delawareliberal--2020-01-07--Comment Rescue: Great Employment Numbers: 44% of Fully Employed Make $18,000 a Year or Less

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delawareliberal--2020-01-07--Song of the Day 1/7: The Turtles, “Eve of Destruction”

Song of the Day 1/7 : The Turtles , “ Eve of Destruction ” Though Barry McGuire ’ s anguished version is the one that hit No .
1 on the charts , it was the Turtles who first recorded the song by P.F .
Sloan ( “ Secret Agent Man ” ) that was pitched to and rejected by the Byrds .
Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan harmonize beautifully on the choruses , but the tune wasn ’ t released as a single until McGuire ’ s version was already popular .
Barry McGuire , a folk singer who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , recorded it in July 1965 with a crack team of Los Angeles session players : Sloan on guitar and harmonica , Hal Blaine on drums and Larry Knechtel on bass .
The vocal track was a rough mix — McGuire was reading the lyrics from a crumpled piece of paper .
It was supposed to be replaced by a more polished take , but the unfinished recording was leaked to a DJ .
McGuire later recalled that it was recorded in one take on a Thursday , and Monday morning a record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to turn on the radio , where the song was an instant hit .
It reached No .
1 about six weeks later .
P.F .
Sloan was only 20 when he wrote it , and he wasn ’ t expecting the blowback it caused .
Many radio stations banned the song , which was held up as an example of what was wrong with youth culture ; several patriotic “ answer songs ” were written in response .
McGuire never had another Top 40 hit , and by 1971 was recording @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just about anything on YouTube , here ’ s the demo Sloan took to the Byrds .

Though Barry McGuire’s anguished version is the one that hit No. 1 on the charts, it was the Turtles who first recorded the song by P.F. Sloan (“Secret Agent Man”) that was pitched to and rejected by the Byrds. Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan harmonize beautifully on the choruses, but the tune wasn’t released as a single until McGuire’s version was already popular.
Barry McGuire, a folk singer who had recently left the New Christy Minstrels, recorded it in July 1965 with a crack team of Los Angeles session players: Sloan on guitar and harmonica, Hal Blaine on drums and Larry Knechtel on bass. The vocal track was a rough mix — McGuire was reading the lyrics from a crumpled piece of paper. It was supposed to be replaced by a more polished take, but the unfinished recording was leaked to a DJ. McGuire later recalled that it was recorded in one take on a Thursday, and Monday morning a record company exec woke him up and told him to turn on the radio, where the song was an instant hit. It reached No. 1 about six weeks later.
P.F. Sloan was only 20 when he wrote it, and he wasn’t expecting the blowback it caused. Many radio stations banned the song, which was held up as an example of what was wrong with youth culture; several patriotic “answer songs” were written in response. McGuire never had another Top 40 hit, and by 1971 was recording Christian music. Because you can find just about anything on YouTube, here’s the demo Sloan took to the Byrds.


delawareliberal--2020-01-07--Spiros Mantzavinos To Challenge Anthony Delcollo

You will note the lack of an exclamation point at the end of the hed .
That is on purpose .
At the risk of seeming hypocritical ( I ’ ve been screaming for someone to challenge Delcollo ) , this smells fishy to me .
Real fishy .
I personally like Spiros .
With that out of the way , he had been a corporate lobbyist for quite some time before he became part of Kathy McGuiness ’ ‘ Greek Squad ’ in the Auditor ’ s Office , where he is listed as Chief Of Staff .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Delaware City Refinery , you know the one : Before he became a corporate lobbyist , he spent a few years as Dave McBride ’ s top assistant in the Senate .
Dave even once bought Spiros a set of golf clubs as a gift .
Or maybe it was just a bag , but it was clear he wanted to play golf with him .
At first glance , this looks like ( a ) a convenient candidacy designed to ensure that McBride stays in charge , whether Spiros wins or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cement McGuiness as a political powerbroker ; and ( c ) an attempt to discourage a more progressive challenger ( and a real strong potential candidate has been considering the race ) from entering the race and facing a divisive primary before the general .
I ’ ll have lots more to talk about in Friday ’ s Political Weekly piece , but this my first impression .
In fact , the stench has only increased during my writing of the piece .

You will note the lack of an exclamation point at the end of the hed. That is on purpose. At the risk of seeming hypocritical (I’ve been screaming for someone to challenge Delcollo), this smells fishy to me. Real fishy.
I personally like Spiros. With that out of the way, he had been a corporate lobbyist for quite some time before he became part of Kathy McGuiness’ ‘Greek Squad’ in the Auditor’s Office, where he is listed as Chief Of Staff. Among other things, he handled PR for that Delaware City Refinery, you know the one:
Previously, he served as External Affairs Manager for Motiva Enterprises’ (a joint venture between Shell Oil Products US and Saudi Aramco) Delaware City Refinery. There, Spiros managed the plant’s comprehensive public affairs program during a three-year period of intense public, media and regulatory scrutiny. Spiros played a vital role in formulating government relations and communications strategies to manage multiple and evolving issues, maintaining the facility’s license to operate.
Before he became a corporate lobbyist, he spent a few years as Dave McBride’s top assistant in the Senate. Dave even once bought Spiros a set of golf clubs as a gift. Or maybe it was just a bag, but it was clear he wanted to play golf with him.
At first glance, this looks like (a) a convenient candidacy designed to ensure that McBride stays in charge, whether Spiros wins or not; (b) an attempt to cement McGuiness as a political powerbroker; and (c) an attempt to discourage a more progressive challenger (and a real strong potential candidate has been considering the race) from entering the race and facing a divisive primary before the general.
I’ll have lots more to talk about in Friday’s Political Weekly piece, but this my first impression. In fact, the stench has only increased during my writing of the piece.


delawareliberal--2020-01-08--DL Open Thread: Weds., Jan. 8, 2020

DL Open Thread: Weds., Jan. 8, 2020

State Auditor Delivers Half-Assed Report On Odyssey Charter .
She ’ s really terrible .
Here ’ s an excerpt for the subscription-challenged : According to the Department of Education , the report isn ’ t what the Charter School Office asked for .
In its request for an “ investigatory audit , ” the department had expected a report offering a more thorough indication of whether the Wilmington school had engaged in financial wrongdoing .
According to State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness , the two departments settled on conducting a report called an Agreed Upon Procedure , an auditing practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not offer opinions .
The nature of that type of report was never made clear to the Department of Education , spokesperson Alison May said .
The conditions of Odyssey ’ s probation , as well as the contract between the department , the Auditor of Accounts and the school , cited the need for an “ investigatory audit , ” and the education department expected more .
“ The auditor ’ s office worked and took direction from DOE on this .
We did what we were directed to do , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
While the auditor ’ s office can not issue an opinion , she said , “ the information is present for the Department of Education to address how they see fit.
” What does she mean by ‘ the auditor ’ s office can not issue an opinion ’ .
It ’ s not mere ‘ opinion ’ to look at the facts and to draw reasonable conclusions .
She has been in bed ( figuratively , this time at least ) with Odyssey from the very beginning .
She is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No Imminent Threat .
Now There Is .
Yet , there is very little uproar here over the phony pretext .
When someone lies constantly , I guess that is to be expected .
Even when you ’ re maybe starting a war… Nothing Coherent About Trump ’ s Strategy .
He responds to his rages , and nothing else : With Mr. Trump , so much of his presidency is situational — he careens like a bumper car from one crisis to another , many of them self-created , rarely pausing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for energy and always willing to ram into other vehicles .
No matter how much aides try to impose an orderly process , he still prefers seat-of-the-pants governance , leaving advisers scrambling to adjust… …Michèle A. Flournoy , a former under secretary of defense under President Barack Obama who turned down a chance to serve as deputy defense secretary for Mr. Trump , said the chaotic nature of the current foreign policy stemmed from an “ impulsive , inconsistent ” president without a functional national security process that would ensure that “ second- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
McConnell Buys Collins ’ Vote To Start Impeachment Trial Without Witnesses .
Ditto , of course , for Murkowski .
More proof that the Rethuglican Party is merely a criminal conspiracy by any other name : Collins and Murkowski know damn well that McConnell won ’ t call witnesses .
They both know that the only thing McConnell can be trusted to do is protect Trump at all costs .
But for Collins , that means keeping the McConnell gravy train running .
He ’ ll keep the money flowing to her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along .
There ’ s your quid pro quo , right there .
‘ Bipartisan Biden ’ Touts ‘ Mild Cooperation ’ From Moscow Mitch .
I have nothing to add .
Ukrainian Airliner Crashes Near Tehran .
One can only hope that this is unrelated to the heightened tensions in the area .
Canada ’ s Exxon Subsidiary Knew About Climate Change Impact , Lied About It To Canadians For Decades .
Maybe they ’ ll face a less-forgiving public and judiciary than Exxon has here .
This is one day I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ news overload ’ is a thing , and I think it ’ s best to stop here .
What do you want to talk about ?

