The Supremes

[Dnaguy 11599]

On 5/11/2023 at 8:38 AM, WhatTheBuck said:

Here’s the full Frontline doc on Clarence and Ginni.

 

Of course Ginni Thomas joined a cult.

Christ. 

These people are sad. I mean, their whole life is one of a warped existence. Anger, self loathing, detachment, and determined. Scary.

[ChuckNorrisActionJeans 2648]

2 hours ago, elfenix said:

That would be Kav. Gorsuch would have gotten on when Kennedy retired rather than Kav. Gorsuch was tops on fuckwad whose parents hated him Leo Leo's list. I think Barrett would probably have been nominated to replace RBG over Kav because replacing a woman with a frat bro would be even worse optics.
 

just speaking to the actual timeline of the stolen Obama pick

[wildcat09 28563]

Huh, I guess a tidal wave of amici that all basically say “what the fuck are you thinking you goddamned lunatics?!” can sway the republicans, at least when they don’t really know what they even want to do and just decided to take a case because Fox News told them to.

[kevwun 15341]

This is what happens when the bribes, I mean gifts, don't show up.

[Horn Under a Bad Sign 20304]

Ballsy. Harlan Crow's letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee argues that Congress has no right to investigate the supreme court.  
 

 

Edited May 23, 2023 by Horn Under a Bad Sign

[wildcat09 28563]

4 minutes ago, Horn Under a Bad Sign said:

Ballsy. Harlan Crow's letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee argues that Congress has no right to investigate the supreme court.  
 

 

I don't care how much a client is paying me, there's no way I'm putting my name on something that stupid.

ETA: Durbin's response really should be something along the lines of this classic:

Edited May 23, 2023 by wildcat09

[GreenspointTexas 9387]

RIP Wetlands in the US

 

jfc

[Horn Under a Bad Sign 20304]

44 minutes ago, GreenspointTexas said:

RIP Wetlands in the US

 

jfc

Yup.  Kagan's dissent is awesome.
 

 

[Foosters 17638]

Any of our resident right wing lurkers want to explain to us why you like that decision? Besides owning the libs, I mean.

[SydneyCarton 47486]

24 minutes ago, Foosters said:

Any of our resident right wing lurkers want to explain to us why you like that decision? Besides owning the libs, I mean.

Allow me to put on my robe and wizard hat:

"regulation is tyranny and I want to be free."

Edited May 25, 2023 by SydneyCarton

[DigglerontheHoof 20600]

We are so fucked. 

[tx 3 putt 75570]

38 minutes ago, Foosters said:

Any of our resident right wing lurkers want to explain to us why you like that decision? Besides owning the libs, I mean.

clean water act is a heavy burden for all industries. They just gutted it and the southern gulf coast states will give industries a free pass 

Edited May 25, 2023 by tx 3 putt

[Hefeweizen 5230]

Unfortunately it’s one of the best pieces of legislation the US ever introduced.  It’s part of the reason quality of life is so high around water these days.  
 

And I battle WOTUS stuff all the time.  But it’s good law and creates an healthy conflict for development to fight.

[tx 3 putt 75570]

The Koch family just got the return on their investment 

[SydneyCarton 47486]

13 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

The Koch family just got the return on their investment 

They've been getting the return on their investment(s) for fucking decades, man. 

[tx 3 putt 75570]

4 minutes ago, SydneyCarton said:

They've been getting the return on their investment(s) for fucking decades, man. 

[HenryJames 65567]

 

[kevwun 15341]

Well you see, wetlands can't be considered to be a body of water unless puddles are also given the same distinction.  The law is whatever the 5 jackasses on the Supreme Court were bribed to say it is.

Edited May 25, 2023 by kevwun

[jimmyjazz 45212]

15 minutes ago, kevwun said:

Well you see, wetlands can't be considered to be a body of water unless puddles are also given the same distinction.  The law is whatever the 5 jackasses on the Supreme Court were bribed to say it is.

The Founding Fathers were clear that puddles are "bodies of water".  Checkmate, libtard.

