Political Randomness

[Holman]

https://twitter.com/Acyn/status/1678579616376651777

Spoiler:

The only not-completely-sinister explanation is that Tuberville is so profoundly stupid that he doesn't know the term "white nationalist," hearing it instead as something like "patriotic Americans who happen to be white."

What's more likely is that he's happy to muddy the waters so that the term and its adherents become more acceptable.

[Apollo]

It's the traditional game played by GOP politicians where they say something that their base will interpret as a simple, straightforward fact but that the mainstream media will go bonkers over and criticize them endlessly about. The key to success in the modern GOP is to be heavily criticized by liberals, Democrats and the National Media. No matter what the GOP politician was actually saying, their base will get fired up and cling to them even tighter than before when they hear them being criticized by the people and institutions they hate the most.

Too bad the media still hasn't figured this out, but then they may want to fire up non-conservatives (the Mainstream Media's "base") over what was said in order to produce more clicks.

[Pyperkub]

Oh dear lord. "Ex NBA Player" on Bannon says women are too mouthy apparently.

Who is this guy?

Royce Alexander White (born April 10, 1991) is an American former professional basketball player. During his brief tenure in the NBA, he played in just three regular-season games...

...In 2022, White announced he would be running for Congress in Minnesota's 5th congressional district as a Republican. The New York Post has referred to White as "a far-right populist," who has "embraced conspiracy theories including but not limited to the integrity of the 2020 presidential election and satanic influences in the federal government."[7] He lost in the Republican primary.

Oh, ok, they should have led with nutjob who couldn't even win a GOP primary.

[Smoove_B]

I feel like this keeps happening in various states and at different levels:

A Georgia state legislator from Atlanta switched to the Republican Party on Tuesday, after being at odds with Democrats for reasons including her support for school vouchers and disciplining prosecutors.

Rep. Mesha Mainor becomes the only Black member of the GOP among Georgia’s 236 state lawmakers, and the first Black Republican woman to ever serve in the Georgia General Assembly. Mainor’s defection gives Republicans a 102-78 edge in the House.

Mainor said legislative Democrats drove her out of the party for breaking party orthodoxy, claiming at a Tuesday news conference outside the Georgia Capitol that they had “relentlessly tried to sabotage every single thing that I have done for District 56” and “publicly slandered me in every way imaginable.”

[GreenGoo]

Yes, democrats are all about uniformity and orthodoxy.

Good luck, free thinker!

[Smoove_B]

Waiting for more info to come out about the 28th Amendment being made official today. I didn't realize it was actually passed in 1971/72 but it was only recently (this year?) that the 38th state ratified it (Virginia), making it eligible for inclusion in the U.S. Constitution.

EDIT for number confusion

[Blackhawk]

It's sad that A) I took me a while to figure out which 28th Amendment you're talking about (there are many proposed 28th Amendments - this is the ERA), and B) that I can't find much of anything about it becoming official.

[Smoove_B]

There's a NYT article, but it's paywalled.

The idea (seemingly) is to make it official and to put Senators on record by voting Y/N to have it sent to Biden, making it known as we head into an election whether or not they are officially for or against sex equality.

[Blackhawk]

Ah, there it is, clear down under the fold (my browser has the uncanny ability to bypass paywalls. Wonder what's up with that?)

[Alefroth]

There's something about the states that haven't ratified it, but I just can't put my finger on it-

https://www.equalrightsamendment.org/er ... cation-map

[Alefroth]

What a surprising report-

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/14/these-a ... rk-in.html

[Apollo]

There's something about the states that haven't ratified it, but I just can't put my finger on it-

https://www.equalrightsamendment.org/er ... cation-map

The men in Alabama prefer women barefoot and pregnant. Unfortunately, so do most of the women. The smart ones graduate High School or College and then flee the State at the first opportunity. The remainders can then rule the State unopposed, a problem for Red States in general. It's not that everyone born here is a right wing idiot. The problem is that the ones who stay here are mostly right wing idiots.

[coopasonic]

What a surprising report-

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/14/these-a ... rk-in.html

I haven't read it, but I was actually kind of surprised at Texas' place on the list and the margin of that placement as well (Beau told me the numbers). I know it's not great but I didn't realize how not great.

[Isgrimnur]

What a surprising report-

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/14/these-a ... rk-in.html

I haven't read it, but I was actually kind of surprised at Texas' place on the list and the margin of that placement as well (Beau told me the numbers). I know it's not great but I didn't realize how not great.

