Joined: 26 Apr 2004 Posts: 17251 Location: In a no-ship
Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2024 2:48 pm Post subject:
Quote:
Arizona Supreme Court upholds 1864 law banning nearly all abortions
Abortion will be almost entirely illegal in Arizona after the state Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld an 1864 law that made performing abortion a felony.
The ruling adds Arizona to the list of 16 other states where abortion is effectively banned.
In a 4-2 decision, the court rejected arguments that it should uphold the current 15-week abortion ban signed in 2022 by then-Gov. Doug Ducey (R) and enforced after the end of Roe v. Wade.
Instead, the court ruled that the Civil War-era law passed before Arizona was even a state should be enforced. The court ruled to lift a stay on the law, meaning it goes into effect in 14 days.
The Arizona Supreme Court’s ruling doused gasoline on the already-flickering fire of abortion politics Tuesday and threatened to upend the 2024 contests in the state by upholding a Civil War-era law that made performing an abortion a felony, putting Republicans on the back foot in the process.
The ruling, which makes abortion punishable by two to five years in prison for anyone who performs or helps someone obtain one, was the latest bombshell that will supercharge the fight over abortion rights, this time in a major presidential battleground state with a Senate race also on the ballot in November.
The news sent shock waves throughout Washington, with Democrats of all stripes wasting no time reacting. President Biden laid into the ruling, saying it was “a result of the extreme agenda of Republican elected officials who are committed to ripping away women’s freedom.”
“Millions of Arizonans will soon live under an even more extreme and dangerous abortion ban, which fails to protect women even when their health is at risk or in tragic cases of rape or incest,” Biden said, calling it a “cruel ban.”
The White House also quickly announced Vice President Harris would head to the Grand Canyon State at the end of the week in response to the court ruling, which overturned the 15-week ban the state enacted in 2022 in response to the Dobbs ruling.
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) briefed Senate Democrats during their weekly luncheon moments after the ruling was handed down, and he appeared alongside Democratic leaders at their press conference to decry the decision, noting that the 1864 law came into existence 48 years before Arizona became a state.
“This law may have been written 160 years ago, but it’s only being reinstated now because of politicians who worked to overturn Roe v. Wade,” Kelly said, adding that the court’s decision on Tuesday referenced the Dobbs decision 22 times. “This is devastating for women in Arizona.”
The arcane law, which also includes an extremely narrow exception for “when it is necessary” to save a pregnant person’s life, will go into effect in 14 days unless the Legislature moves to repeal it. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) called for the 1864 ban to be repealed.
Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Posts: 29390 Location: La La Land
Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2024 2:50 pm Post subject:
ChefLinda wrote:
Republicans won't stop until women have NO rights. And when Republicans like Trump say "leave it to the states" trying to sound "moderate," the reality is anything but. Next up IVF, birth control, gay marriage and voting rights of any group that they don't deem worthy.
Quote:
Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1
Breaking: The Arizona Supreme Court just upheld a 160-year-old abortion ban — making abortion illegal in nearly all circumstances — that will likely shutter clinics in the state.
The 1864 ban predates Arizona's statehood.
Truly disgusting behavior. Rape, incest, ectopic pregnancies. All will have to be carried to term (if you aren't wealthy enough to have an abortion done outside of the state).
Of course this increases Biden's likelihood of being re-elected, and that's a silver lining.
But damn. The cost. It's upsetting to say the least. _________________ "Every hurt is a lesson, and every lesson makes you better”
Joined: 26 Apr 2004 Posts: 17251 Location: In a no-ship
Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2024 2:55 pm Post subject:
Some more choice quotes from the story:
Quote:
The GOP also seemed to realize the ruling could be a problem. Republican Kari Lake, who is running against Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) to replace Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) in the upper chamber, said she opposes the court’s decision and called on Hobbs and the GOP-held Legislature “to come up with an immediate common sense solution that Arizonans can support.”
“Ultimately, Arizona voters will make the decision on the ballot come November,” Lake added in a statement.
The news also seemed to catch Republicans in Washington flat-footed. Senate GOP members largely declined to comment on the ruling, saying they hadn’t heard or read enough about it or that it is a state issue. The National Republican Senatorial Committee referred The Hill to Lake’s statement.
It also came a day after former President Trump declined to take a stance on a federal abortion ban and argued that the matter should be left to the states. He added he is proud to have ended Roe via the appointment of three conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices.
