WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2026
Supreme Court wrestles with race: We're so old that we can remember last weekend, when people were upset about the attempt to create a mass shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
That seems to have been then, and this seems to have turned into now. This morning, the sitting president posted his latest extremely strange Truth Social post. Headline included, here's the start of Mediaite's report:
Trump Vows ‘No More Mr. Nice Guy’ in 4 AM Iran Threat Featuring Image of Himself With Gun
President Donald Trump issued a new threat to Iran early Wednesday, posting an AI-generated image of himself holding an assault rifle alongside the blunt message: “No more Mr. Nice Guy!”
The image, shared on Truth Social just after 4 a.m. ET, showed the gun-wielding president in a dark suit and sunglasses, standing before a backdrop of explosions tearing through a hillside.
“Iran can’t get their act together,” Trump wrote. “They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!”
The report continues from there. For the record, he's posing with a very big gun, as you can see if you click to the Mediaite report.
In our view, it seems that something may be wrong with the sitting president. The sitting Blue American press corps refuses to discuss it.
He posted the image at 4 a.m. The image shows him posing with a very large gun.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is once again trying, for the ten millionth time, to find a way to explain the permissible role of race in the creation of congressional districts.
As usual, today's ruling involves the state of Louisiana's six congressional districts—two of which would be "majority-minority" in the proposed map under review.
In a 6-3 vote, that proposed map has now been struck down. Headline included, here's the way the AP report begins:
Supreme Court weakens a landmark Civil Rights-era law and aids GOP efforts to control the House
The Supreme Court on Wednesday weakened a landmark Civil Rights-era law that has increased minority representation in Congress and elsewhere, striking down a majority Black congressional district in Louisiana and opening the door for more redistricting across the country that could aid Republican efforts to control the House.
In a 6-3 ruling, the court’s conservative majority found that Louisiana district represented by Democrat Cleo Fields relied too heavily on race. Chief Justice John Roberts had described the 6th Congressional District as a “snake” that stretches more than 200 miles to link parts of Shreveport, Alexandria, Lafayette and Baton Rouge.
“That map is an unconstitutional gerrymander,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote for the six conservatives.
The effect of the ruling may be felt more strongly in 2028 because most filing deadlines for this year’s congressional races have passed. Louisiana, though, may have to change its redistricting plan to comply with the decision.
The report continues from there, with comments, pro and con, about the 6-3 ruling. As a first stab at a summary, the AP report seems to be saying something like this:
Louisiana created an oddly configured district to make it more likely that a black candidate would win a seat in the House. According to the Court's majority ruling, the proposed district results from a type of gerrymander which is banned by the Constitution.
We expect to return to this topic when full reports have been filed by the nation's major newspapers. Here's why:
We've never seen a major policy topic where so much impenetrably fuzzy language is employed by partisans on all sides. (In this case, it sounds like the Alito opinion may be fairly straightforward, though that could turn out to be a mirage.)
At this difficult, dangerous time, we Americans are finding it increasingly hard to function as "a people." Who will speak clearly on this matter? Will anyone in these impoverished times show up with that type of skill?
The sitting president has now chosen to pose with a great big giant gun. Who among us—what new birth of Abraham Lincoln—will present, at this difficult time, with the gift of clear, comprehensible speech?
("Back out of all this now too much for us?" We believe that Robert Frost sought a way back out of all that!)
"We're so old that we can remember last weekend, when people were upset about the attempt to create a mass shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner."
ReplyDeleteThis is a snotty remark that minimizes genuine concerns that people might hold about both events. It is possible for people to be upset about more than one thing at a timel. If Somerby wants to say that concerns are overblown, fine, but this snark is unwarranted.
"The sitting Blue American press corps refuses to discuss it."
ReplyDeleteThis is a complete and total lie by Somerby.
Somerby does little else these days than push misinformation.
DeleteThis is a complete and total lie by Somerby. Evidence, please.
DeleteHm.
DeleteThese are dangerous times. The Democrat party is terroristic and unable to make sense of reality. They believe the Trump shooting and shooting over the weekend were staged. They overwhelmingly believe violent attacks against elected officials and their children are legitimate and just elected an AG in Virginia who called for the slaughter of his opponents young children, 8 and 11.
