I looked at the videos coming out of Gaza

It can be difficult to watch. The people are told to evacuate to southern Gaza. That is their absolute best option in whatever manner they can.

The people of Gaza are screaming at the world to stop Israel. Did those people ever scream at Hamas to stop?

There are all sorts of fear of an ever widening offensive by other terrorist groups and even Iran. 

Really?

Where are these groups and Iran with humanitarian relief in southern Gaza. Where are they to assist in evacuation?

So.

 

The world should shiver in fear of those without an ounce of religious tolerance or humanitarian capacity. That is the problem, they want to kill and don’t even care about their own.

Just stop. All the fear mongers have no place in this.

Gaza

 https://thehill.com/policy/international/4251728-red-cross-warning-gaza-hospitals-morgues/amp/

This is a report from “The Hill” about the International Red Cross regarding the situation in Gaza.

A couple/few of things come to mind:

1. This is a war zone. It was not created by Israel, it was created by Hamas.

2. This is no longer a habitable region and people should evacuate. In the news conference it was made very clear people were to move to southern Gaza where there would be relief from the war.

3. The attack by Hamas was barbaric. There is no reasonable response to this except to destroy every munitions aspect of Hamas potential. That means many buildings including civilian buildings will be destroyed. Why? Because Hamas used civilian infrastructure as human shields.

4. Part of the reason this attack occurred was because Hamas was extremely covert and used their own people to hide their munitions potential. The only way Israel could ever know the readiness of this terrorist plan would be to have foot soldiers going from building to building to assess the militarized situation. That was impossible because it would not be tolerated and Israeli soldiers would be killed on a regular basis by Hamas.

All that said, Hamas had plans. They were well made plans. These plans were not defensive, they were offensive. Hamas was going to launch these plans at some point with the same death toll if not worse because this was a plan for genocide. When plans to kill focus on children as a target, including infants, that is genocide. If one recalls when September 11th occurred the Palestinians were one of the few peoples rejoicing at the death of Americans and that included Jewish people as well.

I do not have sympathy for any aspect of Hamas and their militarized infrastructure including a reported tunnels infrastructure where some are probably taking shelter.

The Right Political Wing in the USA has an expression when they don’t approve of any aspect of life, “It has to be removed by the roots.” In this case that clearly illustrates the extent Israel has a task of monumental extreme. This is a situation that will not easily resolve. It will be years if not a lifetime of Israel’s military presence. It will eventually settle down and it will be the Palestinians that will have to establish peace.

Gaza will never be a homeland to the Palestinians. It never will again. I remind that Gaza was an expression during the time of Arial Sharon to establish peace between these two nations of people. Gaza will be retaken and dominated by Israel and no organized terrorist network will be tolerated ever again.

New Hampshire Republican Primary Ballot

The New Hampshire Republican Primary Ballot is unconstitutional.

The 14th Amendment to the USA Constitution prohibits insurrectionists from running for office. Donald John Trump appears on the New Hampshire Republican Primary ballot. The ballot violates the USA Constitution.

Donald John Trump rallied fellow insurrectionists in Washington, DC and then proceeded to assault his Secret Service agent when he was driving back to the White House. There is a no doubt Trump is an insurrectionist. Absolutely no doubt.

Many of the men and women that were rallied by Trump have faced a judge and have been sentenced. Many of the leaders of groups that followed Trump are now serving lengthy prison terms. 

Israeli children

The children were targets of Hamas’ plans. They intend genocide. When children are targets of plans for war that is hatred of the ethnicity. Hamas hated the people of Israel. 

That is why the prayers by the Jewish people at the Al-Aqsa Mosque resulted in the deadly assault. Hamas did not feel generous toward the people of Israel when they wanted to pray. 

There are reports about different reactions at Friday prayers in the Muslim faith. There are some Imams with firey hatred, but, most Imams are calling for peace.

There is one report of the IDF at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. I think they are worried for more violence there.

https://youtu.be/hHcpERnovF4?si=39JOCm8uSvHEubNP

Secretary Austin

It is a solace to know the USA is on the job in Israel. His statements today were all inclusive. He stood on the laws of war as well as delineating Hamas as a terrorist organization and the attack a terrorist attack. There is no hatred expressed so much as resolve to protect Israel as a strong partner and a people chronically under threat around the world. 

The attack by Hamas was in reaction to religious intolerance and quite unexpected. Hamas cloaked itself well in politics that hid an unthinkable agenda. There will be no more trust if these monsters and the Palestinian Authority must have maintained distance from this agenda and continue to do so in the future.

