Almost Like Journalism

The Times reports on decisions at the DoJ to decline to defend two laws. One is the Affordable Care Act. The other, which apparently has experts divided, involves a technical dispute (what makes this a Federal and not state-level offense? See BACKGROUND below.) about a 1996 ban on female genital mutilation (hard to feel the political wind blowing from the right in favor of overturning that ban, inspired by immigrant behavior, but here we are...)

Sparking my ire is this ahistorical diatribe, my emphasis:

While there are important differences between the two cases — Republicans have attacked the Affordable Care Act in the courts for years, while legal experts are debating whether the circumcision law is defensible — critics were troubled by what they fear is an emerging view inside the Justice Department that it is up to the Trump administration, not members of Congress, to decide whether a law has merit and should be enforced.

“Imagine a world where an administration of one party passes a law and then a different president effectively invalidates it by having the Justice Department refuse to defend it in court,” said Joshua Geltzer, the executive director of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown Law School.

“You want elected lawmakers to draft laws, not lawyers at the Justice Department,” Mr. Geltzer said.

Wow, to imagine that I'd have to imagine a President explaining he can't act until Congress changes the current law and then imagine that same President reversing himself after the legislative effort stalls and unilaterally instructing the DoJ to simply exercise its prosecutorial discretion and decline to enforce the law. Unthinkable!

Or if that memory is too raw, what about that other Clinton legacy project, the Defense of Marriage Act? The DoJ cut that loose as well in response to a shift in the political winds, that time from the left.

For the Times to pretend even for a second that this is a new problem under Trump is absurd.

BACKGROUND on female genital mutilation issue:

In drafting that law, Congress relied on its power to regulate interstate commerce. Lawmakers had increasingly used that authority to overcome the fact that they cannot simply make local crimes federal matters, no matter how evil, unless they violate some federal power that Congress wields.

“For this to work, Congress has to show that there is some connection between the criminal conduct and interstate commerce,” said Mr. Dellinger, now a partner at the O’Melveny & Myers law firm.

But in 2000, four years after the female circumcision law was enacted, the Supreme Court examined Congress’s use of the Interstate Commerce Act in drafting the Violence Against Women Act. In that case, United States v. Morrison, the government lost in part because the court had greatly narrowed Congress’s ability to use its power over interstate commerce to draft criminal laws.

Last year, in the first court case involving the genital mutilation law, the judge in Michigan cited the Morrison case to rule that Congress had failed to clearly draw a connection between interstate commerce and the practice of female genital mutilation.

In his letter to Ms. Feinstein, Mr. Francisco sent a list of possible changes to the law to strengthen the connection with interstate commerce and keep the ban on female circumcisions in place, like outlawing the use of the banking or telecommunications systems to perform the act.

“Essentially, the Justice Department is urging Congress to fix the law before a case gets to the Supreme Court, where there is a good chance it would be struck down,” Mr. Dellinger said, adding that the government’s action in this case was appropriate. “The constitutional fix is relatively straightforward, and should be uncontroversial.

Nothing is uncontroversial. This will be portrayed by some nutter somewhere as an attempt to attack immigrants and embarrass Ilhan Omar.

Comments

[Jane]

Oh there is a lady in this park who drives a vet. She is way over 50 and not attractive. It always shocks me.

[Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma]

Both Sis in Laws just purchased Rubicons with all the toys. They love it.

[Jack is Back (Again)!]

Henry is the exception not the rule.

[Beasts of England]

Since it's threesomes tomorrow, Tiger will be in the final group!! Woot! ⛳️

[JM Hanes]

My favorite car was a baby blue boxy Mercedes sedan, from back before they streamlined the silhouette, that i got as a hand me down from my father-in-law. The trunk was like a built in U-haul; you could load it down with everything and the kitchen sink, and it would still accelerate like nobody's businees when you hit the gas -- even going up a grade. It sat so high off the ground the you could drive across a furrowed field -- and we did! -- without bottoming out. I really don't know much about makes and models, but I did love that car.

