Friday Open Thread
Welcome to your Friday open thread. I received my first mailer from the Republican running for the RD-24 open seat, Abe Jones. It featured a picture of Abe Jones with Bill Oberle and Oberle’s endorsement was prominently featured. There was very little information other than that. I grade it a B.
Isn’t this interesting – California’s Prop 8 may end with a whimper rather than a bang. The California Supreme Court ruled that the governor and the AG can not be forced to defend Prop 8 in court. That may leave no one with standing to do the appeal.
The California Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown have no legal obligation to defend Proposition 8. The 2008 voter-approved measure banning same sex marriage was declared unconstitutional by a federal judge on Aug. 3.
Analysts call Wednesday’s ruling a major setback for Prop. 8 supporters.
“There is a decent chance that Prop. 8 will be wiped out and that same sex marriages will be declared legal in California,” says Royal Oakes, partner at the Los Angeles-based law firm Barger and Wolen.
…
But legal scholars said the court has made the right decision.
“Both the Governor and the Attorney General were convinced by the merits of Judge Walker’s comprehensive factual findings and legal conclusions,” says Joan Hollinger, professor of law at the UC Berkeley School of Law. “And,” she adds, “as is their prerogative under our state law, they have decided not to appeal his ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal. They are both discharging their obligations under California law and do not want to waste public resources on defending a proposition they and their lawyers believe has been appropriately found to violate the federal Constitution.”
The article states that California could allow a private lawyer argue the case before the Circuit Court. Before we start patting Arnold Schwartzenegger on the back too much, he twice vetoed a same sex marriage bill that came from the legislature. But I’m glad they’re not going to waste money on a losing case.
I think we’re all hearing stories about how some weak-kneed Democrats are talking about extending the Bush tax cuts for the rich. The rich are so put upon! Yet another poll shows support for letting the cuts expire (it seems Americans aren’t fooled by “tax cuts pay for themselves”):
A new Gallup poll shows the majority of Americans favor letting the Bush era tax cuts to expire for the wealthy. While 37% support keeping the tax cuts for all Americans, 44% want them extended only for those making less than $250,000 and 15% think they should expire for all taxpayers.
If you do the math, 59% favor letting some or all of the cuts expire. I guess that’s the price for the deficit peacocks. If you convince people deficits matter, they actually believe that.
Tags: Open Thread
Ted Koppel is shrill in today’s WaPo: “Ted Koppel: Nine years after 9/11, let’s stop fulfilling bin Laden’s goals”
When Pennsylvanians go to Delaware’s polls next week, they’ll know who to vote for.
Vote for Mike Castle: he’s not odd. I hope he uses that as a tagline.
Sex is now redefined:
A lot of people on Twitter are now saying they are actually virgins.
LOL. Gay people can quote the Bible too.
WDEL reports that the PPP poll results for the GOP primary race will be released Sunday.
It follows that should they conceive a child contrary to their intentions, they do so by means of a non-marital act.
So if the rubber breaks, the kid is a bastard in the eyes of the Church?
So UI, what they’re saying is none of those catholic priests actually had sex with their victims.
In brighter news, outgoing Colorado Governor Bill Ritter appointed Deputy Attorney General Monica Marquez to an open seat on the state Supreme Court. She will be the first Latina and first openly gay member of the Court. She will take her seat on the Court on December 1.
More gay shots from O’Donnell: “You know, these are the kind of cheap, underhanded, un-manly tactics that we’ve come to expect from Obama’s favorite Republican, Mike Castle,” said O’Donnell. “You know, I released a statement today, saying Mike this is not a bake-off, get your man-pants on. (Laughs)”
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/odonnell-blasts-castles-un-manly-tactics-audio.php?ref=fpa
This is the Republican Party Mike Castle created with his silence for 8 years of Bush. I say fuck him.
Amen
Joe Cass,THAT is BRILLIANT.
If the Catholic hierarchy see your post they will seize and run with it allowing them to remain in their sinecures.
A SECOND reformation would see the body of the church rise up and remove those guilty of SILENCE in the perpetuation of crimes against children removed from positions of power and exiled to monasteries or nunneries to pray for the victims and their own mis-guided souls.
