#26th amendments

[emergingpakistan]

چھبیسویں ویں آئینی ترمیم کیسے پاس ہوئی

قارئین آپ کو بتاتا ہوں کہ 26ویں آئینی ترمیم کیسے پاس ہوئی، میری ایک دوست سے بات ہوئی تو اس نے مجھ سے کہا کہ کچھ لوگ مولانا فضل الرحمن اور تحریک انصاف کو شک کی نگاہ سے دیکھتے ہیں مگر ایسا نہیں ہے۔ مولانا اور تحریک انصاف کے درمیان کچھ چیزیں طے ہوئی تھیں۔ مولانا نے پی ٹی آئی سے کہا تھا کہ سینیٹ میں حکومت کو ہمارے ووٹوں کی ضرورت ہے اور قومی اسمبلی میں پی ٹی آئی کے ووٹوں کی ضرورت ہو گی۔ لہٰذا سینیٹ میں ہم ووٹ نہیں دیں گے اور قومی اسمبلی میں پی ٹی آئی والے ووٹ نہیں دیں گے تو یہ بل پاس نہیں ہو گا۔ مولانا فضل الرحمن نے تحریک انصاف سے کہا کہ سینیٹ کو میں سنبھالتا ہوں اور قومی اسمبلی کو آپ سنبھالیں اور آپ کا کوئی بھی ممبر نہ ٹوٹے، تحریک انصاف کو یہ باور تھا کہ اس کا سینیٹ میں کوئی بھی بندہ ٹوٹ نہیں سکتا اور قومی اسمبلی میں تو سوال ہی پیدا نہیں ہوتا اور سب سے کہا کہ وہ کے پی کے چلے جائیں اور اپنے فیملی ممبرز کو بھی سائیڈ پر کر لیں۔ ان کو یہ باقاعدہ ہدایت ملی تھی، مگر مسئلہ یہ ہو اکہ جب پاکستان تحریک انصاف کے لوگوں کیلئے منڈی لگ گئی تو وہ بھیڑ بکریوں کی طرح بک گئے تو وہاں مولانا کیا کرتے؟ 

اب یہ قصہ الٹ ہو گیا اور تحریک انصاف کے کچھ سینیٹر اور اسکے علاوہ 11 سے 15 قومی اسمبلی کے ممبران بھی بک چکے ہیں تو پھر دونوں نے مل کر جو مولانا کا مسودہ تھا وہ مولانا کا نہیں بلکہ وہ پاکستان تحریک انصاف کا مسودہ تھا۔ تحریک انصاف حکومت کے ساتھ نہیں بیٹھتی اور نہ ہی ان کے ساتھ وہ ڈائیلاگ کی سوچ رکھتی تھی۔ نہ انہوں نے ان کے ساتھ کوئی ڈائیلاگ کیا، وجہ یہ تھی کہ خان صاحب کا حکم تھا کہ حکومت کو ہم نہیں مانتے ہیں کیونکہ یہ فارم 47 کی پیداوار ہے۔ یہ ناجائز حکومت ہے تو ہم ان کے ساتھ نہیں بیٹھتے، مولانا کو اس لئے استعمال کیا کہ وہ یہ ساری چیزیں دیکھیں۔ کیونکہ مولانا کے پاس اگر مسلم لیگ (ن) والے اور پیپلز پارٹی والے آتے تھے، تو فوراً پی ٹی آئی والے چلے جاتے تھے۔ اصل میں مولانا اور پی ٹی آئی والے آپس میں مشورہ کرتے تھے، مگر جب حالات یہاں پہنچ گئے کہ تحریک انصاف کے سینیٹر اور قومی اسمبلی کے ممبر بک گئے تو انہوں نے پلان ہی تبدیل کر دیا۔ 

پہلے یہ تھا کہ یہ بل پاس ہی نہیں ہو گا، تو پھر پلاننگ میں یہ بات طے ہوئی کہ اس میں جو خطرناک چیزیں ہیں کوشش کریں کہ ان کو نکالا جائے۔ ایک تو یہ کہ سویلین کا ملٹری کورٹ میں مقدمہ نہیں چلے گا، یہ تحریک انصاف کا مطالبہ تھا اور خان صاحب اور ان کے ورکرز کو بچانے کیلئے تھا۔ دوسرا یہ کہ آئینی عدالت نہیں بنے گی اور آئینی عدالت نہیں بنی، آئینی عدالت اور آئینی بینچ میں فرق ہوتا ہے۔ تیسرا یہ تھا کہ اب قاضی فائز عیسیٰ کو ایکسٹینشن نہ دی جائے۔ یہ 3 چیزیں اہم تھیں انہوں نے ان کو بل سے نکال دیا۔ باقی یہ کہ اگر سپریم کورٹ میں کسی کی اتھارٹی تھی کوئی سپریم کورٹ کا جج بن رہا ہے یا مستقبل میں بنے گا تو تحریک انصاف یا تحریک انصاف کے ورکرز نے کوئی ٹھیکہ نہیں لیا سارے پاکستان کا، پاکستان میں اور بھی لوگ ہیں اور اگر کسی کی اتھارٹی چیلنج ہوئی ہے تو وہ اپنا کردار ادا کرے۔ تحریک انصاف والے کال دیتے ہیں تو وکیل نہیں نکلتے، نہ تاجر برادری، نہ انجینئر، نہ کسان باہر نکلتے ہیں حالانکہ سب لوگ پریشان ہیں۔ صر ف تحریک انصاف کے ورکر اور لیڈر ہیں جو مار کھاتے ہیں۔

پاکستان کی تاریخ دیکھیں تو بہت کم ایسا ہوا ہے کہ سب سے پہلے کوئی بھی بل سینیٹ سے پاس کیا گیا ہو، حالانکہ پہلے بل قومی اسمبلی سے پاس ہوتا ہے۔ اسکی وجہ یہ ہے کہ آپ جب شکوک و شبہات میں ہوتے ہیں تو آپ سوچتے ہیں کہ اگر میں اسٹیپ لے لوں کہ قومی اسمبلی سے پاس کرالوں اور بعد میں سینیٹ میں ناکامی ہو تو بے عزتی بھی ہو گی اور بل بھی پاس نہیں ہو گا۔ ٹیکنیکل اور آئینی بہت سے مسائل پیدا ہوتے ہیں، جہاں تک چیف جسٹس کے تقرر کا طریقہ کار تبدیل کرنے کی بات ہے یہ تحریک انصاف کی پالیسی میں بھی شامل تھا۔ عمران خان جب وزیر اعظم تھے تو وہ بھی اسی طرح کا قانون لانا چاہتے تھے لیکن اس وقت انکے پاس 2 تہائی اکثریت نہیں تھی، مگر خواہش تھی کہ اگر مجھے 2 تہائی اکثریت دے دی گئی تو میں چیف جسٹس کے تقرر کا طریقہ کار تبدیل کر دوں گا۔ وہ طریقہ تھوڑا اس سے مختلف تھا۔ تحریک انصاف چاہتی تھی کہ 3 ججز کا ڈیٹا لے کر قومی اسمبلی اور سینیٹ میں ان پر ڈیبیٹ کی جائے، ان کا ماضی دیکھا جائے، ان کا کردار بحیثیت سپریم کورٹ جج دیکھا جائے کہ سپریم کورٹ میں ان کا کردار کیسا تھا اور کتنے فیصلے ٹھیک اور کتنے غلط تھے۔ 

