The voter-purge law in Florida is obviously nothing more than an attempt to steal the state for Mitt Romney. Let’s start with this, from the Tampa Times back in March: We couldn’t resist diving in: Are there more shark attacks than cases of voter fraud in Florida?
"… [T]he austerity drive in Britain isn’t really about debt and deficits at all; it’s about using deficit panic as an excuse to dismantle social programs. And this is, of course, exactly the same thing that has been happening in America.
In fairness to Britain’s conservatives, they aren’t quite as crude as their American counterparts. They don’t rail against the evils of deficits in one breath, then demand huge tax cuts for the wealthy in the next (although the Cameron government has, in fact, significantly cut the top tax rate). And, in general, they seem less determined than America’s right to aid the rich and punish the poor. Still, the direction of policy is the same — and so is the fundamental insincerity of the calls for austerity."
In fairness to Britain’s conservatives, they aren’t quite as crude as their American counterparts. They don’t rail against the evils of deficits in one breath, then demand huge tax cuts for the wealthy in the next (although the Cameron government has, in fact, significantly cut the top tax rate). And, in general, they seem less determined than America’s right to aid the rich and punish the poor. Still, the direction of policy is the same — and so is the fundamental insincerity of the calls for austerity."
— Paul Krugman in his column, The Austerity Agenda - NYTimes.com
"We obsess in this country about how to eat and dress and drink, about finding a job and a mate. About having sex and children. About how to live. But we don’t talk about how to die. We act as if facing death weren’t one of life’s greatest, most absorbing thrills and challenges. Believe me, it is. This is not dull."
— Dudley Clendinen, a journalist who worked for papers in St. Petersburg, Atlanta, New York and Baltimore, who died of ALS this week, quoted in Dudley Clendinen, Reporter and Editor, Dies at 67 - NYTimes.com
The New York Times writes in an editorial:
Florida has a sordid history with manipulating voter rolls. In 2000 and 2004, it tried to purge felons from the rolls using wildly inaccurate lists, which had the effect of removing black voters who were not felons. As long as there is a chance of tilting the outcome of a close election, Republicans like [Gov. Rick] Scott won’t stop trying.
"Allowing responsible organizations to conduct voter registration drives — thus making it easier for citizens to register and vote — promotes democracy."
— Federal Judge Robert L. Hinkle, who at least temporarily has blocked Florida’s onerous voter registration requirements, quoted in Judge Opposes Restrictions on Florida’s Voter Groups - NYTimes.com
A federal judge on Thursday blocked key provisions of a Florida law regulating groups that organize voter-registration drives, escalating a debate over newly restrictive voter-access laws that have become a major issue in the presidential campaign. The decision by U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle marked the first time a federal jurist has struck down provisions in one of the voting laws passed by nearly 20 states since last year.
A federal appeals court ruled unanimously Thursday that the federal law declaring marriage to be a union solely between a man and a woman discriminates against married same-sex couples by denying them the same benefits afforded to heterosexual couples — a ruling that could set the stage for the Supreme Court to review the issue as early as next year.
A graduate of the University of Georgia, Ron Taylor initially wanted to be a sports writer, but switched to social, economic and political topics after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was assassinated, friends and colleagues said.
Ron Taylor was — and it is hard for me to say the word “was” — a wonderful writer and a truly great man. This day has been very sad for all who were honored to know him. He deserved this headline and much more.
"Buddha always emphasized a balance of wisdom and compassion; a good brain and a good heart should work together."
—
The Dalai Lama.
Sounds like good advice for all, no matter what your religion or lack of religion, doesn’t it?
(via dragonsdrum)