Embassies of Israel and its allies need to add additional security while this war plays out and is ended. There are members of Hamas hiding behind hostages that have a global reach. There are terrorist organizations that are sympathetic to Hamas and that cannot be ignored. To say this moment in time is a tinderbox is an understatement. I see anything occurring outside of the immediate war zone as fires that wrongfully ignite due to values of hatred. No doubt those fires will be extinguished as quickly as they occur.

I thank Secretary Austin and the Pentagon for its readiness, and President Biden for unwavering leadership. For as much as the Free World wants this to be ended it is foolish at this point to believe that is possible.

We are dealing once again with global terrorist threats. We all must be strong in our resolve.

Americans in Gaza

There are Americans in Gaza. Women, children and elderly. They attempt to flee to Egypt but the route was bombed. There must be a way to rescue them. Maybe by water. Boats that can get near shore can transport them. Israel would have to specify a safe loading zone.

Reflecting on the Americans in Gaza, they are best to surrender to Israel. If they are captured by Hamas they will become hostages. Perhaps Israel can find a place where Americans can surrender themselves safely. At that point they can be verified to be Americans that had no role with Hamas or the attack and then released to return home. I think that is the safest way forward and one that will meet with Israel’s approval.

Harvard’s President is correct.

The student groups are to caught up in their own messaging to see the forest for the trees.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/10/metro/harvard-israel-statement/?et_rid=873637846&s_campaign=globesmostpopular:newsletter&et_rid=873637846&s_campaign=globesmostpopular:newsletter

The idea the attack on innocent civilians was justified in some way is bizarre. There is absolutely no justification for any of the vicious terrorist attack on innocent civilians. No justification at all.

The idea also that both sides need to end the violence is also bizarre. Israel has a right to domestic peace of which measure after measure was taken including Iron Dome to absolutely no avail killing some of the most dearest and pure hearted of Israeli citizens.

There is absolutely no doubt this was an attack on unarmed civilians by terrorists called Hamas. 

There is no one more than me that wanted to see peace with Israel and the Palestinians. Most Americans, including Jewish Americans demanded over and over for decades for a Two State Solution. That solution had to include an understanding of the international religious understanding placed on these lands. Obviously now and painfully so, that peace would never be forthcoming.

Israel has a right to exist and have peace within its borders. That reality was rattled to the roots by this attack by Hamas. The truth of the religious intolerance is evident now. There is no diplomacy that can erase the truth telling of this attack upon innocent people.

Dear God open your eyes.

These young people, now dead, were magnificent. There was no expression of peace, kindness and inclusion greater than theirs that horrid night. Innocent people were gun down in their homes. They were slaughtered. There is no ignoring the facts. 

If diplomatic relations are to return it will have to be with a Palestine Authority that condemns the violence and accept the fact Gaza will be a very different place without any power to Hamas. Hamas will be disarmed, disbanded and eliminated from any political standing. This will never happen again.

Everyone regardless of homeland should look forward to the day Israel needs no Iron Dome and a peaceful and prosperous Palestinian State exists as their homeland. 

The potential for a larger Middle East conflict

To some extent the Free World enemies are smiling at the extremist attacks by Hamas of the innocent in Israel. With that reality comes the potential for a Middle East confrontation of global concern.

To begin, this war began with attacks on civilians in Israel over an event regarding prayers at a holy site of international interest. This type of aggression has been witnessed in both Syria and Ukraine which involved Russian influence.

This war desired by Hamas also involves innocent women, children and the elderly, no different than Syria or Ukraine. The Geneva Conventions are very clear regarding the protections of civilians and this on all these fronts are human rights violations. I am fairly certain Israel will be pleading before the World Court as does Ukraine on a regular basis.

However, it is my belief China and Russia along with their allies are itching for a fight. Also consider separately Iran for a variety of reasons including domestic unrest as well as hatred of the Free World internationally. Part of this escalated hate internationally with the Free World involved the assassination by Trump of two Iranian generals.

Those deaths violate even USA policy and should be brought before the World Court. The USA was not at war with Iran, but, Saudi Arabia was in conflict with the Houthis and Jared Kushner was running foreign policy for the USA in the Middle East. Everyone knows Kushner was gathering wealth from at least one Saudi charity while serving his role in the Middle East. All of those issues are deeply corrupt, but, not a focus of US Justice Department. I would think the Saudis would run an investigation though.

