Okay, this is somewhat curious. In recent years, the Native American tribes have established their own police within their sovereign lands.

Why is it that the Native Americans have to now answer to a Secretary of State about voter IDs? These are sovereign nations of people. They vote as residents within the USA because so many laws and treaties directly effect their lives. At one point the ONLY authority allowed on Native American lands was the FBI.

The idea a STATE GOVERNMENT carries more clout than federal laws is a bit odd. How are the Native Americans structured through federal laws and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to vote? The State government has little clout with these decisions.

...But tribal officials (click here) and Democrats say it appears aimed at making it harder for thousands of Native Americans to vote, particularly those who live on reservations without conventional street names. The law specifically bans the use of P.O. boxes as an alternative form of address, rendering many tribal ID cards invalid.

Native American activists have responded with plans to create addresses on the spot for those who need them on Election Day....

The Supreme Court decision wasn't actually a ruling so much as an opinion from Justice Ginsberg and Justice Kagan. The two Justices believed the case should have been heard, so hence their opinion.

The Supreme Court (click here) has been back in session for just over a week and its first rulings are rolling in.

Among them? A decision Tuesday in which the Supreme Court refused to intervene in a challenge to a North Dakota voter ID law....

...The challengers therefore submitted an urgent request to the Supreme Court asking the justices to toss out the law, but the Court denied it without explanation—with the exception of Justice Ginsburg, who wrote a dissent to which Justice Kagan joined....

...In her dissent, Ginsburg highlighted that 70,000 North Dakota residents, which constitutes nearly 20% of the turnout “in a regular quadrennial election—lack a qualifying ID” under the the law’s provisions. Another 18,000 residents “lack supplemental documentation sufficient to permit them to vote without a qualifying ID.”

What’s more, Ginsburg noted that changing the rules ahead of November’s election could cause confusion amongst voters. “The risk of voter confusion appears severe here because the injunction against requiring residential-address identification was in force during the primary election and because the Secretary of State’s website announced for months the ID requirements as they existed under that injunction,” Ginsburg said....

I think it is unclear as to the status of the US 8th Circuit Court. They put a hold on the federal district court. Is there an understanding the Circuit Court's hold is limited on a timeline following the Supreme Court's decision or is the hold permanent which seems unrealistic. A hold can't possibly be made permanent in the face of a decision or lack thereof.

Then there is some issue regarding a homeless population of Native Americans. If they ride horses, which many do, to and from town there is a good chance the definition of homeless changes with the tribe. I think there is interference in the culture of the tribe(s) and a misunderstanding as to how the tribes are structured.

On April 24, 2017, (click here) North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum signed House Bill 1369.  This restrictive voter ID law put North Dakota beyond the norms of voter ID laws and violates the constitutional rights of the state’s citizens. Just like North Dakota’s previous law, which was found unconstitutional by a federal court, this law makes it harder for some citizens—specifically Native American citizens—to exercise their right to vote....

I think the North Dakota Voter ID law is racist. Not that it matters, Robert's Court dismantled The Voting Rights Act.

A History of Native Voting Rights (click here)

The right to vote is considered a fundamental right within our democracy; however, for Native Americans, the fight to obtain voting rights is couched in a long history of racism and struggle.   When the Fourteenth Amendment was passed in 1866, making all persons born in the United States citizens, Indians on reservations were specifically excluded. Michigan Senator Jacob Howard opined, “I am not yet prepared to pass a sweeping act of naturalization by which all the Indian savages, wild or tame, belonging to a tribal relation, are to become my fellow-citizens and go to the polls and vote with me…” (Congressional Globe. May 30, 1866). page 2895). There were pragmatic reasons, beyond racism, to keep Native Americans from voting; given their large numbers, votes by Native Americans at the time would have wielded significant political power....

It doesn't make sense to me that a sovereign nation of people granted greater autonomy in law enforcement and taking greater and greater steps for economic growth for their Native American citizens would have to fall under a state statute when the culture involved is so very different.

Until the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, (click here) Indians occupied an unusual status under federal law. Some had acquired citizenship by marrying white men. Others received citizenship through military service, by receipt of allotments, or through special treaties or special statutes. But many were still not citizens, and they were barred from the ordinary processes of naturalization open to foreigners. Congress took what some saw as the final step on June 2, 1924 and granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the United States.

