#Governor Odious

[pedroam-bang]

The Fall (2006)

[tomorrowusa]

Every year during the Illinois State Fair in Springfield there is Governor's Day (for the party in power) and either Democrats Day or Republican Day for the opposition party.

Democrats currently hold all statewide offices in Illinois and on Governor's Day Gov. J. B. Pritzker on Wednesday spoke at the fair and called Donald Trump "a loser". Not exactly news, but J.B. did it in a great way.

Thursday was Republican Day at the fair and the best Illinois Republicans could do was get Trump's former acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker. Whitaker served in between Jeff Sessions and Bill Barr. Some of Whitaker's views may be odious but apparently he's not particularly weird by GOP standards.

So Illinois Republicans know they have a major problem with the public perceptions of their candidates – especially at the top of the ballot.

Regardless of state, we need to remind voters that Trump, Vance, and many GOP candidates for Congress and state offices are way out of the mainstream and have views which are far from the norms of American society. In short, Republicans are weird.

[nodynasty4us]

From the April 7, 2023 article:

This week, Arkansas lawmakers approved a bill that would require parental approval for teachers to address their minor students with pronouns that aren’t listed on their birth certificate. The odious legislation, which includes colleges and universities, would also prohibit schools from requiring teachers to respect a student’s pronouns.

The law passed the Republican-dominated state senate by a 19-5 margin. It will now head to Sanders’ desk for her signature where she will most certainly sign it in quick order.

[saintmeghanmarkle]

Dress for success: royal tour vs faux royal tour by u/Mickleborough

Dress for success: royal tour vs faux royal tour Comparisons are odious, but Meghan begs for them.Looking at images of Meghan’s undress on the Sussexes’ faux royal Nigeria tour in May 2024 triggered memories of the (then) Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s actual royal tour of Pakistan in October 2019. There are some high-level similarities between Nigeria and Pakistan: both have distinct traditional garb and - naturally - local designers of note. Nigeria‘s roughly 50-50 Christian and Muslim whilst Pakistan‘s Muslim. Both can be regarded as conservative countries.The temperatures are also similar - Nigeria’s around 31 C / 87.8 F in May, and Pakistan 29 C / 84.2 F. NB I haven’t checked humidity or other temperature factors.And interestingly, the flags of both countries are green and white.I’ve tried to confine this to clothing worn on similar visits and occasions.Visiting the army -Altazurra 2-piece - apparently the blazer and trousers aren’t matching, so not a suit. What’s with the prom wrist corsage?Beulah London jacket.Visiting a school -https://ift.tt/gIXmRpe label Zeen.Touching down -Arriving back in Labos. Carolina Herrera shirt (2 buttons undone, vive la poitrine!), traditional Nigerian skirt by Nigerian label Regalia by Fal (gifted the day before). Badly rolled up sleeves. Gold sandals, really?Arriving in Lahore. Shalwar kameez from Pakistani label Gul Ahmed. The jacket’s embroidered with jasmines, the national flower of Pakistan. Shawl by Pakistani designer Maheen Khan.At dinner -Reception at State Governor’s House, Lagos. Carolina Herrera. Shawl gifted on the occasion by the Governor’s wife. I’m guessing that the shawl had been folded before - I’m clever that way. British High Commission reception at the Pakistan Monument. Jenny Packham with earrings by Pakistani label O’Nitaa. post link: https://ift.tt/Ug9LRAV author: Mickleborough submitted: May 18, 2024 at 10:11PM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit disclaimer: all views + opinions expressed by the author of this post, as well as any comments and reblogs, are solely the author's own; they do not necessarily reflect the views of the administrator of this Tumblr blog. For entertainment only.

[the-rainbow-unicorn-reviews]

~The Fall (2006)

Directed by Tarsem Singh and written by Dan Gilroy, Nico Soultanakis and Tarsem Singh, this is an epic tale of a masked bandit, an Indian, an explosives expert, an escaped slave, Charles Darwin and his little companion, Wallace the monkey; in which they embark on a mission to kill the evil Governor Odious.