The point is, Israel has every right to carry out a war with Hamas to secure domestic peace. I also have not read any reaction by the Palestinian Authorities regarding the attacks on civilians by Hamas. If the PA takes a strong stand against these attacks and is found to be innocent of any planning or involvement, the Two State Solution can survive this.

The focus regarding this war is one that involves human rights and international religious freedom. Hamas had no right in attacking civilian populations at all. If they attacked military targets they could have an argument, but, this began with nothing but pure religious based hatred of Israeli citizens. I am still astounded by the extreme hate carried out by leaders in Gaza.

On many occasions Prime Minister Netanyahu stated the holy sites were in danger because of extremist groups like Hamas. He stated that many times and now we know why. He obviously has a clear understanding of such hatred in the region. 

These lands are steeped in religious definition for the Abrahamic faiths and for visitors all over the world. The fact there is this level of religious hatred in the region is a concern for all countries and the nations of people within them. The hatred needs to end with a realization love of God takes many forms and tolerance of differences is a global concern. Within that context is NO reason to escalate tensions among countries outside of Israel.

This war is about Israel and everything we hold dear with these people. This is about ending religious extremism that propagates violence of any kind. This is about peace in the Middle East and the best way forward.

Hamas has always had the reputation of violence and hatred. It was thought by giving them a political status with the Palestinian state the violence would be contained, but, obviously that is not the case. Hamas has been a simmering war for a long time now and prayers by humble people triggered a vicious attack on innocent people.

One of the most disturbing sites of this attack by Hamas was a gathering near the Gaza border with music that celebrated peace. The young people gathered there close to the Gaza border wanted it to be known quite loudly they were interested in peace and inclusion. They danced and sang with pure hearts of love. All that was nothing more than an opportunity to express hatred by Hamas. 

The focus of this level of atrocity has to be expressed by all the major countries in the world and the attacks and continuing assaults by Hamas denounced. This attack by Hamas includes citizens of many countries and that cannot be ignored or minimized.

There is absolutely no reason for any country to take up arms against another in the name of Hamas. This is a specific action by Israel with full justification for it. I am confident Israel is, has been and will continue to follow the rules of war.

Biden’s doing all the heavy lifting.

Working with NATO to defend Ukraine and end genocide.

Working to defend South Korea and Japan.

Deploying a striker group to assist Israel to end the violence caused by Hamas in Gaza. In all sincerity I don’t see Israel stopping at the current border. I believe Israel will take back Gaza after Sharon’s generosity failed and resulted in death.

The USA can actually remove Palestinians from danger out of Gaza. They will be refugees, but, safe from harm.

Biden doesn’t see the USA as muscle bound. He sees it’s military strength as an asset to end conflict. It is about peace and not aggression. Enforcing the peace has been the the mission of the USA for a little no time. 

Appalling

I suppose it shouldn’t be surprising the Republicans are playing politics with a war between Israel and Hamas.

There is no evidence Iran is involved. Iran armed the Houthis far differently. If they were arming Hamas it would be a different profile attack. 

Israel has and is always vigilant regarding munitions moving around the Middle East. It is why out of the blue there will be a strike against a truck of munitions moving from Hezbollah in Lebanon to Hamas or the PA. 

Israel monitors all of these munition movements. The US does as well and stops Iranian boats heading for the Houthis or otherwise.

But, as to the Republicans, they don’t know what they are talking about, but yet trying to ignite some kind of hate dialogue to serve heir politics.

Now is the time for politics aside and a solid front against such violence and support for Israel. There are many people dead and the rockets are still being fired.

President Biden…

 …must address the people of the USA and bring an understanding as to what occurred and why. What exactly is our role now that Israel has declared war.

There are more than 1100 dead in just a short time. Is evacuation in order to bring those most effected to the USA? And what of the Hamas Palestinians? I can’t help but believe there are women, children and elderly that need protection from war. What of them? 

What is the Palestinian Authority saying? They need to denounce the violence.

There are going to be far reaching problems.

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/10/frustration-bubbles-among-palestinians-over-israeli-saudi-normalization

The Saudi answer to the outburst should be interesting considering the normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. 

Israel

Peace through prayer was too much to hope for. Hamas will be sorry if not already. Israel has a right to exist and have peace for it’s citizens.

The war is not likely to stop soon. The Palestine children should be allowed to leave.