ان ساری چیزوں پر ڈیبیٹ ہونا تھی اور اس کے بعد ان 3 ججوں میں سے ایک کا نام قومی اسمبلی سے منظور ہونا تھا اور وزیر اعظم نے اس کو انڈورس کرنا تھا اور صدر نے اس پر دستخط کرنے تھے۔ اب جبکہ چیف جسٹس کا تقرر ہو چکا ہے تو اب میں تھوڑا سا نیوٹرل ہو کر تجزیہ کروں گا۔ 1998 میں نواز شریف نے نیب کا ادارہ بنایا تو نواز شریف اور زرداری دونوں اس میں پھنس گئے۔ ثاقب نثار مسلم لیگ (ن) کے لیگل ایڈوائزر تھے جب چیف جسٹس بنے تو انہوں نے ان کے ساتھ کیا کیا۔ عبدالحمید ڈوگر کو چیف جسٹس پی پی پی نے بنایا تو اس نے ان کے ساتھ کیا کیا، یہ بھی تاریخ کا حصہ ہے۔ بہر حال نئے چیف جسٹس یحییٰ آفریدی نے ایک بڑا اچھا فیصلہ کیا اور حلف اٹھاتے ہی پریکٹس اینڈ پروسیجر کمیٹی کی تشکیل نو کر دی۔ جسٹس منصور علی شاہ اور جسٹس منیب اختر کو بطور رکن دوبارہ کمیٹی میں شامل کر دیا اور سپریم کورٹ کے تمام کورٹ روم کو لائیو اسٹریمنگ سروس فراہم کرنے کا فیصلہ بھی کیا۔

خلیل احمد نینی تا ل والا

بشکریہ روزنامہ جنگ

[forever70s]

Teen activists with signs supporting the ratification of the 26th Amendment (which lowered the national U.S. voting from 21 to age 18), 1969

[fiery-alder05]

so this was for a school assignment, where I explain some of the Amendments through memes

tell me which one is your fav :3

then a couple general memes related to this :3

this was not part of the assignment but remember to check your voter registration.

also daily clicks. because free palestine.

[oneofthosecrazycatladies]

Okay so we have this huge problem with forgetting about everything that’s happened by the time the next election rolls around so I’d like to keep a running list of things as they’re happening to help remind us when the 2026 midterms roll around. And please add to this if I’ve missed anything.

January 2025:

Donald Trump pardoned 1500 people who participated in the insurrection of January 6th, including those who violently assaulted and nearly killed police officers.

Donald Trump has declared that trans and non-binary people don’t exist.

Donald Trump is working towards firing everyone in the government who isn’t loyal to him.

Donald Trump has effectively fired everyone who he claims is an “illegal DEI hire” …whatever that means

Donald Trump pulled out of the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization

Congress are trying to pass the Laken Riley Act to, effectively, round up every immigrant in the country, including LEGAL immigrants

Donald Trump removed caps on prescription drug prices.

Donald Trump wants to withhold federal aid to help combat the LA wildfires and help the thousands of people who have been displaced and lost their homes.

The Department of Justice has put a hold on all civil rights cases.

Donald Trump has cut off aid to Ukraine.

Laken Riley Act has been passed by Congress and is awaiting being signed into law by the President. Here’s the breakdown of the votes: House Senate

Donald Trump purged a dozen inspectors general from the federal government and intends to replace them all with people loyal to him.

Pete Hegseth has been confirmed as Secretary of Defense. Here’s the breakdown of how the Senate voted. Note, it was a 50-50 tie that JD Vance had to break.

Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Colombia after the Colombian government turned away two airplanes carrying migrants. Columbia has retaliated by imposing a 25% tariff of its own on US goods.

Donald Trump has also issued a travel ban for Colombian citizens and revoked visas from Colombian migrants coming to the US.

Donald Trump has now backed off the tariffs and other threats against Colombia. Note for future reference: this comes just hours after Trump made the threat in the first place and he and the Colombian president got into a big fight on social media.

Nearly 1,000 migrants were arrested mostly in Chicago on January 26th by ICE and ICE has been told to meet a quota of 75 migrant arrests every day.

Donald Trump rescinded an anti-discrimination executive order from Lyndon B. Johnson

Donald Trump signed an executive order banning trans people from serving in the military and also ordered that people who were discharged for refusing to get mandatory vaccines be reinstated.

Donald Trump has frozen all federal grants to institutions.

After pressure from state governments, activist groups, and the general public, the White House has rolled back some of the freezes on federal funding.

Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN) has proposed a change to the 22nd Amendment to allow Donald Trump, specifically, to serve a third term.

Donald Trump is trying to fire all federal employees who don’t want to return to the office (work-from-home saves the federal government millions of taxpayer dollars in overhead). He also sent an email to federal employees saying that if they’re not loyal to him, they’ll be investigated.

Donald Trump has signed the Laken Riley Act into law.

Donald Trump has said he doesn’t think Palestinians should be allowed to return to Gaza but instead should be sent to Egypt and Jordan.

Native Americans have been targeted by ICE raids.

Donald Trump has ordered undocumented immigrants to be sent to Guantanamo Bay

Donald Trump signed an executive order to expand federal funding for school choice programs. [x]

Donald Trump signed an executive order saying that he will deport visa-holding students who protest against Israel. [x]

Donald Trump has blamed DEI for the plane crash that killed 67 people in Washington D. C. [x]

Donald Trump signed an executive order that schools should no longer teach about racism and discrimination. And that schools should only teach history that is “patriotic” [x]

Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna wants to add Donald Trump’s face to Mount Rushmore. [x]

Trump’s Department of Education has called book bans a hoax. [x]

The Department of Justice has barred certain news outlets from receiving information from the Pentagon. [x]

The Trump administration has fired multiple FBI officials who investigated the January 6th insurrection. [x]

February-July 2025

I’ll keep adding to this list as new things come up and, again, please feel free to add anything I’ve missed. I know that in this world of constant news it’s easy to forget, so let’s give our future selves a little help!

[4thewynne]

Interesting aside related to this, Since WWII through Vietnam, in the states really had a challenge in age of voting. It used to be 21 then changed to 18 in the 70s. The phraseing, "Old enough to bleed, old enough to vote." came about because young adults were pushing hard due to being tired to sent to die for causes their country demanded of them but they couldn't vote on these causes. Thus the 26th Amendment came to be

"The Right of Citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on the account of age"

[pebblegalaxy]

Dethroned by John Zubrzycki: Unraveling the Integration of India's Princely States in 1947 #BookReview @JohnZubrzycki @juggernautbooks

Dethroned by John Zubrzycki: Unraveling the Integration of India's Princely States in 1947 #BookReview #Books #PrincelyIndia @JohnZubrzycki @juggernautbooks

Dethroned by John Zubrzycki is a historical book that tells the story of how India’s princely states were integrated into the newly independent nation in 1947. The book focuses on the roles of Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Home Minister of India, and V.P. Menon, the chief negotiator and strategist of the integration process. The book also…

[vaspider]

This is what we are talking about when we say that talking about young adults like they're not old enough to make their own decisions hurts the legal adulthood of all young adults.

Mississippi, unlike most states, does not consider a young person an adult until 21. What does this mean? Well, among other things...

