from Hacker News

Ask HN: What Is Going on in Tennessee?

by boshomi on 4/12/23, 9:44 PM with 4 comments

I am European. I have a hard time understanding what is going on in Tennessee. It seems relevant to understanding US politics.

What did the GOP want to accomplish with the exclusion?

Were they not aware that this would have to be upheld in local courts?

Were they aware of the impression they were making on the public?

( Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson have both been reinstated to their seats by local county commissions. https://www.vox.com/politics/2023/4/10/23677366/tennessee-republicans-expelled-justin-jones-justin-pearson )

  • by jleyank on 4/12/23, 9:52 PM

    I would think (1) it was a display of power and entrenched privilege. Putting down uppity people. (2) they thought the courts would uphold or the constitutional issues would be deflected by a conservative court at some level. To me, it’s a free speech vs decorum issue and the latter isn’t anywhere near as significant. (3) they were playing to their voter base to avoid being attacked from the right in the primary election.

    It’s also possible it was entirely done to prove their right wing bonafides, knowing full well somebody would toss it. They’d call that liberal intrusion and so get more right wing support. It’s as if they’re not concerned about the general election which might be a safe bet in Tennessee.

  • by xqcgrek2 on 4/12/23, 9:57 PM

    >Were they aware of the impression they were making on the public?

    Left wing echo chambers are not the public, and certainly not in Tennessee.

    The impression you seem to have is "insurrections" are okay as long it's leftist.