Links for Friday, April 5
A novel abortion-protections strategy, a look at Gorelick and Garland, a Joe Lieberman anti-memorial and more
This week we look at a surprising and novel abortion-protection strategy, reconsider Jamie Gorelick and Merrick Garland, look back at the wicked Joe Lieberman, now newly dead, consider AI, and more. We end with a tasty musical treat.
Links
Five thoughtful links for your Friday pleasure.
• The sleeper legal strategy that could topple abortion bans (Politico)
In Indiana, a group of Jewish, Muslim and other religious plaintiffs sued over the state’s near-total abortion ban. Their argument: that it violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act signed into law in 2015 by then-Gov. Mike Pence. A lower court judge sided with them in December and blocked the state’s ban from taking effect — the most significant win the religious challengers have notched so far.
These aren’t the only ones doing this.
I’ve argued for a while that the way to counter the Right is to mirror them; that is, take what they say to do literally, then turn it against them. This almost never done.
Timidity? Perhaps. But it’s a winner almost every time.
Imagine, for instance, if you dressed up as a Second Amendment freak, Constitution in hand turned to the right page, and showed up with friends (and a videographer) at a Tea Party candidate rally in the early Aughts. You spout all the magic phrases, look cocky with a good .45 strapped tight to your hip.
You’re taking their lead, right? Doing what they started doing with Democrat rallies. No problem, you say? Think again. Now imagine you’re black.
File under “Here’s your religious freedom. Like it now?”
• Servants of the Mafia State (Sarah Kendzior)
A long piece that covers Jamie Gorelick, Merrick Garland and Donald Trump. But I’m not sure what to make of it. For instance, she’s clearly no fan of Trump, but she’s no fan of Attorney General Merrick Garland either for refusing to prosecute him or for delaying his prosecution till the time when it mattered came close to running out.
A taste:
Trump is a career mafioso trained in the arts of blackmail and bribery by his mentor, Roy Cohn. He and his backers continually threaten physical violence against anyone in their way.
And yet:
But it is not necessary to deploy threats when the ostensible target – the DOJ -- is their willing accomplice.
Many fail to understand Garland’s role due to an elaborate propaganda network (the mechanics of which I will break down) and a reluctance to recognize complicity among officials who are often portrayed as feuding. It is easier to attribute disaster to one political party instead of examining networks and recurring figures responsible for a multitude of tragedies over the past twenty-five years.
Jamie Gorelick is one of these figures…
The takedown of Garland and Gorelick are must-read material. Very well sources and reasoned.
Her overall thesis though — that they’re all part of a “mafia state” — I’m not sure it’s right, though it could be. Perhaps in the comments (or email) you’ll offer your thoughts.
File under “Spotting who’s good in DC is a ‘Where’s Waldo?’ exercise.”