There is speculation Israel and the USA should have known Hamas would do this. I firmly believe the attack by Hamas was due to Israel’s citizens praying at the Temple Mount also known as “Al-Aqsa Mosque”

https://forward.com/culture/563479/hamas-al-aqsa-flood-israel-gaza-attack-2023/?amp=1

To many in the world the Temple Mount should be a place of worship for everyone. For Hamas and other Muslims the “Al-Aqsa Mosque” is for worship by Muslims only and any other worship is sacrilege. When Israel’s citizens prayed on the holy days that resulted in increased tensions with Hamas enough to begin war.

It was an unexpectedly severe reaction by Hamas. There was no previous intelligence. It was spontaneous. The failure in knowing is only to expect such a severe reaction. Such a response was not anticipated. 

People were praying. Praying. That deserved this? 

Bidenomics

336,000 jobs added to the USA economy in September alone!

Unemployment 3.8 percent!

Go, Joe!

The American Rescue Plan is still a widely successful initiative that is still working.

https://www.ideastream.org/education/2023-06-06/cleveland-workforce-project-hopes-to-put-hundreds-of-minority-residents-in-new-jobs

Former Speaker McCarthy…

 …is going to resign from office. I guess that is what is next if disgraced by colleagues. 

I think the Democrats have to come to terms with Republicans’ chaos. Chaos is anarchy. At least that is the way I see it. If there is anything Trump wants it is anarchy. Anarchy facilitates autocracy, “Only I alone can fix it.”

The economy of anarchy is interesting, too. It is anti-establishment and opens doors for splash in the pan opportunists, like “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” I believe it has very destructive content. But, the point is, if the “norm” were enforced by society these exploitative economics would be oppressed. But, with chaos as a basis for social engagement and problem solving the “gas lighters” and “con artists “ as well as corruption of tried and true value systems become normalized. 

https://youtu.be/xXVMq0Tjc3Y?si=n75a6c_YldX8m_YG

I think that is what lies at the coupe of McCarthy. Trumpism is corruption and seeks to normalize the unthinkable. The eight Republicans, including Matt Gaetz, have politics that are so corrupted they had no choice to back down from the hate of our governance. It was governance that was at the center of McCarthy’s removal. The Trump Republicans hate governance so much they want to shut down the federal government.

Former Speaker McCarthy was governing by keeping the government open and functioning. When he was removed it was a clear statement that the eight Republicans involved were not interested in majority rule and bipartisanship. They lost the ability to step back from the brink of anarchy. They DO NOT care to abide by the fundamentals of democracy and majority rule.

I believe the Republican chaos is purposeful and gets results and is a profound danger to American democracy and economy. 

“Truth Social” is nothing but gas lighting and corruption. Why the FCC is not pulling licenses and shutting down what harms our democracy is a shame.

More later.

Genocide of Ukraine

It is impossible to turn one’s back on Ukraine in realizing the massive effort by Russia to estrange Ukrainian children from their heritage.

The Ukraine Human Rights Commission has reported 70 re-education camps within Russia of Ukrainian children. That is genocide. To attempt to remove a child’s ethnic and moral heritage is a violation of human rights. No country should be abandoning Ukraine’s defensive war to retain it’s borders and reclaim their children.

There are also reports of killings, injuries, and sexual abuse of children by Russian soldiers in the occupied territories.

No country according to international law has the right to invoke war for the sake of hate. It is easy to say Russia is seeking an expansion of land, but, the invasion is more about hate than expansionism.

When one considers the cruelty carried out by Russian soldiers this is not about control of global economic agriculture, it is however hatred manifested in a ruthless genocide. From the very beginning of the illegal invasion the Russian soldiers have raped, killed, and tortured the Ukrainian people. It mattered no age or any threat, from children to elderly there was nothing but hatred exhibited by the Russians from the foot soldier to its highest leadership.

In realizing the extremely high level of hatred within this invasion there is no mystery why Ukraine sees return of all its land to a sovereign peace for it’s people. The is no peace possible with Russia. 

If this was pure expansionism by Russia the profile of the war would be very different with more respect for the land and its capacity for peaceful and economic use. Russia would also have more respect for the people that make the land and economy work for them and a larger global community. There is none of that. Russia is intent on destruction at any cost as clearly demonstrated by the high levels of complete and repeated destruction and death. 

The Free World has a moral obligation to peace and the protection of ethnic and cultural heritage. That is why it is so easy to stand with Ukraine while demanding the best it’s leadership can deliver. They are people very much like those of the free world and have a right to their dignity. There is no turning our backs on Ukraine. It is not about NATO as the Russian propaganda states. It is about ending the genocide that is evident every day Russia carries out attacks to kill the Ukrainian people and keep the land in chaos.

