Or, the republican controlled Missouri General Assembly goes into session. You pick.

HB 42: first, they came for the black helicopters and I did not speak up (December 5, 2012)

[….]

From the Southern Poverty Law Center (March 14, 2012):

….In the world of far-right extremists, Agenda 21 is demonized as a sort of Trojan horse, part of a larger scheme to shatter Americans’ liberties and institute a totalitarian, one-world government known typically as the “New World Order.”

Of course, this bears no relation to the facts. Actually, the U.N. agreement is a rather benign, non-binding plan calling for governments to develop plans to meet current needs for natural resources without threatening the survival of future generations. It was adopted by 178 governments, including the U.S. under President George H.W. Bush, 20 years ago at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

But to the John Birch Society (JBS), one of the main groups promoting the conspiracy theory about Agenda 21, it represents the end of America as we know it. This is the same group, of course, that claimed President Dwight D. Eisenhower was a secret communist.

In a big win for this big lie, the Republican National Committee (RNC) in January passed a resolution condemning Agenda 21 and calling for policymakers to be made aware of its “destructive strategies for ‘sustainable development.'” The RNC voted to give copies of its resolution to all Republican members of Congress as well as to the party’s presidential and congressional candidates. It also recommended that the anti-Agenda 21 policy be adopted in the party platform at the 2012 convention….

The 2013 session looks like it’s going to be a clown show, consistently supplying new material for John Stewart and Stephen Colbert through May.

Tonight, via Twitter:

Jonathan Shorman ‏@jshormanNL

Rep. Frame reprimanded for wearing tin foil hat during Agenda 21 debate. #moleg 7:43 PM – 8 May 13

Rep. Stacey Newman ‏@staceynewman

Tonight. Not guns. Agenda 21. We’re debating the United Nations takeover of MO homes. Really. #MoLeg 7:47 PM – 8 May 13

House Communications ‏@MOHOUSECOMM

SB 265 (Private Property Rights) truly agreed to and finally passed by #MOHouse by a vote of 118-37. 7:56 PM – 8 May 13

Michael Lear ‏@Michael_Lear

There has been a remote control black helicopter sited on the floor, and the collective BAC of the House might be elevated. A little. 7:57 PM – 8 May 13

Collin Reischman ‏@Collin_MOTimes

Tinfoil hat on the floor while the #moleg debated Agenda 21 and Sharia Law earlier, just after black helicopter sighting #AllOfThisIsTrue 9:18 PM – 8 May 13

Why we can’t have nice things – part the infinity.

Previously:

SB 265: if you didn’t want the black helicopters to track you down… (February 6, 2013)

HB 42: Why do anything productive when you can cater to right wingnut paranoids instead? (April 9, 2013)

A video, via PROMO and Progress Missouri:

Attorney General Chris Koster (D): I’m Attorney General Chris Koster

Many Missourians are shocked to learn that an employer in our state can fire someone simply because of that person’s sexual orientation. I support the Missouri Non-discrimination Act to end this unfairness by extending the protections of our state’s Human Rights Act to all Missourians, regardless of sexual orientation.

Missourians should not have to fear being fired, evicted, or denied access to public service simply for being gay.

Currently the law prohibits discrimination based on race, national origin, ancestry, gender, age, or disability. The Missouri Non-discrimination Act would add a prohibition against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Many top corporations in our state have already adopted the non-discrimination policies, as well as cities and towns across Missouri. I added the same protection to the policy of the Attorney General’s office several years ago.

It’s time to change our state law and recognize this basic human right for all Missourians.

Definitely a sign that the 2016 bigot vote isn’t important to some people.

The act (in the House):

HB 615

Changes the laws regarding complaints filed with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights regarding discrimination based upon a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity

Sponsor: Webber, Stephen (046)

Co-Sponsor: Torpey, Noel (029) … et al.

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2013

LR Number: 0977L.01I

Last Action: 02/15/2013 – Read Second Time (H)

Bill String: HB 615

Next Hearing: Hearing not scheduled

Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

[….]

It can be kind of uncomfortable when a purely political game leaves you with egg all over your face. It’s more uncomfortable when almost everyone else calls you on it.

Speaker Tim Jones (r) presiding over the House on February 18, 2013.

