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Tag Archives: General Assembly

It’s in their nature

30 Tuesday Mar 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

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Constitution, Crystal Quade, General Assembly, Medicaid expansion, missouri, right wingnuts

House Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade [2019 file photo].

Today:

Minority Leader Crystal Quade released the following statement on House Republicans’ decision to defund Medicaid and deny health care coverage for Missouri’s most vulnerable:

“By defunding Medicaid, House Republicans have chosen to torpedo Missouri’s economy and sow chaos in our health care system. They have chosen to refuse billions in federal funding to create of a tremendous number of jobs, revive struggling rural hospitals and make for a healthier state. They have chosen to inflict heavy collateral damage on Missouri and its people to keep fighting a partisan battle they already have lost.

“The debate over Medicaid expansion ended when voters locked it into the state constitution. The debate now is whether House Republicans respect the rule of law. Today they proved they do not.”

It’s in their nature.

Previously:

Aspirational, but not achievable during our lifetimes… (March 26, 2021)

Exactly this (March 27, 2021)

Aspirational, but not achievable during our lifetimes…

26 Friday Mar 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

bumper sticker, General Assembly, Medicaid obstruction, missouri, Missouri Constitution, right wingnut, Sara Walsh

Today – on a vehicle in west central Missouri:

“Treat People With Kindness”

Yesterday – from a member of the right wingnut majority in the Missouri General Assembly:

Sara Walsh [r], State Representative
Today, I voted NO on Medicaid expansion (HB 20). The bill failed 20 to 9. This is a MASSIVE expansion of welfare. HB 20 is a $1.8 BILLION dollar bill in Fiscal Year 2022 alone. We MUST make wise decisions today so we don’t leave a nightmare for future generations of Missourians once Federal funds dry up. It is not the will of the people to bankrupt the state, ultimately drastically increase taxes (once Federal funds dry up) or to put able-bodied adults at the front of the line ahead of individuals with disabilities, seniors and children. House Budget Chair Cody Smith plans on filing HB 21 tomorrow, which the House Budget Committee will take up the week after next. It will include some of the funding in HB 20 to help the most vulnerable Missourians.

A few of the comments:

So the will of the people of MO means nothing to you…got it! Why do Republicans hate democracy so much these days???

So, you and 19 other “representatives” voted against what the majority of Missourians wanted?
And…you think that you should be proud of that? You’re giving out misinformation to strike fear in the people who don’t actually understand how the funding works to garner support. It’s dishonest…but I’m not surprised.

Sara, you can pout and pander to your “all govt. is bad, down with all govt.” base all you want. Medicaid expansion is part of the MO constitution as of last August whether you vote to fund it or not. You are wasting everyone’s time and will eventually, no doubt, waste a courtroom’s time with this obstinance.

Your rationale is false and misleading, both about the finances and about the will of the people. The Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) and the Brown School of Public Health at WashU studied this extensively, and showed huge financial benefits in both the near term ($38 million saved in Year 1) and in the long term (up to $1 billion per year by Year 5).
Second, we the people already voted for Medicaid expansion in August 2020.
DO. YOUR. JOB.

Oh awesome. Voters say one thing but clearly you know better.

It’s amazing how thick headed your part is in this state. I guarantee you vote for the next TAX CUT proposed by your party but then complain about the cost of things?
You and your entire political party make me want to vomit.
“It is not the will of the people to bankrupt the state”
And yet just a little over a year ago the Missouri GOP (your people) wanted to give Boeing a TWO BILLION DOLLAR TAX BREAK to bring 191 jobs here that would have never in a million years made up for that loss of income. That’s MORE than the amount you have listed here and your party was completely fine with throwing that money away. Until the GOP of this state stop giving away money left and right to the rich like Rex Sinquefield you have no room to complain or whine about the cost of things which are LESS than the cost of things your party will pass without blinking an eye. That last quarter billion dollar tax break was paid for by jacking DMV fees happen to remember that giveaway?
If we are so broke we can’t take care of our own people there should never again be the word TAX CUT mentioned in the Missouri Senate. For any reason. EVER.

You are an idiot. You just turned down $1.5 billion in Federal money that could have ensured healthy lives for your constituents. The state loses a ton of tax revenue and increases their welfare expenses every time a person becomes disabled, and thousands of people each year become disabled because they don’t have access to preventative medicine or therapy. Expanding Medicare is a short-term expense that creates long-term benefits, like any other infrastructure investment.
Or do you not see human beings as valuable enough to invest in?
Don’t EVER try to call yourself “pro-life” after you voted this way.

