The Political Thread

[Comrade Khan]

for those interested in an alternative viewpoint

 

[Chris]

Biden Administration Moves to Speed Up Permits for Clean Energy

The White House wants federal agencies to keep climate change in mind as they decide whether to approve major projects.

www.nytimes.com

The Biden administration on Tuesday released rules designed to speed up permits for clean energy while requiring federal agencies to more heavily weigh damaging effects on the climate and on low-income communities before approving projects like highways and oil wells.

As part of a deal to raise the country’s debt limit last year, Congress required changes to the National Environmental Policy Act, a 54-year-old bedrock law that requires the government to consider environmental effects and to seek public input before approving any project that necessitates federal permits.

 

[Comrade Khan]

so window dressing after actually cutting environmental laws is what im reading?

 

[Grimoire Lenin]

 

[Hidden Blaze]

Well, it’s something. Doesn’t seem they plan on making it legal, but I guess it’s something at least.

 

[Chris]

United Methodists repeal longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy

The newly repealed rule prohibited “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from being ordained or appointed as ministers.

www.nbcnews.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — United Methodist delegates repealed their church’s longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy with no debate on Wednesday, removing a rule forbidding “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from being ordained or appointed as ministers.

Delegates voted 692-51 at their General Conference — the first such legislative gathering in five years. That overwhelming margin contrasts sharply with the decades of controversy around the issue. Past General Conferences of the United Methodist Church had steadily reinforced the ban and related penalties amid debate and protests, but many of the conservatives who had previously upheld the ban have left the denomination in recent years, and this General Conference has moved in a solidly progressive direction.

 

[Grimoire Lenin]

 

[Deezy]

Well, it’s something. Doesn’t seem they plan on making it legal, but I guess it’s something at least.

My favourite thing is when people tell me "there's no side effecta of marijuana" and reminding potheads that Bob Marley died of lung cancer..........sure it started in his brain and his religious beliefs stopped him from getting treatment......but they don't know that.

 

[Chris]

https://www.reuters.com/markets/rates-bonds/fed-hold-rates-steady-inflation-dims-hopes-policy-easing-2024-05-01/

WASHINGTON, May 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday and signaled it is still leaning towards eventual reductions in borrowing costs, but put a red flag on recent disappointing inflation readings and suggested a possible stall in the movement towards more balance in the economy.

The Fed's latest policy statement, issued at the end of a two-day meeting, kept key elements of its economic assessment and policy guidance intact, noting that "inflation has eased" over the past year, and framing its discussion of interest rates around the conditions under which borrowing costs can be lowered.

 

[CakeWalker]

United Methodists repeal longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy

The newly repealed rule prohibited “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from being ordained or appointed as ministers.

www.nbcnews.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — United Methodist delegates repealed their church’s longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy with no debate on Wednesday, removing a rule forbidding “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from being ordained or appointed as ministers.

Delegates voted 692-51 at their General Conference — the first such legislative gathering in five years. That overwhelming margin contrasts sharply with the decades of controversy around the issue. Past General Conferences of the United Methodist Church had steadily reinforced the ban and related penalties amid debate and protests, but many of the conservatives who had previously upheld the ban have left the denomination in recent years, and this General Conference has moved in a solidly progressive direction.

Nice to see they've joined the British Methodist in this view

 

[Chris]

Arizona senate passes repeal of 1864 near-total abortion ban

Democrats pick up support of two Republicans to repeal 1864 law reinstated three weeks ago as governor is expected to ratify repeal

www.theguardian.com

An effort to repeal Arizona’s 160-year-old statute banning nearly all abortions has received enough votes in the state’s senate to pass.

The 1864 law, which was reinstated by the state’s supreme court three weeks ago, has made abortion a central focus in the battleground state and galvanized Democrats seeking to enshrine abortion rights.

In the state’s senate, Democrats picked up the support of two Republicans in favor of repealing the ban. The Democratic governor, Katie Hobbs, is expected to ratify the repeal, which narrowly cleared the Arizona house last week after three Republicans joined with all the Democrats in the chamber.

 

[Leon TrotSky]

Whistleblower Josh Dean of Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems has died

Joshua Dean, one of the first whistleblowers to allege Spirit AeroSystems execs had ignored manufacturing defects on the 737 MAX, died after a sudden illness.

www.seattletimes.com

So Boeing are totally not murdering whistleblowers, no siree

 

[Comrade Khan]

another one?

 

[Hidden Blaze]

Yeah. I was gonna say didn’t one die like a few weeks ago?

 

[Death By Looch]

Yup. Total coincidence though.

Of course.