This movie stars Lee Pace and introduces us to a first time actress, Catinca Untaru, who's performance in this film was so sweet and and very funny at times. Her cheekiness is also something that shines through and really gives her character a relatability.

I quite enjoyed watching the development of her character, Alexandria, and honestly, she melts my heart.

As for Lee pace, I did enjoy his performance as well. His ability to bring characters to life will never cease to amaze me. Yes, I am a fan of his and knowing that this was only his fourth movie, was surprising to me because I couldn't tell. He was that good....at least in my eyes anyway.

All in all, if you are looking for a movie full of epic and artistic adventure, this would be a good one to watch; and if you are anything like me and love films that have stories within stories, again, this is a great one for you.

Personally, I give this movie 9 stars out of 10....No, I actually give it 10 stars out of 10 because of the sweet relationship that Roy and Alexandria develop during the duration of this film.

Hands down, awesome storyline!

===

[bllsbailey]

Broken: 'The Resistance' Is Mostly MIA for Trump 2.0

Do you remember the liberal meltdowns after Trump defeated Hillary Clinton for the presidency in 2016? 

There were huge “P-hat” demonstrations (riots), widespread outrage, and unhinged commentary from the corrupt media. Now, we still see that today, some eight years later, as Trump won yet again, but it’s not the same. 

There’s a feeling of defeat emanating from the left. 

Mostly, we see videos of mentally disturbed Democrats losing their stuff on social media and misty-eyed anchors at MSNBC and CNN still trying to tell us our Democracy is in peril (their ratings prove that few are listening anymore), but we haven’t seen any serious coordinated reaction.

The thrill is gone, according to Axios:

While President-elect Trump's 2016 win sparked shock, outrage and massive protests, the response to his 2024 victory has been more muted. The big picture: 2016 birthed The Resistance, a political movement to protest Trumpism online and in the streets. There's still plenty of resistance to Trump across the country, but little mass mobilization. Flashback: Trump won in 2016 despite trailing in the polls, and within weeks of the infamous Access Hollywood tape and multiple sexual assault allegations.

Do you remember this (perverted) idiocy?

Seriously, a governor donned a genitalia-themed cap? Give me a break.

But for now, "The Resistance" just plain seems to have lost its mojo:

This time Democratic voters, particularly women, were just as disappointed but less shocked, says Lisa Mueller, a political science professor at Macalester College.

I love this photograph:

To be sure, there are many who will continue to fight on for the failed progressive movement—especially blue-state governors—and expect some knock-down, drag-out fights over Trump’s Cabinet picks.

A failure to read the room: 

REPORT: California to Lead 'Resistance' Against the Orange Man What Is Bad

Left-Wing Donors Wary As They Fear Funding Won't Buy the 'Resistance' It Used to in a New Era of Trump

Unity, Schmunity: Leftist Governors Declare War on Trump's Agenda Just Days After His Historic Victory

There are also plans for inauguration day protests, but we’ll see if some of the usual agitators are too burnt out from all the pro-Hamas demonstrations they’ve been attending since October 2023. And you can be sure odious former Rep. now Sen. Adam Schiff (CA) will do everything in his power to kneecap the Trump agenda, ethics be damned.

But at least for now, it feels different than 2016.

It feels like Trump broke them.