Republicans have decided to go full fascist on us. We voted to clean up our elections. The next election the Republicans put forth a misleading bill to overthrow the will of the people. We voted for Medical Marijuana. Republicans opposed it, then when it passed they have slow walked it and used the process to reward their friends with licenses to grow, distribute, and sell at dispensaries. This is now under investigation. They lost an election and they tried to take over by violent insurrection. We voted to expand medicaid. Now Republicans are blocking us from getting it, once again. Maybe we should drop your pay to minimum wage rate and take away any benefits such as healthcare. You have no problem with others having no insurance or a living wage. What a useless, unqualified, piece of human waste. Typical Republican and a racist to boot. You actually said that voters in urban and suburban neighborhoods should not count. Now since you realize you can’t win a majority of votes in an election you are pursuing drastic voter suppression efforts here in Missouri and throughout the country in red states. I don’t consider you an American. You are anti American and a Fascist. I hope you like the cesspool you lay in.

Way to ignore the voters’ will. You are a disgrace. Crawl back to the backwoods.

Apparently, for Sara Walsh (r), the Missouri Constitution is aspirational, just not in our lifetimes.

IV Section 36(c). MO HealthNet expansion — eligibility — state plan amendments — maximization of federal participation — limitation on burdens or restrictions. — 1. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, beginning July 1, 2021, individuals nineteen years of age or older and under sixty-five years of age who qualify for MO HealthNet services under 42 U.S.C. Section 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) and as set forth in 42 C.F.R. 435.119, and who have income at or below one hundred thirty-three percent of the federal poverty level plus five percent of the applicable family size as determined under 42 U.S.C. Section 1396a(e)(14) and as set forth in 42 C.F.R. 435.603, shall be eligible for medical assistance under MO HealthNet and shall receive coverage for the health benefits service package.

  2. For purposes of this section “health benefits service package” shall mean benefits covered by the MO HealthNet program as determined by the department of social services to meet the benchmark or benchmark-equivalent coverage requirement under 42 U.S.C. Section 1396a(k)(1) and any implementing regulations.

  3. No later than March 1, 2021, the Department of Social Services and the MO HealthNet Division shall submit all state plan amendments necessary to implement this section to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

  4. The Department of Social Services and the MO HealthNet Division shall take all actions necessary to maximize federal financial participation in funding medical assistance pursuant to this section.

  5. No greater or additional burdens or restrictions on eligibility or enrollment standards, methodologies, or practices shall be imposed on persons eligible for MO HealthNet services pursuant to this section than on any other population eligible for medical assistance.

  6. All references to federal or state statutes, regulations or rules in this section shall be to the version of those statutes, regulations or rules that existed on January 1, 2019.

(Adopted August 4, 2020)

Sara Walsh (r) [2018 file photo].

How inconvenient.

Does that make other parts of the Missouri Constitution optional, too? Just asking.

HJR 60: Killing the non-partisan Missouri Court Plan

10 Wednesday Mar 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House

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General Assembly, HJR 60, Justin Hill, Missouri Court Plan, right wingnuts

Leave it to the right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly to dismantle (that’s charitable) the one premiere good government policy in Missouri which is a model for the nation.

It’s always been a right wingnut goal to kill the Missouri Court Plan, a public good in the form of an independent judiciary.

HJR 60
Modifies provisions relating to the Nonpartisan Judicial Commissions
Sponsor: Hill, Justin (108)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2021
LR Number: 2537H.02I
Last Action: 03/09/2021 – Public Hearing Completed (H)
Bill String: HJR 60
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

The bill summary [pdf]:

HJR 60 — JUDGES
SPONSOR: Hill

This resolution specifies that judges of the Missouri Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals will be selected for terms of 16 years and will be limited to serving one term. The resolution also prohibits judges from directly or indirectly accepting any gift of any tangible or intangible item, service, or thing of value from any paid lobbyist or lobbyist principal. This resolution does not prohibit judges from accepting campaign contributions or from receiving gifts, family support, or anything of value from those related to the judges within the 4th degree of consanguinity or affinity. The resolution also provides that when there is a vacancy in the office of judge of the Missouri Supreme Court or Court of Appeals, the Governor’s appointment will require the advice and consent of the Senate.

