Mary B, oh they care …. about maintaining the oligarchy whether it is because they want power or money or racial superiority or all three. As we all are realizing the power of these groups is only gaining and it has to be stopped or we will lose even more of our democracy.
It’s not that they don’t care or have nefarious purposes, it’s that they don’t have the understanding to grasp what is driving them —perhaps their reptilian brain? We have so many issues to deal with and most of them are the result of starving any chance for the poor to raise themselves. One of the most insidious ones are the many ancient water systems still running in this country, particularly in poor areas.
These systems pour lead into deprived, undernourished, undereducated brains. How else can you explain the national drop in IQ scores from average 100 to average 90? I know that IQ measures are a flawed markers for many reasons, but even so; any mind is filled with what it perceives and then interprets the world through whatever filters it has observed. Consider what the majority of the poor generation for the last 30 years has ingested mentally. And consider that their parents were imbibing in their day. The slide has been increasing in weight over time and will continue if not stopped.
As a person born in 1945, it is no surprise to me that my parents were dubbed “the greatest generation”. They may have been the last who lived in a congestive society. How to fix that is beyond me. I know the white supremacists have a solution that should be killed before it gets any bigger.
I totally agree. What’s truly concerns me is why, especially in the last five or six years, the Democrats haven’t effectively challenged any of the insane pronouncements and actions spoken and perpetrated by the Cult republican on their quest to destroy our Democracy and replace it with an authoritarian fascist regime. How’s that for a run on sentence? I truly believe that if the Dems had taken their necessary roll as the loyal opposition more seriously we wouldn’t be in this frightening and tenuous situation. I believe they are part of the problem.
"Walker notes that the issue at stake is not whether the legislators who wrote the new laws are racist, but rather whether race was a factor in the writing of SB 90. Recognizing that few people would today openly admit their racial motivations, he explains that the court needed to look at the circumstances around the passage of SB 90 to determine if race played a role in the law. 'Think of it like viewing a pointillist painting, such as Georges Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,' Walker wrote. 'One dot of paint on the canvas is meaningless, but when thousands of dots are viewed together, they create something recognizable. So too here, one piece of evidence says little, but when all of the evidence is viewed together, a coherent picture emerges.'"
Not only do I love the metaphor Judge Walker uses to make his point that overwhelming evidence of racial bias of intent can disqualify such legislation but that he is knowledgable about pointillism and George Seurat's work to refer to it as well as properly identifying one of his most famous works by name. Splendid work, Sir! Brilliant!
That is such an amazing statement. I was 40 years old and in college taking an elective general ed class Art 151 before I became aware of this amazing painting. It is one of my favorites. Most of those that vote Republican in my area are lucky to have graduated from high school! They lack the desire for an education. They just like to drive their big loud trucks around with their Trump 2024 flags!
I have to say, even folks who just graduated high school (and arent Repubs) might possibly be aware of this painting - speaking for myself, that is. Otherwise, I agree.
The brilliance of the judge's analogy is that one doesn't have to know what pointillist painting is, or anything about Seurat -- because he explains what he's getting at. Maybe you'd like it better if he talked about pixels, or about forests and trees? Besides, he's not writing primarily for generic Republicans. A key part of his audience is other judges, and lawyers who bring voting rights cases, and any of us who have occasion to explain why these voter suppression laws are so bad.
I am going to defend my Republican friends who are of the ilk of Liz Cheney or Mitt romney, deplorable on policy but honest and caring about democracy. There are more of them than care to admit it.
My formerly Republican friends are now mostly "unenrolled" (meaning not affiliated with any particular party), and a couple of them are now registered Democrats. My state's outgoing governor is a Republican (Charlie Baker -- I'm in MA), and plenty of Dems and unenrolled voters have supported him. I'm not a fan of Charlie, but he's had a hard time navigating the GOP scene in MA because the state GOP is Trump-sh*t crazy and he's way too moderate for them. Also some of the Dem officeholders in this state, especially in the state House of Representatives, are nothing to write home about. So -- well, it's complicated!
Being the swine they are, an all-out assault will now be launched on the "elitist, liberal, activist Judge," although this is not 'progressive but basic constitutional requirements. What they can't eat they will trample. What they can't trample they will drag into the mud for a wallow.
Okay, folks, I am going to play the curmudgeon here. I know plenty of Republicans who know what pointilism is. To assume that ALL Republicans are clueless about the visual arts, music, literature, etc., is ridiculous. And Keith, I am willing to bet you've known plenty of Republicans who know who Seurat is, too
Daria Most of the Republicans I knew who were familiar with pointillism were Eisenhower Republicans who have passed. As Doris Day expressed it Que Seurat Seurat, for those who remember Doris Day.
When I went to Paris on business, I stayed at the Hotel Maurice, which was triangular between my work locales at the Presidency and Ministry of Finance and the Jet des Pommes (I believe that was then the name for the Louvre’s impressionist painting gallery.) What delightful Saturdays with Manet, Monet, Van Gogh, Seurat, and others, some of whom were rejected in the 1863 exhibition of the Refuses.
I still believe that British painter Sisley was the first major impressionist.
My excuse is that I grew up in a home with 30 apple trees rather than palm trees. Clearly my French has deteriorated since the early 1970s and the Jeu de Paume is no more. That’s the problem of being ‘late middle age.’
In the 1950s I worked in Egypt, which briefly became the United Arab Republic, then the United Arab States (Syria and Yemen) returning back to Egypt. I started in Congo-Leopoldville, which after my departure in 1966, became Zaire with Kinshasa, and then back to Congo. Plus la change, plus la meme chose?
I looked it up to verify the spelling of Paume because I, too, was thinking it was Palme but it isn't even close. It refers to an early precursor of tennis, played indoors in what is now the museum du Jeu de Paume. It was played without rackets in the beginning so seems to have been more like hand ball than tennis. The building itself still exists, located at the north end of the Jardins des Tuileries facing Place de la Concorde, and is a museum of photographic arts. https://www.eutouring.com/history_jeu_de_paume_museum.html
A small but important point. The judge wrote this as a case study response, suspecting appeals. His ruling, which I think is HCR's point, can be boiler plate in other litigation or a Democrat strategy to combat the class of repressive state legislation rampant in this run-up year. The Seurat reference is so easy to apply as there are sooo many small dots where the fight will continue to arise.
An aside from my red-state County elections. For virtually every office in this non-partisan spring election (school board, county and town supervisors) there are multiple write-in candidates aggressively campaigning (real big sign paid for by guess who). Word has gotten out that winners in uncontested seats are often by just a few votes as turnout is so low.
lol - It's also sad and I find somewhat restrictive that we only have the "heart" emoji to utilize on this (substack) structure. I have often felt the 'need' for far more. I often fight with myself to restrict my personal need to say or emote things on this and other forums, lest I forget ownership's propriety. The plain fact is, I adore our good doctor and the thoughtful insights and perspectives of those who've exercised the grace to learn here and other forums she shares on. I've followed her for far longer than she knows; saw the stumbles - like the lapse in posting for a time. I wondered, but followed still, till I finally felt sufficiently confident and validated to make myself 'known' with limits. Thanks for all your thoughtful, considerate shares. 'Nuff said for now... Peace ~
D4 Feel free to speak out without regard for propriety. If you use me as a ‘propriety’ yardstick, you have license to speak robustly out on earth, Pluto (still a planet in my heart), and several other yet-discovered thingamajigs. This is a forum where one’s heart counts for far more than an emoji.
Wonderful summary of the history and (often unstated) intent behind voter suppression laws in Florida. -- Let's hope that this ruling holds up on appeal.
I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you. Read up on the 11th Circuit and remember the author of Shelby County is Chief Justice of a 6-3 traitor majority in the Supreme Court.
A long shot I realize, but I hope against hope that the GOP may have stepped so far over the line this time that there can be no presumptive gray area into which the new law falls.
Let's remember this hopeful history: "In November, defying pundits and pollsters, Truman won and Democrats gained majorities in both houses of Congress."
I recall the 1948 presidential election. Most polling was stopped weeks before the election, because Governor Dewey’s election was a slam dunk.
Dewey was a stuffed shirt, while spunky, down-to-earth Truman whistle-stopped by train back and forth throughout America.
Reports were that a number of people, certain that Dewey would win, voted in sympathy for this fighting fellow from Missouri.
My hope, perhaps forlorn, is that a number of voters in November will consciously (or subconsciously) acknowledge that President Biden inherited a sinking ship of state from Trump and is now steering it on a positive course.
Might the House January 6th public hearings and the indictment of some BIG LIE and 1/6 conspirators impact some on-the-fence or even ‘false facts’ voters?
Keith, you give me hope! I am attending a Democrat Training Meeting in Indianapolis tomorrow. I sure hope I get fired up for my campaign for Clay County Treasurer! I have no competition for the Primary to be held May 3rd. On the Democrat ballot we have 15 people running for various offices. On the Republican ballot there are 61. Just by looking at that, what would you say my chances of being elected are in this "Red County"? I hope to pull out a Truman win! It is not going to be easy!
Would love it if Joe could do whistle-stops, though I'm sure the Secret Service would nix that idea. But I am hopeful for us in '22 and '24. (I used President Biden's first name because I thought it went well with "whistle-stop!"