State Auditor Delivers Half-Assed Report On Odyssey Charter. She’s really terrible. Here’s an excerpt for the subscription-challenged:
According to the Department of Education, the report isn’t what the Charter School Office asked for. In its request for an “investigatory audit,” the department had expected a report offering a more thorough indication of whether the Wilmington school had engaged in financial wrongdoing. According to State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness, the two departments settled on conducting a report called an Agreed Upon Procedure, an auditing practice that answers specific financial questions, but does not offer opinions. The nature of that type of report was never made clear to the Department of Education, spokesperson Alison May said. The conditions of Odyssey’s probation, as well as the contract between the department, the Auditor of Accounts and the school, cited the need for an “investigatory audit,” and the education department expected more. “The auditor’s office worked and took direction from DOE on this. We did what we were directed to do, and answered the questions,” McGuiness said. While the auditor’s office cannot issue an opinion, she said, “the information is present for the Department of Education to address how they see fit.”
What does she mean by ‘the auditor’s office cannot issue an opinion’. It’s not mere ‘opinion’ to look at the facts and to draw reasonable conclusions. She has been in bed (figuratively, this time at least) with Odyssey from the very beginning. She is part of a cover-up.
There Was No Imminent Threat. Now There Is. Yet, there is very little uproar here over the phony pretext. When someone lies constantly, I guess that is to be expected. Even when you’re maybe starting a war…
Nothing Coherent About Trump’s Strategy. He responds to his rages, and nothing else:
With Mr. Trump, so much of his presidency is situational — he careens like a bumper car from one crisis to another, many of them self-created, rarely pausing to set a straight-ahead course but never lacking for energy and always willing to ram into other vehicles. No matter how much aides try to impose an orderly process, he still prefers seat-of-the-pants governance, leaving advisers scrambling to adjust… …Michèle A. Flournoy, a former under secretary of defense under President Barack Obama who turned down a chance to serve as deputy defense secretary for Mr. Trump, said the chaotic nature of the current foreign policy stemmed from an “impulsive, inconsistent” president without a functional national security process that would ensure that “second- and third-order consequences” were fully considered.
McConnell Buys Collins’ Vote To Start Impeachment Trial Without Witnesses. Ditto, of course, for Murkowski. More proof that the Rethuglican Party is merely a criminal conspiracy by any other name:
Collins and Murkowski know damn well that McConnell won’t call witnesses. They both know that the only thing McConnell can be trusted to do is protect Trump at all costs. But for Collins, that means keeping the McConnell gravy train running. He’ll keep the money flowing to her campaign as long as she keeps playing along. There’s your quid pro quo, right there.
‘Bipartisan Biden’ Touts ‘Mild Cooperation’ From Moscow Mitch. I have nothing to add.
Ukrainian Airliner Crashes Near Tehran. One can only hope that this is unrelated to the heightened tensions in the area.
Canada’s Exxon Subsidiary Knew About Climate Change Impact, Lied About It To Canadians For Decades. Maybe they’ll face a less-forgiving public and judiciary than Exxon has here.
This is one day I could go on and on. But ‘news overload’ is a thing, and I think it’s best to stop here.
What do you want to talk about?


delawareliberal--2020-01-09--Song of the Day 1/9: Peter Gabriel, “Games Without Frontiers”

Song of the Day 1/9 : Peter Gabriel , “ Games Without Frontiers ” Peter Gabriel ’ s anti-war song was released on his third self-titled album , an effort rejected by his record company as “ commercial suicide.
” Atlantic rued the decision when Gabriel took the album to Mercury and this became a U.K. hit as a single .
The song ’ s framework — the phrase “ Jeux Sans Frontières , ” so often misheard by Americans as “ she ’ s so popular ” — is taken from a European game show that started in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Teams representing a town or city in one of the participating countries would compete in games of skill , often while dressed in bizarre costumes.
” The show was licensed to several different countries ; the British version was called “ It ’ s a Knockout , ” also name-checked in the lyrics .
“ I just began playing in a somewhat light-hearted fashion – ‘ Hans and Lottie … ’ – so it looked , on the surface , as just kids , Gabriel has said .
“ The names themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain associations with them .
So it ’ s almost like a little kids ’ activity room .
Underneath that , you have the TV programme [ and the ] sort of nationalism , territorialism , competitiveness that underlies all that assembly of jolly people.
” This was the original video for the song .
This now-official version was produced because the BBC wouldn ’ t play the original , objecting to the use of the children seated around the dinner table

Peter Gabriel’s anti-war song was released on his third self-titled album, an effort rejected by his record company as “commercial suicide.” Atlantic rued the decision when Gabriel took the album to Mercury and this became a U.K. hit as a single.
The song’s framework — the phrase “Jeux Sans Frontières,” so often misheard by Americans as “she’s so popular” — is taken from a European game show that started in the ’60s. According to Wikipedia, “Teams representing a town or city in one of the participating countries would compete in games of skill, often while dressed in bizarre costumes.” The show was licensed to several different countries; the British version was called “It’s a Knockout,” also name-checked in the lyrics.
“I just began playing in a somewhat light-hearted fashion – ‘Hans and Lottie …’ – so it looked, on the surface, as just kids, Gabriel has said. “The names themselves are meaningless, but they do have certain associations with them. So it’s almost like a little kids’ activity room. Underneath that, you have the TV programme [and the] sort of nationalism, territorialism, competitiveness that underlies all that assembly of jolly people.”
This was the original video for the song.
This now-official version was produced because the BBC wouldn’t play the original, objecting to the use of the children seated around the dinner table


delawareliberal--2020-01-09--It’s Official! Rysheema Dixon To Run For City Council President!

It ’ s Official !
Rysheema Dixon To Run For City Council President !
For all the right reasons : The dysfunction and infighting that ’ s plagued Wilmington City Council and its 13 elected members–putting it in the news for all the wrong reasons–is what really spurred Dixon , a Democrat , to run to lead the body .
She said council could be far more effective .
“ You can not get things done if you always continuously argue , ” she said .
“ I ’ ve heard community members come in , and now it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out and watch city council meetings ’ ; it should never be that way , where a body of council is seen in that capacity.
” If elected , the 33-year-old said she ’ ll work towards unity and towards restoring trust in the community .
She ’ s forced to give up her at-large seat to run for council president .
She ’ ll likely face incumbent Council President Hanifa Shabazz .
Shabazz has not publicly announced her re-election campaign , but recently held a fundraiser .
Assuming she wins , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressive body than the one she first entered .
While there may still be outliers , ( or is is ‘ outliars ’ ? )
, there are more on council who want to do more than merely line their own pockets .
She would be a huge upgrade over the casual corruption embraced by Hanifa Shabazz , Sam Guy , and one or two other hangers-on .
BTW , while our personal differences are there for all to see , I don ’ t see how this influx of quality additions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been accomplished without the able and proactive leadership of Cassandra Marshall .
The City is far better off because of her leadership as chair of the City Democratic Party .

For all the right reasons:
The dysfunction and infighting that’s plagued Wilmington City Council and its 13 elected members–putting it in the news for all the wrong reasons–is what really spurred Dixon, a Democrat, to run to lead the body. She said council could be far more effective. “You cannot get things done if you always continuously argue,” she said. “I’ve heard community members come in, and now it’s become a ‘have your popcorn out and watch city council meetings’; it should never be that way, where a body of council is seen in that capacity.” If elected, the 33-year-old said she’ll work towards unity and towards restoring trust in the community. She’s forced to give up her at-large seat to run for council president. She’ll likely face incumbent Council President Hanifa Shabazz. Shabazz has not publicly announced her re-election campaign, but recently held a fundraiser.
Assuming she wins, I think she will preside over a more progressive body than the one she first entered. While there may still be outliers, (or is is ‘outliars’?), there are more on council who want to do more than merely line their own pockets.
She would be a huge upgrade over the casual corruption embraced by Hanifa Shabazz, Sam Guy, and one or two other hangers-on.
BTW, while our personal differences are there for all to see, I don’t see how this influx of quality additions to Council and to city politics could have been accomplished without the able and proactive leadership of Cassandra Marshall. The City is far better off because of her leadership as chair of the City Democratic Party.


delawareliberal--2020-01-09--DL Open Thread: Thurs., Jan. 9, 2020

DL Open Thread: Thurs., Jan. 9, 2020

House To Vote On Limiting Trump ’ s War Powers .
Here is the legislation .
Two Senate R ’ s have already indicated they ’ ll support such a resolution in the Senate .
Let ’ s see if any House Rethugs dare to oppose Trump .
Mnuchin Wants To Hide Secret Service Expenses Until After Election .
All the bleeping money they ’ ve wasted , and oh by the way , wasted at Trump properties .
No wonder the criminals in the White House want to withhold that info from the public .
At Least Half Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it escaped your attention , it certainly has escaped Trump ’ s attention .
And his interest .
Trump Plans To Deep-Six Environmental Rules B/C ‘ Development ’ .
Trump is no different than every Chamber Of Commerce and every ‘ reach-across-the-aisle ’ Democrat on this .
Including right here in good-ol ’ Delaware .
Year-Long Disinformation Campaign Preceded Iran Strike .
The lyin ’ liars were building to this , it didn ’ t come out of nowhere .
The ‘ Think Tank ’ Pushing War With Iran .
A blatant propaganda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax-exempt organization , of course .
What do you want to talk about ?

House To Vote On Limiting Trump’s War Powers. Here is the legislation. Two Senate R’s have already indicated they’ll support such a resolution in the Senate. Let’s see if any House Rethugs dare to oppose Trump.
Mnuchin Wants To Hide Secret Service Expenses Until After Election. All the bleeping money they’ve wasted, and oh by the way, wasted at Trump properties. No wonder the criminals in the White House want to withhold that info from the public.
At Least Half Of Puerto Rico Is Without Power. If it escaped your attention, it certainly has escaped Trump’s attention. And his interest.
Trump Plans To Deep-Six Environmental Rules B/C ‘Development’. Trump is no different than every Chamber Of Commerce and every ‘reach-across-the-aisle’ Democrat on this. Including right here in good-ol’ Delaware.
Year-Long Disinformation Campaign Preceded Iran Strike. The lyin’ liars were building to this, it didn’t come out of nowhere.
The ‘Think Tank’ Pushing War With Iran. A blatant propaganda organ funded by Trump-loving billionaires. A tax-exempt organization, of course.
What do you want to talk about?


delawareliberal--2020-01-09--RBG Cancer Free – Coons still promises to give McConnell veto power over any Dem appointments

RBG Cancer Free – Coons still promises to give McConnell veto power over any Dem appointments While it is good @ @ @ @ @ Ginsberg has defeated cancer , she can ’ t live forever .
Never forget that @ @ @ @ @ with the GOP to effectively block any Supreme Court appointment by any future Democratic President @

While it is good to hear that Ruth Bader Ginsberg has defeated cancer, she can’t live forever.
Never forget that Coons has promised to work with the GOP to effectively block any Supreme Court appointment by any future Democratic President.


