[…]
At the border more people arrived as the night progressed. On the bank of the Rio Grande 30 more people sat quietly, all hoping authorities would let them in last minute.
“No pueden entrar [you can’t come in],” a Texas national guard soldier shouted across as he adjusted a coil of the concertina razor wire marking the line between the waiting people and America. At first his action prompted some to believe they would be let in, but then they all listened and sat back down.
When the clock struck 10pm local time, midnight on the US east coast, the exact moment Title 42 expired, the atmosphere at the gate in the tall border barrier remained tensely silent.
Only sporadically, when small vans arrived at the gate from the US side to pick up migrants who had been allowed through and take them elsewhere for processing, would migrants clap and cheer for a few seconds.
[continues]
but behind that golden door, ms liberty, are there not some who also are homeless and some who are also tempest-tossed yearning to breathe free to make better choices for their families? where goest they?
Rep. John Duarte (R-Calif.) explained his decision to vote against the GOP’s border bill that the House passed mostly along party lines, saying he did so to support working families and agriculture.
[…]
“What I really wanted to do with my vote is to show that the working families in our districts and agriculture in our district, that they do have an advocate in Congress for them and to raise my hand and invite those from the other party and moderates from the Republican Party to come together on a bipartisan immigration compromise that can actually pass the Senate and provides border security,” he said.
Duarte explained after the vote that he opposed the legislation because it would hurt many families that work in his district and “create difficulties” for food producers. He added that the bill would be “dead on arrival” in the Senate and argued that the House “could do better” than the current bill.
“I understand that my vote will not be popular among some fellow Republicans, but I am committed to upholding my promise to put working families ahead of Washington party politics,” he said.
[…]
At the 67th Eurovision Song Contest — hosted by last year’s runner-up, Britain, on behalf of last year’s winner, Ukraine — the wartime tributes jostle against kitsch and extreme silliness, but it isn’t all that jarring in the context of the biggest, strangest, live music event in the world.
Saturday’s final — streaming in the United States on Peacock and expected to be watched by more than 160 million people around the world — will feature some soulful ballads, along with bonkers pop tunes, madcap costume changes and outrageous set designs.
Contestants representing 26 countries have advanced to this last round, including Ukraine’s electronic music duo Tvorchi, who were selected from an underground bomb shelter. They will be performing “Heart of Steel,” written about thesiege of the Mariupol steel planta year ago.
[…]
In a change to the rules this year, people in nonparticipating countries, including the United States, can join in online voting.
[…]
Eurovision began in the late 1950s by a handful of countries as a way to bring together war-torn Europe. Underscoring how much the contest has grown — in participants and popularity — more than 1,000 journalists from 50 countries were accredited to cover this year’s event in Liverpool. Many are from dedicated fan websites and whoop and holler and sing along as they are filing their stories from the media center.
The news conferences in the build-up to the final were memorable experiences.
[…]
Some people think Eurovision is a joke — too camp, too trashy, too shmaltzy. Others take it very seriously indeed.
[…].
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked to address the competition — a request the organizers denied, saying that it was a non-political event while stressing that “Ukraine, its music, its culture, and its creativity would feature strongly throughout” the competition.
Many Ukrainians are nonetheless excited, and for many, it’s about uniting through music, the theme of this year’s competition. Halyna Sladz, 35, a Ukrainian refugee based in the U.K., said the contest was “a party, a chance to celebrate.” She was walking in a “discover Ukraine” area along Liverpool’s vibrant waterfront. “I hope one day you will all be able to come to Ukraine to celebrate,” she added.
[continues]
TVORCHI (@tvorchi_official) will represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool with the song Heart Of Steel (Eurovision Version).
Rishi Sunak is “disappointed” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has not been allowed to address this year’s Eurovision, his spokesman says.
The organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), say it would breach its political impartiality.
But Downing Street said it would be “fitting” for Mr Zelensky to speak given Russia’s invasion of his country.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is also calling for the Ukrainian leader to be allowed to make a speech.
Ukraine was meant to be hosting this year’s Eurovision after winning it last year, but it is taking place in Liverpool instead after Russia’s invasion.
It has been reported that Mr Zelensky wanted to make a video appearance at the contest’s final on Saturday, to an expected global audience of 160 million.
But in a statement on Thursday, the EBU said it had turned down a request from the Ukrainian president to address the event, despite his “laudable intentions”.
“The Eurovision Song Contest is an international entertainment show, and governed by strict rules and principles,” it added.
“As part of these, one of the cornerstones of the contest is the non-political nature of the event. This principle prohibits the possibility of making political or similar statements as part of the contest.”
BBC Director General Tim Davie told the BBC’s Eurovisioncast he understood the EBU’s decision and that throughout its history, Eurovision “has not been a platform for political statement”.
But he stressed the BBC was hosting on behalf of Ukraine and that it is “a celebration across Europe for freedom, for democracy”.
