Showing posts with label election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label election. Show all posts

Friday, December 5, 2025

Court Watch, Part IV.

Weston County, Wyoming, courthouse.

The Justice Department has sued California to block new congressional district boundaries approved by California voters last week.

It's leaving the Texas crap districts alone, however.

In Utah, a Court blocked an effort to prevent their new commission designed districts, which features, gasp, a Democratic seat.

Cont:

Trump ordered the Justice Department to investigate links Jeffrey Epstein had to prominent Democrats and institutions including former President Bill Clinton and former treasury secretary, Larry Summers. Read as he bounces off the wall in panic like a grade school dodge ball.  Bondi, of course, a loyal sycophant, appointed a prosecutor.

November 15, 2025

Wyoming Supreme Court Pauses Judge's Order For More School Counselors, Computers


 November 17, 2025


* * *



The judge is clearly signaling that this case is well on the way towards being dismissed.

November 18, 2025

A Federal Court in Texas has blocked the state from using its recently redrawn Congressional District map.

Oops.

This will be appealed, but if the decision is upheld it would mean that the five GOP (probably) seats that the state added won't be, while California, in a recent election, added five.

Oops.

Additionally, early indicators are that Texas Hispanics are following the national tread and are becoming disenchanted with the GOP, so some Texas districts may swing Democratic on their own.

Oops.

All of this could mean that the 2026 election could see the House not only swing Democratic, but perhaps massively so, and that some of the Returning Republicans are no longer big fans of Trump, to which those survivors will be reassessing their loyalty to Trump.

November 21, 2015

Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Sen. Mark Kelly, and Reps. Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander and Chrissy Houlahan, all veterans, released  a video urging member of the armed forces not to follow illegal orders.  Donald Trump is now threatening them with prosecution for sedition, and the death penalty, which is ironic, as Trump is a seditionist.

A Federal Court ordered the illegal Trump deployment of National Guardsmen to Washington D.C. to come to an end.

November 24, 2025

The North Dakota Supreme Court upheld the state's abortion ban, causing abortion to again become illegal in the state.

cont:

Federal criminal indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James were dismissed after a finding the prosecutor was not lawfully appointed.

December 3, 2025

Two well known names from the state's Republican politics.

December 4, 2025

Family of Colombian man killed in U.S. strike files human rights challenge

December 5, 2025

Headline in CST:

Court allows Texas maps

A Federal grand jury declined to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James on mortgage fraud.

Last edition:

Court Watch, Part III.

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Friday, August 29, 2025

A Big-Picture Look at the Threat to Voting Coming From the Trump Adminis...


I suspect it's not so much MAGA, but the NatCons. They know that they need more time to remake the country in the Christian Nationalist image they want it to have.

Monday, August 25, 2025

Court Watch, Part II.

 


August 5, 2025

Texas Governor Abbot has ordered the arrest of absentee Democratic Texas legislators.

cont:

The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify on matters Epstein.

Here's the thing, however.  Nobody really knows what they'll have to say, but one of the questions is going to be "who all did you see at . . . "

I suspect as many Republicans as Democrats are hoping he doesn't answer that.

August 11, 2025

It seems clear that the Trump administration is going to make some sort of a move on the homeless population of Washington, D.C.

There's also a move to take back Federal control of the enclave.

As anyone here can tell, I'm not a fan of the Trump administration, but I'll at least acknowledge that American cities have a huge homeless problem and it detracts from American society overall.  Something needs to be done about it. Something humane, but something.

Also, frankly, D.C. should have gave been given home rule.  It hasn't been a well run city in many instances.  It's a Federal enclave for a reason.

A case involving a county clerk may go to the S.Ct, and if it does, it would allow the court to review the Obergefell decision if it wishes to.

It doesn't have to take the case, and if it did, it wouldn't have to revisit Obergefell.  Obergefell was clearly wrongly decided, so it'll be interesting to see what the Court does.

Cont:

DECLARING A CRIME EMERGENCY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 740 of the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act (Public Law 93-198), as amended (section 740 of the Home Rule Act), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1.  Crime is out of control in the District of Columbia.  Washington, District of Columbia, is our Nation’s capital and home to the central institutions of American governance.  Yet rising violence in the capital now urgently endangers public servants, citizens, and tourists, disrupts safe and secure transportation and the proper functioning of the Federal Government, and forces the diversion of critical public resources toward emergency response and security measures.  The city government’s failure to maintain public order and safety has had a dire impact on the Federal Government’s ability to operate efficiently to address the Nation’s broader interests without fear of our workers being subjected to rampant violence.