Like praying for lightening to strike twice in the same spot, but go for it. I have to say that I thought chump and his evil had cheated enough to “win” in 2020 (God knows they tried) but the impossible happened. Does lightening have the intelligence of slime mold (see NOVA, 3-23-22)? We can dream, and fight to right the wrong…
So providence is giving the Democrats the most wonderful opportunity to even the odds in the United States Supreme Court, e. g.
(1). Elect Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court of America
(2). Impeach Thomas
(3). Impeach Kavanaugh
Our FATHER in Heaven is giving Democrats the ability to transform what was contorted by the R's (Moscow Mitch, et al.), into evil back into the power of HIS good love for all equally as the Constitution ALWAYS intended the Supreme Court to be.
They cannot impeach a supreme court justice without 67 votes in the Senate. It won't happen and would be bad politically. I definitely think both shouldn't be on the bench but that isn't something the democrats will win via impeachment.
In my mind when the leader of the Republican party continues to support and idolize a tyrant that is murdering children in our face day in and day out, it shouldn’t be that difficult to get at least 67 votes in the Senate. If we can’t then we have terribly failed at not just democracy but at humanity.
Each trial will reveal the truth and will compel a Senate vote which will confirm each Senators' predisposition for all voters to ponder.
With a little help during this June, July, August, September, and October from the Democratic National Committee flooding the media constantly with this bias, (and all other R's evilness), against the 50-60% D & I voters the national voter turn out should overwhelm the R's nefarious authoritarian scheme to destroy American democracy, Eh!?
Unfortunately, when I read about common sense rulings like this one I think of a quote I read years ago, “The law is but man’s opinion.” This stacked, biased court will likely disagree with this ruling. The man’s opinion part certainly holds true, despite the the presence of little Amy 3 Names. She does not have an independent thought in her head.
Living in FL, I can’t tell you what a breath of fresh air Judge Walker’s ruling is as we watch and work against the state’s slide increasingly toward autocracy or oligarchy. Even if the 11th Circuit Court overturns the ruling, we can at least know that the truth has been laid down by Judge Walker and well-summarized by HCR today so present and future citizens will not be misinformed. I hope at least one copy of LFAA is kept in an exceptionally safe, unknown place. I also hope we’ll find this would not have been necessary. Vote in overwhelming numbers in ‘22.
True on all points, and just in case there's any doubt, I wish to hell the decision would stand all the way. Being both an historian and a realist of today's politics, I fear that's not likely.
Steve, In my view, the LFAA’s final clause “but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations…” clarifies what those who have followed the recent battles over enacting minimum national voter protection standards already know: namely to expect widespread chaos within this current election cycle absent the passage of any federal voter protection legislation.
KR, right there is our main mission. Nothing else matters! We must keep the pressure on our reps and fund any organizations that are working the same mission. Period. I believe we have the power of numbers and can prevail, if we all keep the main thing the Main Thing.
KR, While we apparently agree that voting rights are preservative of every other right, I would note that passage of just the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act, though necessary, is insufficient, because its provisions are not preemptive and, thus, cannot overturn state laws that already have passed. Hence the need also to pass its companion, the Freedom to Vote Act, whose provisions would supersede state law in conflict with any of its stipulations.
Thank you for that explanation. It’s so confusing, and hard to keep track of what each bill does and doesn’t do. I appreciate your explanation, and am a bit embarrassed that I didn’t know that.
KR, Please don’t be embarrassed. Considering the Freedom to Vote Act is the edited down version of its filibustered predecessor For the People (H.R.1/S.1), unless this legislation is one’s major focus, being clear about the different pieces is a major undertaking.
Gus, You probably noted that TC’s comments above, regrettably mirror the fate of most, if not all, efforts by admittedly brilliant litigants to reverse voter suppression / nullification bills advancing through GOP controlled state legislatures. Perhaps, you also recall, this past January, that A.G. Garland concluded a press conference about suing Texas for violating Section #2 of the 1965 Voting Right Act with a plea to Congress to pass federal voter protection legislation.
It is somewhat ironic but the writen judgement of Judge Walker, with it's excellent recall of historical reality, would be now banned from many "Republican controlled" classrooms......for adult eyes only?
Thank you so much for the link to Ms. Lee's stirring rendition of the song. One of the comments to the performance (which included her story of her house burning down when she was a small child) proclaimed that this song is not, as some have said, depressing, but rather a reason for hope. No matter what tragedy happens, there's a point at which we can look back on it and say ok, that's done, so let's dance....until the next one comes along. Reminds me of brilliant John's advice: "When I find myself in times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be....there will be an answer, let it be." And I would add, it is from that place of acceptance that we best have access to that answer of how to change for the better. (Not so easy to put that part into a song!) https://youtu.be/yeOZGJEpqIs PS I'm in DC by way of New York!
Thanks, Rebecca, I looked it up and there were a couple of different versions of the story (even one that it was originally their assistant Malcom Evans told David Frost that the original line was Brother Malcom said to me. but Paul was afraid of what that might look like (I guess regarding his sexual orientation, There were also two sites that listed the composer as Lennon-McCartney.
Not really...other than your acknowledged reputation for laundering dirty money of course...as the latitude of NJ must put you around the center of Spain or the tip of Italy whilst we are around Newfoundland. We need to move a few techtonic plates to change all that
My friends in Holland are freaking out too as they've been getting snow, and last week it was up near 20 C.! Holland is on the same latitude as Hudson Bay in Canada, but its proximity to the North Sea and the Gulf stream keeps most of it from getting too frigid. Move an hour inland and shift the cold winds to come from the east and snow is much more frequent...but snow in April is pretty rare.
It makes me think of 17th C old dutch masters painting the frozen canals and skaters profiting during the "mini ice age" which lasted just a few hundred years.
If you would look at the trajectory of the magnetic north pole and imagine where the magnetic south pole is...now imagine all the latitude lines have also tilted...and you can see where the new cold and hot spots are...and smarty pants me in Portugal is where there is the least change...
Not just Hitler; any tinpot fascist dictator tries to destroy the mother tongue by suppressing speaking Lithuanian, Uygur(sp?) Yanomami’s language instead of Spanish, Hmong/Khmer instead of French, setting up those tribal schools so US Native Americans don’t learn their own mother tongues well, you name it. That’s how you brainwash children—cutting them off from Müttersprache.
It's funny but the URSS didn't try to eradicate Lithuanian, rather the contrary. They recreated the basis of the current modern state imposing Lithuanian on a territory that was previously largely dominated by Belorussian for the peasants and polish for the aristos.
Christy I just posted, regarding DeSantis’s threat to Mickey Mouse ‘lovely rodent against slimy rat.’ I remember, as a kid, the TV show with the Mouseketeers. Even now they are assembling to get ingredients for a modern-day ratatouille.
“The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof;” but Walker noted that there is another clause in the Constitution that follows that semicolon. It reads: “but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations….”
Thank you, Dr. R, for reminding us about our "ifs," "ands," and "buts!"
This congress is unlikely to make such a chsnge and this supreme court is unlikely to uphold this clear decision. Sadly , it may be checkmate and this extreme version of republicans may remain in power for many decades…. Like Putin’s 20 year reign
Were safety nets written with TRUTH in mind. Rhetorical. Do we have to write in Miracle clauses to pass voter legislation that can’t be appealed? Should we ask a question when we know the answer?
Hmm, have to ponder that Miracle one, Irenie, though like chicken soup, it wouldn't hurt...or so I've heard. Absolutely, ask even when we know the answer!
We have many examples of clear eyed articulate leaders around the world to use as examples for what we should expect from Americans, both our leaders and their supporters and followers.
Judge Mark E. Walker of the Federal District Court in Tallahassee is clearly one of these examples.
We see many good examples interviewed on PBS. But the Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas who was interviewed on the war in Ukraine and the Russian threat stood out to my wife and I this week. You can see this interview on YouTube
David, Kallas is indeed very, very well spoken. A bit more reading about her and I learned her mother and grandmother were deported to some Russian prison camp and managed to live and survive in that camp until Kallas was 10 years old.
So, she is not likely to be sympathetic to anything Russian.
She is, indeed, very well spoken in English and probably a few other languages and has a law degree and an MBA. Note: She is attractive which means, as a normal human male, I am more likely to attribute intelligence to her independent of whether she is actually intelligent. But, that aside......she does appear quite well spoken.
I mentally compare Kallas and "Ted" Cruz and, honestly, I feel sorrow for America.
Cruz has a law degree, from Harvard, where you don't even have to attend class to graduate, but does not even have the verbal skill of an East Texas trailer park resident. No lie, the folks I knew living in trailer parks in East Texas? They were more thoughtful and well spoken than Ted Cruz.
Sadly, Cruz is the about as well spoken as it gets in the Republican Party. It is downhill from Cruz in every direction in that party.
Because I signed up for free tickets to a local tRump event, I got onto a couple mailing lists. My goodness, are they ridiculous.* I kinda like seeing what they're up to, but I really question their target audience and their belief in that utter garbage.
*fill in you own colorful metaphors for a more "oh, my" utterance.
I did the same thing, Ally, and continue to be stunned by their pathetic attempts to suck up my money. Desperation is usually signaled by "1000% match". I attended one rally as a member of the press for our small local paper...and got to experience Trump deliberately directing the wrath of his people towards all of us in the press box. It was quite frightening...I thought about using my 70-200 lens as a weapon to escape if necessary.
You know the old saying, Jeri and Ally, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." How else are we to know what's going on? Course, I never would send funds, though, ever!
