ruth bader ginsberg

Attorney, writer and political commentator Elie Mystal joins Laverne to talk about the radically conservative United States Supreme Court, the constitutional amendments through history and his eye-opening book, Allow Me To Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution. He explains how the judges’ own personal tastes make the largest impact on decisions and how the right’s unification has reaped a pipeline of conservative judges the left cannot replicate. They also talk about options like stacking the court and term limits to make change, but when it comes down to it, guess what, it’s up to us.

Elie is a frequent media contributor and the justice correspondent at The Nation.

Please rate, review, subscribe and share The Laverne Cox Show with everyone you know. You can find Laverne on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter @LaverneCox and on Facebook at @LaverneCoxForReal.

As always, stay in the love.

***

The U.S. Constitution Amendments mentioned:

1st Amendment = freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances

2nd Amendment = the right to bear arms

4th Amendment = the right to be protected against unreasonable search and seizure

“Reconstruction Amendments” 

13th Amendment (1865) = abolition of slavery

14th Amendment (1868) = US citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws

15th Amendment (1870) = Black men can vote

Links of Interest: 

Elie Mystal on The Mehdi Hassan Show (MSNBC via YouTube, 6/29/23)

Here’s What Happened When Affirmative Action Ended in California Public Colleges (NPR, 6/30/23)

The Current Supreme Court Justices

News and analysis of the US Supreme Court 

Reconstruction Amendments (Video, PBS)

The Federalist Society

Progressive Mobilization:

American Constitution Society (ACS)

Alliance for Justice

Demand Justice

Cases mentioned:

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka

Loving v. Virginia

US vs. Rahimi (opinion)

Slaughterhouse Cases

Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia

303 Creative LLC v. Elenis

Previous Episodes Mentioned:

Residential Segregation & Structural Racism w/ Richard Rothstein

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins

Producer & Editor: Brooke Peterson-Bell

Editing Support: Nikolas Harter

Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I chat with author Elizabeth L Silver about her new novel The Majority, women in the workplace and motherhood, teaching creative writing, and books.

Elizabeth L Silver is the author of The Majority , as well as the memoir, The Tincture of Time: A Memoir of (Medical) Uncertainty , and the novel, The Execution of Noa P. Singleton . Her work has been called “fantastic” by the Washington Post and “masterful” by The Wall Street Journal, has been published in seven languages, and optioned for film.

Elizabeth has been featured on PBS NewsHour, while her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, New York Magazine, The Guardian, Harper's Bazaar, McSweeney’s, The Dallas Morning News, Literary Hub, The Rumpus, The Los Angeles Review of Books, The Millions, among other publications, and she has been a recipient of residencies at several artist colonies in the United States, France, and Spain, including Ucross Foundation, Ragdale, Byrdcliffe Artist Colony, where she was the recipient of the Patterson Fellowship, A Room of Her Own Foundation, where she was a consultant, and the British Centre for Literary Translation. 

She has also served as a judge for the PEN Center Literary Awards, UCLA’s James Kirkwood Literary Prize, AWP’s Kurt Brown Prize, twice served as a PEN in the Community Teaching Artist through PEN Center USA, where she curated a program teaching creative writing to prisoners in Lancaster, CA, for cancer patients and survivors with The Benjamin Center, and at a halfway house in Los Angeles; she has also served as a mentor in Fiction for AWP's Writer-to-Writer Program, and taught English as a Second Language in Costa Rica, writing and literature at Drexel University and St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. She currently teaches creative writing with the UCLA Writers Program.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, the MFA program in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia in England, and Temple University Beasley School of Law, Elizabeth has also worked as an attorney in California and Texas, where she was a judicial clerk for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, worked on death row cases in Texas, and subsequently in civil litigation in Los Angeles. She continues to keep a foot in the law, and her most recent legal (volunteer) work includes working on asylum cases at the Texas-Mexico border and with survivors of domestic violence in Los Angeles.

Elizabeth is also the founder and director of Onward Literary Mentoring, a program that connects writers with award-winning and best-selling authors for individual, tailored writing instruction. 