Currently, “The Appellate Judicial Commission”, the nonpartisan judicial commission that nominates candidates for appointment by the Governor to the circuit court or associate circuit court, includes, among others, an attorney elected by the members of the Missouri Bar and a non-attorney citizen appointed by the Governor. This resolution modifies the provision to specify that, instead, the Speaker of the House of Representatives will select two members, one attorney in good standing and one non-attorney citizen, both of whom reside in the jurisdiction of the Western District Court of Appeals. The President Pro Tem of the Senate will select two members, one attorney in good standing and one non-attorney citizen, both of whom reside in the jurisdiction of the Eastern District Court of Appeals. The Governor will select two members, one attorney in good standing and one non-attorney citizen, both of whom reside in the jurisdiction of the Southern District Court of Appeals.

Currently, the “Circuit Judicial Commission” for each circuit includes five members, two of whom are attorneys elected by members of the Missouri Bar and two of whom are non-attorney citizens who reside in the circuit and who are appointed by the Governor. This resolution modifies the provision to specify that, instead, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tem of the Senate will each select one member who is an attorney in good standing and who resides in the judicial circuit, and the Governor will appoint two non-attorney citizens who reside in the judicial circuit.

The provisions of this resolution are meant to amend the Missouri Constitution and shall take effect if approved by a majority of eligible voters in the state

Changes to the Missouri Court Plan in the bill text [pdf]

“…Whenever a vacancy shall occur in the office of judge of the supreme court or the court of appeals, the governor’s appointment shall require the advice and consent of the senate…”

This is not currently the case. If you like the political circus which now takes place in the U.S. Senate you’re just going to love this in Missouri if it comes to pass.

This current component of the Missouri Court Plan: “…The members of the bar of this state residing in each court of appeals district shall elect one of their number to serve as a member of said commission, and the governor shall appoint one citizen, not a member of the bar, from among the residents of each court of appeals district, to serve as a member of said commission…”

Is replaced in HJR 60 by this blatant political process, with an awkward and artificially divided geographic distribution: “…The speaker of the house of representatives shall select two members, one of whom is an attorney in good standing and one of whom is a non attorney citizen, both of whom reside within the jurisdiction of the western district court of appeals; the president pro tempore of the senate shall select two members, one of whom is an attorney in good standing and one of whom is a non attorney citizen, both of whom reside within the jurisdiction of the eastern district court of appeals; and the governor shall select two members, one of whom is an attorney in good standing and one of whom is a non attorney citizen, both of whom reside within the jurisdiction of the southern district court of appeals…”

If that ain’t an invitation to partisan abuse, nothing is.

The second rule of public policy: “If the “solution” to a non-problem is that convoluted then something is up, and it’s not good.”

Also, this current component of the Missouri Court Plan: “…The members of the bar of this state residing in the judicial circuit of such commission shall elect two of their number to serve as members of said commission, and the governor shall appoint two citizens, not members of the bar, from among the residents of said judicial circuit to serve as members of said commission…”

Is replaced in HJR 60, again, by a blatant partisan political process: “…The speaker of the house of representatives and the president pro tempore of the senate shall each select one member who is an attorney in good standing who resides in such judicial circuit; and the governor shall appoint two non attorney citizens who reside in such judicial circuit as members of such commission…”

Oh, no, that would never be partisan, right? Especially in Missouri.

The first rule of public policy: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

This is not a new goal of right wingnuts in Missouri. It’s been on their wish list for decades. And we’ve covered this assault in the past.

Previously:

The Missouri Plan: In Plain English (October 31, 2007)

The irony impaired opponent of the “Missouri Court Plan” (January 31, 2008)

Attack on the Non-Partisan Court Plan (March 9, 2008)

The Missouri Court Plan (May 11, 2009)

The irony impaired opponent of the “Missouri Court Plan” – part 2 (May 13, 2009)

SB 532: piling on

24 Wednesday Feb 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Senate

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

General Assembly, HB 1200, Holly Rehder, Rush Limbaugh, SB 532

“Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.” – Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (1689 – 1755)

We now know with certainty what qualifies for republican sainthood in Missouri.

Holly Rehder (r) [2013 file photo].

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 532 [pdf]
101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR REHDER.
2586S.01I ADRIANE D. CROUSE, Secretary

AN ACT

To amend chapter 9, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to Rush Limbaugh day.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:

Section A. Chapter 9, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 9.319, to read as follows:

9.319. January twelfth each year is hereby designated as “Rush Limbaugh Day” in Missouri. Citizens of this state are encouraged to celebrate the day by participating in appropriate events and activities to remember the life of the famous Missourian and groundbreaking radio host.

