FollowUp 13: Wisconsin Republican Dirty Tricks

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has a lot of problems.  One of them is the state's finances.  Despite the claims of It's Working Wisconsin, a Koch Brother's funded branch of Americans For Prosperity, breaking the back of the unions has not solved Wisconsin's fiscal woes.  The latest move to cut $123,000,000 from state agencies, including $46,000,000 from the state university system, still leaves the state more than $140,000,000 in arrears.

At the same time, President Obama's administration reached a $26,000,000,000 deal with five banks to reimburse homeowners for improper foreclosures and offset refinancing costs.  The portion that is allocated for Wisconsin homeowners is approximately $140,000,000.  A number that conveniently matches the amount Mr. Walker needs.  The homeowners funds will be administered by the states.

As Senate candidate and current Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin explains to Rachel Maddow, the Governor may have figured out how to steal much of this funding from reimbursements to homeowners from banks that cheated them before.

Ms. Baldwin discusses this and asks for Wisconsinites to add their voices to a petition at her website.  More details about the more than $25,000,000 that the Governor intends to steal from homeowners who were previously cheated by the banks is at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Wisconsin will use a chunk of its $140 million share of a national settlement over foreclosure and mortgage-servicing abuses to help the state budget rather than assist troubled homeowners, Gov. Scott Walker and state Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said Thursday.

Walker and Van Hollen said the majority of the settlement amount earmarked to Wisconsin under a $25 billion proposed nationwide agreement announced Thursday still would go to aid consumers in Milwaukee and other communities struggling with the specter of home foreclosure.

But of a $31.6 million payment coming directly to the state government, most of that money - $25.6 million - will go to help close a budget shortfall revealed in newly released state projections. Van Hollen, whose office said he has the legal authority over the money, made the decision in consultation with Walker.

"Just like communities and individuals have been affected, the foreclosure crisis has had an effect on the state of Wisconsin, in terms of unemployment. . . . This will offset that damage done to the state of Wisconsin," Walker said.

Had there not been huge tax breaks for businesses,

Walker asked for $82 million in tax cuts, including an expanded exclusion for capital gains realized on investments made in Wisconsin-based businesses. The Legislature previously approved more than $117 million in Walker-backed tax cuts that take effect later this year.

then it could perhaps be justified.  As it stands, this looks like a robbery to me.

16 November 2011, Original Pedantic Political Ponderings post.
30 November 2011, FollowUp 1.
4 December 2011, FollowUp 2.
11 December 2011, FollowUp 3.
14 December 2011, FollowUp 4.
15 December 2011, FollowUp 5.
30 December 2011, FollowUp 6.
13 January 2012, FollowUp 7.
17 January 2012, FollowUp 8.
25 January 2012, FollowUp 9.
2 February 2012, FollowUp 10.
9 February 2012, FollowUp 11.
12 February 2012, FollowUp 12.

22 February 2012, FollowUp 14.
6 March 2012, FollowUp 15.
12 March 2012, FollowUp 16.
16 March 2012, FollowUp 17.
30 March 2012, FollowUp 18.
31 March 2012, FollowUp 19.
3 April 2012, FollowUp 20.
4 April 2012, FollowUp 21.
11 April 2012, FollowUp 22.
14 April 2012, FollowUp 23.
17 April 2012, FollowUp 24.
21 April 2012, FollowUp 25.
29 April 2012, FollowUp 26.
2 May 2012, FollowUp 27.
6 May 2012, FollowUp 28.
10 May 2012, FollowUp 29.
13 May 2012, FollowUp 30.
23 May 2012, FollowUp 31.
24 May 2012, FollowUp 32.
30 May 2012, FollowUp 33.
2 June 2012, FollowUp 34.
4 June 2012, FollowUp 35.
5 June 2012, FollowUp 36.

FollowUp 9: Republican Denial of Climate Change

In the seventh follow up of this series, I discussed how the Wall Street Journal had published an error-filled denial of climate change by sixteen scientists, an article that was called "dismal science" by two hundred and fifty-five scientists who are in the field of climate change.  Science Magazine published the truth when the Wall Street Journal, a subsidiary of News Corp., refused to do so.

