Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Giving in to doom is how authoritarians win.

It may be funny to you motherfucker, but it’s not funny to me.

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires republicans to act in good faith.

if you can’t see it, then you are useless in the fight to stop it.

Those who are easily outraged are easily manipulated.

I see no possible difficulties whatsoever with this fool-proof plan.

The line between political reporting and fan fiction continues to blur.

America is going up in flames. The NYTimes fawns over MAGA celebrities. No longer a real newspaper.

Fundamental belief of white supremacy: white people are presumed innocent, minorities are presumed guilty.

Usually wrong but never in doubt

You don’t get to peddle hatred on saturday and offer condolences on sunday.

This has so much WTF written all over it that it is hard to comprehend.

I am pretty sure these ‘journalists’ were not always such a bootlicking sycophants.

How stupid are these people?

Let’s bury these fuckers at the polls 2 years from now.

Tide comes in. Tide goes out. You can’t explain that.

The poor and middle-class pay taxes, the rich pay accountants, the wealthy pay politicians.

They want us to be overwhelmed and exhausted. Focus. Resist. Oppose.

You don’t get rid of your umbrella while it’s still raining.

“In the future, this lab will be a museum. do not touch it.”

Wow, I can’t imagine what it was like to comment in morse code.

At some point, the ability to learn is a factor of character, not IQ.

Republicans firmly believe having an abortion is a very personal, very private decision between a woman and J.D. Vance.

The words do not have to be perfect.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Merrick Garland Press Conference Announcing Civil Enforcement Action (LIVE) at 3:00 Eastern

Reader Interactions

110Comments

  3. 3.

    Baud

    On one hand, it seems odd to me to describe a suit against Texas as an “enforcement” action.  On other other, this has to be a big deal if the AG is personally involved.

  4. 4.

    WaterGirl

    @Baud: Glad you are here.  Imm apparently thinks a faculty meeting is more important.  harrumph!

    Just kidding, I hope he ditches the meeting and joins us.  I think we’ve got a 50-50 chance of that.

  6. 6.

    WaterGirl

    @Baud: oh, no.  What could be more important than us?  (she asked hopefully)

    edit: they just moved it to 2:45.  At this rate, you may be done with your thing before it starts. :-)

  7. 7.

    H.E.Wolf

    I’ll save a seat for Imm, just in case :)​

    ETA: Plenty of time for Imm to arrive; the start time has been pushed to 2:45 PM ET.

    2nd ETA: Great minds think alike… and ours, too. (As a dear, now-departed friend used to say.)

  8. 8.

    germy

    The Biden admin is preparing to file a lawsuit imminently against Texas over its new law banning most abortions, setting off a federal-state clash over the future of abortion rights. DOJ scheduled a 2:30 pm newser to announce a “civil enforcement action.” https://t.co/i12ZDE3QjZ

    — Sadie Gurman (@sgurman) September 9, 2021

  11. 11.

    germy

    NEW: The Biden administration is preparing to sue Texas as soon as Thursday over a new law banning most abortions, an action that would set off a federal-state clash as the future of abortion rights becomes an ever-more-pressing question before the courts. https://t.co/9b3LW79FxF

    — Sadie Gurman (@sgurman) September 9, 2021

    Republicans hope this gets the evangelicals riled up on election day. But the evangelicals are always riled up.

  20. 20.

    CaseyL

    “The real literal” – excellent!

    There are tree removers AND roofers at my complex today.  I’ve had to put Jen Psaki’s presser on pause and will likely have to do the same for AG Garland, because I can’t hear them over the noise.

    Relatedly – does anyone have a rec for a good pair of not-expensive non-wireless headphones?  The ones I see online are all $150 or more.  I really don’t want to spend that much, but the last pair I got (and spent $44 on)  fell apart in, like, 2 days.  Thanks!

    ETA: Yes, non-wireless.  I am a Luddite who can’t figure out Bluetooth, and want something with a jack I can plug into the computer.

  22. 22.

    Elizabelle

    Thanks WaterGirl.

    Hello from Colorado Springs.  If this does start at 3, I will be able to catch some of it live.

