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The Commentariat -- Juneteenth 2021
Late Morning Update:
The New York Times' live updates of Covid-19 developments Saturday are here.
This Happens When You Don't Render Unto Caesar Every Time. Tal Axelrod of the Hill: "Former Vice President Mike Pence was heckled with calls of 'traitor' at a conservative conference Friday as he continues to draw criticism from members of the Republican base for his role in Congress's certification of President Biden's Electoral College victory. 'It is great to be back with so many patriots dedicated to faith and freedom and the road to the majority,' Pence said to applause at the Faith & Freedom Coalition summit before the heckling began. 'I'm a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order,' Pence continued, as the hecklers in the audience began to grow louder, yelling 'traitor.' Some of the hecklers were reportedly removed from the event as Pence went on with his speech." MB: Not very Christian of them, was it? I just don't think Jesus would heckle mikey for doing his Constitutional duty.
Missouri. Michael Levenson of the New York Times: "A Missouri man pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges that he had threatened to lynch a Black congressman the day after the Jan. 6 siege at the U.S. Capitol and a Jewish congressman in 2019, court records show. The man, Kenneth R. Hubert, 63, Marionville, Mo., was arrested in March after, prosecutors said, he had directed the threats at Representatives Emanuel Cleaver II of Missouri and Steve Cohen of Tennessee, both Democrats."
Iran. Vivian Yee of the New York Times: "Iran's ultraconservative judiciary chief, Ebrahim Raisi, has been elected president after a vote that many Iranians skipped, seeing it as rigged in his favor. The Interior Ministry announced the final results on Saturday, saying Mr. Raisi had won with nearly 18 million of 28.9 million ballots cast in the voting a day earlier. Turnout was 48.8 percent -- a significant decline from the last presidential election, in 2017.... Mr. Raisi, 60, is a hard-line cleric favored by Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and has been seen as his possible successor. He has a record of grave human rights abuses, including accusations of playing a role in the mass execution of political opponents in 1988, and is currently under United States sanctions. His background appears unlikely to hinder the renewed negotiations between the United States and Iran over restoring a 2015 agreement to limit Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs in exchange for lifting American economic sanctions. Mr. Raisi has said he will remain committed to the deal and do all he can to remove sanctions." An AP report is here.
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Derrick Taylor of the New York Times: "Juneteenth, an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, has been celebrated by African-Americans since the late 1800s. But in recent years, and particularly following nationwide protests over police brutality and the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and other Black Americans, there is a renewed interest in the day that celebrates freedom. The celebration continues to resonate in new ways, given the sweeping changes and widespread protests across the U.S. over the last year and following a guilty verdict in the killing of Mr. Floyd. Here's a brief guide to what you should know about Juneteenth." ~~~
~~~ Marie: I Googled "how to celebrate Juneteenth," and there were quite a few articles that weren't especially helpful. This one, from what seems to be a home-decorating site called the Spruce, is surprisingly useful. Here's another, from the AARP. Also, if you live in an area where Juneteenth has been recognized for some time, you will likely find local events to attend. So put on your red dress and get out and party! ~~~
~~~ MEANWHILE, for folks of a different persuasion, there is another summer event to anticipate:
~~~ A friend of ours sent me these tickets, and he obviously paid a lot of money for them, so it's kind of a shame I'll be unable to attend due to previously-scheduled plans to try to behave like a decent human being. But we can be confident the money will be put to good use. As someone who happened to see the tickets observed, "I bet you get these if you check that box for automatic withdrawals."