The EBU said that a Ukrainian design agency had been involved in designing artwork for the event, and 11 Ukrainian artists, including last year’s winners Kalush Orchestra, would be performing.
However, Mr Sunak’s spokesman questioned the decision not to have Mr Zelensky speak, saying: “The values and freedoms that President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine are fighting for are not political, they’re fundamental.”
[continues]
The fog of war, literally and figuratively, is what is happening in Ukraine right now. President Zelensky is in Rome to meet the Pope, he was nice enough to stream a little bit of the fighters escorting his plane, while the Ukraine military is doing defense. Or at least that is what one of the commanders said about Ukraine retaking a few kilometers of territory taken by the russians. A lot of talk about the Ukraine offensive taking place later this year, not now. About taking prisoners, forgetting to mention they were collected in the territory taken by the invaders. And, during the last few hours a couple of russian helicopters were downed and a russian fighter jet. Along with, according to the commanders, not being anywhere near the Ukraine front lines. Yeah. sometimes your eyes lie, sometimes someone lies to you. The phrase continues to be “Slava Ukraini”, with the “i” instead of an “e”.
edit: add another fighter jet down and burned. Plus a hotel in the center of Moscow.
I learned in college the Statue of Liberty had nothing to do with immigration in the beginning. It was France’s tribute to the end of slavery at the end of the Civil War, hence the broken chains at her feet. Don’t know how it came to be a symbol of immigration. Haven’t researched it thoroughly but that’s what I was told.
The statue’s official title is “Liberty Enlightening the World”
Unfortunately, greed ended the very workable bracero program. What few remember is that Caesar Chavez opposed undocumented workers. He wanted better pay and living accommodations for both Hispanic citizens and the braceros from Mexico.
Many of the farmers treated the braceros as little more than slave labor which led to the programs ending only to be replaced by the undocumented willing to work for anything. Current crackdowns are leaving crops unharvested and the long standing problems of border crossings, the dreamers, drug dealers and homeless.
It is time for a comprehensive plan that encompasses both sides of the border that helps alleviate problems in countries from South America on up. The US can’t take them all, so we need to provide ways for those fleeing danger and poverty to stay home.
We lived for 20 years under the gaze of a 1/5 replica of the Statue. We thought it was tacky at first but grew quite attached and miss it now.
“It was moved in 1988, and now stands on a tall pedestal in Liberty Park, a commercial development just off I-459. It is one of the largest Liberty replicas in the world, and real gas-fired flames shoot from the torch around the clock.”
We lived a couple of miles from the shadow of a 1/3 scale replica of the Parthenon oncet. That thing was huge.
Well, darn. The Googler says it’s a full size replica. Now I’m befuddled.
Yea, nonplussed, even.
Since we’re exploring the bronze works in Birmingham…
“Is it godless New York liberal culture in Birmingham? Is it an after-midnight rendezvous for red-eyed pagans? Are the five frogs listening to goat-guy really arranged at the points of a satanic pentagram?”
It was probably the timing of the Statue’s installation, coinciding with the massive influx of European immigrants fleeing persecution and oppression that led to the association it has today. Thanks, France.
Don’t know how it came to be a symbol of immigration
… because it overlooks Ellis Island, seeing it as an immigrant meant you made it to America
All four of my hub’s grandparents came in through Ellis fleeing pogroms.
My own grandfather was put on a boat out of Hamburg and came in to Havre de Grace, Maryland. He was by himself and no other members of his family ever came to America.
My ancestral unit got off the boat in Philadelphia in mid 1700’s at age 18, from Westphalia…..
I know what he’s doing. He’s setting up the fundraising story he’s going to use when he flees.
BREAKING: Dozens of FBI agents raid a condo owned by Russian oligarchs at Trump Towers in Sunny Isles, Florida. It’s the latest escalation in the FBI’s sprawling investigation into Russia oligarchs and mob members who reside at Trump’s properties. According to the Miami Herald,
‘Right to be let alone’: Montana Supreme Court unanimously extends abortion rights against latest GOP efforts, rejects ‘excessive governmental interference’ in women’s lives
[…]
In a 7-0 decision, the Treasure State’s highest court sided with an advanced practice nurse practitioner and a clinician who challenged a 2005 law that restricted who could provide abortion services.
“[U]nder Montana’s Constitution, the right of individual privacy—that is, the right of personal autonomy or the right to be let alone—is fundamental,” the court noted, citing precedent. “It is, perhaps, one of the most important rights guaranteed to the citizens of this State, and its separate textual protection in our Constitution reflects Montanans’ historical abhorrence and distrust of excessive governmental interference in their personal lives.”
[…]
“Accordingly, [the statute] is an unconstitutional interference with a woman’s right of privacy to seek medical care from a qualified provider of her choice,” McKinnon explained, upholding the lower court’s summary judgment ruling for the plaintiffs in the case.
