PEG 6th Congressional District Newsletter 347
Michigan Democratic Presidential Primaries: February 27, 2024
A Catastrophic Decision on Abortion
Kate Cox, 31, a mother of two from Dallas, filed a lawsuit seeking a medical exception under Texas law to abort her pregnancy. She was in her 21st week of pregnancy and presented to three emergency rooms over the last month with “cramping and unidentifiable fluid leaks.” Doctors diagnosed her fetus with trisomy 18, a birth defect that is usually fatal. Physicians recommended Cox obtain an abortion to preserve her reproductive health.
In 2021, Texas banned nearly all abortions after fetal cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy –- before many people know they are pregnant. There are medical exceptions, but it seems that it is extremely difficult to reach that bar.
In an emergency ruling, a judge granted a temporary restraining order against the state that would have allowed Cox to immediately have an abortion. However, after the ruling, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned Cox’s physician she could face both civil and criminal penalties should she perform the court-ordered procedure. Paxton immediately petitioned the Texas Supreme Court to intervene and prevent Cox from having the procedure. Paxton argued that Cox did not demonstrate that her pregnancy was threatening her life and therefore did not meet the medical exception.
On December 8, the Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked Cox from receiving the procedure. On December 11, the court, comprised of nine Republican justices, issued a ruling and opinion siding with Paxton and reversing the lower court’s ruling.
A timely abortion was necessary for Cox to avoid medical repercussions from continuing her pregnancy, forcing her to leave the state to obtain an abortion.
This CNN article also identifies other abortion lawsuits in Texas.
Certiorari Before Judgement
On December 11, 2023, special counsel Jack Smith exercised a unique strategy and asked the Supreme Court to decide whether Donald Trump has any immunity from criminal prosecution for alleged crimes he committed while in office.
The request is an attempt by Smith to keep the election subversion trial, which is currently scheduled for early March, on track. Smith is requesting the Supreme Court to take the rare step of skipping a federal appeals court and quickly deciding a fundamental issue of the case against Trump. This is called “cert before judgment,” which usually takes five, not four, votes.
This CNN article and the SCOTUS Blog describe the past lower court reviews, appeals, and decisions, and explains the usual process of appeals and timelines.
Later that day, the Supreme Court said it will expedite consideration of Smith’s petition to rule on the question of whether Trump deserves immunity. Trump has until December 20 to file a response.
Planet on Fire: Michigan at the Forefront of Fighting Climate Change
The United Nations Climate Conference is far from united. Begun on November 30 and continuing until December 12, it is roiling with conflict and fears. President Biden’s special envoy for climate change, John Kerry, announced US support for the current recommendation of science: the immediate phaseout of fossil fuels. To prevent global catastrophe, the use of oil, gas, and coal must be ended in order to limit global warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. If we fail to reduce greenhouse emissions by 43 percent by 2030, scientists predict, Earth will become unlivable, with rising sea levels, wildfires, and intense storms and drought. Unfortunately, carbon emissions around the world have continued to rise.
The US position engendered intense controversy. Saudia Arabia and other Arab countries oppose the phaseout of fossil fuels. The secretary general of OPEC, Haitham Al-Ghais, called the targeting of fossil fuels “politically motivated campaigns” against oil-producing nations that put “our people’s prosperity and future at risk.” He directed his members to vote against measures calling for the end of oil, gas, and coal production.
On the other hand, representatives from island nations were almost in tears about the opposition to the phaseout of fossil fuels. They’ve already experienced the impact of rising temperatures; melting glaciers and higher sea levels threaten their existence. “The Republic of the Marshall Islands did not come here to sign our death warrant,” said John Silk, the minister of natural resources for the nation of atolls in the Pacific Ocean. Stay tuned: Next we will discuss their final agreement!
Events and Opportunities
Wednesdays. America at a Crossroads Virtual Series
- Wednesday, December 20. “Inside Joe Biden’s White House & the Struggle for America’s Future.” Franklin Foer of The Atlantic with Madeleine Brand. Register here. 8 pm ET
- Wednesday, January 3. “The World at War: Is There a Path to Peace?” Mike Mullen – Retired US Navy Admiral with Warren Olney. Register here. 8 pm ET
- Wednesday, January 10 at 8 pm ET, historian, author and Substack blogger Heather Cox Richardson in conversation with Patt Morrison: “Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America” (Register Here)
Visit the PEG Events Page for more upcoming events at www.equalityingov.org/events!
