Lurker > Humble_Novice

https://twitter.com/patriottakes/status/1800678317030564306

LightningThief posted...

I'm sure the "its not enough" crowd will chime in soon and claim Biden hasn't done anything.

They are an ungrateful bunch.

What has gotten into him?

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Meanwhile, the weather here in California has been rather fair.

So far, she's been able to maintain a sizeable portion of leftist supporters while garnering trust from more moderate voters who tend to be wary of the left. The only people who seem to hate AOC at the moment are the far right who've always despised her from the start and tankies who condemn her as a traitor for not going "hard enough" on their demands.

ItsChristian posted...

AOC is fucking incredible.

Yeah, she's definitely the politician we need to both unite the left and center while staving off the far right. It's rare to have someone of her caliber in a position of power. As such, voters should do what they can to support her due to the amount of good she is capable of performing for others.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SocialDemocracy/comments/1dcvnev/antisemitism_and_the_fight_for_democracy_panel/
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Apparently, this is most likely why he doesn't like OpenAI.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/7/78a40fc0.png

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What's Elon gonna do? Ban the horny?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ELU2FlTVW4

When I first got COVID, I had a severe sore throat and incessant coughing, two of the worst combinations to have.

https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-people-who-bought-stock-in-trumps

Oops.

https://tinyurl.com/2s3kk423

Democrats on the state Houses Education Committee on Tuesday advanced a K-12 education funding bill with a price tag that Republican lawmakers say is too high.

The 87-page bill, introduced Monday by Lancaster city Democrat Mike Sturla, looks to increase basic education funding by $1.1 billion in the 2024-25 budget year, the amount Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro pitched in his February budget address.

The measure advanced through committee in a 14-10 party line vote.

Democrats have touted the bill as the first step to rectify a $5.1 billion adequacy gap across 371 school districts statewide over the next seven years. It also includes reforms to the states cyber charter funding system that Democrats said could save schools $3.7 billion in that timeframe.

Sturla told a hearing room packed with lawmakers, lobbyists and public school advocates that his bill embodies the recommendations made by the Basic Education Funding Committee, which he co-chaired, after it held a series of hearings across the state earlier this year.

Not only is it financially feasible, but it allows school districts in a very planned and predictable manner to be able to improve the education system in the state of Pennsylvania, Sturla said.

Sturla, one of the longest-serving members in the General Assembly, told LNP | LancasterOnline last week that advocating for the commissions recommendations will be his only priority during this years budget negotiations.

In the hearing room was Matt Przywara, assistant superintendent of School District of Lancaster one of the five districts that sued the state ten years ago in a case that resulted in the 2023 Commonwealth Court ruling that found Pennsylvania unconstitutionally funds its public schools.

That ruling adds additional pressure to this years budget talks, as lawmakers look to find compromise before the June 30 deadline.

Przywara said Sturlas legislation is a step in the right direction to adequately fund public schools but that there are still some improvements that lawmakers can make.

For example, he and other advocates want an expedited timeline to rectify the funding disparity within five years instead of the proposed seven. Sturla has said Shapiro pitched the seven-year period as a compromise with Republicans.

Looming over negotiations are school advocates threats to bring the state back to court if lawmakers dont propose a plan they believe will address the states inadequate funding system.

If we're not seeing the progression being made, at least in a consistent manner year after year with the funding, we would definitely, again, accelerate what we need to do to advocate back in court or wherever that might be, Przywara said.

As with most state budget-related bills, Sturlas legislation will likely head to the House Appropriations Committee for further review. If Democrats, who hold a majority in the House, pass the K-12 funding bill in a floor vote, the Republican-led Senate would still need to approve the legislation before it can be signed by Shapiro.

So far, Republican lawmakers have remained steadfast against the funding.

State Rep. Jesse Topper, a Bedford County Republican who leads his party on the Education Committee, stressed Tuesday that he believes every lawmaker shares the goal of guaranteeing students an opportunity to succeed in school. They simply disagree on how to do that.

If (education spending) is going to be a centerpiece of the budget, then there will need to be an agreement in more than just the House Democratic Party, Topper said.

https://tinyurl.com/2zknexj5

TAHLEQUAH Early walk-in voting dates for the Cherokee Nations June 15 special election kick off on Saturday, June 8.

At the rare special election, Cherokee Nation voters will decide whether the tribe should call a constitutional convention, last held in 1999.