I get a lot of flack for posting my opinions here because I am so “anti-Obama.” But just read this to understand why:
“After Wednesday’s ruling, it should be clear that we’re past the point of “when the president does it, it’s not illegal.” The law of the land now is that when anyone in our professional intelligence services crosses the line in the name of national security, it’s not illegal, or it’s illegal in name only. To be able break the law with no credible threat of sanction is about the same as having no law at all.
It’s hard to conceive of a more direct and devastating failure of the separation of powers than Congress, the president, and the courts all agreeing that the government can kidnap people and send them off to be tortured on mere suspicion of terrorism, that the innocent harmed through this process have no access to any kind of legal remedy, and that the perpetrators themselves have proved thus far to be immune from prosecution, as long as the government asserts that the matter is a “state secret.”
If you can find any reason at all to support a President of the United States who, for all intents and purposes, has fought for and assumed dictatorial powers with complete control over your freedom, civil liberties, and indeed, your life and the lives of your children, then please explain because I’d love to hear it.
The fact is that governments don’t surrender easily the powers that they have taken. We have lost the rule of law and all of our civil liberties, and hardly anybody here appears to have even noticed or cares.
http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/adam_serwer_archive?month=09&year=2010&base_name=exiting_the_imperial_presidenc
So it appears that Velda Jones-Potter takes money from people without knowing who they are.
On her latest campaign finance report (the 8-day one), she lists a $250 check from someone in Philadelphia, with the notation: “The name was cut off the check.”
Is Delaware’s Treasurer in the habit of cashing nameless checks? How did she determine that the signature matched the name printed on the check? Why didn’t she just send it back because of the chance it could have been fraudulent or come from someone who’d already donated the legal limit?
Someone better versed in campaign finance law than I can determine whether this is even legal or not.
Sorry anon. You keep getting caught in the spam filter. I’m trying to fix but I’m no web guru!
Really? So MJ didn’t ban me? Hmm. Sorry, dude.
[ Nigeria plane crash Viagra Cialis wire transfer cheap electronics eBay ]
No – I moderated you and that makes you go to spam for some reason. Sorry about that! I’m trying to fix be patient. I will check the filter from time to time to rescue until I can get it fixed.
So did anyone receive the new Velda mailer? I’ve heard it was a bit negative (I’m not on her mailing list for some reason and neither is my partner).
I got her email:
So much for Velda running a positive campaign. Oh wait, that ended when Charles was running around with his manila folder. Is it Tuesday yet?
Here is Chip’s response:
Press Release: “Educate Velda” (Part II)
Understanding that the appointed incumbent State Treasurer is attempting to divert attention from her “double-dipping” controversy by issuing “non-coherent” negative policy statements, we will limit our response to a few paragraphs to save our readers time.
“Educate Velda” (Part II) – The Importance of Valuation & Strategic Planning in Restoring Prosperity to Delaware Democratic Candidate Chip Flowers has shown true leadership in the midst of Delaware’s financial crisis Once again, Velda Jones-Potter has it wrong. Shamefully wrong.Understanding our appointed state treasurer has offered no plan to address the difficult economic climate, we are concerned about her lack of basic financial knowledge as evidenced in her latest negative “Chip Check” release.
“In addition to her distasteful negative mail piece issued earlier today, Ms. Jones-Potter has issued another negative ‘Chip Check’ release, which further highlights her lack of financial knowledge necessary to restore prosperity to Delaware. It is tragic that Ms. Jones-Potter and her team have spent so much time trying to block my efforts to support Delaware families and small businesses by using every resource available to assist the Governor and his team in the midst of our economic crisis – including proposing the Restoring Prosperity Plan,” Flowers said. ”Instead of inappropriately using my photo and issuing falsehoods to Delaware voters, Ms. Jones-Potter should issue her plan for the office and release all the records relating to her ‘double-dipping’ controversy. I am kindly asking Ms. Jones-Potter to cease her negative attacks that are not acceptable in State of Delaware, to disclose her records relating to the ‘double-dipping’ matter, and to issue her plan for the state treasurer’s office to address the current economic crisis,” Flowers said.