We all need to stand with Ukraine to end this genocide of peaceful people.

Occupied East Jerusalem

The USA has lost influence with Israel since Trump. These are permanent changes to the activities at the Temple Mount. Palestinians should consider removing barriers to prayer as a willingness to peace.

People are praying. There is no violence. 

How can that be condemned?

2050 Climate Goal is corruption.

There is no sound science that points to 2050 as the decade to seek for climate safety.

The REAL science states 2030 and quite frankly the foot dragging of those focused on two decades later is obvious.

"Net Zero" is not good enough. That is endorsed by Pope Francis.

DO NOT HOLD ANOTHER CLIMATE SUMMIT IN AN OPEC OR ANY OTHER OIL PRODUCING NATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The world needs hope and direction. Every climate summit must be an example of the world progressing to ZERO EMISSIONS. We don't have until 2050. The date provided by the IPCC was 2030. That is less than seven years away.

In addition to the deaths in Libya, it is joined by the increasing deaths in India from dengue fever. There is also an astounding report in "The New York Times" about the virus (click here).

October 2, 2023

ABU DHABI - COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber (click here) said on Monday that more than 20 oil and gas companies were rallying around his calls to curb carbon emissions ahead of a United Nations summit on climate change.

Jaber, who is also head of United Arab Emirates oil giant ADNOC, has this year urged the energy industry to join the fight against climate change. He was a controversial pick to lead COP28, which begins next month, because his country is an OPEC member and a major oil exporter.

"We need a system-wide holistic transformation of entire economies - economies that currently run on the equivalent of 250 million barrels of oil, gas, and coal every single day," Jaber said at an oil and gas conference in Abu Dhabi.

"For too long, this industry has been viewed as part of the problem, that it's not doing enough and in some cases even blocking progress. This is your opportunity to show the world that, in fact, you are central to the solution," he said, addressing major energy companies....

Some may remember the encyclical letter by Pope Francis entitled "On Care of Our Common Home (click here)." It is fascinating how American political Republicans pick and choose their moral judgements. While the US Republicans carry on so about the abortion issue, there is NEVER even a peep about the decisions and judgements by Pope Francis regarding climate. I do believe that is called hypocrisy. 

October 4, 2023

Pope Francis (click here) Condemns Climate Change Indifference, Urges Prompt Action

Pope Francis (click here) has made his strongest statement yet on the accelerating climate crisis, pinning blame on big industries and world leaders as well as “irresponsible” Western lifestyles, in a blistering statement on Wednesday.

“Our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point,” the pontiff wrote in a 7,000 word encyclical called Laudate Deum (“Praise God”).

“Some effects of the climate crisis are already irreversible, at least for several hundred years, such as the increase in the global temperature of the oceans, their acidification and the decrease of oxygen,” he wrote.

The pope leveled heavy criticism at climate change deniers and delayers...

Thomas is pure corruption. There is simply no doubt. The corruption does not stop with Harlan Crow.

October 3, 2023

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (click here for video) refuses to recuse himself in a blatantly corrupt move, called out a watchdog group, for a New York case that notorious right-wing benefactor, Harlan Crow, could directly benefit from. Rayyvana and Sen. Nina Turner break it down on The Damage Report.

October 3, 2023

By Sharon Zhang

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (click here) is being urged to recuse himself from a key case after new reporting has revealed deep ties between the justice and corporate plaintiffs seeking to destroy a crucial consumer protection agency.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will begin hearing arguments in a case brought by payday lenders who are challenging the funding mechanism for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The case could result in the death of the agency, which was created after the Great Recession to protect consumers from fraud and predatory practices, and also threatens to disrupt the funding mechanism for a wide range of other government programs that are crucial to the financial health of the U.S.

According to new research by the Revolving Door Project, Thomas has a number of deep connections with groups who have been trying to kill the agency since before it was even established....

How is it that one single family owned multinational company have so many legal cases before the Supreme Court every year?

October 4, 2023

By Grace Pappas

...The relationship between Thomas and the Koch Network (click here) is as straightforward as it comes. Thomas serves as encouragement for donors to funnel more money into the lean, anti-green machine in exchange for lavish gifts such as trips and private jet rides. 

This affair started in 2010, where attendees of the summit received an invitation that boasted about Thomas’s presence at a previous summit. 

So, Thomas has a little political sugar momma. So what?

What makes this issue so important to the American judicial system is the political influence and potential corruption that it raises. 

