Oh, you are wonderful. But please—no more rappelling.(I am extremely acrophobic). I know you are physically fit—you had to be to pack up your office.
Manchin and Sinema are DINOs. I know my Dante well enough to know where they will ultimately end up. As for Virginia, today I am more worried about the redistricting maps that are being drawn in North Carolina. The January 6 deniers and the Press are going hand in hand on the awfulization of democracy story, and frankly, I am mildly irritated at even the WaPo for some of their headlines.
The worst that can happen is we will be living in the hell of climate change in a country run by hysterical gun-owners who care more about their bank account than people. I have been there before, and know I will be gone before the worst happens. The best that can happen is that I will quit giving these bozos rent-free space in my head, will start each day with Robert Hubbell and Heather Cox Richardson, and continue my perusal of 20th century literature in retirement. Yes, I care about my country, but the posturing of the present day covers the same old greed and venality we have always endured in the human condition.
1. The SCOTUS, in its Federalist glory, will happily agree that no state is going to deprive the all-powerful SCOTUS from from declaring what's constitutional. Reversing constitutional norms, like Roe v Wade, belongs to them.
And
2. Historians will be harsh on Manchin and Sinema. I hope books can still be published and sold when that happens.
WOW. As someone with a pretty well-developed fear of heights, I am overcome with admiration for your high-flying feat! In participating in an event like that, you show that life goes on, whatever the political turmoil around us. And while that can be an excuse to do nothing, it is also a necessary corrective.
The betting seems to be (I could not spare the time, nor my stomach the stress of listening to the arguments yesterday) that the Supremes will approve the suit by abortion providers and nix the one by DOJ. Both should proceed. However, if the providers' suit can go forward, the matter should go back to the District Court judge who originally enjoined SB8 (I think it was in that suit, not the DOJ's that he ruled). His injunction will be reinstated--perhaps automatically. So for now, that will work.
However, as I have pointed out, the arguments in Dobbs on December 1 will be about much more than abortion. Roe v. Wade is based upon a constitutional right of privacy. Any decision overruling it will inevitably limit, if it does not gut, that right. That is something all Americans should worry about. Think of the state being able to tell you that you can't wear a hat indoors at the mall. Or that you can't wear a T-shirt with lettering on it. Or that you need government permission for a hernia operation.
Finally, if you have not read the decision in Roe v. Wade, I urge you to do so. It was a masterful work. Type 410 U.S. 113 into your browser and you will find it. You'll have to wade through some procedural stuff, but the meat of the opinion is really terrific.
Hmm on the one hand you note the violence of 1/6 and the continued Big Lie and the distrust of the 2020 election and on the other hand you suggest that polls indicating a significant population that sees violence as a way to save the country are way off base. I think 1/6 is the evidence that there is a significant group not constrained by societal norms. Yes, a lot of folks are constrained by societal norms until they’re not. The rhetoric of the right and the trumper lies are constantly eating away at those societal norms. You have no idea how many families are divided and may never be reconciled again. If societal norms are constraints on violence, then why are cops killing so many unarmed people. Why did a kid from IL take his guns to WI to “protect” property and kill two protestors? Why are parents threatening school board members over mask mandates and promoting factual history? Why are cops ready to die from COVID rather than get vaccinated? Sure this isn’t the majority but a significant minority is willing to use violence and intimidation tactics. I think it’s not something we can dismiss as talk is cheap. Nor can we say that anonymous social media rants are more cheap talk. There are too many sources of hate speech and too many supposed leaders advocating taking matters in to our own hands and destroying those societal norms you think are still in place. Have you followed how many guns have been purchased— more guns in a household a bigger issue than more households with guns. There are more hard core haters who are willing to come forward because there are so many sources saying it’s OK to hate and to display your hate and to act on your hate.
I am still on the repelling-down-the-wall event. That would have done me in. Makes my stomach flip just reading it. But back to the planet. First, the Robert Reich column you recommended yesterday (Nov 1) is excellent and I will re-read it. Second, I just think of Mancine and Sinema as R's. We don't have control of the Senate. Third, if any ANY of the discussion of Jan 6 rationale was attributed to BLM or Socialists (armed insurrection?), there would be a frenzy.
Hmm, so Bob Hubbell has gone over the edge. (Shudder). Can we get an address for where to write Manchin and Sinema in order to tell them what we think of their clownship? A letter-writing campaign seems to be in order.
Oh, you are wonderful. But please—no more rappelling.(I am extremely acrophobic). I know you are physically fit—you had to be to pack up your office.