My personal check for $25 which I personally delivered 25 years ago to a local Republican candidate bought me access and influence for 25 years. Well worth it.
Back in 2016, I think my evil twin took over: I was getting campaign calls from the GOP and I let my inner looney out in full force. I must admit, I am a bit ashamed of myself for really giving it to the callers. But only a little.
I keep getting R posts on Facebook which quickly go to hide all ads from. Today is the first day of the hatred gathering with Stone and Flynn in the baseball stadium in Keizer. The rain is coming too late.
As a Harvard grad, and former President of a regional Harvard Alumni Club, I can attest to the fact that most Harvard grads are modest and concerned for social justice. I hadn't expected that. Fortunately Ted Cruz and other Ivy League grads like him are embarrassments. What college would have wanted Hitler or Putin among ther alumni? I don't find Cruz to be articulate. One must have a keel and rudder to be articulate. Cruz skids around like a tube pulled by a speed boat with no particular purpose other than speed.
My all time favorites were West Point, and Annapolis. But when I asked if the military commitment would exceed the 2 years of a draftee, they broke off communications. Being drafted was a small triumph.
Careful, Mike, my stepson lived in a small trailer when changing careers, my aunt and uncle ran a trailer park on their unused farm land, and many fine people have found it cheaper and easier to live in a trailer.
And please stop with the demeaning and unequal intelligence/beauty comparison!
Being a trailer trash denizen was richly rewarding. Like a gypsy. Even my own wife, the woman of my dreams come true, one day uttered the foul epithet, “trailer trash”.
I was not meaning to imply folks in trailer parks are "trash". One of the nicest friends I ever had, ended up in one. He was not trash. He was unlucky.
Hey Mike, it’s just a conversation. I didn’t mean to stir things up. It’s true that trailers, now often called mobile homes, were once thought of as inexpensive movable homes, and might still be. And also often crowded together. And the only choice for some low income people. But now many are bigger than some homes and not easily transported. I had a friend who lived in one by a lake and a clubhouse and pool in Northern California. It was affordable for her and she loved it. And she had a story why she couldn’t afford a more expensive house. When you walked in it was nothing like our imagination of days gone by. A real house. And on the coast there are parks by the beach where people can live all year by the ocean or leave their less inexpensive “second home” by the sea, coming and going. I can’t afford any of that!! But I do love the negative ions of the ocean.
Way to go Mike. You done er again. How some ever yer still a keeper. I remembers winters living in a wall tent up Hellgate canyon while going to school. I mentioned the winters because the summers were awesome. It was in the winters that I sometimes yearned for a trailer house again. On the lucky side a wall tent was a chick magnet, whereas not so much a trailer house.
Thanks for the caution. Perhaps, having avoided living in a trailer, which, was my utmost fear for many a year, I do associate them with poverty. However, the folks living there when I lived out there? Were nice folks who were, as I noted, more well spoken and kind than Ted Cruz.
Love your comments on Cruz. He is despicable in every way and having a degree from a prestigious university means nothing when his character is straight from the swamp.
Harvard is not a highly selective school if you are rich. Only if you are middle class or poor or minority.
In 2021, 35% of Harvard admissions were "Legacy" (NPR). Since historically Harvard has only admitted whites, this means that Legacy, not performance, resulted in those admissions.
Amanpour, P B S, interviewed her this week also and I was impressed. Noticeably because my soninlaw, in Seattle, working for Microsoft, went to Estonia 10 years ago and brought me back something I use nearly everyday. Like Kallas said, they are such a small nation and they are helping in this huge fight to keep democracies and freedom in the world.
Oh my David, I wonder if it could be the all male white founding fathers who set a precedent for patriarchy, racism, genocide of Native Americans, et al, while diligently protecting their European Christian heritage. (Excuse my snarkiness which in no way is aimed at you. Personally, I cringe when the right wing enshrines the Founding Fathers. I ask myself, "What, exactly do they have in mind by that phrase?)
Hope, I truly don't think the Founding Fathers were anything like today's Republican extremists. They weren't perfect anymore or worse than most of us concerned about one party authoritarianism today. To start with, their aspirations as they expressed them in words and written documents were moral. They met and discussed ideas worthy of discussion. Republicans today abuse and violate the Founding Fathers, as they do with Christ, in claiming them as their own in ideas and deeds that neither the Founding Fathers nor Christ would identify with or approve of. But it is true that "Founding Fathers" applies to men, which unfortunately was the tradition at the time. However, much is written about the "Founding Mothers", their wives and female protagonists who spoke their minds and gave needed support for what started then. In the Civil War, men from the north and Maine went to fight to preserve the Union. Some wives and many women went to care for the wounded, and set up their own field hospitals in Baltimore and Washington where they were known for the best care, rehabilitation, communications back to families, and arrangements to return home when soldiers were too injured to return to their troops. Women should continue to keep their history out in front, not to be overshadowed. How about CWT: Critical Women Theories.
You truly are a man of intelligence and honor, David. Elizabeth Hamilton, Alexander's wife was the instigator of his biography and lived decades after he was killed. She opened the first orphanage in the new US, and struggled financially to raise her children, but all the while she advocated for the education of all children. She is one example. Although it belies my feminism, the activities and qualities of the women you mention fill the stereotypes of women as nurturers and community builders. I agree these are roles to emulate. It is too bad they are not given the weight of importance that the patriarchs are given. If they were, we might have more peace and sanity in our culture and in the world. "The rising of the women means the rising of the race." ~Bread and Roses
"To start with, their aspirations as they expressed them in words and written documents were moral. "
John Adams was entirely moral in the Sermon on the Mount sense. He was honest, spoke directly, was kind to everyone even in debate and felt strongly that an accused British soldier should have fair representation (and that guy was acquitted).
I am very, very grateful to Judge Mark E. Walker's ruling and his masterful reference to George Seurat's pointilism; the removal of one point destroys the entire work.
Let's hope other legal challenges to republican vote-rigging are as successful.
and after you view the painting, listen to the song, Sunday, sung by NYC actors as a tribute to Stephen Sondheim, who wrote a musical about the painting, Sundays in the Park with George. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr99DVmFt2c
Jack, the different French impressionists and Georges Seurat altered painting. Dutch Vincent Van Gogh did not sell. His brother Theodore bought to support him, was an art dealer. One painted the same corner again and again, drunk: Maurice Utrillo. It all made sense. The market was senseless. And is today. For real.
Bravo, Judge Mark E. Walker! Way to go! I love his analysis and his imagery! And I love how you've captured the essence of his ruling, Heather.
"Walker notes that the issue at stake is not whether the legislators who wrote the new laws are racist, but rather whether race was a factor in the writing of SB 90. Recognizing that few people would today openly admit their racial motivations, he explains that the court needed to look at the circumstances around the passage of SB 90 to determine if race played a role in the law. 'Think of it like viewing a pointillist painting, such as Georges Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,' Walker wrote. 'One dot of paint on the canvas is meaningless, but when thousands of dots are viewed together, they create something recognizable. So too here, one piece of evidence says little, but when all of the evidence is viewed together, a coherent picture emerges.'"
The coup de grace at the end is priceless -- the ball is in Congress' court! Pick it up and roll with it, Nancy! Then pass it on to the Senate!
"Republicans have defended their assaults on voting by citing the Constitution’s provision that 'The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof;' but Walker noted that there is another clause in the Constitution that follows that semicolon. It reads: 'but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations….'"
I had a sergeant who wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed approve one of my reports, bus suggested that I get a "semi-colonoscopy" because he found them to be confusing. This is the same sergeant who, when I listed in an arrest report of a drunk man at a local speedway "following some remarks that were blasphemous, profane, and scatological in nature" (he was cursing a blue streak around a woman there with her two young boys, and she and the arrestee "got into it") advised me to use more plain language and not depend on "bovine scato".
Ally Warm thanks for adding ‘bovine scato’ to my scabbard of arrows that I hurl at such distinguished senators as Chameleon Graham, Cancun Cruz, and Horseshit Hawley. I’m looking for a power shovel large enough to clean their Augean stable.
Judge Walker packed a wallop! He thoroughly did his homework and threw in a bit of history of the arts to boot. For right now, I am happy. Gotta take whatever we can get.
Thank you, Judge Walker for ripping open the wound that is voter suppression. Sadly similar suppression laws are being enacted all over the country. If they go to the Supreme Court I fear they will win but this is a good start for exposure. Brilliant summary, Heather as always
A couple of footnotes: In Florida, for many years now, the main avenue for Democratic policy to be enacted has been via citizen initiatives for Constitutional Amendment. In 2018, by nearly 65% approval (60% was required), citizens who had completed their sentence (with some exceptions) were restored their right to vote by Constitutional Amendment. The Republican legislature promptly passed a law that all fees and restitution had to be paid before voting rights would be restored. Michael Bloomberg swooped in to pay many of the debts and it was discovered the State's records could not account for how much was owed, making it impossible for former felons to pay this debt. Many had been paying while they were imprisoned and the payments were unaccounted for. The Legislature has now made citizen efforts to get Constitutional Amendments on the ballot even more difficult than the rigorous path which was already in place. This case is a great victory and the judge's opinion will be recorded for history regardless of what happens on Appeal.
What happened when Bloomberg paid? Did it restore any of those voters' rights? And when the discovery of theft (that's what not accounting for paid debts amounts to) was made, what happened to those purged voters? I'm asking because I didn't know about the Bloomberg assistance nor about the stolen money.