Yesterday another subsidiary of News Corp., Fox News, published an Opinion piece by Matt Patterson, a commentator for the anti-environment Competitive Enterprise Institute, that relies on the discredited article from the Wall Street Journal.

[R]ecently in the Wall Street Journal 16 prominent scientists, including physicists, meteorologists and climatologists, came forward to express solidarity with Giaever, writing:

“…large numbers of scientists, many very prominent, share the opinions of Dr. Giaever. And the number of scientific “heretics” is growing with each passing year. The reason is a collection of stubborn scientific facts. Perhaps the most inconvenient fact is the lack of global warming for well over 10 years now. This is known to the warming establishment, as one can see from the 2009 “Climategate” email of climate scientist Kevin Trenberth: ‘The fact is that we can’t account for the lack of warming at the moment and it is a travesty that we can’t.’”

So why do so many still cling to the hope of climate change catastrophe? The scientists offer their own view in the Journal: 

“Alarmism over climate is of great benefit to many, providing government funding for academic research and a reason for government bureaucracies to grow.”

Fortunately this strange fever is breaking, and voters are becoming ever more suspicious of government-mandated schemes to control their “carbon emissions,” which is just a bureaucrat’s way of curbing productivity, and therefore liberty.

In centuries hence the global warming boogeyman will be seen for exactly what it is – The Great Delusion. Future generations will wonder how so many people could have believed something so suicidally ridiculous.

The more times a lie is told, the more it is likely to be believed.  News Corp. keeps telling this lie.  The Republican contenders for President have all picked up the lie and run with it.  The proof is readily available, including from scientists who once doubted whether climate change was real.

1 October 2011, Original Pedantic Political Ponderings post.
10 October 2011, FollowUp 1.
11 October 2011, FollowUp 2.
17 October 2011, FollowUp 3.
21 October 2011, FollowUp 4.
27 October 2011, FollowUp 5.
30 November 2011, FollowUp 6.
29 January 2012, FollowUp 7.
15 February 2012, FollowUp 8.

2 March 2012, FollowUp 10.
11 March 2012, FollowUp 11.
4 June 2012, FollowUp 12.

FollowUp 9: NJ Democrats Call for Marriage Equality

It was a very busy week.  As I noted previously, on Monday 13 February the New Jersey Senate passed marriage equality by a vote of 24 - 16.  That was good but it would take 27 votes to override a veto.  Then on Thursday 16 February the New Jersey Assembly passed marriage equality by a vote of 42 - 33.  As with the NJ Senate, this was good but it would take 54 votes to override a veto.  The bill was delivered to Governor Chris Christie Friday morning.  The veto was signed the same afternoon.

There are a few interesting twists that accompanied the veto.  First, there are attached protections for LGBTQ citizens of New Jersey, from the Washington Blade:

Christie’s veto of the bill was conditional. It included the creation of what he called an ombudsman for civil unions that he said would “carry on New Jersey’s strong tradition of tolerance and fairness.”

Christie maintained in his statement that he’s been “adamant” that same-sex couples in civil unions, which are legal in New Jersey, deserves the same rights and benefits as married couples.

“Discrimination should not be tolerated and any complaint alleging a violation of a citizen’s right should be investigated and, if appropriate, remedied,” Christie said.

The same article also noted the ongoing litigation for marriage equality by Lambda Legal of New Jersey.

Litigation is also underway in New Jersey state courts to win marriage rights for couples in New Jersey. In June, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit arguing that barring same-sex couples from marriage and relegating them to civil union status violates the New Jersey Constitution.

Hayley Gorenberg, Lambda’s deputy legal director, said her organization is “disappointed” with Christie, but will keep on the fight to win marriage equality with the tools at hand.

“We’ll continue to make our case for equality with our plaintiffs in court,” Gorenberg said. “We also stand by our colleagues at Garden State Equality, working to gain support for a veto override in the legislature.”

In November, Lambda defeated defendants’ attempt to dismiss the case, and the judge ruled it could proceed. A trial is expected early in 2013.

