On Thursday I attended an event hosted by the Texas Tribune, an online, non-partisan newspaper. Its purpose was a preview into the Texas 2015 Legislature that is currently in session. This is part of a series of policy debates that will take place during this session. Four Harris County (Houston area) state representatives and senator served as members of the panel. There were two Democrats and two Republicans. Evan Smith, the Tribune's CEO, served as the event's moderator.
Houston & the Legislature: Previewing the 84th Session.
While most of the issues addressed had much to do with the greater Houston area they are also are important to those in other parts of the state. Both Houston area Democrat and one of the Republican lawmakers discussed what we should do about education, transportation, infrastructure, water and healthcare. All posed reasonable agendas and solutions to address these very important issues. These were also key areas of interest among members of the audience. Which is the reason why most of us attended.
The other Republican in attendance was more concerned about border security, safety, "illegal aliens" and a potential invasion by ISIS through the southern border. After listening to the three other lawmakers discuss rational and reality based solutions to real time challenges that worry all of us, one could only laugh out loud when Ms. Riddle made her absurd statements. More than a few of us laughed. It was as if a circus band had suddenly burst into the room. We laughed, rolled our eyes, groaned and cringed. Ms. Riddle shrugged us off. She lives comfortably inside of her terror bubble. Those of us outside are the crazy ones.
Some of us may remember Debbie Riddle and Louie Gohmert and their fear mongering about terror babies. Both threw gallons of gasoline on the wacko fear fire in which terrorists were impregnating women who would bring anchor terror babies into Texas.
After the event a friend of mine and I tried to understand why Evan Smith had invited Debbie Riddle, a known tea party extremist. There are plenty of far more reasonable Houston area Republican state reps. and senators. Then we realized that some of this tea party crazy is actually happening in Austin during this legislative session.
In fact there is more than Debbie Riddle type ISIS, terror baby crazy going on in Austin right now. The open carry goons want their fair share of attention too.
Treason is punishable by death.
There is a sinister video posted that is embedded in the article quoted above.
In an online video Wednesday, a gun rights activist pushing for legislation allowing Texans to openly carry handguns tells state legislators that “Treason is punishable by death.” Kory Watkins of Open Carry Tarrant County posted, then later pulled, the video on YouTube, but not before another user uploaded it. The link was then shared by groups that oppose open-carry legislation.
“We should be demanding these people give us our rights back, or it’s punishable by death. Treason. Do you understand how serious this is, Texas?” says the 31-year-old in the four-minute video.
But that's not all.
Kory Watkins issued another threat to lawmakers.
I will walk around until my feet bleed to make sure you're never an elected official again.
Be afraid, very afraid, Texas.
Senate Bill 11 by Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, would allow concealed handgun license holders to carry on college campuses. Senate Bill 17 by Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, would legalize the open carry of handguns with a license. Under current law, it's legal for Texans to openly carry long arms like rifles, but the same has not been true of handguns for more than 125 years.
The Texas Taliban stands up for its rights.
Watkins, the controversial leader of Open Carry Tarrant County, made an appearance sans his signature trilby hat and told Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike he and his group would seek to oust them if they voted to require Texans to pass a background check and secure a license to open carry handguns.
"I will walk around until my feet bleed to make sure you're never an elected official again," said Watkins, who has gained state and national notoriety - and elicited plenty of criticism - for his controversial tactics in pushing unlicensed open carry, what advocates call "constitutional carry."
Guns on campuses? Why not? What could possibly go wrong in an environment with frat parties, beer, romantic breakups and failing grades? Not to mention that it is at the college age when one normally would encounter a psychological condition or suffer from depression. But no matter, we have to have our God given (?) rights to guns.
Most of the higher education leaders and college students who testified before the committee also had concerns about the bills, citing the unique campus environment that already encourages heightened emotions and fears. Claire James, née Wilson, a survivor of the 1966 University of Texas at Austin tower shooting, also spoke against allowing concealed handguns on campus.
"I was never able to bear children again," said James, who was eight months pregnant when former Marine Charles Whitman shot her through the belly on that fateful August afternoon. Virginia Tech alumnus Colin Goddard, a survivor of the 2007 shooting perpetrated by Seung-Hui Cho, also spoke against the bill.
At the urging of Patrick, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp also weighed in on the proposal. He broke with precedent by saying he wouldn't personally be concerned if campus carry was passed, and confirmed the system would take no formal stance on the bill.
New UT System Chancellor William McRaven, a retired Navy SEAL and former head of U.S. Special Operations Command, has taken a decidedly different stance on the issue, sending a formal letter to top leaders that the bills would make college campuses "less safe."
What's wrong with a little ol'
intimidation?
Earth to Ms. Riddle, if you and your colleagues pass this insanity, we will not be safer. Au contrarie, you and I have a better chance of getting shot when we are shopping or while driving. We are far more likely to be harmed by a gun owner right here at home by one of our own. They are a far bigger threat to us than ISIS or terror babies.
And thank you to Evan Smith for inviting state representative Riddle to remind us that despite the fact that we might live in a highly diverse, sophisticated and tolerant city we also have our fair share of extremists, some of whom may be soon be packing heat.