[Captain Hate]

Just saw a coyote at the park. Teddy and I interrupted his path because he retreated and then gave off a series of barks followed by the trademark howl. Finally I got tired of its bitching and moved away and he continued on his path.

[Beasts of England]

Did your tux match the Vette, henry? ;)

[anonamom]

I need a new car---who loves theirs, and why?

I love driving the kids' old turbo GTI, but it was in a minor accident years ago, the plastic parts are breaking, that damn oil light comes on after I drive more than five miles, and my better half has decreed "not one more cent."

The "logical" replacement is the Mazda SUV (in light of living in SUV land here--so I can see too)--but it does NOTHING for me.

Not that I need my car to "do" anything for me--but I am open to one that does.

[jimmyk]

Good piece by Julie Kelly on the crimes against Carter Page.

https://amgreatness.com/2019/04/10/will-william-barr-get-justice-for-carter-page/

[Beasts of England]

'The "logical" replacement is the Mazda SUV...'

🙄

[henry]

Beasts, complemented. Not matched. At that point the Vette was painted Rolls Silver. I had a black tux. And I didn’t exceed 120 on the access road, would have impacted my date’s hair. ;)

[Narciso79]

Yeah Mazdas selling point are its safety features but not much else:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/04/13/shamima-begum-cruel-enforcer-isils-morality-police-say-syrian/amp/

[MissMarple2]

I TOLD you guys the President was watching the Masters!

[henry]

Anonamom, if I ever again live where there is lots of traffic, I always thought a Sherman Tank was the best ride. That or something like Bigfoot and other monster trucks. But the tank wins, more practical.

[Buckeye]

anonamom

If hubby drives a Porsche Macan, why do you have to "settle" for a Mazda SUV?

You're both high dollar -ologists.

Get whatever your heart fancies:)

As my Irish drinkin' buddy used to say, "we're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time".

He lived out his motto until he kicked the bucket at 49.

[bubarooni]

I want this so bad I can't hardly stand it:

https://configurator.roushperformance.com/configurator/2019-s3-fastback

[bubarooni]

Lara Logan is on Fox's Levin show.

As someone on here mentioned a few days ago, she is a 'hot mess'.

[Beasts of England]

lol, henry!!

~ ~ ~

jimmyk's 7:03 is a must read. And I promise to the group that if I ever get a terminal prognosis, I'll track down Bill Kristol and kick him square in his woefully inadequate schlong.

[Narciso79]

Well we make allowance:

https://twitchy.com/dougp-3137/2019/04/13/attn-media-guardians-of-the-1st-amendment-aocs-lending-a-hand-to-reject-sales-of-the-ny-post/

Raped fired contracted Ebola still given short shrift.

[Narciso79]

Too good to be true:

http://www.informationliberation.com/?id=60059

[Jack is Back (Again)!]

Important when the weather moves in tomorrow at the Masters. Is it in the middle of the tee times or during the leaders round? If it comes mid round of the leaders it will wreak havoc. i go for DJ as a result.

[Captain Hate]

Cheers!

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1432/55619/

[henry]

Trump:

The New York Times Sanctuary Cities/Immigration story today was knowingly wrong on almost every fact. They never call to check for truth. Their sources often don’t even exist, a fraud. They will lie & cheat anyway possible to make me look bad. In 6 years they will be gone........

....When I won the Election in 2016, the @nytimes had to beg their fleeing subscribers for forgiveness in that they covered the Election (and me) so badly. They didn’t have a clue, it was pathetic. They even apologized to me. But now they are even worse, really corrupt reporting!

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump
4m4 minutes ago

The New York Times Sanctuary Cities/Immigration story today was knowingly wrong on almost every fact. They never call to check for truth. Their sources often don’t even exist, a fraud. They will lie & cheat anyway possible to make me look bad. In 6 years they will be gone........

....When I won the Election in 2016, the @nytimes had to beg their fleeing subscribers for forgiveness in that they covered the Election (and me) so badly. They didn’t have a clue, it was pathetic. They even apologized to me. But now they are even worse, really corrupt reporting!
==========
Bolding is mine. I wanted to make sure you guys saw it. You know, so far he has never been wrong.

