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lapucelle

(20,586 posts)
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 12:17 PM Wednesday

Things that didn't happen yesterday: Texas Democrats did not return home.

Contrary to any misinformation that might be floating around, the following things DID NOT HAPPEN YESTERDAY.

Things that have not happened:

- Texas Democrats have not "thrown in the towel"

- Texas Democrats have not returned home

- Texas Democrats have not "granted Republican redistricting"

- Texas Democrats have not refused to put forth the effort to fight Republicans


Facts matter.



82 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Things that didn't happen yesterday: Texas Democrats did not return home. (Original Post) lapucelle Wednesday OP
Thank you obamanut2012 Wednesday #1
Disheartening Democrats depresses support which in turn depresses the vote. lapucelle Wednesday #3
I wonder why anyone would want to do that?? MorbidButterflyTat Wednesday #20
The bridge here is low and below it.. ananda Wednesday #42
Yup, my friend obamanut2012 Wednesday #22
Even more so if one suspects deliberation rather than carelessness. niyad Wednesday #11
It makes one wonder obamanut2012 Wednesday #23
Now is the time to mobilize all American Patriots Eliot Rosewater Wednesday #2
There are important elections happening this November all over the country. lapucelle Wednesday #5
Both things are true and need to be attended to right now Eliot Rosewater Wednesday #16
There's plenty of anti-democrat propaganda right here. wryter2000 Wednesday #29
Democrats are a big group gab13by13 Wednesday #36
What impact does misinformation have on "Congressional Democrats favorability [...] not polling well"? lapucelle Wednesday #43
I saw that segment too mcar Wednesday #53
How about trying this statement out, slightlv Wednesday #69
I'm aware of that misuse wryter2000 Thursday #82
Speaking of which... Dulcinea Wednesday #41
Thank you for that link. lapucelle Wednesday #44
My pleasure! nt Dulcinea Wednesday #59
K&R Torchlight Wednesday #4
I saw the post and thought it was factual. yorkster Wednesday #6
One has learned to be extremely skeptical, sad to say. niyad Wednesday #9
It turns out that misinformed anti-Democratic Party speculative spin garners clicks, lapucelle Wednesday #10
It's disinformation not misinformation. The deliberate, intentional sharing of misinformation with a nefarious .. littlemissmartypants Wednesday #35
There was a post here yesterday which linked to a markodochartaigh Wednesday #51
Thank you! ananda Wednesday #7
Facts matter, unless one is wedded to one's sense of superiority in niyad Wednesday #8
Odd that the "dots were connected" counterfactual to reality with the purpose of badmouthing Democrats. lapucelle Wednesday #12
Alas, the known answer must remain unexpressed. niyad Wednesday #14
This is the latest I have on it evilhime Wednesday #13
Why did 2 Dems state in the TX Senate and enable this vote? Liberty Belle Wednesday #18
They did stay away, no TX House Dems came back obamanut2012 Wednesday #24
That vote dies with the session. lapucelle Wednesday #27
The House Dems breaking quorum shuts down the ability of both houses to pass legislation. summer_in_TX Wednesday #71
Nope. That's the Texas Senate, not the Texas House. The Texas Senate Democrats never left home. lapucelle Wednesday #21
Kick sheshe2 Wednesday #15
So the maps Greg_In_SF Wednesday #17
The Senate vote dies with the special session. lapucelle Wednesday #28
Thanks for posting this Picaro Wednesday #19
What Picaro said. ancianita Wednesday #33
Yes, TY for mentioning That! Cha Wednesday #64
But...where are they...do nothing...don't fight...cave...give in...towels...both sides...establishment...don't vote. betsuni Wednesday #25
lol @ "towels"... Cha Wednesday #50
Exactly! JustAnotherGen Wednesday #56
This is not uncommon Keepthesoulalive Thursday #76
Go Dems!!! SheltieLover Wednesday #26
See, that's what's inspiring and badass about these Democrats from Texas. We need to remind them ancianita Wednesday #30
You can send them a message of thanks and support. lapucelle Wednesday #34
Greg Abbott, Ken Paxton, and their enablers are the ones who need to do hard time. Initech Wednesday #31
"Reports of their return have been greatly exaggerated" lapucelle Wednesday #32
K&R spanone Wednesday #37
Yep JustAnotherGen Wednesday #38
I can't believe I fell for that fiddle faddle and didn't even think about fact checking! ShazzieB Wednesday #39
One does wonder. niyad Wednesday #48
It's why I'm a tedious broken record about the rule of never giving Democrats one second of the benefit of the doubt betsuni Thursday #73
Given what they've been through by leaving the state dlk Wednesday #40
They have jobs and they have families. lapucelle Wednesday #46
They are making a tremendous sacrifice dlk Wednesday #54
Facts should matter mcar Wednesday #45
Thank you! I saw a headline somewhere that Dems had gone back to Texas. Good to know they didn't. raccoon Wednesday #47
Mahalo Nui Loa, lapucelle! you are my Cha Wednesday #49
great post!!! Layzeebeaver Wednesday #52
Let's add some truth and context here since this topic is clearly a counter to a topic of mine from yesterday LonePirate Wednesday #55
Thank you for the admission that lapucelle Wednesday #58
I think we succeeded by media picking this up Just_Vote_Dem Wednesday #60
Lol... smh. Cha Wednesday #65
By all means! Let's add truth and context! lapucelle Wednesday #61
lapucelle's OP & Posts are completely Full of Cha Wednesday #66
Thank you LetMyPeopleVote Wednesday #57
Thank-you for this. If some fought as hard going after republicans as some seem to go after Democrats, lostincalifornia Wednesday #62
Kicking again! sheshe2 Wednesday #63
"Later Tuesday, Texas House Democratic Caucus spokesperson Joshua Rush told ABC News red dog 1 Wednesday #67
Facts matter. Lies spread. Oopsie Daisy Wednesday #68
I stand with Texas Democrats. lapucelle Wednesday #70
TY Kick the Correction Thread! Cha Thursday #72
#NoTowels betsuni Thursday #74
#NoTowels Cha Thursday #77
+ IL Judge denies Paxton's motion. pat_k Thursday #75
Mahalo, pat_k... Super Interesting! Cha Thursday #78
TX State Rep. Talarico on Fox. pat_k Thursday #79
Mahalo, pat_k!! Cha Thursday #81
Thanks for posting this news. lapucelle Thursday #80

