As cold as stone, a heart of stone, trying to squeeze blood out of a stone – so many phrases come to mind when reading about the Trump administration’s plans and strategies. But just like developmental psychologist Alison Gopnick, our esteemed colleague at Berkeley, argued that comparing Trump to a 4-year old was an insult to children, I find that these catchy phrases are an insult to stones – some of the most beautiful sights to be found on this planet.

 

(Click on picture to open Gopnick’s NYT op-ed.)

During this week, then, I will offer stories that describe social and political issues that are related to hearts of stone or, alternatively, prove that there are always people who rock. They will be juxtaposed with photographs of stone in various forms and guises.

Let’s start with an interesting analysis how the GOP is using its anti- abortion rights playbook to further its voting rights agenda.  The key legal issue that can and will be applied to the suppression of voting rights are so called TRAP laws – something that enabled antiabortion forces to undermine the rights granted by Roe vs Wade. TRAP stands for Targeted regulation of abortion providers, and emerged from legal reasoning that claimed “Medical uncertainty underlying a statute is for resolution by legislatures, not the courts.” Claim some, any scientific uncertainty and the state can swoop in and legislate. The essay below spells out how that transfers to gerrymandering…..

https://thinkprogress.org/gop-anti-abortion-playbook-voting-rights-aa0ccac3304e

The photographs are from Enchanted Rock National landmark in Llano County, Texas.