[Jack is Back (Again)!]

A POTUS willing to take on the MFM and fake news. How refreshing.

[MissMarple2]

Wow, henry!!

Amazing we posted both of those tweets at the exact same time!!

[henry]

CH, that looks tasty. Had Lakefront single hop IPA last night: https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/741/373547/

Tasty, but a one time thing for them.

Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze for tonight.

[henry]

I checked to see if you posted them before I hit post.

Moar Trump is good Trump.

[henry]

Journolist depends are filling fast:

@bradheath

This is a theory that would require the Justice Department to wade into treacherous First Am waters (a thing it pointedly didn’t do in the New charges against Assange).

https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1117209067754270721?s=21

[Gentlejim]

Hmmm... I’ve had the pleasure of meeting MM. GUS knows Henry. I haven’t met Henry and GUS hasn’t met MM. Is it possible MM and Henry are the same person? I only ask because they’ve been consistently posting the same tweets at the same time.

:)

[Another Bob]

Nah GJ. Henry is just cutting in on MM’s franchise...

;)

[Jack is Back (Again)!]

Off to early bed. Will lurk. behave.

[henry]

GentleJim, Perhaps we are bots controlled by the same Rooooski?

[Narciso79]

Apropos of nothing metv is showing som of doctor jeckyll.

[Neo]

FBI Finds Nixon Aides Sabotaged Democrats
By Carl Bernstein and
Bob Woodward
October 10, 1972
Perhaps the most significant finding of the whole Watergate investigation, the investigators say, was that numerous specific acts of political sabotage and spying were all traced to this “offensive security,” which was conceived and directed in the White House and by President Nixon’s re-election committee.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/fbi-finds-nixon-aides-sabotaged-democrats/2012/06/06/gJQAoHIJJV_story.html?utm_term=.729bdb38eb89

[Gentlejim]

I just can’t seem to remember that everything boils down to Russian bots. Damn Russkies... sons a bitchoviches.

[Gentlejim]

I think anonamom should get fitted for a Suburban. That’s my off duty driver.
I also think bubarooni should buck up and shell out the extra $23k for the Rousch S3.

[Neo]

Fifty-two local Democrats, including county commissioner, leave the party in three days
“It’s getting to where the Democratic Party is not like it used to be,” Bullard said Thursday to explain his switch. “It’s full of Muslims and full of people who believe in aborting babies up to the ninth month of pregnancy and even my pastor has been encouraging me to change my affiliation because of some of the Democratic Party beliefs. It was something I had planned on doing for a while. I hadn’t gone ahead and done it but, when the Jody Greene issue came up, I figured the time to do it is now.”
https://nrcolumbus.com/fifty-two-local-democrats-including-county-commissioner-leave-the-party-in-three-days/

[MissMarple2]

Ah, my pal Stu has another thread, this one titled "Be of good cheer! The coumterattack is here!"

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1117162696271650816.html

I want to remind you guys that Stu has an intelligence background.

[henry]

Quick draw competition...

Trump:

Democrats must change the Immigration Laws FAST. If not, Sanctuary Cities must immediately ACT to take care of the Illegal Immigrants - and this includes Gang Members, Drug Dealers, Human Traffickers, and Criminals of all shapes, sizes and kinds. CHANGE THE LAWS NOW!

[henry]

Trump:

I never offered Pardons to Homeland Security Officials, never ordered anyone to close our Southern Border (although I have the absolute right to do so, and may if Mexico does not apprehend the illegals coming to our Border), and am not “frustrated.” It is all Fake & Corrupt News!

....So interesting to see the Mayor of Oakland and other Sanctuary Cities NOT WANT our currently “detained immigrants” after release due to the ridiculous court ordered 20 day rule. If they don’t want to serve our Nation by taking care of them, why should other cities & towns?

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump
34m34 minutes ago

I never offered Pardons to Homeland Security Officials, never ordered anyone to close our Southern Border (although I have the absolute right to do so, and may if Mexico does not apprehend the illegals coming to our Border), and am not “frustrated.” It is all Fake & Corrupt News!

[MissMarple2]

You win, henry! I won't try to post the other 2.