Even better for Texas:

Next, we analyze each state’s economic development marketing pitches to determine the appropriate weight for each category. For example, if more states are talking about their workforces, the Workforce category is worth more possible points. That way, we measure the states based on the attributes they use to sell themselves.

[Apollo]

What a surprising report-

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/14/these-a ... rk-in.html

I'm one of the Deep South's biggest critics on this forum, but that list is a joke. Should be called "Top 10 States that Liberals hate the Most", with carefully chosen criteria to ensure only Deep Red States make the list.

[Alefroth]

Like these criteria?

The study measures quality of life issues including crime, health care, childcare and health care, as well as inclusive policies on discrimination and reproductive rights.

[Apollo]

Like these criteria?

The study measures quality of life issues including crime, health care, childcare and health care, as well as inclusive policies on discrimination and reproductive rights.

Exactly. The study itself admitted that people are rapidly moving into some of these states, like Texas, Tennessee and Florida (though I think Florida's days as a boom state are about to end.) In fact, the only state on that list that I'm aware of people leaving in large numbers is Indiana. Furthermore, I've never heard of anyone using those criteria as the reason to move or not move to a state. People are far more likely to use criteria like weather, cost of living, availability of jobs, availability of affordable housing, clean air, etc. and in those areas most of these states excel. Finally, the concerns you listed are overblown, IMHO.

Let's look at my state, Alabama. Childcare in Alabama, for example, is very easy and cheap to find. Most churches here also run daycares at a very reasonable price (and no, they didn't manage to indoctrinate this atheist) even in small rural towns. Healthcare is easy to access and much cheaper than in Blue states as well. In my state, for example, we have a world-class hospital that is also the 8th largest in the nation, last I checked (can't speak for those who live in isolated small towns though). We're also a very diverse state (except for Asians, but we all know that they don't count ), and I am not aware of any issues with discrimination whatsoever. (I clearly remember that during the small Birmingham Black LIves Matter protests the protestors were almost entirely white and every one of the cops standing by and rolling their eyes were black. ) Sure, we have racists but the ones I knew in upstate NY and Conn. were actually much angrier and outspoken than the ones I run into here. In truth, most of the Black people I know and work with are conservative to moderate on social issues and don't see any problems with race relations, even those who recently moved here from Blue states (and there are a lot of those). Even in a small town like mine nearly half my co-workers are openly gay or lesbian and no one cares (I've only worked with one Transgender person, however, and I do suspect they will face some hostility in small rural towns especially). While we do have a six week ban on abortion, you can still use abortion pills and this only applies to young women who are pregnant and don't want to keep the child so it's not a problem for most anyway (but, yes, it still pisses me off tremendously ). The only thing you listed that I do think is a concern is crime, but as one who lived nearly a decade in downtown Birmingham, I can tell you that almost all of the crime is concentrated in poor, inner-city, minority neighborhoods, which is a problem all over the nation. I never felt safe after dark in Albany, New Haven, etc. but I often walked the streets of Birmingham after dark with zero concern.

That's NOT to say that Alabama is a Paradise. The state government is very conservative, though our current Governor is a big improvement over what we traditionally get here, and hasn't tried to grandstand on divisive issues unlike most of her predecessors. Funding for schools in rural counties is very deficient. And while people here are very friendly, they generally have what I consider to be backward views on most social issues which can be a problem if you are a very progressive thinker and live outside of Birmingham, Huntsville or a college town. Some of our laws are irresponsible, such as allowing anyone to carry a concealed weapon with no permit and the lack of vehicle inspections of any kind, but overall I would say that the lack of Government overreach is a virtue of the Deep South when compared to most Blue States (where it can be a Felony to not use a Transgender persons preferred pronouns, or being unable to drive my car to work because I failed an emissions inspection.) And public transportation? LOL! Living in the city and riding a bus, or constantly using Uber or a taxi if you live near a city, are about your only options. Our low taxes and low cost of living do come at a price.

TLDR: While I agree that the states on this list have real issues, I think the list was carefully crafted to leave out the things most people look at when moving to a new state and substituted items which would mostly be of concern to a progressive thinker. Furthermore, it seems to think that if local governments aren't providing or subsidizing a service (like child care) that it is not available at a reasonable price, which is incorrect.

[Holman]

I think it comes down to--with the exception of what state legislatures can control directly--the rural/urban divide.

