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The 2012 MVP Award-Winners Are…
10. LT. GOVERNOR MATT DENN: No one in Delaware fights harder for children. Few, if any, in Delaware, are as committed to quality public education for all. He’s also on the list because he ran on what he considers to be his mission. I’m paraphrasing: “If you don’t seek office in order to help improve people’s lives, then what’s the point?” He works at that every day. He’s ‘only’ #10 because he’s ‘only’ Lieutenant Governor. I, for one, hope to see that change in 2016.
9. SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCILPERSON JOAN DEAVER: One of the few sane voices in Sussex County at a time that Sussex County needs more sane voices, but seems to be in full-blown flight from sanity. Successfully winning reelection against one of these ‘Agenda 21’ Chicken Littles (the ‘chicken’ reference is deliberate) in a year when Sussex County voters have not yet come to grips with the problems facing them, and the UN is not among them, is a singular accomplishment for someone who is part of the solution in Sussex.
8. REP. EARL JAQUES: It’s possible that he’s more populist than progressive, but we need more like him in Dover. And we need both populists and progressives. After all, you can be both, and I think that Earl Jaques is. Sponsored single-payer health insurance, opposes the blatant Delmarva ‘smart-meter’ rip-off, seems immune to ‘Delaware Way’ incestuousness, votes the right way, and does his homework. He also sponsored and helped pass this bill, which I strongly support. The General Assembly is becoming more progressive, and I look forward to what Jaques can accomplish in such an environment.
Come inside for the rest….
2012 MVP Awards Announced Today At…
10 am. Simultaneously here at DL and on the Al Mascitti Show, WDEL Newsradio 1150 AM on your radio dial. Don’t wait to see/hear it from others, be the first to know.
BTW, time permitting, we’ll also talk Port Of Wilmington, and remind Pete Schwartzkopf that he isn’t the Speaker of the House just yet.
On Privatizing the Port of Wilmington, Bob Marshall Says ‘Not So Fast, My Friends’.
In what I consider to be a masterfully-crafted letter, Sen. Bob Marshall has made clear that he does not intend to let Markell/Levin push a Port of Wilmington privatization proposal through without legislative oversight.
As you may recall, a recent Friday news dump by the Markell Administration contained the announcement that Kinder Morgan had emerged as the ‘preferred partner’ to run the Port. Both Kinder and Morgan made their corporate bones at Enron, and their company specializes in pipelines and the fluids that run through them.
Best Songs of 2012: The Top 10!
Counting down from #10: 10. Michael Kiwanuka: “I’m Getting Ready”: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wgj6vJDfjY[/youtube] 9. The Walkmen: “Heaven”: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8yDtfGl30s[/youtube] 8. Todd Snider: “Too Soon To Tell”: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaYihBvuGsw[/youtube] 7. Bonnie Raitt: “Used To Rule the World”: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK7bvVpkYmI[/youtube] 6. Hospitality: “Eighth Avenue” (hate the video, but love the song): [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_XMhVnHFqc[/youtube] 5. Alabama Shakes: “Hang Loose”: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWG-n0CXnrg[/youtube] 4. John Fullbright: “Gawd […]
‘Bulo’s Best Songs of 2012–Part 1
…. Presented, as always, in countdown fashion, starting with… First Aid Kit’s “Emmylou”
Final Call: 2012 MVP Nominations Due By Sunday
Please post your nominations for those who were Most Valuable to the Progressive Cause in Delaware this year by this Sunday night, December 9, at 11:59 p.m.
I start culling through the names and a year’s worth of news from both DL and elsewhere on Monday morning. Some of you have already provided outstanding suggestions, but I know that there may well be some great ones that I have not yet come across.
At Least 124 Bangladeshi Garment Workers Perish In Fire
Guess who they make made clothes for:
Bangladesh exports about $18 billion worth of garments and is a big supplier to companies like Walmart, H&M and Tommy Hilfiger. Workers in the country’s factories are among the lowest-paid in the world with entry-level workers making a government-mandated minimum wage of about $37 a month.
Need I take the guise of Captain Obvious and point out that that’s why these garments are so inexpensive? Didn’t think so.
Which Businesses Will YOU Support On Small Business Saturday?
BTW, small businesses shouldn’t be relegated to one day during the holiday season. Shop locally, and support businesses who actually treat both customers and employees like family. All year long. Which, BTW, is how long you should boycott Walmart.
I’ll start…..
So. Who Will Be the Next Speaker of the House?
Today’s bare-bones News-Journal story reports that both Pete Schwartzkopf and Helene Keeley are seeking the position. The News-Journal does not report that each candidate has a slate. If my sources are correct, and it’s not certain that they are, each slate has at least one major head-scratcher on it. Here they are:
Speaker: Pete Schwartzkopf
Majority Leader: Valerie Longhurst (??!!)
Majority Whip: Quin Johnson
vs.
Speaker: Helene Keeley
Majority Leader: Bryon Short
Majority Whip: John Viola (??!!)
I don’t know who will win, but I believe that this contest represents the first clear emergence of different factions within the Caucus.
2012 MVP Award Nominations Are Now Open!
Who will make the 4th Annual MVP (Most Valuable to the Progressive Cause) Awards List?
We’re open for any and all of your suggestions. Here are the criteria:
1. This list is Delaware-specific. Those who most helped the progressive cause in Delaware this year.
2. Nominees need not be progressives to qualify. Both Christine O’Donnell and Tony DeLuca previously made the list. I’m thinking that John Sigler is a shoo-in this year…
3. Nominees do not have to come solely from the political arena. In fact, I would love to recognize those who are doing great work away from the headlines.
4. Nominees will only be considered in the form of on-line responses to this thread. Those submitting nominations must have some supporting statement on behalf of the candidacy.
Deadline for nominations is Sunday, December 9.
In Praise of Tom McGonigle
I see that Tom McGonigle, Gov. Jack Markell’s Chief of Staff, is stepping down from public service to return to private practice.
Just for the record, Tom McGonigle is one of the finest public servants I’ve ever come across. A real straight-shooter, skilled at bringing people together, smart (but never in that ‘let me show you how smart I am’ way), very serious, and compassionate. And, did I mention self-effacing? Be honest, how many of you even knew that he was Jack’s chief-of-staff?
‘Bulo On Al’s Show Today!
Tuesday, 10 am to 12 noon. WDEL 1150-Newsradio.
We’ll talk the statewide and national elections, what might happen in Dover, and perhaps the unholy marriage between Papa John’s and Christine O’Donnell.
So, How’d I Do?
So that there be no revisionist history on my part, here were my predictions.
Overall record: 37-3.
Come inside for what I got wrong and what I got right.
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