[crimechannels]

By • Olalekan Fagbade Impeachment: Don’t make your Deputy a ‘scapegoat,’ lawyer begs Governor A lawyer, Mr Donald Ayibiowu, has called on Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo not to make his deputy, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, a scapegoat over allegation preferred against him by the state house of assembly. Ayibiowu, an indigene of Okelusi Town in Ondo State, made the call in an open letter he wrote to the governor and a copy made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja. The letter titled: “An Open Letter to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, in respect of the Ongoing Needless Charade Called Impeachment of the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Request for Leadership, Restraint, Caution and Focus in the Governance of Ondo State,” was dated Sept. 20. The state’s lawmakers, during plenary, had alleged that Aiyedatiwa was involved in gross misconduct while in the office as an acting governor. The assembly wrote a letter to the deputy governor, to respond to the allegation within seven days, signalling the beginning of his impeachment. Ayibiowu congratulated Akeredolu on his quick recovery and return to Nigeria from his medical treatment abroad. The Abuja-based legal practitioner said while Akeredolu was away, the state was left near rudderless by a combination of factors ranging from debilitating politicking, rumor mongering, sycophancy, etc. “One may be tempted to forgive the various dramatis persona in the light of the fact that your unexpected ailment may not have allowed you to give proper directives as to the governance structure type you want in your absence. “Now that you are back and still recuperating in your Ibadan home, but in the light of your communication to the Ondo State House of Assembly that you have resumed work, one expects that you take charge fully of affairs of our dear Ondo, notwithstanding, the Shenanigans of family, friends and close political associates. “The shocking news of the on-going pointless impeachment of your deputy, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, is the least the people expects from our dear state. “I dare say that your deputy should not be made the ‘scape goat’ for what the whole world can see glaringly as ‘fuji house of commotion’ in your absence. “To participate, consent or authorise his removal would mean that you have taken side. “Your Excellency, your approach should be to declare that ‘all have sinned and come short the glory of God’, because I believe you don’t even know who is right, wrong, true, good or bad,” he said. According to him, you cannot be seen to want to adopt one sided narration of wrong doing in your absence. “This move will be misunderstood by most people; it will obstruct proper governance, due administration and it will subject our state to another round of ignoble national odious and negative perception that comes with such exertion'” he advised. He said if some of the power brokers within the state had scores to settle with Aiyedatiwa, they should rather do so privately and not fiddle with the peace and integrity of the state. “I wish to place on record that I have been your ardent supporter from your days as NBA President and I don’t know your deputy in person, I have never met him in person or by proxy, neither do I intend to hold brief for him. “I believe he may have, or harbor gubernatorial ambition after your tenure but I will like to tell you that the deputy governor, as Acting Governor, if he was very desperate, could have sack some of your appointees or could have radically alter the status quo in your absence. “But he didn’t do any of these things, why not imply that he is a saint, no one his either,” he said. The lawyer, however, advised that should the governor intend to proceed with the impeachment of his deputy, he should follow the law and respect the sanctity of court processes. His words: “Mr Governor, the law is settled per the position of the Supreme Court in Inakoju v. Adeleke on the process

and procedures for the removal of persons holding the Office of the Governor/Deputy Governor. “You are a respected law scholar in Nigeria. “Therefore, should it be politically expedient for your team to proceed with their action, counsel them to follow the law. “So far, the public have not seen any cogent misconduct or clear-cut financial misappropriation or embezzlement attributable to the deputy governor to warrant this harassment.” Ayibiowu urged Akeredolu to call the impeachment actors to order, focus on finishing strong, pull his team together, motivate them and concentrate on delivery his campaign promises to the people.(NAN) #DontmakeyourDeputyascapegoatLawyerbegsGovernor

[moragarsia]

The pseudo-elections of the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine are another propaganda farce

In order to legitimize the occupation and create the illusion of prosperity of the ideas of the "Russian world", Russia is playing another propaganda spectacle - the so-called elections to "local councils" and "legislative bodies" in the temporarily occupied part of Ukraine. We are talking about the territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions captured by the Russian occupation forces. The Russian occupation administration announced the holding of fake elections on September 10. But since the end of August, "early voting" to "parliaments" and "municipal councils" in part of the occupied territories has begun: the so-called early voting will be held until September 8, and from September 8 to 10, elections will already be held at polling stations. Such a scheme is necessary for Russians in order to hide the turnout and the lack of interest of local residents in the so-called expression of will. Since 2014, the Russian Federation has been holding illegal referendums and elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The fake referendum of 2022 showed that Ukrainian citizens refuse to take part in such events, so in September 2023, the Russian occupation authorities plan to resort to already proven tactics: hold "exit elections" and stretch the "vote" for several days. The occupation administrations allowed the use of any identity document for registration at the so-called polling stations.