The increase in violent crime in the heart of our Republic has consequences beyond the individual tragedies that have dominated media coverage.  Such lawlessness also poses intolerable risks to the vital Federal functions that take place in the District of Columbia.  Violence and crime hamper the recruitment and retention of essential Federal employees, undermine critical functions of Government and thus the well-being of the entire Nation, and erode confidence in the strength of the United States.  These conditions are disgraceful anywhere, but particularly in the capital of our Nation and the seat of the Federal Government.  Citizens, tourists, and Federal workers deserve peace and security, not fear and violence.  The smooth functioning of executive departments and agencies, courts, diplomatic missions, and the Federal Government demands an effective law-enforcement mechanism capable of halting the precipitous rise in violent crime, not one that permits Government workers to be violently attacked by mobs or fatally shot close to the Federal buildings where they work.

The magnitude of the violent crime crisis places the District of Columbia among the most violent jurisdictions in the United States.  In 2024, the District of Columbia averaged one of the highest robbery and murder rates of large cities nationwide.  Indeed, the District of Columbia now has a higher violent crime, murder, and robbery rate than all 50 States, recording a homicide rate in 2024 of 27.54 per 100,000 residents.  It also experienced the Nation’s highest vehicle theft rate with 842.4 thefts per 100,000 residents — over three times the national average of 250.2 thefts per 100,000 residents.  The District of Columbia is, by some measures, among the top 20 percent of the most dangerous cities in the world.

As President, I have a solemn duty to take care that our laws are faithfully executed, and a sacred responsibility to protect the safety and security of United States citizens who live in and visit our Nation’s capital, including Federal workers who live or commute into the District of Columbia.  These conditions cannot persist.  We will make the District of Columbia one of the safest cities in the world, not the most dangerous.

Sec2.  Services of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.  I determine that special conditions of an emergency nature exist that require the use of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia (Metropolitan Police force) for Federal purposes, including maintaining law and order in the Nation’s seat of Government; protecting Federal buildings, national monuments, and other Federal property; and ensuring conditions necessary for the orderly functioning of the Federal Government.  Effective immediately, the Mayor of the District of Columbia (Mayor) shall provide the services of the Metropolitan Police force for Federal purposes for the maximum period permitted under section 740 of the Home Rule Act.

Sec3.  Operational Control of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.  (a)  The authority of the President conferred by section 740(a) of the Home Rule Act to direct the Mayor with respect to the current special conditions of an emergency nature is delegated to the Attorney General. 

(b)  In accordance with section 740(a) of the Home Rule Act, the Mayor shall provide such services of the Metropolitan Police force as the Attorney General may deem necessary and appropriate.

Sec4.  Monitoring and Recommendations.  (a)  The Attorney General shall monitor and regularly consult with any senior official the Attorney General deems appropriate on the special conditions of an emergency nature that exist in the District of Columbia that require the use of the Metropolitan Police force for Federal purposes.

(b)  The Attorney General shall regularly update me on the status of the special conditions of an emergency nature that exist in the District of Columbia that require the use of the Metropolitan Police force for Federal purposes.

(c)  The Attorney General shall inform me of any circumstances that, in the Attorney General’s opinion, might indicate the need for further action by the President or that the action in this order is no longer necessary.

Sec5.  Severability.  If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any individual or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its other provisions to any other individuals or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

Sec6.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(d)  The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Justice.

                             DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    August 11, 2025.

There is no emergency.

Trump's use of executive orders is completely out of control.

Cont:

Attorney who backed Trump on Jan. 6 now urging Supreme Court to hear corner-crossing case: John Eastman says high court should hear matter “because it affects so much private property.”

August 13, 2025

Wyoming Senate panel rebuffs effort to give lawmakers more control over judicial nominations: The Wyoming Freedom Caucus began criticizing the court’s judiciary after rulings against its initiatives. A narrow vote Tuesday indicated debate is likely to continue.

August 20, 2025

California Republicans have filed suit to stop California Governor Newsome's retaliatory redistricting plan.   

