US politics: Red Tide Rising

[ThinkerX]

Something I have started thinking about these past weeks: state line checkpoints.

Ok, the R's are moving in a police state direction.

At the same time, in the comments to a great many 'demographic' type articles and pics - and even in those articles and pics themselves, I am seeing rampant paranoia by conservatives towards people moving in from out of state - especially 'Blue' states. Most recently was a FB rant by a guy who is normally non-political - his thing is survival kits for the home and car, along with camping tools - axes, saws, that sort of thing. It seems he went to visit relatives (3rd or 4th generation) in Idaho and basically got told to 'leave the state and don't come back' - not by his family, but by conservative locals.

Then there are all the R politicians adopting extreme hardline positions on the Abortion front. Witness the scum-baggery of the AG in Texas.

So... given this environment, what happens should some R governor just arbitrarily throw up checkpoints on key roads in and out of their states? Officially, they'd be for like drug interdiction or to catch illegal aliens, in actuality, they'd be going for anybody they didn't like pregnant women, people of color, people with plates from blue states. Now, let's say they kept knowledge of these checkpoints on the downlow - not really advertised at all, save for very brief blurbs. And just to make matters even more interesting, let's say they recruit 'private security' (who all happen to belong to far-right militias) to staff these checkpoints, and make it clear these people are duly deputized or whatever.

How long could R states keep these checkpoints going before the situation blows up?

Also, what happens should this checkpoint issue make it to the SC and the claim is 'states rights?' There any chance the current SC would accept that argument?

 

[Martell Spy]

Joe Manchin has tested positive for Covid. The crucial centrist's absence will cause some Democratic anxiety as the Senate races toward its August recess. 
Manchin says he has "mild symptoms," the same way President Joe Biden has characterized his condition with the virus.

https://www.politico.com/minutes/congress/07-25-2022/manchin-has-covid/

What happened: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), the crucial 50th vote on Democratic priorities in the upper chamber, won't be in the Senate this week after disclosing a positive Covid test early Monday morning.

[Zorral]

11 hours ago, Babblebauble said:

They do not intend to be out of power again.

Exactly -- as Cheney's blow-up incomprehension showed when They lost the election to Obama.  He was sure They had it fixed and fixed forever.

[Ormond]

You know, ANY Democratic senator who was absent because of Covid or any other health related reason could be described as a missing "crucial" vote. I don't see how in terms of his complete absence because of illness that Manchin is more "crucial" than any of the other 50.

Thought you all might be interested in the following news article from Nebraska. If you look at the maps about abortion access that many have put up after the Dobbs decision, Nebraska and Kansas have usually gotten a color that means "expected to ban abortion." The Nebraska law that went into effect after the decision allows abortion with almost no restrictions up to the 20th week of a pregnancy. All the political commentators were expecting Gov. Ricketts to call a special session of the legislature to try to pass an abortion ban as soon as Roe was overturned, but that has not happened. There seems to be a good chance that it won't happen now until after the November elections.  I suspect the anti-abortion folks in Nebraska may also be waiting to see the outcome of the referendum on the issue that will soon be occuring in neighboring Kansas. It does seem that even the leaders of the anti-abortion faction in our legislature realize that they need to write any new law in a way that attempts to allow IVF and "life-saving operations."  So at least out here in the middle of the Great Plains the anti-abortion madness is not moving quite as fast as anticipated.

Nebraska lawmakers doubt likelihood of special session to debate abortion restrictions | Politics | omaha.com

 

[DireWolfSpirit]

Pretty pathetic when I have to hear the R-Kinzinger interviewed saying he believes they've (the Committee) presented enough evidence to Indict Trump only to realize the D- appointed AG will not even attempt to enforce our nation's laws, unless it's to pursue a case against his number one most wanted, Hunter Biden.

Keep sleeping, everyone is content and peachy Joe.

[A Horse Named Stranger]

I don't think Garland will be moving to indict before the mid-terms, as to not get drawn into it. That's the optimistic reading and hoping he will make his move after the mid-terms. Do I believe it myself? Nah. BUt what else is there?

[Zorral]

No point to waiting after the midterms, looking at it from any point of view.  If it twere to be done, gaddamnit, just do it!