ReplyDeleteDecent people can no longer share a country with these malignant criminals.
Here is another strawman from Somerby:
ReplyDelete"At this difficult, dangerous time, we Americans are finding it increasingly hard to function as "a people." Who will speak clearly on this matter? Will anyone in these impoverished times show up with that type of skill?"
1. This is not a difficult dangerous time.
2. This has nothing to do with functioning as "a people."
3. Both sides are expressing their opinions clearly but they do not agree.
4. The right and the left are trying to accomplish different, competing goals.
5. This has nothing to do with communication skill because there are apparently irreconcilable differences.
It may be that AI can use instructions given to software to produce maps according to a set of mutually agreed upon criteria for redistricting. If those criteria were race blind and forbade gerrymandering to give either party a political advantage and had other restrictions about the number of people per district, the distance any person should have to travel to reach a polling place, and other considerations of a practical but not political nature, it might be possible for a disinterested machine to produce fair outcomes that would undercut the political wrangling over this.
Trump and the Republicans have been blatantly using their political advantage to determine districts. That is unacceptable regardless of racial considerations. We used to value restitution of decades of discrimination by making sure minorities had representation, but this Supreme Court and President have changed those priorities. I find that despicable but the court has the right to decide as it do absent civil rights legislation. Democrats will be back in control and can remedy that later.
The Republicans on the Supreme Court, Republicans in general, and Somerby are all racists. Same as it ever was.
Delete
ReplyDeleteAlways ask the question, "Compared toi what?" What should the President of the US do about Iranian nukes?
1. Allow Iran to get nuclear weapons
2. Threat extreme actions
3. Actually take extreme actions
Trump's choice of #2 doesn't look so crazy compared to the alternatives.
Why is it the job of the president to troll Iran?
DeleteFor the billionth time, Iran had already agreed to never develop nuclear weapons, then Trump tore up that agreement.
DeleteWhat fucking nukes, you fucking fascist imbecile? The ones in your imagination? 2 months away? What size? Fission or fusion? Heavy water? Tell us all.
Delete3:41: DiC is clearly referring to the nukes that were obliterated in last year’s attack.
DeleteDiC should be banned from commenting here, he pulls the same shit over and over again. Just don't bother him with the facts.
DeleteDiC is a foreign troll, everything he says is inaccurate and/or misinformation.
DeleteBest to ignore him.
4. Negotiate.
Delete@3:41 - are you aware that the Irans told our representatives that they have enough highly enriched uranium to quickly build a number oa atomic bombs. Around 10 IIRC.
Delete@8:22 - the Iranians flatly said the issue of building A bombs was non-negotiable.
8:50,
DeleteAre you aware the worst country in the Western Hemisphere doesn't threaten to wipe out entire civilizations of nations which have nukes?
our representatives
DeleteYou mean Jared?
Dickhead, are you aware that you are a fucking imbecile?
Calling this the fuzziest issue he's ever read makes Somerby sound like a moron.
ReplyDeleteAgree.
Delete"Who among us—what new birth of Abraham Lincoln—will present, at this difficult time, with the gift of clear, comprehensible speech? "
ReplyDeleteWell, obviously not Trump, given that he cannot speak at all any more.
Nothing happening today is about clear speech. The people doing the gerrymandering understand what they are doing and why. Note that all four of the black Republican representatives have now resigned from Congress. Do the Republicans think it is right to have no black people involved in their party? Obviously it is A-OK with conservatives to void the plan that would allow black people in Louisiana to have a chance to participate in govt.
That Robert Frost poem makes no sense in the context of this discussion.
ReplyDeleteRobert Frost was a conservative. Is this perhaps how Somerby signals to his "people" that he is still a right winger?
Yes.
Delete"The sitting president has now chosen to pose with a great big giant gun."