The Kremlin needs elections only as a propaganda picture. Their results are predetermined. This is another propaganda farce that has nothing to do with the expression of will and is a manifestation of the occupiers' violence against the local population. Members of the "election commission" will go from house to house together with machine gunners and stubbornly offer to take part in the vote. The Russians have already worked out a similar scheme in 2022 at a pseudo-referendum. Residents of the temporarily occupied territories understand that this is a forced vote. Because if you refuse to vote or vote "wrong", you can fall under the campaign of deportation of objectionable people deep into Russia. For the forced participation of citizens of Ukraine in pseudo-elections, blackmail, intimidation, violent Certification. Thus, the governor of one of the occupied villages of the Kherson region said that Ukrainian citizens who did not receive Russian passports would not receive medicines, primarily insulin.

The Russian occupiers are resorting to traditional technologies for the Kremlin: they plan to attract extras from the regions of the Russian Federation to create a picture of attendance at pseudo-elections, the Russian authorities plan to bring "guest performers" from the Russian Federation to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to record the turnout at the huts. People from deep Russiashould become the main force for the elections. There can be no question of any implementation of democratic norms and freedoms in the occupied territories, where violence and lawlessness reign. Oneelected body of the Russian Federation, elections to which will be held in the temporarily occupied territories, cannot be recognized as legitimate. The participation of foreign observers in this imitationand "elections" should be recognized as illegal. The Kremlin's holding of the next pseudo-elections will be a kind of "discovery" of odious pro-Russian public figures in Europe. Such individuals actually become accomplices in the crimes of the aggressor state.

The intention of the Russian occupation authorities to hold elections to local "authorities" in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine testifies to the final degradation of the electoral system of the Russian Federation. Any results of the pseudo-elections announced by the occupiers are invalid and will never be recognized either by Ukraine or by the international community. Crimea, Kherson, Zaporozhye, Donetsk, Lugansk - this is Ukraine! The Russian Federation should be subjected to tough sanctions and international isolation for trying to hold “elections" on the territory of Ukraine. Running for office, participating in the preparation and conduct of fake elections and their propaganda coverage is a crime and all those involved in this farce must be held accountable in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine and international law, as happened in the liberated territories with traitors and collaborators.

[worldofwardcraft]

America's most malignant governor.

July 13, 2023

Republicans long ago gave up any pretense of wanting to govern in ways that make people's lives better. Instead, they're now a Party dedicated solely to the destruction of democracy, the defense of Trump's criminality, retribution against perceived enemies and mindless culture war cruelty. And nothing reveals this malice more than the sociopathic governors who rule the nation's red states.

Take, for example, Greg Abbott, who shrugged off the deaths of his fellow Texans last winter when the state's electrical grid failed — and still refuses to do anything about it. Or Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who boasts that Arkansas was the first to overturn its child labor laws and now allows young teens to work at highly dangerous jobs. Or Tate Reeves, who's proud of the fact that Mississippi ranks last in, well, nearly everything.

To be sure, these governors are awful. But the worst of the bunch has got to be Florida's malicious wannabe dictator, Ron DeSantis (pictured above on the lookout for more "wokeness" to oppress). Abetted by a legislature that rivals Vlad Putin's Duma in groveling subservience, DeSantis has turned the Sunshine State into a fascist hellscape where civil rights are extended only to those he deems worthy. And the needs of its citizens matter not at all.

DeSantis's pitiless persecution of gay and trans people is harming thousands. While during the COVID epidemic, his science-denying policies led to approximately 30,000 Floridians dying unnecessarily.

