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Newsome pushed back against Democracy to achieve his political goals

Bradskii

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GoldenBoy89

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From here: Trump administration suing Gavin Newsom over California’s voter-approved redistricting plan – live

Attorney general Pam Bondi called the governor’s effort a “power grab”.

“Abbott should be concerned about keeping Texans safe and shutting down Antifa violence, not rigging his state for political gain,” she added.'

Oops. My bad. She was actually talking about California. I don't know how that happened...but hey, it's still applicable so I won't change it.
Who is she going to sue, the voters?
 
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Bradskii

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Who is she going to sue, the voters?
Beats me. It's all entirely legal. If I was Newsome then if they do go ahead then I'd copy out the summons verbatum, change California to Texas and sue them back.
 
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Fervent

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Sure, and if you were only complaining about Gavin Newsom, that'd be one thing. But the complaint was regarding gerrymandering, something not exclusive to Newsom, and that practice indicating some lack of integrity or principles. If the practice denoted that lack, then surely the same would apply across the board. I was simply pointing out the apparent double standard.
No double standard, but Abbot is not the topic of the thread so the 'whataboutism" is nothing but an excuse
How much is "outlandish," and who paid for those ads? Is your problem with the amount the ads cost, or where the money for them came from? Or is it a general moral objection to the concept of political advertising?
It's more the content of the ads making it seem like the maps were about fairness in voting, when they were specifically drawn up for the purpose of gerrymandering.
I'll grant that politics can often become a popularity contest (largely why we have the president we do at the moment), but this country was founded on the principle of the consent of the governed. And those who may not have a full grasp of any and all issues involved are still the governed, and their consent is still necessary.
That's a rather thin defense, because they're not really consenting when they lack the required information. They're just being manipulated and drowning out those who take the time to sort through issues.
I'm not saying you have to, but it's a valid suggestion. One should not live under a form of government they disagree with. The options, of course, are to grin and bear it, work to change it, or leave.
Sure, and the first step to working to change it is speaking out.
But I'm curious....what form of government would be better, in your opinion?
It's not representative democracy per se that I am opposed to, just the idea that somehow ignorant people voting for the sake of voting is a good thing.
Well, that's an entire debate all by itself, isn't it? But the fact remains: your moral guidelines are not shared by everyone, nor are they applicable to anyone who disagrees with you. That makes them, by definition, subjective.
To an extent, but there's no such thing as subjective morality any more than there is subjective truth.
What did he lie about? As I recall, he was quite clear he was doing this in response to Trump's dictate that Texas increase GOP representatives by redistricting, and intended to balance that. If there was a falsehood in that, I haven't seen it.
He gave the impression that the districts were currently unfair and that the new districts would be more fair. He wasn't honest about trying to help the democratic party through gerrymandering.
Which speaks to the issue of gerrymandering, which, as has been noted, is not exclusive to Newsom. I agree with you that gerrymandering shouldn't be permitted, but the SCOTUS disagrees with us, and unless Congress decides to enact legislation prohibiting it nationwide, it's legal. Newsom has the same right to practice it as does Abbott, though only with voter approval. Abbott didn't ask his constituents, he just obeyed when Trump ordered him to. If you want to claim that gerrymandering indicates a lack of integrity or principles, I'd contend Abbott is more guilty than Newsom.
Perhaps, but again Abbot is not the topic of the thread. 2 wrongs don't make a right, so defending Newsom because "well, Abbot did it in a worse way" doesn't really fly with me. It just makes me question your integrity, truth be told.
I'm still unclear on what the lie was here, so maybe you can explain that. But, as to the unfairness of gerrymandering in general, I've already stated my agreement with that. My point isn't to support gerrymandering but to simply point out that when one party does it, it's not unexpected or unwarranted for another to also do it in response. Any criticism of the practice of gerrymandering applies to both equally. However, there is a difference in these cases: one was done with the consent of the governed, the other was not. I do see that as a significant difference.

-- A2SG, and, in California, the bipartisan commission will resume...Texans have no such protection from future politically motivated redistricting moves....
Whatever your intent, it comes across like you're trying to defend gerrymandering by engaging in whataboutism.
 
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Fervent

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Who is she going to sue, the voters?
The suit is alleging that Latino demographics were used as a proxy to draw the maps, making them racially gerrymandered rather than politically gerrymandered.
 