Elizabeth L Silver 

The Majority, Elizabeth L Silver

 On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, Stephen King

 The Candy

The Bookshop Podcast
Mandy Jackson-Beverly
Social Media Links

Artist, Julie Miller Torres, specializes in printmaking. Trained as a lawyer, from a family of lawyers, Torres practiced law for seven years. She was good at her job and enjoyed her clients. But something was missing. At 34, she left her law career to start over in fine art at the prestigious, Savannah College of Art and Design ("SCAD"), where she earned a BFA in Printmaking. A few years out of art school, her career was beginning to get traction, when Covid hit. Undaunted, she turned to social media to promote her work. Five years after leaving art school, Torres created a series of screen prints of Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A New York collector saw one of these works on Instagram and purchased it. This collector had connections to the Metropolitan Museum of Art who then reached out to Torres and purchased another of the RBG pieces for its permanent collection. That piece, titled "Superdiva" is currently on exhibition at The Met thru next year in an exhibit called “Revolution, Resistance and Activism.” 

Share your Swan Dive at www.swandive.us

To kick off Menstruation Month here at Alpha Woman, I sat down with an entrepreneur and impressive Young Alpha, Nicole Sanchez. Nicole is the co-founder of sustainable period product brand Ruth Pads, named after Ruth Bader Ginsberg. These innovative period products help to reduce waste and provide comfortable and ethical alternatives to traditional brands.

Nicole has a familiar story when it comes to menstruation. She described how as a young Filipino woman, she received little education or guidance around menstruation. And like many other young girls and menstruators, she hid her period as a young twelve-year-old, unsure why she was ashamed.

Nicole was inspired after learning that period pads can take 500-800 years to decompose. And by contrast, sustainable products can decompose within just a year. When Nicole discovered this, she was studying e-commerce at the University of Alberta. She later joined the sustainable period brand, Hempact to provide a much-needed alternative to traditional products. This year, Hempact evolved into Ruth, a brand featuring ethically and sustainably made period pads. And while Nicole didn't have plans to be an entrepreneur, her passion for sustainable and shame-free periods inspired her involvement in such a life-changing project.

Nicole described some of the major challenges in starting a business as a young woman of colour in an industry dominated by white men. During our conversation, she described the intimidating environment of pitching a brand for periods in a room full of predominantly white, cis, men. As a young businesswoman, it can be difficult to feel confident as is. But it can be an added challenge when you're selling products considered taboo for many squeamish men. But intimidation did not stop Nicole's entrepreneurial spirit. Today, Community Foundations Canada and Alberta Innovates proudly support Ruth.

After hearing her story, I asked Nicole if she had women entrepreneurs to look up to when she was younger. And her answer was moving. She described how entrepreneurship ran in her family, and her grandparents were poultry farmers. While many don't associate farming with the glamorous image of entrepreneurship, for Nicole, her grandparent's farming was the entrepreneurial inspiration she needed. She also named her grandmother as one of her Inspirational Alpha Woman.

Nicole is an inspiration. She overcomes obstacles, promotes sustainability, and prompts a much-needed change in the period industry. Most importantly, she reminds us all that menstruation is a normal experience worthy of our attention and innovation. And we can't wait to see the impact of her innovation.

Timestamps

Start of interview (1:43)
All about Hempact and Ruth (4:19)
The stigma around women's periods (8:58)
Balancing going to school and starting a business (13:01)
When Nicole first found her entrepreneurial spirit (16:49)
The difficulties of being a female entrepreneur (26:32)
Nicole's Inspirational Alpha Woman (35:00)
Behind the name "Ruth" (41:22)
Advice for Young Alpha Women (48:34)
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? (54:13)

Notes:

We’re excited to announce that we have podcast sponsorship opportunities available to help you reach this fantastic audience. Please reach out to hello@alphawomanco.com for more information.

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sign up to Alpha Woman Co at: https://alphawomanco.com

Follow us on social media @alphawomanco

President Biden has formally established a commission to consider adding seats to the Supreme Court.