But the courts denied the name change request of SBM, a trans man with the full support of his parents in his transition, because they found 18 years old is not an adequate age to ensure “maturity” and warrant such a “life-altering” decision.

Got that? Because he's not considered an adult, he can't change his name (even with the full support of his parents). The State has decided that he's just not old enough to change his name.

Is this ruling based in transphobia and will it likely not hold up on appeal? Both things are probably true. That doesn't change the fact that this rhetorical line is exactly what's being used to strip rights from young adults.

Also...

The plaintiff may still be able to cross state lines to get a name change, but it is unclear the extent to which Mississippi would honor it. In addition, it threatens to thrust Mississippians of all backgrounds into the epicenter of a constitutional crisis. The ruling and its rollout could call the 26th Amendment into question, which lowered the voting age to 18 after the mass conscription of young people during the Vietnam War. It also tests the Full Faith and Credit Clause, which requires states to respect the records-keeping of other states (such as name changes and marriage licenses); Mississippians’ 14th Amendment right to due process; and an individual’s First Amendment rights.

Republicans are already trying to roll back the voting rights of young people because people under 25 overwhelmingly vote not-Republican. Just... for fuck's sake, y'all. The myth that people's brains "aren't done developing until 25" is just that: a myth.

Stop trying to make young adults into children. You're giving away your rights and the rights of others.

[threecowsusingthisforreblogging]

GHUIGEHEWIUGHIESOHGEUIOSEHUIO!!!!!!!!!!!! MY TWERP!!!!!! THROW BRICKS AT THEY!!!!!!! HGEUHGIUSHGEIOEHG IUESHGUIO oh my cheese and crackers ghrusgdhuiohrdiuohdr lucy??????? looks incredible????????? posing like a straight man with a fish that's so real they would do that. stretch lucy like a slinky. IT'S FACE????? they are suffering <3 GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG not even keysmashing anymore just using the most visceral letter

Random Art Trades Post!

Reblog this post with a link to the ref of your oc(s) you would like to see drawn if you’re interested in doing an art trade! After a few hours have passed, I’ll randomly assign everyone who’s reblogged (and me!) someone to draw for.

Times (To be adjusted depending on how many people want to do art trades / when they want to do them)

10:00-1:00 PDT

1:00-3:00 PDT

3:00-6:00 PDT

6:00-9:00 PDT

On August 2nd and 3rd

[munsonstorm]

How Long

pairing: f!reader x brother-in-law!joel miller

description: your boyfriend tommy miller is a cheating bastard. luckily, your brother-in-law joel is nice enough to help you get your mind off of it.

word count: 5.1k

warnings: MINORS DNI! this is 18+, pre!outbreak joel, this is porn, joel is a consent king though!, talk of horrible sex life, cheating, unprotected p in v, fingering, oral (f and m receiving), dirty talk, multiple orgasms, pet names

author's note: hey lovers (; I have been teasing this one awhile. i may continue this if you guys like it a lot. this was a request from an anon, i hope they like it!! i'm almost at 400 followers and I was gonna release this when I hit that, but I am too excited to share this. leave me your thoughts! my requests are still open! <3

You and Tommy went way back. You had crushed on him since high school, his charisma was hypnotic and you were hooked the moment he asked for your phone number. You became borderline obsessed. He was the ideal boyfriend. A huge mama’s boy, respectful, and hilarious. 

You hadn’t ever questioned Tommy’s intentions with you. You two even talked marriage. 

It wasn’t until his 26th birthday that you noted a shift in his behavior and when everything officially fell apart. You had just spent all afternoon at his brother, Joel’s, house. You and Joel arranged a surprise birthday barbeque and you were so excited to spend his special day with him and his whole family.

The whole day, you lied and said you were going for a girls day out with your sister, who was newly single. Instead, you and Joel slaved over the stove making Tommy’s favorites. You also decorated the shit out of Joel’s whole house, with the help of his tween daughter, Sarah. 

Joel told him to come over to help with fixing up his truck, but in actuality you all jumped out of your hiding spots and yelled “happy birthday!”

He hardly reacted. He was dazed seeing your beautiful smile peak up behind Joel’s recliner. 

His attitude was distant the whole night. He wouldn’t kiss you, and pulled away every time you went in to wrap your arms around his waist. He drank way more than you expected, tallying up about 10 beers. 

Joel noticed it, too. 

Joel even asked if he should start taking it easy and cool it on the beer. That only pissed Tommy off, which lead you to break up an argument in front of their own mother. Joel was annoyed, noting how shitty Tommy was being towards you. He was ready to fight his own brother on his birthday.

After the festivities and helping Joel with the dishes, you bid the whole family farewell. Tommy was too drunk to drive home, so you knew you would take him home in your Toyota Corolla, telling Joel you’d be back tomorrow to get his truck. 

“Drive safe you two,” Joel said in the driveway after assisting Tommy to the car. Even after Tommy yelled and fussed at him, he still gladly accepted Joel’s help. He knew he couldn’t walk any more than 50 feet. You smiled watching them, happy they could make amends so quickly, and started up your engine. 

The whole ride home, Tommy kept checking his flip phone. The screen would light up into his glazed over eyes and he’d huff in frustration. 

“Everything okay, baby?” You finally decide to ask. 

You glance over in his direction and you could tell he was annoyed by the question. You bite the inside of your cheek, anticipating him to blow up at you next. 

Tommy was not a nice drunk. He would blow up at the drop of a hat. There’d been countless times where he’d pick a fight with you after you picked him up from a bar or a friend’s house. You learned not to talk on any rides home when he was drinking. But you couldn’t help yourself. 

“You want my honest answer?”

Of course, you did. But when he says it like that?

“What is it, Tommy?”

He clears his throat, “I’m fuckin’ your sister.”

You felt your world crashing around you in that instant. You slam on your breaks on a main road, unable to actively drive due to the shocking news. You pull off into an abandoned parking lot, your hands shaking as you throw the car in park. 

“What?”

You didn’t even want to look over at him, your eyes welling with tears. 

“Yeah,” Is all he says, his voice changing, “I’m sick of lyin’. It’s only been a couple times. But she wants to meet back up.”

His drunk honesty was like vomit coming out of his mouth. Constant and sickening. He was so heartless with his words. This wasn’t your Tommy. What made everything so much worse was that it was your fucking little sister. You two didn’t have the best relationship, but you still cared deeply for her. This was the ultimate betrayal. You couldn’t believe that she, of all people, would try to destroy your picture perfect life.

Not so picture perfect anymore.

The soft hum of the radio takes up the air. You felt like you could suffocate with all of the tension. 

“How long?”

He chuckles lowly, “Longer than I’d probably like to admit. Why do you think her ex dumped her?”

You finally turn to him. He looked remorseless, not even batting an eye at your distraught expression.

“Get the fuck out of my car, Tommy,” You say sternly, “I don’t want to see your face ever again.”

“Oh come on baby,” He groans, “At least take me home.”

“Get,” The tears begin to fall, “Out. Now.”

He throws his hands up in surrender, “Fine, don’t want to watch you cry, anyway. Makes me feel like shit.”

He opens the car door and you watch as he stumbles out. He practically falls on the concrete, his footing wobbly from the alcohol. If you were as callous as him, you’d back your car right over him, but instead you sped off as soon as the door slammed shut. 

