I'm really starting to wonder if we'll see another "caning" episode...

...in the near future--or the modern equivalent of it (whatever that would be!). Anyone remember the bit about "dueling" on the Chris Matthews show years ago (Zell Miller, as I recall)?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caning_of_Charles_Sumner

Lila Rose is a recent convert to radtrad Catholicism (she is a member of Opus Dei)...

...and often appears in the far-right Catholic media (EWTN, Relevant Radio, etc.). Rose is a real zealot when it comes to abortion and the related Catholic "pelvic issues" (e.g. IVF). Every issue is black or white. It's scary to think of someone like Rose actually being in a position to write laws or make decisions based on her limited experience. What is equally scary is that she is so certain she is always right.

Phyllis Schlafly as well, and too many others to count.

IANAL, but I recall that state laws on divorce are often quite varied...

...e.g. Louisiana has the infamous "covenant marriage" law. How does Mr. Carson suggest we make this a nationwide policy? Because I remember that many years ago, Nevada was the place to get a (relatively) easy divorce. (This was long before today, where some version of a "no-fault" divorce law can be found on the books in every state).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divorce_in_the_United_States#20th_century

Here's a first person account from someone who attended...

...the commencement at Benedictine--and walked out!

https://old.reddit.com/r/excatholic/comments/1cpojjh/walked_out_of_my_brothers_commencement/

Butker's speech was even worse than described, using Nazi language about a "degenerate culture" and attacking every radtrad bête noire from DEI to IVF. The alt-right Pepe chuds of 4Chan would be thrilled; Butker sounded just like them.

This kind of idiocy is encouraged and promoted by crazy radtrad media like EWTN, Relevant Radio, Ave Maria Radio, etc. They have successfully "Google-bombed" the internet such that only the most reactionary groups appear at the top of a web search. This makes it look like these groups have institutional Church standing that they in fact do not have.

https://democraticunderground.com/100218911605#post16

We were warned many years ago about these kinds of movements, and...

...how they often become influential during times of crisis in democratic, open societies.

Erich Fromm, in Escape From Freedom, and Eric Hoffer, in The True Believer, both explained why these mass movements have appeal to various disillusioned and disenfranchised groups. The kind of rhetoric employed by Joel Webbon could have come directly out of either of Fromm or Hoffer's works.

And unfortunately, these kinds of movements are often just barely sub rosa in open societies, even during the good times. There is a famous letter by President Eisenhower to a constituent, in which Eisenhower recommended the Hoffer book. It is known as the "Biggs letter", after the name of the constituent.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218041638#post17
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1017842811#post8

Is Trump really such a moron that he actually meant "Taiwan" when...

...he said "Beijing"?! (Of course he is. He confused a country with a city as well!). He's made so many of these substitute-word gaffes over the last few years that I'll bet that's what was on his mind here.

It could be Generation Z's "Mommie Dearest"!

(I guess I'm really dating myself with that reference, however. Getting old sucks.)

But totally consistent with the "Trump fantasy physique"...

...so often seen in idealized portrayals of him by the Trump cult, particularly those by Jon McNaughton and Ben Garrison, where Trump appears 40 years younger and 100 pounds lighter.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218087818#post25 (additional links at post)

The CRA was part of the Gingrich "Contract On...er...With America".

Though it passed both houses and was signed into law by President Clinton. I'm betting many of them are regretting that now.

https://progressivereform.org/cpr-blog/controversial-congressional-review-act/
https://prospect.org/politics/2024-04-23-biden-administration-regulations-congressional-review-act/