Monday Open Thread [3.23.15]

Monday Open Thread [3.23.15]

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The New York Times says that the "roughly 300 emails from Mrs. Clinton’s private account that were turned over last month to a House committee investigating the ]Beghazi] attack showed the secretary and her aides closely monitoring the fallout from the tragedy[, but] they provided no evidence that Mrs. Clinton, as the most incendiary Republican attacks have suggested, issued a ‘stand down’ order to halt American forces responding to the violence in Benghazi, or took part in a broad cover-up of the administration’s response, according to senior American officials.” I always wondered what Republicans thought Hillary did. That she personally ordered the attack? That she ordered a stand down order to prevent Marines or other military from responding to the attack? I suppose that is akin to those on our side of the aisle that believe that George W. Bush and Dick Cheney personally ordered the 9/11 attacks. The difference is, our crazies don't control a political party or Congress.
Weekend Open Thread [3.22.15]

Weekend Open Thread [3.22.15]

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The Washington Post reports that Hillary Clinton “is already running her presidential campaign — against the Republican Congress.
"In blasts of rapid-fire Twitter messages just this week, Clinton accused Republicans of waging a war on women, playing politics with a black nominee, shortchanging students, endangering the economic recovery and trying to yank health-care coverage for 16 million Americans.”
What I want from Hillary is no triangulation. I want her to run against Republicans in Congress and out, and run with and support Democrats inside Congress and out. Let's elect Democrats, not just the Clintons.

Biden on VICE Rebukes Climate Change Deniers

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Biden's interview was featured in an outstanding edition of the program (one that is unfortunately no longer available for online viewing) focused on the ravages of human-caused climate change, and the malevolent forces preventing the United States from leading on this issue.

Obama: Should’ve Closed Gitmo on the First Day

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I agree. And now basking in his lame duck freedom, he should do everything he can within his power to close it now. Since he is saying he should have closed it himself on the first day, he is implying that it is within his solitary power to do it. If that is the case, do it now. If not, if he needs an act of Congress to fully shut it down, well then, yeah, all we can do is chip away at it. Because we all know Republicans love their concentration camps and torture.

The Weekly Addresses

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President Obama called on Republicans in Congress to stop playing politics with law enforcement and national security and confirm Loretta Lynch as Attorney General of the United States. Governor Markell again address the defining issue of education this week, this time talking about the importance of identifying unmet student needs and developing a comprehensive plan that addresses all schools in Delaware. This week's Legislative Update from the Delaware House Democrats features Rep. Melanie George Smith and Rep. Trey Paradee talking about their new bill to help people with disabilities save for their futures. Rep. Debra Heffernan discusses her relaunched legislation to add e-cigarettes to Delaware's indoor smoking ban.
While More Men Are Wanting Babies/More Women Are Considering The Child-Free Option

While More Men Are Wanting Babies/More Women Are Considering The Child-Free Option

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I find stuff like this fascinating.
In a nationally representative survey of single, childless people in 2011, more men than women said they wanted kids. (On the other hand, more women reported seeking independence in their relationships, personal space, interests, and hobbies.) A different poll from 2013 echoed those findings, with more than 80 percent of men saying they’d always wanted to be a father or at least thought they would be someday. Just 70 percent of women felt the same.
It really hasn't been that long since women actually had control in having children. My grandparents had a lot of children. Without effective birth control (along with societal and religious expectations) people of that generation had a lot of kids. The Pill came onto the scene in my mother's generation - and there was much rejoicing! - however, the idea that people get married and have kids was still the only plan on the table. And while I'll admit the "get married and have kids" plan still strongly exists (ask any couple who's decided not to have kids how often they're asked when they'll have kids, or told they'll eventually change their minds if you don't believe me.) this survey shows an interesting trend. And the reasons women cite for not wanting children (seeking independence in their relationships, personal space, interests, and hobbies) seem to really come down to this.....
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up: Week of March 17-19, 2015

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up: Week of March 17-19, 2015

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That was quite the dust-up between Sen. Karen Peterson and Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf this week.  The argument? Why won't Schwartzkopf allow a floor vote on legislation eliminating the death penalty? Both legislators make legitimate points. Pete Schwartzkopf by and large does control the fate of the bill.  As Speaker, he not only decides what committee receives the bill, he determines the members of the committees. Put the bill in a committee in which the majority does not support death penalty repeal, and the bill isn't coming out unless petitioned out.  Going against the Speaker to petition a bill out has its own set of perils.  So Peterson is correct there.  Pete has taken steps to stop the bill, his protestations to the contrary notwithstanding. However, Schwartzkopf has offered a compromise:
Schwartzkopf has said that he would oppose any repeal legislation that did not include exemptions for those inmates convicted of killing members of law enforcement, including correctional officers. Not including those exemptions would endanger every correctional officer working in the state's prisons, he said. He added that he offered amendments to repeal legislation last year, but those requests "fell on deaf ears." He said that compromise is needed on the bill. Peterson, he said, is not willing to compromise. "This building is bigger than one bill," Schwartzkopf said.
This raises two questions: (1) Would Schwartzkopf take steps to ensure the bill's consideration if this compromise was accepted; and (2) is it worth it to have a repeal bill with these exceptions?