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jennymanrique · 3 years

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Fight to secure the freedom to vote heats up in Congress

Two key bills would set national standards for voting access and strengthen protections against racial discrimination at the ballot box in America.

While legislators in 47 states have introduced nearly 400 bills that seek to restrict voting rights, two key initiatives are being considered in Congress to strengthen access to the polls and protect against racial discrimination.

For the People Act, and the John L. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, are initiatives that seek to prevent foreign interference in elections, limit the influence of money on politics, and modernize infrastructure to increase electoral security. They also establish nonpartisan redistricting commissions, a 15-day early voting period for all federal elections, and expanded access to voting by mail and automatic voter registration, among other provisions.

“These bills are critical to stopping the scourge of vote suppression that is facing our country today, and to protecting the freedom to vote going forward,” said Wendy Weiser, Vice President of Democracy at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School, during a press briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services.

“Voting rights in America are under attack as they haven’t been since the Jim Crow era, and the push to restrict access to voting in state legislatures is unprecedented,” she added.

The Brennan Center has been tracking more than 360 bills that have already been signed into law in states like Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa and Utah and are aggressively moving toward approval in others like Arizona, Texas, Michigan and New Hampshire.

These laws seek to tighten voter identification requirements, make voter registration more difficult, and expand voter list purges – all measures that particularly affect ethnic communities. In most cases, these local initiatives have been justified in “false narratives about supposed voter fraud, without a shred of evidence,” said Thomas Saenz, President and General Counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF).

“When (political) leaders seeking to retain power and knowing they do not have the support of the growing Latino community, they take steps to suppress the vote,” added Saenz. The growth of the Hispanic vote in places like Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado, was decisive for the Democratic triumph in those states in 2020.

Asian Americans, African Americans, and other minorities also saw an unprecedented rise in voter turnout.

In states like Texas, Latinos already make up 40% of the population. After the census results, the state won two more representatives in the House. If Hispanic turnout at the polls follows the numbers seen in past elections, their vote could contribute to another blue victory for those new seats.

“In parts of our country, primarily the South, but also including the State of Texas, we must anticipate that if there is a new community reaching critical mass to threaten the (local) powers, there is a need to have in place protections including pre clearance review requirements,” Saenz said.

The section V of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 established that states could not approve changes in voting rules without federal authorization. But that section was overthrown by a 2013 Supreme Court decision, which has allowed discriminatory practices against minorities, the elderly and youth.

Saenz argues that in the case of Latinos, the greatest threat is “intimidation” with measures such as demanding proof of citizenship for new voters and poll watchers who have permission to take cell phone video of voters who are receiving assistance at the polls.

In the case of the African American population, measures such as voter ID restrictions, moving of precincts without adequate notice and limitations to mail-in voting, are serious threats to this right.

According to Hilary Shelton, Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Policy for the National Association for the Advancement of People of Color (NAACP), “seemingly innocuous issues like having to have an official state photo ID means in some places that people that don’t own cars (without a driver’s license), now having to pay an additional expense… if you have to pay extra money to go to the polls and cast your vote, that is a poll tax.”

Shelton also stressed that the United States is one of the few countries that does not automatically register its citizens in the electoral rolls when they turn 18, “but it does register them for the draft.”

Another right to vote that the initiatives in Congress want to restore is that of Americans with criminal records. “If you’ve made the mistake of committing a felony offense, even after you’ve served the time, even after you’ve come out of jail, in most states today you can’t vote.”

No polling places

The situation is more dire for Native American voters. According to Jacqueline De León, Staff Attorney for the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), over the past four years her organization has challenged in court North Dakota’s voter ID law, Montana’s ballot collection ban, Alaska’s witness signature requirement to vote during the pandemic, and the refusal to open an in-person polling location on the Blackfeet reservation, that would have forced tribal members to travel up to 120 miles in order to vote.

“We have filed nearly 100 lawsuits, with a success rate of over 90%. These cases have been litigated in front of judges appointed by Republican and Democratic presidents, and the facts are so bad that we nearly always win,” De León said. “But litigation is a blunt and expensive instrument that could have been avoided if the laws that go to Congress had been in effect today.”

Many Native American reservations do not have polling places, and DMVs and post offices can be hundreds of miles away. “Due to ongoing discrimination and government neglect, many Native Americans live in overcrowded homes that do not have an address, do not receive mail, and are located on dirt roads, that can be impassable in wintery November,” De León said.

Another provision that the bills in Congress want to include is assistance at the polls for people with disabilities and access to ballots in different languages.

“Language barriers are one of the biggest impediments to the Asian-American vote with one-third of Asian-Americans being what is called limited English proficient,” said John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC).

“In every election poll, monitors have observed missing Asian language signage and interpreters, which limits our access to the ballot. Ensuring effective language assistance is paramount to closing that consistent barrier in national and local elections,” he said.

The John L. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act will be presented shortly in the House of Representatives and the For the People Act has already passed in the House and will have a Senate hearing in the next two weeks. Several polls have shown that both bills have bipartisan support.

Originally published here

Want to read this piece in Spanish? Click here

#English #voting rights #polls #Congress #John Lewis #Latino vote #African american vote #Native american vote #Asian american vote #minorities #democrats #gop #language barriers #ballot #racial discrimination #voter supression #voting access #mail in voting

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politicaltheatre · 4 years

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Dissent

We’ll know soon enough what kind of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett will be. Senate Democrats will stall the proceedings as much as they can and try to drag things out so a confirmation vote can’t be taken until after the election, but we must accept that the odds and senate protocols are against them.

Publicly, Democrats up and down the ticket are claiming that their fear is that a Barrett confirmation will kill the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the middle of a pandemic, and they very well may be right. That, however, isn’t their true fear.

The one they’ll voice when Barrett gets in front of them and the TV cameras is that she would support her benefactor Donald Trump in any lawsuit his people file in their attempts to decide the election through the courts, which they most certainly will do.

Trump’s already said as much. It’s part of his campaign pitch. He’s boasting about it at rallies. He’s counting on it.

As stupid as he often appears, and as stupid as he is about so many things, Trump understands corruption. He lives it and breathes it. He is a bona fide expert in it, so we should listen.

What he, Mitch McConnell, and others who embrace corruption understand is what far too many of us refuse to admit, which is that there is no such thing as an independent judiciary, that there is no such thing as an impartial judge.

This is not to suggest that Judge Barrett is corrupt. The awful truth of it is that she doesn’t have to be. She is reliably right wing, which is more than enough.

Barrett clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia. Like her mentor, she believes that the law does not exist to protect the weak from the strong. It does not exist, in their world, to reduce or correct imbalances of power. It is, instead, an instrument and only that, one by which the capable may exercise their will over others.

As brilliant as he was and as brilliant as she may be, theirs is the law of the school debate team. To them, winning isn’t about being right, it’s about domination. You can be wrong, morally and reprehensibly, but know the law and know how to wield it as a weapon and you will dominate your opponent time and again.

It is the triumph of short term thinking. To those embracing this view, there is nothing beyond that victory, no consequence beyond it, and no effect on the world beyond it.

If you think they’re wrong, prove it. Challenge them. Bend precedent to your will. Apply the logic of allowable facts. Prepare better. Go for the jugular. Destroy your enemy or meekly and silently accept your defeat.

Theirs is a faithless law, even more so because it divorces the law from the humans its verdicts, opinions, and decisions affect.

It is strange, then, but not surprising that Republicans and their surrogates have preemptively sought to place resistance to Barrett’s nomination on her religion. Their hope is to obscure the beliefs that truly make her dangerous, the irony being that Catholicism is not truly at the root of it.

Yes, there are strains and sects of Catholicism that preach the virtues of authority and hierarchy. These are the ones that sided with the fascists in their rise to power in Europe and protected sexually abusive clergy for so very, very long.

There are, however, also dissenting branches, including the one currently led by Pope Francis, that preach compassion and the virtues of equality. It was the former that led to those centuries of abuse and institutional corruption; it is the latter, we should all hope Catholics and non-Catholics alike, that will redeem the Church of both.

So, while Barrett’s affinity for a brand of Catholicism that embraces authority and power as chief virtues may inform her legal opinions, it is not what motivates them. That motivation, again, would be an honest, sincere belief that the right to demand accountability resides exclusively with those who have the power to demand it and the resources to dominate those in their way.

Trump may not have thought this through as thoroughly as that. McConnell may not have either, for that matter. All McConnell cares about is having judges in place who will protect him and corrupt people in power just like him. All Trump cares about is having judges who will protect him and him alone.

Oh, and that this pick is big “fuck you” to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and everyone who adores her still. Trump loves that, too.

What Ginsberg represented, more than simply being a woman with the gumption to tell men like Trump and McConnell that they were wrong, was the power of dissent.

Dissent is more than just an exercise in freedom of speech, it is an act of empowerment, both for those voicing their disagreement and for the institutions in which they voice them. The purpose of dissent is to improve the institution, to save it from the corruption that would bring it down.

Ginsberg believed that whatever was wrong in the United States, it could and should be saved. To suggest that something could and should be improved is not disloyal but courageous. To criticize an institution is not pessimistic but the opposite, because to criticize it you must believe than it has the ability to improve.

That wish for the institution to be saved and to succeed is essential to dissent. It cannot be dissent without it.

By that measure, a lot of kinds of protest are dissent, and a lot of others very much are not. Refusing to wear a mask in a store, for example, is not dissent. Driving your car through a protest is not dissent. Silencing a reporter is not dissent. Cheating on your taxes is not dissent (Actually, cheating on anything is not dissent. Breaking the rules just because you want to win is despicable).

All of these examples undermine the communities in which we live. They pit us against each other and as a result weaken the bonds we need as a society in order to survive.

So, dissent is essential, it is part of our immune system, and in a democracy it is everything.

The legal right to dissent is relatively new to the human experience. Just a few centuries ago, speaking out against an authority’s decision was almost (and literally) unheard of. The opinions and decisions of powerful men and women from monarchs and clerics down to local landowners were absolute. To challenge them was treason and heresy. The penalty for either was the same: a painful, public death.

Around the world today we see example after example of authoritarian regimes denying the right to dissent and punishing it. Whether they are nominally Capitalist, such as Russia or Turkey, or nominally Communist, such as China, suppression of dissent is what truly determines what kind of life those they rule must lead.

To be left wing - truly and properly left wing - is to hold oneself accountable to others because we want them to be accountable to us. The ability to voice and listen to dissent is what makes that work.

With every non-unanimous Supreme Court decision, there is a majority opinion and a minority, “dissenting” one. There may also be concurring opinions to either. They are published together. It is the majority opinion that rules, but the reason for the inclusion of the others is that they may persuade those reading them to change their minds. In this way, each voice on the Court matters, each mind, and each opportunity to influence the voices and minds of those the Court serves.

The Supreme Court is the last federal institution where majority rule still holds true. The Electoral College and Senate disproportionately favor rural, right wing voters and have increasingly done so for decades. That makes this appointment the natural result, and with it will come things the Left correctly fears.

Barrett may very well support overturning decisions on the ACA and Roe v Wade, but, perhaps more disturbingly, she may support overturning the decisions that equalized LGBT rights and banned forced prayer in schools.

Again, this will not be because she is Catholic but because she believes that those in power, be they school boards or business owners, have the right to decide who has rights within their schools and businesses and who does not. If you don’t like that, you’ll just have to gain power yourself, or find a new school, or a new job, or a new bakery.

It will likely be a long time before Justice Barrett has to write a dissenting opinion. It will take the retirement or death of at least one of the right wing justices, and that may not happen for a decade or more.

There has been talk of Democrats stacking the Court with left wing justices. This would be a tragic mistake. Even talking about it is a mistake. If the Democrats did it next year, the Republicans could do it when they took power, and so on, and so on, and so on.

Meanwhile, it would corrupt and erode any confidence in any legal opinion issued by the Supreme Court or any of the lower courts, and with that whatever last shred of trust Americans had in government would be gone.

The better solution, one long overdue, would be to fix the imbalance of power in the Electoral College and the Senate. This would be done by admitting the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico as states and by splitting California into two or three states.

Doing so would add eight or ten senators and at least two voting representatives. This would not only repair some of the imbalance between right wing and left wing voters in this country, it would make it easier to pass new amendments to the Constitution, such as preserving the right to abortion, mandating health care as a right, setting term limits for all federal judges, and eliminating the Electoral College once and for all.

There would be resistance to this, of course. There would be dissent. And those offering genuine dissent should always be listened to. We fail to do so at our own expense.

Dissent is one of the prices we pay for democracy. It is sloppy. It is chaotic. It takes work and it takes time. However, much like our own immune systems, it must be flexible and robust to withstand change and adapt to new conditions.

That is the world Ruth Bader Ginsberg fought for. That is the world we should fight for, too.

- Daniel Ward

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cmcsmen · 2 years

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Catholic Men and Discipleship

Not looking back while plowing our Christian furrow.

"As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head." " …

"To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.” "

[9:57–62] In these sayings Jesus speaks of the severity and the unconditional nature of Christian discipleship. Even family ties and filial obligations, such as burying one’s parents, cannot distract one no matter how briefly from proclaiming the kingdom of God.

[9:60] Let the dead bury their dead: i.e., let the spiritually dead (those who do not follow) bury their physically dead.

"Many people seem to have the idea that freedom is all about doing what I want, when I want, how I want, etc. This is not freedom, but license. License is selfish, the opposite of the love to which St. Paul exhorts us. …

We cannot be for Christ and against him at the same time. "He who gathers not with me. scatters," he himself said. We are followers of Christ since our baptism.

