This is insane

So, because of my history final, I'm waking up much earlier than I'm used to. I get up, go to my computer, and see what's going on in the world. And what news do I wake up to?

Texas Democrats are fleeing to Oklahoma, and the Republicans are seeking their arrest.

Outnumbered by House Republicans determined to pass a congressional redistricting bill, all but a few Democrats went into hiding today to keep the House from meeting. The House's GOP leader responded by ordering state troopers to find and arrest the missing lawmakers.

The House walkout not only blocked the redistricting bill but also action on all other bills on the calendar. The House cannot convene without at least two-thirds of the membership, or 100 members, present on the House floor under legislative rules.

Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick locked down the House chamber so that lawmakers already present could not leave, then he expressed his disgust with the Democrats.

"It is a disgrace to run and hide," Craddick said. After the roll call, he ordered that missing lawmakers be arrested and brought back to the chamber.

House Democrats said they were taking a stand for fair treatment of the minority party. They blamed U.S. House Majority Leader Tom Delay, R-Sugar Land, for pushing the Texas House to take up redistricting against the wishes of Democrats and some GOP state lawmakers.

I heard about this from Atrios and Bob Harris (posting over at This Modern World). Bob had this to add:

Texas has always been a nice preview of what the rest of us have coming under Bush -- a lack of respect for human life? check; sweetheart deals and the pillaging of the treasury? check; partisanship so extreme it leads to the complete breakdown of government? stay tuned...