In an effort to “educate Velda”, here is an analysis of Ms. Jones-Potter’s incorrect economic, financial and other assumptions used in her “Chip Check” release:
First, when Valero announced the closing of its refinery in Delaware City, Chip Flowers immediately met with union members (particularly, members of Locals 74 & 313) who were directly affected by the closing while Velda Jones-Potter rode in the back of a convertible at a holiday parade. While Chip Flowers was one of the few political figures offering suggestions concerning the future of the refinery, Velda Jones-Potter was nowhere to be seen or heard. That is not the decisiveness Delaware needs in its state treasurer. Chip Flowers suggested that Gov. Markell consider the alternatives and he did, and the result was a workable solution that will lead to the reopening of the refinery. We have no clue as to why our appointed incumbent continues her record of misleading the public by attempting to claim that the options proposed by Chip Flowers would have cost significant money to Delaware taxpayers. THIS IS FALSE. If the state had acquired Valero for the purposes of resale, the state may have potentially made significant money on the refinery in light of the certain unique aspects associated with site – as evidenced by the simple fact that there was a market for the refinery as it has been purchased. Again, Ms. Jones-Potter’s attempt at negative attacks only exemplifies her serious lack of financial knowledge.
It took ten months after Chip’s initial statements for Velda Jones-Potter to find a reason to criticize Chip Flowers for trying to help put hundreds of Delaware workers back to work. Ms. Jones-Potter may not believe that the state treasurer has a role in assisting the over 35,000 Delawareans that are unemployed, but we do not subscribe to her limited view of the office. It is the responsibility of every elected official, including the state treasurer, to assist the state in developing sound economic policies in times of crisis. Ms. Jones-Potter is attempting to create a false divide between Governor Markell, DEDO and Democratic candidate Chip Flowers and it is, quite frankly, a deplorable tactic. Democratic candidate Chip Flowers supports the Governor’s effort to create jobs in Delaware (including the addition of jobs to Sallie Mae), and, in the best interest of Delaware taxpayers, will continue to offer strategic alternatives to every major state investment decision based upon sound economic principles.
Second, in the prior release, our state treasurer, who claims that she is a proven financial leader, failed to understand simple concepts of “yield” and “diversification of risk”. Under her new release (which conveniently glosses over our corrections to her basic financial mistakes in her prior release), the state treasurer, in an effort to make a negative attack, failed to understand the simple financial concepts of “investment portfolio valuation” and “daily investment assets under management”. Claiming that Chip Flowers was incorrect in stating that the state manages a $3 billion investment portfolio, Ms. Jones-Potter asserts that the total investments under management at any given time is $1.4 billion-$1.8 billion, not $3 billion. Ms. Jones-Potter incorrectly confuses the concept of daily investment assets under management, which is the average value that the state treasurer manages on a daily basis (approximately, $1.4 billion – $1.8 billion), with the total value of the state investment portfolio – which is the market value of the total portfolio, which would include, among other things, the discounted value of the future revenue stream generated from the invested assets plus expected revenue from tax dollars less expenditures (which is likely in excess of $3 billion). Thus, the total value of the portfolio is not the same as the daily investment assets under management. These concepts should NOT be misunderstood by someone claiming to be a proven financial leader who is managing our state finances.
BASED UPON MS. JONES-POTTER’S FALSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND LOGIC, WE NO LONGER BELIEVE MS. JONES-POTTER IS CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE FINANCIAL MATTERS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE FROM A FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC EXPERT, WHICH MAY EXPLAIN HER FAILURE TO ISSUE A PLAN OR DEBATE CHIP FLOWERS.
Third, Ms. Jones-Potter seeks to “challenge” Chip Flowers to disclose his government experience. Ms. Jones-Potter is in no position to challenge anyone to disclose information, after she has failed to disclose information that she did not fraudulently bill the residents of the City of Wilmington for $150/hour consulting services, while working on behalf of all Delawareans as the state treasurer. However, in an effort to assist Ms. Jones-Potter’s consultants who are speaking on her behalf, information on Chip Flowers’ work in the federal government is publicly available and we suggest that she contact the appropriate federal agencies (including the White House and the U.S. Congress) to obtain additional information about Chip Flowers’ experiences in government.