In theory this is the fact, but in practice how real is this fact for many of us? Are we really following Christ during the twenty-four hours of every day of our lives? Are our eyes always fixed on the true future which awaits us? Are we prepared to plow a straight furrow no matter what snags or obstacles may be on our way? How few of us can answer "yes, we are," to these straight questions? ….

But it is by living this earthly life properly, by being loyal to spouse and family, by earning one's living honestly, by living not only peacefully but helpfully with one's neighbors, that we are living our Christian life.

… The man who keeps within the limits that Christian law lays down for him, while working his way through this life. is a true follower of Christ and is on the road to heaven, plowing a straight furrow. …

Yes, all of us could do a lot more to show to Christ and to the world that we are following him gladly and honestly. We are not looking back while plowing our Christian furrow." (https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2022-06-26)

With SCOTUS overturning Roe V. Wade Catholic Men must act now more than ever!

Many mark this day as an historic victory for life, and while it is, it is also the beginning of a new battle for life. Now, each pro-life state must tackle loopholes and enforcement challenges that could drain resources and threaten resolve.

Here are the top four things CMCS recommends each Catholic and consumer consider doing today:

Locate the nearest Pro-Life organization to donate your time, funds, or goods to.

Identify which companies are giving to pro-life entities by searching for scores like the feature at 2ndVote.com.

Daily take out your Rosaries and pray for all of the pro-life front-line workers and advocates that will be under attack and fear of violence due to retaliation from the hate groups.

The focus has shifted - People need to get more involved in pro-abortion Illinois in preserving the State constitution not to have a so-called right to abortion.

May God continue to bless America!

“I would argue that our present abortion laws are also responsible for attitudes that breed violence against innocent people. When abortion is legal, people learn that killing someone is a legitimate way to solve a personal problem.”

-- Francis Cardinal George

America will be sparred of the wrath of God.

#male spirituality #religion #manhood #chicago #catholicism #catholic #discipleship #traditional catholic #manhood nuggets

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enubus · 3 years

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It has been a critical couple of weeks for the nation in the US Supreme Court. Last week, the Supreme Court heard the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. That case involves a Mississippi law that is a direct, head-on challenge to the pro-abort Roe legal regime. In that argument, it appeared there were five solid and six probable votes to strike down both Roe and Casey (read Justice Thomas Tears Into Pro-Abortion Lawyers With Hard Opening Questions for more color commentary). This week, the Supreme Court turned back a challenge to Texas’s heartbeat law; see Supreme Court Humiliates Biden, Refuses to Stop Texas Heartbeat Law, and Gorsuch and the Wise Latina Have a Public Spat. All in all, it looks as though abortion may cease to be a federal issue.

Perhaps just as critical to the nation’s future was Carson v. Makin. That case addressed whether a state can subsidize private school tuition and expressly forbid religious schools to participate in the program. You can read my take at this post: Supreme Court Seems Ready to Nuke Maine’s Law Discriminating Against Religious Schools.

While there was general wailing about the bum’s rush given the noble and Holy status of abortion, some of the most hyperbolic rhetoric was directed at the Maine school-choice case. This is how the always entertaining Ian Milhiser of Vox.com sees school choice. Headline: The Supreme Court appears really eager to force taxpayers to fund religious education. Subhead: Carson v. Makin appears likely to end in another transformative victory for the religious right.

All six of the Court’s Republican appointees appeared to think that this exclusion for religious schools is unconstitutional — meaning that Maine would be required to pay for tuition at pervasively religious schools. Notably, that could include schools that espouse hateful worldviews. According to the state, one of the plaintiff families in Carson wants the state to pay for a school that requires teachers to sign a contract stating that “the Bible says that ‘God recognize[s] homosexuals and other deviants as perverted’” and that “[s]uch deviation from Scriptural standards is grounds for termination.’”

In the likely event that these plaintiffs’ families prevail, that will mark a significant escalation in the Court’s decisions benefiting the religious right — even if the Court limits the decision narrowly to Maine’s situation. Shortly after Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation gave Republicans a 6-3 supermajority on the Supreme Court, the Court handed down a revolutionary decision holding that people of faith may seek broad exemptions from the laws that apply to anyone else. But the Court has historically been more reluctant to require the government to tax its citizens and spend that money on religion. That reluctance may very well be gone.

At Slate, noted legal eagle and martial arts expert (he’s broken several bones in his years of study, donchaknow?) Mark Joseph Stern cries Armageddon-like a rabid gerbil was crawling around…well, we won’t go there. The headline there is The Supreme Court’s New Religious Liberty Case Could Destroy Public Education with an over-the-top subhead that reads A conservative supermajority may soon force states to fund Christian schools that indoctrinate students with hate.

Factually, it is literally impossible for a Christian school to indoctrinate students with hate. If a school teaches “hate,” it is, by definition, not Christian. But that is a different post.

After a year of nationwide panic over what’s taught in publicly funded schools, the Supreme Court’s upcoming argument in Carson v. Makin deserves more attention. The questions posed in the case have major ramifications for the engineered hysteria over critical race theory, as well as the general dismay many Americans feel over the kind of education they’re subsidizing with their tax dollars. Carson v. Makin asks whether the First Amendment compels individuals of every faith to help finance the indoctrination of children by conservative Christians to discriminate against LGBTQ people, women, religious minorities, and liberal Christians. This pedagogy is so extreme, so divisive and fanatical, that it makes critical race theory look like Blue’s Clues. Yet the Supreme Court will almost certainly force taxpayers to subsidize these harmful teachings, no matter how gravely it violates their own sincerely held moral and religious beliefs.

…

Public education is a bedrock of American democracy. A bad decision in Espinoza would shake the foundation of the nation’s education system, spurning the notion that state-funded schools should teach students how to engage in diverse and pluralistic self-governance. The Christian schools that would receive a windfall from Maine operate as prejudice academies, instructing students to hate people who are different from them. They reject equality in favor of intolerance, preaching a fundamentalist ideology that’s incompatible with multicultural democracy.

…

And let’s be clear: The overwhelming majority of institutions that will benefit from these decisions are Christian. Although the plaintiffs here appeal to gauzy abstractions about religious pluralism, it’s almost always Christian parents and Christian schools seeking public money. Most parochial schools in the United States are Christian because most people in the United States are Christian. Carson is not about religious pluralism. It’s about empowering the majority religion to use the machinery of the state to establish its supremacy at the literal expense of nonbelievers.

At the heart of Carson lies a rejection of public education as we know it—an insistence that the government engages in noxious discrimination when it demands secular instruction in publicly funded schools. This idea, taken to its extreme, would obligate states to spend as much money on religious schools as it does on public schools, essentially destroying the public school system. SCOTUS might not take this leap in Carson, but it will transfer millions of dollars to Christian schools that will use it to teach hatred of minority groups. And by normalizing bigoted ideas, it will undermine a guiding principle of public schooling in America for more than a century: the proposition that every student deserves an education that prepares them to participate equally in democracy.

Anytime the left is moved to this sort of fecal incontinence, you know you are at a pressure point near and dear to them.

Here are some quick answers to Stern’s points.

CRT is nothing more than a racist philosophy that underpins an equally racist spoils system. The opposition to CRT is not hysterical.

Nothing in the Maine case forces the indoctrination of children; to the contrary, its very purpose is to prevent such indoctrination.

Passing your values and culture on to your children should be your highest priority; no other person has any business in that process, and the state has no right to interfere.

Christians don’t object to people; they object to behavior. There is a difference. I don’t object to alcoholics in the workplace; I have a right to keep drunken people out of the workplace.

A “Christian” school should be free to limit enrollment to children of their faith. There is nothing outrageous about this. There is literally no area in Maine where the only school choice is a Christian school, and no such claim was made in court briefs.

A public education does not imply that it is carried out in a state-funded school system or that the state has any say in what is taught.

How to function in a “diverse and pluralistic society” is a matter for parents to decide, no one else.

I don’t know how school choice helps Christians establish “supremacy,” but if it does, sign me up right now.

No cultural or legal basis within the United States gives a state-funded school system a presumed monopoly power on education. But, on the other hand, there is a cultural and legal basis for saying that the state should ensure a child has a publicly supported education.

The purpose of education money is to educate children. Period. The extent to which it funds a multi-tiered bureaucracy of administrators is wasteful and dysfunctional.

The nation was founded without an educational bureaucracy and existed for most of its history without one; odds are, it will do just fine if the current system goes away.

While Stern describes the situation in a grossly dishonest way, he reveals the true issue. The argument is about who controls what your children are taught in the way of values. Should you, as a parent, be required to pay taxes to support and send your children to a mandatory system of schooling that indoctrinates your children on issues of race and sexuality and even governance that you find appalling?

Or can you opt-out?

Along the way, Stern confuses the concept of “public education” with a system of state-funded schools. Those things are not the same. Under the case debated by the Supreme Court, a parent can send their child to a state-funded school if they wish. Stern would take that freedom of choice away. In other words, he endorses the position of Terry McAuliffe in the Virginia gubernatorial campaign.

That was a position that got his ass handed to him at the polls.

Both Milhisier at Vox and Stern at Slate fixate on the fact that traditional Christian sexual ethics would stop the propagation of the LGBTQIA+∞ “community.” This is understandable as public school systems in many places actively mainstream LGBTQIA+∞ propaganda. For example, in California, some teachers attended a workshop on recruiting kids to a “Gay Straight Alliance” club and concealing the child’s activity from parents.

They are right that Christian schools will be able to refuse to employ people living lifestyles that do not conform to a Scriptural model. The Supreme Court has affirmed this right in Hosanna Tabor, and there is nothing in Maine’s “anti-discrimination” law that can prevent that. But, on the other hand, it is hard to think of any honorable reason that a person who rejects Christian sexual ethics to seek employment as a teacher or staff member at a Christian school.

This case that the left’s reaction is actually a good analog to what has happened in social media. The left has ruthlessly dominated social media and unilaterally decided which opinions are allowed and which are not. When it finally dawned on them that conservatives were developing alternative institutions, they went bonkers (Lefties Freak out on Conservatives for Doing Exactly What They Told Them to Do). In the same way, the left owns the public education establishment, and I think it is to say a clear majority of teachers and administrators are rabid leftists and much more interested in shaping the worldviews of their charges than educating them. The backlash against CRT in schools and a growing demand for money to be allocated to children and not school systems is threatening the ability of the left to propagandize and indoctrinate children. They don’t like this one bit.

The good news, of course, is that they don’t have to like it because it is going to happen without their permission.

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walkthroughtheword · 3 years

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Reading for August 17th Judges 10&11 CHAPTER TEN

It is almost as if the editor of Judges built in a chapter for the reader to catch their breath. Note that Tola and Jair are judges but neither fight military campaigns nor does the land enter peace. Keep in mind, these judges are regional, not national figures.

Next we are reintroduced to two antagonists; the Ammonites and the Philistines. The Ammonites are pushing the tribes from Gilead (east of the Jordan) from the east and the Philistines are gaining strength from the west coast of the Mediterranean. Their incursions are directly due to the apostasy of Israel. God is angry and content to leave his unfaithful people to live in the consequences of their choice to reject him.

Finally, after eighteen years the people cry out to the Lord; they are well aware of the nature of their transgressions. The people have cried out to God before but this is different. This time they repent, put aside foreign gods and serve God.

That being said, Ammon is ready to attack Gilead. At a strategy meeting at Mizpah, it is decided that whichever tribe has the courage to attack the Ammonites first will rule over the others in the region.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Israel has failed in both conquest and covenant and the people group God called to be “set apart” for the purpose of bringing salvation to the world were quickly becoming just another set of “ites” in a sea of “ites.” Chapter 2: 12 reads, “And they angered the Lord.” Today we enter the quickly deteriorating swirl of the Judges by meeting a man named Jephthah.

V. 1 Jephthah was a great warrior Jephthah hails from Gilead which roughly runs east of the Jordan River north and south from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. It controlled the north/south King’s Highway trade route and was known for grapes, olives and a particular ointment called the Balm of Gilead. He is smart, enfranchised and skilled in warfare which makes him well known in the region. His father was Gilead and his mother was a prostitute Jephthah is apparently the first born but he comes from an illegitimate mother, which the author casts more as unfortunate than nefarious. It is the chink in an otherwise strong suit of armor but it is the chink that brings him down.

V. 2 Gilead also had several legitimate sons who drove Jephthah off the land and denied him any part of his father’s inheritance When his father dies, his younger, jealous and lesser gifted brothers make legal claims that disinherit their notable brother and strip him of position, name, power and influence. They could have never beat him in battle so they beat him in court.

V. 3 Jephthah lived in Tob and soon had a large band of rebels following him Jephthah is forced to live on the margins of society and soon draws an army of similarly alienated men who live lives of hunters, mercenaries and raiders. They camp in the mountains on the border of Ammon and Gilead.

V. 4-6 When the Ammonites attacked, the leaders sent for Jephthah and asked them to lead them in a limited capacity It appears there were no generals in Gilead with the character, strength, skills and courage to raise and lead an army, so the political leaders made Jephthah an offer(ish). He replied:

V. 7-9 “You have stripped me of the very social standing required to lead. So here is my counter-offer: I will come and lead you and God gives me victory, I will not only be given back my place in society but I will be your ruler.” Jephthah does not let his pride keep him from his destiny. Jephthah has learned, as only one can who has lost everything, that if there is to be restoration come to him, it will come from the Lord. That however does not keep him from negotiating; rather than accept the limited title of chieftain offered him, he negotiates the role of ruler of chieftains.