Your hands are still vibrating, unsure of what to do next, you pick up your phone and dial Joel. 

He answers after three rings. 

“‘Sup, sweetheart?”

His Southern drawl is hushed, like he was trying to be quiet for someone. It was late, maybe he was putting Sarah to bed. 

“Your brother.”

It’s all you could say before breaking out into a deep sob. He becomes panicked, immediately springing into older brother mode, begging you to tell him where you were. 

You finally catch your breath, “He’s a cheating bastard. He fucked my sister and I left him in the old Hecht’s parking lot.”

Joel lets out a long sigh, “Where are you?”

“I’m driving,” You mutter, choking back more sobs you feel coming up, “I can’t go home.”

You knew going home would be painful. All the photos lining your walls of you and Tommy. The pictures with your own sister. All of his belongings scattered all over the house. You knew you’d spiral, untangling the mess and missed signs. 

“Come back to my house,” He suggests, “I’ll go get Tommy and take him home. The back door will be unlocked, just come right in and settle down. Make some tea or somethin’.”

You nod even though he can’t see you. 

Joel was the older brother you never had. He was mature and honest. You had come to him a couple times to analyze Tommy and his behavior. It didn’t happen often, but he was great at advice. You trusted him. He was family to you.

“Thanks Joel,” You wipe your tears, “See you in a bit.”

-

Luckily Sarah was fast asleep upstairs, snuggled up soundly, while you tried to contain your sobs. You couldn’t believe how drastically this evening turned.

Tommy cheated on you with your sister.

The man you were hoping to marry and settle down with? The one who was adored by your parents? The one you told all your darkest secrets to?

You had no clue how he would ever come back from this. And he did it with your sister?

You still could not grasp that it was her. The girl who always came to you for boy advice? Hell, she came to you last week asking about a guy she had be-

It was fucking Tommy. She wanted advice on how to woo your fucking boyfriend. 

You wanted to strangle her too, but who knows what lies he may have been leading. You wanted the whole story, but you didn’t want to open a can of worms so late in the evening. You weren’t going to be sleeping, plagued by your own thoughts and emotions.

You’re curled up on Joel’s couch, using his huge knitted blanket as a cape. You turned on the TV only to give your cries some background noise.

Just when you stop the tears, Joel walks in with this look on his face. Disappointment. Rage. 

“How ya holdin’ up, sweet girl?”

Joel had tons of pet names for you, but that was a new one. He has always called you anything but your actual name. 

“Not good,” You say, choking back more tears. You were practically all cried out, your cheeks were stained bright red. Joel shuffles over to you, dropping his keys down on the coffee table. He plops down on the couch next to me.

“He’s a fuckin’ idiot,” He mutters, patting your unclothed thigh. Maybe it was the words he said that sent goosebumps up your body, not the fact he took a long second to remove his hand from your leg.

“I just can’t… Why would he do this?”

He huffs, shrugging his broad shoulders, “I asked him and he said it’s cuz you ain’t puttin’ out like you used to. Said that your sister came onto him and he couldn’t say no.”

It felt like another stab to the heart. You and Tommy had sex like three times a week. Every time he came inside you and praised you. You on the other hand, never came and had grown sick of having to finish yourself off every time it happened. So yeah, maybe you weren’t the eager youngin’ you were before, but you still fucked him whenever he wanted.

“That’s horseshit! I fuck him all the time. He is just… he’s a fucking cheating bastard. I just can’t believe it was her. Like what man fucks around with his girl’s own sister? He knows better.”

You’re trying to rationalize his behavior in your head. But Joel is not as kind.

“He obviously doesn’t, sweet girl. He…” He drifts off, catching himself for saying how he truly felt about his brother. Once he looks into your puffy red eyes, his tune changes, “He’s a stupid motherfucker for letting a girl like you go. Don’t know much about your sister, but she has some explainin’ to do, too.”

Your heart flutters a bit. Joel’s accent was so much more pronounced when he was angry, it was kind of hot. Why are you thinking that right now?

“I just can’t believe he would do something so… heartless. He didn’t even act sorry, Joel.”

“The alcohol made him bold, that’s for sure. Doesn’t ‘cuse the behavior, but ya know,” He sits back into his couch, “‘m sorry, sweetheart.”

You turn to face him, “Makes me think of the time he accused me of cheating.”

“He accused you of cheatin’? When?”

It was years ago, right after your 21st birthday. Joel and Tommy took you and a couple of your friends out to a club in downtown Austin. You took so many shots, you ended up dancing a bit too close with Joel. It led to a fight you had never brought up to Joel himself, but nonetheless, Tommy thought you had a thing for his older brother.

Sure, Joel was nice. He was a bit more serious than Tommy, always trying to be the rational one. He was an excellent and present father, dedicating his entire life to raising Sarah. He had similar features to Tommy. Tall, dark hair, beautiful brown eyes. When you talked to him, those eyes of his were so laser focused on what you said, sometimes you found yourself stumbling over your words. 

Maybe it was a little crush. 

“It was years ago,” You confess, looking down at your bitten back cuticles, “He thought I had a thing for you.”

His eyes zero in on your lips, like he’s trying to take the words out of your mouth, one by one.

“A thing? What type of thing?”

You shake your head, pushing your face into your hands. This wasn’t something you wanted to talk about, especially not now. But it was distracting you from thinking about what you could’ve done. Instead, you’re reminding yourself of all the shitty things Tommy has done over the years. That “perfect boyfriend” you had in the beginning was falling apart a long time ago. You just hadn’t seen the signs right in front of you. Now here they are, splattered all over the floor.

“He thought you and I had a bit too much fun on my 21st, I don't know! He always acted so weird when I talked about you. You’re like my brother, I would never cross that line.”

The silence in the room was deafening. You finally raise your head, looking at Joel’s contemplative face. 

“Never?”

You stare at him, looking for a smile to crack across his face. Like it was a joke or something.

But it wasn’t.

The air in the room shifted.

“Joel,��� You mumble, before his fingers reach up and trace your bottom lip gently, “We can’t.”

“Why ‘cause I’m like your brother, or ‘cause you’re still banking on kissin’ and makin’ up with Tommy?”

It was a fair question. Making up with Tommy was never even a question, though. After being burned so harshly, you didn’t see any redemption. He was done for. Once that confession slipped past his lips, he was as good as gone. 

This would be the greatest revenge. Fucking his brother?

What could you lose?

Joel could be your rebound. Something to ease the harsh sting you still felt in your heart. You start to feel guilty pile in the pit of your tummy. But then you hear Tommy’s words ringing in your head. 

“I’m fuckin’ your sister.”

Yeah, you could use some revenge. 

“You can’t tell him,” You murmur, making sure it’s in a whisper. Even if you wanted this to be revenge, you didn’t want Tommy to know, “Ever.”

“It’ll be between you and me, baby girl.”

You nod, finally accepting his offer. He grabs your legs and pulls you into his lap. You never thought you’d see the day where you would be mounted on top of Joel Miller. His eyes feasted on you in a way that sent tingles straight down to your core.

“I can’t lie, baby girl,” He purrs, his hands tracing you from your thighs all the way up to your shoulders, “I have thought this scenario out countless times.”

“Really?”

