Here's a hilarious new send-up to everyone's favorite right-wing hypocrite!
And he totally deserves it after slandering Michael J. Fox on his radio show:
What a dumbass! I hope he never has to experience the pain and frustration that is Parkinson's Disease.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
CA-50: Guess Who's Being Dumped by the NRCC?
Wow! It's funny how one poll can cause everyone to rethink an entire Congressional race. Notice how the anchor on San Diego station KUSI is calling the 50th a close race, just before he lets the candidates' debate begin:
Isn't it funny how Bilbray can't even get Francine's name right?!
But anyways, it seemed like the NRCC became worried about the 50th once again...
And they began spending their money in North SD County once again. However, notice who's missing in the latest NRCC list of "final push" candidates.
Now Bilbray's never had a strength for fundraising... In fact, the NRCC had to spend over $5 million just to salvage him from a strong Democratic upsurge. So why isn't the NRCC throwing additional last-minute money into the 50th? Perhaps, the national GOP is really afraid that Bilbray won't be able to weather this latest scandal over the GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION INTO BILBRAY'S MULTIPLE RESIDENCES?
Francine Busby now has a great ad on this. Poor North San Diego County... They already have been rocked by so much scandal!
And now, Brian Bilbray just won't stop the scandaliciousness! (Also, check out this )
So here begins another round of intrigue as to how close the vote in the 50th will be... And who will emerge as the final victor?
If you want to help knock off this corrupt GOPer in San Diego County, go to Francine Busby's website to see how you can help.
Isn't it funny how Bilbray can't even get Francine's name right?!
But anyways, it seemed like the NRCC became worried about the 50th once again...
And they began spending their money in North SD County once again. However, notice who's missing in the latest NRCC list of "final push" candidates.
Now Bilbray's never had a strength for fundraising... In fact, the NRCC had to spend over $5 million just to salvage him from a strong Democratic upsurge. So why isn't the NRCC throwing additional last-minute money into the 50th? Perhaps, the national GOP is really afraid that Bilbray won't be able to weather this latest scandal over the GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION INTO BILBRAY'S MULTIPLE RESIDENCES?
Francine Busby now has a great ad on this. Poor North San Diego County... They already have been rocked by so much scandal!
And now, Brian Bilbray just won't stop the scandaliciousness! (Also, check out this )
So here begins another round of intrigue as to how close the vote in the 50th will be... And who will emerge as the final victor?
If you want to help knock off this corrupt GOPer in San Diego County, go to Francine Busby's website to see how you can help.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Anaheim Update: Lorri Galloway WILL NOT Be Welcoming Dalati into the Democratic Party Tomorrow
This just in from the DPOC:
Lorri Galloway WILL NOT be attending tomorrow's press event with our newest Democratic Candidate for Anaheim City Council, Bill Dalati.
Thank goodness! Even while as a registered Republican, Dalati's been more of a loyal Democrat than Galloway!
Lorri Galloway WILL NOT be attending tomorrow's press event with our newest Democratic Candidate for Anaheim City Council, Bill Dalati.
Thank goodness! Even while as a registered Republican, Dalati's been more of a loyal Democrat than Galloway!
Anaheim: What is DINO Lorri Galloway Doing Accepting Dalati into the Democratic Party?
This just in...
Bill Dalati, the Muslim American who was deemed an "extremist" by his own Republican Party, will now reregister as a Democrat...
And DINO Lorri Galloway, the Anaheim Councilmember who turned her back on the Democratic Party to endorse REPUBLICAN Lynn Daucher, will be going with him tomorrow??!!
Here's the official DPOC statement below:
What's wrong with this picture? Well, Dalati had to endure the worst of the bigotry of the GOP machine. He was shamelessly depicted as a "terrorist sympathizer". GOP leaders, such as Shawn Steel, tried to distract attention away from local Anaheim issues in order to scare Anaheim voters with "Muslim extremism", not unlike GOP attempts to nationalize local elections in Costa Mesa, Orange, and Escondido over immigration. Basically, the GOP tried to make a big issue over Dalati's faith and ehtnic heritage, but in the end this sleazy attempt backfired in their faces.
But where was Lorri Galloway while the GOP was demonizing Bill Dalati over his Muslim faith? Oh, that's right... She was busy UNDERMINING DEMOCRAT LOU CORREA'S CAMPAIGN for State Senate by overtly aiding REPUBLICAN LYNN DAUCHER. She helped the Daucher Campaign spread the outrageous charge that Lou Correa doesn't care about kids. She mischaracterized Lynn Daucher's voting record in the Assembly as one that supported working families, when in reality Lynn Daucher has voted consistently AGAINST WORKING FAMILIES while in Sacramento. Basically, Lorri Galloway has been working hard over the last couple of months to undermine Democratic efforts to hold onto our State Senate seat in Central Orange County... And now SHE wants to welcome Bill Dalati into the Democratic Party??!!
