The same geniuses in the Texas House of Representatives who gave us the
"no gay foster care" bill have moved on to another important issue:
SUGGESTIVE CHEERLEADER DANCING. The "debate" was complete with rock music and cheerleader props, as chronicled in the
lead story (yes, that's right, the headline) in today's Dallas Morning Snooze.
ERICH SCHLEGEL/DMN
The Snooze reports:
After one of the most surprising, emotional and nail-biting debates of this year's session, the House narrowly approved a bill that has brought national attention - and sometimes mockery - to Texas and the Legislature. It would allow the Texas Education Agency to set standards for sexually suggestive performances and direct state and local officials to respond to complaints about routines.
The bill's relieved author, Rep. Al Edwards, D-Houston, declared it a "monumental vote." He said the House had "broken some barriers ...I say to you, this is the beginning of an era to change what we've been seeing."
More below the jump:
Some selections from this massive 5000 word lead article:
Critics, though, called the legislation "sexist," "silly," "stupid," and "insulting," and after a two-hour vote, the House deadlocked in a 64-64 vote. When the vote was verified, several "no" voters had left the House floor, so the bill passed, 65-56. Supporters erupted in cheers, waving blue-and-white pompoms kept hidden until just the right moment...
"I have talked to so many parents who have to work closely with the coaches, and they say they're coming up short as far as how much influence they have. This is empowering to them," said Cathie Adams, executive director of the socially conservative Texas Eagle Forum...
Mr. Edwards, an ordained minister known for letting his moral compass guide his legislation, originally intended to allow for reduced funding for schools that allow suggestive routines. But that provision was removed after districts protested loudly...
The bill gives the education agency the authority to direct a school district to respond to complaints regarding "overly sexually suggestive" performances. If the district does not review or respond appropriately, the legislation says, the agency can take action...
Mr. Edwards - the lawmaker who helped turn Juneteenth into a holiday and who once proposed that prisons cut off the fingers of drug dealers - has appeared on CNN, BBC, and Fox News to discuss his bill, and has been lampooned by late-night comics all over the nation...
The debate began with light-hearted cheering and shaking pompoms. Someone blared Tom Jones' version of "You Sexy Thing" across the House floor...
...Rep. Senfronia Thompson, a fellow Houston Democrat: "It's an embarrassment and indictment of this body that this kind of garbage has reached the floor of this House."...
Rep. Rene Oliveira, D-Brownsville, said it created "thought police" ...
To my knowledge, no one has yet suggested any of the traditional Texas punishments such as dragging, lynching, electrocution, or firing squad. My suggestion would be to tattoo a "C" on their foreheads.