“…Citizens of this state are encouraged to celebrate the day by participating in appropriate events and activities…”

Any bets on what some people will consider “appropriate events and activities”? Heh.

Previously:

Gaslighting as a way of life (February 17, 2021)

An Icon of what? (February 18, 2021)

HB 1200: to celebrate the reality of Missouri (February 19, 2021)

Not well

01 Monday Feb 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House

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140th Legislative District, General Assembly, indictment, missouri, Patricia Derges, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri

Not well at all.

Today from the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri:

Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Western District of Missouri
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, February 1, 2021

State Lawmaker Indicted for Stem Cell Fraud Scheme, Illegally Distributing Prescription Drugs
[….]
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An elected Missouri state representative has been indicted by a federal grand jury for a fraud scheme in which she made false claims about a supposed stem cell treatment marketed through her clinics in southern Missouri, and for illegally providing prescription drugs to clients of those clinics.

“This defendant abused her privileged position to enrich herself through deception,” said U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison. “The indictment alleges she lied to her patients and she lied to federal agents. As an elected official and a health care provider, she deserves to be held to a high standard. This grand jury indictment exposes her deception and holds her accountable for her actions.”

Patricia “Tricia” Ashton Derges, 63, of Nixa, Missouri, was charged in a 20-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo. The indictment was unsealed and made public today following Derges’s self-surrender and initial court appearance.

This investigation began as a result of false or misleading statements made by Derges in April 2020 to a Springfield television station regarding her potential use of stem cells to treat COVID-19. Derges was elected in November 2020 as a Missouri state representative in District 140 (Christian County). Derges, who is not a physician but is licensed as an assistant physician, operates three Ozark Valley Medical Clinic locations in Springfield, Ozark, and Branson, Mo.

“We place our hope and our trust in health care providers and government officials,” said Timothy Langan, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Kansas City. “The defendant’s actions are not only a betrayal of that trust, but her actions erode the very core of our confidence in a system we rely on. Derges vowed to do no harm as a health care professional and was elected to serve the people, not deceive them. She used her position for personal gain and damaged the public’s trust.”

“Medical professionals who knowingly abuse their power by prescribing medications, without ensuring they are for legitimate medical purposes, take advantage of the public’s trust,” said Inez Davis, St. Louis Division Diversion Program Manager for the Drug Enforcement Administration. “With the support of our enforcement partners, DEA will investigate to the maximum extent of our ability to ensure these individuals are prevented from risking lives within our communities.”

“Ms. Derges knowingly provided false information and made false claims about the medical treatment she was providing, and these falsehoods may have significant consequences for the patients she served,” said Curt L. Muller, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “We will continue to hold accountable individuals who abuse their positions of power to prey on unsuspecting individuals.”

Wire Fraud Scheme

The federal indictment charges Derges with eight counts of wire fraud related to five specific victims (identified by their initials).These five victims were among those who lost a total of nearly $200,000 in the fraud scheme, which lasted from December 2018 to May 2020.

During this time, Derges exclusively obtained amniotic fluid, which she marketed under the name Regenerative Biologics, from the University of Utah. Derges advertised Ozark Valley Medical Clinic as a “Leader in … Regenerative Medicine,” including stem cells, and marketed her “stem cell” practice through seminars, media interviews, and social media. The federal indictment cites an August 2019 seminar in which Derges told her audience that the amniotic fluid she used in her stem cell practice was a “stem cell shot” and that it contained “mesenchymal stem cells.” According to the indictment, Derges made similar claims in personal consultations.

In fact, however, the amniotic fluid Derges administered to her patients did not contain mesenchymal stem cells, or any other stem cells. The amniotic fluid she obtained from the University of Utah was a sterile filtered amniotic fluid allograft (a tissue graft comprised of human amniotic membrane and amniotic fluid components derived from placental tissue). The amniotic fluid allograft was “acellular,” meaning it did not contain any cells, including stem cells.

Despite being told that the University of Utah’s amniotic fluid allograft was “acellular” and did not contain mesenchymal stem cells, Derges allegedly continued to tell her patients and the public that the amniotic fluid allograft contained stem cells.