Manchin and Sinema are DINOs. I know my Dante well enough to know where they will ultimately end up. As for Virginia, today I am more worried about the redistricting maps that are being drawn in North Carolina. The January 6 deniers and the Press are going hand in hand on the awfulization of democracy story, and frankly, I am mildly irritated at even the WaPo for some of their headlines.
The worst that can happen is we will be living in the hell of climate change in a country run by hysterical gun-owners who care more about their bank account than people. I have been there before, and know I will be gone before the worst happens. The best that can happen is that I will quit giving these bozos rent-free space in my head, will start each day with Robert Hubbell and Heather Cox Richardson, and continue my perusal of 20th century literature in retirement. Yes, I care about my country, but the posturing of the present day covers the same old greed and venality we have always endured in the human condition.
1. The SCOTUS, in its Federalist glory, will happily agree that no state is going to deprive the all-powerful SCOTUS from from declaring what's constitutional. Reversing constitutional norms, like Roe v Wade, belongs to them.
And
2. Historians will be harsh on Manchin and Sinema. I hope books can still be published and sold when that happens.
Love your charity move of going over the edge, and glad you survived!
I appreciate your putting factual specificity to feelings of optimism.
WOW. As someone with a pretty well-developed fear of heights, I am overcome with admiration for your high-flying feat! In participating in an event like that, you show that life goes on, whatever the political turmoil around us. And while that can be an excuse to do nothing, it is also a necessary corrective.
The betting seems to be (I could not spare the time, nor my stomach the stress of listening to the arguments yesterday) that the Supremes will approve the suit by abortion providers and nix the one by DOJ. Both should proceed. However, if the providers' suit can go forward, the matter should go back to the District Court judge who originally enjoined SB8 (I think it was in that suit, not the DOJ's that he ruled). His injunction will be reinstated--perhaps automatically. So for now, that will work.
However, as I have pointed out, the arguments in Dobbs on December 1 will be about much more than abortion. Roe v. Wade is based upon a constitutional right of privacy. Any decision overruling it will inevitably limit, if it does not gut, that right. That is something all Americans should worry about. Think of the state being able to tell you that you can't wear a hat indoors at the mall. Or that you can't wear a T-shirt with lettering on it. Or that you need government permission for a hernia operation.
Finally, if you have not read the decision in Roe v. Wade, I urge you to do so. It was a masterful work. Type 410 U.S. 113 into your browser and you will find it. You'll have to wade through some procedural stuff, but the meat of the opinion is really terrific.
It seems we just cannot overrule or make impotent maniacs like Manchin and McConnell. Sigh!
Hmm on the one hand you note the violence of 1/6 and the continued Big Lie and the distrust of the 2020 election and on the other hand you suggest that polls indicating a significant population that sees violence as a way to save the country are way off base. I think 1/6 is the evidence that there is a significant group not constrained by societal norms. Yes, a lot of folks are constrained by societal norms until they’re not. The rhetoric of the right and the trumper lies are constantly eating away at those societal norms. You have no idea how many families are divided and may never be reconciled again. If societal norms are constraints on violence, then why are cops killing so many unarmed people. Why did a kid from IL take his guns to WI to “protect” property and kill two protestors? Why are parents threatening school board members over mask mandates and promoting factual history? Why are cops ready to die from COVID rather than get vaccinated? Sure this isn’t the majority but a significant minority is willing to use violence and intimidation tactics. I think it’s not something we can dismiss as talk is cheap. Nor can we say that anonymous social media rants are more cheap talk. There are too many sources of hate speech and too many supposed leaders advocating taking matters in to our own hands and destroying those societal norms you think are still in place. Have you followed how many guns have been purchased— more guns in a household a bigger issue than more households with guns. There are more hard core haters who are willing to come forward because there are so many sources saying it’s OK to hate and to display your hate and to act on your hate.
I am still on the repelling-down-the-wall event. That would have done me in. Makes my stomach flip just reading it. But back to the planet. First, the Robert Reich column you recommended yesterday (Nov 1) is excellent and I will re-read it. Second, I just think of Mancine and Sinema as R's. We don't have control of the Senate. Third, if any ANY of the discussion of Jan 6 rationale was attributed to BLM or Socialists (armed insurrection?), there would be a frenzy.
Forgive me, and thank you for the kind words. Just worn out today for some reason.
Hmm, so Bob Hubbell has gone over the edge. (Shudder). Can we get an address for where to write Manchin and Sinema in order to tell them what we think of their clownship? A letter-writing campaign seems to be in order.