[DMC]

2 hours ago, Ormond said:

You know, ANY Democratic senator who was absent because of Covid or any other health related reason could be described as a missing "crucial" vote.

Pat Leahy is also currently out recovering from hip surgeries.  Also, Manchin confirmed he's working remotely.  Both have plenty of time to recover before a potential floor vote.

[Fragile Bird]

I see a 37-year old woman at the Dallas airport, approaching a ticket counter, pulled out a gun and started shooting. I gather she didn’t shoot anyone, just the ceiling. 

Well if you’re pissed off in Texas I guess it comes in handy to have your handgun in your pocket.

Police shot her and took her to hospital.

People in the comments section of the NYT were saying Texas woman = Florida man.

[A Horse Named Stranger]

1 hour ago, Fragile Bird said:

People in the comments section of the NYT were saying Texas woman = Florida man.

To be clear, I will never call DMC a Texas woman here, because it is not the same. 

[DMC]

Hey, of my (extended) family that lives in Texas, I'd much rather be associated with the women than the men.

[A Horse Named Stranger]

Probably, but for now you are a Florida man, alternatively Florida Pol.Sci.

[Mr. Chatywin et al.]

Georgia Woman would like a word:

 

[Week]

I don't hate America, god does not exist, but I do hate you. 1/3 33% F

[Mr. Chatywin et al.]

The insanity that is Republican politics:

Quote

GOP Rep. Glenn Thompson attended his gay son's wedding last week, three days after opposing a bill in the US House that would enshrine protections for same-sex marriage into federal law, CNN has confirmed.

Thompson's office said in a statement that the Pennsylvania congressman and his wife were "thrilled" to attend the nuptials and are "very happy" to welcome a new son-in-law into the family.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/25/politics/glenn-thompson-attends-gay-sons-wedding-after-opposing-protections/index.html

[Zorral]

Dems fume at Disney’s Hulu for blocking ads on abortion, guns [sub / paywall]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/07/25/disney-hulu-democrats-ads/

Quote

 

The Disney-backed streaming service Hulu is refusing to run political ads on central themes of Democratic midterm campaigns, including abortion and guns, prompting fury from the party’s candidates and leaders.

The streaming service popular among younger voters, which has a policy against running content deemed controversial, is like other digital providers in not being bound by the Communications Act of 1934, a law that requires broadcast television networks to provide politicians equal access to the airwaves.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Democratic Governors Association tried to purchase joint ads on abortion and guns with Hulu on July 15, along with identical placements on a Disney-affiliated ABC affiliate in Philadelphia and the company’s cable sports channel ESPN. The Hulu ads never ran, while the others did.

“Hulu’s censorship of the truth is outrageous, offensive, and another step down a dangerous path for our country,” the executive directors of the three committees, Christie Roberts, Tim Persico and Noam Lee, said in a statement provided to The Washington Post. “Voters have the right to know the facts about MAGA Republicans’ agenda on issues like abortion — and Hulu is doing a huge disservice to the American people by blocking voters from learning the truth about the GOP record or denying these issues from even being discussed.”

The party committees join a growing list of Democratic candidates who have had spots mentioning gun violence, abortion or political violence rejected by Hulu.

Suraj Patel, a Democratic candidate for Congress in New York City, posted a letter of protest, first reported by Jezebel, to Disney CEO Bob Chapek and Hulu President Joe Earley complaining that a Hulu representative told his campaign there was an “unwritten Hulu policy” that deemed the topics in one of his ads too “sensitive” for the platform. The ad in question mentioned Republican successes around abortion, climate change and gun violence, while also showing footage of the violence from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“To not discuss these topics in my campaign ad is to not address the most important issues facing the United States,” Patel wrote. “Your ban on mobilization messaging has a perverse effect on Democracy.”

Patel said in an interview Sunday that the ad was allowed to run after he edited it, replacing the word “climate change” with “democracy” and replacing the footage of violence at the U.S. Capitol with footage of former president Donald Trump. He has not received a response from Chapek or Earley, he said.