Elizabeth Dias of the New York Times: "The Roman Catholic bishops of the United States, flouting a warning from the Vatican, have overwhelmingly voted to draft guidance on the sacrament of the Eucharist, advancing a political push by conservative bishops to deny President Biden communion because of his support of abortion rights. The decision, made public on Friday afternoon, is aimed at the nation's second Catholic president, perhaps the most religiously observant commander in chief since Jimmy Carter, and exposes bitter divisions in American Catholicism. It capped three days of contentious debate at a virtual June meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The measure was approved by a vote of 73 percent in favor and 24 percent opposed.... The move to target a president, who regularly attends Mass and has spent a lifetime steeped in Christian rituals and practices, is striking coming from leaders of the president's own faith, particularly after many conservative Catholics turned a blind eye to the sexual improprieties of ... Donald J. Trump because they supported his political agenda. It reveals a uniquely American Catholicism increasingly at odds with Rome." (Also linked yesterday.) ~~~
~~~ Marie: Those old farts, with all due respect, should read the part of Matthew's Sermon on the Mount where Jesus tells his followers not to do as the hypocrites do. The hypocrites Jesus calls out are rabbis -- that is, the equivalent of priests & bishops. Funny how some religious zealots are all for the First Amendment guarantee that government may not interfere with religious practices, but they think it's A-okay for religion to interfere with government practices. Not exactly a "wall" between church & state. ~~~
~~~ Matt Viser of the Washington Post: Joe "Biden is arguably the most [religiously] observant president in decades, and his faith is a core part of his identity. He rarely misses Mass. He crosses himself in public. He quotes scripture, he cites hymns and he clutches rosary beads ahead of key decisions. But now, the nation's most prominent Catholic is at odds with many of the American bishops of his church. He has been the catalyst for an explosive disagreement that had been playing out for years, over whether Communion should be granted to politicians whose public stances go against church doctrine, and on Friday they took a step toward barring Biden and others from the Eucharist. The move puts Biden, who rarely discusses his Catholicism, at the center not only of a political fight between conservatives and liberals but also a church battle between traditionalists and reformers. In that sense he is aligned with Pope Francis as world-renowned liberal Catholics, a phenomenon that presents a challenge to traditionalists."
Betsy Swan & Paul McLeary of Politico: "The Biden White House has temporarily halted a military aid package to Ukraine that would include lethal weapons, a plan originally made in response to aggressive Russian troop movements along Ukraine's border this spring. The aid package would be worth up to $100 million.... The National Security Council directed officials to put the package together, as Washington grew increasingly concerned over a massive Russian military buildup near the border with Ukraine and in the Crimean Peninsula, according to three ... people.... Officials at the State Department and Pentagon worked to assemble the proposal. But officials on the National Security Council ended up putting the proposal on hold after Russia announced it would draw down troops stationed near Ukraine and in the lead-up to President Joe Biden's high-stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin." ~~~
~~~ Oh Yeah? White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, Statement: "The idea that we have held back security assistance to Ukraine is nonsense. Just last week -- in the run-up to the U.S.-Russia Summit -- we provided a $150 million package of security assistance, including lethal assistance. We have now provided the entire amount appropriated by Congress through the Ukraine security assistance initiative. Two days before the Summit, President Biden stood on the stage ... at NATO and said that we would keep putting Ukraine 'in the position to be able to continue to resist Russian physical aggression.' We have also prepared contingency funds in the event of a further Russian incursion into Ukraine. As President Biden told President Putin directly, we will stand unwavering in support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity." MB: The Politico story addresses Psaki's statement, made after the Politico story was first published.
Philip Bump of the Washington Post: Tucker Carlson's quickly debunked assertion that the FBI may have helped organize the January 6 insurrection is gaining GOP backers. Among them, Gohmert, Gaetz & Greene. It's a convenient story because it relieves Trump -- and them -- of responsibility for the insurrection; the fact that they story is completely bogus matters not a whit. (Also linked yesterday.)
Across GOP-USA, Jim Crow Is Already at Work. Nick Corasaniti & Reid Epstein of the New York Times: "Republican state lawmakers have introduced at least 216 bills in 41 states to give legislatures more power over elections officials.... The maneuvers risk eroding some of the core checks that stood as a bulwark against ... Donald J. Trump as he sought to subvert the 2020 election results.... The new laws target [not only] high-level state officials.... The laws allow Republicans to remove local officials they don't like.... [These] officials ... are responsible for decisions like selecting drop box and precinct locations, sending out voter notices, establishing early voting hours and certifying elections.... In Georgia, the legislature passed a unique law for some counties.... In [rural Republican] Morgan County, east of Atlanta, Helen Butler has been ... a member of the county board of elections.... [She] is also runs the Georgia Coalition for the People's Agenda, a group dedicated to protecting the voting rights of Black Americans and increasing their civic engagement. But Ms. Butler will be removed from the county board at the end of the month, after [Georgia Gov. Brian] Kemp signed a local bill that ended the ability of political parties to appoint members." Local Republican officials who acted honorably during the last election cycle are being replaced, too. In De Kalb County. "Republicans nominated Paul Maner, a well-known local conservative with a history of false statements," to replace a long-serving GOP election board member who had opposed a GOP elections bill.