OH, PUH-LEEESE! I'll be more than happy to accept Bill Dalati into our Democratic Party. He's proved his commitment to working families in Anaheim...
But Lorri Galloway? Perhaps she can join Carlos Bustamante, Barbara Quintana, and others in forming the Orange County chapter of the CONNECTICUT FOR LIEBERMAN PARTY!
Bill Dalati, the Muslim American who was deemed an "extremist" by his own Republican Party, will now reregister as a Democrat...
And DINO Lorri Galloway, the Anaheim Councilmember who turned her back on the Democratic Party to endorse REPUBLICAN Lynn Daucher, will be going with him tomorrow??!!
Here's the official DPOC statement below:
BILL DALATI, TARGET OF REPUBLICAN RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE AND ANAHEIM CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE, TO RE-REGISTER AS DEMOCRAT
County Democratic Chair Frank Barbaro and Anaheim City Councilmembers Richard Chavez and Lori Galloway to Welcome Dalati to Democratic Party
WHO:
Bill Dalati, Candidate for Anaheim City Council
Frank Barbaro, Chair, Democratic Party of Orange County
Richard Chavez, Councilmember, City of Anaheim
Lori Galloway, Councilmember, City of Anaheim
Other community and religious leaders
WHAT:
In reaction to religious intolerance exhibited by the Republican Party, Dalati will be turning in a new registration form and becoming a Democrat this Wednesday morning.
WHEN:
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.
WHERE:
Orange County Registrar of Voters, front steps
1300 Building C
South Grand Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92705
BACKGROUND:
In September of this year, former State Republican Party Chair Shawn Steel made national news by characterizing Republican candidate for Anaheim City Council Bill Dalati as an Islamic extremist because he is an Arab of Syrian birth and a Muslim. As Democrats in Orange County, we are proud to welcome Bill Dalati to our Party.
What's wrong with this picture? Well, Dalati had to endure the worst of the bigotry of the GOP machine. He was shamelessly depicted as a "terrorist sympathizer". GOP leaders, such as Shawn Steel, tried to distract attention away from local Anaheim issues in order to scare Anaheim voters with "Muslim extremism", not unlike GOP attempts to nationalize local elections in Costa Mesa, Orange, and Escondido over immigration. Basically, the GOP tried to make a big issue over Dalati's faith and ehtnic heritage, but in the end this sleazy attempt backfired in their faces.
But where was Lorri Galloway while the GOP was demonizing Bill Dalati over his Muslim faith? Oh, that's right... She was busy UNDERMINING DEMOCRAT LOU CORREA'S CAMPAIGN for State Senate by overtly aiding REPUBLICAN LYNN DAUCHER. She helped the Daucher Campaign spread the outrageous charge that Lou Correa doesn't care about kids. She mischaracterized Lynn Daucher's voting record in the Assembly as one that supported working families, when in reality Lynn Daucher has voted consistently AGAINST WORKING FAMILIES while in Sacramento. Basically, Lorri Galloway has been working hard over the last couple of months to undermine Democratic efforts to hold onto our State Senate seat in Central Orange County... And now SHE wants to welcome Bill Dalati into the Democratic Party??!!
OH, PUH-LEEESE! I'll be more than happy to accept Bill Dalati into our Democratic Party. He's proved his commitment to working families in Anaheim...
But Lorri Galloway? Perhaps she can join Carlos Bustamante, Barbara Quintana, and others in forming the Orange County chapter of the CONNECTICUT FOR LIEBERMAN PARTY!
SD 34 Update: Republicans for Lou? Or Otto Bade?
First off, the Lou Correa campaign recently sent registered Republicans a letter signed by several prominent GOPers in Central County...
Including Dave Shawver, a Stanton City Councilmember who ran against John Moorlach for the OC Supervisor seat being vacated by Jim Silva.
Here's an excerpt from the letter, courtesy of Mike Lawson at The Liberal OC:
Hmmm... So the residency issue is coming back to haunt Lynn, after all!
Also, this mailing includes a letter that Lynn sent to the Legislature while she was Mayor of Brea, asking them to keep the VEHICLE LICENSE FEE...
You know, the "Evil Car Tax" that Ahhnuld the Governator would later run against.
Yes, so this is Lou's response to the "Democrats for Daucher" mailer that Lynn's campaign recently mailed to me... Hmmm, interesting...
BUT NOT NEARLY AS INTERSTING AS OTTO BADE'S ENTRY INTO THIS RACE!!
Yes, failed GOP Assembly Candidate Otto Bade is back! After he tried to pull an upset against the very well-funded Tom Umberg in 2004, he is now acting as a Wild Card by qualifying as an Official Write-in Candidate in the highly competitive SD 34 race. Apparently, Bade thinks that the 34th should be represented by a Latino. Also, there are rumors that he's teamed up with the Republican who ran against Lynn Daucher in the open primary in the 72nd AD in 2000.