ReplyDeleteIt is so obvious why Trump did this. He feels diminished as a man by the fear he felt when someone attempted to shoot at him (without getting near him). He fell down in front of others and then had to clamber up and pretend he meant to do it, which no one believes. Then it turns out there wasn't even much of a threat to him. On top of that, Melania didn't even care whether he was almost shot and most people in the press considered the over-reaction by security to be clownish -- one video shows their activity set to a Benny Hill speeded up Keystone cops routine. So Trump has a mighty urge to save face and portray him as a he-man, even though he is 80 years old (older than Biden was in office).
How do right wing men restore their self-esteem? They pose with big guns and try to look mean. If Trump had the slightest clue how ridiculous he makes himself look, he would have to go out and find a bigger gun.
And this is the danger. When these deficient men need to restore their manhood, bad things can happen. Ivana laughed at Trump's scalp implants so he had to toss her around and rape her. This is the equivalent reaction. Trump is an inadequate man so Iran must be bullied, because what are they going to do about it?
Will no one use Article 25 and remove this menace? Why do the Democrats have to do all the dirtywork for a cowardly Republican party?
Well said.
DeleteIt has been suggested that Trump is pushing his ballroom project so hard because he really really needs a win. His embarrassment at the WHCD was a total loss. Nothing has been going Trump's way lately.
ReplyDeleteThe Supreme Court decision could be considered a Republican win, but it isn't anything Trump did and it barely offsets the various gerrymandering losses nationwide. I doubt Trump even understands the decision, if Somerby doesn't. So Trump is looking for something tangible to brag about. How pathetic is that?
He's pushing it hard (even to the extent of the false flagging at the press dinner) to get the taxpayers to foot the bill so he can pocket the private contributions.
Delete"The president said he knew nothing about the ruling, saying he’s spent the day busy with the Artemis II astronauts and with “contractors, because we’re trying to get the ballroom built.” The Artemis astronauts were flanking Trump while he spoke.
ReplyDelete“Tell me about what happened?” Trump asked Garrison.
“Well, some think the ruling can create more Republican-held congressional seats in the South,” Garrison told him.
“That’s good!” a giddy Trump replied. “That’s the kind of ruling I like.” [Mediaite]
I'm glad the president is doing the nation's business -- interacting with contractors to build an eyesore of a ballroom and worrying about partisan Republican party chances in elections. Neither of those things is part of the president's job description.
Elsewhere, reports have desciribed the kinds of activities Trump's staff use to keep him busy and out of their hair so he won't mess up actual presidential business. These building projects are a distraction so he won't bomb anyone for a while.
It’s simple. White voters in Louisiana felt disenfranchised. Therefore, the Supreme Court ruled in their favor.
ReplyDeleteWhen black voters feel disenfranchised, tough luck.
Signed: Clarence “show me the money” Thomas
DeleteBob needs time to figure out how to slickly, slyly, coyly express joy over the new SC ruling without seeming too overtly racist.
ReplyDeleteBut this is silly, everyone already knows Bob is a racist.
Yes. Everybody knows he’s a racist/sexist Russian asset pretending to be a liberal in order to distract true liberals from agitating for the release of the Epstein files and to seduce them into believing Fox’s talking points.
DeleteHe got to you…
DeleteSince everybody knows it, why do folks keep repeating it?
DeleteHe got to me to....
DeleteSomerby is likely paid to advance right wing talking points. Russia is known to fund influencers that way, through intermediaries, including some comedians. This has been documented here before.
Delete'Likely' does some pretty heavy lifting in your first sentence.
DeleteThis has been “documented” here before.
Deletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Tenet_Media_investigation
DeleteWhether it was staged or not, it appears there was in reality no shooting, other than an agent getting hit by friendly fire.
ReplyDeleteMAGA thinks the Butler event was also staged; that is where a White male Republican gun enthusiast killed a Trump rally attendee, and Trump either was hit by plastic shrapnel or faked a slight ear injury.
The guy at the golf course was also a right winger, as well as the guy who supposedly relieved us of Charlie Kirk.
MAGA thinks Kirk was assassinated by Israel.
Epstein was heavily enmeshed with Israel, particularly during the 15 years that Trump was his best friend and they "partied" with young females, often underage.
stop parroting sociopaths
DeleteWhat?
ReplyDeleteWho?
ReplyDeleteBlue states should form a new country. Leave the creeps behind.
ReplyDelete