According to the CN Election Commission, early voting dates are Saturday, June 8, Tuesday, June 11, Wednesday, June 12, and Thursday, June 13, all from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Election Commission office in Tahlequah.

Also, voters who requested an absentee ballot prior to the deadline can hand deliver their return packets to a drop box available June 8 and 11-13, as well on election day, at the Election Commission office. Absentee ballot return packets must be at the office by 7 p.m. June 15 to be considered. According to the EC, a little more than 500 absentee ballot requests were turned in before the April 5 deadline.

The Cherokee Nations constitution states the convention question must be submitted to the citizens of Cherokee Nation at least once every 20 years at a general or special election. Approved March 11 by the CN Tribal Council, this years special election will offer voters, via a referendum, an opportunity to approve or reject a convention, during which constitutional changes or even a new constitution are proposed by an independent committee.

The June 15 referendum asks voters to mark either yes or no to the following: Article XV, Section 9, of the Cherokee Nation Constitution states that the question of whether or not to call a constitution convention to propose adopting amendments, revisions, alterations, or a new constitution shall be submitted to the voters of the Cherokee Nation at least once every twenty (20) years. Therefore: Should a convention be called to propose any constitutional amendments, alterations, revisions, or a new constitution?

If voters support the constitutional convention question, a seven-member convention commission will be created. It would include two appointees from each branch of the tribal government executive, judicial and legislative. The final member would be selected by the first six, according to the approved Constitution Convention Commission Act of 2024.

In 1999, delegates of the Cherokee Nation held a constitutional convention to draft a new constitution, replacing one enacted in 1976. The current constitution became effective in 2003 based on litigation that concluded in 2006.

The tribes constitution states that, Any amendment or amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by the Council, and if the same shall be agreed to by a majority of all the members of the Council, such proposed amendment or amendments shall, with the yeas and nays thereon, be entered into the Journal and referred by the Secretary of State to the People for their approval or rejection, at the next regular general election, except when the Council, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, shall order a special election for that purpose. It goes on to state that if a majority of voters support an amendment, it shall thereby become a part of this Constitution.

Bump.

tremain07 posted...

It's maddening and what's especially scary is that the world is watching, the right wing in other countries is watching to see if having a right wing media propaganda machine is really all it takes to dup the populace into funding their own oppression, Canada better watch out, they'll definitely be coming for you guys next if Trump wins

If it makes you feel better, we'll be seeing conservatives in the UK get a thrashing for Brexit and a lot of other unpleasant stuff they've done. Plus, Democrats are quietly working hard to gain the upper hand: https://www.axios.com/2024/06/05/emocrats-state-legislature-races-2024-election

CADE_FOSTER posted...

free is great but i think our gov should subsidize all of our food like they do corn

By government, do you mean state or federal?

Monolith1676 posted...

It will last a month, maybe.

I'll keep this topic alive for a month then just to see how long it'll last.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/donald-trump-taylor-swift-liberal-1235036974/

JasonSehorn posted...

Conduit is a russia apologist fuck him and his bullshit posts

They have a history of saying these things then? If confirmed to be so, that warrants a block from me and this topic.

Isn't Liechtenstein a rather rich country?

I seriously hope conservatives in the UK lose the upcoming elections big time.

conduit posted...

Are there no moderates here who believe a negotiated end to the war is possible, even preferable? Or are we still stuck in the mass delusion that "war is the only option", and anyone who disagrees is obviously a traitor and shill for the enemy?

No serious person believes that negotiating with Russia is worth anything. They cannot be trusted to keep their promises.

It was a good night for Nordic countries, but no so much for the rest of Europe.

What exactly is driving voters there away from the left? It can't be solely due to propaganda, right?

https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3265890/uk-election-conservatives-stare-defeat-even-stronghold-surrey-amid-high-inflation

Even in Surrey, a historic stronghold of UK Conservatives, voters are tempted to give opposition parties a chance at the July 4 general election, saying successive governments have made a mess of it.

With its pretty stone houses, window boxes and main street lined with small shops, Godalming is a typical country town in affluent southeast England, about an hours train ride from London.

Many of the towns 20,000 residents are retirees and from wealthy backgrounds, and have always sent a Conservative MP to the UK parliament at Westminster.

Jeremy Hunt, the current finance minister, has served the constituency since 2005 but is now one of the most prominent Tories threatened with losing their seat, with polls suggesting the centrist Liberal Democrat party could come out on top.

