From our Mailbag 07/26/03 - 08/21/03




by YOU

THE WORLD - From Tapas Ray, Calcutta, INDIA

Subject: Glass House

I am new to G21, as you know, and I have been reading Glass House with interest and admiration each week. But I think this week's log has been the best I have read so far. One of the songs of Rabindranath Tagore (a Bengali poet who won a Nobel long, long ago) talks about the way the incense has to burn if it is to spread its aroma, and the way the wick has to burn if the lamp is to give light. Your suffering is giving us light and aroma. This may not be a matter of any satisfaction to you, but then it may be. Therefore, I wanted you to know. Here is a passage from your log, which I consider nothing less than a nugget of shining gold ... journalism has a lot to learn from you, because you have transformed your log into great literature, indeed sheer poetry:

"I am wrestling with the world of the thousand mile stare, of dreams and visions that are more troubling than comforting any longer. I try to believe it when people advise that I not give up Hope, but Hope seems illusory. Sometimes things don't work out; sometimes you just get more and more hurt. Bad things do happen to good people.

"I am trying to resist the emotional paralysis that these circumstances bring on, but my will to resist wanes with each new disappointment, each broken promise, each betrayal that at better times would seem insignificant. With each drop further, the question arises, "Why continue to struggle? Why?

"No satisfactory answer comes."

Rod:

I know what you mean when you talk about "emotional paralysis". There have been times when I have asked myself the same question - "Why continue to struggle?" But my friends have said that I must. Plain and simple. No explanations. And I have accepted this, for a variety of reasons. That's what I would ask you to do, too.

Tapas


From Jeffrey C., (No City Provided,) OH, USA:

SUBJECT: "Growing up Poor'

All of that sounds too famillier growin up when I was a kid. Adults and parents forget what it's like growing up poor or maybe they don't care.ÝI remember having to go to school having to wear jeans that when I sat down them being half way to my knees and wearen just undershirts or wifebeaters everyday. If it was cold and no one had washed for awhile you wore a wifebeater and jean jacket in the winter and some other kids laughing amking jokes about the way you dressed.

When I was a kid playing in and out of the house wearen nothing but underpants all the time. After awhile you don't even care because that way it doesn't hurt as bad. At least I had other poor friends to hang with. Hope to hear from you.

Jeffrey


RAHEEM RESPONDS: Jeffrey, I hear you Loud and Clear! Thanks for writin' in, my brother.

You have presented us with a problem, though, that many of the "senior" (ha-ha!) writers have run into more often than we like to admit. After you've been writing for the same place for any number of years, even you don't remember everything you wrote and for which column. Our Esteemed Editor likes us to provide the URL of the articles people write in about and in this case I just couldn't do it. I'm sorry.

I remember the subject matter, but not even the year I wrote that article. (I've been writing for G21 for seven years now.) Rod has already whipped me with a wet noodle.

feed your head

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From Jane S., (No City Provided,) CZECH REPUBLIC:

SUBJECT: Steele

Morning,

Read your comments on Shelby Steele.

First think you might be interested to know if I'm white rainbow black or red. I'm white. Hope you can still take me seriously.

Wasn't he really trying to say that the government thinks Black people CAN'T measure up to Whites, so they lower the yardstick?

I asked myself this question when I was 16 and I'm still asking myself. Asked otehr people too. A lot of different colors.

Got different answeres from the same colors. Seemed individual enough to me.

Did September 11 have any unifying power? Those planes didn't care about color. The terrorists didn't either. Don't please get me wrong- I really am asking. I don't know what it means to be 'American' anymore and can't figure out what good nationality is anyway. Were those people killed for being Americans or for supporting the multi-nationals or for making money by sucking other countries dry? Any ideas?

Take care and if you could answer me, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks.
jane


RAHEEM RESPONDS: Jane, you're obviously a very caring person who puts a lot of deep thought into things; I guess that from the tough questions you put to me in your e-mail. Well, I don't really have the answers to all of your questions. I hope one day I'm lucky enough to meet someone who does and - especially to recognize them when I do meet them.

Some of the questions you raise are part of the reason this publication is here at all, 'cause lots of us are struggling with the same questions or ones like them. I keep hoping that our collective efforts will bring up as many answers has we have questions...

What I think is important is the exposure to people who aren't just like us as a way of beginning to reach understandings and create common experiences so that we ain't all so frightening and threatening to each other. Thanks for writing in! Peace.