His ongoing attacks on academic freedom — from elementary schools on up to universities — have demolished the state's educational reputation. Nor does he hesitate to use the power of state government to compel Florida's businesses to kowtow to his odious culture war dictates. Just ask Disney.

In the meantime, the state's infrastructure is crumbling, the health of its ecosystem is rapidly declining, housing prices are seeing the highest increase in the nation, rental costs are up 300%, and insurance rates are skyrocketing. Overall, Florida's inflation rate is a staggering 9%.

DeSantis's brutal anti-immigrant laws are also driving thousands of immigrants — who make up 26% of Florida's workforce — to leave the state, costing its economy an estimated $12.6 billion per year. Plus, dozens of massive, high-profile conventions are pulling out of Florida over the “unfriendly political environment” DeSantis has created. Which may prove devastating to the state's $112 billion tourism industry.

But besides being a harsh and callous governor, it's become clear that DeSantis is not a particularly attractive presidential candidate, either. Observes conservative pundit Peggy Noonan, DeSantis gives the impression "that he might unplug your life support to re-charge his cellphone."

[pedroam-bang]

The Fall (2006)

[steve-pift]

My November Cuntina of the month is the Moms For Liberty for their contributions to the damage on public education.

My December Cuntina is the woman behind libs of TikTok for posting fallacies and damaging misinformation.

And my pick for January Cuntina of the Month is the Governor of Iowa for signing odious approved bills into law.

What is your February Cuntina of the month?

[faithhearted]

She never should have run off in such a blind and scorn filled haze, but Louisa had been so angry with John. The very idea that he’d ever even suggest she consider marrying that odious Major General Tryon was nothing short of appalling . 

Tryon held the title of Governor of New York, but really in name only now that martial law had been declared. If anything, he was more of a glorified hound than a reputable prospect – not to mention the fact that he was significantly older than her, pushing fifty. He practically had one foot in the bloody grave. 

How could John have thought such a man a good match for her, his dearest sister who loved him above all others in this world? Could he truly be so determined in his pursuit of solidifying alliances than he would so quickly sacrifice her as another pawn on the chess board? She could scarcely believe it, and yet they’d just spent the better half of the afternoon arguing over the matter until she’d fled in tears and taken off on horseback. 

Once she'd calmed down and permitted Sweet Pea to transition into a calmer trot for several aimless minutes, Louisa finally possessed enough clarity to admit that she was utterly and hopelessly lost. 

The trickling of a stream down the slope had caught her attention, and after such a strenuous gallop through the woodland terrain, she was certain her mount must be parched, so she elected to dismount And begin carefully leading her down the incline.

That was when she heard the echo of musket shots. 

In a moment of uncertainty, she remained still, softly shushing Sweet Pea's unsettled nickering. Before she could make a decision of action, a ruffian broke through the treeline, easily spotting her and darting toward her with a newfound conviction in his momentum, she hadn't time to mount before he'd caught hold of her and tugged her off.

Sweet Pea panicked, rearing up and sending both people tumbling down the bank. Louisa screamed as he landed atop her and held her down. 

“Let me up!” She struggled. 

“Stop screamin’!” was his only grumbled response as he tried put a dirtied hand over her mouth. She bit him and he yelped. 

“Little bitch!” This time, he hit her before he pinned her arms. 

Then another shot rang out and with a final wheezing and sputtering gurgle, the man went limp, sinking his dead weight atop her. 

Louisa shuddered fearfully. God. Blood was dripping from his slack jawed mouth. 

With a panicked whimper, no sooner had she attempted to rid herself of the deceased when he was pulled off her. Afraid it might be another ruffian, Louisa thrashed and kicked with all her strength to fend them off. 

 "Miss!" The man shouted, catching hold of her wrists. 

“Let go of me!” she sobbed. 