Adam Liptak of the New York Times: "The arrival of Justice Amy Coney Barrett in October seemed to create a 6-to-3 conservative juggernaut that would transform the Supreme Court. Instead, judging by the 39 signed decisions in argued cases so far this term, including two major rulings on Thursday, the right side of the court is badly fractured and its liberal members are having a surprisingly good run. That picture may change, as the court has yet to issue the term's last 15 decisions. But some trends have already come into focus.... This term, Justice [Brett] Kavanaugh has voted with the majority in divided cases 87 percent of the time, more than any other member of the court.... The two other Trump appointees are not far behind.... By contrast, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr..., was in the majority in divided cases just 36 percent of the time. That helps explain his aggrieved tone in concurring and dissenting opinions on Thursday...."
Matt Phillips & Jeanna Smialek of the New York Times: "Stocks had their biggest daily decline in over a month on Friday, capping a week of turbulence on Wall Street as investors struggled to calibrate their expectations for inflation and interest rates. The S&P 500 fell 1.3 percent, its biggest drop since May 12 and a decline that stood out because the index had made only small moves over the past month. It was the fourth consecutive daily decline for the index, bringing the S&P 500's losses for the week to 1.9 percent. That's its worst showing since late February. Wall Street's focus this week was on the Federal Reserve and the potential for it to increase interest rates or take other steps to cut back its emergency support for the economy. The central bank said on Wednesday that it had no immediate plans to change its policy, but it did release projections that showed most officials expected interest rates to start to rise in 2023."
Thanks for the Short Commute, Jeff! Lauren Gurley of Vice: "Natalie Monarrez's commute to work at Amazon's colossal warehouse in Staten Island, New York City, known as JFK8, is just a few hundred steps. Since 2019, she's been homeless and has lived out of her SUV, camping out in the facility's parking lot.... Monarrez earns $19.30 an hour as a full-time Amazon ship dock worker at JFK8 -- more than $4 above New York City's $15-an-hour minimum wage. Still it's not enough, she says, to afford a studio apartment in Staten Island or neighboring New Jersey once she subtracts her other expenses such as her cell phone bill, health insurance, the cost of gas and groceries, the lease on her car, car insurance, and her Planet Fitness membership. 'Jeff Bezos donates to homeless shelters for tax write-offs and PR. He needs to know that some of his own workers (without family or a second income) can't afford rent,' she said." MB: Perhaps Monarrez could drop her gym membership if she got an apartment, because its primary use for her seems to be as a place to shower. In any event, an SUV is no place for a working woman to live.
The Pandemic, Ctd.
Covid May Ruin the Rest of Your Life. Pam Belluck of the New York Times: "Hundreds of thousands of Americans have sought medical care for post-Covid health problems that they had not been diagnosed with before becoming infected with the coronavirus, according to the largest study to date of long-term symptoms in Covid-19 patients. The study, tracking the health insurance records of nearly two million people in the United States who contracted the coronavirus last year, found that one month or more after their infection, almost one-quarter -- 23 percent -- of them sought medical treatment for new conditions. Those affected were all ages, including children. Their most common new health problems were pain, including in nerves and muscles; breathing difficulties; high cholesterol; malaise and fatigue; and high blood pressure. Other issues included intestinal symptoms; migraines; skin problems; heart abnormalities; sleep disorders; and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Post-Covid health problems were common even among people who had not gotten sick from the virus at all, the study found."
Michael Levenson of the New York Times: "A federal judge ruled on Friday that, beginning on July 18, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will no longer be allowed to enforce its rules intended to prevent the spread of the coronavirus on cruise ships in Florida. In his ruling, the judge, Steven D. Merryday of U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, granted Florida's request for a preliminary injunction blocking the C.D.C. from enforcing the rules in Florida's ports, finding that they were based on 'stale data' and failed to take into account the prevalence of effective vaccines. The judge said that, beginning on July 18, the rules 'will persist as only a nonbinding "consideration," "recommendation" or "guideline," the same tools used by C.D.C. when addressing the practices in other similarly situated industries, such as airlines, railroads, hotels, casinos, sports venues, buses, subways, and others.'... Judge Merryday gave the agency until July 2 to propose a 'narrower injunction' that would allow cruise ships to sail in a timely fashion." MB: Pappy Bush appointed Merryday. On the upside, Merryday does not seem to be a vaccine skeptic.
