Texas HB2 - Opposed

An Open Letter to the Texas House of Representative's State Affairs Committee

As narrow-minded, religiously controlled politicians (mostly Republican) continue to violate the very basis of freedom, many have gathered to show opposition to extremely limiting bills that will force the closure of access for many women in rural areas of Texas.  Media may portray this as an abortion rights issue, but the fact is that this IS a human rights issue, a Women's rights issue, and a Religious issue!  The authors of HB2 are women, which is amazing considering the heavy price women have paid to achieve equal standing and the right to choice, irregardless of religious convictions.

Not being able to be present at the committee hearing today at the Texas State Capital in Austin, I did compose my response and emailed it to every committee member, although experience has shown that few politicians actually consider the views of the people and show a total disregard for the communications sent to them, well, unless such is joined with a large campaign contribution.

Here is my response to the House Bill 2 - HB2

Authors: Laubenberg | Burkett | Harper-Brown | Greg Bonnen
Coauthors: Frullo | Rick Miller | Simmons | White

May I begin by stating that as a man, a registered Republican, and as a former Southern Baptist preacher that I, by pure logical reason, have to call into question the motives and reasoning of the current legislation being presented as HB2. 

Over the last many years, elected officials, such as the authors of this bill, have completely disregarded the desires and direction of the people they represent, calling into question whether they are capable and reliable to effectively represent.  The State Affairs Committee hearing regarding this potentially damaging legislation is being held today, and as I cannot be present in person, I am writing this via email to show due cause for the cessation of this bill and to request that you personally ensure that this bill isn't allowed to continue. 

If this bill was truly in the interest of the public, then it would be widely supported by the voters of Texas, which it isn't based upon a recent poll by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research - "A majority of Texans oppose the legislation currently being considered by the legislature that imposes restrictions on abortion and 80 percent do not want abortion to be raised during the special session of the legislature called at the end of May by Governor Rick Perry." 

The bill states, "the state has a compelling state interest" which is not the case, as the state has no interest in governing the rights already obtained by women - the right to choice, which was established via Roe vs. Wade. 

"does not impose an undue burden or a substantial obstacle..."  This bill does in fact cause undue burden and substantial obstacles by forcing the closure of many rural facilities that allow lower income and those that are challenged by location/transportation easy access. 

"is located not further than 30 miles from the location..."  Such a limitation is cause enough for cessation, as most rural towns do not have hospitals and furthermore, most even lack more than a general physician. 

Further from the point of the mere act of Governor Perry calling an expensive Special Session, "Eight in ten voters agree that the special session should be focused on issues like "education, jobs, and economy instead of bringing up social issues like abortion; 71 percent think that the Governor and the legislature should spend less time passing laws restricting abortion." 

Responsible government doesn't seek to limit the rights of its people, it does provide for the freedom and liberties and ensures such.  The Texas House of Representatives is dangerously allowing the future of the failure of a democracy.  Adolf Hitler once commented, "The National Government will regard it as its first and foremost duty to revive in the nation the spirit of unity and cooperation. It will preserve and defend those basic principles on which our nation has been built. It regards Christianity as the foundation of our national morality, and the family as the basis of national life."  History has clearly shown the downfalls of government attempting to legislate moral issues and to elevate a particular religious view over others.  Will your participation in this bill be marked throughout history as the very stepping stone that allowed the demise of democracy and the very freedoms it is built upon?

Finally, in the words of Thomas Jefferson, "Nothing can be more exactly and seriously true than what is there [the very words only of Jesus] stated; that but a short time elapsed after the death of the great reformer of the Jewish religion, before his principles were departed from by those who professed to be his special servants, and perverted into an engine for enslaving mankind, and aggrandising their oppressors in Church and State; that the purest system of morals ever before preached to man, has been adulterated and sophisticated by artificial constructions, into a mere contrivance to filch wealth and power to themselves; that rational men not being able to swallow their impious heresies, in order to force them down their throats, they raise the hue and cry of infidelity, while themselves are the greatest obstacles to the advancement of the real doctrines of Jesus, and do in fact constitute the real Anti-Christ." 