V. 10 “The Lord is our witness.” Now the deal is struck and it is sealed in the name of God. The invocation of Yahweh is of interest here because it appears that both the people and Jephthah know God, respect God and place him as a witness to their agreement.

V. 11 So Jephthah became their commander and took the oath before the Lord in Mizpah With Jephthah sworn in, large and in-charge, he now begins his executive duties and surprisingly, first attempts diplomacy. In the water of the Judges, this is seen as good leadership and the King of Moab claims an ancient boundary quarrel to be at the center of the conflict. Jephthah shows an excellent grasp of history and disputes the claims of Ammon but verse 28 reminds us that the negotiations are a farce, Ammon is going to attack regardless of the facts. Now that war is inevitable, Jephthah shifts from a ambassador to general and travels Israel recruiting an army.

V. 29 At that time the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah and he recruited and led an army against Ammon The Hebrew reads, “God’s spirit happened to” Jephthah and he raises an army, not by provocation like Ehud but by the Spirit like Gideon.

V. 30-31 And Jephthah vowed that if the Lord gave him victory that the first thing that came out of his house upon his return would be given to the Lord with a burnt offering There is no need for this foolish vow, God has already promised victory and the Spirit has already rested upon Jephthah. This literally means that the first thing that comes from my house will “belong to Yahweh.”

V. 32-34 God gave Israel the victory and they drove Ammon from the land When Jephthah returned home, his only child, a daughter came out to meet him, dancing for joy The battle won, Jephthah now returns home, not doubt thinking of his vow. His mistake is in thinking God gave him victory because of his vow, that is frankly superstition, but now he feels bound to uphold it. I am guessing he was hoping a dog he really didn’t like would come out of that house first. No such luck. Bounding from the house is his only child and she is clearly the apple of his eye. She is rejoicing in her father’s victory but the sight of her causes pain, not joy for Jephthah for his foolish vow is about to change everything.

V. 35 Jephthah cried out in anguish, “My heart is broken for I made a vow to the Lord that I cannot take back” The mature dialog between father and daughter make it clear that she is not a child on one hand and not of marrying age on the other for she is denoted a virgin.

V. 38 So he allowed his daughter to go into the hills with her friends to mourn the fact she would never bear children Most of us were taught that Jephthah’s daughter is mourning her life but that is not what the text says, it says she is mourning the fact she will never have children. Could there be more here than we have always assumed? Possibly.

V. 39 When she returned home her father kept his vow and she died a virgin. There are two plausible options here. The traditional option is that Jephthah offered his daughter to Yahweh as a burnt offering and this becomes a cautionary, utterly disturbing and tragic tale. The other is that the girl was not sacrificed at all but given to the service of Yahweh. And in her case, that meant she was not allowed to marry, was cloistered for religious service (like a nun) and thus died from old age but died a virgin. The tragedy in this scenario is that Jephthah would not have children from his only child to carry on his name. This raises the possibility that Jephthah did not lose a daughter as we so long presumed, he lost a legacy.

And this brings me to Rule Two of Biblical Interpretation: When two equally plausible and supportable Biblical scenarios are presented, go with the one that helps you sleep. I’ll bet Jephthah’s daughter made a fine servant to God.

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heyyitsnica · 4 years

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Sports Blog

Men’s Single Table Tennis | Rio 2016 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5H-Eq_Kcxw)

Ma Long stood victorious over fellow compatriot Zhang Jike in the Men’s Singles final, as Chima won their second Table Tennis gold metal of the Games. With the top two seeds going head-to-head there was potential for a thrilling final, however, after edging the first end in deuce, Ma thundered past Zhang in the following three games to win the gold medal on his Olympic singles debut.

COURT DIMENSIONS

Table tennis are regulated playing surfaces designed specifically for the game of table tennis, which is also known as ping-pong. Table tennis tables measures 9’| 2.74 m long by 5’ | 1.525 m in wide. The playing surface of a ping-pong table must be set at a height of 2.5’ | 76 cm and is equipped with a center net that is 6” | 15.25 cm high and stretches 6” | 15.25 cm beyond the width of the table.

EQUIPMENT

There are only 4 basic equipment's that are needed for tennis which are:

Racket/Paddle – a racket is used to hit the ball back and forth on the table. Although this looks similar to the ones used in long tennis, this model is smaller and is made of different materials. It is often made out of wood and rubber.

Ball – one of the most crucial table tennis equipment to play a ping-pong game is the ball. Ping-Pong table ball is made with celluloid or another plastic. The celluloid composes of nitrocellulose and camphor that is produced in a sheet and soaked in a hot alcohol solution unitil it is soft and easy to play with. These are often used in the color white or orange.

Table Tennis Table – the list of basic types of table tennis equipment would be incomplete without the tennis table. It is often regarded as a Ping-Pong table. This is a wooden or metal equipment in which the game is played.

Net and Post – although these units enjoy little or no attention, a ping-pong game cannot be played without the availability of these units. These are used to divide the table into two so that each player has their own side.

BASIC SKILLS

There are four basic skills used in table tennis which are the forehand drive, the backhand drive, the backhand push and the forehand push.

The Forehand Drive – The forehand drive is divided into four parts which are:

The stance – this is the first thing that you need to worry about since this is all about your positioning or your preparation before hitting the ball.

The backswing – It is the first movement after you’ve seen the ball.

The strike – It is the forward movement towards the ball.

The finish – it is the end point of the shot.

The Backhand Drive – As with the forehand drive, the backhand drive is also divided into four parts which are:

The stance – should be ‘square to the line of play’ which means that your feet should be facing the direction of the play.

The backswing – a backhand does not involve any rotation of the body nor weight transfer, instead, you just bring the bat back towards your body.

The strike – it is when you more your bat forward and, towards the ball from your elbow.

The finish – is the same as the forehand drive wherein the bat should follow the ball and finish in the direction it has just been hit.

The Backhand Push – it is arguably the easiest of the four basic table tennis strokes. It is also divided into four parts which are:

The stance – is the same as that used for the backhand drive. Feet and body must be square to the line of play.

The backswing - the backhand push requires the bat to be brought backwards and slightly upwards, towards the chest.

The strike - simply involves ‘pushing’ the bat forwards and down from the elbow.

The finish - should have the bat out in front of you and down towards the table. The angle at the elbow should have opened but the arm should still be slightly bent.

The Forehand Push – is probably the toughest of all the basic table tennis strokes, these are also divided into four parts which are:

The stance - needs to go back to the forehand ready position you used for your forehand drive. If you’re right-handed that means right foot slightly back and then as always, knees bent, body crouched, both arms out in front of you.

The backswing - for the forehand push is not as extreme as for the drive. The push is a softer shot and therefore requires more feel and less weight transfer/power. However, you will still need a small amount of twisting backwards in preparation.

The strike - requires you to twist your body forwards with a slight transfer of weight onto your front foot. You may also need to step in with your playing foot if the ball is short.

The finish - should leave the bat in front of your body, having followed the line of the ball. As you’re putting backspin on the ball the bat should be down towards the table.

TECHNICAL AND TACTICAL SKILLS

By contrast, technical and tactical skills are more specific to particular sports (Fernandez-Fernandez et al., 2011). In tennis, they include factors like ball and racket handling, recognition of on-court tactical situations and appropriate decision making (MacCurdy, 2006). Technical skills in tennis are mostly demonstrated through serves and groundstrokes. Two important variables of a serve include ball velocity and the percentage of correct first serves (Knudson, Noffal, Bahamonde, Bauer, & Blackwell, 2004). Tactical skills are defined as knowledge about in-game adaptations and decision-making activities on court (Elferink-Gemser, Kannekens, Lyons, Tromp, & Visscher, 2010). Compared with other factors, the combination of technical and tactical skills is more likely to differentiate players whose performance levels differ (Vaeyens, Lenoir, Williams, & Philippaerts, 2008). This hypothesis is supported by the findings of other studies, suggesting that these skills may be important for identifying talent and for sporting prowess (Meylan, Cronin, Oliver, & Hughes, 2010; Strecker, Foster, & Pascoe, 2011).

RULES OF THE GAME

1. GAMES ARE PLAYED TO 11 POINTS

A Game is played to 11 points. A Game must be won by two points. A Match is generally the best three of five Games.

2. ALTERNATE SERVES EVERY TWO POINTS

Each side of the table alternates serving two points at a time. EXCEPTION: After tied 10-10 (“deuce”), service alternates at every point. Can you lose on a serve in ping pong? Yes! There is no separate rule for serving on Game Point.

3. TOSS THE BALL STRAIGHT UP WHEN SERVING

How do you serve the ball in ping pong? Hold the ball in your open palm, behind your end of the table. Toss at least 6” straight up, and strike it on the way down. It must hit your side of the table and then the other side. NOTE: Once the ball leaves the server’s hand it is in play, and so counts as the receiver’s point if the ball is missed or mis-hit.

4. THE SERVE CAN LAND ANYWHERE IN SINGLES

There is no restriction on where the ball lands on your side or your opponent’s side of the table. It can bounce two or more times on your opponent’s side (if so, that’s your point), bounce over the side, or even hit the edge.

5. DOUBLES SERVES MUST GO RIGHT COURT TO RIGHT COURT

The serve must bounce in the server’s right court, and receiver’s right court (NOTE: landing on center line is fair). Doubles partners switch places after their team serves twice.

6. A SERVE THAT TOUCHES THE NET ON THE WAY OVER IS A “LET”

Can the ball hit the net in ping pong? Yes, during a RALLY, if it touches the top of the net and then otherwise lands as a legitimate hit. BUT not when serving. If a served ball hits the net on the way over and otherwise legally bounces in play, it’s a “let” serve and is done over. There is no limit on how many times this can happen.

7. ALTERNATE HITTING IN A DOUBLES RALLY

Doubles partners must alternate hitting balls in a rally, no matter where the ball lands on the table.

8. VOLLEYS ARE NOT ALLOWED

Can you hit the ball before it bounces in ping pong? No. In regular tennis you may “volley” the ball (hitting the ball before it bounces on your side of the net). But in table tennis, this results in a point for your opponent. NOTE: When your opponent hits a ball that sails over your end of the table without touching it and then hits you or your paddle, that is still your point.

9. IF YOUR HIT BOUNCES BACK OVER THE NET BY ITSELF IT IS YOUR POINT

If you hit the ball in a rally or on a serve and it bounces back over the net after hitting your opponent’s side of the table (due to extreme spin), without your opponent touching it, that is your point.

10. TOUCHING THE BALL WITH YOUR PADDLE HAND IS ALLOWED

What happens if the ball hits your finger or hand during a ping pong rally? If the ball touches your PADDLE hand and otherwise results in a legal hit, there is no rule violation and play shall continue as normal. Your paddle hand includes all fingers and hand area below the wrist. But what if the ball touches a player’s body anywhere else during a ping pong rally? You may not touch the table with your non-paddle hand for any reason. It will result in a point for your opponent. BUT if your opponent’s hit sails over your side of the table without touching it, and hits any part of you or your paddle, that is still your point.

11. YOU MAY NOT TOUCH THE TABLE WITH YOUR NON-PADDLE HAND

You may touch the ball or the table with your paddle hand (after reaching in to return a short serve, for example), or other parts of your body. NOTE: If the table moves at all from your touching it during a rally, that is your opponent’s point.

12. AN “EDGE” BALL BOUNCING OFF THE HORIZONTAL TABLE TOP SURFACE IS GOOD

An otherwise legal serve or hit may contact the top edge of the horizontal table top surface and be counted as valid, even if it bounces sidewise. The vertical sides of the table are NOT part of the legal playing surface.

13. HONOR SYSTEM APPLIES TO DISAGREEMENTS

If no referee is present during a match and the players disagree on a certain call, the “honor system” applies and the players should find a way to agree, or play the point over. Ping pong carries a tradition of fierce but fair play. Help us keep it that way!

HOW TO OFFICIATE THE SPORT

Officiating the sport provides the opportunity to be involved in the conduct of Table Tennis competitions at many levels including club, regional, state, national and international, including World Championships, Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Table Tennis officiating can be divided into two sections including Refereeing and Umpiring. Referees control the conduct of tournaments and umpires control the conduct of matches. Both sets of officials have their own responsibilities, with the referee in overall control while umpires have their own powers in relation to their match duties. At a major tournament, there will be one referee and a varying number of deputy referees, and a group of umpires. However, at lower levels of tournaments and club competition, players are often required to umpire matches for other competitors. Therefore, it is not only useful to have a good knowledge and understanding of the rules as a player but also to have some knowledge of umpiring procedures and duties. Currently in Australia, there are four levels of umpires and these are Association Umpire, State Umpire, National Umpire and International Umpire. And there are currently three levels of referees and these are State Referee, National Referee and International Referee.

For every table tennis competition, a referee is appointed with a deputy who can act on their behalf. The referee is required to be present at the venue throughout a tournament and is required to uphold the rules.

During a table tennis match, an umpire is appointed to decide on the result of each point or rally. The umpire is required to use their judgement when applying the laws and regulations of the ITTF. Where the umpire is officiating alone, their decision is final and they should be seated about 2–3 meters from the side of the table and in line with the net.

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nancydhooper · 5 years

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Four Lawyers. Four Projects. One Non-Stop Year.

It isn’t news that the Trump administration has kept ACLU attorneys working at breakneck speed for the past three years. In 2019 alone, we saw historic moments and victories—from defeating the citizenship question on the 2020 census and bringing the first trans civil rights case to the Supreme Court, to blocking a wave of abortion bans and many of the administration’s attempts to dismantle the asylum system. To name a few.

Here are some of our attorneys’ takes on 2019 and the year ahead—what’s changed for the better and for the worse, and how the outcome of the 2020 presidential election will affect the fight for civil rights and liberties in years to come.