From Kelly H. (No City Provided), USA:

SUBJECT: Help

Dear Gaynor,

My name is Kelly and I am married to a S.A. citizen. We are moving to Johannesburg at the beginning of October, 2003 and I was wondering if you could give me some advice.

First of all, how did you get your things over there? I am trying to find the cheapest way to ship several boxes of personal items and it is all very confusing and expensive.

Also, as we are packing up, are there things that I should buy here to take to South Africa? I'm sure there are some items unavailable over there or else very inflated in price. I greatly appreciate any help that you can give me.

Thanks very much!
Kelly


GAYNOR RESPONDS:

Hi Kelly,

Thanks for your e-mail, I would love to help in any way I can.

Um, I am a South African, born and bred, and have lived here all my life, and so can't offer much advice as to how to get your goods over here, except to say that there must be some removals companies that will give you a good rate for it.

As to the items that you feel may be unavailable over here, could you give me some specifics as to what it is you are thinking of? I know that there are some items that it might NOT be a good idea for you to buy there such as a cellphone as it may not work over here with our cellular networks (or a car, as right hand drives are illegal here!)

For the most part I can't think of much that you wouldn't get over here, especially in Johannesburg, which is a big city, then again, I am not sure what you are used to in America.

My gut feel regarding things being overpriced is that I don't think that is going to be an issue, as your currency is worth so much more than ours. Obviously, it depends on the area that you go to to do your shopping, Johannesburg North is much more upmarket and expensive than the South (comparable say to your uptown and downtown in New York).

Again on instinct I would say that you should perhaps sell some of your things over there, bring over as much money as possible and buy the things here, as I think you are going to find things cheaper rather than more expensive. If you'd like, give me a list of the things that you think you may not be able to get and I will try and do some enquiries for you.

Regards,
Gaynor


From Name Withheld, CA, USA:

SUBJECT: Please Take A Minute to Sign Petition & Forward

Date : Wed, 13 Aug 2003 21:03:47 -0700

Subject: Amina Lawal Execution Hearing
AMINA LAWAL SET TO BE STONED
ON 27 AUGUST 2003 The Nigerian Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence for Amina Lawal, condemned for the crime of adultery on August 19th 2002, to be buried up to her neck and stoned to death. Her death was postponed so that she could continue to nurse her baby. Hearing on her Execution is now set for 27 AUGUST 2003.

If you haven't been following this case, you might like to know that Amina's baby is regarded as the 'evidence' of her adultery. Amina's case is being handled by the Spanish branch of Amnesty International, which is attempting to put together enough signatures to make the Nigerian government rescind the death sentence. A similar campaign saved another Nigerian woman, Safiya, condemned in similar circumstances. By March 4th the petition had amassed over 2,600,000 signatures.

It will only take you a few seconds to sign Amnesty's online petition. Please sign the petition now, then copy this message into a new email and send it to everyone in your address book. Go to the Amnesty International Petition web page.


From Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis, Albuquerque, NM, USA:

SUBJECT: Emergency for Democracy

August 18, 2003

Dear friends

I am writing to you from a hotel room in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where I and 10 of my colleagues in the Texas Senate have been forced to reside for the past 20 days. If we return to our homes, families, friends, and constituents, the Governor of Texas will have us arrested.

I know, it sounds more like a banana republic than the dignified democracy on which we have long prided ourselves. We are effectively exiled from the state due to our unalterable opposition to a Republican effort -- pushed by Tom Delay and Karl Rove, and led by Texas Governor Rick Perry -- that would rewrite the map of Texas Congressional districts in order to elect at least 5 more Republicans to Congress.

You may not have heard much about the current breakdown in Texas politics. The Republican power play in California has obscured the Republican power play in Texas that has forced my colleagues and me to leave the state.

Recognizing that public pressure is the only thing that can break the current stalemate, our friends at MoveOn have offered to support our efforts by sharing this email with you. In it, you will find:

Background information on how the situation in Texas developed; Analysis of what's at stake for Democrats and the democratic process; and How you can help by contacting Texas politicians, signing our petition, contributing funds, and forwarding this email!

The Republican redistricting effort shatters the tradition of performing redistricting only once a decade immediately after the Census -- making redistricting a perpetual partisan process. It elevates partisan politics above minority voting rights, in contravention of the federal Voting Rights Act. It intends to decimate the Democratic party in Texas, and lock in a Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. And Republican efforts to force a vote on this issue by changing the rules of legislative procedure threaten to undermine the rule of law in Texas.

