All purpose news and politics thread part VII: News & Politics Total Landscaping

[Gaastra]

Yikes.

Nothing will come of it of course but yikes.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opini...47b5be55&ei=24

[Tendrin]

Hey, WBE!

https://www.yahoo.com/news/wisconsin...003551532.html

A Republican state representative today leaned on his professional experience while discussing a potential ban on abortions after 14 weeks on the Wisconsin State Assembly floor. “I did thousands of ultrasounds on animals,” Rep. Joel Kitchens confidently told members. “I think I know mammalian fetal development better than anyone here.” Remarkably, the bill in question—which would send the measure to a statewide ballot referendum—relates to human women, not animals. It passed the legislature after two and half hours of debate, and will be enacted if approved by voters later this year.

[aja_christopher]

Some people need to find a hint of dark cloud on every silver lining.

Nearly everything he is arguing was already discussed repeatedly during the midterms.

Had the Democrats underperformed there might be reason to change course — overperformance and success means they are on the right track.

This is “kindergarten” logic but apparently it escapes those who aren’t actually concerned about Democrats winning elections.

It’s one thing to argue a point and quite another to accuse others of being willfully ignorant of data while ignoring any evidence — or topic — they disagree with.

[Tendrin]

'basics 101'.

[worstblogever]

Hey, WBE!

https://www.yahoo.com/news/wisconsin...003551532.html

Already saw the story and added him to the never-ending queue. But also:

[Tuck]

Cruelty is the point



https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/...174126429.html

Utah is literally about to pass a 'show me your genitals' bill.

SCOTUS already incorporated gender identity into civil rights law as covered under the protected class of sex.

In a majority opinion written by Neil Gorsuch.

Unfortunately, people would have to go through the process, but there is zero chance these laws would stand, even with the current court.

[CaptainEurope]

Top U.N. court orders Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza, but not to stop fighting

[Catlady in training]

Isn't Alabama pro-life?

Alabama carries out first nitrogen gas execution

Alabama has executed convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith with nitrogen gas, the first time the method of capital punishment has been used globally.

A witness told the BBC that Smith thrashed violently on the gurney and the execution took around 25 minutes.

The UN condemned it on Friday as cruel but Alabama said the process had been carried out humanely.

Smith was convicted in 1989 of murdering a preacher's wife, Elizabeth Sennett, in a killing-for-hire.

In his final words, the 58-year-old said his death would mean Alabama had taken humanity "a step backwards".

Mike Sennett, the son of the victim, said the family wouldn't be celebrating but that Smith had paid his "debt".

"Nothing that happened here today is going to bring Mom back," he said, adding: "We're glad this day is over".

According to the Death Penalty Information Center, Smith is the first person to be put to death using pure nitrogen gas anywhere in the world.

The execution began at 19:53 local time (01:53 GMT) and he was pronounced dead at 20:25 (02:35 GMT).

Alabama and two other US states have approved the use of nitrogen hypoxia as an alternative method of execution because the drugs used in lethal injections have become more difficult to find, contributing to a fall in the use of the death penalty nationally.

"Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards," Smith said, according to witnesses. "Thank you for supporting me. Love all of you."

After the gas began to flow into his mask, the inmate is said to have smiled, nodded toward his family and signed "I love you".

One of the five members of the media transported to Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore to witness the execution told the BBC it was unlike any other he'd witnessed in Alabama.

"I've been to four previous executions and I've never seen a condemned inmate thrash in the way that Kenneth Smith reacted to the nitrogen gas," Lee Hedgepeth told the BBC's Newsday programme.

"Kenny just began to gasp for air repeatedly and the execution took about 25 minutes total."

Breathing nitrogen without oxygen causes cells in the body to break down and leads to death.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, who did not respond to a request to attend the execution, confirmed Smith's death in a statement.

"After more than 30 years and attempt after attempt to game the system, Mr Smith has answered for his horrendous crimes," she said.

"I pray that Elizabeth Sennett's family can receive closure after all these years dealing with that great loss."

