NEW MEXICO BOOK BILL - Some New Mexico lawmakers are crafting a bill that would withhold state funding from public libraries that remove books for certain reasons — shielding librarians from outside influence. via NPR

RT @VikingFBR: BREAKING NEWS - Copy of communication to ABA members: FROM THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION The ABA supports the rule of law…

BREAKING NEWS - Copy of communication to ABA members: FROM THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION The ABA supports the rule of law It has been three weeks since Inauguration Day. Most Americans recognize that newly elected leaders bring change. That is expected. But most Americans also expect that changes will take place in accordance with the rule of law and in an orderly manner that respects the lives of affected individuals and the work they have been asked to perform. Instead, we see wide-scale affronts to the rule of law itself, such as attacks on constitutionally protected birthright citizenship, the dismantling of USAID and the attempts to criminalize those who support lawful programs to eliminate bias and enhance diversity. We have seen attempts at wholesale dismantling of departments and entities created by Congress without seeking the required congressional approval to change the law. There are efforts to dismiss employees with little regard for the law and protections they merit, and social media announcements that disparage and appear to be motivated by a desire to inflame without any stated factual basis. This is chaotic. It may appeal to a few. But it is wrong. And most Americans recognize it is wrong. It is also contrary to the rule of law. The American Bar Association supports the rule of law. That means holding governments, including our own, accountable under law. We stand for a legal process that is orderly and fair. We have consistently urged the administrations of both parties to adhere to the rule of law. We stand in that familiar place again today. And we do not stand alone. Our courts stand for the rule of law as well. Just last week, in rejecting citizenship challenges, the U.S. District Judge John Coughenour said that the rule of law is, according to this administration, something to navigate around or simply ignore. “Nevertheless,” he said, “in this courtroom and under my watch, the rule of law is a bright beacon which I intend to follow.” He is correct. The rule of law is a bright beacon for our country. In the last 21 days, more than a dozen lawsuits have been filed alleging that the administration’s actions violate the rule of law and are contrary to the Constitution or laws of the United States. The list grows longer every day. These actions have forced affected parties to seek relief in the courts, which stand as a bulwark against these violations. We support our courts who are treating these cases with the urgency they require. Americans know there is a right way and a wrong way to proceed. What is being done is not the right way to pursue the change that is sought in our system of government. These actions do not make America stronger. They make us weaker. Many Americans are rightly concerned about how leaders who are elected, confirmed or appointed are proceeding to make changes. The goals of eliminating departments and entire functions do not justify the means when the means are not in accordance with the law. Americans expect better. Even among those who want change, no one wants their neighbor or their family to be treated this way. Yet that is exactly what is happening. These actions have real-world consequences. Recently hired employees fear they will lose their jobs because of some matter they were assigned to in the Justice Department or some training they attended in their agency. USAID employees assigned to build programs that benefit foreign countries are being doxed, harassed with name-calling and receiving conflicting information about their employment status. These stories should concern all Americans because they are our family members, neighbors and friends. No American can be proud of a government that carries out change in this way. Neither can these actions be rationalized by discussion of past grievances or appeals to efficiency. Everything can be more efficient, but adherence to the rule of law is paramount. We must be cognizant of the harm being done by these methods. Moreover, refusing to spend money appropriated by Congress under the euphemism of a pause is a violation of the rule of law and suggests that the executive branch can overrule the other two co-equal branches of government. This is contrary to the constitutional framework and not the way our democracy works. The money appropriated by Congress must be spent in accordance with what Congress has said. It cannot be changed or paused because a newly elected administration desires it. Our elected representatives know this. The lawyers of this country know this. It must stop. There is much that Americans disagree on, but all of us expect our government to follow the rule of law, protect due process and treat individuals in a way that we would treat others in our homes and workplaces. The ABA does not oppose any administration. Instead, we remain steadfast in our support for the rule of law. We call upon our elected representatives to stand with us and to insist upon adherence to the rule of law and the legal processes and procedures that ensure orderly change. The administration cannot choose which law it will follow or ignore. These are not partisan or political issues. These are rule of law and process issues. We cannot afford to remain silent. We must stand up for the values we hold dear. The ABA will do its part and act to protect the rule of law. We urge every attorney to join us and insist that our government, a government of the people, follow the law. It is part of the oath we took when we became lawyers. Whatever your political party or your views, change must be made in the right way. Americans expect no less. – William R. Bay, president of the American Bar Association

Bill Gates reflects on his youth, beginnings of Microsoft, in new memoir - In his new memoir, "Source Code," billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates opens up about his adolescence and early adult life. via NPR

U.N. Suspends Humanitarian Work in Yemeni Area After Houthis Detain More Staff - The total employees arrested since 2021 has risen to 24, a U.N. spokesman said. The Iran-backed Houthis have held them on murky charges of espionage and foreign int… @nytimes:

A rivalry of our times - why Man City & Real are fighting for their lives - Guillem Balague examines the problems that have led Manchester City and Real Madrid to meet in the Champions League play-off. via @BBC

Hamas blames Israel as it postpones hostage release - It accuses Israel of ceasefire violations, drawing fury from Israel's defence minister. via @BBC

Congress now has a DOGE Caucus. Here's how its co-chair says it will work - NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Rep. Pete Sessions, co-chair of the House DOGE Caucus, on how Congress will work with the Department of Government Efficiency. via NPR

Trump's ban on gender-affirming care for young people puts hospitals in a bind - Hospitals and clinics that have offered gender-affirming treatments to transgender youth reacted in a variety of ways to an executive order that aims to halt the care. via NPR

Maeda can face Bayern Munich as Celtic win bid to reduce ban - Celtic winger Daizen Maeda is free to face Bayern Munich in Wednesday's Champions League play-off first leg after a two-match ban was reduced. via @BBC

Bryan Adams concert in Australia is canceled after a 'fatberg' causes sewage overflow - The blockage was detected near a Perth arena mere hours before Canadian musician Bryan Adams' sold-out show was set to take place. Water authorities warned of wastewa…

Met Police officers rescue people and fight blaze at hostel - Bodycam footage shows officers evacuating the building and tackling the fire with extinguishers in Euston, London. via @BBC

Musk-led group makes $97.4bn bid for ChatGPT maker OpenAI - The billionaire's attorney, Marc Toberoff, confirmed he submitted the bid for "all assets" of the company on Monday. via @BBC

UK must respect Trump's mandate, new US ambassador tells BBC - In his first day on the job, Lord Peter Mandelson says "we have to respect and understand what drives" the US president. via @BBC

Salman Rushdie wrote about his attempted murder. Now he will face his attacker in court - Hadi Matar, who is on trial for the knife attack against the British author, has also been accused of supporting terrorism and attempting to carry out a fatwa calli…

MP behind assisted dying bill suggests scrapping High Court approval - It comes after concerns were raised over the court's capacity to hear each individual case. via @BBC

Israeli Hostages’ Accounts of Abuse Raise Alarms for Remaining Captives - Freed hostages have told of starvation, and relatives of others held in Gaza say officials have relayed accounts of torture. via @nytimes:

The Trump administration has stopped work at the CFPB. Here's what the agency does - It's the main U.S. agency tasked with overseeing the financial products and services used by everyday Americans. The CFPB's new head has closed its offices and told staf…

What DOGE could mean for Medicare and Medicaid? - Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency is quickly expanding its reach through the federal government. It recently accessed systems at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Musk and his…

Trump's Attempt to Unilaterally Control State and Local Funding is Dangerous, Dumb, and Undemocratic The Trump administration has not been subtle in its desire to use federal funding for political punishment. Whether threatening to cut off grants t…