Government

I was listening to NPR Fresh Air about the state of abortion in America today

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I was listening to NPR Fresh Air about the state of abortion in America today … 💊

I was very surprised to learn about how with the abortion pill that many people can get safely get an abortion just by taking a pill sent through the mail and that many states are allowing such pills to be proscribed via Telehealth, often by a low fee of $150 or even less. I think it’s a wonderful development, as it saves time, hassle and protects privacy, especially compared the old ways of doing things involving abortion clinics — an empowers women to boot.

I’m no fan of promotion of casual sexual activities or recreational sex, but I do think protecting a women’s right to make her own healthcare choices is important. Accidents occur even with protected sex and contraception, and sometimes not realized right away. We’ve had for decades birth control pills, as the country music singer Loretta Lynn made famous in late 1960s. Having medicine that can undo a mistake, with minimal harm to woman is such a liberating thing, that should be widely available even without a prescription at neighborhood pharmacies and grocery stores. We shouldn’t be afraid of progress.

Every time taxes go up on the wealthy, conservatives say they will flee New York

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Every time taxes go up on the wealthy, conservatives say they will flee New York. 🌆

But I can’t imagine there are many wealthy people who live in New York for the low taxes. I really can’t think of a single person I know who chooses to live in New York for the low taxes — wealthy or otherwise. People live in New York for the unique accommodations in New York City, or even the things available in Upstate New York.

Sure you can live in Kansas or Idaho and pay a ton less in taxes, and that’s really good if your a homesteader, or want to farm. If cows are your thing and don’t already own land or have local family connections, then great. But not so good if you want to go to five star restaurants, Broadway shows or all the the high-end accommodations only available in a major metropolitan region. If you relatives and business partners all live in New York, then your kind of screwed if you go anywhere else. And taxes are based on the number of days you spend in New York — so if your commuting in from other state or have a vacation home in New York — you’ll still pay.

So I think it’s kind of silly argument to be opposed to the wealthy paying a bit more, just so that we can provide a good education to students or healthcare to seniors.

NPR

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What to expect from the Senate confirmation hearings for Ketanji Brown Jackson : NPR

Confirmation hearings begin Monday for Ketanji Brown Jackson, the federal judge President Biden has picked to fill Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer's seat when he retires this summer.

Democrats are hoping to finish Jackson's confirmation process before Congress leaves for Easter recess April 11.

I am very impressed by Ketanji Jackson, I like the idea of a legal aid attorney on the Supreme Court to bring balance to an institution dominated by prosecutors. Often I think president's first nominees are the best - I also was impressed by Neil Gorsuch, Sonia Sotomayor and John Roberts. Often second and third choices to the court by presidents are back benchers, the people the president previously passed over as not as good. Wish her best of luck in her confirmation, she'll be great for the court. 

Probably because they are not colored or poor. 🇷🇺

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I keep seeing these articles about how Russian oligarchs can’t have their assets siezed without due process, in a process that rarely ends with actual forfeiture.

Probably because they are not colored or poor. 🇷🇺

The government has no problem with seizing the assets of people of color and the poor. Cops are more than happy to sieze the assets of blacks, because they are supposedly drug dealers under civil forfeiture and because they often don’t have lawyers or any other way to fight the evils of the state. Moreover many fees levied by both the government and the private sector go directly after the poor and people of color. Thats just the truth of the matter.