Yes, Kizzie, it was not a big deal, but it sounded like it made a big difference. The fact that this designer’s work was being promoted by Target and to children and did promote satanist symbols was the main thing. Whether or not the designer actually believes in Satan is irrelevant and that may be why in making a decision to cut, that was what was cut. IOW, not a desire to mislead anyone. Satan uses lots of people who don’t believe in him, at any rate.
HRW, all of the states in the US do not ask for citizens to declare their party. My state does not. However, when we are given a ballot in a primary and all the parties and their candidates are listed, if we vote in more than one party’s section, all the votes are invalid automatically.
I often hear accusations about lack of health care or other issues in the US. There seems to be a lack of understanding about such things that are left to the states. Some states had health care for the poor whether or not the Federal government had it. That is still true.
Our country is founded on the idea that the closer the power is to the people, the more careful the people will be to vote for what they want to pay for and have happen. I believe this is the truth, whether it is running our schools or any other issue.
“With Nancy leading the way, you never had to worry about whether the bill would pass. If she said she had the votes, she had the votes every time. She had the votes for so many life-changing pieces of legislation. She helped rescue the economy in the Great Depression,” Biden said.
Portion of an article from the Daily Citizen…my how low they have spiraled and acquiesced to the bullying…if one stands for nothing they will fall for anything
Sitting in his Dodger’s office with Jackie Robinson about to sign his Dodgers’ contract, the “ferocious Christian gentleman” read to the star about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount from a book titled, “Life of Christ.”
Rickey then put the book down, and looked eye-to-eye with his new player who would soon integrate the game.
“We can’t fight our way through this, Jackie,” he began. “We’ve got no army. There’s virtually nobody on our side. No owners. No umpires. Very few newspapermen. And I’m afraid many fans will be hostile. We’ll be in a tough position. We can win only if we convince the world that I’m doing this because you are a great ball player and a fine gentleman.”
I couldn’t help but think about Branch Rickey’s principled and faith-inspired/rooted move when news broke that his beloved team recently went in the entirely opposite direction, and horribly so.
A club once known for doing things the right way and for the right reasons, invited the heretical and crass group of drag performers known as the “Sisters of the Perpetual Indulgence” to the team’s “Pride Night” celebration. These are basically men who mock nuns, Catholics and anyone who holds fast to Christ’s teachings.
After the Catholic Church and other faith leaders spoke out, the Dodgers reversed course and rescinded the invitation. But only for a short while. The team soon changed its mind again, reextended the invitation – and apologized to the drag performers.
Kathleena – health care is a provincial responsibility here too, so the quality of care varies. However, the federal government sets minimal standards in exchange for tax money given to the province. I agree local solutions are usually the best – one can’t teach the same in an inner city school as they would in a small town. However, when school boards are so small and the tax base isn’t shared, you run into massive inequalities. There are high schools better equipped than some colleges yet just a few miles down the road in another jurisdiction the conditions in a high school can resemble a third world country. School boards should be small but the money should be shared. We don’t need equality of outcome but we should have equality of opportunity. Education is key in that respect.
As for health care, simply covering the poor doesn’t work; both in outcomes and in efficiency. The US gov’t spends more money on health care per person than any OECD country yet has some of the lowest outcomes in terms of life expectancy and infant mortality. If you create a scatterplot graph with health care spending correlating to either one of those stats; America is the glaring exception – it will be off in a far corner whereas the rest of the OECD follow a line of higher spending higher outcomes. For comparison the US spends over 12 000$ per person, the next country is Germany just over $7000
Part of the problem is the US and state govts refusal to use their bulk buying to drive a discount from pharma and medical suppliers. The Ontario gov’t is the largest purchaser of drugs in North America; it uses this as leverage to drive the prices down. In the current debt ceiling debate, Biden and the Democrats want to lower drug prices in the same way. The Republican plan does not include this. From what I understand Biden has lowered insulin cost and maybe other drugs, but needs to legislate it to make it more permanent.
One of the final healthcare actions made by the Trump Administration has been rescinded by the Biden Administration. On December 23, 2020, the Trump Administration finalized a rule that directed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take action to require that federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) make insulin and injectable epinephrine available to certain patients at 340B prices. The Biden Administration delayed the rule twice before it became effective on July 20, 2021, and the first opportunity for HHS to impose the requirements of the rule would have been through grants awarded in fiscal year 2022. So, while the rule has been in effect since July, it has yet to be implemented.
NJ – it’s pretty standard for any union to speak out against the excesses of capitalism. Supporters of free market capitalism always think its improved people’s lives, however, that’s not always the case. In the early industrial revolution, life expectancy and infant mortality declined and disease outbreaks became more common. In fact, it was until the post war era when capitalism was tempered by social programs that life became better for the majority of the people. However, in the Anglo-American world with its adherance to the neo-con economic model since the 80s, living standards have begun to decline again – life expectancy is down in the US mostly due to the decline in health outcomes of the white working class. School tuition costs have risen far higher than inflation leaving students in debt for decades. Two-income families have become the norm and almost a necessity. Shelter costs take up far more than the 30% of income which used to be the standard. Most people under 30 don’t think home ownership will be possible, etc.
Depression or recession, a simple error. The rest of his statement is correct though, Pelosi could whip the needed votes, McCartney has no control of his own caucus. As I noted before both parties seem to be in a battle to declare the presumed presidential candidate too old and senile.
From what I understand insulin costs were capped by Biden at 35$ per month for Medicare patients. The Democrats tried to extend this to all insured in the Build Back Better act but had to take it out because of either
Munchin or Sinnema or both. However, a separate bill passed the house and now is the Senate which will cap insulin at 35$. The current average price for insulin in Canada is 12$, in the UK its only $7.50. The US gov’t is being willingly gouged by big pharma.
If there was one or two gaffes by this guy I could understand. All one needs to do is to listen to him for a minute or two to fully understand he is a few short of a full pack. He’s not all there for certain and he is not making all policy decisions…just who is running this country is a mystery for many. The guy speaking in the ear piece maybe?
Our government most assuredly is in the pocket of big Pharma…but I do not see anyone in this administration trying to break away….
In California (at least the way I remember it) the political parties can declare their primaries to be “open” or “closed.”
So what we have currently (if you’re an independent) is a ballot that will list all candidates in the Democrat and third parties, but not the Republican candidates as the GOP has chosen to have “closed” primary ballots (so only registered party members can vote). I get that, the party faithful should be able to choose their party’s candidate. But it can be be frustrating, especially now when so many voters (1/3?) have become “no party preference.”
