Jill Lawrence/MSNBC:
Seeing the erosion of our freedoms makes it onerous to have fun this Fourth of July
The Supreme Court docket, conservative governors and gerrymandered state legislatures are racing to shrink our elementary rights and freedoms.
In a 16-year span, George W. Bush and Donald Trump misplaced the favored vote however gained the presidency. That may be a system failure. It’s not truthful or democratic, and it led on to at present’s unbalanced Supreme Court docket. 5 of the six conservative justices have been appointed by these two presidents. Eliminating the Electoral Faculty would take a constitutional modification, which is at all times a tough promote. However consider the arguments you possibly can make to each events. There are over 5 million registered Republicans in California whose votes would lastly depend. Wyoming’s nearly 23,000 Democrats would additionally think about.
Purple and blue states are usually not monolithic. Due to this fact, we should always cease pretending, for instance, that there aren’t any injured events when pink states ban abortion or make it straightforward for youngsters and careless folks to purchase no matter weapons they need — no permits or instruction required. We also needs to cease pretending that we’re 50 walled-off states, every deciding what number of freedoms we should always take pleasure in or what number of it will get to limit. Weapons cross state strains. Individuals who want abortions cross state strains. We’re on this collectively, and Congress and the courts ought to be defending our rights — not encouraging a free-for-all that leaves some states with far much less democracy than others and a few Individuals feeling far much less equal than others.
Tom Nichols/The Atlantic:
Reclaiming Actual American Patriotism
This Fourth of July, let’s rescue our love of nation from those that have hijacked it.
I used to be awash in ideas of lobster rolls and salt water as I neared the dunes. After which that rattling tearjerker of a John Denver song about West Virginia got here on my automotive radio.
The music isn’t even actually concerning the Mountain State; it was impressed by locales in Maryland and Massachusetts. However I’ve been to West Virginia, and I do know that it’s a stunning place. I’ve by no means wished to stay anyplace however New England, but each time I hear “Take Me Residence, Nation Roads,” I perceive, even when just for a couple of minutes, why nobody would ever wish to stay anyplace however West Virginia, too
That’s once I skilled the jolt of a sense we used to consider as patriotism: the joyful love of nation. Patriotism, not like its ugly half brother, nationalism, is rooted in optimism and confidence; nationalism is a bitter inferiority complicated, a sullen attachment to blood-and-soil fantasies that’s at all times trying overseas with insecurity and even hatred. As an alternative, I used to be taking within the New England shoreline however seeing in my thoughts the Blue Ridge Mountains, and I felt moved with surprise—and gratitude—for the miracle that’s the US.
How I miss that feeling. As a result of normally once I consider West Virginia as of late, my first thought tends to be: red state. I now see many citizens there, and in different states, as my civic opponents. I do know that a lot of them doubtless hear “Boston” and so they, too, consider a spot full of their blue-state enemies. I really feel that I’m at an ideal distance from so a lot of my fellow residents, as do they, I’m positive, from folks like me. And I hate it.
Federal Decide Limits Biden Officers’ Contacts With Social Media Websites
The order got here in a lawsuit filed by the attorneys basic of Missouri and Louisiana, who declare the administration is attempting to silence its critics.
A federal choose in Louisiana on Tuesday restricted the Biden administration from speaking with social media platforms about broad swaths of content material on-line, a ruling that would curtail efforts to fight false and deceptive narratives concerning the coronavirus pandemic and different points.
The order, which might have important First Modification implications, is a significant growth in a fierce authorized battle over the boundaries and limits of speech on-line.
Republicans Are Divided on Impeaching Biden as Panel Begins New Inquiry
A vote to ship the Homeland Safety Committee impeachment articles in opposition to President Biden for his border insurance policies has underscored rifts within the G.O.P. about whether or not to attempt to take away him, and for what.
A vote final month to ship impeachment articles in opposition to Mr. Biden for his border insurance policies to the Homeland Safety Committee alongside the Judiciary Committee amounted to a stalling tactic by Speaker Kevin McCarthy to quell the pressing requires motion from the onerous proper. However it has additionally highlighted the rifts within the Home G.O.P. over shifting ahead and complicating a separate monthslong drive by the panel to arrange an impeachment case in opposition to Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the homeland safety secretary, for a similar offenses.
Neither pursuit seems to have the votes to proceed, and lots of Republicans are apprehensive that with no stronger case in opposition to the president, even attempting the transfer could possibly be disastrous for his or her celebration.
A number of rank-and-file Republicans from politically aggressive districts had balked on the concept of impeaching Mr. Mayorkas, even after Mr. McCarthy endorsed that push. Few imagine that the brand new investigation of Mr. Biden — a unexpectedly organized effort designed to halt a right-wing try and impeach the president outright with no investigation — will yield something that would persuade them to oust him.
Higher headline: Far too many Republicans are keen to contemplate idiocy.
And that’s extra a touch upon DeSantis than Newsom.
Why Biden Goes Silent at Some Key Moments
On the mutiny in Russia, Trump’s indictment and at moments throughout debt-limit talks, the voluble president has been very quiet
William Galston, a former aide to President Invoice Clinton, mentioned that Biden is aware of the risks of a poorly thought-out comment. “I’m reminded of President George H.W. Bush’s refusal to bounce verbally on the demise of the Soviet Union,” he mentioned. “German reunification would have been a lot more durable to attain with out his verbal self-discipline.”
The present president’s strategic silence can be notable as a result of Biden wasn’t at all times recognized for verbal restraint, having landed in hassle for gaffes throughout speeches and fundraisers all through his profession.
From Cliff Schecter:
Storm Lake Times Pilot (Iowa):
Editorial: No weapons in faculties
The insurance coverage trade did the Cherokee and Spirit Lake faculty districts a favor by denying them protection in the event that they insisted on arming employees. Every of the respective faculty boards that earlier handed insurance policies that may put weapons in employees arms rescinded those policies late last week after they lastly acknowledged they’d not have insurance coverage safety come July 1.
The superintendents and faculty board members knew about this gap of their sketchy plans for months however, in Cherokee’s case for sure, tried to defend that data from the general public till we reported it from e-mail correspondence.