Fourth, Ms. Jones-Potter is inexplicably obsessed with the reference to the often-used term in the financial community, “kitty”. Based upon Ms. Jones-Potter’s lack of financial knowledge in the business world, her frustration is understandable. In the financial community (and according to Webster’s Dictionary), “kitty” is a sum of money used to entice a buyer to consider a business deal. Since the Strategic Fund is a sum of money used to entice corporate buyers to move and/or operate in Delaware, the term is appropriate. Again, Ms. Jones-Potter’s effort to propel negativity merely shows her lack of true financial knowledge.
Finally, it should be clear to all that the Jones-Potter campaign, after months of silence on the issues, is now trying to deflect discussion away from the big issue that rightfully concerns everyone who cares about integrity in government: the absence of a clear and comprehensive explanation of exactly where and when the state treasurer performed work for the city of Wilmington while she was working as a full-time state employee. Ms. Jones-Potter’s recent statements about no longer having a contract with the city ring hollow; after all, she’s already been paid every penny permitted under the terms of that contract.
When there was time to debate the issues intelligently and in depth, Ms. Jones-Potter was nowhere to be found. It’s a little late to start now.
Our campaign is eagerly awaiting the next “Chip Check,” so we may continue to educate Ms. Jones-Potter on our plan and the other key basic economic principles that are necessary to hold this important office.
For Immediate Release (September 10, 2010)
Contact: Larry Nagengast, Senior Advisor
Understanding that the appointed incumbent State Treasurer is attempting to divert attention from her “double-dipping” controversy by issuing “non-coherent” negative policy statements, we will limit our response to a few paragraphs to save our readers time.
Additionally, this is last response that will be distributed electronically � however, you can visit our website (www.chipflowers.com) to find our response to the false negative “Chip Check” releases issued by Velda Jones-Potter.
“Educate Velda” (Part II) �
The Importance of Valuation & Strategic Planning in Restoring Prosperity to Delaware
Democratic Candidate Chip Flowers has shown true leadership in the midst of Delaware’s financial crisis
Once again, Velda Jones-Potter has it wrong. Shamefully wrong.
Understanding our appointed state treasurer has offered no plan to address the difficult economic climate, we are concerned about her lack of basic financial knowledge as evidenced in her latest negative “Chip Check” release.
“In addition to her distasteful negative mail piece issued earlier today, Ms. Jones-Potter has issued another negative ‘Chip Check’ release, which further highlights her lack of financial knowledge necessary to restore prosperity to Delaware. It is tragic that Ms. Jones-Potter and her team have spent so much time trying to block my efforts to support Delaware families and small businesses by using every resource available to assist the Governor and his team in the midst of our economic crisis � including proposing the Restoring Prosperity Plan,” Flowers said. “Instead of inappropriately using my photo and issuing falsehoods to Delaware voters, Ms. Jones-Potter should issue her plan for the office and release all the records relating to her ‘double-dipping’ controversy. I am kindly asking Ms. Jones-Potter to cease her negative attacks that are not acceptable in State of Delaware, to disclose her records relating to the ‘double-dipping’ matter, and to issue her plan for the state treasurer’s office to address the current economic crisis,” Flowers said.
In an effort to “educate Velda”, here is an analysis of Ms. Jones-Potter’s incorrect economic, financial and other assumptions used in her “Chip Check” release:
First, when Valero announced the closing of its refinery in Delaware City, Chip Flowers immediately met with union members (particularly, members of Locals 74 & 313) who were directly affected by the closing while Velda Jones-Potter rode in the back of a convertible at a holiday parade. While Chip Flowers was one of the few political figures offering suggestions concerning the future of the refinery, Velda Jones-Potter was nowhere to be seen or heard. That is not the decisiveness Delaware needs in its state treasurer. Chip Flowers suggested that Gov. Markell consider the alternatives and he did, and the result was a workable solution that will lead to the reopening of the refinery. We have no clue as to why our appointed incumbent continues her record of misleading the public by attempting to claim that the options proposed by Chip Flowers would have cost significant money to Delaware taxpayers. THIS IS FALSE. If the state had acquired Valero for the purposes of resale, the state may have potentially made significant money on the refinery in light of the certain unique aspects associated with site � as evidenced by the simple fact that there was a market for the refinery as it has been purchased. Again, Ms. Jones-Potter’s attempt at negative attacks only exemplifies her serious lack of financial knowledge.