~ The unfortunate political reality today is that the U.S. is marching toward a 2024 rematch between two aging Presidents, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, that most Americans say they don’t want. This great country can do better, but it’s up to voters to spare us from the divisive oldsters who desperately need each other to win a second term. …
… Republicans are at least getting a better choice as a variety of candidates enter the presidential race. They all have their merits and deserve a hearing as the campaign unfolds. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis joined the fray on Wednesday and, judging by the polls and his financial backing to date, he is the biggest threat to Mr. Trump.
… Mr. DeSantis’s record is undeniably conservative, and some critics fear it may be too far right to win a national election. Mr. Trump seems to think so as he is attacking the Governor from the left on Social Security, abortion for Florida’s six-week ban, and the fight over Disney’s special Florida privileges.
But Mr. DeSantis won re-election in 2022 by 19 points in a state that has traditionally been a nail-biter. He won Hispanic counties and others that traditionally vote Democratic. Mr. Trump hasn’t won anything for himself or the rest of his party since his inside electoral straight in 2016.
A more serious concern for many is Mr. DeSantis’s fence-straddling on Ukraine and Russia. He indulged a former Fox News host by calling the war a “territorial dispute,” though he later said the phrase was misunderstood.
But Mr. DeSantis hasn’t clarified his larger foreign-policy views, and the worry is that he will make the mistake of chasing Mr. Trump in retreating from U.S. global commitments. Mr. DeSantis will need to explain how he defines being a foreign policy “Jacksonian” in an increasingly dangerous world. …
The other rap against Mr. DeSantis is that he’s a cultural brawler more than a likable unifier. There’s truth to this. He’s no backslapper, and he’d benefit from even a little of Ronald Reagan’s self-deprecating humor. The best candidates for President campaign with some poetry and optimism as well as policy grit and personal toughness.
The Governor will also need a larger vision for America beyond his Florida success—not least how he’d lift the economy out of stagflation and the country out of its angry divisions. Mr. Biden promised to do the latter but has made his Presidency hostage to the Bernie Sanders left. Mr. Trump is promising a politics of “retribution,” which means four more years of national trench warfare.
Mr. Biden’s failures mean there’s an opportunity for Republicans to offer voters a better vision of national renewal. The country needs it, Americans want it, and the opening is there if a GOP candidate can seize the moment.~
And skyrocketing medical and prescription costs are becoming an issue in the U.S. Not sure how we solve that without sacrificing good and efficient (no months-long waits for surgeries) care. But it’s hitting a lot more than just the low-income folks.
According to WSJ, Biden is held hostage by the Sanders left. Meanwhile NJ stated the govt is in the pocket of big pharma. Both can’t be true. I’d lean towards NJ as opposed to WSJ, the latter is engaging in hyperbole. If Biden was held captive, there would be far more action on health care, drug prices, and student loan forgiveness. The American left views Biden as better than the alternative but are quite critical of him. As Sinnima and Munchin have demonstrated, big pharma is in both parties.
I see press conferences by Biden where he comes across as alert and funny. It depends on who’s editing the video.
Canada has closed nomination meetings. The local party members get together and vote for a candidate. Often there’s some backroom meetings and there may only be one candidate who is acclaimed – the Conservatives and the NDP are the worst for that. Liberals tend to have more open nominations. Occasionally, the national or provincial party board will interfere and appoint a candidate. The conservatives do this in rural ridings where they win no matter who runs – so they use the seat to reward someone for hard work in the party.
It is interesting there are concerns about DeSantis foreign policy when the world is laughing at us with this current administration…not to mention our pumping billions to the Ukrainian government…..
And with both parties now experiencing some significant factions, divisions and in-fighting (GOP more than Dems, but they’ll probably catch up), the primary season could be unpredictable and offering some surprises.
But non-partisans now have more clout than before and neither party can afford to forget about them, they can swing general elections quite easily.
The North Face is facing heat after it launched an ad featuring a drag queen to promote its new ‘Summer of Pride’ collection for children
The collection includes rainbow-colored clothing for children
The drag queen is meant to encourage everyone to “Come Out” as part of its “Out in Nature” collection
HRW, Both are seen as true only if you have been conditioned to consider big government spending as ‘the Left’. It’s not. As for Sanders, I think he is seen as just another sell-out by real Leftists. But the WSJ piece is created for center right mass consumption where those niceties are usually unimportant. And so the uni-party continues to spend, dividing the spoils a little to the left and a little to the right while their politicians point the finger at each other. It’s a charade and a mostly bloodless means of crowd control. Although, with the attempted coup during the last presidency, the 2020 riots and COVID lockdowns, we did get a taste of the violence and social upheaval we’ll be treated to if the uni-party becomes seriously unhappy.
A friend of mine who is further to the right than all of you here sent me a youtube video of the ad – it looks too ridiculous to be real especially when it says a proud member of the LGHGTV community. But apparently it is real. Weird is all I have to say.
DJ – American medical costs are insane, if it’s not an emergency and you can fly, treatment in Spain is far cheaper and you can enjoy a holiday before and after. Insurance companies will fly people to Mexico to pick up a 3 month supply of medication. The flights, hotel stay and drugs are still cheaper than the US.
And Canada is not exempt; dental is not covered in Ontario. My employer benefits cover ordinary care but not implants. I’d like two implants – the cost would be $9000. The same would cost me $2000 in Eastern Europe or even less in Turkey. I retire in a year; I could go in the off season. Implants are a two to three step procedure. I could travel in-between dental visits and as my daughter looks to be staying in Berlin, an extended stay means more time with my daughter.
NJ – Biden is far more respected abroad than Trump. The only one who liked Trump were the authoritarians but western Europe had no use for him. Biden’s policy on Ukraine has strengthened the NATO alliance.
Debra – you’re right; spending covers the entire spectrum, it’s just a question of where and for whom a party spends. The right wing populists governemnts in Europe sometimes spend more than the Nordic socialists. Poland is governed by right wing populists – it supports large families with money, gives the Catholic church access to public schools and will even pay for them, health care spending is huge especially maternal and natal care as there’s an abortion ban and this ensures mother and infant are carried for (one of the lowest infant mortality rate in the world),etc.
And yes it’s a charade and a bloodless means of crowd control. One of the motivations to establish the European welfare state in the post war period was to take away any appeal the communists had. Bread riots are not good for the long term stability of the state or economy.
I don’t think Sanders has lost his appeal with the left. And it’s not necessarily the left but the young people who are upset. Many young people know their parents or grandparents had more opportunities than they do so they want changes or one might say a return to the 50’s and 60s economic and social policy. In addition, the internet has made them aware that a better world is possible – universal medicare, better health outcomes, better labour conditions, etc.
Politically the Democrats have a huge advantage in the youth vote (about 25%) and a 10% advantage in the independent vote. Its a question of motivating these two groups. Biden doesn’t motivate them; ironically Trump does motivate them.
“A powerful California teachers’ union was part of a successful pressure campaign to get the Los Angeles Dodgers to re-invite a group of drag queen nuns to the team’s annual Pride Night. The union suggested that LGBT students’ lives were at stake.
