The Frankish Reich

Agreed. This is why it's difficult to draw a line. The fact that it is difficult doesn't mean we should just give up. But I do agree that in close cases we must defer to the pregnant woman: she is the one suffering the pain, only she has the moral authority to decide.

And yet the people from the most "godly" parts/economic classes of America have the largest percentage of babies born out of wedlock. What about "no significant likelihood of long term health issues, but will need hospitalization and will be facing serious pain/discomfort for a month or two?"

First, as we've seen, Julie Kelly and her husband love ultra-processed foods. Your disagreement with her makes me think you may be a communist. Second, James Lindsay is an idiot.

OK, but still ... how unhealthy is unhealthy enough?

Well, maybe in some cases it's "do whatever you want to do, you can always fix it later." But there's a lot of other situations. Woman thinks she's in a stable relationship with a guy; he takes off with another woman when she's 20 weeks pregnant. Woman finds out her baby has a severe birth defect. Woman herself discovers that pregnancy is causing her serious health effects, vomiting multiple times a day, unable to eat, possibly will need to be hospitalized unless the pregnancy is terminated. Woman loses job (maybe because employer deduces she's pregnant) and has no way to support a new baby. Uber-controlling man forces himself on woman, she gets pregnant, is scared to leave relationship until she gets help when 20 weeks pregnant. Woman discovers that she was born in the wrong body, identifies as a man, is uncomfortable with the notion of being a "pregnant man" (haha, that one's just to get the trolls agitated) Many reasons. More than I could think of here, but all "valid" in some respect beyond "I changed my mind and adopted a shelter cat instead" In my examples, exactly which ones qualify as "losers?"

What? Stupid comment. It's a weapon. Period. And this: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/politifact/2022/06/15/fact-check-were-firearms-other-weapons-capitol-jan-6/7621149001/

Mildly amusing ...

Not to bring the discourse down a level or three, but ... ... forcing men to look at those pics before having sex strikes me as a very effective means of birth control.

I think we need more information on this. We're stuck in the old 1970s Roe-era debate. The idea is that these are truly unintended pregnancies. No birth control; birth control failed; coerced sex/rape; etc. Yes, these things still happen, and too often. But we are also in an era with Plan B ("morning after pill") readily available. So why does a woman who has unprotected sex (assuming no unknown birth control failure) still seek an abortion at some much later time? I don't know the answer. The answer seems important to me. A lot of people including the Catholic Church think Plan B is still abortion; they also think an IUD is akin to abortion. So most people don't agree with that, and have no strenuous objection to ending the chance of a pregnancy even after "conception" may have occurred. But we're in a political environment where asking those questions isn't really allowed. It's almost as if both sides don't want to know the answer.

Sometimes politics is simple. Walz ran for Congress in a standard Republican (becoming purplish) semi-rural district. His campaign and voting record reflected those of the median voter in his district. He was their representative. He represented them in Congress. He then ran for Governor in a very blue (overall) state. He represented the views of the median Minnesota voter, a state with a significant rural/farm/small town population, but one that is dominated by the Twin Cities. He governed accordingly. See Harris, Kamala.

And again: Trump is a Florida resident and Florida voter. Why can't he answer whether he's voting for or against Amendment 4? Does he really need more information? He's been running as the guy that will return abortion to the states. Now it's before his own state. So ... whaddya want, Donny?

Which is why a wise Supreme Court would have stuck to the issue before it in Dobbs: the 15 week abortion ban. As the age of fetal viability shifts earlier through technology, it was prudent to examine Roe's strict trimester approach. The Supreme Court took that approach off the table and we're left with extreme positions. Such is pure democracy. The type the founders kind of warned against ...

Have you actually looked at the stats on homeownership rates? 4th quarter 2023: 65.7 percent. Historical average, 1965 - end 2023: 65.7 percent. We are talking about small changes. Explanation for a slight down tick: Could it be that maybe large corporations are buying up significant amounts of our existing housing stock and then renting them out? Capitalism at work. What communist solution do you suggest?

So you tell me: if I stab someone with the sharpened point of a flagpole, have I assaulted him with a deadly weapon?

Someday these homeowners, they're gonna cash in. And yes, even after inflation they'll be in a much better position. And then the next generation will be just fine. Some will even inherit their parents' homes! Imagine that.

And we don't have really good data on the accuracy of polling on these ballot propositions as opposed to elected offices.

I agree with this part.

They were being searched at the site of the Trump speech. Trump is actually quoted as saying "why are they being searched, these are my people" since he knew any threat they posed was to Congress, not him. One might well ask why many were outfitted in tactical gear just to attend a speech. Do you typically do that?

Yet somehow I'm pretty certain about what Kamala's policy positions are. At least as certain about what Trump's policies are. Weird how that works. One blathers on about Hannibal Lecter and sharks, yet somehow can't tell us how he will vote on Florida's Amendment 4 (abortion access). The other isn't giving interviews and isn't a Florida resident, but I'm certain that she is in favor of Amendment 4. Just ask me about any issue. I'm pretty damn sure of where Kamala stands. It's not like she hasn't been in elected office for two decades.

And since when does "weapon" mean "firearm?" I saw armed insurgents, armed with all types of non-firearms that were used as weapons.

Correct. I'm guessing it passes, just as every other pro-choice ballot measure has passed since Dobbs. So "leave it up to the people of the states" isn't good enough anymore?

You mean like how Donald Trump took on Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley and others in all those Republican debates?

The median American homeowner is $120,000 wealthier!

He looks like a homeless man appearing in court in his newly obtained Goodwill 3-piece suit. I told you I saw him on a steamy summer day at Walt Disney World wandering around outside in that same suit. That's some commitment to image! Here's some entertainment for the New Fans of Cornel:

So I presume you're not voting for her. Democracy in action!