The law that effect Native Americans are all based in federal statute. Some federal laws caused damage to the Native Americans' culture.

Approved on February 8, 1887, "An Act to Provide for the Allotment of Lands in Severalty to Indians on the Various Reservations," known as the Dawes Act, (click here) emphasized severalty, the treatment of Native Americans as individuals rather than as members of tribes.

The Dawes Act was racist and turned tribal decisions regarding land into individual decisions. There was considerable land lost simply because individual Native Americans didn't think that way. There have been a lot of problems with maintaining Native American culture simply because it is not respected by the USA. It is seen as inefficient and non-productive. The Native American culture is not based in capitalism and land use is sacred in many instances.

A 1928 study known as the Meriam Report (click here) assessed the problems of Native Americans. The report revealed to the government that its policies had oppressed Native Americans and destroyed their culture and society. The people suffered from poverty, exploitation and discrimination. This study spurred the passage of the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act. This Act returned some of the surplus land to Native Americans and urged tribes to engage in active self-government. The U.S. government invested in the development of health care, education and community structure. Quality of life on Indian lands improved. Today some Native Americans run successful businesses, while others still live in poverty.

The decision by the Robert's Court not to hear the emergency petition is rather bizarre and I believe highly underinformed. The federal government has always been the authority in regard to federal law. This new clout by the State of North Dakota is probably illegal, but, being heard by intelligent minds seems to be an issue.

The Native American tribes of North Dakota should proceed with their plans to satisfy the state, but, should also continue lawsuits reclaiming their tribal authority over that of the state.

It is illegal to prosecute Whistleblowers.

Who is involved, Alpha Bank? Brian Benczkowski has a real problem if these transactions involve him or his associates at Alpha Bank. This is a cover-up by the Trump Justice Department.

Natalie Mayflower Sours Edwards is a whistleblower and there was absolutely nowhere else for her to report her understanding of corruption EXCEPT the media. I would think that obvious now that she is arrested for whistleblowing.

October 17, 2018
By Saleha Mohsin, David Voreacos and Tom Schoenberg

President Donald Trump’s (click here) hunt for leakers in his administration snared a senior Treasury Department employee who was charged with giving a journalist bank records about suspicious transactions involving Paul Manafort, Rick Gates, and accused Russian agent Maria Butina.

The prosecution of Natalie Mayflower Sours Edwards is intended to send a signal that Treasury will punish violations of a law designed to protect sensitive client information that banks flag to the department, said a senior department official who asked not to be identified....

I am looking forward to the lawsuit filed against the Trump Administration by Ms. Edwards as well as the solicitor general for the US Interior Department. The USA Federal government is not a private enterprise and the President has no right maliciously prosecuting dedicated federal employees because they are finding corruption within the operation of the administration.

...Edwards, 40, was charged Tuesday in New York with leaking Suspicious Activity Reports, which banks file confidentially to alert investigators to potentially illegal transactions. She gave them to a journalist who wrote a series of investigative articles touching on Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election, according to the FBI....

It is Alpha Bank. Sorry, Vlad, the US Justice Department is knee deep in corruption and it involves Brian Benczkowski, who is probably a double agent for Russia.

Ah, he is just talking to old friends in Russia. Right? At least there is no poison yet.

Republican: "I am not a scientist."

Scientist: "That is correct. So, where is your humility and listen to scientists?"

It is three weeks before the Midterm elections.

What does that mean?

It is the time of the season when Republicans roll out lies and dark money. It is measurable. It is time for oppositional candidates to roll out their background checks as a rebuttal to those lies. But, it is amazing. It is like the changing colors of autumn; the time has arrived for the Republicans to roll out their lies JUST SO THEY WIN.

Did everyone hear what McConnell's PLAN OF ATTACK is for the ever increasing national deficit? No? I find it very interesting and typical of his special form of cruelty.

October 16, 2018

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (click here) on Tuesday blamed rising federal deficits and debt on a bipartisan unwillingness to contain spending on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, and said he sees little chance of a major deficit reduction deal while Republicans control Congress and the White House.

“It’s disappointing but it’s not a Republican problem,” McConnell said in an interview with Bloomberg News when asked about the rising deficits and debt. “It’s a bipartisan problem: Unwillingness to address the real drivers of the debt by doing anything to adjust those programs to the demographics of America in the future.”...