“At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under attack across the country with more than 400 pieces of legislation filed in states, at a time when 45 percent of LGBTQ+ youth report seriously considering committing suicide each year, we should be leading with love and inclusion in California rather than sowing division,” the California Teachers Association president said in a statement on Monday, referring to a spate of “red state” legislation restricting sex-change treatment for minors and a 2022 Trevor Project survey. “Our students are watching what happens on and off the field.”
The union had resolved to speak out after the Dodgers rescinded an offer to honor the drag group, known as the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, for its advocacy before a June 16 home game against the San Francisco Giants. The resolution, which was obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, went even further than the union’s public statement, likening the controversy over the baseball game ceremony to the AIDS epidemic.
“SILENCE = DEATH has long been a refrain of the LGBTQIA+ community, and though it refers to refusal to acknowledge the AIDS crisis, silence in the face of the national assault upon these marginalized youths will lead to more deaths,” the resolution read.”
““A school or library that receives any form of funding from the state may not allow a sexually oriented performance or drag story hour … on its premises during regular operating hours or at any school-sanctioned extracurricular activity,” the bill states, adding that a minor who attended such a performance “may bring an action against a person who knowingly promotes, conducts, or participates as a performer in the performance. The minor’s parent or legal guardian may bring an action in the name of the minor for an action commenced under this section.”
“In my humble opinion, there’s no such thing as a ‘family-friendly’ drag show,” the bill’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Braxton Mitchell, said in April, adding that he sponsored the bill “because drag shows in recent years have been specifically aimed at children.” He also stated that drag queens reading to children were part of a “sick agenda” and drag shows were “damaging to a child’s psychology and general welfare.”
In signing the bill, Gianforte commented that he believed it was “wildly inappropriate for little kids, especially preschoolers and kids in elementary school, to be exposed to sexualized content.””
—-
And he is correct. Everyone, including the groomers, knows this is inappropriate for kids.
Re Sanders, I’m no lefty, but Sanders was at least a consistent voice moderating the excesses of capitalism. Until Trump. After that, he appears much more like an elderly man with TDS . He’s much more amenable to wars as well.
The pervs have their enablers in the media, frauds like Collins….
Hi Ben. Have you ever described a targeted boycott campaign by the Left as “harassment”? Or is this only a description you use when these tactics are employed by your ideological opponents? I know the answer of course. Just wanted to point out that you’re a spineless lying fraud. https://t.co/xJdG36t85I
I've obtained an EXCLUSIVE internal email from a TARGET LEADERSHIP to management.
Target reaffirming their support for grooming kids and LGBTQIA+ content for minors. @Target wants to lose another $9 billion. Let's help them! pic.twitter.com/zALckihXR7
Bingo, we have a winner. ESG is alive and losing your company’s money for you!
In America the Trans community is 0.8% of the population so I can't understand why corporations are taking the risk of alienating their majority customer base. It's possibly being imposed by the big funds (State St., Vanguard, Blackrock) as part of ESG. pic.twitter.com/wCKhftt3Si
I didn't change, you guys did. When it comes down to it my kids are my number one priority and liberals are actively trying to hurt them in my view. Even if I decide not to vote right, idk if I can ever vote left again. Leave children alone.
I struggle between abortion rights and gender ideology. I figure I need to vote republican now and address abortion later before there is no woman left in “woman’s rights”
Let Lia Thomas swim by himself. Let Bud Light expire on the shelf. Let the Ford Raptor transition into a girl in someone else's garage. Let Target's tuck-friendly satan swimsuits hang on the rack forever. Raise the cost of wokeness so high that no organization — no matter how…
I see the shelf life on this one was only about 3 days. Lol.
Another “white supremacist” that wasn’t.
Dude rams a White House barrier and "his federal charges have since been downgraded to a single count of depredation of property of the United States"? https://t.co/H21BMdw95G
I don't want to sound paranoid, but that seems like they're trying to hush this up…
—Restricts gender-affirming treatments for minors, drag shows, public bathroom use, and pronoun use by teachers, administrators and students in schools. Law also affirms that sexual orientation and gender identity can’t be taught up to eighth grade….
BREAKING: I have obtained the internal email that @Target sent to their employees following the Pride month disaster that has caused them to lose $9B in one week, where is goes from standing with the "LGBTQIA+ community" to the anniversary of George Floyd lmfao. pic.twitter.com/GQVgrdmHDv
That’s a typical statement from any teacher union I know. There’s a lot of attention focused on a very small minority of the population. The right seeks to ban and ostracize them and the social left tries to “protest” thems (some would say enable them). Personally, I think my union and others are better off fighting for the needs of all marginalized group especially the working class. The rest is a side show. Both left and right need to listen to Johnny Cash
OPINIONCOMMENTARY
Tim Scott Is Up to the 2024 Presidential Primary Challenge
In a dark and angry era, can he persuade American voters to embrace optimism?
Tim Scott Is Up to the 2024 Presidential Primary Challenge
In a dark and angry era, can he persuade American voters to embrace optimism?
Karl Rove
~ Sen. Tim Scott can move a crowd. I’ve seen it more than once.
The first time was in May 2021, when Mr. Scott—who announced he is running for the GOP presidential nomination Monday—appeared at a donor appreciation conference for a Republican voter registration effort I helped organize in Texas. He was interviewed for 45 minutes by then-Rep. Kevin Brady. After a few dry minutes discussing the 2017 tax reform the two worked on, Mr. Brady shifted gears, telling Mr. Scott he wanted the audience to know the South Carolinian’s personal story as well as he did. Mr. Brady then asked the only black Republican senator when he first realized someone hated him because of his skin color.
The next 40 minutes saw a riveting exploration of Mr. Scott’s life. The son of a single mom, he grew up in his grandparents’ 700-square-foot rental house. Knowing discrimination from a young age, he became a disillusioned, angry teenager. He was saved by his faith and a mentor—the owner of the Chick-fil-A where he worked. There he learned the dignity of work, the importance of personal responsibility, and the choice he had to make between becoming bitter over what life had dealt him or striving to become better. He talked about being a Christian in a way that was sincere and humble, not showy or presumptuous.
As the interview proceeded, the crowd fell silent, every eye drawn to the stage. No one left or looked at a phone. When it was finished, the audience responded with a level of emotion I’ve rarely seen in politics. Mr. Brady told me the interview’s power came not from Mr. Scott talking about being given the American dream, but because it became clear that through struggle, hard work and love, he had achieved it. …
… Further evidence of Mr. Scott’s ability to connect with voters was his reply to President Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress—which new presidents traditionally deliver in lieu of a State of the Union address—in April 2021. Giving the opposition party’s response is usually the worst assignment in politics. A nervous, ill-prepared backbencher responding to the president within minutes generally results in an awkward speech that pales in significance to the majesty of a long-planned presidential address.
