Politics Thread

[Broken_Erika]

S**t like this

Last year, Texas sued the federal government after Border Patrol agents cut through portions of the fencing, arguing that they were unable to reach the border they police.
.............

Earlier this month, Texas officials seized a park along the border and declared that federal agents were banned from accessing it.

Last week, Texas ignored a demand from the Department of Homeland Security to resume federal access to the park, which is used by agents to patrol the border.

The Department of Homeland Security said two children and one woman drowned in the Rio Grande River this month after Border Patrol agents were "were physically barred by Texas officials from entering the area".

The Texas Military Department disputed the statement, and said it had found no evidence of migrants in distress.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68064246

[Geronimo]

Governor Abbott Issues Statement On Texas’ Constitutional Right To Self-Defense

Governor Greg Abbott today issued a statement on Texas’ constitutional right to defend and protect itself as President Joe Biden continues to attack Texas and refuse to perform his duties to secure the border.

"The Executive Branch of the United States has a constitutional duty to enforce federal laws protecting States, including immigration laws on the books right now," reads the statement. "President Biden has instructed his agencies to ignore federal statutes that mandate the detention of illegal immigrants. The failure of the Biden Administration to fulfill the duties imposed by Article IV, § 4 has triggered Article I, § 10, Clause 3, which reserves to this State the right of self-defense. For these reasons, I have already declared an invasion under Article I, § 10, Clause 3 to invoke Texas’s constitutional authority to defend and protect itself. That authority is the supreme law of the land and supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary."

https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/gove...o-self-defense

Does everything in his power to interfere with the Border Patrol doing their jobs then turns around and says that the Border Patrol aren't doing their jobs and it's all Biden's fault.

That's a bold claim. Tell me about how you view governor Abbott as doing a lot under his power to interfere with the border patrol doing their job, let alone doing everything under his power to do so.

[Broken_Erika]

I guess it shows how much credibility Abbott has considering that many news networks seems to have not picked this up yet.
Are they just slow, or do they think that Abboott being stupid isn't considered "newsworthy".

[-Jrabbit]

It's all theater with Abbott.

Nationally, the interesting balancing act to watch will be the GOP's "invasion of immigrants" panic attacks being balanced against their determination to avoid passing any legislation to address the issue until after November.

[Broken_Erika]

Does everything in his power to interfere with the Border Patrol doing their jobs then turns around and says that the Border Patrol aren't doing their jobs and it's all Biden's fault.

[Broken_Erika]

Governor Abbott Issues Statement On Texas’ Constitutional Right To Self-Defense

Governor Greg Abbott today issued a statement on Texas’ constitutional right to defend and protect itself as President Joe Biden continues to attack Texas and refuse to perform his duties to secure the border.

"The Executive Branch of the United States has a constitutional duty to enforce federal laws protecting States, including immigration laws on the books right now," reads the statement. "President Biden has instructed his agencies to ignore federal statutes that mandate the detention of illegal immigrants. The failure of the Biden Administration to fulfill the duties imposed by Article IV, § 4 has triggered Article I, § 10, Clause 3, which reserves to this State the right of self-defense. For these reasons, I have already declared an invasion under Article I, § 10, Clause 3 to invoke Texas’s constitutional authority to defend and protect itself. That authority is the supreme law of the land and supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary."

https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-issues-statement-on-texas-constitutional-right-to-self-defense

[Berzerker]

Prohibition has been law since 1952, after one of King Abdulaziz's sons drunkenly shot dead a British diplomat.

huh, I would have thought it was a religious ban

[Broken_Erika]

Saudi Arabia to get first alcohol shop in more than 70 years

Saudi Arabia has said it will open a shop in Riyadh selling alcohol to a select band of non-Muslim expats, the first to open in more than 70 years.

The clientele will be limited to diplomatic staff, who have for years imported booze in sealed official packages known as diplomatic pouches.

Saudi officials said the shop would counter "the illicit trade of alcohol".

Prohibition has been law since 1952, after one of King Abdulaziz's sons drunkenly shot dead a British diplomat.

The new store will be located in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter west of the city centre, according to a document seen by the AFP and Reuters news agencies.

A source familiar with the plans told Reuters the shop was expected to open within weeks. There will be limitations, however:

• Thirsty envoys would need to register beforehand and receive clearance by the government
• No one under 21 will be allowed in the store and "proper attire is required" at all times inside
• Drinkers will not be able to send a proxy, such as a driver
• Monthly limitations would be enforced, the statement said.

However - according to the document seen by AFP - these will not be particularly stringent.
Patrons will be limited to 240 "points" of alcohol per month. One litre of spirits will be worth six points, one litre of wine three points and one litre of beer one point.

There are also no suggestions that the clientele will be widened to "ordinary" foreigners in the kingdom without diplomatic privileges, who officially have no access to alcohol.

While alcohol will become part of Riyadh life, drinkers would be wise to be mindful of where they drink and how they behave afterwards.

Under current Saudi law, penalties for consumption or possession of alcohol can include fines, jail time, public flogging and deportation for unauthorised foreigners.

The document also said authorities are planning a "new regulatory framework" that would also allow "specific quantities" of alcohol to be brought in by diplomats to "put an end to... an uncontrolled exchange of such goods", it added.

For years diplomatic staff have had to use their "pouches", which cannot be tampered with by authorities in their host country, to bring in limited amounts of alcohol.

The moves are the latest in a series of initiatives known as "Vision 2030" to liberalise Saudi society under the crown prince and de facto ruler of the country, Mohammed bin Salman.

Other Gulf states operate similar alcohol regimes.

However, the UAE and Qatar also allow the sale of alcohol to non-Muslims over 21 in hotels, clubs and bars.

There is no suggestion from the Saudi document that the government there is considering doing the same.

While alcohol is forbidden under Islam, Saudi Arabia had until 1952 held a conciliatory attitude to its presence inside the kingdom.

That changed after Mishari bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, a prince, shot dead Cyril Ousman, the British vice-consul in Jeddah, in 1951 for refusing to pour him another drink at a function.

A year later, King Abdulaziz imposed a total ban on alcohol. Mishari was convicted of murder.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68085190

[Berzerker]

she's running for the Senate

[Ming]

For the Maga crowd, it was just a peaceful walk in the park. And it was the FBI, democrats and who ever which made it violent.
But then again, we know how they view reality since they still think Trump won.

[-Jrabbit]

It was clearly an attempt to keep Trump in office. Call it what you will.

[Ming]

And MANY MANY MANY other make convincing arguments that it was... Your point?

[Berzerker]

https://twitter.com/i/status/1749627586354053457

Was Jan 6 a coup? Not according to Glenn Greenwald and he makes a convincing argument.

[Berzerker]

Arizona GOP party Chair Jeff Dewit tried bribing Kari Lake to sit out the senate race, powerful people wanted her out of the way. She went public with the recording.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1749896383845597580

correction: governor's race?

[Berzerker]

the best speaker was Christie, Vivek is good but too fast and ethereal

Haley's a good speaker, DeSantis isn't bad but there's a blandness about him

God I hope the Democrats replace Biden with someone, he's Bush III