A Layman's Look

While listening to an episode of The Gist recently, I was shocked to hear Mark Lilla make the statement that Republicans need only win complete control of two more state governments in order to call a constitutional convention.  You read that right.  In case you weren't aware, the Republican party currently holds complete control in 32 of the state governments.  This is from Wikipedia: A  Convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution , also called an  Article V Convention , or  Amendments Convention , called for by two-thirds (currently 34) of the  state legislatures ... Once that threshold of 34 states is reached, they can call a convention to amend the US Constitution.  That should strike fear into the hearts and minds of any red-blooded, freedom-loving American.  According to Gallup, as of September the US breaks down into 29% R, 30% D, and 40% Independent.  Either party gaining such power in the state govern...

I have been struck this morning by something that seems so simple now that I see it, and I am sure I'm not the first to have realized it.  Journalists of many stripes have taken to referring to the actions of some NFL athletes as "anthem protests".  That is, quite simply, inaccurate.  The taking of a knee during the national anthem is not to protest the national anthem, rather it is to protest police brutality against minorities.  It just so happens that it is taking place during  the national anthem.  Imagine if we referred to people who were evacuating before Irma as "fleeing to get away from their homes."  That, too, would be inaccurate.  They were evacuating to escape the dangers presented by the wind and rain that were coming with the storm.  They were doing what was necessary to protect themselves.  To refer to their actions as a flight to leave their homes and get away from their lives and belongings would be silly, because it's...