“Madam,” he pressed as he attempted to settle her, “Are you all right? Have you been injured?"

The first thing that she could make out through her tears was his bright blue eyes shining in the afternoon light. Then the glare from the gold trimming of his shako blinded her. She yelped and instinctively struck him across the face. 

“Get your hands off me!” she demanded again, this time with more authority, “How dare you presume to touch me, rebel!”

@faithhearted

The thick scent of g.unpowder filled the air, practically coating Benjamin's lungs as he and Caleb dashed and skidded in between a cluster of trees.

"Only one left?" he called over to B.rewster, to which the whaler nodded.

"Aye," he said in between breaths, "we've got the bastard."

Benjamin increased his pace, his features solemn. Defection was never an offense that was treated lightly in camp, so being s.lain in their skirmish would be considered a kindness in comparison to what fate awaited the man.

Just as he prepared to reach the top of the hilly terrain, a loud, piercing scream filled the woods, and looking to Caleb in alarm, Benjamin's brow creased in bafflement.

A woman? he thought. How was it even possible? The nearest sight of civilization wasn't for dozens of miles, and this p.ositioning was intentional.

Holding his flintlock aloft, Benjamin swung around a tree and peered below, spotting the defector pinning down a woman in the leaf-ridden grass.

Gritting his teeth, Benjamin didn't hesitate and squeezed the t.rigger, sending up a bloom of smoke as the w.eapon discharged.

Bang!

The man jerked, giving a wet, squelching cough, before collapsing over top of the shrieking woman.

Caleb appeared at this side then, and together, the two men skidded down over the embankment.

"Miss?" Benjamin called. Quickly peeling the defector off the woman, he attempted to calm her since she was still wildly swinging her arms back and forth. "Miss!" he shouted, catching hold of her wrists. Concerned, he pressed, "Madam, are you all right? Have you been injured?"

[qqueenofhades]

WI was less than ONE PERCENT away from getting rid of Ron Johnson FUCK. I mean, it was a lot closer than anyone I knew thought it would be. Same with some of the house elections. At least our governor is still blue :/

I highlighted problems in the Wisconsin Senate race and the kind of campaign Mandela Barnes was running several weeks ago, so... disappointed, especially since Ron Johnson is so odious, but not entirely surprised. Yes, Evers did win re-election, and the massively gerrymandered Wisconsin state legislature failed to secure a Republican supermajority, so they won't be able to override his vetoes of their worst measures. Democrat Josh Kaul also won as AG, both of which means Republican ability to meddle in 2024 Wisconsin elections directly is greatly reduced.

But also like... I will NEVER understand the absolutely brain dead logic where you want to vote for members of each party to "balance each other out," and then complain about gridlock when nothing gets done since Republicans torpedo it. If you vote for someone, don't you WANT them to be able to do their job??? Instead of being like "I'll force you to do your job with both hands tied behind your back, SUCCESS!" So there were definitely some Evers/Johnson voters, just as there were clearly a lot of Kemp/Warnock voters in GA (which. Like. Why.) And I just do not understand it at all.

[crimechannels]