delawareliberal--2020-01-10--DL Political Weekly: Jan. 3-9, 2020

DL Political Weekly: Jan. 3-9, 2020

1 .
The Mantzavinos Candidacy .
As we noted earlier this week , Spiros Mantzavinos has filed to challenge Anthony Delcollo in the 7th Senatorial District .
I believe that both the New Castle County Democratic Party and the State Democratic Party did everything they could to entice a candidate into this race .
Spiros said yes .
There could still be another possibility in this district , but you can ’ t beat somebody with nobody .
So .
Can Mantzavinos win ?
Yes .
To the extent that this election is a referendum on Trump , pretty much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can win .
The last election was a referendum on Patti Blevins , which is why Delcollo won .
Let me be clear–in years like this where the president is such a divisive figure , pretty much any D in a Democratic district can win .
So let ’ s look at SD 7 .
In 2016 , when Delcollo won , here were the registration figures at election time : 14,776 D ; 7116 R ; 8567 I. I checked ’ em three times .
Blevins had to have run an absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with those numbers .
Let ’ s check out the current numbers in this district : 14,883 D ; 6907 R ; and 8634 I. I ’ m calling it right now : After four years of Trump , there is no way that Anthony Delcollo can win reelection against a credible D in this district .
It doesn ’ t matter how great he ’ s been on constituent matters .
Most people have no clue who their State Senator is .
There ’ s no way that there will be enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone else gets in as a D , I think that Mantzavinos will win .
People are coming out in droves to vote against Trump in this district , the so-called ‘ uninformed voters ’ .
Delcollo will be collateral damage .
Clip ‘ n save .
2 .
The Dixon Candidacy .
The triumphalists who basked in the glow of the defeat of Kerri Harris missed the point .
While she lost , a cadre of progressive political enthusiasts got their feet wet and never even took time to lick their wounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates were elected .
( Hey , Kerri resurfaced as Delaware ’ s Democratic Committeewoman . )
These grassroots staffers are now training and running insurgent campaigns in Delaware .
Rysheema Dixon is both a beacon for such staffers and a beneficiary as well .
Network Delaware has been an early supporter of hers , and she is poised to take on and ( I believe ) defeat Hanifa Shabazz .
City Council is on the way to becoming a pretty progressive legislative body , which is essential when Mayor Mike is running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she will have to give up her seat to run since the entire Council is elected every four years .
I hope and assume that there is a stalwart progressive waiting in the wings .
Dixon is one of the most exciting progressive hopes to surface in recent years .
This would be a great candidacy to get involved with .
3 .
Primary In City Council District 2. Who knows how many will ultimately run in the district currently represented by Ernest ‘ Trippi ’ Congo ?
We now have Shane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Darby and one Billy Lane , Jr. who have filed .
I ’ m pretty sure he ’ s this Billy Lane , Jr. A ‘ bishop ’ in the Christian Growth Ministries .
Shades of Monique Johns .
Darby has the backing of Network Delaware .
4 .
Kent County Levy Court President Brooks Banta Will Not Seek Reelection .
The 84-year-old Banta has endorsed 71-year-old fellow Democrat Joanne Masten to run in his stead .
A veritable youth movement in Kent County .
Can an enema get rid of the Kent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which I mean Nancy Cook ?
She still stands in the way of progress at every turn .
BTW , I ’ m sure that she just loves the fact that fellow Kent County resident Kerri Harris is National Committeewoman .
Not .
5 .
Other Filings This Week : Rep. Paul Baumbach ( D-23rd RD ) and NCC Clerk Of The Peace Ken Boulden ( D ) .

1. The Mantzavinos Candidacy. As we noted earlier this week, Spiros Mantzavinos has filed to challenge Anthony Delcollo in the 7th Senatorial District. I believe that both the New Castle County Democratic Party and the State Democratic Party did everything they could to entice a candidate into this race. Spiros said yes. There could still be another possibility in this district, but you can’t beat somebody with nobody. So. Can Mantzavinos win? Yes. To the extent that this election is a referendum on Trump, pretty much any D this side of Sussex County can win. The last election was a referendum on Patti Blevins, which is why Delcollo won. Let me be clear–in years like this where the president is such a divisive figure, pretty much any D in a Democratic district can win. So let’s look at SD 7. In 2016, when Delcollo won, here were the registration figures at election time: 14,776 D; 7116 R; 8567 I. I checked ’em three times. Blevins had to have run an absolutely horrid campaign to lose in a district with those numbers. Let’s check out the current numbers in this district: 14,883 D; 6907 R; and 8634 I. I’m calling it right now: After four years of Trump, there is no way that Anthony Delcollo can win reelection against a credible D in this district. It doesn’t matter how great he’s been on constituent matters. Most people have no clue who their State Senator is. There’s no way that there will be enough crossover voters to reelect Delcollo. Unless someone else gets in as a D, I think that Mantzavinos will win. People are coming out in droves to vote against Trump in this district, the so-called ‘uninformed voters’. Delcollo will be collateral damage. Clip ‘n save.
2. The Dixon Candidacy. The triumphalists who basked in the glow of the defeat of Kerri Harris missed the point. While she lost, a cadre of progressive political enthusiasts got their feet wet and never even took time to lick their wounds. Not to mention, several progressive candidates were elected. (Hey, Kerri resurfaced as Delaware’s Democratic Committeewoman.) These grassroots staffers are now training and running insurgent campaigns in Delaware. Rysheema Dixon is both a beacon for such staffers and a beneficiary as well. Leftward Delaware has been an early supporter of hers, and she is poised to take on and (I believe) defeat Hanifa Shabazz. City Council is on the way to becoming a pretty progressive legislative body, which is essential when Mayor Mike is running for reelection as the Gentrifier-In-Chief. Yes, she will have to give up her seat to run since the entire Council is elected every four years. I hope and assume that there is a stalwart progressive waiting in the wings. Dixon is one of the most exciting progressive hopes to surface in recent years. This would be a great candidacy to get involved with.
3. Primary In City Council District 2. Who knows how many will ultimately run in the district currently represented by Ernest ‘Trippi’ Congo? We now have Shane (with that French accent thingy) Darby and one Billy Lane, Jr. who have filed. I’m pretty sure he’s this Billy Lane, Jr. A ‘bishop’ in the Christian Growth Ministries. Shades of Monique Johns. Darby has the backing of Leftward Delaware.
4. Kent County Levy Court President Brooks Banta Will Not Seek Reelection. The 84-year-old Banta has endorsed 71-year-old fellow Democrat Joanne Masten to run in his stead. A veritable youth movement in Kent County. Can an enema get rid of the Kent County ‘old guard’, by which I mean Nancy Cook? She still stands in the way of progress at every turn. BTW, I’m sure that she just loves the fact that fellow Kent County resident Kerri Harris is National Committeewoman. Not.
5. Other Filings This Week: Rep. Paul Baumbach (D-23rd RD) and NCC Clerk Of The Peace Ken Boulden (D).


delawareliberal--2020-01-10--Song of the Day 1/10: Badfinger, “Come and Get It”

Song of the Day 1/10 : Badfinger , “ Come and Get It ” This song was released in the @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 12 , 1970 — and it kicked off the tragic career of the recently @ @ @ @ @ , now known as Badfinger , a name suggested by John Lennon when they were @ @ @ @ @ Paul McCartney wrote it for the film “ The Magic Christian , ” starring Peter @ @ @ @ @ and recorded the demo one morning before the sessions for “ Abbey Road , ” @ @ @ @ @ .
He also produced the Badfinger recording , choosing bassist Tom Evans for the lead @ @ @ @ @ , “ Okay , it ’ s got to be exactly like this demo.
” @ @ @ @ @ 10 in both the U.S. and the U.K. You can judge for yourself how close @ @ @ @ @ was released on the third Beatles Anthology .

This song was released in the U.S. 50 years ago — Jan. 12, 1970 — and it kicked off the tragic career of the recently renamed Welsh band The Iveys, now known as Badfinger, a name suggested by John Lennon when they were signed to Apple Records. Paul McCartney wrote it for the film “The Magic Christian,” starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr, and recorded the demo one morning before the sessions for “Abbey Road,” playing all the instruments himself. He also produced the Badfinger recording, choosing bassist Tom Evans for the lead vocal and telling the band, “Okay, it’s got to be exactly like this demo.” The song reached the Top 10 in both the U.S. and the U.K.
You can judge for yourself how close they came. The demo was released on the third Beatles Anthology.


delawareliberal--2020-01-10--DL Open Thread: Fri., Jan. 10, 2020

DL Open Thread: Fri., Jan. 10, 2020

Those Poll Numbers On Trump ’ s Assassination Of Suleimani Not Looking Good .
I don ’ t generally ‘ do ’ polls here , but this one suggests that Trump might have done lasting damage to his reelection .
Clinton Found Innocent–Again .
Doesn ’ t make her any less guilty of political malpractice though , which was her true transgression .
Her disastrous candidacy will never offer her exoneration .
“ Designed By Clowns , Supervised By Monkeys ” .
Boeing employees talking about the grounded 737 .
And these are the redacted e-mails .
The FAA has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t see this as a ‘ buy low ’ opportunity .
What Democrats Could Have Done To Rein In Trump On Iran : The left flank of House Democrats had tried to do that earlier last year .
The initial version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act , which cleared the House in July on a party-line vote , contained provisions that would have blocked Trump from starting a war with Iran unless Congress approved it .
When representatives from the two chambers of Congress met in the fall to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limitations on Trump ’ s war powers were cut out .
The only big item from the progressives ’ agenda that Democrats did secure was a commitment to grant federal employees 12 weeks of paid parental leave , but that came in exchange for approval to create Trump ’ s Space Force .
Chris ?
One more reason why bipartisanship sucks .
Kentucky Rethugs Push Voter Suppression Bill .
Yes , it ’ s an admission that they have to cheat to win .
Unfortunately , they often win by cheating .
Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other than getting her name in the paper , I have no idea what she wanted to accomplish here .
From what I ’ ve heard , she basically pissed off everybody .
And for what ?
What do you want to talk about ?

