Western states struggle with hot temps, drought, and fires

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Six months out from the Capitol insurrection, a new poll ([link removed]) reveals that 67% of Americans believe U.S. democracy is under threat. That number includes majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents—although there is wide variation in how each group defines the threats. Last week's Supreme Court ruling on Arizona's voting laws likely won't move the needle much on this troubling statistic. The 6-3 decision effectively gives states more latitude to impose restrictions on voting, which has already been happening around the country, to the satisfaction of some and the dismay of others. But there is promising news in the poll too. More Americans believe the country is heading in the right direction now than at any other time in the last 12 years. Forty-seven percent of those surveyed see positive movement—a level not seen since October 2009. While that number still represents a minority of respondents, it has
risen by 20 points since a low in January, when domestic extremists attacked the seat of American democracy. That marks significant progress that President Biden and Congress would be wise to build on. —Melissa Amour, Managing Editor

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** Feeling hot, hot, hot
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How's the weather in your neck of the woods? If you live in the continental U.S., your answer is likely to be "hot." As the nation (and Canada) contends with historic heat, as well as drought conditions and wildfires in some parts of the country, pragmatism is beginning to override partisanship. Much like the coronavirus pandemic, climate change will no longer be largely a liberal or Democratic concern but an issue that affects everyone without regard to party affiliation. ([link removed])
* — "We need resources and boots on the ground." On the Fourth of July, two governors—one Democrat and one Republican—implored the federal government for help in dealing with what could be our new normal. "We need financial resources to be able to purchase critical, essential equipment, like aircraft, to help us fight fire," said Democrat Kate Brown, governor of Oregon, whose Multnomah County, which includes Portland, incurred 64 deaths related to excessive heat between June 27 and July 3. ([link removed])
*
* — "We have to store more water." Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican and sixth-generation farmer, said there are several ways to address the issues but stressed water conservation. "The people that settled these arid mountain valleys and western states knew that. We're not doing a great job of that anymore. I'm grateful that in this bipartisan infrastructure push there is money for that type of infrastructure, storing water above ground and underground as well will make a big difference." ([link removed])
*
* — Help, we need somebody. The bipartisan plea follows a meeting last week among President Biden and other Western governors during which he announced a new federal response to address wildfire threats and extreme heat being driven by climate change. Hundreds of deaths have been reported across the Pacific Northwest and Canada amid the heat wave, and wildfires have burned 1.5 million acres in the U.S. so far this year. —CNN ([link removed])

MORE: Heat wave in U.S. and Canada summed up in one staggering satellite image —CNET ([link removed])


** Sarlin: What keeps democracy experts up at night?
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"The Trump-led focus on identifying new ways to discredit, assert control over, or ultimately throw out an unfavorable [election] result by targeting the right bureaucratic choke points creates new risks. Some observers worry the party's increased willingness to even entertain these scenarios could create perverse incentives in which state or local officials try to boost the odds of a poorly administered election that would give partisan leaders more flexibility to intervene." —Benjy Sarlin on ([link removed]) NBC News ([link removed])

Benjy Sarlin is policy editor for NBC News.

MORE: 'We need you to stop the counting': Records detail intense efforts by Trump allies to pressure Maricopa County supervisors —USA Today ([link removed])


** The sedition caucus strikes again
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A YouTuber who participated in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol accompanied Republican members of Congress on a trip to the southern border last week, serving as a translator at times. Anthony Aguero, a close ally of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, interviewed and chatted with Reps. Lauren Boebert, Madison Cawthorn, and Ronny Jackson, among others. Aguero has not yet been charged in the Capitol siege, but yelled "heave-ho" as rioters broke in, entered the Capitol Rotunda, later chanted "our house" on the Capitol steps, and verbally attacked those who condemned the ransacking. The border trip was organized by the Republican Study Committee, a GOP House caucus, ahead of Donald Trump's visit the next day. —CNN ([link removed])

MORE: Far-right extremist finds an ally in an Arizona congressman —The New York Times ([link removed])