Justices Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Stephen Breyer – both appointed by a Democratic president – have opposed it. But the left is angry. They don’t like the Supreme Court’s rulings, so they want to change its composition.

It’s called “court packing,” from when—in 1937—Democrat President Franklin Roosevelt tried and failed to do it.

President Biden must have forgotten he once called the idea of expanding the Supreme Court “a terrible, terrible mistake” and “boneheaded.”

And make no mistake: It is a terrible idea. Any politically driven effort to change the Court’s structure will only reinforce the perception that our judicial branch is guided by politics, rather than by legal principle. Over time, a packed court would surely erode confidence in the rule of law—which is indispensable to governing a free people.

America’s Supreme Court has had 9 justices since 1869. It should stay that way.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Biden has formally established a commission to consider adding seats to the Supreme Court.

Justices Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Stephen Breyer – both appointed by a Democratic president – have opposed it. But the left is angry. They don’t like the Supreme Court’s rulings, so they want to change its composition.

It’s called “court packing,” from when—in 1937—Democrat President Franklin Roosevelt tried and failed to do it.

President Biden must have forgotten he once called the idea of expanding the Supreme Court “a terrible, terrible mistake” and “boneheaded.”

And make no mistake: It is a terrible idea. Any politically driven effort to change the Court’s structure will only reinforce the perception that our judicial branch is guided by politics, rather than by legal principle. Over time, a packed court would surely erode confidence in the rule of law—which is indispensable to governing a free people.

America’s Supreme Court has had 9 justices since 1869. It should stay that way.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Parallel Fiction, Heather and Jeff honor Human Rights day in America.  Shining a light on issues centuries old, the duo goes in depth with candid thoughts and opinions on the current climate and where everyone can improve.

Jeff covers the time honored classic comic book story Days of Future Past from The Uncanny X-Men issues #141 and #142.  The realm of Marvel’s mutants have always drawn parallels to the civil rights movement, with Professor X and Magneto being heavily influenced by Malcom X and Dr. Martin Luther King.  Jeff points out the lack of human rights in both the 1980’s setting as well as the 2013 portion of this story, with the heroes being stripped of their rights in both stories based on who they were born as.

Did you know?  Although the story takes place in a post apocalyptic year 2013, the actual movie adaptation of Days of Future Past was released in 2014.

Heather presents her movie second, covering the Ruth Bader Ginsberg biopic On The Basis of Sex.  Heather tells us about her wonder and discovery about the late US supreme court justice, as this movie covers a pivotal potion of Ginsberg’s life from the 1950’s to 1970’s.  Paving the way for gender equality and changing the course of history for the better, Heather highlights portion of Ruth’s life and the shockwaves that are still being felt to this day.

Fun Fact! Ruth Bader Ginsberg founded the Women’s Right Project within the ACLU- laying the groundwork for women’s right advocacy in America.

Following these reviews, Heather and Jeff dive into commonalities between the two works such as equality, protecting human rights, respect/protect/fulfill, and radical social change. 

Listen in to hear Jeff and Heather’s candid thoughts on the masterpiece scenes of each story, how X-Men: Days of Future Past, and On The Basis of Sex compare, and how Jeff and Heather relate to aspects of each with some interesting facts and opinions about Human Rights. Share this episode with anyone who you think would enjoy!

Heather’s Rating of On the Basis of Sex: Super Nice – An extremely informative and inspirational story of an exceptional supreme court justice

Jeff’s X-Men: Days of Future Past: Super Nice – An amazing and revolutionary story for its time, paving the way for countless time travel stories and also a stand out gem in an already iconic run from writer Chris Clairmount.

Watch On The Basis of Sex: https://www.amazon.com/Basis-Sex-Felicity-Jones/dp/B07M5HLCKH

Read Uncanny X-Men issues #141 & #142 here: www.marvel.com

About Parallel Fiction:

Parallel Fiction is the perfect supplemental companion to all of the stories you consume. We will be covering movies, television, books, graphic novels, video games, and music whenever it applies. Learn more about things you love, and get to know us a little bit better as we give you a peak into our lives and opinions.

