Day of Joy Dawns for Republicans, Proud Owners of Texas Districting Map

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT: Day of Joy Dawns for Republicans, Proud Owners of Texas Districting Map
By RALPH BLUMENTHAL and KATE ZERNIKE
Published: June 29, 2006

HOUSTON, June 28 — For Texas Republicans, it was a day of jubilation.

Taunting Democrats as "bad-tempered children," they exulted in Wednesday's Supreme Court decision broadly approving their disputed 2003 Congressional redistricting in the state. By extension, the ruling also allowed partisan line-drawing by statehouses across the country whenever political tides shift.

"Today is a clear victory for our state," said Gov. Rick Perry, the Republican incumbent in an unusual five-way race with two independents in November.

Some Democrats took comfort in part of the court's ruling that said the state's largest district, covering much of West and South Texas, violated Hispanic voting rights, but they warned that the overall decision could set off redistricting wars nationwide. And some political experts said the ruling would aid incumbents of either party by perpetuating whichever one was in power in a state.

"Safe seats will breathe a sigh of relief," said Julian Zelizer, professor of history at Boston University. But others predicted that few states would actually try to redistrict more than once a decade, even if they are now permitted to do so....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/29/washington/29texas.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[Demeter]

1. And When Democratic Legislatures Start To Utilize This Ruling

the screaming will really get loud. Turnabout is fair play--and any GOPper who thinks it won't happen is even more deluded than the standard Bushbot.

[oscar111]

2. Waste of thousands of hours upcoming as lawmakers gerrymander

Lawmakers will now have to spend thousands of hours away from real problems,

and spend time gerrymandering. This will hurt efforts to get good laws on all issues.

what a waste.

Remindes me of the waste corporations force on us by putting commercials all over the tv. Our precious lives are partly wasted by brain garbage touting "colon cleansing pills" and "I made hundreds of thousands flipping house deals with this secret program.. only fifty dollars for the video on how to do it".

One EU visitor told me his impression of the USA: "So many ads!"

[OneBlueSky]

3. so the Supreme Court has essentially legalized gerrymandering . . .

anyone know what the vote was? . . . and who voted which way? . . . also, were any dissents filed? . . .

[cornermouse]

4. I honestly don't like gerrymandering from either party.

I think the districts should be drawn in geometic shape and left alone permanently. Let the chips (votes) fall wherever they may, at least it will be an honest decision.