Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

[Priceless]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

Michelle Bachmann: "All Americans mourn the passing of the author of the Declaration of Independence, George Jefferson."

 

[joecct]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

Gentlemen and ladies of Minnesota

As you argue about Congresslady Bachmann's district, let me show you the latest District 3 from the fine state of Maryland, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Democratic Party:

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

Gentlemen and ladies of Minnesota

As you argue about Congresslady Bachmann's district, let me show you the latest District 3 from the fine state of Maryland, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Democratic Party:

Now that right there is ****ed up!

 

[LynahFan]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

Gentlemen and ladies of Minnesota

As you argue about Congresslady Bachmann's district, let me show you the latest District 3 from the fine state of Maryland, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Democratic Party:

Methinks Herr Rorschach must have been on that redistricting committee...

 

[brookyone]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

I am conservative, but I don't agree with much of Bachmann's BS. Even still, I don't mind her because with all of her bat**** crazy attributes I have a feeling that she does serve a purpose. I think much of her actual policy (not accusing half of Washington of being in the muslim brotherhood) has the potential to drive some actual productive conversation, the problem is, if she's involved in the conversation, all hell would break loose. If she just wasn't so ****ing nuts, she could actually do some good. (I am actually a bit sceptical of how bat**** crazy she actually is. I think she loves being talked about and loves playing to the base, so she says and does crazy ****. I'm thinking that she's actually pretty smart and most of the crazy is calculated)

No...she's genuinely nutso and the craziness is no act. She is driven exclusively by a quest for celebrity. If she were actually sharp enough...or cleverly sinister enough to hatch a calculated crazy persona as a strategy (she isn't) it isn't working as she has alienated tons of former supporters who've now concluded the same as original detractors did from the get go. Those who have never voted for her. If it were a calculated strategy she's definitely over-acting her characters part.

The purpose she serves is to provide a clear example of what's wrong in DC...pure 100% partisan politics. That is "Nut Job" Bachmann.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

Gentlemen and ladies of Minnesota

As you argue about Congresslady Bachmann's district, let me show you the latest District 3 from the fine state of Maryland, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Democratic Party:

That's insane.

 

[joecct]

That's insane.

According to the court, it is quite legal. The gerrymander comes to a vote in November.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

According to the court, it is quite legal. The gerrymander comes to a vote in November.

You act like gerrymandering is a) new b) unique to one political party

 

[Kepler]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

According to the court, it is quite legal. The gerrymander comes to a vote in November.

Things can be both insane and legal.

Do we have the actual language of the referendum yet? That in itself might be an exercise in creative convolution.

 

[joecct]

You act like gerrymandering is a) new b) unique to one political party

Neither. Elections have consequences. But the Maryland gerrymander is in MY backyard. And this gerrymander is rather convoluted, don't you think??

 

[Priceless]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

Neither. Elections have consequences. But the Maryland gerrymander is in MY backyard. And this gerrymander is rather convoluted, don't you think??

I thought Congressional Districts had to be geographically continuous. There was one CD in Florida that was only ruled out because it violated the Voting Rights Act. It was two completely different areas about 50 miles apart that was only connected by a railroad track. But I see that Maryland isn't listed as a state that requires Preclearance under the VRA.

 

[bronconick]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

They need to pass an addendum to the Voting Rights Act that ALL states have to have their gerrymandering approved by a class of 2nd graders, who have better sense than this.

 

[LynahFan]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

I thought Congressional Districts had to be geographically continuous. There was one CD in Florida that was only ruled out because it violated the Voting Rights Act. It was two completely different areas about 50 miles apart that was only connected by a railroad track. But I see that Maryland isn't listed as a state that requires Preclearance under the VRA.

Pretty sure that MD district is continuous - you have to look closely, but I think all the tendrils are there. (assuming that land under water still counts as connecting)

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

They need to pass an addendum to the Voting Rights Act that ALL states have to have their gerrymandering approved by a class of 2nd graders, who have better sense than this.

Would it be worse if districting was forced to happen at the county level (and just round up or down)? It could be one approach...but the remedy could be worse than the disease.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

Pretty sure that MD district is continuous - you have to look closely, but I think all the tendrils are there. (assuming that land under water still counts as connecting)

Holy siht, you're right. That's amazing. And sad.

I did a redistricting of Maryland a few months ago just for gits and shiggles. If I can figure out how to upload it to the board I will.

ETA:

 

[Kepler]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

The "contiguity" requirement is pretty lax -- there used to be districts in FL and IIRC TX where the connection was a highway.

The MD gerrymander is egregious and I'll be voting against it if it is on the state ballot. The fact that the GOP uses the same tactics in states under their control doesn't affect my feelings -- this is in my backyard and I can have a say.

Interestingly it may be black MD liberals who vote it down. They also got hosed in the redrawing.

 

[Kepler]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

Holy siht, you're right. That's amazing. And sad.

I did a redistricting of Maryland a few months ago just for gits and shiggles. If I can figure out how to upload it to the board I will.

ETA:

Is that a sum of least squares algorithm on perimeters? It actually looks very clean.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

Is that a sum of least squares algorithm on perimeters? It actually looks very clean.

Nope, did it by hand on a site that allows you to draw districts yourself..if I can find the link I'll post it.

Found it: Dave Bradlee

I also played this cool game that teaches you how to gerrymander and how to draw a real district.

 

[Craig P.]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

Would it be worse if districting was forced to happen at the county level (and just round up or down)?

You'd have to break it down further than that. Just about any big city will be large enough to require multiple representatives.

There's also an important philosophical issue that I think should be addressed: Should districts tend toward homogeneity, or should they tend toward being as broadly representative as possible? I think I lean more toward the former. Even setting aside gerrymandering, it's an important question for the drawing of districts.

 

[MaizeRage]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

I know I'm late to a stupid argument but:

1. I'd consider Wright county a metro county, especially with how it has grown in recent years. It's become/becoming the new outer ring. St. Michael/Albertville is absolutely an exurb. Buffalo is not.

2. The numbers for the 2010 sixth district race may be a little skewed since Bachmann was running against a state rep from St. Cloud, who would presumably do better in her home town. I don't know, but it would be interesting to compare them to '08 when she ran against a candidate from the Cities.