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JSRG

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The suit is alleging that Latino demographics were used as a proxy to draw the maps, making them racially gerrymandered rather than politically gerrymandered.
Yes--as this article explains:

(I would like to greatly thank the article for actually giving the name of the case via its posting of the legal complaint, it is so annoying how many articles will report on a case without ever bothering to say what its name is)

Strictly speaking, the Department of Justice didn't make the lawsuit; the lawsuit already existed by the California Republican Party, the Department of Justice then joined this already-existing lawsuit.
 
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Bradskii

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Perhaps, but again Abbot is not the topic of the thread. 2 wrongs don't make a right, so defending Newsom because "well, Abbot did it in a worse way" doesn't really fly with me.
If I keep getting beat up by the guy in the bar then discussing my eventual retaliation saying that it had nothing to do with the the other guy is just...bizarre. It's avoiding why I retaliated in the first place. The guy is swinging at me, and others, simply because his boss told him to. It'll be fine! They wouldn't dare fight back! But I've taken one punch too many. And I actually ask everyone in the bar If I could fight back. I'm sick and tired of getting belted. They overwhelmingly say 'Yeah, show him that he can't keep doing this'. And I give him a smack in the mouth.

Now you will never guess what happens next. His boss starts whinging that hey, you can't do that! He says that he's going to take me to court!

Let's say it happens. My defence is that I had to defend myself from this guy because he keeps beating me up. And his defence council, which happens to be you, says: 'The other guy isn't the topic of this case. You can't use him as an excuse'.

Well, after the laughter has died down and the judge has regained his own composure, he dismisses the case.
 
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Fervent

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If I keep getting beat up by the guy in the bar then discussing my eventual retaliation saying that it had nothing to do with the the other guy is just...bizarre. It's avoiding why I retaliated in the first place. The guy is swinging at me, and others, simply because his boss told him to. It'll be fine! They wouldn't dare fight back! But I've taken one punch too many. And I actually ask everyone in the bar If I could fight back. I'm sick and tired of getting belted. They overwhelmingly say 'Yeah, show him that he can't keep doing this'. And I give him a smack in the mouth.

Now you will never guess what happens next. His boss starts whinging that hey, you can't do that! He says that he's going to take me to court!

Let's say it happens. My defence is that I had to defend myself from this guy because he keeps beating me up. And his defence council, which happens to be you, says: 'The other guy isn't the topic of this case. You can't use him as an excuse'.

Well, after the laughter has died down and the judge has regained his own composure, he dismisses the case.
Your analogy fails because Abbot isn't impacted by CA districts, so it would be more like if you decided to hit another guy who is loosely associated with the original guy and defended it claiming you got the approval of a mob.

But go on defending gerrymandering, just shows your true character. Or lack thereof.
 
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Pommer

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From here: Trump administration suing Gavin Newsom over California’s voter-approved redistricting plan – live

Attorney general Pam Bondi called the governor’s effort a “power grab”.

“Abbott should be concerned about keeping Texans safe and shutting down Antifa violence, not rigging his state for political gain,” she added.'

Oops. My bad. She was actually talking about California. I don't know how that happened...but hey, it's still applicable so I won't change it.
I don’t think that the Administration has standing.
 
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A2SG

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No double standard, but Abbot is not the topic of the thread so the 'whataboutism" is nothing but an excuse
Your objection was that Newsom was indulging in gerrymandering, I was addressing that point. And Texas was cited in the OP, so it isn't off topic.

It's more the content of the ads making it seem like the maps were about fairness in voting, when they were specifically drawn up for the purpose of gerrymandering.
So your complaint isn't about the "outlandish sums" spent, rather the content of the ad itself. So, what was the lie? Was Newsom not clear on his intent?

That's a rather thin defense, because they're not really consenting when they lack the required information. They're just being manipulated and drowning out those who take the time to sort through issues.
Hey, I'm all for increasing information, and I fully agree that voters should educate themselves on any relevant issues they vote on. But the fact remains, voters who lack the required information are still affected by elections, so they still have the right to vote on it. That isn't a defense, it's an accurate assessment of how things are.

Sure, and the first step to working to change it is speaking out.
Agreed. Go for it. In my younger days, I was involved in some local political issues, and I was able to see real changes affected. It can be quite satisfying. It can also be disheartening when it doesn't quite live up to your expectations, but that's life for ya.