[Longhorn_Fan68 33723]

water is not wet. it makes things wet. therefore fuck water

Signed,
Our bought and paid for SCOTUS

[elfenix 34129]

 

jUdGeS nEeD tO sToP lEgIsLaTiNg FrOm ThE bEnCh

[tx 3 putt 75570]

not shocked ....

 

[Horn Dog 9473]

Someone should start a fund to buy up property near the activist SC justice’s homes/vacation properties and turn them into hellhole toxic dumps.   

[Nivek 16691]

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if the court reversed the Emancipation Proclamation.  

[Goofyboy 3013]

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if the court reversed the Emancipation Proclamation.  

Child labor laws are being re-written. Slavery is next. Most likely it will be an expanded version of prison labor.

[Woland 715]

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if the court reversed the Emancipation Proclamation.  

It’s not originalist!

[HenryJames 65567]

 

[BevoAbyss 1974]

Friends, the Supreme Court rulings do not exist in a vacuum. Sorry for long post, but it is necessary.

We're witnessing a massive intellectual collapse in a huge of swath of America: 45-60% of citizens. Building for decades. From the Supreme Court on down to the average Karen/Kevin who have colonized the internet and social media. The end game can only be total destruction. 

Cause of Collapse

— Collapse was born in the erosion/entropy of any unifying secular narrative, at least anything beyond endless entertainment and consumption to show tribal identities. The last time Americans were mostly united on something was likely the Apollo moon landing. But TV and cable soon fragmented American consciousness and the internet completed the project.

— Collapse was amplified post-2000 by social media and the weaponization of religion, seeking to impose itself in the secular void it is helping to create. 

— Art and science have mostly failed on the secular narrative, despite the incredible achievements and discoveries of science. A rising percentage (30%+) of Americans are not religious, but can only find secular narratives among some Superhero films/comics. The majestic awe-inspiring universe should be the ground for a unifying narrative, but philosophers are utterly dropping the ball.

— Plus, few people will accept (much less embrace) being not central to society or the universe/or being utterly insignificant. Religion's big promise is God making the believer feel important/central to society and the universe, with an eternal destiny.

(There's a way out with no religion, but that is another long post.)

Effect of Collapse

— The collapse is reflected in the inability of 150+ million Americans to think based on evidence and logic, apart from sheer emotion and reaction now amplified by social media. Unable to think clearly and consistently, unable to separate image from empirical truth, screens from reality. Images and screens are now used to construct mental realities/conspiracies utterly detached from actual reality. Add on Bible-thumping weaponry and you have a virulent, deadly formula. Disneyland, Vegas strip, Times Square, the Super Bowl, these are the symbols and masks for the artificial delusions and mediated/manufactured "events" that dominant our consciousness and culture on an everyday basis.

— I have seen this absolutely with friends and relatives, plus all across culture. Trump-MAGA-GQP is the latest stage of this process, but not the first nor the last. Trump-MAGA-GQP exist alongside WWF, Dancing with the Stars, Masked Singer, Kardashians, American Idol, Ancient Aliens, Bigfoot Hunters, NASCAR, SyFy, UFO conspiracies—the list is endless. There is damn near zero legit science on TV or streaming compared to paranormal-conspiracy-celebrity idiocy.

Conclusion

When something is collapsing, it eventually hits bottom, with the end result being total destruction. TOTAL

From the Supreme Court on down. That means the destruction of reason, logic, truth, facts, evidence, human rights, legal principles, and civil liberties. Destruction of private sanity and public safety (hence the worship of guns, violence) go together, along with destruction of peace and quiet, destruction of civility and kindness. Destruction of secularism and secular education. The list is goes on, but the destruction of consciousness eventually ends in the total destruction of the environment and Earth's ecosystems.

Hence, the Supreme Court attacking the EPA. Poisoned water is just another step. Climate change? It's far more like climate destruction on a planetary scale. Don't forget the nukes, now back in play. Climate and/or nukes, the final destination is: Planet of the Apes (1968 version)

TLDR: We're seeing a massive intellectual/educational collapse in secular society. Buckle up, more destruction is coming.