** 'We failed to live up to our highest values'
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The Biden Administration is bringing back hundreds, possibly thousands, of deported U.S. military veterans and their family members. Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas has ordered immigration agencies to "immediately" ensure that military families may return to the U.S. and to halt pending deportation proceedings against veterans or their immediate relatives. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has deported veterans for decades, typically if they were convicted of crimes. However, veterans' advocates say many fell into trouble because of untreated post-traumatic stress disorder related to their service. "It's our responsibility to serve all veterans as well as they have served us—no matter who they are, where they are from, or the status of their citizenship," Veterans Affairs Sec. Denis McDonough said. — ([link removed]) The Washington Post
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MORE: Arkansas governor: 'Bad precedent' to send privately funded guardsmen to border —The Hill ([link removed])
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** Stephens: Deception will be China's downfall
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"How Beijing's own apparatus of lies will eventually bring the system down is impossible to predict. But there's little question that it profoundly enfeebles the system as a whole. Truth, in the form of accurate information, is essential to good decision-making. Truth, in the form of political honesty, is essential to generating the social trust that is the basis of healthy societies. China's regime lacks both. The free world has its own huge problems with misinformation and dishonest politics. Yet we still have a sufficiently competitive marketplace of ideas that the truth soon finds its way in. And we still have sufficient regard for political honesty that we eventually threw the bum out." —Bret Stephens in ([link removed]) The New York Times ([link removed])

Bret Stephens is a columnist at
The New York Times.

MORE: China's crackdown on Didi is a reminder that Beijing is in charge —The New York Times ([link removed])


** Focus on domestic violence
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Gun violence, anti-government extremism, various acts of public aggression ([link removed]) — ([link removed]) all are on the rise in the U.S. Violent crime has "spiked since the start of the pandemic over a year ago," President Biden said last month, as he announced new federal actions targeting gun violence. But none of it is a surprise. Federal authorities predicted a swell in violence last spring. An internal Department of Homeland Security memo warned that the emotional, mental, and financial strains of the coronavirus pandemic, combined with social isolation, may "increase the vulnerability of some citizens to mobilize to violence." ([link removed])
* — It wasn't just federal officials sounding the alarm. Doctors also warned that the pressure of the pandemic may exacerbate acts of violence and aggression. "Covid has been a tipping point," says Dr. Aimee Harris-Newon, a clinical psychologist in Chicago who focuses on wellness and preventive care. "On top of too much chronic stress, the impact of all this trauma… now everything is starting to leak out." ([link removed])
*
* — Seeds of Jan. 6. A DHS threat assessment released last October underscored concerns arising from COVID-19's impact, where "anti-government and anti-authority violent extremists could be motivated to conduct attacks in response to perceived infringement of liberties and government overreach as all levels of government seek to limit the spread of the coronavirus that has caused a worldwide pandemic." ([link removed])
*
* — The way back. While social media helped maintain personal connections during quarantine, it is also alienating—and presents an opportunity for online radicalization, increasing the risk of engaging in violent extremism. Though it will take time, the memo stresses the importance of building back "social links and bridges" to slowly heal the damaging effects of isolation and prevent further radicalization to violence. —ABC News ([link removed])

MORE: 'If people want to see a miracle, they should look at me,' says rabbi who survived attack —The Boston Globe ([link removed])


** Cullen: Bipartisanship works
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"Everyone already knows Biden has endorsed an infrastructure deal drafted by a bipartisan group of senators. A bipartisan bill to help reshore crucial pharmaceutical and computer component manufacturing from Asia cleared the Senate overwhelmingly. What does this all mean? Things are getting done. Both parties are helping, despite the rhetoric. Biden campaigned on a belief that bipartisanship has a chance. It does, when you have no choice but to act." —Art Cullen in ([link removed]) The Washington Post ([link removed])

Art Cullen is editor of
The Storm Lake Times in northwest Iowa.

MORE: Do bipartisan coalitions in Congress really work? Mitt Romney thinks so —Deseret News ([link removed])

Last month, every single House Republican voted against funding U.S. Capitol law enforcement after right-wing terrorists ransacked the Capitol and killed and maimed police. Every single one. —Rafaela G., Arizona

When will Brooks, Cruz, Gohmert, Gosar, Greene, Johnson, McCarthy, et al., realize that many of the insurrectionists are too dumb to have recognized their heroes in the halls and chambers of the Capitol? Everyone in the building was at risk that day. —Jim S., Texas
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** The views expressed in "What's Your Take?" are submitted by readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff or the Stand Up Republic Foundation.
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