I can’t believe we still have to protest our nation doing absolutely nothing about gun violence.
Several hundred showed up at the Wisconsin capitol building yesterday afternoon to demonstrate against gun violence and our cultural inaction in addressing it – as one of several hundred such March for Our Lives events scheduled across the country.
Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check…
This evening, an order at the United States Supreme Court in the election case Texas filed against Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The court denied the complaint for a lack of standing and “All other pending motions are dismissed as moot”:
7-2. Alito and Thomas. Go figure.
So much for pandering right wingnut “constitutional scholars”.
Today, at the United States Supreme Court in the election case Texas has filed against Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin – right wingnut members of Congress (bless the State of Missouri) filed an Amicus brief:
[….]
Amicus U.S. Representative Sam Graves represents the Sixth
Congressional District of Missouri in the United States
House of Representatives.
Amicus U.S. Representative Vicky Hartzler represents the
Fourth Congressional District of Missouri in the United
States House of Representatives.
Amicus U.S. Representative Blaine Leutkemeyer represents
the Third Congressional District of Missouri in the United
States House of Representatives.
Amicus U.S. Representative Jason Smith represents the
Eighth Congressional District of Missouri in the United
States House of Representatives.
Amicus U.S. Representative Ann Wagner represents the
Second Congressional District of Missouri in the United
States House of Representatives.
[….]
….Pursuant to subparagraph 2(b) of Rule 37, amici U.S. Representative Mike Johnson, et al., hereby move the Court for leave to file a brief amicus curiae in support of Plaintiff Texas’ Motion for Leave to File a Bill of Complaint and Motion for Preliminary Injunction….
….On the merits, this amicus brief defends the constitutional authority of state legislatures as the only bodies duly authorized to establish the manner by which presidential electors are appointed, one of the central issues in the pending litigation. As members of the federal legislature, these amici seek to protect the constitutional role of state legislatures in determining the manner by which states choose their electors….
Uh, no. Texas wants to impose the will of its Attorney General (r-pardon me) on other states and their legislatures.
….These amici appear as 106 Members of Congress and respectfully request that this Court uphold the plenary authority of the state legislatures to establish the manner by which electors are appointed, and determine the constitutional validity of any ballots cast under rules and procedures established by actors or public bodies other than state legislatures….
….National polls indicate a large percentage of Americans now have serious doubts about not just the outcome of the presidential contest, but also the future reliability of our election system itself….
That’s some serious Chutzpah. Who was it who “cast doubt”? We’ll wait.
….Fortunately, the Framers of our Constitution provided for this moment. It is now the duty of this Honorable Court to objectively review the facts presented by the Plaintiff in this historic case, render judgment upon the unconstitutional actions in the Defendant states, and restore the confidence of all Americans that the rule of law will be upheld today and our elections in the future will be secured….
They’re that stupid. And they believe everyone else is.
At the end of the special session, reportedly signed on to by sixty-six republicans:
HR 2
Confirms the Missouri House’s lack of faith in the 2020 election results
Sponsor: Hill, Justin (108)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2020
LR Number: 1241H.03I
Last Action: 12/10/2020 – Referred: Special Committee on Government Oversight(H)
Bill String: HR 2
[….]
The resolution text:
SECOND EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
House Resolution No. 2
100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BYREPRESENTATIVE HILL.