Attorney General Steve Marshall said it had proved to be "an effective and humane method of execution", refuting the "dire predictions" of activists and the media.

"Justice has been served," his statement added.

Alabama corrections Commissioner John Hamm said Smith's shaking on the gurney appeared to be involuntary movements.

"That was all expected and was in the side effects that we've seen or researched on nitrogen hypoxia," Mr Hamm said. "Nothing was out of the ordinary from what we were expecting."

Alabama said in an earlier court filing that it expected Smith to lose consciousness within seconds and die in a matter of minutes.

Smith was one of two men convicted of murdering Mrs Sennett in a $1,000 (£790) killing-for-hire in March 1988.

The 45-year-old was beaten with a fireplace implement and stabbed in the chest and neck, and her death was staged to look like a home invasion and burglary.

Her husband Charles Sennett, a debt-ridden preacher, had orchestrated the scheme to collect insurance money. He killed himself as investigators closed in.

Smith's fellow hitman, John Forrest Parker, was executed in 2010.

At his trial Smith admitted to being present when the victim was killed, but said he did not take part in the attack.

The jury that convicted him had voted in favour of a life sentence but the judge overrruled them and imposed a capital punishment. The law has been changed since to prevent a judge intervening like that.

In a statement, Smith's legal team said it was "deeply saddened" by his execution, noting that the jury in his case had voted to spare his life but a judge overrode that decision.

"Nothing can undo the tragic consequences of the actions for which he was convicted, including the pain of the Sennett family and friends," the attorneys said.

"Kenny's life, however, should be considered in its full context."

Earlier on Thursday, the Alabama Department of Corrections shared details from the inmate's final 48 hours.

Smith was visited by members of his family, two friends, his spiritual adviser and his attorney. His final meal was steak and eggs with hash browns.

Alabama tried to execute Smith by lethal injection two years ago, but they were unable to find a vein before the state's death warrant expired.

On Thursday night, the Supreme Court denied him a last-minute reprieve. Three liberal justices dissented from the conservative-led majority's ruling.

"Having failed to kill Smith on its first attempt, Alabama has selected him as its 'guinea pig' to test a method of execution never tested before," Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote. "The world is watching."

The nitrogen execution had been denounced by some medical professionals, who warned it could cause a range of catastrophic mishaps, ranging from violent convulsions to survival in a vegetative state.

Last week, the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights urged a halt to the execution, saying that gassing Smith could amount to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment under international human rights law.

[CaptainEurope]

A new study suggests that Germany would not have slid into recession if it wasn't for the record high number of people out sick last year. Maybe business will start caring about Covid now.

[4saken1]

Unfortunately, people would have to go through the process, but there is zero chance these laws would stand, even with the current court.

But they will get MAGA to the polls!

[Tuck]

But they will get MAGA to the polls!

That's a double-edged sword, isn't it? It'll motivate Democratic voters too.

[Kirby101]

Fed's preferred inflation gauge falls below 3% for first time since March 2021

The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index grew 2.6% year over year in December, in line with last month's print. "Core" PCE, which excludes the volatile food and energy categories, grew 2.9%, down from 3.2% from the month prior and below the 3.0% economists surveyed by Bloomberg had expected.

Will we see the media talking to voters who give Biden credit for this? Or do they only do that when they could find voters to blame Biden when Global inflation was high?

[CaptainEurope]

Fed's preferred inflation gauge falls below 3% for first time since March 2021



Will we see the media talking to voters who give Biden credit for this? Or do they only do that when they could find voters to blame Biden when Global inflation was high?

The DJI reached a new all-time high just after opening. The markets will be happy about these news.

However: An old lady in Omaha dropped a nickel under the cereal shelf at her supermarket today, so not everybody has good financial news.

[CaptainEurope]

Trump Storms Out of Court After E. Jean Carroll’s Lawyer Tells Jurors He Acts as If Rules ‘Don’t Apply to Him’

Not a good look. Weak and spiteful.

[CaptainEurope]

Judge Threatens to Send Trump Lawyer Alina Habba ‘in the Lockup’ at E. Jean Carroll Trial

Again, not a great look.