Those Poll Numbers On Trump’s Assassination Of Suleimani Not Looking Good. I don’t generally ‘do’ polls here, but this one suggests that Trump might have done lasting damage to his reelection.
Clinton Found Innocent–Again. Doesn’t make her any less guilty of political malpractice though, which was her true transgression. Her disastrous candidacy will never offer her exoneration.
“Designed By Clowns, Supervised By Monkeys”. Boeing employees talking about the grounded 737. And these are the redacted e-mails. The FAA has the unredacted ones. Somehow, I don’t see this as a ‘buy low’ opportunity.
What Democrats Could Have Done To Rein In Trump On Iran:
The left flank of House Democrats had tried to do that earlier last year. The initial version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act, which cleared the House in July on a party-line vote, contained provisions that would have blocked Trump from starting a war with Iran unless Congress approved it. When representatives from the two chambers of Congress met in the fall to hash out a compromise bill, the limitations on Trump’s war powers were cut out. The only big item from the progressives’ agenda that Democrats did secure was a commitment to grant federal employees 12 weeks of paid parental leave, but that came in exchange for approval to create Trump’s Space Force.
Chris? One more reason why bipartisanship sucks.
Kentucky Rethugs Push Voter Suppression Bill. Yes, it’s an admission that they have to cheat to win. Unfortunately, they often win by cheating.
Sen. Hansen Presides Over Sham Gun Discussion. Other than getting her name in the paper, I have no idea what she wanted to accomplish here. From what I’ve heard, she basically pissed off everybody. And for what?
What do you want to talk about?


delawareliberal--2020-01-11--Song of the Day 1/11: Rush, “Tom Sawyer”

Neil Peart , widely considered among the best drummers in rock history , died this week at age 67 , @ @ @ @ @ had brain cancer .
Though he joined Rush after their first album , he quickly @ @ @ @ @ sound , and not just behind the drum kit .
He also wrote or co-wrote @ @ @ @ @ band ’ s complex songscapes , drawing mostly on the libertarian strain of science fiction @ @ @ @ @ was an Ayn Rand fan , but he was still a nice guy according to @ @ @ @ @ ) He also was an accomplished writer , publishing several well-received books , mostly about @ @ @ @ @ , released on “ Moving Pictures ” in 1981 , is the band ’ s @ @ @ @ @ ’ s also one of Peart ’ s showcase performances .
Peart ’ s reputation @ @ @ @ @ chose him to close “ Drum Solo Week ” back in 2011 .
His nearly @ @ @ @ @ wise choice that was .

Neil Peart, widely considered among the best drummers in rock history, died this week at age 67, three years after learning he had brain cancer. Though he joined Rush after their first album, he quickly became the cornerstone of their sound, and not just behind the drum kit. He also wrote or co-wrote all the lyrics to the band’s complex songscapes, drawing mostly on the libertarian strain of science fiction. (Yes, he was an Ayn Rand fan, but he was still a nice guy according to everyone who knew him.) He also was an accomplished writer, publishing several well-received books, mostly about his travels. This track, released on “Moving Pictures” in 1981, is the band’s best-known song, and it’s also one of Peart’s showcase performances.
Peart’s reputation was such that David Letterman chose him to close “Drum Solo Week” back in 2011. His nearly 5-minute workout shows what a wise choice that was.


delawareliberal--2020-01-11--DL Open Thread: Sat., Jan. 11, 2020

DL Open Thread: Sat., Jan. 11, 2020

IC Navarro ’ s Got Some ‘ Splainin ’ To Do .
Featuring , and I ’ m not making this up , “ Mitch ’ s Bitches ” .
Yes , that Mitch .
As to the reference : Mitch Crane , who had worked in the state insurance office under former commissioner Matt Denn and unsuccessfully ran for the office in 2012 , is also named as a defendant .
Crane said he supported Navarro in his campaigns for commissioner and sheriff and has been an official in the state Democratic Party .
Crane left the department in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be a part of the lawsuit .
“ Everything she alleges that was done with her happened after I retired , ” Crane said .
The lawsuit claims there were five women in the office that were trusted by Navarro .
They were all associated with Crane and referred to by Navarro during a meeting in his office as “ Mitch ’ s B*****s. ” Delaware politics .
An ongoing soap opera .
I hope that ‘ Mitch ’ s Bitches ’ make an appearance in the next Hummer ’ s Parade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Admits They Shot Down Ukrainian Airliner .
It ’ s safe to predict that Trump will not demand justice for the Ukrainian people .
DOJ Wants Supreme Court To Wait Until After The Election To Kill Obamacare .
Betcha the Supreme Court accedes to that request .
Money Ill-Spent .
$ 200 mill , and not a single delegate , nor are any likely for America ’ s Mayor , Part Deux .
At least he has more money than Vince McMahon , who is self-funding his latest XFL venture , almost assuredly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Funding Biden ’ s Super-PAC ?
I ’ m going out on a limb and claiming that it ’ s not a whole bunch ’ a small contributors who love Joe ’ s positions on the issues .
In fact , I predict that every single one of his donors will be found to have been a contributor to Hillary ’ s campaign .
Somewhere , at a near-moribund site , the contributors are mouthing the words ‘ Bernie Bros ’ .
Australia ’ s Politicians Are To Blame For Its Environmental Wreckage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow the deniers who have huge financial stakes in the worst industries to dominate government .
What do you want to talk about ?

IC Navarro’s Got Some ‘Splainin’ To Do. Featuring, and I’m not making this up, “Mitch’s Bitches”. Yes, that Mitch. As to the reference:
Mitch Crane, who had worked in the state insurance office under former commissioner Matt Denn and unsuccessfully ran for the office in 2012, is also named as a defendant. Crane said he supported Navarro in his campaigns for commissioner and sheriff and has been an official in the state Democratic Party. Crane left the department in February 2018 and said he shouldn’t be a part of the lawsuit. “Everything she alleges that was done with her happened after I retired,” Crane said. The lawsuit claims there were five women in the office that were trusted by Navarro. They were all associated with Crane and referred to by Navarro during a meeting in his office as “Mitch’s B*****s.”
Delaware politics. An ongoing soap opera. I hope that ‘Mitch’s Bitches’ make an appearance in the next Hummer’s Parade, if there is one.
Iran Admits They Shot Down Ukrainian Airliner. It’s safe to predict that Trump will not demand justice for the Ukrainian people.
DOJ Wants Supreme Court To Wait Until After The Election To Kill Obamacare. Betcha the Supreme Court accedes to that request.
Money Ill-Spent. $200 mill, and not a single delegate, nor are any likely for America’s Mayor, Part Deux. At least he has more money than Vince McMahon, who is self-funding his latest XFL venture, almost assuredly with the same results.
Who Is Funding Biden’s Super-PAC? I’m going out on a limb and claiming that it’s not a whole bunch’a small contributors who love Joe’s positions on the issues. In fact, I predict that every single one of his donors will be found to have been a contributor to Hillary’s campaign. Somewhere, at a near-moribund site, the contributors are mouthing the words ‘Bernie Bros’.
Australia’s Politicians Are To Blame For Its Environmental Wreckage. This is what happens when you allow the deniers who have huge financial stakes in the worst industries to dominate government.
What do you want to talk about?


delawareliberal--2020-01-11--BREAKING: Marie Pinkney To Challenge Dave McBride In SD 13!!

In a Democratic primary .
I think she will defeat the Lewes-based senator who claims to ‘ represent ’ his New Castle/Bear area district .
Maybe even handily .
First , a note .
Many of you probably saw allusions to this race yesterday .
However , because there had been no official announcement from the campaign , we removed them out of respect to the possible announcement timetable for the campaign .
It was the right thing to do .
However , Matt Bittle of the Delaware State News has broken the story on his Twitter feed , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if there ever had been an embargo .
Here ’ s Matt ’ s tweet : Ouch , that ’ ll hurt .
Even though the McBride Manse is now in Lewes , one reason for the far-flung nature of McBride ’ s district is b/c he insisted that everywhere he had lived during his tenure ( and he moved , by my account , at least six times , not including Lewes ) remain in his district .
Here is Marie Pinkney ’ s announcement in its entirety .
It is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McBride as someone who no longer gives two shits about his district .
So , who is Marie Pinkney ?
She ’ s a Master Level Social Worker and is currently a Trauma Social Worker/Case Manager .
Hey , why not just check out her bio for yourself ?
Then ask yourself , who is closer in tune with the needs of the district ?
Dave McBride , who occasionally goes ‘ slumming ’ in his district when he can tear himself away from his Lewes estate , or Marie Pinkney , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of some of Delaware ’ s most-endangered ?
But , El Som , can she win ?
I ’ m gon na post a response that I posted yesterday before I decided to scrub the website .
I ’ ll also post the idiotic and unintelligible assertion that preceded the response .
: Deldude : “ Just looked up this Pinkney social media .
A pic of the squad is her backround pic and born in the 90s .
She ’ s not winning with the squad in that district .
When will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the district .
El Somnambulo : “ You ’ re kidding , right ?
This district fits Pinkney better than it fits Dave McBride .
I know that Deldude meant to put a question mark at the end of his , um , rhetorical question .
Here ’ s the point : He was asking the wrong question .
The real question is : Is there any point in Dave McBride seeking reelection in this district ?
He is far more out of touch with his district than even Tiny Tony was when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kissing of the gun lobby ’ s ass is anathema to the people in this district .
His deep-sixing minimum wage legislation is poison to the people of this district .
All the lobbyists ’ money in the world can ’ t change that .
I mean , Tiny Tony was rolling in cash .
Didn ’ t do him any good .
Get on board now , folks .
This is the one we ’ ve been waiting for .

