UPDATE: Austin American-Statesman reporter Jason Embry finds that 10 House Republicans voted against the resolution.
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Why did three Republicans in the Texas House of Representatives on Monday refuse to support a resolution congratulating President Obama, intelligence personnel and members of our armed forces for the successful operation against Osama bin Laden in Pakistan?
The overwhelmingly Republican Texas House of Representatives passed HR 1694 on Monday. But right-wingers Will Hartnett, R-Dallas, Dan Huberty, R-Houston, Randy Weber, R-Pearland, asked that their votes be recorded as “no.” (See page 2574 of the House Journal.)
The resolution reads in part:
“(T)he president’s patience, leadership, wisdom, and determination have led directly to the demise of the most wanted man in the world, and have hardened this nation’s resolve to defeat the forces of malevolent fanaticism, and by destroying the mastermind behind the worst terrorist attack on American soil he has struck a significant and historic blow against Al Qaeda.”
It continues:
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas hereby congratulate President Obama on his proven and successful policies in the war on terrorism and in homeland security; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas hereby commends the intelligence personnel who diligently and quietly toiled for years to uncover the whereabouts of Bin Laden, and whose achievement, while historic, may never be fully known to the public;
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas hereby commends the members of the armed forces who successfully and heroically carried out an incredibly sensitive mission with no military losses and with a minimal loss of civilian lives
State Rep. Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, rose above partisanship in supporting the resolution and called on his colleagues to do the same:
“I’m hopeful, like I said, that every state will do this. And I’d be proud to add my name to your resolution and I hope that every member, and I won’t speak for every member, but I know that some, their politics under this dome, prevents. But I hope, and I pray, every member of the House of Representatives will add his or her name to this wonderful resolution, and support our country, our Commander-in-Chief, and military as we go forward.”
But Representatives Hartnett, Huberty and Weber refused Rep. Keffer’s plea. Why? Was congratulating a Democratic president so offensive that they wouldn’t even vote for a resolution that also commended our intelligence personnel and members of our armed forces involved in the mission? Have we really come to this?
Randy “the sky is falling and it’s raining sharia law!” Weber voted against extending kudos for a job well done to our own military? Seriously, Randy?
No, this is not the case. In similar circumstances Johnson, Carter and Clinton would have received deserved kudos. In his column today Leon Pitts described the sickness of bigotry and it’s not political. He called it PWB: presidenting while black.
It isn’t a problem with a Democratic president that is offensive. It is a Texas hating, indecisive, know nothing, president devoid of all leadership ability. Why don’t you stop quoting the partyline and start to look at this guy with an open mind and not just be an apologist for him?
Seriously, you can’t tell how lousy he is as a president? He cares little for America except constituents with the same snug, close-minded, blinded by liberalism ideology. He has an active dislike of Texas. Fine with me. I can’t stand him.
You started as a pretty good web site with relevant news about countering the religious right in Texas education especially and have become another talking point, ass-kissing waste of time. I have much better things to do with my time. I’m done with you and I’m unsubscribing today.
I was surprised that Leo Berman wasn’t on the list. Now, I’m not surprised!
p.s. Have a nice trip back to your bunker, Jay, see you next fall. Don’t forget your confederate flag underwear.
Hi Jay. I am interested in your honest opinion. Could you please list for me 10 or a few less things that Obama has done while in office that you feel have hurt you personally in your own life. I promise not to slap back if I disagree. I am really interested in what you have to say for my own education. Thanks!!!
Gosh Charles! I was really hoping to read Jay’s response.
Yeah, me too.