El Somnambulo's Latest Posts
Civil Liberties: Coons Hero, Carper Villain. At Least For One Day.
They really are different, after all. At least when it comes to protecting your right to privacy.
‘Bulo Brings the Blues…
to the Arden Gild Hall on Saturday, November 7th at 8 p.m. I’ve got two great headliners for this show: Alvin Youngblood Hart with his killer band Muscle Theory, and the Damon Fowler Band. First, here’s a taste of the multiple award-winning Alvin Youngblood Hart, who is described as ‘ the cosmic American love child […]
Lie of the Year. Perhaps of the Decade.
In a dog-bites-man story, the despicable House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst, aka ‘Pete’s Enforcer’, sought to essentially narc out someone who had the temerity to question the raises that D House leadership bestowed upon its staff. Longhurst did it by leaking an e-mail exchange and issuing a veiled threat to the constituent’s employer. This News-Journal story captures the essence of Longhurst as well as anything I’ve read.
Please read the story. You’ll see that Longhurst is first utterly disingenuous in somehow claiming that she HAD NO IDEA whether the e-mail in question reflected the official position of the University of Delaware. Her intent was clear: To get the employee in trouble, and to underline that the General Assembly, due to its infinite charity, provides funds to the University of Delaware and, gee, wouldn’t it be a shame if that relationship was threatened by this e-mail?
And, now, to the Lie of the Year. In Delaware, this is almost certainly the Lie of the Decade:
“I was just asking a question,” Longhurst said. “I’ve never bullied anybody. If that’s the perception, that’s the perception.”
“How is it intimidating?” she told The News Journal. “I just raised a question.”
‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes: September, 2015
Quality and quantity this month. Some new (to me) artists and some faves who have stepped up big time. Let’s start with some truly joyful noise…
Markell, Chamber & Rethugs Rigging the Game for 2016. D ( )eadership AWO(L).
Anybody paying attention can see what’s going on. The alleged D leaders in the General Assembly either aren’t paying attention, or they’re in the bag as well.
Stated simply: Gov. Markell, aided and abetted by his pro-business propagandists, is pursuing a strategy of forcing cuts on the most vulnerable with NO consideration being given to increasing revenues as a means of closing the budget gap.
You’re already familiar with the choreographed calls for cuts to health care, public education, and state employees emanating from the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable.
DL Faves Among Bryan Townsend’s Advisory Committee…
…including our very own Cassandra Marshall and (might as well be our very own) Mike Matthews. What I love about this list of leaders who will be part of Bryan Townsend’s campaign is that many, if not most, are people who are vital to our state, yet have generally not been among the party insiders […]
Townsend Is In!
Received this just awhile ago:
Dear Friends,
Today, I ask for your support as I announce my campaign to represent Delaware in Congress.
Delaware faces a significant challenge: rebuilding an economy that works for all Delawareans and that reverses the inequality spreading across America. That’s why our campaign will champion policies that grow and strengthen the middle class, provide every child with an opportunity to succeed, promote equal justice in the criminal justice system, and ensure retirement security for our seniors.
Four years ago, I was joined by students, community leaders, and neighbors in a grassroots campaign for the Delaware State Senate. Although some doubted our prospects, Delawareans like you showed they’d back a candidate who reaches out, listens, and will always do the right thing for Delaware, even when it’s the hard thing.
This Barbieri Business Does. Not. Look. Good.
I’ve made no secret of my opinion that Mike Barbieri was one of the most effective legislators in Dover during his time there. A serious legislator with the willingness to build coalitions to pass progressive legislation that helps some of our most vulnerable citizens.
Having said that, the relationships between Barbieri, his company (Crossroads of Delaware), the state, and his recent hiring by the state raise all sorts of questions that require answers.
The Most Important Delaware Race of 2016…
…will be the primary for US Congress between State Rep. Bryon Short and State Senator Bryan Townsend.
It is a battle of the present (and, one hopes, the past) of the Democratic Party vs. a more progressive future.
Make no mistake: Bryon Short is the chosen heir to the mantle of middle-of-the-road mediocrity personified by Tom Carper and John Carney. He, or more likely Ed Freel and his ilk, have chosen ex-Carper staffer Mat Marshall to run his campaign. Carper’s ‘Brain’, Ed Freel, is calling the shots from his UD bunker. Short, of course, served in Carper’s congressional office, and has made no bones about his friendship with Carper and Carney. You may also recall that Bryon Short bottled up a minimum wage increase in his House committee until the bill was essentially emasculated. Although strong on social issues, Short’s principal legislative focus has been on cutting yet more ‘red tape’ that, according to the Chamber and its allies, hobble businesses in Delaware. In fact, Short essentially had a committee created just for him with this run in mind: The (get this) House Economic Development/ Banking/Insurance/Commerce Committee, aka The Business Lapdog Committee.
‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes: August, 2015
More better music this month. Lotsa Americana and roots music this time. Most of which you probably haven’t heard. So, hear here!
18th RD: David Bentz Is the Real Deal
I’m quite impressed with the progressive positions he has taken on the issues, and I hope we can all do whatever it takes to help him win the Special Election. I’ve decided to print the entire endorsement from Progressive Democrats of Delaware, because he really spells out his positions here:
“Waiting For Carn(e)y”
“Carn(e)y: I can’t go on.
Greek Chorus*: You must go on.”
Curtain.
*Greek Chorus consists of Ed Freel, bifocals at half-mast; Rich Heffron; Sean Barney; Vince Meconi, trolling for yet another high paying job; banking executives; The ‘titular’ leaders of the Democratic Party, including Carper, Coons and Markell; and a cast of insider party aparatchiks with visions of cabinet posts dancing in their heads.
Those not in the Greek Chorus: Progressives. And/or people who support a living wage and/or tax fairness. Plus, of course, the poor.
Carper’s a ‘Yes’ On Iran Deal!
Real good news to start the day:
“I still have serious doubts about their government. So does the Obama administration, for that matter. That’s why this deal is based on mistrust. If some future Iranian regime decides to violate the agreement, we’ll know it.”
I like that quote. Coons to announce his position on Tuesday. Carney, of course, hasn’t made up his mind.
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