DL Open Thread: Sunday, December 26, 2021

RIP: Desmond Tutu:

As leader of the South African Council of Churches and later as Anglican archbishop of Cape Town, Archbishop Tutu led the church to the forefront of Black South Africans’ decades-long struggle for freedom. His voice was a powerful force for nonviolence in the anti-apartheid movement, earning him a Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.

When that movement triumphed in the early 1990s, he prodded the country toward a new relationship between its white and Black citizens, and, as chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, he gathered testimony documenting the viciousness of apartheid.

“You are overwhelmed by the extent of evil,” he said. But, he added, it was necessary to open the wound to cleanse it. In return for an honest accounting of past crimes, the committee offered amnesty, establishing what Archbishop Tutu called the principle of restorative — rather than retributive — justice.

Archbishop Tutu preached that the policy of apartheid was as dehumanizing to the oppressors as it was to the oppressed. At home, he stood against looming violence and sought to bridge the chasm between Black and white; abroad, he urged economic sanctions against the South African government to force a change of policy.

Have you noticed that South Africa, even in the relatively brief period since the collapse of apartheid, has managed to largely heal the racial divides?  Wonder what’s taking us so long…

Nothing I can say can overstate the importance of this truly great human being.

Redistricting Not So Bad For Congressional Democrats?  Wait, could the Conventional Wisdom (aka Politico) be wrong?  That’s never happened before:

This trend has only become apparent in the last few weeks. Waldman distills the reason into four key points: First, the GOP had already gerrymandered the map after 2010 so completely that there was little room left to maneuver for them; second, Democrats have taken advantage of the “relatively few states” in which they have an opportunity to redistrict in their favor; third, in some states (such as Texas) the GOP has chosen to consolidate its existing districts rather than seek additional seats; and finally, independent commissions that have produced new maps ins states such as California have not hurt the Democrats to the extent they might have expected.

2022 could be rough unless Biden’s approval ratings improve, but there appears to be no permanent realignment in Congress.

21(!) States Increase Minimum Wage In January. Including Delaware.  That’s some real good news to start 2022. Plus, four other states will increase the minimum wage during the year.  The federal minimum wage? $7.25 an hour. Have I mentioned lately that Carper and Coons must go?  This issue alone should be enough to sink ’em in a primary.

Seaford Having ‘Second Thoughts’ About Fetal Remains Burial Ordinance?  Or, more appropriately, first thoughts?  Perhaps it’s better not to risk bankrupting the town via legal fees than trying to make a RWNJ point about being a ‘pro-life’ community:

SEAFORD – Facing the threat of litigation on several fronts, Seaford City Council will meet in special session Thursday to consider a proposal to “stay enforcement” of the city’s controversial fetal remains disposal ordinance narrowly approved earlier this month.

With city solicitor Daniel Griffith’s assurance, the proposal, spurred by Seaford Mayor David Genshaw, would pass constitutional muster, Council, by a 3-2 margin Dec. 14, approved an ordinance addition to city code that will require dignified disposal of fetal remains from abortions performed within city limits.

I suppose it’s nice to have a city solicitor who doubles as a constitutional scholar.  If he is indeed a constitutional scholar. Question is: Does the Town have the constitution to place its faith in said constitutional scholar?  Me? I’m glad that these assholes are tying themselves in knots over this.  BTW, did’ja hear about the ‘anonymous benefactor’?:

Also on the Thursday agenda is discussion of funding of potential litigation. That line item was requested by councilman James King in response to Mayor Genshaw’s announcement prior to council’s Dec. 14 vote that someone has offered to financially support legal costs should the city be sued.

Mayor Genshaw said last week it is that person’s desire to remain anonymous.  (I can understand that. Assuming the anonymous benefactor is John Beresford Tipton.) Mr. King disagrees, saying this information should be made public.

“The thing that concerns me is they are having these discussions around all this information and there has been a lot of people inquiring who this donor is,” said Mr. King. “I have an obligation to the voters, the constituents. Transparency is important.”

Mayor Genshaw said his understanding is the city had not yet officially been sued, as of Thursday, and the proposed temporary stay of enforcement serves as a buffer against litigation.

“If the city of Seaford were to do a stay, that kind of cuts their legs out from under them and they cannot do anything. You cannot sue anything that is not happening. That would pause it,” Mayor Genshaw said.

Well, yes.  If you don’t enforce the ordinance, then I guess you can’t be sued.  But, then, you wouldn’t be enforcing the ordinance (two more brain cells die).  This Mayor Genshaw shows promising DL comedic potential. Someone to watch in 2022.

What do you want to talk about?