And now to make this new development even more interesting, the Independent Expenditure group "Californians United" is sending out mailers to Republicans in the 34th Senate District, asking them to support "true conservative" Otto Bade instead of "liberal Republican" Lynn Daucher. Though Otto Bade has no real chance at winning, apparently his campaign is being used by a few Sacramento Democrats to spoil Lynn's chances at winning next week.
Whew! This race has been one wild ride all year...
And now Otto Bade, "Democrats for Daucher", and "Republicans for Correa" seem to be adding more intrigue (and a bit of confusion) into one of the top competitive races in California.
Including Dave Shawver, a Stanton City Councilmember who ran against John Moorlach for the OC Supervisor seat being vacated by Jim Silva.
Here's an excerpt from the letter, courtesy of Mike Lawson at The Liberal OC:
Although we’re all registered Republicans, none of us are voting for “Republican” Lynn Daucher for State Senate.
Lynn Daucher isn’t even from our area. She just moved here from up North and rented a place so she could run for office.
And, frankly, she’s not like us at all.
Hmmm... So the residency issue is coming back to haunt Lynn, after all!
Also, this mailing includes a letter that Lynn sent to the Legislature while she was Mayor of Brea, asking them to keep the VEHICLE LICENSE FEE...
You know, the "Evil Car Tax" that Ahhnuld the Governator would later run against.
Yes, so this is Lou's response to the "Democrats for Daucher" mailer that Lynn's campaign recently mailed to me... Hmmm, interesting...
BUT NOT NEARLY AS INTERSTING AS OTTO BADE'S ENTRY INTO THIS RACE!!
Yes, failed GOP Assembly Candidate Otto Bade is back! After he tried to pull an upset against the very well-funded Tom Umberg in 2004, he is now acting as a Wild Card by qualifying as an Official Write-in Candidate in the highly competitive SD 34 race. Apparently, Bade thinks that the 34th should be represented by a Latino. Also, there are rumors that he's teamed up with the Republican who ran against Lynn Daucher in the open primary in the 72nd AD in 2000.
And now to make this new development even more interesting, the Independent Expenditure group "Californians United" is sending out mailers to Republicans in the 34th Senate District, asking them to support "true conservative" Otto Bade instead of "liberal Republican" Lynn Daucher. Though Otto Bade has no real chance at winning, apparently his campaign is being used by a few Sacramento Democrats to spoil Lynn's chances at winning next week.
Whew! This race has been one wild ride all year...
And now Otto Bade, "Democrats for Daucher", and "Republicans for Correa" seem to be adding more intrigue (and a bit of confusion) into one of the top competitive races in California.
CA-47: Happy Halloween from Tan Nguyen!
Here's another bizarre Tan Nguyen event for you! With opponents like Tan, Loretta Sanchez doesn't need to do much to win! Believe it or not, Tan Nguyen will not give up his disgraced campaign for Congress! Here is the video from his truly strange weekend rally... I guess there are still some misguided folks (and some outright racists) who are willing to "stand by their Tan".
Some folks just have no sense of decency...
Is this the mysterious female staffer?
Is this Tan's desperate cry for attention?
Is this Tan's attempt to win over the "dirty, horny man" vote?
Some folks just have no sense of decency...
Is this the mysterious female staffer?
Is this Tan's desperate cry for attention?
Is this Tan's attempt to win over the "dirty, horny man" vote?
Monday, October 30, 2006
Photos from Florice Hoffman/PDA Rally
Top: Peace Protesters arrive at the Orange Circle.
Middle: Florice Hoffman (center-right) speaks to the crowd about the importance of real moral values, such as ending the war and solving our healthcare crisis.
Bottom: National PDA leader (and Orange County native) Tim Carpenter speaks to us about the importance of electing progressive Democrats to Congress.
More from the Steve Young/PDA Rally
National PDA (Progressive Democrats of America) Board Member Mimi Kennedy speaks about the basic American "dharma" of voting.Photos from Steve Young/PDA Rally
Top: Actor and activist Ed Asner speaks of the imporatnce of young people voting.
Bottom: PDA Orange County Director Dr. Bill Honigman addresses the crowd at UCI.
So Who's the REAL Nancy Pelosi?
Today, THREE newspapers have THREE interesting profiles of ONE WOMAN who could very well be the next Speaker of the House:
NANCY PELOSI (D-San Francisco)
According to The New York Times, Rep. Pelosi is a fairly frigid, usually scripted, "liberal elitist".
According to the Los Angeles Times, Pelosi is a "mainstream liberal" who angers many of her San Francisco constituents by not being progressive enough.
According to The Guardian of London, she is a tough-minded party leader who has brought discipline back to the House Democrats.
Of all the three, The Guardian's story cast the most favorable light on Pelosi... And certainly The New York Times piece cast her in an unfavorable light...
