6 thoughts on “Get More Smarter on Tuesday (June 30)”

1. The Supreme Court has sent back down the TABOR case for reconsideration to the 10th Circuit after vacating the earlier 10th Circuit judgment that the lawmaker plaintiffs had standing to sue.

   This might be no big deal, the Court may want the Circuit opinion to come to the same conclusion but reflect the recent decision in Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, or it might be instructive to the Circuit Court in a more negative way for the lawsuit, as Arizona State Legislature was also supportive of direct democracy (Phoenix Rising was thinking along these lines yesterday).

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   1. Thanks for the h/t, though the news isn't really good. That they sent it back with a reference to the Arizona case probably means the Supremes are thinking along my line of reasoning. The 10th Circuit is, of course, free to come to a different conclusion and allow the suit anyway, but with the reference to the Arizona case in the reexamination notice, the court is more likely to see it as "initiatives are Republican, too".

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      1. Yeah, after giving it a couple reads, I'm now inclined to agree with you on that. Going with the Guarantee Clause is a whole different beast than Arizona (which dealt specifically with elections). Colorado's TABOR case has the potential to unravel the entire I/R process in this country (which might actually be a good thing), and I don't think SCOTUS is willing to do that – unless Kennedy decides to become an originalist all the sudden.  

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2. How long has the fight over small waterways been going on now? The Supreme Court first ruled on "Waters of the United States" in 2001, and things have pretty much been in limbo since then – much to the delight of the industries who want to pollute without EPA oversight.

   The new rule provides clarity, and should reduce regulatory delays and uncertainty. Colorado should stay on the sidelines.

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3. Although I feel it could've been far more substantial, Barack Obama will have a solid legacy as America's first Black President. He was the one who had to follow George W "Shrub" Bush and clean up after the two failed and highly political wars, he was the one who took the fight to al Qaeda and bin Laden (something Dubya talked about, until he didn't), and Obama was the one who saved an economy hanging by a thread that was jeopardized by the insane greed and lawless irresponsibility of the Titans of Finance, many of whom should be in jail right now rather than collecting more profits from a system they rigged and which produces almost nothing of true value. 

   Here's the Republican legacy, besides doing NOTHING to help any of the major problems facing our nation (and I hope our senior senator, who dreams of bipartisanship and ponies on a regular basis, finally realizes this):

   When they called him a Muslim, he handled it with class. When they demanded his birth certificate, he displayed humility. When he was called the “Food Stamp President,” an unquestionable racial dog whistle, he stayed the course on the high road. When they criticized him for bowing to a foreign leader, for being an apologist, a socialist, for being weak, for leading from behind, he kept his eyes steadfastly on the horizon.

   Every president is attacked by his opponents for his policies, but this president has been relentlessly attacked for his policies and for who he is, from the outside in. Overtly racist attacks may not be acceptable in the public sphere in this day and age, but under the camouflage of language deeply rooted in racist ideology, the sentiment has been made clear:

   "He is a Muslim, a Kenyan, an anti-colonial socialist. He is not like us. Doesn’t share our American values. He is the Other."

   He never got mad. He never reacted in anger. He kept his composure under circumstances that would cause most to quiver in rage. How else could this man not only end up in the White House but deal with the problems he has had to face and the vitriolic antagonism he has encountered from day one, whether based on policy, politics, or racial motivations, if it not for grace?

   This stirring testament to the too soon lost attempted to heal the nation’s wounds, acknowledged our uncomfortable realities, challenged our egos, and charged us to keep moving towards a more perfect union. A man and a people– well within their rights to cast dispersion fueled by righteous indignation, allow anger and frustration founded on the injustices of past and present to consume them, attack the people who assault them both figuratively and all too often literally with the same level of hatred– walking gracefully down a path of reflection, prayer, and hope.

   In spite of the centuries of oppression, in spite of a flag flying over capitals in this country with the symbol of a rebellion meant to maintain them in a permanent inhuman status, in spite of a criminal justice system with proven racial bias, in spite of widespread economic disparity, this congregation and our president formed a perfect display of all we should aspire to be. This moment was profound. It was a testament to the beliefs that have formed this nation: that we can overcome, that we can rise up in spite of circumstance, that we can build a better tomorrow no matter what burdens we carry today. It was Barack Obama at his best. It was leadership at it’s best. More importantly, it was America at it’s best.

   In times of national tragedy it is common for our presidents to speak for us.

   This speech, by this man, in this moment, was among the most remarkable moments of American history. It capped off a week that can only be described as the best of his presidency– a presidency that, despite being characterized as a travesty by the right and a let down by the left, has accomplished so much with such grace that we too often fail to recognize the scope.

   Republicans show no sign of calming their hatred or suppressing their fear. They can hardly govern in the best of times (All policy for everything = Tax Cuts), and no one should rely on them to act sane at any time in the near future.

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4. Klingenschmitt should not have a tax exemption for his PJIN program. Period. So yeah, coming after your tax-exempt status, GK – but as a taxpayer, not as a "gay activist".

   Right Wing Watch highlighted one of GK's more disgusting proclamations  – that the Charleston church shooter was a "left wing activist", who was "targeting Christians". The ever-courageous Klingenschmitt waited until he found a right wing black preacher for cover to make these outrageous statements for him.

   Klingenschmitt also interviewed and lionized the white extremist who provoked the Arizona mosque standoff. Apparently, he sees no contradiction to his Christian theology in this.

   Meanwhile, black churches are burning again…

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