As always, great column, Richard. Perhaps it's time for a modern day "Lysistrate".
From Wikipedia: "Lysistrata (/laɪˈsɪstrətə/ or /ˌlɪsəˈstrɑːtə/; Attic Greek: Λυσιστράτη, Lysistrátē, "Army Disbander") is an ancient Greek comedy by Aristophanes, originally performed in classical Athens in 411 BCE. It is a comic account of a woman's extraordinary mission to end the Peloponnesian War between Greek city states by denying all the men of the land any sex, which was the only thing they truly and deeply desired. Lysistrata persuades the women of the warring cities to withhold sexual privileges from their husbands and lovers as a means of forcing the men to negotiate peace—a strategy, however, that inflames the battle between the sexes.[citation needed]
The play is notable for being an early exposé of sexual relations in a male-dominated society. Additionally, its dramatic structure represents a shift from the conventions of Old Comedy, a trend typical of the author's career.[2] It was produced in the same year as the Thesmophoriazusae, another play with a focus on gender-based issues, just two years after Athens' catastrophic defeat in the Sicilian Expedition.
Dunno. Early returns (658 days and counting) since Dobbs are not promising for anti-ABs when the general populations speaks, to wit: Kansas. Many of the current restrictive laws were "triggers" passed years ago when they had no effect, now released by Dobbs and coming face-to-face with reality, and not yet tested in a general election--in the one general election since Dobbs it likely squashed the anticipated "red wave" single-handedly.
Perusal of Guttmacher Institute map shows 17 states have actually advanced "protective" legislation/amendments. And Florida's six-week law (virtually identical to Iowa's) will be subject to general population review in November, likely to provoke a lot of ballot-splitting at a minimum and perhaps even over-ruled.
This issue will evolve over years and I think the states will prove to be a better venue than the courts or Congress.
The Last Call is one of my favorite books, not merely because it was a deep dive into political tactics. The Anti-Saloon League figured out that 40 percent were for Prohibition in many states, 40 percent against, so all they had to do was frame an argument to capture 11 % of the vote. BUT... another point made in the book is that for the first time in history, Congress didn't redistrict according to the 1920 census, because Congress could not agree. So the congressional districts of 1910 stayed until 1933, probably having a lot to do with Prohibiltion and the length of time it stayed the law of the land. In 1929 Congress passed a law mandating that the House stay at 435 seats which is how, with three times the population, the House of Representatives has not grown in membership.
So love the way you think and write. You look great in the photo, Richard.
Very interesting analysis.
Fascinating analysis. Thanks for sharing!
As always, great column, Richard. Perhaps it's time for a modern day "Lysistrate".
From Wikipedia: "Lysistrata (/laɪˈsɪstrətə/ or /ˌlɪsəˈstrɑːtə/; Attic Greek: Λυσιστράτη, Lysistrátē, "Army Disbander") is an ancient Greek comedy by Aristophanes, originally performed in classical Athens in 411 BCE. It is a comic account of a woman's extraordinary mission to end the Peloponnesian War between Greek city states by denying all the men of the land any sex, which was the only thing they truly and deeply desired. Lysistrata persuades the women of the warring cities to withhold sexual privileges from their husbands and lovers as a means of forcing the men to negotiate peace—a strategy, however, that inflames the battle between the sexes.[citation needed]
The play is notable for being an early exposé of sexual relations in a male-dominated society. Additionally, its dramatic structure represents a shift from the conventions of Old Comedy, a trend typical of the author's career.[2] It was produced in the same year as the Thesmophoriazusae, another play with a focus on gender-based issues, just two years after Athens' catastrophic defeat in the Sicilian Expedition.
Dunno. Early returns (658 days and counting) since Dobbs are not promising for anti-ABs when the general populations speaks, to wit: Kansas. Many of the current restrictive laws were "triggers" passed years ago when they had no effect, now released by Dobbs and coming face-to-face with reality, and not yet tested in a general election--in the one general election since Dobbs it likely squashed the anticipated "red wave" single-handedly.
Perusal of Guttmacher Institute map shows 17 states have actually advanced "protective" legislation/amendments. And Florida's six-week law (virtually identical to Iowa's) will be subject to general population review in November, likely to provoke a lot of ballot-splitting at a minimum and perhaps even over-ruled.
This issue will evolve over years and I think the states will prove to be a better venue than the courts or Congress.
Thanks for your comment, Bob!
Wow! Thanks so much for this! So incredibly insightful and horrifying at the same time.
The Last Call is one of my favorite books, not merely because it was a deep dive into political tactics. The Anti-Saloon League figured out that 40 percent were for Prohibition in many states, 40 percent against, so all they had to do was frame an argument to capture 11 % of the vote. BUT... another point made in the book is that for the first time in history, Congress didn't redistrict according to the 1920 census, because Congress could not agree. So the congressional districts of 1910 stayed until 1933, probably having a lot to do with Prohibiltion and the length of time it stayed the law of the land. In 1929 Congress passed a law mandating that the House stay at 435 seats which is how, with three times the population, the House of Representatives has not grown in membership.
Who knew? Those of you wise souls who read the book! Thanks for the dialogue!