Since GD is dead, dead, dead - my latest fire marshall report

You may remember I've been shunted all through Austin to
get to the top dawg when it comes to fire safety of the
Texas lege. Here's my latest missive from the big dawg:

Thank you for your concerns. The Senate and the House of
Representatives Sergeant-at-Arms are keenly aware of the safety of the
Members and visitors that are present on the Chamber floor. In some
instances when the Chamber doors are ordered locked, it is more a
ceremonial locking of the doors. Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms are
stationed at the doors. Monday the House Chamber doors were actually
locked. Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms were stationed at each door (both
sides of each door). The doors would have been quickly and easily
unlocked in the event emergency egress was necessary.

>>> Wayne Smith 07/30/03 12:58PM >>>

I hasve forwarded this matter to our Capitol Fire Marsha for review
with our procedures.
****

Here is my reponse to that, and I'll see if I get a reply.
They have been very courteous and prompt in their replies
so far, even with all the forwarding that had to be done.
Here tis:
****

Thank you for responding so quickly. While I understand
that the Sergeant-at-Arms is responsible for safety, he
is also subject to a superior's orders. I'm assuming, in
this case, that his superior would be Speaker Craddick.
Since the Speaker has been so angry and out of control
with this redistricting showdown (I can give examples, but
will spare you unless you ask), I can imagine that he
would order the Sergeant-at-Arms to stand down even during
an emergent situation. I want to know that our legislators
are safe.

Clearly, Democratic legislators are not safe. They have even
had a federal bureucratic boondoggle (I think you know who
I mean) hound them which was illegal. Washington is
directing what happens in our legislature, and I am just not
sure they care one whit whether our representatives are safe.

Thank you for taking their safety seriously. I'm still uneasy,
but I trust that if something untoward happens, you will
investigate fully.

Sincerely,
Virginia Barnett
very concerned consituent

okay threadkiller - sucky enough for you??

Me thinks you are shoveling poop against the tide. They really do not seem to care what you think. It is the Bush* way.

(((Hugs))) and kisses!

Ed

You make me smile. :loveya:

Your efforts are worthwhile and your presentation is good.

180

Thank you for the kind words. It means a lot.

I LOVE what you wrote and the way in which you expressed yourself! You go!!

I feel like I'm tilting at windmills, but they were very good about forwarding a couple of times to the appropriate person, and all responded very quickly. I tried, oh I tried, to be civil.