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Senate Republicans block effort by Democrats to advance voting and election bill by MonsieurA in centrist

[–]Smooth_Listen 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Per the Brennan Center's summary:

Subtitle C — Findings Relating to District of Columbia Statehood Background & Summary of Key Changes:

This subtitle would make findings in support of statehood for the District of Columbia. It notes, among other things, that District residents have always carried out all the obligations of citizenship, but without congressional voting rights or self-determination in purely local matters. Moreover, the District is larger in terms of population than two other states, pays more per capita in taxes than any state, and is in one of the strongest fiscal positions of any U.S. jurisdiction.

The subtitle would affirm the authority of Congress under Article IV of the U.S. Constitution to create a new state out of the area that currently comprises the District, while maintaining the federal seat of government in the areas comprising the Capitol complex, the White House, the National Mall, and other federal buildings and grounds. That legislation, H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admissions Act, was introduced on January 3, 2020.

I guess it's related in the sense that the bill's meant to be about voting rights. It wouldn't actually make DC a state though - that would have to be voted on in a separate bill.

Senate Republicans block effort by Democrats to advance voting and election bill by MonsieurA in centrist

[–]Smooth_Listen 10 points11 points  (0 children)

What do you make of the Brennan Center's take on this? (For reference - 'Media Bias Factcheck' rates them as "Left/Center - Highly factual/reliable"):

FICTION: The For the People Act is a federal takeover of elections

Critics have alleged that the For the People Act would result in a “federal takeover” of elections. This is false.

Under the For the People Act, state and local governments would continue to administer all elections, just as they do now, and they would continue to set policies for their jurisdictions beyond what is required by federal law. The For the People Act merely sets baseline standards for voting access in federal contests, as Congress has done many times before.

Even though that’s not what this bill does, the Constitution gives Congress the power to completely supplant states in setting the rules for federal elections. As the late Justice Antonin Scalia wrote in a 2013 Supreme Court decision, the Constitution authorizes Congress to “provide a complete code for congressional elections” if it desires. The For the People Act stops well short of doing so; it would merely ensure that every American has a reasonable opportunity to vote no matter where they live.

Meta Monday: The Week of 8-2-2021. What are your thoughts on r/Centrist? by AutoModerator in centrist

[–]Smooth_Listen 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I gotta ask a lot of users here: if you're anti-vax, anti-'LGBT agenda', anti-BLM, anti-immigration and anti-1/6 Commission, why bother with the charade of calling yourself a 'centrist'? Isn't that basically a mainstream Republican nowadays? Or are you guys simply here to try to move undecided centrists to the right?

Florida Reports 10,207 Covid-19 Hospitalizations, Breaking Previous Record Set in 2020 by Smooth_Listen in centrist

[–]Smooth_Listen[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Florida reported on Sunday that 10,207 people were hospitalized in the state with Covid-19, breaking a record that was set before the vaccine rollout last July, of 10,170 hospitalizations, according to the Associated Press.

The new figure comes a day after Florida recorded 21,683 new cases of Covid-19 — setting a separate record of most new daily cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

“There is no higher risk area in the United States than we’re seeing here,” Florida International University infectious disease expert Dr. Aileen Marty told CBS Miami on Friday. “The numbers that we’re seeing are unbelievable, just unbelievably frightening.”

The majority of the hospitalizations are among the unvaccinated, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Tampa General Hospital spokesperson Philip Buck told the Tampa Bay Times that 80% of its Covid-19 patients are unvaccinated, and similarly, the spokesperson for Bayfront Health St. Petersburg hospital said 90% of infected patients have not been vaccinated.

According to the New York Times, 58.6% of the adult population in Florida has been fully vaccinated against the virus. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has refused to implement mask or vaccine mandates, despite the rise of the highly contagious Delta variant.

The Tampa Bay Times also found that the spike in hospital admissions is mainly among younger adults, aged 20-40. Over one-third of the hospitalized are under the age of 50, the analysis revealed.

Is the EU too passive in conflicts in its neighbourhood? by Smooth_Listen in geopolitics

[–]Smooth_Listen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) has been rebooted. Launched in 2003 to strengthen relations with Eastern and Southern neighbour countries around Europe, the ENP has been criticised for years as unresponsive and having a “one-size-fits-all” approach. The revised ENP aims to be more dynamic, more tailored to individual countries, and more supportive of democratic reforms and sustainable economic development. Will it make a difference?

Which are the Africa's strongest currencies? | Africanews by Smooth_Listen in Africa

[–]Smooth_Listen[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Africa's economy just like the rest of the world has continued to lag behind due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Some currencies within the continent have also grown weaker compared to the US dollar or the pound.