I have friends and relatives who live in Florida. While they are not racist, I think some of them DO vote for the Putrid Putin Party because for them, it's the party of power and that's all they care about. I would hope we can get decent people like Val Demings elected and overturn the Florida legislature's stranglehold on that state. I live in the wannabe fascist state of Texas, but we are so gerrymandered and voter suppressed here, we are pretty much helpless, albeit not yet hopeless!
Bloomberg never sent the money because they couldn't determine how much. Then, the AG claimed that he tried to buy votes! What a mess! Here's the latest: https://www.mashpilodge.com/
Val Deminings is running to replace Marco Rubio. The State legislature has been Republican now for over 20 years. :(
To prevail in elections, Republicans don’t huddle together to come up with a platform and policies to broaden their appeal; they officially abandoned the notion of a platform altogether.
Instead they conspire to suppress the vote of those who would vote in opposition. Then they have the chutzpah to talk about “preserving confidence” in the vote.
I’m glad to see Judge Walker’s court anyway do what courts are supposed to do when one branch of government steps across the line. What will result from the inevitable appeal(s) I am not so sure about.
As a lifelong Floridian, living in a very conservative county (home of the Groveland Four), I can tell you that while overt racism has greatly diminished here in Florida, covert racism is alive and well.
The current legislature and governor have done everything they can do to diminish not just the rights of marginalized Floridians, but of our local governments as well. Just this week, Gov. DeSantis vetoed the bill that redraws Congressional districts. He pushed an aggressive map that would make it almost impossible for two to three Democrats to retain their seats. The legislature refused to go that far, so he is calling a special session in June to force them to accede to his wishes.
Now he is going after Disney, the state's largest employer, because they belatedly opposed the "Don't Say Gay" bill. He wants to strip them of any tax incentives. He is also undermining the education system by taking control away from local school boards and penalizing those school districts that imposed mask mandates (mostly Democratic counties).
You name it, if it means denying and restricting the rights of the poor, Blacks, Latinos, women, gay and transgender citizens, Florida is leading the nation in the race to the bottom (Texas is doing its best to keep up).
Trump ripped off the thin veil of civility that acted as a guardrail against what is happening to our democracy. Now, emboldened by his "F-you, I'll sue you" mentality, leaders like DeSantis and Abbott are trying to "one-up" each other, hoping to achieve "Trump mini-me" status.
So here I sit, in the state that gave us Leroy Collins, Rubin Askew, Lawton Chiles, and Bob Graham, watching this clown car of Republicans try to out-bozo each other in a race to the past.
It's an amazing sign of the times that these educated socio-pathic ignoramusses would think that they were in any way apt to rise to a position above dogcatcher.
Thanks for this enlightening post. I was worried that you might be ill, as this was posted so much later than is typical. But then this post was lengthy. A wonderful read. Let’s hope this stands up at the inevitable Appeals Court and Supreme Court levels.
“Think of it like viewing a pointillist painting, such as Georges Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” Walker wrote.
Gotta love a judge who knows how to use a good art history reference. Yet another reason to promote liberal arts education.
wonder how many GQP heads that went over
100%
Beat me to it.
May I point out that a few commenters are missing the point? It's not that many right wingers don't get it, it's that they just don't care.
Mary B, oh they care …. about maintaining the oligarchy whether it is because they want power or money or racial superiority or all three. As we all are realizing the power of these groups is only gaining and it has to be stopped or we will lose even more of our democracy.
It’s not that they don’t care or have nefarious purposes, it’s that they don’t have the understanding to grasp what is driving them —perhaps their reptilian brain? We have so many issues to deal with and most of them are the result of starving any chance for the poor to raise themselves. One of the most insidious ones are the many ancient water systems still running in this country, particularly in poor areas.
These systems pour lead into deprived, undernourished, undereducated brains. How else can you explain the national drop in IQ scores from average 100 to average 90? I know that IQ measures are a flawed markers for many reasons, but even so; any mind is filled with what it perceives and then interprets the world through whatever filters it has observed. Consider what the majority of the poor generation for the last 30 years has ingested mentally. And consider that their parents were imbibing in their day. The slide has been increasing in weight over time and will continue if not stopped.
As a person born in 1945, it is no surprise to me that my parents were dubbed “the greatest generation”. They may have been the last who lived in a congestive society. How to fix that is beyond me. I know the white supremacists have a solution that should be killed before it gets any bigger.
I totally agree. What’s truly concerns me is why, especially in the last five or six years, the Democrats haven’t effectively challenged any of the insane pronouncements and actions spoken and perpetrated by the Cult republican on their quest to destroy our Democracy and replace it with an authoritarian fascist regime. How’s that for a run on sentence? I truly believe that if the Dems had taken their necessary roll as the loyal opposition more seriously we wouldn’t be in this frightening and tenuous situation. I believe they are part of the problem.
Robert
Fred Koch developed the oil refineries in Russia under Stalin, and one of his descendents is journalist Wendy Koch
Wendy Koch has a PhD in Toxicology
Florida water treatment plant expansion to include Koch RO membrane elements | WaterWorld
https://www.waterworld.com/drinking-water/treatment/article/16209831/florida-water-treatment-plant-expansion-to-include-koch-ro-membrane-elements
Agree
"Walker notes that the issue at stake is not whether the legislators who wrote the new laws are racist, but rather whether race was a factor in the writing of SB 90. Recognizing that few people would today openly admit their racial motivations, he explains that the court needed to look at the circumstances around the passage of SB 90 to determine if race played a role in the law. 'Think of it like viewing a pointillist painting, such as Georges Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,' Walker wrote. 'One dot of paint on the canvas is meaningless, but when thousands of dots are viewed together, they create something recognizable. So too here, one piece of evidence says little, but when all of the evidence is viewed together, a coherent picture emerges.'"
Not only do I love the metaphor Judge Walker uses to make his point that overwhelming evidence of racial bias of intent can disqualify such legislation but that he is knowledgable about pointillism and George Seurat's work to refer to it as well as properly identifying one of his most famous works by name. Splendid work, Sir! Brilliant!
That's actually the line of reasoning where conspiracy theories overlap intelligence analysis.
Kara How many Republicans know what pointillist painting is, much less the works of Seurat? Pearls before swine?
That is such an amazing statement. I was 40 years old and in college taking an elective general ed class Art 151 before I became aware of this amazing painting. It is one of my favorites. Most of those that vote Republican in my area are lucky to have graduated from high school! They lack the desire for an education. They just like to drive their big loud trucks around with their Trump 2024 flags!
I have to say, even folks who just graduated high school (and arent Repubs) might possibly be aware of this painting - speaking for myself, that is. Otherwise, I agree.
The brilliance of the judge's analogy is that one doesn't have to know what pointillist painting is, or anything about Seurat -- because he explains what he's getting at. Maybe you'd like it better if he talked about pixels, or about forests and trees? Besides, he's not writing primarily for generic Republicans. A key part of his audience is other judges, and lawyers who bring voting rights cases, and any of us who have occasion to explain why these voter suppression laws are so bad.
Susanna, thank you!
I am going to defend my Republican friends who are of the ilk of Liz Cheney or Mitt romney, deplorable on policy but honest and caring about democracy. There are more of them than care to admit it.
I hope you are right. I have a few of them but I wish I had more!
Be open to it. Communication is so important, especially in a democracy. I think they are afraid of their fellow R's.
My formerly Republican friends are now mostly "unenrolled" (meaning not affiliated with any particular party), and a couple of them are now registered Democrats. My state's outgoing governor is a Republican (Charlie Baker -- I'm in MA), and plenty of Dems and unenrolled voters have supported him. I'm not a fan of Charlie, but he's had a hard time navigating the GOP scene in MA because the state GOP is Trump-sh*t crazy and he's way too moderate for them. Also some of the Dem officeholders in this state, especially in the state House of Representatives, are nothing to write home about. So -- well, it's complicated!
Being the swine they are, an all-out assault will now be launched on the "elitist, liberal, activist Judge," although this is not 'progressive but basic constitutional requirements. What they can't eat they will trample. What they can't trample they will drag into the mud for a wallow.
Okay, folks, I am going to play the curmudgeon here. I know plenty of Republicans who know what pointilism is. To assume that ALL Republicans are clueless about the visual arts, music, literature, etc., is ridiculous. And Keith, I am willing to bet you've known plenty of Republicans who know who Seurat is, too
Daria Most of the Republicans I knew who were familiar with pointillism were Eisenhower Republicans who have passed. As Doris Day expressed it Que Seurat Seurat, for those who remember Doris Day.
When I went to Paris on business, I stayed at the Hotel Maurice, which was triangular between my work locales at the Presidency and Ministry of Finance and the Jet des Pommes (I believe that was then the name for the Louvre’s impressionist painting gallery.) What delightful Saturdays with Manet, Monet, Van Gogh, Seurat, and others, some of whom were rejected in the 1863 exhibition of the Refuses.
I still believe that British painter Sisley was the first major impressionist.
Well, you were close: Jeu de Paume.
My excuse is that I grew up in a home with 30 apple trees rather than palm trees. Clearly my French has deteriorated since the early 1970s and the Jeu de Paume is no more. That’s the problem of being ‘late middle age.’
