Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. keep building.

Hi god, it’s us. Thanks a heap, you’re having a great week and it’s only Thursday!

Every one of the “Roberts Six” lied to get on the court.

The most dangerous place for a black man in America is in a white man’s imagination.

I did not have this on my fuck 2025 bingo card.

Republicans: The threats are dire, but my tickets are non-refundable!

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

This country desperately needs a functioning fourth estate.

Dear elected officials: Trump is temporary, dishonor is forever.

Republicans don’t want a speaker to lead them; they want a hostage.

Reality always lies in wait for … Democrats.

Accountability, motherfuckers.

Be a wild strawberry.

Bark louder, little dog.

Black Jesus loves a paper trail.

Come on, media. you have one job. start doing it.

We still have time to mess this up!

Republicans are the party of chaos and catastrophe.

We’ve had enough carrots to last a lifetime. break out the sticks.

The way to stop violence is to stop manufacturing the hatred that fuels it.

I would try pessimism, but it probably wouldn’t work.

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

Boeing: repeatedly making the case for high speed rail.

We know you aren’t a Democrat but since you seem confused let me help you.

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Speaking Of the Week Ahead

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Really busy today doing everything except what I am supposed to be doing.  I had to move a lot of stuff out of my closet room so the plumber could get to the crawl space, and now the temptation to get that room cleaned up and organized seems impossible to resist.

Unlike my sister, I am not someone who enjoys cleaning.  But it’s just begging to be straightened out instead of just dragging everything back in there.

I saw some news last week, and I’m not sure what to think of it.   Something about the Senate working to pass a bill that would increase the number of judges started in 2025, maybe at the district court level?   If anyone saw that and has a better idea of what that’s about, please chime in.

I’m sure I’ve missed tons of news, what’s  been going on today?  Or is this the calm before the storm?

Speaking of which,

Totally open thread.

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Open Thread: A Little Good News

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Busy day, but looks like we could use an open thread

How have I never heard of this gem of a man before:

In case you missed this good new. I think we should have a countdown clock for this flaming bag of poo:

Steve Bannon, former advisor to President Donald Trump, departs the E. Barrett Prettyman US Courthouse on June 6, 2024, in Washington, DC.

CNN — 

A federal appeals court Thursday night rejected Steve Bannon’s bid to delay the July 1 start of his criminal contempt-of-Congress prison sentence.

Following the ruling from the US DC Circuit Court of Appeals, it is likely the former adviser to former President Donald Trump will seek the intervention of the Supreme Court.

The panel voted 2-1, with Judge Cornelia Pillard, a Barack Obama nominee, and Judge Bradley Garcia, a Joe Biden nominee, in the majority. The majority opinion, however, was unsigned.

Judge Justin Walker, a Trump appointee, dissented from the panel’s Thursday night decision, writing that the precedent Bannon is contesting is a “close” question and that Bannon should be allowed to stay out of prison while he appeals it to the Supreme Court.

A couple of videos (I have several stockpiled) if you haven’t already seen them:

So raise your hand if you think trump will find some way to weasel out of the debate. Any guesses on how?

If he does debate, do you think they can keep him drugged up enough to not sound like the drunk at the end of the bar?

Okay, gotta get back to work.

This is an open thread

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The Week Ahead Open Thread

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So, my morning was interesting.  I got up early to water the pots, and the plumber shows up at my door.  Who knew that you were supposed to write something like that on your calendar???  (sigh)

So there went the first two hours of my day, with my plan flying right out the window.  On the plus side, now I will have water and ice from the refrigerator.  My fridge died in the first month of lockdown, so I got a new fridge but I didn’t want anyone in my house and crawl space for 2 hours hooking up the water.  The entrance to my crawl space is in my closet room, and I definitely didn’t want anyone in there with all my clothes, towels, etc.

Anyway, we have a big week ahead with the Supreme Court, and who knows what else.  I guess the world is telling me that I need to stay flexible!

Open thread

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Monday Morning Open Thread: Keep Moving Forward

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As always… Sharing is caring!

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Sunday Night Open Thread: Concerning the Supreme Court…

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Essays like this help keep me sane. I’d save these two for prime time, but there’s so much news these days…

Here’s the great Charles P. Pierce, from his weekly Esquire subscription column — “The Waiting Is Killing Us”:

Nothing became the administration of President James Buchanan like his inaugural address did. Delivered on March 4, 1857, just after he’d been sworn in by Chief Justice Roger Taney, who had other things on his mind, it was a flat and lifeless attempt to hand-wave away the fact that the country was coming apart over slavery. Don’t worry, the new president said, the system was working; the issue of the expansion of slavery was before the Supreme Court. All was well. Or so President James Buchanan told the nation.

