Friday Open Thread [7.25.14]

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The Cape Henlopen School District is feeling the heat (it seems) over their decision to remove one book -- The Miseducation of Cameron Post--from their summer reading list, so they decided to abolish the reading list all together. It wasn't enough that they banned the first book without even reading it (they googled it and saw the controversy-- gasp) OR even talking to the teachers' group that put the book on the list. And as far as I can tell, they took this decision to abolish the summer reading list again without talking to a single soul responsible for curriculum. If I'm a parent in this District, I'm making the replacement of this entire school board crew a priority. Because they are pretty clearly incompetent. Apparently this move is meant to avoid actions by the ACLU, but certainly isn't about helping students maintain some learning readiness.
Joe Biden is usually funny – Not today

Joe Biden is usually funny – Not today

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Who is writing for Biden now? Because this is some creaky shit.
Vice President Joe Biden joked Thursday at the National Urban League conference that he wished he had a child who grew up to be a Republican. “I should have one Republican kid who’d grow up to make money,” Biden said,
Far Right Rethuglican Organization Endorses…Dave Tackett!!??

Far Right Rethuglican Organization Endorses…Dave Tackett!!??

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This is truth, not fiction. The Delaware Chapter of the Faith & Freedom Coalition has endorsed putative Democrat Dave Tackett in the Democratic Primary against State Sen. Bryan Townsend.  Tackett was endorsed along with a bunch of R's. The Faith & Freedom Coalition is the home for the usual suspect right-wing nut jobs. Ralph Reed is the founder and chairman. Their endorsers include Sarah Palin, Sean Hannity, Newt Gingrich, Marco Rubio, the Christian Broadcasting Network, Donald Trump, Michele Bachmann, and Ted Cruz, among many others. This group, this group, has decided to endorse Dave Tackett.   For those who doubt me, here is the press release....

DE GOP Announces Primary Election ClusterF*ck Panel

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 24, 2014 CONTACT: John Fluharty 202-251-9094 DE GOP Announces Primary Election ClusterF*ck Panel Newark, DE -- The Chairman of the Delaware Republican Party today announced that the Party is in the final stages of planning for a clusterfu*ck panel between candidates in the GOP Primary race for United States Senator and State Treasurer on August 28, 2014 in Dover. "The 2014 Delaware GOP Primary clusterf*ck panel will offer Party faithful a unique opportunity to interact directly with the potential Republican nominees for US Senate and State Treasurer," said Copeland.

Sign this well researched and practical petition to call for SEPTA to increase service to Wilmington

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Thank you to tipster Alex Zorach who sent in this link a petition, organized by David Curtis, to improve SEPTA train service to Delaware. As Alex mentioned, the petition seems well-researched, and the costs modest relative to the benefits. Apparently there is also a recent precedent of SEPTA adding significant service improvements in response to similar citizen petitions. Help give this petition a boost (and ask the next politician who asks for your money or vote about it).