lapucelle

(20,586 posts)
3. Disheartening Democrats depresses support which in turn depresses the vote.
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 12:21 PM
Wednesday

Perhaps that's the point.

Eliot Rosewater

(33,603 posts)
2. Now is the time to mobilize all American Patriots
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 12:18 PM
Wednesday

To contact their blue state officials and tell them emphatically that we want them to do there what the Nazi pigs are doing in Texas.

This is how it works, if enough people tell them this is what they want then that is what they will do.

lapucelle

(20,586 posts)
5. There are important elections happening this November all over the country.
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 12:37 PM
Wednesday

We need to be hyper-vigilant about bad actors seeking to depress support for Democrats.

That's a tried and true troll tactic with the ultimate goal of depressing the vote.

Eliot Rosewater

(33,603 posts)
16. Both things are true and need to be attended to right now
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 01:05 PM
Wednesday

As we both know very few people see what’s posting on Democratic underground, if you really wanna deal with this problem out there it would be TikTok and Instagram I suppose where all of the propaganda attacking Democrats is.

At the same time encouraging blue state officials to do their what the Nazis are doing in Texas must be at the top of our list along with supporting candidates obviously.

We have to tell them what we want, President Obama himself went out of his way to talk about this years ago that he has to be told by us what we want!

wryter2000

(47,934 posts)
29. There's plenty of anti-democrat propaganda right here.
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 01:43 PM
Wednesday

It takes the form of "Where the F are the democrats?"

gab13by13

(29,324 posts)
36. Democrats are a big group
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 02:16 PM
Wednesday

Many Democratic organizations have been fighting hard organizing protests across the country, organizing town halls.

I believe the Democrats some people are urging to do more are Congressional Democrats. I mean am I allowed to say that Congressional Democrats' favorability is not polling very well? Numerous polls say that. The best Democratic cable news show, Deadline Whitehouse, had a panel yesterday, that said that Democratic voters are ahead of Congressional Democrats in understanding what is happening to our democracy and how to fight back, but Congressional Democrats have time to catch up. That segment yesterday would have been banned here.

Democratic states need to do what Texas is doing and do it now. Yesterday on Nicolle Wallace, Marc Elias said that Republicans are now using AI to draw up their maps and when AI is done no Democrat can win. Marc Elias said that. There are a million more registered Democrats in Texas than Republicans, so don't blame Democrats for not voting when Texas picks up 5 more seats

lapucelle

(20,586 posts)
43. What impact does misinformation have on "Congressional Democrats favorability [...] not polling well"?
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 02:35 PM
Wednesday

As for, "Don't blame Democrats when they don't vote", disheartening Democrats by spreading misinformation and disinformation has exactly that goal.

It is a voter depression tactic.

Here's my advice. Pull up a seat at the table. Let your Democratic representative and Democratic senators know how you feel and volunteer to help.

