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Republicans are totally ignoring the 2018 election
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Huge Victory In North Carolina
In a critical victory for fair elections and the rule of law, North Carolina voters have elected civil rights crusader Anita Earls as the next Democratic justice of the state Supreme Court. Just as importantly, voters overwhelmingly rejected two deceptively written constitutional amendments that Republicans had put on the ballot so they could pack that very same court to stop it from curtailing their worst-in-the-nation gerrymandering and voter suppression. Furthermore, voters rejected Republican legislators' ploy to usurp Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's power to appoint the state Board of Elections in their quest to prevent Democrats from expanding early voting.
Indeed, Earls' victory over GOP Justice Barbara Jackson, which was astonishingly aided by a GOP election-rigging scheme blowing up in their faces, expands the Democratic majority to five seats over just two Republicans. And because voters rejected an amendment that would have effectively gerrymandered the judicial branch by letting the GOP-gerrymandered legislature assume Cooper’s authority to fill judicial vacancies, Republicans can’t use their unconstitutionally gerrymandered supermajorities to pack the state Supreme Court in a December lame-duck legislative session and return it to a Republican majority as they had planned.
Nevertheless, Tuesday wasn't a complete victory for North Carolina voting rights, since voters approved the GOP's photo voter ID amendment by an 11-point margin. Republicans will hold a lame-duck session before losing their power to override Cooper's expected veto, and it's likely that they will craft the voter ID requirement in a suppressive fashion, just like their invalidated 2013 voter ID statute that a federal court struck down for targeting black voters "with almost surgical precision."
However, now that Earls, a civil rights lawyer who has fought and won cases against out-of-control North Carolina Republicans on gerrymandering and voting rights, will soon sit on the bench, the end of this decade’s GOP efforts to eviscerate democracy may finally be in sight. That’s because Earls and her fellow Democratic justices could use North Carolina's state constitutional guarantee of "free" elections to deem gerrymandering unconstitutional, following the lead of Pennsylvania's Democratic Supreme Court, and they could even mitigate the damage of voter ID by relying on the the state constitution's right to vote.
Most importantly, because the U.S. Supreme Court is likely to let such rulings stand due to federalism, North Carolina elections could become much freer and fairer as soon as 2020.
Source DailyKos
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Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order that would end birthright citizenship — and set off a constitutional battle.
President Trump plans to sign an executive order that would remove the right to citizenship for babies of non-citizens born on U.S. soil, he said yesterday in an exclusive interview for "Axios on HBO," a new four-part documentary news series debuting on HBO this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT.
- Why it matters, from Axios' Jonathan Swan and Stef Kight: This would be the most dramatic move yet in Trump's hardline immigration campaign, this time targeting "anchor babies" and "chain migration."
- And it will set off another stand-off with the courts, as Trump’s power to do this through executive action is debatable to say the least.
See the video in the Axios stream. Media must credit "Axios on HBO."
Trump told Swan and Axios CEO Jim VandeHei that he has run the idea of ending birthright citizenship by his counsel and plans to proceed with the highly controversial move, which certainly will face legal challenges.
- "It was always told to me that you needed a constitutional amendment. Guess what? You don't," Trump said, declaring he can do it by executive order.
When Swan says that's very much in dispute, Trump replied: "You can definitely do it with an act of Congress. But now they're saying I can do it just with an executive order."
- "We're the only country in the world where a person comes in and has a baby, and the baby is essentially a citizen of the United States ... with all of those benefits," Trump continued. "It's ridiculous. It's ridiculous. And it has to end."
- "It's in the process. It'll happen ... with an executive order."
The president expressed surprise that Swan knew about his secret plan: "I didn't think anybody knew that but me. I thought I was the only one."
- Behind the scenes: Swan had been working for weeks on a story on Trump’s plans for birthright citizenship, based on conversations with several sources — including one close to the White House Counsel’s office.
