TLHLIM
- Thread starter sturg33
- Start date
sturg33
I
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
I'm not arguing with you. Boelter's leftism is a solid data point backing up your contentions about mental illness and the left. Ditto Paul Pelosi's gay lover. You always can be counted on for data-driven analysis. Gaetz--another drug-addled leftist. Musk--same. I see the pattern.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
We can all have opinions on matters of law but at the end of the day it is the Supreme Court and inferior courts whose opinions matter.
For y'all's edification I call your attention to Cambell vs Clinton, a case arising from Clinton's decision to bomb Serbia.
en.wikipedia.org
These issues have risen from very early in the life of our Republic. Thomas Jefferson sent a fleet of marines to defend U.S. shipping interests against the Pasha of Tripoli's attempts at extortion. He believed he had authority to do this as commander-in-chief. No need for Congressional approval. Subsequently, Congress funded the operation. But Jefferson did not think he needed prior approval.
From Thomas Jefferson to William Jefferson Clinton to Donald Trump Congress has generally deferred on such matters. It has powers over the purse it could use if it wanted to. For example, it chose not to fund the Vietnam War in 1973 (the Case-Church amendment). It could have done something similar in all sorts of other conflicts: the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan. But chose not to. Those were policy and political decisions.
For those who want to impeach Trump now I have questions: should Congress have impeached Thomas Jefferson? And given the long line of precedents going back to Jefferson aren't we being a tad performative in coming out in favor of impeachment in such cases. Let's be real here.
As an aside: this year is the 25th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords. It has been an imperfect peace but it has held. The Dayton Peace Accords were built upon the objective military balance on the ground and in the air. It only became a feasible outcome after the Serbs were effectively defeated. Maybe in 25 years we'll have a different take on our efforts to create conditions for a different kind of situation in Iran.
For y'all's edification I call your attention to Cambell vs Clinton, a case arising from Clinton's decision to bomb Serbia.
Campbell v. Clinton - Wikipedia
These issues have risen from very early in the life of our Republic. Thomas Jefferson sent a fleet of marines to defend U.S. shipping interests against the Pasha of Tripoli's attempts at extortion. He believed he had authority to do this as commander-in-chief. No need for Congressional approval. Subsequently, Congress funded the operation. But Jefferson did not think he needed prior approval.
From Thomas Jefferson to William Jefferson Clinton to Donald Trump Congress has generally deferred on such matters. It has powers over the purse it could use if it wanted to. For example, it chose not to fund the Vietnam War in 1973 (the Case-Church amendment). It could have done something similar in all sorts of other conflicts: the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan. But chose not to. Those were policy and political decisions.
For those who want to impeach Trump now I have questions: should Congress have impeached Thomas Jefferson? And given the long line of precedents going back to Jefferson aren't we being a tad performative in coming out in favor of impeachment in such cases. Let's be real here.
As an aside: this year is the 25th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords. It has been an imperfect peace but it has held. The Dayton Peace Accords were built upon the objective military balance on the ground and in the air. It only became a feasible outcome after the Serbs were effectively defeated. Maybe in 25 years we'll have a different take on our efforts to create conditions for a different kind of situation in Iran.
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People are really, really fucking weird about flags. I’ll never understand the importance of such a useless symbol.
I don’t see any value in symbols generally and don’t care about shared identity or history in the abstract. To me a country or people is only of any value in terms of what it means to those people practically. I know I’m out of the mainstream on this, but I don’t need a piece of fabric to remind me of where I live or why I live there. I have the knowledge of the place and that’s all I need.
sturg33
I
The people carrying them around clearly do and these particular people seem to want to show solidarity with the least progressive, most terror promoting entities on the planet
"Who cares about flags" is a deflection of the bigger issue of "why do so many progressives want to stand in solidarity with these entities"
sturg33
I
That's awesome.
Have you ever flied the American flag? Or would that get your tenure revoked?
sturg33
I
Right.
And good on you Mr academic... let's look at Mexico. At least it's no rando with a confederate flag!