1241H.03I DANA RADEMAN MILLER, Chief Clerk
WHEREAS, the President of the United States has immense enumerated powers and serves as both the head of the executive branch of government of the United States and as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, the election of the President of the United States should be free and fair in order to preserve the legitimacy of the government, avoid constitutional crisis, and promote the general welfare of the people of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the legislatures of the states are delegated primary responsibility to ensure that free and fair elections for the office of the Presidency of the United States are held under Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution of the United States which allows each state to appoint presidential Electors in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct; and
WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States is authorized under Amendment XII of the Constitution of the United States and the Electoral Count Act of 1887 to independently evaluate whether or not free and fair elections have occurred and to uphold the fundamental principle that the laws governing elections that are enacted by the legislatures of the states prior to the election are fully complied with during the election process; and
WHEREAS, historically low absentee ballot rejection rates occurred in the 2020 election despite the overwhelming new and unprecedented use of absentee ballots and mail in votes by many different persons and organizations; and
WHEREAS, a razor thin margin favoring Biden was reported in the days after election day in many swing states including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada and political analyst Robert Barnes observed that Trump would win the election if any historical absentee ballot analysis process and rejection rate was assumed;
WHEREAS, statistically abnormal vote counts were reported in numerous states late on election night and the Biden-to-Trump ratio in reporting was 90 percent or more for some batches of votes;
WHEREAS, the manifest lack of any absentee ballot and mail in ballot oversight by unelected election administrators shows that the laws passed prior to election day were likely ignored and violated in numerous ways and that this violation was of significant magnitude to change the results for the election of the President of the United States; and
WHEREAS, in Pennsylvania 23,000 absentee ballots have impossible return dates, 86,000 absentee ballots are questionable, 50,000 votes held on 47 USB cards are missing in Delaware County, and signature matching for mail in ballots has been rendered impossible by the destruction of ballot envelopes; and
WHEREAS, in Georgia, Matt Braynard’s Voter Integrity Project estimates that 20,312 nonresidents cast ballots, there is video evidence of the statistical anomalies that occurred when Biden overtook President Trump with 89 percent of the votes counted, and for 53 different individual batches of votes counted, Biden led by the same 50.05 to 49.95 percent margin in every single batch; and
WHEREAS, a full and fair investigation of the election results, including analysis of absentee and mail in ballot samples for compliance with state election law, is necessary to ensure a free and fair election and should be conducted by Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the House of Representatives of the one Hundredth General Assembly, Second Extraordinary Session, hereby have no faith in the validity of the results of the 2020 presidential election reported by the states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if a full and fair investigation is not completed, that the United States Congress sitting in joint session refuse to accept electoral votes for the office of President of the United States from the states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for each house of the United States Congress.
These people really are that stupid.
Uh, Robert Barnes (whatever non-entity he is) is not the arbiter of any election in this country.
Uh, Matt Braynard (whatever non-entity he is) is not the arbiter of any election in this country.
What role is Missouri supposed to have in ensuring election integrity in Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania?
And would California’s AG have an equal role in ensuring Missouri’s election integrity if he thought there was fraud here?
Why? What benefit will Missourians see? Constitution give states power to run their own elections. Seems like this will waste Missourians tax dollars on ill fated political agenda. Why only states Biden won? If you truly care about integrity, wouldn’t you question red states too?
Why are other state issues a matter for Texas? You know the state that champions statehood rights. Really. It’s a serious question. Anybody have an answer?
I too love watching my hard-earned tax dollars being pissed away on frivolous nonsense that does nothing more than line the pockets of rich, sleazy lawyers.
Aren’t you too busy suing China? How’s that one going?
Just take the L, Eric.
It’s hard to do, but you’re embarrassing Missouri even more with your participation.
In terms that a right wingnut Missouri Attorney General might understand:
He’s not, sorry. There’s nothing unconstitutional about absentee voting. Several states vote exclusively by mail.
This new lawsuit is like calling the superintendent at a district you don’t live in and being mad about how they run their football program.
Pure crazy.
This is embarrassing.
I predict this is a folly you will definitely regret.
Really? This is silliness.
I hope California sues Texas for voter suppression!
Let’s have all the states sue each other for how they run their elections.
Always fun to watch someone embarrass themselves.
That assumes a lot.
When do we get to throw out the Missouri election results? Because the people who won are absolutely nuts and Missourians deserve better leadership than this.
Oh great. Another complete waste of tax dollars. Fantastic.
You’re wasting time and resources on this shit?
You sound so thirsty buddy. Just ask @HawleyMO to borrow one of his ladders
We see what you did there.
The TX ag is fishing for a much needed pardon. What are you after
There is that.
This is what it must it felt like to be alive in 1776 America.
We’re in the Fight, Patriots ALL THE WAY!
Actually, more like Gemany in the 1930s.
Lol Texas attorney general is being investigated he is desperate The press should do a deep dive on you dude.
There is that.
And how’s the China lawsuit going General Showboat?
So how’s that lawsuit against China going?
Please stop.
SCOTUS won’t hear it. The lawsuit is a joke.
Oh for pity’s sake.
[….]
…Ken Paxton, the TX AG that filed suit against GA, MI, PA, and WI has been indicted on felony securities fraud charges and is CURRENTLY under FBI investigation for abuse of political power.
This is not a lawsuit. This is a request for a pardon.
