Monday Open Thread [3.17.14]

Marc Ambinder: "One undeniable truth: Iraq weakened the U.S. more than anything done since. Maybe Obama overlearned its lessons; maybe we all have. But nothing empowered Vladimir Putin more than America's squandering of moral standing in the early part of this century." Today, Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council (DEFAC) will release the first revenue forecast of 2014. In December, DEFAC added $42 million to incoming revenues, but that still left a hole of about $125 million for Gov. Jack Markell to fill in his budget.

Friday Open Thread [3.14.14]

South Carolina U.S. Senate candidate Dave Feliciano (R), a teabagging Christine O'Donnell wannabe, is challenging Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Said Feliciano: "It's about time that South Carolina says hey, We're tired of the ambiguously gay senator from South Carolina. We're ready for a new leader to merge the Republican Party. We're done with this. This is what it's about, all of us coming together and saying, one way or the other, one of us is going to be on that ballot in November." Given the homophobia of the right, I bet his poll numbers go up.
Delaware Political Weekly: March 8-14, 2014

Delaware Political Weekly: March 8-14, 2014

Rep. Daryll Scott has designated his preferred successor. He's Sean Lynn, a Dover City Councilman.    Looks like he'd be a worthy successor to Scott, and the district is solidly blue. Of course, we don't know if there will be any primary challengers, and we never know how someone will ultimately perform once in office. I, for one, can only hope that Rep. Scott is not done with public service. He's among the best progressives in the Delaware General Assembly.
Venezuela In Chaos: Why Should We Care?

Venezuela In Chaos: Why Should We Care?

I've been trying to follow recent events in Venezuela. Here's my take, informed by the work of activist Tom Hayden of Peace Exchange, Chris Gilbert, professor at Universidad de Venezuela and Rory Carroll, a reporter for the Guardian and Observer Latin America, based in Caracas for six years until recently.
Six New Constitutional Amendments from Retired Justice John Paul Stevens.

Six New Constitutional Amendments from Retired Justice John Paul Stevens.

Here are Justice Stevens' six great ideas for constitutional amendments:
1. The “Anti-Commandeering Rule” (Amend the Supremacy Clause of Article VI) This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges and other public officials. in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding. 2. Political Gerrymandering – Districts represented by members of Congress, or by members of any state legislative body, shall be compact and composed of contiguous territory. The state shall have the burden of justifying any departures from this requirement by reference to neutral criteria such as natural, political, or historical boundaries or demographic changes. The interest in enhancing or preserving the political power of the party in control of the state government is not such a neutral criterion.
Come inside for more.