Post by mhbruin on Jul 31, 2022 8:07:20 GMT -8
Never buy flowers from a monk. Only you can prevent florist friars.
Here's a Novel Idea: Let the Voters Decide
On 2 August, Kansans will vote on whether to alter the language of the state constitution, the first state to vote on such an amendment since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, abolishing the constitutional right for a woman to have an abortion. If it passes, members of the Republican-controlled state legislature can write laws that make it much harder, if not impossible, for a woman in Kansas to get an abortion.
The ballot is written so that a "yes" vote affirms that "there is no Kansas constitutional right to abortion". Voting against the amendment would keep the constitution as-is, meaning that women in the state do have a right to an abortion.
Who Won the Week?
Steven Lopez, the overlooked 6th co-defendant in the 1989 Central Park Five rape case, for being exonerated by a Manhattan judge
President Biden: kicks covid to the curb; gets CHIPS and Science Act pass Senate; gas prices drop 44 straight days; helps lasso deal making Inflation Reduction Act (i.e. Mini-BBB) reality
Gen-Z For Change activist Olivia Julianna, 19, who raised $1.4 million (and counting) for abortion access orgs after MAGA Rep. Matt Gaetz insulted her appearance
Joni Mitchell, who gave her first live concert in 20 years at the Newport Folk Festival
Attorney General Merrick Garland: "Hear me now and believe me later, I have Trump on my radar."
Chuck Schumer, for outflanking unflankable McConnell by getting the CHIPS bill passed and then, moments later, announcing major climate/health care/inflation bill even Manchin likes
The Michigan State Supreme Court, for expanding civil rights protections by ruling that existing law says businesses can't discriminate against employees or customers because of sexual orientation
The great state of Maine, as a new report reveals it's way ahead of schedule for achieving its climate goals, with 100% carbon-neutrality expected by 2045
The 2022 Kennedy Center Honorees: George Clooney, Gladys Knight, Amy Grant, Tania León, and U2
In a Shocking Twist, North Carolina Republicans Remember They Are Supposed to Care About the Citizens.
After a decade of vigorous opposition, most North Carolina Republicans have now embraced the idea of expanding the state's Medicaid program to cover hundreds of thousands of additional low-income adults. Legislative approval finally appears within reach.
During the General Assembly session that ended July 1, the GOP-controlled House and Senate passed separate, bipartisan measures by wide margins that would put the state on the path to Medicaid expansion. Some details remain to be worked out, but there's a real opportunity to hammer out a compromise by year's end.
It's a remarkable political turnabout in North Carolina, sure to be analyzed in the dozen states that have yet to accept the federal government's offer to cover people who make too much to be insured by traditional Medicaid but too little to receive subsidized private insurance.
“If there’s a person in the state of North Carolina that has spoken out against Medicaid expansion more than I have, I’d like to meet that person,” Senate leader Phil Berger said when he sought to explain his reversal at a news conference in May. “We need coverage in North Carolina for the working poor.”
The Only Thing Working in Russia Are the Sanctions
1. Russia can’t “pivot” natural gas and oil exports to Asia sufficiently to prevent a large drop in export revenue.
2. Russian imports have collapsed, greatly hampering production.
3. The collapse of production, combined with expansive government subsidies to targeted groups of people and companies, is likely to cause extreme inflation in Russia.
4. The value of the ruble is not very meaningful, since it can’t really be traded any more.
5. Russian financial markets, including the quasi governmental oil and gas companies, are way down, indicating very low confidence in the future.
In sum: Sanctions are working.
Here's a Novel Idea: Let the Voters Decide
On 2 August, Kansans will vote on whether to alter the language of the state constitution, the first state to vote on such an amendment since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, abolishing the constitutional right for a woman to have an abortion. If it passes, members of the Republican-controlled state legislature can write laws that make it much harder, if not impossible, for a woman in Kansas to get an abortion.
The ballot is written so that a "yes" vote affirms that "there is no Kansas constitutional right to abortion". Voting against the amendment would keep the constitution as-is, meaning that women in the state do have a right to an abortion.
Who Won the Week?
Steven Lopez, the overlooked 6th co-defendant in the 1989 Central Park Five rape case, for being exonerated by a Manhattan judge
President Biden: kicks covid to the curb; gets CHIPS and Science Act pass Senate; gas prices drop 44 straight days; helps lasso deal making Inflation Reduction Act (i.e. Mini-BBB) reality
Gen-Z For Change activist Olivia Julianna, 19, who raised $1.4 million (and counting) for abortion access orgs after MAGA Rep. Matt Gaetz insulted her appearance
Joni Mitchell, who gave her first live concert in 20 years at the Newport Folk Festival
Attorney General Merrick Garland: "Hear me now and believe me later, I have Trump on my radar."
Chuck Schumer, for outflanking unflankable McConnell by getting the CHIPS bill passed and then, moments later, announcing major climate/health care/inflation bill even Manchin likes
The Michigan State Supreme Court, for expanding civil rights protections by ruling that existing law says businesses can't discriminate against employees or customers because of sexual orientation
The great state of Maine, as a new report reveals it's way ahead of schedule for achieving its climate goals, with 100% carbon-neutrality expected by 2045
The 2022 Kennedy Center Honorees: George Clooney, Gladys Knight, Amy Grant, Tania León, and U2
In a Shocking Twist, North Carolina Republicans Remember They Are Supposed to Care About the Citizens.
After a decade of vigorous opposition, most North Carolina Republicans have now embraced the idea of expanding the state's Medicaid program to cover hundreds of thousands of additional low-income adults. Legislative approval finally appears within reach.
During the General Assembly session that ended July 1, the GOP-controlled House and Senate passed separate, bipartisan measures by wide margins that would put the state on the path to Medicaid expansion. Some details remain to be worked out, but there's a real opportunity to hammer out a compromise by year's end.
It's a remarkable political turnabout in North Carolina, sure to be analyzed in the dozen states that have yet to accept the federal government's offer to cover people who make too much to be insured by traditional Medicaid but too little to receive subsidized private insurance.
“If there’s a person in the state of North Carolina that has spoken out against Medicaid expansion more than I have, I’d like to meet that person,” Senate leader Phil Berger said when he sought to explain his reversal at a news conference in May. “We need coverage in North Carolina for the working poor.”
The Only Thing Working in Russia Are the Sanctions
1. Russia can’t “pivot” natural gas and oil exports to Asia sufficiently to prevent a large drop in export revenue.
2. Russian imports have collapsed, greatly hampering production.
3. The collapse of production, combined with expansive government subsidies to targeted groups of people and companies, is likely to cause extreme inflation in Russia.
4. The value of the ruble is not very meaningful, since it can’t really be traded any more.
5. Russian financial markets, including the quasi governmental oil and gas companies, are way down, indicating very low confidence in the future.
In sum: Sanctions are working.
