This is interesting..

The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals rejected former Gov. Ruth Ann Minner’s claim that she was entitled to immunity from the suit as an elected official. A federal judge had refused to dismiss a 2006 lawsuit filed against Minner by Trooper Timothy Shockley. Shockley claimed that he was improperly denied a promotion and barred from becoming head of Minner’s security unit in 2003 because of his gender. Shockley claims Minner refused to let him lead her executive protection unit because she wanted a less-qualified female trooper to lead the team.

Minner was trying to have the case tossed before going to trial on the grounds that she has sovereign immunity. She loses that argument. Now the case goes back down to the U.S. District Court in Wilmington for trial.

There are plenty of reasons to strongly dislike our former Governor, but I am finding myself taking her side on this one. Here is why: anyone remember back to late 1992 and early 1993? President-elect Bill Clinton had won the presidential election and during the transition process he declared that he was going to nominate the first female Attorney General. He went through three nominees, two of which had to withdraw because they didn’t pay taxes on their nannies, before we finally got Janet Reno. But at no point during the process did Clinton consider a man. Clinton was not sued for sexual discrimination, because it was the President’s prerogative to hire who he wanted. If the female Attorney General turned out to be less qualified or incompetent, it would be Clinton’s ass on the line.

So explain to me how it is not Minner’s prerogative to hire whom she wanted to head her executive protection unit?

The greatest scandal in Washington is when you accidentally speak the truth. Last night Mitt Romney admitted that, but for his running for office, he’d take full advantage of undocumented workers. It was something he has done before when he wasn’t running for office, and it is an issue he would not care about if he were not running for office. Because, hey, undocumented workers are cheap labor, and what good businessman doesn’t love cheap labor. So telling that truth is a gaffe.

It is also a gaffe in another respect which speaks directly as to why Mitt Romney is stuck at 20% in all primary polls: Romney cares more about his political ambitions than his principles.

It is why he has taken every position on every issue known to man. It is why Rush Limbaugh says he is not a conservative. It is why the teabagging base of the GOP hates him. And it is why he will not be the nominee of the Republican Party.

Rick Perry did better last night, and with a few more performances like that, he will regain his polling standing as the conservatives deflect from Cain.

The Delaware Public Service Commission has unanimously approved Bloom Energy’s proposal to build its East Coast fuel cell manufacturing center at the old Chrysler plant in Newark. The plant will make the fuel cells for Delmarva Power, which will be used in clusters called Bloom Boxes and will be stationed at certain power stations in the state to provide an alternative source of energy.

In a statement, Gov. Jack Markell thanked the PSC for their consideration, and says the commission’s approval brings the state closer to creating hundreds of jobs and significant benefits for the state. Bloom CFO Bill Kurtz says the company is looking forward to working with U-D and Delmarva Power to using their technology to bring affordable, reliable and clean energy to the East Coast.

The third quarter fundraising period ended on September 30, and John Carney and Chris Coons have released their numbers. Carney raised $224,098 in campaign contributions and has $382,856.41 cash on hand. Carney faces reelection next year and his newly announced opponent is special election champion and regular election loser New Castle County Council President Tom Kovach. Since Kovach just announced, his fundraising numbers won’t be released until after the next quarter ends on December 30.

Chris Coons faces reelection in 2014, but politicians are always raising money. He raised $167,058 and has $453,168 cash on hand. Meanwhile, his Senate colleague Tom Carper, who is facing reelection next year, has not yet released his figures, and neither has Kevin Wade, his “Republican” opponent.

One of the reasons many of us have a hard time envisioning Mitt Romney being the Republican nominee is this:

“Romney is not a conservative. He’s not, folks. You can argue with me all day long on that, but he isn’t. … This isn’t personal, not with what country faces and so forth. I like him very much. I’ve spent some social time with him. He’s a fine guy. He’s very nice gentleman. He is a gentleman. But he’s not a conservative,” – Rush Limbaugh.

How do you win the GOP nomination with Rush Limbaugh declaring you not to be a conservative? Unless Rush changes his mind, it won’t be Mitt. There is yet another Republican presidential debate tonight, the 5th since Labor Day. The action starts at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on CNN.

First Read: “So what have learned from all of these debates? Rick Perry, who now has participated in more debates as a presidential candidate than as a Texas politician, isn’t a good debater… The 2012 field, unlike the 2008 one, doesn’t gang up on Mitt Romney, which has allowed him to stay on message… The debates have provided the candidates an opportunity to gain traction (where would Cain be today without them?)… Experience matters (Romney is so much better than he was in ’08)… And, overall, these debates have had a huge impact on the race, because GOP primary voters are paying attention. Deep down, that has to concern Team Romney somewhat. Yes, his debate performances have impressed the GOP establishment and news media. But they haven’t moved the needle with GOP voters — at least not yet.”

China owns America, right? Because China buys U.S. Treasury debt, right? You have heard that time again. Would it surprise you to learn that China only owns 8% of outstanding U.S. debt, while the largest owners are actually American individuals and institutions, which own collectively 69%. With respect to all U.S. Financial assets, not just our debt, China only holds 1% while U.S. Investors own 87%.

These Amish religious extremist are rare in that you can’t blame fox news for their craziness.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department in Ohio has released the mugshots for three of the five Amish men arrested for allegedly breaking into the homes of other Amish men and cutting off their hair and beards.