Anyone who is not represented by Democrats in Congress might consider working to elect them. Do the same at the state level where many of these battles are waged.

It's everybody's fight.

mcar

(45,104 posts)
53. I saw that segment too
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 03:39 PM
Wednesday

Democrats polling is not great.

My question is how is it helpful to scream "WHERE THE FUCK ARE THE DEMOCRATS?" when many, many elected Democrats are doing quite a lot. When it was pointed out in that thread, the response was the usual "it's not enough," "strongly worded letters," etc.

Another OP falsely claimed Texas Dems had returned to TX and were failures. It's not true, but, again, that thread got hundreds of "Dems suck" replies.

That's not constructive criticism, that's using any excuse to bash our Democrats.

slightlv

(6,339 posts)
69. How about trying this statement out,
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 09:21 PM
Wednesday

to put it in proper form...

There's plenty of anti-democratic propaganda right here.


Please stop echoing the republican diminution and blasphemy of our given party name. They're doing to it, what they've done for years to the word "liberal". Don't help them.

wryter2000

(47,934 posts)
82. I'm aware of that misuse
Thu Aug 14, 2025, 06:02 PM
Thursday

I meant against democrats. That's the bashing posts I read most. Like the post that really disgusted the other day. The subject line was in all caps, "Where the fuck are the democrats?" So, I'm referring to people who are democrats. They are not democratics They are democrats.

Dulcinea

(8,907 posts)
41. Speaking of which...
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 02:22 PM
Wednesday

Postcards to Swing States needs your help!

There are off-year elections in Virginia, New Jersey, & Pennsylvania this year. Here's a link: https://turnoutpac.org/postcards/

Don't get mad, get busy!

yorkster

(3,308 posts)
6. I saw the post and thought it was factual.
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 12:39 PM
Wednesday

Was surprised by all the Dem dissing that ensued.
Also ticked that I didn't verify , since it seemed to be a sudden move.

Thx, lapucelle.

lapucelle

(20,586 posts)
10. It turns out that misinformed anti-Democratic Party speculative spin garners clicks,
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 12:57 PM
Wednesday

wherever you find it. Some folks think that the difference between a fact and misinformation is simply a matter of

"parsing an irrelevant language difference"

littlemissmartypants

(28,995 posts)
35. It's disinformation not misinformation. The deliberate, intentional sharing of misinformation with a nefarious ..
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 02:14 PM
Wednesday

Agenda.

It's insidious, part of the fascist authoritarian playbook, and it's way beyond inconvenient.

It's dangerous.

Clear distinction between the two is extremely important.

markodochartaigh

(3,618 posts)
51. There was a post here yesterday which linked to a
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 03:33 PM
Wednesday

Twitter post that had a link to a news article. The article itself contradicted the headline. It was pretty egregious.

niyad

(126,061 posts)
8. Facts matter, unless one is wedded to one's sense of superiority in
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 12:54 PM
Wednesday

one's ability to "connect the dots", even if non-existent. Very disappointing.

Thank you so much for posting what actually did, or, more accurately, did NOT happen yesterday.

lapucelle

(20,586 posts)
12. Odd that the "dots were connected" counterfactual to reality with the purpose of badmouthing Democrats.
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 01:01 PM
Wednesday

Who does that?

Liberty Belle

(9,678 posts)
18. Why did 2 Dems state in the TX Senate and enable this vote?
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 01:10 PM
Wednesday

Why didn't they stay away like their courageous colleagues did?

lapucelle

(20,586 posts)
27. That vote dies with the session.
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 01:41 PM
Wednesday

As for the two Senate Democrats who remained:

Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, said the caucus chose to have at least two senators remain in the chamber in order to ask questions about the bill. Hinojosa and Zaffirini were the two who remained.

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2025/08/12/texas-senate-passes-redistricting-map-despite-walkout-by-majority-of-democrats/

If you have questions about the Texas Senate Democrat's strategy, you can reach Senator West here.
https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=23


summer_in_TX

(3,745 posts)
71. The House Dems breaking quorum shuts down the ability of both houses to pass legislation.
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 11:55 PM
Wednesday

Democratic Senators didn't need to leave. Being present also gives an in-state voice to Democratic objections to Republican legislation and allows them to put forth Democratic proposals of what we would want to accomplish if we held the reins of government.

lapucelle

(20,586 posts)
21. Nope. That's the Texas Senate, not the Texas House. The Texas Senate Democrats never left home.
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 01:29 PM
Wednesday
So the facts remain:

- Texas Democrats have not "thrown in the towel"

- Texas Democrats have not returned home

- Texas Democrats have not "granted Republican redistricting"

- Texas Democrats have not refused to put forth the effort to fight Republicans





Picaro

(2,153 posts)
19. Thanks for posting this
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 01:16 PM
Wednesday

The instant circular firing squad that formed yesterday was very disheartening—especially when it turned out to be full on, defeatist bullshit.

ancianita

(41,348 posts)
33. What Picaro said.
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 01:50 PM
Wednesday


We have to get a grip. Fomenting doubt is what corporate media is about.

