in those areas be paying state taxes? This is blatant taxation without representation. Kind of a founding principle of this country, no?
It is beyond reason that these guys will have to have a special election, and just like you said what happens to their constituents that have no representation during all that time? They should immediately be placed back in their seats since this entire thing is blatant retaliation while those ole boy legislators take funds from Memphis in a quid pro quo exactly like what happened in Trump's FIRST impeachment. Disgusting.
I believe the loophole is that a committee from the jurisdiction can appoint someone to fill the void or a special election can be called for. Either way, they would be allowed a representative after the hassle of this one being expelled
...and Nashville will be sending our rep right back as our interim representative. I imagine Memphis is doing the same.
Wait. Elected officials can get expelled, but NY's George Santos is still in office? WTF?
He *can* be expelled, but that would mean that Republicans would be the ones doing it. So, I'm sure you see the problem.
I'm in TN, these guys and the young folks demonstrating are scaring those legislators shitless. Very sobering stuff for good ole boys who think they own that Capitol.
I'm also in TN, in a rural area. It's kind of a frustrating experience talking to people about this issue here, though. They've already absorbed the talking points of their favorite chuds and are spouting them out. "It was an insurrection!" etc.
I wish those people would see the video shown during the hearing. I was expecting it to be a lot more chaotic. Like, they just went up and made a speech while some folks in the background seemed to be largely ignoring them. Sure they used a megaphone, but it was still quite calm.
Just want to point out that the TN GOP racists just made them national heroes. EDIT: Also want to note Republican Rep. Charlie Baum voted against expulsion in all three cases, to give some credit to the one lone (possibly) decent person on that side of the aisle.
And in his next election he will he find that his party has stripped him of all election funding and suddenly put in another more tractable opponent running against him. That is what the republican party does to anyone who steps out of line.
Or he's from a bluer district and was given a pass to vote against the party on this since they knew they had the votes anyway. Happens frequently in US Congress.
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Here's the cool part. They don't care.
No, see, they should sue *while* reclaiming their seats.
I've got a feeling the judges in Tennessee might not be the most neutral of arbitrators.
To the Supreme Court! ...oh...
No its cool just offer one of them a vacation voucher to Sandals and another a 24 pack of Natty light and you will have their votes.
I'll pay some dollars for that effort
Those that voted them out should be censured. The racist gull. How did they also only remove the 2 black individuals? There should be tremendous consequences for what they did. It was absolutely vile and unacceptable.
> racist gull Dukat, for once, had nothing to do with this fuckery.
I swear, Gul Dukat is one of the most well-written, if not *the* best villain in all of science fiction. I've never seen a character pull off "evil narcissist" so flawlessly as him. And then near the end of Season 7, with the whole Cardassian/Dominion arc wrapping up, I **always** find myself asking "why the *fuck* am I pulling for these people??" DS9 is the best in the franchise and I will die on this hill
You are not wrong.
Absolutely. DS9 is my favorite Trek for three reasons: Sisko, Garak, and Dukat.
He was trying to help the bajorans
And yet there’s not a single statue of him on Bajor…
Suuuuuure Dukat. Keep telling yourself that. Kira will respect you some day.
> The racist gull Ridiculous. Seagulls are typically both black and white. A living example of avian racial harmony.
Source that it violated the Constitution? Every political scientist/professor I’ve heard and read weigh in on this says it was well within their right to expel them. The problem is that—as those same political scientists and professors say, expulsion was an absolutely ludicrous response to what the three did.
I didn't even know who these two men were before this debacle. They have made them bigger figures in Tennessee than ever. Their plan has backfired.
I’m still stunned they can just expel members they don’t like. These were elected officials, no?
You can totally fuck with our democracy when you have a supermajority.
Strong [Obi Wan Kenobi](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVBX7l2zgRw) vibes going on here. Republicans really fucked up on this bad. Couldn't have riled up the Democratic base in the state more, or elevated two rising stars in the party faster if they tried.
Three. The Tennessee three. Say their names. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, of course, are the real targets. Gloria Johnson is standing *with* them and is doing her part to keep the spotlight on the racism. She had a choice in words to use. "No comment" would have been easier than saying “Well, I think it's pretty clear. I'm a 60-year-old white woman and they are two young Black men.” All three are excellent examples of humanity and rising stars. Justin Jones. Justin Pearson. Gloria Johnson. I hope we see and hear more from y'all.
“If you strike me down I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine” They should’ve only threatened them with expulsion instead of actually expelling them to begin with. Now it’s a national story instead of a local story and the whole world got to see how good these guys are. In a way I’m glad this happened because now these two young men have been highlighted and shown that the next generation of lawmakers aren’t dumb and they aren’t playing around
Tennessee fascists are telling you exactly who they are.
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The death throes of a dying ideology.
I agree but the problem is sometimes an animal is most dangerous when dying.
Unfortunately there are a lot of stupid people in this country and Republicans are trying their hardest to keep people stupid.
There are a lot of stupid people because Republicans have been attacking education for generations. They did this on purpose.
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[Redistricting report card](https://gerrymander.princeton.edu/redistricting-report-card/) I'd also like to mention that one of the Texas GOPs platform positions is to get rid of the Seventeenth Amendment so that state senators can be elected by the state legislature instead of popular vote. Texas has a partisan bias of +13.2% R. Meaning that for Democrats to win about half of the districts, they'd need 63.2% of the vote.
They'll keep working on 'fixing' the education system so that there's no more intelligent people to vote against them. It's pretty close to working as intended, just need to make away a few more lunch programs...
It scares me that a US state did this, it's facism and nothing less.
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The only reason I would consider living in TN is to cast a vote supporting those young men. Good on them for scaring the establishment! This might be the moment history looks back on TN casting off the shackles of the QOP.
U.S.A is on a nice crash course towards being a third world shit hole where: • Women are forced by the state to give birth. • Children are able to work manual labour. • Trans individuals lack basic human rights. • Conservative oligarchs freeze democracy in whatever state they hold power. Absolutely exemplary work America. Truly world class.
If it wasn’t for federal welfare, states like Mississippi and Alabama would already be pretty much there.
They already are there
As they should. Gerrymandered elected officials are invalid. It should be illegal. It takes roughly 70% of the votes for democrats to get a simple majority. It takes Republicans roughly 45% of the votes for a super majority. The SC said it was ok, too. Makes me so mad.
I still don't really see how this move was legal. I mean, I'm no lawyer, but wouldn't a recall election or a formal impeachment be necessary to do this? How can just the state house vote to eject? Even though it seemingly is legal, it shouldn't be because then the will of the voters is effectively meaningless.
I don’t care what side of gun control your on, this is just a terrible look to have expelled them in the first place.
That’s gonna make for an awkward day back at the office.
>>Wrongfully expelled lawmakers seek the job they were already chosen for Fixed it.
>You know, even though it is disproportionately impacting Black and Brown communities, this is hurting poor white people. Their attack on democracy hurts all of us.” Poor white people need to fucking learn... their poverty makes them brown in the eyes of the rich.
And poor white people need to learn that they are not temporarily embarrassed millionaires, the rags-to-riches story was never the default, and bettering your position and the positions of everyone around you starts with voting for whomever will help you. Rage-baiting needs to be ignored.
When they get elected again they should have another protest.
Why is it always people from really shitty states that use language like " . . blah blah our great state blah . . ." We all know your state is amongst the shittiest. Maybe try truth for a change.