“This policy has incredible implications for people nationwide, both voters and people running for office,” Patel said. “You need to communicate with younger voters on the mediums where they are watching. Cable is not where they are watching.”

Hulu contacted Patel’s campaign Monday afternoon, after the initial publication of this story that morning, to tell him that his original ad would be accepted, including the images of violence on Jan. 6

 

 

[Martell Spy]

Obamacare back in court as Texans challenge coverage for STDs and HIV care
The GOP’s decade-plus war against the health law continues with lawsuit over coverage requirement for testing, vaccines and PrEP.

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/07/26/texas-obamacare-std-hiv-00047724

Quote

 

This challenge, filed in March of 2020 by a group of Texas residents and employers and backed by former Trump officials, argues that the ACA’s preventive care mandates violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and that forcing people to pay for plans that cover STD screenings and HIV prevention drugs will “facilitate and encourage homosexual behavior, prostitution, sexual promiscuity, and intravenous drug use.”

“The government cannot possibly show that forcing private insurers to provide PrEP drugs, the HPV vaccine, and screenings and behavioral counseling for STDs and drug use free of charge is a policy of such overriding importance that it can trump religious-freedom objections,” the lawsuit reads.

The Texans suing the Biden administration also argue that Congress never gave the civil servants and outside advisers at the Department of Health and Human Services the authority to come up with the list of preventive health services all insurance plans have to cover. Only someone nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, they argue, should have that power.

The lawyer arguing on their behalf is Jonathan Mitchell, the architect of Texas’ six-week abortion ban that offers a $10,000 bounty to private citizens who successfully sue an abortion provider.

 

 

[SpaceChampion]

Skip to :24 in the video if you want to avoid hearing Matt Gaetz's voice.  Though apparently his official twitter name is now Rapey McForehead.

 

[LongRider]

Everybody's a critic! Outside Magazine evaluates Sen. Josh Hawley's running form.  Major trolling ensues! 

 

Quote

At a Capitol Hill hearing last night, the January 6th committee prompted a dramatic audience reaction when they played video of Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) fleeing insurrectionists. 

As a running coach, I had a similarly visceral reaction. His form! His apparel! His complete and utter lack of regard for democratic norms! 

Let’s break it down. 

Whether you’re on a jog around the neighborhood or fleeing the violent mobs whose fury you stoked for your own political gain, you’ll want to make sure you have a good forward lean. A keen eye will notice Sen. Hawley’s torso is straighter than Mike Pence’s freshly cleared search history. Runners will often struggle with a forward lean because they haven’t developed enough core stability. However, in Hawley’s case, it may be due to the absence of any spine. I’d recommend some lower core work and/or the adherence to any core values whatsoever. 

Run here to read the article  Our Running Coach Analyzes Senator Josh Hawley’s January 6 Sprint - Outside Online

[Corvinus85]

On 7/25/2022 at 10:57 AM, Ormond said:

You know, ANY Democratic senator who was absent because of Covid or any other health related reason could be described as a missing "crucial" vote. I don't see how in terms of his complete absence because of illness that Manchin is more "crucial" than any of the other 50.

Thought you all might be interested in the following news article from Nebraska. If you look at the maps about abortion access that many have put up after the Dobbs decision, Nebraska and Kansas have usually gotten a color that means "expected to ban abortion." The Nebraska law that went into effect after the decision allows abortion with almost no restrictions up to the 20th week of a pregnancy. All the political commentators were expecting Gov. Ricketts to call a special session of the legislature to try to pass an abortion ban as soon as Roe was overturned, but that has not happened. There seems to be a good chance that it won't happen now until after the November elections.  I suspect the anti-abortion folks in Nebraska may also be waiting to see the outcome of the referendum on the issue that will soon be occuring in neighboring Kansas. It does seem that even the leaders of the anti-abortion faction in our legislature realize that they need to write any new law in a way that attempts to allow IVF and "life-saving operations."  So at least out here in the middle of the Great Plains the anti-abortion madness is not moving quite as fast as anticipated.

Nebraska lawmakers doubt likelihood of special session to debate abortion restrictions | Politics | omaha.com

 

With Ricketts nearly out the door, he's likely not interested. I'm sure next governor (Pillen) will move fast.