U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals | Case: 24-60395

By alonzo, 26 October, 2024

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Published Opinion in Case 24-60395

DECISION - No ballots can be cast after the federal election day

"Congress statutorily designated a singular “day for the election” of members of Congress and the appointment of presidential electors. Text, precedent, and historical practice confirm this “day for the election” is the day by which ballots must be both cast by voters and received by state officials. Because Mississippi’s statute allows ballot receipt up to five days after the election day, it is preempted by federal law. We reverse the district court’s contrary judgment and remand for further proceedings."

In concluding the decision the court writes "As Justice Kavanaugh recently emphasized: ...“A deadline is not un-constitutional merely because of voters’ own failures to take timely steps to ensure their franchise."

"...federal law does not permit the State of Mississippi to extend the period for voting by one day, five days, or 100 days.  The State’s contrary law is preempted."

This is the rational decision (i.e. a good and right judgment).  Federal laws must reasonably govern federal elections.  The States and their subdivisions (counties, cities, borroughs, etc.) cannot be prohibited from setting rules for their elections as provided for in their charters similarly to the U.S. Constitution.  If a state wants to change the deadline for it's own elections then they have that right.  The easiest way to manage an election is to mimic the federal election rules, but a state can't manipulate federal election rules.

To allow any State the ability to change any rules pertinent to a federal election - even beside date related rules - creates a privileged class of citizens and violates the freedoms and rights of citizens of other states.

Name 1 Thing Your Dad Taught You

By alonzo, 25 August, 2024

That was the post on X/Twitter.

It came to me pretty quickly how to reply.

X Post: "Name 1 Thing Your Dad Taught You."
Me: "Yes.....he taught me my name." :)

Then I realized how a name is actually a profound "thing".

It means 1) I'm alive, 2) I'm related to others - thankfully, they have names too, 3) I can give my name to a wife, children, and grandchildren, 4) I share something with my mother, and much more.

So just a reminder, your dad gave you, and then taught you, your name.

Beach Plum Festival (Link) | September 8, 2024

By alonzo, 16 August, 2024

If you've never tasted beach plums, you would be in for a treat if you can or don't mind eating something that's almost one-half sugar in total content.  The flavor of unsugared beach plum jelly would probably be very sour, but add 3/4 cup sugar to 1 cup of extracted juice and you've got the world's best peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

But the relative scarcity of the fruit makes beach plum jelly expensive.  $15 for an eight-ounce jar of jelly means it qualifies as a delicacy or at least an expensive option.

While chatting on a technical support call recently, I mentioned to the person helping me that I was on the East Coast of the United States and they mentioned how they always enjoyed beach plums (must have been the jelly) back when they grew up in New Jersey.

On a subsequent call the tech support expert mentioned the annual beach festival they have where they grew up.

I might go.  (Link: Friends of Island Beach State Park 2024 Beach Plum Festival |  September 8, 2024)