From a press release November 2011, Lambda Legal:

In 2002, Lambda Legal filed a historic case, Lewis v. Harris, seeking marriage equality on behalf of seven New Jersey couples. The case reached the New Jersey Supreme Court in 2006. The high court ruled unanimously that same-sex couples must be provided all the benefits and responsibilities of marriage, although it declined at that time to mandate that marriage was specifically required, and gave the state legislature 180 days to provide equality. The legislature hastily passed a civil union law in December 2006, and began issuing civil union licenses to lesbian and gay couples in February 2007.

In December 2008 the Civil Union Review Commission, appointed by the legislature pursuant to the Civil Union Act itself, issued its unanimous report documenting how civil unions fall short of providing the court-mandated equality for same-sex couples. In January 2010, days before the legislative session ended, the New Jersey Senate voted on and failed to pass a marriage equality law. On March 18, 2010, Lambda Legal filed a motion in aid of litigants' rights asking the New Jersey Supreme Court to intercede and order marriage to secure compliance with its original mandate of equality for the Lewis v. Harris plaintiffs, but in July 2010, the New Jersey Supreme Court denied the motion, requiring further proceedings to develop a record in Superior Court.

Given the steep challenge of convincing legislators to change their votes, my guess is that the lawsuit has a greater chance of resulting in marriage equality than the legislature has of overriding Governor Christie's veto.  Either way, New Jersey marriages of same gender couples will be no more real than those in Massachusetts and five other states until the Federal government is no longer under DOMA and gay couples are treated as equal citizens.

9 January 2012, Original Pedantic Political Ponderings post.

25 January 2012, FollowUp 1.

26 January 2012, FollowUp 2.

28 January 2012, FollowUp 3.

30 January 2012, FollowUp 4.

31 January 2012, FollowUp 5.

3 February 2012, FollowUp 6.

10 February 2012, FollowUp 7.

13 February 2012, FollowUp 8.

21 February 2012, FollowUp 10.

FollowUp 3: Eugene Delgaudio Lies About Legislation Again

Today I received more e-mail from Mr. Delgaudio.  Not unusual as he sends out messages warning of the threats from homosexuals and begging for money to fight them quite frequently.  Today he is asking for advice.

Dear Some,

It is obvious that Mr. Delgaudio has never checked his mailing list, an automated process for all e-mail addresses that he manages to grab.  Either that or he believes that my real name is "Some Teacher".

I've never had such a difficult decision...

I desperately need your advice.

You see, the homosexual onslaught is relentless.

It is true that the LGBTQ Community will not stop fighting for equality.  I guess that is what he means by relentless.

They've been attacking on every front for months and your Public Advocate is worn to the bone.

Some, I'm worn to the bone.

During the holidays, I could barely take time away to spend with my family.  Their attacks were so relentless.

One might suggest that Mr. Delgaudio's family should be more important and take higher priority than his hobby of raising money to protect America from Americans who happen to be gay and lesbian citizens.

And because I just barely reached my end-of-year fundraising goals, the radical Homosexual Lobby smells blood in the water.

Ah, so Mr. Delgaudio is continuing to make a tidy sum of money in his pursuit of a more moral nation.

Over the past month, they've launched a tidal wave attack to ram through their entire agenda -- while I can barely fight back...

And now...

Now I'm forced to make a decision.

You see, the Homosexual Lobby is pushing three main planks in their campaign to reshape America:

1) The Homosexual Classrooms Act , requiring every school -- even private and religious schools -- to teach appalling homosexual acts.

This legislation would spin impressionable students in a whirlwind of sexual confusion and misinformation, even peer pressure to “experiment” with the homosexual “lifestyle;”

There is, of course, no such legislation proposed.  Where there has been legislation proposed, such as SB-48 in California, it affects only public schools and includes teaching nothing about "homosexual acts".  I have refuted Mr. Delgaudio on this previously. 

2) The Offense to Marriage Act , repealing the Defense of Marriage Act which has stood for over a decade against the Homosexual Lobby.

If passed, wedding gown-clad men smooching before some left-wing clergyman or state official is just the beginning.

You'll see men hand-in-hand skipping down to adoption centers to “pick out” a little boy for themselves.

And religious adoption agencies? SHUT DOWN.

The reference here is to the Respect for Marriage Act, which offers no offense to any marriage.  Here's the deal:  no clergy who object to homosexuals marrying would need to perform such a marriage.  Mr. Delgaudio has no respect for the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, he wants his version of religion established as that which the government recognizes.

