El Somnambulo

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Music I Like: Latest in An Occasional Series

Filed in National by on July 8, 2011 9 Comments

The great and virtually unknown Bill Callahan and his take on America: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39HT67ExukA[/youtube] Bill Callahan: “America!” Philly’s Own: [vimeo]http://vimeo.com/26117149[/vimeo] The War On Drugs: “Baby Missiles” A totally gorgeous sound wash: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KrmxavLIRM[/youtube] Bon Iver: “Calgary” There’s a reason why this is everywhere. The song of the summer: [vimeo]http://vimeo.com/19529550[/vimeo] Foster the People: “Pumped-Up Kicks” Depressed and a […]

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Catch Al/El Somnambulo Podcasts Here

Filed in National by on July 7, 2011 4 Comments

WDEL Newsradio-1150 AM has put up quite a few of the Al Mascitti/El Somnambulo segments on podcast, including my 10 Worst General Assembly Moments of 2011. Check ’em out here. Yesterday’s show was barrels of fun, and I know that Al will be putting up the Best and Most Ridiculous segments as well. So, listen […]

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Big Doings On Al’s Show This Wednesday!

Filed in National by on July 5, 2011 3 Comments

Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 6, I will unveil the Best, Worst, and Most Ridiculous of the recently-concluded session of the Delaware General Assembly. Top 10’s in each category announced in reverse numerical order in order to build up suspense. I had planned to post this on the blog before the show, but there are so many […]

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Erik Schramm to Step Down

Filed in National by on July 1, 2011 10 Comments

Erik Schramm, Chief of Staff to the House Democratic Caucus, announced that he will step down from his post in August to pursue opportunities outside the political arena. He was honored with a tribute last night during the final legislative session. He will also step down as Chair of the New Castle County Democratic Committee. […]

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General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., June 30, 2011

Filed in National by on June 30, 2011 8 Comments

The final and, invariably, the worst legislative day of the year. Well, maybe not final. There could be a Special Session in the fall. But definitely the worst. Very little has to be done today. The Budget Bill is on the way to the Governor for his signature. The Grant-In-Aid Bill has already passed the […]

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General AssemblyPost-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., June 29, 2011

Filed in National by on June 29, 2011 28 Comments

Here’s what we/I learned yesterday: For the remaining two days of session,  the Pre-Game Show section of my posts ain’t worth the paper it’s not printed on. Many of the key legislative developments did not show up on any agenda. Two cases in point: The House passed the Democratic redistricting plan by a 26-10 vote, […]

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Delaware General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Filed in National by on June 28, 2011 1 Comment

As we move into the last week of this session, here is what absolutely must happen in the next three days: * The Budget Bill, already passed in the House, must pass in the Senate. *The Bond Bill must pass both houses *The Grant-In-Aid bill must pass both houses (a grant-in-aid bill is not legally […]

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Rethugs Urge Creation of New Post to Do the State Auditor’s Job

Filed in National by on June 27, 2011 35 Comments
Rethugs Urge Creation of New Post to Do the State Auditor’s Job

Some things I can simply not make up. Today, a group of Rethug legislators and their gun-totin’ Party Chairman called for the creation of a brand-new ‘Office of the Inspector General’. In the release, Monsignor Greg Lavelle is quoted as saying: “If anyone previously doubted that we need a government watchdog, the last few years […]

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General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., June 23, 2011

Filed in National by on June 23, 2011 25 Comments

Take a good look at how your Delaware State Senate performed yesterday. You can expect a lot more of this if the Senate redistricting plan goes through: Bully-boy Tiny Tony DeLuca kicking sand in the face of would-be opponents, regressive votes on gun bill legislation, and a pathetically timid opposition. Let’s make it real clear. […]

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General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., June 22, 2011

Filed in National by on June 22, 2011 6 Comments
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., June 22, 2011

The banks are gonna get their tax breaks, and there ain’t no way to put lipstick on those pigs. They’re blackmailing us and we’re paying and paying and paying: Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark South, initially came out against the bank tax cuts when Markell proposed them in May.”They do pretty damn well with the federal […]

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More Pink Slips at News-Journal Today?

Filed in National by on June 21, 2011 45 Comments

We are receiving as yet unconfirmed reports that some major News-Journal staffers have received pink slips today, and that Gannett has purged hundreds nationally today as well. Any word from our ‘inside’ and , hopefully, still employed, sources?

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Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Filed in National by on June 21, 2011 5 Comments

So. I open up my dead-trees edition of the News-Journal this morning and the headline at the top of the front page screams: ‘Bloom subsidy a burden, detractors say’. This oughtta be interesting, I tell myself, and dive into the story written by one Aaron Nathans. Mr. Nathans quotes two leading skeptics on the legislation: […]

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R. I. P. Clarence “Big Man” Clemons

Filed in National by on June 19, 2011 3 Comments

The Boss, the Big Man and the E Street Band have been an integral part of my life since I graduated college. I am just so sad to hear of the passing of the Big Man, Clarence Clemons. Hope this helps us all get through it: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDHmWjLBHic&feature=related[/youtube] “Spirit In the Night” [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbvB5HSIf4I&feature=related[/youtube] “Raise Your Hand” […]

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