It's not representative democracy per se that I am opposed to, just the idea that somehow ignorant people voting for the sake of voting is a good thing.
Ah. So you favor an oligarchy, then? Only the most informed or most educated should be allowed to have a say in government?

To an extent, but there's no such thing as subjective morality any more than there is subjective truth.
All morality is subjective, it's dependent on the individual's views regarding what is or isn't moral. Those vary from individual to individual. Laws, on the other hand, are codified and apply to everyone in their jurisdiction, regardless of any individual opinion. That's what makes them objective. Morality doesn't do that, there is no codified system of morals that is applicable across the board.

He gave the impression that the districts were currently unfair and that the new districts would be more fair. He wasn't honest about trying to help the democratic party through gerrymandering.
So what was the lie, exactly? What did he say that was specifically untrue? Did Newsom say anything that was explicitly dishonest, or, perhaps, is it simply that you disagree with his plan?

Perhaps, but again Abbot is not the topic of the thread. 2 wrongs don't make a right, so defending Newsom because "well, Abbot did it in a worse way" doesn't really fly with me. It just makes me question your integrity, truth be told.
There is no "wrong" here, SCOTUS ruled that gerrymandering wasn't illegal or unconstitutional. My comparison wasn't about the act of gerrymandering, but the way each respective governor went about it. Newsom asked the voters first, Abbott did not. Newsom acted in a democratic way, Abbott ruled by fiat, and obeyed the orders of an authoritarian leader.

And just to be clear, my own personal integrity isn't at issue here. I'm not governor of my state, nor have I gerrymandered anything.

Whatever your intent, it comes across like you're trying to defend gerrymandering by engaging in whataboutism.
I'm curious, how many times do I have to specifically state that I don't agree with the (entirely legal) practice of gerrymandering before you accept that? Just so I know, in case I need to keep a running tally.

-- A2SG, I've given my specific objections as clearly and as precisely as I know how. I honestly don't know how to simplify my point any further....
 
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Bradskii

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But go on defending gerrymandering...
That's akin to saying I defend violent acts when I defend myself against someone punching me out. So no, I don't like gerrymandering and I'd be happy if everybody abided by the rules. But if the Dems didn't then I wouldn't expect the GOP to either. And that works both ways.
just shows your true character. Or lack thereof.
Here's a suggestion for you. Keep your petty personal comments about any given poster's character to yourself. I don't appreciate it and I know others don't.

People who think they can't back up their arguments resort to ad hominems.

I'm asking nicely...
 
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Fervent

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Your objection was that Newsom was indulging in gerrymandering, I was addressing that point. And Texas was cited in the OP, so it isn't off topic.
Not really "addressing" the point by engaging in whataboutism...it's just defending "your" guy by pointing to something someone else did.
So your complaint isn't about the "outlandish sums" spent, rather the content of the ad itself. So, what was the lie? Was Newsom not clear on his intent?
The money is a part of it, with millions of dollars spent. The ccontent is another, where the ballot summary did mention the intent the ads that were run did not.
Hey, I'm all for increasing information, and I fully agree that voters should educate themselves on any relevant issues they vote on. But the fact remains, voters who lack the required information are still affected by elections, so they still have the right to vote on it. That isn't a defense, it's an accurate assessment of how things are.
I disagree that they have the right to vote if they don't do their due diligence, because all they are doing is silencing people who actually understand what is going on. Children are also affected by elections, but they have no right to vote because they lack the understanding.
Agreed. Go for it. In my younger days, I was involved in some local political issues, and I was able to see real changes affected. It can be quite satisfying. It can also be disheartening when it doesn't quite live up to your expectations, but that's life for ya.
Yeah, I tend to stick to local politics and mostly ignore national politics as much as I can since at that level it all just seems like petty gamesmanship with both sides being either inept or corrupt.
Ah. So you favor an oligarchy, then? Only the most informed or most educated should be allowed to have a say in government?
I suppose you could put it that way, though it seems that our current system is far more favorable to oligarchy since it is all money anyway.
All morality is subjective, it's dependent on the individual's views regarding what is or isn't moral. Those vary from individual to individual. Laws, on the other hand, are codified and apply to everyone in their jurisdiction, regardless of any individual opinion. That's what makes them objective. Morality doesn't do that, there is no codified system of morals that is applicable across the board.
Nope, morality that is subjective isn't morality. It's just opinions.
So what was the lie, exactly? What did he say that was specifically untrue? Did Newsom say anything that was explicitly dishonest, or, perhaps, is it simply that you disagree with his plan?
He gave the impression that the current maps were somehow unfair and needed correction. Outside of the ballot summary he made almost no mention of his intent to gerrymander the districts as a response to TX republicans. It was lying by omission.
There is no "wrong" here, SCOTUS ruled that gerrymandering wasn't illegal or unconstitutional. My comparison wasn't about the act of gerrymandering, but the way each respective governor went about it. Newsom asked the voters first, Abbott did not. Newsom acted in a democratic way, Abbott ruled by fiat, and obeyed the orders of an authoritarian leader.
Depends on how they went about it, as we will soon see whether demographic proxy fits the Supreme Courts ruling. And to call what Newsome did 'acting in a democratic way" is absolutely laughable, especially when what he did was blatant gerrymandering. 'HEy, let's take away the minorities rights. As long as we vote on it, it's fine."
And just to be clear, my own personal integrity isn't at issue here. I'm not governor of my state, nor have I gerrymandered anything.
You are defending gerrymandering, which you claim to be against. You may not be acting in a way that challenges your integrity because you lack the power, but a lack of power doesn't change the fact that you seem to be defending somehting you claim to be against in principle.
I'm curious, how many times do I have to specifically state that I don't agree with the (entirely legal) practice of gerrymandering before you accept that? Just so I know, in case I need to keep a running tally.