The Koch Network has brought many cases before the Supreme Court, including Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Rodriquez in 2021, a case that debated the rights of organizations to keep the names of their donors a secret. 

In this case, Thomas sided with the majority conservative vote, and the case was thrown out in favor of the Koch network on a 6-3 majority. 

The plot thickens.

The Koch Network stands as one of the most significant and influential political entities of the past fifty years, actively supporting an extensive campaign to shape the direction of American legislation. 

For this term, the Supreme Court’s docket features several cases where the justices have the potential to grant the network a monumental win, curbing the authority of federal agencies to enact regulations across various domains, including environmental regulations, labor rights and consumer protection....

The fact that Thomas, a justice with so much influential power within the court, has been exposed for having personal ties to the Koch Network is extremely troubling....

Recusals aren't supposed to be a selective process to satisfy a political agenda. An insurgent is an insurgent no matter what form it takes.

October 2, 2023
By Erin Snodgrass

After months of media scrutiny, (click here) Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas recused himself for the first time from a matter regarding the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack.

But the conservative justice's decision to withdraw his voice from the court's decision may have been an easy one due to the appeal's lacking legal merits, an expert on the Supreme Court told Insider....

...Thomas has previously faced calls to recuse himself from matters before the court concerning the January 6 attack and 2020 presidential election after his wife, Virginia "Ginny" Thomas, supported Trump's efforts to overturn the election.

Earlier this year, when the Supreme Court rejected Trump's bid to keep White House documents out of the hands of the January 6 committee, Thomas chose not to recuse himself and offered the court's lone vote in support of Trump.

The court's Monday decision comes months after a series of ProPublica reports alleged a pattern of ethical misconduct by Thomas, including accusations he accepted and failed to disclose several luxury vacations from top GOP donor Harlan Crow.

A Bloomberg law analysis from February found Thomas was the justice who recused himself the least....

The Republicans have an unholy agenda for the USA Constitution.

These are the cornerstones of justice. These are the reasons there was an exodus from the Kingdom in England that ultimately led to the Revolutionary War of which we had allies such as France. What is so astounding to me is that the Justices actually do live in Cloud City where everyday is perfect and nothing touches them. If the Justices remove the protections of democracy, they are just as subject to the exploitation as anyone else.

If these six are not enemies of the USA Constitution, which I believe they are, then they are most certainly enemies of the people.

October 4, 2023
By Ladoris Hazzard Cordell

Top row: (click here) Chief Justice John Roberts, Associate Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito; bottom row: Associate Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett

...Employing an unholy triad of disrespect for judicial precedent, originalism, and magical thinking, Justices Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett, and Chief Justice Roberts are signaling in their dissents, majority opinions, and concurrences a willingness to overrule landmark Supreme Court decisions that established basic constitutional protections in our criminal legal system. Justice Thomas has led the way in this area. By inviting supplicants to bring these cases back to the court, the supermajority is positioned to overturn them. We should be very alarmed. Here is a short list of the constitutional protections that will soon be under threat.

1. The Miranda Warning

Nearly 60 years ago, the Supreme Court in Miranda v. Arizona established what is commonly known as the Miranda warning—a requirement that anyone in a custodial interrogation by law enforcement must be advised of their right to remain silent and of the right to have an attorney present during questioning....

...2. The Prohibition on Warrantless Searches and the Exclusionary Rule

In four separate opinions in the 1960s, the Supreme Court interpreted the Fourth Amendment to prohibit warrantless searches and seizures and established the “exclusionary rule” that prohibits the prosecution from using evidence obtained during an unlawful search....

...3. The Right to State-Appointed Counsel and the Right to Effective Assistance of Counsel

In the 1832 landmark case of Powell v. Alabama, the Supreme Court held that the due process clause of the 14th Amendment guarantees the right to counsel at a criminal trial. Subsequently, the court has affirmed this right five times....

...4. The Right of the Public to Observe Jury Selection in Criminal Trials

In 1982, the Supreme Court held that the press and public have a qualified First Amendment right to attend criminal trials. Two years later, in 1984, the court ruled that under the First Amendment, open public proceedings in criminal trials included questioning potential jurors (voir dire). And in 2010, the court held that the right to a public criminal trial, including jury selection, was also mandated by the Sixth Amendment....

...5. The Right to a Jury Pool That Reflects the Community

In Taylor v. Louisiana (1975) and in Duren v. Missouri (1979), the Supreme Court upheld the requirement that under the Sixth Amendment, jurors be selected from a representative cross section of the community. In both cases, at issue were state laws that exempted women from jury service....