Wednesday Open Thread [4.3.13]
Republican Congressman Louie Gohmert of Texas opposes gun control because gay marriage leads to bestiality.
In fact, I had this discussion with some wonderful, caring Democrats earlier this week on the issue of, well, they said "surely you could agree to limit the number of rounds in a magazine, couldn't you? How would that be problematic?" [...] And I pointed out, well, once you make it ten, then why would you draw the line at ten? What's wrong with nine? Or eleven? And the problem is once you draw that limit ; it's kind of like marriage when you say it's not a man and a woman any more, then why not have three men and one woman, or four women and one man, or why not somebody has a love for an animal? There is no clear place to draw the line once you eliminate the traditional marriage and it's the same once you start putting limits on what guns can be used, then it's just really easy to have laws that make them all illegal.You know, I get that conservatives, by their very nature and by definition, are supposed to fight change. That's their role. And I understand that opposing these very popular, very sane and very reasonable changes in our society can be very difficult, especially when you have no logical or understandable reason for it, which is why these insane conservatives often sound insane and delusional. It is because they have no logical or rational reason to oppose these changes. But they must oppose them, because they are conservatives, and so they have to come up with a reason. The problem for today's conservatives is that they let the very dim bulbs of their movement speak too often. Gohmert. Steven King. Sarah Palin. Michele Bachmann. They speak way too often. Probably because the smart and intelligent conservatives are way too embarrassed to be speaking out against change anymore.
Conspiracy Theory Poll Report
PPP did their weekly national poll this week on Conspiracy Theories. This is sometimes cringe-worthy, but pretty hysterical. Take a look at the state of mind of Americans:
Thank you to John Carney and Tom Carper
Pandora mentioned this in the open thread yesterday, but I think it deserves more attention. For we here at Delaware Liberal are ready to criticize the both Congressman John Carney and Senator Tom Carper for their centrist corporatist tendencies on any given day, we should at least recognize them when they do what we want. But first, allow me to put on my cynical and analytical hat and note that both waited until it was absolutely clear that there would be no negative political and electoral ramifications for coming out (pun intended) in support of marriage equality. Indeed, I suspect they both acted this week because it became clear that there would be negative political and electoral ramifications for not supporting marriage equality in this deeply blue state.
While I do respect an 'evolution' of position on this issue since I myself was once a "yes civil unions no gay marriage" kind of guy, I also admire someone who just came out and said he was for marriage equality, period. That was Chris Coons in 2010. I am glad Carney and Carper saw fit to join him.
Wednesday Daily Delawhere [4.3.13]
Here is one of the sites that was recently declared as a National Monument by President Obama, the old New Castle County Courthouse and former state house in New Castle, along with the Woodlawn Preserve in Chateau Country and the Green in Dover.
Tuesday Open Thread (4-02-13)
Looks like the crew of DL is swamped today.
In the spirit of the season and what would Jesus do scenario, a Georgia town has made gun ownership mandatory. Don't worry, the ordinance doesn't carry penalties. Just another example of lawmakers wasting taxpayer money.
Tuesday Daily Delawhere [4.2.13]
Sunset over a barren hayfield in Corner Ketch.
Developers Running the Show in NCCo
Sunday's NJ featured a fantastic piece of reporting by Adam Taylor and Maureen Milford. Called Influence, Access Taint Land-Use Decisions, this is a remarkably detailed look at how the NCCo land use planning process -- from both the county and the DelDOT side was apparently captured by the developers, their lawyers and their lobbyists. Not only that, but Pam Scott's showy leaving of Saul Ewing was just for show. So not only is the land planning process broken, but so is the Ethics Policy in the county.
April Fools Day Daily Delawhere [4.1.13]
The Kalmar Nyckel, a hat tip to our Swedish friends here at DL who want Delaware to secede to joint the Kingdom of Sweden.
Easter Open Thread [3.31.13]
Happy Easter, everyone! Have you gotten to the part of the day where you and yours are creating new tortures for those horrifying Peeps?
Why the Phils Will Suck Until Ruben Amaro Jr. Goes
Let me be clear. It's possible, just possible, that they might have one year left. I don't think so, though. Not with the aging and defensively-challenged additions they made this offseason: Michael Young and Delmon Young. Neither of whom are 'Forever Young'.
But, that's it. Why? Because Amaro insists on ignoring one of the most important tools in the GM's toolbox: statistical analysis, aka 'sabermetrics'.
Saturday Open Thread [3.30.13]
It is a gorgeous Saturday and I hope that all of you are spending quality time out in this sunshine. In this thread, we don't care who you had breakfast with.