In a Democratic primary. I think she will defeat the Lewes-based senator who claims to ‘represent’ his New Castle/Bear area district. Maybe even handily.
First, a note. Many of you probably saw allusions to this race yesterday. However, because there had been no official announcement from the campaign, we removed them out of respect to the possible announcement timetable for the campaign. It was the right thing to do.
However, Matt Bittle of the Delaware State News has broken the story on his Twitter feed, so there is no longer an embargo, if there ever had been an embargo. Here’s Matt’s tweet:
In declaring her candidacy for the Senate’s 13th District today, Marie Pinkney wrote, “We deserve a senator who is a member of the community in which we reside, work, and send our children to school so that we know that they are as equally invested in the area as we are.”
Ouch, that’ll hurt. Even though the McBride Manse is now in Lewes, one reason for the far-flung nature of McBride’s district is b/c he insisted that everywhere he had lived during his tenure (and he moved, by my account, at least six times, not including Lewes) remain in his district.
Here is Marie Pinkney’s announcement in its entirety. It is a powerful announcement, and accurately portrays Dave McBride as someone who no longer gives two shits about his district.
So, who is Marie Pinkney? She’s a Master Level Social Worker and is currently a Trauma Social Worker/Case Manager. Hey, why not just check out her bio for yourself? Then ask yourself, who is closer in tune with the needs of the district? Dave McBride, who occasionally goes ‘slumming’ in his district when he can tear himself away from his Lewes estate, or Marie Pinkney, who is on the ground fighting on behalf of some of Delaware’s most-endangered?
But, El Som, can she win? I’m gonna post a response that I posted yesterday before I decided to scrub the website. I’ll also post the idiotic and unintelligible assertion that preceded the response. :
Deldude: “Just looked up this Pinkney social media. A pic of the squad is her backround pic and born in the 90s. She’s not winning with the squad in that district. When will you all learn candidates need to fit the district. El Somnambulo: “You’re kidding, right? This district fits Pinkney better than it fits Dave McBride.
A lot has changed since McBride’s heyday here in the 1980’s. Including where McBride lives.
I know that Deldude meant to put a question mark at the end of his, um, rhetorical question. Here’s the point: He was asking the wrong question.
The real question is: Is there any point in Dave McBride seeking reelection in this district? He is far more out of touch with his district than even Tiny Tony was when he lost to Bryan Townsend. His kissing of the gun lobby’s ass is anathema to the people in this district. His deep-sixing minimum wage legislation is poison to the people of this district. All the lobbyists’ money in the world can’t change that. I mean, Tiny Tony was rolling in cash. Didn’t do him any good.
Get on board now, folks. This is the one we’ve been waiting for.


delawareliberal--2020-01-11--Iowa Democrats About to Fuck Everything Up Again

Iowa Democrats About to Fuck Everything Up Again A bunch of geriatric motherfuckers in Iowa are going to go for @ @ @ @ @ most “ electable ” in the eyes of geriatric motherfuckers .
“ Electable ” in @ @ @ @ @ the whitest and perceived to be the least objectionable to Republican voters who will never @ @ @ @ @ Huzzah !
The good news ?
Nate Silver says that if nobody drops out , @ @ @ @ @ settled in time for the convention , so Bernie and Elizabeth will be going into @ @ @ @ @ leverage .
Bernie ain ’ t quitting .
The billionaires probably won ’ t quit @ @ @ @ @ speak for Elizabeth , Mayor Pete but I ’ m thinking convention – 5th ballot @

A bunch of geriatric motherfuckers in Iowa are going to go for Biden because he is the most “electable” in the eyes of geriatric motherfuckers. “Electable” in this context means he is the whitest and perceived to be the least objectionable to Republican voters who will never vote for him anyway. Huzzah!
The good news? Nate Silver says that if nobody drops out, the nomination will not be settled in time for the convention, so Bernie and Elizabeth will be going into it with a lot of leverage.
Bernie ain’t quitting. The billionaires probably won’t quit. I can’t speak for Elizabeth, Mayor Pete but I’m thinking convention – 5th ballot.


delawareliberal--2020-01-12--DL Open Thread: Sun., Jan. 12, 2020

DL Open Thread: Sun., Jan. 12, 2020

Trump Holds Iraqi $ $ ’ s Hostage .
Trump : ‘ If you want us out , we ’ @ @ @ @ @ your money ’ .
Gee , that sounds kinda familiar… The Case For Sending Only @ @ @ @ @ To The Senate For Now .
Got ta say , it ’ s a pretty @ @ @ @ @ No ‘ Imminent ’ Attack .
This was a policy , long in the making @ @ @ @ @ rationale .
Instead , they came up with a lie .
Great reporting from the @ @ @ @ @ , already .
‘ Illegal ’ Vultures Thwart US Border Security .
I can ’ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ m not a religious man , but lest anyone think that God @ @ @ @ @ sense of humor ( if there is a God , I mean ) :

Trump Holds Iraqi $$’s Hostage. Trump: ‘If you want us out, we’ll deny you access to your money’. Gee, that sounds kinda familiar…
The Case For Sending Only The Second Article Of Impeachment To The Senate For Now. Gotta say, it’s a pretty compelling case.
There Was No ‘Imminent’ Attack. This was a policy, long in the making, in search of a rationale. Instead, they came up with a lie. Great reporting from the NYTimes. Get a subscription, already.
‘Illegal’ Vultures Thwart US Border Security. I can’t make this stuff up. I’m not a religious man, but lest anyone think that God doesn’t have a sense of humor (if there is a God, I mean):
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has a problem with vultures — specifically, roughly 300 of them that are defecating and urinating all over a radio tower that the agency needs to communicate.


delawareliberal--2020-01-14--COMMENT RESCUE: Legislative Staff Seeks To Organize

This is big , and will also be a fascinating dynamic into the relationship between staff and legislators .
Particularly Democratic legislators .
The Reverend RE Vanella tipped us off to this : Allow me to borrow some of the delicious particulars from this must-read piece : On Tuesday , state legislative workers in Delaware announced a union drive on the first day of the new session , requesting voluntary recognition from state legislative leaders .
Organizers from the Delaware General Assembly Union said on Monday night that a majority of legislative workers have already signed union cards , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found out about the union drive on Tuesday morning .
The proposed unit would be affiliated with the American Federation of State , County and Municipal Employees ( AFSCME ) Council 81 , and would include 44 staffers , including two nonpartisan staffers who work for the Delaware House and Senate clerks .
I can ’ t tell you how much I love this proposal .
Actually , I can .
Legislative staff have historically been exempted from the State Merit System , and have been subject to dismissal without any cause having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bug up their butt in caucus , and you ’ re gone .
I know , that ’ s how my legislative staff career ended after more than 20 years .
Val Longhurst popped down to my office , started ripping posters off the wall , and told me I had 20 minutes to vacate the premises .
I was merely the first in her/their ‘ at will ’ purge , not the last .
I just can ’ t wait to see how the D legislative leadership reacts to this .
Can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Nicole subject to grievance procedures ?
But , if they actively fight this , they will expose themselves as hypocrites .
Will they still be able to instruct employees to take their ‘ vacation ’ time to work on campaigns , which was required during my time there ?
This is so fascinating that I know there ’ s a zillion questions I haven ’ t yet thought of .

This is big, and will also be a fascinating dynamic into the relationship between staff and legislators. Particularly Democratic legislators. The Reverend RE Vanella tipped us off to this:
https://prospect.org/labor/historic-union-drive-makes-delaware-first-state-again/
Allow me to borrow some of the delicious particulars from this must-read piece:
On Tuesday, state legislative workers in Delaware announced a union drive on the first day of the new session, requesting voluntary recognition from state legislative leaders. Organizers from the Delaware General Assembly Union said on Monday night that a majority of legislative workers have already signed union cards, although Republican legislative staffers—as well as legislative leaders—only found out about the union drive on Tuesday morning. The proposed unit would be affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 81, and would include 44 staffers, including two nonpartisan staffers who work for the Delaware House and Senate clerks.
I can’t tell you how much I love this proposal. Actually, I can. Legislative staff have historically been exempted from the State Merit System, and have been subject to dismissal without any cause having to be presented. Someone gets a bug up their butt in caucus, and you’re gone. I know, that’s how my legislative staff career ended after more than 20 years. Val Longhurst popped down to my office, started ripping posters off the wall, and told me I had 20 minutes to vacate the premises. I was merely the first in her/their ‘at will’ purge, not the last.
I just can’t wait to see how the D legislative leadership reacts to this. Can you imagine people like Pete, Val and Nicole subject to grievance procedures? But, if they actively fight this, they will expose themselves as hypocrites.
Will they still be able to instruct employees to take their ‘vacation’ time to work on campaigns, which was required during my time there?
This is so fascinating that I know there’s a zillion questions I haven’t yet thought of.
A fun year just got infinitely–funner.


delawareliberal--2020-01-14--Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tues., Jan. 14, 2020

