Category Archives: News to use

Useful news for all to advance knowledge of the world and how it works

Open Thread | The Threat Lurking Behind Florida’s November Abortion Vote | 3CHICSPOLITICO

From Slate:

The Giant Threat Lurking Behind Florida’s November Abortion Vote
BY MARK JOSEPH STERN
APRIL 02, 20244:53 PM

The Florida Supreme Court seemed to offer a compromise Monday when it greenlit the state’s six-week abortion ban while simultaneously approving a ballot initiative that would, if enacted, create a constitutional right to reproductive freedom. And indeed, the court’s split decision offers hope that Floridians can reestablish their state as an abortion refuge in the South this November. But an ominous current lurked beneath the rulings: Six of the court’s seven justices appeared to endorse fetal personhood under the state constitution as it stands now, expressing support for—as one justice put it—“the unborn’s competing right to life” over the patient’s right to bodily autonomy. The majority’s rhetoric indicates that if the pro-choice amendment fails this fall, the Florida Supreme Court remains ready to grant fetuses and embryos a constitutional right to life that prohibits the Legislature from legalizing abortion in the future.

There’s no doubt that this court is supremely hostile to abortion. In its first decision on Monday, the conservative supermajority overturned decades of precedent protecting access to abortion under the Florida Constitution’s right to privacy. In 1980 voters enshrined this right, the cornerstone of Roe v. Wade, into the state’s founding charter, with an evident understanding that it would safeguard reproductive autonomy. Yet, by a 6–1 vote, the court gutted the amendment by ignoring historical evidence of its broad original meaning. At the same time, by a 4–3 vote, the court upheld a proposed amendment that would restore an expansive right to abortion access throughout the state. It will require 60 percent support to pass in November.

This second ruling might seem to temper the majority’s hostility toward reproductive freedom. Not quite: Piecing together the fractured opinions, it becomes clear that six justices stand ready to institute fetal personhood under existing state law. The disagreement among this far-right supermajority comes down to tactics, timing, and deference to democracy. Three are prepared to now wield fetal personhood as a sword against any expansion of abortion, even by constitutional amendment. Three are waiting to impose personhood if the upcoming amendment fails and will not weaponize the doctrine today to keep the initiative off the ballot. (All but one of these justices were appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.) Just a single justice, Jorge Labarga—who dissented from the court’s first decision gutting the right to privacy—declined to board the personhood train.

So, just to be clear. If this Amendment fails, they will hurry in to do Fetal Personhood, and prohibit, in the future, a legislative change.

So,if you know someone in Florida. If you know a Florida Voter, inform them that support for this Amendment is needed. Explain what’s at stake.

And, if they succeed in Florida, you know it won’t just stop with Florida. Other Red States will do the same.

Source: Open Thread | The Threat Lurking Behind Florida’s November Abortion Vote | 3CHICSPOLITICO

désinvolte luciole – Sylvain Lechair / monty guidon.blog

Eh me voilà
me voici
seul
face à
cette infinie
indéfinissable liberté
qui m’étourdit
m’étonne
me submerge
autant qu’elle m’éblouit

et la somme inouïe
des zest
des espoirs
se fracasse en somme
à la solde
surnuméraire
des gestes
des envols
désinvolte luciole
s’offre au regard
dans ce dense soir
aux élans crépusculaires

______
Sylvain Lechair / Monty guidon ~
écrit le 29 mars, publié le 15 avril 2024…

Source: désinvolte luciole – Sylvain Lechair / monty guidon.blog

Songs I Like (26) | beetleypete

In 1981 I was 29 years old. Life was going well, and I was enjoying my job as an EMT in London. I saw the band Japan performing this song on a late-night music TV show, and was instantly captivated by it. Not just the unique voice of David Sylvian and the unusual musical construction, but also the lyrics, which seemed to have come from inside my own head. Forty-three years later, the song is more relevant to me than ever. Along with the song, the ghosts of my own life have haunted me since then.

Source: Songs I Like (26) | beetleypete

Haida people preparing for the return of sea otters – Darcy Hitchcock

Haida Gwaii, homeland of the Haida people, is a set of islands off British Columbia where the spirit bears (white black bears) can be seen. The Haida fought off logging interests and set up conservation areas. Now they are awaiting the return of sea otters with a mixture of hope and concern.

Source: Haida people preparing for the return of sea otters – Darcy Hitchcock