In fact, we were complaining about the (NY) Times story on Daily Kos this morning.
Check out the articles for yourself, and let me know what YOU THINK about Pelosi, her leadership of the House Democrats, and whether or not you think the media's treating her unfairly.
NANCY PELOSI (D-San Francisco)
According to The New York Times, Rep. Pelosi is a fairly frigid, usually scripted, "liberal elitist".
According to the Los Angeles Times, Pelosi is a "mainstream liberal" who angers many of her San Francisco constituents by not being progressive enough.
According to The Guardian of London, she is a tough-minded party leader who has brought discipline back to the House Democrats.
Of all the three, The Guardian's story cast the most favorable light on Pelosi... And certainly The New York Times piece cast her in an unfavorable light...
In fact, we were complaining about the (NY) Times story on Daily Kos this morning.
Check out the articles for yourself, and let me know what YOU THINK about Pelosi, her leadership of the House Democrats, and whether or not you think the media's treating her unfairly.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
CA-50: San Diego U-T Story on New Bilbray Scandal
Click here for their take on the SD Grand Jury's investigation into Bilbray's lies about his multiple "primary residences".
"One of Rep. Brian Bilbray's neighbors yesterday said he recently told the county grand jury that he never saw the congressman at his Carlsbad house at the time Bilbray claimed to live there."
... And the article goes on to quote this neighbor...
“I passed by the house maybe six times a day,” said 61-year-old former Marine (and real Carlsbad resident!) William Rider at a San Diego news conference. “I just feel that if he had lived there, I would have seen him and his family.”
So I guess I was right... Rider told the same thing to the Grand Jury as other neighbors told the San Diego ABC affiliate back in May:
BILBRAY DOESN'T ACTUALLY LIVE IN THE 50TH DISTRICT!
"One of Rep. Brian Bilbray's neighbors yesterday said he recently told the county grand jury that he never saw the congressman at his Carlsbad house at the time Bilbray claimed to live there."
... And the article goes on to quote this neighbor...
“I passed by the house maybe six times a day,” said 61-year-old former Marine (and real Carlsbad resident!) William Rider at a San Diego news conference. “I just feel that if he had lived there, I would have seen him and his family.”
So I guess I was right... Rider told the same thing to the Grand Jury as other neighbors told the San Diego ABC affiliate back in May:
BILBRAY DOESN'T ACTUALLY LIVE IN THE 50TH DISTRICT!
Friday, October 27, 2006
CA-50: NC Times Confirms That Bilbray Is Being Investigated by Grand Jury
(Cross-posted at MyDD)
The North County Times is now confirming what the Busby campaign and the blogger have known for a couple of weeks now...
"A neighbor of Republican 50th District Rep. Brian Bilbray said Thursday that he was subpoenaed to testify before a San Diego County grand jury in August and spent about an hour and a half answering questions about whether Bilbray lived in his Carlsbad neighborhood."
Hmmm... I wonder if the "neighbor" who testified to the Grand Jury said the same thing about Bilbray "living in Carlsbad" as his other Carlsbad "neighbors" back in May.
What can I say?
This is yet another example of a horribly corrupt GOP politician who thinks he can get away with anything because he lives in a safe district. This is another slimy GOPer who has been lying to his constituents about his loyalty to the district. This is another Republican who has accepted many thousands of dollars from oil companies, which is why he voted for offshore oil drilling. This is one corrupt individual who will even go so low as to lie about where he lives.
This, everyone, is Brian Bilbray.
Bilbray v. Busby on the Issues That Matter to 50th District Voters
Truthout Report on Bilbray's Apparent Perjury
The North County Times is now confirming what the Busby campaign and the blogger have known for a couple of weeks now...
"A neighbor of Republican 50th District Rep. Brian Bilbray said Thursday that he was subpoenaed to testify before a San Diego County grand jury in August and spent about an hour and a half answering questions about whether Bilbray lived in his Carlsbad neighborhood."
Hmmm... I wonder if the "neighbor" who testified to the Grand Jury said the same thing about Bilbray "living in Carlsbad" as his other Carlsbad "neighbors" back in May.
What can I say?
This is yet another example of a horribly corrupt GOP politician who thinks he can get away with anything because he lives in a safe district. This is another slimy GOPer who has been lying to his constituents about his loyalty to the district. This is another Republican who has accepted many thousands of dollars from oil companies, which is why he voted for offshore oil drilling. This is one corrupt individual who will even go so low as to lie about where he lives.
This, everyone, is Brian Bilbray.
Bilbray v. Busby on the Issues That Matter to 50th District Voters
Truthout Report on Bilbray's Apparent Perjury
CA-50: Remember That Other Close Race?
I know I've been talking a whole lot about Tan-gate recently...
Well, this has been THE BIGGEST STORY in Orange County for the last week and a half!
Also, this has affected the race in my SD 34, one of the closest races in Southern California.