When Season One of our 2-session soap opera concluded , the cliff-dwellers had left us with the following cliffhangers : Will Dave McBride and Nicole Poore really get away with breaking their public promise to the people of Delaware to bring gun control bills to the Senate floor ?
Will Dave McBride really prevent consideration of minimum wage legislation ?
Will Our PAL Val Longhurst find a funding source to go with her unfunded water cleanup bill ?
Will Trey Paradee restore whatever luster remains of his family name by seeking to undo the history of his having passed legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clients ?
Will Darius Brown give back his campaign contributions from The Aviary of Evil That Is The Byrd Group , and instead defend his constituents against a super landfill in ( soon-to-be ) Stinkuadale ?
Will John Carney be found to have a pulse ?
We will begin to get answers , starting today .
Courtesy of your defective detective , El Somnambulo .
Just like that , I ’ ve discovered a clue .
If you look at the ‘ Recently Introduced ’ legislative record , you will find SB 198 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the special interest legislation that Paradee sponsored that created a Kent County lodging tax and specified that the proceeds of the tax go directly to DE Turf , a regional sports complex represented by his brother John , an attorney .
You may also recall that Trey ’ s sister is one of Gov .
Carney ’ s attorneys , and that the administration has refused to say whether she had any role in reviewing the bill .
You may also recall that the ethically-bankrupt Nancy Cook tried to sneak funding for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but surprisingly , was rebuffed .
Let ’ s uh , stop there for a second .
For those of you who are new to the blog , you need to know just who Nancy Cook was , and is .
She was a State Senator from the Dover area from 1974 until Dave Lawson defeated her in 2010 .
Her husband , Allen , had held the office for 16 years before his death and Nancy ’ s ascension .
In other words the Senate seat was all in the family for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doug Dennison should fill in some blanks .
During her time in Dover , she was the single-most powerful official when it came to the budget .
To quote from Dennison ’ s piece : In other words , every legislator was expected to grovel before her to get stuff in the budget .
But that was then .
What I want to know is : She ’ s been out of office for ten years now .
How is it that she still has the run of the building and unfettered access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
And what was she doing sticking her nose into generating gobs of taxpayers ’ money for a private , for-profit , firm ?
Hey , at least Colin Bonini has sort-of an excuse in funneling state dollars to the failing and flailing Wesley College .
He ’ s still an elected public official and presumably accountable to the voters .
Nancy Cook is accountable to nobody and ten years past her legislative expiration date .
It is long past time for the General Assembly to relegate her participation to that of any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you buy it , ‘ Trey ’ has excused himself from blame by claiming that ( a ) he had no idea that his brother was involved in this ; ( b ) he was doing Colin Bonini a favor since DE Turf is in Bonini ’ s district ( even though it doesn ’ t appear that Bonini asked for the favor ) ; ( c ) the media blew it all out of proportion anyway ; and ( d ) he will never do it again .
Because this bill so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delaware Way , Democratic leaders in both houses have gone on the bill as sponsors .
As if we can ’ t see through their motives .
BTW , you know who has escaped the approbation heaped on Paradee in all of this ?
Representative and co-sponsor Bill Bush , who doubles as Mark Brainard ’ s fixer in Leg .
Hall .
Look for this bill to make it through the General Assembly by the end of the month , and for the Governor to sign it w/o comment .
Presumably , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from the bill review process this time .
Presumably .
In fact , the bill is scheduled for a committee hearing tomorrow .
Vote on Thursday ?
It ’ s possible .
We may have yet a clue on another of our questions .
In this case , though , the clue raises more questions .
And suspicions .
HB 212 ( Cooke ) will be considered in the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday .
This is the bill that would have capped the Minquadale landfill at 130 feet .
The bill passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was then not assigned to a committee until December 19 .
And , inexplicably , it ’ s been assigned to the Senate Executive Committee instead of , say , the Natural Resources/Environmental Services Committee , which was the House Committee that considered it .
Let ’ s watch this one closely , folks .
It is no secret that Byrd And Associates , who represent Waste Management , have been aggressively hit up for contributions by Dave McBride , and that they have come through .
Big time .
If this bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we will all know why .
Because , on the face of it , this bill has no business being in the Executive Committee , save for the fact that the President Pro-Tem has the authority to assign any bill to any committee he wants .
Are we having fun yet ?
I know that I am .
Seeya tomorrow .
Same snark time , same snark channel .

When Season One of our 2-session soap opera concluded, the cliff-dwellers had left us with the following cliffhangers:
Will Dave McBride and Nicole Poore really get away with breaking their public promise to the people of Delaware to bring gun control bills to the Senate floor?
Will Dave McBride really prevent consideration of minimum wage legislation?
Will Our PAL Val Longhurst find a funding source to go with her unfunded water cleanup bill?
Will Trey Paradee restore whatever luster remains of his family name by seeking to undo the history of his having passed legislation that directly benefits his brother’s clients?
Will Darius Brown give back his campaign contributions from The Aviary of Evil That Is The Byrd Group, and instead defend his constituents against a super landfill in (soon-to-be) Stinkuadale?
Will John Carney be found to have a pulse?
We will begin to get answers, starting today. Courtesy of your defective detective, El Somnambulo.
Just like that, I’ve discovered a clue. If you look at the ‘Recently Introduced’ legislative record, you will find SB 198 (Paradee). The bill rescinds the special interest legislation that Paradee sponsored that created a Kent County lodging tax and specified that the proceeds of the tax go directly to DE Turf, a regional sports complex represented by his brother John, an attorney. You may also recall that Trey’s sister is one of Gov. Carney’s attorneys, and that the administration has refused to say whether she had any role in reviewing the bill. You may also recall that the ethically-bankrupt Nancy Cook tried to sneak funding for this private entity into the Bond Bill, but surprisingly, was rebuffed. Let’s uh, stop there for a second.
For those of you who are new to the blog, you need to know just who Nancy Cook was, and is. She was a State Senator from the Dover area from 1974 until Dave Lawson defeated her in 2010. Her husband, Allen, had held the office for 16 years before his death and Nancy’s ascension. In other words the Senate seat was all in the family for 52 years. This 2010 article from Doug Dennison should fill in some blanks. During her time in Dover, she was the single-most powerful official when it came to the budget. To quote from Dennison’s piece:
Cook was known in Legislative Hall for her almost monarchical status as longtime co-chair of the budget-drafting Joint Finance Committee. As far as many were concerned, little got put into the state’s annual budget, or taken out, without Cook’s say-so.
In other words, every legislator was expected to grovel before her to get stuff in the budget. But that was then. What I want to know is: She’s been out of office for ten years now. How is it that she still has the run of the building and unfettered access to the Controller General’s office? And what was she doing sticking her nose into generating gobs of taxpayers’ money for a private, for-profit, firm? Hey, at least Colin Bonini has sort-of an excuse in funneling state dollars to the failing and flailing Wesley College. He’s still an elected public official and presumably accountable to the voters. Nancy Cook is accountable to nobody and ten years past her legislative expiration date. It is long past time for the General Assembly to relegate her participation to that of any other private citizen.
BTW, if you buy it, ‘Trey’ has excused himself from blame by claiming that (a) he had no idea that his brother was involved in this; (b) he was doing Colin Bonini a favor since DE Turf is in Bonini’s district (even though it doesn’t appear that Bonini asked for the favor); (c) the media blew it all out of proportion anyway; and (d) he will never do it again.
Because this bill so blatantly exposed the ethical bankruptcy of the Delaware Way, Democratic leaders in both houses have gone on the bill as sponsors. As if we can’t see through their motives. BTW, you know who has escaped the approbation heaped on Paradee in all of this? Representative and co-sponsor Bill Bush, who doubles as Mark Brainard’s fixer in Leg. Hall.
Look for this bill to make it through the General Assembly by the end of the month, and for the Governor to sign it w/o comment. Presumably, Trey’s sister will be kept away from the bill review process this time. Presumably.
In fact, the bill is scheduled for a committee hearing tomorrow. Vote on Thursday? It’s possible.
We may have yet a clue on another of our questions. In this case, though, the clue raises more questions. And suspicions. HB 212(Cooke) will be considered in the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday. This is the bill that would have capped the Minquadale landfill at 130 feet. The bill passed the House on June 25. It was then not assigned to a committee until December 19. And, inexplicably, it’s been assigned to the Senate Executive Committee instead of, say, the Natural Resources/Environmental Services Committee, which was the House Committee that considered it. Let’s watch this one closely, folks. It is no secret that Byrd And Associates, who represent Waste Management, have been aggressively hit up for contributions by Dave McBride, and that they have come through. Big time. If this bill gets held up in the Executive Committee, we will all know why. Because, on the face of it, this bill has no business being in the Executive Committee, save for the fact that the President Pro-Tem has the authority to assign any bill to any committee he wants.
Are we having fun yet? I know that I am. Seeya tomorrow. Same snark time, same snark channel.


delawareliberal--2020-01-14--DL Open Thread: Tues., Jan. 14, 2020

DL Open Thread: Tues., Jan. 14, 2020

Wisconsin Judge Demands That Election Board Disenfranchise Voters .
Over 200K voters .
Trump ’ s reelection strategy is right there : ( 1 ) Fire up the base ; and ( 2 ) disenfranchise voters in swing states .
That ’ s it .
OTOH , In Texas… : This is how you fight back .
Just check out how comprehensive this effort is .
Report : Biden Has Called For Social Security Cuts For 40 Years .
Look for more Biden blarney in 3-2-1 .
Why Are Kids Dying In Custody Along The Border ?
Hard to believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by this Administration has become relegated to the background .
History , if there ’ s still a planet left , will not be so kind .
These are internment camps by any standard .
FEMA Seeks Repayment For Fighting Cali Fires .
From victims .
Instead of , you know , taxpayers ’ dollars .
Hey , it ’ s Cali .
They ’ re not voting for Trump anyway .
Sussex County Rethug Vice-Chair Voted Out After Anti-Semitic Rantings .
It was a close vote , though , and her supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only spew her hatred as a private citizen for the next two years during her suspension from Party activities .
Meanwhile , there ’ s dissension in the Sussex R Party .
What do you want to talk about ?

Wisconsin Judge Demands That Election Board Disenfranchise Voters. Over 200K voters. Trump’s reelection strategy is right there: (1) Fire up the base; and (2) disenfranchise voters in swing states. That’s it.
OTOH, In Texas…: This is how you fight back. Just check out how comprehensive this effort is.
Report: Biden Has Called For Social Security Cuts For 40 Years. Look for more Biden blarney in 3-2-1.
Why Are Kids Dying In Custody Along The Border? Hard to believe that the ongoing inhumane treatment of children by this Administration has become relegated to the background. History, if there’s still a planet left, will not be so kind. These are internment camps by any standard.
FEMA Seeks Repayment For Fighting Cali Fires. From victims. Instead of, you know, taxpayers’ dollars. Hey, it’s Cali. They’re not voting for Trump anyway.
Sussex County Rethug Vice-Chair Voted Out After Anti-Semitic Rantings. It was a close vote, though, and her supporters aren’t happy. She can only spew her hatred as a private citizen for the next two years during her suspension from Party activities. Meanwhile, there’s dissension in the Sussex R Party.
What do you want to talk about?


delawareliberal--2020-01-13--Whenever you think Trump has reached peak asshole,

Whenever you think Trump has reached peak asshole , When you think Trump simply can not be any more of @ @ @ @ @ .
He can always up the ante and find some way to be an even @ @ @ @ @ to be a bigger asshole tomorrow than he was today continues to astonish .

