Dancin' With The One What Brung Ya

The right to vote is everything, which is why I’m risking everything. 🇺🇸 Given that I have learned that Texas DPS troopers are looking to arrest me for fighting fir my constituents, I relieved to be in the sky headed to DC to fight for our democracy. ✈️

— Shawn Thierry (@RepThierry146) July 13, 2021

I'm sure to Dan Patrick and Greg Abbott this looks like they're being "tough" on scofflaws. To most of us it looks like big men trying to arrest a mother and forcibly keep her from her child if that's what it takes to get Abbott's agenda passed into law.

So, shortly after the Call on the House was placed — this happened... A House Sergeant entered my office along with a Texas DPS trooper seeking to apprehend me and lock me in the House chamber. @CNN @MSNBC #txlege #LetThePeopleVote pic.twitter.com/BFPqRQeAGD

— Shawn Thierry (@RepThierry146) July 13, 2021

I'm not naive.  I know most Texas voters won't see this video, or even know what's going on right now.  The ones that do will probably cheer Abbott/Patrick on; but some will find this perfectly appalling and a rotten way to run a government.  Clayton Williams lost to Ann Richards just because he refused to shake her hand at a debate.  This is pretty much in that category.

Besides, the people who voted for Rep. Thierry aren't going to like this much.  Got to dance with the one what brung ya, whether that changes the majority or not.  And frankly, that's as much a curse as a blessing, especially on the national stage:

Banana republic stuff. Texas House Republicans vote to track down absent Democrats and arrest them if necessary https://t.co/RuHl94s32L via @TexasTribune

— Mona Charen (@monacharen) July 13, 2021

Abbott really doesn't need that publicity, especially from someone with the conservative bona fides of Mona Charen. This is the first time we've had video of officers entering offices to arrest public officials. Who knows, that must might make a difference.

Well, then... https://t.co/We6eZsXI72

— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) July 13, 2021

Not because of you. And not unless they come back before August 7, 2021. If Abbott calls another session to begin on that date, the House will have to call the quorum all over again. And they can't do that on 8/7.

Besides, a lot of GOP legislators are part-timers, too.  They're going to get tired of cooling their heels in Austin, away from their homes and jobs, as well.  Abbott's the only one who lives there year 'round.  Some of the GOP legislators may remind him of that fact soon.

That new session, if it's called as early as possible, will expire on September 6 (Labor Day), 5 days after the new legislative budget fails to take effect and the old one runs out.  Abbott doesn't have nearly as many bullets in his gun as he pretends to have.