[henry]

Trump is on a tear. I have no idea if twitter puts them all in my timeline.

[henry]

Miss M... random luck on my part.

[Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma]

I really like my 19 Ford Edge, amom. My brother drives the Volvo V90. Lovely top end SUV. Why not splurge?

[Jane]

Last time I went looking for a car, my broker went with me. I had recently read an article that said; ‘the right car will call your name”. First we went o Audi, and were headed somewhere when he pulled into a Mercedes dealer. I complied and test drove a car that screamed my name. They wouldn’t give me the right price, so we left.

3 months later my broker found the car in CT. Right color, right accessories and 9k miles on it. It had been a showroom car. I’m not a big show-off so I was a little embarrassed to have a Mercedes, I loved it then, and still love it, and it’s only got 40k miles on it!

Find the car that calls your nam!

[Jane]

Name. Sheesh

[henry]

Apparently my name is “rustbucket”

[GUS]

Fauxcahontas is dumb as a bag of USED DILDO'S. Omar is STILL MARRIED to her own BROTHER. Omar is on record and on TAPE as being completely ANTI-AMERICAN, and PRO-MUZZZZZZLIM, without regard to the MUZZZZZZLIM POSSE and where they derive from.
If we are to accept this RACIST NONSENSE as in any sense legitimate, it would be useful and helpful, for the RACE BAITING LIBTARDS to defend their words.
Won't happen.

[GUS]

Jane my lovely, any car that DID NOT call your name is a pile of junk. You deserve the best. And so does the car!!!
I hope your MERCEDES BENZ is BLACK.
Smoooooches.

[Narciso79]

Considering the source, they miss the boat:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.politico.eu/article/italy-warns-against-foreign-military-intervention-in-libya/amp/

The times sheepishly admits that all that virtue signaling is wrong, the journal just goes and blames the saudis

[MissMarple2]

https://apnews.com/e991a0409f7c475ba48e827e232b6cfe

Headline: Trump sanctuary city idea could help migrants stay in US

This is an effort to make it sound like Trump doesn't know what he's doing.

[Buckeye]

Rachael Price does an old jazz standard...so well!

https://youtu.be/AJv1rN_UYcE

"The Very Thought of You"

[Another Bob]

Silver A6 with the supercharged V6. Pretty quick for a 4000 lb. sedan.

Nicely aerodynamic but not “swooshy” on the outside, blackout interior and museum quiet.

[rich]

... and the incurious media when zero was dropping off illegals (and adults posing as kids) in red states.

[GUS]

Foreign military intervention in Libya is WRONG???

"We came, we saw, he died......CACKLE CACKLE CANKLE, HIC, HA HA HA HA"

Like with a CLOTH?

[rich]

and yikes whats happening to the red sox?

[rich]

Posted by: GUS | April 13, 2019 at 08:54 PM

a couple of years too late.

[Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma]

Every damn SUV is now appearing in ads on my FB.

[henry]

I take it Trump is not a RedSox fan. ;)

[GUS]

The MFM is a rancid decaying pile of LOSER. The millenial butt licking accolytes have zero INTROSPECTION, zero, CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS, even less than ZERO, SKEPTICISM and HONEST OBJECTIVITY.
It all simply ILLUSTRATES, that the LEFTIST FULL COMMIE MFM and CURRENT CROP of PATHETICALLY BIASED FOOOOOOLS, have no interest in truth nor honesty.

[sbwaters]

Catsmeat, finished Jekyll & Hyde. Well done for its time.

[sbwaters]

no interest in truth nor honesty

... which ensures they will be losers in life.

[Captain Hate]

and yikes whats happening to the red sox?

It's still early but fuck that team in particular.

[Jane]

Gus, I live in Florida wher it’s hot as hell. All cars MUST be white. However the interior is black if that helps!

[Jane]

What IS happening Rich?

[Captain Hate]

A European Free Jazz Classic:

https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLpcrlVh6RDwRvV6uTg5GB9-AJ10K5Gyf

[GUS]

Jane, I'll trust you judgement on the COLOR of you LUXURY SEDAN!!!!!!!
God bless you my dear friend. I apologize for ruining our meet up a few weeks ago.
When we do MEET UP, i want to drive that SWEET BENZ!!!!