Mexico’s democratic and civil liberties framework is undermined by systemic issues, including violence, corruption, impunity, and institutional erosion. Below are the key shortcomings:
Rule of Law Deficits and Judicial Independence:Mexico suffers from severe rule-of-law deficits, with the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index noting a decline in scores from 2018 to 2023, particularly in corruption, security, and criminal justice.Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) pushed constitutional reforms to replace nearly 7,000 judges with popularly elected ones, undermining judicial independence. These reforms, passed in September 2024, violate international obligations under the American Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which require independent and impartial tribunals. Critics argue this is a move to consolidate executive power, threatening democratic checks and balances.AMLO’s clashes with the Supreme Court, including personal attacks on justices for ruling against his reforms (e.g., National Guard militarization and INE changes), further weaken judicial autonomy. Lower court judges face risks when handling organized crime cases, with some arrested or pressured to align with government interests.Violence and Impunity:Violence by organized criminal groups, often colluding with corrupt officials, severely restricts civil liberties. From 2018 to March 2024, 1,709 attacks, murders, and threats against politicians and government officials were recorded, making Mexico one of the most dangerous places for local politicians.Journalists face extreme risks, with seven killed in 2024 alone, according to UNESCO, particularly those covering corruption, drug trafficking, or organized crime. Impunity is rampant, with 95% of journalist killings unresolved. AMLO’s anti-press rhetoric, including accusing journalists of undermining the government, has exacerbated this environment.Human rights defenders and environmental activists are also targeted, with at least nine defenders killed in 2023. The case of Indigenous defender Kenia Hernández Montalbán, sentenced to 21 years on questionable charges, highlights the criminalization of activism.Enforced Disappearances and Human Rights Abuses:Mexico faces a crisis of enforced disappearances, with 113,188 victims recorded from 1964 to August 2023. The government’s “census” of disappeared persons has been criticized for downplaying the crisis, and relatives searching for the missing, especially women, face serious risks, with at least one killed and another disappeared in 2023.Torture by police and military during arrests and detentions is widespread, with 64% of surveyed prisoners reporting physical violence in 2016. Despite a 2017 law banning torture-based confessions, impunity persists, and military accountability is minimal.Migrants and asylum seekers face extortion, kidnapping, and violence by criminal groups and, in some cases, police and immigration officials. LGBTI migrants are particularly vulnerable, with two-thirds reporting sexual violence in Mexico.Corruption and Lack of Transparency:Official corruption remains a serious problem, fueled by illegal drug money and public-contract fraud. Despite an anticorruption framework, implementation is weak, and impunity is high.AMLO’s 2021 decree shielding infrastructure projects like the Mayan Train from transparency requirements has limited oversight, particularly of military-led projects, raising concerns about institutional politicization.Proposals to dissolve the National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information and Personal Data Protection (INAI) threaten the right to information and democratic accountability.Militarization of Civilian Functions:The military’s expanding role in civilian tasks, including managing the National Guard, customs, and infrastructure projects like the Mayan Train, undermines civilian authority and accountability. A 2022 law transferring the National Guard to military control was challenged for violating the constitution’s civilian oversight mandate.The military’s involvement in public security has led to human rights abuses, including 47 civilian deaths or injuries under AMLO’s presidency, with minimal accountability.Discrimination and Marginalization:Indigenous communities face significant discrimination, with 65% reporting their rights are respected “little or not at all.” Indigenous women are particularly vulnerable to violence and lack access to health care, education, and justice due to language barriers.Transgender women face extreme violence, with 59 femicides reported in 2023, making Mexico the second most dangerous country for transgender individuals after Brazil.Women’s participation in public office, while rising, remains low, with only 18% of Senate seats and 28% of Chamber of Deputies seats held by women.Attacks on Independent Institutions and Civil Society:AMLO’s administration has targeted independent institutions, including the INE and INAI, accusing them of being “neoliberal” or corrupt. His rhetoric against universities, NGOs, and critical media has fostered a polarized environment, limiting deliberative democracy.Funding cuts to civil society organizations and harassment of activists have reduced civic space. The Federal Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists, while active, is underfunded and sluggish.
And good on you Mr academic... let's look at Mexico. At least it's no rando with a confederate flag!