- The story wasn’t ready for prime time, but Swan figured he'd spring the question on Trump in the interview.
The legal challenges would force the courts to decide on a constitutional debate over the 14th Amendment, which says:
- "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."
Be smart: Few immigration and constitutional scholars believe it is within the president's power to change birthright citizenship, former U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services chief counsel Lynden Melmed tells Axios.
- But some conservatives have argued that the 14th Amendment was only intended to provide citizenship to children born in the U.S. to lawful permanent residents — not to unauthorized immigrants or those on temporary visas.
- John Eastman, a constitutional scholar and director of Chapman University's Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence, told Axios that the Constitution has been misapplied over the past 40 or so years. He says the line "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" originally referred to people with full, political allegiance to the U.S. — green card holders and citizens.
Michael Anton, a former national security official in the Trump administration, recently took up this argument in the Washington Post.
- Anton said that Trump could, via executive order, "specify to federal agencies that the children of noncitizens are not citizens" simply because they were born on U.S. soil. (It’s not yet clear whether Trump will take this maximalist argument, though his previous rhetoric suggests there’s a good chance.)
- But others — such as Judge James C. Ho, who was appointed by Trump to Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, in New Orleans — say the line in the amendment refers to the legal obligation to follow U.S. laws, which applies to all foreign visitors (except diplomats) and immigrants. He has written that changing how the 14th Amendment is applied would be "unconstitutional."
Between the lines: Until the 1960s, the 14th Amendment was never applied to undocumented or temporary immigrants, Eastman said.
- Between 1980 and 2006, the number of births to unauthorized immigrants — which opponents of birthright citizenship call "anchor babies" — skyrocketed to a peak of 370,000, according to a 2016 study by Pew Research. It then declined slightly during and following the Great Recession.
- The Supreme Court has already ruled that children born to immigrants who are legal permanent residents have citizenship. But those who claim the 14th Amendment should not apply to everyone point to the fact that there has been no ruling on a case specifically involving undocumented immigrants or those with temporary legal status.
The bottom line: If Trump follows through on the executive order, "the courts would have to weigh in in a way they haven't," Eastman said.
- The full interview will air on "Axios on HBO" this Sunday, Nov. 4, at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT.
Source Axios/HBO
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#VoteDownBallot
It is very important you vote #VoteDownBallot
the folks you really impact your life are on the bottom of your ballot
Now This
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the folks you really impact your life are on the bottom of your ballot
Now This
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Houston Chronicle Goes With Beto O’Rourke
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/562a693d35bc0547fc18d81181efa1c7/Beto_and_Cruz_new_MKC_BD_TT.jpg)
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2018’s ‘Rainbow Wave’ Bigger Than Estimated
Even more LGBTQ candidates ran for office in 2018 than had previously been estimated, according to a new report.
Approximately 606 queer and trans people threw their hat in the ring during the midterm elections, per data released by the LGBTQ Victory Fund on Wednesday. That number is far higher than prior tallies. In September, the nonpartisan advocacy group found that 430 LGBTQ hopefuls campaigned this year.
Of the currently estimated total, 390 will compete in the November general election.
The New York Times has dubbed this record-breaking crop of nominees the “rainbow wave.” Although surveys of previous election cycles are far less comprehensive, the previous high was 2016 — when the LGBTQ Victory Fund estimated that 320 LGBTQ people were running. This year’s total nearly doubles that prior benchmark.
Annise Parker, president and CEO of the LGBTQ Victory Fund, said these candidates are “breaking down long-held political barriers” for the LGBTQ community.
“While the numbers themselves are impressive, we are also running for higher-level offices in larger numbers and in places across the country unthinkable just a few years ago,” the former Houston mayor claimed in a statement.
“Whether electing the first openly trans governor in the United States or tripling the number of LGBTQ women in the U.S. Congress, we have an opportunity to turn this Rainbow Wave of LGBTQ candidates into a Rainbow Wave of LGBTQ elected officials on Election Day,” Parker continued.