Edited May 26, 2023 by BevoAbyss
clarity

[MC Fresh Breath 4074]

On 5/25/2023 at 9:34 AM, DigglerontheHoof said:

We are so fucked. 

Missed this news when it happened.  Man, so depressing.  And yeah, we definitely are fucked.

Edited May 31, 2023 by MC Fresh Breath

[Biff Tannen 45228]

On 5/26/2023 at 4:37 PM, BevoAbyss said:

Friends, the Supreme Court rulings do not exist in a vacuum. Sorry for long post, but it is necessary.

We're witnessing a massive intellectual collapse in a huge of swath of America: 45-60% of citizens. Building for decades. From the Supreme Court on down to the average Karen/Kevin who have colonized the internet and social media. The end game can only be total destruction. 

Cause of Collapse

— Collapse was born in the erosion/entropy of any unifying secular narrative, at least anything beyond endless entertainment and consumption to show tribal identities. The last time Americans were mostly united on something was likely the Apollo moon landing. But TV and cable soon fragmented American consciousness and the internet completed the project.

— Collapse was amplified post-2000 by social media and the weaponization of religion, seeking to impose itself in the secular void it is helping to create. 

— Art and science have mostly failed on the secular narrative, despite the incredible achievements and discoveries of science. A rising percentage (30%+) of Americans are not religious, but can only find secular narratives among some Superhero films/comics. The majestic awe-inspiring universe should be the ground for a unifying narrative, but philosophers are utterly dropping the ball.

— Plus, few people will accept (much less embrace) being not central to society or the universe/or being utterly insignificant. Religion's big promise is God making the believer feel important/central to society and the universe, with an eternal destiny.

(There's a way out with no religion, but that is another long post.)

Effect of Collapse

— The collapse is reflected in the inability of 150+ million Americans to think based on evidence and logic, apart from sheer emotion and reaction now amplified by social media. Unable to think clearly and consistently, unable to separate image from empirical truth, screens from reality. Images and screens are now used to construct mental realities/conspiracies utterly detached from actual reality. Add on Bible-thumping weaponry and you have a virulent, deadly formula. Disneyland, Vegas strip, Times Square, the Super Bowl, these are the symbols and masks for the artificial delusions and mediated/manufactured "events" that dominant our consciousness and culture on an everyday basis.

— I have seen this absolutely with friends and relatives, plus all across culture. Trump-MAGA-GQP is the latest stage of this process, but not the first nor the last. Trump-MAGA-GQP exist alongside WWF, Dancing with the Stars, Masked Singer, Kardashians, American Idol, Ancient Aliens, Bigfoot Hunters, NASCAR, SyFy, UFO conspiracies—the list is endless. There is damn near zero legit science on TV or streaming compared to paranormal-conspiracy-celebrity idiocy.

Conclusion

When something is collapsing, it eventually hits bottom, with the end result being total destruction. TOTAL

From the Supreme Court on down. That means the destruction of reason, logic, truth, facts, evidence, human rights, legal principles, and civil liberties. Destruction of private sanity and public safety (hence the worship of guns, violence) go together, along with destruction of peace and quiet, destruction of civility and kindness. Destruction of secularism and secular education. The list is goes on, but the destruction of consciousness eventually ends in the total destruction of the environment and Earth's ecosystems.

Hence, the Supreme Court attacking the EPA. Poisoned water is just another step. Climate change? It's far more like climate destruction on a planetary scale. Don't forget the nukes, now back in play. Climate and/or nukes, the final destination is: Planet of the Apes (1968 version)

TLDR: We're seeing a massive intellectual/educational collapse in secular society. Buckle up, more destruction is coming.

Ok, so what's the bad news?

[Al Bundy's Napoleon Hand 13485]

I'll add MTV replacing music videos with The Real Fake Roommate Fight World alongside Dancing With The Stars being a viable, much less successful, tv show in a functioning democracy being as a Rubicon.