[Captain Hate]

My ex kollidge roomie in Scottsdale has a silver Benz two seater. We took it to the dealer for something minor one day and there was some kraut speak on the side that made me think it was turbocharged. I asked Jeff and of course he didn't know a fucking thing. So I asked the dealer guy and he said "no, supercharged". Once I surreptitiously picked my jaw off the ground I said "like belt driven?" and he said "oh yeah". So I popped the hood and it had one of those flat superchargers like I've seen for Dodge Challengers designed only for "supervised acceleration trials". I said "can I drive this back?"

What.A.Beast.

[GUS]

Capn, that's how they MAKE the SILVER BENZ'S.
Only the best for you sir.

[Threadkiller]

Kompressor. CH.

[rich]

Posted by: Jane | April 13, 2019 at 09:09 PM

they are 5-10 and lost to the Orioles today (the O's will be lucky to win 50 games this year, but they have a better record now than the soxs).

[Captain Hate]

GUS, I'm glad you're on the mend.

My wife and I are going to Denali this summer. My youngest daughter and her squeeze are working at the closest lodge to the mountain, a six hour shuttle trip from the entrance to the park. So she stopped fighting with her mother long enough to invite us up.

[Captain Hate]

Kompressor. CH.

Frau taught you well.

[Threadkiller]

;-)

[Narciso79]

I thought it sounded familiar:

https://www.last.fm/music/Diana+Krall/_/The+Very+Thought+Of+You

What you need to understand is they want the pony, because general hafter has been kicking butt and chewing bubble gum, even though hes in his mid 70s (hes a contemporary of qaddafi)

[Jane]

Gus,

You can drive it as long as you want.

Rich, so you are saying they suck this year? C’est La vie. It’s early (and I never pay attention til late)

[GUS]

Capn', you know that I love you sir. I sure hope that you do.
I'm well, and I'm getting better everyday.
It's been a tough fight, but I'm winning.
Thank you sir.

[rich]

just early.

[MissMarple2]

Retweeted by the President:

The White House
‏Verified account @WhiteHouse
Apr 11

No law that kicks 180 million Americans off their plans is acceptable. While Democrats abandon Obamacare for more socialism, President Trump is working on real solutions to provide Americans with the options, affordability, and quality care they deserve.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/exposing-congressional-democrats-complete-government-takeover-healthcare/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=wh

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump
7m7 minutes ago

Just out: The USA has the absolute legal right to have apprehended illegal immigrants transferred to Sanctuary Cities. We hereby demand that they be taken care of at the highest level, especially by the State of California, which is well known or its poor management & high taxes!

[MissMarple2]

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/438786-rare-trio-of-eagles-raising-eaglets-together-in-one-nest

[MissMarple2]

Heading to bed.

Good night, all!

[Momto2]

Thanks all for the kind words and good wishes. I have survived and, after a 5-hour nap, am feeling pretty well. I don't remember a thing! And (best part) no YouTube videos of me talking out of my head. I'm on 5 prescription meds so trying to take "with food" on the keto plan is my current challenge.

D - If you drive near Hendersonville on your trip to Ashville, be sure to stop at the Mountain Deli for the best sandwiches! There is also a nice antique shop across the street (3 floors) with lovely, authentic thing$ for $ale. We just browsed. The flowers at the Biltmore should be at or near their peak. We really enjoyed the Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar in Ashville. A very large selection of quality books, nice wine list, and dogs allowed. (They have a permanent water bowl and sell cute doggie items.)

rse - I look forward to lunch and will let you know when I can actually eat again!

JMH I mentioned that experience as a backdoor encouragement for Buckeye. I hesitate as I might sound like some old guy who can only talk about my ailments.

Sidwhite & JMH - I will now add my 2 cents to the ailments discussion.

