SCOTUS Justice Thomas, a state-run election militia in Florida, guns for children, and the latest on the interesting bits you may have missed. 

Governor Ron “DeFascist” and his Election Integrity Militia

Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, purportedly convinced that the 2020 election was stolen from his BFF Donald Trump, is using his office to promote a truly Republican agenda. He intends to create a special police force to oversee local elections; he calls this outfit his “election integrity unit.” He has plans to give bonuses to police officers who relocate to Florida. The governor wants to create a state “militia” to work with the National Guard to allegedly safeguard state elections. (The Economist, 2/5/22)

Guns-R-Us

The AR-15 rifle is the weapon of choice for mass murderers and others interested in killing the most people in the least amount of time. An Illinois gun manufacturer, by the appropriate name of WE 1 Tactical, has developed a version of this weapon designed specifically for use by children. The youth version of this weapon is 20% smaller, weighs only 2.3 lbs., and uses .22 caliber bullets (as opposed to the more deadly .223 of the adult version). The company boasts the JR-15 “operates just like Mom and Dad’s gun.” (Daily Mail,3/6/22)

Clarence Thomas connection to Trump

In late January of this year the United States Supreme Court voted on Donald Trump’s attempt to withhold White House documents from Congressional committees. Only one justice voted in favor of the former president--Clarence Thomas. Political pundits were quick to make a connection between Thomas’ decision and his wife Ginni’s glaring support of the former president. She has proclaimed that the USA is severely threatened by something called either the “deep state” or the “fascist left.’’ She promoted the January 6 “Stop The Steal” rally, declared that she loves MAGA people, and termed the House January 6 Committee “an unjustified political prosecution.” Her husband has neglected to recuse himself even in cases where groups supported by Ginni have filed “friend of the court” briefs. (The Week, 2/4/22)

STATISTICS 101

Some statistics of interest: One out of every two U.S. representatives who are presently facing ethics investigations have initially refused to cooperate with the authorities. Also, while some 68% of Americans approve of labor unions, the percentage change of union membership has dropped by 4%. (Harper’s Magazine, 4/22/22) AP reports that some 27,000 mail-in ballots were rejected in the March 1st Texas primary election because of new voting regulations. (Time Magazine, 3/24-4/4, 2022)

Republican Party Sides with Russia in the Ukraine’s War

Countless national and world figures have stepped up to rightfully condemn Vladimir Putin for his invasion of the Ukraine. But in America, we have some people who support and praise the Russian dictator for his war crimes. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has termed Putin an “elegantly sophisticated” leader who deserves our “enormous respect.” Tucker Carlson, of Fox News fame, reduced Russia’s wholesale aggression to a “border conflict;” he maintained his audience should view “woke” liberals, not Putin, as their enemies. Donald Trump praised Putin as a “savvy” leader who pulled a “genius” move by invading the Ukraine. Three of Trump’s political disciples- Marjorie Taylor Green, Matt Gaetz, and Tom Massie- three Republican members of the House of Representatives all stood alone in voting against further sanctions on Russia. (The Week, 3/11/22). Despite widespread international efforts to sanction Russia, prominent GOP donor Koch Industries refuses to pull business from Russia. The conduct of these “patriots” may be reminiscent of the America First Nazi apologists of the 1930s.

In a move remarkable for its sheer tit for tat dimensions, the Russian state TV demanded that the United States give back Alaska. The network also imposed its own sanctions on 11 separate Americans from Hunter Biden to Hillary Clinton. Russia later issued sanctions on 398 separate members of Congress, including Congressman Andy Kim. For reasons known only to the Kremlin, Donald Trump was not listed. (The Week, 3/22)