The implication of pedophilia here is both wrong and disgusting.  Pedophilia is a problem with heterosexuals even more than with homosexuals, with about eleven heterosexual pedophiles to every one homosexual pedophile. The call for marriage equality is for equal access to marriage among consenting adults. Perhaps the age of consent should be subject to debate as it is in Europe. The age of consent is not specified in the Bible, but was commonly quite low by modern standards. Most girls would wed at age twelve or thirteen. But, the modern idea of prepubescent or newly pubescent children having sexual relations is a mistake. This should not follow from marriage equality.  The call for marriage equality is for equal access to marriage among consenting adults.

No religious adoption agencies have been shut down.  Those that are in the news periodically are those that choose to no longer accept state money because that would mean treating all citizens equally.  They can still be adoption agencies, just without taxpayer dollars.

3) The Gay Bill of Special Rights , granting special job rights to homosexuals. Every homosexual fired or not hired becomes a potential federal civil rights lawsuit.

Radical homosexuals will terrorize day cares, hospitals and churches.

Traditional moral values will be shattered by federal decree.

Like Mr. Delgaudio's other claims, there is no such legislation.  The closest would be ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which grants citizens the right to not be fired for their sexuality.  Terrorism is still illegal.  No one's moral values are threatened.  Working beside a homosexual is not contagious.

My friend, all of these bills are grave threats to morality and the Family... I just don't know which to fight.

That's why your advice is so critical.

Which do you consider the biggest threat?

Really?  None of them are threats.  These are all problems that Mr. Delgaudio imagines and uses to raise money for his pocketbook.

Please click here and complete the Membership Poll with your advice as soon as possible.

Warning:  If you follow that link, it will take you to a single page poll that does not include a None of the Above option.  If you enter your e-mail address, then you will receive several e-mails a week, just like those addressed to "Some".

You see, without your advice, I don't feel comfortable pulling resources from one fight to another.

He shouldn't feel comfortable with any of these fights as none of them are real threats.  Of course, then he wouldn't make as much money from gullible, fearful rubes.

But if enough members like you tell me that one or two of these bills represent the greatest threat to you personally, I can move forward knowing I'm doing the right thing.

Of course, fighting just one will cost precious resources.

In fact, if I'm to effectively defeat even one of these bills, I'm going to need an immediate influx of funds.

That's why along with your advice, I desperately need you to contribute financially so that your Public Advocate is strong enough to defeat the Homosexual Lobby.

I did remove this link.  Still, if you want to go to the effort of finding the link through the so-called Public Advocate site, it is your money and your choice.  Mr. Delgaudio will enjoy whatever funds you send his way.

If the Homosexual Lobby succeeds in reshaping America in their image, the values you and I hold dear will be lost forever.

This is simply funny.  First, there is no single image of a homosexual.  Yes, there are stereotypes, but most gays and lesbians are neither swish and frail boys nor over-muscled dykes.  Our parents were mostly heterosexuals and we look a lot like our straight siblings.  The only value that we would like to be rid of is that of intolerant bigotry.

The ultimate goal of every radical Homosexual Activist is to create a new America where sexual promiscuity is the new norm, and traditional values are long forgotten.

Nope.  If that were true, then there would be no push for the Respect for Marriage Act.  Mr. Delgaudio is playing on stereotypes, not reality.

You and I can't let them succeed.

I've prepared a massive grassroots lobbying campaign to defeat these bills.

The plans are all there ready to go...

I just need you to click here and tell me which one !

But that still leaves all the costs...

Defeating just one of these bills will take tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars are going to line Mr. Delgaudio's pockets.  It is estimated that Mr. Delgaudio keeps about $170,000.00 of them money donated to him each year.

I've currently budgeted around $35,000 for each fight.

But that's not nearly enough...

Are you a business owner who refuses to submit to the threat of lawsuits by defeating the Gay Bill of Special Rights ?

More donation links removed where the quoted material is underlined.  Sorry, this begging is disgusting.

Or are you a parent or grandparent who desperately wants to protect the innocence of the next generation by defeating the Homosexual Classrooms Act ?

Or are you passionate about preserving the sanctity of REAL marriage by making sure the Offense of Marriage Act NEVER repeals the Defense of Marriage Act?