When you think Trump simply cannot be any more of an asshole than he is. He can always up the ante and find some way to be an even bigger asshole.
His ability to be a bigger asshole tomorrow than he was today continues to astonish.
Your President, Ladies and Gentlemen.


delawareliberal--2020-01-13--Remember When Trump Replaced Obamacare with Something “better and cheaper”?  That was awesome!

In addition to being a crass , money-grubbing rip-off , our healthcare system is misogynist .
“ Historically , research @ @ @ @ @ was for men and by men , and women were left by the wayside to @ @ @ @ @ 2-hour wait in emergency room , a 25-year-old woman leaves to find help elsewhere and @ @ @ @ @ Ward ’ s family says she was kept in the waiting room and was not @ @ @ @ @ decided to leave .
A spokesperson for Froedtert Hospital provided a statement : “ The @ @ @ @ @ and has our deepest sympathy .
We can not comment further at this time.
” @ @ @ @ @ from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the death or general emergency department procedures .

In addition to being a crass, money-grubbing rip-off, our healthcare system is misogynist.
“Historically, research and innovation in heart disease was for men and by men, and women were left by the wayside to die,”
After a 2-hour wait in emergency room, a 25-year-old woman leaves to find help elsewhere and dies – USA Today:
Ward’s family says she was kept in the waiting room and was not under any monitoring when she decided to leave.
A spokesperson for Froedtert Hospital provided a statement: “The family is in our thoughts and has our deepest sympathy. We cannot comment further at this time.” Officials did not answer questions from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the death or general emergency department procedures.


delawareliberal--2020-01-13--The Oscars 2020: Black People Need Not Apply

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delawareliberal--2020-01-13--Trouble In BOTH Of Dave McBride’s Houses

Trouble In BOTH Of Dave McBride ’ s Houses By both , I mean this House… : Estimated value : $ 838,000 .
Not bad .
I wonder if there ’ s a single residence in SD 13 that is worth that much .
McBride and his wife have resided in that house since 2005 .
It was a newly-built home at the time .
To be fair , Dave McBride maintains a residence in SD 13 .
He has to in order to legally run in that district .
This is that house .
I ’ m sure it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no cars in the driveway .
Tom Sharp maintained a residence in SD 9 when in actuality , he had moved to Ocean View , or some other beach community .
I forget the name .
Even used suburban street money earmarked for SD 9 to pave streets in his new beach community neighborhood , two counties away from his district .
Melanie George Smith contemplated renting an apartment after having moved away from her district so that she could technically run again .
Some ethical watchdogs , including the State Chair , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oberle and I ’ m sure many others have done the same thing .
Some , understandably , have beach houses .
Not to be confused with an $ 838K manse in a gorgeous part of Lewes .
The voters in SD 13 now have the opportunity to decide whether they ’ d rather have a senator who , for all intents and purposes , is living comfortably in Lewes and has lived comfortably in Lewes since 2005 , or a young professional woman who is deeply involved in the community .
Well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first .
Let ’ s talk about Legislative Hall and view the quandaries facing the erstwhile President Pro-Tem .
McBride ’ s hold on leadership becomes more tenuous with each election cycle as ( a ) more progressives enter the caucus , and ( b ) Nicole Poore , who has far surpassed Val Longhurst as Dover ’ s # 1 backstabber , plots and schemes in the wings .
She is abetted by Tony DeLuca ’ s Significant Other , who now works only for her .
( BTW , there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nor the ethically-bankrupt Nancy Cook have ever stopped seeking to influence events in the Hall .
The influence of both would decrease precipitously if progressives took control of the Caucus .
More about Cook tomorrow . )
So , even were he to run for , and win , reelection , he increasingly finds himself surrounded .
If he runs for reelection , will he start this session by unbreaking the solemn promise he broke , and allow the gun bills to be voted on ?
Will he unbury the minimum wage bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be released to the full body ?
Regardless of what he does , he will either piss off donors or constituents .
Constituents , BTW , who he has already pissed off ?
Where does Stephanie Hansen ’ s sham ‘ gun summit ’ figure in all of this ?
Was this designed to be a fig leaf from Hansen to McBride and Poore , as in ‘ We ’ re engaging in productive discussions , so any consideration of gun bills is premature ’ ?
Will his “ # 2 ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks like he ’ s gon na lose in September ?
That ’ s a rhetorical question .
Of course she will .
If she hasn ’ t already .
Will progressives increasingly challenge his beleaguered leadership ?
The answer is a resounding ‘ yes ’ .
Well .
I ’ d planned to weave all of this into tomorrow ’ s ( It ’ s ba-a-a-ck ! )
General Assembly Pre-Game Show .
Getting this off my chest gives me more space to set my sights on other deserving targets .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a wrap .

By both, I mean this House…:
and this house:
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/35759-Tarpon-Dr_Lewes_DE_19958_M62424-40232
Estimated value: $838,000. Not bad. I wonder if there’s a single residence in SD 13 that is worth that much.
McBride and his wife have resided in that house since 2005. It was a newly-built home at the time.
To be fair, Dave McBride maintains a residence in SD 13. He has to in order to legally run in that district. This is that house. I’m sure it’s just coincidence that there are no cars in the driveway.
Tom Sharp maintained a residence in SD 9 when in actuality, he had moved to Ocean View, or some other beach community. I forget the name. Even used suburban street money earmarked for SD 9 to pave streets in his new beach community neighborhood, two counties away from his district. Melanie George Smith contemplated renting an apartment after having moved away from her district so that she could technically run again. Some ethical watchdogs, including the State Chair, called her out on it.
Bill Oberle and I’m sure many others have done the same thing. Some, understandably, have beach houses. Not to be confused with an $838K manse in a gorgeous part of Lewes.
The voters in SD 13 now have the opportunity to decide whether they’d rather have a senator who, for all intents and purposes, is living comfortably in Lewes and has lived comfortably in Lewes since 2005, or a young professional woman who is deeply involved in the community.
Well, we started with the second house first. Let’s talk about Legislative Hall and view the quandaries facing the erstwhile President Pro-Tem. McBride’s hold on leadership becomes more tenuous with each election cycle as (a) more progressives enter the caucus, and (b) Nicole Poore, who has far surpassed Val Longhurst as Dover’s #1 backstabber, plots and schemes in the wings. She is abetted by Tony DeLuca’s Significant Other, who now works only for her. (BTW, there’s a subtext here. Neither DeLuca nor the ethically-bankrupt Nancy Cook have ever stopped seeking to influence events in the Hall. The influence of both would decrease precipitously if progressives took control of the Caucus. More about Cook tomorrow.)
So, even were he to run for, and win, reelection, he increasingly finds himself surrounded. If he runs for reelection, will he start this session by unbreaking the solemn promise he broke, and allow the gun bills to be voted on? Will he unbury the minimum wage bill he buried, and allow it to be released to the full body? Regardless of what he does, he will either piss off donors or constituents. Constituents, BTW, who he has already pissed off? Where does Stephanie Hansen’s sham ‘gun summit’ figure in all of this? Was this designed to be a fig leaf from Hansen to McBride and Poore, as in ‘We’re engaging in productive discussions, so any consideration of gun bills is premature’? Will his “#2”, Nicole Poore, abandon him if/when it looks like he’s gonna lose in September? That’s a rhetorical question. Of course she will. If she hasn’t already. Will progressives increasingly challenge his beleaguered leadership? The answer is a resounding ‘yes’.
Well. I’d planned to weave all of this into tomorrow’s (It’s ba-a-a-ck!) General Assembly Pre-Game Show.
Getting this off my chest gives me more space to set my sights on other deserving targets. That’s a tease, and this is a wrap.


delawareliberal--2020-01-13--DL Open Thread: Mon., Jan. 13, 2020

DL Open Thread: Mon., Jan. 13, 2020

Bloomberg The Inevitable Nominee ?
This guy thinks so .
It ’ s incredibly annoying how ubiquitous his commercials are .
If the Presidency can be bought , he might be the one to do it .
BTW , I disagree with this guy ’ s premise , but you never know .
Calling Anti-War Activists ‘ Traitors ’ Isn ’ t Working So Well Anymore .
True , but the reelection strategy is there for all to see : Win the election ( a ) with your base and ( b ) with voter disenfranchisement .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean shit .
Report : Trump Authorized Soleimani ’ s Killing Last Summer .
Rand Paul and Mike Lee notwithstanding , Rethugs will turn this into a ‘ so-what ’ non-event .
I mean , sure , it could have started WWIII , but it didn ’ t , so move on .
Putting An End To ‘ Boys Will Be Boys ’ .
It means putting an end to an unjustifiable justification .
PM Vacationed In Hawaii While Australia Burned .
How will Labor screw up the next election ?
Rt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Delaware River & Bay Authority .
Setting aside the question of just why DRBA has its grubby paws in this mess , I have another one : Where the fuck are the state legislators from the area on this ?
You were elected to address matters like this .
Do it .
And , for the subscription-challenged : A blocked road off of Del .
9 is causing local businesses to lose money , all while two powerful Delaware entities squabble over who is responsible for getting a construction project back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bay Authority says Delmarva Power for weeks knew it needed to cut electricity to an area near Del .
9 ’ s intersection with Halcyon Drive so it can replace a sign along the highway .
But Delmarva Power , which says it only recently found out about the issue , says it needs to figure out a way to cut power without affecting nearby residents and local businesses for a lengthy period of time .
The finger-pointing has left businesses like Edward Harrison ’ s barbershop and bakery – and his livelihood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I haven ’ t even figured out yet how to write my preview of Legislative Session for tomorrow .
So many delicious threads to weave together… What do you want to talk about ?