Democrats simply don't know how to be proud of the years President Obama was President. He cut the national deficit in half during his years. He oversaw government spending and surgically reduced the spending. Never once did President Obama ever state, the spending was due to Medicare, Medicaid and SSI. Never once.

Perhaps to his credit, President Trump is not complaining about the programs that support American health and retirement. He is taking responsibility for the increased deficit and stating he has asked the Cabinet Secretaries to cut their budgets by 5 percent. 

What is the difference in the relation between McConnell and Trump? I think it is a matter of taking responsibility when poor outcomes are resulting because of changes in policy and in this case it is the tax policy. Senator McConnell rather instill fear into the hearts of those that receive SSI and rely on Medicare and need Medicaid.

There is an inflation rate of 2 percent currently. That means those with fixed income due to SSI have to cut their spending. The spending of the people that receive SSI usually is cut to the bone to begin with and inflation hurts the very people the country would like to see happy and enjoying their sunset years. They did their part for the economy. The seniors and disabled should not be asked to sacrifice while Mitch McConnell enjoys basking in the tax cuts he brought that benefit the wealthy.

Enough of this already.

Remember, "It is that time of the season when Republicans and Dark Money are rolling out their lies."

When Mr. Bezos first purchased "The Washington Post," the staff was elated to have an influx of investment.

I am quite sure Mr. Bezos has seen employees of his enormous company die for many reasons, however, this is probably one he didn't count on. He doesn't stand alone in any criticism and worry; world business leaders are telling Saudi Arabia loud and clear they have no intentions of investing in a country that still employs thugs to carry out bizarre killings.

This is the 21st Century; that type of bizarre killing of an individual is unheard of in the civilized world. Americans strongly came out against torture when they learned of such activities taking place in their name after September 11th.

I doubt seriously Mr. Bezos believes in silencing voices as insightful and productive as that of Jamal Khashoggi. He has the leadership of the Washington Post to carry out the policies of the company and perhaps he believes he would be overstepping his authority if he spoke to the public. He probably should consult with people at the Washington Post and decide the path forward so there is never this type of assassination of a journalist again.

October 17, 2018
By Ari Levi

Bezos (click here) hasn't made any public comments on Khashoggi since his disappearance in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

Amazon Web Services is opening a region in the Middle East and is looking for a head of public policy for Saudi Arabia.

Bezos and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met in Seattle earlier this year.

As the story of Jamal Khashoggi unfolds, one significant person has remained silent: Jeff Bezos.

Bezos owns The Washington Post, the newspaper that employed Khashoggi when the journalist entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on Oct. 2. Khashoggi hasn't been seen since, and a Turkish official has said that Saudi agents killed and dismembered him inside the consulate, according to the New York Times. The Saudi government has denied any connection to the disappearance.

With his gruesome story capturing front-page headlines, U.S. business leaders have voiced their disdain.

J.P. Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi and Google Cloud head Diane Greene are among top executives to pull out of an investment conference in Saudi Arabia scheduled for later this month. Others like Y Combinator's Sam Altman, IDEO CEO Tim Brown, and Dan Doctoroff, head of Alphabet's Sidewalk Labs, have said they won't work with Saudi Arabia's futuristic NEOM project even though they've been named as advisers.

Bezos, Amazon's CEO and the world's richest person, has made no public statement....

Fingers. Possibly bled to death which spared him from further torture.

Deepest sympathies to his fiancee,' the families, friends and colleagues. This simply cannot be tolerated. Jamal Khashoggi was a permanent resident of the USA. There is no light between Americans born here or those with a Greencard. Their lives are as important. They trusted the USA. There is no going back on promises by the USA that says as a USA citizen you are respected abroad, valued and protected. An American died in the Saudi consulate in Turkey. 

October 17, 2018
By Charlotte Gall and David D. Kirkpatrick

His killers were waiting when Jamal Khashoggi (click here) walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago. They severed his fingers and later beheaded and dismembered him, according to details from audio recordings described by a senior Turkish official on Wednesday.

Mr. Khashoggi was dead within minutes, and within two hours the killers were gone, the recordings suggested.