Our country was founded on freedom from religious persecution, and this bill is itself a form of religious persecution, as it raises into law one religions ideals of morality and ignores the very fact of allowing individual choice, freedom, and rights.  Therefore, I encourage you to not allow yourselves to be entangled by such and to instead show support for such as is right, fair, and just by not allowing this bill to continue on any level or derivation. 

Signed:  Sebastian Barrett St.Troy

Yes, I do Stand with Texas Women and fully support their rights, shouldn't you?  Yes, I'm a proud Texan, an active Voter, and I am very ashamed of Governor Rick Perry (who should address his own 'sins' of not being forthright and honest about his sexual orientation) and the politicians supporting this legislation, especially considering the fact that Perry's Special Session is costing Texas taxpayers millions, which should be spent on education, improved infrastructure, and public transportation!

Time's Person of the Year - The Protester! When governments fear the people!

“Protest beyond the law

is not a departure from democracy;

it is absolutely essential to it. ” 

Howard Zinn

As the new year of 2012 approaches, it is being welcomed by a new resurgence of Civil Disobedience and Civil Unrest as people around the globe have grown tired of tyranny, corrupt governments, restrictive laws, and of being challenged for equal rights.  The Mayans, many cultures and doomsday prophecies have indicated that the year 2012 will mark the end of things as we know it.  Perhaps they were right, but not in the "end of the world" viewpoint (which it might be), but rather through the unrest of the people who will stand up and cause governments to topple, liberties to be regained, and to demand equal rights no matter who they are or what their religious beliefs may be.

Time's Person of the Year - The Protester!

"When governments fear the people, there is liberty.

When the people fear the government, there is tyranny."

Stand up for Liberty and Justice, Speak out against corruption and the denial of Human Rights!

This year marks a milestone in that Time Magazine's Person of the Year, isn't an actual person.  Instead it is the Protester, the people that have fought for freedom, stood up against corruption, and have changed the 'status quo'.

Once upon a time, when major news events were chronicled strictly by professionals and

printed on paper or transmitted through the air by the few for the masses, protesters were prime makers of history. Back then, when citizen multitudes took to the streets without weapons to declare themselves opposed, it was the very definition of news — vivid, important, often consequential.

In the 1960s in America they marched for civil rights and against the Vietnam War; in the '70s,

they rose up in Iran and Portugal; in the '80s, they spoke out against nuclear weapons in the U.S. and Europe, against Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza,

against communist tyranny in Tiananmen Square and Eastern Europe.

Protest was the natural continuation of politics by other means.

The two decades beginning in 1991 witnessed the greatest rise in living standards

that the world has ever known. Credit was easy, complacency and apathy were rife, and street protests looked like pointless emotional sideshows — 

obsolete, quaint, the equivalent of cavalry to mid-20th-century war.

We can no longer sit idly by as corruption grows, civil liberties are taken away, and basic human rights are denied.  If you are enjoying life, it may be within a gilded cage.  Our responsibility is to defend justice and make our voices heard in order to affect positive change and create a peaceful world.

'Massive and effective street protest' was a global oxymoron until —

suddenly, shockingly — starting exactly a year ago, it became the defining trope of our times.

And the protester once again became a maker of history.

Many may not support the current protests happening around the globe, however, they are expressing the very concerns that many of us share - Civil Liberties, Human Rights, The End of Corruption, and The Demand for Accountability.  Thus, here's some information about why Occupy Wall Street is growing in momentum and quotes to encourage action, not silence.  It's not just the 99% that are speaking out, but also those with respect for justice, such as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in her speech to the United Nations.