Bloomberg The Inevitable Nominee? This guy thinks so. It’s incredibly annoying how ubiquitous his commercials are. If the Presidency can be bought, he might be the one to do it. BTW, I disagree with this guy’s premise, but you never know.
Calling Anti-War Activists ‘Traitors’ Isn’t Working So Well Anymore. True, but the reelection strategy is there for all to see: Win the election (a) with your base and (b) with voter disenfranchisement. That’s it. Popular vote don’t mean shit.
Report: Trump Authorized Soleimani’s Killing Last Summer. Rand Paul and Mike Lee notwithstanding, Rethugs will turn this into a ‘so-what’ non-event. I mean, sure, it could have started WWIII, but it didn’t, so move on.
Putting An End To ‘Boys Will Be Boys’. It means putting an end to an unjustifiable justification.
PM Vacationed In Hawaii While Australia Burned. How will Labor screw up the next election?
Rt. 9 Dispute Hurting Small Businesses. Delmarva and the Delaware River & Bay Authority. Setting aside the question of just why DRBA has its grubby paws in this mess, I have another one: Where the fuck are the state legislators from the area on this? You were elected to address matters like this. Do it. And, for the subscription-challenged:
A blocked road off of Del. 9 is causing local businesses to lose money, all while two powerful Delaware entities squabble over who is responsible for getting a construction project back on track. The Delaware River and Bay Authority says Delmarva Power for weeks knew it needed to cut electricity to an area near Del. 9’s intersection with Halcyon Drive so it can replace a sign along the highway. But Delmarva Power, which says it only recently found out about the issue, says it needs to figure out a way to cut power without affecting nearby residents and local businesses for a lengthy period of time. The finger-pointing has left businesses like Edward Harrison’s barbershop and bakery – and his livelihood – hanging in the balance.
Man, I haven’t even figured out yet how to write my preview of Legislative Session for tomorrow. So many delicious threads to weave together…
What do you want to talk about?


delawareliberal--2020-01-14--If Democrats want to win the White House, they’ll nominate Bernie Sanders

Yes .
It is that simple .
The largest political party in America is the None of the Above Party , which garners more support than either the Democrats or the Republicans : that means that motivating eligible voters to go to the polls matters more than anything else when it comes to determining the outcome of federal elections .
By far the largest group of eligible voters in the None of the Above Party is young people , and Bernie Sanders polls higher among young eligible voters than any other candidate , by a huge margin .
In 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters than Clinton and Trump combined .
Since then , Sanders has only increased his support among young potential voters — even as younger voters have , in turn , increased their turnout .
In the 2018 midterms , turnout from young people flipped many seats , and the organizations that represent young people are predicting even bigger turnouts in 2020 .
One of these organizations , the Dream Defenders Fight PAC , sums up the power of Sanders : “ Bernie is not our political savior .
It is the movement behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are not electing a savior ; we are electing a political opponent who we will hold accountable to meet our demands.
” This represents an important contrast with Obama in 2008 : Obama was a once-in-a-generation orator whose soaring rhetoric inspired a movement that changed the voter turnout numbers and took him into office .
But Obama was deeply mistrustful of political movements and literally switched off the servers that ran his grassroots organizer network when he took office .

Yes. It is that simple.
The largest political party in America is the None of the Above Party, which garners more support than either the Democrats or the Republicans: that means that motivating eligible voters to go to the polls matters more than anything else when it comes to determining the outcome of federal elections.
By far the largest group of eligible voters in the None of the Above Party is young people, and Bernie Sanders polls higher among young eligible voters than any other candidate, by a huge margin. In 2016, Sanders commanded more support from young voters than Clinton and Trump combined.
Since then, Sanders has only increased his support among young potential voters — even as younger voters have, in turn, increased their turnout. In the 2018 midterms, turnout from young people flipped many seats, and the organizations that represent young people are predicting even bigger turnouts in 2020.
One of these organizations, the Dream Defenders Fight PAC, sums up the power of Sanders: “Bernie is not our political savior. It is the movement behind him that will change this country. We are not electing a savior; we are electing a political opponent who we will hold accountable to meet our demands.”
This represents an important contrast with Obama in 2008: Obama was a once-in-a-generation orator whose soaring rhetoric inspired a movement that changed the voter turnout numbers and took him into office. But Obama was deeply mistrustful of political movements and literally switched off the servers that ran his grassroots organizer network when he took office.


delawareliberal--2020-01-14--Highlands Bunker – E49 – Squeezed for Every Nickel

Ed Note : Luckily you don ’ t have to depend on me getting these posted expeditiously .
You can @ @ @ @ @ even support through Patreon and get them directly in you electronic mail in box .

Ed Note: Luckily you don’t have to depend on me getting these posted expeditiously. You can always use your iTunes or even support through Patreon and get them directly in you electronic mail in box.


delawareliberal--2020-01-14--A SuxCo Republican Tells the Truth

A SuxCo Republican Tells the Truth

The New Journal story about the Sussex County GOP meeting at which Nelly Jordan was ousted from her post included @ @ @ @ @ from a rank-and-file member of that benighted bunch .
Sussex County native Leon Transeau called @ @ @ @ @ , ” and said that ousting her over a “ single negative remark ” would @ @ @ @ @ I ’ d like to see the voting limited to the people who are perfect @ @ @ @ @ “ If we were to throw everybody out here who made a racial/ethnic remark , @ @ @ @ @ empty .
The whole town would be empty.
” Hey , Republicans , one of @ @ @ @ @ We can only hope this leads to more truth-telling in the Grand Odious Party .

The New Journal story about the Sussex County GOP meeting at which Nelly Jordan was ousted from her post included this inadvertent bit of truth-telling from a rank-and-file member of that benighted bunch.
Sussex County native Leon Transeau called Jordan a “hard worker,” and said that ousting her over a “single negative remark” would be “horrible.” “I’d like to see the voting limited to the people who are perfect,” Transeau quipped. “If we were to throw everybody out here who made a racial/ethnic remark, this place would be totally empty. The whole town would be empty.”
Hey, Republicans, one of your own said it. We can only hope this leads to more truth-telling in the Grand Odious Party.


delawareliberal--2020-01-14--The utterly pitiful state of the DEGOP should be a big story, why isn’t it?

The utterly pitiful state of the DEGOP should be a big story , why isn ’ t it ?
One party in Delaware is just about fucking done , and it never gets mentioned in the media .
The DEGOP has ZERO legitimate candidates for any statewide office and one illegitimate candidate running for the US Senate ( if you think the complete fucking lunatic mentioned here even rises to the level of being an illegitimate candidate . )
It isn ’ t at all surprising that the DEGOP can ’ t find anyone to run .
Only a complete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a state that hasn ’ t elected a Republican non-incumbent statewide during a Presidential election year SINCE 1976 .
SINCE 1976 .
So this pitiful state is not a mystery .
There is no Watergate like trail of evidence that needs to be painstakingly pieced together .
No News Journal or DSN reporter would have to uncover some heretofore unknown facts to write up this story .
Hell , they could even speak directly to DelCollo and Cloutier to see if those two want to be seen representing the Party of Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but they could try .
And NOT being able to get them on the record supporting their own political party would support the premise of the story , wouldn ’ t it ?
Yes , it would .
That this pitiful shambles isn ’ t a story is no doubt due to the fact that we have “ Democrats ” like Carney and Coons trying desperately to keep the fiction alive that the DEGOP is an actual going concern .
Where would Carney be without pretending to have his hands tied ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ work for Carney or Coons , does it ?
Why are they taking part in pretending that this Potemkin village of a party is still legit ?
It ’ s a mystery .

One party in Delaware is just about fucking done, and it never gets mentioned in the media. The DEGOP has ZERO legitimate candidates for any statewide office and one illegitimate candidate running for the US Senate (if you think the complete fucking lunatic mentioned here even rises to the level of being an illegitimate candidate.)
It isn’t at all surprising that the DEGOP can’t find anyone to run. Only a complete fucking lunatic would run as a greenhorn in a state that hasn’t elected a Republican non-incumbent statewide during a Presidential election year SINCE 1976. SINCE 1976.
So this pitiful state is not a mystery. There is no Watergate like trail of evidence that needs to be painstakingly pieced together. No News Journal or DSN reporter would have to uncover some heretofore unknown facts to write up this story. Hell, they could even speak directly to DelCollo and Cloutier to see if those two want to be seen representing the Party of Donald Trump. It would be a longshot, but they could try. And NOT being able to get them on the record supporting their own political party would support the premise of the story, wouldn’t it? Yes, it would.
That this pitiful shambles isn’t a story is no doubt due to the fact that we have “Democrats” like Carney and Coons trying desperately to keep the fiction alive that the DEGOP is an actual going concern. Where would Carney be without pretending to have his hands tied? But the local media doesn’t work for Carney or Coons, does it? Why are they taking part in pretending that this Potemkin village of a party is still legit? It’s a mystery.


delawareliberal--2020-01-14--Song of the Day 1/14: The Band, “Chest Fever”

Song of the Day 1/14 : The Band , “ Chest Fever ” Sorry I ’ ve been absent for @ @ @ @ @ I came down with one of the various viruses ( non-computer variety ) making the @ @ @ @ @ was actually “ chest fever , ” but I couldn ’ t find a song @ @ @ @ @ Released on The Band ’ s debut LP “ Music From Big Pink , ” @ @ @ @ @ more rock-oriented counterweight to the more rustic-sounding songs on the rest of the album , @ @ @ @ @ their set at Woodstock .
It quickly became a showcase for the amazing Garth Hudson @ @ @ @ @ Lowery organ and , on the break , tenor saxophone .
The song was covered @ @ @ @ @ Dog Night .

Sorry I’ve been absent for a couple of days — I came down with one of the various viruses (non-computer variety) making the rounds. I doubt it was actually “chest fever,” but I couldn’t find a song called “non-stop vomiting.”
Released on The Band’s debut LP “Music From Big Pink,” the tune served as a more rock-oriented counterweight to the more rustic-sounding songs on the rest of the album, and was used to open their set at Woodstock. It quickly became a showcase for the amazing Garth Hudson, who plays both the Lowery organ and, on the break, tenor saxophone.
The song was covered to good effect by Three Dog Night.