Connect with us:

Email Jeff & Heather: Parallelfictionpod@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/Parallelfiction

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Parallelfiction

Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Parallelfictionpod

[Producer’s Note]: This episode was originally recorded September 24th. 

After a couple of heavy weeks filled with collective loss and grief, Chevon and Hiba open Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast working through the powerful and difficult emotions generated by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s refusal to prosecute the Breonna Taylor case, and the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. (Do not miss this—Chevon and Hiba have one of the most important conversations that we have ever had the privilege to share.)

In this very timely conversation, Hiba and Chevon are joined by the team behind the HBO documentary, Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn, which “tells the story of Yusuf Hawkins, a black teenager who was murdered in 1989 by a group of young white men in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Yusuf Hawkins’ death and the official response to it sparked outrage in New York, unleashing a torrent of racial tension and spurring tireless civil rights activism that exposed deep racial prejudices and inequities which continue to plague the country today.” 

Director Muta’Ali and Producer Victorious Decosta share how they came to work on the film, the behind the scenes experiences working with Yusef’s family and friends to tell his story, and the importance of creating solutions oriented resources in collaboration with activist groups to keep the conversation going for viewers. Muta’Ali and Victorious also talk about the impact of the Breonna Taylor verdict and the parallels to the lack of justice in the Yusef Hawkins case. 

In the spirit of solidarity and collaboration –– Facing Race: A National Virtual Conference is only one month away, and we’d love to have you join us for the largest multiracial, intergenerational gathering of racial justice movement making.

Resources (by order of mention) 

Facing Race

www.facingrace.raceforward.org

Here's What's at Stake If Trump Replaces RBG on the U.S. Supreme Court (via Colorlines)

https://bit.ly/3lRPFV1

“There is No Justice Here” (via Colorlines)

https://bit.ly/3nQPN9h

Breonna Taylor's Family, Advocates React to ‘Outrageous and Offensive’ Grand Jury Decision (via Colorlines) 

https://bit.ly/2H2VzE2

Detroit Police Officer Charged in Shooting Death of Aiyana Stanley-Jones (via Colorlines)

https://bit.ly/3iVsmrz

Bree Newsome Bass

https://bit.ly/3nUrd7i

WATCH: 'Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn' Debuts on HBO

https://bit.ly/2GZHoQf

Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn

https://itsh.bo/34XD6ku

For the Color of His Skin: The Murder of Yusuf Hawkins and the Trial of Bensonhurst

https://bit.ly/3nTuMec

“Storm Over Brooklyn” Discussion Guide 

https://itsh.bo/3nLqkOq

Muta’Ali 

Official Site 

https://www.mutaali.com/

Instagram

www.instagram.com/mutaali

Twitter

www.twitter.com/mutaali

Victorious DeCosta

Instagram 

www.instagram.com/victoriouswashere

Twitter

www.twitter.com/VictoriousAqui

About Race Forward: 

Race Forward catalyzes movement building for racial justice. In partnership with communities, organizations, and sectors, we build strategies to advance racial justice in our policies, institutions, and culture. Race Forward imagines a just, multiracial, democratic society, free from oppression and exploitation, in which people of color thrive with power and purpose.

Follow Race Forward on social media

Follow us on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/raceforward

Follow us on Twitter: 

www.twitter.com/raceforward

Follow us on Instagram: 

www.instagram.com/raceforward

Building Racial Equity (BRE) Trainings  

www.raceforward.org/trainings

Facing Race 2020 

www.facingrace.raceforward.org

Subscribe to our newsletter:

www.raceforward.org/subscribe

Executive Producers: 

Chevon Drew, Hendel Leiva, and Jeff Chang

Associate Producer/ Editor: Kendy Solis

Commentary and analysis by Speak Out Now from September 13-30.

End Times? or Seize the Time!

Microplastics: A Huge Problem 

COVID-19: What’s the Vaccine Timeline?

Virtual Learning is NOT the Same as Being in a Classroom

Nurses Win Union Recognition for the First Time at a Major North Carolina Hospital! But the Struggle Continues.

