Headline
Article III, Section 10 of the Texas State Constitution states:
“Two-thirds of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as each House may provide.“
U.S. Senators represent the states before the federal government. Texas State Senator John Cornyn acted correctly and lawfully. He enlisted the aid of federal law enforcement. They were tasked to locate the errant Democrat members of the Texas House of Representatives. Their goal was to return them to the Texas State Capitol.
Ignorance or Indifference to the Rule of Law?
“Ignorantia juris non excusat,” meaning “ignorance of the law excuses not,” is a foundational principle in legal systems worldwide. This doctrine asserts that individuals are expected to know and understand the laws governing their actions, even without explicit instruction. Its significance lies in maintaining order and accountability within society.
LegalClarity, January 23, 2025, Ignorantia Juris Non Excusat: What It Means and Its Legal Impact
The first thing that the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor ask their respective chambers to do is to decide on the rules that the legislators will follow during the session. Some legislative procedures are provided for in the state constitution, but additional rules can be adopted by a house of the legislature if approved by a majority vote of its members.
Texas Government 2.0, The Legislative Process: Setting the Stage and Making the Rules
The word outlaw means a person who refuses to be governed by the established rules or practices of any group; rebel; nonconformist.
Connecting the Dots
Representatives Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), and Jamie Raskin (D-MA-08) are not ignorant of the law. They are indifferent to Texas law. A person or persons who are indifferent to the law are naturally inclined to disobey the law. Jasmine Crockett demonstrates a propensity for profanity.
The behaviors of the four named members of the U.S. House of Representatives compare with the behaviors of incarcerated persons: illiteracy.
According to the Correctional Education Association and other statistical data, the illiteracy [rate] for adult inmates is estimated at 75 percent. Although learning to read by itself will not prevent participation in crime, illiteracy may preclude knowledge of the legal system, participation in treatment programs, finishing education, finding employment, and may interfere with establishing good social relationships. Recent studies from eight states and the Correctional Service of Canada all indicate that education programs impact positively on recidivism.
The word profane is a derivative of the Latin word profanus, meaning ‘outside of the temple’. The Latin verb prophanare means ‘to desecrate’.
Illiteracy and profanity are a recipe for societal collapse.
Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
Founding Father and Second President of the United States, John Adams
Conclusion
To represent means to serve as an example or specimen of the voters within a congressional district. It also means to exemplify the values and customs of the residents of the district. The verb exemplify comes from the Latin exemplificāre: to copy.
The illiteracy of elected members of the House of Representatives demonstrates that voters in their congressional districts lack education. Their profanity reveals the voters’ spiritual shallowness.
Government is not the solution to illiteracy and profanity. Only the church, the spirit-filled, Bible-believing disciples of Jesus Christ, can alleviate moral depravity and illiteracy. The key is not more preaching; he key is more loving.
1 John 4:8 teaches, “Anyone who does not love [unconditionally] does not know God, for God is [unconditional] love.”
A natural response is to chastise or criticize the people of the aforementioned congressional districts. Christians are called to overcome our natural instincts. We are called to love them and to intercede for them through prayer.
- 1 Peter 4:8 Above all things, have unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
- Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.
- Romans 12:9-13 Let love be without hypocrisy. Hate what is evil. Cleave to what is good. Be devoted to one another with brotherly love; prefer one another in honor, do not be lazy in diligence, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord, rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer, contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.
John White
Rockwall, Texas
John N. White 