Texas Democrats prove that this party won't go down without a major fight.

betsuni

(28,182 posts)
25. But...where are they...do nothing...don't fight...cave...give in...towels...both sides...establishment...don't vote.
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 01:37 PM
Wednesday

Keepthesoulalive

(1,647 posts)
76. This is not uncommon
Thu Aug 14, 2025, 04:17 AM
Thursday

Constant complaining, the dems aren’t doing enough, they don’t support the working class ,they are not addressing my pet project strongly enough. Perhaps if we stick together we can get our country back. But posting something that is not true, we are in Q anon territory.

ancianita

(41,348 posts)
30. See, that's what's inspiring and badass about these Democrats from Texas. We need to remind them
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 01:47 PM
Wednesday

that the country and the rest of us Democrats are behind them all the way.

lapucelle

(20,586 posts)
32. "Reports of their return have been greatly exaggerated"
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 01:50 PM
Wednesday
Are Texas Democrats Giving Up the Redistricting Fight?

It was nearly two weeks ago when more than 50 Democrats in the Texas House of Representatives left the state in order to deny the full chamber a quorum and prevent the passage of a Republican gerrymandered congressional map backed by President Donald Trump. Now as Governor Greg Abbott continues to ramp up the pressure on the absent members, Texas Democrats are reportedly mulling a return home.

Sources told ABC News and their local Houston affiliate ABC13 that Democrats are expected to go back to Texas believing that they have “accomplished their mission” by helping to stymie the special session and raise nationwide awareness of the state’s redistricting fight. According to ABC, the Democrats could return as soon as this weekend, though those plans are subject to change.

However, Texas Democrats appeared to push back on that reporting through the caucus’s official account on X, stating that no official plans have been made and placing the onus for ending this conflict on state Republicans.

“Members are still assessing their strategies going forward and are in meetings to make decisions about future plans currently,” the post reads. “If and when Texas House Democrats breaking quorum decide to go home is squarely dependent on the actions the Governor, Speaker, and Texas Republicans in charge make with regard to prioritizing flood victims over redistricting that hurts Texans.”

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/are-texas-democrats-giving-up-the-redistricting-fight.html

No paywall
https://archive.md/9Knu2

ShazzieB

(21,352 posts)
39. I can't believe I fell for that fiddle faddle and didn't even think about fact checking!
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 02:19 PM
Wednesday

At least I didn't join the Democrat bashing pileon that thread was turning into (with the exception of a few sensible souls who were valiantly arguing backI will definitely fact check before taking the next "Democrats bad" story at face value (because, unfortunately, there are bound to be more ).

I don't understand why some people here are so quick to assume the worst about Democrats and criticize them harshly without knowing all the facts. It's like Dems have to be Repug-slaying knights in shining armor at all times and aren't allowed to have any human foibles at all.

It was depressing to see how many people were ready not just to believe the story but assume the worst about the motives of the Texas Dems. We should be giving them more credit than that, even if the story about them going home had been true!

betsuni

(28,182 posts)
73. It's why I'm a tedious broken record about the rule of never giving Democrats one second of the benefit of the doubt
Thu Aug 14, 2025, 03:35 AM
Thursday

and always instantly assuming bad or naive motivations.

When the facts come out disproving it, too late, everybody's angry and disgusted -- the goal. Democrats have great policies, not only those must be attacked as not progressive, but character. Character attacks that Democrats are corrupt, immoral, stand for nothing so give in to Republicans, bribed by billionaires and oligarchs, ignore working class, the cutesy insult words status quo establishment neoliberal elites and on and on.

dlk

(12,848 posts)
40. Given what they've been through by leaving the state
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 02:21 PM
Wednesday

It didn’t make much sense they would return to Texas with their collective tails between their legs, so to speak.

Fake news is everywhere.

lapucelle

(20,586 posts)
46. They have jobs and they have families.
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 02:44 PM
Wednesday

I don't think that everyone understands the sacrifice they are making.

Texas State Democrats make a nominal salary ($7500), and they are each being fined $600 a day.