“Of course,” His hand finds its way to your neck, “Seein’ you at family barbeques, watchin’ you at bars with Tommy. Always wanted to pull you into a bathroom and get a feel of these,” He runs his hands down your chest, catching the edge of your yellow tank top. Tommy’s favorite color on you. He pulls it down, revealing your white bra underneath. It was your favorite push up, a Christmas present from Tommy. 

He was littering your body, but instead of Tommy’s hands removing every trace of himself away from your body, it was his brother.

Joel doesn’t take note of your dazed expression, he’s too focused on your cleavage spilling over your bra. His fingers trace back to the clasp, his fingers expertly unhooking it. It sent chills down your back, while your boobs fall further out of the bra. He helps you shimmy it off your front, his eyes lighting up when your boobs rest right in his eyeline.

“Fuckin’ Christ,” He groans, his thumb and pointer finger tugging on your left nipple. You hiss, letting yourself get out of your own head for a moment. Your boobs were extremely sensitive, which is why every man you’d ever been with used that to their advantage. Instead of treating your pussy to a good time, they just toyed with your nipples while drilling into you, which usually had you cumming after a couple minutes. Deep down, you wished Tommy had actually gave your pussy the time of day. Eat you out, finger you until you saw stars. But he never had “time for that”. 

His words.

Joel wraps his lips around your nipple, letting his tongue circle around your areola. He uses his open hand to massage your other tit. Once he releases your nipple, he leaves love bites at the swell of your boobs. He groans at your reaction, which was grinding your hips achingly slow across his lap.

“Mmm,” You hum, your hands finding his brown locks, “More.”

“‘m not gonna fuck you here,” He scowls, “Gonna take you to my bed.”

Without warning, he stands up, gripping onto your thighs to take you with him. You yelp in shock, throwing your arms around his neck. 

“I got you,” He states, walking down the hall to his bedroom. You had been in there before, only to grab his wallet one day when you guys were in a rush to get to Sarah’s soccer game. 

It was only slightly messy and smelled like him. Clean laundry and strawberry shampoo. 

You were thrown atop his unmaid sheets, bouncing a bit at the impact. You decide to use the time of Joel crawling onto to the bed, to completely discard your tank top. Joel’s body takes over yours, his one hand propping him up, the other feeling your sides and scooping up your breast. 

“Think I’m gonna take my time with you,” He grunts, his hand finding your short’s belt loops, “Make you forget everythin’ and focus on me.”

You nod, agreeing to his terms. 

He sits back on his knees, tugging down your shorts and thong. He hisses as soon as he notes the wetness on your lacey panties. Once he tosses the items beside the bed, he nudges your knees apart. 

“Damn, baby girl,” He just looks at you completely spread for him, shaking his head in disbelief, “Tommy’s a fuckin’ idiot. Could look at this pussy every minute of every day.”

You moan before you can retaliate, your mind responding to his fingers tracing your slit up and down. You watch him crawl up you, his lips so close to yours. You two hadn’t even kissed yet, instantly going to tearing each other’s clothes off. It felt more intimate, more real. 

He finally leans in, pursing his lips to meet yours. 

Joel was gentler than expected. Tommy was always hurried, his kisses only to warm you up a bit. You never really kissed during sex either, because he always had you doggy, which wasn’t ideal for kisses. 

Joel’s kisses took your breath away. He was slow and methodical, slipping his tongue into your mouth. You finally decide to pull him down onto your naked body, his hips settling between yours. The action made him a bit more eager, as he grinded his crotch into your wet center. 

“Gonna have me cumming in my jeans, sweet thing,” He laughs, pulling away from your swollen lips. He crawls back down the bed, his shoulders resting between your thighs this time. 

“What are you doing?” You ask, hesitantly. 

He smiles again, “‘m gonna eat this beautiful pussy of yours. Unless you don’t want me to.”

You had no real objections, it just something you had never fully enjoyed with anyone else before. You were willing to see what Joel Miller could bring to the table. You nod your head in agreement, letting him rest his hand on your lower tummy, holding you in place for his mouth. He ducks down, pressing small kisses over your clit. His actions already had you writhing under his touch. 

He continues on, gripping your stomach a bit harder as he explores your pussy with his tongue. He switches between sucking and licking, eventually settling with running his tongue in circles inside of you. You were a groaning mess, your hand eventually finding your mouth so you could control the volume. You didn’t want to embarrass yourself with how loud you could be. He stops as soon as you do it. 

“You ain’t gotta do that,” He says, his mouth wet with your slick, “I wanna hear those pretty little moans of yours. Don’t worry about anyone hearin’ ya.”

You take your hand off your mouth and he continues on with his assault on your folds. It’s sending you into overdrive, watching him go down on you. He was so hot, splayed out between your thighs, devouring you whole. 

His exploration ends with him wrapping his lips around your clit and sucking you up like a straw. You couldn’t believe how good the vibration felt. 

You were feeling that heat in your stomach, so as soon as Joel slipped his hand up and began adding fingers inside you, you knew you were done for. He starts with two, fucking you slowly and systematically. He curls his fingers up like a hook, his lips still wrapped around your bud. 

This was it. This is what you were missing. 

Your unrestrained pleas don’t fall on deaf ears. Your orgasm hits you like a semi-truck. You reach for anything in your vicinity, which happened to be Joel’s hair and his white sheets. He didn’t let up on you as you came around his fingers, fucking you through it. 

“Holy f-fuck,” You stutter, “Joel what the fuck?”

“We are just gettin’ started, sweetheart,” He states, standing up beside the bed to take his clothes off. His cock was standing at attention in his boxers before he tore them off. 

Tommy was above average, but Joel was well endowed. 

You gape at the view, unable to really form a coherent sentences. 

“You’re droolin’,” He jokes, finding his way back on top of you. You giggle, letting the joke roll of your shoulder, instead of letting it embarrass you. He finds your lips again, kissing you roughly this time. You could tell he was aching for you, his hips finding their way between yours again. 

“Oh,” You say, feeling his tip nudge your folds, “I’m on birth control, by the way.”

“I assumed so,” He states plainly, kissing your neck and chest, “Won’t cum in you unless you want me to.”

You grin, “You’re all about consent, ain’t ya?”

He laughs, “You’re in control here, baby girl. ‘M just here to get your mind off all the shit.”

You have never been so enamored by a man in your life. He was saying all the right things, but you knew in your heart he wasn’t just saying anything. Joel was a genuine guy. He never lied to you or belittled you.

The longer you’re under him the more you start to realize that this is what you’ve wanted all along. 

He brings you back to reality with an feverish kiss, drawing you back to the moment. His hands trail down your side, tickling you a bit. 

“Hey,” You murmur, pulling away from his delicious mouth, “I want to… I uh-“

You don’t know how to say it. To be honest, you and Tommy were in a routine with sex so you didn’t know how to ask to suck someone off. You usually just did it first to get it done and over with. But you felt like you needed to do it for Joel, not out of obligation, but because you wanted to see him squirm under your touch. You have thought about it more than once. 

“Words, sweetheart.”

“Let me suck your dick.”

He smiles, letting out a slight chuckle at your demand. He never thought he’d hear that coming from your mouth. He waits a second, acting like he’s seriously contemplating the offer. 

Of course he was going to accept. 

You sit up, giving him more space to lay down next to you. You crawl over his legs, settling between his calves. His cock was red, the veins so prominent. It was just waiting for you. He tucks his one arm behind his head, propping it up to watch you put on a show. 

