February 17, 2017 Open Thread
Vaughn prisoner’s lawsuit offers glimpse into takeover (link)
Officers’ union: ‘ACLU agreement contributed to Lt. Floyd’s murder’ (link)
Man heads to Wilmington hospital after being wounded by gunshot to the forehead (link)
Delaware’s Mohan Malhotra wins big on ‘Jeopardy!’ (link)
Macy’s in Concord Mall damaged in fire (link)
Literacy Delaware prepares volunteers to teach refugees intensive English language skills (link)
Delaware’s Wedding of the Year: Elena Delle Donne and Amanda Clifton (link)
Say it ain’t so…..http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-david-plouffe-uber-lobbying-fine-20170216-story.html
Can I just say “So what?” instead? Or were you really under the impression that there are people who get involved in politics for altruistic reasons?
Posted on my facebook:
Even the Republicans that control New Hampshire’s House of Representatives seem to understand the awful consequences of the wage and benefit killing so-called “right to work” bill. Soundly defeated it signals a victory for working families and fairness.
Rep. John Kowalko
*****
New Hampshire Legislature Defeats So-Called “Right-to-Work” Bill
Working families in New Hampshire received welcome news this week after a so-called “right-to-work” bill was defeated in the state legislature. Right-to-work laws lead to less bargaining power and lower wages for working Americans. “Not only did we defeat it, but we indefinitely postponed it, a rare motion, that prevents it from coming up again for the rest of the current two-year term!” said state Rep. Cindy Rosenwald.
http://www.concordmonitor.com/Right-to-work-updates-on-house-vote-day-8137054
I have no idea if anybody’s going to go back to a post from last week to read a new comment, so I’ll put it here. I drive nearly an hour one way to work 12-hour shifts, so time to write comments is short sometimes.
RE: the crowdpac campaign, what will happen in the unlikely event that two primary challengers file for candidacy?
To be honest, I have no idea. That is a very unlikely outcome, but I’ll ask them and get back to you.
Rep. Melanie George Smith claims responding to known, persistent inmate concerns and reforms is akin to “negotiating with terrorists”. http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2017/02/17/what-really-caused-delawares-prisoners-revolt-vaughn-correctional-center/97891292/
“Coupe, during a live press conference the night of the uprising, assured inmates who may have been watching that their concerns would be addressed only after the hostages were safely released. Yet state officials and legislators now say the focus must only be on keeping correctional officers safe”.
“We are not going to be funding anything that is an issue that is arising out of the inmates demands,” said Rep. Melanie George Smith, D-Bear, who heads the Joint Finance Committee. “That is the same thing as negotiating with terrorists. It would reward people for killing a good man, a father, a correctional officer.”
I’m sorry Rep. Smith but it is not the same as “negotiating with terrorists” These are not terrorists and you are not “rewarding people” by treating them like humans. You certainly will not lower the rate of recidivism with that wrong-headed attitude. I’m very disappointed in this kind of indifferent and inhumane attitude toward the plight of others (incarcerated or not, redeemable or not) in order to defend the failure of the JFC and the prior Administration to adequately fund proper prison conditions (and adequate pay for its employees). Delaware’s incarceration program would shame a third-world country.
Representative John Kowalko
Agreed John Kowalko. An appalling position from the woman who holds the purse strings and the public trust and represents DEMOCRATS in the state.
I think Melanie George Smith deserves a call from all of us next week.