Polybius
Polybius's JournalJoe Wurzelbacher, known as 'Joe the Plumber' in 2008 election, dies at 49
Source: BNO News
Joe Wurzelbacher, the Ohio man who became well-known as “Joe the Plumber” after questioning Barack Obama about his tax plan during the 2008 election campaign, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 49.
Wurzelbacher died on Sunday morning after a months-long battle with pancreatic cancer, according to close friends. He is survived by his wife Katie, their three young children – Samantha Jo, Henry and Sarah Jo – and an adult son, Joey, from a previous marriage.
A crowdfunding campaign for Wurzelbacher’s family raised more than $120,000.
Wurzelbacher rose to national fame after asking Barack Obama, then the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee, about his tax plan and whether he’d have to pay more as a small business owner.
Read more: https://bnonews.com/index.php/2023/08/joe-wurzelbacher-known-as-joe-the-plumber-in-2008-election-dies-at-49/
Simple question about Trump potentially being disqualified from running for President
Do you want him to be disqualified or not?
I would have made a poll, but my Star Membership just expired have no access to my credit cards right now (long story)...
Appeals Court Lets Alabama Enforce Trans Care Ban, Cites Anti-Abortion Ruling
Source: Advocate
A federal appeals court has lifted a block on most of the provisions of Alabama’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth, citing the anti-abortion Dobbs Supreme Court ruling in doing so.
This means Alabama can enforce anti-trans law, which made it a felony to provide this care to trans minors, while a lawsuit against it proceeds.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit issued the unanimous ruling Monday. The three judges — Barbara Lagoa, Andrew Brasher, and J.P. Boulee — were all appointed by Donald Trump. Boulee is a judge on a lower court, but he participated in the 11th Circuit case under a process by which judges can be temporarily designated to serve on appellate courts.
The Alabama law took effect early in May 2022. Shortly thereafter, U.S. District Judge Liles Burke issued a temporary injunction blocking the provisions that ban the administration of hormones and puberty blockers to minors for the purpose of gender transition. The ruling came in a case brought by two doctors and families with trans children, who said the law violated various constitutional rights, including the right to due process of law. Burke found that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on most of their claims at trial and that there was a threat of imminent harm to trans youth if those parts of the law were enforced.
Read more: https://www.advocate.com/law/gender-affirming-care-alabama-dobbs
Indiana Supreme Court denies rehearing on abortion restrictions clearing way for law to take effect
Source: WRTV
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Supreme Court has denied the rehearing request by abortion advocates after the Supreme Court ruled in June that the pending abortion ban is constitutional.
Attorneys for Indiana abortion providers and advocates filed a request with the Indiana Supreme Court to rehear a challenge to the state’s impending abortion ban just hours before it was set to take effect on August 1.
The ban was set to begin around August 1 after the Indiana Supreme Court offered their opinion in June.
In their response to the denial for a rehearing, the Supreme Court ruled as an order with separate opinions, a rehearing is unnecessary.
Read more: https://www.wrtv.com/news/state-news/supreme-court-denies-rehearing-on-abortion-rights-lawsuit
The vote was 4-1.
Anti-corruption candidate Bernardo Arvalo wins Guatemala presidential election
Source: USA Today
WASHINGTON ? Guatemalans have elected Bernardo Arévalo, a progressive outsider who ran on an anti-corruption platform and pledged to tackle poverty in the nation, as their next president.
Arévalo earned 58% of the vote to defeat former first lady Sandra Torres, who received 37% of voters' support, in a runoff election with all of the votes counted. The votes had not been certified as of Monday morning, but Arévalo said outgoing President Alejandro Giammattei had called to congratulate him.
Giammattei is constitutionally required to leave office on Jan. 14. It was unclear immediately after Sunday's presidential election, however, whether Arévalo would be allowed to take power after an earlier effort to disqualify the Seed Movement candidate from the competition.
Just before ballots were certified in the first election, the country's Attorney General’s Office intervened and a judge suspended Arévalo's political party’s legal status. After a higher court stepped in, Arévalo was allowed to compete in the runoff against Torres, who represents the National Unity of Hope.
Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/08/21/anti-corruption-candidate-arvalo-wins-guatemala-election/70640342007/
Sinema calls for Biden admin and Tuberville to find 'middle ground' in abortion standoff
Source: NBC News
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, the Arizona independent who left the Democratic Party last year, is calling on both the Biden administration and Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., to soften their positions and find a “middle ground” to end the Republican’s monthslong blockade of hundreds of military promotions over a Defense Department policy involving abortion.
According to a recording obtained by NBC News, Sinema told a meeting of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce last week that she has “offered” to help both sides come to a consensus.
“I know that Coach does not want to undermine the readiness of our United States military,” Sinema said, referring to the former college football coach by his preferred title. “And I know that the United States military and the administration does not want to undermine the authority and the right of any United States senator. What we need are for folks to step off a little bit from their positions and find that middle ground to solve the challenge that we’re facing.”
“I’ve volunteered to help do that,” she added. “We’ll see if they take me up on the offer.”
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/sinema-seeks-compromise-tuberville-biden-abortion-policy-military-hold-rcna100388
Democrat who doesn't want Biden to run again: 'We're at grave risk of another Trump presidency'
Source: The Hill
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), who has criticized President Biden’s reelection efforts, expressed his concern that a rematch between Biden and former President Trump could result in a second Trump term.
“We’re at grave risk of another Trump presidency,” Phillips said in an interview published Thursday in The Washington Post. “I’m doing this to prevent a return of Donald Trump to the White House.”
Phillips has grown increasingly vocal in his opposition to Biden’s efforts to seek another term in office — much to the chagrin of many of his Democratic colleagues. While Phillips praises Biden’s legislative achievements, calling them “historic in nature” to the Post, he has said he thinks it’s in Biden’s and the Democratic party’s best interests for the president to step aside.
“I want him to preserve his legacy, not to compromise it,” Phillips told the Post. “And this is exactly why I’m asking — pass the torch, open the stage.”
Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4156835-democrat-who-doesnt-want-biden-to-run-again-were-at-grave-risk-of-another-trump-presidency/
I think someone should primary challenge Mr. Phillips...
MLB looking into social media posts regarding Wander Franco, Rays in 'close contact' with the league
Source: CBS Sports
The Tampa Bay Rays released a statement regarding shortstop Wander Franco and allegations made against him on social media on Sunday. The Rays said they were "made aware" of social media posts about Franco on Sunday and Major League Baseball is conducting "its due diligence" about the matter.
"During today's game, we were made aware of the social media posts that are circulating regarding Wander Franco," the Rays said in their statement. "We take the situation seriously and are in close contact with Major League Baseball as it conducts its due diligence."
Rays manager Kevin Cash addressed the speculation following Tampa Bay's loss to the Guardians on Sunday. At the time, Cash said he was aware of the speculation but offered no comment. He did add that Franco's absence from the lineup on Sunday was because of a scheduled day off, and was not reflective of anything else going on with him.
Instead of Franco getting the nod at shortstop, the Rays deployed debuting infielder Osleivis Basabe. The Rays had only recalled Basabe prior to the game, demoting lefty Josh Fleming in the process.
Read more: https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-looking-into-social-media-posts-regarding-wander-franco-rays-in-close-contact-with-the-league/