The updated numbers show queer and trans candidates have largely been embraced by their communities.
In 2018, nearly a third of the 91 LGBTQ people who ran for U.S. Congress made it through to the November general election. That’s 30 people in total. Meanwhile, four of the 10 queer and trans nominees for governor — or 40 percent — will represent their party next month.
The most heartening statistics were at the state level. An estimated 213 of the 299 LGBTQ individuals who ran for the state legislature or other statewide offices will be on the ballot in November — a 71 percent success rate.
Many of these candidates stand a strong shot of winning in a very critical midterm year.
In Colorado’s gubernatorial race, Polis leads Republican challenger Walker Stapleton by 11 points. If those numbers remain steady on election day, the 43-year-old Democrat will be the first gay man to serve as governor of a U.S. state. America’s only LGBTQ governor, incumbent Kate Brown, is ahead by four in Oregon.
Many of these candidates would make history should they win next month. Kansas’ Sharice Davids, who leads Republican Kevin Yoder by six points, would be the first Native American lesbian in U.S. Congress. Gina Ortiz Jones, who trails incumbent GOP candidate Will Hurd in Texas’ 23rd District, is fighting to become the first queer Latina to sit in the national legislature.
But with this year’s groundbreaking successes, LGBTQ hopefuls also suffered some heartbreaking losses. Jess Herbst, the first openly trans mayor in Texas, was voted out in May. Cynthia Nixon missed out on being New York’s first LGBTQ governor after losing by double digits in the Democratic primary.
Advocates predicted queer and trans people, however, would continue to “transform the U.S. Congress and our governors’ mansions” in the coming years.
“It represents an evolution in American politics — with voters choosing out LGBTQ candidates as the solution to the divisiveness and dysfunction we see in Washington and in many of our state capitals,” said Parker, who was one of the first only LGBTQ mayors of a U.S. city.
Queer and trans people have widely cited Donald Trump’s election to the presidency as motivating their bid for office.
Since Trump was inaugurated in January 2017, critics say his administration has worked to unilaterally roll backLGBTQ rights. The president has attempted to ban transgender people from serving openly in the military, rescinded protections for trans students, and allowed health care workers to cite moral objections to refuse care to LGBTQ patients.
Image via Facebook
Source Intomore.com
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Right Wing Witches Respond to Fox News Tucker Carlson
Fox News Report On Witches Attack alleged Sexual Abuser Brett Kavanaugh
More On Tucker Carlson
Mr. Carlson,
My husband and I are fans of your show and we watch it almost every night. I was getting ready to go to bed Friday night, when my husband called my attention to some of your talking points for your show that evening. One of the topics especially caught my attention and I stayed up to listen. This topic was in regards to the Witches of Brooklyn holding a "hexing" ritual for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
You see the topic interested me because I am a witch myself. I am also the founder of an online organization known as Witches of the Craft. We have a following of over 34 million people. Our organization makes up all Religions and Traditions. We have members that are Witches, Wiccans, Baptists, Christians and Catholics. We welcome anyone who is a witch or even just interested in learning about our ways and our practices. When the WOTC (Witches of the Craft) was first formed it was our mission to spread the truth and beauty about our Religion, Witchcraft. I know some in our community would disagree with me that Witchcraft is a Religion but to me it is. Our other goal was to dispel all the old myths and stereotypes that have been associated with Witches and Witchcraft throughout the ages and also by Hollywood.
Witches have always been portrayed in a negative light and that cannot be the furthest from the truth. We have been shown as being evil, dark, nasty, devil worshipping individuals. Which is by no means the truth. I know the public has always even feared the topic of Witchcraft and Witches. The emphasis that was placed on these witches doing this "hexing" ritual only set us back further in our cause and effort to let the public know what witches are really like. We are not evil, we are not dark nasty beings that prey on the innocent. And by no means are there any nice hexes to send to anyone. A hex is sent for the sole purpose of doing harm or causing harm to an individual.