“Let me know if I’m doing okay,” You ask sheepishly. You wanted to punch yourself for saying something so stupid. You were never confident in your abilities and you didn’t want to disappoint Joel. 

He nods, watching you grab onto his shaft with your hands, “You’ll do great, baby girl.”

You spit into your hands once you realize you need more lubrication. You crouch more, jerking him off slowly. He is already so reactive, throwing his head back against his headboard.

You begin to tease him, peppering kisses onto his shaft and tip as it leaked. You smile when you hear him hiss at you toying with him. You finally wrap your lips around his dick, sucking in your cheeks as you pull your head back. He was so big you couldn’t physically get your mouth completely down his length. He was girthy, too, which didn’t help either when it came to almost unhinging your jaw to take all of him. 

“Such a good girl,” He praises, taking your hair into his grip, “You ain’t gotta take it all.”

The reassurance was comforting. You didn’t feel any pressure with Joel, which only made him more desirable in your eyes. 

You watch his face twist in delight every time you take him into your mouth, wrapping his cock in your saliva. 

“Keep doin’ that and ‘m gonna cum in that mouth,” His drawl is so buttery and deep, your center literally clenches.

You pull off of him, gaining some confidence in your bedroom talk. 

“Need that done somewhere else.”

He shakes his head, sitting up more to manhandle you up to his lap. As you slide across his body, you feel his wet cock touch your inner thighs.

Your mouth falls open as soon as his hands grab your hips and settle you right over his length. You are on your knees on either side of his thighs, looking down at him and his absolutely spent expression. His curls were standing in all different directions and his eyes were dark with anticipation.

“Want me to do the honors?”

He grabs his cock, positioning it right below your opening. Your lips twitch upward, shaking your head positively.

He lines you up, pushing his hips upward. He is stretching you immediately, the angle making you crumble under his touch already. Your legs practically give out when he’s partially sheathed in you, which causes you just to sit and take the rest of him in you. 

“Oh my fucking god,” You moan out, shutting your eyes to soak in every twitch, “I have never been this fucking full.”

Your eyes fly open, realizing what you just insinuated.

“Don’t worry, baby girl. I knew he wasn’t givin’ you exactly what you needed,” He starts to guide your hips to circle his, “I give you what you need.”

You never expected him to be so confident, but it was so hot. You rested your hands on his pecks and started easing yourself up and down onto his length. His lips flick upward, watching you get yourself off on his dick. He loved watching you like this, just enjoying yourself.

After a minute, he realizes he can’t let you be the only one doing the work. You were so in your own world, riding him and feeling every inch of him. Your blissed out mind gets over taken when he grabs you and rolls on onto your back. He is on his knees as he grabs your legs with both of his hands, spreading you out. He grinds into you, his cock hitting you at a different angle now. 

You moan out, reaching out to grab his shoulders. He takes the hint and dips down to capture your lips again, caging your body between his. He picks up the pace when you start to press your tongue forward into his mouth. You can’t help but whimper at how good he feels. 

“You fuck me so good,” You mewl. He was panting, his hot breath fanning your wildly tangled hair. He takes his bottom lip between his teeth, focusing on making you feel good. Every pump inside you brought you closer to that familiar warm feeling. He notices your heat clenching around him, which makes him want to change up his technique. He pushes off the pillows, grabbing your hips and slamming into you at a rate you didn’t know Joel was capable of. 

“God, I can’t believe how fuckin’ good you feel, baby,” He pants, his thumb finding your swollen bud. As soon as he puts pressure there, you’re screaming out. “Mhm, that feel good? This cock better than his?”

“Yes, Joel, oh my god!”

He doesn’t let up. He wants to see you fall apart so bad, knowing those beautiful whimpers will send him into ecstasy. 

“Cum for me, baby girl. Know you’re aching to,” He clenches his teeth, “Let go.”

You have never had your vision go white when you orgasm. It’s like you’re about to see the gates to Heaven. He holds your body, making sure to feel every nerve in your body fire off into euphoria. You don’t even know what you’re saying, you just know it’s an iteration of his name and a bunch of cuss words as you reach your peak.

You were absolutely obsessed. You knew it as soon as the come down brought back your vision and you saw Joel. He was throwing his head back while painting your insides with his cum. He looks so delicious, his entire toned upper body glistening with sweat. 

He had to be the only man in the world, in that moment. 

Once he pulls out, you truly realize how sensitive your core is. You shiver, feeling his cum trickling down your backside. You wanted to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. You just fucked your boyfriend’s brother. And it was the best sex you’d ever had in your life. 

You thought you’d feel that all too familiar regret, but instead you just look over at Joel as he flops down next to you. He’s staring at you, a slight smirk playing on his lips. You were trying to find the right words to say to him. He just did the Lord’s work. 

Do you say thank you?

“You okay,” He asks while he runs his hand up your arm, causing goosebumps to litter your skin. 

You grin, “I’m okay.”

“Do you want to stay here tonight?” 

He was worried you’d go home and see Tommy passed out on the couch where he left him and regret everything. He knew you would probably stay here anyway, but he anticipated you taking the guest room next to Sarah’s. 

But you weren’t going to take the guest room. No, you wanted to spend the rest of the night in his arms. Maybe even go for round two. 

“As long as I get to stay right here,” You purr, taking his hand from your arm. You bring it up to your lips and kiss his fingers, “Right beside you.”

END

[emergingpakistan]

چھبیسویں آئینی ترمیم منظور، کیا طوفان ٹل چکا ہے؟

کیا طوفان ٹل چکا ہے؟ یہ تو ہمیں آنے والے دن بتائیں گے۔ بلآخر حکومتی اتحاد کے متنازع آئینی پیکج کو سینیٹ نے منظور کر لیا جس کے ساتھ ہی اس کی شقوں پر ہفتوں سے جاری بحث اور مذاکرات بھی اپنے اختتام کر پہنچے۔ جس لمحے یہ اداریہ لکھا جارہا تھا اس وقت قومی اسمبلی سے اس آئینی پیکج کی منظوری لینا باقی تھی ۔ اس سے پہلے ترامیم کو منظور کروانے کی ناکام کوشش کے بعد، کل جو مسودہ پیش کیا گیا وہ پہلے کے مقابلے میں کافی حد تک تبدیل شدہ تھا۔ حتیٰ کہ پاکستان تحریک انصاف (پی ٹی آئی) جس نے ترامیم کے لیے ووٹنگ کے عمل کا بائیکاٹ کر کے تجاویز فراہم کرنے کے اہم موقع کو گنوا دیا، اس نے بھی اعتراف کیا کہ یہ آئینی مسودہ ابتدائی طور پر پیش کیے جانے والے مسودے سے ’قدرے بہتر‘ ہے۔  سینیٹ میں پارٹی کے رہنما بیرسٹر علی ظفر نے اس ’کامیابی‘ پر جمعیت علمائے اسلام (ف) کے سربراہ مولانا فضل الرحمٰن کی کاوشوں کی تعریف کی، البتہ انہوں نے ججوں کے انتخاب اور اعلیٰ عدلیہ میں اہم تقرریوں کے نئے عمل پر اپنی پارٹی کے تحفظات کو برقرار رکھا۔