The New York Times' live updates of Covid-19 developments Friday are here. The Washington Post's live Covid-19 updates for Friday are here. (Also linked yesterday.)
Darlene Superville of the AP: "President Joe Biden took a cautious victory lap Friday in his quest to bring the COVID-19 pandemic under control, announcing that 300 million vaccine shots have been administered in the 150 days since he took office. Biden credited scientists, companies, the American people and his whole-of-government effort. The president noted that the widespread vaccination campaign had set the stage for most Americans to have a relatively normal summer as businesses reopen and employers hire.... But as Biden marks one milestone, he is in danger of failing to meet another: his target to have 70% of American adults at least partially vaccinated by July Fourth, in a little over two weeks.'" (Also linked yesterday.) ~~~
~~~ Sheryl Stolberg & Noah Weiland of the New York Times: "With the United States unlikely to reach his self-imposed deadline of having 70 percent of adults partly vaccinated against the coronavirus by July 4, President Biden on Friday stepped up his drive for Americans to get their shots, warning that those who decline risk becoming infected by a highly contagious and potentially deadly variant. In an afternoon appearance at the White House, Mr. Biden avoided mentioning the 70 percent target that he set in early May and instead trumpeted a different milestone: 300 million shots in his first 150 days in office. But even as he hailed the vaccination campaign's success, he sounded a somber note about the worrisome Delta variant, which is spreading in states with low vaccination rates. 'The best way to protect yourself against these variants is to get vaccinated,' the president declared." ~~~
Beyond the Beltway
Missouri, etc. Glenn Thrush & Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs of the New York Times: "Missouri has become the latest state to throw down a broad challenge to the enforcement of federal firearms laws.... A bill signed by Gov. Mike Parson over the weekend -- at a gun store called Frontier Justice -- threatens a penalty of $50,000 against any local police agency that enforces certain federal gun laws and regulations that constitute 'infringements' of Second Amendment gun rights. At least eight other states -- Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia -- have taken similar action this year, passing laws of varying strength that discourage or prohibit the enforcement of federal gun statutes by state and local agents and officers." MB: You know, Mike, you aren't just dangerous; you're damned silly. How is anyone supposed to take seriously a governor who signs a bill at a gun store, much less a store called "Frontier Justice"? Did you wear a cowboy hat, boots & spurs, and sport a packed holster riding low on your hips? (Also linked yesterday.)
News Ledes
AP: "Tropical Storm Claudette dumped heavy rain across the U.S. Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Florida as it chugged inland Saturday, triggering flash floods and tornado warnings along its soggy course across the Southeast. The National Hurricane Center declared Claudette organized enough to qualify as a named storm at 4 a.m. Saturday, well after the storm's center of circulation had come ashore southwest of New Orleans. It was north of the city three hours later, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (72 kph) as the storm plodded to the northeast at 12 mph (19 kph). The heaviest rains were far from the center, near the Mississippi-Alabama state line." ~~~
~~~ The Weather Channel's main report (at about 8 am ET Saturday) is here.
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Reader Comments (8)
Don’t Gimme That Old Time Religion
Just wondering how many of those US bishops who told Joe Biden he isn’t moral enough to receive communion were A-OK with allowing child rapers to terrorize their parishes for decades.
This bullshit is the result (in part, at least) of the baleful influence of Cardinal Ratzinger, former Hitler youth member who became Pope Benedict.
As the hardcore conservative (ie, medieval enthusiast) of his era, Ratzinger worked tirelessly to boot more progressive prelates in the US and South America so he could install a cadre of far right wingers in order to ensure the continued clock rewinding so dear to the blackened little hearts of the official church supporters of child molesters, in much the same way that Trump and McConnell worked so assiduously to install unqualified Nazi hacks and white supremacy supporters on federal benches.
More and more, across the world, it’s become clear that the political right stands more for hatred and punishment of those they abhor than any form of adherence to straightforward conservative values.
The Catholic Church is losing members at a rate never seen before. Ratzinger’s primary goal was to oust any Catholics who didn’t see things his way. This is just more of the same. And it’s sure to encourage younger church members to say “No more”. This is 2021, not 1121.
