6 thoughts on “Friday Open Thread”

1. Our billionth reminder that every lever of power matters. The Republican-dominated Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court just ruled PA's mail voting law unconstitutional. This court's members are elected in partisan elections to 10-year terms. Expect this ruling to be appealed, but please please pretty please keep the courts in mind for any future election in CO – including who appoints the CO Supremes, who controls the US Senate, and who takes the White House in 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/28/us/politics/pennsylvania-mail-voting-law-unconstitutional.html

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   1. Ought to find out what's going to be a "final" decision relatively quickly. US News: 

      The three Republican judges agreed with Republican challengers — including 11 Republican lawmakers who actually voted for the law — and ruled that no-excuse mail-in voting is prohibited under the state constitution, until the constitution is changed to allow it.

      The two Democrats on the panel dissented. The state Supreme Court — where an appeal was expected shortly — has a 5-2 Democratic majority.

      Pennsylvania's attorney general, Josh Shapiro, said in a statement the opinion will be immediately appealed and will not have any immediate impact on Pennsylvania’s upcoming elections.

      Apparently, the Republicans voted for the voting revision as part of a deal — Democrats were willing to allow the end of "straight ticket voting" — which Republicans thought might disadvantage them when Trump was on the 2020 ballot (duh!). 

      No word on whether the Court that ruled on this as "unconstitutional" will be willing to enforce the contract on the deal, restoring straight ticket voting as they end expanded mail voting.

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   2. I vote for the courts in every election. U.S. Senators, President, and the Governor are the only votes the people get for them.

       

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2. I'd say this is a case of adults acting like children … but it is much, MUCH worse.

   Anti-mask anger forces Children’s Museum of Denver to temporarily close

   The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, for decades a popular downtown attraction primarily devoted to those age 8 and under, temporarily closed on Wednesday because of escalating harassment of staff by adult visitors angry over a mandate requiring anyone age 2 and older to wear a mask in indoor public spaces….

   Museum President and CEO Michael Yankovich declined to elaborate on the incidents targeting staff. But in an emailed statement he said they have been “demoralizing and ever-increasing in their intensity and frequency.” He thanked supporters from around the country for rallying behind the museum’s workers.

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   1. Republican Fascists in training.

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3. FUN FACT: Kids who read Maus don’t grow into adults who constantly compare minor inconveniences to the Holocaust.

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