On Sat, 19 Sep 2020 20:32:22 -0400, Frank Krygowski
wrote:

On 9/19/2020 5:08 PM, AMuzi wrote:
On 9/18/2020 7:36 PM, John B. wrote:
On Fri, 18 Sep 2020 19:16:40 -0500, AMuzi wrote:

On 9/18/2020 5:43 PM, John B. wrote:
On Fri, 18 Sep 2020 08:34:51 -0500, AMuzi wrote:

https://nypost.com/2020/09/17/maine-...ans-mailboxes/


Adds a new dimension to the term "Freedom of Expression". Which the
Supreme Court has termed "the matrix, the indispensable condition of
nearly every other form of freedom."


Oh you have no idea how far this has gone:

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/n...-portland-riot


Some people might worry about their employment once they are
arraigned. Others don't worry at all.

I had never heard of an "legislative director" and so looked it up on
Google. It seems that an "legislative director" is a person that "
usually works at the state or federal capitol with a particular
legislator, monitoring all issues and proposed laws, and then making
recommendations based on his or her boss's political bent.

In common English that might say, "reads the proposed legislation and
tells the Legislator how to vote"? Or perhaps "aids the Legislator in
voting for or against legislation that he hasn't read and doesn't
understand"?



I know nothing of politics in Oregon.

That job in Illinois would be called "Mr Madigan's Bag Man" on the
timeless principle that the Speaker decides which loony ideas will be
passed into law and which will die in committee.* There's a long line of
people who will pay for any given bill to pass and another just as long
line to drop it. The artful Legislative Director will maximize the
revenue by shaking down both groups.

I don't doubt that there's plenty of underhanded action. Have you heard
about the huge bribery scandal in Ohio, where the power company shelled
out millions in bribes to get a law passed that something like 80% of
the population hated? Then money was spent to buy off the firms that
would otherwise have helped organize a referendum to repeal, a
referendum which certainly would have passed. The publicity defending
that bill was the most dishonest thing I've seen outside a Trump news
conference - e.g. "The Chinese are against this bill because they want
to take over Ohio's electric grid!" in expensive TV ads and in flyers
mailed to every household.

The Speaker of the House got arrested when the FBI got enough evidence,
but the legislators (many elected by use of those bribes and donations)
are still discussing whether or not to repeal the law. The effects of
the bribe money and related campaign donations are far reaching,
designed to cement the Republican control of the legislature.

And yet: The Ohio Bicycle Federation has succeeded in getting several
very good laws passed for Ohio bicyclists. That's without using bribe
money, campaign donations or any dishonesty at all.

Evil is out there, usually overweight and wearing a fine suit. But all
legislators are not evil.

On the other hand, who cares about a few bicyclists? From an electoral
point of view that are probably valueless. So why not a few Brownie
points being seen as an advocate of a minority group without upsetting
the power players.
--
Cheers,

John B.