lying liars

Justice Department lawyers concluded that the 2003 redistricting of Texas' congressional districts was in violation of the Voting Rights Act in a very long memo in December 2003. Their argument is primarily based on that screwy, last-minute backroom dealing we all witnessed and could do nothing about. Based on this, the lawyers recommended objection on the case.

But the political appointees (that would be Ashcroft's crowd) overrode the expert opinion of the lawyers and didn't object to the plan's clear attempt to diminish the voting rights of Texas minorities. As is their right to do since they are in charge, even though we've given them the public trust and asked them to uphold the laws as they are, not as they wish them to be.

The really rotten thing, though, is that no news of this memo has appeared before now. This case is currently on appeal before the Supreme Court. It's not surprising, but it's just another indication of the manner in which the redistricting was conducted (see TRMPAC). Tom Delay and company were concerned with maintaining their own power first and with respecting the law second. As the kids would say, that's not cool.

BOR has the Lone Star Project's analysis here.