Plenty of people are moving to Sun Belt cities and their suburbs. How many are moving out to the sticks?

Apollo, you're in Gardendale, and that's basically Birmingham, right? B'ham is one of the very few places I would be happy to move to in the South. It's a Blue city with a thriving Blue culture. (Full disclosure: I lived in Mountain Brook from 5th to 9th grade.)

I'm sure the state government in Montgomery hates Birmingham and does what it can to undermine it. But then that's true of Harrisburg vs Philadelphia/Pittsburgh as well.

[Apollo]

I think it comes down to--with the exception of what state legislatures can control directly--the rural/urban divide.

Plenty of people are moving to Sun Belt cities and their suburbs. How many are moving out to the sticks?

Apollo, you're in Gardendale, and that's basically Birmingham, right? B'ham is one of the very few places I would be happy to move to in the South. It's a Blue city with a thriving Blue culture. (Full disclosure: I lived in Mountain Brook from 5th to 9th grade.)

I'm sure the state government in Montgomery hates Birmingham and does what it can to undermine it. But then that's true of Harrisburg vs Philadelphia/Pittsburgh as well.

True. Gardendale, and all the suburbs north of Birmingham, had small-town values decades ago but have slowly transformed into more, erm, progressive areas as the population and economic development increased. Very different from the larger, wealthier and better educated suburbs to the south of Birmingham, like Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Riverchase and, yes, Mountain Brook (one of the wealthiest communities in the nation for those not in the know). And as I pointed out, I do think living in rural towns in Alabama would be significantly different than living near a fairly large city as I do. But I also feel that would be true in every state. One thing I realized from my time living in the northeast is that rural communities away from the large cities are very much like the rural communities in Alabama (though with less emphasis on religion) or anywhere else in the nation. In fact, I've often heard that Pennsylvania is Pittsburgh on one end, Philadelphia on the other, and Alabama in between.

[Holman]

True. Gardendale, and all the suburbs north of Birmingham, had small-town values decades ago but have slowly transformed into more, erm, progressive areas as the population and economic development increased. Very different from the larger, wealthier and better educated suburbs to the south of Birmingham, like Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Riverchase and, yes, Mountain Brook (one of the wealthiest communities in the nation for those not in the know). And as I pointed out, I do think living in rural towns in Alabama would be significantly different than living near a fairly large city as I do. But I also feel that would be true in every state. One thing I realized from my time living in the northeast is that rural communities away from the large cities are very much like the rural communities in Alabama (though with less emphasis on religion) or anywhere else in the nation. In fact, I've often heard that Pennsylvania is Pittsburgh on one end, Philadelphia on the other, and Alabama in between.

People around here call it "Pennsyltucky."

[Blackhawk]

In fact, the only state on that list that I'm aware of people leaving in large numbers is Indiana.

Lucky bastards.

[malchior]

Moved from the other randomness thread. When venue shopping goes wrong!

https://twitter.com/ReichlinMelnick/sta ... 9258393619

[Isgrimnur]

And thread shopping.

[Carpet_pissr]

Here we go:

“Alabama Republicans refuse to draw a second Black congressional district in defiance of Supreme Court“

[Smoove_B]

Not random

[Carpet_pissr]

Not random

Wow, and 2 days late, sorry!

[Max Peck]

AOC is streaming on Twitch tonight: https://www.twitch.tv/aoc

[waitingtoconnect]

Yes, democrats are all about uniformity and orthodoxy.

Good luck, free thinker!

Demorats fleeing what they see as a sinking ship on the assumption democracy is about to end and like in Putins Russia, Hungary and India opposition parties will be penalised.

[Holman]

AOC is streaming on Twitch tonight: https://www.twitch.tv/aoc

She is the realest, most relatable congressperson.

[Kurth]

Mitch McConnell Suffers an Episode at the Capitol, Freezing Midsentence: The Senate Republican leader, who had a fall earlier this year, was temporarily unable to speak during a news conference, raising questions about his health.

That doesn't sound good for Mitch.

[Smoove_B]

That doesn't sound good for Mitch.

Apparently he fell earlier this month and has been hiding health status.

Gotta be tough to willingly let go of that power. Really hoping we start seeing lots of articles about what would happen if he stepped down - all the committee replacements that would be necessary and how his position in the Senate would be filled. I also hope every single one of those articles makes it across his desk.

[Kurth]

That doesn't sound good for Mitch.

Apparently he fell earlier this month and has been hiding health status.