Apparently the GOP never grasped the Democrats would punch back over the Texas gerrymandering grab.

August 21, 2025

Grand jury indicts Cody Roberts, infamous Wyoming wolf captor, on felony animal cruelty

Grand jury indicts Cody Roberts, infamous Wyoming wolf captor, on felony animal cruelty: Eighteen months after Roberts’ actions incited global outrage, a grand jury decided the Daniel resident should face felony charges.

August 23, 2025

The FBI raided the house of former Trump official and current Trump critic John Bolton.

August 25, 2025

More fascist behavior:

ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO ADDRESS THE
CRIME EMERGENCY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1.  Crime Emergency.  Two weeks ago, I declared a crime emergency in the District of Columbia to address the rampant violence and disorder that have undermined the proper and safe functioning of the Federal Government, and therefore, the Nation, and that have led to disgraceful conditions in our Nation’s capital.  In furtherance of Executive Order 14333 of August 11, 2025 (Declaring a Crime Emergency in the District of Columbia), I am now ordering further actions to address the conditions described in that Executive Order. 

Sec2.  Operational Actions.  (a)  The Director of the National Park Service shall, subject to the availability of appropriations and applicable law, hire additional members of the United States Park Police in the District of Columbia to support the policy goals described in Executive Order 14333.  The United States Park Police shall ensure enforcement of all applicable laws within their jurisdiction, including the Code of the District of Columbia, to help maintain public safety and proper order.

(b)  The United States Attorney for the District of Columbia shall, subject to the availability of appropriations and applicable law, hire additional prosecutors to focus on prosecuting violent and property crimes.

(c)  The D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force established in Executive Order 14252 of March 27, 2025 (Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful), shall establish an online portal for Americans with law enforcement or other relevant backgrounds and experience to apply to join Federal law enforcement entities to support the policy goals described in Executive Order 14333.  Each law enforcement agency that is a member of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, as well as other relevant components of the Department of Justice as the Attorney General determines, shall further, subject to the availability of appropriations and applicable law, immediately create and begin training, manning, hiring, and equipping a specialized unit that is dedicated to ensuring public safety and order in the Nation’s capital that can be deployed whenever the circumstances necessitate, and that could be deployed, subject to applicable law, in other cities where public safety and order has been lost.

(d)(i)  The Secretary of Defense shall, subject to the availability of appropriations and applicable law, immediately create and begin training, manning, hiring, and equipping a specialized unit within the District of Columbia National Guard, subject to activation under Title 32 of the United States Code, that is dedicated to ensuring public safety and order in the Nation’s capital.  As appropriate and consistent with applicable law, the Attorney General, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall each deputize the members of this unit to enforce Federal law.

(ii)  The Secretary of Defense shall immediately begin ensuring that each State’s Army National Guard and Air National Guard are resourced, trained, organized, and available to assist Federal, State, and local law enforcement in quelling civil disturbances and ensuring the public safety and order whenever the circumstances necessitate, as appropriate under law.  In coordination with the respective adjutants general, the Secretary of Defense shall designate an appropriate number of each State’s trained National Guard members to be reasonably available for rapid mobilization for such purposes.  In addition, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure the availability of a standing National Guard quick reaction force that shall be resourced, trained, and available for rapid nationwide deployment. 

(e)  The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shall investigate any non-compliance with the crime-prevention and safety requirements of HUD agreements by the District of Columbia Housing Authority or any landlord in the District of Columbia.  These investigations shall include consideration of the provisions of such agreements that require housing providers to maintain safe, decent, and sanitary conditions or to restrict tenants who engage in criminal activity that threatens health, safety, and the right to peaceful enjoyment for other tenants, including engaging in drug distribution, violent criminal activity, and domestic violence.  The Secretary of HUD shall refer any findings of non-compliance to the Attorney General, Federal law enforcement authorities, the District of Columbia Housing Authority Police Department, and the Metropolitan Police Department, as appropriate.

(f)  The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct additional inspections, audits, and examinations to determine whether conditions exist in federally-funded transit services in the District of Columbia that endanger transit workers, and take appropriate remedial action that is within the Department of Transportation’s authority.

