Category Archives: ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Dozens of Women and Children Perish in Ethnic Clash in Kenya – In Memory


 

At least 52 people have died in a serious ethnic attack in Kenya on Tuesday. AFP notes that most of the victims were women and children. The original toll of 48 casualties reported on Tuesday was raised to 52 after four more people perished from sustained injuries on Wednesday.

The tragedy was sparked by the long rivalry between Pokomo and Ormo people in a remote corner of Kenya near the Tana River district. Police chief Joseph Kitur said that 31 women perished, along with 11 children and six adult men. Kitur also told reporters that 34 of the victims were hacked to death and 14 were burnt.

The attack occurred in a rural corner of southeast Kenya, about 185 miles away from the capital of Nairobi. The New York Times notes that the gruesome incident was staged by numerous members of an armed militia from the Pokomo group who entered the Ormo village and began to slash residents before setting many of the homes on fire.

One member of Parliament, Danson Mungatana, thought the attacks were probably a backlash after an Ormo cattle raid that occurred last week. Battles for water and land resources between the two groups in this part of Kenya are reportedly very common. Another clash between the two groups back in 2001 caused around 130 deaths. The Pokomo reportedly practice subsistence farming, while the Ormo tend towards a pastoral livelihood. The Kenya Red Cross was at the scene and reported that they sent seven people to the hospital with severe injuries.

The most tragic aspect of the current episode is the high number of children lost in the conflict, along with women and unsuspecting male village members. Both the AFP and the New York Times note that this most recent attack is a reminder of the post-election ethnic violence of 2007, when there were contested election results between two candidates from different ethnic backgrounds, which pitted populations against each other, resulting in more than 1,000 deaths.

In January, the International Criminal Court charged four Kenyan officials with crimes related to the post-election deaths. The next set of elections are planned for next year, according to UPI. The most recent violence has sparked discomfort and is an unsettling reminder that elections could also pose more danger for Kenyans next year.

 

Grok: Will people of the USA lose all their rights under trump


Reproductive Rights:

While a complete loss of all reproductive rights is improbable due to the diversity of rights involved and resistance from states, courts, and activists, significant restrictions—especially on abortion and potentially contraception and IVF—are likely under Trump’s second term. His administration’s early actions, guided by Project 2025 and anti-abortion appointees, signal a concerted effort to curtail access domestically and globally. However, public support for reproductive rights, state-level protections, and ongoing legal battles may mitigate the extent of these losses. For the latest updates, monitoring sources like the Center for Reproductive Rights or Guttmacher Institute is advisable

Voting :

While Trump’s executive order could create significant obstacles to voting for some eligible U.S. citizens, particularly through restrictive registration requirements and mail-in ballot rules, it does not and cannot eliminate all voting rights. The Constitution, federal laws, state authority, and ongoing legal challenges provide robust safeguards against such an outcome. However, the order’s implementation could disproportionately affect certain groups, and its legality is already being contested in court. For the most accurate updates, monitor ongoing lawsuits and state responses, as these will shape the order’s impact ahead of the 2026 midterms.If you’d like, I can search for more recent developments or analyze specific aspects of the order further. Let me know!

on this day … 8/23 1979 – Soviet dancer Alexander Godunov defected while the Bolshoi Ballet was on tour in New York City.


1838 – The first class graduated from Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in South Hadley, MA. It was one of the first colleges for women.

1839 – Hong Kong was taken by the British in a war with China.

1858 – “Ten Nights in a Barroom” opened in New York City at the National Theater. It was a melodrama about the evils of drinking.

1892 – The printed streetcar transfer was patented by John H. Stedman.

1904 – Hard D. Weed patented the grip-tread tire chain for cars.

1914 – Tsingtao, China, was bombarded as Japan declared war on Germany in World War I.

1939 – Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression treaty.

1944 – During World War II, Romanian prime minister Ion Antonescue was dismissed. Soon after the country would abandon the Axis and join the Allies.

1944 – Marseilles was captured by Allied troops during World War II.

1952 – The security pact of the Arab League went into effect. 

1959 – In the Peanuts comic strip, Sally debuted as an infant.

1962 – The first live TV program was relayed between the U.S. and Europe through the U.S. Telstar satellite.

1970 – U.S. swimmer Gary Hall broke three world records at the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) outdoor swimming meet, held in Los Angeles, CA.

1979 – Soviet dancer Alexander Godunov defected while the Bolshoi Ballet was on tour in New York City.

1982 – The parliament of Lebanon elected Bashir Bemayel president. He was assassinated three weeks later.

1982 – Gaylord Perry (Seattle Mariners) was tossed out of a game for throwing an illegal spitball.

1983 – The U.S. announced that it was nearly ready for a test flight of an anti-satellite missile.

1987 – Robert Jarvik and Marilyn Mach vos Savant were married. The event was called the “Union of Great Minds” since Savant had an IQ of 228 and Jarvik was the inventor of the artificial heart.

1990 – President Saddam Hussein appeared on Iraqi state television with a group of Western detainees that he referred to as “guests.” He told the group that they were being held “to prevent the scourge of war.”

1996 – U.S. President Clinton imposed limits on peddling cigarettes to children.

1998 – Protestors in Sudan carried a sign that bore the resemblance of Monica Lewinsky and the words “No War for Monika.” The anti-U.S. demonstration was in Khartoum, Sudan.

1998 – Boris Yeltsin dismissed the Russian government again.

1999 – Robert Bogucki was rescued after getting lost in the Great Sandy Desert of Australia on July 11. During the 43 day ordeal Bogucki lost 44 pounds.

Did you know… SCOTUS is required to take TWO Oaths?


Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States are required to take two oaths before they may execute the duties of their appointed office:

  1. The Constitutional Oath: This oath is a solemn commitment to uphold the Constitution. It is as follows:“I, [Justice’s Full Name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as [Justice’s Title] under the Constitution and laws of the United States.” 1
  2. The Judicial Oath: This oath emphasizes the impartiality and integrity expected of justices. It reads:“I, [Justice’s Full Name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as [Justice’s Title] under the Constitution and laws of the United States.” 1

These oaths serve as a foundation for the justices’ commitment to uphold justice, equality, and the rule of law in their role on the Supreme Court. They are essential to maintaining the integrity and independence of the judiciary.

 If you’d like to explore more about this topic, you can find additional information on the Supreme Court’s official website2.

Source: BingAI

What Stage of Fascism, Autocracy or Dictatorship has trump brought America and will SCOTUS help fight back? Grok ~ answer


What stage of Fascism, Autocracy, or Dictatorship has trump brought America, and will SCOTUS help fight back

As of August 2025, the U.S. under Trump’s second term is best described as experiencing competitive authoritarianism with fascist tendencies, but it has not reached full fascism or dictatorship.

Trump’s rhetoric, policies, and attacks on institutions like the media, universities, and judiciary indicate a dangerous erosion of democratic norms, but elections, courts, and civil society still function, albeit under strain.

The Supreme Court has both enabled and resisted Trump’s agenda, with its conservative majority raising concerns about partisanship, yet recent statements and rulings suggest some commitment to checking executive power. Whether SCOTUS will effectively fight back depends on its response to future constitutional crises, such as defiance of court orders or attempts to undermine elections.

The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further democratic backsliding if checks fail, but the U.S. has not yet crossed into a fully autocratic or fascist state.

Note: This assessment is based on the provided references and reflects the complexity of the debate. The situation is dynamic, and future developments could shift the trajectory. For further details on specific policies or legal rulings, I can search for additional information if requested.

Source: Grok