In the 1950s I worked in Egypt, which briefly became the United Arab Republic, then the United Arab States (Syria and Yemen) returning back to Egypt. I started in Congo-Leopoldville, which after my departure in 1966, became Zaire with Kinshasa, and then back to Congo. Plus la change, plus la meme chose?
I looked it up to verify the spelling of Paume because I, too, was thinking it was Palme but it isn't even close. It refers to an early precursor of tennis, played indoors in what is now the museum du Jeu de Paume. It was played without rackets in the beginning so seems to have been more like hand ball than tennis. The building itself still exists, located at the north end of the Jardins des Tuileries facing Place de la Concorde, and is a museum of photographic arts. https://www.eutouring.com/history_jeu_de_paume_museum.html
Tate is still Tate, though its annex across the Thames is quite different.
The art history reference was the best part❤️
My first thought as well! HCR, George Seurat and voting rights. Love it!
Georges Pierre Seurat - spell check.
Georges ...
Awesome and dotted the i
A small but important point. The judge wrote this as a case study response, suspecting appeals. His ruling, which I think is HCR's point, can be boiler plate in other litigation or a Democrat strategy to combat the class of repressive state legislation rampant in this run-up year. The Seurat reference is so easy to apply as there are sooo many small dots where the fight will continue to arise.
An aside from my red-state County elections. For virtually every office in this non-partisan spring election (school board, county and town supervisors) there are multiple write-in candidates aggressively campaigning (real big sign paid for by guess who). Word has gotten out that winners in uncontested seats are often by just a few votes as turnout is so low.
Painting from the bench...
Absolutely. But can't you already hear Republicans making fun of the analogy?
Michael For the aged Republicans who remember Doris Day, we could respond with her song Que Seurat, Seurat (I modernized her Sera Sera lyrics)
lol - It's also sad and I find somewhat restrictive that we only have the "heart" emoji to utilize on this (substack) structure. I have often felt the 'need' for far more. I often fight with myself to restrict my personal need to say or emote things on this and other forums, lest I forget ownership's propriety. The plain fact is, I adore our good doctor and the thoughtful insights and perspectives of those who've exercised the grace to learn here and other forums she shares on. I've followed her for far longer than she knows; saw the stumbles - like the lapse in posting for a time. I wondered, but followed still, till I finally felt sufficiently confident and validated to make myself 'known' with limits. Thanks for all your thoughtful, considerate shares. 'Nuff said for now... Peace ~
D4 Feel free to speak out without regard for propriety. If you use me as a ‘propriety’ yardstick, you have license to speak robustly out on earth, Pluto (still a planet in my heart), and several other yet-discovered thingamajigs. This is a forum where one’s heart counts for far more than an emoji.
Bueller, Bueller, Bueller.
Wonderful summary of the history and (often unstated) intent behind voter suppression laws in Florida. -- Let's hope that this ruling holds up on appeal.
I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you. Read up on the 11th Circuit and remember the author of Shelby County is Chief Justice of a 6-3 traitor majority in the Supreme Court.
A long shot I realize, but I hope against hope that the GOP may have stepped so far over the line this time that there can be no presumptive gray area into which the new law falls.
Let's remember this hopeful history: "In November, defying pundits and pollsters, Truman won and Democrats gained majorities in both houses of Congress."
Turnip Day:
https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Turnip_Day_Session.htm?
I recall the 1948 presidential election. Most polling was stopped weeks before the election, because Governor Dewey’s election was a slam dunk.
Dewey was a stuffed shirt, while spunky, down-to-earth Truman whistle-stopped by train back and forth throughout America.
Reports were that a number of people, certain that Dewey would win, voted in sympathy for this fighting fellow from Missouri.
My hope, perhaps forlorn, is that a number of voters in November will consciously (or subconsciously) acknowledge that President Biden inherited a sinking ship of state from Trump and is now steering it on a positive course.
Might the House January 6th public hearings and the indictment of some BIG LIE and 1/6 conspirators impact some on-the-fence or even ‘false facts’ voters?
Keith, you give me hope! I am attending a Democrat Training Meeting in Indianapolis tomorrow. I sure hope I get fired up for my campaign for Clay County Treasurer! I have no competition for the Primary to be held May 3rd. On the Democrat ballot we have 15 people running for various offices. On the Republican ballot there are 61. Just by looking at that, what would you say my chances of being elected are in this "Red County"? I hope to pull out a Truman win! It is not going to be easy!
You. Go. Girl !!!
Keep us posted, please!
Wish we could all vote for you, Sharon. Not sure what a County Treasurer can do, but my advice is to, as they say, stick to the kitchen table issues!
Would love it if Joe could do whistle-stops, though I'm sure the Secret Service would nix that idea. But I am hopeful for us in '22 and '24. (I used President Biden's first name because I thought it went well with "whistle-stop!"
Like praying for lightening to strike twice in the same spot, but go for it. I have to say that I thought chump and his evil had cheated enough to “win” in 2020 (God knows they tried) but the impossible happened. Does lightening have the intelligence of slime mold (see NOVA, 3-23-22)? We can dream, and fight to right the wrong…
Thanks for that history Lynell. Much needed.
You're welcome, Vivian🙂
That shot's so long, it's clear over in the next country. :-)
I'm depending on you, TC, to keep being that most effective thorn in the side of our NOT beloved adversaries...morning!
Morning, Lynell!
Morning (still for you), Ally!
Morning, Lynell!
Sorry I missed your "Morning" post, Alexander. Evening!
So providence is giving the Democrats the most wonderful opportunity to even the odds in the United States Supreme Court, e. g.
(1). Elect Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court of America
(2). Impeach Thomas
(3). Impeach Kavanaugh
Our FATHER in Heaven is giving Democrats the ability to transform what was contorted by the R's (Moscow Mitch, et al.), into evil back into the power of HIS good love for all equally as the Constitution ALWAYS intended the Supreme Court to be.
Granted, impeaching those two cretins would be a blow for fairness, but, pray tell, how to do that with Trojan Horses in our midst.
They cannot impeach a supreme court justice without 67 votes in the Senate. It won't happen and would be bad politically. I definitely think both shouldn't be on the bench but that isn't something the democrats will win via impeachment.
In my mind when the leader of the Republican party continues to support and idolize a tyrant that is murdering children in our face day in and day out, it shouldn’t be that difficult to get at least 67 votes in the Senate. If we can’t then we have terribly failed at not just democracy but at humanity.
Thanks for keeping our ‘family’ here aware of realities..sometimes easy to get swept up & reframe in ways that make dust but no ‘clean up’
PhillyT
Each trial will reveal the truth and will compel a Senate vote which will confirm each Senators' predisposition for all voters to ponder.
With a little help during this June, July, August, September, and October from the Democratic National Committee flooding the media constantly with this bias, (and all other R's evilness), against the 50-60% D & I voters the national voter turn out should overwhelm the R's nefarious authoritarian scheme to destroy American democracy, Eh!?
how about that, Eh!?
https://www.patreon.com/posts/supreme-court-of-64608143?utm_medium=post_notification_email&utm_source=post_link&utm_campaign=patron_engagement&token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWRpc19rZXkiOiJpbnN0YW50LWFjY2VzczpiYWIwZTJiNS0xMzdkLTQ2ZGMtYTY4Yi1lYTU5YTUzNjMyMzkifQ.oB08l3FmRSICfwLP6vP73X8cSBHZowiKXsqupAQ0UYg
A minor matter of winning an election in November first....but one can always dream a little or one can make sure it happens
and having due process administered by courts and judicious Democrats...
see link
https://www.patreon.com/posts/supreme-court-of-64608143?utm_medium=post_notification_email&utm_source=post_link&utm_campaign=patron_engagement&token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWRpc19rZXkiOiJpbnN0YW50LWFjY2VzczpiYWIwZTJiNS0xMzdkLTQ2ZGMtYTY4Yi1lYTU5YTUzNjMyMzkifQ.oB08l3FmRSICfwLP6vP73X8cSBHZowiKXsqupAQ0UYg
Oh I’m praying .. for His good love ..
Wishes, Lies and Dreams. And Hope.
"Wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin'
Plannin' and dreamin'..." -- sing it, Dusty!
Unfortunately, her becoming a member of SCOTUS doesn't change the make up of the court-it'll still be 6-3.
maybe 5-4...Eh!?
https://www.patreon.com/posts/supreme-court-of-64608143?utm_medium=post_notification_email&utm_source=post_link&utm_campaign=patron_engagement&token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWRpc19rZXkiOiJpbnN0YW50LWFjY2VzczpiYWIwZTJiNS0xMzdkLTQ2ZGMtYTY4Yi1lYTU5YTUzNjMyMzkifQ.oB08l3FmRSICfwLP6vP73X8cSBHZowiKXsqupAQ0UYg
You have been assessing this situation for so long and so right. As have I, sadly
Perhaps this may be the answer to prayer:
SEE LINK:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/supreme-court-of-64608143?utm_medium=post_notification_email&utm_source=post_link&utm_campaign=patron_engagement&token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWRpc19rZXkiOiJpbnN0YW50LWFjY2VzczpiYWIwZTJiNS0xMzdkLTQ2ZGMtYTY4Yi1lYTU5YTUzNjMyMzkifQ.oB08l3FmRSICfwLP6vP73X8cSBHZowiKXsqupAQ0UYg
Eh!?
With GOD all is possible. Faith sustains to find a way, Eh!?