Sec3.  Potential Amendments to Metropolitan Police Department General Orders.  (a)  The Attorney General shall review the Metropolitan Police Department General Orders and shall request that the Mayor of the District of Columbia make such updates and modifications to such orders as the Attorney General determines are necessary to address the crime emergency and ensure public order and safety.

Sec4.  Severability.  If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any individual or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its other provisions to any other individuals or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

Sec5.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees or agents, or any other person.

(d)  The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Justice.

                             DONALD J. TRUMP

PROSECUTING BURNING OF THE AMERICAN FLAG

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1.  Purpose.  Our great American Flag is the most sacred and cherished symbol of the United States of America, and of American freedom, identity, and strength.  Over nearly two-and-a-half centuries, many thousands of American patriots have fought, bled, and died to keep the Stars and Stripes waving proudly.  The American Flag is a special symbol in our national life that should unite and represent all Americans of every background and walk of life.  Desecrating it is uniquely offensive and provocative.  It is a statement of contempt, hostility, and violence against our Nation — the clearest possible expression of opposition to the political union that preserves our rights, liberty, and security.  Burning this representation of America may incite violence and riot.  American Flag burning is also used by groups of foreign nationals as a calculated act to intimidate and threaten violence against Americans because of their nationality and place of birth.

Notwithstanding the Supreme Court’s rulings on First Amendment protections, the Court has never held that American Flag desecration conducted in a manner that is likely to incite imminent lawless action or that is an action amounting to “fighting words” is constitutionally protected.  See Texas v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397, 408-10 (1989).

My Administration will act to restore respect and sanctity to the American Flag and prosecute those who incite violence or otherwise violate our laws while desecrating this symbol of our country, to the fullest extent permissible under any available authority.

Sec2.  Measures to Combat Desecration of the American Flag.  (a)  The Attorney General shall prioritize the enforcement to the fullest extent possible of our Nation’s criminal and civil laws against acts of American Flag desecration that violate applicable, content-neutral laws, while causing harm unrelated to expression, consistent with the First Amendment.  This may include, but is not limited to, violent crimes; hate crimes, illegal discrimination against American citizens, or other violations of Americans’ civil rights; and crimes against property and the peace, as well as conspiracies and attempts to violate, and aiding and abetting others to violate, such laws.

(b)  In cases where the Department of Justice or another executive department or agency (agency) determines that an instance of American Flag desecration may violate an applicable State or local law, such as open burning restrictions, disorderly conduct laws, or destruction of property laws, the agency shall refer the matter to the appropriate State or local authority for potential action.

(c)  To the maximum extent permitted by the Constitution, the Attorney General shall vigorously prosecute those who violate our laws in ways that involve desecrating the American Flag, and may pursue litigation to clarify the scope of the First Amendment exceptions in this area.

(d)  The Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting within their respective authorities, shall deny, prohibit, terminate, or revoke visas, residence permits, naturalization proceedings, and other immigration benefits, or seek removal from the United States, pursuant to Federal law, including 8 U.S.C. 1182(a), 8 U.S.C. 1424, 8 U.S.C. 1427, 8 U.S.C. 1451(c), and 8 U.S.C. 1227(a), whenever there has been an appropriate determination that foreign nationals have engaged in American Flag-desecration activity under circumstances that permit the exercise of such remedies pursuant to Federal law.

Sec3.  Severability.  If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

Sec4.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(d)  The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Justice.

                             DONALD J. TRUMP

Last edition:

Court Watch

Monday, April 3, 2023

Far away places with strange sounding names. Elections in other countries. 2023, part 1.


I comment from time to time on the elections of other countries, so I decided to finally just put those comments in trailing threads, rather than stand alone posts.  

We'll see how it works.

April 3, 2023

Prime Minister's Seal for Finland.

Finland popular young prime minister, Sanna Marin, will be replaced, probably by Petteri Orpo in an extremely close race.

The Finish parliamentary election reflects results that show the country going from a center left coalition to a center right coalition.  The probably new PM, 53 years of age (still young by American standards these days) promises to continue to support Ukraine.  This edges the country towards a more nationalistic stance.

Commenting on the Ukrainian War, the new probable PM stated:

First to Ukraine: we stand by you, with you.  We cannot accept this terrible war. And we will do all that is needed to help Ukraine, Ukrainian people because they fight for us. This is clear.

