Chris Ware’s “House Divided”

“Am I laughably naïve to think we might all somehow grow up and continue this relatively youngish two-hundred-and-forty-six-year-old experiment? I’m starting to think I am,” the artist Chris Ware said. His cover for the July 4, 2022, issue of the magazine captures the divides underlying this year’s Independence Day celebrations. As suburban real-estate agents prepare to carpet the nation’s lawns with miniature flags, millions of Americans are riveted to the proceedings of the House select committee investigating the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Down the street, the Supreme Court struck down, on June 23rd, a New York state law restricting the ability to carry a gun in public, even as the Senate voted to pass gun-control legislation in the aftermath of the Uvalde school shooting. A day later, the Court eliminated the constitutional right to abortion, with its ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a decision that is at once devastating to many Americans—two-thirds of whom were against overturning Roe v. Wade—and a cause for celebration for others. We talked to Ware about his inspiration for this image of a divided America.
— (The New Yorker) (June 27)   (Pocket)

US Will "Continue To Provide Seamless Access" To Abortion In Military: Defense Secretary

US Will "Continue To Provide Seamless Access" To Abortion In Military: Defense Secretary Authored by Naveen Anthrapully via The Epoch Times, Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, Defense SecretaryLloyd Austinissued a statement suggesting that the Defense Department intends to maintain the military’s access to abortion. “Nothing is more important to me or to this Department than the health and well-being of our Service members, the civilian workforce, and DOD families. I am committed to taking care of our people and ensuring the readiness and resilience of our Force. The Department is examining this decision closely and evaluating our policies to ensure we continue to provide seamless access to reproductive health care as permitted by federal law,” Austin said in a June 24press release. The Supreme Court decision leaves the matter ofabortion lawsto states. Of 50 U.S. states, 26 are likely or certain to ban abortion now that the Supreme Court has struck down Roe v. Wade, according to research group Guttmacher Institute. Thirteen states already have “trigger laws” in place that ban most abortions. These were set to come into effect immediately foll...
— (ZeroHedge Opinion) (June 26)   (Pocket)

Biden criticizes Supreme Court for making ‘some terrible decisions,’ says only Congress can restore Roe v. Wade protections

President Joe Biden criticized the U.S. Supreme Court for making “terrible decisions,” a day after it struck down the constitutional right to abortion.
— (Fortune) (June 25)   (Pocket)

The Post-Roe Privacy Nightmare Has Arrived

The United States Supreme Court yesterday struck down Roe v. Wade, the monumental 1973 decision that guaranteed the right to abortion in the US for 49 years and, as Maryn McKenna writes for WIRED, “revolutionized life for women.” Now, all of that is in peril. 
— (Wired) (June 25)   (Pocket)

A history of American thought on abortion: It’s not what you think

In a 6-3 majority ruling on Friday, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision giving women the right to abortion. In anticipation of the ruling last week, the Monitor interviewed Geoffrey R. Stone, author of the legal history “Sex and the Constitution,” who says the history of abortion in the United States is more complicated than many people realize. [Note: this interview was conducted before the Supreme Court struck down Roe.]
— (Christian Science Monitor) (June 24)   (Pocket)

The Supreme Court tends to save the biggest rulings for last – a constitutional expert explains a few good reasons

US Supreme Court justices arrive at the US Capitol in February 2022 Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a New York law on June 23, 2022 that had imposed strict limits on carrying a handgun in public. It was a much anticipated decision, as the court continues to issue opinions ahead of wrapping its term in the next week or two. But people were being kept waiting about when exactly the court’s ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which could overturn Roe v. Wade, will be issued. The court announces what days it will release rulings and is only scheduled to announce more on June 24. No one outside the court knows which major rulings will be published when – or if the court could decide to release more opinions into early July. There’s a reason the court remains so secretive and why its abortion ruling appears likely to be one of the last before the court lets out for the summer. We asked constitutional scholar and Supreme Court expert Stefanie Lindquist to explain what’s behind the court keeping a tight lid on its work. US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas talks with his legal clerks in 2002. Dave Hume Kennerly/Getty I...
— (The Conversation) (June 23)   (Pocket)

Pixar's Lightyear Is an Underwhelming Anachronism

The strangest thing about Lightyear is the initial premise. This isn't just a sci-fi spinoff for the toy character whose presence disrupted the social life of a little boy's toy collection in the first Toy Story oh-so-many decades ago. Instead, it's presented as the movie that Andy, the little boy from the Toy Story films, watched in 1995 that made him want a Buzz Lightyear toy in the first place. In a title card that plays at the start of the film, the movie specifies that this is Andy's favorite film in 1995. 
— (Reason) (June 17)   (Pocket)

'Lightyear': Here's When to Expect the Pixar Flick on Disney Plus - CNET

The latest Pixar film is out now in theaters, so it's a matter of time before it hits Disney Plus. Lightyear is an animated flick that follows the astronaut who inspired the toy from the Toy Story series. Confused by that description? Here's CNET's review diving into what exactly this movie is about.
— (CNET) (June 27)   (Pocket)

U.A.E. Bans ‘Lightyear,’ Disney Film with Same-Sex Kiss

The United Arab Emirates banned the animated film, an offshoot of the “Toy Story” movies, from its cinemas. Censors in Indonesia and Malaysia are also considering restrictions.
— (New York Times) (June 15)   (Pocket)

Pixar’s Lightyear won’t show in some countries over same-sex kiss, with China screening also unlikely

Disney was unable to get permission in 14 Asian and Middle Eastern nations to screen the prequel to Pixar’s Toy Story films.
— (South China Morning Post) (June 13)   (Pocket)

Disney's 'Toy Story' spinoff banned in 14 countries over same-sex kiss: report

Disney will be unable to show "Lightyear," the latest Pixar movie in the "Toy Story" franchise, in at least 14 Middle Eastern and Asian countries due to homosexual content in the film, Reuters reported.
— (Just the News) (June 13)   (Pocket)