El Somnambulo

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The Claudettes Coming To Arden!!

Filed in Arts and Entertainment, Featured by on June 21, 2021 2 Comments

WHO, you might ask… My kind of band. First concert I’ve booked since the pandemic took live music away from us.  Why tell you when I can show you?: And the opener?  The most-in-demand keyboard player in Chicago, who just HAPPENS to be the chief songwriter and the keyboard player for the Claudettes, Johnny Iguana. […]

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DL Open Thread: Saturday, June 19, 2021

Filed in National by on June 19, 2021 11 Comments

Why Are Catholic Bishops Going After Biden?  Yet another lurch towards irrelevance.  I’m sure this will lead to packed pews on Sundays. ‘Many Bad People In The Mask Industry’.  The spectacular failure of Mike Lindell’s entry into the mask business: MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell’s charity and business combo venture to make and sell COVID-19 masks […]

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DL Open Thread: Friday, June 18, 2021

Filed in Featured, Open Thread by on June 18, 2021 14 Comments

We (Almost) Have A Progressive General Assembly!  Passage of the $15 minimum wage bill is a BFD.  The Senate has become a progressive legislative body run by progressive leaders.  There hasn’t been a single piece of progressive legislation that has been deep-sixed there, and a whole lot of progressive initiatives have started there.  The combination […]

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General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thursday, June 17, 2021

Filed in National by on June 17, 2021 13 Comments

$15 MINIMUM WAGE DAY.  If we had a Democratic governor, the outcome would not be in question.  “Pass this bill, then come on up to my office, and I will sign it right now. Photo ops for EVERYBODY.”  Instead, we have arguably the strangest governor we’ve had (which is saying something, considering Carper was governor), […]

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General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Filed in Delaware, Featured by on June 16, 2021 11 Comments

A great day–a GREAT day, in the State Senate yesterday.  Dave Sokola and the merry band of progressives there–RULE. So many great bills passed yesterday that it’s hard to know what to omit.  (OK, I could have done w/o the break on premium cigars, but other than that…) Two excellent gun control bills (HB 125  […]

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Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Filed in Delaware, Featured by on June 15, 2021 13 Comments

Let’s start with some good news, sorta.  SB 15, the minimum wage increase legislation, is on Thursday’s House Agenda.  However, it’s a long Agenda, SB 15 is at the bottom of the Agenda, and it’s questionable whether it will be considered on Thursday.  Several amendments, all by Rethugs, have been placed with the bill.  Pay […]

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DL Open Thread: Saturday, June 12, 2021

Filed in Featured, Open Thread by on June 12, 2021 3 Comments

Trump Handed Private Equity Firms License To Avoid Taxes.  The day before the Capitol riots: There were two weeks left in the Trump administration when the Treasury Department handed down a set of rules governing an obscure corner of the tax code. Overseen by a senior Treasury official whose previous job involved helping the wealthy […]

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DL Open Thread: Friday, June 11, 2021

Filed in National by on June 11, 2021 23 Comments

Danny Short Has A Sad.  From Matt Bittle’s Twitter.  There’s so much dissembling goodness here, but I’ll go with: While the proposed amendment had some support from our Caucus during the 150th General Assembly, in the time since then many of our members reexamined it and began expressing significant reservations. First, ‘some support’ was all […]

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General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thursday, June 10, 2021

Filed in Delaware, Featured by on June 10, 2021 12 Comments

Today’s the day that marijuana legalization comes to the House floor.  It’s likely to be a lo-o-o-ng day. After all, it’s a lo-o-o-ng bill.  HB 150 (Osienski) already has ten pre-filed amendments to wade through.  There could well be more, including perhaps an omnibus amendment that incorporates whatever is needed to get enough votes for […]

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General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., June 9, 2021

Filed in Delaware, Featured by on June 9, 2021 29 Comments

Pity The Poor Rethuglican.  A couple of years ago, Speaker Pete cut a deal with them rather than work with his own caucus. The result? A special ‘training wage’ and a special ‘youth wage’ that was below the minimum wage.  A lot of D’s bristled at this bill. But not Mike Ramone, whose vote Pete […]

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State Rep/Ex-Cop Steve Smyk Implicated In Sex Discrimination/Harassment Suit

Filed in Delaware, Featured by on June 8, 2021 17 Comments

Far be it from me to sensationalize allegations pertaining to any of the cop-legislators in Dover (he lied), but this case promises to be Sensational. It features Steve Smyk (rhymes with Dick), and, yes, he comes across as quite the dick. Allegedly. Oh, and also Speaker Pete (alleged oral history). If you have a subscription, […]

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Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Filed in Delaware, Featured by on June 8, 2021 13 Comments

It’s official.  Matt Bittle is the best legislative beat reporter I’ve seen during my years of working for/following the General Assembly.  Chad Livengood was the best investigative reporter, but you simply can’t beat Matt’s ongoing coverage.  It’s why I subscribe to Bay To Bay (formerly the Delaware State News).  Here is his preview of the […]

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DL Open Thread: Saturday, June 5, 2021

Filed in Featured, Open Thread by on June 5, 2021 0 Comments

Federal Judge Strikes Down Cali’s Assault Weapons Ban.  Calls the AR-15 assault rifle ‘…a perfect combination of home defense weapon and homeland defense equipment.”  One of Dubya’s judges. Sinema Supporter: Back Filibuster Or Get Out.  Right, like she’s gonna take that advice. Are Political Ads Getting It All Wrong?  Very few, if any, seek to […]

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