Chase Strangio

Deputy Director for Transgender Justice, LGBT and HIV Project

What was your favorite moment of 2019?

A lot happened so it’s hard to pick just one moment, but for me one of the most memorable was the October 8 argument for the Aimee Stephens case at the Supreme Court. Obviously the moment itself was historic. Working on the case was pivotal in my life and my work. But even more than the hearing itself, I’ll never forget the feeling of coming out of the Supreme Court and seeing a crowd of trans people and allies chanting to Aimee while we walked across the plaza. It’s a special reminder that it’s not about what happens in court, it’s about how we move forward.

What was the biggest challenge?

This was a challenging year. Two things stand out: The Supreme Court taking on the Title VII cases and the increasing attacks on trans people in sports.

When we heard about the Title VII cases in April, it was a devastating blow. Aimee had already won in the lower court, and we didn’t want the Supreme Court to undo her win. It’s difficult existing in this political context with so many attacks on the trans community and going up to the Court knowing that no matter what, something would be lost—whether something rhetorical or in the public discourse or in the legal outcome of the case itself.

There’s also been a rise in attacks on the idea of trans people participating in sports. It’s disappointing seeing people we’d expect to be allies side with our opponents. It’s just another context that’s being leveraged in public conversations and policy debates to argue that trans people aren’t “real” and that we don’t deserve to participate equally in society. It’s painful and the people who are going to be the most hurt are the trans youth who are being singled out and demeaned by the adult lawmakers who are supposed to protect them.

How will the outcome of the 2020 election affect trans rights?

There’s a long way to go no matter who’s in the White House. But for trans rights, the shift from Obama to Trump was drastic. If Trump loses, we’ll continue to sue the government because the government will continue to discriminate, and it will take a lot of work to undo the anti-trans agenda of the last three years. But hopefully we will have a president that is less concerned with decimating us and our lives and we can work towards rebuilding some protections. No matter what happens, our resolve to fight and defend our communities will persist.

How do you unwind after preparing for a big case?

I operate at a constant state of stress, so it’s always a struggle. Maybe I haven’t done a good job of unwinding. I do love theatre, going to shows, engaging in creative processes to get me out of my head.

What got you into this work?

As a queer, trans person with access to resources I felt that I could serve my community by working within systems of power to disrupt and distribute power. It isn’t always easy and I don’t always do it perfectly but I could never imagine doing any other work.

Brigitte Amiri

Deputy Director of the Reproductive Freedom Project

What was the biggest challenge of 2019?

2019 was the year of the abortion ban, so it’s not so much one challenge in particular but the onslaught—we’re fighting battles at the federal and state level in a rapid succession. The states have been emboldened by the Trump administration and by changes in the judiciary, and it’s been a breathless fight against their attacks on abortion and access to contraception. Some of our most important victories of the year included blocking the abortion bans in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah.

Still, in 2019 there were also some great legislative victories for reproductive rights. A number of states have passed proactive measures that expand access. A perfect example is Maine, where the reproductive rights and justice movement got the state to pass a law expanding who can provide abortions and not just limit provision to doctors but to expand it to advanced practice clinicians. Another new law in Maine ensures that people can access abortion with Medicaid as insurance if they qualify. States like Maine will be a haven for abortion access if Roe v. Wade is ever overturned.

What will 2020 look like for abortion rights?

The attacks on abortion will continue in 2020, unfortunately. The states restricting access have been doing so for decades. And even if there’s a change in the presidential administration, the federal judiciary has now been changed for generations, so states that want to pass restrictions are still going to do so in an aggressive manner, in hopes that the courts will uphold their restrictions. So I think 2020 will be very busy.

Most people in this country support reproductive freedom, but anti-abortion politicians have their own agenda and refuse to listen to the majority of their constituents. Restricting abortion has always been used as a political tool that has been wielded by some politicians regardless of what the public wants.

What got you interested in reproductive freedom?

Ever since I was a little girl, I was always interested in fighting for what was fair. My mom was a feminist and a stay-at-home mom who took me to political rallies, and I used to babysit for a mom who worked at Planned Parenthood. These strong women instilled in me the idea that people should be able to make decisions about their own bodies and everyone should be treated equally in society. Eventually I went to law school because I wanted to use the law to promote social justice.

Is there a particular client from 2019 who stands out?

The staff at the EMW Women’s Surgical Center in Kentucky. Dr. Marshall, who owns it, and staff are amazing people and our heroes. They make sure patients get the care they need with compassion and dignity. They’ve endured so much in addition to the legal onslaught—including anti-abortion people blockading the clinic doors and vandalizing the clinic. They are my heroes.

Personally, my favorite moment of 2019 was calling the clinic and telling them the good news that the judge blocked the state abortion ban.

Dale Ho

Director of the Voting Rights Project

What was your favorite moment of 2019?

The census win. From the beginning I thought we had the better argument, but there were so many predictions that we would lose. I understand why we got those predictions, because we were the underdog, but it was hard not to let that seep in and affect my outlook. When we won, I felt vindicated.

What was the most important legal win?

Again I’d say the census case. If we lost, representation would have shifted away from diverse states and areas, and many communities would have lost their fair share of federal funding. It was a massive case of major significance.

No one believed that the Trump administration wanted to add the citizenship question to support voting rights. The Court’s decision affirmed how much we need honesty from the government on why it’s doing what it’s doing. And the case was a test for the Supreme Court, to see whether it would stand up to the kind of lawlessness that has become standard in this administration. It was nerve-inducing that four justices were willing to go along, but the center held.

The census case was also litigated at a breakneck pace—from a trial decision to the Supreme Court in only three months. It was maybe the most significant challenge in my professional life. I’m still recovering.

How do you handle stress when you’re on the road?

I always, always buy WiFi on planes, and take my noise canceling headphones with me. Sometimes I’ll get a Bloody Mary (virgin!) so I can work throughout the flight. When I’m flying out of New York, I get the same bad Italian hoagie from the CEBO Express in the airport—something I probably wouldn’t eat anywhere else.

How will the presidential election affect the Voting Rights Project?

I don’t think the outcome of 2020 will affect our work, because most of our work is in the states. We need to modernize our states’ antiquated registration and voting systems. Those are bad now and they’re going to be bad no matter who wins in 2020. We’re going to have to do that work and also focus on redistricting after the census happens, as local, state, and federal districts get redrawn all around the country. So we have a busy 2020 and a busy 2021 ahead of us, regardless.

What do you look forward to in 2020?

Election season is always an exciting time to be a voting rights lawyer. It can be challenging because you know in advance that it’s going to be very busy. But there’s a lot you don’t know that’s going to pop up—you know things will pop up but you don’t know what. It’s challenging to stay ready for that but I feel like every election I’ve been here, we’ve done some of our best work in that emergency, rapid response posture. I’m looking forward to it.

Omar Jadwat

Director of the Immigrants’ Rights Project

What is one moment from 2019 that stands out to you?

I’ll cheat and tell you two. The first was when we blocked the Remain in Mexico policy (or Forced Return to Mexico, or Migrant Protection Protocols, as it goes by a lot of names). We knew the policy would be a disaster and we were really glad to block it. The second was when a higher court allowed the policy to be implemented while an appeal is pending. Under this stay roughly 60,000 people have been dumped in Mexico in awful conditions. Cartels are preying on them, waiting for people to get off the buses and kidnapping them immediately. It all goes to show what an awful policy it is and how important it was to challenge it. The fact that we were able to stop it briefly was an important victory. Now the litigation continues.

What was the biggest challenge?

Protecting the asylum system. The administration has a multi-pronged strategy to attack asylum and basically eradicate the system unilaterally. A major focus of our work in the last year has been taking on these policies—we’ve challenged the standard for asylum, gang violence exceptions, detention of asylum seekers. There’s the first asylum ban, the second asylum ban, Return to Mexico, and more. A whole set of cases.

How has IRP’s work changed this year?

Our team has built a new set of muscles as we adapt to new challenges—challenges that would have been extraordinary and unusual in the past, which are now the norm. The administration often announces drastic policy changes with little or no warning, and the pressure is on our team to figure out what they’re doing, to analyze it legally, and put together a lawsuit as quickly as possible if there’s a legal problem. The administration has been so aggressive with its immigration policies and the scale of what they’re trying to do is getting more ambitious. It’s caused us to be more aggressive in terms of taking them to court, and then if we win that causes them to move fast to try to get rid of our victories. Everything is happening much more quickly than usual.

What got you into immigrants’ rights?

I come from a family of immigrants, including people who struggled with getting and maintaining status. I took a class with Judy Rabinovitz in law school, and she inspired me to follow this professional path.

What do you look forward to in 2020?

The possibility of a new administration to deal with and a humane, respectful system in the future. It’s refreshing to see so much public disapproval of anti-immigrant policies, and that sentiment has strengthened in the last couple of years. I hope that the sympathy and support we’ve seen for immigrant communities will continue to carry through.

from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8247012 https://www.aclu.org/news/civil-liberties/four-lawyers-four-projects-one-non-stop-year via http://www.rssmix.com/

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lodelss · 5 years

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ACLU: Four Lawyers. Four Projects. One Non-Stop Year.

Four Lawyers. Four Projects. One Non-Stop Year.

Chase Strangio

Deputy Director for Transgender Justice, LGBT and HIV Project

What was your favorite moment of 2019?

What was the biggest challenge?

This was a challenging year. Two things stand out: The Supreme Court taking on the Title VII cases and the increasing attacks on trans people in sports.

How will the outcome of the 2020 election affect trans rights?

How do you unwind after preparing for a big case?

What got you into this work?

Brigitte Amiri

Deputy Director of the Reproductive Freedom Project

What was the biggest challenge of 2019?

What will 2020 look like for abortion rights?

What got you interested in reproductive freedom?

Is there a particular client from 2019 who stands out?

Personally, my favorite moment of 2019 was calling the clinic and telling them the good news that the judge blocked the state abortion ban.

Dale Ho

Director of the Voting Rights Project

What was your favorite moment of 2019?

What was the most important legal win?

How do you handle stress when you’re on the road?

How will the presidential election affect the Voting Rights Project?

What do you look forward to in 2020?

Omar Jadwat

Director of the Immigrants’ Rights Project

What is one moment from 2019 that stands out to you?

What was the biggest challenge?

How has IRP’s work changed this year?

What got you into immigrants’ rights?

What do you look forward to in 2020?

Published December 20, 2019 at 05:09PM via ACLU https://ift.tt/34DCIp7 from Blogger https://ift.tt/34NL3qo via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Blogger

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acashgirl · 7 years

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Untitled Marvel Project: Part 9

Back at it again with the build up to something I haven't written up yet! Sooooooo leggo at it and I’ll catch you on the FLIPPITY-FLOP!