Another teaching of Jesus they ignore is his advice to give unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, in other words, to make allowances for political requirements. Abortion is (for the time being, at least) legal in this country, whether they like it or not. To punish the president of the United States for abiding by the laws of the land is no different than the old trick of medieval popes who used the threat of excommunication to try to control political leaders they felt didn’t bow low enough before them.
Biden should give these dark ages douchebags a big FU.
@Akhilleus: Yeah, if the Roman Catholics kick him out, Biden could take communion at an Episcopalian church. It's pretty much the same religion, the masses are nearly identical, and Roman Catholics are welcome.
My aunt, who was divorced from an abusive husband when she was young, went to Roman Catholic mass faithfully for decades, but was denied communion because she was a fallen woman (as opposed to a dead one because that husband probably would have killed her). After some three or four decades, she did get some kind of dispensation that allowed her to take the sacrament, and she was thrilled. I thought the way the church treated her was scandalous.
So the FBI was the bulk of those "patriots" beating on policemen with flagpoles and pooping on marble floors? Awesome... Also: the moon is green cheese, but 'Murkan cheese from Wisconsin...
It's hard to keep up with the lightning speed of disgusting political hacks. But it is true that they are not conservative, they are confederate operators and we can't relax. Fewer and fewer states I would move to...I am worried that the animals in the PA lege will pull us even further to the right-- a poll just came out slamming our D governor for his "tyranny" of trying to keep people safe. A friend of daughter's said that she, as a worker at a farm co-op, received a nutsy phone call last night. The guy says vaccinated people emit some sort of radiation that poisons people, and is concerned that the veggies people offer for sale are contaminated. She listened to this idiot for 25 minutes and it got crazier and crazier. I wondered if he has guns and is coming for the co-op workers... Sanity, where art thou?
SAM'S BIG SAD:
Apropos of the above comments let's take a look at one of the Supremes in light of that old time/ new time religion.
Alito's persecution complex was most acute when he was a vigorous dissenter from the Court's 2015 "Obergefell" decision which recognized same sex marriage. In his dissent he summoned a dystopian world where those who clung to the traditional view of marriage would be driven underground, outcasts from society's new order. He went on to say that "This decision will be used to vilify Americans who are unwilling to assent to the new orthodoxy."
Then he warned:
"I assume that those who cling to old beliefs [ I'd like him to list all] will be able to whisper their thoughts in the recesses of their homes, but if they repeal those views in public, they will risk being labeled as bigots and treated as such by governments, employers and schools."
We have a loverly bunch of Catholics sitting on those Supreme Seats but Sammy is the one to keep in check to see if that old separation of church and state business still has legs.
This situation with the Bishops and Biden makes my blood boil! and Marie's story about her aunt is one of many such stories that reveal the utter malignancy of religious clap trap. Again power and money triumph over true humanity––-the one thing that seems to be missing from their messages.
@Jeanne: It seems to me that if a person can live anywhere she wants and wishes to make a politically strategic move, it's best to choose a swing state, where votes count more. It doesn't do much good -- at least at this point -- to choose Wyoming or Mississippi -- because one Democratic vote won't make any difference.
If I recall correctly, you already live in a swing state, so your vote counts more than the average American voter's does.
@PD Pepe: I guess it's true that I want to remain out of earshot of Sam Alito's "whispered thoughts"! The ones he says out loud are bad enough.
I point out the little Sammy Alito is only 71. When Clarence and Ginny are your soulmates, you are a disgusting POS.
On a lighter note: https://abcnews.go.com/US/entire-portland-police-crowd-control-unit-resigns-officer/story?id=78342360. Courage from the guys racking up OT (overtime) swing a club. Daryl Turner, then-president of the Portland Police Association, the union representing officers, called on the city's mayor and police chief to "stand up and publicly support Police Bureau members who voluntarily serve on the Rapid Response Team," saying the officers were "exhausted and injured" due to the protests. When the police lie and are dishonest in the press release to say "voluntarily serve", I don't expect much. Neither should Portandiers. Clearly in-group bias, and the deformation of this police group needs to be carefully examined. How about Proud Boy affiliations and GOP membership?
Pence ran head on into a biblical verse ay that convention. The one that goes "render unto caesar that what is caesars and render unto god that which is gods". The wall here is that to these people caesar and god are one and the same.