Flogging (or beating) a dead horse refers to pursuing an effort that is futile, a waste of time without the possibility of a positive outcome. The term originated in the UK in the 1800s.
A similar term, riding a dead horse, is attributed to Dakota tribal wisdom that says, “When you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount.”
I don’t know which is most applicable, but it certainly seems as though our quorum court is dealing with a dead horse in the ordinance that is on the agenda for a third reading in the next quorum court meeting.
The ordinance (horse) already had one life earlier in the year. It was read three times, put to a vote and tabled three times and, failed to garner enough votes to even be tabled on the fourth attempt.
Resurrected, the ordinance has been read twice and, with the third reading, they can vote on it.
The ordinance restricts, through a vote of the people, the constitutional authority assigned to the county judge and quorum court in providing support documents for a casino applicant. The license has been awarded. There will be no casino applicant to provide a support letter to.
Because the ordinance restricts the constitutional authority of the county judge and quorum court, it is automatically void if passed.
Void, embarrassing, unneeded, moot.
A dead horse, indeed.
(Note: image is adapted from an image of a sleeping – not dead – horse)