Nevertheless, party operatives in the state are worried the decision and the expected ballot measure will lead to a landslide that could not only hurt Trump and Lake, but also throw both chambers of the state Legislature up for grabs.
[...]
The seven members of the Arizona high court were all appointed by Republicans, including five by former Gov. Doug Ducey (R-Ariz.), who signed the 15-week ban into law two years ago.
The court’s decision put into place an 1864 law barring abortion access in all cases except to save the life of the mother. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and GOP candidate Kari Lake each said the ruling should be overturned.
Lake, who has in the past called the 1864 law “great” and showed support for strict abortion bans, said the state’s Legislature should instead decide on abortion rights legislation. The court decision and subsequent reactions landed just a day after former President Trump said the issue of abortion should be left to states.
“I understand the fear and anxiety of pregnancy, and the joy of motherhood. I wholeheartedly agree with President Trump — this is a very personal issue that should be determined by each individual state and her people,” she said in a statement. “I oppose today’s ruling, and I am calling on [Democratic Gov.] Katie Hobbs and the State Legislature to come up with an immediate common sense solution that Arizonans can support.”
Gallego, meanwhile, doubled down on his stance in favor of abortion rights.
“Today’s ruling is devastating for Arizona women and their families,” he said. “This is not what Arizonans want.”
“This decision rips away the right for women to make their own healthcare decisions with their doctors,” he continued. “I promise you that we will fight this together. And with your help, we will win.”
Gallego also shared Lake’s previous comments on the 1864 bill hours after the ruling, using them as an attack on her record.
“I won’t let Kari Lake distort the record,” he wrote on the social platform X. “She called this law a ‘great law’ — even though it will ban nearly all abortions, including in cases of rape or incest.”
When an extreme radical like Lake is backtracking, saying the ruling is bad, you know the GOP is scared (bleep) of what this is going to do to them in November. They're going to get destroyed, and the worst part is it's the poorest folks who are going to suffer the most: the well-off Arizonans (Republicans included, because they're hypocrites) are just going to go to California and Colorado to get abortions.
Joined: 26 Apr 2004 Posts: 17251 Location: In a no-ship
Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2024 3:09 pm Post subject:
Something else about the 4-2 decision: in 2016, the previous AZ governor packed the court and added two justices.
Quote:
PHOENIX (AP) — Two new Arizona Supreme Court justices were sworn in Monday for high court posts that became available after Gov. Doug Ducey expanded the court from five justices to seven, with the governor hailing them as uniquely qualified for the posts.
The governor appointed fellow Republicans Andrew Gould and John Lopez IV last month to the new seats after signing the law in May that added the posts.
Gould and Lopez were sworn in at a ceremony at the Capitol’s old Senate chambers, with Ducey saying they “are exactly the kinds of justices I want to see on our state’s highest court.”
“With your respect for the rule of law, your integrity, your understanding of the court’s role in the separation of powers, both Andrew and John are uniquely qualified to serve on the Arizona Supreme Court,” Ducey said.
The law was pushed through the Republican-controlled Legislature with no Democratic support and over the opposition of Chief Justice Scott Bales, who said there was no need for extra justices and that the $1 million in costs for them could have been used for more pressing court funding needs.
The Arizona Supreme Court ruled the 1864 territorial ban on abortions can be enforced, with four justices voting in favor of the ban, two voting against and one not voting.
How did the justices vote?
Justices John R. Lopez IV, Clint Bolick, James P. Beene and Kathryn H. King voted to enforce the 1864 ban. Lopez wrote the majority opinion.
Joined: 26 Apr 2004 Posts: 17251 Location: In a no-ship
Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2024 4:31 pm Post subject:
Quote:
Trump Media’s Accounting Firm Has Audit Deficiency History
Donald Trump’s social-media company just became the most valuable publicly traded client of an accounting firm that has more experience auditing companies traded over-the-counter and has had a string of regulatory issues, including a 100% deficiency rate on audits reviewed by a US watchdog.
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. said in recent regulatory filings that it will keep BF Borgers, a Lakewood, Colorado-based accounting firm, as its auditor after starting to trade publicly late last month. A Canadian regulator said last year that BF Borgers violated its rules for auditors, while the US’s Public Company Accounting Oversight Board found multiple deficiencies in every audit it reviewed from the firm over the past two annual checks.