The leaking of such details, on the same day Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was visiting Turkey, reflected an escalation of pressure by the Turkish government on Saudi Arabia and the United States for answers on the fate of Mr. Khashoggi, a prominent dissident journalist who wrote for The Washington Post.

Fifteen days after he entered the consulate in Istanbul and was never seen coming out, the Saudis have yet to give an explanation....

Is it possible, ten generations ago, to have heritage that leads to Samoset and the Eastern Abenaki tribe?

I think Senator Elizabeth Warren has an obligation to her constituents, especially when she is attacked for it, to know the truth about her heritage and in this case her Native American heritage.

I think it is fun to know these things. I also believe there are many like her and proud of that connection.

I will remind, there is a holiday coming up whereby children will help celebrate the kinship of the Pilgrims and Native born Americans.

I find it interesting a US Senator from Massachusetts celebrates her Native American heritage. I think it is pretty cool.

I think the rapper video featuring the “I Don’t Care, Do You” message is spot on.

There seem to be two sides to our First Lady, the good mother fighting bullying and the wife willing to be a billboard for her husband’s hate filled politics.

I don’t think she can have it both ways. The First Lady has never addressed the message on the jacket she wore. I think she should and Mr. Trump’s silence is more than deafening.

Above, (click here) a Leonard Cohen poem written in 2015 about Kanye West.

Why was Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman seeking to attack Gaza with a ceasefire being negotiated by Egypt?

My understanding is Benjamin Netanyahu, Mahmoud Abbas and Yahya Sinwar are the primary members of the ceasefire negotiation efforts by Egypt. I don't believe any launch of rockets into or near Israel was an attempt at disrupting talks, it was in expectations of a known proposed attack into Gaza.

Now, when is the ceasefire going to be finalized so all this nonsense will end? The rockets and retaliation is a primary example of why a ceasefire is necessary.

The damage done in Gaza far outweighs the damage by two rockets into or near Israel.

Schools canceled (click here) in south after house struck in southern city, another projectile lands off coast of central Israel; sirens wail as air force strikes rocket launching squad

The Palestinians of Gaza have NO confidence in any agreement with Israel. So, when there were reports of Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman's plan to attack Gaza there was a complete loss of any expectations of a ceasefire by Palestine and ONCE AGAIN the extremists took over power and sent two rockets into Israel, one hitting a house and the other a complete miss to any populated areas.

Terror groups say (click here) they reject ‘irresponsible attempts’ to sabotage Egypt’s efforts to secure a truce in the Strip

Both Israel and Palestine are at fault in these events that have done nothing, but, proven the need for a ceasefire. The Egyptian efforts to end this senseless battling must go forward and a greater peace is to proceed with the ceasefire negotiated. Both Israel and Palestine are afraid of peace and the lack of a power struggle. The violence is the norm and it feels threatening to lose control to peace.

October 17, 2018

A Palestinian man (click here) walks on debris following a retaliatory Israeli air strike near the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah after a rocket struck a home in the Israeli city of Beersheba on October 17, 2018. 

...Egypt has played a key role (click here) in attempting to broker a multi-year ceasefire between Israel and armed groups in Gaza.

Arabic media reports have said that if achieved, a ceasefire would include at least a partial lifting of Israel’s restrictions on the movement of goods and people into and out of Gaza.

Israel holds that its restrictions on movement serve security purposes including preventing the entry of weapons into the Strip.

In retaliation for the attack on Beersheba, Israeli fighter jets bombed a number of targets in the Gaza, according to the IDF.

“In response to the rockets fired from Gaza at Israel overnight, IDF fighter jets have started attacking terror targets in Gaza,” the army said in a statement early in the morning.

A few hours after the air force began its strikes in Gaza, an Israeli aircraft fired at a group of Palestinians attempting to launch a rocket at Israel from the northern Gaza Strip, the IDF said, triggering sirens in nearby Israeli communities....     

There are currently 26 deaths due to Hurricane Michael.

There is a better than 50/50 chance there will be a missing person list that may not be resolved. The devastation is absolute. This was caused by the storm surge. The water came in from the Gulf of Mexico and went back out. Debris was carried back out to sea.

The USA is taking considerable damage and deaths in the face of the Climate Crisis and there is no policy, except, picking up the pieces. That is not governance, that is negligence of every obligation of government.