Chris Jackson @ChrisCJackson
Donald Trump grifted his supporters out of $3,000,000 to give Joe Biden 132 more votes in Wisconsin. 7:05 PM · Nov 27, 2020
Heh.
Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check…
Always behind, always with a painfully wrong take.
This morning, from Josh Hawley (r):
Josh Hawley @HawleyMO
Waiting for @JoeBiden and the Democrats to fully and unequivocally condemn the rioting and murder in Kenosha. More and more the Marxist “social revolution” Left appears to be in control of the Democratic Party
[….] 10:14 AM · Aug 26, 2020
As always, the responses:
A white guy crossed state lines with an high powered rifle, murdered two people and tried to kill a third. And then bragged about it.
Did you ever at any time in the past actually respect the law?
Joe Biden has in fact condemned the rioting and looting in our country. If you don’t believe me, here is proof. Stop with your stupid lies. [….]
Hawley doesn’t care about facts, let alone reality. He and @GOP have emboldened (and refuse to condemn) domestic terrorists like Kyle Rittenhouse, because they are the party of white supremacy. Period.
So police can just shoot anyone and you’re ok with it, got it
Well, I doubt he agrees with “anyone” probably more like any black man.
A white vigilante killed two people last night in Kenosha. Why aren’t you denouncing him?
A man shot in the back. People react with outrage. You say caring about not being killed is “Marism.” Protesters shot by militia. Now,3 dead. Yet you stay silent and demand condemnation of the REACTION, not action.
What is it about the killers, compared to the victims? Hmmm…
So brave and bold of you to demand they condemn it a day after they condemned it. [….]
Hey, Josh. I was wondering what your thoughts were on the 17-year-old Blue Lives Matter who murdered multiple people in cold blood at the protests. You got thoughts on that?
It was a 17 year old white militia kid armed to the teeth who TRAVELED from Illinois and killed 2 protesters.
All while Rs are fear-mongering on tv about “people coming to your suburb” to harm you.
Have you said anything about the guy who had an AR-15 at age 17, and went across state lines to engage with his perceived enemies,Senator?
Hey Josh
Just checking in. Any statement yet?
Guess what. We found out who radicalized Kyle Ritterhouse.
Comments? Questions?
That’s just a lie – & you know it — Republican talking points – throw in the words Socialists & Marxists into every conversation as often as possible.
Why did a police officer shoot a man 7 times in the back – a black man – that is the conversation we should be having.
They did so BEFORE you asked!
But we are still waiting to see you condemn the vigilante who killed two unarmed protesters — a vigilante who was front row at Trump Iowa rally, and who epitomizes the gun-worshipping culture of the Trump administration. [….]
He already did.
Your turn.
[….]
The shooter, front rower at a Trump rally
[….]
Biden condemned it already.
Google his statement..
In fact Hawley, there is ANOTHER VIDEO of this same POS as, it appears, he shot, it looks like, a guy in the head outside the shop and then ran which leads to the next video of him shooting more people down the street.
THIS IS NOT A MARXIST, LEFTIST. He has been named.
Literally a Trump supporter.
Yup he is.
You know that the murderer was a right-wing fanatic, right? As with Heather Heyer’s killer.
The murderer was just named: Kyle Rittenhouse, a white supremacist from Illinois. I condemn him. Biden will condemn him. Many Democrats will condemn him. Will Trump? Will you?
Waiting for your swift condemnation of the out-of-state white supremacist who gunned down protesters…
And when will you condemn a 17 year old armed with an AR15 who took the law into his own hands and murdered 2 last night and injured several more?
and was allowed to do so by the cops
The murderer is a white supremacist and Trump supporter. Why does Biden or the dems have to condemn one of yours?
Who did the murder, Josh? Was it a BLM protestor or a teenage agitator?
I’ve had ice cream cones that aged better than this tweet.
Probably should have read first, Josh. They already did this.
While we have you here, any thoughts on the teenager who murdered people in the streets last night with the cooperation of the Kenosha police?
Waiting for people like you to say something about that 17-year-old who crossed state lines with a gun, killed two people, and went home even though the police were right there watching.
Here’s the terrorist who traveled from Illinois to Wisconsin…shot and killed 2 protestors.
So, Josh, condemn this!
Jacob Blake apparently showed up at that scene to help break up a fight. So how come the Kenosha PD shot him, instead of thanking him and giving him bottled water?
