Sunday Open Thread [9.16.12]
Vanity Fair has published a must read article on 6 months in the life of President Barack Obama. Written by Michael Lewis (author of Moneyball and Liar’s Poker), this is a pretty compelling look at how the President approaches his job. Obama’s Way
Another interesting mark along the way — the new NYT Public Editor has a piece in the paper taking about the problems of false balance in news reporting. He Said, She Said, and the Truth is a step in the right direction, but the article itself shows how far the media has to go in erradicating it.
The LA Times has a story showing how Mitt Romney’s tax plan will raise taxes specifically on people making $100 to $250K per year.
What interests you today?
The VF article is a really good read with lots of insights into how Obama approaches the job. It also gives you a feel for how amazingly tough it is and how much discipline and sacrifice it requires. No wonder W was so very, very bad at it and now another spoiled, rich brat wants to try.
A couple of unusual things happened in Senate District 1 this time around – the Dept. of Elections gave David Brady the wrong voter list (for the 3rd although marked for the 1st) and Jim Martin told me that he was planning on purchasing the better and more up to date voter guide but was told that he couldn’t because he was not the DEM endorsed candidate.
It is time for a few answers from the Markell administration on these ‘issues’ – doesn’t the Commissioner of Elections serve at the pleasure of the Governor?
Also, John Kowalko told me that the SEU is slated for review this year for the Joint Sunset Committee. There will be an opportunity for the public to attend hearings in January-February.
I encourage all to read what Jim Martin and David Brady have uncovered – find it on Martin’s campaign web site and google for DE Way story.
Martin is going to be keeping updates on the SEU findings on his web site.
For those who may be curious about DNREC vs. Vic Singer –
Link to Vic Singer’s Coastal Zone Act Comments:
http://www.civicleagueforncc.org/clop/clop1209.pdf
including this to Colin O’Mara:
“Ms. Walling’s response consists of 632 words of lovely prose that were not responsive to either
the multiple choice question or the electronic copy request. Her first paragraph advises that she
prefers providing some perspective in lieu of addressing my information request. She regards my
multiple choice question as having a “have you stopped beating your wife” character. That
situation reminds of an old Q & A riddle: Q: What do you say to a woman with two black eyes? A:
Nothing; you’ve already told her twice.
. . . . .
Clearly, my multiple choice question could have a “have you stopped beating your wife”
character only if what DNREC is doing currently is a substantial departure from what was
contemplated by the Coastal Zone Regulation (CZ Reg) and the EITAC Final Draft Report.
. . . . .
My 7/16/2012 e-mail also included the relevant provisions of the CZ Reg where the activity I’m
asking about are required. The CZ Reg has the force of law since it was duly adopted in
accordance with the Coastal Zone Act under authority flowing from the Delaware Constitution,
which you are under oath to uphold. If DNREC has NOT followed up on the EITAC Final Draft
Report and the cited provision of the CZ Reg, DNREC is more than a decade late on meeting a
requirement of a regulation that DNREC wrote. You need to establish where the blame
appropriately rests, AND CORRECT THE DEFICIENCY.
. . . . .
Will you provide – – as starting points – – the responses that Ms. Walling refused to provide?
. . . . .
Thanks in advance.. . . . .Victor Singer”
I’m not sure if I have any popcorn left but Romney is planning to get specific on his economic plan this week:
What – nothing about taxes? The Ryan Plan to end taxes on capital gains and dividends? The end of corporate tax? Cutting Mitt Romney’s taxes to 0% Come on Team Romney, that needs to be front and center.
Somehow I don’t think this is going to help Romney.
Sam Latham is a scumbag and a liar and need to step down.
Nancy – “Jim Martin told me that he was planning on purchasing the better and more up to date voter guide but was told that he couldn’t because he was not the DEM endorsed candidate.”
Uh… what? The Dept. of Elections has a “better and more up to date voter guide” that they sell at a premium? To only the D endorsed candidates? I just want to make sure I understand this accusation.
Nancy – Can you also clarify where this story is? Took me a good deal of googling to find martincampaign.org and there’s no mention of this story on that website as far as I can tell.
Paines,
You’re not going to find it. The information online she mentioned, as best I can gather, is about the SEU. The voter data/guide (?) is apparently word-of-mouth.
That’s Nancy’s MO, if you haven’t noticed. Lots of “I heard” and “someone told me” and very little sourcing, direct quotes, or links. You also may note she doesnt spread the rumors at her site, which consists almost entirely of press releases.
– And I thought it was “Everyone Else”, But ……………