27 April—Remember when, three weeks ago, the Republican stupid-dupid majority of the Tennessee House of Representatives, on a party-line vote, embarrassed Republicans (and all reasonably intelligent Tennesseans) by expelling a pair of black Democrat assemblymen on an absolutely stupid pretense?

Well, yesterday the Republican stupid-dupid majority of the Montana House of Representatives, on a party-line vote, embarrassed Republicans (and all reasonably intelligent Montanans) by silencing a white Democrat assemblyperson [sic] on an absolutely stupid pretense.

The victimized Democrat this time is a young transgender bisexual (or bisexual transgender), Zooey Zephyr. Over a week ago Zooey complained that the Montana morons who voted to pass a particularly distasteful bill only heartless dickheads could appreciate and support that prevented transgender kids from accessing gender-affirming health care would have “blood on your hands.” Zooey was alluding to the increased likelihood of suicide among transgender youth. But Zooey didn’t call the dickheads dickheads.

Zooey insists that the bloody prophecy wasn’t hyperbolic, that legislative votes have consequences. But the Montana Freedom Caucus—the Republican assholes in both houses of the state’s legislature—accused the outspoken representative of trying to shame members by using “inappropriate and uncalled-for language.” And the Dickheads of Helena were serious.

So they trumped up a charge of “breach of decorum” to punish Zooey.

Jesus Christ! Are those Montana Republican half-wits oblivious to common sense, reality, and decency? Not to mention common political practice? They all do it, all pols, all parties. They’re all certainly capable of the same sort of imprudent, impudent, partisan, petty assholery.

It’s just that the Republicans seem to be doing it more blatantly—and with impunity—these days. That’s because it’s only fairly recently that hyperpartisanship has reared its disgusting head; and nonconformance, noncompliance with the majority—any majority—has become punishable by that selfsame arrogant majority. (You can’t blame Trump. He’s a result rather than a cause.)

How long before lynch mobs return?

So Rep. Zephyr has not been allowed to speak on legislation since the trumped-up breach of decorum. Zooey is barred from the House floor, anteroom, and gallery for the remainder of the session. (And probably whatever bathroom she’s been allowed to use.) The only thing Zooey may do is vote—and that only remotely.

Last week, the Montana Freedom Caucus dickheads insisted, “This kind of hateful rhetoric from an elected official is exactly why tragedies such as the Covenant Christian School shooting in Nashville occurred,” referring to the mass shooting that motivated the Tennessee dickheads to expel two black members. Hateful rhetoric? Now that most certainly is hyperbolic breach of decorum, clearly intended to rouse the Republican rabble and justify the unjustifiable.

And so on. There are more disgusting details that further discredit the Montana Republican morons, who, despite their patently self-serving bullshit, have done absolutely nothing at all to justify their abominable travesty. Just like their pals in Tennessee. But the point is, a legislature—especially a legislature—simply should not and must not silence a legislator for expressing any views at all. Isn’t that what legislatures and legislators are there for?