In my view, the root of the genocide denial now is that the US can’t admit its own history of genocide. The analysis that would condemn Israel’s actions would apply in many ways to the US.
Several states (including #Iowa) have passed laws to put a chilling effect on candid discussions of American History.
The #IowaSupremeCourt ruled on Fri that the state’s 6-wk #AbortionBan, when most women don’t even know they are pregnant, could be enforced, a decision that sharply limits #access to #abortion & fulfills a longstanding aim of the state’s #Republican leaders.
Chipping Sparrow perched in a river birch. I like the little "beak shadow" on its breast. (Photo from 2 days ago; today so far -- no sun, just dark clouds and rain.)
#Flooding that spread across parts of #Iowa, #SouthDakota & #Minnesota this past weekend is forecast to worsen Mon & Tues as rivers continue to rise. Meteorologists warn that any additional #rain from possible #thunderstorms could extend or heighten the risks.
“Fed judge temp blocked #Iowa law that allowed law enforcement in state to file criminal charges against people w outstanding deportation orders or who previously had been denied entry to US..issued prelim injunction bc he said DOJ & civil rights groups who filed suit against the state were likely to succeed in their argument that fed #immigration law preempted the law approved this spring by Iowa lawmakers” https://apnews.com/article/139102b0ce2e73b2821eba84a6758f75
Senator #JDVance, Eric Trump, Boris Ephsteyn, his legal adviser; Alina Habba, one of the lawyers from his civil fraud trial; US House Rep #NicoleMalliotakis; Senator #TommyTuberville; & the #Iowa & #Alabama attorneys general.
This is the biggest entourage we’ve seen him with so far.
He must be scared.
Emmet County, Iowa, USA; traditional territory of the Wahpeton, Yankton, and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ nations / Explore more at https://bit.ly/FortDefiance_2023-05-17
Today, after a couple of stormy days with a lot of rain and a few tornadoes…
First sightings of house wrens and hummingbirds in our yard.
Cliff swallows have arrived and are down at the river bridge of West Fork Grand River, where the water is now churning (very different from back on March 2).
#Iowa’s Supreme Court heard oral arguments Thurs in a case that could decide the future of #abortion in that state, the latest in a series of #legal battles that threaten abortion #access across the country during a historic #election year.
At issue is a ban passed by the legislature last July that restricts the procedure after 6 wks of pregnancy…. #PlannedParenthood & others immediately sued to block the #law & won a preliminary injunction from a lower court.
During the…hearing in DesMoines, the justices on #Iowa’s highest court asked lawyers for each side how the state’s past #abortion rulings —which in recent yrs narrowed #protections for abortion—apply to the pending law. #AbortionBan#ReproductiveRights#AbortionIsHealthCare
The #Iowa justices questioned whether the case should be sent back to the district court for further arguments & review.
“Every justice on this court has recognized that the state plays a vital role in protecting unborn life. The legislature & the governor agree,” Solicitor Gen Eric Wessan said in his opening stmnt. He urged the 7 justices, all of them #Republican appointees, to rule so that the #6weekBan can proceed.
For now, #abortion remains #legal in #Iowa up to 22 wks of pregnancy. The #law, if upheld, would limit the procedure to a time frame in which many women don’t yet know they are #pregnant. It has limited exceptions for #rape & #incest or if the woman’s life is in danger.
This latest legal battle comes at the end of a flurry of abortion developments nationwide that could have major implications for the presidential election in Nov.