Matt Denn Announces for Governor.

Matt Denn Announces for Governor.

Why did I title this post "Matt Denn Announces for Governor?" Well, obviously he has not announced, and if you asked the Attorney General I am sure he would say he is not running. But doesn't this $36 million dollar proposal strike you as something beyond just his duties as Attorney General. Normally Attorneys General do not care how the settlement monies their office secures for the General Fund is spent, and if they do care, they want more policing and more funding for enforcement. Matt Denn responded to the News Journal scoop on Facebook:
Once again good news from my office has gotten out a couple of days before I wanted it to. When I ran for Attorney General, I said we couldn't address violent crime just through law enforcement -- that we had to invest in dealing with the underlying causes of crime, such as treating substance abuse addiction, helping young people learn in school and stay out of trouble after school, and working with inmates released from prison to ensure that they do not re-offend. This is my first shot at delivering on that, by using these settlement funds to help repair the harm caused to our communities by the recession brought about by the financial institutions' conduct. If you can join us Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in the Carvel State Office Building auditorium, come hear the details!
Monday Open Thread [1.19.15]

Monday Open Thread [1.19.15]

Today's theme is Mittens Willard Dillard Romney the III. Before that though, let's enjoy some polling goodness, some of which does touch on the once and future frontrunner to the GOP nomination. IOWA--PRESIDENT--REPUBLICAN PRIMARY--Gravis Marketing: Romney 21, Bush 14, Walker 10, Huckabee 9, Paul 8, Cruz 7 NATIONAL--PRESIDENT--REPUBLICAN PRIMARY--Economist/YouGov: Romney 28, Bush 12, Carson 10, Cruz 9, Huckabee 8, Paul 8, Walker 6 NATIONAL--PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL--Washington Post-ABC News: President Obama’s overall approval rating now stands at 50%, the highest since the spring of 2013.

I Have a Dream

We have come a long way. And there is a long way to go. Because Martin's dream is not only equality before the law, but also equality in opportunity, and equality in mind. We are still working on equality before the law, as we see with Ferguson. We are still working on equality in opportunity, but we have made great strides there, as an African American is President of the United States. Equality in mind is going to be the last greatest and most difficult hurdle. Equality in mind deals with the thoughts, bias, and bigotry in each of our own minds. And it will only be achieved when every single person, Jew, Gentile, White, Black, Man, Woman, Gay, Straight, is judged on their merits, their actions, their words rather than on what God they pray to, what color their skin is, or who they love. Many saw the election of Barack Obama as the destination. It was only a mile marker.
Saturday Open Thread [1.17.15]

Saturday Open Thread [1.17.15]

So the Supreme Court has decided to take up the whole issue of marriage equality once and for all. Specifically, the questions presented and to be decided by the Court are as follows:
The cases are consolidated and the petitions for writs of certiorari are granted limited to the following questions: 1.) Does the Fourteenth Amendment require a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex? 2.) Does the Fourteenth Amendment require a state to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex when their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed out-of-state? A total of ninety minutes is allotted for oral argument on Question 1. A total of one hour is allotted for oral argument on Question 2. The parties are limited to filing briefs on the merits and presenting oral arguments on the questions presented in their respective petitions.
My opinion is that the answers to both questions will be yes, by a vote of 6-3. Yes, the four liberals plus Kennedy and Roberts.
The Weekly Addresses

The Weekly Addresses

Now that the General Assembly is back in session, we have our first legislative weekly "address." We also have President Obama's weekly address that previews his State of the Union Address on Tuesday night, Governor Markell's weekly address, the West Wing Week, and a special video about Big Block of Cheese Day, which features some characters from the old "West Wing" show.
Friday Open Thread [1.16.15]

Friday Open Thread [1.16.15]

Sorry for my absence this week with the open threads. I was sent deep down south on business (and then my superiors complained about me not being in the office). But this time I didn't see any horrible evil signs or cross burnings, so maybe the region is improving, or maybe there is not a black President during an election anymore. I can't wait to see the white conservative reaction to Hillary Clinton, specifically whether it will be sexist on the part of self hating white conservative women. Here are some fun maps. Is Irish food really the preferred cuisine of Delaware? What is Irish cuisine? Steak and potatoes? Corned beef and cabbage?