Defeat for Hunt would be a political earthquake for the Tories, who have had five prime ministers during a tumultuous period in UK history that has encompassed Brexit, the Covid pandemic and more recently the cost-of-living crisis caused by high inflation.

Im normally quite right-wing, but this time around I have no idea to be quite honest, Claudette Forrester, a 61-year-old former finance employee, said on the towns main street.

Forrester, who now cares for her disabled daughter, is disappointed by the Conservatives 14 years in power.

I feel like they dont know what the everyday person has to go through in life. When you go shopping, youve got to count the pennies because food is extortionate, she said.

We need to change and we need improvements, agreed Ian, a 70-year-old retiree and former National Health Service (NHS) worker.

He said he would vote for the centre-left Labour, which polls predict will win a huge majority nationwide.

I want the current Conservative government to go away. They have done terrible things to this country, he said, outside a branch of the upmarket supermarket chain Waitrose.

He cited the struggles of the state-funded NHS, which now has record waiting lists, and the handling of the pandemic.

Other voters also said the state of the NHS was a major issue, along with the scandals of Boris Johnsons government, such as parties held in Downing Street during lockdown.

Most disgruntled voters say they will vote for Liberal Democrat Paul Follows, a local figure unknown at the national level.

I dont think the area has actually changed much in terms of its values its a progressive area, Follows said in a recent Guardian podcast.

What has changed is Jeremy [Hunt] and what has changed is the Conservative Party.

It has moved, shifted significantly to the right, and people in a moderate progressive area like this feel abandoned by that group, Follows added.

Like the rest of Surrey, Godalming voted against Brexit.

Even Charlie Crowford, a 54-year-old retiree and loyal Conservative voter, said recent governments had made a mess of it and squandered the opportunity.

People are fed up with the Conservatives, he said, but he will still vote for them on July 4, partly because of Hunt, whom he called a national figure and potential leader of the party.

Hunt, a Tory centrist, ran to be party leader in 2019 but lost out to Johnson. Despite the partys unpopularity, he remains respected locally, even outside his own camp.

Its going to be a very big fight, Hunt acknowledged recently as he ramped up door-to-door canvassing.

Other senior party figures such as defence minister Grant Shapps and fellow minister Penny Mordaunt face a similar battle to be re-elected, with Labour holding huge national leads in opinion polls for months now.

Other centrists such as Michael Gove, also serving in Surrey, and former prime minister Theresa May have decided not to run, raising questions about what direction the party could take after a defeat that increasingly seems inevitable.

bigblu89 posted...

Vote for people that will actually pass laws that dramatically chance the way large corporation do business, and levy large fines on the ones that refuse to reduce their carbon footprint.

This.

If there's one major criticism I have with that site, it would to be its draconian moderation policies.

Wonder if this will be the thing that finally puts him down for good.

MaxEffingBemis posted...

What do you mean why

She's damaged goods at this point in politics. Why prop someone who's less likely to win over voters?

https://twitter.com/stealthygeek/status/1798657675867136011
https://twitter.com/stealthygeek/status/1798818269878751474

https://www.newsweek.com/gas-price-dropping-national-average-near-three-dollars-1909418

Gas prices across the United States have continued their downward trend as summer approaches.

According to the data from the American Automobile Association, the national average gasoline price has seen a decline, with states expected to see their averages dip below $3 per gallon in the coming weeks.

AAA reported that the national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $3.49 on June 6, marking an eight-cent drop from the previous week and the largest weekly drop of the year.

This decline comes despite OPEC's decision to extend oil production cuts through 2025. The decrease in gas prices can be attributed to a combination of factors, including lower gasoline demand, increased supply, and falling oil costs .

According to AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross, "This drop in pump prices appears to have some sticking power for now. More states should see their averages dip below $3 a gallon in the coming weeks."

Newsweek has contacted a representative of the AAA via email for further comment.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that gas demand dipped from 9.14 million barrels per day (b/d) to 8.94 million b/d last week, while total domestic gasoline stocks rose from 228.8 million barrels to 230.9 million barrels .

The Midwest experienced the most significant drop in gas prices over the past week, with an average decline of 11 cents per gallon. Meanwhile, New England saw the smallest decrease at four cents per gallon. EIA data shows that the average price of gasoline in the U.S. is now $3.51 per gallon, down six cents from the previous week .

