@lovendures It is very upsetting. I'd resolved not to listen to the oral arguments but I couldn't help myself. The right wing justices' arguments were craven and just plain nonsense. What chilled me even more was listening to Kavanaugh describe the constitution as being neutral on the issue of abortion. Well. it's not neutral because the 1973 Supreme Court decided that the right does exist, not explicitly, but impliedly. So, Kavanaugh is saying that unless explicitly stated in the constitution a right doesn't exist. So no right to same-sex marriage, no right to birth control, on and on.
It's the thought of seeing the 20th century reversed by these low-quality hacks that is so frightening.
I guess let's hope it plays out another way.
The only upside was listening to Breyer, Sotomayor and Kagan, and the solicitor general, who was amazing. I feel like however the case is decided Breyer will announce his retirement early next year. I don't think he's going to want to contribute to a possible 7-2 court.
Stacy Abrams has announced she is running for Governor of Georgia: https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2021/12/01/politics/stacey-abrams-georgia-governor-race/index.html please consider donating to her campaign and keep her surrounded with Light ... we need her in office here in Georgia!
Time to get your Stacy Abrams socks out of your drawer...
@lynnventura, I have little to offer you at this moment, except I wish you were here so I could give you a big hug. Truth be told, I could use a hug myself. I am upset and deeply saddened by what I am witnessing. As a woman of senior status, I naively believed all of this was settled and I could breathe easier.
Silly me.
@lovendures We know she really won last time... praying THIS time...she wins by such a wide margin it can not be disputed.
I see Stacy winning this time.
No one deserves the governorship as much as that woman. I hope she cleans house on 2022.
Yes, on Stacy---go girl!
As for SCOTUS, I tuned in briefly to a radio program while driving, in which a Yale law prof explained that Amy Conan Barrett's pattern thus far is to use the shadow docket to gradually shift the court to the right in an off-the-radar mode. This strategy lessens scrutiny and reduces the likelihood of future court challenges. If that pattern prevails, they will not overturn Roe v Wade, instead, they will leave it in place in a weaker form. We will soon see.
https://dworkenlaw.com/what-is-the-shadow-docket-and-why-is-it-important/
If I told this story here before, I will repeat it because of the terrible implication. I audited a law class a few years ago shortly after K had been confirmed. Chatting before class, the older law prof said that K sat next to him at a luncheon prior to his confirmation hearings. He said that K drilled him about the Anita Hill hearings and wanted extraordinary details about it including things I won't mention hear. As he related this story, the law prof had an unfathomable look on his face as if he were looking into a great abyss.
One inferred that K could have had something to worry about. Now he wields unconscionable power...
To all of those who see the Supreme Court strike down Roe v. Wade or weakening it severely, I have one thing to say.
I hope they do.
No, I am not a right-wing nut. I believe that every situation is different, and I will certainly not tell a young teenage girl who was raped by her father that she must carry the child (believe it or not, that situation has actually occurred in my hometown. We are still awaiting the fallout.)
But if the Supreme Court revokes Roe v. Wade, it might be the very thing to energize Democratic voters (and especially white, female, middle-class, suburban women who made a huge difference in 2020) into action. With all the noise that Republicans have made about gun rights and the right to refuse vaccines and masks over the years, how can they tell these same voters that the same deference doesn't apply to them simply because they were born without a male appendage?
Most people don't like abortion but do recognize that it may be necessary. But Republicans, in their constant efforts to appeal to their base, have passed draconian laws that prohibit abortion, even in instances that most people believe it is justified, such as severe risk of harm to the mother/child, rape, incest, etc. My home state of Tennessee has passed such a law.
These laws were meant to pacify the right. For Republicans to say "we are doing our best. We are committed to ending abortion, etc."
But if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, those laws go into effect. And then the media will start showing stories of young preteen girls who are raped and yet are unable to get an abortion, which puts their lives at risk. More and more people will share their stories, and the demonizing of abortions (which the right has engaged in for decades) will be weakened.
In an age where Republicans are doing everything they can to halt progress and stop the country from being successful so they can benefit on public anger to steal seats, the reaction to the overturning of Roe v. Wade may be the one thing that will drive enough Democrats and Independents to the polls to stop them.
Don't get me wrong. I don't want women and children to suffer. But if the Supreme Court comes out with its decision in the summer of 2022 (as it is likely they will do, based on the average time it takes to reach a decision), then that will hopefully galvanize voters to turn away from Republicans and send a clear message to them that we are tired of them invading our rights as people. If Democrats do remain in power (and maybe pick up a few extra seats in the process), then we may have enough power to take the power from the states and the courts forever.
So, if Roe v. Wade falls, it may mean that we replace it with something stronger. But it is up to all of us to decide. So here is hoping that Republicans continue to act stupid and pull defeat out of the jaws of victory.
