What a pathetic turnout for the Convention this weekend. The weather was bad but not nearly as bad as it was for Dream Town '94 in FT. Worth but where were the Warriors? We can only hope they were at Bucks on the Brazos or at Old Sawmill Town giving support to our cause. Those in Houston were in for the fight of their lives due to the drop in numbers during the day and the time of their lives at KOA during the off duty hours.
Friday we rode in to the assigned parking place, except for your chairman who was chauffeured to the front door in Greg's sidecar. This was just one of the firsts for us during a convention. Speakers talked before your chairman addressed the group. Our Caucus had several speakers including Robert Fletcher, President Texas Confederation of ABATE. His was a rousing call to arms and now I know what people mean when they say "That's a tough act to follow." Chairman Soechting spoke of continued involvement in our goal of government by the people. He congratulated us on our achievements in the political arena. Ro spoke of the support for our effort from NWTCOC. He invited all to attend the Rock The CapRock in Levelland next weekend. Tonya then spoke of the Central Texas Democrat Motorcyclists Association and invited others to form such a group in their area.
It was then my turn to offer another first. We welcomed two fighters for Liberty to our Caucus in absenteeism. Mike Rizzo and Penny Adams were officially given the run of the Floor during the convention.
We then broke out into our SD Caucus meetings. The race for SDEC Female, dist. 11, had our own Janet Mayeaux in the running for that position. Two men opposed her right to the position and it turned into a battle. Your chair was across the room as Janet stood up from her chair, walked up face to face and gave them a tongue lashing. I stepped out the side door, circled the room and entered the door at her back. Janet said when she glimpsed the Mohawk she knew her back was covered and she really dressed them down, demanding an apology for her county caucus. I had told her, win or lose don't cry." As she turned to walk away from them she faced me and said "and I didn't cry." I then explained to the leader how rude he had been and that he owed Janet a personal public apology. I invited him to let's go outside and have a cigarette but he chose not to go.
He did apologize to Janet and seconded her nomination. At that point Janet accepted his apology and offered her hand, which he accepted. She won by a landslide. Another first for us at a convention. We now have her Royal Highness Janet Mayeaux in our midst.
Back at camp we had beer butt chicken, baked potatoes, corn and lot's of fun filled chatting. Her Royal Highness knighted a few subjects after our meal. Early Saturday morning we headed back to town for the committee hearings, especially the Resolution Committee. We had five members on the committee with Mike as our spokesperson. All three Resolutions we had offered were passed. A group had introduced a Resolution for the Party to support legalizing the use of medicinal Marijuana in Texas. Mike and our Warriors then offered up a Minority Report to bring the Resolution directly to the Floor. It was great to watch the reactions of the new delegates during the committee hearings.
Your chairman was suffering greatly reduced breathing ability due to constant running between committee hearings and the Floor and the high heat and humidity. It became necessary to delegate some of the running and I am proud of the way our Warriors responded.
We were allowed to commandeer a table in the eating area where we placed free food for bikers only during the hearings. This allowed our members to have a private table where they could stop for a bite to eat and some of the women, headed by Tonya, delivered plates to those of our group serving on committee. Another first for the Warriors. Now it was time to head to the Floor.
Speeches and elections carried the first part of the Floor proceedings and then it was down to the Resolutions. We have several members going to Boston, including Warrior Charles Soechting as Chairman of the Texas DNC. Another first. We passed all three of our Resolutions on the Floor after a hard fought battle on the Failure To Yield Resolution. This time we were not successful based on our numbers present but rather by our reputation and the fire in the guts of those Warriors who took the time to take the fight to them. All three votes could have gone either way. We could easily have been set back 10 years due to the majority of the Warriors, ABATE members and COC members lack of involvement. I am confident this will not happen in 2006. The number of new Warriors who stepped forward this time and those we will enroll for the next two years will be ready to take up the challenge. Hopefully others who didn't make it this time will be back on the firing line as well.
Finally our Minority Report on Medicinal Marijuana came to the Floor. This Resolution drew so much opposition it took some time to finalize the discussion and in the final vote we had drawn so much support the Resolution was overwhelmingly passed. Yet another first where we passed a Minority Report on the Floor for another group.
And as a final first the Party recognized all delegates who had passed away since the 2002 convention. Our beloved state secretary, Cyndi Calhoun, received her final recognition from the Party as her picture and information was displayed on the big screen. I had run out of mobility and returned to camp but others said it was quite moving.
Back at camp again and it was indeed Dream Town revisited. Our 15 foot high Statue of Liberty stood proudly above the dining area. Uncle Sam stood to the side facing the Lady and the entire area was decorated with red white and blue bows. All this was a tribute to the time and energy put forth by Janet. Melt in your mouth brisket and all the trimmings served to cancel our hunger and the music from Colorado and band entertained us with Patriotic song. Those in attendance agreed they had the same feelings as in '94. It was truly inspiring to hear those first timers try to express their feelings of pride at what they had been a part of for the past three days. It is my hope that God grant me the ability to be present at the next such gathering as those who will be the leaders of this army continue to learn.
God Bless Texas and those who fight to reaffirm our constitutional REPUBLIC
Sput
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Have I done that which I can do to the best of my ability?
HELL NO !! - but I'm trying.
Sputnik
