barnswallow
Well-Known Member
I read (part of) an article and listened to (part of) a podcast that both spoke to the strong currents of this time we're living in. The article is about Ohio state politics.
Oof. Tough read but important. It's not a unique situation.
The podcast was Ezra Klein and he was talking to a guest, journalist Sean Illing, about how the media of a time shape the messaging and politics. One comment that interested me concerned the inherent Achilles heel of democracy: the inclusiveness of all voices opens the door to nefarious actors, even those that seek to destroy democracy, which basically describes what's happened in Ohio, along with gerrymandering. Of course, nefarious actors are well-dispersed throughout the country.
How We Communicate Will Decide Whether Democracy Lives or Dies [NYT; 7.26.22]
One quote:
"The Republicans’ antics lasted so long that they basically ran out the clock. Election deadlines were looming, and the makeup of Ohio’s districts still hadn’t been settled. “They contrived a crisis,” Russo told me. At that point, a group allied with the Republicans, Ohio Right to Life, urged a federal court to intervene, on the ground that the delay was imperilling the fair administration of upcoming elections. The decision was made by a panel of three federal judges—two of whom had been appointed by Trump. Over the strenuous objection of the third judge, the two Trump judges ruled in the group’s favor, allowing the 2022 elections to proceed with a map so rigged that Ohio’s top judicial body had rejected it as unconstitutional.
On Twitter, Bill Seitz, the majority leader of the Ohio House, jeered at his Democratic opponents: “Too bad so sad. We win again.” He continued, “Now I know it’s been a tough night for all you libs. Pour yourself a glass of warm milk and you will sleep better. The game is over and you lost.”"
Depressing stuff, but important information.
I don't have a cohesive message. These are just two things I came across that I think are interesting, so I'm throwing it out here, in case you're twiddling your thumbs, wondering what to do right now.
Oof. Tough read but important. It's not a unique situation.
The podcast was Ezra Klein and he was talking to a guest, journalist Sean Illing, about how the media of a time shape the messaging and politics. One comment that interested me concerned the inherent Achilles heel of democracy: the inclusiveness of all voices opens the door to nefarious actors, even those that seek to destroy democracy, which basically describes what's happened in Ohio, along with gerrymandering. Of course, nefarious actors are well-dispersed throughout the country.
How We Communicate Will Decide Whether Democracy Lives or Dies [NYT; 7.26.22]
One quote:
"The Republicans’ antics lasted so long that they basically ran out the clock. Election deadlines were looming, and the makeup of Ohio’s districts still hadn’t been settled. “They contrived a crisis,” Russo told me. At that point, a group allied with the Republicans, Ohio Right to Life, urged a federal court to intervene, on the ground that the delay was imperilling the fair administration of upcoming elections. The decision was made by a panel of three federal judges—two of whom had been appointed by Trump. Over the strenuous objection of the third judge, the two Trump judges ruled in the group’s favor, allowing the 2022 elections to proceed with a map so rigged that Ohio’s top judicial body had rejected it as unconstitutional.
On Twitter, Bill Seitz, the majority leader of the Ohio House, jeered at his Democratic opponents: “Too bad so sad. We win again.” He continued, “Now I know it’s been a tough night for all you libs. Pour yourself a glass of warm milk and you will sleep better. The game is over and you lost.”"
Depressing stuff, but important information.
I don't have a cohesive message. These are just two things I came across that I think are interesting, so I'm throwing it out here, in case you're twiddling your thumbs, wondering what to do right now.
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