Derges administered amniotic fluid, which she falsely claimed contained stem cells, to patients who suffered from, among other things, tissue damage, kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Lyme disease, erectile dysfunction, and urinary incontinence. In an April 11, 2020, Facebook post Derges wrote of amniotic fluid allograft: “This amazing treatment stands to provide a potential cure for COVID-19 patients that is safe and natural.”

The University of Utah sold its amniotic fluid allograft to Derges for approximately $244 per milliliter and $438 for two milliliters. Derges charged her patients $950 to $1,450 per milliliter. In total, Derges’s patients paid her approximately $191,815 for amniotic fluid that did not contain stem cells.

The Controlled Substances Act

The federal indictment charges Derges with 10 counts of distributing Oxycodone and Adderall over the internet without valid prescriptions.

The indictment alleges that Derges, without conducting in-person medical evaluations of the patients, wrote electronic prescriptions for Oxycodone and Adderall for patients and transmitted them to pharmacies over the internet.

Because none of the assistant physicians whom Derges employed at Ozark Valley Medical Clinic could prescribe Schedule II controlled substances, the indictment says, it was the standard practice of the assistant physicians to see a patient and later communicate to Derges the controlled substances they wanted her to prescribe to their patients. Derges, allegedly without conducting an in-person medical evaluation of the patients, wrote electronic prescriptions for the patients and transmitted the prescriptions over the internet to pharmacies.

False Statements

The federal indictment charges Derges with two counts of making false statements to federal agents investigating this case in May 2020.

Derges allegedly told agents that the amniotic fluid allograft that she used in her practice contained mesenchymal stem cells, which she knew was false. Derges also allegedly told federal agents that she had not treated a patient for urinary incontinence with amniotic fluid allograft, which she knew was false.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Assistant Physician

Derges is not a physician but is licensed as an assistant physician. An assistant physician is a mid-level medical professional in the state of Missouri. Under Missouri law, medical school graduates who have not been accepted into a residency program but have passed Step 1 and Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination may apply to become an assistant physician. State law mandates that assistant physicians practice pursuant to a collaborative practice arrangement with a licensed physician.

Derges obtained her medical degree from the Caribbean Medical University of Curacao in May 2014 but was not accepted into a post-graduate residency program. Derges was licensed as an assistant physician by the state of Missouri on Sept. 8, 2017.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Kempf. It was investigated by the FBI, Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, and the DEA. [….]

In the Missouri House:

Representative Tricia Derges, a Republican, represents Christian County (District 140) in the Missouri House of Representatives. She was elected to her first two-year term in November 2020.

In addition to her legislative duties, Derges is a medical doctor and entrepreneur. [….]

In 2017, she was awarded the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award in Washington, D.C. – the Nobel Peace Prize for community service. [….]

Wait, you were trying to cancel the true results of an election

14 Thursday Jan 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House, social media

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

108th Legislative District, Capitol breach, cult of the victim, electoral college, General Assembly, Insurrection, Justin Hill, missouri, right wingnut, sedition, social media, The Lincoln Project, Twitter

81,283,485 votes.

Justin Hill (r), a member of the right wingnut cult of the victim:

The Lincoln Project
@ProjectLincoln
Sucks to be an insurrectionist.
[….]
4:21 PM · Jan 14, 2021

Some of the comments:

You just knew Missouri state rep Justin Hill would finally get the praise he deserves.

Calling it ‘cancel culture’ when good people refuse to stand silently by while you work to destroy the country allows you to pretend that you didn’t wreck your own life.

Your life is still wrecked, though.

They are always the victims. Always. An entire political movement built partially on a refusal to take personal responsibility for anything, to feel constantly ignored, put upon, persecuted. They are addicted to feeling like victims.

What he is referring to as ‘cancel culture’ is more accurately ‘consequences culture.’ In other words, your actions, who you support, and what you say have consequences, and sometimes they may not be to your liking. This is also called “adult culture.”

What happened to personal responsibility?

Bhahahahaha
Snowflake!

Cancel Culture is the GOP wanting to cancel the election and disenfranchise millions of voters.

Why should this be surprising to this guy? I wouldn’t knowingly do business with a Nazi, a KKK member, etc. You either believe in markets & capitalism or you don’t. The market is solving the problem. Now let’s hope this post goes viral and he loses even more business.

We feel for you, snowflake.

“Cancel culture” is a funny way of spelling “consequences of actions.”

I’m not understanding the correlation. How is firing your insurance agent for insurrection “cancel culture”?