But now, I must talk about that OTHER close race in Southern California:
CA-50- Busby v. Bilbray
Yes, that one! The one that had both parties spend millions on negative ads. The one that involved unsafe Diebold machines that were allowed to be in private homes for "sleepovers".
The one that probably changed the entire course of my life.
Unfortunately, Bilbray won (fairly?) in June...
And what's even more unfortunate is that he's been just as bad for the 50th District as his predecessor, Randy "Duke" Cunningham. (I'll have more on that soon)...
However, we must remember that...
Yes, there is still a hot race there... SurveyUSA confirmed that.
Busby is once again within the margin of error, and I know that if we encourage folks to vote this time instead of turn them off with stupid negative ads, we can win.
If you live in the San Diego area, please volunteer for Francine Busby. If you don't, give money or volunteer some other way. Go to the website to find out more.
You can see their new TV ad here.
Well, this has been THE BIGGEST STORY in Orange County for the last week and a half!
Also, this has affected the race in my SD 34, one of the closest races in Southern California.
But now, I must talk about that OTHER close race in Southern California:
CA-50- Busby v. Bilbray
Yes, that one! The one that had both parties spend millions on negative ads. The one that involved unsafe Diebold machines that were allowed to be in private homes for "sleepovers".
The one that probably changed the entire course of my life.
Unfortunately, Bilbray won (fairly?) in June...
And what's even more unfortunate is that he's been just as bad for the 50th District as his predecessor, Randy "Duke" Cunningham. (I'll have more on that soon)...
However, we must remember that...
Yes, there is still a hot race there... SurveyUSA confirmed that.
Busby is once again within the margin of error, and I know that if we encourage folks to vote this time instead of turn them off with stupid negative ads, we can win.
If you live in the San Diego area, please volunteer for Francine Busby. If you don't, give money or volunteer some other way. Go to the website to find out more.
You can see their new TV ad here.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
OC GOP Registration Scandal: Were there arrests?
I just got an email from the OC Democrats...
Apparently, DPOC Chairman Frank Barbaro learned from OC District Attorney Rackauckas that there were between nine and twelve arrests relating to the OC GOP illegally switching about 500 registered Democrats and Decline-to-State (Independent) voters to Republicans early this year.
From the email release:
Today, Orange County Democratic Chairman, Frank Barbaro, commended Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas for making several arrests relating to the more than 500 verified complaints of voter registration fraud filed in the last seven months by the Democratic Party. These arrests come after hundreds of Orange County registered voters, without their consent, had their party affiliations illegally changed from Democrat to Republican in a voter registration drive sponsored by the Republican Party (see the original story here).
“We are hopeful that these arrests, as well as the recent response by local Republican Party Chairman Scott Baugh to the Tan Nguyen scandal, are indicative of a new effort by local Republican Party leaders to protect the rights of all Orange County voters,” Barbaro said.
“The basic problem is that for years, certainly going back to the posting of uniformed guards at polling places to discourage Hispanic voters in 1988, the Republican Party has perpetuated a permissive political culture in which political candidates and their operatives think that they can act to suppress the democratic process without fear of repercussion. The unscrupulous letter of Republican congressional candidate Tan Nguyen did not happen in a vacuum. I have no doubt that the unfortunate history of Republican campaigns, including the voter registration fraud just now being addressed by the District Attorney, provided a context for his actions.”
“Hopefully, these arrests are a good first step towards discouraging those who would wish to suppress the democratic process, and we are hopeful that more preemptive action will be taken in the future. Specifically, we support the efforts of Supervisor Lou Correa to bring together law enforcement leaders in an Orange County Election Task Force that will monitor and quickly respond to all efforts to undermine a full and fair voting process.”
Frank Barbaro
Democratic Party of Orange County
Also, Peggy Lowe at the OC Register is reporting on Total Buzz that the DA was hoping to have a big press conference on Monday to formally announce this with SoS McPherson, but I guess it's a little late for that now (as long as this proves to be true).
Apparently, DPOC Chairman Frank Barbaro learned from OC District Attorney Rackauckas that there were between nine and twelve arrests relating to the OC GOP illegally switching about 500 registered Democrats and Decline-to-State (Independent) voters to Republicans early this year.
From the email release:
Today, Orange County Democratic Chairman, Frank Barbaro, commended Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas for making several arrests relating to the more than 500 verified complaints of voter registration fraud filed in the last seven months by the Democratic Party. These arrests come after hundreds of Orange County registered voters, without their consent, had their party affiliations illegally changed from Democrat to Republican in a voter registration drive sponsored by the Republican Party (see the original story here).
“We are hopeful that these arrests, as well as the recent response by local Republican Party Chairman Scott Baugh to the Tan Nguyen scandal, are indicative of a new effort by local Republican Party leaders to protect the rights of all Orange County voters,” Barbaro said.