Roe is gone. What I fear more is what's coming up next and what claims the most regressive states are teeing up for litigation/legislation from the bench. I fear a personhood law that reaches the sup court and invalidates more liberal abortion laws in blue states. Other stuff too. All the talk about states' rights yesterday really freaked me out.
I hope you're right @allyn, and I hope this is another part of the great turning. I'm not feeling optimistic though, but I'll happily eat crow.
@allyn I agree. For some reason I'm not all that concerned about the ruling that's coming and I think it's because of what you've outlined. This won't play well in the long game.
Justice Sotomayor's statements yesterday had depth and complexity. Am not seeing those qualities in the new justices. Do you think they can overcome the "stench" that Sotomator referenced?
Did Neil Gorsuch speak? Sometimes he's a vote surprise.
@allyn @Lynn @theungamer This news is painful to hear but we will get through it and eventually it will be overturned.
I remember what it was like before Roe v Wade. My mother confessed when we were older that during the early 1960's she got pregnant with what would have been a fifth child, and spent a few weeks with her relatives in Florida where someone found a doctor who was willing to give her the abortion. Often emotionally overwhelmed, she said she simply could not handle a fifth child. She told us she had to duck down in the car as they drove to the doctor's office.
Then later in college, a girlfriend of mine got pregnant. She drove Montreal where she got an abortion.
@theungamer The new justices are not quality legal scholars. The right wing doesn't do quality, they just do power. They need power to compensate for their inherent mediocrity.
Listening to Justice Sotomayor, who grew up poor in the Bronx and is a person of character and excellence, just made me so proud. She's amazing, as are Justices Breyer and Kagan.
@jeanne-mayell, @theungamer, and @lynn
I am an attorney, and thus I consider myself a student of inherent human character. I see the best and worst from humanity and everything in between. I see that law is not black and white, but rather many shades.
For me, abortion would not be an option. But I am in good health and, most importantly, I have a wonderful family who would support me. In the event I decided that I wasn't fit or able to raise a child, I have access to multiple resources where I can give the child to relatives or even settle adoption after having the potential parents checked out and vetted beforehand. Also, I would have access to counseling.
However, the average woman does not have such luxuries. All too often, lack of familial and financial support is a problem facing women (Note: to go off on a tangent here, why are Republicans so opposed to women having equal pay as men and yet they expect us to raise children? How can you raise children when you are being paid less than those of the opposite gender? Just saying!) Other women have health issues that put them at risk should they become pregnant. Other women have abusive relationships where a child would tie them to their abuser forever (as well as give the abuser an actual "hostage" in the event that the woman tries to leave him, either by threatening the child physically or using the law to take custody). Still others are victims of rape, incest, etc.
Long story short, I don't feel that a mother should have to launch a media campaign or have a court hearing to determine whether or not she is allowed an abortion. To do so would bring otherwise confidential information to the public eye. (In short, not only would throwing out Roe v. Wade hurt women's reproductive rights, but it also violates her rights to patient/doctor confidentiality. Just think of the Texas law, where women would have to litigate their medical procedures that are otherwise protected.)
Even a weakening of Roe would hurt Republicans. First of all, it will infuriate their base (if Republicans already have 6-3 ratio on the Supreme Court and Roe is still not overturned, why bother voting for Republicans anymore? How many more judges do you need to steal from Democrats?) Second, a weakening of Roe will make women feel even more unsafe than they do now, as this last year has shown how Republicans are committed to making us like "The Handmaid's Tale." (Note: they may want to watch the last episode to see how women might resort to violence in such a situation. It is a cautionary tale of what happens to you if you succeed in taking a person's freedom.) And threatened people will come vote.
Also, can we address the golden clown in the room? (yep, I mean Trump.) Can you imagine if the Supreme Court gutted or weakened Roe v. Wade? Most Republicans will try to avoid the issue, but Trump, the notorious womanizer, accused harasser, accused rapist, sexist, etc. will issue a statement bragging about how he ended abortion. Can you imagine ANYTHING that would anger the average female more? It is one thing if the person responsible was someone pretending to be compassionate to women. But Trump glorifies in how he abuses women. His statement will no doubt be insulting and will likely cause women 40 and younger to mostly abandon the Republican party forever.
As light warriors, let's send light to try to lessen the impact of Covid-19 and to help with the economy. Because if Covid-19 and the economy are in better shape in the summer of 2022, then the driving force for people will be Roe v. Wade. Republicans will be happy (or at least indifferent) while Democrats and Independents will be furious. And in this nation, it is the furious voters who come to the polls.
*Sigh*
The Republicans are threatening another shutdown. Again. Over mask mandates, of all things.
I am sick to death of Cruz, Greene, and everyone else involved in these tactics. I am so tired of them threatening to shut down the government every time, cause the markets to panic, and then seem to skate to re-election as though nothing bothers them. Never mind that the rest of us are suffering whilst they continue to give tax cuts to the rich and get paychecks while government employees have their money held hostage every time they do it.
