Our Orwellian Times, Particularly on Abortion!

“Leave it to the states” (Trump’s latest mantra) actually means zombie laws banning abortion return at full strength, with no exceptions, no matter public opinion. (Remember, as Texas demonstrates every day, exceptions for the health of the mother are unenforceable.) 

The only way to have a chance to stop this madness is by asphyxiating the Republican Party, by voting Democratic for every single office, until that distant day that Republicans decide to become a pro-choice party. Meanwhile, Kari Lake is twisting in the wind…

So let’s review. Lake opposes the law she had consistently said she supported. She denounces the court decision which ruled that the old law is in effect. She thinks the decision should be left to the states. She also opposes abortion. Also, Arizona is a state.

She also wants Governor Hobbs to solve the situation. Which would presumably mean making abortion legal. Even though Lake opposes abortion. 

She then comes very close to saying that abortion is a very personal issue that should be left to a state and her doctor. No really. I’m not kidding. Here’s the exact quote: “This is a very personal issue that should be determined by each individual state and her people.”

Meanwhile, the Republicans in the Arizona state legislature are too busy to fix anything:

@ynotcani The day after MAGA controlled Arizona Republicans blocked democrat efforts to repeal the worst abortion ban in America, they are out of state taking minimum of $10,000 donations in exchange for fast time with lobbyists. They said they adjoruned to meet constituents. Nope. They wanted to drink with lobbyists. #voteblue #greenscreen #politics ♬ original sound - Tony Cani

Dysfunctional Parenting, New-Zealand Style

Interesting story:

“They’re real sort of rugged, coast-y people who don’t come into town much,” a local reporter told me. “They’re kind of unusual. You’d call them rednecks, I think.” (Being “coastal” has a very different connotation in New Zealand than it does in the U.S.) Tony Wall, a reporter for the newsmagazine Stuff, told me that Phillips’ parents have been “very uncooperative. If you read between the lines, it definitely seems like they know something but they’re not telling us.”

Someone, everybody assumed, was shopping for supplies and ferrying them out to Phillips, wherever he was hiding out. “It’s almost unfathomable to think a father could survive with three small children without someone buying them supplies,” Baxter told me. “But what’s the endgame? I’m looking out my window now, and it’s pouring down rain.”

The lack of urgency on the part of Waikato police was often commented upon. “It’s very strange,” one reporter who’s been covering the case said. “The cops are not pouring any resources into looking for him and those children. I think they are of the view that he’s not going to hurt them and he’ll eventually come out.” 

...Whatever enquiries were under way, that cold and wet winter passed with no sign of Tom Phillips. As 2022 turned into 2023, Phillips and his children had been missing without a trace for more than a year. Then came the bank robbery.

Been Spending Time in Hospitals

Nothing wrong with me, but people I know have had some medical issues lately. Here is Sacramento VA Medical Center.

Hey, Where You Been?

I hear you've been busy!

Twin Rivers USD Job Fair

I attended this job fair at Twin Rivers Unified School District on April 10th. I might start as substitute teacher with them sometime soon. Strange event in some ways. Food was available for free, including ice cream bars and fresh fruit (a bell pepper, two kiwis, and about eight strawberries for me.

AI Trump Needs Cash

Eclipse Reenactment

@theholdernessfamily No need for special glasses 😎 #eclipse ♬ original sound - The Holderness Fam