And the message to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is: go away from Ukraine because you will lose.

Concerns over the economy seem to have been the main issue in the election. 

Monday, June 20, 2022

Looking at the Sunday Trib and some observations. 1. Democrats giving the kiss of death. 2. Buchanan defending the election against absurd claims by the "My Pillow" guy. 3. On nuclear

The editorial section of the Tribune was interesting this past Sunday.  A few takeaways and observations.

The first one is this.  A column was written by somebody I happen to know in support of Cheney, concluding with the line that he's a Democrat, but supporting Cheney.

This follows up on quite a few letters to the editor that say the same thing.

If you are a Democrat, and support Cheney, the single most significant thing you can do for her is to shut up.

Cheney is accused by her opponents of being a "RINO" (Republican In Name Only) and supporting the Democrats.  Your support of her, Democrat, hurts her.

Isn't this obvious?

So too, I'd note, are letters from outside the state.  I don't know why somebody living in Massachusetts thinks writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper in Wyoming will persuade any Wyomingites to do anything.  It won't.  But if does help convince those who dislike Cheney not to vote for her, as she's accused also of being, basically, a political carpetbagger.  

So again, shut up.

The second interesting item is the op-ed by the Secretary of State defending the state's elections against absurd claims by Mike Lindell, the "My Pillow" guy.

Lindell has been making absurd claims that all sorts of votes were stolen in Wyoming, which is bizarre in a state that overwhelmingly went for Trump.  He has formed some sort of organization supporting his claims, and the Wyoming Secretary of State's office even sent somebody to a conference it held.  It's asked the organization for its evidence and never received it.

The claims are, as noted, absurd.

The editorial shows how rational Buchanan is in his role.  It's a shame that he's leaving the office, no longer contending for it, as he's trying for a state district court judgeship. That's his right, but whoever gets that office is unlikely to be as untainted as he presently is.  One of the contenders, Wyoming House member Chuck Gray, has been involved in the circus involved in pointlessly challenging Arizona's election, and that's not a good sign.

As noted here earlier, I really don't know what to make of Buchanan publically announcing he's contending for the judicial position.  In some ways, it's admirably honest as he's not messing up the election by hoping to get something else, which he presumably stands a pretty good chance of getting.  On the other, he failed to get such an appointment earlier this past year, and this puts a lot of pressure on the nominating committee and the Governor (should he be nominated).

There's more I'm tempted to say on that entire process, but I'll abstain.

Next, a founder of a right wing libertarian organization wrote an article attacking nuclear energy.

A foundress of a group that's been a huge backer of libertarian and far right causes in the state, and her prior appearances in  the news haven't been encouraging.  I'll just note this. Everyone who is familiar with energy generation on a scientific level is of the opinion that nuclear power is safe and necessary.

Necessary.

This would include, I'd note, a former head of the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

Gore's article deals with supply problems and costs, but as has been long-established, this is always an argument for anything that's on coming. At first, there's always supply problems and costs are high.  It's well established that as something gets up and rolling, costs go down and the supply problems ease.

This is overall part of the constantly made argument that the nation simply can't move away from fossil fuels.  Setting aside the argument on whether it must do so for environmental reasons, it's pretty clear the country is moving away from them.  It simply is.  In the short term, although that's increasingly becoming more and more short term, they will still be there.  Nothing is going away overnight. But long term alternative forms of energy generation are taking over, and in some quarters they have been for over a century.  The arguments overall on this topic really were ones that were first advanced, and then decided in the 1910 to 1920 time frame, and in the 1970s.

Monday, September 18, 2000

Tuesday, September 18, 1900. Primary affliction.

Minnesota inflicted the abysmal and now largely illegal primary election system on the country, putting into effect an 1899 law requiring the same.

These have become state funded party elections which primarily operate to keep the Republicans and Democrats in npower, and everyone else, out.  Reform, and a restoration of democracy in the United States will require making these non party elections, which could very easily be done, and which has been somewhat done in Alaska. Wyoming's legislature recently acted to ban open primaries in an anti democratic move.

The American League completed its last season as a minor league baseball circuit.


Li Hongzhang was accepted by the Allied powers as the representative of China for peace negotiations to end the Boxer Rebellion.

Last edition:

Monday, September 17, 1900. Battle of Mabitac