The ten states with the lowest average gas prices as of June 5 include Mississippi ($2.99), Arkansas ($3.01), Oklahoma ($3.02), Texas ($3.04), Kansas ($3.07), Louisiana ($3.07), Tennessee ($3.09), Missouri ($3.12), South Carolina ($3.15), and Alabama ($3.16).

The West Coast continues to have the highest average prices, with California at $4.98 per gallon , Washington at $4.45, Oregon at $4.19, Nevada at $4.160, Arizona at $3.74. Hawaii also has a high gas price, at $4.76 per gallon.

Many casual gamers don't mind female protagonists if they're really well-written and good-looking.

Kradek posted...

Fuck yes, this is the way to do it. Not only is it important to focus on those candidates winning, it also helps with an increased chance they'll vote for the POTUS as well.

Agreed. It's all about maximizing the way campaign funds are distributed and used. There are a couple of downballot races worth winning, and getting those positions can help make it easier for Democrats to turn out the votes they need to win.

Kradek posted...

Not even U.S. Republicans are this crazy...yet.

They're starting to get even worse though: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240609-texas-towns-try-to-close-roads-to-abortion-seekers

https://www.axios.com/2024/06/05/emocrats-state-legislature-races-2024-election
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Good. Now this is what I like to see from the Democrats.

luigi33 posted...

Liberals in EU are legitimately trashcan so this result is not surprising.

It's not just European liberals, even socialist parties aren't doing so hot.

https://www.euronews.com/2024/05/26/controversy-as-uk-conservatives-plan-to-bring-back-compulsory-national-service

The beleaguered UK Conservative party has revealed plans to reintroduce compulsory national service if they win the upcoming general election.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the initiative is aimed at fostering a "national spirit" akin to that seen during the COVID pandemic.

The proposal would see 18-year-olds participate in either a 12-month full-time military placement or engage in community service one weekend a month for a year.

The scheme - estimated to cost approximately 2.5 billion (2.9bn) - aims to provide young people with valuable skills and work experience.

An internal Tory briefing paper seen by The Mirror, a UK newspaper, suggested young people could be arrested for not taking part.

The programme would offer 30,000 full-time military positions where participants could gain experience in areas such as cyber security, logistics, procurement, and civil response operations.

For those opting for community service, the programme would involve 25 days of volunteering with organisations such as the fire service, police, and NHS.

Sunak highlighted this move is intended to provide young people with opportunities they have been missing and to unite society in an increasingly uncertain world.

A YouGov survey from September 2023 reveals that Britons have mixed feelings about such a scheme.

The survey explored various types of national service programmes, including whether they should be compulsory or voluntary, military or civilian, and whether they should last one month or one year.

The findings show that Britons are more likely to support voluntary schemes than compulsory ones and prefer community service over military service.

Only 28% of Britons support a compulsory, year-long military service scheme, with 64% opposing it. A one-month compulsory military scheme was similarly unpopular, with 29% in favour and 62% against.

Zikten posted...

UK is at risk too

Let's hope the upcoming elections there prove us wrong.

FearlessMango posted...

I've read that these far right parties in European countries are being financially backed by Russia

if accurate, then Putin is doing all he can to sow dissent in those countries and affect their elections

One thing the Left seriously lacks is money. It doesn't help that many leftists tend to be politically disengaged in elections.

A small ray of hope in this dark timeline.
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wanderingshade posted...

Or? Or... they're so plugged in they dogmatically follow social movements to feel like they're doing something. While actively not caring about Republicans getting more Supreme Court justices or Veto power and acting like not participating is the only "moral" choice.

Which is just so obnoxiously privileged.

I think it's also due to other leftists from different countries influencing them not to vote at all. The fact that many of them live in nations that have yet to be threatened by the far right truly says a lot about their privilege in taking voting for granted.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/06/09/world/europe/results-european-union-parliament-election.html
https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/european-election-results-06-09-24-intl/index.html

Looks like the far right has made several gains in Europe (sans UK) so far. What is causing the average voter to support right-wing parties across the continent? Is it immigration? Higher taxes?

https://apnews.com/article/france-european-election-national-rally-marine-lepen-b132616d24de829660d8dbe0659e50fd

PARIS (AP) President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the lower house of Frances parliament in a surprise announcement sending voters back to the polls in the coming weeks to choose lawmakers, after his party was handed a humbling defeat by the far-right in the European elections Sunday.

The legislative elections will take place in two rounds on June 30 and July 7.