Yet Mr. Scott’s appearance was impressive. He praised Mr. Biden as “a good man” but criticized him for “pulling us further apart.” He found fault with the president’s $2 trillion spending bill, which passed on a party-line vote. He pointed to Mr. Biden’s abandonment of his decadeslong opposition to government funding of abortion. He criticized the Democrats’ refusal to consider Mr. Scott’s police-reform proposals—seemingly only because a Republican sponsored them. These actions, Mr. Scott argued, didn’t fulfill Mr. Biden’s pledge to unite the country. It’s rare that a response to a State of the Union resonates so well.
Mr. Scott also has a fast friendship with the best pal in politics—ready money. His $22 million cash on hand as of March 30 eclipsed even Donald Trump’s $14 million. But Mr. Scott’s great strength isn’t fundraising—it’s what brought in the cash: his authenticity in sharing a message.
He’s proved that he’ll be a disciplined campaigner. During an interview Monday, NBC correspondent Tom Llamas tried to lure Mr. Scott six times into trashing Mr. Trump and five times into knocking Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. In every instance, Mr. Scott refused to take the bait, answering by saying what he believed and planned to do. Viewers still got the contrast with Messrs. Trump and DeSantis, while Mr. Scott rose above his opponents.
One challenge for Mr. Scott will be to campaign extensively enough in the first contests in Iowa and New Hampshire while fulfilling his Senate duties. An even greater challenge is to convince a party in which many have embraced Mr. Trump’s dark, angry spirit that optimism and personal integrity are a better option.
It won’t be easy to displace the politics of retribution. That alone makes the South Carolina senator an underdog. But Tim Scott has overcome greater challenges in life. ~
____________________
Looks like the Republicans found a whistleblower but not the ones they have bragged about. I do find it strange he did an interview prior to appearing in Congress or having a legal agreement protecting him. He may be trying to control the narrative but he’s left himself open to violating the privacy rules of the IRS. From what I understand, that particular case has been dismissed by the judge for a lack of evidence. And now he comes forward….strange you’d think he would have been at the courthouse testifying.
Debra – my problem with Sanders has always been his foreign policy ideas. He’s committed to maintaining America’s dominance in world affairs. I think he follows the idea if not the US then who? and the alternatives are not appealing.
Some of DeSantis’ laws are self-serving – hiding his travel expenditures, repealing the “resign to run” law. Some are stupid – unregistered concealed carry will be a nightmare for cops, now they can’t trust anyone. Voting is a constitutional right but you register to vote; the same could apply to gun rights. Some won’t survive a court challenge – non-unaminous death penalty, death penatly for sexual offenders,
Non-unanimous death penalty? Should not ever become law. Those verdicts should only come down with the most severe standards for guilt, and that definitely includes a unanimous jury.
I don’t support the death penalty for a variety of reasons but the simpliest one is people make mistakes. Since 1973, over 190 people have been wrongfully put to death in the US; that’s 3-4 per year on average.
One of the annoying things about living in Canada is people’s satisfaction with our health care system by comparing it to the US. Our drug and dental costs are lower than the US but still too high compared to Europe. I’m still legally married to my ex, a Polish citizen and my daughter is now a dual citizen. Medical tourism is my solution, once I no longer have employer benefits.
~ On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness ~ Deuteronomy
the Bible as pretty strict standards for putting anyone to death, a standard most of our death penalty cases don’t meet. There has been some debate whether DNA is equivalent to a witness. Still, circumstantial evidence would not be enough according to the Scriptures.
I’m conflicted about the death penalty — the Bible also says that taking someone’s life (in a crime) is so egregious as we are all made in God’s image that the most severe penalty is justified.
But then you have the legal system and juries and all of that carries some imperfection.
But not (at the very least) requiring a unanimous jury for such a overwhelming decision strikes me as reckless and opening the way for even more possible mistakes in judgement.
It’s always disturbing to me, also, to see crowds gather to cheer when an execution is carried out. It should never be an occasion for celebration, but for mourning — even when one believes the just penalty is being carried out.
I just read the bit about Tim Scott – interesting, maybe the Republican party can redeem itself. It’s important for the parties to balance each other off and the pendulum to swing back and forth just so we don’t develop tunnel vision and neglect those who see the world differently.
Marvin Olasky had a piece in World many years ago in which he said that we do not come up to the Biblical standard for the death penalty. He also pointed out that there is a great disparity in who is sentenced to death. Those relying on public defenders or inexpensive attorneys were much more likely to be sentenced to death than more well-to-do people. (And minorities are more likely to be sentenced to death as well.)
I don’t remember if he made this point (I think he might have), but others say that the Old Testament’s words on putting someone to death are no longer in effect, although that is something that various Christians disagree on.
Olasky also pointed out that there were no prisons in ancient Israel, so the death penalty was more necessary then, and that today, a life sentence with no possibility of parole could be considered a harsher sentence for some. From the financial aspect, a death penalty case, with all of its phases, is much more expensive for the state than even keeping a prisoner for life.
While he opposed the death penalty for many years, he did at some point come to the idea that it was necessary (based on the biblical view of the taking of a human life).
But he also stressed the two-witness standard and the fact that, yes, the penalty often is applied by the system (affording good lawyers, as Kizzie mentioned) in an unfair manner.
There have been crimes committed so heinous that I have would have liked to have pulled the lever to put the offenders to death. There are two such men in our prisons here and I believe they should never have been afforded to take another breath or see the light of day again….they certainly took that away from a dear young woman. Their hearts were so callous there was no remorse for what they done.
“Non-unanimous death penalty? Should not ever become law. Those verdicts should only come down with the most severe standards for guilt, and that definitely includes a unanimous jury.”
Sheesh. Read the Tweet.
The death penalty conviction still needs to be unanimous. Nothings changed.
But the sentencing phase does not. This will stop 1 or 2 jurors who let their personal view of the death penalty overrule the will of the majority.
See the last Tweet at 5:12PM where this is clearly explained.
Sorry, no one but the establishment/RINO types gives two flying monkeys what Rove has to say. He’s been a professional loser since Bush. Time for him to slink back under his rock.
And actually, I’d be seriously disappointed if Tim Scott were to ever accept a VP spot with Donald Trump, it would be a politically fatal mistake — and also would compromise his character.
Pence tried that and look where it got him.
NJ, yes, I get it. I understand the emotion (@10:42) and have personally thought some crimes (and clear, undisputed guilt and culpability and cruelty) are exactly what the death penalty addresses. But I don’t think that’s what we were addressing here in the discussion.
