Acton Unwind

Messing with Texas

Jan 29, 2024

Supreme Court lifts injunction on Texas razor wire at border. Alabama's use of nitrogen hypoxia for death penalty. Indian PM Modi inaugurates Ayodhya Ram temple.

01:00:57

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The Supreme Court lifted an injunction, allowing the removal of razor wire fencing at the US-Mexican border, highlighting the complex relationship between federal and state enforcement of immigration laws.

The use of nitrogen hypoxia as a method of execution in Alabama sparks controversy, raising ethical concerns and reigniting debates on the death penalty and the humaneness of different execution methods.

Deep dives

US Supreme Court grants Biden administration request to cut Texas's razor wire

The US Supreme Court granted the Biden administration's request to vacate an injunction in the Texas razor wire saga. The High Court sided with the Department of Homeland Security, allowing border patrol agents to remove razor wire fencing along the US-Mexican border.

Introduction

4min

Legal Battle over Barriers on the Rio Grande

21min

Political and Social Issues Surrounding Immigration in Europe

2min

Comparing Immigration Systems and Considering Human Dignity

4min

The Choice Between Immigration and One Billion Americans

20min

Tensions and Controversies: Ram Mandir and Babri Mosque

5min

Controversial Consecration, Lions' Loss, and Podcast Promotion

4min

This week, Eric, Dan, and Emily discuss the Supreme Court’s ruling lifting an injunction that prevented the federal government from removing razor wire installed by the state of Texas at the southern border. What did SCOTUS actually do here? What are we supposed to do in this bizarre situation where the federal government will not enforce federal law but doesn’t want states to enforce it either? Will political incentives prevent any definitive action? Next, Alabama executed a death row inmate using nitrogen hypoxia, after previous attempts using more common methods had failed. How should people of faith think about the death penalty? Are our attempts to avoid supposedly cruel and usual methods like firing squads and the electric chair leading to less certain and possibly more inhumane methods? And finally, what does the Ayodhya Ram temple’s inauguration by Indian prime minister Modi tell us about the place of religion in Indian public life?

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Divided SCOTUS grants Biden administration request to cut Texas’ razor wire | Axios

Letter from Texas Governor Greg Abbott

What Part of Legal Immigration Don’t You Understand? | Reason

The U.S. had its first execution by nitrogen gas. Here’s what to know. | Washington Post

Why India’s New Ram Temple Is So Important | New York Times