General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., April 17, 2013

A mixed bag on voting rights and, for that matter, bipartisanship during yesterday's session Republicans stonewalled 'No-Excuses' Absentee Voting. Not a single R voted for HB 20(Jaques), and the bill failed to reach its 2/3 majority requirement by one vote. According to a press release from the House Democrats:
“Several House Republicans have expressed support for the bill. So why won’t they vote for it?” asked Rep. Longhurst, D-Bear. “It’s clear House Republican leadership is playing politics with this bill and withholding votes. Voting is not a partisan issue. Delawareans deserve fair access to voting. Republicans need to either help pass this important bill or explain their uniform opposition to the public.
That seems only fair. What do Rethugs want? Paging Dr. Freud. I mean, besides economic disaster that they can then blame on the D's? And crippled pigeons to maim (they already have those)? If they're looking for respect or relevance, sorry, I can't be of help there. Logic and comity prevailed across the building in the Senate, as HB 10(Keeley), which would restore voting rights to convicted felons who have paid in full their debt to society, passed by a 15-6 vote. R senators Cathy Cloutier and Greg Lavelle voted for the bill (thank you!) while self-proclaimed 'moderate' Ernesto Lopez voted no.  Hmmm, sure looks like somebody sold a lot of somebodies a bill of goods. Here's the roll call. Since this is the second leg of a constitutional amendment, HB 10 will soon be law.

Boston Marathon Bombing

Boston Marathon bombing Does it really take a horrific bombing that claimed the lives of three people, including an eight-year-old boy, for our politicians to set aside petty difference and work together?

This man has given more to this country than most of us.

From the Huffington Post:
One of the most-photographed heroes of the Boston Marathon has been Carlos Arredondo, 52, who most famously pictured helping a man in a wheelchair who has lost part of his leg in the explosion. In other videos and images, he's seen running toward the blast and pulling away debris to help those who were hurt. But as Christina Costantini points out for Univision, Arredondo -- the father of a Marine who lost his life in Iraq in 2004 -- originally came to the United States as an undocumented immigrant. According to a 2005 story in the Washington Post, Arredondo was born in Costa Rica and came to the United States without authorization when he was 19. In 2004, his son, Alex, died while serving in the Iraq War.
He gave America his son. Literally. He helped save many American lives yesterday. He is an American, by virtue and sacrifice if not legally. Perhaps our Congress, and one political party in particular, can see way to end their bigotry, obstruction, and demonization and see fit to make this man a documented citizen. Look at this video, and how violently he is shaking and trembling... God bless you Carlos.

Tuesday Open Thread [4.16.13]

The news is focused on the Boston Marathon bombing, and for so much ink being spilled, there is precious little new information. So 2 bombs, 3 people dead, more than 150 sent to the hospital with injuries. There's no one in custody yet, law enforcement of all kinds are at the scene and working to ID the bomber and apparently they are getting tons of tips. And right on cue, the right wingnuts are spinning up their conspiracy theories -- this one claiming that the bombing is meant to frame the tea party and expand the TSA. Just so you can be certain that there is a national tragedy, the Westboro RatBastards have already pledged to picket funerals from this.

General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Marriage equality is on the fast track. How fast? HB 75 (Smith) was introduced last week while the General Assembly was out of session, and will be considered in the House (House) Administration Committee this Wednesday, 2:30 pm, House Chamber. It is at least possible that the full House could consider the bill as early as this Thursday.  For those of you who have not yet checked, here are the sponsors and co-sponsors of HB 75: Prime Sponsor: M. Smith; Additional Sponsors: Rep. Schwartzkopf & Rep. Longhurst & Sen. Sokola & Sen. Blevins; Co-Sponsors: Reps. Barbieri, Baumbach, Bolden, Brady, Heffernan, Keeley, Kowalko, Mulrooney, Osienski, B. Short, Viola, D.E. Williams, K. Williams; Sens. Henry, McDowell, Peterson, Poore, Townsend. Thanks to each and every one of you. By my count, there are sixteen House members as sponsors. 21 votes are needed for passage. I know, or at least suspect, that there are silent commits from some below the Canal. However, there are a few notable absences, and I would encourage you to contact them if you are one of their constituents: Charles Potter, 1st RD: He has been a strong advocate for civil liberties, there are many marriage equality supporters in his north Wilmington district, but he has not yet taken a position; Deborah Hudson, 12th RD: She has generally been a moderate on social issues and, again, there are many marriage equality proponents in her Chateau Country district; John Mitchell, 13th RD: He was 'almost' Speaker, and he could wind up there someday...if he does the right thing; James 'J. J.' Johnson, 16th RD: He represents part of the City of Wilmington and has an overwhelmingly D majority district; Mike Ramone, 21st RD: It's possible that Ramone has already announced his support, as he has increasingly cast more and more progressive votes; Joe Miro, 22nd RD: This Pike Creek R has lots of marriage equality proponents in his district. Keep in mind that each of these representatives could well be 'gettable' on this vote. When you contact them, be positive. Encourage them to support HB 75. If they commit to supporting the bill, thank them and let them know that you have their backs. With some of the potential 'silent' commits,  HB 75 has a great chance to pass the House, perhaps with a strong mandate.

BREAKING: Bomb Attacks at Boston Marathon

Via TPM:
BOSTON (AP) — Two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon have resulted in injuries. Bloody spectators were being carried Monday to the medical tent that had been set up to care for fatigued runners. Police wove through competitors as they ran back toward the course. “There are a lot of people down,” said one man, whose bib No. 17528 identified him as Frank Deruyter of North Carolina. He was not injured, but marathon workers were carrying one woman, who did not appear to be a runner, to the medical area as blood gushed from her leg. A Boston police officer was wheeled from the course with a leg injury that was bleeding. About three hours after the winners crossed the line, there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the finish line. Another explosion could be heard a few seconds later.

Tax Day Reading

It's the obligatory Tax Day thread -- but while I'm going to post some items related to paying taxes, I also want to note that today is Jackie Robinson Day, which is a happier thing to consider than Tax Day. I hope that all of you are done with that task. Delaware and Wilmington taxes are due by the 30th, so there is some breathing room.

Monday Open Thread [4.15.13]

Tomorrow, the bipartisan "Gang of Eight," which includes Senators Dick Durbin (D), Chuck Schumer (D), John McCain (R), Lindsay Graham (R), Jeff Flake (R), Marco Rubio (R), Robert Menendez (D) and Michael Bennet (D) is set to unveil a proposal that would represent the most far-reaching overhaul of immigration laws since 1986. Come inside for the details of the bill from the Washington Examiner....

IPOD gets new star: Don Ayotte

Apparently on Dan Gaffney's show on 105.9 FM downstate, insane teabagger Don Ayotte, who had tried to unseat Sussex County Councilwoman Joan Deaver in the 2012 election, and who has recently been involved in the Great Delaware Republican Civil War, has just announced that he is leaving the GOP and has joined the Independent Party of Delaware (IPOD). The reason for his leaving: that mean mean Frank Knotts. I wonder how Ayotte is going to enjoy IPOD's prior platform that called for universal single payer healthare?