Can't remember if I explained my situation. My wreck cracked several of my molars but below the gum line so there were no symptoms. After about a year, I had the first episode. They spread similar to a cracked windshield. Once they break the surface, bacteria invades and infection and pain ensue. I have been having them removed one by one as they became symptomatic. Today I had the last (fingers crossed) one removed and 2 implants begun. It will be 4-6 months until actually teeth will be placed.

I have enjoyed reading everyone's posts today and hope I can stay awake to see some of the Masters' tomorrow. It should be exciting!

[anonamom]

Thanks all!
Guess I'll need to go look at some cars, to see what speaks to me.

[Catsmeat]

Good for you, sbw! But "for its time"? Don't fall prey to presentism (as I wonder what current fiction you could find which would be as skillful and riveting)!

[Catsmeat]

Nytol--youngest son is at his first prom tonight and I determined to go to bed early and not wait up!

[Narciso79]

Congrats catsmeat

A strange case was full of slow reveals like the best horror fiction, like the fly which ons might well see as derivative the remake missed this for gaudy gore effects

[Captain Hate]

Reading "Serena" by Ron Rash has the same impact on me as reading his short stories. In all of them they have a Raymond Carver like tension of something not being in equilibrium that has to be resolved or things won't end well. I can believe that this was a sucky movie; so was Short Cuts if you were looking for the essence of Carver totally leached out by that hack poet Tess Gallagher. I'll probably finish this much more quickly than the group and then move on to something else before we start I, Claudius. But I will eventually read everything he writes; just like Carver except for his terrible poetry.

[Narciso79]

Well Jennifer Lawrence has two setting peppy and sullen, and her performance was somewhere in the middle:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6916579/Shes-Melania-Trump-hits-Vogue-editor-Anna-Wintour.html?fbclid=IwAR0PreXAmPPjJpwPxzJTaX8WF9cLwvkTPjowxZMRVlbEXVQPYMFjM-i7n-o

[Captain Hate]

The reviews on Rotten Tomatoes were hilariously brutal. I'd have probably joined in that food fight except for my opinion of most of those dorks.

[Narciso79]

I guess I never got into Carver's work so I dont have much to compare it to.

I claudius on first glance seems like the main character is not very sharp, but seeing as he managed the campaign in Britain among other exercises the template is misleading

[Narciso79]

Couldn't happen to a nicer person:

https://dailycaller.com/2019/04/11/stacey-abrams-campaign-subpoenaed/?fbclid=IwAR2Wy9DFqKTaUaGq6pSjwfDFs12BxVCfNCZgq3dJbZ1yZoHSpGz9J5vgb04

That's more action than we've got against gullum

[BariJerry]

Captain Hate,
Not a fan of free form jazz...I like a melody!

Gregory Porter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNwfUanmihY

[Captain Hate]

I guess I never got into Carver's work so I dont have much to compare it to.

Maybe I'm an outlying point (LOL) but the first thing I read of his, on a small press edition that inexplicably came into the possession of the Cleveland library (which is either now behind a locked access place or someone stole it which is what I should've done in retrospect and paid the fucking fine), I spent my waking hours consuming from cover to cover. His later work got increasingly sappy thanks to the malign influence of that whore poet ruining him WITH THE BEST INTENTIONS; but it still contained the essence of the tortured soul who was in there somewhere. Either you get it or you don't.

[Captain Hate]

Not a fan of free form jazz...I like a melody!

The melody's there; you just have to work to find it.

[BariJerry]

The Haley Reinhart debate still being unsettled, here are two more great charts from Post Modern Jukebox:

Sweet Child of Mine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ3BAF_15yQ

...and the mastermind behind PMJ Scott Bradlee mashing up Queen and Gershwin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-J_FatMnXY

[Captain Hate]

Glad I didn't watch one second of those fucking Warriors tonight who, thanks to their asshole owner trying to make his dickweed son into the next Magic Johnson, will eventually go back to the dogshit franchise of ineptitude for forty years that they were starting in the 70s.

[BariJerry]

CH - The melody's there; you just have to work to find it.

I get that...I can hear it at times. Same thing when I play classical arrangements that only hint at the original melodies, I don't enjoy those as much either. I guess that is why Big Band music is one of my favorite styles...