I’ve got to hand it to the Lone Star Project. They do come up with some original angles on current events.
It has been more than 100 years since a Congressional District has been left without a Congressman for longer than 130 Days. However, under the scheme hatched by Texas Governor Rick Perry and surrendering former House Republican Leader Tom DeLay, citizens in the 22nd District of Texas will be left without any Member of Congress representing them for at least 130 days, from June 30, 2006 until November 7, 2006. This gap in representation could be even longer if DeLay resigns earlier in June or if a run-off results from a November 7th special election, leaving the seat open another 30 days.
This assumes that there will be a double-barrelled election for CD22 in November – the regular between Nick Lampson, the Chosen One, independent Steve Stockman, and Libertarian Bob Smither; and a special, featuring God knows who for the right to serve from November through December, when Congress will likely be on recess much of the time anyway. We won’t know for sure if this is what Perry has in mind until he is forced to do something by DeLay’s departure. All I know is that I continue to fail to see the point of such a beast. Do it now, when it matters, or don’t do it at all.
Anyway. Some entertaining history and other useful information follows, so check it out.
Mr. Kuffner,
It may be a record for Texas, but not for the US as there are a few other current examples worth noting.
Check my blog for the links, but Randy Cunningham in California’s 50th Congressional District, resigned effective December 1, 2005. The General Election for that seat will not be held until June 6, 2006.
Thus, the citizens of California’s CD-50 will be “without representation” for approximately 188 days.
And it remains to be seen about Robert Menendez’s seat in NJ’s CD-13… the seat has been vacant since January 16, 2006 and no election date has been determined. (100 days and counting…)
Just FYI… you may want to let your friends at the Lone Star Project know, as well. I imagine they would be interested.
Regards,
The Umpire
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Well, The Voluntary Environmental Laws of Hurricane Bush and Hurricane Perry have also Broken a Brand New Record.
http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/041906EB.shtml
Scientists Condemn US as Emissions of Greenhouse Gases Hit Record Level
By Steve Connor
The Independent UK
Wednesday 19 April 2006
The United States emitted more greenhouse gases in 2004 than at any time in history, confirming its status as the world’s biggest polluter. Latest figures on the US contribution to global warming show that its carbon emissions have risen sharply despite international concerns over climate change.
The figures, which were quietly released on Easter Monday, reveal that net greenhouse gas emissions during 2004 increased by 1.7 per cent on the previous year, equivalent to a rise of 110 million tons of carbon dioxide.
This is the biggest annual increase since 2000 and means that in 2004 – the latest year that full data is available – the US released the equivalent of nearly 6,300 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Scientists in Britain condemned the increase, saying that it showed how the US was failing to take a lead in the international attempt to curb greenhouse gas emissions despite being the worst offender.
(more)
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Now we live in a Post-Katrina World…Thelma Bush and the Louise GOP and their Greater Extinction-Level Job Performance may take us all down with them as they have pushed us past the Tipping Point to 425 ppm of CO2 and Methane.
STEP DOWN BEFORE HURRICANE SEASON.
NO?
THEN COUNT THE PAPER BALLOTS SECURED FROM OHIO’s 2004 ELECTION NOW, BEFORE HURRICANE SEASON. BECAUSE IF JOHN KERRY WON, HE WILL SAVE MORE LIVES…OUR LIVES.
And, if Republicans didn’t cheat in Ohio in 2004 then they have nothing to worry about. But, If Kerry Won, then NO to any Republican Theory of Cheaters-Keepers.
And Remember, having a Reality-Based, Problem-Solving President Kerry means that all our families will be safer…all our families. And, I would guess that along the coast, Republicans are getting more Purple and Blue as this Hurricane Season approaches.
And, for sure Anti-Reality, Anti-Science, Non-Problem-Solving Republicans will cost more Americans more lives than 911 and terrorism ever did.
And, that is the truth.
So, who do we talk to, to get those ballots counted in Ohio before Hurricane Season? Everyone ask for Proof of Our Democracy–Count the Ballots.
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Mr. Umpire:
The subhead on the Lone Star Project piece is “Perry/DeLay Will Set Modern Record for Vacant Texas Seat”. While your point is well taken, I think we’re all sufficiently clear on what’s being compared to what.