“The basic problem is that for years, certainly going back to the posting of uniformed guards at polling places to discourage Hispanic voters in 1988, the Republican Party has perpetuated a permissive political culture in which political candidates and their operatives think that they can act to suppress the democratic process without fear of repercussion. The unscrupulous letter of Republican congressional candidate Tan Nguyen did not happen in a vacuum. I have no doubt that the unfortunate history of Republican campaigns, including the voter registration fraud just now being addressed by the District Attorney, provided a context for his actions.”
“Hopefully, these arrests are a good first step towards discouraging those who would wish to suppress the democratic process, and we are hopeful that more preemptive action will be taken in the future. Specifically, we support the efforts of Supervisor Lou Correa to bring together law enforcement leaders in an Orange County Election Task Force that will monitor and quickly respond to all efforts to undermine a full and fair voting process.”
Frank Barbaro
Democratic Party of Orange County
Also, Peggy Lowe at the OC Register is reporting on Total Buzz that the DA was hoping to have a big press conference on Monday to formally announce this with SoS McPherson, but I guess it's a little late for that now (as long as this proves to be true).
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
OK, back to the NJ Ruling: Is It a Victory or a Defeat?
I saw the headline on 365gay.com, "N.J. Court Rejects Gay Marriage":
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/10/102506jerseyNo.htm
Now while that may be technically accurate to an extent, let's not forget the content of today's ruling: New Jersey's highest court just decided that under the Equal Protection Clause of the state's counstitution, the state must provide the EXACT SAME RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND BENEFITS TO SAME-SEX COUPLES as it does to opposite-sex couples. Now while this ruling does not have a six-month deadline for the state to begin marrying gay and lesbian couples like the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling almost three years ago, this does require that the legislature either expand marriage to same-sex couples or rewrite the domestic partnership law to extend ALL THE SAME BENEFITS of hetero marriage to same-sex unions... And the legislature must do either within 180 days.
Although I'd prefered that the NJ Supremes just call it marriage, I am still happy that they are declaring that gay and lesbian unions must be equal to heterosexual unions. I'll call it a victory.
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/10/102506jerseyNo.htm
Now while that may be technically accurate to an extent, let's not forget the content of today's ruling: New Jersey's highest court just decided that under the Equal Protection Clause of the state's counstitution, the state must provide the EXACT SAME RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND BENEFITS TO SAME-SEX COUPLES as it does to opposite-sex couples. Now while this ruling does not have a six-month deadline for the state to begin marrying gay and lesbian couples like the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling almost three years ago, this does require that the legislature either expand marriage to same-sex couples or rewrite the domestic partnership law to extend ALL THE SAME BENEFITS of hetero marriage to same-sex unions... And the legislature must do either within 180 days.
Although I'd prefered that the NJ Supremes just call it marriage, I am still happy that they are declaring that gay and lesbian unions must be equal to heterosexual unions. I'll call it a victory.
SD 34 ALERT: Watch out for this in your mailbox!
Here's the text of the letter:
Dear Fellow Democrat,
We are loyal Democrats who usually vote the party line, but Lynn Daucher has done so much for working families that she has earned our support.
Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher is a former school teacher who built bipartisan support to bring more dollars into Orange County schools.
She's a cancer survivor who was the only Republican who voted for a landmark law that will reduce the cost of prescription drugs by 40-60% for 5 million Californians.
She worked to put her husband through law school and knows what it is like to make ends meet. That's why she bucked party leaders to help enact an increase in the minimum wage.
And its [sic] why Lynn has worked to reduce the cost of housing so that people wanting a starter home and senior citizens wanting a home to retire in can find an affordable place to buy and call home.
Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher will never forget her working class roots.
That's why she works hard for working people and is our choice for State Senate.
Sincerely,
Lorri Galloway
Anaheim City Councilmember
Barbara Quintana
Magnolia School District Trustee
Mary Fuhrman
Buena Park Elementary
School District Trustee
Barbara Michel
Buena Park Elementary
School District Trustee
AND NOW FOR THE FACTS:
Yes, Lynn voted for Arnold's precription drug bill.
Yes, Lynn voted for Arnold's minimum wage bill.
However...
Lynn Daucher voted AGAINST requiring large employers (10,000+ employees) to spend between six percent and eight percent of its total wages, as specified, on employee health insurance costs, or pay a specified amount to the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) for deposit into the California Fair Share Health Care Fund. (SB 1414- 08/30/06)
Lynn Daucher voted AGAINST requiring the Department of Social Services (DSS) to establish categorical eligibility for food stamp benefits for Medi-Cal recipients who are eligible for services funded by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. This bill would have improved access to food stamps and school meals through the "categorical eligibility" mechanism. (AB 2205- 05/31/06)
Lynn Daucher voted AGAINST the landmark Global Warming Bill. This first-in-the-nation bill will take the next step needed to coordinate emission reductions of greenhouse gases and climate change activity in California. AB 32 will establish a program to log current greenhouse gas emissions in our state and set a limit/cap on those who are contributing emissions, in order to begin to reduce these emissions that are a major contributor to global warming down to 1990 levels by the year 2020. (AB 32- 08/31/06)
In 2005, Lynn Daucher got a 7% rating from the CA AFL-CIO. She only voted 7% of the time for interests of working class Californians.
