I do not revel in Rep. Rick Miller's retirement today.
His statement about Asian Americans were divisive, insulting, and hurtful to the growing Asian American community in Texas.
Unfortunately, his statement reflect a common mindset about minority communities.
#txlege
His statement about Asian Americans were divisive, insulting, and hurtful to the growing Asian American community in Texas.
Unfortunately, his statement reflect a common mindset about minority communities.
#txlege
It is common gossip in the legislature that Rick Miller's seat was specifically drawn, in 2011, to prevent an Asian American from winning in the Republican Primary.
This exact situation played itself out in the 2012 primaries.
Over time this protection has been eroded.
This exact situation played itself out in the 2012 primaries.
Over time this protection has been eroded.
My predecessor, Scott Hochberg, testified under oath during the 2011 Re-districting lawsuit, that Pct. 311 in my area was specifically cut out to prevent an Asian challenger from rising.
He didn't request this.
But, he was told that they were "helping" him stay in office.
He didn't request this.
But, he was told that they were "helping" him stay in office.
Rick's sin today is that he said out loud the thing that Republican controlled legislatures have quietly done all across our nation.
It's no surprise that courts have found that #txlege has INTENTIONALLY discriminated against minorities no fewer a half dozen times in a decade.
It's no surprise that courts have found that #txlege has INTENTIONALLY discriminated against minorities no fewer a half dozen times in a decade.
What's more enraging is that Rick is upset at a process has been used AGAINST minority Republican officials for decades.
Time and Time again. Well qualifed & well liked minority GOP elected officials get challenged by random white people with little or no qualifications.
Time and Time again. Well qualifed & well liked minority GOP elected officials get challenged by random white people with little or no qualifications.
This effect is well documented on the judicial front.
I don't have the article, but there was a challenger to a Hispanic Justice, who's response when they asked him why challenge a well liked judge:
"Because he has a Hispanic last name; and I will win."
texastribune.org/2018/03/01/tex…
I don't have the article, but there was a challenger to a Hispanic Justice, who's response when they asked him why challenge a well liked judge:
"Because he has a Hispanic last name; and I will win."
texastribune.org/2018/03/01/tex…
What Rick complains about happened to GOP Judge Teresa Chang in Harris County.
Judge Chang was a highly respected jurist; applauded for her fairness and efficiency. She was a monster campaigner.
She was defeated in R primary by a brand new lawyer who basically just got fired.
Judge Chang was a highly respected jurist; applauded for her fairness and efficiency. She was a monster campaigner.
She was defeated in R primary by a brand new lawyer who basically just got fired.
Judge Chang's opponent went to GOP groups and said that she was running against Chang because lawyers couldn't understand the Judge's accent.
This was reported to me by multiple people who were alarmed by the obvious racist overtones.
Because it was racist.
This was reported to me by multiple people who were alarmed by the obvious racist overtones.
Because it was racist.
Needless to say, despite having incredible credentials and track record, Judge Chang was defeated in the GOP Primary in 2018.
She was only 1 of 2 incumbents to lose out of nearly 80 positions.
She was the ONLY Asian American Republican elected official in the entire county.
She was only 1 of 2 incumbents to lose out of nearly 80 positions.
She was the ONLY Asian American Republican elected official in the entire county.
In contrast, @texasdemocrats put up the largest block of Asian American candidates in the state's history.
Most of whom are now elected officials!
In case you're keeping score.
GOP: -1
DEM: +6
Most of whom are now elected officials!
In case you're keeping score.
GOP: -1
DEM: +6
Back to my point.
Rick is now being blacklisted not because he said something that Republicans generally disagree with.
But that he said it out loud.
He told you how the sausage was being made.
If Rick's statement is offensive, then so should the actions made in silence.
Rick is now being blacklisted not because he said something that Republicans generally disagree with.
But that he said it out loud.
He told you how the sausage was being made.
If Rick's statement is offensive, then so should the actions made in silence.
There it is. I knew a good lawyer would find it:
Some comments people have said to me about Justice Devine:
"Grossly unqualified"
"Absolutely no business being in any court much less the Texas Supreme Court"
"Couldn't get elected to dog catcher, but wormed his way in to a Supreme Court spot"
"Grossly unqualified"
"Absolutely no business being in any court much less the Texas Supreme Court"
"Couldn't get elected to dog catcher, but wormed his way in to a Supreme Court spot"