You take the ride, you pay the price.

It’s almost as if siding with insurrectionists to overthrow the legitimate government of the United States makes you unpopular or something. That’s so unfair.

I’m old enough to remember when people like that used to complain that the problem with society today is that young people today are growing up without rules and consequences.

He literally took part in trying to cancel the votes of 81,283,485 people, 51.4% of votes cast.

Who would want to do business with an American traitor?

Cancel culture? Maybe simply principled customers with freedom to choose where they spend their money.

It’s not cancel culture. It’s called accountability.

There are consequences to be seditionist. You’ll just have to live with them.

You made your choice, buddy.

One of my favorite sayings:
“You can have anything you want in life, as long as you’re willing to pay the price.”

Hope you enjoyed your trip to DC.

And on and on.

HCR 10 and HCR 11

12 Tuesday Jan 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in Josh Hawley, Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House

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Capitol breach, General Assembly, HCR 10, HCR 11, Josh Hawley, Mark Ellebracht, missouri, Peter Merideth, right wingnut, sedition

Today in the Missouri House of Representatives:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
House Concurrent Resolution No. 10 [pdf]
101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MERIDETH.
1790H.01I DANA RADEMAN MILLER, Chief Clerk

WHEREAS, on January 6, 2021, violent insurrectionists incited by President Donald J. Trump did storm and briefly occupy the United States Capitol in a lawless attempt to block Congress from formalizing President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory and illegally keep President Trump in office; and

WHEREAS, United States Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri was a leader of the effort to overturn the Electoral College results of several states won by President-elect Biden; and

WHEREAS, in that role Senator Hawley did repeat and amplify false claims of fraud in those states that have been rejected by more than 60 state and federal courts across the nation due o the complete lack of any evidence; and

WHEREAS, Senator Hawley’s efforts to disenfranchise millions of voters and overturn a lawful and legitimate election demonstrates an animosity toward democracy and the American system of government; and

WHEREAS, in a sickening display of political self-interest Senator Hawley issued a campaign fundraising appeal as the insurrectionist mob was making its way to the Capitol; and

WHEREAS, as the attack on the Capitol was getting underway, Senator Hawley was photographed showing support for the insurrectionists; and

WHEREAS, Senator Hawley’s actions in promoting demonstrable lies did further incite and inflame the insurrectionists; and

WHEREAS, after the insurrection had been quelled, Senator Hawley did continue repeating the lies about election fraud and resumed his efforts to overturn the lawful and legitimate election results; and

WHEREAS, five people died as a result of the Capitol insurrection, including U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick; and

WHEREAS, more than 50 police officers sustained injuries during the insurrection; and

WHEREAS, Senator Hawley has expressed more remorse over the loss of his book deal than he has over those deaths and injuries or the actions he took that helped create the conditions that made them possible; and

WHEREAS, Senator Hawley, upon being being sworn into office in 2019, did take a solemn oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic;” and

WHEREAS, Senator Hawley has violated that oath; and

WHEREAS, since the events of January 6, Senator Hawley has faced widespread condemnation throughout Missouri and the country for his role in encouraging the worst assault on the U.S. Capitol since the War of 1812; and

WHEREAS, it is the duty of all elected officials and citizens to strongly reject sedition and insurrection:

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the House of Representatives of the One Hundred First General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby urge Senator Josh Hawley to immediately resign from the United States Senate for inciting sedition and violent insurrection against the government and people of the United States in violation of his oath of office; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for Senator Hawley.

The seditionist:

Josh Hawley (r) [2016 file photo].

And:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
House Concurrent Resolution No. 11 [pdf]
101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ELLEBRACHT.
1778H.02I DANA RADEMAN MILLER, Chief Clerk

WHEREAS, the members of the House of Representatives of the State of Missouri together with the members of the Senate of the State of Missouri roundly condemn violent and destructive demonstration of all kinds; and

WHEREAS, the violent acts and crimes of property destruction that occurred in cities across the United States over the past year have been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law that local and state law enforcement agencies have had the power to pursue; and

WHEREAS, the state of Missouri and its residents universally believe that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere; and

WHEREAS, the members of the One Hundred First General Assembly were collectively horrified by the disgraceful and craven acts of certain individuals who, on January 6, 2021, violently and seditiously invaded the Capitol of the United States of America in an effort to disrupt and possibly altogether prevent the certification of the count of the Electoral College votes, and in so doing committed various and sundry criminal acts; and

