“This Isn’t Over.”
Those are the words of Ed Osborne after the Senate failed to override Governor Minner’s veto of the Eminent Domain Bill last night.
So true those words.
Politics isn’t easy. Civic participation in our government isn’t easy. If it was, more people would do it. And this country would either be a utopia or a hellhole (depending on your ideological perspective of what policies are easily enacted). But instead Delaware, and America, chugs along, inspiring hopes and dreams in millions by the opportunities and freedoms that exist here, while at the same time frustrating those hopes and dreams through obstacles and setbacks that are ingrained in our system of government and in our politics.
You got to want it.
And I am not talking about just the Eminent Domain Bill. It took years to get the Bluewater Wind deal done, and when the deal was finally done, it still wasn’t all we could have hoped for. And I am not just talking about politics in Delaware, for change and progress and protecting our rights comes slowly in America too. It took 89 years for Jefferson’s proclamation that all men are created equal to be even recognized. It took another 55 years after that for women to even get the right to vote. It took another 45 after that for the Civil Rights Act to be passed, finally guaranteeing the equality promised nearly 200 years before. And today, even though we finally have a candidate whose racial background would have disqualified from all rights and dignity 232 years ago, some people still treat him as if he was inferior just because of his racial background.
But enough grandiose bloviating from me. It is enough to say it ain’t over with respect to the eminent domain bill. And I write this to put John Carney, Nancy Cook, Steve Amick, Patricia Blevins, Cathy Cloutier, Dori Connor, Anthony DeLuca, Margaret Rose Henry, Robert Marshall and Harris McDowell on notice. Do not dare say anything in any future campaign, whether it be this year or in 2010 or 2012, that in any way gives an implication that you were supportive of Senate Bill 245 or protecting the property rights of Delawareans. Your vote last night washed away any prior yes vote on Senate Bill 245 or any prior supportive statement of property rights.
I will be watching all future statements and campaign releases from you to make sure you tell the truth on this. And we bloggers get that politics isn’t easy. We are in it for the long haul. And we have terrific memories.
“It took years to get the Bluewater Wind deal done, and when the deal was finally done, it still wasn’t all we could have hoped for.”
According to my calendar, Bluewater didn’t show up until after the 2006 election. So years isn’t accurate.
2006 was two years ago. But the desire for wind energy was present long before that.
Very well said.
Those Senators you named are used to operating in a consequence free environment.
We need to let them know that there is a new age has arrived.
Well said, DD.
As for wind, my first proposal for wind power was in summer 2001 to Delaware state and Congressional leaders.
It has been wonderful to see so many more people joining in the overall cause, particularly over the last couple of years.
You are right that BWW is a long time coming, and a great step forward. The public’s focus is what has been required all along.
Now that we have it, hopefully we can move forward in other areas too….unless it all gets sucked into an SEU black hole.
Perhaps something like this (customized to this particular cave in) ought to be run as notice to this motley crew.
Except I expect that this kind of effort would be seen as way too rude — how much does a full page ad in the WNJ cost, anyway?
My BFF Christy Roussel McCready called me yesterday to gab about the off-shore wind deal. Her youngest is sequestered at the private school near Middletown and we had all met in the spring with daughter Laura telling me about her teachers advocacy and the great effort the kids there had made to make a difference. the name of the school and pond escape me momentarily…….St Andrews?)
Christy said that her daughter shares every bit of the feeling of credit that Tommywonk and Kavips may be feeling. Pretty cool.
Let’s all feel like we made a difference.
That is how activists are born.
Yep…St. Andrews, where Dead Poets Society was filmed.
And yes, that is how activists are born.
Yep…St. Andrews, where Dead Poets Society was filmed
…and atteneded by a certain gent by the name of Loudon Wainwright.
I think it was St. Anne’s that got behind the BBW. The kids at St. Andrews (at least their parents) are pretty much able to buy the sun, all of Delaware, and set up their own country.
I was a “day player” in Dead Poets’ Society…but I never realized that was how my activism was born.
Dis…St Andrew’s is actually quite environmentally sensitive and active. Your point is understood, yes, but wanted to at least give them the credit they do earn.
Smitty, I also note President Bush’s house is perhaps the most environmentally correct on the planet (deep warm water wells, solar, wind, etc.), only at a cost of tens of millions. Its pretty easy to be environmentally sensitive (and pretty easy to be anything else) when money is absolutely no object.
I have no connection to that school other than I drive by it every so often. However, it seems your disdain is soley over the assumed affluency of the parents of the students (I don’t disagree with the assumption, btw). The school itself is a good neighbor to Middletown. I just think it’s unfair to allude to the school itself being a bane when in fact it’s a contributor to the area.
Not to worry– If the time comes–I’ll excercise my reconfirmed 2nd Amendment right quicker than they can pull out SB 245–and count on all of you to defend me!!!
RSmittison is correct. When I needed a hand (and still do) with the La Grange heritage farm in Glasgow, I got a lot of feedback from St Andrews’ staffers.
Noxontown Pond was where the Delaware Militia in 1777 took the stores from the Head of Elk area. ‘Starting with the salt’ every man, horse and carriage was employed in late August 1777 to rescue the Continental Army’s winter stores held at the mill town near Elkton.
The DE militia was charged with bringing those stores to Middletown and guarding them against Howes’ army which landed on the penninsula on August 28th 1777 I believe.
It is quite an exciting story and St. Andrews’ landscape is a high feature. The salt, oats, flour and god knows what that our militia and residents valiently gathered in those late summer storms kept the Continental Army alive in the winter at Valley Forge 1777-1778.