This is, happily, a matter of but little practical importance. Besides, it is a judicial question, which legitimately belongs to the Supreme Court of the United States, before whom it is now pending, and will, it is understood, be speedily and finally settled. To their decision, in common with all good citizens, I shall cheerfully submit, whatever this may be, though it has ever been my individual opinion that under the Nebraska-Kansas act the appropriate period will be when the number of actual residents in the Territory shall justify the formation of a constitution with a view to its admission as a State into the Union. But be this as it may, it is the imperative and indispensable duty of the Government of the United States to secure to every resident inhabitant the free and independent expression of his opinion by his vote. This sacred right of each individual must be preserved. That being accomplished, nothing can be fairer than to leave the people of a Territory free from all foreign interference to decide their own destiny for themselves, subject only to the Constitution of the United States.

… As he sat on the dais, Chief Justice Taney had a lot on his mind—specifically, the opinion he’d been writing in the case of Dred Scott v. Sanford, which was the case through which, Buchanan assured the nation, “the long agitation on this subject would end.” Historian Jill Lepore writes that the word on Taney’s decision already was beginning to leak out.

No one tweeted from Washington that week, but reporters knew a decision was coming, and they knew what decision to expect. This news they sent out by telegraph. On Wednesday, March 5th, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Taney was at home, writing his opinion. “The decision in the Dred Scott case will be delivered tomorrow,” reported a correspondent for the New York Herald, adding that the Court was expected to “decide that the Missouri compromise is unconstitutional and that Congress has no power over the question of slavery in Territories.”

Lepore emphasizes that the decision in Dred Scott was delayed because Buchanan wanted it delayed. Moreover, Buchanan leaned on one of the justices to join the eventual majority. But it’s hard to imagine either man was completely oblivious to the ongoing turmoil in the country…

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War for Ukraine Day 851: Russia Follows Up On It’s Bombardment of Kharkiv by Bombarding Kharkiv

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Painting by NEIVANMADE. It has a white background an in the center are Soldiers in green doing air defense by firing at incoming Russian missiles in the upper right. The missiles are red and yellow. In the upper left, written in green, is the text: "SAVE THE BRAVEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD!" Below the Soldiers, also written in green, is "SUPPORT FOR KHARKIV"

(Image by NEIVANMADE)

A couple of quick housekeeping notes: First, Rosie is still doing fine. Tomorrow will be here fourth and final treatment of round two.

Second, I’m going to try to keep tonight’s update short(ish). I’ve got some stuff to do and a very long day tomorrow.

As I start writing tonight’s update at 6:50 PM EDT the only air raid alerts up over Ukraine are for Kharkiv and Donetsk Oblasts.

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

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Don’t Bother Them with Numbers: As Long as More Women are Suffering, It’s Working

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Don't Bother Them with Numbers: As Long as More Women are Suffering, It's Working 1
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham was on Face the Nation this morning, mainly to talk about fires and immigration, but even the host of Face the Republicans let her get in a few home truths:

MARGARET BRENNAN: You have been a very vocal access- advocate, I should say, for Reproductive Health Access. This week marks two years since Roe vs. Wade was struck down. And yet, in 2023, America had the highest abortion number and abortion rate in over a decade. Why do you think there are more abortions happening at a time when there is decreased access?

GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: Well, I think there are more abortions happening because more women are at risk, which means they can’t get into a provider, they can’t get prenatal care. You’ve got providers who are worried about prosecutions and any number of other issues that interfere with their ability to provide care, less access to contraceptives, less information about public health, less ability to get to your primary care physician. Most families and women live eighty-six miles from a provider- you create a draconian situation; you’re going to increase risk at every single place. And this is a state that’s clear about protecting women and creating equality, but that’s what I believe is the genesis of this situation.

In addition to what Gov. Lujan Grisham said, I’m guessing one reason is that outlawing abortion makes women who are pregnant “call the question” earlier — since mifepristone by mail is the only alternative to a long car ride that they can’t afford.  But that’s just a guess.

Anyway, do I think the fact of rising abortion rates post-Dobbs is going to make forced birthers rethink their positions?  Of course not:  first, they never rethink anything.  Second, along with the rate of abortion, the rate of women’s suffering has gone up, and that’s what they really wanted.  Third, this will just push them to ask for more:  outlawing contraception is next, and boy are they foaming at the mouth to get that done.  Look for Thomas and Alito to break new ground in originalism by pointing out that the founding fathers didn’t have the pill or IUDs, therefore Griswold should be reversed.

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