The murder was committed by a white supremacist. Why doesn’t the president denounce them?
The stochastic terrorist in the white house cheers this little white supremacists murderer on. He will probably pardon him.
Also, where is your full and unequivocal condemnation for the calls to action for militias to descend upon Kenosha with arms and live ammo?
A right-wing kid openly carrying a big-ass gun just killed people and you’re mad at … Joe Biden??? Bro that’s just evil.
Josh you’re an ass. As a Missourian I’m ashamed to have you as a Senator for MO. You know Joe will condemn the shooter’s actions. You also know Trump & the GOP won’t bc he was radicalized by your party. He made several posts that prove it. Trump will never acknowledge him. Shhh
Lawyer? You have a duty of candor. Try living it
I can’t think of anything foul enough to say to you after this tweet that won’t get me permanently kicked off of twitter.
Hey Josh, actual Missouri voter here – stop speaking for us.
When are you going to fully and unequivocally condemn the right-wing terrorist who murdered two people last night?
A white 17 year old who crossed state lines from IL to WI, carrying an AR-15 shot and killed people in Kenosha last night. He was NOT one of the protestors. Coming from IL to WI with a gun is not protecting your city. He came to kill people. And he was one of yours.
Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka in response to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s upcoming announcement to run for President of the United States:
Republicans are supposed to be suspicious of big government.
Instead, the GOP leaders who run the Legislature’s budget committee want citizens to trust state government with sweeping secrecy.
No thank you.
The full Legislature should reject the Joint Finance Committee’s sneaky attempt Thursday night to exempt state lawmakers from Wisconsin’s open records laws….
[….]
….Aren’t Republicans supposed to favor responsibility? Apparently, Wisconsin Republicans do not.
Among several troubling passages inserted into the state budget Thursday night is this doozy: “No provision of the state’s public records law that conflicts with a rule or policy of the Senate or Assembly or joint rule or policy of the Legislature applies to a record that is subject to such rule or policy.”
In other words, state lawmakers do what they want, when they want – and taxpayers will be in the dark….
Lawsuit claimed lawmakers must allow filming of meetings
5:52 PM CDT Jun 30, 2015
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -A Missouri judge dismissed Tuesday an advocacy group’s lawsuit that challenged restrictions on filming Missouri Senate committee meetings.
Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem dismissed the petition brought by Progress Missouri, which claimed decisions by Senate committee chairmen to prohibit filming by the group violates the state’s open meetings law. The liberal advocacy group also said the prohibition infringes on its freedom of speech and association.
The state’s Sunshine Law allows public bodies to establish guidelines on recording to minimize disruption, but the lawsuit said Progress Missouri’s filming wouldn’t have been disruptive. Senate rules state that cameras may be allowed with the permission of the committee chairman “as long as they do not prove disruptive to the decorum of the committee….”
[…]
Sunshine ain’t bustin’ out all over.
The stalwart courage of old media in Missouri is inspiring:
Jason Hancock @J_Hancock
Progress Missouri challenges state Senate on Sunshine Law (via @krcg13) [….] 4:19 PM – 23 Jun 2015
We asked:
Michael Bersin @MBersin
@J_Hancock @KRCG13 So, KRCG was denied permission to film a Senate hearing in the past and they’re not a party to the lawsuit? Why not? 4:31 PM – 23 Jun 2015
The Missouri General Assembly holds no monopoly on bad ideas or insanity. Travel to other battleground states and a reading of the local news about the legislature therein reveals the pervasiveness of the batshit crazy. Let’s see, defund public education, defund higher education (and limit access), attack labor and labor rights. Falling backward is a feature, not a bug.
“Wisconsin” atop the capitol dome. Sometimes referred to as “Miss Forward” (there’s another statue with
that title on the grounds – “Forward” is the Wisconsin motto). Locals would also refer to the statue as
“Miss Rennebohm” because it ostensibly gazed toward the Rennebohm Drug Store on the square.
Not quite a Libertarian paradise:
A display of republican dogma proudly exhibited on a vehicle parked on the grounds of the Wisconsin capitol.
Because government shouldn’t do anything and if we prevent it from doing anything by starving it of revenue people won’t expect anything from government. Except maybe abortion restrictions.
No Exit.
Mislabeling inside the Wisconsin capitol?
What’s the similarity between Jay Nixon and Scott Walker? Their respective political bases consider them the best republican governor their state has ever had.