We do not take lightly our decision to leave the state. It was the only means left to us under the rules of procedure in Texas to block this injustice. We are fighting for our principles and beliefs, and we can win this fight with your support.

Sincerely,
Rodney Ellis
Texas State Senator (Houston)

Background

During the 2001 session of the Texas Legislature, the legislature was unable to pass a Congressional redistricting plan as it is required to do following the decennial Census. A three judge federal panel was forced to draw the plan. Neither Governor Rick Perry or then Attorney General John Cornyn, both Republicans, objected to the plan, which was reviewed and approved by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The 2002 Congressional elections, the first held under the new redistricting plan, resulted in a Congressional delegation from Texas consisting of 17 Democrats and 15 Republicans. However, five of the 17 Democrats prevailed only because they were able to win the support of Republican and independent voters. All statewide Republican candidates carried these five districts. Most experts agree that the current plan has 20 strong or leaning Republican districts and 12 Democratic districts.

Meanwhile, the 2001 redistricting of Texas legislative seats (which was enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislative Redistricting Board, after the legislature again gridlocked in its efforts) resulted in wide Republican majorities in both the Texas House and Texas Senate. Now Tom Delay has made it his priority to force the Republican-controlled Legislature to enact a new redistricting plan to increase the number of Republican-leaning Congressional districts. Republicans believe they can manipulate the districts to elect as many as 22 Republicans out of the 32 member Texas Congressional delegation. They achieve this by packing minority voters into as few districts as possible and breaking apart rural districts so that the impact of independent voters will be reduced and suburban Republican voters will dominate.

During the regular session of the Texas Legislature, Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives exercised an unprecedented parliamentary move to prevent the House from passing Tom Delay's redistricting plan. While Democrats are in the minority of the House of Representatives, the state constitution requires that at least 2/3 of the House be present for the House to pass a bill. Because it was clear that the Republicans would entertain no debate and brook no compromise in their effort to rewrite the rules by which members of Congress are elected, the Democrats were forced to break the quorum to prevent the bill from passing. Because the Republican Speaker of the House and Governor called on state law enforcement officials to physically compel the Democrats to return, the lawmakers removed themselves to a Holiday Inn in Ardmore, Oklahoma -- outside the reach of state troops(1). In there effort to apprehend the Democrats, Tom Delay officially sought the help of the Department of Homeland Security.

The House Democrats (nicknamed the "Killer D's", based on an earlier episode in Texas history in which a group of Democratic state senators called the "Killer Bees" broke the quorum in the Senate over a similarly political stalemate) succeeded in stopping Delay's redistricting plan during the regular session, returning to Texas after the legislative deadline had expired for the House to pass legislation. However, because the Texas Legislature meets in regular session only every two years, the state constitution gives the Governor the power to call a 30-day special legislative session at any time between regular sessions. Despite statewide protests from Texas citizens who oppose Tom Delay's redistricting plan, the Governor has called two special sessions(2) already this summer to attempt to force the legislature to enact a new plan.

The first called session expired in a deadlock, as 12 of 31 Texas Senators(3) opposed the plan. Under Senate rules and tradition, a 2/3 vote is required to consider any bill on the floor of the Senate, giving 11 Senators the power to block a vote(4). The Republican Governor and Lieutenant Governor then determined they would do away with the 2/3 rule, and called another special session, forcing 11 Democratic Senators to break the quorum and leave the state.(5) These Senators have spent the past 22 days in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Governor has indicated he will continue calling special sessions until the Republican redistricting plan is enacted, despite the fact that the Republican-controlled Texas Supreme Court recently rejected the Governor's writ of mandamus filing to compel the Senators to return to the Senate. Meanwhile, eleven Democratic state senators are exiled from their state, unable to be with their families, friends, and constituents, for fear of being arrested as part of a partisan power play by Republicans. In the most recent indignity, Republican Senators voted to fine the absent Democrats up to $5,000 per day, and to revoke parking and other privileges for their staffs as long as the Senators are away.

What's at stake

At stake, on the surface, is whether Tom Delay will succeed in exploiting Republican control of the Texas Legislature to add to the Republican majority in the United States Congress. But deeper issues are also at stake.

If the Republicans succeed in redrawing the Texas Congressional lines to guarantee the election of five to seven more Republicans, it will ensure that Republicans hold the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives for the entire decade and will likely result in Tom Delay becoming Speaker of the House.(6)

The Republican advantage would be gained by removing many African American and Hispanic voters from their current Congressional districts and "packing" them into a few districts that already have Democratic majorities. The voting power of these minority voters would be dramatically diluted by the Republican plan, in contravention of the federal Voting Rights Act. If the Republicans succeed, over 1.4 million African American and Hispanic voters will be harmed. It would be the largest disenfranchisement of minority voters since the Voting Rights Act was passed.

