My settled routine is more or less back, which is a blessing. It enables me to stop and knit a little, or bead a little, or eve play a computer game a little. And those little breaks keep me going. There’s pretty much good news today. It’s all in the nature of clawing one more step forward from having been pushed two steps back … but it’s all good nonetheless. Happy Juneteenth (observed) to all.
Cartoon
Short Takes
The Hill – Supreme Court upholds ObamaCare in 7-2 ruling
Quote: “We do not reach these questions of the Act’s validity, however, for Texas and the other plaintiffs in this suit lack the standing necessary to raise them,” Justice Stephen Breyer wrote for the majority.
Click through to see which Trump**-appointed Justice(s) voted the right way. You know at least one did, just by the numbers.
Sojourners – JUNETEENTH: ‘HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS’
Juneteenth is, of course, tomorrow. But it has been announced that the Federal Government will celebrate it today. So here is a very personal yet also historical article about the first one.
Quote: The next day, Friday, June 19, when Granger arrived, the more than 1,000 enslaved people working in Galveston’s ports, houses, hotels, cotton fields, and barber and smithing shops would have witnessed thousands of Black men in blue uniforms as far as the eye could see as their liberators…. It was the beautiful presence of authoritative Black bodies that made these words real.
Click through for the full story.
Crooks and Liars – Teachers Push Back On GOP ‘Critical Race Theory’ Nonsense
Quote: Teachers across the country have spoken out against bills like [Texas] S.B. 2202, with thousands gathering in more than 20 cities last weekend for a National Day of Action organized by the Zinn Education Project, which publishes educational materials based on Howard Zinn’s “A People’s History of the United States” and other writings. Several thousand educators have also signed a pledge stating, “We, the undersigned educators, refuse to lie to young people about U.S. history and current events—regardless of the law.”
Click through for more detail. Howard Zinn rocks, so if you haven’t read his “people’s histry” you may want to look it up.
Food for Thought
10 Responses to “Open Thread for June 18, 2021”
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I am glad thread that some normalcy has returned to your life. Breathe.
Junteenth is tomorrow, but today’s commemoration strikes me as weird.
ACA: Kavanazi and Barrett surprise. But, the news is good.
Sojourners: 2,000 black soldiers! And, the original, handwritten (duh!) order has been found in the congressional archives. And, sadly, it’s Texas, so of course they would not have announced the emancipation until forced to do so.
C&L: 2202? Hey it’s still Texas, where the GQP folks have not learned a thing about being good citizens. Zinn’s book is wonderful. I am glad to read that there is a Zinn Education Project.
FFT: Again, funny, but sad.
Now, Mitch, you know if we celebreate holidays on weekends no one g4ts a day off. And we can’t have that!
Cartoon: YAY!!!
TH: YAY II
Sojourners: Love reading the last sentence of article. BTW…what a story of how Texas is. To this day. Ugh!
C&L: Proud of the educators who signed the pledge. It makes a difference, imho. Meanwhile…here in Texas we’re plumb full of liars and thieves. And the R’s don’t care either, of what we think either.
Cartoon: Yep.
Happy Juneteenth! to all.
Glad to read of your settled routine today. That sounds good. Hope the rest of your day goes well too.
TJI: “Governor Greg Abbott says Texas will spend $250,000,000 on a “down payment” for a state border wall. He’s also asking for donations of land and cash. The state has spent $0 to help Texans pay the $18Bsurge in utility bills. ~ Sawyer Hackett ~2. “Biden may be the president most temperamentally suited to the job since Eisenhower.” ~ George Conway ~3. “The Texas power grid can handle heating and cooling as long as it isn’t hot or cold.” ~ The Hoarse Whisperer 4. David Gosar, embarrassed brother of Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ): “On behalf of the actual sane members of our family, which is everyone but Paul, we apologize … to [D.C. Officer Fanone] for his despicable comments and disgraceful conduct through this whole incident.” ~ The Recount ~
5. “I can’t believe it. Texans can carry handguns without a license or training starting Sept. 1.” ~ Terry R. ~
Sorry about my TJI run off sentences, my bad.
No worries, Pat, they are perfectly legible.
TJI #1 – Well, of course not. Does Texas ever pay for anything good for the people? (I don’t mean to single out Texas – there are other states which fit this profile.)
TJI #2 – Interesting observation. I always think interms of competence, and I guess temperament is a part of what makes that happen.
(EDit – maybe it’s not exactly temperament, or not all temperament. Maybe it’s no “daddy issues.”)
TJI #3 – No kidding. I suppose it’s something.
TJI #4 – I did know the rest of the family is sane, and can only wonder about Paul. Was he dropped on his head as a baby?
TJI #5 – Oh no. Is that open, concealed, or both (maybe you alread had open)? I can’t keep track of these details.
TJI #1 – $250 MILLION for a border wall – but ZERO to correct their electric grid.
Sounds about right … for Texas. (Apologies – and condolences – to all Democrats living in Texas.)
TJI #4 – Appreciate the siblings apologizing for their brother – and calling Rep. Gosar (QAnon – AZ) a “Pathological Liar”.
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/558952-gosars-brothers-apologize-on-behalf-of-the-actual-sane-members-of-our-family
SCOTUS favoring ObamaCare in 7-2 vote.
Congress making Juneteenth a Federal holiday
And teachers setting Rethuglicans straight WRT Critical Race Theory
Now THAT’S a Good News Roundup if I’ve ever seen one!
Isn’t it! I did think we were dues for one.
Cartoon: Ratified by too few.
TH: By avoiding the constitutional challenge and telling these states they lack “necessary standing” (whatever that means) SCOTUS has made it easy for all but two die-hard conservatives to let Obama Care stand as is. Another blow to Republicans. Well, at least to those that still remember that it once was one of their pet projects. They’ve got other things on their mind now.
Sojourners: What a strange compromise, making Juneteenth a federal holiday but a day early. Oh well, it’s the thought that counts, so good news.
C&L: Kudos to those thousands of teacher. I bet they don’t teach in any of Betty DeVos’ special schools.
FFT: In the alter universe, the former guy still rules.
The Hill: Good for them. Glad that it did. So many will benefit from it.
Sojourners: Great watching President Biden signing it into action yesterday. Long overdue.
C and L: Way to go. I too am proud of the educators who signed the pledge.
Food for Thought: Sick to think they still play a major role. Dump them now.
So happy to hear that things are going nicely for you, Joanne. You’ve been so busy with taking full charge with Politics Plus, besides all of your other posts at this site. I hope it continues going smoothly for you.
Happy Juneteenth to everyone.
Take care. Thanks Joanne