Today, in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Editorial: Speaker must be held accountable for House hacking

….Last week, Mr. Jones – or one of his minions – used a state computer in the Missouri House in an attempt to hack into a secure state computer server under control of the Office of Administration. The OA handles much of the internal computer security for the executive branch of government.

OA records obtained in a Sunshine Law request show that the mystery hacker took 23 shots at cracking the OA security. The hacker used a user name and password that had been given to a federal law enforcement official as part of an investigation into potential disability fraud….

….Here’s the outrage: For more than a month now, Mr. Schaefer and Mr. Jones have been accusing law enforcement officials, from Mr. Schilb to the Missouri Highway Patrol to Gov. Jay Nixon, of violating state law, because under Missouri law, the CCW list is a closed record.

They have ignored the very clear exceptions in law for law enforcement to obtain the records as part of an investigation. Indeed, Mr. Nixon never broke the law, nor did the state patrol, nor did Mr. Schilb. Each of them was following the mandates in the state and federal Drivers Privacy Protection Act to share such information, including the Department of Revenue-controlled CCW list, as part of a state or federal investigation.

But in attempting to show that one of them broke the law (which, to repeat, they didn’t) Mr. Jones or his mystery hacker might have. In fact, he might have broken several laws….

[emphasis in original]

Ruh, roh!

The Post-Dispatch editorial points out a relevant state statute:

Missouri Revised Statutes

Chapter 569

Robbery, Arson, Burglary and Related Offenses

Section 569.095

Tampering with computer data, penalties.

569.095. 1. A person commits the crime of tampering with computer data if he knowingly and without authorization or without reasonable grounds to believe that he has such authorization:

(1) Modifies or destroys data or programs residing or existing internal to a computer, computer system, or computer network; or

(2) Modifies or destroys data or programs or supporting documentation residing or existing external to a computer, computer system, or computer network; or

(3) Discloses or takes data, programs, or supporting documentation, residing or existing internal or external to a computer, computer system, or computer network; or

(4) Discloses or takes a password, identifying code, personal identification number, or other confidential information about a computer system or network that is intended to or does control access to the computer system or network;

(5) Accesses a computer, a computer system, or a computer network, and intentionally examines information about another person;

(6) Receives, retains, uses, or discloses any data he knows or believes was obtained in violation of this subsection.

2. Tampering with computer data is a class A misdemeanor, unless the offense is committed for the purpose of devising or executing any scheme or artifice to defraud or to obtain any property, the value of which is five hundred dollars or more, in which case tampering with computer data is a class D felony.

Ruh, roh!

Then the realization that the Missouri General Assembly is still in session hits you.

Today, in Representative Denny Hoskins’ (r) weekly (generally) constituent e-mail:

[….]

Teacher Tenure

Earlier in the session I voted against HB 631, which would have taken control over teacher evaluations away from local school boards. On Thursday, April 25th a similar bill, SB 125, came before the Fiscal Review committee. As a member of that committee I was asked to vote on the bill, and I stayed with my previous position on the issue and voted “No.” Immediately following the vote I and Rep. Messenger, the other republican who voted “No” on the bill, were removed from the Fiscal Review committee by Speaker Tim Jones. I felt it was important to hold my ground on this issue and vote in the best interest of my constituents. I appreciate everyone who has contacted me with their support regarding SB 125.  I will continue to stand up for what I believe, even when it is difficult.

[….]

[emphasis and capitalization in original]

Nope, we didn’t edit a thing.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: pay the piper, call the tune (April 25, 2013)

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C010201 05/06/2013 SLAY FOR MAYOR McCormack Baron Salazar Inc 720 Olive Suite 2500 St Louis MO 63101 5/6/2013 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

Running for something? Or, it’s never to early to start raising cash for the next election.

Previously:

Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D): Immigration town hall in Kansas City – May 4, 2013 (May 5, 2013)

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D): Immigration town hall in Kansas City – May 4, 2013 (May 5, 2013)

Representative Luis V. Gutierrez (D) at Representative Emanuel Cleaver’s (D) immigration town hall

on the campus of MCC-Penn Valley in Kansas City on May 4, 2013.

Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D) sponsored an immigration town hall on the campus of MCC-Penn Valley yesterday evening. Representative Luis V. Gutierrez (D), who represents Illinois’ Fourth District in Chicago, spoke at length on immigration, the realities facing undocumented immigrants, and the prospects for immigration legislation in Congress.

The question and answer session after Representative Luis Gutierrez’s remarks:

“….And when I say courage, uh, what the point he was trying to make is, look, uh, we’re moving too slow. We’re moving too slow. And there’s no such thing as it takes time. The people who say it takes time are the people who’s rights are not in question….”

Previously:

Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D): Immigration town hall in Kansas City – May 4, 2013 (May 5, 2013)

Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D) at his congressional district immigration town hall

on the campus of MCC-Penn Valley in Kansas City on May 4, 2013.

Portions of Representative Emanuel Cleaver’s (D) remarks:

[….]

Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D): ….and let me also say that, uh, maybe it was fortuitous, or happenstance, but the chair of the, of the, uh, Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the, and the, the office of the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus would end up next to each other, uh, this, the, during the last session of Congress. And, uh, Charlie Gonzalez and, and I worked well together. And our commitment, and we started out together, was that we were gonna make sure that we had, uh, the CBC, uh, the CHC on the same page, uh, on, on as many issues as possible. We probably have about a ninety-eight percent [inaudible] together. Uh, we, uh, and, and every member of the Congressional Black Caucus, every member, forty-four, supports the Dream Act. And we intend to… [applause] Uh, and we work well together.

[….]

Uh, and, uh, long before this current rush, uh, by some to talk about, uh, the need for an immigration bill this man [Representative Luis Gutierrez] was leading this issue for this nation. He was out front long before it was fashionable for some people. [applause] And I can tell you, Congressional Black Caucus, uh, when, when these issues come up, the person we look to, uh, to say, yeah, this is, this is a, uh, an issue that, uh, we then, all of us ought to together on, uh, Luis Gutierrez is gonna be the guy who, who provides the [inaudible]. He’s already, he, first of all, you can’t come to the Congressional Black Caucus meeting.

[….]

Uh, uh, I mention that because we have had, uh,the congressman, here, with us, uh, at a Congressional Black Caucus and everyone, we respect him, we know that he is, uh, the, the person who has the courage, courage. And if I had a word for Luis, uh, it would be courage.

I was in the White House, uh, meeting with the President. And, uh, yes [inaudible][laughter]. I’m at the White House, meeting with the President. Valerie Jarret comes in and she says, uh, comes to him, Luis Gutierrez has just handcuffed himself to the White House fence. [laughter] And I was trying everything to keep from cracking up, but, uh, ’cause the President was not happy and [laughter], so I’m trying to do everything I can to, uh, keep a straight face. [laughter] Uh, but he did. He had. He did, he did indeed do that. And when I say courage, uh, what the point he was trying to make is, look, uh, we’re moving too slow. We’re moving too slow. And there’s no such thing as it takes time. The people who say it takes time are the people who’s rights are not in question. [voices: “Um, hmm.” “Right.”] And so, uh, in African American’s [inaudible] we heard that same thing, they’re moving too fast.

Uh, I’ll never forget Billy Graham saying, uh, you know, they, they’re moving too fast. And, my thought is, and this is a little dumb kid, was, well he doesn’t say that when he’s preaching. He doesn’t tell people, I, I want you to come to Jesus, but, take your time. [laughter]

And so, uh, this is an issue we need to deal with. Uh, the black and brown coalition is remaining together. We’re going to remain together and we’re gonna work together, we’re gonna get change together. Uh, it makes absolutely no sense, uh, for the two largest minority groups in this community to be divided. And we will not be. [applause]

[….]

Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D) sponsored an immigration town hall on the campus of MCC-Penn Valley yesterday evening. Representative Luis V. Gutierrez (D), who represents Illinois’ Fourth District in Chicago, spoke at length on immigration, the realities facing undocumented immigrants, and the prospects for immigration legislation in Congress.

Representative Luis V. Gutierrez (D) at Representative Emanuel Cleaver’s (D) immigration town hall

on the campus of MCC-Penn Valley in Kansas City on May 4, 2013.

Representative Gutierrez’s remarks:

Part 2:

Approximately two hundred fifty individuals attended the town hall.