By • Olalekan Fagbade Group slams Atiku’s aide for accusing Vice-President Shettima of aiding Boko Haram MlThe Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has slammed Mr Phrank Shuaibu, an aide to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for accusing Vice-President Kashim Shettima of aiding and abetting Boko Haram insurgents during his tenure as governor of Borno. Shuaibu had on Sept. 8 accused Shettima of aiding and abetting the insurgents during his tenure as governor of Borno. He specifically accused him of aiding the abduction of the Chibok girls. But, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Executive Director, MURIC said in a statement on Monday in Abuja that the allegations were false, malicious, odious and insidious. “We are confounded both by the weight and intensity of these allegations, particularly against a sitting vice president. They are false, malicious, odious and insidious. They are simply lies from the pit of Jahannam. “Somebody must have locked the medulla oblongata of Shaibu and thrown the key away, otherwise he would not turn the pages of history upside down the way he has just done. How could any rational being accuse VP Shettima of aiding Boko Haram? “It is on record that former President Goodluck Jonathan threatened to withdraw federal troops from Borno when Shettima as the state governor complained of a glaring lackadaisical approach from the federal government to the Boko Haram saga. ‘’He asked if Shettima would be able to stay in the government house if he withdrew federal troops,’’ he said. Akintola added: “Jonathan’s exact words were, ‘I will pull them out for one month whether he (Shettima) will stay in that his Government House. But, if he thinks what he said is correct then I will pull out the armed forces for one month. “Shettima had complained to the visiting president that Boko Haram was gaining the upper hand in the region because Nigerian soldiers are not well armed. But an angry Jonathan gave him the cold response above. ‘’It was more than a response. It was a threat. It was like, ‘Behave, or I will unleash them on you. “We affirm that Shettima’s complaint was meant to attract better equipment for Nigerian soldiers so that they would be able to confront Boko Haram fighters more effectively.’’ ‘’We are of the humble opinion that a governor who is aiding the insurgents would not make such a request, instead, he would have joined the indifferent camp of looters of funds meant for the purchase of weapons for Nigerian soldiers. Shaibu’s allegation against VP Shettima is therefore frivolous, mischievous and lactiferous. “Of course events later proved Shettima right as reports of the 2.1 million dollars arms fund investigation later revealed that indeed Nigerian soldiers were deprived of weapons and money meant to buy them was shared among Jonathan’s party men. “We are equally miffed by Shuaibu’s allegation that Shettima aided the kidnapping of the Chibok girls. It is on record that former President Jonathan refused to act for nineteen (19) days after the abduction of the poor girls’’. ‘’It is therefore the zenith of mischief for Atiku’s aide to accuse Shettima of involvement in the ugly incident. “Official duplicity cannot be totally ignored. For example, in the case of Dapchi where 110 girls were abducted, the governor of Yobe at the time alleged that soldiers were withdrawn a week before the attack “MURIC admonishes Shuaibu to look elsewhere for those responsible for lapses in the attack on the Chibok girls. We have no doubt that he does not have to look far, behind his shoulders, perhaps.”(NAN)

[mariacallous]

A divided Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked a district court’s order that would have required the Louisiana legislature to draw new congressional maps, including a second majority-Black district. The three liberal justices dissented from the brief, unsigned order, which effectively clears the way for Louisiana to use its original map, which the district court found likely violates the federal Voting Rights Act, in the upcoming 2022 elections.

The justices also put the lawsuit challenging the map on hold until they decide a similar dispute involving redistricting in Alabama. The court is scheduled to hear oral argument in that case on Oct. 4.

The Louisiana dispute, Ardoin v. Robinson, arose after the Louisiana legislature – over a veto by the state’s Democratic governor, John Bel Edwards – adopted a new congressional map in the wake of the 2020 census. Although Blacks make up nearly a third of the state’s population, only one of the six congressional districts on the new map contained a majority of Black voters.

Voters and civil rights groups challenged the legislature’s map, arguing that it diluted the votes of Black people and violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in election practices. On June 6, U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick agreed that the challengers had made the case for a second majority-Black House district. She instructed the legislature to draw a revised map with two majority-Black districts for use in the state’s primary elections, scheduled for Nov. 8.

Louisiana’s secretary of state, Kyle Ardoin, went to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, asking that court to freeze Dick’s order. But a three-judge administrative panel rejected that request. In an unsigned opinion, the panel (which consisted of judges appointed by former Presidents Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump) concluded that although the challengers “have much to prove when the merits are ultimately decided,” Ardoin had not made the “strong showing” needed to prevail at this preliminary stage.

The panel ruled that the Purcell principle – the idea that federal courts should not change state election rules shortly before an election – did not apply to this case. The filing deadline for candidates is over a month away, while the state’s primary election is still five months away, the panel observed. This case is therefore different from the “classic Purcell case,” the panel suggested, involving an “injunction entered days or weeks before an election – when the election is already underway.”