Redistricting exists for the purpose of reapportioning voters among political districts to account for population shifts. The purpose of this reapportionment is to ensure a roughly equal number of voters in each district, to preserve the principle of "one man, one vote."(7) For this reason, redistricting has always been conducted immediately following the U.S. Census' decennial population reports. Tom Delay now proposes a new redistricting plan two years after the Census report simply because Republicans gained control over the Texas Legislature in 2002 and now have the power to enact a much more Republican-friendly plan than the one drawn by the federal courts two years ago. This is an unprecedented approach to redistricting, one that subordinates its original purpose of ensuring the principle of "one man, one vote" to the purpose of perpetual partisan politics. Redistricting, in this model, would never be a settled matter, and districts would constantly be in flux depending on the balance of politics.

The Texas Legislature has traditionally been defined by a spirit of bipartisanship and cooperation. This issue has polarized the legislature in a way that threatens to destroy that tradition. The Republicans have effectively exiled their Democratic counterparts in a power play that makes our state look more like a banana republic than a dignified democracy. The arbitrary decision to discard the 2/3 rule in the Senate sets a precedent that undermines that body's tradition of consensus and cooperation. The deployment of state law enforcement officials to apprehend boycotting legislators erodes the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches of government, and diminishes legislators' ability to represent their constituents as they see fit. The unilateral Republican effort to penalize Democratic Senators and their staffs

What is needed

The Democratic Senators currently in Albuquerque have two critical needs. The first is to generate increased public awareness of the situation. By all reason, every day the Senators are out of the state this story should get bigger. Instead, news media have gradually lost interest in the story. The California recall has dominated the attention of the national media, and the Texas media has largely lost interest in the story -- out of sight, out of mind. Without public attention to this story, the Republicans have all the leverage -- if it does not cost them politically, it costs them nothing(8) to continue calling special sessions until the Texas 11 are forced to come home.

The second critical need is funding. The cost of hotels, meeting rooms, staff support, and public relations efforts is mounting. In addition, the Senators must defend themselves legally against Republican efforts to compel their return, while also filing legal claims against the Republican power play. The Senators are actively raising money for the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus Fund to offset these costs and prepare themselves for a stay of indefinite duration in Albuquerque.

Notes

1. A recent Department of Justice investigation chronicled Republican state officials' illegal attempts to use federal resources -- including anti-terrorism resources from the Department of Homeland Security -- to compel the Democratic lawmakers' return. See http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51520-2003Aug12.html for a news report on the Justice Department investigation, or http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/special/03-08a/final.pdf for a copy of the complete Justice Department report.
2. At a cost to taxpayers of over $1.5 million per session.
3. House Republicans passed a redistricting bill in the special session despite an outpouring of public opposition in hearings across the state. All 12 Democratic state senators opposed the plan, along with Republican state senator (and former Lieutenant Governor) Bill Ratliff.
4. The "2/3 rule" requires the Senate to reach broader consensus on difficult issues than a simple majority vote. It is a combination of official Senate rules and tradition. The rules of the Senate require a 2/3 vote to suspend the "regular order of business" to consider a bill that is not the first bill on the Senate calendar. By tradition, the Senate has always placed a "blocker bill" at the top of the Senate calendar, so that every bill requires a suspension of the regular order of business to be considered. The process requires compromise and consensus to achieve a 2/3 majority on each bill. One Texas insider has said that the 2/3 rule is "what separates us from animals."
5. In fact, the Governor and Lt. Governor attempted to "surprise" the Senators by calling the second special one day early and "trap" them in the Senate Chamber. The Senators were able to escape the Capitol with literally minutes to spare.
6. Republican party activist Grover Norquist, head of the Washington D.C.-based Americans for Tax Reform, was quoted as follows in the August 17 Fort Worth Star Telegram: "Republicans will hold the House for the next decade through 2012 if Texas redistrictsäIt depresses the hell out of the Democrats and makes it doubly impossible to take the House and probably depresses their fund raisingäAnything that helps strengthen the Republican leadership helps DeLay become speaker someday if he wants it."
7. Established in the landmark case Baker v. Carr, 369 U.S. 186 (1962)
8. Notwithstanding the millions of dollars it is costing taxpayers.

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