Occupy Wall Street is a people-powered movement that began on September 17, 2011

in Liberty Square in Manhattan’s Financial District, and has spread to over 100 cities in the

United States and actions in over 1,500 cities globally. #ows is fighting back against the corrosive power of major banks and multinational corporations over the democratic process,

and the role of Wall Street in creating an economic collapse that has caused

the greatest recession in generations.

The movement is inspired by popular uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia,

and aims to fight back against the richest 1% of people that are writing the rules

of an unfair global economy that is foreclosing on our future.

“I heartily accept the motto,

"That government is best which governs least";

and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe — 

"That government is best which governs not at all"; and when men are prepared for it, 

that will be the kind of government which they will have. Government is at best but an expedient; 

but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient.” 

Henry David Thoreau

“It was civil disobedience that won them their civil rights.” 

Tariq Ali, The Obama Syndrome: Surrender at Home, War Abroad  

“An unjust law is itself a species of violence. 

Arrest for its breach is more so. 

Now the law of nonviolence says that violence should be resisted 

not by counter-violence but by nonviolence. 

This I do by breaking the law and by peacefully submitting to arrest and imprisonment.” 

Mahatma Gandhi, Non-violence in Peace and War 1942-49  

“if we don’t rebel,
if we’re not physically in an active rebellion,
then it’s spiritual death.” 

Chris Hedges

Perpetrators, collaborators, bystanders, victims: we can be clear about three of these categories.

The bystander, however, is the fulcrum. If there are enough notable exceptions,

then protest reaches a critical mass.

We don’t usually think of history as being shaped by silence,

but, as English philosopher Edmund Burke said,

‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil

is for good men to do nothing.’

No one could make a greater mistake

than he who did nothing because

he could do only a little.

Ken Herman's article in the Austin American Statesman on Occupy Austin

Today I read an article in the Austin American Statesman by Ken Herman that showed a total disregard for what some hard working people are trying to do through the Occupy Austin movement, which is part of the Occupy Wall Street movement.  I was disappointed that the Statesman website didn't allow commentary on the article, which shows that they have no interest in the opinions about this topic and only desired to represent their (or should I say, his) views.  Thus, Ken Herman and the Austin American Statesman, here is my comment about the article:

Although I agree with what seems to be the key question, "does camping out at City Hall accomplish anything?" I have to admit I support the Occupy Movement for it's intended purpose of drawing attention to the lack of control and oversight of the banking and Wall Street systems, along with the fact that such banks and Wall Street are not being held accountable for causing the current financial crisis. They believe that something should be done to correct the social inequalities that our government and judicial system have created.

There are many increasingly frustrated people in our country who probably feel that they have no voice within our government (a very true statement of fact and a sad commentary of our representatives lack of being in touch with the people they represent). Thus with such frustrations, people are doing something, which is always good, as long as it is peaceful and nonviolent. The real issue of this article should have been about what is causing the movement to increase and gain momentum, it should cover the reasons Occupy Austin is demonstrating and camping out. If the frustrations are not allowed an outlet and the people have no voice in our government, then the next step could be civil unrest leading to violent actions.

When our freedoms are being taken away daily, when we no longer have a voice in our government, and when our government allows banks and other financial institutions to run a muck without regard to how their actions (and may I note, lack of taxes and fees on financial transactions) affect everyone in our country, then yes, "sleeping and waving signs" does accomplish something. It gives an outlet to the building frustration and helps people be heard!

We the people are responsible for what has happened, because we have not involved ourselves in our own government and now are paying the price heavily. We have to become active in our government by Voting, by being an INFORMED Voter, and encouraging others to do the same. This next year we will show our voices loudly when the career politicians are removed from office (click here to see how your representative is doing) and our new representatives favor the people, not big business, banks, and major interests.  Voting should not be suppressed by the radical Tea Party and the extremist Republicans, voting is our Right!

And the final note for Ken Herman and the Austin American Statesman:
"The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty." From the Society of Professional Journalists