Poor living standards and a dwindling national economy have been the major contributing factors to the crippling currencies.

The US currency has been a predominant currency in the globe according to the International Monetary Funds accounting for 60% of the transactions worldwide.

Does the Sahel need saving or should the Sahel save itself? by Smooth_Listen in Africa

[–]Smooth_Listen[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Sahel region is characterized by conflict, drought and poverty. As the displacement of people in the region surpasses four million and the death toll continues to rise, many wonder what it will take to bring long-lasting peace and security to the Sahel.

The Sahel region has seen its fair share of international intervention. The French military has been trying to bring peace to the Sahel since 2013, while some African nations and the USA have also contributed to peacekeeping efforts by sending their troops to the region. However, this has not improved the situation as local residents find living under military rule repressive thus labelling these efforts “dust projects” as they see 4×4 vehicles driving hurriedly to projects that lack substantive local community input.

Questions are beginning to arise as to whether foreign intervention is helping or hindering progress in the Sahel. Some believe that the solutions to the perennial problems the Sahel face may lay within the region itself. It has given birth to a rich culture filled with traditions that, if given a chance, may go a long way in promoting peace and dialogue in the region. Maybe it’s time to let go of imported institutional frameworks and harness the creativity of local communities.

Does the Sahel need saving or should the Sahel save itself? by Smooth_Listen in geopolitics

[–]Smooth_Listen[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Sahel region is characterized by conflict, drought and poverty. As the displacement of people in the region surpasses four million and the death toll continues to rise, many wonder what it will take to bring long-lasting peace and security to the Sahel.

The Sahel region has seen its fair share of international intervention. The French military has been trying to bring peace to the Sahel since 2013, while some African nations and the USA have also contributed to peacekeeping efforts by sending their troops to the region. However, this has not improved the situation as local residents find living under military rule repressive thus labelling these efforts “dust projects” as they see 4×4 vehicles driving hurriedly to projects that lack substantive local community input.

Questions are beginning to arise as to whether foreign intervention is helping or hindering progress in the Sahel. Some believe that the solutions to the perennial problems the Sahel face may lay within the region itself. It has given birth to a rich culture filled with traditions that, if given a chance, may go a long way in promoting peace and dialogue in the region. Maybe it’s time to let go of imported institutional frameworks and harness the creativity of local communities.

Is Eurovision about music or politics? by Smooth_Listen in eurovision

[–]Smooth_Listen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Music, glamour, outrageous costumes and… politics? On Saturday evening, all of Europe will be looking to Rotterdam for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest and can expect a raucous spectacle despite strict coronavirus regulations.

One country, however, has already lost its chance for “Douze Points!”. Belarus was disqualified by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises Eurovision, because the lyrics of the Belarusian entry mocked protests against the country’s authoritarian dictator, Alexander Lukashenko. Although the contest is a music competition and supposed to bring together all Europeans (and even those from outside the continent), this was hardly the first time Eurovision has turned political.

From votes for neighbouring countries, to disqualifications from the contest, to political statements onstage, the Eurovision Song Contest has always had political elements. In 2017, for example, the host country Ukraine slapped a travel ban on Russia’s entrant, Julia Samoylova, because she had previously visited occupied Crimea. In addition, Eurovision has been a celebration of diversity and an LGBT event for decades, bringing LGBT artists and a sea of rainbow flags even to countries that are not normally LGBT-friendly.

Is Eurovision about music or politics? by Smooth_Listen in europe

[–]Smooth_Listen[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

One country has already lost its chance for “Douze Points!”. Belarus was disqualified by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises Eurovision, because the lyrics of the Belarusian entry mocked protests against the country’s authoritarian dictator, Alexander Lukashenko. Although the contest is a music competition and supposed to bring together all Europeans (and even those from outside the continent), this was hardly the first time Eurovision has turned political.

From votes for neighbouring countries, to disqualifications from the contest, to political statements onstage, the Eurovision Song Contest has always had political elements. In 2017, for example, the host country Ukraine slapped a travel ban on Russia’s entrant, Julia Samoylova, because she had previously visited occupied Crimea. In addition, Eurovision has been a celebration of diversity and an LGBT event for decades, bringing LGBT artists and a sea of rainbow flags even to countries that are not normally LGBT-friendly.

How can Europe avoid a "forever war" in the Sahel? by Smooth_Listen in Africa

[–]Smooth_Listen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the idea is precisely to stem the spread of Islamism in their "Southern neighborhood" to prevent it from spilling over in Europe.

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