Wandering Views 
Yes, Kizzie, it was not a big deal, but it sounded like it made a big difference. The fact that this designer’s work was being promoted by Target and to children and did promote satanist symbols was the main thing. Whether or not the designer actually believes in Satan is irrelevant and that may be why in making a decision to cut, that was what was cut. IOW, not a desire to mislead anyone. Satan uses lots of people who don’t believe in him, at any rate.
HRW, all of the states in the US do not ask for citizens to declare their party. My state does not. However, when we are given a ballot in a primary and all the parties and their candidates are listed, if we vote in more than one party’s section, all the votes are invalid automatically.
I often hear accusations about lack of health care or other issues in the US. There seems to be a lack of understanding about such things that are left to the states. Some states had health care for the poor whether or not the Federal government had it. That is still true.
Our country is founded on the idea that the closer the power is to the people, the more careful the people will be to vote for what they want to pay for and have happen. I believe this is the truth, whether it is running our schools or any other issue.
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In Georgia, we declare a party to vote in the primary. I will vote according to Biblical principles related to the platform.
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Oh teachers in CO…they don’t even try to hide it
https://coloradopeakpolitics.com/2023/05/23/colorado-teachers-union-finally-speaks-about-their-new-anti-capitalism-mission/
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This is your President
“With Nancy leading the way, you never had to worry about whether the bill would pass. If she said she had the votes, she had the votes every time. She had the votes for so many life-changing pieces of legislation. She helped rescue the economy in the Great Depression,” Biden said.
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Portion of an article from the Daily Citizen…my how low they have spiraled and acquiesced to the bullying…if one stands for nothing they will fall for anything
Sitting in his Dodger’s office with Jackie Robinson about to sign his Dodgers’ contract, the “ferocious Christian gentleman” read to the star about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount from a book titled, “Life of Christ.”
Rickey then put the book down, and looked eye-to-eye with his new player who would soon integrate the game.
“We can’t fight our way through this, Jackie,” he began. “We’ve got no army. There’s virtually nobody on our side. No owners. No umpires. Very few newspapermen. And I’m afraid many fans will be hostile. We’ll be in a tough position. We can win only if we convince the world that I’m doing this because you are a great ball player and a fine gentleman.”
I couldn’t help but think about Branch Rickey’s principled and faith-inspired/rooted move when news broke that his beloved team recently went in the entirely opposite direction, and horribly so.
A club once known for doing things the right way and for the right reasons, invited the heretical and crass group of drag performers known as the “Sisters of the Perpetual Indulgence” to the team’s “Pride Night” celebration. These are basically men who mock nuns, Catholics and anyone who holds fast to Christ’s teachings.
After the Catholic Church and other faith leaders spoke out, the Dodgers reversed course and rescinded the invitation. But only for a short while. The team soon changed its mind again, reextended the invitation – and apologized to the drag performers.
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Kathleena – health care is a provincial responsibility here too, so the quality of care varies. However, the federal government sets minimal standards in exchange for tax money given to the province. I agree local solutions are usually the best – one can’t teach the same in an inner city school as they would in a small town. However, when school boards are so small and the tax base isn’t shared, you run into massive inequalities. There are high schools better equipped than some colleges yet just a few miles down the road in another jurisdiction the conditions in a high school can resemble a third world country. School boards should be small but the money should be shared. We don’t need equality of outcome but we should have equality of opportunity. Education is key in that respect.
As for health care, simply covering the poor doesn’t work; both in outcomes and in efficiency. The US gov’t spends more money on health care per person than any OECD country yet has some of the lowest outcomes in terms of life expectancy and infant mortality. If you create a scatterplot graph with health care spending correlating to either one of those stats; America is the glaring exception – it will be off in a far corner whereas the rest of the OECD follow a line of higher spending higher outcomes. For comparison the US spends over 12 000$ per person, the next country is Germany just over $7000
Part of the problem is the US and state govts refusal to use their bulk buying to drive a discount from pharma and medical suppliers. The Ontario gov’t is the largest purchaser of drugs in North America; it uses this as leverage to drive the prices down. In the current debt ceiling debate, Biden and the Democrats want to lower drug prices in the same way. The Republican plan does not include this. From what I understand Biden has lowered insulin cost and maybe other drugs, but needs to legislate it to make it more permanent.
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One of the final healthcare actions made by the Trump Administration has been rescinded by the Biden Administration. On December 23, 2020, the Trump Administration finalized a rule that directed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take action to require that federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) make insulin and injectable epinephrine available to certain patients at 340B prices. The Biden Administration delayed the rule twice before it became effective on July 20, 2021, and the first opportunity for HHS to impose the requirements of the rule would have been through grants awarded in fiscal year 2022. So, while the rule has been in effect since July, it has yet to be implemented.
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NJ – it’s pretty standard for any union to speak out against the excesses of capitalism. Supporters of free market capitalism always think its improved people’s lives, however, that’s not always the case. In the early industrial revolution, life expectancy and infant mortality declined and disease outbreaks became more common. In fact, it was until the post war era when capitalism was tempered by social programs that life became better for the majority of the people. However, in the Anglo-American world with its adherance to the neo-con economic model since the 80s, living standards have begun to decline again – life expectancy is down in the US mostly due to the decline in health outcomes of the white working class. School tuition costs have risen far higher than inflation leaving students in debt for decades. Two-income families have become the norm and almost a necessity. Shelter costs take up far more than the 30% of income which used to be the standard. Most people under 30 don’t think home ownership will be possible, etc.
Depression or recession, a simple error. The rest of his statement is correct though, Pelosi could whip the needed votes, McCartney has no control of his own caucus. As I noted before both parties seem to be in a battle to declare the presumed presidential candidate too old and senile.
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From what I understand insulin costs were capped by Biden at 35$ per month for Medicare patients. The Democrats tried to extend this to all insured in the Build Back Better act but had to take it out because of either
Munchin or Sinnema or both. However, a separate bill passed the house and now is the Senate which will cap insulin at 35$. The current average price for insulin in Canada is 12$, in the UK its only $7.50. The US gov’t is being willingly gouged by big pharma.
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If there was one or two gaffes by this guy I could understand. All one needs to do is to listen to him for a minute or two to fully understand he is a few short of a full pack. He’s not all there for certain and he is not making all policy decisions…just who is running this country is a mystery for many. The guy speaking in the ear piece maybe?
Our government most assuredly is in the pocket of big Pharma…but I do not see anyone in this administration trying to break away….
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In California (at least the way I remember it) the political parties can declare their primaries to be “open” or “closed.”
So what we have currently (if you’re an independent) is a ballot that will list all candidates in the Democrat and third parties, but not the Republican candidates as the GOP has chosen to have “closed” primary ballots (so only registered party members can vote). I get that, the party faithful should be able to choose their party’s candidate. But it can be be frustrating, especially now when so many voters (1/3?) have become “no party preference.”