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Sleep had not come to you that night, perhaps an hour or two but it was mostly spent lying with your eyes closed. Your brain was alive and throwing around every situation of what could go wrong on both ends and the growing feeling of your imminent doom. If you pushed Wanda too far she would kill you or if by some shift in the universe you accidentally off her Vision would be sure to avenge her death. The spacious room surrounding you that once felt like a decent jail cell now felt like the last hold on death row. Time had past enough that you assumed it was morning and you shifted to stare out the large window scraping over the bed. The lights in the hallway were dim, which they would remain until 8am when they’d fully turn on and illuminate the walkways. Even with the lack of sleep you were not exhausted, actually feeling more alert and on edge then you ever had before. “Friday,” cracked out of your dry throat, “What time is it?” “It is currently 6:37am.” A groan escaped your mouth and you escaped out of the bed, toes curling around the warm carpet your body soon sinking into the floor. Leaning against the bed you pull a knee into your chest and release a sigh. This was going to happen, you had agreed to let this happen, if today was the day you were set to die than that’s that. Chin rested on your knee in contemplation you harshly inhaled and pulled yourself to your feet. The door slides open in presumption and you stalk toward the elevator. The abrupt movement in the shaft pushed you off balance causing you to grip onto the wall, it was just beginning to show how exhausted you might be. Stepping into the exiting hall you make your way toward the lounge and felt yourself step into a presence. “Good morning Y/N, I was expecting you to be up this early.” It was Tony, this was no surprise. “Morning Tony, wh-why are you awake so early?” You walked up to the counter and braced your hands upon the top. “I’m always awake this early?” “You make it sound like I should know that.” Releasing a smirk. He shrugged turning away toward a coffee machine, “Coffee? Tea? Brandy?” You laughed a bit, “Uh, yeah, tea please.” “What you don’t drink coffee?” Came over his shoulder. “I’m already bitter enough as is, so adding some in liquid form probably isn't a good idea.” “Huh, that explains a lot about me then.” He turned back toward you with two mugs placing one in front of you and then placing a small dish onto the counter. “I guess you were expecting me.” You pulled in the dish and grabbed a tea bag of your choice, “Thank you.” “So how are you feeling about today?” “How do you think I’m feeling about today?” “Well I would be gushing over my self confidence and inviting multiple ladies to see my victory.” “Sounds like you would've lost.” You blew on the hot brew, burnt tongues sucked. “Oh I would definitely win.” You laughed, “I don't think so, you'd spend so much time trying to look impressive you'd forget all about what the other was capable of. You couldn't keep your head in the game.” “Good thing I look impressive without trying.” He sipped his mug. “So cocky.” You mumbled finally braving a sip. “Of course, I’m Iron Man.” “So Iron Man, any tips for my ultimate defeat?” “Win.” “That’s not a tip that’s a word.” “What else could you hope for?” He shrugged. “My body to continue living?” “She’s not going to kill you, we won’t let her.” His face changed to a more hard look. “Why should I believe that.” “You don’t have to, just us.” “How am I supposed to defeat her if all I can do is expand things?” “I’ve seen you make things float, use that to your advantage.” “But the last time I stopped something from moving I almost passed out!” “Don’t do that then.” Your eyes rolled, “You make that sound so easy.” “Anything is easy if you make it.” You furrowed your brow and stared up at him, of course he was serious about that. He did have a point though and it was easy to tell. You had realized the more you pushed your limits the larger your limits expanded and in turn difficult tasks became easy. This was just a stepping stone to make the future more attainable; or maybe a stepping boulder if that was possible. “So, breakfast! What’re you feeling Rocky?” You blinked back to reality and relaxed your face, “I mean… eggs have a lot of protein right?” “Right you are! Good choice, what kind?” “Oh, uhm, scrambled? Yeah, sure.” He raised an eyebrow at you obviously hearing your apprehension. He definitely wasn’t surprised about it since you were questioning your survival after today. His back turned toward you as he shuffled over to the stove and began the process. You began sipping down your tea, it now being the best warm temperature. The soothing liquid drifted down your chest allowing your body to ease its tension. As it blanketed your stomach your eyes drifted shut and you inhaled slowly. You were not going to die today, they would not let you. This was not your last meal, just breakfast on another day. This was a learning experience not an event for disaster. “Your outfit will be here soon.” “I’m sorry, what?” “For today?” “I’m going to have an outfit? I just need a workout outfit not a costume?” “What makes your think it’s a costume?” “I know you enough that it’s definitely a costume.” He wasn't facing you but you could feel the grin spread across his face, “In that case you should give yourself a name.” “I have a name?” “Not a legal one Rocky, a uh- a title? Nickname? Basically a superhero name.” Your eyes widened, “Why would I need that?” “No reason, just thought it would help you fit in.” “Regardless I’m not that creative, I’m just me, just Y/N.” Looking within the emptying mug. You heard a clatter of plates and looked up to see Tony in a cupboard grabbing at one. He pulled it down and slid the steaming yellow glob onto the plate. Turning on his heels he presented it to you and slid it across the counter quickly reaching for a fork and pushing it at you. “Thanks.” You smiled. “I have to do one good deed a year, keep me on the nice list,” Giving you a wink, “And don’t worry about a superhero name, we can scrunch something up.” Letting out a laugh you picked at the eggs and eventually brought a bite up to your lips. “Well all of us apart from Peter, he’s not very creative.” Your eyes looked up but your face remained downturned, “Hm?” “He called himself Spider-Man because he was bitten by a spider and is almost a man. Creativity isn’t exactly his strong suit.” “I like it, it’s simple but makes the most sense. Also you call yourself Iron-Man and I’m pretty sure your suit isn’t even iron as that'd be way too heavy.” “You are not wrong, it’s mostly Nitinol.” “Exactly! So your name is basically a lie and super simplistic!” He smiled at you finding humor in your defense for Peter. “You must really have an interest if you're going to fight me on this.” “I don’t have an interest.” You half scoffed back. “Right right, you have a crush.” “Is that so bad.” You mumbled toward the eggs. “I suppose not.” He smirked at your sneaky glance and turned to leave, “Friday will let you know when to meet us.” “Where am I going to meet you?” “We’ll go from here, 4pm.” He said over his shoulder heading down one of the many branching hallways. You wondered if Peter was going to come as part of you wanted this and part didn’t. “And yes, I’m making Peter come!” You smiled brightly and continued happily eating your eggs and sipping at the tea. The morning drug onward as you slowly wandered around the building. Practicing a strategy would’ve most likely been a better idea but since you hadn't had much to go on it seemed useless. As you came upon particular items throughout the household you’d try feeling out your power and expanding them at your will, with such small things you were numb to the feeling on your spine. The hours seemed both prolonged and rushed, you’d never seen so many people about the building but no one was passing the time with you. It was the normal Steve, Tony, Vision, Bruce, and Wanda passed your view momentarily. And then there were the ones that you'd never seen including a dark skinned man who took a favor to Steve and another who took favor to Tony. “Tony! Is Thor coming in?” You heard Bruce’ voice echo down a hall. Who the hell is Thor? “I heard they just removed the last cell phone tower from Asgard so beats me!” Asgard? Weirdos. The final hour rang onto the clock and you headed toward your room; there was a box on your bed. The suit. Cautiously approaching the package as if it were a bomb your finger skimmed the flap of the opening. It slowly curled under and up the top floated until you were faced with black. Of course the outfit was black, the most overused color, or shade whatever. But there was a glimpse of silver, two points that reached over the shoulders on the presented top. Your hands reached for the material that appeared almost like leather but felt like a lightweight neoprene. Pulling it out from the box it was a sleeveless v-neck with a decently sized hood. Your hands gripped at the shoulders and could feel the resistance from the silver accents which were real metal. Turning the shirt around you could see why they were there; the spine of the shirt was lined in metal v’s which looked like the small birds you'd draw as a child flying in the background. Certain ones reached out more than others and the spinal lining ended with an upside down v. What was the purpose of that? And then it struck you, metal was a conductor of electricity which is energy and silver is the best metal for the job. Wow, Tony really thinks these things through. But a sleeveless hoodie… eh not exactly what you would've chosen but alrighty. Onto the pants! Lying underneath where the shirt was was a pair of black pants made of the same material. Gently placing down the top half you reached for them. Pulling them out they seemed like a pair of very nice leggings apart from their mesh cutouts that rounded the legs; two on the thigh and two on the lower leg. The mesh was very thin but seemed extremely resilient but you doubted it'd survive against a blow from Wanda. The last thing nestled into the bottom of the box was a pair of boots of same material of course. They were very flexible and sturdy and looking at all the parts you knew the outfit would come together seamlessly. That’s the idea right? Look badass while kicking ass as Tony would say. “Friday what time is it?” You were still studying the shoes. “3:24pm Miss Y/N.” You had been staring at these things for twenty minutes, why couldn't time go this fast all day? So the moment was coming to suit up… pants first. You grabbed onto the pants testing the stretch of the waist line as there was no way Tony was that good at guessing. “Please tint the window.” The bright lights from outside quickly dimmed as a black fade slipped over the view. You gripped at the pants you currently wore and let out a sigh, was this really happening? Were you really about to subject yourself to this? But there was nothing else to do as this was the breaking point, now or never. Your bottoms slipped off as goosebumps replaced where the fabric once clung to. Grasping for the unfamiliar material you sat upon the bed and brought the waist line to your feet. They slipped through the tubes and reappeared on the other side and you stood up again pulling the tight outfit over your knees. The material smoothed over your thighs and settled nicely onto your waist. A bit of excitement washed over as you reached for a boot slipping a bare foot inside. The shoe seemingly stretched with your foots length and width, no sizing necessary. Just as you presumed the materials melded together perfectly and looked as if your shoes and pants were a single item, the top of the boot ending just before the mesh creating a perfect seam. As soon as the other one adjusted the shirt floated into your grip but something was off as there was seemingly no stretch in this even though it was the same material. Most likely this was caused by the metal inlays and had to be more sturdy to not displace them: So how were you supposed to get it on? “Friday? Can you connect me to Tony please?” “Paging Mr. Stark.” There was a momentary pause and then an oh too familiar voice. “Yes Rocky?” “Okay firstly stop with the nickname and secondly instructions are required for this outfit.” “Pants and shoes are pretty self explanatory-” “I’m talking about the top Tony, it won’t budge.” You looked at the intercom in irritation as if he could see you. “There are buttons along the side under the right arm and under the buttons is a reenforced zipper. Undo it and voila! Pretty cool eh?” Smirking to yourself while fiddling with the small sturdy buttons you wandered toward the tinted window, “Okay I’ll see you soon, Friday end call!” “H-” was all that was heard before you erupted in laughter not only for the situation at hand but for the surprising sense of excitement washing over. Placing the now spread out shirt onto the bed your fingers pulled up the bottoms of your shirt and threw it into the corner. Your left arm threaded through the correct hole it pulled over your head. Finally bringing up the right arm into place the zipper was done up and the tedious task of doing up the buttons was finished. Your hands began smoothing over the strange material as your body adjusted to the feeling. The back was the strangest as it was so supportive yet flexed along the spine as you swiveled around your hips. There was no mirror in this room so you escaped to the bathroom. Quietly closing the door behind you pressed your back to the door, your eyes held shut. Slowly and blindly moving toward the large mirror you stopped just short of the reflection. As your eyelids glided open you saw yourself, but it wasn't you. The woman in front of you looked strong, confident, had the never-ending ability to kick your ass. But her face seemed dazed and lost to the rest of her. The suit exuded superhero while your face… why couldn't you be like how you seemed? To try and be this amazing being with exponential power yet feel so small and meek in comparison. You are strong you are the girl with the ability to fight. Regardless of what you wear or what anyone says or even how you may feel in the moment you are powerful in your own way enhanced or not. It began to spark, the feeling deep within, and your arms came up and pulled your hair to the front. Reaching back you grasped onto the hood and slowly, dramatically, shadowed your head with the cloth. It came to a point in the middle that felt slightly weighted which not only held it down but gently pressed against your forehead causing a sense of peace. Good touch. A deep sigh escaped from within as your head came down. This was it, it was time. Catching your eyes in the reflection you saw the change. The edging of happiness, of confidence, of readiness. Turning toward the door there was an extra bounce in your step while coming to the elevator, humming in contentment as it went down. The doors slid opened and you strutted down the hall feeling light and airy. Rounding the corner you could see a finely dressed Tony with a near-same height ginger headed woman. She heard your steps and twisted her torso with a proud smile. “I told you that’d look good on her.” She spoke toward the backward man. He also turned and locked his eyes onto you letting out a low whistle, “New suits just make you feel giddy hm? That’s why I have a bunch.” He smiled and turned toward the woman. All you could do was smile while slowly waving back and forth. “Y/N this is Pepper Potts, my fiancé.” “It’s very nice to finally meet you!” She extended a hand which you gently grasped onto. “So Balboa you ready?” Tony excitedly said. Your eyes rolled at the new nickname, “As ready as I’ll ever be.” “Excellent! This way.” He motioned with his hand and Pepper shot you a large smile as you followed behind. The three of you entered the elevator you had been in once before, the one whose door you'd walked through. You stood beside Pepper nestled close to the corner and waited for what was to happen. It came to a slow stop and for just a moment you thought what you could have been if you were normal: The door opened. The arena looked similar bit was not same, there was much more scattered around, much more to use. Behind the podium where Tony had stood previously was a line of all the people who had roamed the house plus one smaller framed boy who offered you a smile. You grinned at yourself and returned a smile puffing out your chest more as you walked from the elevator. Beside the podium was Wanda who was speaking to Vision. She felt exactly the same as always, calm and seemingly happy, wearing black with a red leather trench coat overtop. The incoming footsteps brought everyones attention to the trio before them as all eyes shot to you. Unable to read all the faces you brought your attention back to the familiar Peter who beamed into your eyes looking so proud. He was the last boost of confidence needed, the last piece being that goofy smile plastered on his face. All you wanted was to rush over and be near him, experience the feeling you’d been longing for the past two weeks but you knew you couldn't just yet. Relaxing the grin on your face you caught Wanda’s studying view and turned your head in her direction feeling your glance shoot under the hood. She was smirking at you, her eyes walking your outfit, a devious look crossing her face. Normally any look like this would promptly knock you down multiple pegs and cause you to cower but all you could feel was your confidence swell; this was going to be fun! “Well kid, you ready?” Tony’s self coming into your peripheral. You smirked, “You bet your ass I am.” Glancing at his face. He had a grin plastered in his face while also being taken aback at your cheeky response, “Okay everyone! Take your places for the fight of the century!” He shouted at the crowd. Vision who still stood by Wanda gave you a hard look, nothing menacing or mean but more of a ‘are you sure?’ look. Your chin raised in response as you were as sure as ever. His face softened and he drifted over to join the rest of the onlookers. Tony filled the space between Wanda and you, back towards the group, giving you both a questioning nod. Dipping your heads in almost unison he faced the group and cleared his throat. “We are gathered here today to see two girls battle it out, unfortunately the mud did not arrive in time. To my left is as you all know Sokovias sweetheart Wanda Maximoff!” The crowd let out a happy cheer. Tony reared up his hands quieting the group, “And to my right, the shiny new toy and apparent spider trap, Y/N Balboa!” A blush filled your face as the crowd cheered you on which Steve took notice of, elbowing his friend beside him and began to chant “Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!” Soon the whole mass was chanting the given nickname in rhythmic fashion with Peter and Clint hollering over the noise. Tony turns his torso toward you with a ‘how about that’ look smirked on his face. Raising up a single hand this time the crowds noise begins to decrease. “Alright you two, I want a nice clean fight! One round, one chance for victory. If you are deemed unable to fight it is over. Please try to not hit the mass of people watching in awe and please don’t kill each other.” He lightly smiled in your direction making you laugh a bit. He clapped his hands together, “Okay! Anyone got a bell?” walking into the crowd of people.

#avengers imagines #avengers #reader x peter parker #peter parker imagine #tony stark #captain america #steve rogers #the hulk #the vision #scarlet witch #black widow #natasha romanoff #hawkeye #clint barton #fanfiction #falcon #thor

14 notes · View notes

go-redgirl · 5 years

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Court Upholds H-1B Visa Scrutiny: clearing away legal obstructions to end rubber-stamping H-1B [tr] Center for Immigration Studies ^ | July 19, 2019 | John Miano

One of the major changes at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that the Trump administration implemented under Francis Cissna was to apply some scrutiny to the approval process for H-1B visas. 👍

Previously, the H-1B program had been a rubber-stamp operation with a huge fraud rate in approved visas.