Gotta be tough to willingly let go of that power. Really hoping we start seeing lots of articles about what would happen if he stepped down - all the committee replacements that would be necessary and how his position in the Senate would be filled. I also hope every single one of those articles makes it across his desk.

Would things improve? Is the next guy in line behind Mitch a whole lot better? Sincere, not rhetorical question. I fear the GOP is such a broken, dysfunctional entity, the replacement to Mitch might be worse than he is.

[Kraken]

That doesn't sound good for Mitch.

Apparently he fell earlier this month and has been hiding health status.

Gotta be tough to willingly let go of that power. Really hoping we start seeing lots of articles about what would happen if he stepped down - all the committee replacements that would be necessary and how his position in the Senate would be filled. I also hope every single one of those articles makes it across his desk.

Would things improve? Is the next guy in line behind Mitch a whole lot better? Sincere, not rhetorical question. I fear the GOP is such a broken, dysfunctional entity, the replacement to Mitch might be worse than he is.

Yeah, that's the sad part.

One thing about gerontocracies is that old people perpetuate the system they've gamed and won all their lives. They've reached peak influence/power and you'll only take it from their cold dead hands. Moscow Mitch's void will be filled by someone even worse because promising to throw bombs and burn shit down is what got those under-60 upstarts where they are.

[Smoove_B]

Would things improve? Is the next guy in line behind Mitch a whole lot better? Sincere, not rhetorical question. I fear the GOP is such a broken, dysfunctional entity, the replacement to Mitch might be worse than he is.

Sorry if that wasn't clear. I want him to read (and know) about how quickly he'll be replaced and shuffled out of being important. Mainly because of the ghoulish way he pressed for the replacement of Justice Ginsburg before she was even cold.

[Unagi]

That doesn't sound good for Mitch.

Apparently he fell earlier this month and has been hiding health status.

Gotta be tough to willingly let go of that power. Really hoping we start seeing lots of articles about what would happen if he stepped down - all the committee replacements that would be necessary and how his position in the Senate would be filled. I also hope every single one of those articles makes it across his desk.

Would things improve? Is the next guy in line behind Mitch a whole lot better? Sincere, not rhetorical question. I fear the GOP is such a broken, dysfunctional entity, the replacement to Mitch might be worse than he is.

Honestly, some people give Mitch credit for most of the current GOP success in "taking-the-country-hostage tactics". I don't know about 'the next guy', but I sure as hell know this guy is no fucking good for what I think is good for this country, and what is "right".

[Isgrimnur]

John Thune of South Dakota is the current whip, preceded by John Cornyn of Texas.

[Smoove_B]

Note that McConnell currently serves on the following committees:

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade
Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources
Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research

Committee on Appropriations

Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Subcommittee on Defense
Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

Committee on Rules and Administration

Select Committee on Intelligence

Start scheduling meetings right now for next week. Use whatever procedural nonsense he would pull to get it done.

[dbt1949]

If one wears a red baseball cap does that mean that people's first reaction is that one is a MAGA supporter?
Of course after they see the front they realize it's not MAGA hat but still................

[Alefroth]

That doesn't sound good for Mitch.

Apparently he fell earlier this month and has been hiding health status.

Gotta be tough to willingly let go of that power. Really hoping we start seeing lots of articles about what would happen if he stepped down - all the committee replacements that would be necessary and how his position in the Senate would be filled. I also hope every single one of those articles makes it across his desk.

Would things improve? Is the next guy in line behind Mitch a whole lot better? Sincere, not rhetorical question. I fear the GOP is such a broken, dysfunctional entity, the replacement to Mitch might be worse than he is.

He may have opened the door, but I still think it would be difficult to find someone as horrible and ruthlessly efficient.

[LordMortis]

He may have opened the door, but I still think it would be difficult to find someone as horrible and ruthlessly efficient.

Ruthlessly efficient, yes. Horrible? It's a pretty big field. And the problem is now it doesn't seem to be nearly so difficult to enact your horribleness. Will this all conclude before the GOP get voted out in large enough sustained numbers? Hard to say with the Electoral College, gerrymandering, and how efficient they are sat making their lesser power into more with voter suppression laws. Maybe the populace will remember this Supreme Court was put in place by explicit GOP malfeasance over the course of a decade and that this Supreme Court is the exact same one that has been attacking women since it was put in place and there's still time defang this GOP.

Or maybe memories are short and we return to apathy, bitching about the economy while having that same economy enough to not vote at all.