An hour before Gov. Brahman’s live press conference, reports were coming in that international poll watchers had been detained at various Texas border checkpoints by the feds. The feds had no intention of allowing the special election to move forward and was turning back any independent monitoring groups.
At 6:00 p.m., news channels from around the world focused on the south steps of the Texas capitol building.
Flanked by legislators, Texas Rangers, and other state government officials, Gov. Brahman stepped to the microphone. “The Texas Legislature, legally called into special session by the governor of Texas, passed a special election referendum that will go to the voters tomorrow as planned,” said the governor matter-of-factly.
“Despite the president’s claims, make no mistake; this scheduled election is correct under the Texas Constitution of 1876 and it is correct under the U.S. Constitution. This referendum is intended to voice the will of the people of Texas. If passed, it authorizes the state of Texas to begin dialogue with the United States for Texas independence. The terms of any such separation would then be voted on once again,” stated Brahman.
“This administration has systematically rained tyranny and terror upon the people of Texas. President Johnson and his minions, especially with the complicit crimes of the Justice Department under Atty. Gen. Jamail Tibbs, have denied Texans due process and have violated the First, Second, Fourth and Tenth Amendments to the Constitution.
“The United States government, with very little protest from Congress, has launched paramilitary raids into Texas that have resulted in the death of our governor, first lady, lieutenant governor, the major general of the Texas Guard and many fine state troopers, Texas Rangers and everyday Texans. To add insult to injury, this administration, with the knowledge of some in Congress, staged paramilitary raids into Texas with the help of a foreign country and dubbed the raids Operation Santa Anna! This is complete disrespect to the people of Texas,” reported Brahman.
Taking his reading glasses off, it appeared the governor was about to break from his prepared statements.
“While this crisis in Texas has loomed, very few across the United States, in other states and in Congress have actively sought to halt the unprecedented power grab and, even after being presented with overwhelming evidence of the criminal behavior of the Justice Department and the White House, have simply cowered in a mire of gridlock, impotence and self-preservation,” said Brahman with disgust.
“This is not the America Texas signed up for!” he said, looking into the cameras. “If this is the America the rest of you want, so be it. But I can tell you this. There are many in Texas who want no part of it. This referendum will provide them a voice and present a direction on how Texans want us to proceed.”
There were already reporters trying to interrupt to ask questions. Brahman raised his hands for quiet, indicating he wasn’t done.
“Now, this president and this administration have halted banking, quarantined our ports, set up roadblocks in and out of the state, halted air traffic in and out, and have stopped federal payments to those who have earned them while they protected their cronies and federal employees.
“This president has directed the IRS to inflict undue hardships on political enemies and the businesses of those who differ from the administration politically.
“This president has anointed himself judge, jury and executioner by declaring those who participated in the legislative process and those who will vote tomorrow in the special election as enemies of the state.
“I ask all fellow Americans: since when has voting in an election or participating in the tenets of a constitutional republic become an act of treason? Never, is the answer!” he stated emphatically.
“Now, on the eve of this special election, the administration has resorted to the attempted installation of martial law. This is the act of a desperate despot. Meanwhile, this Congress sits idle, more interested in self-preservation, fearful of the administration and focused on their next election cycle. The so-called free press and media have coddled this administration and are no longer the prideful watchdogs of a free nation, but instead have morphed into a lapdog for the Left, spreading socialist propaganda and becoming a willing tool of tyranny.”
Brahman paused, took a deep breath and continued. “This nation has lost its identity. It has become a secular, socialistic cesspool of self-interests. I can tell you that most Texans believe this nation is a Christian nation, founded on Christian principles by Christian men and women. We should not be surprised by the acrid smell coming from the White House.
“In the effort to be tolerant to all, government has become least tolerant to Christians, has mocked our American heroes, has perverted the Constitution and vilified those who practice free enterprise, capitalism and a free market system. They have destroyed our education system, weaving it with socialist and communist ideologies to the point where most major universities are graduating little communists,” said Brahman with great intensity.
“As the rest of the nation watches Texans go to the polls tomorrow to cast their ballots in a free election, we will be watching you,” said Brahman, pointing to the throngs of reporters and cameras beneath him on the steps and out onto the lawn of the capitol.
“We will go to the polls tomorrow. I recommend all Americans call their congressmen and senators and demand that this administration allow Texans to cast their ballots as free individuals. Today, it’s Texas; tomorrow, it could be you!” reasoned Brahman.
“And, finally, I have a message to all Texans. We are committed to conducting this special election in a peaceful and fair manner. To that end, I would like to introduce a few folks who have managed to find their way into Texas.” The people standing behind Brahman moved so that approximately twenty people could make their way to stand behind him.