It took ten months after Chip’s initial statements for Velda Jones-Potter to find a reason to criticize Chip Flowers for trying to help put hundreds of Delaware workers back to work. Ms. Jones-Potter may not believe that the state treasurer has a role in assisting the over 35,000 Delawareans that are unemployed, but we do not subscribe to her limited view of the office. It is the responsibility of every elected official, including the state treasurer, to assist the state in developing sound economic policies in times of crisis. Ms. Jones-Potter is attempting to create a false divide between Governor Markell, DEDO and Democratic candidate Chip Flowers and it is, quite frankly, a deplorable tactic. Democratic candidate Chip Flowers supports the Governor’s effort to create jobs in Delaware (including the addition of jobs to Sallie Mae), and, in the best interest of Delaware taxpayers, will continue to offer strategic alternatives to every major state investment decision based upon sound economic principles.
Second, in the prior release, our state treasurer, who claims that she is a proven financial leader, failed to understand simple concepts of “yield” and “diversification of risk”. Under her new release (which conveniently glosses over our corrections to her basic financial mistakes in her prior release), the state treasurer, in an effort to make a negative attack, failed to understand the simple financial concepts of “investment portfolio valuation” and “daily investment assets under management”. Claiming that Chip Flowers was incorrect in stating that the state manages a $3 billion investment portfolio, Ms. Jones-Potter asserts that the total investments under management at any given time is $1.4 billion-$1.8 billion, not $3 billion. Ms. Jones-Potter incorrectly confuses the concept of daily investment assets under management, which is the average value that the state treasurer manages on a daily basis (approximately, $1.4 billion – $1.8 billion), with the total value of the state investment portfolio � which is the market value of the total portfolio, which would include, among other things, the discounted value of the future revenue stream generated from the invested assets plus expected revenue from tax dollars less expenditures (which is likely in excess of $3 billion). Thus, the total value of the portfolio is not the same as the daily investment assets under management. These concepts should NOT be misunderstood by someone claiming to be a proven financial leader who is managing our state finances.
BASED UPON MS. JONES-POTTER’S FALSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND LOGIC, WE NO LONGER BELIEVE MS. JONES-POTTER IS CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE FINANCIAL MATTERS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE FROM A FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC EXPERT, WHICH MAY EXPLAIN HER FAILURE TO ISSUE A PLAN OR DEBATE CHIP FLOWERS.
Third, Ms. Jones-Potter seeks to “challenge” Chip Flowers to disclose his government experience. Ms. Jones-Potter is in no position to challenge anyone to disclose information, after she has failed to disclose information that she did not fraudulently bill the residents of the City of Wilmington for $150/hour consulting services, while working on behalf of all Delawareans as the state treasurer. However, in an effort to assist Ms. Jones-Potter’s consultants who are speaking on her behalf, information on Chip Flowers’ work in the federal government is publicly available and we suggest that she contact the appropriate federal agencies (including the White House and the U.S. Congress) to obtain additional information about Chip Flowers’ experiences in government.
Fourth, Ms. Jones-Potter is inexplicably obsessed with the reference to the often-used term in the financial community, “kitty”. Based upon Ms. Jones-Potter’s lack of financial knowledge in the business world, her frustration is understandable. In the financial community (and according to Webster’s Dictionary), “kitty” is a sum of money used to entice a buyer to consider a business deal. Since the Strategic Fund is a sum of money used to entice corporate buyers to move and/or operate in Delaware, the term is appropriate. Again, Ms. Jones-Potter’s effort to propel negativity merely shows her lack of true financial knowledge.
Finally, it should be clear to all that the Jones-Potter campaign, after months of silence on the issues, is now trying to deflect discussion away from the big issue that rightfully concerns everyone who cares about integrity in government: the absence of a clear and comprehensive explanation of exactly where and when the state treasurer performed work for the city of Wilmington while she was working as a full-time state employee. Ms. Jones-Potter’s recent statements about no longer having a contract with the city ring hollow; after all, she’s already been paid every penny permitted under the terms of that contract.
When there was time to debate the issues intelligently and in depth, Ms. Jones-Potter was nowhere to be found. It’s a little late to start now.
Our campaign is eagerly awaiting the next “Chip Check,” so we may continue to educate Ms. Jones-Potter on our plan and the other key basic economic principles that are necessary to hold this important office.
Sorry for the redundancy.