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From WSJ editorial today:
~ The unfortunate political reality today is that the U.S. is marching toward a 2024 rematch between two aging Presidents, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, that most Americans say they don’t want. This great country can do better, but it’s up to voters to spare us from the divisive oldsters who desperately need each other to win a second term. …
… Republicans are at least getting a better choice as a variety of candidates enter the presidential race. They all have their merits and deserve a hearing as the campaign unfolds. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis joined the fray on Wednesday and, judging by the polls and his financial backing to date, he is the biggest threat to Mr. Trump.
… Mr. DeSantis’s record is undeniably conservative, and some critics fear it may be too far right to win a national election. Mr. Trump seems to think so as he is attacking the Governor from the left on Social Security, abortion for Florida’s six-week ban, and the fight over Disney’s special Florida privileges.
But Mr. DeSantis won re-election in 2022 by 19 points in a state that has traditionally been a nail-biter. He won Hispanic counties and others that traditionally vote Democratic. Mr. Trump hasn’t won anything for himself or the rest of his party since his inside electoral straight in 2016.
A more serious concern for many is Mr. DeSantis’s fence-straddling on Ukraine and Russia. He indulged a former Fox News host by calling the war a “territorial dispute,” though he later said the phrase was misunderstood.
But Mr. DeSantis hasn’t clarified his larger foreign-policy views, and the worry is that he will make the mistake of chasing Mr. Trump in retreating from U.S. global commitments. Mr. DeSantis will need to explain how he defines being a foreign policy “Jacksonian” in an increasingly dangerous world. …
The other rap against Mr. DeSantis is that he’s a cultural brawler more than a likable unifier. There’s truth to this. He’s no backslapper, and he’d benefit from even a little of Ronald Reagan’s self-deprecating humor. The best candidates for President campaign with some poetry and optimism as well as policy grit and personal toughness.
The Governor will also need a larger vision for America beyond his Florida success—not least how he’d lift the economy out of stagflation and the country out of its angry divisions. Mr. Biden promised to do the latter but has made his Presidency hostage to the Bernie Sanders left. Mr. Trump is promising a politics of “retribution,” which means four more years of national trench warfare.
Mr. Biden’s failures mean there’s an opportunity for Republicans to offer voters a better vision of national renewal. The country needs it, Americans want it, and the opening is there if a GOP candidate can seize the moment.~
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And skyrocketing medical and prescription costs are becoming an issue in the U.S. Not sure how we solve that without sacrificing good and efficient (no months-long waits for surgeries) care. But it’s hitting a lot more than just the low-income folks.
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According to WSJ, Biden is held hostage by the Sanders left. Meanwhile NJ stated the govt is in the pocket of big pharma. Both can’t be true. I’d lean towards NJ as opposed to WSJ, the latter is engaging in hyperbole. If Biden was held captive, there would be far more action on health care, drug prices, and student loan forgiveness. The American left views Biden as better than the alternative but are quite critical of him. As Sinnima and Munchin have demonstrated, big pharma is in both parties.
I see press conferences by Biden where he comes across as alert and funny. It depends on who’s editing the video.
Canada has closed nomination meetings. The local party members get together and vote for a candidate. Often there’s some backroom meetings and there may only be one candidate who is acclaimed – the Conservatives and the NDP are the worst for that. Liberals tend to have more open nominations. Occasionally, the national or provincial party board will interfere and appoint a candidate. The conservatives do this in rural ridings where they win no matter who runs – so they use the seat to reward someone for hard work in the party.
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It is interesting there are concerns about DeSantis foreign policy when the world is laughing at us with this current administration…not to mention our pumping billions to the Ukrainian government…..
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HRW “Both can’t be true” and “hyperbole.”
It’s an election year. lol
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And with both parties now experiencing some significant factions, divisions and in-fighting (GOP more than Dems, but they’ll probably catch up), the primary season could be unpredictable and offering some surprises.
But non-partisans now have more clout than before and neither party can afford to forget about them, they can swing general elections quite easily.
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and next up….. North Face…
The North Face is facing heat after it launched an ad featuring a drag queen to promote its new ‘Summer of Pride’ collection for children
The collection includes rainbow-colored clothing for children
The drag queen is meant to encourage everyone to “Come Out” as part of its “Out in Nature” collection
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HRW, Both are seen as true only if you have been conditioned to consider big government spending as ‘the Left’. It’s not. As for Sanders, I think he is seen as just another sell-out by real Leftists. But the WSJ piece is created for center right mass consumption where those niceties are usually unimportant. And so the uni-party continues to spend, dividing the spoils a little to the left and a little to the right while their politicians point the finger at each other. It’s a charade and a mostly bloodless means of crowd control. Although, with the attempted coup during the last presidency, the 2020 riots and COVID lockdowns, we did get a taste of the violence and social upheaval we’ll be treated to if the uni-party becomes seriously unhappy.
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A friend of mine who is further to the right than all of you here sent me a youtube video of the ad – it looks too ridiculous to be real especially when it says a proud member of the LGHGTV community. But apparently it is real. Weird is all I have to say.
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DJ – American medical costs are insane, if it’s not an emergency and you can fly, treatment in Spain is far cheaper and you can enjoy a holiday before and after. Insurance companies will fly people to Mexico to pick up a 3 month supply of medication. The flights, hotel stay and drugs are still cheaper than the US.
And Canada is not exempt; dental is not covered in Ontario. My employer benefits cover ordinary care but not implants. I’d like two implants – the cost would be $9000. The same would cost me $2000 in Eastern Europe or even less in Turkey. I retire in a year; I could go in the off season. Implants are a two to three step procedure. I could travel in-between dental visits and as my daughter looks to be staying in Berlin, an extended stay means more time with my daughter.
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NJ – Biden is far more respected abroad than Trump. The only one who liked Trump were the authoritarians but western Europe had no use for him. Biden’s policy on Ukraine has strengthened the NATO alliance.
Debra – you’re right; spending covers the entire spectrum, it’s just a question of where and for whom a party spends. The right wing populists governemnts in Europe sometimes spend more than the Nordic socialists. Poland is governed by right wing populists – it supports large families with money, gives the Catholic church access to public schools and will even pay for them, health care spending is huge especially maternal and natal care as there’s an abortion ban and this ensures mother and infant are carried for (one of the lowest infant mortality rate in the world),etc.
And yes it’s a charade and a bloodless means of crowd control. One of the motivations to establish the European welfare state in the post war period was to take away any appeal the communists had. Bread riots are not good for the long term stability of the state or economy.
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I don’t think Sanders has lost his appeal with the left. And it’s not necessarily the left but the young people who are upset. Many young people know their parents or grandparents had more opportunities than they do so they want changes or one might say a return to the 50’s and 60s economic and social policy. In addition, the internet has made them aware that a better world is possible – universal medicare, better health outcomes, better labour conditions, etc.