Will you help me raise what Public Advocate needs to win?

In order to make sure the Homosexual Classrooms Act NEVER becomes law, I've calculated that I need you and a majority of other pro-family Americans to contribute $50 right away .

But there's also the Gay Bill of Special Rights and the Offense of Marriage Act... We have to fight those too!

No, Mr. Delgaudio does not have to fight any of these as they are not real, at least not real as he depicts them.  Fighting against civil rights is morally wrong.  Pocketing money while claiming to fight against civil rights is even worse.

If you're like me, nothing short of fighting AND DEFEATING every single one of these bills will ever be enough!

But for you and I to win I need you to give more than ever.

Correct English would be "But for you and me to win ...."  Correct morality would be for Mr. Delgaudio to follow the Golden Rule.

I've calculated that winning every one of these battles will require you and other supporters to give $150, or even $200 each.

A few paragraphs ago, $50 was enough.  I guess that while he was typing, Mr. Delgaudio figured out how he could enjoy spending more money from those he is begging.

Can I count on you to give that today?

Please chip in your contribution, along with your Membership Poll with your advice on which battle is most important to you.

Again, I have deleted a link, but none of the associated text.

Whether your most generous contribution is $50, $100, or $150; give what you can to keep the Family strong.

Thank you, in advance.

Yours for the family,

Eugene Delgaudio
President, Public Advocate of the United States

There is a p.s. with repetition of the lies and more begging for money.  There is also the following notice:

Because Public Advocate of the U.S. is a nonprofit, charitable organization that fights the radical agenda of the Homosexual Lobby, contributions are not tax deductible for IRS purposes. This email was not produced or e-mailed at taxpayer expense. Public Advocate's phone number is (703) 845-1808, its address is 5613 Leesburg Pike, Suite 17 Falls Church, VA 22041, and its website is http://publicadvocateusa.org/ .

I find it offensive that he gets tax breaks to harass the LGBTQ Community with his lies and work against equality.  Disgusting.

19 December 2011, Original Pedantic Political Ponderings post.
11 January 2012, FollowUp 1.
14 January 2012, FollowUp 2.

15 March 2012, FollowUp 4.
13 June 2012, FollowUp 5.
12 July 2012, FollowUp 6.

FollowUp 8: Republican Denial of Climate Change

A lot is being learned about the Heartland Institute, a significant source of climate change denial, thanks to an insider releasing a lot of documents.  The documents can be found at DeSmogBlog and are in the process of being analyzed.  Funding for climate change denial is largely from energy and tobacco companies, from De Smog Blog,

It is clear from the documents that Heartland advocates against responsible climate mitigation and then uses that advocacy to raise money from oil companies and "other corporations whose interests are threatened by climate policies." Heartland particularly celebrates the funding that it receives from the fossil fuel fortune being the Charles G. Koch Foundation.

Heartland also continues to collect money from Philip Morris parent company Altria as well as from the tobacco giant Reynolds American, while maintaining ongoing advocacy against policies related to smoking and health.

The Koch brothers have been famous in the past year for funding Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin and a prank phone call where Governor Walker sounded like their lap dog.

As a teacher the most disturbing part of the information is a curriculum project.  From their 2012 Climate Strategy,

Development of our "Global Warming Curriculum for K-12 Classrooms" project.

Principals and teachers are heavily biased toward the alarmist perspective. To counter this we are considering launching an effort to develop alternative materials for K-12 classrooms. We are pursuing a proposal from Dr. David Wojick to produce a global warming curriculum for K-12 schools. Dr. Wojick is a consultant with the Office of Scientific and Technical Information at the U.S. Department of Energy in the area of information and communication science. His effort will focus on providing curriculum that shows that the topic of climate change is controversial and uncertain - two key points that are effective at dissuading teachers from teaching science. We tentatively plan to pay Dr. Wojick $100,000 for 20 modules in 2012, with funding pledged by the Anonymous Donor.

Despite their claims, principals and teachers are heavily biased toward truth.  We do our best to counter lies, even those put forth by large institutions with heavy funding.

It should not be a surprise that the Heartland Institute denies much of what is being learned.