گزشتہ شب پارلیمنٹ کی جانب سے منظور کیے جانے والے بل میں 22 ترامیم شامل تھیں جوکہ گزشتہ ماہ پیش کیے جانے والے مسودے میں 50 شقوں سے نصف سے بھی کم ہیں۔ یہ تبدیل شدہ مسودہ کافی حد تک قابلِ قبول تھا جبکہ پی ٹی آئی کے رہنماؤں کا کہنا تھا کہ اگر ووٹنگ کا عمل چند دن بعد کیا جاتا تو وہ بھی اس میں حصہ لیتے۔ اس کی بنیادی وجہ یہی ہے کہ انہیں چند معاملات کے حوالے سے جیل میں قید اپنے پارٹی قائد سے مشاورت کرنے کی ضرورت تھی۔ مسودے کے حوالے سے سب سے پہلا خیال یہی تھا کہ ترامیم سپریم کورٹ کے چیف جسٹس کی تقرری کو متنازع بنا دیتیں کیونکہ یوں اس عمل میں حکومت کا کردار اہم ہوجاتا۔ عدالت عظمیٰ کے اندر اور ریاست کی مختلف شاخوں میں طویل عرصے سے جاری تنازعات اور تقسیم کے درمیان، ان آئینی ترامیم کی وجہ سے حکومت اور عدلیہ میں مزید ایک نیا تنازع کھڑا ہوسکتا ہے۔ اب وکلا برادری اس پر کیا ردعمل دیتے ہیں، یہ دیکھنا ابھی باقی ہے۔

ایک خدشہ جو بدستور موجود ہے وہ یہ ہے کہ حکمران اتحاد نئے ’آئینی بینچ‘ میں اپنی پسند کے ججوں کی تقرری کے لیے ترامیم کا غلط استعمال کرنے کی کوشش کر سکتا ہے یا وہ اپنے ’ہم خیال‘ جج کو چیف جسٹس کے عہدے پر فائز کرنے کی کوشش بھی کرسکتا ہے۔ شاید تحریک انصاف کو ان ترامیم کے بنیادی مخالف کی حیثیت سے اپنی ذمہ داری زیادہ سنجیدگی سے لینی چاہیے تھی۔ انہیں عمل کو ’منصفانہ‘ بنانے کے لیے متبادل خیالات یا تجویز کردہ تبدیلیاں پیش کرنی چاہیے تھیں۔ اگر پی ٹی آئی کی تجاویز مسترد بھی ہو جاتیں تب وہ کم از کم یہ دعویٰ کر سکتے تھے کہ انہوں نے دیگر آپشنز پیش کیے تھے۔ تاہم یہ حکومت کا کام تھا کہ وہ تمام سیاسی جماعتوں میں اتفاق رائے پیدا کرتی لیکن اس کے لیے انہیں کئی دن یا ہفتے لگ جاتے لیکن انہیں یہی راستہ چُننا چاہیے تھا۔ اس کے بجائے حکومت نے ایک سخت ڈیڈلائن مقرر کی جس میں رہ کر انہوں نے ترامیم سے متعلق کام کیا جو کہ شاید اس لیے تھا کیونکہ وہ چاہتے ہیں کہ اعلیٰ عدلیہ میں ہونے والی بڑی تبدیلی سے قبل وہ اس معاملے کو نمٹا دیں۔ تاہم ابھی ہمیں یہ دیکھنا ہو گا کہ آنے والے دنوں میں اس معاملے سے متعلق کیا پیش رفت ہوتی ہے۔

بشکریہ ڈان نیوز

[jonahperiod]

The United States Constitution: A Living Framework of Democracy

The United States Constitution, ratified in 1788, stands as the supreme law of the land and one of the most influential legal documents in history. It established the foundation for American government, defining the structure of federal authority, the rights of citizens, and the principles of democratic rule. More than two centuries later, the Constitution continues to guide the nation, balancing power, protecting liberty, and evolving through interpretation and amendment (National Archives).

Origins and Purpose

The Constitution was born out of necessity. After the failure of the Articles of Confederation—which left the federal government weak and ineffective—the Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia in 1787 to create a stronger, more unified national framework. The Founding Fathers, influenced by Enlightenment ideas and their experiences under British rule, sought to craft a document that would prevent tyranny, protect individual freedoms, and allow for a functional yet limited government (Wood).

Structure and Principles

The Constitution is divided into a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The Preamble outlines the document’s purpose: “to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty” (U.S. Const., Preamble).

The first three articles create the three branches of government:

• Legislative (Article I): Congress, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, makes laws.

• Executive (Article II): The President enforces laws and leads the nation as head of state and commander-in-chief.

• Judicial (Article III): The Supreme Court and other federal courts interpret laws and ensure they align with the Constitution (Constitution Annotated).

These branches are separated to prevent abuse of power, while a system of checks and balances ensures each branch can limit the others. For example, the President can veto laws, Congress can override vetoes, and the Supreme Court can rule laws unconstitutional (Federalist Papers, No. 51).

The remaining articles cover the relationship between states, the amendment process, federal supremacy, and ratification procedures.

Amendments and Rights

The Constitution is not static. Its framers included an amendment process (Article V) to adapt to changing needs. The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments ratified in 1791, guarantees essential liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, press, due process, and the right to bear arms (Bill of Rights Institute).

Later amendments abolished slavery (13th), granted women the right to vote (19th), and lowered the voting age to 18 (26th), among other reforms. These amendments reflect the Constitution’s living nature—a document that can grow while preserving its core ideals (Library of Congress).

Lasting Significance

The Constitution remains central to American identity and governance. It has influenced other democracies and is studied globally as a model for the rule of law and the protection of individual rights. Despite challenges—such as civil war, civil rights struggles, and political polarization—the Constitution has endured.

Its genius lies in its balance: strong enough to hold a diverse, growing nation together, yet flexible enough to reflect evolving views of justice and liberty. As Chief Justice John Marshall stated in McCulloch v. Maryland, “It is a Constitution we are expounding,” highlighting the dynamic interpretation that keeps it relevant.

The U.S. Constitution is more than a historical document; it is a living promise of democracy, justice, and freedom. By establishing a government that is of the people, by the people, and for the people, it continues to shape American life and law. In a rapidly changing world, the Constitution remains a steadfast guardian of the nation’s ideals and a beacon of hope for those who believe in liberty and equality under the law.

Works Cited:

• “The Constitution of the United States.” National Archives and Records Administration, www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution.

• The Federalist Papers. No. 51. Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison, and John Jay. 1788.

• “Constitution Annotated.” Congressional Research Service, constitution.congress.gov.

• “Bill of Rights Institute.” Bill of Rights Institute, billofrightsinstitute.org.

• Wood, Gordon S. The Creation of the American Republic, 1776–1787. University of North Carolina Press, 1969.

• “Amending the Constitution.” Library of Congress, www.loc.gov.

• McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 U.S. 316 (1819). Supreme Court of the United States.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Announcing the Picks and Shovels book tour

This week only, Barnes and Noble is offering 25% off pre-orders of my forthcoming novel Picks and Shovels.

My next novel, Picks and Shovels, is officially out in the US and Canada on Feb 17, and I'm about to leave on a 20+ city book-tour, which means there's a nonzero chance I'll be in a city near you between now and the end of the spring!