Indictment in Breonna Taylor Case is Another Racist Attack

Bacon’s Rebellion and the Making of “Race” in the United States

Shifting CDC Guidelines Expose an Unequal System

RBG: Celebrate Her Life, But Be Prepared to Keep Fighting for What We Need

Despite Black Lives Matter PR, NFL’s Actions Speak Louder than Words

Wildlife Populations Have Decreased Two-Thirds Since 1970!

Why are 12,000 Refugees Sleeping on the Side of the Road in Greece?

Mines in Congo Eat Human Beings Alive

Big Pharma: Cutting Corners, Risking Lives

It’s Not Just Trump. The Whole System Insults and Exploits Veterans! 

In this episode, after a short statement about the non-indictments in the Breonna Taylor murder case, we try to find out why a Supreme Court vacancy was more different in 2016 than in 2020. Next Doug has a short interview with a friend who is running for elected office. Finally we discover if talking about anti-racism is racist.

Show Notes

Subscribe to the newsletter

00:38 Say her name... Breonna Taylor
03:07 Historical Hypocriscy in the GOP
12:19 Interview with Melissa Kritzell
20:55 Is anti-racism training racist?

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The Book of Revelation tells us that in the end times, a delusion will be sent that will confound and confuse minds. This delusion will be sent after the Holy Spirit removes His hand of restraint. While we do not know the full impact or effect it will have, we do know that it will be an excruciatingly difficult time for any who remain on earth. 

We are seeing foreshadowing of this delusion in our world today in the vigil being held for Ruth Bader Ginsberg, a woman who was a pro-abortion, anti-family, hard left judge whose votes contributed to the slaughter of nearly 30,000,000 babies in the womb. Even such purported "evangelical" leaders are speaking of her "distinguished service" and...well, John will show you the quote that will simply make your blood boil. 

If people are so blind to the truth while the Holy Spirit is actively restraining men's actions, can you imagine what it will be like when the Spirit removes His restraint? 

I would imagine that many, like Justice Ginsberg, once their earthly lives are over, instantly regret their decisions in this life, as they plead and beg for just one more moment to get it right. Unfortunately, we all have a date certain when God will call us home, and at that point, our fates are sealed. Weep for Justice Ginsberg...justice will be served on behalf of the children whose cries were never heard. 

Pray our nation, and our world as we enter into very troublesome period of time leading up to the first week in November. We are living in unprecedented times that are even seeing a contagious peace break out through the Middle East. Time is short. Get your vertical relationship right, and hold on. It's gonna be a wild ride.

• FBC YouTube Channel
• John's Video Presentation
• Amos37 Website
• Prophecy Updates

Find Us & Follow, Likes n Share helps our Reach.

-Amos37 Website
-Amos37 on Facebook
-Amos37 on Instagram
-Amos37 on Rumble
-Amos37 on Gettr
-Amos37 on Gab
-Amos37 on Parler

Sebastian Gorka and historian Victor Davis Hanson examine the motives of the current Democratic party and how they are using the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg to speed up their radical agenda.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sebastian Gorka and historian Victor Davis Hanson examine the motives of the current Democratic party and how they are using the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg to speed up their radical agenda.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second female justice confirmed to the US Supreme Court, told an Aspen Institute crowd in 2017 that her experiences as a woman gave her a unique perspective on the Court. She talked about her relationships with Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and the late Antonin Scalia. She also explained what it was like to work with newly-elected Justice Neil Gorsuch. Her discussion with Elliot Gerson, an executive vice president at the Aspen Institute, also touched on her book My Own Words. This podcast originally dropped in June of 2017.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Aspen Institute is nonpartisan and does not endorse, support, or oppose political candidates or parties. Further, the views and opinions of our guests and speakers do not necessarily reflect those of the Aspen Institute.

aspenideas.org

"...one fitting way to honor the historic justice would be to take action on some unfinished feminist business. Justice Ginsburg is on my mind today, and so is Nurse Dawn Wooten....the ICE whistleblower who earlier this month called out abusive medical practices against immigrant women at a detention center in Georgia."