WHEREAS, the criminal acts engaged in by those individuals resulted in shame and embarrassment of the people of Missouri, as yet uncalculated property damage, and, most tragically, the loss of five human lives:

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the House of Representatives of the One Hundred First General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby strongly and most emphatically request that the President of the

United States refrain from pardoning, providing amnesty, commuting sentences, or offering any other relief or excuse from liability for any of the criminal acts that occurred on the Capitol grounds and inside the Capitol building on January 6, 2021, and that those individuals be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law that federal law enforcement agencies have the power
to pursue; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for distribution to the Office of the President of the United States of America, the Office of the Attorney General of the United States of America, the Office of the Pardon Attorney for the United States Department of Justice, and the members of Missouri’s congressional delegation.

Our times.

Previously:

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) – town hall in Warrensburg – Press Q and A – August 17, 2017 (August 17, 2017)

What passes for a flatbed truck at “…Yale, I think, or Harvard, one of those, one of those fancy ones…” (August 16, 2018)

Josh Hawley (r): throwing shit against the wall to see if anything sticks (December 30, 2020)

Josh Hawley (r): ladders and rakes (December 30, 2020)

Ladder Climbing 101: by the book (December 31, 2020)

Burning bridges (December 31, 2020)

Sedition, sedition…sedition (January 2, 2021)

What it is, is sedition… (January 3, 2021)

If you can’t stand the heat, trample people on your way to a live mic (January 3, 2021)

Nothing much going on. Why do you ask? (January 3, 2021)

The third Senator from Virginia (January 5, 2021)

Fascist pig (January 6, 2021)

What hath Josh Hawley (r) wrought? (January 6, 2021)

Josh Hawley (r): Dumbass (January 7, 2021)

Sedition is bad for business (January 11, 2021)

Save it, print it, frame it, nail it to the schoolhouse door

29 Tuesday Dec 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House, social media

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

1st Legislative District, Corona virus, COVID-19, education, General Assembly, Jess Piper, pandemic, social media, teachers, Twitter

This morning:

Jess Piper @EnglishTeach07
Here’s what I know after years in public education: teachers will be blamed for any perceived lack of learning during this pandemic. It’ll be “unions” or “lazy teachers” or “low standards”.

It won’t make any sense, but it never does.
8:23 AM · Dec 29, 2020

Exactly this.

Previously:

Jess Piper (D) in the 1st Legislative District – the time is now (November 22, 2020)

HR 2: Getting there in a hurry blues

15 Tuesday Dec 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Donald Trump, election, General Assembly, HR 2, Joe Biden, Justin Hill, missouri, right wingnuts

Yesterday’s embarassment:

HR 2
Confirms the Missouri House’s lack of faith in the 2020 election results
Sponsor: Hill, Justin (108)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2020
LR Number: 1241H.04C
Last Action: 12/15/2020 – Referred: Rules – Legislative Oversight(H)
Bill String: HCS HR 2
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

Date Jrn Pg Activity Description
12/10/2020 H 91 Offered (H)
12/10/2020 H 91 Referred: Special Committee on Government Oversight(H)
12/14/2020 Public Hearing Completed (H)
12/14/2020 Executive Session Completed (H)
12/14/2020 HCS Voted Do Pass (H)
12/15/2020 HCS Reported Do Pass (H) – AYES: 6 NOES: 3 PRESENT: 0
12/15/2020 Referred: Rules – Legislative Oversight(H)

They actually held a hearing yesterday, with Rudy Giuliani on ZOOM, and six of them voted for this.

A transcript of a portion of the hearing:

[….]
[Representative] Peter [Mereidith (D)]: To inquire

Ross: Proceed

Peter [Mereidith (D)] : Thank you. I’m not sure where to look because I’m not sure where you are seeing us.

You mentioned that this hasn’t really played out in court, but 59 judgess across the country have now rejected your claims challenging this election. You did say that you don’t think any of them have ruled on the merits. I want to point to a Pennsylvania judge that said “Free, fair elections are the lifeblood of our democracy. Charges of unfairness are serious. But calling an election unfair does not make it so. Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here.” Now that was 3rd circuit judge, Stephanos Bibas, who was appointed by Donald Trump and wrote for an unanimous panel of three judges all appointed by Republican presidents.

