(CNN)A Florida circuit court judge signaled Wednesday that a new congressional map championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is likely unconstitutional, siding with Democrats and voting rights groups who said the map would illegally suppress Black voters in northern Florida. Judge J. Layne Smith, a DeSantis appointee to the 2nd Circuit Court of Florida, said during a hearing that he intended to issue an order granting an injunction that would prevent the map from going into effect. Smith said the map violates the state constitution "because it diminishes African Americans' ability to elect the representative of their choice." The order could come as soon as Thursday. An appeal by the state is expected. Florida's Republican-controlled legislature pushed through the state's new congressional boundaries along party lines in a contentious April special session. The approved map, put forward by DeSantis, controversially eliminated two districts represented by Black Democrats and would given Republicans an advantage in as many as 20 of 28 districts. DeSantis contended that Florida's 5th Congressional District, currently represented by Democrat Al Lawson, was unconstitutional because it stretched 150 miles to connect from Tallahassee to Jacksonville. https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/11/politics/florida-desantis-congressional-map/index.html
Originally the legislature turned in a map that favored Republicans. But DeathSantis complained it didn't favor them enough. Florida is thought of as a Republican state but actual registration close to 50/50. This map gave Republicans 20 of 23 districts. Meanwhile, in Ohio voters approved a ballot measure for a nonpartisan districting. State Republicans ignored it and put forward heavily gerrymandered map. State supreme Court ruled it illegal. Republicans redrew map almost identical. Court ruled it illegal but too close to election to change. If you can't win a fair election, cheat.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/21/politics/florida-governor-desantis-poll-numbers/index.html Ron DeSantis' governing strategy in Florida is paying off (CNN) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has championed controversial stances that have catapulted him into GOP stardom. From Covid-19 vaccines to critical race theory to the law critics have dubbed "Don't Say Gay," DeSantis has annoyed Democrats (and many medical professionals) and delighted his fellow Republicans. He's played to the GOP base -- something you may not expect for a governor of a competitive state running for reelection this year. But guess what? It's working for DeSantis. His polling has improved since last summer, and he finds himself as the strongest possible competitor of former President Donald Trump for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination..............
Yes, play to the base. Make it harder for Black people to vote. Don't teach anything that makes white people uncomfortable. Demonize LGBTQ community as threat to children. Force women to carry pregnancy against their will. Do nothing to mitigate Covid. Cut taxes on the rich. Fucking MAGA heaven. Hell for the rest of us.
A Sarasota, Florida high school student body president was out gay teen and activist. He was told due to don't say gay law, if he made any reference to his activism or any reference to gay students during his school graduation ceremony, not only would his microphone be shut off, the entire ceremony would be cancelled and all students and family sent home. So he substituted curly haired for gay. Talked about problems of young curly haired students, how they need to speak their truth, that they need support. In the 1950s, being gay was called the live that dare not speak its name. In free state of Florida it is again. Free state as in free to hate gays.
Shrinking Republican base? I’d say it’s growing by leaps and bounds with every screw-up by the dementia-addled Joe Biden.
Jan. 6 was orchestrated by the Democrats for political advantage. The doors to the Capital were unlocked, and the cops stood by and watched as the protestors walked in. There are numerous videos that illustrate this. In one video you can see a Trump supporter begging the police to defend the Capital while they just stand there like idiots doing nothing. Trump had asked for 10,000 National Guard troops to guard the Capital that day and Pelosi refused. Even in Trump’s speech he stressed the need to be peaceful and law-abiding. This was a false flag by the Democrats, who wanted to embarrass Trump, impeach him again, and try to make sure he couldn’t get re-elected.
ABM is in Puerto Vallarta. I would certainly hope he has better things to do than post on a message board.
First off, no. Second off, it's Capitol. Is that why they broke windows and went in that way too? The guards weren't standing around, they were defending the Capitol...they were getting their asses beat. One got his fingers crushed in the door as he attempted to stop the insurrectionists from getting in. Trump made no formal request for the National Guard, let alone 10,000. Pelosi doesn't control the national guard. She did ask for military assistance as the Capitol was being overtaken, but it was refused until much later. Pelosi also does not control the Capitol police. Facts. Stop trying to spread false information.