The situation was so bad that one could even import sex slaves into the United States using H-1B. 😡

Now USCIS is taking the long overdue step of ensuring that H-1B workers actually have jobs or that the position is actually a specialty occupation that requires a college degree.

The change from no scrutiny to some scrutiny has caused shock waves among those involved with making H-1B petitions. Their strategy appears to be to flood the courts with lawsuits challenging H-1B denials.

However, that approach may not work.

This week the District of Columbia District issued an opinion in Sagarwala v. Cissna. Plaintiff Usha Sagarwala was in the United States on an H-1B visa. She sought to change jobs so that she would work as a "QA analyst" (Quality Assurance) where HSK Technologies in Piscataway, New Jersey would be her paper employer while she actually would work for Anthem in Wallingford, Connecticut. Anthem is one of many employer using the H-1B program this way to replace American workers with cheap, foreign workers.

Changing jobs requires getting a new H-1B via approval. In response to the petition, USCIS issued a Request for Evidence, asking the "employer" to show that Sagarwala was actually going to be an employee of HSK and that the position was a specialty occupation.

USCIS ultimately rejected the petition, concluding "there was insufficient evidence to conclude that the required degree was 'common to the industry in parallel positions among similar organizations' or that the position was 'so complex or unique that it could be performed only by an individual with a degree.'"

The District Court held "USCIS did not act arbitrarily or capriciously in concluding that HSK Technologies' petition did not describe a specialty occupation" and that "there is no basis under the APA for setting aside the agency's decision."

For those of us who have worked in the industry, the only thing surprising about this determination is that USCIS might have approved such a visa petition in the past. QA is not a position that requires a college degree. While some QA job postings list a degree as a requirement or nice to have, many do not.

The decision by the district court starts clearing away the legal obstructions to USCIS's end of rubber-stamping H-1B petitions.

TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; News/Current Events KEYWORDS: corporate welfare; h1b; hire american; immigration

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INDIVIDUALS/COMMENTS/POSTS:

To: NobleFree

H1Bs should be abolished, period.

3 posted on 7/28/2019, 5:09:57 PM by Shadow44 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: Shadow44 H1Bs should be abolished, period. ******************************* Agreed. America can do far better by developing the talents and skills of native Americans.

4 posted on 7/28/2019, 5:13:29 PM by House Atreides (Boycott the NFL 100% A— PERMANENTLY) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: Shadow44

Wrong. H1-b is right program.

5 posted on 7/28/2019, 5:24:16 PM by impimp -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: House Atreides

America should skim the elite from around the world and assimilate them into our economy.

6 posted on 7/28/2019, 5:24:59 PM by impimp ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: impimp America should skim the elite from around the world and assimilate them into our economy. ***************************************** Hey... let’s take the top 5% of the world’s Muslim population and bring them here. What could possibly go wrong.

7 posted on 7/28/2019, 5:29:49 PM by House Atreides (Boycott the NFL 100% A— PERMANENTLY) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: impimp Sure, if you like hollowing out the middle class and replacing our STEM sector with incompetent Indian and Chinese workers.

8 posted on 7/28/2019, 5:36:51 PM by Shadow44 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ To: NobleFree

In a previous life, I was a hiring manager for H-1B at a major tech firm. It was and still is a major scam. We (the firm) used it to keep wages suppressed.

And while we kept our labor rate low, we eviscerated the Graduate schools of US students and ate our own seed corn.

9 posted on 7/28/2019, 5:37:30 PM by Drango (A liberal's compassion is limited only by the size of someone else's wallet.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: impimp

I detected a whiff of elitist snobbery about you so I did a quick search to see “where you’re coming from”. And quickly saw the below post. Despise Americans much? .............. “I couldn’t agree more with an article. I am sick of subsidizing America’s blue collar manufacturing employees. If they can’t compete then too bad...adapt or else.”

10 posted on 7/28/2019, 5:38:40 PM by House Atreides [ Post Reply |

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To: NobleFree

There are a gazillion non-immigrant and immigrant visa classifications:

(Push the ‘+’ next to the category to see that list)

And yes, once H1-B visas are clamped down, they will use other visa entries to do exactly the same thing.

11 posted on 7/28/2019, 5:38:55 PM by yefragetuwrabrumuy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: Drango

The amount of fraud with H1Bs is staggering as well, the credentials they use are bogus and a lot of their degrees are from diploma mills. It’s a gigantic racket.

12 posted on 7/28/2019, 5:42:49 PM by Shadow44 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: impimp "Wrong. H1-b is right program." So, who you pimpin' out instead native born Americans, pimp?

13 posted on 7/28/2019, 5:51:49 PM by Rashputin (Jesus Christ doesn't evacuate His troops, He leads them to victory !!) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: NobleFree

A massive India Indian influx has occurred under the H1B program. Indians have big families, The H1B recipient somehow has the right to bring in their entire family, to include parents, grandparents, etc, as well. There is an Indian invasion of America occurring.

Ever visit India? DO we want America to transform into an India like place? How about if migrant Indians exercise speaking proper English, talk to their children in English when in public, and lose the nutty head thing? And oh yea, start tipping for services provided to you. They seem like one of the cheapest ethnic minorities going.

14 posted on 7/28/2019, 6:03:07 PM by LeoWindhorse ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: impimp H1-b is right program. Learn English.

15 posted on 7/28/2019, 6:15:56 PM by NobleFree ("law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual") ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: impimp America should skim the elite from around the world H-1B is the opposite: low-paid low-skilled drones.

16 posted on 7/28/2019, 6:17:29 PM by NobleFree ("law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual") -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: NobleFree

H-1B is just another method of invading and looting of America.

17 posted on 7/28/2019, 7:45:10 PM by gawatchman ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: impimp

You obviously have not worked in IT industry.

18 posted on 7/28/2019, 8:16:50 PM by Sapwolf (Talkers are usually more articulate than doers, since talk is their specialty. -Sowell) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: impimp

DUMB DUMB DUMB!

We don’t need MORE elites. We need a proper labor market without artificial flooding of people from all over.

Immigration has been the number one reason for low real wages since the 1970’s.

19 posted on 7/28/2019, 8:18:53 PM by Sapwolf (Talkers are usually more articulate than doers, since talk is their specialty. -Sowell) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ To: NobleFree

H1-B is not about elite, but replacing American middle-class workers with cheap foreigners mostly from India but also from other countries.

It is a racket just like coyotes bringing in illegals across the southern border.

20 posted on 7/28/2019, 8:20:11 PM by Sapwolf (Talkers are usually more articulate than doers, since talk is their specialty. -Sowell) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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vbucknrrg9275-blog · 5 years

Text

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fapangel · 7 years

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Surprised I havnt seen you say anything about the travel ban going through.

Well, to be honest, there’s not much to say aside from laughing at more left-wing REEEE. As I’ve said before, there’s no way in hell the circuit court rulings are going to survive SCOTUS review - not only is this under the constitutional authority of the President, but also a power explicitly granted him under existing Federal law, by section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act:

"(f) Whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate."

That’s pretty damn clear-cut. But for that exact reason it’s an alarming - nay, frightening - travesty that not one, but two Federal courts shit on the explicit, plain language of the law because of Trump’s “implications” during his election campaign. That’s something courts have never looked at, especially in light of the natural hyperbole that comes into play in election campaigns. Plus, it opens the door to a slippery slope of even more questionable challenges - where’s the limit on speech that can be construed to imply “intent?” Can they use statements from ten years ago? Twenty? Trump’s written lines in his many cameo appearances in TV shows over the years? Furthermore, even if they could prove that Trump is an evil racist from Hell who wants to punish all the brown people, it is still his legal authority to make decisions on immigration. You can’t ban someone from driving because they publicly announced on Facebook that they think drunk driving shouldn’t be illegal and that they’re generally swell folks who manage to make it home safe. THOUGHT-CRIME IS NOT A FEATURE OF AMERICAN LAW.

And yet, not one, but two United States Federal Circuit Courts embraced this openly demented reasoning, passing injunctions informed by partisan political leanings, rather than respect for the actual laws on which they are entrusted to rule.

This state of affairs is simply insane, and points to a deep rot at the heart of the judiciary. The judiciary branch was the mechanism by which civil rights campaigners were winning stunning legal victories to advance their cause many years before Martin Luther King started his “street protests” and “civil disobedience” that the popular consciousness now associates most with the civil rights movement (largely because it’s by far the most celebrated.) Those civil rights champions used the mechanisms given to them by the Founders - the Courts - to bring the reality of America closer to the dream. They used the levers of our government exactly as they were designed to operate, and we are all the better for it.

Now, however, we are watching partisans in the courts openly abusing their power and disgracing the dignity of their high posts to defy the will of the people, and a lawfully elected President. And he is, without a doubt, the lawfully elected President of the United States.

We’ve been down this road before - I remember eight fucking years of liberals whining about “stolen elections,” which made their 2016 caterwauling about Trump “accepting the election results” funny even before their post-election hypocrisy - but at least back then there were actual court cases brought, even if the lower court decisions allowing the Florida recounts were spurious, convoluted bullshit (and properly called out as such by SCOTUS.) The Florida Supreme Court’s ruling on that is a real scream to read. Florida election code stipulates a seven-day deadline for submitting all ballots, including re-counted ones. Late ballots may be ignored by the Florida State Department, but a $200 personal fine levied on each election Board member is mandatory. The Florida Supreme Court acknowledged the State Department’s authority and discretion in this matter - and then ruled that the Floridian SecState (Katherine Harris) was wrong for exercising that exact discretion on the grounds that 1. Federal law required them to include overseas/absentee ballots, which could be counted up to ten days after the election, and 2. that the plaintiffs “hanging chad” argument was a credible allegation of an “error in vote tabulation.” Thus they granted more time (6 days) for the halted recount to finish.

For those of you who don’t remember, the “hanging chad” argument was the brilliant notion that if a Floridian voter had punched out the little square hole for “Bush,” and the wee square bit of paper hadn’t fully and completely detached from the sheet, then that vote might possibly have been in error. Maybe the voter really meant to pop his stylus into the completely different hole to punch the completely different chad for Gore - if that damned chad isn’t completely detached, then there’s no way to know for sure, right?

Which is how we got this shit:

The Palm Beach elections Board came up with a whole slew of terminology to quantify their painstaking recount process:

SCOTUS wasn’t impressed with the Florida Supreme Court’s rather meandering, myriad justifications in Palm Beach County Canvassing Board v. Harris, because when Bush’s campaign appealed it to SCOTUS, they wrinkled their brows and remanded it to the Florida Supreme Court for “clarification.” But it was the hanging chad thing that really tore it for the Supreme Court. As Breyer and Souter said:

“It is true that the Equal Protection Clause does not forbid the use of a variety of voting mechanisms within a jurisdiction, even though different mechanisms will have different levels of effectiveness in recording voters' intentions; local variety can be justified by concerns about cost, the potential value of innovation, and so on. But evidence in the record here suggests that a different order of disparity obtains under rules for determining a voter's intent that have been applied (and could continue to be applied) to identical types of ballots used in identical brands of machines and exhibiting identical physical characteristics (such as "hanging" or "dimpled" chads).”

This is the polite way of stating the obvious: a bunch of assholes squinting at paper cards through magnifying glasses as they try to plumb the Unfathomable Depths of the Hanging Chad, focusing their spiritual ki energy through their sharingan to reverse the polarity and beam it through the main deflector dish and thereby discern the voter’s mysterious intent, is fucking bullshit. And Breyer and Souter wrote the minority opinion - the 5-4 decision only split because the liberals on the court wanted to do a proper recount, with rules, and regulations, and no fucking magnifying-glass seances. Even had the SCOTUS decision gone the other way, they wouldn’t have allowed the election Board to “find” more Gore votes with their arcane scrutiny.

Naturally, Democrats felt this was a travesty of justice, and that the election had been stolen... and this is what I used to think was bad and childish on their part. But at least then they had some excuse - there was a court case, the details were murky to anyone who didn’t take ten seconds to google it, and it was such a close election that a few thousand votes either way in Florida might have swung things. Even the Florida SCOTUS decision only endeavored to give the recount the same effective amount of time it would have had under the law, even if it was legislating from the bench and countermanding the lawful authority of the Secretary of State, (one elected by the very voters who’s wondrous will the Court claimed to be defending).

Compare that to the current situation, where the election was won by significantly greater margins in multiple states, the left wing launched an open, unabashed campaign to undermine said laws (encouraging, pleading, and berating electors to violate their state laws by casting “faithless” votes while promising pro-bono legal defense and all the blowjobs Hollywood could offer (I presume this offer was still standing.) After eight months of sneering at Trump’s talk of “rigged elections” as doing damage to the sanctified and perfect structure of our Republic and our electoral system, they staged an active insurrection in complete violation of law to invalidate the results of a vote they had lost.

So, I dunno. Even with 5-4 decisions not always reflecting steep partisan divides on the decision, this travel “ban” case is pretty goddamned clear-cut. There shouldn’t be a 5-4 decision on this - it should be 9-0. But with the way political divides have steepened and the national “discourse” deteriorated in this country since 2000, I’m not so sure anymore. Gorsuch will be seated on the Court by the time oral arguments start, so the conservatives will have their 5-4 majority, but if it comes down to a 5-4 vote on something this clear-cut... I’d be scared.

I’d be really scared.

