Racial tensions wrack capitol (Austin) - redistricting by repubs

[pampango]

http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2011-06-18/racial-tensions-wrack-capitol

Before the House of Representatives voted Tuesday on a bill that would set the boundaries for the 36 congressional districts in the state, some Hispanic and African-American legislators accused their Republican colleagues - most of whom are white - of disenfranchising ethnic minorities. Senate Bill 4, authored by Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting, is nothing but "purposeful, intentional discrimination," Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, said during a heated debate on the House floor.

A few hours later in the Senate, the debate on the bill that would outlaw sanctuary cities for illegal immigrants in Texas was even more heated. "This bill is open season on Latinos," Sen. Mario Gallegos of Houston, one of seven Hispanics in the 31-member chamber - all Democrats - said of Senate Bill 9. "This bill is the most racist, Latino-bashing, anti-immigrant bill I've ever seen."

The racial tensions have also gotten more attention than usual after the leader of a Tea Party group said at a weekend rally that Hispanic legislators are to blame for Texas not passing strong anti-illegal immigration laws.

"If you want to know why we can't pass legislation in Texas, it's because we have 37, no, 36 Hispanics in the Legislature," Rebecca Forest of the Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas said at a small rally outside the State Capitol.

[xchrom]

1. recommend

[Thaddeus Kosciuszko]

2. Districts should not be drawn by utilizing computer drafted models.

That is the only way to ensure an objective process.

[Hangingon]

3. Okay. Who programs the computers?

[Thaddeus Kosciuszko]

5. Actually, I meant to say that they should be drawn by computer software.

Simply plot the population density map, enter the number of districts, and press enter.

[hobbit709]

4. Small rally? What rally-there were more people at the taco stand.