In 2005, Lynn Daucher got a 44% rating from the California Association of Retired Americans. She voted less than half the time for interests of senior citizens.
In 2005, Lynn Daucher got a 20% rating from the California Sierra Club. She voted four out of five times against protecting our natural resources.
However in 2005, Lynn Daucher got a 72% rating from the California Republican Assembly. She voted about seven out of ten times with the radical right wing interests.
Should we Democrats REALLY trust Lynn Daucher to represent our interests in Sacramento? Let your friends know about this very misleading mailer.
Dear Fellow Democrat,
We are loyal Democrats who usually vote the party line, but Lynn Daucher has done so much for working families that she has earned our support.
Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher is a former school teacher who built bipartisan support to bring more dollars into Orange County schools.
She's a cancer survivor who was the only Republican who voted for a landmark law that will reduce the cost of prescription drugs by 40-60% for 5 million Californians.
She worked to put her husband through law school and knows what it is like to make ends meet. That's why she bucked party leaders to help enact an increase in the minimum wage.
And its [sic] why Lynn has worked to reduce the cost of housing so that people wanting a starter home and senior citizens wanting a home to retire in can find an affordable place to buy and call home.
Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher will never forget her working class roots.
That's why she works hard for working people and is our choice for State Senate.
Sincerely,
Lorri Galloway
Anaheim City Councilmember
Barbara Quintana
Magnolia School District Trustee
Mary Fuhrman
Buena Park Elementary
School District Trustee
Barbara Michel
Buena Park Elementary
School District Trustee
AND NOW FOR THE FACTS:
Yes, Lynn voted for Arnold's precription drug bill.
Yes, Lynn voted for Arnold's minimum wage bill.
However...
Lynn Daucher voted AGAINST requiring large employers (10,000+ employees) to spend between six percent and eight percent of its total wages, as specified, on employee health insurance costs, or pay a specified amount to the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) for deposit into the California Fair Share Health Care Fund. (SB 1414- 08/30/06)
Lynn Daucher voted AGAINST requiring the Department of Social Services (DSS) to establish categorical eligibility for food stamp benefits for Medi-Cal recipients who are eligible for services funded by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. This bill would have improved access to food stamps and school meals through the "categorical eligibility" mechanism. (AB 2205- 05/31/06)
Lynn Daucher voted AGAINST the landmark Global Warming Bill. This first-in-the-nation bill will take the next step needed to coordinate emission reductions of greenhouse gases and climate change activity in California. AB 32 will establish a program to log current greenhouse gas emissions in our state and set a limit/cap on those who are contributing emissions, in order to begin to reduce these emissions that are a major contributor to global warming down to 1990 levels by the year 2020. (AB 32- 08/31/06)
In 2005, Lynn Daucher got a 7% rating from the CA AFL-CIO. She only voted 7% of the time for interests of working class Californians.
In 2005, Lynn Daucher got a 44% rating from the California Association of Retired Americans. She voted less than half the time for interests of senior citizens.
In 2005, Lynn Daucher got a 20% rating from the California Sierra Club. She voted four out of five times against protecting our natural resources.
However in 2005, Lynn Daucher got a 72% rating from the California Republican Assembly. She voted about seven out of ten times with the radical right wing interests.
Should we Democrats REALLY trust Lynn Daucher to represent our interests in Sacramento? Let your friends know about this very misleading mailer.
New Jersey Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Marriage Equality (for the most part)
http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/opinions/supreme/a-68-05.pdf
Finally, some good news on our battle for equal rights.
However, don't expect same-sex nuptials in the Garden State tomorrow. The NJ Supremes are giving the state legislature 180 days to either change the state marriage laws to allow same-sex marriages, or alter the current domestic partnership laws to allow gay and lesbian couples ALL THE SAME BENEFITS as heterosexual married couples...
Basically whaever name they end up calling it, it's nonetheless marriage equality. Scott in NJ has more analysis on this developing story on Daily Kos:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/10/25/151343/19
Also, The New York Times just posted a story on this:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/25/nyregion/26marriagecnd.html?hp&ex=1161835200&en=51e657f351dfce95&ei=5094&partner=homepage
Check back here for further updates.
Finally, some good news on our battle for equal rights.
However, don't expect same-sex nuptials in the Garden State tomorrow. The NJ Supremes are giving the state legislature 180 days to either change the state marriage laws to allow same-sex marriages, or alter the current domestic partnership laws to allow gay and lesbian couples ALL THE SAME BENEFITS as heterosexual married couples...
