Archive for January 15th, 2013

On Richard Korn

Filed in Delaware by on January 15, 2013 120 Comments

As I said to my colleagues here at Delaware Liberal when this news broke this afternoon, is it possible to be completely floored and not at all surprised at the same time?

Continue Reading »

Anti-Citizens United Rally Tomorrow in Dover.

Filed in Delaware by on January 15, 2013 4 Comments

Common Cause Delaware, the League of Women Voters, the Delaware Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Progressive Democrats for Delaware, the Delaware Coalition for Open Government and other like minded citizens tomorrow in Dover will mark an unhappy anniversary for the prospects of free and open democracy in the United States. Three years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court released its decision in the Citizens United case, and in so doing, gave the monied special interests and their lobbyists even more power in Washington and in influencing elections across the nation and here in Delaware. After the Court’s decision, corporations and special interest groups can now raise and spend unlimited amounts of money in elections up and down the ballot.

We all saw with our own eyes the affect of the ruling on our television screens and in our mailboxes in 2012. It was the most expensive election ever, as will every election for now on be. The ruling cannot be allowed to stand, and our leaders in Dover and in Washington must take action to reverse the decision through legislation or an Amendment to the Constitution. Luckily, we have Progressive legislators in Delaware like Senator Karen Peterson and Representative Paul Baumbach, and they both are calling on their colleagues in the General Assembly to sign a joint letter to Congress asking for passage of an amendment to the United States Constitution to clarify that, with regard to corporate campaign spending, a person means only a natural person for First Amendment protection of free speech. If you agree, please let them know and call your state Senator and Representative. And if you agree, and have some free time, join with your fellow citizens tomorrow at a rally on the steps of Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Avenue in Dover, DE at 12:30 p.m. to bring attention to the anniversary of Citizens United. If there is inclement weather, the gathering will move inside to the House Majority Caucus Room, on the ground floor. Refreshments will be served.

Continue Reading »

Tuesday Open Thread [1.15.13]

Filed in Open Thread by on January 15, 2013 6 Comments

Congratulations to Governor Markell and Lt. Governor Denn on their inauguarations to their second terms.

Check out Marc Ambinder on why President Obama took the Trillion Dollar Coin option off the table. And he’s right, because if you’ve lost Jon Stewart… .

“Around 11:45 on Monday morning, Justice Clarence Thomas broke almost seven years of silence during Supreme Court arguments. But it was not entirely clear what he said.”

It is criminal that he gets paid to be a judge. He is nothing but an automoton.

Continue Reading »

Delaware General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., Jan . 15, 2013

Filed in National by on January 15, 2013 5 Comments

Delaware’s top elected officials ensured that gun control would be front-and center during the 2013-14 legislative session by unveiling a bold and (IMHO) essential set of initiatives at a Monday news conference. You can check out the proposed package here.

I can’t praise Governor Jack Markell, Lt. Gov. Matt Denn and AG Beau Biden highly enough for this. I’ll be more than a little intrigued to see how the timid souls who constitute Delaware’s D. C. delegation respond to any initiatives coming from the White House.

Delaware’s proposed legislation includes: (1) a ban on the sale, manufacture, delivery, and unlawful possession of military-style assault weapons; (2) a ban on the sale, manufacture, delivery. and unlawful possession of large-capacity magazines; (3) requiring background checks for private purchase of firearms; (4) requiring the reporting of lost and stolen firearms; and (5) banning the possession of firearms within 1000 feet of a school, except for those exempted from this requirement.

This package will inevitably draw the total opposition of the NRA and the oxymoronically-named Delaware Sportsmen’s Association. Good.

Continue Reading »

Tuesday Daily Delawhere [1.15.13]

Filed in Delaware by on January 15, 2013 1 Comment
Tuesday Daily Delawhere [1.15.13]

Old Swedes Church in the East Side neighborhood of Wilmington.

Continue Reading »

Inauguration Day for Governor Markell and Lt. Governor Matt Denn

Filed in National by on January 15, 2013 2 Comments

Today is the day! Both Governor Markell and Lt. Governor Matt Denn will be sworn in for their new terms TODAY at 11AM in Dover. Since bad weather is predicted, they’ve moved the ceremony indoors to the auditorium of Central Middle School, 211 Delaware Ave., Dover, 19901.

Continue Reading »