Yesterday I was playing around at Firefly-Dreaming and while poking fun at Sue Lowden I mentioned "The Bill O'Reilly Flips Out- DANCE MIX" as one of my two favorite political youtubes of all time. Perhaps I assumed that every progressive blogger was at one of the most fun parties I'd ever attended because I never got around to mentioning the first time I saw that video.
It was at the big Netroots Nation party back in 2008 in some great Texas bar in Austin.
What I really need to mention again is that during that party while Bill O'Reilly was flipping out in an endless loop as background music, I was the listener in most intense one on one conversation I ever had in my life. To this day I am haunted by what was said to me that night. Many people are familiar with this story. Even if you heard it before, you should hear it again. I will always think of those words as the definition of George W. Bush.
You probably know Glen Maxie since he had six very distinguished terms in the Texas House of Representatives. His list of many accomplishments include educating the public about HIV and AIDS and establishing care facilities for HIV-infected individuals. He also played a leading role in passing the Children's Health Insurance Program. Being the first openly gay member of the Texas Legislature was another milestone that is relevant to this story that happened after Mr. Maxie's victory for the children of Texas.
When most of us who went to Netroots Nation in Austin and met Glen Maxey for the first time he was enjoying a very active retirement. I had already witnessed his public speaking talents when he introduced Howard Dean for a keynote speech in the convention hall. As he told the story of organizing Texas Democrats back in 2004 he warmed up the audience by lacing his speech with a familiar saying "Empowered By Howard."
The setting was that fantastic party that Markos threw for everyone. It was a very blue section of Texas but I don't think blue ever looked so happy. Chocolate fountains, live music and Bill O'Reilly saying over and over "I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, Fuck!"
The setting counts because such a serious story being told in such a party atmosphere made it all the more shocking. The only comparison in mood changing conversations I can come up with would be that scene in "Jaws" when Clint follows Hooper's joke to tell the story of the S.S. Indianapolis. Only this was not a movie screen, Glen Maxey was very close to me. This was not a fictionalized memory of some ill fated sailors but the genuinely sad fate of an entire nation.
The only reminder I had that I was anywhere near Bush country was when Bill in Portland Maine came back from the Capital and told me the disturbing news that right next to the portrait of Ann Richards was another portrait of the man that Molly Ivins called "shrub."
When I approached this warm and wonderful man to congratulate him on the way he rallied everyone with his introduction of Howard Dean I must have said something about it being a shame that he was no longer pushing through progressive laws in Texas because he informed me that he was enjoying a state pension because of gerrymandering from the criminal Tom Delay. It figures.
We got to his success at covering the children of Texas and he told me a story about the day then Governor George W. Bush approached him. His way of demonstrating an encounter with Bush was to grab my two arms and get up real close. Could you imagine George W. Bush holding both of your arms and speaking to you with his lips four inches away from yours?
Bush wanted to say "Congratulations, you shoved it down our throats." Glen told me his response went right over Bush's head. "No governor I'm a very gentle man and I don't shove anything down anyone's throat." He told me that he had a little devil on on shoulder telling him to break up the close encounter by kissing Bush in front of all of those cameras but the angel on the other shoulder won out because such an act would have certainly caused a veto and 500,000 Texas children were far more important than embarrassing Bush. After his talk with the repulsive future prez Glen told a group of reporters what the governor said and asked them to sit on the information until after the veto deadline.
Glen was not done yet. Still holding me in the George W. Bush grip Glen told me about the conversion getting even weirder. Bush told Glen "What I say in public as governor about gays and lesbians does not pertain to you Glen because I like you." Ed in Montana witnessed this encounter and I heard Ed off on the side say "I'll bet he liked his gardener and housekeeper too." All I could say was "What sin did this nation commit to deserve that asshole."
Wow this probably doesn't seem as dramatic now that bush is gone except we have so many reminders of the damage caused by this man every day.
I took this picture of Glen Maxey either right before or right after he told me that story. Glen may just be the most hopeful and dedicated Democrat I've ever met. A wonderful man;
And here is Ed in Montana and myself. Ed in Montana is to the right of Eddie C but like I always say "Two Eds are always better than one."
And what party that was. A great party with some great people.
But there are too many Americans who forget the legacy of republicans too quickly.