-- A2SG, I've given my specific objections as clearly and as precisely as I know how. I honestly don't know how to simplify my point any further....
Perhaps if you stopped defending it, then I would accept it?
 
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Fervent

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Here's a suggestion for you. Keep your petty personal comments about any given poster's character to yourself. I don't appreciate it and I know others don't.
Pointing out a lack of integrity/character is not an "ad hominem" unless it is presented as an argument. it's just an observation about having a lack of principles.
 
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A2SG

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Not really "addressing" the point by engaging in whataboutism...it's just defending "your" guy by pointing to something someone else did.
Could you please point out to me exactly what I said that "defended" the practice of gerrymandering? Quotes would be preferable.

Oh, and just so you're clear, Newsom isn't "my guy." As I've told you before, I do not live in California. Though, it is a nice place to visit.

The money is a part of it, with millions of dollars spent.
Why is that a problem? Who paid for those ads?

The ccontent is another, where the ballot summary did mention the intent the ads that were run did not.
And that was a lie, somehow? Please point out the falsehood for me. I don't live in California, so I did not see the ads or the ballot summary.

I disagree that they have the right to vote if they don't do their due diligence, because all they are doing is silencing people who actually understand what is going on. Children are also affected by elections, but they have no right to vote because they lack the understanding.
You seem to be confusing rights that actually exist with rights you believe should (or should not) exist. The fact is, every adult US citizen, informed on any particular issue or not, has the legal right to vote. Your position seems to be that you don't believe they should have that right. You are, of course, entitled to hold that opinion, but the facts remain: in the US, the right to vote does not depend on how informed you are, nor is it limited by a lack of knowledge.

Yeah, I tend to stick to local politics and mostly ignore national politics as much as I can since at that level it all just seems like petty gamesmanship with both sides being either inept or corrupt.
That often happens at every level, but when the stakes are higher, the petty gamesmanship increases. But it can only change if people who refuse to accept it get involved and work to change things, both on the local and national levels.0

I suppose you could put it that way, though it seems that our current system is far more favorable to oligarchy since it is all money anyway.
But that seems to be the system you favor over our current one, is that not correct?

Nope, morality that is subjective isn't morality. It's just opinions.
Sorry, but there isn't any other kind of morality. Just as an example, try and name even one single moral principle that is applicable to every person, including those who disagree with that moral principle.

He gave the impression that the current maps were somehow unfair and needed correction.
Impressions can often be misinterpreted. Exactly what did he say, and was that actual statement false?

Outside of the ballot summary he made almost no mention of his intent to gerrymander the districts as a response to TX republicans. It was lying by omission.
I seem to recall hearing him say that was his intent quite a bit, and I don't live in California. Are you sure you didn't just miss the times he mentioned it?