The F-Word is released bi-weekly featuring timely commentaries by Laura Flanders and guests. Support by becoming a patron, goto https://Patreon.com/theLFShow 

The Laura Flanders Show Crew:  Laura Flanders, Sabrina Artel, David Neuman, Nat Needham, Rory O'Conner, Janet Hernandez, Sarah Miller and Jeannie Hopper

FOLLOW The Laura Flanders Show

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ACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel

Well with the the pandemic going strong, the ride stories are few and far between, but that doesn't stop Friendly Frank and Mike from discussing the word.  In episode 40n they go from video games to health care, prop 22, LAX, Taxi companies, the constitution, back video games, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, The incredibles, Frozone, and back to Franks Paranoia.  As always come in to the mind of two "regular guys" and enjoy the ride.

Retired Air Force Colonel Linda Strite Murnane obtained her undergraduate and law degree while serving in the US Air Force. During her illustrious military career, she became a lawyer and then a judge, including being named the Chief Trial Judge for the United States Air Force in Europe. When she retired from the Air Force, amongst other impactful positions, she was invited to travel to the Netherlands to work for the UN where she took over the complex litigation of the war crimes tribunal for the formal Yugoslavia. Linda's accomplishments and reputation has led to a personal audience with people such as Pope Francis and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Linda has overcome significant obstacles from misogyny; to having a father who wouldn't pay for his daughters' education; to being pregnant, and in law school while her husband became paralyzed. She let nothing get in her way! 

This is part one to an amazing interview with one of the most impressive individuals I've ever met.

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Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg has died. She was a trailblazer. An icon. A hero and an inspiration to generations of young women. Through sheer will, tenacity, and some may say an abject bitter hatred that affixed her soul to her aging bones, she fought through multiple cancers, chemotherapy, and surgeries that would bring most people to their knees and yet she persisted. Call her a hard-ass. Call her a bitter old bitch, I’ve seen it all. The tenacity of this woman, strong in her convictions and compassionate in her dissension, is unparalleled in the history of the United States Supreme Court. There is nothing I can say that hasn’t already been said… So for that I will say simply this… let her words be a beacon of hope for the hopeless, a rallying cry for the oppressed, and a thorn in the side of all who would work to roll back the rights she spent a lifetime advancing.

For my global audience members, you may not understand the significance of the United States Supreme Court… unlike any other elected office, a Supreme Court justice is not bound by term limits and election cycles. Outside of confirmation in the United States senate, once a justice is seated, their position is held for life… pending death, retirement, or impeachment. The constitution states that justices shall hold their offices during good behavior and historically only one justice has ever been impeached; Samuel Chase in 1905. And the right to fill a vacant supreme court position falls to the president, to make a nomination to the senate, who then have to confirm (or vote on) said nominee. This has turned what was traditionally a bi-partisan affair into a hyper-partisan circus in recent memory to “skew the court” in favor of the left or the right. You would think at their core a Justice would be an individual who is beholden to no party and is independent of partisan politics, like a referee at a sports game. But playing politics more like a game of strategy has led to Presidents digging deep into party roots to nominate justices for lifetime positions that best suit their parties best interest.

And some may say Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg was just as much a pawn of President Bill Clinton in that regard… a liberal choice by a relatively liberal president who would see to it that the policies of the left were kept in place. Just as recent nominees to the court have been hyperconservative choices meant to skew the court to the right in the hope of striking down or at least rolling back the effects of the American Care Act, Roe v. Wade, Voting Rights Act, and the Civil Rights Act.

Within the checks and balances of American Democracy, no one branch is meant to hold any more power than another branch. For example, both houses of congress can pass a bill that they wish to become a law. The President has the power of VETO which allows him to reject the bill, preventing it from becoming law and returning the bill to Congress. Congress can then choose to vote on it again, and if it passes with a ⅔ majority, then the bill automatically becomes a law and overrides the VETO. And if we have an existing law, it can be challenged in court as being unjust or unconstitutional. That lawsuit can make its way as far as The Supreme Court, who have the power to strike down a law for being unconstitutional, essentially acting as a check against the President and Congress. And finally, Congress has the power to modify the Constitution itself through amendments which can then act as a check against the supreme court, whose responsibility is to determine if a law is in violation of the constitution.