The PCAOB said that BF Borgers more than doubled its clients between 2019 and 2021. But the company didn’t add more staff to handle the additional workload, the PCAOB said in an expanded inspection report, noting that just one person was responsible for 147 audits.
Look this place up on Google maps street view if you want a real laugh. It's some small-time office in the middle of a residential area. They basically rubber stamp audits for anyone, and even they are saying DJT has cash flow problems.
Trump Media’s Accounting Firm Has Audit Deficiency History
Donald Trump’s social-media company just became the most valuable publicly traded client of an accounting firm that has more experience auditing companies traded over-the-counter and has had a string of regulatory issues, including a 100% deficiency rate on audits reviewed by a US watchdog.
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. said in recent regulatory filings that it will keep BF Borgers, a Lakewood, Colorado-based accounting firm, as its auditor after starting to trade publicly late last month. A Canadian regulator said last year that BF Borgers violated its rules for auditors, while the US’s Public Company Accounting Oversight Board found multiple deficiencies in every audit it reviewed from the firm over the past two annual checks.
The PCAOB said that BF Borgers more than doubled its clients between 2019 and 2021. But the company didn’t add more staff to handle the additional workload, the PCAOB said in an expanded inspection report, noting that just one person was responsible for 147 audits.
Look this place up on Google maps street view if you want a real laugh. It's some small-time office in the middle of a residential area. They basically rubber stamp audits for anyone, and even they are saying DJT has cash flow problems.
As much as I hate endorsing the hegemony of the Big 4 accounting firms, it is a red flag whenever a publicly listed company doesn't use them to sign off on an audit. Usually, the CPA firm lacks the expertise for a proper audit, and the company being audited knows that the relatively small CPA firm has a high degree of reliance on keeping them as a client. The latter means the CPA firm likely lacks the requisite independence to render an opinion that is adverse to management. Independence is absolutely essential for a CPA firm in order to render an objective opinion.
Two other examples are The Donald using Mazars USA for The Trump Organization. That should have raised eyebrows among the lenders, which along with The Donald's sterling track record is the reason why many banks wouldn't lend him lunch money. A second example is the fly-by-night CPA firm that audited Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities. Obviously they lacked the expertise to conduct the audit, and probably didn't care as long as they received the relatively lucrative fees, given that they too were probably operating out of someone's home office.
Here's my 2 cents: Don't give the auditor credit for qualifying his opinion: "operating losses raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern." A first semester Intermediate Accounting student would know that with a cursory look at the financial statements. That's a "water is wet" opinion.
For what it's worth, auditing DJT would be a walk in the park. The revenues produced by Truth Social are minuscule, requiring only the review of a handful of contracts and bank statements. The liabilities are obvious, though you'd have to make sure you capture them all (review past payments and see if a potential creditor is missing). Expenses though large are probably concentrated (high salaries, probably outsourced IT development and services).
Joined: 26 Apr 2004 Posts: 17251 Location: In a no-ship
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2024 9:57 am Post subject:
angrypuppy wrote:
DuncanIdaho wrote:
Quote:
Trump Media’s Accounting Firm Has Audit Deficiency History
Donald Trump’s social-media company just became the most valuable publicly traded client of an accounting firm that has more experience auditing companies traded over-the-counter and has had a string of regulatory issues, including a 100% deficiency rate on audits reviewed by a US watchdog.
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. said in recent regulatory filings that it will keep BF Borgers, a Lakewood, Colorado-based accounting firm, as its auditor after starting to trade publicly late last month. A Canadian regulator said last year that BF Borgers violated its rules for auditors, while the US’s Public Company Accounting Oversight Board found multiple deficiencies in every audit it reviewed from the firm over the past two annual checks.
The PCAOB said that BF Borgers more than doubled its clients between 2019 and 2021. But the company didn’t add more staff to handle the additional workload, the PCAOB said in an expanded inspection report, noting that just one person was responsible for 147 audits.
Look this place up on Google maps street view if you want a real laugh. It's some small-time office in the middle of a residential area. They basically rubber stamp audits for anyone, and even they are saying DJT has cash flow problems.
