It was 7 PM on March 3, 2020, and the line to vote in the Texas primary stretched on for hours. Hervis Rogers had to report to one of his two jobs at 6 AM the next morning. But Rogers was determined to cast his ballot in Harris County. When he was finally able to vote more than 6 hours later, he still had a positive attitude.
What a terrific column, Judd, exposing the hypocrisy of Rogers' arrest as 'proof' of voter fraud, and ending be exposing the real criminals in this mix.
Not that I don't value the focus on all the corporate donations in violation of outwardly stated principles, but I really appreciate this post as a spotlight on an abusive criminal justice system. Did Hervis Rogers commit a crime by voting as a parolee? By the letter of the law, yes, but it's an absurd law with an even more absurd potential sentence looming if he's found guilty. Thanks, Judd.
I can’t praise you enough for this article. I hope you are forwarding this to the “big guys”, no offense, to Biden, the DNC, Rachel, anyone who could amplify your voice. What a travesty of justice in the true sense of the word.
Texas is one of our most racist states ( I worked there for more than 20 years so I know first hand this is true) and it’s abuse of the legal system to imprison and continue to punish people of color is absolutely OUTRAGEOUS. Why do we allow this to continue when we know it’s wrong. If Texas were doing this to white people how long could they get away with it?
It's openly racist, but Republicans have learned that there are very few (if any) penalties for being openly racist, especially in Red States. It's all part of their plan to legislate/gerrymander themselves into permanent power in large sections of the country.
"Paxton's office "spent more than 22,000 staff hours tracking voter fraud cases in 2020, yet resolved just 16 prosecutions." All 16 prosecutions "involved Harris County residents who gave false addresses on their voter registration forms."" - I would be willing to bet that these are instances where the potential voter was registering their new address - to ensure their right to vote - but hadn't yet paid to get the address on their ID changed. Considering all the real crimes our communities face, what amazes me the most is the money and time spent to go after these cases. How is that even remotely acceptable? THAT should be a crime in itself - the willful wasting of public resources to serve political purposes.
If Paxton spent all that money and time looking for voter fraud and all he could find was this guy (and that likely only because he was on TV), Paxton is incompetent, lying, or voter fraud doesn't exist in the amounts he claims.
What a terrific column, Judd, exposing the hypocrisy of Rogers' arrest as 'proof' of voter fraud, and ending be exposing the real criminals in this mix.
Not that I don't value the focus on all the corporate donations in violation of outwardly stated principles, but I really appreciate this post as a spotlight on an abusive criminal justice system. Did Hervis Rogers commit a crime by voting as a parolee? By the letter of the law, yes, but it's an absurd law with an even more absurd potential sentence looming if he's found guilty. Thanks, Judd.
My rage is only surpassed by the hopelessness I feel for our country.
Sickened by this and by the nation's continuing downward spiral. Texas is beyond a joke.
I can’t praise you enough for this article. I hope you are forwarding this to the “big guys”, no offense, to Biden, the DNC, Rachel, anyone who could amplify your voice. What a travesty of justice in the true sense of the word.
I wish I was even a little surprised. This should be on the front page of Every Paper, but of course, it's not.
Texas is one of our most racist states ( I worked there for more than 20 years so I know first hand this is true) and it’s abuse of the legal system to imprison and continue to punish people of color is absolutely OUTRAGEOUS. Why do we allow this to continue when we know it’s wrong. If Texas were doing this to white people how long could they get away with it?
If you can read this, look at the photos of both he and the woman behind bars, you know exactly the color of their skin is why they were charged.
The state of Texas has become a harbinger of what the GOP wants across the country.
Thank you for this article. It makes my blood boil at the injustice of it all.
It's openly racist, but Republicans have learned that there are very few (if any) penalties for being openly racist, especially in Red States. It's all part of their plan to legislate/gerrymander themselves into permanent power in large sections of the country.
Where is Sarah Wall who used to comment a great deal. Hope she is ok!
"Paxton's office "spent more than 22,000 staff hours tracking voter fraud cases in 2020, yet resolved just 16 prosecutions." All 16 prosecutions "involved Harris County residents who gave false addresses on their voter registration forms."" - I would be willing to bet that these are instances where the potential voter was registering their new address - to ensure their right to vote - but hadn't yet paid to get the address on their ID changed. Considering all the real crimes our communities face, what amazes me the most is the money and time spent to go after these cases. How is that even remotely acceptable? THAT should be a crime in itself - the willful wasting of public resources to serve political purposes.
If Paxton spent all that money and time looking for voter fraud and all he could find was this guy (and that likely only because he was on TV), Paxton is incompetent, lying, or voter fraud doesn't exist in the amounts he claims.
I'll take Door Number All.
Texas is crooked and racist, who could have guessed?