Month: May 2022

Considering one or two women I’ve known over the years, I can almost see where they’re coming from. But I think they’re over-generalizing just a bit.

Not enough parasitic worms named after women, say experts
After scouring studies published between 2000 and 2020, a team of scientists studying parasitic organisms found that of the 596 species named after eminent scientists, only 111 were named after women.

Parasitologists have raised a ruckus over the fact that not enough newly discovered species of parasitic worms are being named after women.

Cosplay. You’ve seen it. With my old background in SF/F fandom and SCA, I’ve seen a lot if it. People dressing up at characters that they’d like to be, or think is fun.

SCA: Tenth century Vikings, Celts, knights, Ladies and Maids. Whatever.

At cons, I saw a lot of stormtroopers, wizards, and sword-swinging barbarians. Not to mention anime sailors and unicorns. If you can imagine it, someone does it. I knew one guy who put some serious time, money, and effort into his Klingon costume and makeup, and learned to speak Klingon (get a life!).

So when I see this…

Is it really protest, or cosplay?

I mean… who dresses up as a NAZI to protest NAZIs?

Are they afraid of a dystopian future, or fantasizing about it?

In my recent column about the Ninth Circuit panel ruling on JONES v. BONTA, I addressed the dissent in the case. I have a question about how dissents are usually published in the Ninth. Not being an attorney, much less practicing on the other side on the continent, I’m a little clueless on this.

With SCOTUS decisions, I generally see any dissent written separately, but published with the majority ruling.

But in JONES v. BONTA I noticed that Judge Stein’s dissent was included within the majority decision, not separately.

Is this standard procedure in the Ninth?

If not, I kind of wonder if this is an attempt by the panel majority to force the en banc Court to specifically address the — bizarre, to my way of thinking — dissent, if the Court takes it up on appeal. I confess, I’d like to think that.

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Scrutinizing JONES v. BONTA
The big news in American human/civil rights today is JONES vs. BONTA, overturning the California ban on long guns for 10-20 year-olds.

To hear from a lot of “news” outlets this morning, the Ninth Circuit ruled against the ban. Most headlines read that way, and many even continue that into the reports themselves. A few correctly point out that the ruling came from a three judge panel of the Ninth, rather than the whole circuit. That’s pretty important, for reasons beyond the obvious option for appeal.
[Read more]

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The devil in the appeal is in the details. Specifically, the dissent in the panel’s ruling.

Those protesters at SCOTUS Justice Alito’s home? Not to worry. VA Gov. Youngkin is on the job.

We have been coordinating with @FairfaxCountyPD, @VSPPIO, and federal authorities to ensure that there isn’t violence. Virginia State Police were closely monitoring, fully coordinated with Fairfax County and near the protests.

Since you’re only going to monitor the attempted intimidation of a Supreme Court Justice, something that violates both federal and state law, I was just wondering…

Is there a dollar threshold at below which you’ll merely “monitor” bank robberies?

Asking for a friend.

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CALIFORNIA RED FLAG LAW DOESN’T WORK
You might think that headline is the big news. Not really. We already know red flag laws don’t work.

The news here is that Garen Wintemute, the victim-disarmament advocate who previously couldn’t find data he could not twist, finally hit a brick wall. And worse.
[Read more]

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Yep, looks like the study was manipulated to hide the fact that the red flag law seemed to make things worse. Just like happened in Florida.

…means no one is allowed to choose not to have an abortion.

Pro-Life Group’s Office Firebombed in Madison, Wisconsin
The office of the pro-life PAC Wisconsin Family Action located in Madison was firebombed early Sunday morning. Police report at least one Molotov Cocktail was used. No injuries were reported in the 6 a.m. attack, however there are photos showing fire damage furniture and books inside and outside the office. Graffiti was spray-painted on an exterior wall with the message, “If abortions aren’t safe then you aren’t either,” as well as as well as

But wait, there’s more.

an anarchist “A” symbol

Anarchists demanding laws protecting abortion (and apparently outlawing… birth)?

The morons of “Ruth Sent Us” plan to strike again. Where “strike” means Look at me; I’m an idiot!

Stuff your rosaries and your weaponized prayer.

We will remain outraged after this weekend, so keep praying.

We’ll be burning the Eucharist to show our disgust for the abuse Catholic Churches have condoned for centuries.

If they get their hands on Eucharist, I expect some parishoners will have harsh words for a priest or two.

More likely these dumbasses will run down to a religious supply store and buy a bag of unconsecrated, unleavened wafers. If they want to burn their money, go for it.

But… let’s say have have consecrated Eucharist. And burn ’em.

Maybe they should torch a Koran or two while they’re at it, and see which intolerant religious group goes for their heads first.

18 U.S. Code § 1507 – Picketing or parading
Whoever, with the intent of interfering with, obstructing, or impeding the administration of justice, or with the intent of influencing any judge, juror, witness, or court officer, in the discharge of his duty, pickets or parades in or near a building housing a court of the United States, or in or near a building or residence occupied or used by such judge, juror, witness, or court officer, or with such intent uses any sound-truck or similar device or resorts to any other demonstration in or near any such building or residence, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

Nothing in this section shall interfere with or prevent the exercise by any court of the United States of its power to punish for contempt.

Funny how that doesn’t work.

I’ve set — and then broke — some new traffic records for the blog this weekend.

Welcome, new readers. I encourage to stick around, and not just be one-timers. I’ll try to keep you entertained, informed, and intrigued.