Politically the Democrats have a huge advantage in the youth vote (about 25%) and a 10% advantage in the independent vote. Its a question of motivating these two groups. Biden doesn’t motivate them; ironically Trump does motivate them.
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The groomers lie, and so do union members.
“Teachers’ Union Told LA Dodgers Students Could Die If Drag Queen Nuns Weren’t Re-Invited to Pride Night”
https://freebeacon.com/california/california-teachers-association-sisters-of-perpetual-indulgence/
“A powerful California teachers’ union was part of a successful pressure campaign to get the Los Angeles Dodgers to re-invite a group of drag queen nuns to the team’s annual Pride Night. The union suggested that LGBT students’ lives were at stake.
“At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under attack across the country with more than 400 pieces of legislation filed in states, at a time when 45 percent of LGBTQ+ youth report seriously considering committing suicide each year, we should be leading with love and inclusion in California rather than sowing division,” the California Teachers Association president said in a statement on Monday, referring to a spate of “red state” legislation restricting sex-change treatment for minors and a 2022 Trevor Project survey. “Our students are watching what happens on and off the field.”
The union had resolved to speak out after the Dodgers rescinded an offer to honor the drag group, known as the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, for its advocacy before a June 16 home game against the San Francisco Giants. The resolution, which was obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, went even further than the union’s public statement, likening the controversy over the baseball game ceremony to the AIDS epidemic.
“SILENCE = DEATH has long been a refrain of the LGBTQIA+ community, and though it refers to refusal to acknowledge the AIDS crisis, silence in the face of the national assault upon these marginalized youths will lead to more deaths,” the resolution read.”
—-
Bull@#$%, backed by bull@#$% science.
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“IRS Whistleblower Says He Personally Witnessed Biden DOJ Interfere In Hunter Biden Probe….”
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Target the groomers. Make them as uncomfortable as possible.
“Montana Bans Drag Queens Reading To Kids At Libraries, Schools”
https://www.dailywire.com/news/montana-bans-drag-queens-reading-to-kids-at-libraries-schools
““A school or library that receives any form of funding from the state may not allow a sexually oriented performance or drag story hour … on its premises during regular operating hours or at any school-sanctioned extracurricular activity,” the bill states, adding that a minor who attended such a performance “may bring an action against a person who knowingly promotes, conducts, or participates as a performer in the performance. The minor’s parent or legal guardian may bring an action in the name of the minor for an action commenced under this section.”
“In my humble opinion, there’s no such thing as a ‘family-friendly’ drag show,” the bill’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Braxton Mitchell, said in April, adding that he sponsored the bill “because drag shows in recent years have been specifically aimed at children.” He also stated that drag queens reading to children were part of a “sick agenda” and drag shows were “damaging to a child’s psychology and general welfare.”
In signing the bill, Gianforte commented that he believed it was “wildly inappropriate for little kids, especially preschoolers and kids in elementary school, to be exposed to sexualized content.””
—-
And he is correct. Everyone, including the groomers, knows this is inappropriate for kids.
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Re Sanders, I’m no lefty, but Sanders was at least a consistent voice moderating the excesses of capitalism. Until Trump. After that, he appears much more like an elderly man with TDS . He’s much more amenable to wars as well.
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The pervs have their enablers in the media, frauds like Collins….
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Let’s help them!
Bingo, we have a winner. ESG is alive and losing your company’s money for you!
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Even some on the left get it.
Leave the kids alone.
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Bingo.
This is the way….
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I see the shelf life on this one was only about 3 days. Lol.
Another “white supremacist” that wasn’t.
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I like it. 🙂
The WaPo stooge thinks this is all bad, but what’s not to like?
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9 billion in losses.
Love. It.
—
https://nypost.com/2023/05/25/target-loses-8b-in-week-since-boycott-calls-over-pride-collection/
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That’s a typical statement from any teacher union I know. There’s a lot of attention focused on a very small minority of the population. The right seeks to ban and ostracize them and the social left tries to “protest” thems (some would say enable them). Personally, I think my union and others are better off fighting for the needs of all marginalized group especially the working class. The rest is a side show. Both left and right need to listen to Johnny Cash
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oops that should protect not protest
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Read the words of Matt Walsh again; “Pick a victim, gang up on it, and make an example of it…..claim one scalp then move on “
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Johnny Cash 🙂
_________________
OPINIONCOMMENTARY
Tim Scott Is Up to the 2024 Presidential Primary Challenge
In a dark and angry era, can he persuade American voters to embrace optimism?
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I’ll try that again:
__________
OPINIONCOMMENTARY (WSJ)
Tim Scott Is Up to the 2024 Presidential Primary Challenge
In a dark and angry era, can he persuade American voters to embrace optimism?
Karl Rove
~ Sen. Tim Scott can move a crowd. I’ve seen it more than once.
The first time was in May 2021, when Mr. Scott—who announced he is running for the GOP presidential nomination Monday—appeared at a donor appreciation conference for a Republican voter registration effort I helped organize in Texas. He was interviewed for 45 minutes by then-Rep. Kevin Brady. After a few dry minutes discussing the 2017 tax reform the two worked on, Mr. Brady shifted gears, telling Mr. Scott he wanted the audience to know the South Carolinian’s personal story as well as he did. Mr. Brady then asked the only black Republican senator when he first realized someone hated him because of his skin color.
The next 40 minutes saw a riveting exploration of Mr. Scott’s life. The son of a single mom, he grew up in his grandparents’ 700-square-foot rental house. Knowing discrimination from a young age, he became a disillusioned, angry teenager. He was saved by his faith and a mentor—the owner of the Chick-fil-A where he worked. There he learned the dignity of work, the importance of personal responsibility, and the choice he had to make between becoming bitter over what life had dealt him or striving to become better. He talked about being a Christian in a way that was sincere and humble, not showy or presumptuous.
As the interview proceeded, the crowd fell silent, every eye drawn to the stage. No one left or looked at a phone. When it was finished, the audience responded with a level of emotion I’ve rarely seen in politics. Mr. Brady told me the interview’s power came not from Mr. Scott talking about being given the American dream, but because it became clear that through struggle, hard work and love, he had achieved it. …
… Further evidence of Mr. Scott’s ability to connect with voters was his reply to President Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress—which new presidents traditionally deliver in lieu of a State of the Union address—in April 2021. Giving the opposition party’s response is usually the worst assignment in politics. A nervous, ill-prepared backbencher responding to the president within minutes generally results in an awkward speech that pales in significance to the majesty of a long-planned presidential address.
