tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185266790279271893.post576102260219002725..comments2023-09-28T07:27:57.335-05:00Comments on democrat2democrat: Redistricting and Louisiana ApartheidMike Stagghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341098766664384541noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185266790279271893.post-9187678437867769142011-03-10T00:32:47.672-06:002011-03-10T00:32:47.672-06:00Jim, the redistricting tools you mention are actua...Jim, the redistricting tools you mention are actually publicly available for free these days. A 20-year veteran of Microsoft, Dave Bradlee has created such a tool ("Dave's Redistricting Application") that uses current Census data to enable users to create their own maps.<br /><br />The congressional district map shown on the front page of the newsletter was created using that application. Here's the link to the PDF version of the map:<br />http://www.louisianad2d.us/LA3-3.pdf<br /><br />I am now working on a state Senate map (it allows users to do this by controlling the number of districts involved) and hope to have something for review in a couple of days, as time allows.<br /><br />The Louisiana Democratic Party needs to engage in this process. Our opponents have been working at this process a lot longer than we have.Mike Stagghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07341098766664384541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185266790279271893.post-63513526340244192452011-03-09T21:34:11.215-06:002011-03-09T21:34:11.215-06:00First, I want to say the Judge's decision that...First, I want to say the Judge's decision that "should" does not mean "shall" in the Constitutional mandate for diverse representation "by race and gender reflecting the State's population" seems to me to be a violation of the Judge's oath to "uphold the Constitution of the State of Louisiana" just as egregious as Jindal's refusal to follow one iota of that mandate. How can an all-white board of regents in any way follow that Constitutional provision? If there is wiggle room in "should" rather than "shall", still. the Constitution cannot in good conscience be totally flouted. If there is an appeal, I am confident this opinion will be overturned.<br /><br /> Next, I totally agree with the facts and opinions in this article. As a Democratic State Senator from 1991 until 2000, I went through a redistricting fight and managed to come up with a consensus plan for my Senatorial District in Southwest Louisiana (District 23) maintaining the racial diversity (about 31% black) which had allowed me to be elected before and then to run first in my two subsequent elections. Consequently I was able to forge strong partnerships with the Black delegation and get help from many of the Democrats with significant black minorities. <br /><br /> I witnessed many votes along strictly partisan lines (Republicans allied with the bluest of the Blue Dog (?Democrats?). However, our rare victories against the special interests would not have been possible without unanimous support of the Black Delegation and the courageous votes of the true Democrats among the white Senators. <br /><br /> We need a think tank to come up with concrete redistricting plans promoting the ideas in this article. Any ally in the Senate, black or white, would have access to a remarkable computer array of possible plans by simple request for access to the Senate redistricting computer array of possible redistricting plans. The request must be made by the Senator to Glen Koepp, the Senate Secretary, who is a very fair person. <br /> That Senator could bring a computer-savvy person like Mike Stagg (there may be others but the person should be on top of his or her game with computers). The starting point for an overall plan with any realistic chance of success would be to get approval by the black delegation in both houses with emphasis on protecting not only the black districts but also the minority-influenced white districts. Once the strategy is undestood by all, then the petty bickering that usually surrounds the legislators' approach to redistricting can be set aside almost completely for the greater good. It would certainly be worth the effort and might salvage what is left of the shambles that the Democratic Party has become.<br /><br />Jim Coxzjimbohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15758620430897293906noreply@blogger.com