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250865908/picksandshovels

Picks and Shovels is a standalone novel starring Martin Hench – my hard-charging, two-fisted, high-tech forensic accountant – in his very first adventure, in the early 1980s. It's a story about the Weird PC era, when no one was really certain what shape PCs should be, who should make them, who should buy them, and what they're for. It features a commercial war between two very different PC companies.

The first one, Fidelity Computing, is a predatory multi-level marketing faith scam, run by a Mormon bishop, a Catholic priest, and an orthodox rabbi. Fidelity recruits people to exploit members of their faith communities by selling them third-rate PCs that are designed as rip-off lock-ins, forcing you to buy special floppies for their drives, special paper for their printers, and to use software that is incompatible with everything else in the world.

The second PC company is Computing Freedom, a rebel alliance of three former Fidelity Computing sales-managers: an orthodox woman who's been rejected by her family after coming out as queer; a Mormon woman who's rejected the Church over its opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment, and a nun who's quit her order to join the Liberation Theology movement in the struggle for human rights in America's dirty wars.

In the middle of it all is Martin Hench, coming of age in San Francisco during the PC bubble, going to Dead Kennedys shows, getting radicalized by ACT UP!, and falling in love – all while serving as CFO and consigliere to Computing Freedom, as a trade war turns into a shooting war, and they have to flee for their lives.

The book's had fantastic early reviews, with endorsements from computer historians like Steven Levy (Hackers), Claire Evans (Broad-Band), John Markoff (What the Doormouse Said) and Dan'l Lewin (CEO of the Computer History Museum). Stephen Fry raved that he "hugely enjoyed" the "note perfect," "superb" story.

And I'm about to leave on tour! I have nineteen confirmed dates, and two nearly confirmed dates, and there's more to come! I hope you'll consider joining me at one of these events. I've got a bunch of fantastic conversation partners joining me onstage and online, and the bookstores that are hosting me are some of my favorite indie booksellers in the world.

BOSTON (Feb 14): Boskone, 4PM, Westin Boston Seaport District

BOSTON (Feb 14): Brookline Booksmith with KEN LIU, 7PM, 279 Harvard Street, Brookline

VIRTUAL (Feb 15): YANIS VAROUFAKIS, sponsored by Jacobin and hosted by David Moscrop, 10AM Pacific, 1PM Eastern, 6PM UK, 7PM CET

MENLO PARK (Feb 17): Kepler’s Books with CHARLIE JANE ANDERS, 7PM, 1010 El Camino Real

LOS ANGELES (Feb 18): Diesel Bookstore with WIL WHEATON, 630PM, 225 26th Street, Santa Monica

SEATTLE (Feb 19): Third Place Books with DAN SAVAGE, 7PM, 17171 Bothell Way NW Lake Forest Park

TORONTO (Feb 23): Another Story, 630PM, 315 Roncesvalles Ave

NYC (Feb 26): The Strand with JOHN HODGMAN, 7PM, 828 Broadway

PENN STATE (Feb 27): Kern Auditorium, 7PM, 112 Kern Building

DOYLESTOWN (Mar 1): Doylestown Bookshop, 12PM, 16 S Main St

BALTIMORE (Mar 2): Red Emma’s, 2PM, 630PM, 3128 Greenmount Ave

DC (Mar 4): Cleveland Park Library with MATT STOLLER, 630PM, 3310 Connecticut Ave NW

RICHMOND (Mar 5): Fountain Bookstore with LEE VINSEL, 6PM, 1312 E Cary St

AUSTIN (Mar 10): First Light Books, 7PM, 4300 Speedway/43rd

BURBANK (Mar 13): Dark Delicacies, 6PM, 822 N. Hollywood Way

SAN DIEGO (Mar 24): Mysterious Galaxy, 7PM, 3555 Rosecrans

BELFAST (Mar 24) (remote): Imagine! Festival with ALAN MEBAN, 7PM UK

CHICAGO, Apr 2: Exile in Bookville with PETER SAGAL, 7PM, 410 S Michigan Ave, 2nd floor

BLOOMINGTON, Apr 4: Morgenstern Books, 6PM, 642 N Madison St

PDX, Jun 20 (TBC): Powell’s Books (date and time to be confirmed)

I'm also finalizing plans for one or two dates in NEW ZEALAND at the end of April, as well as a ATLANTA date, likely on March 26.

I really hope you'll come out and say hello. I know these are tough times. Hanging out with nice people who care about the same stuff as you is a genuine tonic.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/02/06/picks-and-shovels-tour/#19-cities-plus-plus

[fall-for-tolkien]

We're back for another year! Come join us for the fifth installment of Scribbles & Drabbles!

Sign-ups will open on June 1 for both artists and authors, so be on the look-out for that!

Further important dates include:

June 1st: Sign-ups and art submissions open June 30th: Artist Sign-ups close July 15th: Art submissions close July 25th: Gallery opens July 26th & 27th: Art Viewing Parties July 27th: Author Sign-ups close August 2nd: Claims Day August 3rd: Additional claims open August 4th: Art posting begins November 1st: Drop-out deadline

November 15th: Fic posting deadline November 29th: Fics revealed

Please make sure to familiarise yourself with the rules (General FAQs and Art Slide Information Guide (mostly relevant to artists)) before signing up. Changes have been made this year, so even if you have previously participated, read through them so you are aware.

A summary of the rule changes is provided below the cut, but check the website anyway, especially if you haven't participated before.

Artists:

New artists may submit up to 5 pieces (7 if they are creating their own slides)

Returning artists may submit up to 8 pieces (10 if they are creating their own slides)

If you request a moderator to create your slides, the background will be full black, blue or white, depending on what the moderator thinks gives the best contrast to your art.

You are reminded that the minimum word count is 100 words, and that your MHs must be short enough to fit into 100 words. We recommend to focus on 3 items that are especially important to you. If your MHs are a full drabble by themselves, you may be asked to amend them.

Keep in mind that art is intended to inspire authors, not to find a ghostwriter for your ideas.

For relationship and character suggestions, we recommend adhering to the tags as given on AO3 (/ for romantic/sexual relationships, & for platonic relationships, + for queer-platonic relationships (and all others outside of established norms)). Please also stick to the common given names of all characters instead of nicknames to make it easier for those who are new to the fandom to find characters they care about.

Authors:

We have clarified what is and isn't allowed when artists do not post their works publicly. With the artist's permission, you may embed their art in your story on AO3. You may not post the art on other platforms. If the artist does not agree to have the art embedded, link to the gallery directly.

You are reminded that if you do not think you can adhere to the artist's DNWs and MHs, you should not claim the art.

General:

We have updated our rules on AI usage. You can find the full ruling at the bottom of the FAQ page.

[1americanconservative]

Warren Buffett, "I could end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told CNBC. "You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election. The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971...before computers, e-mail, cell phones, etc. Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land...all because of public pressure.

I am asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise. In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.

*Congressional Reform Act of 2019*

1. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 7/1/19. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term's), then go home and back to work.

If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only take three days for most people (in the U.S.) to receive the message. Maybe it is time.

THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!!!!! If you agree with the above, pass it on.

[sniperct]

Constitutional amendments to watch out for attempts to eliminate via the Trump Supreme Court

14th - birthright citizenship 19th - woman's vote 22nd - 2 term limit for president 24th - abolition of poll taxes 26th - right to vote at 18