Civil & Human Rights

Someone should modify this ad to run against Rep. Trent Franks

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Hotel executive Jim Graves, the Democratic opponent of the Minnesota Loon, Michele Bachmann (R-MN), has launched a web video directly comparing her to former Sen. Joseph McCarthy (R-WI):

“I have a message for Rep. Bachmann: it’s nothing to be proud of,” Graves said of his opponent's fundaising in an email to supporters Thursday. “That money was the direct result of a hateful and dangerous witch-hunt that viciously smeared a dedicated public servant. It echoed of a dark time in our nation’s history that we thought was behind us.”

“McCarthyism was dangerous then. It’s dangerous now.”

Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) is one of the Minnesota Loon's four cohorts in this religious bigotry McCarthyism.

Video below the fold.

Chick-fil-A Intolerance Day

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie: So Chick-fil-A holds an appreciation intolerance day and all the gay haters come out to buy one of their over-priced sandwiches at the direction of Rick Warren and Mike Huckabee. Suckers, Carl's Jr. chicken sandwich is way better, and it's on the dollar menu! Of course, the "lamestream" media took their cues … Read more

9th Circuit Court enjoins Arizona abortion law from taking effect today

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

A 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel has issued an injunction against implementation of Arizona’s precedent-challenging “fetal pain” abortion ban, that was scheduled to take effect today. Appeals court blocks Arizona's 20-week abortion ban:

With the injunction in place, the restrictions in the Mother's Health and Safety Act (sic) cannot be enforced until the San Francisco-based appeals court hears the case, likely in late October or early November, and issues a ruling. A court decision could take weeks, if not months.

The law, which would make abortions illegal 20 weeks after a woman's last menstruation, is based on the concept of fetal pain. Arizona lawmakers this spring justified the abortion ban by citing evidence that they say proves fetuses feel pain at the 20th week after gestation.

The bill passed with strong Republican support, and Gov. Jan Brewer signed it into law, saying it "recognizes the precious life of the pre-born baby."

But the Center for Reproductive Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union sued on behalf of three abortion doctors in federal court, arguing the law is unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court, they argued, has established that abortions are illegal at the point a fetus becomes viable. That is generally between the 22nd and 24th weeks of pregnancy, according to medical experts and abortion clinics.

On Monday, conservative activist U.S. District Court Judge James Teilborg upheld the law, triggering the request for a preliminary injunction. For those of you unfamiliar with Judge Teilborg, Molly Redden at The New Republic explains in Angry at the Arizona Abortion Ruling? Blame Democrats Too.:

At first blush, the players who facilitated the ruling—the uncompromising, rightwing governor who signed the bill; the ultra-conservative general assembly members who shepherded it to passage; and the recalcitrant judge, who was moved by his personal passions to defy well-established abortion law—exhibit a familiar scenario: Conservative dominance of the courts has, once again, thwarted a cherished Democratic objective.

Freeport McMoRan mining company ousts South Bisbee residents from their homes (videos)

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by Pamela Powers Hannley

"There is no more heinous crime one human being can commit against another than domination."
—Sara of South Bisbee

"The greatest crimes against humanity are perpetrated by people just doing their jobs."
– Chris Hedges. 

International mining company Freeport-McMoRan is shutting down South Bisbee. Here is the story from Bisbee Video Blogger Alison McLeod.

No doubt Richard Ducote, Community Affairs Manager for Freeport-McMoRan, was doing his job when he informed the lifelong residents of South Bisbee, Arizona, that they would be paid $50 a square foot for their homes, and had five months to move out.

Like the Highland Clearances of the 18th and 19th centuries, some homes have already been destroyed before the homeowners had time to remove their belongings.

Although it seems a local issue, the plight of these residents is as global as it is timeless. It is the story of every person robbed of life savings by financial corporations, of every home foreclosed, of every indigenous people exploited and poisoned by the oil corporations. 

Here are four stories, including that of 63-year resident Mabel Farley, whose husband worked all his life for "Phillip Dodge," who raised her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in her house in South Bisbee, and who cannot conceive of the multinational Freeport-McMoRan Mining Corporation except as a person, who "must be a very mean man."

Videos after the jump…

A clear choice for women in November

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie: James Downie writes at The Plum Line today, The Morning Plum: On women’s health, a clear contrast between Obama and GOP: Today marks a major milestone for the Obama health care law and, more importantly, women’s health. As the Center for American Progress outlines, “a regulation goes into effect that will phase … Read more