I know you said you were unfamiliar with the topic of Witchcraft. Witchcraft falls under the umbrella term of Paganism. Paganism has been shown to have been one of the oldest religions on this planet. Now you have to keep in mind what I am telling you is the beliefs I was brought up with, I am a Hereditary witch as well as being a gray witch. A Hereditary witch is a witch who comes from a long line of witches in her family. Our history is very sketchy because in the 1600's, the Catholic Church was raising to power. At that time the Church was young and very money hunger. The Pope declared that anyone who did not convert over to the Catholic religion be determined a heathren or a witch and would be put to death. Not only did he do this, he also took all the money and property of the individuals that did not convert, then put them to death. In order for our religion to survive, it had to go underground. Anyone who was found with any of our teachings or writings was also put to death. So witchcraft is basically an oral tradition passed down from one generation to the next. What I know about Witchcraft was passed down to me from my mother and to her from her mother. This is the only way Witchcraft was to survive. If our ancestors had not took the chances they did, then we would have never even known Witchcraft once existed.
Witchcraft has basic tenets that are believed in and followed by all witches. We have laws, Redes and a Code of Chivalry. We are taught to honor the old Gods and follow the teachings of the ways of the Ancients. One of our main tenets is "do as ye will, if it harms none." Most people do not know enough about the Craft to know this tenet even exists, nor do they want to take the time to learn that it exists. Also in the teachings of Witchcraft, you have to study for a year and a day before you can dedicate yourself to The Craft. The extra day is to give the individual time to decide that they are ready to commit to the The Craft. Most people don't know that we believe in a higher power than ourselves. Most people believe The Craft is a Godless religion and it is not. Personally, I believe in the Divine Feminine known as the Goddess. We have a female head (which is primary) but we also have a male figure head as well. The women who are witches tend to lean more toward learning the ways of the Goddess, while the men lean toward the God. We study the Goddesses and the Gods, we abide by their teachings and we are a very strong believers in Karma. Also another tenet, "what you send out, comes back to you three-fold." In other words, if you send out good then good will be returned to you three times over. If you send out evil, evil will return to you three folds overs. It is true we cast spells, make potions and do our rituals. But our rituals and as I have always taught my followers, are to be for the betterment of mankind and the protection of our Mother Earth. That is the reason we were given our powers, for the betterment of mankind and to protect Mother Earth and all of the creatures the Goddess has given us. Our intent is never to cause harm or wish evil upon anyone.
The intent of the Witches of Brooklyn is not standard practice for most witches at all. Personally they baffle me, one of the other laws handed down to us that I did not mention was the Ordains. There are three sets of Ordains. In these Ordains, are guidelines on how a witch is suppose to live among the mundane, among her community and on how she conducts herself. In the Ordains it is stated that a witch should never identify herself or any other witches openly. I have had some come out and ridicule myself for speaking and teaching the Craft. But if someone don't then the truth about Witches and Witchcraft will never be known. But back to the Witches of Brooklyn and their ritual. It makes me wonder if the left has totally come unhinged. They have tried every scare tactic that they can think of to tear down President Trump and everything he has done good for our country. Now they have nothing left but to bring Witchcraft into their fold. Witchcraft being one of the oldest and most feared and misunderstood religions to the fore front once again. To use The Craft as a scare tactic, to make it seem evil and harmful to others. I believe they have. I also believe by their actions they have sent Witchcraft back into the Dark Ages destroying the progress we have made in educating those who wish to know about our Religion.
I know you kept referring to WItchcraft as Dark magick. Dark magick does exist but the witches of the past and the witches of the present do not practice it. The only time a witch would cast a hex or a curse is if one of her loved ones were being unfairly attacked. We would not willingly cast a hex or curse against an innocent being. Again, let me emphasis there is no rainbow colored or nice hexes or curses. They are part of our heritage and our religion but we teach about hexes and curses so that others will know how to defend against such malicious attacks.