[gmr548 16316]

This Sackett ruling is an absolute disaster. One of this court’s worst, and I’m aware of the weight of that statement.

I thought the post above about puddles was a joke. My god.

[TwiceHorn 30851]

4 minutes ago, gmr548 said:

This Sackett ruling is an absolute disaster. One of this court’s worst, and I’m aware of the weight of that statement.

I thought the post above about puddles was a joke. My god.

Actually, it's not.  The reason being, if we had a functioning Congress, they could fix this tomorrow.  This is just statutory interpretation, it doesn't require a constitutional amendment to fix, like Roe/Dobbs would, or the first amendment/election spending regulation cases.

 

[Al Bundy's Napoleon Hand 13485]

The reason you gave started with an "if", meaning the original description was accurate. Also, it doesn't even address the issue of a functioning Supreme Court.

[TwiceHorn 30851]

32 minutes ago, Al Bundy's Napoleon Hand said:

The reason you gave started with an "if", meaning the original description was accurate. Also, it doesn't even address the issue of a functioning Supreme Court.

Prompts an interesting question, should a Supreme Court, of any makeup, take into account whether Congress is "functional" or not and can fix their own screwups.

Because the question in Sackett had nothing to do with the definition of wetlands, or puddles, or adjacent.  The question really was, what does "waters of the United States" mean?  And, in my opinion, that was a goofy-ass way of defining what waters the CWA could regulate.

[Gengs1 2583]

Pretty good listen about Clearance and the documentary coming out in a a week.

 https://www.npr.org/2023/05/31/1179107254/clarence-ginni-thomas-path-to-power
 

what was shocking to me was that after his confirmation hearing he stopped reading or listening to news, canceled all newspaper suspicions and he got his news from 2 sources

1. his crazy wife 

2. Rush rest in piss Limbaugh, yes that’s right he was influencing him as well. He would have his staff tape Rush show so he could listen to it later. You read that right 

[Js1 83685]

12 hours ago, Al Bundy's Napoleon Hand said:

The reason you gave started with an "if", meaning the original description was accurate. Also, it doesn't even address the issue of a functioning Supreme Court.

Oh I'd argue it's functioning *exactly* as the majority wants it 

[gmr548 16316]

Actually, it's not.  The reason being, if we had a functioning Congress, they could fix this tomorrow.  This is just statutory interpretation, it doesn't require a constitutional amendment to fix, like Roe/Dobbs would, or the first amendment/election spending regulation cases.
 

Congress could fix Dobbs tomorrow too. That didn’t make it not a terrible ruling. And yeah, as mentioned already, beyond that conceptual truth Congress is unlikely to fix anything because of the political reality that the GOP will be controlling one or both chambers for the foreseeable future. They exist to obstruct problem solving.

Meanwhile, it’s now open season on wetlands, which are ecologically crucial and among the most efficient carbon sinks in existence. Unlike Dobbs the consequences of this will sail right over the heads of most Americans, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t very real and very severe.

[TwiceHorn 30851]

47 minutes ago, gmr548 said:

Congress could fix Dobbs tomorrow too. That didn’t make it not a terrible ruling. And yeah, as mentioned already, beyond that conceptual truth Congress is unlikely to fix anything because of the political reality that the GOP will be controlling one or both chambers for the foreseeable future. They exist to obstruct problem solving.

Meanwhile, it’s now open season on wetlands, which are ecologically crucial and among the most efficient carbon sinks in existence. Unlike Dobbs the consequences of this will sail right over the heads of most Americans, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t very real and very severe.

Actually, I'm not really sure Congress could fix Roe/Dobbs.

People talk about federal legislation in this area all the time, but I'm not sure it would be valid.  Part of the reason Roe was legally controversial in the first place is that this is an area traditionally reserved for the states, and without a constitutionally protected privacy interest, there's no real basis for federal legislation.  I guess iNtERstAte cOmMerCe!