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cielrouge · 8 years

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2017 Romance-Centric Reads by Authors of Color

*Will add more titles when more covers are revealed

All He Needs by Shirley Hailstock - Wedding consultant Renee Hart is finally ready to take the plunge…as creator of an innovative bridal magazine. Newly relocated to the Big Apple, Renee discovers that her former lover Carter Hampshire—more charismatic than ever—is now also her greatest rival. Three years ago, he thought he was doing the right thing by letting her go. Now all he wants is a second chance. But when the media-frenzied launch of Designed for Brides leads to accusations of industrial espionage, could Carter lose Renee again—this time forever?

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han - Lara Jean is having the best senior year a girl could ever hope for.But change is looming on the horizon. And while Lara Jean is having fun and keeping busy, she can’t ignore the big life decisions she has to make. Most pressingly, where she wants to go to college and what that means for her relationship with Peter. Now Lara Jean’s the one who’ll be graduating high school and leaving for college and leaving her family—and possibly the boy she loves—behind.

Breathless (Old West #2) by Beverly Jenkins - A strong-willed beauty, Portia Carmichael finds herself in the arms of the handsome drifter from her past, Kent Rudolph, in this second book in the sizzling series set in the Old West.

Clean Breaks by Ruby Lang - Sarah Soon may have recovered from cancer—in body—but her brush with mortality has left the usually confident OB/GYN shaken about her future and herself. When she unexpectedly runs into Jake Li, her brother’s annoying high school BFF who betrayed her trust, he’s the last person she wants to see. Everyone’s telling the newly divorced Jake that he shouldn’t be looking for a serious relationship already, but he’s always been helplessly drawn to Sarah. Can he show her that he’s worthy of a second chance? Or will they make a clean break once and for all?

Conspiracy by De'nesha Diamond - It’s an offer too tempting to refuse: One night as an elite escort will give Abrianna Parker the fresh start she’s been searching for. But getting framed for a high-profile murder isn’t what the cool-headed beauty signed up for…With police, government agencies, and a lethal third party on her trail, Abrianna will have to use all her resources to clear her name. That includes trusting an ex-con—and an attraction as incendiary as the lies they must expose.

Crossroads (Wind Dragons MC #6) by Chantal Fernando - A woman is missing.And Ranger knows her. The Wind Dragons aren’t the only ones hoping this girl can be found—on the hunt is Johanna Chase, a stubborn detective who won’t give up until the missing woman is found safe. She needs Ranger to navigate the underground world of motorcycle clubs, and immediately, sparks fly. Ranger fights the attraction. He has no plans on going there, no matter how beautiful and badass she is. A biker and a cop? Ridiculous. But the two of them soon realize that they’re in way over their heads, and now they have to trust each other in order to save her.

Dangerous Consequences by Lisa Renee Johnson - Dubbed the “Sex Doctor” on his local radio show, psychologist Donathan James advises callers on their sexual issues. Donathan is living the high life, but when he wakes up naked and drugged in a hotel room, with no memory of the evening before, the doctor suddenly has problems of his own. Soon, Donathan’s sexy stalker turns up in his office to rant about her unstable past, and demanding they meet again and again. All Donathan wants is his life back—and for his gorgeous and brilliant neurosurgeon wife, Sydney, not to find out. But when the relentless stranger goes too far, it leads him to discover his beloved wife has secrets of her own. Now, to save their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. James will have to hold on tight to survive the bumpiest ride of their lives.

Daniel’s Dare by Sasha Devlin - Daniel Rich and Kaitlyn Dow have been friends for fifteen years, and playing an increasingly outlandish game of Truth or Dare for nearly as long. With her bed-and-breakfast overbooked, the two are forced to spend the night together. Daniel is ready to move their relationship to the next level. Kaitlyn suspects he’s still playing a game, and resigns herself to a one-night stand. But she’ll soon learn that Daniel is willing to risk any dare to get Kaitlyn to see the truth—that they belong together.

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole - Elle Burns is a former slave with a passion for justice and an eidetic memory. Trading in her life of freedom in Massachusetts, she returns to the indignity of slavery in the South—to spy for the Union Army.Malcolm McCall is a detective for Pinkerton's Secret Service. Subterfuge is his calling, but he’s facing his deadliest mission yet—risking his life to infiltrate a Rebel enclave in Virginia.Two undercover agents who share a common cause—and an undeniable attraction—Malcolm and Elle join forces when they discover a plot that could turn the tide of the war in the Confederacy's favor. Caught in a tightening web of wartime intrigue, and fighting a fiery and forbidden love, Malcolm and Elle must make their boldest move to preserve the Union at any cost—even if it means losing each other . . .

Feel the Heat by Cheris Hodge - Relationship blogger and bestselling author Mimi Collins built her brand by talking openly about sex and love. But after a blog she posts negatively depicting a speed-dating site goes viral, she needs legal advice, and fast. Lucky for her, she has an irresistible advocate in Brent Daniels, her gorgeous new neighbor. The celebrated attorney and TV personality just took on her case. Putting the moves on his client is taboo, but how can Brent turn down his feelings for Atlanta's hottest romance expert? Until a legal victory leads to an intimate tte--tte…and a very public kiss. But with a tragic secret buried in his past, Brent can't afford any negative publicity. And now that his reputation is on the line, so is his future with Mimi.

Find Me (Cyclone #3) by Courtney Milan - Blake Reynolds finally has everything under control. He and his father have ironed out their issues. He’s in love with his girlfriend. Then the sister he didn’t know he had walks into his life. The mother he’s never met is in need of a liver transplant—and he’s the only possible match. Suddenly, everything he thought he knew turns inside out.Tina Chen wants to believe in a future with Blake. Loving Blake is easy, but the temporary happiness they’ve found together just means she’s all the more aware when “ever after” begins to slip out of her grasp…

Forged in Desire by Brenda Jackson - When good girl Margo Connelly becomes Lamar "Striker" Jennings's latest assignment, she knows she's in trouble. The reformed bad boy's appeal is breaching all her defenses. Though Striker's now living on the right side of the law, he's convinced his troubled past keeps Margo out of his league. But physical chemistry explodes into full-blown passion when they go on the run together. Surrendering to desire could be a deadly distraction—or finally prove that he's the only man qualified to keep her safe, and win her love.

Freshman Guy and Junior Girl by Mina V. Esguerra - Hannah is super nervous about her first year at Ford River College, but guess what makes it better? Becoming the new friend of a popular junior guy named Quin.

Full Court Seduction by Synithia Williams - Straitlaced conservationist Danielle Stewart is known for passionately protecting the Florida coastline, but back in college, Danielle shared a sizzling night with Jacobe Jenkins. Next day, he left for the NBA draft. Now chance has thrown them together again. He's older, wiser and a lot more notorious, but one thing about Jacobe hasn't changed: his deep attraction to Danielle. But the lasting kind of love takes more than a trick shot. Will he overcome his bad-boy reputation and put his heart on the line for what could be the biggest play of his life?

Hard Rhythm by Cecilia Tan - Maddie Rofel has seen it all, working as a hostess in L.A.'s most exclusive private sex club. Until the night she has a very personal encounter with drummer Chino Garcia, and the two discover an intimate connection neither can deny. All his life, Chino has been running from something.Now he's losing himself in Maddie. And, while it drives Chino wild when Maddie bares her body to him, what he really wants is for Maddie to bare her soul. For that, Chino will have to push Maddie past her furthest limits-and share his own dark secrets.

Hate to Want You by Alisha Rai - One night. No one will know.That was the deal. Every year, Livvy Kane and Nicholas Chandler would share one perfect night of illicit pleasure. The forbidden hours let them forget the tragedy that haunted their pasts-and the last names that made them enemies.Until the night she didn’t show up. Now Nicholas has an empire to run. He doesn’t have time for distractions, until Livvy’s sudden reappearance in town. Although the passion between them might have once run hot and deep, not even love can overcome the scandal that divided their families.Being together might be against all the rules…but being apart is impossible.

Her Secret Life by Tiffany L. Warren - Scarred by poverty, Onika Lewis had a rough start. But her achievements weren’t enough to earn her the elite status she craved. So she leveraged her gorgeous looks to become a rich man’s trophy…and was eventually dumped her for a younger model. Now she’s broke, unemployed, and homeless. She’s making a fresh start through a unique women’s shelter, but when she meets Graham, a kindhearted commuter she has an instant connection with. But when Onika’s wealthy ex wants her back, she plays one deception too many trying to have it all. Now present lies and past secrets are tearing her world apart. And Onika will need to educate herself once more—to learn what really matters, find faith, forgiveness—and build a life she truly deserves.

Hope Blooms by Jamie Pope - In one shattering instant, schoolteacher Cassandra Miller lost everything. The last person she wants help from is the man she wants to forget. In childhood, Wylie Everett was her cherished best friend. In adulthood, he was the secret lover who left her without explanation. Now Wylie’s the person who won’t let her go down without a fight. But their rekindled passion will be tested by pain he's never resolved—and mistakes for which forgiveness may not be enough. Can he and Cass find one last way to move forward, and risk rebuilding their lives...together?

I Believe In A Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo - Desi Lee is a disaster in romance. So when the hottest human specimen to have ever lived walks into her life one day, Desi decides to tackle her flirting failures with the same zest she’s applied to everything else in her life. She finds her answer in the Korean dramas her father has been obsessively watching for years. Armed with her “K Drama Rules for True Love,” Desi goes after the moody, elusive artist Luca Drakos. But when the fun and games turn to true feels, Desi finds out that real love is about way more than just drama.

If You Don’t Know Me by Mary B. Morrison - NYT bestselling author Mary B. Morrison delivers a scandalous story of two women, a sizzling wager, and the fallout that's turned lives upside down. Now, with the only man they've ever wanted at stake, who will go one step too far to claim him?

The Inheritance by Rochelle Alers - Four friends from very different backgrounds find new beginnings amid the sultry beauty of New Orleans.

It’s Not Like It’s A Secret by Misa Sugiura - A not-yet-out lesbian, Japanese-American teenager, Sana Kiyohara, deals with being the new kid at school, has a family with stifling traditional Japanese values (which help protect their secrets), dates a girl who hangs out with a totally different crowd, and makes plenty of mistakes along the way.

Keeping the Distance by Clarisse David - 17-year-old Melissa wants to dye her hair cotton candy pink and focus on her ukulele instead of Physics. But she can't, as the daughter of a Catholic school principal. Getting involved with a troublemaking basketball player is the last possible thing she needs. But Lance has no idea that he’s about to learn the lesson of a lifetime. Not getting what he wants might exactly be what he needs...

Love Tango by J.M. Jeffries - Former child star Roxanne Deveraux is stepping back into the spotlight. Still, the offer to appear on Celebrity Dance is hard to resist—as is Nicholas Torres, her dance partner. But as Roxanne's chaotic past resurfaces and a secret threatens to tear his own family apart, both must weigh old loyalties against the promise of a brilliant future together.

Lust & Loyalty by Shelly Ellis - Evan Murdoch hoped things had finally settled down in his life. But now he’s caught between two feuding women: his pregnant fiancée, and his recovering alcoholic wife who’s fighting their divorce with every dirty, seductive trick she’s got. But even that doesn’t compare to the dangerous secret Evan’s harboring—one that could send a Murdoch to jail for a very long time…

Never Trust a Stranger by Mary Monroe - Best friends Lola Poole and Joan Proctor-Riley have finally found the love and excitement they’ve always longed for. Online-dating an endless line of wealthy, no-strings-attached lovers is the perfect escape from their unfulfilling lives. When rugged trucker Calvin Ramsey comes into Lola’s sights, he’s a surprising answer to all her prayers. What Lola doesn’t know is that Calvin loves women to death—literally. And every caring moment and seductive promise this killer gives her draws both Lola and Joan deeper into his inescapable, fatal fantasy…

No Second Chances by Kate Evangelista - Natasha was devastated when Jackson, her first love, disappeared without a word only to pop up months later as a famous DJ. But now she's over it―over him!―and ready to move on with her life! Isn't she? Jackson thought he was leaving Dodge Cove behind forever when he set off to LA to start his career as a DJ. But the one thing he had never been able to leave behind was the memory of his first love, Natasha, and now that he's proven his success, he's coming home to win her back...

Paint the Stars (Free Fall #3) by Nyrae Dawn & Christina Lee - Ezra Greene has made a pretty decent life for himself. He has a nice apartment and spends his days doing the one thing he’s always loved—creating art. For Daevonte Randall, adulthood has worked out pretty well. What he doesn’t expect is to be so intrigued by the brooding and reserved painter Ezra. As weeks pass, Ezra and Dae get to know each other, their friendship catches fire. But Ezra’s been burned pretty badly before so trust and intimacy has to be earned. Daevonte feels up to the task, but it proves difficult as Ezra continues to keep his emotions in check. Dae’s only willing to wait so long, and when they’re dealt a surprising blow, Ezra needs to decide if love is worth the risk, that is…if it’s not too late.

The Pastor’s Husband by Tiffany L. Warren - Felicia Caldwell has a great job, a healthy bank account, and stunning good looks. But she longs for a husband and family to go along with it. So when charismatic superstar pastor Nya Hempstead declares that partnership is on its way, Felicia is elated—until her life becomes filled with more curses than blessings. Five years later, someone has to pay—and that someone is Nya. Soon, Felicia is moving to Dallas and joins the church led by Nya and her co-pastor husband, Gregory… In the eyes of the public, Nya and Gregory have the perfect life. But their marriage is feeling the strain of Nya’s success. While she’s hitting the talk show circuit and the bestseller list, Gregory is fading into the background. It’s no surprise he enjoys the fawning attention of new church member, Felicia. Little does he know her intentions are far from pure...