The panel also expedited Ardoin’s appeal, setting the case for oral argument in early July.

Ardoin came to the Supreme Court on June 17, asking the justices to put the district court’s order on hold by June 20. He told the justices that the 5th Circuit’s refusal to do so had thrown the state “into divisive electoral pandemonium” and created “confusion statewide, all of which undermines confidence in the integrity of upcoming congressional elections.” By requiring the state to draw a new map with two majority-Black districts, he contended, “the district court has ordered a racial gerrymander that ‘by its very nature’ is particularly ‘odious.’”

The challengers urged the justices to keep the district court’s order in place. They emphasized the “185 pages of meticulous factual findings and carefully reasoned legal analysis from four federal judges,” and they pushed back against Ardoin’s contention that drawing a new map with two majority-Black districts would be a racial gerrymander. Although an expert who drew a map with two such districts testified that he was “aware of race during the map drawing process,” race was not the principal factor in creating the map.   

There is enough time for the state to implement the new congressional map, the challengers added, noting that early voting does not begin until October. Indeed, they said, a lawyer for the governor testified that the state has successfully implemented last-minute changes to the state’s election dates and deadlines in the past.

In a one-paragraph order on Tuesday afternoon, the justices put the district court’s order on hold and granted a request from Ardoin to add the case to the Supreme Court’s merits docket, effectively bypassing the 5th Circuit. The justices put the case on hold until they issue their decision in the Alabama case, Merrill v. Milligan. A decision in Merrill is likely early next year.

The court’s three liberal justices – Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan – indicated that they would have denied the state’s request to block the district court order. They also disagreed with the court’s decision to take up the case without waiting for the 5th Circuit to weigh in.

[theredlanternavenger]

The Villain Leyenar Song™

Leyenar:My friends, we are about to embark on the most odious, the most evil, the most diabolical scheme of my illustrious career. A crime to top all crimes, a crime that will live in infamy! It will be a night nobody will ever be able to forget…

From the brain that brought you the Big DCaper,

The head that made headlines in every newspaper,

And wondrous things like the Shonen Jump Job,

That cunning display that made the world a sob!

Now comes the real Tour De Force,

Tricky and wicked of course,

My earlier crimes were fine for their times,

But now that I’m at it again…

An even grimmer plot has been simmering,

In my great criminal brain!

The Bad Guys:Even meaner? You mean it?

Worse than the widows and orphans you drowned?

You’re the best of the worst around,

Oh, Leyenar,

Oh, Leyenar,

The rest fall behind,

To Leyenar,

To Leyenar,

The world’s greatest criminal mind!

Leyenar:Thank you. But it hasn’t all been cupcakes and rainbows. I’ve had my share of adversity, thanks to that miserable second-rate governor, Diane Foxington. For years, that insufferable pipsqueak has interfered with my plans. I haven’t had a moment’s piece of mind. But, all that’s in the past! This time, nothing, not even Diane, can stand in my way! All will bow before me!

The Bad Guys:Oh, Leyenar,

Oh, Leyenar,

You’re tops and that’s that,

To Leyenar,

To Leyenar,

Mr. Shark:To Leyenar, the world's greatest crook!

Leyenar:What was THAT?!

(Mr. Shark gasps)

Leyenar:What did you call me?! (takes a deep breath) Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. S, I love you, but...I'm not a crook. I'm a real, legitimate supervillain. Please remember that.

Mr. Shark:OK...

Leyenar:Now, fellas, shall we continue?

The Bad Guys:Even louder,

We’ll shout it!

No one can doubt what we know you can do,

You’re more evil than even you,

Oh, Leyenar,

Oh, Leyenar,

You’re one of a kind,

To Leyenar,

To Leyenar,

The world’s greatest criminal mind!