Saturday, May 14, 2022

And another day of a mass shooting by a white supremacist, abortion rights protests, religion’s role in politics, Clarence Thomas trying to snow Americans, battles over state supreme courts, the TX power grid, and womb transplants comes to a close:

“If you take away the white supremacy from this Republican Party, there is literally nothing left.” — John Pavlovitz

“Justice Thomas says that if things keep as they are, there won't be a Supreme Court. This is the far-right endgame: make government so broken and so terrible that we accept a fascist dictatorship just to make things work again. He is a co-conspirator against the Constitution.” — Tristan Snell

“What is happening to America is racist, white nationalist POS have advanced to very influential positions of power in the government and media, and their toxic ideas are being acted upon by deranged cult members they derive their power and income from.” — Ron Filipkowski

Deaths

US: 1,026,646 (+119)

World: 6,287,766 (1074)

Cases

US: 84,209,473 (+34,952)

World: 520,879,444 (+514,023)

10 dead in Buffalo supermarket attack police call hate crime. A white 18-year-old wearing military gear and livestreaming with a helmet camera opened fire with a rifle at a supermarket in Buffalo, killing 10 people and wounding three others Saturday in what authorities described as “racially motived violent extremism.” The gunman wore body armor and military-style clothing during the attack on mostly Black shoppers and workers at Tops Friendly Market. For at least two minutes, he broadcast the shooting live on the streaming platform Twitch before the service ended his transmission.

“As the inevitable calls to respond to this white supremacist mass shooting with more police remember that the police didn’t stop it, are filled with large numbers of white supremacists, and disproportionately kill Black folks themselves. Advocate for actual public safety instead.” — Joshua Potash

Abortion rights backers rally in anger over post-Roe future. Abortion rights supporters demonstrating at hundreds of marches and rallies Saturday expressed their outrage that the Supreme Court appears prepared to scrap the constitutional right to abortion that has endured for nearly a half-century and their fear about what that could mean for women’s reproductive choices. -- America’s future looks very bleak.

Roe draft is a reminder that religion's role in politics is older than the republic. The GOP had been neutral on abortion in the 1970s but then aligned in opposition — a sign of the rising role of religion in the party. Here's a look at the driving force of religion in politics. — Keep your fucking religion to yourself. 

Clarence Thomas says abortion leak has changed Supreme Court. -- It’s an illegitimate Supreme Court that does not represent the majority of people in this country. That damaged the Court more than the leak of you wanting to strip Americans of their rights. Never forget that Justice Thomas is a traitor.

Primaries spotlight coming battles over state supreme courts. It’s a scene playing out across the country this year, as state judicial races become increasingly politicized over issues such as partisan gerrymandering, abortion and gun rights. Voters in 32 states this year will cast ballots on state supreme court seats, which have become a magnet for spending by national interest groups.

4 Air Force Academy cadets may not graduate for refusing to get Covid vaccine. Four cadets at the Air Force Academy may not graduate or be commissioned as military officers this month because they have refused the Covid-19 vaccine, and they may be required to pay back thousands of dollars in tuition costs, according to Air Force officials.

We need to show Israel the time for accountability has arrived. Israel should not be allowed to whitewash the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh with yet another sham ‘investigation’.

Texas power grid operator asks customers to conserve electricity after six plants go offline. Jones referenced the unseasonably hot weather, saying it was driving the demand for power across the state. Temperatures approaching 100 degrees were forecast from Austin to Dallas over the weekend and into next week. — Get rid of Abbott, Texans. Vote for Beto.

India bans all wheat exports over food security risk. Move imposed with immediate effect in attempt to control prices after heatwave damages crops.

Doctor plans pioneering womb transplant that could let trans women carry children. “This is the future,” he said, adding that he hopes the surgery will allow trans women to carry children. The way towards this is with a uterine transplant, the same as a kidney or any other transplant.”

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Stay safe and stay sane. Good night.