Cue image: “there’s no hope in dope”
Unfortunately, when I read about common sense rulings like this one I think of a quote I read years ago, “The law is but man’s opinion.” This stacked, biased court will likely disagree with this ruling. The man’s opinion part certainly holds true, despite the the presence of little Amy 3 Names. She does not have an independent thought in her head.
Living in FL, I can’t tell you what a breath of fresh air Judge Walker’s ruling is as we watch and work against the state’s slide increasingly toward autocracy or oligarchy. Even if the 11th Circuit Court overturns the ruling, we can at least know that the truth has been laid down by Judge Walker and well-summarized by HCR today so present and future citizens will not be misinformed. I hope at least one copy of LFAA is kept in an exceptionally safe, unknown place. I also hope we’ll find this would not have been necessary. Vote in overwhelming numbers in ‘22.
True on all points, and just in case there's any doubt, I wish to hell the decision would stand all the way. Being both an historian and a realist of today's politics, I fear that's not likely.
Fox Trot politics: two steps forward, one step back....so let's keep dancing!
Steve, In my view, the LFAA’s final clause “but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations…” clarifies what those who have followed the recent battles over enacting minimum national voter protection standards already know: namely to expect widespread chaos within this current election cycle absent the passage of any federal voter protection legislation.
That is the crux, right there. Unless the voting rights bill is passed, ultimately nothing else we do will matter. We will lose our democracy.
KR, right there is our main mission. Nothing else matters! We must keep the pressure on our reps and fund any organizations that are working the same mission. Period. I believe we have the power of numbers and can prevail, if we all keep the main thing the Main Thing.
KR, While we apparently agree that voting rights are preservative of every other right, I would note that passage of just the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act, though necessary, is insufficient, because its provisions are not preemptive and, thus, cannot overturn state laws that already have passed. Hence the need also to pass its companion, the Freedom to Vote Act, whose provisions would supersede state law in conflict with any of its stipulations.
Thank you for that explanation. It’s so confusing, and hard to keep track of what each bill does and doesn’t do. I appreciate your explanation, and am a bit embarrassed that I didn’t know that.
KR, Please don’t be embarrassed. Considering the Freedom to Vote Act is the edited down version of its filibustered predecessor For the People (H.R.1/S.1), unless this legislation is one’s major focus, being clear about the different pieces is a major undertaking.
Thank you for saying that!
Barbara, I am positive that you are right on the money, unfortunately.
Gus, You probably noted that TC’s comments above, regrettably mirror the fate of most, if not all, efforts by admittedly brilliant litigants to reverse voter suppression / nullification bills advancing through GOP controlled state legislatures. Perhaps, you also recall, this past January, that A.G. Garland concluded a press conference about suing Texas for violating Section #2 of the 1965 Voting Right Act with a plea to Congress to pass federal voter protection legislation.
+1 Steve Branz “let’s hope”
It is somewhat ironic but the writen judgement of Judge Walker, with it's excellent recall of historical reality, would be now banned from many "Republican controlled" classrooms......for adult eyes only?
Morning, Stuart!
Morning, Lynell. Would you believe it's snowing here this morning!
Curse that Chinese hoax! Glo-bal warm-ing is a lib-er-al myth! (repeat as necessary)
We certainly are living, as in the chinese "curse", in "interesting times"
It may well be a Chinese curse, but not an ancient one. But definitely a curse.
The nearest related Chinese expression translates as "Better to be a dog in times of tranquility than a human in times of chaos." (寧為太平犬，不做亂世人)
Said the Ancient Mariner, himself.
Yes, I would. Our whole world is going to hell in a hand basket, so let's keep dancing! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCRZZC-DH7M
Thank you so much for the link to Ms. Lee's stirring rendition of the song. One of the comments to the performance (which included her story of her house burning down when she was a small child) proclaimed that this song is not, as some have said, depressing, but rather a reason for hope. No matter what tragedy happens, there's a point at which we can look back on it and say ok, that's done, so let's dance....until the next one comes along. Reminds me of brilliant John's advice: "When I find myself in times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be....there will be an answer, let it be." And I would add, it is from that place of acceptance that we best have access to that answer of how to change for the better. (Not so easy to put that part into a song!) https://youtu.be/yeOZGJEpqIs PS I'm in DC by way of New York!
Actually Paul McCartney wrote the song Let It Be. And Mother Mary was his own mother coming to him in a dream I read somewhere.
Thank you Rebecca. I like that version better. I’m not fully acquainted with the Mother Mary in the Book. Let it Be.
Thanks, Rebecca, I looked it up and there were a couple of different versions of the story (even one that it was originally their assistant Malcom Evans told David Frost that the original line was Brother Malcom said to me. but Paul was afraid of what that might look like (I guess regarding his sexual orientation, There were also two sites that listed the composer as Lennon-McCartney.
Thanks, Rebecca. I'm listening to it now.
Art for Social Change! Please, courts, don’t ban that, too. Praying to the wrong god? Hope not.
❤Exactly, Chaplain Terry, a reason for hope, coupled with "Let it Be."
Yes, indeed, Lynell!
Ty!
❤️
Wow, Lynell, and good morning!
Afternoon (now), Lynn!
Stuart Does snow in Paris and Bermuda shorts weather in NJ indicate that America is closer to Hell? What a deGaulleing thought. HELLo.
Not really...other than your acknowledged reputation for laundering dirty money of course...as the latitude of NJ must put you around the center of Spain or the tip of Italy whilst we are around Newfoundland. We need to move a few techtonic plates to change all that
My friends in Holland are freaking out too as they've been getting snow, and last week it was up near 20 C.! Holland is on the same latitude as Hudson Bay in Canada, but its proximity to the North Sea and the Gulf stream keeps most of it from getting too frigid. Move an hour inland and shift the cold winds to come from the east and snow is much more frequent...but snow in April is pretty rare.
It makes me think of 17th C old dutch masters painting the frozen canals and skaters profiting during the "mini ice age" which lasted just a few hundred years.
🤪 Stuart, that's crazy! Global warming is "fake news" so how can it be snowing?
It's somewhat "virtual" as the flakes have been falling but nothing shows; quite appropriate for this age.
Fake snow
Is this a joke today?
If you would look at the trajectory of the magnetic north pole and imagine where the magnetic south pole is...now imagine all the latitude lines have also tilted...and you can see where the new cold and hot spots are...and smarty pants me in Portugal is where there is the least change...
Last year it even snowed on April 7th in Brussels.
Ponte de Lima usually has a 5 minute hail storm in mid-May which is sandwiched in between lovely warm sunny days.
Counter intuitive but......
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/snow-more-common-at-easter-than-christmas-pxcncjpq8
Chili today, hot tamale.
The brain-washing of children, right out of Hitler’s ravings, if memory serves…
Not just Hitler; any tinpot fascist dictator tries to destroy the mother tongue by suppressing speaking Lithuanian, Uygur(sp?) Yanomami’s language instead of Spanish, Hmong/Khmer instead of French, setting up those tribal schools so US Native Americans don’t learn their own mother tongues well, you name it. That’s how you brainwash children—cutting them off from Müttersprache.
Beware middle aged Christian white ladies!
Methinks the strongest force on earth. What if we unleashed them? On the Republicans?
It's funny but the URSS didn't try to eradicate Lithuanian, rather the contrary. They recreated the basis of the current modern state imposing Lithuanian on a territory that was previously largely dominated by Belorussian for the peasants and polish for the aristos.
(Tim Snyder, "Reconstructing Nations")
Good Point & again those anti-education laws passed by the Florida Fascist Repugnant Party are being challenged in court.
Santis has memorized the Kremlin Playbook and is half way thru enacting it in FL.
DeSantis against Mickey Mouse. I’m betting on the lovable rodent against the slimy rat. Time to re-watch the movie The Mouse That Roared.
LOL at the very moment this popped up I was pasting this LFAA letter on this tweet:
https://mobile.twitter.com/joncoopertweets/status/1509739176614408352
Christy I just posted, regarding DeSantis’s threat to Mickey Mouse ‘lovely rodent against slimy rat.’ I remember, as a kid, the TV show with the Mouseketeers. Even now they are assembling to get ingredients for a modern-day ratatouille.
Indeed....a sequel to the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" that we've been living with for 5 years now.
The GOP bans truth. Outright.
Gaslit Nation
Yes they do! Just like their buddy, Vlad Putin. Just read this and it’s right on target. https://hartmannreport.com/p/beware-the-human-vulnerability-to?s=r
Yes!
Morning, Stuart! Or I guess good afternoon is more appropriate as of now!
Wow! Probably true
“The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof;” but Walker noted that there is another clause in the Constitution that follows that semicolon. It reads: “but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations….”
Thank you, Dr. R, for reminding us about our "ifs," "ands," and "buts!"
This congress is unlikely to make such a chsnge and this supreme court is unlikely to uphold this clear decision. Sadly , it may be checkmate and this extreme version of republicans may remain in power for many decades…. Like Putin’s 20 year reign
The result of 40 years of planning…
The Republicans have already had ‘their 20 year reign’
Oh, Carol, your keyboard to God’s ear!
And especially that semi-colon
Right. Always watch the punctuation.
Exactly as I was about to state! GMTA!💜👍
Morning, Janice!
Were safety nets written with TRUTH in mind. Rhetorical. Do we have to write in Miracle clauses to pass voter legislation that can’t be appealed? Should we ask a question when we know the answer?
