(I had no idea the Montana secessionists were so serious...I mean, 50 votes in the House??? My thoughts, as always, to come... - promoted by Jay Stevens)
I can't remember the last time I did this, but the issue is important enough that I am cross-posting from 4&20blackbirds
I don't know how much people have heard or read about Wednesday's vote on HR3 (I ever-so-briefly mentioned it here), but as a result of the party-line 50-50 vote, Democrats are receiving nasty emails and death threats for their "no" vote.
The bill was sponsored by Rep. Michael More, of Gallatin Gateway. HB3 was a reintroduced version of HJ26 which failed in committee and a blast motion on to the floor.
HB3 was presented at a "state's rights" bill, but had overtones of secession and asserted that Montana was no subjected to the United States Constitution. James Conner, of Flathead Memo has a great piece up, history lesson and all, titled Will Montana fire on Fort Sumter? that should not be missed.
Conner also took the incentive to find out who the "horsetrading Democrat" was that let this thing ooze out of committee for the House floor vote: Great Falls' Rep. Deb Kottel, which, sadly, is of little surprise. |
| Another great piece on the HB3 bill and subsequent vote is the UM School of Journalism's The Session '09 piece, titled Montana 'state's rights' resolution fails on tied vote. That post includes some great background information and links to the out-of-state organizations supporting similar types of legislation elsewhere in the United States.
More is unapologetic about the "right-wing extremism" nature of the bills. From Molly Priddy's piece: "This is a debate that has been a long time coming," More said. The resolution may be labeled as "right wing extremism," but it really deals with states' rights versus federal laws, he said, adding that secession is not the goal, but neither is it out of the question.
Priddy get's even better from Laurel's Rep. Krayton Kerns: Rep. Krayton Kerns, R-Laurel, said though the resolution does not imply that Montana will secede from the union, there is always the possibility.
"(Secession) is the big stick in the room that we have to occasionally display," Kerns said. "This resolution is a shot over the bow."
Krayton Kerns sure does love waving the saber, doesn't he?
~~~~~
This is your Montana GOP, folks. Make no mistake - not one Republican broke ranks on this bill (including Missoula's HD-100 Rep. Bill Nooney). Even now, not even one senate Republican has spoken out against this dangerous nonsense.
Nor has Montana's representation in Washington, Rep. Denny Rehberg.
The death threats? Two days of them, now, and still {crickets} from the Republicans.
Even conservative bloggers have been silent.
This is dangerous stuff, and had this bill made it into the Senate (and I guess we should be thankful to Kottel for her "no" vote on the floor, right?), there is no telling what might of happen.
This type of persistent - remember, this bill was attempted twice, in two versions - unabashed and unapologetic "right-wing extremism" should not be welcomed. It should be drawn out, exposed, talked about and openly condemned.
Not just by Democrats, but by Republicans too. |