“Standing behind me here are fair election monitors from the countries of Scotland, Ireland, Ukraine, South Africa and Japan. We also have a human rights coalition from the United Nations. These folks have led delegations into Texas to monitor the election process and to witness and report on any irregularities or the suppression of votes by the federal government or anyone else,” declared Brahman, disclosing a strategy that the administration did not calculate.
“Now, I would like all Texans to understand that it is their right as free Texans to show up to the polling places and cast their ballots, whether for or against the referendum. It is your God-given right!
“We will do everything in our power to make this a safe day at the polls. We hereby call on President Johnson to immediately reverse his declaration of martial law and to allow the vote to proceed. The state of Texas does not recognize his authority to declare martial law or to rescind a legal election,” said Brahman.
“Please pay attention to your local newspapers, the state government website and your neighbors on where to report to the polls. Because of the federal government’s threats to volunteer election workers, we will not have the normal number of polling places, so you may have to travel to a polling place that is different from places where you have cast ballots in the past,” he announced.
“In order to vote, you will simply need to be a registered voter and present a picture ID issued from the State of Texas, whether it is a driver’s license or some other form of state-recognized identification. You will be allowed to vote from any open polling place.
“Now, my fellow Texans,” Brahman said as he peered off into the vast crowd, “it is your inherent God-given right to participate in this special election. No president, no governor, no military police, no federal agents can keep you from freely casting your ballot as a free Texan. The right to conduct a free election in this state is not an issue to be decided by a criminal administration or a do-nothing Congress. It is your God-given right, and I aim to provide you the means to cast your ballots in a safe, non-partisan manner.” Brahman continually shoved his index finger down on the podium as he made each point.
“I will k
indly remind all Texans of the words of the great Sam Houston, who said, ‘Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may’.”
As Brahman folded his paper to exit from the podium, an insistent reporter yelled, “What if the president launches a military strike into Texas to prevent the vote?”
“It would be the biggest mistake the president has made in his entire term of office, which has been full of criminal acts and mistakes,” replied Brahman as he exited.
Chapter 49
“Terrorism is the best political weapon, for nothing drives people harder than a fear of sudden death.”
~ Adolf Hitler (1889-1945)
It was dawn on election day in Texas.
The stock market gave early signs of worry, plunging three hundred points in pre-market trading. The United Nations Security Council was convening an emergency meeting called by France and Russia an hour after polls were slated to be open. World leaders called for calm and for the administration to exercise restraint. Many churches in Texas and elsewhere opened their parishes at six a.m. in the morning for those wishing to come in and pray for a safe election day.
The federal government had a plan in place to thwart the election. The Texas governor’s office had a plan of its own, determined to bring the referendum to the people. Something had to give.
Chuck Dixon met with approximately fifty of his fellow Tea Party patriots. This was the first time he recalled meeting with his fellow organizers when they were all openly armed. As was the plan, all the volunteers displayed a yellow arm band on their left upper arms, emblazoned with the famous Gadsden Flag snake, which had been adopted by most Tea Party groups. This would be an indication to state lawmen that these were volunteers and pro-Texas supporters in the event there was any confrontation with administration-friendly police, federal agents or U.S. military officials.
Dixon and his followers were assigned to four polling places, including one location in downtown Houston, which would normally have up to six in a general election. This downtown hotspot, in addition to other statewide urban polling places, would be natural targets for the administration as the city police department and county sheriff were pro-administration. The governor’s office, DPS and Texas Rangers felt like the big city polling places were likely the easiest for Johnson to target and shutter.
The two polling places that had volunteered to offer their facilities for the vote were a Jewish Community Center and a Catholic church. Regular polling places in city and county facilities were not made available, so state officials had to scramble in most areas of the state for places to vote. The polling place availability was reduced by almost fifty percent. Because of this, and the threats from Johnson and the declaration of martial law, most analysts were predicting a very tiny fraction of eligible voters to turn out.
At 5:00 a.m., Dixon had his volunteers at both downtown polling places. There were approximately fifty volunteers at each site, accompanied by two Texas Rangers and approximately ten DPS troopers each. There were also various constables and off-duty sheriffs’ department officials, despite the fact that the Harris County sheriff condemned the vote and announced he would not support it.
“Chuck, there was an exchange of gunfire by Texas Guard and DHS troops in that armored column near Orange on the Texas-Louisiana border. The line broke through and approximately thirty vehicles are en route on I-10, presumably headed this way!” reported one of Dixon’s men.
Dixon had just been notified by a Texas Ranger that all off-duty Houston police officers had been called in the night before, including SWAT and special unit officers. Also, the Service Employees Industry Union (SEIU) were gathering at the Mickey Leland Federal Building about ten blocks from the Jewish Community Center.
“Well, this is going to get interesting in a hurry, I’m sure,” said Dixon to a DPS officer standing close to him.
Just then the loud sound of two fighter jets rocketing over downtown Houston rattled buildings and windows as Dixon’s group strained to catch a glimpse in the breaking dawn.