Basically whaever name they end up calling it, it's nonetheless marriage equality. Scott in NJ has more analysis on this developing story on Daily Kos:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/10/25/151343/19
Also, The New York Times just posted a story on this:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/25/nyregion/26marriagecnd.html?hp&ex=1161835200&en=51e657f351dfce95&ei=5094&partner=homepage
Check back here for further updates.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
More Voices from the OC Supervisors' Meeting Today
Darrell Nolta, of Westminster (and always at the OC Supes' Meeting), called Tan Nguyen's treatment by the press and the elected officials a "kangaroo trial", and urged the Supes NOT to allow the Registrar to do anything regarding the "Immigrants can't vote" letter because "there is no business in which the Orange County Registrar of Voters engages in political activity."
Well, Mr. Nolta, we're not talking about "political activity"... We're talking about the Registrar doing its legal duty to assure LEGAL VOTERS that THEY CAN VOTE!
Mark Rosen, Mayor Pro-tem of Garden Grove, urged that the County needs to "take action to undo the problem" because "Tan Nguyen has polluted the [political] process."
Nicely put, Mr. Rosen.
Richard Chavez, Mayor Pro-tem of Anaheim, exclaimed that "we have a responsibility to protect our community" when he stressed the need for the County Registrar to do its duty to rectify this confusion among voters caused by Tan-gate... He later said, "There are people who could vote today, and are not because they are confused."
This is precisely what I'm concered about: Some of those 14,000+ voters may still be afraid to vote.
Nick Berardino, head of the Orange County Employees Association, urged the County Supes to allow the Registrar to send out a letter to the 14,000+ targeted voters in order to show that "we care," and that "we recognize that they have ben subjected to an unthinkable act... An attempt to disenfranchise people from the American way of life." He also offered that the OCEA reimburse the County for sending this letter.
Well, Mr. Nolta, we're not talking about "political activity"... We're talking about the Registrar doing its legal duty to assure LEGAL VOTERS that THEY CAN VOTE!
Mark Rosen, Mayor Pro-tem of Garden Grove, urged that the County needs to "take action to undo the problem" because "Tan Nguyen has polluted the [political] process."
Nicely put, Mr. Rosen.
Richard Chavez, Mayor Pro-tem of Anaheim, exclaimed that "we have a responsibility to protect our community" when he stressed the need for the County Registrar to do its duty to rectify this confusion among voters caused by Tan-gate... He later said, "There are people who could vote today, and are not because they are confused."
This is precisely what I'm concered about: Some of those 14,000+ voters may still be afraid to vote.
Nick Berardino, head of the Orange County Employees Association, urged the County Supes to allow the Registrar to send out a letter to the 14,000+ targeted voters in order to show that "we care," and that "we recognize that they have ben subjected to an unthinkable act... An attempt to disenfranchise people from the American way of life." He also offered that the OCEA reimburse the County for sending this letter.
OC Supervisor and SD 34 Candidate Lou Correa (D)
"Great idea. We'll work on that."
This was Lou's response to Lynn Daucher's offer that they both reimburse the OC Registrar of Voters for sending out the letter.
Now, Lou made a good proposal today to his fellow Supervisors on how to deal with this crisis:
He made a substitute motion [to his original planned motion to ask the Registrar to send out a correction letter] to set up a tak force headed by District Attorney Tony Rauckackas to investigate ALL EFFORTS of voter intimidation in Orange County, and that plain-clothed sheriffs monitor various random polling places and contact the task force if they spot any voter intimidation efforts. Though the other supervisors seemed willing to sign on to this, they ended up killing this proposal softly by doing nothing to put this into motion soon.
When the board was about to agrere to the toothless resolution and do nothing else, Lou said that "we need to be preemptive on voter intimidation. We need to be proactive, and create a task force."
Though Lou urged his colleagues to act on this TODAY, his fellow supervisors simply said that they "like the idea", but postponed this to the next week's meeting.
This was Lou's response to Lynn Daucher's offer that they both reimburse the OC Registrar of Voters for sending out the letter.
Now, Lou made a good proposal today to his fellow Supervisors on how to deal with this crisis:
He made a substitute motion [to his original planned motion to ask the Registrar to send out a correction letter] to set up a tak force headed by District Attorney Tony Rauckackas to investigate ALL EFFORTS of voter intimidation in Orange County, and that plain-clothed sheriffs monitor various random polling places and contact the task force if they spot any voter intimidation efforts. Though the other supervisors seemed willing to sign on to this, they ended up killing this proposal softly by doing nothing to put this into motion soon.
When the board was about to agrere to the toothless resolution and do nothing else, Lou said that "we need to be preemptive on voter intimidation. We need to be proactive, and create a task force."
Though Lou urged his colleagues to act on this TODAY, his fellow supervisors simply said that they "like the idea", but postponed this to the next week's meeting.
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