The announcement came after the first projected results from France put the far-right National Rally party well ahead in the European Unions parliamentary elections, handing a chastening loss to Macrons pro-European centrists, according to French opinion poll institutes.

Marine Le Pens anti-immigration, nationalist party was estimated to get around 31%-32% of the votes, a historic result more than double the share of Macrons Renaissance party, which was projected to reach around 15%.

Macron himself wasnt a candidate in the EU elections and his term as president still runs for three more years.

He said the decision was serious but showed his confidence in our democracy, in letting the sovereign people have their say.

In the next few days, Ill be saying what I think is the right direction for the nation. Ive heard your message, your concerns, and I wont leave them unanswered, he said.

In latest legislative elections in 2022, Macrons centrist party won the most seats but lost its majority at the National Assembly, forcing lawmakers into political maneuvering to pass bills.

With Sundays decision, he is taking a big risk with a move that could backfire and increase the chances of Le Pen to eventually take power.

A scenario in which an opposition party would eventually win a parliament majority could lead to a fraught power-sharing situation called cohabitation, with Macron to name a prime minister with different views.

Le Pen, who head the National Rally group at the National Assembly, welcomed Macrons move.

Were ready for it, said Le Pen, who was the runner-up to Macron in the last two presidential elections. Were ready to exercise power if the French people place their trust in us in these future legislative elections. Were ready to turn the country around, ready to defend the interests of the French, ready to put an end to mass immigration, ready to make the purchasing power of the French a priority.

The EU elections results were a hard blow for Macron, who has been advocating for Europe-wide efforts to defend Ukraine and the need for the EU to boost its own defenses and industry.

The National Rallys lead candidate for the EU elections, Jordan Bardella, campaigned for limiting free movement of migrants by carrying out national border controls and dialing back EU climate rules. The party no longer wants to leave the EU and the euro, but aims to weaken it from within.

Tonight, our compatriots have expressed a desire for change, Bardella said. Emmanuel Macron is tonight a weakened president.

An official at Macrons office said the decision to dissolve the National Assembly was justified by the historic score of the far-right that could not be ignored and the current parliamentarian disorder.

Youre never wrong when you give the people a say, said the official, who spoke anonymously in line with the practice of Macrons office.

EU elections projections also show a resurgence of the Socialist Party, with about 14% of the votes. The party campaigned on more ambitious climate policies and protections for European businesses and workers, with about 14% of the votes.

Reacting to Macrons announcement, far-left politician Francois Ruffin called on all leaders from the left, including the Greens to unite under a single Popular Front banner. To avoid the worse, to win, he wrote on X.

France is electing 81 members of the European Parliament, which has 720 seats in total.

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-european-election-results-2024-far-right-triumphs-france-emmanuel-macron-camp-fight-second-place/

PARIS The far-right National Rally is projected to win the European election in France with 31.5 percent of the vote more than twice that of President Emmanuel Macrons party.

The shock result pushed Macron to call a snap election Sunday evening.

The National Rally, headed by Jordan Bardella, is set to achieve its highest-ever finish in a nationwide election.

The president of the Republic cannot remain deaf to the message sent this evening by the people of France, Bardella told supporters at the Parc Floral in Paris.

The far-right leader demanded the president call early legislative elections, pointing to the unprecedented gap between the main opposition party and the party in power.

Macron announced the National Assembly would be dissolved this month, with new elections set to be held on June 30.

Macrons Renaissance party scored only 15.2 percent in the EU election one point ahead of the socialists led by Raphal Glucksmann at 14 percent, according to early estimates.

The center-left under Glucksmann picked up support throughout the campaign, closing the gap with the liberals, who failed to gather momentum despite French Prime Minister Gabriel Attals active campaigning .

I am proud of what have we achieved, but I dont feel like celebrating, Glucksmann said in response to the early results. Everywhere in Europe, we are witnessing a wave that is shaking our democracy.

The radical left-wing France Unbowed party, led by Manon Aubry, is expected to have bagged 8.7 percent of the vote roughly 2.5 percentage points above its 2019 finish. The conservative Les Rpublicains party, meanwhile, is projected to receive 7.2 percent of the tally.

The French Greens and the nationalist Reconquest movement led by Marion Marchal are both expected to win around 5 percent the minimum threshold in France to elect members of the European Parliament.

A final tally of the vote will be released later this evening.

What is going on with France?