Unfortunately, what the Dems could do with this so could the Repugs....be careful what you wish for.
Hmm, have to ponder that Miracle one, Irenie, though like chicken soup, it wouldn't hurt...or so I've heard. Absolutely, ask even when we know the answer!
We have many examples of clear eyed articulate leaders around the world to use as examples for what we should expect from Americans, both our leaders and their supporters and followers.
Judge Mark E. Walker of the Federal District Court in Tallahassee is clearly one of these examples.
We see many good examples interviewed on PBS. But the Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas who was interviewed on the war in Ukraine and the Russian threat stood out to my wife and I this week. You can see this interview on YouTube
https://youtu.be/ijLFTxLDw_4
We must hold our leaders, ourselves and each other to higher standards. And promote this everywhere.
David, Kallas is indeed very, very well spoken. A bit more reading about her and I learned her mother and grandmother were deported to some Russian prison camp and managed to live and survive in that camp until Kallas was 10 years old.
So, she is not likely to be sympathetic to anything Russian.
She is, indeed, very well spoken in English and probably a few other languages and has a law degree and an MBA. Note: She is attractive which means, as a normal human male, I am more likely to attribute intelligence to her independent of whether she is actually intelligent. But, that aside......she does appear quite well spoken.
I mentally compare Kallas and "Ted" Cruz and, honestly, I feel sorrow for America.
Cruz has a law degree, from Harvard, where you don't even have to attend class to graduate, but does not even have the verbal skill of an East Texas trailer park resident. No lie, the folks I knew living in trailer parks in East Texas? They were more thoughtful and well spoken than Ted Cruz.
Sadly, Cruz is the about as well spoken as it gets in the Republican Party. It is downhill from Cruz in every direction in that party.
Got a fund-raising letter from Ted saying “Are you still with me? The left-wing radicals are lying about me”. Boy, did he have the wrong address.
Because I signed up for free tickets to a local tRump event, I got onto a couple mailing lists. My goodness, are they ridiculous.* I kinda like seeing what they're up to, but I really question their target audience and their belief in that utter garbage.
*fill in you own colorful metaphors for a more "oh, my" utterance.
I did the same thing, Ally, and continue to be stunned by their pathetic attempts to suck up my money. Desperation is usually signaled by "1000% match". I attended one rally as a member of the press for our small local paper...and got to experience Trump deliberately directing the wrath of his people towards all of us in the press box. It was quite frightening...I thought about using my 70-200 lens as a weapon to escape if necessary.
You know the old saying, Jeri and Ally, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." How else are we to know what's going on? Course, I never would send funds, though, ever!
My personal check for $25 which I personally delivered 25 years ago to a local Republican candidate bought me access and influence for 25 years. Well worth it.
Okay, MaryPat, give us the back story, if you please?
Back in 2016, I think my evil twin took over: I was getting campaign calls from the GOP and I let my inner looney out in full force. I must admit, I am a bit ashamed of myself for really giving it to the callers. But only a little.
Good job Miselle.
Ally, I’ve enjoyed “making my stance known” on such mailings, tearing it up and sending it back to em.
I keep getting R posts on Facebook which quickly go to hide all ads from. Today is the first day of the hatred gathering with Stone and Flynn in the baseball stadium in Keizer. The rain is coming too late.
Not Keizer OR?! Oh no…
Yes, and fairly close to us. I hope we do't have to hear it.
Lord, I hadn't heard about that. I shall be sure to stay away!
😂😂 lol
Ted Cruz and his Harvard education is beyond my understanding. Josh Hawley as well.
Gee Frank I chose University of Montana over Harvard. No contest. Probably shows, huh. April Fools!
Harvard is arrogant. Princeton is worse.
As a Harvard grad, and former President of a regional Harvard Alumni Club, I can attest to the fact that most Harvard grads are modest and concerned for social justice. I hadn't expected that. Fortunately Ted Cruz and other Ivy League grads like him are embarrassments. What college would have wanted Hitler or Putin among ther alumni? I don't find Cruz to be articulate. One must have a keel and rudder to be articulate. Cruz skids around like a tube pulled by a speed boat with no particular purpose other than speed.
Nice!!
"Cruz skids around like a tube pulled by a speed boat with no particular purpose other than speed."
Very apt comparison.
My all time favorites were West Point, and Annapolis. But when I asked if the military commitment would exceed the 2 years of a draftee, they broke off communications. Being drafted was a small triumph.
Careful, Mike, my stepson lived in a small trailer when changing careers, my aunt and uncle ran a trailer park on their unused farm land, and many fine people have found it cheaper and easier to live in a trailer.
And please stop with the demeaning and unequal intelligence/beauty comparison!
Hi Pat, I was, very honestly, only demeaning Ted Cruz. Which, perhaps is not appropriate as you note.
The folks that I knew living in trailers (not far from my own pine shack), were nice and well spoken. I was not joking.
Hi Mike, Ted Cruz deserves to be demeanor. Thanks for your reply.
Be careful of using the stereotype of “Trailer Parks”. Poverty sanctioned by law created that poverty.
Being a trailer trash denizen was richly rewarding. Like a gypsy. Even my own wife, the woman of my dreams come true, one day uttered the foul epithet, “trailer trash”.
Possibly, unless you’re there because of the trash laws that kept you in poverty. Coming full circle. Our awesome language!
I was not meaning to imply folks in trailer parks are "trash". One of the nicest friends I ever had, ended up in one. He was not trash. He was unlucky.
Hey Mike, it’s just a conversation. I didn’t mean to stir things up. It’s true that trailers, now often called mobile homes, were once thought of as inexpensive movable homes, and might still be. And also often crowded together. And the only choice for some low income people. But now many are bigger than some homes and not easily transported. I had a friend who lived in one by a lake and a clubhouse and pool in Northern California. It was affordable for her and she loved it. And she had a story why she couldn’t afford a more expensive house. When you walked in it was nothing like our imagination of days gone by. A real house. And on the coast there are parks by the beach where people can live all year by the ocean or leave their less inexpensive “second home” by the sea, coming and going. I can’t afford any of that!! But I do love the negative ions of the ocean.
Way to go Mike. You done er again. How some ever yer still a keeper. I remembers winters living in a wall tent up Hellgate canyon while going to school. I mentioned the winters because the summers were awesome. It was in the winters that I sometimes yearned for a trailer house again. On the lucky side a wall tent was a chick magnet, whereas not so much a trailer house.
Irenie,
Thanks for the caution. Perhaps, having avoided living in a trailer, which, was my utmost fear for many a year, I do associate them with poverty. However, the folks living there when I lived out there? Were nice folks who were, as I noted, more well spoken and kind than Ted Cruz.
Love your comments on Cruz. He is despicable in every way and having a degree from a prestigious university means nothing when his character is straight from the swamp.
Harvard is not a highly selective school if you are rich. Only if you are middle class or poor or minority.
In 2021, 35% of Harvard admissions were "Legacy" (NPR). Since historically Harvard has only admitted whites, this means that Legacy, not performance, resulted in those admissions.
Bush II is an example.
Effing A. Although I think Kallas would be cool with saying “Blayd Putzin” in Russian😂. Oh and good take on kalopsia
Do we not have more Federal District Court judges like Mark Walker?
We do.
WOW, is P.M. Kaja Kallas impressive! And correct. Thank You, David. Will share.
Amanpour, P B S, interviewed her this week also and I was impressed. Noticeably because my soninlaw, in Seattle, working for Microsoft, went to Estonia 10 years ago and brought me back something I use nearly everyday. Like Kallas said, they are such a small nation and they are helping in this huge fight to keep democracies and freedom in the world.
❤
And excuse my feminism, but I am so impressed by the female leaders of government in European countries!! (And the fact they got there at all!)
Hope, throughout history there have been far more female leaders in Europe. We should ask what is it about Americans to be so male centric.
Oh my David, I wonder if it could be the all male white founding fathers who set a precedent for patriarchy, racism, genocide of Native Americans, et al, while diligently protecting their European Christian heritage. (Excuse my snarkiness which in no way is aimed at you. Personally, I cringe when the right wing enshrines the Founding Fathers. I ask myself, "What, exactly do they have in mind by that phrase?)
Hope, I truly don't think the Founding Fathers were anything like today's Republican extremists. They weren't perfect anymore or worse than most of us concerned about one party authoritarianism today. To start with, their aspirations as they expressed them in words and written documents were moral. They met and discussed ideas worthy of discussion. Republicans today abuse and violate the Founding Fathers, as they do with Christ, in claiming them as their own in ideas and deeds that neither the Founding Fathers nor Christ would identify with or approve of. But it is true that "Founding Fathers" applies to men, which unfortunately was the tradition at the time. However, much is written about the "Founding Mothers", their wives and female protagonists who spoke their minds and gave needed support for what started then. In the Civil War, men from the north and Maine went to fight to preserve the Union. Some wives and many women went to care for the wounded, and set up their own field hospitals in Baltimore and Washington where they were known for the best care, rehabilitation, communications back to families, and arrangements to return home when soldiers were too injured to return to their troops. Women should continue to keep their history out in front, not to be overshadowed. How about CWT: Critical Women Theories.