  24. 24.

    Ken

    @WaterGirl: Way to dash my hopes that the AG is announcing the arrest of the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and all members of the legislature who voted for this law.

  26. 26.

    Chief Oshkosh

    @Ken:

    “My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you today that I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Texas forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.”

  28. 28.

    karen marie

    @CaseyL:   I bought a new pair of wired headphones that I use for transcription and have been using them for a couple of weeks.  I highly recommend them as they are “over ear” rather than “on ear,” and reasonably comfortable.  I wear them for up to eight hours a day and have no complaints at all.  I can hear with these much better than with my ancient “on ear” headphones.  The description says “bluetooth,” which you can do, but they also come with a wire to plug into your laptop or desktop, which is what I do.

    From Amazon, for $48:   OneOdio A70 Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones

  36. 36.

    germy

    @WaterGirl:

    And I never understood earbuds.

    For years, ear doctors have said “don’t put anything in your ears because you’ll push the earwax deeper, and it’ll cause problems!”

    But then earplugs are okay?  And earbuds?

    I don’t like anything in my ears.*

     

    *Other than the sweet promises of Democrats I vote for.

  39. 39.

    germy

    He’ll be taking questions?  Good, but I don’t have high hopes for the quality of questions he’ll face.

  40. 40.

    NotMax

    @CasyeL

    Have been more than pleased with these, which include both a wire and Bluetooth. For the more than reasonable price (although I see they now have gone up a few bucks) I’m not expecting to get decades of use out of them, but then again headphones are not something which I use daily, so who knows.

    Bonus (in my case) is they’re super comfy. I can wear them for the 4 or 5 hours it takes for our gaming group’s weekly remote RPG session and not even notice they’re there. YMMV on that.

  41. 41.

    Elizabelle

    @CODave: 

    Lucky pup! Love Manitou Springs. We were there last weekend for your art festival! Enjoying the people, scenery and no humidity.

    Also, mucho dog culture.

  44. 44.

    CaseyL

    @NotMax: Thanks much!

    Garland’s presser was short and to the point.  One thing I’d like to know is, where is the suit being filed? Is this something that can be filed with SCOTUS directly, or does it need to go through the court system starting with (I guess) a Federal Circuit Court in Texas?

    Ah!  Judd Legum has posted the filed Complaint on Twitter.  They are starting off with the Federal District Court in Austin, TX.  I’m gonna go read the Complaint.

  45. 45.

    feebog

    Brief and thoughtful announcement.  Sounds like they gamed it out and think they have the arguments ready.  Garland v. Paxton, let’s get ready to rumble.

  46. 46.

    Woodrow/asim

    That last answer had some serious “I said what I said” energy. As much as they are trying to say this is Rule of Law business (and it is), I get the feeling there’s some..feeling behind all this, on Garland’s side.

  48. 48.

    H.E.Wolf

    Short speech, and to the point. Repeated emphasis on “scheme”, “unconstitutional”, “deprivation of constitutional rights”. Took 3 questions, to all of which he referred the inquirer to his statement and the text of the lawsuit.

    My favorite quote (in response to the 3rd question): “The Department of Justice does not file lawsuits based on pressure.”

  49. 49.

    WaterGirl

    I was shocked to see how few seats there were in the audience.  Thankful that none of the idiots who are assigned to the white house were able to attend.

  54. 54.

    Woodrow/asim

    @CaseyL: From what I’m gathering on Twitter (i.e. grain of salt), it’s about to be on the docket:

    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. STATE OF TEXAS. Nature of Suit: 950 Constitutional – State Statute Jurisdiction: U.S. Government Plaintiff. Nature of Suit: 950 Constitutional – State Statute CIVIL DOCKET FOR CASE #: 1:21-cv-00796

    And there’s this commentary:

    DOJ is suing the state *directly,* relying on the fact that states don’t have sovereign immunity against suits by the federal government.

    As well as:

    […]this would essentially skip the nonsense of appeals and force SCOTUS to rule on the merits quickly, yes? I doubt they would uphold this law on the merits, because doing so would open a Pandora’s box of legal nightmares beyond imagining.

