The Political Thread

[Chris]

Pope approves blessings for same-sex couples that must not resemble marriage

Pope Francis formally approved letting Catholic priests bless same-sex couples, the Vatican announced Monday.

apnews.com

Pope Francis has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, with a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it.

 

[Wolverine]

Pope approves blessings for same-sex couples that must not resemble marriage

Pope Francis formally approved letting Catholic priests bless same-sex couples, the Vatican announced Monday.

apnews.com

Pope Francis has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, with a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it.

Finally, the Pope gets it. Same-sex couples should be blessed just as straight couples. That'll piss off the homophobic bible-thumpers.

 

[Barry Poppins]

The American-Catholic Church is in shambles now.

 

[Samoa Looch]

The American-Catholic Church is in shambles now.

How long until they create their own Pope?

 

[Barry Poppins]

How long until they create their own Pope?

You didn't know that Donald Trump was their pope? /s

 

[Samoa Looch]

You didn't know that Donald Trump was their pope? /s

Well, now I do

 

[Chris]

Abbott Signs Law Allowing Texas to Arrest Migrants, Setting Up Federal Showdown (Published 2023)

The new law, which takes effect in March, could bring in mass arrests and a court fight between Texas and the federal government over immigration powers.

www.nytimes.com

Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday escalated his challenge of President Biden’s border policies by signing a measure that allows Texas law enforcement officials to arrest migrants who enter the state from Mexico without legal authorization, setting the stage for a showdown with the federal government.

 

[Chris]

Iceland volcano: Pollution warning for capital after eruption

The eruption, in south-west Iceland, led to half the sky being "lit up in red", an eyewitness says.

www.bbc.com

About 4,000 people were earlier evacuated from the fishing town of Grindavik and the nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal spa was closed.

The eruption started north of the town at 22:17 local time (22:17 GMT), the Icelandic Met Office says.

The region around the capital Reykjavik has been experiencing an increase in earthquake activity since late October.

 

[Barry Poppins]

Commission to meet Tuesday to finalize new Minnesota state flag

Anita Gual says she thinks there are a dozen or so modified versions of the winning design to consider, and there's symbolism tied to every small edit.

www.cbsnews.com

MINNEAPOLIS — On Tuesday, Minnesota will be one step closer to choosing a new state flag.

Dr. Anita Gaul is the vice chair of the group finalizing the next Minnesota flag.

The Worthington resident was proud when one particular design rose to the top — designed by a young man who is also from her region.

"Wow, what an honor for a young person from Luverne, Minnesota to have submitted the winning design," Gaul said. "I've reached out via email he has responded, he's so honored."

So, where is the commission at in the process?

"We need to come together one more time, in person, in St. Paul, to talk about possible modifications or alterations to that design," Gaul said.

Gaul says she thinks there are a dozen or so modified versions of the winning design to consider, and there's symbolism tied to every small edit.

"There is discussion about how many stripes there should be because there is significance behind the stripes," Gaul said.

She says the original design intended the blue to reflect our waters and skies, the green for our agriculture and forests, and the white for our snow and clouds.

So she expects a thorough discussion though the clock is ticking.

"I have a firm confidence that I do think we'll be able to agree upon the final design tomorrow," Gaul said on Monday. "It's getting crunch time for us on the commission. We have to finalize a flag design, we have to get our final report ready, and that has to be delivered to the legislature on Jan. 1. And with the holiday coming up, we really cannot waste any time."

Tuesday's 9 a.m. design meeting is a hybrid meeting. Click here for more information.

For all intents and purposes, ladies and gents, meet Minnesota's new state flag:

(*Barring any redesign)

 

[Chris]

Poll Finds Wide Disapproval of Biden on Gaza, and Little Room to Shift Gears (Published 2023)

Opinion is split between those wanting the war to end and those pressing for a definitive Israeli victory, and the divide is starkest among older and younger generations.

www.nytimes.com

Voters broadly disapprove of the way President Biden is handling the bloody strife between Israelis and Palestinians, a New York Times/Siena College poll has found, with younger Americans far more critical than older voters of both Israel’s conduct and of the administration’s response to the war in Gaza.

 

[Chris]

Abbott Signs Law Allowing Texas to Arrest Migrants, Setting Up Federal Showdown (Published 2023)

The new law, which takes effect in March, could bring in mass arrests and a court fight between Texas and the federal government over immigration powers.

www.nytimes.com

Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday escalated his challenge of President Biden’s border policies by signing a measure that allows Texas law enforcement officials to arrest migrants who enter the state from Mexico without legal authorization, setting the stage for a showdown with the federal government.

Lawsuits piling up against Texas after Governor Abbott signs new migration law

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas and the Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP) also are also suing over SB4.

kvia.com

El Paso County Commissioners unanimously voted Monday to direct county staff to file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a state border security bill in co-council with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

 

[Chris]

Colorado Supreme Court rules on Trump 14th Amendment case

The Colorado Supreme Court removed former President Donald Trump from the state's 2024 ballot, ruling that he isn't an eligible presidential candidate because of the 14th Amendment's "insurrectionist ban."

www.cnn.com

In a stunning and unprecedented decision, the Colorado Supreme Court removed former President Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 ballot, ruling that he isn’t an eligible presidential candidate because of the 14th Amendment’s “insurrectionist ban.” The ruling was 4-3 and will be placed on hold pending appeal until January 4.

 

[Chris]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/21/prague-shooter-charles-university-mass-shooting/

Czech police and emergency services said a shooter had been “eliminated” after killing 10 people and wounding two dozen more at a university in the capital, Prague.

 

[Chris]

https://www.reuters.com/legal/giuliani-seeks-bankruptcy-after-148-mln-judgment-defamation-case-filing-2023-12-21/

Trump ally Rudy Giuliani filed for bankruptcy on Thursday, days after a jury decided he must pay more than $148 million in damages to two former Georgia election workers he defamed by falsely accusing them of helping to rig the 2020 election.

 

[O-Blaze]

Stuff like this, even when it was said about Trump, is just extremely uncalled for. Say they should be in jail, prison, whatever, that’s fine. I don’t care what so ever if that’s how you feel. But to say they should be hung is just ridiculously fucked up and way to far IMO.

Dukes of Hazzard actor John Schneider called for public hanging of Joe Biden

The deleted social media post, which also called for the execution of Hunter Biden, led some to wonder if Schneider could be charged

amp.theguardian.com