I know I had thrown a lot of information at you but I would like for you to see that Witchcraft is not evil nor dark. These witches in Brooklyn are not a true representation of the Witchcraft community. There is a lot more to Witchcraft than I could ever explain to you in an short email. I could write you a book and perhaps then not cover Witchcraft totally. But I would like the record to stand that not all witches are evil and nasty, quite to the contrary. We could be your next door neighbor, your brother, your sister or a close friend and you would never know it. We are just like you and we want to co-exist and live in peace. Most of all we want our Religion to be understood not afraid of. We do not condone the actions of the Witches of Brooklyn and I believe you will receive more emails just like this one saying just that. Or at least I hope you do.
If you would like to know more about the subject of Witchcraft, you can check out our site or I would suggest searching for it on the internet but some of those sites are not very reputable. I will give you the address to our site below, if you are interested in learning more about Witches, their practices, their beliefs and most of all their Religion.
Sincerely,
Again that address to drop Mr. Carlson a note on this topic is:
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How to Monitor Fake News From The Left And The Right
Dozens of new initiatives have launched over the past few years to address fake news and the erosion of faith in the media, creating a measurement problem of its own.
Why it matters: So many new efforts are launching simultaneously to solve the same problem that it’s become difficult to track which ones do what and which ones are partnering with each other.
To name a few:
- The Trust Project, which is made up of dozens of global news companies, announced this morning that the number of journalism organizations using the global network’s "Trust Indicators" now totals 200, making it one of the larger global initiatives to combat fake news. Some of these groups (like NewsGuard) work with Trust Project and are a part of it.
- News Integrity Initiative (Facebook, Craig Newmark Philanthropic Fund, Ford Foundation, Democracy Fund, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Tow Foundation, AppNexus, Mozilla and Betaworks)
- NewsGuard (Longtime journalists and media entrepreneurs Steven Brill and Gordon Crovitz)
- The Journalism Trust Initiative (Reporters Without Borders, and Agence France Presse, the European Broadcasting Union and the Global Editors Network )
- Internews (Longtime international non-profit)
- Accountability Journalism Program (American Press Institute)
- Trusting News (Reynolds Journalism Institute)
- Media Manipulation Initiative (Data & Society)
- Deepnews.ai (Frédéric Filloux)
- Trust & News Initiative (Knight Foundation, Facebook and Craig Newmark in. affiliation with Duke University)
- Our.News (Independently run)
- WikiTribune (Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales)
There are also dozens of fact-checking efforts being championed by different third-parties, as well as efforts being built around blockchain and artificial intelligence.
Between the lines: Most of these efforts include some sort of mechanism for allowing readers to physically discern real journalism from fake news via some sort of badge or watermark, but that presents problems as well.
- Attempts to flag or call out news as being real and valid have in the past been rejected even further by those who wish to discredit vetted media.
- For example, Facebook said in December that it will no longer use "Disputed Flags" — red flags next to fake news articles — to identify fake news for users, because it found that "putting a strong image, like a red flag, next to an article may actually entrench deeply held beliefs – the opposite effect to what we intended."
The big picture: Data from Gallup shows that confidence in media as an institution is at an all-time low, and both the media and the current political climate are probably to blame.
- Some reporters have become less objective at their jobs. By my count, nearly a dozen journalists have lost their jobs over bad social media posts, most politically charged.
- On the other hand, undermining the credibility of the media has been a long-term political strategy for President Trump and the far right.
- The erosion in trust in the media mimics the erosion of trust in most other American institutions — like the Catholic Church, Supreme Court and public schools.
The bottom line: These efforts are valiant, and are most certainly helping to hold the ecosystem accountable for transparent journalism. But the field is so crowded right now it’s hard to see who is making progress.
Source Axios.com
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