Depends on how they went about it, as we will soon see whether demographic proxy fits the Supreme Courts ruling.
We already know the SCOTUS has ruled that gerrymandering isn't illegal or unconstitutional. If there is a legal challenge to Newsom's ballot initiative, I guess we'll have to see how that turns out, but as it stands, without a reversal of the current SCOTUS ruling, gerrymandering isn't illegal or unconstitutional.

And to call what Newsome did 'acting in a democratic way" is absolutely laughable, especially when what he did was blatant gerrymandering.
I never said his plan wasn't to gerrymander. What I said was the way he went about it, asking the voters to decide if he should have the ability to do it within a specific time period, was more democratic than simply deciding to do it by fiat, under orders from an authoritarian president.

Keep in mind, per SCOTUS, gerrymandering isn't undemocratic. It's allowable under the law.

'HEy, let's take away the minorities rights. As long as we vote on it, it's fine."
Does Newsom's proposed redistricting plan take away anyone's right to vote, whether they're in a minority group or not? Or any other rights, for that matter? If you're going to make accusations, please be specific.

You are defending gerrymandering, which you claim to be against.
I have never done that. Not even one single time. And to prove that, I challenge you to find a single quote by me that defends the practice in any way, shape or form.

Keep in mind, just in case you're unclear on the idea, that simply acknowledging that something is legal is not a defense of that act.

You may not be acting in a way that challenges your integrity because you lack the power, but a lack of power doesn't change the fact that you seem to be defending somehting you claim to be against in principle.
And there's the problem. You say I "seem to be" defending gerrymandering. Your perception is incorrect. And the fact that you actually seem to acknowledge my continued claims to disagree with it while ignoring them to continue your mischaracterization of me is very telling. Please knock it off.

Perhaps if you stopped defending it, then I would accept it?
I'd have to start first, and I'm not going to.

-- A2SG, but feel free to try and quote me defending the act of gerrymandering....it'll be fun to see what you come up with....
 
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JSRG

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We already know the SCOTUS has ruled that gerrymandering isn't illegal or unconstitutional. If there is a legal challenge to Newsom's ballot initiative, I guess we'll have to see how that turns out, but as it stands, without a reversal of the current SCOTUS ruling, gerrymandering isn't illegal or unconstitutional.

Well, to be more specific, the SCOTUS didn't say gerrymandering isn't unconstitutional or illegal. They said partisan gerrymandering--that is, gerrymandering to give your political party more representatives--isn't unconstitutional or (presently) illegal.

What is prohibited, at least to some extent, is racial gerrymandering (which leads to a bunch of court cases that revolve around whether a particular gerrymander is a racial gerrymander or a partisan gerrymander, made all the more convoluted by the fact sometimes there's a strong correlation between race and partisan affiliation).

Indeed, that is what the recent lawsuit against California alleges, that it took race too much into account and thus qualifies as an illegal racial gerrymander. This same argument was actually used in a lawsuit against the Texas gerrymander, but it ended up being dismissed.

Keep in mind, per SCOTUS, gerrymandering isn't undemocratic. It's allowable under the law.

The SCOTUS never said partisan gerrymandering wasn't undemocratic--they just said it wasn't unconstitutional. Something can be both undemocratic and constitutional.
 
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A2SG

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Well, to be more specific, the SCOTUS didn't say gerrymandering isn't unconstitutional or illegal. They said partisan gerrymandering--that is, gerrymandering to give your political party more representatives--isn't unconstitutional or (presently) illegal.

What is prohibited, at least to some extent, is racial gerrymandering (which leads to a bunch of court cases that revolve around whether a particular gerrymander is a racial gerrymander or a partisan gerrymander, made all the more convoluted by the fact sometimes there's a strong correlation between race and partisan affiliation).

Indeed, that is what the recent lawsuit against California alleges, that it took race too much into account and thus qualifies as an illegal racial gerrymander. This same argument was actually used in a lawsuit against the Texas gerrymander, but it ended up being dismissed.
Noted. I guess we'll have to see if that case prevails.

The SCOTUS never said partisan gerrymandering wasn't undemocratic--they just said it wasn't unconstitutional. Something can be both undemocratic and constitutional.
My point in this case was that Newsom put his plan before the voters to decide before implementing it. I see that as more democratic than just doing it because an authoritarian president ordered it. Whether or not the practice of gerrymandering is democratic is a different issue, and perhaps I could have worded things better in that regard.

-- A2SG, but I do appreciate your attention to detail.....
 
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