More than one Tea Party volunteer turned militiaman was probably asking himself what he had gotten himself into.
“Look!” yelled someone near the southwest corner of the center.
“That’s a very good sign!” said Dixon, as he saw a small line of people against the wall arriving early and seemingly ready to vote. The small group numbered less than fifteen but, to Dixon, it was a positive sign.
The media was already out in force. The local ABC affiliate was interviewing those already in line. Dixon was nervous about that. Because of Johnson’s threats, he didn’t want people to turn away, but none did.
“Ma’am, can you tell me why you are here this morning?” asked the reporter, with the camera light from the cameraman shining brightly on her face.
“I’m here to vote,” she said.
“But, ma’am, the president of the United States said this vote is illegal and those that participated will be tried for treason!” retorted the reporter.
“That is exactly why I’m here to vote. I am against this referendum and, given the chance, will vote against it. However, nobody, not even the president himself, can tell me I can’t vote in a free election!” she stated in a very cogent manner.
As the reporter went down the line of voters, most of them stated the same indignation with being told they couldn’t vote.
“But aren’t you afraid you will be arrested or indicted for treason?” the reporter asked them all.
“I don’t like being told what to do,” said one in a cowboy hat.
“This is Texas. We don’t much like folks from Washington, D.C. telling us how to run things,” said another.
“It’s our constitutional right. Simple as that,” said a man in a business suit.
“Me and my sister are here to vote in honor of our late governor and first lady. There was no reason for them to be shot down, murdered for no good reason,” said one of the women.
“That’s right,” said the other one.
The scene in downtown Houston began to change rapidly. Houston Police arrived three blocks away and began barricading the area, surrounding both polling sites and diverting traffic. Even if this was just a traffic control issue, it was going to make it harder for people to vote because available parking was more than three city blocks away and now nobody had access to the Jewish Center’s parking lot and adjacent garage.
“Chuck, here they come!” yelled someone in Dixon’s direction.
Peering down Travis Street, Dixon could see Houston Police in full riot gear with Plexiglas shields and batons marching toward them. City workers were hastily erecting barricades to stop traffic in advance of their march. When the line of police got to the barricades, they stopped and held their position.
Others were reporting FBI and ATF personnel at various corners five to seven blocks away and behind the police lines. It was apparent the polling place was going to be surrounded and nobody was going to be let through to vote.
Two blocks away, the police let a large group of SEIU union members holding signs through the barricades and they were setting up right across the street from the center. They immediately began shouting at the volunteers and everyone who seemed to be involved in organizing the polling place. There were angry shouts back and forth between the union members and those in line to vote, which had now grown to nearly fifty people.
“Traitors!” a SIEU member yelled.
“Hang ’em high!” yelled another.
“Anti-American racists!” shouted an SEIU woman.
“Communists!” roared back one of the voters to the union members.
Several SEIU members came across the street to confront voters but were turned back by DPS troopers. The Houston Police made no efforts to calm the union. It was apparent that, if crowds on both sides grew, the polling place could quickly become chaotic. The SEIU crowd was especially insulting to the Tea Party volunteers. The fact that many of them were openly
carrying firearms only stoked the rage of the union members.
“We need to make a hole!” yelled Dixon to his volunteers. “Voters can’t get through the barricades!”
With zero hesitation, Dixon and approximately twenty of his volunteers, a Texas Ranger and three DPS officers strolled up Travis Street toward the police barricades.
Seeing a fully armed contingent heading their direction, the Houston Police started banging their batons against their Plexiglas shields, yelling for them to stop and turn around.
“Wait here!” Dixon yelled to his followers. “Ranger Schultz, let’s go!” Dixon, the Ranger and the three DPS officers continued the last block until reaching the barricades. Even though Schultz was the ranking state official at the polling place, everyone recognized Dixon as the heart and soul of the movement.
“Who’s in charge here?” yelled Ranger Schultz.
“Hold on for two minutes,” answered an officer. “The Chief of Police is en route and will be here.”
The Houston Police officers continued to beat their batons on their shields in cadence as an armored S.W.A.T. vehicle moved into place on the corner with no less than ten fully outfitted black paramilitary police hanging on from three sides.
Shortly thereafter, an SUV pulled up and several men in dark blue uniforms stepped out, including Houston Police Chief Cletus Henry.
“Gentlemen, good morning,” he said as he greeted Dixon and the four others. “You will be dealing with me this morning, gentlemen. The Harris County Sheriff’s department has been kind enough to attend your events at your other polling places around the county.”
“Sir, your barricades are intimidating people and preventing them from getting to the polling place down the street. We kindly ask that you make a lane for them to be able to enter and exit freely.”
“Your name, sir?” the police chief asked.
“John Q. Citizen,” answered Dixon semi-sarcastically as he knew that a federal arrest warrant still remained for his capture.
A State of Treason Page 32