Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst decides against arresting Texas media

[TexasTowelie]

Updated 10:15 a.m. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst’s office says after reviewing the video tapes, it has concluded the media acted appropriately the night of the Senate filibuster and won’t be arrested after all. A spokesman said Saturday the Republican lieutenant governor instructed his staff to look at the video after someone told him reporters were cheering on protesters in the gallery who disrupted the legislative proceedings. “He had his staff review tapes and was happy to learn that the media conducted themselves in a matter consistent with the decorum of the Senate chamber,” said Dewhurst spokesman Travis Considine. “He has a deep and abiding respect for the Texas press corps.”

Original story Lt. Gov David Dewhurst says his office is reviewing video of the Senate filibuster and protest that doomed an abortion bill to see if the media should be arrested. Dewhurst told a conservative web site that he suspects reporters were complicit in inciting a riot. He offered no evidence, but said his staff is looking over the tapes of the final, chaotic night last Tuesday. “If I find, as I’ve been told, examples of the media waving and trying to inflame the crowd, incite them in the direction of a riot, I’m going to take action against them,” Dewhurst told Hot Air. “We have reports that members of the media on the floor, on the floor of the Senate, were looking up at the people in the gallery, waving their hands, trying to motivate them to yell more. If I find examples of that, proof certain on our video,” Dewhurst warned, “I’m going to address this firmly.”

Dewhurst lost control of the chamber when abortion-rights supporters in the Senate gallery began shouting and jeering Tuesday night after he cut off Sen. Wendy Davis’ 11-hour filibuster against a bill that would outlaw abortions after 20 weeks. The noise left Dewhurst flummoxed and the clock ran out on the special session, killing the bill. Gov. Rick Perry has called lawmakers back into another legislative session on Monday. Credentialed reporters are allowed on the Senate floor and have a table where they report what happens. They must follow Senate rules or could have their credentials revoked. Several House Democrats were on the floor Tuesday night, and some of them raised their hands toward the gallery to encourage protesters. Critics in Dewhurst’s own Republican Party say he mismanaged the calendar, allowing the critical abortion debate to come to a vote too late. Three Republicans – including a GOP state senator – are challenging his reelection next year, saying he is an inept leader. Dewhurst disputes that in his interview with Hot Air.

“I had the strategy,” he said. But he said the “ugly mob … went wild.” He said he anticipates demonstrators will return as lawmakers reconsider abortion in the 30-day special session that begins on Monday. But he says this time, he’ll be prepared. He raised the possibility of keeping the public out of the Senate gallery if he fears another demonstration during a crucial floor vote. In lieu of access to the Senate, Dewhurst said he will set up a closed-circuit video feed to committee rooms to those interested in observing rather than demonstrating. “We’re all for openness and transparency,” Dewhurst said, “but if you’re having a demonstration which is going to impede the legislature from moving forward, I’m perfectly at ease with clearing the gallery with our state police.”

More at http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/06/will-lt-gov-dewhurst-have-texas-media-arrested.html/ .

[font color=green]Those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. A citizen's arrest for the felony of tampering with a government record seems appropriate. What a prick! Dewhurst should quit trying to blame everybody else for his failures. The media is not going to look upon him kindly after making a shoot from the hip accusation that had no factual basis.

Poster caption courtesy of mbperrin.[/font]

[fredamae]

1. Is TX Quietly Regulating

Mens Reproductive decisions Now?
http://tribuneherald.net/2013/06/26/texas-legislature-fails-on-abortion-passes-masturbation-bill/

You cannot masturbate unless it's in an approved medical facility as an exception fro the intent o f pro-creation??
"The new measure will go into effect on January 1, 2014 which will make many forms of male masturbation illegal. Exceptions include sperm donations, which now must only be performed at a designated hospital facility."

[They_Live]

8. That's satire

I really had to look, though. All the stories there are satire.

[fredamae]

9. I know--However

is it that far off really? I admit I had to read thru it several times before I realized that--because of things that Are real like this:
http://www.policymic.com/articles/32715/ken-cuccinelli-sodomy-ban-just-another-one-of-his-far-right-stances

It wasn't too long ago there was a flurry over suggesting a ban on masturbation from "I'm Not a Witch" O'Donnell
http://www.newser.com/story/100321/anti-masturbation-candidate-is-truly-strange.html

Far too many extremists believe any and all consentual sex has Only one purpose: Procreation and should Not be practiced for any other reason.

Satire is too close to a Reality of Extreme these days....kinda scary when it's getting this (for me) hard to tell the difference.

[They_Live]

10. No, it wouldn't surprise me at all

if it was an actual bill in the Texas Legislature. Like I said, I had to check, reality lately is too much like a Philip K Dick novel or a story in the Onion.

[tanyev]

2. Aww. He'll have to be satisfied with the footage of the arrest of the 72 year old woman.

He can watch that over and over again.

[TexasTowelie]

3. Now he is begging:

Dewhurst: Abortion opponents must speak up too


GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) — Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst says abortion opponents need to fill the halls of the Capitol and social media when lawmakers consider a tough abortion restrictions bill again.

Dewhurst spoke Saturday morning to the National Right to Life conference near Dallas.

Dewhurst presides over the Senate, where a filibuster by Democratic Sen. Wendy Davis of Fort Worth and hundreds of vocal protesters helped block the bill at the deadline. He said the protesters were driven by "hatred" and "mob rule."

Given another chance in a new special session, legislative Republicans are expected to pass the bill to restrict abortion clinics and ban the procedure after the 20th week of pregnancy.

Dewhurst says he'll move the bill more quickly and will make sure that protesters will be removed if necessary.

Source: http://www.chron.com/news/texas/article/Dewhurst-Abortion-opponents-must-speak-up-too-4637715.php

[onestepforward]

4. When is he going to get arrested for tampering with government documents?

He shouldn't be able to get away with that.

[Ilsa]

5. I want him arrested for the felony. He should be in jail. nt

[mbperrin]

6. Arrest the media! No, don't arrest the media! Clear the mob out! We need a mob!

DooBoy makes as much sense as turning a condom inside out for reuse.

[TexasTowelie]

7. Make sure you that you tack the condom up to dry!