When Texas Speaker Dennis Bonnen lied about gun rights activist Chris McNutt, any momentum that a key legislative priority had of passing the Texas House died. Wait, what? Dennis Bonnen lied about the “coward” threatening Bonnen’s wife and kids? No way, you say!
Hey, you don’t have to believe me, just watch the body cam footage of the troopers sent to stop Mr. McNutt.
Told ya. Sad day when the Speaker of the Texas House sends troopers out because a Republican activist is passing out flyers in favor of a piece of legislation.
But under Bonnen, that probably won’t be the last time. He has a reputation as a bully with a temper. I call it little dude syndrome. Probably got a swirlie in middle school and has been mad about it ever since.
In subsequent interviews, Bonnen has made it plain that he will block any attempt to pass constitutional carry. Of course, we already knew that when he assigned the bill to Democrat Poncho Nevárez, he of the colorful language.
Okay, so it’s clear that Bonnen is blocking constitutional carry because he doesn’t agree with it. So what?
First, remember that the Republican Party of Texas voted this issue as a legislative priority. They have an entire page dedicated to it.
“It’s time for Texas to recognize Constitutional Carry. The Republican Party of Texas stands for the uninfringed right of the people to keep and bear arms, knowing that this makes all of us more secure in a world where people would do harm to others, and that this is the right by which all other rights are protected. “
–James Dickey, Chairman, Republican Party of Texas
Of course, we know that Mr. Dickey doesn’t stand by the whole platform either, so that probably wasn’t the best quote to use. So let’s try this one:
“So here’s the thing: Vermont has had constitutional carry for years with no issues. They actually adhere to the words of our Second Amendment. Why is it then that some Texas legislators don’t support it? Do they somehow feel that their Texas constituents are less worthy? More inherently violent? VERMONT for heaven’s sake! I would think that any senator or representative that is against this would have some explaining to do to his/her constituency!
I personally believe that the current system is just a sneaky end-run way of keeping and making a list. A de facto registration.”
–Dr. Suzanna Gratia Hupp, former member, Texas House of Representatives
There, that’s better.
As you know, the State Republican Executive Committee censured the last Speaker for nebulous reasons, nothing approaching the public actions of Bonnen. They claimed the last guy was just a bad dude because he did things behind doors. Or maybe it was because he was a….whoops, better not use the J word.
Thus far this session is a complete failure for conservative Republicans. It’s so bad that people have started calling it the kumbaya session because conservatives are laying down instead of fighting for their principles. The legislature is chomping at the bit to raise spending, raise taxes, raise fees, raise the legal age for smoking, continue to make criminals out of people wanting a toke, and in general, growing government and restricting freedom.
Will the State Republican Executive Committee fight back by censuring the blatant obstruction by Bonnen of a legislative priority? Or will they too be all kumbaya?