Ninth Street Book Shop: Bryan Stevenson To Speak At The Queen

Ninth Street Book Shop: Bryan Stevenson To Speak At The Queen

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Via ninth street book shop - which you should totally shop at.
Bryan Stevenson, who was born in Milford, DE, will speak at a free public event at the Queen Theatre (500 N Market St) on Monday, Dec. 15th from 5:00--7:00 pm.  His memoir, "Just Mercy," is a powerful indictement of the inequities of our justice system and a call for action.  Following his presentation, he will be autographing copies of his book ($28) that will be available for purchase either there or at our store. 500 N Market St in the Olympia Room at the Queen Theatre Wilmington, Delaware
The Pandora household is trying to clear our calendar to attend. Hope to see everyone!

Shockingly Candid Response to ACLU “Resegregation” Lawsuit

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First the accusation, then the shockingly candid DOE response below the fold.
Delaware's charter schools are causing resegregation and discrimination against minorities and students with disabilities, the ACLU and Community Legal Aid Society are arguing in a complaint to the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights. The groups say that, especially in the City of Wilmington, most charters are easily racially identifiable as either mostly white or mostly minority schools, with those serving minority students vastly underperforming those serving more affluent white students. The complaint is filed against the State Department of Education and the Red Clay School District, which authorize all of the state's charters.

Wednesday Open Thread [12.3.14]

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Americans are narcissists. Self centered. Especially when it comes to their income, economic well being. They know how much things cost, and the costs usually always rise. They know how much they make, and that usually doesn't rise, especially in this Reagan Anti-Middle Class Era that began in the 1980's. When they are making enough money to afford things, Americans are happy. See mid to late 1980's and mid to late 1990's and early 2000's for proof of that. When they are not, they are not. First Read: “It’s possible — though hardly a certainty — that lower gas prices over a sustained period of time finally begin to change the public’s perception about the U.S. economy. After all, the economy has produced 200,000-plus jobs in each of the past nine months; GDP for the last quarter was revised up to a healthy 3.9%; and the unemployment rate has declined from 7.0% in Nov. 2013 to 5.8% now. But many Americans haven’t been FEELING that improvement, due in large part to wages not keeping up with the cost of living.” “Politically, an improving economy helps the president and his party. (It also makes it harder to say the health-care law has stifled the economy.) And in macroeconomic terms, lower gas prices serve as a kind of economic stimulus — which Congress doesn’t have to pass or finance. Yet more importantly, they’re an easier way for Americans to ASSESS the state of the economy. The monthly jobs report might not mean a thing to them, but they can see when it costs just $35 to $40 to fill up their tank each week when it used to cost $50.”
Now Accepting Nominations for 2014 MVP (Most Valuable to the Progressive Cause) Awards…

Now Accepting Nominations for 2014 MVP (Most Valuable to the Progressive Cause) Awards…

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Every year, I recognize those who were most valuable to the progressive cause in Delaware. The nominees can be progressives, but they don't have to be. In fact, they can be members of the Forces of Evil who unwittingly advanced the progressive cause. They can be elected officials, appointed officials, candidates, or any member of the general public. Maybe even a group as opposed to an individual. Knock yourselves out. I am putting together this year's list, and I need your help (but then, you already knew that). Deadline is Friday, December 12 at 11:59 p.m. Please don't just provide names, but rather, tell us how they advanced the progressive cause in 2014. You are now officially on the clock. Whaddayagot?
DL Exclusive: Rep. Bryon Short Considering Run for State Insurance Commissioner

DL Exclusive: Rep. Bryon Short Considering Run for State Insurance Commissioner

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State Rep. Bryon Short (D-Highland Woods) today told Delaware Liberal that he is considering a run for State Insurance Commissioner. While he has not made a decision on the race, he told me that it's important that the IC's office does an effective job of 'setting the marketplace' to ensure competition and consumer choices, and to 'effectively address the concerns and problems facing consumers'. He also said that the work of the office 'is very important,  but unfortunately people aren't made aware as to just how important it is, and how it impacts them'. Short has attended the last two NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) meetings in order to  extend his knowledge for both his House committee work and to possibly prepare for a statewide run.
Tuesday Open Thread [12.2.14]

Tuesday Open Thread [12.2.14]

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E. J. Dionne, Jr.: "Now, it will be a Republican Congress vs. a Democratic president. Voters will have a much easier time seeing who stands for what...Obama and progressives should spend the next two years accomplishing as many useful things as they can, blocking regressive actions by Congress, and clarifying the choices facing the nation's voters. And they'll get much further by doing all three at once."
The 62 Project: Not Better Late Than Never. But It’s Finished. Just In Time To Change It.

The 62 Project: Not Better Late Than Never. But It’s Finished. Just In Time To Change It.

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I was planning to finish this in time for...well, some time before now. However, sloth and other events intervened. So here we have it, 1-62, for each and every member of the 147th Delaware General Assembly, based on their careers, not just the past session. For those I previously profiled, you can click on the links. For the rest, the floor is open for questions and vitriol. 1. Sen. Karen Peterson: A fierce negotiator/advocate who successfully leverages her bargaining power to pass progressive legislation. Imagine that. Accruing power not for personal ambition, but to pass a progressive agenda. An easy choice for #1. 2. Rep. Mike Barbieri: Quietly does outstanding work on kids' issues, and has helped turn back the neanderthal mandatory sentencing excesses of the Sharp/Smith/Vaughn/Brady years. He's impressed me from Day 1. A thinker and a doer. We need more social workers in the General Assembly. 3. Sen. Bob Marshall: Has gotten better and more effective as he's gotten older. He serves as perhaps the leading Democrat from the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party in challenging Jack Markell's DINO-ism. He's got at least one more minimum wage increase in him. 4. Rep. Melanie George Smith: Her work, along with Barbieri and others, on sentencing reform, was legislating at its best.  It wasn't easy, it required a tremendous attention to detail, plus political smarts. Forget her political roots, focus on her legislative skills. 5. Sen. Dave Sokola: Anyone who thinks it was easy for a legislator from the Pike Creek/Hockessin area to support progressive reform wasn't around when he got elected. That's what he did and that's what he does. And, while he gets criticism from some of our education people, he stood up to the 'forced busing' bashers, including his own Pro-Tem, Tom Sharp.  His sponsorship of civil unions reflects the kind of person he is.