As much as I hate endorsing the hegemony of the Big 4 accounting firms, it is a red flag whenever a publicly listed company doesn't use them to sign off on an audit. Usually, the CPA firm lacks the expertise for a proper audit, and the company being audited knows that the relatively small CPA firm has a high degree of reliance on keeping them as a client. The latter means the CPA firm likely lacks the requisite independence to render an opinion that is adverse to management. Independence is absolutely essential for a CPA firm in order to render an objective opinion.
Two other examples are The Donald using Mazars USA for The Trump Organization. That should have raised eyebrows among the lenders, which along with The Donald's sterling track record is the reason why many banks wouldn't lend him lunch money. A second example is the fly-by-night CPA firm that audited Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities. Obviously they lacked the expertise to conduct the audit, and probably didn't care as long as they received the relatively lucrative fees, given that they too were probably operating out of someone's home office.
Here's my 2 cents: Don't give the auditor credit for qualifying his opinion: "operating losses raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern." A first semester Intermediate Accounting student would know that with a cursory look at the financial statements. That's a "water is wet" opinion.
For what it's worth, auditing DJT would be a walk in the park. The revenues produced by Truth Social are minuscule, requiring only the review of a handful of contracts and bank statements. The liabilities are obvious, though you'd have to make sure you capture them all (review past payments and see if a potential creditor is missing). Expenses though large are probably concentrated (high salaries, probably outsourced IT development and services).
This is great info - thanks for sharing! It's amazing how obvious of a scam $DJT is, yet it hasn't cratered to 0 yet.
Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 67778 Location: In a world where admitting to not knowing something is considered a great way to learn.
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2024 10:02 am Post subject:
IMO the uncommitted are clandestinely committed. I think a message is being sent to President Biden. Israel is the president's Achilles Heel. I believe he hears the message and is going to do something to remedy the dilemma. In my best Madea voice LawdT, I sho hope so. _________________ Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
More background info on Arizona abortion ban. This is who the Republicans still are -- cruel, depraved, misogynistic hypocrites.
Quote:
Dave Ryder 🌊💙🌎❄🏳️🌈 @daveryder
Here's William Jones who authored the 1864 Arizona abortion bill.
Some fun facts:
He abandoned his first wife and their children in Missouri.
His second wife was a 12 year old Mexican girl. He abducted her and after a complaint submitted his resignation to President Buchanan before he was fired.
In 1864 (age 49) he married his 3rd wife, a 15 year old girl he abandoned in 1865 when he moved to Hawaii.
This is the guy who wrote the law that millions of Arizona women will be forced to obey.
His life is a series of grifts, and he was known for being a "pursuer of nubile females".
More background info on Arizona abortion ban. This is who the Republicans still are -- cruel, depraved, misogynistic hypocrites.
Quote:
Dave Ryder 🌊💙🌎❄🏳️🌈 @daveryder
Here's William Jones who authored the 1864 Arizona abortion bill.
Some fun facts:
He abandoned his first wife and their children in Missouri.
His second wife was a 12 year old Mexican girl. He abducted her and after a complaint submitted his resignation to President Buchanan before he was fired.
In 1864 (age 49) he married his 3rd wife, a 15 year old girl he abandoned in 1865 when he moved to Hawaii.
This is the guy who wrote the law that millions of Arizona women will be forced to obey.
His life is a series of grifts, and he was known for being a "pursuer of nubile females".
Good Lord. _________________ On Lakersground, a concern troll is someone who is a fan of another team, but pretends to be a Lakers fan with "concerns".
Here's another one. They are coming after birth control from the same misogynistic desire to control women. This is happening every day in red state controlled legislatures:
Quote:
The Intellectualist @highbrow_nobrow
Wisconsin State Rep. Chuck Wichgers (R-Muskego), speaking against access to contraception, says it leads to infidelity, men devaluing women, women thinking they're better than nature and the "proliferation of STDs." @HeartlandSignal (2023)
More background info on Arizona abortion ban. This is who the Republicans still are -- cruel, depraved, misogynistic hypocrites.
Quote:
Dave Ryder 🌊💙🌎❄🏳️🌈 @daveryder
Here's William Jones who authored the 1864 Arizona abortion bill.
Some fun facts:
He abandoned his first wife and their children in Missouri.
His second wife was a 12 year old Mexican girl. He abducted her and after a complaint submitted his resignation to President Buchanan before he was fired.
In 1864 (age 49) he married his 3rd wife, a 15 year old girl he abandoned in 1865 when he moved to Hawaii.
