There is a strange but very memorable three-person band of guys named The Three Stooges. They “whoop-whoop-poop-pooped” “nyuk-nyuk-nyuked” their way through television history. Now, there are three Republican representatives plus one who apparently took their lessons from the TV-three Larry, Moe, and Curly.
When Shep stepped in to take Curly’s place we wondered why. In our very own little conspiracy theory and in hushed-tones, we repeated the lie that one of the trio’s stunts went sadly wrong, and they killed Curly. Hence, Shep. Actually, the actor had a stroke and died at age 48.
The Vaudeville team of Moe Howard, Moses Horwitz, and Larry Fine (Louis Feinberg) performed from 1922 to 1970, well with that one exception.
A new House act consists of three ultra-conservative Republican representatives who now face ethics violations. In a June 2020 hearing captured on YouTube, old Representative Louie Gohmert (R-TX) vigorously tapped his ring against his wooden desk until the man speaking could not be heard.
Impatient Louie was irritated that the speaker had gone over his allotted five minutes and complained:
‘Either we have. rules or we don’t.’
Apparently, they do not. Gohmert and two of his Amigos now face ethics violations:
‘Gohmert had a Red “No” vote card in his hand – but the video never showed him actually submitting it to the clerk, though he was clearly discussing it at the dais. You can see Gohmert holding the card here just before the final vote is announced.’
In an overnight session to avoid the possible March 4 repeat of January 6, the House voted for HR 1280. For some reason, Representative Lance Gooden (R-TX) voted for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 and left. He was the only Republican to do so.
Punchbowl News‘ John Bresnahn said Gohmert’s Republican buddies freaked. First, they protested. Then, each of them tried to change Gooden’s vote with the Tally Clerk, which was a clear ethics violation.
All representatives in the House have a card they can punch into voting stations to cast their vote. Anyone can change their vote until the last five minutes. Then, they have to take a “red card” to the clerk, sign it, and personally hand it over. Gooden did not. But three somebodies did.
Bresnahn said Representatives Gohmert, Randy Weber (R-TX), and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) were guilty:
‘The cards were rejected by House clerks. A possible ethics violation by [Representatives] Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Randy Weber (R-TX), and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND).’
Radio news correspondent Jamie Dupree reviewed the C-SPAN coverage and saw a blue-suited man racing down the House’s center aisle. Dupree wrote:
‘That person keeps running past the dais, but reaches out with his right hand and leaves a Red voting card for the clerk. That person continues running past the dais – a very unusual way to vote – and heads toward the Speaker’s Lobby door upper left in the photo. The voting clerk picks up the Red card – you can clearly see i’t in his hand – as the person who left it exits the chamber upper left.’
Take a look at how the night’s events unfolded. Dupree tweeted:
‘More from last night. This is a GOP member getting a Red “No” vote card from the Well, and trying to cast it for another Republican. This member walks over to stand with Rep. Louie Gohmert R-TX on the left of the picture, and the clerk refuses to accept it.’
Then, Dupree wrote:
‘Building off the story from @bresreports I went back to look at the video from last night. 1/’
The reporter continued the timeline:
‘At one point late in the vote – with the ‘No’ vote of Rep. Lance Gooden R-TX still on the board, someone suddenly runs down the center aisle into the Well. 2/’
Who does this remind us of? The story goes on:
‘That person keeps running past the dais, but reaches out with his right hand and leaves a Red voting card for the clerk (Red=No). 3/’
Ever so sly:
‘That person continues running past the dais – a very unusual way to vote – and heads toward the Speaker’s Lobby door upper left in the photo 4/’
The clerk picks up the red card:
‘The voting clerk picks up the Red card – you can clearly see it in his hand – as the person who left it exits the chamber upper left. 5/’
No luck, guys:
‘After conferring with others on the dais, the vote is not counted (Red card still visible in the clerk’s hand, and one floor staffer goes out in the Speaker’s Lobby to look for the person who dropped off the card. 6/’
Gooden never changed his own vote.
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.