    Take all that for what it’s worth, and I’m sure we’ll know more very soon.

  56. 56.

    prostratedragon

    @CaseyL:  I use Panasonic rp-ht260-k. Pretty good sound and the current pair is still usable after 2 years.  I use them exactly as you describe.

  57. 57.

    burnspbesq

    @CaseyL: 

    Relatedly – does anyone have a rec for a good pair of not-expensive non-wireless headphones? The ones I see online are all $150 or more.

    The oldie-but-goodie Koss Porta-Pro are still an amazing value at $35. Or you can try your luck on eBay and see if you can find a NOS pair of Sennheiser HD414.

  60. 60.

    leeleeFL

    When I think Garland should be on SCOTUS, and we have Kavanaugh, I want to throat punch Turtle Mitch for the rest of his miserable life! Is that bad?
    I don’t think I should maintain my level of fury, for fear I might stroke out!
    I got work to do?

  63. 63.

    Just Chuck

    @germy: Earplugs don’t seem to do a lot of harm, and then there’s FDA-approved stuff like hearing aids.  Medical advice has to be simplified or people will go around jamming nails in their ears.

    As for earbuds, Apple’s are the gold standard.  They don’t feel “stuffed into” your ear, just naturally fitting there.  And given how earbuds so frequently get a wire torn out or the rubber pad popped off, they pay for themselves with their build quality.  Not inclined to get Airpods myself though: I would lose them within a month.

  64. 64.

    karen marie

    @WaterGirl:   “Over ear” headphones are like if you took two teacups and put them over your ears.  “On ear” headphones are like if you just put your palms over your ears.  I find that the “over ear” helps concentrate the sound better.

  67. 67.

    Elizabelle

    @persistentillusion:   Helped a friend relocate from Philadelphia for a new job here.  She has a full size standard poodle and a tiny cat, and I invited myself into the carload too.  It was a great trip.

    Staying another week.  Just too pretty to head home.

  71. 71.

    Chetan Murthy

    @CaseyL: I bought “Shure SE215-K Professional Sound Isolating Earphones with Single Dynamic MicroDriver, Secure In-Ear Fit – Black” for $99 from AMZN …. years ago.  The wire part is detachable from the earbuds themselves, and hence replaceable.  $30 for the replacement.

    Cheap-ass me, I thought these were really, really pricey. But they sound great, and more importantly, the wired part needs replacing at most once a year, so …. actually cheaper than buying 2-3 sets of cheapo wired earbuds a year, which is what I was doing before.

  75. 75.

    Elizabelle

    @John S.:  I wondered if pulling Chipman’s nomination is an inducement for Manchin (and maybe others) to go along with other legislation.   Maybe it’s a carrot; give them some bragging rights if they feel the need.

    We will get a good ATF head.  At some point.

  77. 77.

    Josie

    I like that the attorney general specifically mentioned terrorism at home as well as abroad.  Possibly a shot across the bow of the “patriots” who are planning a rally next week.

  78. 78.

    Another Scott

    @Elizabelle: Biden’s statement said only one head of the ATF has ever been confirmed by the Senate.  (Looks like it became a senate-confirmed position in 1972.)  Seems like it’s been a political punching bag for ages.

    :-/

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  79. 79.

    John S.

    @Elizabelle: Apparently in the entire history of the agency, there has only been ONE director confirmed by the Senate. That’s some seriously outsized influence by the gun lobby.

    ETA: Another Scott beat me to it.

  80. 80.

    mrmoshpotato

    Good on ya, Four Seasons Ghouliani’s A Total Assclown Landscaping!

    .@KellyannePolls, no, we don't have a vacancy for a Four Seasons Political Consultant. Please stop contacting us.— Four Seasons Total Landscaping (@TotalSeasons) September 9, 2021

  81. 81.

    Cermet

    @Woodrow/asim: You think this inferior court gives a shit about opening a Pandora’s box of legal issues if it upholds the texass law? Like the fake inferior court on the Gore vs. bush, they’ll make it only applicable to texass law. Done.