More things to do, read, watch, and listen to
If you think you know about the history of AR-15 weapon used in so many mass shootings, you may be incorrect!
The National Rifle Association estimates there are some eight million AR-15s and its variations in circulation, and says they are so popular that the “AR” should stand for “America’s Rifle
For over 50 years the wildly popular AR-15 appeared in the Sears catalog. Recently Dick’s Sporting Goods announced Wednesday that it would no longer sell these assault-style weapons. Here’s the background on why AR-15 has become the umbrella term for a range of semi-automatic rifles made by a host of gun makers.
The AR comes from the manufacturer called Armalite-add the word rifle and you get AR. Armalite Sold to Colt 1959 and the military bought from Colt for the Vietnam War in 1963, known as the M-16. When Colt’s patents for AR expired in the 1970s and the floodgates opened for manufacturers to market the gun for the public.In 1994 President Bill Clinton signed an assault-weapons ban, which outlawed the AR-15; it had many loopholes, has expired.
The difference between AR-15-style rifle semiautomatic and fully automatic? Semi-shooter must pull the trigger to fire each shot from a magazine that often holds 30 rounds. Fully Automatic shooters can pull and hold the trigger and the weapon will keep firing until the ammunition supply is exhausted. A bump stock — a legal device in many places- can be added to make it automatic.
One of the things that we have seen in recent years after the assault weapons ban ended in 2004 was this really huge explosion of these boutique kind of rifle companies that are producing these very high-end rifles that are very customizable,” said Alain Stephens, who’s part of NPR’s criminal justice team and a former member of the military. Laws vary by state, but in Florida, for example, anyone who is 18 or older with a clean record can purchase an AR-15-style rifle with no waiting period.with a clean record can purchase an AR-15-style rifle with no waiting period. Resource for further explanation of sporting rifles vs military assault rifles. It’s Complicated.with a clean record can purchase an AR-15-style rifle with no waiting period. Resources for explanation of sporting rifles vs military assault rifles. It’s Complicated.
Good News
LB Tuberville and Fake electors
Perhaps coaching football and extensive experience in the PTA are not the strongest qualifications for becoming a Senator.
“No matter whether you believe it or not, Senator Tuberville, this is doing great damage to our military. I don’t say that lightly; I’ve been trying to work with you for nine months.” Senator Lindsay Graham, R-SC
After ten months of obstinate refusal to release any names for military promotion, Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) finally gave in with a gain of zero. Saying how supportive he is of veterans and the military, he himself never served nor has he provided funding he said was forthcoming. Republicans were very concerned that he was damaging the party, but their disapproval fell on deaf ears. Regardless of how we got there, we are moving forward. He has released all but 10 or so names, which will go through the vetting process quickly and likely be approved post-haste. He did not receive any of the concessions he previously demanded, such as a change to the military funding bill to address its abortion policy. Perhaps his next career move will be as an announcer for ESPN.
Secret meetings, damaging texts, and “fake electors” are in trouble. And yes, Joe Biden did win the 2020 election!
In Madison Wisconsin, ten pro-Trump electors who falsely reported that he won in Wisconsin in 2020, faced criminal charges and agreed to revoke their false filings and not to repeat their actions in the next presidential election. Fake electors in Michigan and Georgia are also facing criminal charges, while Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico have ongoing investigations.
PEG Video of the Week: Investing in America
The Biden-Harris will invest $16 billion to deliver on his vision to rebuild America and win the globab competition with money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Watch Video Here
Free Stickers
Check out this handpicked collection of vibrant, thought-provoking stickers. They are more than decoration-they’re statements! From the rallying cry of “United We Bargain, Divided We Beg” to the community-driven “Local Elections Matter”, each sticker is a mini-manifesto, designed to ignite conversations and inspire action. FREE Sticker Here
PEG Cartoon of the Week