I am also sick to death of them trying to blame Democrats for it. "If Democrats just do what we want, we wouldn't shut down the government."
The only saving grace is the fact that the Republicans have engaged in this tactic so many times that the average voter and independent voters know that if America defaults or if the government shuts down, then it is the Republicans' fault.
Here is my question: any visions, dreams, etc. that gives us an idea as to if and/or when Republicans will finally abandon this practice forever? Usually, the answer would be if they lost badly at elections, but because they gerrymandered the districts so well, that is not going to happen. Will this be how we finally lose our democracy, as more and more of the country comes to realize that nothing can get done because when Republicans are in power, all they want to do is give tax breaks to the rich and take away the rights of all non-whites and females, and when Republicans are not in power, they are determined to keep us from making progress on the economy, climate change, etc.
Eventually, this practice becomes old, but will it take the collapse of the country for this to occur or will we get some much-needed help from the light to drive these forces of darkness back to the shadows?
@allyn I have been going through old predictions by this group and the amount of predictions that come true is amazing. Going back to 2019 ( that’s as far back as I can find) the group has seen the government turning blue for the future. It was this group of blessed ones who were able to see the “shut down” inauguration which was cause by the insurrection. No one predicted In addition to political predictions the group has seen many out of the ordinary events happening. Also, many see justice for the political idiots who joined the “dark one” in his attempt to take over our government. As difficult as it is to look past the pundits aka the media, I believe the visions seen here rather that the doom and gloom on social media. All actions have consequences and if the court decides to cut Roe, the voters will have a choice to accept it or vote the traitors out. And if the voters have to come out they will out of anger and disgust with the repugs. I know Jeanne predicted the the republicans will eventually become a fringe group like the Nazi (which is what they are). If you want to check the validity of the group’s visions, go to the section where “If you see a hit..” and check for yourself. I have researched and cited sites to authenticate the validity of the predictions. I believe you will be impressed with the group's accuracy and insight. This site keeps my hope alive and helps me to see a better future for everyone. ( Having worked for DOJ in the past, I understand how it would be so hard to see a different future. )
@lenor and @allyn - I'll second what Lenor said (although I was not a part of that group) - I continue to feel good about the future -- OVERALL -- but I had a very lively tarot reading session in the spring where this was underscored with the warning that it's going to be a slog to get there. And 22 midterms are still going to be tight in terms of senate majority.
I'm still waiting on the major prediction from that that was super loud about the "something big" that happens prior to the election. I have still had no clues given to me about what that will end up being -- I do know I do NOT believe it's in regards to the 1/6 commission or anything like that though I could be wrong.
I have had a rough couple of weeks. My boss's husband is COVID positive (unvaccinated and not doing well) and she continued to come to work until my secretary finally told her if she was going to be here, the rest of us were going to work from home. I applauded her ovaries for that one because usually she goes for the path of no confrontation.
And then there's Oxford and that fallout. It took me until today to read and process that. In my 20 years in the field I've seen (and thankfully not experienced myself) so many of these and my brain can't handle that we keep allowing this to happen. I had two night sessions this week and therefore had today off, and as I'm coming out of a daze and waking up this morning, my phone rings and I learn my daughters district was closed because of a threat of similar violence. So it was today it really hit me and sank in.
I have to get through the next 10 years in the field to hit the magic "30 years" so I can retire with my pension and do something else. Why the absolute hell are we still allowing school shootings to take place in this country? Those locks on the door? The "buzz in" entry systems? Campus security officers? The regular "hide in the closet" drills? They don't stop shooters. You know what WOULD stop shooters? Some tougher gun regulation and laws.
So. Effing. Done. Tonight is definitely a gummy night for me.
I have had a rough couple of weeks. My boss's husband is COVID positive (unvaccinated and not doing well) and she continued to come to work until my secretary finally told her if she was going to be here, the rest of us were going to work from home. I applauded her ovaries for that one because usually she goes for the path of no confrontation.
And then there's Oxford and that fallout. It took me until today to read and process that. In my 20 years in the field I've seen (and thankfully not experienced myself) so many of these and my brain can't handle that we keep allowing this to happen. I had two night sessions this week and therefore had today off, and as I'm coming out of a daze and waking up this morning, my phone rings and I learn my daughters district was closed because of a threat of similar violence. So it was today it really hit me and sank in.
I have to get through the next 10 years in the field to hit the magic "30 years" so I can retire with my pension and do something else. Why the absolute hell are we still allowing school shootings to take place in this country? Those locks on the door? The "buzz in" entry systems? Campus security officers? The regular "hide in the closet" drills? They don't stop shooters. You know what WOULD stop shooters? Some tougher gun regulation and laws.
So. Effing. Done. Tonight is definitely a gummy night for me.