Yet Mr. Scott’s appearance was impressive. He praised Mr. Biden as “a good man” but criticized him for “pulling us further apart.” He found fault with the president’s $2 trillion spending bill, which passed on a party-line vote. He pointed to Mr. Biden’s abandonment of his decadeslong opposition to government funding of abortion. He criticized the Democrats’ refusal to consider Mr. Scott’s police-reform proposals—seemingly only because a Republican sponsored them. These actions, Mr. Scott argued, didn’t fulfill Mr. Biden’s pledge to unite the country. It’s rare that a response to a State of the Union resonates so well.
Mr. Scott also has a fast friendship with the best pal in politics—ready money. His $22 million cash on hand as of March 30 eclipsed even Donald Trump’s $14 million. But Mr. Scott’s great strength isn’t fundraising—it’s what brought in the cash: his authenticity in sharing a message.
He’s proved that he’ll be a disciplined campaigner. During an interview Monday, NBC correspondent Tom Llamas tried to lure Mr. Scott six times into trashing Mr. Trump and five times into knocking Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. In every instance, Mr. Scott refused to take the bait, answering by saying what he believed and planned to do. Viewers still got the contrast with Messrs. Trump and DeSantis, while Mr. Scott rose above his opponents.
One challenge for Mr. Scott will be to campaign extensively enough in the first contests in Iowa and New Hampshire while fulfilling his Senate duties. An even greater challenge is to convince a party in which many have embraced Mr. Trump’s dark, angry spirit that optimism and personal integrity are a better option.
It won’t be easy to displace the politics of retribution. That alone makes the South Carolina senator an underdog. But Tim Scott has overcome greater challenges in life. ~
____________________
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Looks like the Republicans found a whistleblower but not the ones they have bragged about. I do find it strange he did an interview prior to appearing in Congress or having a legal agreement protecting him. He may be trying to control the narrative but he’s left himself open to violating the privacy rules of the IRS. From what I understand, that particular case has been dismissed by the judge for a lack of evidence. And now he comes forward….strange you’d think he would have been at the courthouse testifying.
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Debra – my problem with Sanders has always been his foreign policy ideas. He’s committed to maintaining America’s dominance in world affairs. I think he follows the idea if not the US then who? and the alternatives are not appealing.
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Some of DeSantis’ laws are self-serving – hiding his travel expenditures, repealing the “resign to run” law. Some are stupid – unregistered concealed carry will be a nightmare for cops, now they can’t trust anyone. Voting is a constitutional right but you register to vote; the same could apply to gun rights. Some won’t survive a court challenge – non-unaminous death penalty, death penatly for sexual offenders,
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Non-unanimous death penalty? Should not ever become law. Those verdicts should only come down with the most severe standards for guilt, and that definitely includes a unanimous jury.
Even then, “(deadly) mistakes” have been made.
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That said, I did just (unanimously) slay the mosquito that’s been stalking me as I work.
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HRW @4:26: One trick here is to ask doctors’ offices about “free samples” for the more expensive meds.
Not much help, but it’s something.
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I still see “Bernie” bumper stickers on cars around here.
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I don’t support the death penalty for a variety of reasons but the simpliest one is people make mistakes. Since 1973, over 190 people have been wrongfully put to death in the US; that’s 3-4 per year on average.
One of the annoying things about living in Canada is people’s satisfaction with our health care system by comparing it to the US. Our drug and dental costs are lower than the US but still too high compared to Europe. I’m still legally married to my ex, a Polish citizen and my daughter is now a dual citizen. Medical tourism is my solution, once I no longer have employer benefits.
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~ On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness ~ Deuteronomy
the Bible as pretty strict standards for putting anyone to death, a standard most of our death penalty cases don’t meet. There has been some debate whether DNA is equivalent to a witness. Still, circumstantial evidence would not be enough according to the Scriptures.
I’m conflicted about the death penalty — the Bible also says that taking someone’s life (in a crime) is so egregious as we are all made in God’s image that the most severe penalty is justified.
But then you have the legal system and juries and all of that carries some imperfection.
But not (at the very least) requiring a unanimous jury for such a overwhelming decision strikes me as reckless and opening the way for even more possible mistakes in judgement.
It’s always disturbing to me, also, to see crowds gather to cheer when an execution is carried out. It should never be an occasion for celebration, but for mourning — even when one believes the just penalty is being carried out.
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I just read the bit about Tim Scott – interesting, maybe the Republican party can redeem itself. It’s important for the parties to balance each other off and the pendulum to swing back and forth just so we don’t develop tunnel vision and neglect those who see the world differently.
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Marvin Olasky had a piece in World many years ago in which he said that we do not come up to the Biblical standard for the death penalty. He also pointed out that there is a great disparity in who is sentenced to death. Those relying on public defenders or inexpensive attorneys were much more likely to be sentenced to death than more well-to-do people. (And minorities are more likely to be sentenced to death as well.)
I don’t remember if he made this point (I think he might have), but others say that the Old Testament’s words on putting someone to death are no longer in effect, although that is something that various Christians disagree on.
Olasky also pointed out that there were no prisons in ancient Israel, so the death penalty was more necessary then, and that today, a life sentence with no possibility of parole could be considered a harsher sentence for some. From the financial aspect, a death penalty case, with all of its phases, is much more expensive for the state than even keeping a prisoner for life.
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Colson made the same points.
While he opposed the death penalty for many years, he did at some point come to the idea that it was necessary (based on the biblical view of the taking of a human life).
But he also stressed the two-witness standard and the fact that, yes, the penalty often is applied by the system (affording good lawyers, as Kizzie mentioned) in an unfair manner.
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There have been crimes committed so heinous that I have would have liked to have pulled the lever to put the offenders to death. There are two such men in our prisons here and I believe they should never have been afforded to take another breath or see the light of day again….they certainly took that away from a dear young woman. Their hearts were so callous there was no remorse for what they done.
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DJ,
“Non-unanimous death penalty? Should not ever become law. Those verdicts should only come down with the most severe standards for guilt, and that definitely includes a unanimous jury.”
Sheesh. Read the Tweet.
The death penalty conviction still needs to be unanimous. Nothings changed.
But the sentencing phase does not. This will stop 1 or 2 jurors who let their personal view of the death penalty overrule the will of the majority.
See the last Tweet at 5:12PM where this is clearly explained.
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Also,
Sorry, no one but the establishment/RINO types gives two flying monkeys what Rove has to say. He’s been a professional loser since Bush. Time for him to slink back under his rock.
That being said, I like Scott as VP material.
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Rove has years of political experience. A political loser? Hardly.
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And actually, I’d be seriously disappointed if Tim Scott were to ever accept a VP spot with Donald Trump, it would be a politically fatal mistake — and also would compromise his character.
Pence tried that and look where it got him.
NJ, yes, I get it. I understand the emotion (@10:42) and have personally thought some crimes (and clear, undisputed guilt and culpability and cruelty) are exactly what the death penalty addresses. But I don’t think that’s what we were addressing here in the discussion.
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