This may seem confusing, but a circle of three that keeps itself in check is something that exists across pop culture as well, like the triforce from The Legend of Zelda, and the three ancients from Eternal Darkness. It’s not quite the same thing, but you get the idea…

And that brings us back to the significance of the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsberg. If the current administration works at unprecedented speed to push a new nominee through congress before the election (or even before inauguration day) it will lead to a conservative super-majority in the court that, given the ages of the current justices, will stand for a generation. This means that cases in regards to a woman’s right to choose, election interference by foreign bodies, challenges to the Affordable Care Act, and many more that have been at risk for years will be placed upon the chopping block. Women seeking abortions for any reason will once again be forced into the shadows… to back-alley clinics, with physicians who perform them once again subject to arrest and imprisonment… the tenets of the Affordable Care Act that opened up health care access to millions of Americans will be stripped away, leading to millions more uninsured Americans that will clog emergency services and cause an unimaginable burden on health and human services in the time of covid… congressional gerrymandering will continue to expand unencumbered… the fundamental right to vote and access to polling stations will be limited or even restricted to certain classes of Americans, based on anything from immigration status or race, sex, or color. The amendment mandating term limits for President will be overwritten, setting the stage for a “president for life” like those so admired in China and North Korea by our current commander in chief. And if this all seems far-fetched and unlikely, the wheels are already in motion… committees are already in place… a third term commission is already hard at work… These are real, casual facts and we know this because they told us exactly what they want to do.

The November election may be the last of its kind in American politics. Or the first of its kind, depending on how you look at it. Do we allow the despots to operate in plain sight and return America to a great state of cold war fervor, of housewives, Jim Crowe and back-alley abortions? Or do we stand upon the shoulders of fallen heroes like Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg who fought tooth and nail, until her dying day, to preserve the American ideal from tyranny? Do you want blood on your hands, or just shaving soap?

This is “Lather and Nothing Else” by Hernando Telez… on LOCKED IN A VACANCY… dedicated to the fierce, immortal spirit of Ruth Bader Ginsber… may her memory be a blessing.

I’d like to give a massive shout-out to the following people for supporting STORIES TELLING STORIES on Patreon…

Jim Ross

Holly

Tamara

Tom

Maddy

Thank you so much for your support! If you’d like to help support the show and hear your name listed before future episodes, head on over to Patreon.com/StoriesTellingStories

Quarantine never ending...well for some people! Today we are yet again podcasting via technology and we chat about how the quarantine blues are affecting our psyche and how safely expanding your social pod is oh so good for the soul. Plus, you'll find out what happens if you try to hug Teresa as well as get the deets on Kate's first attempt at acupuncture. We also toss in a little chat on Kate's guilty pleasure teen flick, "The Kissing Booth," parts 1 and 2, and transparent bathrooms that are popping up in parks in Tokyo. Then we dive into a laundry list of heavy hitting matters like women having the power to determine elections yet failing to vote in their best interests, how black women are left out of the Black Lives Matter movement and conversation, Ruth Bader Ginsberg's health concerns, and Supreme Court rulings on abortion and contraceptives that are flying under the radar of the main stream media. That's right! Huge decisions about women's health care are being made and you don't really hear anyone talk about it, so we are here to scream about it from our digital roof tops! Finally, we round out our convo on a high note with our Fave Wave. We give a little nod to the world leaders who are actually doing a kick ass job during the pandemic. Spoiler alert...they are all women. Just another reason to #ladywave!

Any day now, the Supreme Court is expected to announce a ruling that could change abortion access across the United States. Many state laws have whittled away at women's right to choose, and these barriers to access end up impacting poor women most of all.

In this episode:

Imaeyen Ibanga (@iiwrites), presenter and reporter for AJ+; Rebecca Reingold, an adjunct law professor at Georgetown University.

For more:

What Happens When You Restrict Abortion?

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