Meanwhile, you’ve railed on GA and fraud there, who of course has a Republican legislature and a Republican SOS. The SOS certified the results and has emphatically said that all of these claims that you’re making are completely bogus and has even said that he’s been pressured by republicans like you to find excuses to invalidate valid ballots.

Now, GA also filed a court filing that said “This election cycle, GA did what the constitution empowered it to do. It implemented processes for the election, it administered the election in the face of logistical challenges brought on by COVID and confirmed and certified the election results. Again and again and again.”

Even William Barr said the Justice Department “has uncovered no voter fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome on the election.” He said, ”There’s been one assertion that would have been systemic fraud and that would be the claim that machines were programmed essentially to skew the election results.” (I think we’ve heard a little about that today.) “And the DHS and the DOJ have looked into that and have not seen anything to substantiate that.”

Now, we’re talking about 6 Secretaries of State in these states, 2 of them are republicans, have all certified the results. And 6 legislatures, 5 of them GOP controlled, have all gone ahead and appointed their electors. But you want us to ask congress to overturn all those states with even William Barr agreeing that no evidence of fraud, despite thorough investigation, exists.
So my question is, All are these republicans lying? Are they complicit? Are they incompetent?

Rudy [Giuliani (r)]: Instead of getting so upset and angry, what I’d ask you to do is to calm down. And to just take a look at the video tape from Fulton County on November the…

Peter [Mereidith (D)]: Now respectfully Mr. Mayor, I won’t be calm with people trying to overthrow the results of an election and seeking to ignore the votes of 6 states of Americans.

Ross in background: Gentleman, you’re time has expired.

Rudy [Giuliani (r)]: speaking unclearly in background

Peter [Mereidith (D)]: So I think that we’re right to be upset by this action here today and about your spreading of misinformation and lies that are inflaming things across our country at a time when we need to move on and accept the results of an election. Thank you.

Ross: Representative Merideth your time has expired.

Rudy [Giuliani (r)]: Obviously, you have no interest in truth. All you have in interest in is lecturing me –

Peter [Mereidith (D)](over Rudy): I have no interest in more and more lies from you.

Rudy [Giuliani (r)]: Cutting me off in the middle of my answer –

Peter [Mereidith (D)]: I am tired of your lies. America is tired of your lies.

Ross: Representative Merideth your time has expired!

Peter [Mereidith (D)]: And they are dangerous, sir. They are dangerous.

Rudy [Giuliani (r)]: and you are very dangerous because you are covering up massive voter fraud..

Ross: Ok, further questions.

Peter [Mereidith (D)]: Yea, me and the Republican legislatures and Republican SOS, we all came together on this didn’t we?
Gavel banging

Ross: Representative Merideth, that’s enough. Further questions?

Rudy [Giuliani (r)]: Why don’t you try to calm down….and act like a gentleman if that’s at all possible.
[….]

Comity is never an antidote to Fascism.

Decision matrix.

Previously:

Right wingnuts throw shit against the wall to see if it sticks (December 10, 2020)

“No, no, not yet. Not until me and Harvey get the rules straightened out.” “Rules? In a knife fight? No rules!” (December 14, 2020)

“No, no, not yet. Not until me and Harvey get the rules straightened out.” “Rules? In a knife fight? No rules!”

14 Monday Dec 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

General Assembly, HR 2, missouri, Rudy Giuliani, social media, testimony, Twuitter, ZOOM

See also: Clown Show

This evening the right wingnut controlled Missouri House held a hearing on the presidential election in other states.

Their star wtness:

Right wingnut Rudy Giuliani (r) testifying remotely via ZOOM in a Missouri House hearing – December 14, 2020

Wait, what?

Kip Kendrick @Kip_Kendrick
Replying to @SarahUnsicker
I’m searching the House Rules where I guess it states that you must be an East Coast Elitist in order to testify.
6:15 PM · Dec 14, 2020

Rep. Peter Merideth @PeterforMO
Over and over again, Giuliani referring to tapes that have already been completely vetted and debunked by officials in those states on both sides of the aisle. Referring to anecdotes of fraud that have been proven made up. Lie after lie.
6:34 PM · Dec 14, 2020

Missouri House Democratic Caucus @MOLegDems
Rep. @PeterforMO to Rudy Giuliani: “I am tired of your lies.” #moleg
6:21 PM · Dec 14, 2020

In Missouri, December 14, 2020. Go figure.

Previously:

Right wingnuts throw shit against the wall to see if it sticks (December 10, 2020)

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