1ºHi Guys! First, I applaud the Democrats in Texas for taking a stand against the DELIBERATE FRAUD being committed by the GOP through their manipulation of the voting system. It makes a bold statement to the severity of lengths the GOP will go to advance their agenda to destroy Democracy and replace it with their Autocratic/Authoritarian Government. Thus, Forgive me Homeland Security, when I say with complete confidence, that ladies and gentlemen WE ARE AT WAR! And the enemy, as it begins to finally expose its true nature and intent, the GOP! PLEASE READ GUYS! The article is BY BRENT BUDOWSKY of the HILL. I hope you find it as interesting as I did! "For the first time since Jefferson put pen to paper in 1776, a major political party is systematically attacking the rights of voters, the values of democracy and the Founding Fathers’ vision of the United States Senate. Similar abuses have happened before but never in such a systematic, aggressive and far-reaching style of total political warfare. As you read these words there are more than 200 bills offered by Republicans in states across the nation that comprise the greatest war for voter suppression, meaning the greatest war against American voters, in American history." "In 2020 when Republicans attacked early voting and voting by mail, they were attacking all voters. When in some states they forced voters to wait in crowded lines during a disease that killed more than 500,000 Americans, they endangered the health and lives of every voter in those lines. When Republicans reduced the number of polling booths they were attacking every single voter in those communities. Yes, these and similar measures attacked Black and Hispanic voters. But they also fiercely attacked senior citizen voters, young voters, disabled voters, Asian American voters, Native American voters and — yes — white voters in every community victimized by these GOP attacks against democracy.
And while these abuses were promoted by former President Trump and his supporters, the No. 1 co-conspirator in these political crimes against voters and democracy is Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who vows to prevent legislative proposals to end these attacks against voters from being passed by a majority of the Senate." "Now, there is a good chance that either Democrats or Republicans will emerge from the 2022 midterms in control of both the House and Senate.
Trump and McConnell react not by trying to win support from all voters, but to maximize turnout from their base while aggressively escalating their attacks against all other voters. No president has ever been more sincere calling for bipartisanship than President Biden. But who can he negotiate with? When I was working for the House Democratic leadership the first Speaker I served under was Tip O’Neill, who often worked with President Reagan. Historians fondly remember how they achieved periodic bipartisan agreements and some degree of personal friendship and mutual respect.
Trump and McConnell did not act this way with Obama and will not with Biden, especially when their driving purpose is to suppress Democratic voters and regain control of the Senate and House.
McConnell has worked to destroy the Founding Father’s vision of the Senate. They never considered the filibuster. While they intended the Senate to balance the House of Representatives, and valued the rights of the Senate minority, they never intended the Senate to be dominated and controlled by a minority that prohibits majority votes on issue after issue, month after month, year after year. The Founders would be appalled and angry that any Senate leader would abuse the rules of the Senate to pack the Supreme Court. They would be outraged that any Senate leader would claim credit for being the “grim reaper” and abuse the Senate by aggressively obstructing almost all major proposals offered by any Democratic president or Senate Democratic majority.
McConnell claims his hero was the great legislator and diplomat Henry Clay. But Clay was known as the Great Compromiser, not the Grim Reaper."
2ºGreetings from NRW, Germany. In my area the situation is cooling down right now. Thank god. Our entire city of 60.000 people was flooded. Some citys around got hit even harder. Still a lot of people missing in other areas. Dams are about to break. Still high risk level.
I ve never expierienced this in my whole life. A small stream near my house became a raging river within a few hours. Some people here lost everything within one evening and don't know what will follow... it's a tragedy... I am so glad that i "just" have to deal with a devastated basement...
3ºClimate change is global. The increasing impacts and affects are all around us. It is going to be perhaps the most challenging threat we as people have taken on, but it is a threat to the survival of all people so we must find the will and way to come together, devote resources, talent, energy, creativity, brilliance and ingenuity to take it on. The time is becoming increasingly short as the window closes for us to act. It is time to move beyond denial to face the realities of what we are facing, however painful and dire they seem, and it is time to stop propping up and reinforcing systems which are cumulatively destroying us.
4º**** " Taking no action is more expensive than taking action!" Tony Blair ******
The heat wave caused wild fires in California and Nevada, the temperature reached 54+ degree celsius at death valley. Climate change is clearly visible and it affects peoples and others species life throughout the world. Unfortunately politicians of super countries didn't take sufficient and necessary action to tackle climate change and environmental degradation. Climate change destroyed so many lives and property. The worest will come unless all necessary measures taken as soon as possible. Every effort everywhere to tackle climate change must be encouraged and supported. For example in this summer Ethiopia has a plan to plant billions of seedlings in Ethiopia and distribute billions of seedlings to neghbouring countries. The Ethiopians courage and effort to tackle climate change should be encouraged and supported by international community. I would like to conclude my point by the former British priminster saying
" Taking no action is more expensive than taking action!"