[jimmyjazz 45212]

Congress is a political body.  (Two political bodies.)  SCOTUS should be above politics.  It should be about the law, not reimagining the law to favor a particular political ideology. 

Saying that Sackett is no big deal because in another world Congress could fix it is backwards, in my opinion.  We shouldn't expect Congress to fix bad court behavior.  We should expect the court to get it right.

(Yeah, I know, checks and balances.)

[TwiceHorn 30851]

6 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

Congress is a political body.  (Two political bodies.)  SCOTUS should be above politics.  It should be about the law, not reimagining the law to favor a particular political ideology. 

Saying that Sackett is no big deal because in another world Congress could fix it is backwards, in my opinion.  We shouldn't expect Congress to fix bad court behavior.  We should expect the court to get it right.

(Yeah, I know, checks and balances.)

I didn't say it wasn't a big deal.  I took issue with whether it is among the worst decisions ever.

If they had ruled that Congress cannot constitutionally regulate entirely intrastate bodies of water, THAT would be a disastrous decision.

As it stands, they just interpreted a statute.  A statute that Congress can fix immediately, at least in theory.

Citizens United is a disastrous decision because there's no legislative recourse.  Or almost none, anyway.

Edited June 1, 2023 by TwiceHorn

[wildcat09 28563]

15 hours ago, TwiceHorn said:

Actually, it's not.  The reason being, if we had a functioning Congress, they could fix this tomorrow.  This is just statutory interpretation, it doesn't require a constitutional amendment to fix, like Roe/Dobbs would, or the first amendment/election spending regulation cases.

 

I don't know why you seriously believe this. Congress very clearly meant to protect wetlands and the Republican justices didn't give a fuck because they don't want the government protecting wetlands. If Congress passes a bill tomorrow that says "no, seriously, we meant it!" there's nothing to stop them from responding with "we still don't give a fuck!"

Edited June 1, 2023 by wildcat09

[Satchel 6903]

From the NYT:

Justice Clarence Thomas delayed releasing his annual financial disclosure form with the justices on Wednesday after recent revelations cast scrutiny on his travel, gifts and real estate dealings with a conservative billionaire donor from Texas.

Like Justice Thomas, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. also asked for a 90-day extension to file the forms, which detail gifts, investments and other financial holdings, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, which handles the financial forms and the database where they are publicly disclosed.

 

The financial disclosures, particularly that of Justice Thomas, have drawn heightened interest after reports that Harlan Crow, a Texas billionaire and longtime Republican donor, had hosted Justice Thomas on luxury vacations aboard his superyacht, flown him on his private jet and paid private school tuition for the justice’s nephew. Mr. Crow also bought the justice’s childhood home, where his mother still lives, according to ProPublica. Justice Thomas did not include those dealings on his financial disclosures

[HRSchenker 2224]

Holy shit the court ruled for Jack Daniels in the Bad Spaniels dog toy case. Unanimous opinion. 

[jimmyjazz 45212]

SCOTUS actually makes a principled stand in ruling that Alabama must create another district that primarily serves Black voters:

Alabama redistricting case

[Js1 83685]

Just now, jimmyjazz said:

SCOTUS actually makes a principled stand in ruling that Alabama must create another district that primarily serves Black voters:

Alabama redistricting case

[The Royal We 3051]

An attempted make up call by Roberts imo. 

[Js1 83685]

That could def have some ripples into TX, MS, LA, GA, FL and SC

2-4 new majority black seats, which would be +2-4 net Dem seats 

[wildcat09 28563]

 

 

Roberts and Kav are going to try a half-assed switch in time to try to fend off ethical oversight and reform. But "ok you can have a little Voting Rights Act, when it doesn't matter because we ordered the illegal maps to be used already, as a treat" isn't nearly enough.

[Biff Tannen 45228]

1 hour ago, Js1 said:

That could def have some ripples into TX, MS, LA, GA, FL and SC

2-4 new majority black seats, which would be +2-4 net Dem seats 

Why are Rs not just going to ignore this?  Who would enforce it?