[…]
“Independently of the federal constitution, when the right of individual privacy is implicated, Montana’s Constitution affords significantly broader protection than the federal constitution,” McKinnon wrote in Friday’s opinion. “The delegates to Montana’s 1972 Constitutional Convention viewed the textual inclusion of this right in Montana’s new constitution as being necessary for the protection of the individual in ‘an increasingly complex society . . . [in which] our area of privacy has decreased, decreased, and decreased.’ Delegate Campbell proclaimed that the ‘right to be let alone’ is ‘the most important right of them all.’”
NEW THREAD by Jack
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‘This was my last try’: dismay at US border as Title 42 ends and little changes | US-Mexico border | The Guardian
but behind that golden door, ms liberty, are there not some who also are homeless and some who are also tempest-tossed yearning to breathe free to make better choices for their families? where goest they?
whither goest the GOPers immigration-wise?
GOP lawmaker explains vote against Republican border bill | The Hill
don’t miss eurovision tonight
Eurovision Song Contest 2023: Ukraine tributes and hot pants – The Washington Post
TVORCHI (@tvorchi_official) will represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool with the song Heart Of Steel (Eurovision Version).
speaking of ukraine vis a vis eurovision
Eurovision: Ukraine’s Zelensky should address contest, says Rishi Sunak – BBC News
The fog of war, literally and figuratively, is what is happening in Ukraine right now. President Zelensky is in Rome to meet the Pope, he was nice enough to stream a little bit of the fighters escorting his plane, while the Ukraine military is doing defense. Or at least that is what one of the commanders said about Ukraine retaking a few kilometers of territory taken by the russians. A lot of talk about the Ukraine offensive taking place later this year, not now. About taking prisoners, forgetting to mention they were collected in the territory taken by the invaders. And, during the last few hours a couple of russian helicopters were downed and a russian fighter jet. Along with, according to the commanders, not being anywhere near the Ukraine front lines. Yeah. sometimes your eyes lie, sometimes someone lies to you. The phrase continues to be “Slava Ukraini”, with the “i” instead of an “e”.
edit: add another fighter jet down and burned. Plus a hotel in the center of Moscow.
I learned in college the Statue of Liberty had nothing to do with immigration in the beginning. It was France’s tribute to the end of slavery at the end of the Civil War, hence the broken chains at her feet. Don’t know how it came to be a symbol of immigration. Haven’t researched it thoroughly but that’s what I was told.
The statue’s official title is “Liberty Enlightening the World”
Unfortunately, greed ended the very workable bracero program. What few remember is that Caesar Chavez opposed undocumented workers. He wanted better pay and living accommodations for both Hispanic citizens and the braceros from Mexico.
Many of the farmers treated the braceros as little more than slave labor which led to the programs ending only to be replaced by the undocumented willing to work for anything. Current crackdowns are leaving crops unharvested and the long standing problems of border crossings, the dreamers, drug dealers and homeless.
It is time for a comprehensive plan that encompasses both sides of the border that helps alleviate problems in countries from South America on up. The US can’t take them all, so we need to provide ways for those fleeing danger and poverty to stay home.
We lived for 20 years under the gaze of a 1/5 replica of the Statue. We thought it was tacky at first but grew quite attached and miss it now.
“It was moved in 1988, and now stands on a tall pedestal in Liberty Park, a commercial development just off I-459. It is one of the largest Liberty replicas in the world, and real gas-fired flames shoot from the torch around the clock.”
https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/10068
We lived a couple of miles from the shadow of a 1/3 scale replica of the Parthenon oncet. That thing was huge.
Well, darn. The Googler says it’s a full size replica. Now I’m befuddled.
Yea, nonplussed, even.
Since we’re exploring the bronze works in Birmingham…
“Is it godless New York liberal culture in Birmingham? Is it an after-midnight rendezvous for red-eyed pagans? Are the five frogs listening to goat-guy really arranged at the points of a satanic pentagram?”
https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/17168
It was probably the timing of the Statue’s installation, coinciding with the massive influx of European immigrants fleeing persecution and oppression that led to the association it has today. Thanks, France.
… because it overlooks Ellis Island, seeing it as an immigrant meant you made it to America
All four of my hub’s grandparents came in through Ellis fleeing pogroms.
My own grandfather was put on a boat out of Hamburg and came in to Havre de Grace, Maryland. He was by himself and no other members of his family ever came to America.
My ancestral unit got off the boat in Philadelphia in mid 1700’s at age 18, from Westphalia…..
I know what he’s doing. He’s setting up the fundraising story he’s going to use when he flees.
BREAKING: Dozens of FBI agents raid a condo owned by Russian oligarchs at Trump Towers in Sunny Isles, Florida. It’s the latest escalation in the FBI’s sprawling investigation into Russia oligarchs and mob members who reside at Trump’s properties. According to the Miami Herald,
Montana Supreme Court unanimously rejects anti-abortion law (lawandcrime.com)
NEW THREAD by Jack