We need to thank them and their families for their service.

dlk

(12,848 posts)
54. They are making a tremendous sacrifice
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 03:50 PM
Wednesday

And they should appeal the fines as far up the chain as they can. It could take years.

mcar

(45,104 posts)
45. Facts should matter
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 02:40 PM
Wednesday

Unfortunately, some would rather push a "Dems suck" narrative any way they can.

raccoon

(31,987 posts)
47. Thank you! I saw a headline somewhere that Dems had gone back to Texas. Good to know they didn't.
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 02:48 PM
Wednesday

Layzeebeaver

(2,000 posts)
52. great post!!!
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 03:33 PM
Wednesday

but to me, it reads like a double negative (and I know that's not what you meant - and I and everyone else.clearly understand what you are saying!)

Thinks that have not happened:
- Texas Democrats threw in their towel
etc...

You still get my rec!

LonePirate

(14,194 posts)
55. Let's add some truth and context here since this topic is clearly a counter to a topic of mine from yesterday
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 03:50 PM
Wednesday

Fact: The out of state Texas Dems have announced they will be coming home.

Fact: A specific date has not been announced. Speculation is that it could be as soon as Saturday as the special session ends on Friday. It might be next week.

Fact: Texas Republicans will be calling a second special session as soon as the Texas Democrats arrive back in Texas.

Texas Democrats believe they have accomplished their mission. There are people who believe that preventing the vote in the first session is a successful mission. There are others who believe that allowing Texas Republicans to pass the bill in the second session is a failed mission. It boils down to if you want elected officials to fight for Americans and create actual change or if you are satisfied with temporary actions that change nothing.

lapucelle

(20,586 posts)
58. Thank you for the admission that
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 04:00 PM
Wednesday
Texas Democrats have not returned home,

Texas Democrats have not thrown in the towel

Texas Democrats have not granted Republicans redistricting, and

Texas Democrats have not refused to put in the effort to fight Republicans


Someone was running around telling Democrats those exact things just yesterday.

Just_Vote_Dem

(3,347 posts)
60. I think we succeeded by media picking this up
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 04:04 PM
Wednesday

and hopefully people will realize how shitty the Pubs are

Cha

(313,574 posts)
66. lapucelle's OP & Posts are completely Full of
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 05:42 PM
Wednesday

Truth and Context. She fights for our Dems, Democracy, and Accuracy.

lostincalifornia

(4,145 posts)
62. Thank-you for this. If some fought as hard going after republicans as some seem to go after Democrats,
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 04:25 PM
Wednesday

we actually might become a unified party.

red dog 1

(31,633 posts)
67. "Later Tuesday, Texas House Democratic Caucus spokesperson Joshua Rush told ABC News
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 06:05 PM
Wednesday

that its plans are fluid and they have yet to make a decision on travel."
(ABC News 8/12/2025)

Oopsie Daisy

(6,521 posts)
68. Facts matter. Lies spread.
Wed Aug 13, 2025, 07:46 PM
Wednesday

Why do our some folks spend so much time and effort shitting on Democrats?

pat_k

(11,534 posts)
75. + IL Judge denies Paxton's motion.
Thu Aug 14, 2025, 03:49 AM
Thursday

Adams County, IL judge denies Paxton's motion to "effectuate the Quorum Warrants and return Respondents to Texas"

Judge Scott Larson found that Paxton’s emergency motion and petition “do not cite any authority to allow this court to obtain subject matter jurisdiction to initiate the requested contempt proceedings.” And that Paxton’s citation of the Full Faith and Credit Clause was “insufficient” to demonstrate how the court has jurisdiction over “such a unique cause of action.”

Note: Paxton filed in Adams because it went 73% for Trump. The bet that the rule of law doesn't apply in places MAGA dominates didn't pay off this time. (Tragically for the nation, MAGA dominated SCOTUS happily and repeatedly commits treason for 47.)

https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/illinois-judge-rules-against-arresting-quorum-breaking-texas-lawmakers/

pat_k

(11,534 posts)
79. TX State Rep. Talarico on Fox.
Thu Aug 14, 2025, 07:31 AM
Thursday

First two minutes. I am so proud of the TX House Dems! They are standing strong 100%



And I won't have a chance to watch until tomorrow, but I'm told that TX Rep. Gene Wu's reaction to more than 20,000 people showing up at Indivisible's "One Million Rising" event last night (Wed) might bring tears to your eyes.

Session 3: What Now? - Aug 13
https://www.youtube.com/live/VRuwFvJPm7A

And if you missed 1 and 2:

Session 1 The Moment + Your Mission


Session 2: How to Make it Happen
https://www.youtube.com/live/yqhFZjHIz-o







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