The unimportant news thread

[Parsifal]

The reforestation from the 90%+ die-off of native americans in the 16th and 17th centuries lowered global temperatures by a couple of degrees, causing the little ice age - So there are remediations available

What population do you propose should be obliterated to reverse global warming?

[bwv 1080]

What population do you propose should be obliterated to reverse global warming?

could ask for volunteers first

[Turner]

At least, some people are working. Pakistan has planted 1 billion trees in just 2 years, biodiversity being one of the objectives.
https://www.voanews.com/a/one-billion-trees-planted-in-pakistan-nw-province/3983609.html

[Todd]

Only 42% turnout though.  My understanding is that it does not count; the Spanish court decreed the poll illegal.

Per the failing New York Times, 750 citizens were injured, along with 12 police. 

A good day for democracy?

[Ken B]

Only 42% turnout though.  My understanding is that it does not count; the Spanish court decreed the poll illegal.

Per the failing New York Times, 750 citizens were injured, along with 12 police. 

A good day for democracy?

More interesting question: a good day for constitutionalism?

[Todd]

More interesting question: a good day for constitutionalism?

Hard to tell.  Another interesting question: a good day for the EU?

[Ken B]

Another interesting question: a good day for the EU?

Well there I must, as always, hope not. But too early to tell I think. The violence may haunt the Spanish government, since it was mostly unnecessary.

[Todd]

The violence may haunt the Spanish government, since it was mostly unnecessary.

The police appear to have matched the best efforts of the LAPD or Chicago PD (OK, I exaggerate a bit), so I would think there will be consequences.  I wonder which minister is most directly responsible for this.  Surely Rajoy pawned off the decision on some patsy.

[Florestan]

Well there I must, as always, hope not. But too early to tell I think. The violence may haunt the Spanish government, since it was mostly unnecessary.

The responsibility for the violence and for the chaos that will follow falls entirely on the irresponsible leaders of the Catalonian separatism, Artur Mas and Carles Puigdemont, who in their thirst for power (for there is little else behind this madness other than the fanatical ambition of these people and their ilk to become Presidents and Prime-Ministers --- this, and the gullibility of the masses) have decided to trample under foot the Spanish Constitution and legislation and, which is perhaps even worse, to ally themselves with the far-left ERC and CUP who dream about establishing the Soviet Republic of Catalonia. If in doubt, google them. I'm sure our esteemed Spanish colleague ritter can add more illuminating information.

[Todd]

The responsibility for the violence and for the chaos that will follow falls entirely on the irresponsible leaders of the Catalonian separatism, Artur Mas and Carles Puigdemont, who in their thirst for power (for there is little else behind this madness other than the fanatical ambition of these people and their ilk to become Presidents and Prime-Ministers --- this, and the gullibility of the masses) have decided to trample under foot the Spanish Constitution and legislation and, which is perhaps even worse, to ally themselves with the far-left ERC and CUP who dream about establishing the Soviet Republic of Catalonia. If in doubt, google them. I'm sure our esteemed Spanish colleague ritter can add more illuminating information.

Perhaps you can explain why the authorities had to pursue violence against unarmed people rather than letting them vote, especially in light of the fact that the Spanish court already decreed the vote illegal.  Let them have their fun, and then separatists could clamor on about Catalonian independence.  Now, there are victims of state violence, and Catalonian separatists can and will clamor on about independence and how oppressive and demonstrably violent the state is against its own people.

[Ken B]

Let them have their fun, and then separatists could clamor on about Catalonian independence.  Now, there are victims of state violence, and Catalonian separatists can and will clamor on about independence and how oppressive and demonstrably violent the state is against its own people.

I think this is my position too. Taking some action, to assert jurisdiction, is warranted, but at a certain point you just let them perform the charade when it escalates. Need to know more. Initial reports are often misleading.

[Florestan]

How would the US government react and act if an independence referendum were called in Texas, and after the Supreme Court declared it illegal, the Governor and his gang would push it ahead nevertheless?

[amw]

I believe the last time it happened there was a minor dust-up of some kind involving blue and grey uniforms. It's quite a chore trying to keep up with events in the colonies though, they're always nattering on about taxes without representation.

[Todd]

How would the US government react and act if an independence referendum were called in Texas, and after the Supreme Court declared it illegal, the Governor and his gang would push it ahead nevertheless?

Don't know for sure.  Violence could occur during voting, but I would think that it would be more likely to happen if any practical steps were taken to secede.  The conditions under which SCOTUS might issue a decision before something has happened seems remote, too, especially since it has already ruled definitively that secession is unconstitutional.  Obviously, your intent is to invoke secession and the Civil War, though it should be noted that the material economic and military conditions in the US today are fundamentally different than in 1860.

[Florestan]

Obviously, your intent is to invoke secession and the Civil War

You're wrong. I had / have no such intention.

[Parsifal]

How would the US government react and act if an independence referendum were called in Texas, and after the Supreme Court declared it illegal, the Governor and his gang would push it ahead nevertheless?

I don't know that there is any basis in Federal Law to prevent people in any state from voting on anything, including secession from the union. It would be more likely in California, where there is an established procedure for ballot referenda, even allowing the public to vote on an amendment to the state constitution without action of the legislature (if enough signatures are collected). Even if such a thing were to get on the ballot and pass without being blocked by some court as being unconstitutional, I can't imagine that officials of any state would try to put it into force.

[Ken B]

Interesting take on Catalonia. https://pjmedia.com/spengler/2017/10/02/bells-barcelona-toll-europe/

[kishnevi]

Interesting take on Catalonia. https://pjmedia.com/spengler/2017/10/02/bells-barcelona-toll-europe/

Everyone reads what they want to read in that election. Another rightwing columnist claimed the Independence movement is a top down affair propelled by leftists intent on protecting jihadis.

I would be interested in hearing what Ritter has to say on this topic.

Meanwhile in the not so Great Britain
https://articles.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2017/10/panicked_london_train_commuter.amp

[Ken B]

Texas separatists have been noticeably quiet in the wake of the massive federal assistance following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.  The pitiful pleas of Texas politicians for more help from Washington is... revealing.

P.S.  I'm originally from Texas.

They were pretty quiet before too.

[zamyrabyrd]

At least, some people are working. Pakistan has planted 1 billion trees in just 2 years, biodiversity being one of the objectives.
https://www.voanews.com/a/one-billion-trees-planted-in-pakistan-nw-province/3983609.html

Where does one get 1,000,000,000 trees?