Eight is Enough

Well, my one last shot came and went.  I attended the senate juidiciary committee meeting this morning, accompanied by my good friend Robert... and later, Biker Bob, and we waited--and waded--through what was an unsually boring session.  Bills were presented, argued, pulled or passed without much fanfare.  Maybe it wasn't so much really boring as it was that I just wasn't all that interested in it, although, I will say that Senator Flowers is a very outspoken and very common sensical person.  She can cast a lightly humorous spin on something and yet she presents herself and her views very candidly, accurately and openly.  In the times that I have attended these sessions, I've heard her speak against several bills and every time she has impressed me with her knowledge and approach.

HB1408 was NOT presented and not passed today.  I can't say that I'm all that surprised.  I am beginning to understand how the system works and I'm not certain, but I have a feeling I know why it wasn't presented today.  There were only five members of the committee present and when a bill is voted on, there must be five votes in favor of it.  That means that every member present would have to vote yes to pass a bill.

At one point and time today, a bill was presented that Senator Flowers expressed her opinion that the bill should not be passed.  When it came time for a vote, she matter-of-factly looked at the chairperson and said something to the effect of "why bother?  I'm not going to vote for it, so it's not going to pass."  It was comical really, because the chairperson still wanted to have the vote.  Of course, the bill was rejected and we moved on.

It occurred to me that the presenter of HB1408 would have been foolish to present the bill today, because it seems likely that Senator Flowers would have shot it down -- or at least Robert, Bob and I would hope so--and the bill would surely have failed.  Once I realized that, I realized there was really no point in my sticking around for the afternoon session, so I left.

Due to prior engagements, it will be April 4 before I can attend another session.  Concerned that I would miss out on an opportunity to speak against this bill, I decided to send a letter (by mail) to each of the eight senators, along with educational material from SOSEN and a free copy of my book.  I don't know if any of them would like a copy of my book, but they're getting one anyway...

I am shipping out all eight books tomorrow.  If YOU happen to be one of those lucky senators, keep an eye out for your mail delivery person.  Surprise!  Hope you like it...

I don't even want to think about the cost of eight books plus shipping, but my good friend Robert was very gracious and generously gave me $60 to cover some of the expenses.  That was very kind of him to do that...  Thank you, Robert...

I could be depressed about the fact that I made an umpteen number of trips back and forth to Little Rock for the past couple months --all for nothing, but I'm not.  I am simply moving on...  Oh, if I come back on April 4 and find that the bill is still not presented, I'll pick up where I left off, I'm sure...  But, I'd be surprised if the bill lasted that long...

Meanwhile, I do have some good news:  I am going to be meeting with my good friend Mary Duval tomorrow morning for the first time.  I wrote about Mary in my book; about her family's struggles with her teenage son's conviction and subsequent endless punishments...  I can't believe we haven't met before now, but we'll just happen to be in the same towm at the same time tomorrow, and I couldn't pass up the chance to meet her.

Mary's my hero, ya know!

I love ya, girl!