Mexico’s democratic and civil liberties framework is undermined by systemic issues, including violence, corruption, impunity, and institutional erosion. Below are the key shortcomings:
Rule of Law Deficits and Judicial Independence:Mexico suffers from severe rule-of-law deficits, with the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index noting a decline in scores from 2018 to 2023, particularly in corruption, security, and criminal justice.Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) pushed constitutional reforms to replace nearly 7,000 judges with popularly elected ones, undermining judicial independence. These reforms, passed in September 2024, violate international obligations under the American Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which require independent and impartial tribunals. Critics argue this is a move to consolidate executive power, threatening democratic checks and balances.AMLO’s clashes with the Supreme Court, including personal attacks on justices for ruling against his reforms (e.g., National Guard militarization and INE changes), further weaken judicial autonomy. Lower court judges face risks when handling organized crime cases, with some arrested or pressured to align with government interests.Violence and Impunity:Violence by organized criminal groups, often colluding with corrupt officials, severely restricts civil liberties. From 2018 to March 2024, 1,709 attacks, murders, and threats against politicians and government officials were recorded, making Mexico one of the most dangerous places for local politicians.Journalists face extreme risks, with seven killed in 2024 alone, according to UNESCO, particularly those covering corruption, drug trafficking, or organized crime. Impunity is rampant, with 95% of journalist killings unresolved. AMLO’s anti-press rhetoric, including accusing journalists of undermining the government, has exacerbated this environment.Human rights defenders and environmental activists are also targeted, with at least nine defenders killed in 2023. The case of Indigenous defender Kenia Hernández Montalbán, sentenced to 21 years on questionable charges, highlights the criminalization of activism.Enforced Disappearances and Human Rights Abuses:Mexico faces a crisis of enforced disappearances, with 113,188 victims recorded from 1964 to August 2023. The government’s “census” of disappeared persons has been criticized for downplaying the crisis, and relatives searching for the missing, especially women, face serious risks, with at least one killed and another disappeared in 2023.Torture by police and military during arrests and detentions is widespread, with 64% of surveyed prisoners reporting physical violence in 2016. Despite a 2017 law banning torture-based confessions, impunity persists, and military accountability is minimal.Migrants and asylum seekers face extortion, kidnapping, and violence by criminal groups and, in some cases, police and immigration officials. LGBTI migrants are particularly vulnerable, with two-thirds reporting sexual violence in Mexico.Corruption and Lack of Transparency:Official corruption remains a serious problem, fueled by illegal drug money and public-contract fraud. Despite an anticorruption framework, implementation is weak, and impunity is high.AMLO’s 2021 decree shielding infrastructure projects like the Mayan Train from transparency requirements has limited oversight, particularly of military-led projects, raising concerns about institutional politicization.Proposals to dissolve the National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information and Personal Data Protection (INAI) threaten the right to information and democratic accountability.Militarization of Civilian Functions:The military’s expanding role in civilian tasks, including managing the National Guard, customs, and infrastructure projects like the Mayan Train, undermines civilian authority and accountability. A 2022 law transferring the National Guard to military control was challenged for violating the constitution’s civilian oversight mandate.The military’s involvement in public security has led to human rights abuses, including 47 civilian deaths or injuries under AMLO’s presidency, with minimal accountability.Discrimination and Marginalization:Indigenous communities face significant discrimination, with 65% reporting their rights are respected “little or not at all.” Indigenous women are particularly vulnerable to violence and lack access to health care, education, and justice due to language barriers.Transgender women face extreme violence, with 59 femicides reported in 2023, making Mexico the second most dangerous country for transgender individuals after Brazil.Women’s participation in public office, while rising, remains low, with only 18% of Senate seats and 28% of Chamber of Deputies seats held by women.Attacks on Independent Institutions and Civil Society:AMLO’s administration has targeted independent institutions, including the INE and INAI, accusing them of being “neoliberal” or corrupt. His rhetoric against universities, NGOs, and critical media has fostered a polarized environment, limiting deliberative democracy.Funding cuts to civil society organizations and harassment of activists have reduced civic space. The Federal Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists, while active, is underfunded and sluggish.