This is the guy who wrote the law that millions of Arizona women will be forced to obey.
His life is a series of grifts, and he was known for being a "pursuer of nubile females".
Joined: 26 Apr 2004 Posts: 17251 Location: In a no-ship
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2024 12:01 pm Post subject:
MAGA republicans tanked the FISA vote today after Trump directed them to. Wonder why?
Quote:
Section 702 allows the government to spy on foreigners located abroad, but that surveillance also sweeps in their communications with any Americans with whom they are in contact.
"Two Imperfect Messengers Take on Abortion: Neither Side of the Abortion Divide Would Probably Design the Candidate They Have in 2024"
Bothsiding us to destruction. F*ck them. Whoever considers themselves a liberal or progressive and continues to pay for the NYT, it's time to unsubscribe. _________________ ¡Hala Madrid!
Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Posts: 29390 Location: La La Land
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2024 8:22 pm Post subject:
Trump is fumbling and bumbling when talking about women's reproductive rights and Gaza.
On both issues he knows he has unpopular positions.
His strength was always "messaging".
But his age and ignorance is showing more than ever.
All this talk about Biden being old. But Trump is a weaker candidate that he was 4 years ago.
I'm sure some of it has to do with his legal troubles. It is wearing him down mentally. _________________ "Every hurt is a lesson, and every lesson makes you better”
Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Posts: 29390 Location: La La Land
Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2024 9:52 am Post subject:
ribeye wrote:
Halflife wrote:
kikanga wrote:
Trump is fumbling and bumbling when talking about women's reproductive rights and Gaza.
On both issues he knows he has unpopular positions.
His strength was always "messaging".
But his age and ignorance is showing more than ever.
All this talk about Biden being old. But Trump is a weaker candidate that he was 4 years ago.
I'm sure some of it has to do with his legal troubles. It is wearing him down mentally.
Unfortunately there isn’t one person voting for him that cares.
Truer words have not been spoken about MAGA.
This election will be determined on the margins though. With the electoral college the way it is. We're looking at 10s of thousands of votes across 4-5 swing states.
I do think it matters. _________________ "Every hurt is a lesson, and every lesson makes you better”
Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 67778 Location: In a world where admitting to not knowing something is considered a great way to learn.
Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2024 12:17 pm Post subject:
kikanga wrote:
ribeye wrote:
Halflife wrote:
kikanga wrote:
Trump is fumbling and bumbling when talking about women's reproductive rights and Gaza.
On both issues he knows he has unpopular positions.
His strength was always "messaging".
But his age and ignorance is showing more than ever.
All this talk about Biden being old. But Trump is a weaker candidate that he was 4 years ago.
I'm sure some of it has to do with his legal troubles. It is wearing him down mentally.
Unfortunately there isn’t one person voting for him that cares.
Truer words have not been spoken about MAGA.
This election will be determined on the margins though. With the electoral college the way it is. We're looking at 10s of thousands of votes across 4-5 swing states.
I do think it matters.
That worries me. The electoral college has to be restructured or eliminated. _________________ Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
Trump is fumbling and bumbling when talking about women's reproductive rights and Gaza.
On both issues he knows he has unpopular positions.
His strength was always "messaging".
But his age and ignorance is showing more than ever.
All this talk about Biden being old. But Trump is a weaker candidate that he was 4 years ago.
I'm sure some of it has to do with his legal troubles. It is wearing him down mentally.
Unfortunately there isn’t one person voting for him that cares.
Truer words have not been spoken about MAGA.
This election will be determined on the margins though. With the electoral college the way it is. We're looking at 10s of thousands of votes across 4-5 swing states.
I do think it matters.
Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Posts: 29390 Location: La La Land
Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2024 3:43 pm Post subject:
Wilt wrote:
Every ad should end with "Trump Did This."
Not just on abortion, but COVID and Jan 6.
I think the key is have Biden in the ads. Even if its some pre-canned lines at the end.
He played 2020 low key. Wisely. We were living though a once in a century pandemic.
But his re-election campaign should actually have him in the ad as much as possible.
It addresses the "competency" argument Republicans are pushing. Without directly addressing it.
He's not some senile old man. Show it the people as much as possible. Especially in a controlled media (like advertisements). _________________ "Every hurt is a lesson, and every lesson makes you better”
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