Perfect Deception by Lutishia Lovely - She’s smart, gorgeous, and mysterious. For business executive Nathan Carver, a man with everything, Jessica Bolton is the first woman he can’t simply charm, buy, or seduce. But Jessica’s deceptive allure is just the start. With every move, every tantalizing lie, Jessica lures Nathan and his close-knit family into a trap that will dismantle everything they treasure most. Because when it comes to loyalty and love, blood is thicker than water—and no amount of revenge is ever too much…

Playing with Desire by Reese Ryan - Next in line as CEO of his family's international luxury-resort empire, Liam Westbrook didn't make his way to the top playing it safe. So when the fast-living British bachelor spies an exotic beauty under a smoldering North Carolina moon, he makes a scandalous proposal. Maya Alvarez's two young daughters are her entire world. But when she ends up alone—on her birthday—the divorced single mother does something totally out of character. She accepts an invitation that leads to a hot summer fling with a seductive stranger. When Maya must return to the real world, will Liam and their pleasure-fueled fantasy end up as only an affair to remember?

Revenge of the Mistress by Cydney Rax - A mistress-turned-wife with a dream marriage gone wrong. The perfect plan for payback. And fallout so explosive even winning may mean losing it all…

Seduced by the Bachelor by Pamela Yaye - Tatiyana Washington will do whatever it takes to right a wrong for her beloved sister…even if it means deceiving one of LA's most celebrated attorneys, Markos Morretti. The irresistible Italian plays right into her hands when he invites her to be his guest at a celebrity-studded charity golf tournament. Too bad it can never lead to anything permanent. Once Markos discovers they have met under false pretenses, he only desires her more. Markos vows that two can play at this game, until a brewing political scandal threatens his career ambitions. Faced with an impossible decision, will he choose the promise of love?

Silver Silence by Nalini Singh - Control. Precision. Family. These are the principles that drive Silver Mercant. At a time when the fledgling Trinity Accord seeks to unite a divided world, wildness and chaos are the last things she needs in her life. But that’s exactly what Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater Bears, brings with him. But when a shadow assassin almost succeeds in poisoning Silver, the stakes become deadly serious…and Silver finds herself in the heart of a powerful bear clan. Her would-be assassin has no idea what their poison has unleashed...

The Mark by Kiki Swinson - Identity thief Lauren Kelly thought she was safe. The millions she stole from her double-crossing accomplice and ex-lover Matt Connors bought a quiet upscale life for her, her unsuspecting new husband Drake, and their precious baby. But betrayal was just the start. When both Drake and the baby go missing, it’s courtesy of a vengeful Matt. Now Lauren lives to hunt Matt down. She’ll strip away his fortune, work all his weaknesses—and destroy his every strength. But she’s heading straight into an insidious trap that could turn sweet revenge into mutually-assured destruction...

This is Love by Nana Malone & Sienna Mynx - Valentine's Day holds sensual and sexy surprises in these two irresistible stories, Illusion of Love and From My Heart.

To Me I Wed by K.M. Jackson - She's done, finished, had it. Between her family’s expectations and being always-a-bridesmaid, Lily Perry is fed up with being nagged to find a husband. So she’s going to settle the issue once and for all: by marrying herself. And celebrated chef Vincent Caro's fabulous restaurant is the perfect place for a big-time, blow-out, not-hearing-it-any-more wedding. Lily doesn't care if everyone thinks she's crazy. Especially when Vince’s mouth-watering talent and no-commitments style ignites one sizzling, no-strings fling, or two…or more. But the more Vincent helps Lily tackle unexpected trouble, the more he finds she might be everything he’s ever wanted. Can they both take a risk to discover if what they have is meant to last long after the dessert course?

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon - Told in alternating perspectives, When Dimple Met Rishi focuses on two Indian-American teens whose parents have arranged for them to be married.

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones - 19-year-old Liesl must venture to the Underground when her sister Käthe is taken by the goblins. The Goblin King agrees to let Käthe go—for a price. In exchange for her sister’s freedom, Liesl offers her hand in marriage to the Goblin King. He accepts. As the two of them grow closer, they must learn just what it is they are each willing to sacrifice: her life, her music, or the end of the world.

Wives, Fiancees, and Side-Chicks of Hotlanta by Shree Whitfield - Sasha Wellington has put herself on the fast track to success. When fate points her to Atlanta, she sets out to make her dreams come true…Before she knows it, Sasha’s befriended by two rival BFFs. Between their antics, Sasha’s beyond grateful for her coworker, Casey. Married to an NBA player, Casey’s got class. But there’s more than meets the eye to being a baller’s wife. And the more time Sasha spends among the movers and shakers, the clearer it gets that just like on reality TV, the truth lies behind-the-scenes. Still, she’s not worried about getting caught up in the drama—until she’s romanced by a baller of her own. Can she stick to her game plan, or will Hotlanta derail her future—and reveal a side of herself even she didn’t know existed?

#authors of color #romance #romance genre #book recommendations #stay tuned for more lists #my general adult fiction list has over 200 titles #screams #why do i do this #both the kimani romance and dafina imprints do a great job finding poc models #i don't wanna hear any more publisher bullshit about not being to find models #when only two out of these forty covers don't have models

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lodelss · 5 years

Text

ACLU: Four Lawyers. Four Projects. One Non-Stop Year.

Four Lawyers. Four Projects. One Non-Stop Year.

Chase Strangio

Deputy Director for Transgender Justice, LGBT and HIV Project

What was your favorite moment of 2019?

What was the biggest challenge?

This was a challenging year. Two things stand out: The Supreme Court taking on the Title VII cases and the increasing attacks on trans people in sports.

How will the outcome of the 2020 election affect trans rights?

How do you unwind after preparing for a big case?

What got you into this work?

Brigitte Amiri

Deputy Director of the Reproductive Freedom Project

What was the biggest challenge of 2019?

What will 2020 look like for abortion rights?

What got you interested in reproductive freedom?

Is there a particular client from 2019 who stands out?

Personally, my favorite moment of 2019 was calling the clinic and telling them the good news that the judge blocked the state abortion ban.

Dale Ho

Director of the Voting Rights Project

What was your favorite moment of 2019?

What was the most important legal win?

How do you handle stress when you’re on the road?

How will the presidential election affect the Voting Rights Project?

What do you look forward to in 2020?

Omar Jadwat

Director of the Immigrants’ Rights Project

What is one moment from 2019 that stands out to you?

What was the biggest challenge?

How has IRP’s work changed this year?

What got you into immigrants’ rights?

What do you look forward to in 2020?

Published December 20, 2019 at 10:39PM via ACLU https://ift.tt/34DCIp7 from Blogger https://ift.tt/2MhY30R via IFTTT

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maxwellyjordan · 4 years

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Symposium: A resounding rejection of Trump’s authoritarian approach to the presidency

Jamila Benkato and Ben Berwick are counsels, and Justin Florence is legal director, at Protect Democracy. They filed an amicus brief on behalf of former Republican members of Congress, former executive branch members under Republican administrations, and legal experts in support of the respondent in Trump v. Vance.

There has been much focus in the immediate commentary on whether the decisions in Trump v. Vance and Trump v. Mazars are a “win” or “loss” for President Donald Trump. Experts are already gaming out when various documents might be turned over on remand, who might get to see them, and what the decisions mean about a possible criminal indictment sometime during Trump’s presidency. But the decisions should also be assessed in the context of Trump’s overarching approach to his office. And taking that view, Thursday’s rulings mark a full repudiation of Trump’s monarchic view of the presidency.

The fundamental principle underlying our Constitution is that elected representatives hold office to serve the public. This applies particularly to the president, as reflected in Article II’s take care clause and oath of office, which insist on the president’s duty to uphold the law in good faith. (Justice Elena Kagan’s opinion in Seila Law v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau last week built out this point, drawing on recent historical scholarship).

This is not how Donald Trump views the presidency. A central throughline in Trump’s approach has been his view that the presidency is a tool to personally empower him and provide him with an unlimited ability to protect his interests and punish his perceived enemies. This approach is rooted in a vision of government common to autocracies: that the vast power of the state exists to serve the president’s own personal and political interests, rather than the interests of the country. Daniel Ziblatt, co-author of “How Democracies Die,” put it this way: “[T]his is something that authoritarians always do. They try to transform neutral institutions into their favor.”

So it is no surprise that Trump argued in Vance and Mazars that, because he holds the office of the presidency, he and his personal interests are absolutely immune from investigation by state and local law enforcement or by Congress.

The president’s arguments in these cases are part of a long list of matters in which Trump and his lawyers have sought to place the president above all accountability. In episode after episode, Trump has flipped on its head the Founders’ and the Constitution’s views about the role of our elected representatives. In Vance and Mazars, Trump attempted to use the presidency as a shield to protect his personal business interests. But the president has also claimed an “absolute right” to control the Department of Justice for his benefit — a right extending to shutting down investigations into the president and his associates that might bring to light wrongdoing by the president. Trump’s personal attorney has argued that Trump can shut down any DOJ investigation, and Trump has explicitly claimed the authority to use official powers to instruct DOJ officials to pursue more lenient sentencing recommendations for his political allies. If all else fails, Trump and his attorneys have asserted that he has “absolute right” to pardon himself for any lawbreaking.

Indeed, on the day that the Supreme Court released its two blockbuster decisions dealing with one aspect of Trump’s argument for an unchecked presidency, Geoffrey Berman, the former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, testified about Attorney General William Barr’s efforts to force him out while he was investigating Trump-related matters. Also on the same day, a federal judge sought further appellate review of the Michael Flynn criminal case in which Trump appears to have intervened to let an ally off the hook.

One core feature of Trump’s what’s-in-it-for-me approach to the presidency has been his apparent hope that occupying the Oval Office provides him a get-out-of-jail-free card from serious investigation. We’ve seen that in his defense to impeachment, his manipulation of the Justice Department, his stone-walling of congressional oversight, and his talk of self-pardons (or similarly problematic self-protective pardons).

Trump and his lawyers have played their cards well, and until now they’ve avoided testing Trump’s autocratic approach to the presidency in the Supreme Court. In fact, they’ve consistently claimed that courts have no business determining the limits of presidential power or ruling on whether and how Congress can serve as a check on the president (another argument that was dealt a substantial blow today). But it’s long been clear that at some point the court would weigh in on the limits of Trump’s monarchical claim to being above the law.

We first saw a version of this argument teed up in a defamation lawsuit filed in New York state court by Summer Zervos, a former contestant on “The Apprentice.” Although the context was different from that of Vance, there too Trump made stunningly broad claims of presidential immunity — arguing that the president is completely immune from being sued in state court even when the lawsuit concerns pre-office conduct. He made the same arguments in another New York state case regarding alleged wrongdoing at the Trump Foundation. Our organization filed amicus briefs in both cases on behalf of three scholars who had been amici in Clinton v. Jones. As they explained (again), “No one in our nation is above the law, not even the President.” The court in Zervos agreed, holding that “though he is tasked with significant responsibilities, the President is still a person, and he is not above the law.”

President Trump didn’t heed the New York court’s warning. Trump has pressed similar arguments against congressional oversight (even in the impeachment context) and criminal investigation at every level — his lawyers have even gone so far as to suggest that Trump could not be held accountable for murder committed in broad daylight. As in Zervos, Trump’s view has been repeatedly rejected by federal courts — in New York and D.C., and at the district and appellate level. Now the Supreme Court has spoken and — as it had to — entirely rejected Trump’s extreme argument for a presidency immune from any checks.

As the court recognized in Vance, Trump’s argument for immunity was deeply ahistorical — presidents have been investigated and made to give evidence many times before (and here, we should remember, the New York grand jury subpoenaed a third party, not the president). We filed an amicus brief in Vance on behalf of 37 former Republican members of Congress, former officials in Republican administrations, and legal experts. As the brief argued,

… dating back to the early days of the Republic, courts have balanced the legitimate need to avoid interfering unduly with the president’s duties against the recognition that justice may require that the president be subject to some process. This functional approach to official immunity — repeatedly applied to sitting presidents — rests on the premise that ours is a government of laws, not of men, and that the mere holding of high office cannot excuse an individual from the testimonial duties common to all Americans.

It is critical that the Supreme Court agreed and concluded that Trump’s argument for absolute immunity is inconsistent with the basic framework of U.S. democracy. The Vance majority opinion is deeply rooted in history. Spending over six pages detailing United States v. Burr, an 1807 case involving a subpoena to President Thomas Jefferson, the majority made clear that the historical precedent weighed decidedly in one direction (and against the president). This led it to the Court’s ultimate conclusion:

Two hundred years ago, a great jurist of our Court established that no citizen, not even the President, is categorically above the common duty to produce evidence when called upon in a criminal proceeding. We reaffirm that principle today and hold that the President is neither absolutely immune from state criminal subpoenas seeking his private papers nor entitled to a heightened standard of need.

To be sure, Chief Justice John Roberts didn’t go so far as to chant “nobody is above the law,” but the concluding paragraphs in his majority opinion make this point loud and clear.

This victory is an important one for the rule of law. But it should fool no one into thinking that Trump will begin behaving as if he is subject to any check on his power. There’s much to worry about and still so much damage Trump can do, including the risk of using his office to interfere in a free and fair election. It’s critical that Congress, state and local officials, federal officials, civil society and, ultimately, the public continue to act as a strong check on his autocratic vision of the presidency. But for now, we can breathe a small sigh of relief: Thursday’s decisions make clear that Trump has not yet corrupted the Constitution or supplanted the basic principle that those in office are bound by the same laws as the rest of us.

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