One document, titled “Confidential Memo: 2012 Heartland Climate Strategy,” is a total fake apparently intended to defame and discredit The Heartland Institute. It was not written by anyone associated with The Heartland Institute. It does not express Heartland’s goals, plans, or tactics. It contains several obvious and gross misstatements of fact.

We respectfully ask all activists, bloggers, and other journalists to immediately remove all of these documents and any quotations taken from them, especially the fake “climate strategy” memo and any quotations from the same, from their blogs, Web sites, and publications, and to publish retractions.

Okay, so what does the Heartland Institute really stand for?  From their Ideas list:  Hydraulic fracturing, removal of CAFE standards (let's waste more petroleum), and proving that climate change is not a crisis.  Sorry, I do not believe the Heartland Institute.

1 October 2011, Original Pedantic Political Ponderings post.
10 October 2011, FollowUp 1.
11 October 2011, FollowUp 2.
17 October 2011, FollowUp 3.
21 October 2011, FollowUp 4.
27 October 2011, FollowUp 5.
30 November 2011, FollowUp 6.
29 January 2012, FollowUp 7.

18 February 2012, FollowUp 9.
2 March 2012, FollowUp 10.
11 March 2012, FollowUp 11.
4 June 2012, FollowUp 12.

Praise: Dogs Against Romney

Tomorrow, there will be a rally at Madison Square Garden to protest Mitt Romney's treatment of Seamus, a dog that was once in his family.

Dogs Against Romney is hardly a new website, dating back to 2007.  The point for me is that elected officials need to be humans who reflect who we are.  Mr. Romney continually proves himself to be out of touch with most of us.  Most people would not allow a pet to suffer for hours.  Most people understand that corporations are not people.  Most people, even those with lots of money, don't frivolously make ten thousand dollar bets ... both because it is a risky activity and because gambling is wrong.  Mr. Romney is not among most people financially or emotionally.

From today's posting on Dogs Against Romney:

A Dogs Against Romney press event will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, February 14 at NOON EASTERN TIME in front of MADISON SQUARE GARDEN during The American Kennel Club's Westminster Dog Show (SEE EXACT LOCATION DETAILS BELOW).

You are invited to join your fellow dog lovers on Valentine's Day, tomorrow, Tuesday, February 14, to protest Mitt Romney's abusive treatment of dogs. The protest is sponsored by Dogs Against Romney - and will seek to focus more public attention on the fact that Romney forced his dog to ride for 12-hours on the roof of his car - and even coldly hosed the dog down with water after he became ill and frightened, soiling himself - before driving for hours more - all while Romney's luggage rode inside the car.

Note: Though Dogs Against Romney does not officially endorse any candidate, the event will also serve to complement "Pet Lover's for Obama" - these two organizations share a common goal: That public attention be brought to Mitt Romney's treatment of his family dog.

WHO: Everyone who believes Dogs Aren't Luggage!
WHAT: Dogs Against Romney Press Event
WHERE: West side of 7th Avenue, between 31st and 32nd Streets in front of Madison Square Garden - outside Westminster Dog Show
WHEN: Noon Eastern Time, Tuesday, Feb. 14.
WHAT TO BRING: Dogs are welcome, but not required. Signs and posters will be provided.

23 April 2012, FollowUp 1.

Praise: Washington State Marriage Equality Signing Ceremony

Today the Governor of Washington State, Christine Gregoire, signed legislation that overturns a Washington law that prevents gays and lesbians from marrying their partners.  Opponents of equality have promised to sign a petition and place marriage equality on the November ballot, so the law will not go into effect for a while if ever.  Nonetheless, this is wonderful progress and kudos are particularly owed to numerous legislators and a brave governor.

FollowUp 8: NJ Democrats Call for Marriage Equality

Twenty-two Democrats were joined by two Republicans in the New Jersey Senate to pass marriage equality.  The vote was 24 - 16.

Two republicans, Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) and Sen. Diane Allen (R-Burlington) voted yes on the bill.

“We have some among us who are separate and not equal,” Beck said.

The bills passage elicited a round of applause from those in the audience wearing blue in support of the bill, which Gov. Chris Christie has promised to veto. Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Union), a co-sponsor, raised his arm in victory and said “Yes!”