You truly are a man of intelligence and honor, David. Elizabeth Hamilton, Alexander's wife was the instigator of his biography and lived decades after he was killed. She opened the first orphanage in the new US, and struggled financially to raise her children, but all the while she advocated for the education of all children. She is one example. Although it belies my feminism, the activities and qualities of the women you mention fill the stereotypes of women as nurturers and community builders. I agree these are roles to emulate. It is too bad they are not given the weight of importance that the patriarchs are given. If they were, we might have more peace and sanity in our culture and in the world. "The rising of the women means the rising of the race." ~Bread and Roses
"To start with, their aspirations as they expressed them in words and written documents were moral. "
John Adams was entirely moral in the Sermon on the Mount sense. He was honest, spoke directly, was kind to everyone even in debate and felt strongly that an accused British soldier should have fair representation (and that guy was acquitted).
In the Putin/GOP battle for minds, who will hear this? Can Democrats win with just good messaging or do they need more than that to compete with the propaganda? Do Dems need to run effective truthful ads 24/7 in rural America like the GOP does to get the truth out? This NYT piece addresses the difficulty in battling the propaganda. Why people vote against their own best interest. https://messaging-custom-newsletters.nytimes.com/template/oakv2?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20220401&instance_id=57306&nl=the-morning&productCode=NN®i_id=180886394&segment_id=87193&te=1&uri=nyt%3A%2F%2Fnewsletter%2F96cd29c6-72c5-50e1-9777-57dfe85a1eee&user_id=7558cfdf97b1370c18683e3a4ea328ed
Thank you, David. Will share as well.
I am very, very grateful to Judge Mark E. Walker's ruling and his masterful reference to George Seurat's pointilism; the removal of one point destroys the entire work.
Let's hope other legal challenges to republican vote-rigging are as successful.
I love that the good Mr. Walker has a depth and breadth of Art History.
Yes, wasn’t that quite the imagery? Just brillant!
No "buts" about it, Stephen...morning!
Morning Lynell!
Visit the Seurat paintint at https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/a-sunday-on-la-grande-jatte/twGyqq52R-lYpA?hl=en ... and once there, zoom into the picture until it disappears and all you see are the dots, which alone, make no sense.
and after you view the painting, listen to the song, Sunday, sung by NYC actors as a tribute to Stephen Sondheim, who wrote a musical about the painting, Sundays in the Park with George. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr99DVmFt2c
Jack, the different French impressionists and Georges Seurat altered painting. Dutch Vincent Van Gogh did not sell. His brother Theodore bought to support him, was an art dealer. One painted the same corner again and again, drunk: Maurice Utrillo. It all made sense. The market was senseless. And is today. For real.
Nicely said..written💕🎶
Bravo, Judge Mark E. Walker! Way to go! I love his analysis and his imagery! And I love how you've captured the essence of his ruling, Heather.
"Walker notes that the issue at stake is not whether the legislators who wrote the new laws are racist, but rather whether race was a factor in the writing of SB 90. Recognizing that few people would today openly admit their racial motivations, he explains that the court needed to look at the circumstances around the passage of SB 90 to determine if race played a role in the law. 'Think of it like viewing a pointillist painting, such as Georges Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,' Walker wrote. 'One dot of paint on the canvas is meaningless, but when thousands of dots are viewed together, they create something recognizable. So too here, one piece of evidence says little, but when all of the evidence is viewed together, a coherent picture emerges.'"
The coup de grace at the end is priceless -- the ball is in Congress' court! Pick it up and roll with it, Nancy! Then pass it on to the Senate!
"Republicans have defended their assaults on voting by citing the Constitution’s provision that 'The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof;' but Walker noted that there is another clause in the Constitution that follows that semicolon. It reads: 'but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations….'"
Semi-colons can be life affirming
I had a sergeant who wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed approve one of my reports, bus suggested that I get a "semi-colonoscopy" because he found them to be confusing. This is the same sergeant who, when I listed in an arrest report of a drunk man at a local speedway "following some remarks that were blasphemous, profane, and scatological in nature" (he was cursing a blue streak around a woman there with her two young boys, and she and the arrestee "got into it") advised me to use more plain language and not depend on "bovine scato".
Ally Warm thanks for adding ‘bovine scato’ to my scabbard of arrows that I hurl at such distinguished senators as Chameleon Graham, Cancun Cruz, and Horseshit Hawley. I’m looking for a power shovel large enough to clean their Augean stable.
Ok he had a great sense of humor though. That’s pretty funny. Especially the semi-colonoscopy.
😂😂 you’re on a roll this morning, Jeri
They're out of fashion -- démodé, antiquated, archaic, outmoded · out-of-date, anachronistic, ancient, antediluvian ...
The Confederate White People's Treason Party takes a wallop right in the kisser. Now they need to be kicked when they go down. Repeatedly.
Judge Walker packed a wallop! He thoroughly did his homework and threw in a bit of history of the arts to boot. For right now, I am happy. Gotta take whatever we can get.
Morning, Marlene...me be happy, too!
Thank you, Judge Walker for ripping open the wound that is voter suppression. Sadly similar suppression laws are being enacted all over the country. If they go to the Supreme Court I fear they will win but this is a good start for exposure. Brilliant summary, Heather as always
Absolutely spectacular summary of a court case I did not even know was in progress. A heartening outcome to be sure.
Thank you ... again.
Thanks Mike, for reiterating my feelings/thoughts hours after Heather’s letter was published & comments flying…
A couple of footnotes: In Florida, for many years now, the main avenue for Democratic policy to be enacted has been via citizen initiatives for Constitutional Amendment. In 2018, by nearly 65% approval (60% was required), citizens who had completed their sentence (with some exceptions) were restored their right to vote by Constitutional Amendment. The Republican legislature promptly passed a law that all fees and restitution had to be paid before voting rights would be restored. Michael Bloomberg swooped in to pay many of the debts and it was discovered the State's records could not account for how much was owed, making it impossible for former felons to pay this debt. Many had been paying while they were imprisoned and the payments were unaccounted for. The Legislature has now made citizen efforts to get Constitutional Amendments on the ballot even more difficult than the rigorous path which was already in place. This case is a great victory and the judge's opinion will be recorded for history regardless of what happens on Appeal.
What happened when Bloomberg paid? Did it restore any of those voters' rights? And when the discovery of theft (that's what not accounting for paid debts amounts to) was made, what happened to those purged voters? I'm asking because I didn't know about the Bloomberg assistance nor about the stolen money.
I have friends and relatives who live in Florida. While they are not racist, I think some of them DO vote for the Putrid Putin Party because for them, it's the party of power and that's all they care about. I would hope we can get decent people like Val Demings elected and overturn the Florida legislature's stranglehold on that state. I live in the wannabe fascist state of Texas, but we are so gerrymandered and voter suppressed here, we are pretty much helpless, albeit not yet hopeless!
Bloomberg never sent the money because they couldn't determine how much. Then, the AG claimed that he tried to buy votes! What a mess! Here's the latest: https://www.mashpilodge.com/
Val Deminings is running to replace Marco Rubio. The State legislature has been Republican now for over 20 years. :(
To prevail in elections, Republicans don’t huddle together to come up with a platform and policies to broaden their appeal; they officially abandoned the notion of a platform altogether.
Instead they conspire to suppress the vote of those who would vote in opposition. Then they have the chutzpah to talk about “preserving confidence” in the vote.
I’m glad to see Judge Walker’s court anyway do what courts are supposed to do when one branch of government steps across the line. What will result from the inevitable appeal(s) I am not so sure about.
Heh, Ralph, the confidence they are talking about is in their ability to win.....regardless.
Excellent point!
Boom.
As a lifelong Floridian, living in a very conservative county (home of the Groveland Four), I can tell you that while overt racism has greatly diminished here in Florida, covert racism is alive and well.
The current legislature and governor have done everything they can do to diminish not just the rights of marginalized Floridians, but of our local governments as well. Just this week, Gov. DeSantis vetoed the bill that redraws Congressional districts. He pushed an aggressive map that would make it almost impossible for two to three Democrats to retain their seats. The legislature refused to go that far, so he is calling a special session in June to force them to accede to his wishes.
Now he is going after Disney, the state's largest employer, because they belatedly opposed the "Don't Say Gay" bill. He wants to strip them of any tax incentives. He is also undermining the education system by taking control away from local school boards and penalizing those school districts that imposed mask mandates (mostly Democratic counties).
You name it, if it means denying and restricting the rights of the poor, Blacks, Latinos, women, gay and transgender citizens, Florida is leading the nation in the race to the bottom (Texas is doing its best to keep up).
Trump ripped off the thin veil of civility that acted as a guardrail against what is happening to our democracy. Now, emboldened by his "F-you, I'll sue you" mentality, leaders like DeSantis and Abbott are trying to "one-up" each other, hoping to achieve "Trump mini-me" status.
So here I sit, in the state that gave us Leroy Collins, Rubin Askew, Lawton Chiles, and Bob Graham, watching this clown car of Republicans try to out-bozo each other in a race to the past.
On to 1850!
What they’re trying to achieve is the presidency, and it’s sickening that they perceive this as the pathway to success.
It's an amazing sign of the times that these educated socio-pathic ignoramusses would think that they were in any way apt to rise to a position above dogcatcher.
The worst part is that it works. These are governors of large and important states.
Thanks for this enlightening post. I was worried that you might be ill, as this was posted so much later than is typical. But then this post was lengthy. A wonderful read. Let’s hope this stands up at the inevitable Appeals Court and Supreme Court levels.