    Don’t be so naïve.

  82. 82.

    mrmoshpotato

    @John S.:

    That’s some seriously outsized influence by the gun lobby. 

    I believe they prefer ‘gun-humping, ammosexual, penis substitute lobby’.

  87. 87.

    CaseyL

    Thank you to everyone who chimed in on headsets!

    The Complaint that DoJ filed is a thing of beauty.  It takes SB 8 apart to a molecular level and notes each threat: to Constitutional Rights, the ability of the Federal Government agencies to fulfill their contractual obligations, and to the ability to govern at all, if Constitutional Rights and Federal Law can be evaded the way SB 8 evades them.

    I’ll be very interested to read whatever response Texas comes up with.  It’ll have to elide the entire Complaint and yammer on about sanctity-of-life (which can be easily rebutted, if need be; just look at Texas’ covid response).

  88. 88.

    Amir Khalid

    @WaterGirl:

    Over-ear headphones completely enclose your ears. The listening experience is the most immersive; but the headphones themselves can be bulky, heavy, and uncomfortable. On-ear phones have smaller speaker enclosures that sit lightly on the ears: comfier, but often light in the lower frequencies and they might just slide off if you bang your head too vigorously to the music. In-ears, I have found, don’t sound that great, and don’t fit my ears well, yet tend to accumulate earwax.

  89. 89.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @WaterGirl: Well, I am not sure whether we should have male lawyers arguing about things here.

    That being said, it was filed in Federal court in Austin, so it starts there.

  91. 91.

    Woodrow/asim

    @Cermet: Someone asked for the information on the case. I provided what was available at the time, along with 3rd party commentary that, if you re-read my comment, I even said “Take all that for what it’s worth” at the end.

    But yet, you chose to attack me. I’m not really curious as to why; I just want to point it out, because it seems to happen a lot more here than I’m actually getting to be comfortable with, to be blunt.

    If you have a problem with that quote, I’m sure you can express it without calling me names, please and thank you.

  93. 93.

    Woodrow/asim

    @Omnes Omnibus: It wasn’t anything personal.

    I’ve been here for a while, and yeah, I know. Yet I’m not invested, these days, in just letting toxic behavior slide, yanno?

    Tempers flare; done it myself. Yet when all you do is flare, it’s just disruptive. I might Pie ’em, yet I don’t have to just accept it when it’s directed towards me, either.

  100. 100.

    persistentillusion

    @Elizabelle: ​
      The Springs has its moments. Do try to see some of the touristy stuff if time allows. VisitCOS.com has lots of suggestions. Enjoy your stay.

  102. 102.

    burnspbesq

    It’s pretty much a foregone conclusion that the District Court In and For the Democratic People’s Republic of Austin will give the United States substantially all the relief it requested, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens on summary judgment. I just hope all kinds of embarrassing shit comes out in discovery.

    The Fifth Circuit is another story.

  104. 104.

    burnspbesq

    I especially like the Supremacy Clause/pre-emption part of the complaint. The fact that the United States has obligations under Federal law to provide reproductive health services to persons under its care tees up a pretty unassailable showing of irreparable harm at the TRO/preliminary injunction stage.

    My only teeny-weeny disappointment is that DOJ didn’t go in ex parte for a TRO. That would have been a loud “fuck you” to Abbott and Paxton. But the complaint is loud enough.

  107. 107.

    Kathleen

    @Woodrow/asim: I would be upset also. I have 0 tolerance for behaviors I’ve experienced/observed here vs. what a lot of other people here accept as OK. I will admit that I can be think skinned but I accept that about myself. I’ve just learned to keep my mouth shut abut 95% of the time.

  108. 108.

    debbie

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    I sure am glad that Garland listened to all the people on Twitter and DID SOMETHING.

    Do you think they’ll be happy now or did he miss some little thing?

  109. 109.

    J R in WV

    @CODave:

    Hello from Manitou Springs!

    A fascinating and old fashioned place, with hotel billboards that advertise smoking rooms, and they don’t mean cigarettes, they mean Green Weed!

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