Two Democrats, Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Essex) and Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May), voted no.

The 24 votes in favor of the bill leaves supporters three votes short of the 27 votes they would need to override Christie’s veto.

Marriage equality will be considered by the New Jersey Assembly on Thursday.

9 January 2012, Original Pedantic Political Ponderings post.

25 January 2012, FollowUp 1.

26 January 2012, FollowUp 2.

28 January 2012, FollowUp 3.

30 January 2012, FollowUp 4.

31 January 2012, FollowUp 5.

3 February 2012, FollowUp 6.

10 February 2012, FollowUp 7.

18 February 2012, FollowUp 9.

21 February 2012, FollowUp 10.

13 February 2012: Marriage News Watch

Links:  American Foundation for Equal Rights, Marriage News Watch.

23 January 2012: Marriage News Watch.
30 January 2012: Marriage News Watch.
6 February 2012: Marriage News Watch.

20 February 2012: Marriage News Watch.
21 February 2012: Marriage News Watch Special Episode.
27 February 2012: Marriage News Watch.
12 March 2012:  Marriage News Watch.
19 March 2012: Marriage News Watch.
26 March 2012:  Marriage News Watch.
2 April 2012: Marriage News Watch.
5 April 2012: Marriage News Watch, Surprise Advance.
16 April 2012: Marriage News Watch.
23 April 2012: Marriage News Watch.
30 April 2012: Marriage News Watch.
7 May 2012: Marriage News Watch.
10 May 2012: Marriage News Watch, 2012's Biggest Marriage Milestones So Far.
14 May 2012: Marriage News Watch.
21 May 2012: Marriage News Watch.
28 May 2012: Marriage News Watch.
4 June 2012: Marriage News Watch.
5 June 2012: Marriage News Watch, Prop 8 Rehearing Denied.
11 June 2012: Marriage News Watch.
18 June 2012: Marriage News Watch.
25 June 2012: Marriage News Watch.
2 July 2012: Marriage News Watch.
10 July 2012: Marriage News Watch.
16 July 2012: Marriage News Watch.

FollowUp 12: Wisconsin Republican Dirty Tricks

While the petition signatures for Governor Scott Walker are being considered, three of the four state senators who are being recalled did not challenge enough signatures to avoid new elections.  The fourth, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald is trying to challenge signatures that were gathered under the old district maps because some of those voters will be in new districts when the redistricting is complete.  This is despite the organizer of his recall, Lori Compas, having followed the instructions given by the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board when determining who was valid to consider.  Ms. Compas is considering a run for Mr. Fitzgerald's seat in the recall election.



While Mr. Fitzgerald is correct that there cannot be two sets of maps, using maps that are not yet approved as the basis for throwing out recall petition signatures would be quite the dirty trick.

16 November 2011, Original Pedantic Political Ponderings post.
30 November 2011, FollowUp 1.
4 December 2011, FollowUp 2.
11 December 2011, FollowUp 3.
14 December 2011, FollowUp 4.
15 December 2011, FollowUp 5.
30 December 2011, FollowUp 6.
13 January 2012, FollowUp 7.
17 January 2012, FollowUp 8.
25 January 2012, FollowUp 9.
2 February 2012, FollowUp 10.
9 February 2012, FollowUp 11.

18 February 2012, FollowUp 13.
22 February 2012, FollowUp 14.
6 March 2012, FollowUp 15.
12 March 2012, FollowUp 16.
16 March 2012, FollowUp 17.
30 March 2012, FollowUp 18.
31 March 2012, FollowUp 19.
3 April 2012, FollowUp 20.
4 April 2012, FollowUp 21.
11 April 2012, FollowUp 22.
14 April 2012, FollowUp 23.
17 April 2012, FollowUp 24.
21 April 2012, FollowUp 25.
29 April 2012, FollowUp 26.
2 May 2012, FollowUp 27.
6 May 2012, FollowUp 28.
10 May 2012, FollowUp 29.
13 May 2012, FollowUp 30.
23 May 2012, FollowUp 31.
24 May 2012, FollowUp 32.
30 May 2012, FollowUp 33.
2 June 2012, FollowUp 34.
4 June 2012, FollowUp 35.
5 June 2012, FollowUp 36.